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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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? [...]
#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 [...]
Make your kitchen your special secret place… and loving love it!
Bridge cultural and generational gaps in your kitchen I really would like to encourage you to treat your kitchen like a secret place for you to escape to. The kitchen [...]
What kitchen appliances are right for you?
Invest in equipment that saves time and makes life easier! I remembered having a conversation with a friend a few years ago about how she placed all her T shirts [...]
Cook with joy – make FULL use of your kitchen appliances
Make cooking a joyful and fun experiences Sometimes we rely on things that we forgot how useful they are until they broke down, i.e. a dishwasher. You see, my dishwasher [...]
The story of my steamer and the legacy of my grandmother
The steamer my grandmother got for me from Melbourne I know this is not the most impressive looking cookware...; however, this steamer has been with me for many years. I [...]
Every Child is Unique
Every child is unique! Many many years ago before I had kids, I always thought that children's characters were "molded" and "shaped" according to our family values and environment. I [...]
Butterfly Pea Flower (Bunga Telang)
Butterfly Pea Flower (Bunga Telang) I am truely excited to come across the butterfly pea flower and the powder in Australia. I have added it to my collection of ingredients [...]
My first try of Nasi Kerabu Sawarak Style
I attending a function on Saturday, meeting up with many fellow Malaysians for a nice Malaysian meal - Sarawak style. I am not familiar with the Sarawak style dishes, so [...]
Thanks giving special
From today, 25th November until midnight Monday 27th November, 2017 Thanksgiving is a time of joy, a time to celebrate with family and friends, and a time to be thankful. [...]
Tips on how to guide and share your culture with your grandchildren from your kitchen!
Guide and share your culture with your grandchildren from your kitchen! I was at a tea shop talking with the manager about various teas... and somehow our topic of conversation [...]
Daun Kaduk Colouring In
Daun Kaduk / Wild Betel Nut Leaf I am not writing a recipe today, just introducing a simple colouring page for the kids - introducing our Asian herbs. So today's colouring-in is [...]
It is not about quantity, but quality, and make every meet-up counts
It is not about quantity, but quality, and make every meet-up counts! My uncle and aunty from Canada are spending some time in Penang right now, and this is the [...]
Three must have premade ingredients for any Asian kitchen
Time consuming when you have to prepare them from scratch I am all for fun and efficiency in the kitchen, so when it comes to certain must-have ingredients in the Asian [...]
Nonya Assam Pedas Prawn
Simple easy nonya assam prawn This is a classic Malaysian/Nonya dish that is sour and spicy, and it can satisfy your taste buds as well as your stomach. Assam means [...]
Stop longing and start connecting to your favourite childhood dishes in under 30 minutes
Start reconnecting to your childhood dishes with readymade ingredients! One of the many things migrants miss most is the food they grew up with. Are you one of them? I [...]
Be Daring….Be Innovative…Be Expressive!
be daring....be innovative...be expressive! On the weekend I had the pleasure of demonstrating the making of otak otak for the Peranakan Association of NSW, with a group of amazing cuisine [...]
Herbs, spices and our traditional food
The health benefits of herbs and spices and how they were incorporated in our traditional dishes by our ancestors. Last week my aunt sent me a link from Penang's newspaper, [...]
Sambal belachan
Someone gave me some calamansi, and straight away it reminded me of sambal belachan. Sambal belachan - this is a must have Malaysian condiment with most of our dishes and [...]
Tok Panjang’s Mission
Nonya cuisine made simple! I want to bring back the nonya cuisine to the Peranakan community; however, I want to do it in a way that is conducive to the [...]
What is a Peranakan and what do they wear?
Photo: Nonyaware from my grandmother's collections On Saturday 16th September 2017, I had the honour of being invited to be the MC for the Peranakan Association Australia NSW's 6th Annual [...]
Do you believe things happen for a reason?
Lay Ean Eng, MC PAA NSW Annual Dinner - wearing my grandmother's baju kebaya Photo courtesy: Peranakan Association Australia NSW Do you believe things happen for a reason? Allow me [...]
The story behind your favourite dish
What is the story behind your favourite dish? Have you been watching Masterchef? I seldom watch any reality shows, but I quite enjoy Master Chef and have been watching it [...]
French toast mee koo
French toast mee koo The best gifts that you can give anyone will be the gifts that come from your heart, don't you agree? For example, home-cooked dishes, handmade soaps, chilli [...]
Sambal Udang Petai
I am going to try this dish - Samabal Udang Petai - which is also sambal prawn with petai. (Refer to the post on how to make sambal prawns with [...]
The benefits of sharing your favourite childhood dishes with your family
Have you experienced chit-chatting with friends, and somehow the conversation ended up about your favourite childhood dishes/games. And you get very excited about it? I was having lunch with a [...]
How can a glass of root beer bring back so many fond memories?
Sometimes a simple dish or a drink can spark beautiful and wonderful memories. And this A & W root beer with ice cream sure brought back fond wonderful childhood memories. [...]
Your currency of connections – your relationships with your family
Your currency of connections - your relationships with your family This is one of the most precious drawings that my daughter did. I can not recall when she drew this, [...]
Simple tip on how to expand your children’s culinary knowledge and vocabulary skills in your kitchen
I am going to refer back to this article – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-18/childrens-literacy-study-links-hearing-words-to-reading-ability/8697138 ” – Children’s literacy study links hearing words to reading ability for first time, researchers say”. (Do check it out; it is [...]
Sambal Prawn
Sambal Prawn - One of many Malaysian delights Today we are going to look at preparing sambal prawn. Sambal prawn is a popular dish in Malaysia. It is a combination; [...]
Connect with your family through food conversation
Creating memories together through food While watching Master Chef, one of the contestants mentioned about connecting through food. They said that one of the many ways to connect with her [...]
What is belachan?
What is belachan and what is it used for? "Belachan" is a shrimp paste. It is primarily made from finely crushed shrimp and mixed with salt, and then ferment for [...]
Five common challenges for migrant parents
Moving to a new country, whether it is for work or by choice, involves lots of decision making, planning, research, commitment and sacrifices on all parties involved. It may be [...]
It is not that the dish is not good, but different!
What does “I don’t like the dish” really mean? Is there a difference between “I don’t like that dish” and “the dish does not taste the same”? During our many [...]
Cook with Joy – no qualms in using readymade ingredients
Recently when I was back in Penang accompanying my mum with her grocery shopping, she asked me to take her to this particular store that sells readymade pastes…I was so amazed with [...]
It is about the journey … not the destination!
It is about the journey … not the destination! by Albert G Imagine how a bowl of assam laksa can ripple into a 2 hour conversation… I was sharing assam [...]
Curry Fish in under 20 minutes using left- over salmon
Want do you normally do with leftover fish? You see, I had pan-fried salmon leftover and was wondering what I could do with it? I could shred it and make [...]
Simple and joyful ways to reconnecting with your family
Reconnecting with your own family/tribe is important for your well-being, as you are reconnecting to your roots, your core values and your sense of self I recently had a conversation [...]
What’s the Difference between Encouragement and Praise?
How can I encourage my children? Something I hear very often, and I have experienced this scenario myself. Why aren't children motivated? I want them to be able to do [...]
What’s Your Story?
“I wish there were more hours in the day.”… “I just don’t have enough time to go to this.”… “I just need more time.”… “I just wish it was Friday [...]
You are your children’s guiding force
In my last blog, I shared with you that “You are your children’s role model”; today, we are going to discuss about you being the guiding force for your children. When you [...]
The Benefits of Connecting With Self
The Benefits of Connecting With Self is you are able to find the confidence to strive for what you want in life and be the person you set out to [...]