For 2019. Let. Heart. Lead...

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! 

I hope you all had both a delicious and relaxing break and ready to conquer 2019! I have been MIA as a personal challenge over the holidays to stay off social media where possible to focus on other things, so I did and it feels pretty darn good actually :D. While staying socially communicative has its sure pluses, it certainly has its distracting minuses. I realized how much more I get done without responding to every ding, ping and ring, negated the urge to scroll and like everyones' stuff and surf the channels mindlessly. It felt strange at first for not sharing and breaking away from my usual social activities, including updating my blog. Instead, I devoted energy where attention was needed- organized and prepared my place, the extensive holiday menu to entertain stress-free, spent present quality time with my family, and caught up on my neglected readings. I set the intentions, and I delivered. And I feel AmaZing. For. It. :D

The feeling you get following your heart is not always comfortable at the beginning, but it's always comfortable at the end. This Year. Let Heart Lead. 💖

Let's continue to be present to savour life's real moments and memories...

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."- Gandhi.

So hard to get these youngster Vuongsters to take a proper family picture. We did good here I think.

Sharing some real good food over the holiday... starting with hosting Christmas dinner.

Korean Spicy Salmon Ceviche with Tomatoes

When preparing for the appetizer menu, we all said we must have oysters!!

Malpaques!

Something from everyone for this potluck holiday appetizer and dinner feast! The very best kind.

Seafood Cocktail Platter and Minced Chicken and Miso on Celery

Onto dinner preparations...

Steamed mussels on the half shell and Chap Chae

It was an East Meets West, West Meets East Christmas Dinner Feast

My lovely parents and their grandsons- my youngest and nephew... 

The cascading staircase of boys... two are missing in action!

The big extended family... The Ng families, Vuong family and the Ly family.

New Year's Eve was scaled down in terms of guests but not the food... the WoWzers continue...

The star dish for me in 2018- palabok!

HaPpY NeW YeAr Y'all!

And then starting off the new year, with how I ended 2018- what I love doing best... cooking with friends.

Cooking with Lisa @Lisa.eats

So in love with this Filipino beauty even after serving it on NYE, I knew it was the perfect dish to cook with Lisa (her first intro). I couldn't wait to see her flip out for its complex flavours and textures- noodles smothered in shrimp gravy topped with sauteed shrimp, ground pork, boiled eggs, crushed chicharon fried pork rind, fish flakes, green onions, and fried garlic plus lime. Such a gorgeous customizable dish to eat casually with family or to entertain guests with.

Palabok with a side of pan-fried egg tofu

Nomness with a drizzle of sriracha

Bon Appétit my friend! 

Looking forward to savour it with you some more this year...

Photo Credit: Sebastien Vuong

 Set your heart with intention. Courage.
Set your mind with creation. Flourish.

Set your soul with salvation. Nourish.

Let heart lead.💖 And trust that the Universe will take care of the rest.

Sending you all Light and Love for 2019... Namaste!

Self Aware, Self Love, Self Care