Lazy girl guide: Easy spaghetti bolognaise

Today is your off day. Looking outside the window, you can see series of greyed cloud with light cold drizzle. Somehow your blanket is your BFF, you are still in your pajama and you have the feeling of love-and-hate relationship over why you should go outside and do something instead of sitting down whole day watching you favorite tv series, warm cuppa hot choco and your soft pillows.

Seems familiar? I always enjoy a day out when it gets breezy (soft breeze, not the cold wet ones) but sometime I felt like I deserve that sit-around-and -do-nothing day. And when I do, I always make a trip or two in the kitchen preparing comfort food. One of the easiest are Spaghetti Bolognaise. As per mentioned, it is a lazy guide not restaurant specials ;-)

Here are the basic item:
1. 200g of minced meat (I prefer beef over chicken as chicken tends to be 'plasticky' when over cooked).
2. Can of tomato puree (optional: with one cup of diced tomato laying around.sometime, the puree is too sour for my liking) OR Ready made spaghetti sauce (Preggo etc)
3. Chopped garlic & onions
4. Spaghetti (cooked al dente, with olive oil and some salt)
5. Salt & black pepper for seasoning

Optional (for that extra kick)
5. Dried chillies - boiled with hot water then strain. Fry over with a table spoon of oil till crispy & fragrant
6. Diced carrot
7. Grated parmesan for serving

Instruction:
1. Marinate minced meat 15 minutes before it hits the pan with salt & pepper
2. Slightly heat chopped onions and garlic until fragrant then add in the marinted beef. Stir the meat until browned then add on diced tomato and/or diced carrot.
3. Stir again for 5 minutes then add on tomato puree/ready made sauce
4. Stir everything together, add a bit of water if necessary (to ensure the meat is properly cooked especially if half thawed). Add on the fried chillies and reduce the heat.
5. Simmer until the meat and veges are evenly cooked. Once the sauce thickens, voila! Serve on top of the spaghetti, with a dash of grated parmesan.

Bon appetitè!
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Being 30 and that bucket list

Nope, it's not my birthday. Just thinking about being 30. What else a girl should be worrying about other than getting old? Some say age is just a number but I believe it is a strong reminder for us to think back about the things we have done in the past, the valuable lesson and making the most out of the times left in this world (provided you are able to live a long healthy life).

Anyway, since I'm hitting the big number soon, I am looking forward to strike off that list that has been around for ages. Below are some of the things that I'm looking forward to achieve, if not before 30 at least before end of this year :

1. Obtaining a driving license
    - Been taking the theory test and what not, until now I'm still could not discipline myself to attend the classes on weekend and gathering enough courage to take the final test.
2. Vacay in Indonesia & Philippines (soon..at least one the destination)
3. Eat clean food. And by this, lessen all processed food (with hope to be healthier and size down)
4. Run that 10km marathon with proud (currently at 7km max)
5. Try to be a minimalist, especially on my closet
6. Participate in car boot sales (or any equavalent to it)
7. Try archery
8. Be a volunteer
9. Go for that interview that offer better career advancement
10. Settling my PTPTN's degree debt

That is a lot to achieve since there is only 4 months left before we say goodbye to 2014. What about you? What is your before 30 bucket list/before end of 2014 resolution?

Freebies addict

I admit I'm one of the freebies 'junkies' out there..always looking out for samples and contests to participate. I must say, this habit started back when I was a student where I spend almost all of my time online if not sleeping, eating, studying and loitering (and some shopping, if the money allows). Anyway, getting samples requires patience. Some of it got lost in the mail sometime but hey, you got nothing to lose right? These are some of the samples you can try :

*take note that most of the sample is available in Malaysia*

Facebook page (browsing through desktop is recommended):

1. Laurier Free Night Safe Sample

2. Free Kotex Luxe Ultrathin Pad Sample

3. Free five (5) days consecutive trial of any ACUVUE daily disposable contact lenses

Website:

4. Lactacyd Feminine Hygiene

5. Libresse Free Trial

6. Clean & Clear Free Fruit Essential Energizing Berry (complete a survey)

Most of it are beauty/hygiene related product, mainly catering for women. However guys, you can always share the good news with your ladies friends. She will thanked you for it :-)

Will update photos of recieved sample soon.

Something jelly belly about Jelly Bean

I have been updating my Samsung Tab 10.1 quite a while ago. Was really excited back then due to all the hype about Jelly Bean firmware (or whatever they call it) but have yet to really experience the new layout and latest features until recently.

I have been a strong Android user since it first started as I believe that some basic apps are just not worth buying (in addition being a thrifty student). However, I'm a convert (to Ios) since I got the phone for free (hehe) so now am enjoying the best of both world.

Call me old fashion but I'm pretty accustomed to the old layout and the new upgrade seems out of place. The battery indicator, time and internet connection shows on top of the panel, arghh...kinda tick me off a bit especially when I'm trying to keep track of time when playing the 'harvesting' related games.

Anyway, the most convenient icon that I really missed the most is the built-in screen capture function, right-side below the screen (was beside the active apps list icon). How to screen capture through you tablet? It's not as easy as you think.

1. Press and hold (power button + volume down)
2. Keep on pressing until you see the white flashes, then release (about 3 seconds)
3. Other option is to go Setting > Device section > More setting > Quick launch, then choose Screen capture. Unfortunately, my tablet doesn't have that option so I guess I have to stick to this method.

Tried and tested for 10 minutes before getting it right. Not fun but yah, just bear with it until next generation of tablet is in store. * I'm expecting something very lightweight, portable, excellent display, perhaps with holographic option ? My money is on the table *