Aglio Olio Spaghettini with Prawns, Mushrooms and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

A very easy making lunch and sort of on the healthy side :)

Ingredients:
250gm spaghetti
a pot of boiling water
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp butter
3 small swiss brown mushroom, cleaned and sliced
1/2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
A pinch of salt
6 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp dried chilli flakes
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or ground
8 medium prawn, skinned
Salt to taste
Chopped parsley, basil & coriander (optional)

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
6 medium cherry tomatoes, halved
Olive oil
Pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven 180C
2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss them together to combine.
3. Arrange the tomatoes in a baking pan, cut sides up.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti in a pot of boiling water with salt and butter according to packaging instructions. Usually around 9-12 minutes. 
2. About 5 minutes before the spaghetti is done, using a medium pan over a medium heat, melt the butter, add in the mushroom, juice and salt. Cook until tender and brown. Take out the mushroom and set aside.
3. Using the same pan with some leftover butter, pour in the oil. Add in the chilli and garlic, cook for 2 minutes, add the prawn and cook for another 2 minutes . Add the mushroom and salt. Cook for a minute. Remove from heat.
4. Fold in the spaghetti and stir until combined. Add the chopped herbs and roasted tomatoes. Serve warm.

Oatmeal Energy Bars

Kids will never in a million years...love rolled oats. At least for most of the kids that know...my kids, my nieces, my nephews, grandkids (I'm not that old by the way)...so how to get them to eat oat? Put them in the things that they do love to eat. Oatmeal chocolate chips cookies for example? Yeah...but it kinda a cliche, don't you think. My kids love this energy bars...it has lots rolled oats, rice krispies, nuts, sunflower seeds and of course I have to put a little bit chocolate chips in it...just to make it more appealing for the kids..urmm adults too :) .

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups rolled oat
2 cups rice krispies
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup melon seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cups dessicated coconut
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Bake it alright!:

1. Preheat oven to 175Cel, spray an 8x8 baking tray with vegetable oil
2. In a small saucepan over a medium heat, melt the butter, honey & brown sugar - or you can just put them in the microwave and heat until the ingredients fully melted.
3. In a big mixing bowl combine all the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips.
4. Fold in the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combine. Add the chocolate chips.
5. Scrape and fold the mixture into the prepared baking tray and using the back of a wooden spoon press it evenly as possible
6. Bake for 15 mins, cool for about one hour at room temperature and and refrigerate about 30 minutes before slicing them up.

Aloha Sunrise Smoothies

I think today is a very nice bright sunny day, it has been raining most of the time even at night. This kind of nice weather should be accompanied by a nice cold and fresh fruit smoothies...Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup frozen fresh pineapple

1/4 cup frozen pineapple in a can (water drained)

Juice from 2 large oranges or if you want it sweeter, you can also subtitute with 1 small cart (about 250ml) of orange juice

Let's make it:

Blitz them all in a blender or smoothie maker. Serve.

If you like it fizzy, can put 1/2 cup sprite in a jug, pour the smoothie into it and serve.

OA

I have been suffering from knee pain on my left leg for quite sometime. But after delivered my 4th child two years ago, the pain became more regular, sometime unbearable and the right knee also affected. I can hardly stand up to walk after sitting for a long period of time. When I walk too much, once I sat down, it is very painful as if a knife cutting through my knee bone. In the morning, all joints in my lower body became stiff. During rainy season or when the weather is too cold, my knee hurts deep to the bone. 

September this year, I finally decided it's time to see an Orthopedic. One visit, a few x-rays and an MRI...I was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is different from osteoporosis. 

According to webmd, OA is the "wear and tear" arthritis, and it is common, especially as we age. Causes include aging joints, previous injuries, and obesity, among others. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis may affect any joint, including the hand, wrist, neck, back, knee, and hip. Osteoarthritis treatment depends on the joint but often includes medication and exercise. There is no special osteoarthritis diet, but weight loss may improve symptoms of osteoarthritis.

CDC defined OA as a disease characterized by degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint as well as bony overgrowth. The breakdown of these tissues eventually leads to pain and joint stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are the knees, hips, and those in the hands and spine. The specific causes of osteoarthritis are unknown, but are believed to be a result of both mechanical and molecular events in the affected joint. Disease onset is gradual and usually begins after the age of 40. There is currently no cure for OA. Treatment for OA focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function, and can include a combination of patient education, physical therapy, weight control, and use of medications. 

So, basically there is no cure...hence my Orthopedic prescribed me with glucosamine sulphate which I need to take for the rest of my life. It is not medication actually, it is a supplement. Besides that, he registered me for a 6 sessions of physiotherapy that I have to complete in 3 weeks i.e. twice a week. The physio that was prepared for me was electrotherapy, hot packs and exercises. After religiously attended the physio and took the supplement daily, there is an improvement but of course it needs to be continuously maintained. Even though I do not have to continue the physio, I still need to exercise on my own and take the glucosamine. The recommended exercise is swimming, walking and stretching. 

I can't swim, but now I have to and this is my coach.. :) He's 13.