Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Bobae Market - Bangkok

Click on map to enlarge.
Located on Krung Kasem Road (not far from Bobae Tower), Bobae Market is a morning wholesale market which operates from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6am-1pm. In order to enjoy the wholesale price, goods purchased have to be three or more. Some are sold in half a dozen or by dozens. To get here, besides taking the taxi, you can take the boat on Khlong Saen Saeb and gett off at Bobae Pier or bus number 37 and 53.







There's a Muslim community in this area which makes it convenient for Muslim shoppers to fill up their growling tummies after filling up their shopping bags on a hot sunny day.






Busana Muslim shop: mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia. You can even find baju kurung here.





Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Crispy Thai omelette - khai jiaw

Ingredients:
2 eggs
a few drops of lime or lemon juice
a dash of fish sauce or salt
1tbs of rice flour or corn flour
3/4 cup of vegetable oil for frying

Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over high heat.
Crack the eggs into a bowl and add a couple of drops of lime or lemon juice.
Beat the egg mixture with a fork or a small whisk until frothy.
Add in one tablespoon of rice flour or cornstarch and continue beating till the flour is completely interspersed with the egg mixture.
(Optional: You can add chopped or sliced yellow onion, chopped coriander spriggs or chopped chilies depending on your personal preference. Original Thai recipe does not contain any of these additionals.)
Once the oil in the wok starts smoking, pour the frothy egg mixture into the hot oil from about a foot or so above the wok. This will create jagged edges and layers. As a result, you'll get a crispy, mouth watering ommelette.
Let one side cook for about 1 minute and flip it once before removing it from the pan.
Served with hot Jasmine rice and enjoy it immediately.

p.s. It's very important to make sure that the oil is really hot before pouring in the mixture.
The right heat and the right amount of oil will not cause the omelette to be oily.

Monday, 12 October 2009

Fahana Italian Pizzeria

Regret to announce that this outlet is no longer in operation.
-May 2010

On last Sunday, I bumped into the latest halal pizzeria in Bangkok called Fahana Pizzeria. It's actually the franchisee of Fahana Italian Restaurant at Rama IX. It's only 5 days old then. Located next to the General Post office at 1158/1, Charoenkrung Road, Soi 32, it not only offers dine in but also delivery service.
Bangkok General Post Office on Charoenkrung Road.


Welcome to Fahana Pizzeria.

Click on menu to enlarge.
#the set of prices on the left is for thin n crispy crust(small, medium, large) while the set on the right is for pan crust.

Thin n crispy salmon pizza-THB130 (small)

Garlic bread-THB40


Besides pizza, you can also purchase its homemade halal bread and soft chocolate cookies. White bread-THB40

Soft chocolate cookies-THB40
For more information kindly contact:
Mr. Abdul Malik
1158/1, Charoenkrung 32,
Soi Pasneeklang,
Bangrak, 10500 Bangkok.
Tel: +662 235 4474
Opening hours: 11.00 - 2300hrs

Sunday, 11 October 2009

The Wondrous Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey

I received this invaluable info from my aunt via e-mail and would like to share it with you:

It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine or all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon of honey and half teaspoon of cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use ofhoney strengthens the white blood corpuscle s to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to Four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three time s a day.

FATIGUE:Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body.. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible . Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. When the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Huda food shop- Silom Soi 36 Foodcourt

Last week I found a Muslim food stall serving local Thai food at very low prices. It's located at a foodcourt on Silom Road Soi 36, near Silom junction, about 600m from Shangri La Hotel and 400m from Oriental Hotel & Oriental Pier. The food is really good for the price offered. If you plan to dine here, wear light clothing as it's open air (with ceiling fans) and grab some bottled water at the 7Eleven at the beginning of Soi 36 as only plain drinking water is served without any extra charges. It opens from Monday to Saturday from morning till about 4pm.
Click on map to enlarge.



Menu:
Rice with stir fried chicken, beef, shrimp or squid - THB25-30
khao kraprao kai, nuea, kung or muek
(will update soon)
Tom yum kung (THB40)

Sup nuea (THB40)

Phad kaprau nuea (THB30)

Khai jiao (THB25)

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Alisha Restaurant - Sukhumvit Soi 13

Iced coffee
Khao phad puu - Crab fried rice


Fish massala
Alisha Restaurant started its operation last week. Situated on Sukhumvit Road Soi 13, less than 5 minutes' walk from Nana BTS Station (Exit 3), it serves halal Thai, Bangladeshi and Indian cuisines. The Thai cuisines are prepared by local Thai cooks while the Bangladeshi and Indian cuisines are prepared by specially imported chefs.
I personally like the tom yum kung (hot and spicy shrimp with mushroom soup) -THB120-and khao phad puu (crab fried rice)-THB85.



Mariyah Bakery

Mariyah Bakery is a small Muslim bakery situated adjacent to Masjid Suan Pluu, not far from Talat Pluu and Wong Wian Yai Railway station. Located along the railway track, about 500m from the railway station, it offers daily homemade bread, cakes and other sweetmeats . If you can find your way to the railway station, you can either walk or take the motorcycle taxi and head for the masjid. It's on the right side of the track just before the masjid.
Click on the map to enlarge.





Tuna buns and chocolate cookies


Cakes and buns


Bread
Chicken sausage buns

Mariyah Bakery
Soi Thoet Thai 9,
Thanon Thoet Thai,
Thonburi,
10160 Bangkok,
Thailand.
Tel: 02-4664707

Friday, 2 October 2009

Let's go 'organic'

"You are what you eat!"
Let's not refrain ourselves from spending a little bit more for a healthier daily food consumption. Organic food can be found at most big supermarts in Bangkok, and I'm very sure around the world, too. I started using organic products a long time ago and still doing so up till today. Below are some of the organic products that I use:


Jasmine white rice and brown rice

Let's rock the 'Hot Yoga Studio'!

After vacationing from my yoga class for about 8months due to my relocation to Metro Park Sathorn from Prachachuen Residence, I decided to resume the healthy exercise at a new place, which is the True Yoga which is part of True Fitness Gym, at the Exchange Tower, situated at the Asoke Montri Junction, Bangkok. I went for my 1st session yesterday afternoon and felt great after having my whole body stretched in a warm and heated room. There were 12 of us and everyone was drenched from top to bottom at the end of the one hour session. Below is the schedule for October. I've decided to go for the late morning session(11.00-12.00hrs), since my Thai class starts at 13.00hrs, three times a week. My Thai language school (Piammitr Thai Language School) is just about ten minutes' walk from the Exchange Tower.

Hot Yoga


History of Yoga ... a union of body, mind and spirit
Yoga HistoryYoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which originated in India. Today yoga is accepted as a comprehensive exercise to promote control of the body and mind. Yoga has become accepted as one of the best ways to achieve health, fitness and balance.
Literally yoga means to unite, and it is through yoga that we work towards uniting the harmonious integration of the body, mind and spirit. In this way the result is optimal health and longevity.

Yoga is not a belief or a religion but a way for us to reach our greater potential. Yoga is a refined system that works on developing and balancing strength and flexibility, stamina, focus and endurance. Through a series of physical poses and a focus on the breath and an awareness of the body yoga helps us to deepen our sense of well being.

Why is yoga better than other forms of exercise?
Many people engage in mindless physical exercise where trance-like states occur as the exerciser repeats the same movements again and again. The gym exerciser can often feel that they gain some rest from their everyday stresses by escaping while performing rigorous exercise. However these benefits are usually only limited to the session and the exerciser leaves with a feeling of reduced energy.

Yoga is unlike this because we cultivate awareness and mindfulness whilst achieving better coping mechanisms for everyday stress. Coupled with the superb body workout this is an incredible path to mind and body fitness - and to cap it all off we leave refreshed and regenerated with a new resource of energy.

A regular yoga practice not only brings physical benefits, but also restores a natural grounded feeling, balances emotional states and virtually eliminates stress. Many students report an 'unexpected' feeling of well-being and vitality even at the very beginning of their practice. Why 'unexpected'? Because most students enrol to lose weight or reduce stress - little do they realise that a whole new life is ahead of them!

Whether you approach your practice as a physical regime or a spiritual practice, the benefits will be there for you.


Hot Yoga Benefits:
If you think about it, it makes sense.
Any exercise program focuses on warming up our bodies before vigorous activity. The temperature of the yoga room is similar to our body's own temperature. This accelerates improvement in many of the benefits of your yoga practice.
Regular exercisers recognise that peak performance occurs when fully warmed up and your body generates heat from the inside radiating out and into your muscles.

Why is sweating beneficial?
After experimenting with different levels of heat and moisture, we have found that the increased moisture in the air is more likely to make you sweat, rather than the absolute temperature! And the more people in the room, the more moisture from our breath, the more we sweat.

Experts agree that the optimal humidity when considering lung function for protection against colds, flu and other respiratory problems is around 60-70% .
Enjoy the sweat! It is doing you so much good on many different levels!

Our room is thermostatically controlled so the temperature never gets too high and in dry conditions we use a steam vaporiser to ensure correct humidity.
The heat has many benefits.
The heat means we can get into postures more deeply and effectively - plus the benefits of the postures come quickly. Like thousands before you, you will find that practising yoga in the warm room creates a satisfying and almost addictive feeling of achievement.
The benefits are many:
-Your body burns fat more effectively, fat may be redistributed and burned as energy during the class. It is common to lose centimetres of shape in a very short time;
-The heat produces a fluid-like stretch allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body;
-Capillaries dilate in the heat; more effectively oxygenating the tissues, muscles, glands and organs and helping in the removal of waste products;
-Your peripheral circulation improves due to enhanced perfusion of your extremities;
-Your metabolism speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids;
-You benefit from a strengthening of willpower, self control, concentration and determination in this challenging environment;
-Your cardiovascular system gets a thorough workout;
-Your muscles and connective tissue become more elastic and allow for greater flexibility with less chance of injury and improved resolution of injury;
-Sweating promotes detoxification and elimination through the skin - which is the body's largest eliminating organ;
-Just as when your body raises its temperature to fight infection, the raised temperature in the room will assist in improving T-cell function and the proper functioning of your immune system;
-Your nervous system function is greatly improved and messages are carried more efficiently to and from your brain; and
-Metabolism improves in your digestive system and in the body's cells (that is food in the gut and nutrients in the cells)
Source: Quick Fit Yoga