Connect and have fun with your extended family
Having some quality time with my aunty and mum When we talk about creating connections with children and family, it is about sharing experiences together. This means making time to [...]
Treat Parenting as a relationship
The parenting paradigm that I grew up in during the 1960s and 70s was the traditional parenting style, which was based on conditional love. It emphasised punishment, fear, control, criticism, [...]
How to connect with loved ones despite being busy
Make time for the people that you love! Just the other day I tried calling an elderly lady (Aunt Cathy) in Adelaide, and I was told that she had recently [...]
Don’t wait until special occasion before we connect again
Don't wait until another special occasion before we connect with family and friends again! A few years ago when we celebrated my grandmother's 100th birthday, we invited a few hundred [...]
Nyonya Curry Chicken
Authentic Malaysian dishes made simple with readymade pastes Curry Chicken is a unique “Nyonya” cuisine as developed using typical Malay spices. Besides the usual steamed white rice, this dish is [...]
Chicken Rendang
Rendang is traditionally prepared by the Malaysian and Indonesian community during festive occasions such as traditional ceremonies. Rendang is rich in spices. Along with the main meat ingredient, rendang uses [...]
Every dish has a story, what’s yours?
Have you ever tasted a dish and feel nostalgia and sentimental about it? Possibly remembering how you enjoyed this particular dish with your family or friends? Or when reading a recipe [...]
Wishing you a wonderful New Year 2019
Just a short message to wish all of you a Happy New Year 2019! Thank you for all your support throughout the year. I hope you are enjoying your end-of-year [...]
Wishing you and family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year
Christmas time is a time to re-connect with your family and friends, re-evaluate your priorities and make time for what is important in your lives. I would like to take [...]
In loving memory of my beloved mah mah
My grandmother (Mah-Mah) on her 100th birthday tea ceremony celebration The one in red is me receiving a red packet from my grandmother. I was talking to my mum yesterday [...]
How to host a Tok Panjang when you are time challenged?
In another words, what Nyonya dishes will you be serving on your long table and you don't have much time to cook those dishes? First, let me explain a little [...]
Reconnecting to Family, Culture and Heritage through childhood dishes
The easiest way to share your culture and heritage with younger generations is through the cuisine you grew up with. I wrote about why it is important to embrace our [...]
Why it is important to embrace your culture and heritage with love?
"If you don't know your roots, you are like a leaf that does not know you are part of a tree". Source: The Little Nyonya drama series I told myself [...]
5 things I learned from online grocery shopping
Seriously... I have never attempted to do my grocery shopping online. Yes, I believe I am the old fashion grocery shopper; I like to look, touch and feel the fresh [...]
Is there such a thing like a perfect Assam Laksa?
The reason for today's blog post is because I had been talking a lot about Assam Laksa for the past few days with friends and families. And I ended cooking [...]
Assam Curry Fish in under 30 minutes
Back to the meals that I cooked for our overseas guests – for the first night, we had steamboat with the family, where all the fresh ingredients were prepared prior and we added several [...]
Taste of Home – A pleasant memory of my childhood
Source: Ages Ago, Penang I had the chance to visit this eatery - Ages Ago in Penang, and the photos on the wall caught my attention. The words on this [...]
Gearing up to Nyonyalicious
Our breakfast in Penang I just came back from visiting my parents in Malaysia. Even though it was a three week trip, the time just flew by. We spent most [...]
You are not just a home cook!
I was having a conversation with a customer, telling her that I look forward to her feedback about the products she bought and possibly sharing few photos as well. I [...]
Introducing Nyonyalicious
I have been working behind the scenes for a while and now would like to take this opportunity to introduce Nyonyalicious to you! Before I do that, I will share [...]
Roast Pork
I grew up with this Penang famous Pok Oy Thong mixed spice - which is made up of finely ground cinnamon, aniseed, star anise, lime peel, cloves, coriander seeds, nutmeg, rice [...]
You can’t cook no more!
Yes! You can COOK! Just a few days ago, a friend told me that she could not cook. No matter how I assured her that she could, , she kept [...]
3 advantages of home cooking with your family
Food is not only a way to connect with your family and friends, it is also the essence of who you are! It is about reconnecting to you culture, your traditions and sharing them with your [...]
Parenting in a new culture and the opportunity for stronger bonding and connections
Parenting in a new culture and the opportunity for stronger bonding and connections As parents, irrespective of our background or culture, our primary goal is to have great relationships with [...]
You are just a click or a card away from your loved ones
You are just a click or a card away from your loved ones In my last blog post, I wrote about making time to connect with your loved ones, especially [...]
When you have the time, they may not have the time for you!
Make every minute of your life count Do you remember the time growing up with your cousins, aunties and all your extended families? Can you recall the fun time you [...]
Bring Out The Puzzle
Let’s talk about the Jigsaw Puzzle – recently I took out a 1000 piece puzzle and started to assemble the pieces. I enjoyed it especially when I needed to relax [...]
Thank you for the wonderful shared memories
My children learning how to make gyoza (Japanese dumling) with my cousin in Japan I have to apologise for not keeping in touch for the past 2 weeks. It was [...]
Penang Assam Laksa
One of my many favourites - Penang Assam Laksa Penang Assam Laksa ranked at number 7 on World’s 50 Most Delicious Food compiled by CNN Go in 2011. In Penang, we [...]
Five fun interactive activities that create connections during the school holidays
School Holidays… Just relax and breath… School holidays – the best time of the year! That's my experience. It is a great time to relax, lay around the house and [...]
United With Shine! the Journey
I am going to take this opportunity to thank you for your support with the launch of my first book - United We Shine!. It was definitely a surreal experience [...]
United We Shine! Parenting In A New Culture – Opportunities For Growth and Deeper Connection
Nyonyalicious store - pdf format Amazon: https://amzn.to/2M5vcvh (Kindle version) I would like to share something really exciting with you today ... Over the past few years I had been thinking of [...]
Make every opportunity to connect and bond with overseas relatives count
Building relationships and bonding with relatives - Make every opportunity to connect and bond count. I have just communicated with my relatives overseas about planning our travel itineraries for the [...]
Maths for young children
What is maths? According to Wikipedia, “ it is the study of quantity, structure, space and change”. Sounds complicate? Actually it is not! You see, maths is alive! It is being applied every [...]
Pulut Inti
Peranakan Kuih - Pulut Inti made simple with Butterfly Pea Powder Putut Inti is a sweet dessert of steamed glutinous rice with coconut milk and topped with palm sugar infused [...]
Hang in there… It will get better
Hang in there.... It will get better! I was with a friend yesterday, who shared with me about an unwell child and being here without family support. This reminded me [...]
The Amazing Butterfly Pea Flower and the Peranakan Heritage
Growing up in a Penang peranakan family, we use this amazing butterfly pea flower for our nonya kiuh, such as pulut inti and pulut tai tai (surprisingly not many other [...]
3 fun and easy ways to use the Little Nonya Hainanese chicken rice mix
The Little Nonya Hainanese Chicken rice mix is one of our most popular pastes in our range - and I can tell you why...It is authentic in taste! If you [...]
Gardening with kids – one perspective from a non-gardening enthusiast
Personally, coming from an Asian family, my love for gardening is not that great. However, my brother and mother would not support this view as both of them love their [...]
Parenting is – a partnership
Parenting is a Partnership!! I spoke about this topic previously. Yet it is such an important topic, and I would like to re-address it. Why do I say parenting is [...]
Strengthen your relationships with your children through your childhood dishes
Strengthen your relationships with your children through your childhood dishes What is your favourite childhood dish or food memory? Why is it so special? Last week I talked very briefly [...]
The significance of Tok Panjang in today’s society
Tok Panjang setting courtesy of PAA NSW Tok Panjang Chinese New Year Dinner While helping to plan for the Peranakan Association NSW Chinese New Year dinner, I was asked about [...]
What are your reasons for travelling back to your birth country?
This whole week is all about Chinese New Year and family connections. Throughout the week, we had many wonderful conversations, chatting with relatives through phone and social media. One of [...]
Want a better relationship with your children? Try this…
Sharing your childhood dishes with your children is one of the many ways to build better relationships with them As parents, especially migrant parents, one of the many challenges is [...]
Why letter writing is beneficial for your well being?
The benefits of hand written letters or cards I love receiving physical cards and letters, especially from friends and relatives living all over the world. Don't you? However nowadays, with [...]
How to build trust with your children?
The most effective way to inspire and influence your children How do you impart your knowledge to or inspire your children? How do you instill values on to your children? [...]
Beans and carrot omelette
Mixed vegetable omelette What to pack for school lunches...? This may be one of the many creative challenges parents will be figuring out every school day. When my children were [...]
Chicken fried rice
Chicken fried rice using leftover soy sauce chicken I was brought up with the philosophy of "no wastage" of food: finish not only everything on my plate, but never throw [...]
I want you to invite your children to your kitchen and here is why
Source: Body and Soul section of The Advertiser newspaper, 21 Jan 2018 Enlarged article: https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/tokpanjang/Images/kidsinkitchen.jpg My editor just sent me this article to highlight and enforce the messages I am sharing [...]
My own story about journaling … and where it lead me by asking a little bit of help from the universe
Journaling - place where you may have the answers to all the questions you need answering This is a very personal post - it is about my own journey of [...]
Start your day strong with this simple and sumptuous breakfast made in under 30 minutes
Home cooked ramen in under 30 minutes Have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? I grew up with sumptuous, healthy and hot breakfast almost [...]
How are you celebrating Halloween this year?
I know Halloween is not as popular in Australia as other countries;however, I used to take my children and their friends for “treat or tricking” in our neighbourhood when they [...]
Your children believe what your believe
As some of you may know, Malaysia had its election yesterday, 5th of May, 2013. On my Facebook timeline, it was all about the election. Later today, I should be able [...]
Values… What are they?
Why are values important? Values are your beliefs and philosophies in life—things that are important to you. Your values determine your priorities in life, your interactions with people, and how your conduct yourself. . [...]
3 simple steps to growing old but not apart
Yesterday when I was having breakfast with my family in Chinatown, next to our table was an elderly couple enjoying their breakfast. While waiting for our order, I was unintentionally [...]
Stop telling and start listening
A few weeks ago I had a chat with a friend who just had a confrontation with her daughter that morning. She said her teenage daughter was really angry and [...]
Don’t forget your spouse
Partnerships are special. I previously wrote about making a date with your spouse. The subject for this week: the importance of re-connecting with your spouse. Simple steps mean we can re-connect. In [...]
How to support your child transit from primary to high school with ease and joy
The challenges of high school What happens when you children moves from primary to secondary school? How would they feel? How do they adjust? During the transition, it is a [...]
The greatest gift you can give to your family – self love!
love, relationship, family and people, Happy couple raise up hands with hat traveling in summer garden “Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our [...]
Your priority your choice
A few nights ago, I had dinner with relatives who had just flown in from Malaysia, and I casually asked what the wife normally cooks for dinner (I just [...]
5 steps on how to nurture a healthy relationships as a couple
I have written about making time and creating opportunities to connect as a couple, and don’t forget to have fun together. I believe that in every relationship you need to put in some [...]
Parenting is a journey
It is not just a box of takeaway noodles - it is about what it represents! What's so special about this box of takeaway noodles? From the first look - [...]
Meet my editor Dr. Dana Skopal and hear what we discussed during our lunch meet catch-up
Lay Ean and Dr. Dana Skopal - Editor for Tok Panjang Just had a wonderful lunch with my editor, Dr. Dana Skopal. For those of you who have not met [...]
The one birthday ritual that I still practice in Australia
Last weekend was my daughter's birthday. So how do we celebrate birthdays in Australia? Do I still follow the ritual from my childhood? It is not possible to do everything [...]
Happy Food Happy Thoughts – Agree?
Do you really know what your life would be like in 5, 10 or 20 years? We can plan, wish and hope, and envision what it would be like, but [...]
Let’s start the year with joy and abundance
Happy New Year!! It is the start of a new year and I would like to wish all of you good health and may the new year bring happiness, health [...]
The Power of Photo Albums
Yesterday, I decided to put all my work aside and dug out several boxes from the study cupboard. Those boxes had been in the cupboard for as long as I [...]
Wishing you and family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and family. Christmas time is a time to re-connect with your family and friends, re-evaluate your priorities and make time for [...]
3 joyful ways to connect with your community during festive season
Simple ways to connect to your community Even though I have left home more than 30 years ago, I still miss all my family and friends in Malaysia. This is [...]
Festivities culture and family traditions
Festive times are a time to share, give and reconnect with the family. As I was doing my weekly grocery shopping and met a few friends along the way, we [...]
5 Benefits of volunteering in your community
When I moved to Sydney from Melbourne some 22 years ago, the local library in Chatswood was running a wonderful program to help migrants learn conversational English. I thought it [...]
Why festive seasons are great opportunities for family connections
Festive seasons are great opportunities for connections and to introduce your culture to your family It is few more weeks to Christmas, and I hear people dreading this time of [...]
Benefits of involving your children in festive preparations
It is only a few more days until Christmas. Have you organised your greeting cards? What about your gifts? Your presents? Your treats? Your guests? Family gatherings and hosting people? [...]
Day#4 Nonya Cuisine Made Easy – Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak Day 4 and last day of the Nonya Cuisine Made Easy; we are looking at nasi lemak and its accompaniments. This is a very easy to prepare dish [...]
#Day3 Nonya Cuisine Made Easy – Freezing up curries, which one to freeze?
Authentic Nonya Curries in under 30 minutes I can't speak for everyone, but if you are serving more than 10 people, I would normally prepare my dishes prior (or at [...]
#Day 2 Nonya Cuisine Made Easy – Otak Otak
Otak otak in baking dish Ok - this is one dish that I have been experimenting with the most - and I think it is one of the most successful [...]
Nonya Cuisine Made Simple – Mee Siam
Mee Siam Will you be hosting the family this coming festive season? Have you thought of what to serve your guests? Would you like some ideas on quick and easy [...]
How to make cooking fun and enjoyable when you are short of time?
This pyrex dish can go from bench top, to steamer, to table and back to a refrigerator with the convenience of a lid As Malaysians will know, we are a [...]
LET’S CONNECT