Electric food steamers.

I have been meaning to get a proper steamer ever since I moved out. At first I just opted for one of those bamboo steamers. I got one. An 8 inch one, I believe. And whenever I tried to make steam buns, I would have to spend hours in the kitchen steaming probably three buns at a time for dozens of them. So I've been avoiding making steam buns for the longest time. And then whenever I had to steam something that had to be in a bowl or plate, I had no bowls or plates that would fit in the bamboo steamer. So what I ended up doing, was putting it in the rice cooker and hoping it'll work. Which never does. I'd get partially cooked- whatever it is- that I'm making. I finally had some room in my budget to get a proper steamer. I was expecting to get one of those huge pot things with 3-5 tiers that go on top. But then I came across an electric steamer. It was actually the first time I've seen these. I feel so out of date. But I really regret not having bought this sooner. It is literally my life now. I love it so much.

It has a base, where the water goes in, and a turbo steam function that makes the water boil/steam almost immediately. I plug it in and turn it on, and after probably 5 seconds, it would be steaming already. Which saves so much time of having a huge pot of water and waiting for it to boil. Also it has a digital clock on it and a timer. So when its done steaming, it will beep and turn to the "Keep warm" function. Like a rice cooker. So now not only do I not have to wait forever for the water to boil, I don't have to be hovering around it forever waiting for my food to be ready and checking to make sure there is enough water inside. (When it runs dry, it will beep to let you know and turn itself off!) It also has a delay timer, so I can set it to start steaming whenever I want, so for example if I want something ready to eat right when I get home from school, I can set it to start 15 minutes or so before I expect to be home.

The steamer looks something like this:

Although this isn't the exact one that I got, it is very similar to it.

And of course, I immediately had to make steam buns with it, which I will post a recipe for in a bit.

Review: Sana 39mm Wide Spring Power Curler (Eyelash Curler) and more about my life.

Well, I saw Queenie rave about this eyelash curler in one of her videos, and it instantly made me want to get one. Before I did though, I looked up some more information and reviews about it. Apparently it's a very popular eyelash curler in Asia. But of course, there are  no stores that sell this product where I live, so I had to hit the internet to get mine. I found it on Ebay. It wasn't cheap, especially for an eyelash curler. I think the total, including shipping, came up to be about $30. I could've gotten the normal blue one, which was MUCH cheaper, but I wanted the special edition shiny pink one.

The curler has a spring in it, so when you release, it springs open. I have to admit, I was amused by this, and I've been playing with it all day. Like the Shu Uemura and Shiseido eyelash curlers, it came with a replacement silicone pad. I had never known until I got my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, that the silicone pads should be replaced every 3 months. The silicone pad on this eyelash curler though, is, I'd say, about twice as thick as the pads on normal eyelash curlers. And it is clear, rather than black.

So I tested it out. The curve is just right for my eyes! Shu Uemura had been slightly too curved for my eyes, and Shiseido had been slightly too flat for my eyes. I always had trouble deciding between those two that I had, which one to use. And now I have this one which has the perfect curve. First, I tested it on my bare lashes. Clean, with nothing whatsoever on them. It curled my lashes really nicely. I loved it. And it lasted. All day, without mascara! Then I tried curling it first and then applying mascara. The mascara did not straighten out the lashes like it usually does when I curl prior to applying mascara. It kept the curl. And it looked great. Finally, I tried applying mascara first like I usually did, and then curling after. I noticed my lashes didn't stick to the metal part of the eyelash curler as much as it did with other eyelash curlers I've used. And it did give a pretty natural curl to my lashes, unlike some other ones that I've used that would look like dents in my eyelashes. Ick.

Overall, I absolutely love this eyelash curler. I wish I found out about it before I spent so much money on other eyelash curlers that I've tried. This is definitely my new favourite.


So last time I ended off mentioning that I got a plane ticket home for the summer. But before that I had applied to a billion places, for a summer job, and none of the places had contacted me. I thought I'd never find a job. But just today, one of the places, a photo studio, called me and asked me to go in for an interview. I agreed of course, just to see if I'd get the job. But I don't know. I can't decide if I want to stay here with that job, if they do hire me, or if I want to go home and perhaps find a better, more suitable job for me there. I mean, I've already gotten the plane ticket. But it wasn't really THAT expensive (totaled to be approximately $150). Plus, I only got one-way. Which means if I do go, I'll have to spend another $150 or more heading back here. But if I don't go, then I totally wasted that $150. And I can tell my mom really misses me and wants me back. I guess I'll see how the interview tomorrow goes, and decide from there. I'm just scared, that if I do get this job here, and I decide to not take it and go back instead.... that I won't be able to find a job there. So... I don't know... I'm just really indecisive right now, about everything. And then there's my boyfriend. I want to be a good girlfriend to him. Instead of being like, I don't fucking care about you, I'm leaving. I know what it feels like, because I've been through that with my previous boyfriend. So I don't really want him to go through that same thing, for four consecutive months. I don't know....

Simple Seaweed Tofu (Recipe) and A little about what's been going on in my life.

First things first, so not to bore anybody. The seaweed tofu. This is currently one of my favourite things to make. Its just SO simple, and SO easy to make. I'm sure there's something like this that already exists out there, but I haven't had it before until I decided to make it myself, and couldn't find a recipe anywhere for what I was imagining. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough.

Ingredients:
Nori (About 3 sheets)
1 package tofu (medium/firm whichever you prefer, I personally like the taste of medium more, but firm is easier to make)
Salt to taste

Directions:
1. Open package of tofu and rinse in cold water. Pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Cut the tofu into little rectangles.
3. Sprinkle salt on the tofu.
4. Using scissors, cut the seaweed into smaller sheets. For mine I cut it in half one way and then into 4 the other direction (8 pieces in total for each sheet)
5. Wrap tofu in the seaweed. Have a bowl or glass of water by you and dip your finger in the water to wet the edge of the seaweed so it sticks and stays together.
6. Once they're all wrapped, heat oil in a wok or frying pan and fry tofu until golden brown.
7. Serve.


Now onto my life. Its ironic, because this whole mess revolves around food which I love so much. So its exam season, and everybody's stressed out about their exams. Its a normal thing. But my boyfriend... Holy shit.

On the last day of classes, which was Friday, he asked me to go over because he missed me and he was so nervous about his job interview the next day. So I went out of my way to go over to his place. Then when I was there, all he wanted was for me to help him decide what to wear. And then after that he just settled down and studied. So I just went to bed, since it was past my bedtime anyway. I didn't think too much about it then. Then the next day came, and like usual, he made me breakfast (Instant noodles ._.), and he went to studying again after he made me it and while I was eating. Then he left for his interview and to visit his sister.

He was gone until around 5 pm, leaving me there at his place for the entire time he was gone. There was no vegan food there, except for instant noodles. Nothing. I was already hungry before he left, and he knew it. I was starving by the time he came back, and I asked him to go get some groceries with me. His response? "I have no time, I have so much studying to do." So I was just like, whatever, studying is important. So I just shut up and let him study and studied as well. Then after about an hour, he gets up, gets on his bed and takes a nap. Which is when I started to get pissed. Because he didn't have time to go grocery shopping with me, but he had time for a nap. And once I start to get pissed, I tend start to overthink everything. I would be talking to myself in my head. "He doesn't care about me... I've been starving all day, and he wouldn't even take half an hour out of his time to get some food with me... And now he's taking a nap. Wtf happened to not having time?"

And then he gets up and starts studying again. All the while, he's eating snacks that I can't eat. Munching on the snacks, and like, rubbing it in. And he gives me this little package crappy, cheap looking Easter candy that just looks so unappealing, and says here's your lunch. I seriously wanted to throw it in his face. And then a few hours later, which was around 8 I think, he gets up and finally decides he wants dinner. That's when he finally asks me, if I want noodles. I was just so pissed, I ignored him. But then going on inside my head, I was thinking about when I'm at home.... Yes, I'm homesick. My mom would always make me food, even if I said I didn't want any or that I'm not hungry. And she'd make me eat it. Because she cared, and knew that I have to eat. So then what started to go on inside my head, was that if he really cared, he would make me noodles anyway and make me eat it. And I did hear him cooking so for a second I thought maybe he was making me something. But no. He made himself noodles. And ate it right in front of me. Rubbing it in even more.

So I basically didn't eat all day. I guess it was basically my own fault too though, because I could've gone grocery shopping myself and made myself dinner, or I could've said yes when he asked if I wanted noodles. But still, I was just so mad. And I wanted to assure myself that he cared for me. Which only proved to myself that he doesn't. And it just made me even more homesick, because I miss the attention and care that my mom always gave me so much.

Then a couple hours later, he finally noticed that something was wrong. And tried to talk to me and the fact that he finally took some time out of his studying to give me some attention, plus some of the things he said, made me think maybe he does care. So I forgave him.

But then the next morning.... or more like afternoon, because he sleeps in so much... I woke him up, and told him I'm starving. And he tells me to go make myself some noodles. (For the record, I fucking hate instant noodles. They're so unhealthy and gross. And also, I hate making myself at home at other peoples places, even though we're so close. It just doesn't seem right. I have family friends that I've been going to their places for my entire life and I don't even pour myself a glass of water there. Also, he has the WORST cooking utensils ever imaginable. I can't even make instant noodles with what he has.) So I'm like, "No, you make me some." And then he goes on with his excuses, saying how he's so tired and stressed about exams and family problems.... That's when it really hit me. My last boyfriend blamed EVERYTHING on stress and family problems. It pissed me off SO much. I don't see them as acceptable excuses to anything. He should be able to handle it. So I almost flipped, but as calmly as I could, I was just like "Why did you even ask me to come over, if you have so much studying to do? I'm leaving." And all he says is "That's probably for the best." And he gets up and makes noodles just as I'm about to leave, and they're ready right when I'm putting my shoes on, and he's like, "You can have some noodles if you want." Going on in my head I'm thinking "I don't want your fucking noodles, I'm leaving. Fuck you." So I just opened the door and left. He didn't even say bye. I didn't even say bye either. I guess I did overreact a bit though. But I really did feel neglected. He didn't even call or text me after I left. He hadn't even said a single word of concern or comfort to me.

That Friday, had been the last day for this sale on flights with Air Canada. I had been thinking about whether or not to go home after my final exams for a while. The only thing that was making me want to stay here, was him. I finally decided to stay. Just for him. I didn't get the tickets at the cheap, cheap price they were selling for, which was about 50% off the regular price. But after what had happened... I really thought, I can't stay. I need someone to care about me, and he wouldn't be the one to. So when I got home, I checked for flights going home, and they were so much more expensive. I really regretted for thinking for even a second, that I could rely on him. I really wanted to go home, where I'd be in the care of my parents once again. So despite the expensive flight tickets, I got one to go back. I haven't told him I'm leaving yet. I don't plan to until after I'm gone.

All this has made me feel like I'm being a horrible, horrible person though. Not just a horrible girlfriend. I wish I could be one who could support him with his studies in any way and not be so greedy in terms of care and attention. When he was applying for his job, a part of me secretly wished that he wouldn't get the job so he could spend more time with me. Today when he told me he got the job, I wasn't even happy for him. I really should be though. His career is probably my future. If this lasts. But maybe his career won't even have anything to do with my future even if we were to get married one day and live together since he seems to be such a shrewd person. I don't know... It just seems like he brings out the worst of me. I'm just being such a horrible person lately. I keep trying to live by this "rule", which is also another one of my favourite quotes:

"We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give."

But I have to admit.... I fail.

"When you dream, dream BIG."

This is inspired by a post on a blog that I stumbled across earlier: http://www.tasteoftime.blogspot.com/

I just recently encountered some problems with my relationship, and like usual, I get that feeling that all hope is lost. But its not so bad this time. Although I feel that I don't have any hope in this guy anymore, I still have hope. I know there is probably someone out there that is much more suitable for me. I used to think, there is no love in this world anymore. I look at all my friends, my friends families.... It seems like all around me, people are always breaking up, going through divorce, not being able to be with those they love. But Gina's stories are so touching, they remind me that love does exist. My new insight on love now, is that I don't necessarily need to be in love with someone in that way. Love is all around.

One of my favourite quotes:
"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."

I've decided, from now on I'm going to strive towards my lifelong dreams. The big ones. And I'm not going to let anyone affect it anymore. What are my dreams?

1. To get my masters degree in Architecture.

2. To go to a culinary arts school, and open my own, successful, non-profit vegan bakery one day.

3. To travel the world.

4. To become an influential person, like Queenie Chan and Matthew Lush, two of my "idols" I might say, which have really influenced me.

5. Have my own little farm somewhere where its warm all year round and grow everything that I eat myself.

I realize that I can't have all of these at once. I can't be an Architect and operate my own bakery and a farm all at the same time, but these are my dreams. Maybe I'll pursue them one by one in different stages of my life, rather than going for all of them at once.

Vegan Alfredo Sauce

I haven't had alfredo sauce ever since I became vegan. I just never took the leap to try making a vegan one until a few days ago. I've just always been so paranoid it would come out tasting like soy. Because everything vegan calls for something like tofu or soymilk. So I finally decided to try it out. This recipe uses tofu. I was so paranoid it would taste like tofu, but it didn't at all. My boyfriend loved it too, and he couldn't tell there was tofu in it at all. He still doesn't know what I made it out of. I didn't have a lot of the ingredients that the recipe called for though, so I modified it and used what I had. I put some cauliflower in it too, which he usually hates, but he absolutely loved the cauliflower in this and we were fighting for them. He even liked my vegan alfredo more than real alfredo! This following recipe is what I used.

Ingredients:
1 package soft tofu
1/3 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-2 tbsp dried basil
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh cauliflower

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Lightly brown garlic in the oil. Make sure not to burn it or it'll be bitter. Allow to cool.
2. Blend together tofu and garlic/oil mixture until smooth and creamy.
3. Add water for desired consistency.
4. Place mixture in a saucepan, add vegetables and cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
5. Add basil, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper and cook for another 3 minutes.
6. Serve over pasta.

For the original recipe, click here.

Product Review: Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Epilator (7781 Wet&Dry Body & Face)

Product information here.
I've been meaning to get a new epilator to replace my super old Remington one for years now. So I finally took the plunge. I did some research, and this one appeared to be the most attractive and impressive to me.

It always amazes me how so few people know what epilators are. Basically they are like a bunch of tweezers built into this amazing little thing that spins and pulls out hair the same way tweezers do, but in a much more efficient manner.

Epilating vs. Waxing?

Epilating is so much easier, faster, and not as messy. It's basically like shaving. Also I find that epilating can pull out the tiniest hairs. And the coarsest hairs that waxing would usually miss (Like underarm hair.... Waxing that just never works for me.) Also, there are no reoccurring costs, whereas with wax you need to keep buying the wax.

However, epilating can feel more painful than waxing, especially the first few times. But I think it's totally worth it. I feel that the hair doesn't grow back as fast with epilating as it does with waxing, even though waxing always claims to have smoothness lasting 4-6 weeks, it never really does. Neither does epilating, but definitely longer than waxing.

So a little bit about this epilator.... It works wet or dry. Meaning it can be used in the shower, and washable. This is what I love most about it. It also has a pivoting head, which is great because it can follow the contours of your body. It is cordless (rechargeable). It has a hairlift system that lifts and guides hair into the tweezers. A massaging system that increases comfort while epilating. And another one of my favourite features, it has a light built into it that lights up the area being epilated, so you don't miss a single hair. Also it has two speeds. It comes with some pre-epilation wipes, a shaver head, a precision head (for face), a narrow epilation head (for underarms and bikini), an efficiency cap, a pouch, and a brush for dry cleaning.

I am pretty much in love with my new epilator. I use it all the time now, instead of waxing. With my old epilator I had gotten so frustrated with it, I turned to waxing for a while. But with this new epilator, I don't think I'll ever wax again. I had tried my old epilator before on my underarm, and it hurt SO much and made it bleed a lot. Then a few days ago, I tried it with this new epilator and it did hurt, but I didn't bleed at all, and it was bearable. Also the fact that it can be used in the shower saved some pain. It's been a few days, and my underarms are still so smooth! I don't think I'll ever be shaving them again. I just tried them in the bikini area too. I was intending to do a full Brazilian, but it hurt so much I couldn't make it past just the typical bikini line area. It left some red bumps, but I know they'll go away because my first time epilating other areas of my body left me red bumps as well. I'm just hoping now that with more uses in the bikini area it will become easier.

Edit: I have been using the epilator about once a week on my underarm, and I have noticed that the hairs have been growing back finer each time. Also it doesn't hurt anymore to epilate there anymore, and I'm not getting red bumps there anymore. I haven't tried again with the bikini area though I have been planning to, but I forgot to bring my charger home with me so I'm trying to save up on its battery so it can last me a few more months hopefully.

Remedy: Menstrual Cramps

So I've always been getting these severe menstrual cramps whenever I have my period. For the longest time ever, I'd take Tylenol to suppress the pain, but it just bothers me so much because I hate the thought of taking medication. It just doesn't seem healthy. Especially in the long run.

My mom started to get really concerned about my cramps, but I'd tell her that a lot of people get them. Its normal. So about a year ago, while she was visiting the Chinese doctor, she asked him about it and he suggested this remedy that I am now sharing. I stuck with it and immediately, on my next period, I did not have any cramps whatsoever. So I've been sticking to this for about a year now, and I don't get cramps anymore. Except about a month ago, I had been so busy, I either didn't have time to make this drink, or I kept forgetting... I had severe cramps again. You can find these ingredients at any Chinese herbal store.


Ingredients:

Red Dates (about two handfuls)

Goji Berries (Wolfberries) (less than a handful)

Dried Longan (About a handful)

A few slices of ginger

Rock sugar to taste (Optional)

2 cups of water

Put everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. For maximum effectiveness, make this once a week, and everyday just before you're expecting your period.

Banana Bread

Here comes my all-time favourite, simple banana bread recipe. Simple and classic.

This is not my recipe. I found it on vegweb.com, submitted by an anonymous person. I did change some things in it though.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup very ripe and mashed bananas (Usually 2-3 Bananas. Doesn't need to be exact. Don't waste half a banana if it takes 2 and half of a banana to make one cup. I would just put 3 bananas in, unless you want to eat it.)
1/2 cup vegetable Oil
2-3 Egg replacer eggs. (I like to use 3 Ener-G egg replacer.)
1/3 cup soymilk
1/3 tbsp lemon juice

Directions:
1. Mix soymilk and lemon juice together so it curdles.
2. Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
3. Add bananas and oil to soymilk/lemon juice mixture. Combine with dry ingredients.
4. Add egg replacer.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
6. Pour batter into a loaf pan or whatever pan you like.
7. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.