THE POWER PACKED FRUIT

Guavas are definitely love!  These tropical fruits with a cream or pinkish / reddish flesh are delicious.  The young leaves can be brewed to make tea and are known to be beneficial for health as the leaves contain natural phytochemicals.  The fruits and leaves can also be used as a facial scrub.  There's like many-in-one use for these fruits.  Even birds love them but we'll talk about that a little later....

Guavas are high in nutritional value as they are loaded with Vitamin C, fibers and minerals.  The fruits have a rich source of anti-oxidant property and considered one of the best food to slow down and delay the process of ageing naturally.    

They are such hardy plants that thrive with minimum care and with regular feeds will ensure abundant of fruits. 

Apart from enjoying these fruits as it is or juiced, the young leaves can also be used for brewing tea to aid in digestion.  As the fruits and leaves are rich in astringents, they are also ideal for use as a facial scrub for toning and brightening the skin.  Sure bliss to slather natural goodness on the face as you enjoy the sweet aroma of guavas.

However like all good things, I have a competitor who loves guavas as much as I do... seriously.

Watch out for story about this seeds loving dude!

 

I AM SECRETLY IN LOVE

(1)  Drooled over photos of gorgeous tomato posts on others' IG with envy.

(2) Checked out overseas heirloom seeds and drooled (again!) over Ananas Noire, Brandywine, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Cherry and all their other siblings or cousins and secretly disappointed at the appalling lack of varieties locally.   

(3)  Stalked the tomato section of every supermarkets for any newcomer.

(4) Bought tomato plants for soon to be vine ripen tomatoes.   

(5)  Collected more and more packets of tomato seeds.

(6)  Fondled and caressed tomatoes lovingly in the hope that I would grow them just as beautifully.

(7) Hoarded ripe tomatoes in the veggie compartment waiting for "the right time" to sow the seeds. 

(8)   Happy even though my shopping spree yielded nothing except for a couple of tomatoes. (It's the seeds that I want)

(8)  A friend walked into his kitchen, came out with a bowl of tomatoes and handed the bowl to me.   

(9)  At one particular supermarket, this same guy always wore this "I know what nonsense you're up too... don't deny" smile whenever I approached (where else if not the tomato section!)

Thank you but don't crack your head to buy me a gift.  A packet of tomato seeds (heirloom please) will be just great and if you ever catch me stalking you / your garden please excuse me but I could just be admiring your tomatoes... with envy.  

FROZEN

Bye raisins… hello frozen grapes!

I used to have grapes in the fridge left uneaten and forgotten. 

Since I started freezing grapes, the joy of eating frozen grapes on a hot day is something I’ve always look forward to.   It's a healthy snack given that grapes contain flavonoids (very powerful antioxidants) which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slow down aging.  They also stimulate collagen production.  Cool stuff!

Here’s what I normally do.

Wash and drain the grapes.  I usually remove the stems, put them in ziplock bags and pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours.  You can leave the whole bunch in the freezer if you want to use them as a “centrepiece” perhaps to be shared over some nice wine, cheese platter and interesting conversation ;)

This frozen grape thingy makes a delicious snack; it has a sorbet texture and just eating a handful of them on a hot day is bliss.

NB:  Best to eat them frozen; once thawed the grapes tend to be soft and a little reminder that small children should not be left unsupervised when eating grapes.

  

BACK TO SCHOOL

In the past, whenever I think of something green and boring  succulents would come to mind.  To me they were simply green, stiff and unattractive.  I was that biased; seriously I was.

It didn't help that my experience with them was short lived and never amiable. 

For the longest time, I was convinced succulents and I were not meant to be the best of friends.

Then along came something magical.  I saw pictures of  succulents with pretty flowers and I was completely sold.  Didn't know succulents bear flowers! I love.

That started my interest and feeling all grown up, I bought my first adult size plant.  I was certain I have graduated beyond looking after those fun size ones. 

It was a heavily laden jade plant.  Call that love at first sight because I grabbed the plant as soon as I caught sight of it.  I even gave her a name. When I took Jade to the checkout, three  strangers commented how pretty she looked.   I brimmed with pride, so happy that I snared gorgeous Jady.   I was doubly happy when google search said I just bought a money tree.  I could picture myself counting money happily.

My one and only memory of gorgeous Jade

Few days after Jade came home, I gave her some water as I thought she looked a little under the weather.  We all know the importance of drinking enough water to stay hydrated.  So for the next couple of days like any disciplined parent, Jade got extra water treats whenever she lost a leaf or leaves. 

I just knew it!  Jade was suffering from dehydration and dehydration as we all know is bad for the skin.  Surely the same applied to her.    

Before long, I started to notice Jade was beginning to have what you call, a receding hairline.  I did the next cleverest thing.  I filled a pail with water and completely submerged her into it.  I just knew she was in need of more water love. 

Thank you but don't ask me how long Jady sat in that swimming pool.

After that great soak, I put her out to bask in the sunlight.  A few days later, she just wobbled under her weight; kind off lifeless!  I drew up a list of suspects including my family member. 

(1)  Mum because she thinks nothing is more beautiful than her Adeniums (they really are gorgeous!) and there's no space for another plant along the corridor; 

(2)  The sweeper on our level because he sweeps as if he's in the pool competing the backstroke event;  

(3)  Tigger my neighbour's cat because she has a guy's name and behaves like one.  He... oops... she has a tendency to jump into flower pots to poop & pee or pee & poop whichever she fancies and she loves to pounce on insects  hiding in between plants.  

Surely one of them must be responsible for Jade's injury! 

When I picked her up, her limbs were soft and squishy.  Did I detect water as in water retention?  Like a brave surgeon, I did my best to safe her life. 

So these were what's left of Jade. 

Meet Jade Junior... a part of gorgeous Jade.

Suntanning remnants of her other limbs

I wish someone would have told me "Just because you love gardening does not mean you know everything... "  
 
Just a few days back, I spotted new Jades at the same place I met gorgeous Jade the original.  I had this peculiar feeling that they will meet the same fate as Jady so I turned and walked away. Sadly, it is really true that succulents and I are nothing more than just casual friends. 


 

AVOCADO, THE WONDER FRUIT

Kick start your day with something healthy and hearty!

Recipes need not be the length of a ruler and it should not hold you ransom in the kitchen unless you're a Kitchen Goddess for which I am not. 

Here’s one “quick to assemble” recipe that you can add to your breakfast and eat without guilt.

I don’t want to dwell on the many benefits of this fruit both for health and in skincare.  Avocado itself is rather bland and boring but once you get past to eating this rich tasting fruit, it’s actually rather delicious.   

What you need

2 slices of any type of bread or toast

1 ripe avocado

Trickle of condensed milk / honey

What you do

Halve the avocado and slice into bite size pieces.  Slight mash of the avocado is also doable.

Spread or place the avocado generously on the bread.

Lightly dribble a trickle of condensed milk or honey over the avocado spread.

Have it for breakfast or in between when you feel like some healthy snacking.  I enjoyed that very much!

WHERE ONIONS AND SHALLOTS ARE THE SAME

 

The thing about being on an island with a small population is the closed camaraderie.

I heard a voice and parted the laundry on the clothes line to see someone standing near the garden fence.

“Do you have an onion to spare?”

“Wait… let me see” as I left the other basket of unhung laundry and skipped into the kitchen.

So I didn’t have an onion but he was happy to leave with 2 shallots instead.