The raging hot weather has got us craving for something nice and cold! So what's nice, cold AND healthy too? A smoothie bowl!
Perfect for breakfast or as a cold treat, I made my smoothie base using cold milk, mixed berries and banana. Just blitz them together in a blender until you get a thick puree (it's just like eating yogurt). Then, let you creativity run wild and beautify your smoothie bowl with ingredients of your choice - I went for chia seed, sliced bananas, dessicated coconut, mint leaves and more mixed berries. Love how pretty our smoothie bowl looked..... and it was absolutely delicious too!
Mixed berries smoothie bowl
Mixed berries smoothie bowl Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients For the smoothie base 1/2 cup milk 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 frozen banana, peeled
For topping 1 banana, peeled and sliced 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1-2 tsp dessicated coconut 1-2 tsp chia seeds Mint leaves
1. Place ingredients for smoothie base in a blender and blitz for 1-2 minutes, until you get a thick puree. Divide the smoothie base into two bowls.
2. Top with sliced banana, frozen mixed berries, dessicated coconut, chia seeds and mint leaves. Garnish with edible flowers if you like. Enjoy!
Maitake mushroom has been consumed for many years, thanks to the plethora of health benefits it brings. Maitake means dancing mushroom in Japanese, and is also known as "signorina mushroom" in Italian or hen in the woods.
What are the health benefits of maitake mushrooms? Maitake mushrooms contain antioxidants that aid in anti-aging and it is also high in vitamin D which can help to boost your immune system, muscles and bones, hence it is great in aiding the growth of children. It can also help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, hence it is suitable for individuals with diabetes. Furthermore, maitake contains 2.7g of dietary fibre in every 100g, which is the same amount as one lettuce.
Maitake mushrooms have a firm texture and robust, earthy flavor and contains L-glutamate, that gives us the wonderful umami flavour. It is also a great source of protein, hence you can use it as a meat substitute. Maitake mushroom is very versatile and can be roasted, baked, grilled, deep fried, sauteed or stir fried, and retains its texture whichever way you choose to cook it.
Mushroom risotto is one of our favourite dishes at home. Just before serving, the maitake mushrooms are sauteed in some olive oil and garlic and then added to the risotto. The kids really loved the addition of the maitake mushrooms, with its lovely "meaty" texture. So delicious, try out this healthy and easy recipe at home today!
Yukiguni Maitake is Japan's top maitake brand. Since 1983, high-quality maitake mushrooms have been farmed in a facility equipped with Japanese technology. It is pesticide-free, chemical-free, all natural mushroom with healing properties, which can be enjoyed without washing. Imported from Japan, fresh Yukiguni Maitake can be purchased from major AEON shopping malls in the Klang Valley (retail price RM5.90). Yukiguni Maitake will keep well in your fridge for up to one week.
1l chicken stock
2 packs maitake mushroom, separated
1/4 tsp chicken stock granules
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
150 g streaky bacon, sliced
25g grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnishing
A handful of chives, to garnish
1. In a large non-stick pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Increase heat to high, then add the rice. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the rice with the onion, making sure that the grains are coated with the olive oil/butter until slightly translucent and the rice starts to crackle, for about 2 minutes. This process is called tostatura. It helps the rice absorb the stock later.
3. Dissolve one chicken stock pot in 1l water. Turn the heat down to medium low and add enough stock to cover the risotto, about 1 cup. Keep stirring the risotto constantly as stirring massages the starch molecules out of the rice, hence creating a rich, creamy texture.
4. Allow the stock to be absorbed before adding more stock to the rice. Keep adding small amounts of stock (1/2 cup at a time) to the rice until the rice is soft but still has a bite to it (al dente). This will take about 20-30 minutes. Taste the risotto rice occasionally to check if it's ready. If you run out of stock before your rice is ready, you can add boiling water as a substitute for the stock.
5. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook for 8-10 minutes, until they are crispy and golden. Remove from heat with slotted spoon and set aside.
6. In the same frying pan (from Step 5), add garlic and saute until lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the maitake mushrooms and saute over medium heat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Season with chicken stock granules. Remove from heat with slotted spoon and set aside.
7. When the rice is almost ready (95%), lower the heat, then stir in the sauteed mushrooms (from Step 7). Take the pan off the heat and add the Parmesan into the rice (the mantecatura process) as well as 1 tablespoon of butter. Taste and adjust seasoning.
8. To serve, place mushroom risotto onto a plate, then top with bacon and finely chopped chives. Garnish with more shaved Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Note: You may replace streaky bacon with beef or turkey bacon, if preferred.
Yukiguni Maitake mushrooms
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You can read more about Yukiguni Maitake here.
When we're in need of a good spa treatment, we know we can always count on Spa Village for the ultimate pampering session. Starhill Spa Village at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur is the latest addition to the luxury Spa Village brand, where every spa is unique and introduces authentic encounters that combine the therapeutic properties of natural local ingredients and age-old healing practices.
At the Starhill Spa Village, ignite your senses through the power of scent. Scent carries memories on its wings to lift the emotions, calm the nerves, or spice up your day.
Each signature aromatic oil has its own distinctive health benefits to help soothe your body and mind. Guests will be able to personalise their own experience by choosing their preferred aromatic oil (from a range of ten oils from the collection) and pair it with their choice of massage and enhancement (herbal compress, warmed stones or muscle relax pack), for a delightful sensory journey.
The signature treatment here at Starhill Spa is the Deep Sleep (RM650), a 2-hour experience curated for those who suffer insomnia, experiencing jet lag or seeking to ensure a peaceful night's sleep. My therapist ushered me to the treatment room, and served me the welcome drink - a delicious concoction of green apples, celery and ginger.
I was then asked to change into a sarong and led to the opulent ensuite bathroom to immerse myself in the bathtub which has been run earlier. Lavender and Clary Sage essential oils has been added to the warm waters to help you relax and begin your dreamy journey. The lights are dimmed, and I was left alone to enjoy a soak for 20 minutes.
Following the bath, I was be led back to the treatment room, where gentle hands lull me into a state of complete relaxation using specialised hypnotic massage techniques and sleep inducing 432 Hz
frequency music to gently shift the body’s circadian rhythm to a more balanced state. Highly relaxing, I admit I fell asleep during the first half of the treatment and I slept very well back at home that evening. After the treatment, I was brought to the Relaxation Lounge to enjoy a cup of hot ginger tea.
Loving this bathroom!
Treatment room
Relaxation Lounge
Hubby, on the other hand, had the 90-minutes Gentleman's Refuel (RM450), designed for the gentleman feeling the ill effects of stress and a hectic lifestyle. This experience focuses on all those spots with knots. The back is first treated to an invigorating thermal mineral exfoliation to prepare for the nutrient dense back mask of Moor Mud. Evolved over 20,000 years, this mud is composed of over 1,000 plants, herbs, and flowers, increasing circulation, reducing tissue and joint inflammation, and easing pain. The rejuvenating treatment concludes with a full body massage using zesty Pine and Cedarwood oils deeply penetrating the muscles and encouraging tension release.
Guests can enjoy the Spa Facilities, such as Hot Spa and Cold Plunge Pools, Steam and Sauna Rooms.
Modern, sleek Changing Facilities. Love the white tiles!
For the full spa menu, click here. For more information or reservations, contact the Spa Team at starhillspa@ytlhotels.com.my or call +60 3 2719 8342. Advance reservations are recommended.
Every year between April to September, turtles return to the beaches of Terengganu by instinct to the very area where they were hatched. The turtles you may find here in Terengganu are mainly the common Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) and the occasional rare Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricate).
The sight of a mother turtle ambling up the beach to ensure that her next generation are safely deposited in warm sand is one to cherish. A green turtle can usually lays 70-140 eggs at one time and every 10-12 nights, it will come back to the beach to lay eggs, for up to 5 times a season. For about three months, the eggs will lay incubating in the sand, only for the hatchlings to emerge during a full moon and speed their way to the ocean. In the years to come, many will return to the very same beach, completing the cycle of life.
As the turtle watching season on Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast reaches its peak in September, Resorts World Kijal with its 7.6km beach remains one of the best places in Malaysia to spot and appreciate these majestic creatures on their annual return to the shore. It is the only turtle landing area with a hotel attached.
This means that guests do not need to travel a long distance to the turtle viewing area to wait for the turtles (as viewing is not always guaranteed). Guests can stay in the comfort of their rooms, and only once the ranger spots a mother turtle coming onshore to lay her eggs at the resort, they will contact the guest and arrange for them to head down for the turtle watching.
Resort World Kijal's Hatchery
We participated in the turtle hatchlings release and egg planting session at the Hatchery. This was the highlight of our trip, as BabySumoKids got to release 4-year old baby turtles (aka hatchling) back to their natural environment. The kids were taught the correct way to handle the turtles and we wished them "good luck" before we carefully released them onto the sand to make their way to the sea. It is important to release the turtles at least 3m away as scrambling over the sand is a way of imprinting, so they know where to return to lay their eggs in future.
Being a high-trafficked area, Resorts World Kijal's conservation programme ensures the safety of both the turtles and their eggs. Regular cleanings are done to ensure the beach is safe for both turtle landings and guest activities, and the resort is also working with the Terengganu Department of Fisheries to seek official protection for its beach and to certify its guest turtle conservation programme.
It is estimated that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood due to predators, hence we need to ensure as many eggs as possible are hatched and also NOT eaten by humans. We can do our part by not supporting the turtle trade in any way or by not littering as plastic bags are usually mistaken for jellyfish (the turtle's favorite food which they can eat up too 100kg per day!).
Egg planting
The turtle eggs are about the size of ping pong balls
4-day old baby turtles, ready to be released
Kids were taught how to hold the baby turtles (on the side, and never on the belly)
Look at the joy on his face (he told me that he really hopes his baby turtle survives out there!)
Goodbye little one!
Did you know that turtle eggs laid in the shade would mostly be male and in hot areas will be female?
Guests eager to participate in the turtle conservation efforts and get a glimpse of these turtles can opt for the resort’s 3D2N Sea Turtle package, where they can frolic in the sea by day and keep watch for turtles at night. With this package, guests will stay in the Premier Seaview Room (inclusive breakfast) which offers a magnificent view of the swimming pool, beach and azure ocean.
A taste of local culture - we were warmly greeted by these primary school children who performed a few traditional Malay dance for us.
Hotel lobby is quite a sight to behold, with its super high ceiling
Imagine waking up to this view :)
The Premier Seaview Room also comes with a bathtub as well as separate shower/toilet.
With pristine beaches and warm weather all around, take advantage and go for a long walk by the beach and feel the sand as well as sea water between your toes. Take respite from the heat under these beach umbrellas and simply enjoy the view.
Check out the cute toilet signs!
There is also a fantastic swimming pool with a kids play area and slides to keep the family entertained. By the pool, there are also outdoor jacuzzis for adults to enjoy a soak in.
There are also table tennis, snooker, fitness centre, archery range, Giant chess, Snakes & Ladders and many more to keep everyone happy.
There is also an 18-hole championship golf course right next to the resort, providing a unique challenge with its sand-based course.
Cutest buggy driver.. hop on!
There are three dining venues at the hotel, namely Restoran Kampong Meraga Beris, Oasis Beach Bistro and Hainan Express. Restoran Kampong is where you have your breakfast, with a large variety of food including local specialties such as laksam and nasi dagang. The restaurant also serves a buffet lunch, with the dishes served on top of a "sampan" (boat).
Located by the beach, Oasis Beach Bistro is the perfect venue for a BBQ under the stars with a wonderful sea view. Enjoy your dinner with the sea breeze against your skin while being entertained by the live band.
If you have time, you can also explore the old fishing village, Kampung Penunjuk, which is just 10 minutes away. You will still see working fishing boats here and the sight of fish such as anchovies (ikan bilis) drying in the sun.
Resorts World Kijal is ideal for teambuilding activities; the Events team are well-equipped in organizing telematches and activities. We had lots of fun participating in the events such as Bottle Fishing, Gorilla Race, Tarik Upih and Kukur Kelapa.
Thanks to Resorts World Genting for organising this fun and educational media trip. It was an amazing experience for our kids; not only did they get to learn lots of fascinating facts about turtles and how they can help preserve the turtles, they got first-hand experience on releasing the hatchlings back to sea.
Watch our video for the turtle release here.
Room rates at Resorts World Kijal start from RM410 per night.
The resort also offers a number of stay packages, including the 3D2N Sea Turtle Package (RM682 per night in a Premier Seaview room, including buffet breakfast for two at Restoran Kampong and a choice of turtle hatchling release or egg planting) and the 2D1N Golf Package (RM426 per night in a Premier Seaview room, including a buffet breakfast for two at Restoran Kampong and golfing session for 2 pax, including insurance).
Check in time 3pm, check out time 12pm. Resorts World Kijal is approximately a 4-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.
Location: Resorts World Kijal, KM28, Jalan Kemaman-Dungun 24100 Kijal, Kemaman, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia.
