BentoBaby

So I finished module 1 @ OTCG. yiihaaaaa

We learned about the basics of traditional chinese medicine and already got familiar with some basic pathology.

The fun thing 'bout it is that you get to know your own pathology and I guess I have Spleen Qi deficiëncy: Sp Qi Xu. Spleen has a major role in the digestive system in traditional chinese medicine. It distils Qi from food and drink, provides the basic for the production of blood (xue).

And Spleen sends Qi upwards while stomach sends qi downwards. When Spleen Qi is deficient your energy goes down and you get less energy, heavy legs, diarrhea,...

Ginseng, ginger, cinnamon and liquorice are all herbs with a positive impact on spleen qi.

Liquorice strenghtens Spleen and augments Qi.

Ginseng is a Qi tonic herb which reinforces the spleen.

So since a few days I drink ginseng green tea from the brand Qi and liquorice tea from the brand piramide, both fairtrade. As in fairtrade you know you have the mentioned ingredient in your product and no synthetic flavors and fragrances. Result: symtoms stopped at once.

Anyway, the reason why I want to talk about this ginseng thing is for something so very much kawaii!

Remember the movie pan's labyrinth? Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets? Ow yeah, you know where I'm going to (o; they both have little ginseng roots babies where they need to take care of. They are so kawaii I do want a tamagotchi ginseng root baby as well (o;

Look how adorable they (both) are:

Euh Stevia whaaat??

Yes, Stevia [stevia rebaudiana] is the oh so sweet stepson of worlds largest suger leaders.

It has been a dirty rat race between world economy and nature itself. But thanks to people like Professor J. Geuns from K.U.Leuven stevia will soon be available on the market. It's actually available in organic shops where I bought mine yesterday in liquid form.

I have a very bad habbit, doing hours on drinking a cup of coffee or tea. So each time I drink my tooth emeal is under attack. Resulting in loads of dental caries. So I switched to saccharin. But for some reason I didn't feel quite comfortable with that product either.

So will stevia be the solution?

This most remarkable little plant is a very strong sweetener.

But not only that! Unlike all other sugers and don't only think about sugercubes and pure suger products, but also  additive sugars in food, stevia has no side effects like obesity, cancer, hypertension,...

Imagine you can buy this plant like you buy the mint or coriander plant today in supermarkets. All you need to do is boil 1 amount of water and add 1/8 amount of leaves. Leave it resting for about 10 minutes and remove the leaves. You can keep this in the regrigirator for 2 weeks.

I'm sure you will certainly here about this little miracle very soon.

One more thing I want to share: The founder of Western medicine Hippocrates considered food as medicine. He said, "Your food will be your medicine", like in chinese medicine. But Western medicine has forgotten this completely. "It's even worse, Western experts turned our food into disease-makers and only by desire for $$$.

Stevia is a Yang characteristic which stimulates heat and Qi.

Source: http://dagkrant.kuleuven.be/?q=node/10295

Wanna read more about it?: http://www.eustas.org/

Do u know Star Wars? Of course you do!

Well, we grew up with movies like E.T., Star Wars, The neverending story, The goonies, The Dark Crystal,...

I decided to make an R2-D2 cake for my colleagues to celebrate my Bday.

How much more can you make IT-folks happy but making a star wars cake? (o;

So here it is:

Do you remember this? It is my favorite character of my childhood movies:

Daan Miles' Bday was on October 28.

He is already 4 !! Wooow!! It felt like yesterday we saw him for the first time. Now we are buddy-buddy. I luv him so much and I can't wait to show him the world.

In school Juf Sonja is teaching the kids about halloween. So Daan Miles and I decided to make a cake in that theme. He just loved it. The day before they made pumpkin soup with spiders in school so we made a pumpkin soup with frog eyes hihihhii spooky adorable!

Have you seen this on tv? Well I did on njam. I'm actually not a big fan of all these cooking programs as trop est simplement trop. But I luved this one!! Truly! There's a chef (there's always a chef) with 2 pupils, a blonde one who speaks Chinese and a Chinese one who doesn't speak Chinese HA! And they cross the country looking for traditional recipes. And they certainly found some. Some are dating back from the forbidden city.

Looking at it, it made me wondering where in Belgium one can eat traditional Chinese food. So I googled a bit and found oriental delight in China town Antwerp. They've also been nominated by Gault-Millau with a 14/20. So for my birthday I took the family to Antwerp.

We started with dimsum. And those were really tasteful!! Yummie. For the main courses we took Peking duck, seafood and tofu in a clay pot, chicken with veggies, noodles chicken for the little one,...

The food was ok and a lot. We took a doggie-bag home for another meal or 2. (o; And it was around 170€ (oh my dog!)

But not like Thai or Indian or Malaysian food I'm not really fond of the Chinese cuisine apparently. There's something 'heavy' 'bout it. I don't know.

But I'll keep on trying as I believe in the traditional Chinese cuisine to prevent diseases or to heal from small inconveniences such as colds, diarrhea, fatigue, ...

xxx

Hi all,

Let me share you my first carved pumpkin ever!

I did have a picture of cheburashka hanging on our white board for a very long time. So I decided to make a cheburashka pumpkin instead of a kawaii totoro pumpkin.

It was a fun experiment but a pitty we couldn't eat the pumpkin.

Since Miles is totally into halloween because of school I decided to like Halloween. As actually before I found it not much Belgian.

This weekend I had my first lessons of the program I started @ OTCG on Traditional chinese medicine.

And it was so excited!! I already learned a lot this summer so I was prepared. And everything we saw on 1 day I studied in detail for weeks/months haha. Poor me. But the questions that raised during this self study I could ask now. So I was happy.

Like is there a clear tendency on geographical level on people's yin and yang level?

As stress for imagine is typical for this century and the western area. Stress can reduce your resistance level which leads to a reduced yin level so you have a low yin and regular yang level. This is called deficiency of yin.

This can lead to insomnia, irritability, night sweat,...

The answer was yes. You can see geographical tendences according to the area you live in.

Now something else...

Do you know khao lam? ข้าวหลาม?

It is a delicious traditional thai dessert made of sticky rice, beans and coconut milk. Everything is stuffed into a bamboo stick which is then grilled on a fire. This is so good and now I don't only have to dream about it until we go back to Thailand, but we can buy it in the thai suppermarket at Sint-Katelijnestraat 3 in Brussels. You get 4 pieces from the freezer for about 3-5 €. (I forgot)

Did you know that when you travel to eastern country's and you easily suffer from diarrhea, you just eat sticky rice with every meal. It will prevent you and stop you from having diarrhea.

Heeey!!!

Thank you all for participating in the game. This early morning random.org picked 2 winners! I'm always curious and can't wait to announce the winners.

Winner 1:

Is Ellen who wrote Superschattig! I love them!

Congrats Ellen!

Winner 2:

Is Sofie Babczuk!

A big bravo!

You both will receive an e-mail very soon requesting for both your addresses. And I will sent your presents very soon.

Jipieeeeeeee ♥

So for all you guys who click on the Like button at the right top corner from facebook or leave a message on this post you can win this item:

These are 12 adorable hello kitty cupcake wrappers. You can get them for 3.95 € in my shop @ http://www.misuno.be but when you click on the Like button at the right top corner from facebook or leave a message on this blog post you can be the winner of this adorable set of cupcake wrappers.

I'll be giving 2 items so there will be 2 winners!

Within 2 weeks on Wednesday the 28th of September I will be announcing the winners who will be picked via random.org.

You can increase your chances by clicking on the like button and leaving a message as well. But you can only leave one message per e-mail address.

Good luck darlings!!

xxx

Last Sunday we had a fotoshoot with some people from the taiji club The wushu family. I made the website for the club btw (o;

It was a fun Sunday afternoon and I received already a few foto's. They look amazingly good!! Wauw. And so professional! So let me share them with you:

Do you see this blogpost coloring rouge of shame?

In March I held a give away with 2 presents where only 1 person reacted. I still have the present nr2 which I got from bentoshop hence after all this time Random.org announced the second winner!

Removing the first winner and person who didn't react I still had 26 candidates.

Random.org has chosen number 15 which is Kastaarke.

And this was her message:

Juij!!! I luv it when this gifts can make kids happy!!

So Dear Kastaarke, you can expect this gift soon in your mailbox!!

Congrats!

xxx

So you can see I added a new link at the left side on my blog under "blogjes die ik graag lees".

Most cutest has a blog and a shop with lotsa adventurous and kawaii stories. I mentioned her before, Marjet but I want to mention her again as she made a journey through Asia which seemed to be very excited.

Read her stories! It's in Dutch so for all the dutchess'es among us (o;

xxx

ok it's summer, but not here apparently.

So I made a stew-like winter dish with cabbage, sunflowerseeds, briefly stir fried in sesame oil and oyster sauce. (I luuuuv the taste of sesame oil!) A large part of oyster sauce is caramel hence very sweet. Lamb with rosemary and garlic in the oven and mashed sweet potato.

So guys, yesterday I made a whole bunch of chai cupcakes and lemongrass - lime cupcakes coz my parents were having a bbq. I made an oreo-cheesecake, mascarpone avokaat and mascarpone-cuberdone desserts.

In the mean time I presented the cupcakes in the Giraffe Oh Lalaaaa cupcake wrappers and apparently everybody loved them!!! yipieeeeee.

So my little giraffe has a high kawaii-factor!

I luv it.

So while I was making the chai cupcakes, can I give you a hint and tell you to be carefull with the cardamom? It is a very explicit flavor and it kinda tasted a bit like eucalyptus.

Below you see fermented pork meat (nem in Thai) with green peppers, somen noodles and szechuan pepper, fried wonton, cumcumber and tomatoes. If you are not familiar with the nem it might taste strange.

Good morning all!

I was wondering this morning why for heaven's sake we switched from spring to autumn! It's really annoying each morning I want to put on summer clothes but each time I need to grab for warm autumn outfits :(

I wan't summer!!! pooh just needed to share this with the world (o;

Anyway, this is post #300! can you imagine? wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I'm am so proud. haha

So let's celebrate this with a chocolate cupcake and vanilla ice-cream.

Since a while you can see a funky tv-show called cupcake wars on Vitaya. It's on Monday @ 21h45.

It's actually a contest between top cupcake bakers which face off in 3 elomination challenges until only one decorator remains. The recipes are really calling for a trial @ home. (o; I tried one of the peanut butter recipes. Also red velvet is very populair.

Here are the recipes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/recipes/index.html

I also found a very challenging chai recipe which I will try out for you guys. I'll just make regular cupcake batter and add the following:

Chai Spice Mix
1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 ts cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For the Vanilla Chai Buttercream:
2 stick (1 cup) butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 quantity chai spice mix
1-2 tbs cold milk, if needed

I'll let you know if it was fine or amazing (o;

xxx

PS: oh so you haven't seen my webshop yet? Click on the Misuno Website button at the left side of your screen (o;

Hello guys and dolls!!

First of all I want to thank you for your patience. I realize that it was kinda disappointing visiting my blog and seeing nothing much was moving. We were working behind the scenes. And we were working haaaaard!! But it was super fun!

Let me invite you to have a look at http://www.misuno.be You will notice a kick-off collection but know that every week more will be posted.

I'll keep continue posting bento's, exotic food and cakes here. And I'll tell you about my learning experience at school as I start the foundations of Chinese medicine in October.

It's gonna be a bussy year and I ♥ it !

This is a picture of one of the products I am selling. It is the Dragondria Saga Part I. Double Happiness.

Where I take you on a journey to the forbidden city behind the walls of great China. I wanted to give the impression the dragon is flying working with highs and lows.

Stay tuned as I will launch a give-away where you can win this!!!

Loads of luv

BentoMama aka Misuno hihihi

A while ago I bought myself some plastic piping bags. And dear oh dear, this was a good thing to do! I luv them and I cannot bake without them anymore (o; My kitchen stays so clean while baking now. hihi . So I always pipe my batter into the cupcake forms now.

This is the matcha batter:

This is from the red velvet cakes:

And this one was a bad trial of snickers cupcakes:

And all the cupcakes are gone now ((o;

♥

150 g sugar
60 g butter at room temperature
vanille essence
1 egg
150 g self-rising flour
20g cornflour
30g Matcha (green tea powder)
10g honey
a pinch of salt
1,2 dl buttermilk
1 tablespoon electric green food coloring
2,5 g bakingsoda
2,5 ml white vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

2. Sift together the cake flour, cornflour, matcha and salt into a bowl; set aside.  In a small bowl, mix food coloring and buttermilk; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla.

Then add bit by bit the buttermilk mix  and flour mix and end with the flour mix. Beat until well combined.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda.  It'll fizz!  Add it to the cake batter and stir well to combine.  Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check early, cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Delicous!!

Red Velvet Cake

150 g sugar
60 g butter at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

150 g self-rising flour
20 g cornflour

1 pinch of salt
20 g cocoa powder (kwatta or Van Houten)

1 tablespoon red food coloring
1.2 dl buttermilk

1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

2. Sift together the cake flour, cornflour, cocoa and salt into a bowl; set aside.  In a small bowl, mix food coloring and buttermilk; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla.

Then add bit by bit the buttermilk mix  and flour mix and end with the flour mix. Beat until well combined.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda.  It'll fizz!  Add it to the cake batter and stir well to combine.  Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check early, cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Yummie!!

we're on a break hihihihihihi

Hello guys and dolls,

Soon you will have me back. (o; We are now launching the website and Misuno shop so it is taking quite some time.

I am working on the designs and getting myself through the duties of the Belgian laws to get everything done. It is a lot of work but my little sisters are helping me a lot. But there is 1 thing I keep having in mind. This is fun!!! I'm really having a blast (o; It's so excited because you just don't know where this will be heading to. 

In the mean time I did make loads of kawaii and here you go:

These are shrimps made on the laab manner with nam plaa (fish sauce), mint, coriander leaves, sjalots, a bit of pilli pilli and liquid suger. I also burned rice in a pan until brown and grind it in a mortar. I usually make a lot of this and keep it in a jar. It gives an unresistable flavor of popcorn and rice.

I see you soon guys!!!

xxx

I'm rushing everywhere to get my business starting.

To all the faithfull blog-readers here I can already tell you it's gonna be huuuuge!!!

And this will be the name of my little shop and the logo:

wiiiiiiiiii I'm so excited!

Happy weekend xxx

Matcha is powdered green tea of high quality originated from Japan.

This tea powder allows you to make a whole set of varieties in the dessert area.

I can't wait to think about new stuff I can make with it. This for example was a cream of matcha, mixed with fat cream cheese and cream 40%. Just before using it I added mixed fresh strawberries.

Did you know that the entire tea plantation around Fukushima is radioactive? When they dry the leaves the radioctive contamination reduces, but when you add water to it it will increase the radio activity again.

We went on ladies night out and grabbed a bite at Koutoubiya - Leuven Muntstraat.

It's a Morrocan restaurant in Leuven's tourists street. I luuuuv going to the Muntstraat as going there you are just sure that you get good food. Quite expensive but ok. That's ok for once in a while.

I went to quite a few Moroccan restaurants in Antwerp and Mechelen and we cook Morrocan dishes quite a lot at home. I just adore the taste of cumin and cinnamon. (preferably separately of course).

But this one was the best I ever went to. I even took a doggy bag at home with the couscous only. This is not the crap we make at home. This is couscous. I just don't think you can make this traditional couscous at home.

So I decided, each time I cook morrocan food at home, I'll just order my couscous there. haha

Have a nice day!

And this is Kristel, my best friend since we were 5 years old !!!

Kathleen and hubby celebrated their birthday and instead of my first thought, of making them a Harry Potter cake, I made a flower cake with for my little sunshine a chibi totoro.

I was so happy the little one was around as he was the cake guard! (o;

Next week I'll post the recipe for the green tea filling I used. Matcha

PS: It was actually so much fun making a whole bunch of flowers & watching tv. hihi

Happy weekend. ♥

xxx

Good Morning World!!

I am back at work hihi. And look what Yulia, my colleague send me.

What a sweet totoro cake!! How cool is that. Last year she made her first totoro cake: http://bentobaby.skynetblogs.be/archive/2010/06/03/yulia-...

This one is so adorable!! I'm already curious for next year hihi.

xxx

When the boys are together, I mean, my son and his nephew Pele (adorable name isn't it?) it's always fun. These 2 and little Lara are partners in crime.

I luv to make double bento's. And they are so sweet and eat it all without complaining.

Yesterday my son went on a school trip to a children's farm. We needed to make him a lunch package which we call bokes in Belgium. I bet in the Netherlands they don't use that word, but let's see in South Africa,... hmmz not even there. I luv dialect and I try to speak this with my son along with Thai words so he knows a bit of all.

It has been 4 days now since the operation and I feel good, but oh my gosh, I'm always tired. I don't like it but I can't do a thang about it. I rest a lot and eat healthy. I try to get a lot of vitamins but not a lot raw food as I don't want yin to make my body work too much. I keep the energy for other thangs (o; I'll eat some bitter as that's good for the heart.

Dear all,

First of all, I'm heeeeereeee and alive!! I'm so happy u know. The operation went well. And all seems ok until now. I was so afraid as it was a heart operation but I was in good hands. In the evening I did made a blood pressure fall and that's why I am at home resting.

Some other good news. I'll soon open a webshop (soon might also take a while hihi) just to sell papercraft and thai products. You might take a look at the following urls to buy my products if u like. If you don't like that's ok but u will miss loads of fun (((o;

Giraffe cupcake wrappers

Thai Herbal Massage balls Large

And here are some pictures:

And more of this cuteness is to come soon (and this time soon is soon)

Now I'll rest a bit.

xxx