A Kitchen Pan for Family Fun

One of my cooking goals was to learn how to make Vietnamese Bahn Khot which is made of tapioca flour and coconut and is a morsel of deliciousness. Plus it's gluten-free and fairly healthy when eaten with greens. When researching how to make it, I discovered that I needed a special pan. The pan below is known as either a takoyaki or aebelskiver cast iron pan. I have found such joy experimenting with it and so have our kids. 

During my birthday dinner, I made a few batches of Banh Khot and impressed our group of friends! Shortly after, my kids and I made cute danish pancakes for breakfast. We made a few savory with cheddar cheese and sweet ones sprinkled with powdered sugar or filled with jam.  I have yet to make takoyaki but the options are endless. 

You can create other mini-foods like aki onigiri (grilled rice balls) french toast, muffins, and pizza.  Your taste buds will be happy to check out this delicious pinterest board.

Honestly it took me a few months to make the purchase. It's not expensive at about $25 on Amazon, but I really had to justify purchasing another kitchen gadget. I'm happy with it and encourage others to do the same. It's a hit with the whole fam! #homecooking #joyofcooking #kitchengadgets #breakfast #appetizers

Bahn Khot

aebelskiver

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Good Food Deals #1 - Surviving Inflation with 99 Ranch

Like many of you, I'm always trying to find ways to pinch pennies especially when it comes to feeding a family of four which includes a teenage boy who can EAT! Even the cheapest food out has become so pricey. I've discovered the hot deli bar at 99 Ranch is a great take-out spot that won't break the wallet. I've picked up the challenge of how to stuff as much food as possible in the take-out boxes. No shame. I learned from all the bachelor men who rely on this hot bar for their nightly dinner. They pack the food into the rim and honestly the cashiers don't mind. The times when I was modest with how I filled up my box, the sweet cashiers always end up packing more food into it with a smile. They want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth. 

Today I discovered that there is always a $6 deal right at the cashier after 4 pm. Sometimes it's a bento box with a tea egg, grilled chicken, veggies, and rice. Today, I snagged half of a soy-sauce chicken for $6 when it usually costs $14. I was beaming with joy. 

I highly recommend checking out their deli, especially at the end of the day! Our local one is located in Richmond, CA but there is usually a market nearby any big city or suburb. The hot deli will satsify anyone's craving for simple Chinese food.

My fave items include the spicy sauteed fish, chow fun, braised tofu, ha gow, siu mai, and sesame balls!

Feast on a budget. Save money by hunting for food bargains. #cheapeats #survivinginflation #foodhacks #frugalhuntress #99ranch #eatingonabudget #cheapeats

Where to Dine and Shop in El Cerrito and Richmond | Hidden Gems 💎💎

When we moved back to California, we had to find an affordable place to live. Returning to Alameda, CA was not going to happen...it's $$$. Many of our Bay Area friends moved further out and found lovely homes in El Cerrito and the Richmond Annex. I didn't know much about this area except that we would be near San Pablo and the Ohlone Greenway. I swear everything is a few dollars cheaper than compared to Oakland and Berkeley. Much easier on the wallet for a family of four.  

Grocery Stores in El Cerrito:

Yaoya-San Japanese Market - Coming from Seattle and having shopped at the famous Uwajimaya , my first two times at Yaoya-san were underwhelming only because it's a quarter of the size. However, it's grown on me a lot. Need red bean mochi - check! Need salted saba (mackerel) - check! I discovered vinegar saba and it was delish. When I needed Vietnamese rice paper- check! Though it has a smaller footprint, I always find what I need. 10566 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito. 

New India Supermarket-  Going here is a fun culinary adventure. I take my time to see if there are new teas or spices to be discovered. I love the extensive selection of nan and rothi in the freezer. 10289 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito.

Giovanni's Produce Market- This family-owned market is wonderful if you need basics and a selection of specialty foods. When I went for the time, I thought it was charming. They even had a basket of complimentary succulent cuttings. You'll find Acme Bread, affordable fruits and veggies, and specialty snacks. Again this isn't Berkeley Bowl, but if you realized you forgot some key ingredients for your Italian dinner, this is your spot! Tucked away at 1600 Liberty. 

Where to Eat/Drink El Cerrito | Richmond

Gangnam Tofu: Go here for amazing seafood pancakes and fried chicken! It can be busy and they are short staffed, so have a snack right before and practice patience. Or just take it to go. :) 11740 San Pablo Ave. 

Talla Tea: For an affordable and delicious bubble tea, 🧋check out this modest spot in one of the shopping centers. The owner can be grouchy at first and he is grouchy to all no matter who you are. But if you're looking for a bargain, this is the spot. It's great for my son and his middle school friends because it's easy on the pocket and the cafe is teen-friendly. Base price is $3.50 and add-ons are 75 cents. Compare that to most places where the base price is $4.75-5.50 + add ons. Located on 10734 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito. 

For a healthy green smoothie head on over to the Natural Grocery Annex! They also have ice-cream by the scoop and wonderful baked goods!

New Dumpling: Amazing Taiwanese beef noodle soup and dumplings. You can also buy frozen dumplings to store.  Great prices.🥟

 Masa - a wonderful place to chow down on tamales, tacos, and burritos!🌮 A beautiful, clean, and spacious restaurant that is perfect for the pandemic. They also have limited outdoor seating. It's set in the charming Point Richmond neighborhood with great prices too! If you're in a rush, order in advance. You have to wait for 5-10 minutes to customize your food. 

Where to Shop, El Cerrito:

👉 Jenny K: I discovered this place during the holidays. Jenny and her husband own Well-Grounded Cafe and the Jenny K gift shop. Their kids also attend the local school. Perfect neighborhood gift shop for last-minute kid and adult gifts. She also has an annual shop for a good cause that benefits the local schools. 6921 Stockton Ave, El Cerrito. 

👉  I like to shop local of course, but every once in a while I need things from Marshalls (I've never lived within walking distance to one) - it's great for make-up and fancy shampoos. There's always practical stuff to be found. Lovely teas, truffle oil.

Affordable Kids Classes

My son started taking acting classes at the East Bay Center for Performing Arts in Richmond. Group youth classes are FREE! I couldn't believe it either. These are 8 -week courses in a beautiful building with high-quality teachers. A wonderful community space to support! 339 11th St, Richmond

#shoplocal #eatlocal #elcerrito  #richmond

What else would you add?

Tet | Vietnamese Lunar New Year 2022 | Year of the Tiger

Yes, Vietnamese people do celebrate Lunar New Year. This holiday is often mistaken as only Chinese New Year and that is simply not true. Did you know that Vietnamese, Koreans, Thai, and more celebrate this beautiful holiday? 

Tet is one of our favorite times of the year. This means on Sunday we will clean our house and sweep out any negative energy to bring in good fortune on February 1. We'll pray and eat in honor of our ancestors.

One of my favorite memories is watching my dad light red firecrackers in front of our house to scare away bad spirits. I'm sure all of our neighbors in the 1980s were wondering what the heck we were doing lighting firecrackers in the morning.

Married folks hand out "lai see" (red envelopes) to the special kids in their life. The more generous you are, the more good fortune you will receive.

I look forward to eating banh chung (a vietnamese savory tamale wrapped in banana leaf), glass noodles with shitake and chicken, and lots of tangerines. 

If you're wondering what the kids wear to celebrate their heritage, it's our traditional Ao Dai. Here's a photo of our kids proud to show off their Vietnamese threads at the Tet festival at the Seattle Center. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself,  find a Vietnamese tailor in your town. I wouldn't recommend buying one online because it is a fitted tunic and exact measurements are needed. 

If you live the Bay Area, there are quite a few celebrations to enjoy. 

Wishing you a bright and beautiful new year. Go get 'em, Tiger! #tet #lunarnewyear #yearoftiger

If you're wondering what the kids wear to celebrate their heritage, it's our traditional Ao Dai. Here's a photo a few years back at the Tet festival at the Seattle Center. It's time for us to shop for new ones as they've outgrown their outfits already. 

Wishing you a bright and beautiful new year. Go get em Tiger!

Books to Read Now

Right now, I'm reading:

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong

Oh yes, I'm feeling myself getting pumped now. Amen- just what we all need to read now. Her book reminds me of all the critical moments in API history and how many of us internalize the rage we often feel because our struggles are never acknowledged. This book is for anyone who has wondered about the Asian American experience or for any API who needs more self-love.

The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Master TNH words are simple but forces us to contemplate. I need to read his messages twice to fully understand his message. He recently passed away at the age of 95 and had a profound influence on the world. Mindfulness takes years to master and I still feel like a beginner.  This book is for anyone who is feeling lost and needs encouragement. There are breathing activities and deep messages to meditate on.

I leave you with this from the book:

Our suffering is impermanent

and that is why we can transform it.

And because happiness is impermanent

that's why we have to nourish it.

peace and love,

Ly

Supporting Friends Through Tough Times | Pandemic Blues

Many of us have been blue during the pandemic and may have even questioned our mental well health. So many people in our lives can be on the brink of entering a period of darkness. A few months ago, we learned that a dear friend had committed suicide. We had celebrated a milestone birthday where family and friends showed a ton of love. It was shocking to hear the news of her death. I know many of us have witnessed someone or multiple people pass away during the two year pandemic. 

The other day another dear friend expressed how sad she's been too. The pressure of parenting, working and the ongoing grieving of departed ones feels unbearable. It's true we're not all ok.  I knew I had to gather my girlfriends together for another virtual chat. I had been feeling a little lost too. Many of us organized zoom calls in the early days of lockdown in 2020. But it seems as things become a bit more normal, we've tried to go back to our regular lives. So the gatherings and check-ins have been less frequent.  

However, friends and family are still hurting and grieving as we march through the different waves of COVID-19. Or as we experience the one year death anniversaries of people we love.  Whether it's a co-worker or a close friend, check in on the people in your life.  My girlfriends and I send heart emojis and affirmations when we know someone is down just to let them know we're thinking of them.  Simple things that have cheered folks up in my life include:

More Family Time After I Quit My Job

Maybe you've been thinking "Should I quit my job"?  I quit my job about six months ago and it's been quite the journey. One of  the benefits of the #greatresignation is spending more quality time with my kids. Right after the holiday, Camille's school delayed their start. That meant she and I could bake carrot cupcakes together on a Tuesday morning. I can't remember the last time we did something like that on a weekday. Last year at this time I was glued to my laptop sorting through work emails. These small moments add up and makes taking a break worth it. #itsthesmallthings #familymatters

Have you transitioned from your job recently? What are new things you've been doing with your new found time?

It's Possible... A VBAC in Thirty Minutes or Less

This is a throwback post that I didn't publish many moons ago. For those mamas to be who are contemplating a VBAC: vaginal birth after c-section. Yes, I too had an emergency C-Section with my first and it was TRAUMATIZING!

I had a VBAC baby in 2012 and looking back I'm glad I decided to try. 

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We spent the first thirty days post-partum in a traditional Vietnamese rest period. I guess it wasn't that bad since it was rainy and cold. With two kids now, there were a few days of near delirium. They always want their mommy at the same time...why is that?

It's a scary and tough decision because many OBs may automatically sign you up for your second or third c-section. I was lucky that my OB encouraged me to try to have a birth naturally even though I was second-guessing myself. We made an agreement that I would try and she'd still schedule a c-section just in case. 

In the weeks before giving birth I kept hearing some women share they preferred having a c-section because it was convenient and they could plan for it. Was I going to be one of those women? It did sound logical but I was determined to experience a natural birth. I also remembered that the recovery was pretty slow after my c-section not to mention painful. I didn't want to go through that exhaustion again. 

Often mothers are told "Once a C-section, always a C-Section" - it's simply not true. 

I did a few things differently and decided to break a few rules so I wouldn't be exhausted and be at risk for another c-section. 

- I took my time going to the hospital after the contractions. During my first birth, I rushed to the hospital because I felt like I had to. I didn't eat and so I was starving by the time I pushed. 

- I almost took too much time because, by the time we arrived at the hospital, Camille was in the position to be born!

- Thirty minutes after my arrival, I gave birth. No time for drugs. I was awake and could see my baby girl instantly. 

Now I tell other women that a VBAC is possible and that they should be paired up with an OB that supports them. It's hard to put aside the trauma of the first c-section but mentally preparing for a VBAC pays off. I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to talk with their OB about their wishes. Many of us have done it.

Remember decide what's best for you. Here are great tips!

#vbac #naturalbirth #postcsection

                                                                        MY VBAC BABY!

You Must Feel Sadness to Feel Joy - Moving Blues

You might have been like me contemplating whether to move out of state. Over the past few months, I’ve been grieving our recent move. In the early mornings, my heart longs for the Pacific Northwest morning rain. I find myself feeling both grief and guilt on some nights. The withdrawal from our Seattle house and PNW land pulls me into deep sorrow. The waves of grief strike me at strange times like when I’m exploring a new park or at night when I imagine being in our old bedroom.

After living in Seattle for five years, we knew it was time to move back, especially after my father-in-law passed away and my mom’s cancer returned. The move that I had been looking forward to in my head turned out to create heartache for me.

As an Asian daughter, the pull home was relentless and especially with my mom going through treatment. It was the right thing to do. Of course, weighing the option against parent duties kept me up at night.  I was sandwiched between two generations who both needed me. And of course, the pandemic didn't make things easier. 

Coming back home was joyful at the beginning for sure but then I found myself having moments of doubt. For the first few weeks of school, I just prayed that my kids would make new friends. After all, they had left the strong bonds they built in Seattle. My daughter is nine and my son is thirteen, so they feel things. 

On the other hand, our children now have access to their grandparents and cousins more easily which is a win. We reconnected with old friends, but why do I feel like something's missing?

So much of me wanted to be selfish and stay in Seattle but my good Asian daughter duties stirred up too much conflict. 

After reading many blogs on this topic, I learned that one must feel sadness to feel joy. It sucks to feel the sadness but I need to sit with it and learn from it. It means that what we built in Seattle was that special and letting it go is very hard. 

I’m sure that I felt this way when we first landed in Seattle, but I may have forgotten by now. Have you ever struggled with a big move? #moving #lifechanges #sandwichgeneration