my wanderments.

Life is not a bed of roses right now. Or is it really? I have always believed that we have control over our narrative. That it’s all about perspective and to look at the flip side when things seem hard. But some times, it just sucks. Death seems to surround us (globally and personally) when we aren’t quite ready for it. Are we ever ready though? In the 3+ decades of my life, I’ve seen death and each time I look at it with different lens. The one large lesson that it keeps serving up to me is that every possession we have is material. Every physical item we own will become dust (fine, only if it’s biodegradable!) What remains among the living are memories and stories and feelings. That’s why my life goal has always been very simple - be kind and loving especially when it seems hard and towards anyone family friend or foe. I’m suddenly reminded of this Maya Angelou’s quote that I always go back to when I feel rubbish about life - “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Feelings. They feel so immaterial sometimes. But they are real. And like flowers (like our desert rose pictures here) they can be blooming one day and wilting the next. And that is OK. It will bloom again. It takes work. Any gardener knows that roses don’t bloom overnight. Tending the garden/soil, it’s a constant effort. This analogy struck me when I was reflecting about how important it is for us to tend to our mental health. And I’m so glad to have flowers (literal and figuratively) in my life. I’m bursting with gratitude for each one of you. Thank you family, friends and loved ones. 🙏🏻 🌟 #rumination #mentalhealth #mementomori #death #life #living #love #familyfirst https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnyPPPhIUf/?utm_medium=tumblr

Having never tasted a #basqueburntcheesecake to baking it twice and having better success the second time has given me confidence. With no point of reference to what it should taste like, I kept looking at pictures and recipes of other basque burnt cheesecakes. First attempt produced an eggy (but still tasty) texture due to overbaking. Second attempt was a fluke I think. I compared recipes and read reviews/comments and tweaked the ingredients. My one gripe was forgetting the addition of some flour; I realised only just after I poured the batter into the pan! I kept kicking myself over it and for the 50 mins this was in the oven, I googled “is it ok to omit flour in cheesecakes” 😅 Turns out I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Flour is to prevent cracking. There was some minor cracking at the edges but I thought it looked beautiful. Texture-wise, it was creamy and smooth! Almost like ice cream. No eggy overtones, only cheesy goodness. I am satisfied and really happy. The ruminator in me finds this experience enriching and somewhat reflective of life. We go through this journey called life most of the time not knowing the outcome of most things we attempt. Yet we do it anyway, and a lot of times we reference other people’s experiences. It is important to be kind to ourselves in the process because like baking, our ingredients and methods can vary but it takes practice to master recipes. Varying humidity (life conditions) and methods (life decisions) produce a multitude of outcomes. The key is to try and try again. I’ve learnt (as an amateur baker and a life doer) that perfection is quite a myth to be beheld. Our versions of perfections all differ because we have varying goals. It is more important to be always growing, learning and trying. After all, (allow me to borrow Sinatra’s words), the best is yet to come. My cheesecake is far from perfect (I think it can be better) but it is super delish and I shall attempt this again another day. May I one day reach my own basque burnt cheesecake perfection! 💪🏻 #baking #life #rumination https://www.instagram.com/p/CEggfQlnRQa/?igshid=e46e03oroksy

A PSA of sorts for my family and friends today: Wading through the emotions and anxiety of the past year (grieving the loss of my brother) and this year (Covid-19 and it’s trailing repercussions including Daryl’s retrenchment) has been like swimming against the strongest current we’ve encountered. Sometimes it’s hard putting to words what we feel. For some, therapy is too challenging. If you are feeling out of sorts and don’t quite know what to do, I hope you find the strength to reach out to a closest friend, buddy or neighbour. Nothing provides more relief than offloading your stress and worries. For those who are open to alternative remedies, I recommend flower essences from the Dr. Bach’s range. They are known for their #RescueRemedy concoction which has been known to calm and smooth the most distressed and anxious minds and moods. Daryl and I swear by them. We have been through bottles and bottles. We get ours from good ol’ @iherb. I hope you know that you are not alone. I have a pair of ears too if you ever want a friend to just listen as well. Wishing all my beloved fellow souls a joyful Monday and a fantastic productive week ahead! #selfcare #selflove #mentalhealth #notasponsoredpost #lovethyself #mentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/p/CERA8ddHT-S/?igshid=krk8iaksvspo

Apple pies are like warm comforting hugs. I always order one if it’s on a menu when I’m dining out. But I’ve never quite found one that I absolutely love. Call me shameless but I do think mine is still the scrummiest of them all. I want my sons to have nostalgic memories of that sweet cinnamon-tinged scent of apples caramelising over the stove and that butter-laden aroma intertwined with calming apple notes. I may not be a #supermom but I am determined to be a #momwhobakes fantastic #applepie and their favourite treats. https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7oncFH6NP/?igshid=mb8a7gt7tudv

Seems like I’m on a chocolate chip cookie roll. This week’s highlight bake for me was also from the One Tin Bakes cookbook. I was curious about the combination of chocolate and tahini. Turns out they were made for each other. I used black tahini instead and I think that added to the flavour which I would describe as deeply nutty and rich. We can’t stop eating them! Another winning recipe by @theboywhobakes. Happy mid-week Wednesday everyone! #chocolatechip #cookies #tahini #homemade https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxt8man6YE/?igshid=1guin78a9d95z

When you eat cakes (or desserts in general) as much as I do, the guilt accumulates. So these days I try to sub in healthier options. One way I do that is by the type of flour and sugar. For this version of banana bread I made over the weekend, I replaced half cup of AP flour with oat flour and used sucanat instead of refined sugar. The last time I made these, I used coconut sugar, which worked great as well. Oat flour adds more fibre and sucanat is really natural cane sugar made from pure sugar cane juice bear with paddles to form granules. It has the least processing and no chemicals. Next natural sweetener to explore - date purée. I’ve already prepped a batch, wondering what to use them for. Can’t wait to share the results and more! #naturalsweetener #sucanat #bananabread #homemade #dessert #cakeislife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLNrHSHlyu/?igshid=6s3lvyeiixqb

When you eat cakes (or desserts in general) as much as I do, the guilt accumulates. So these days I try to sub in healthier options. One way I do that is by the type of flour and sugar. For this version of banana bread I made over the weekend, I replaced half cup of AP flour with oat flour and used sucanat instead of refined sugar. The last time I made these, I used coconut sugar, which worked great as well. Oat flour adds more fibre and sucanat is really natural cane sugar made from pure sugar cane juice bear with paddles to form granules. It has the least processing and no chemicals. Next natural sweetener to explore - date purée. I’ve already prepped a batch, wondering what to use them for. Can’t wait to share the results and more! #naturalsweetener #sucanat #bananabread #homemade #dessert #cakeislife https://www.instagram.com/p/CDLNrHSHlyu/?igshid=6s3lvyeiixqb

Brownies are one of those desserts that aren’t meant to be healthy. Decked out in butter, #chocolate and sugar, they’re the devil of cakes. So when @thechefwholifts made some healthy chickpea brownies that tasted more earthy than choco-yum, I got off the couch to whip up some brownies of my own. Used a keto recipe but went with #sucanat instead of erythritol. With #almondflour as a base, these are #glutenfree too. Moist as butter cake and deeply rich, I think I’ve found my new go-to #brownie #recipe. 👆🏻Link to the recipe at my profile 👆🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDD6yl9HSX1/?igshid=1edmcnvolwhzl

Wish these #flowers could last forever. Got them at a steal for only $2. Not quite sure what it’s called though. Anyone knows? #flowerpower #happyblooms https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3QO4IHchz/?igshid=1sp8tz8w5zunc

My #parentingwin today is convincing my son that our @evenflobaby safety gate deserves to be jazzed up by his colourful @magnatiles. I now have some peace in my #homeoffice while he plays decorator. ✌🏻 #parenting #restless #toddler #magnatiles https://www.instagram.com/p/CC20rVlH2LS/?igshid=1g4l8nnyr49g7

Oats, to me, is life. They make great cookies, granola and porridge - such versatility. Sometimes when I’m lazy, I like to whip up some no-brainer no-bake oat bars (or squares, depending how you slice them). Made a fresh batch again this morning. Tasty snacks that are light on guilt and kid-friendly too. Feel free to adjust the sweetness as you like it. 👆🏻Recipe at link in bio 👆🏻 #snacks #healthy #homemade #oats #snackbar #recipe #almonds #toddlersnacks https://www.instagram.com/p/CCDEyk-HoZf/?igshid=12zmf2tgpc7s5

A woman’s body is truly incredible; from ‘crafting’ babies to ‘brewing’ milk - it’s a pretty impressive OS! Having been through two versions, I’m better at understanding myself more, the emotional and functional sides of it. That includes breast-feeding. Your body is truly your temple at this juncture and the milk you produce is determined by what you eat. For me, oats is my best bet and even better when combined with super nutritious ingredients. I refuse to pay top dollar for #lactationcookies I can make myself so I’ve been tinkering in the kitchen. I have found a solid one and would like to share it with you. It’s super nutritious and really not limited to lactating mums. For the recipe,👆🏻Click on the link in profile👆🏻 #breastfeeding #nursingmum #oatmeal #cookies #galactagogues #motherhood #cherylovescake https://www.instagram.com/p/CBrVHH9nOMX/?igshid=1iflqv8fpqr8e

Words - they hold so much power; to encourage, express love, joy, edify, enabling us to soar to great heights. At the same time it is as sharp as a sword, in that it can wound, divide, incite fear, and cause pain and sadness. With so much going on right now around the world and with the recent spate of horrid events, I’ve been turning to what brings me great comfort and assurance - reading. Words give us knowledge and I am of the belief that Knowledge is Power - the kind of Power to incite change that will lead to a society filled with love and harmony. To some, it may be a simplistic idea, but it is what I truly believe will help us do better in every area of our lives. Reading also helps us gain more empathy. And it also prompts us to have more ideas! Neil Gaiman says it best in his fab collab with illustrator Chris Riddell “Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World”. It is like a manifesto that he frames so well, each word dripping with truth especially right now, in our strange world. I really wanted to share these 4 pages because they stood out to me personally as a person and a parent. If we just strive (in our own small ways) to read more, learn more, and listen more, I’m sure we can make the world a more loving place for us and for further generations to be in. Let’s choose Love, always. 💕 PS. Thank you to all the mentors, teachers, family and friends who have bothered to provide me with perspectives different from my own. It has enriched me and made me more self-aware and a better human. 📖: @neilhimself ✏️: @chris_riddell #artmatters #knowledgeispower #lovenothate #readingisfundamental https://www.instagram.com/p/CBNWjYun-MN/?igshid=1snnk9kswtofa

I’m sure we are all going a little #bananas amidst the pandemic and the ongoing #circuitbreakersg; being huddled at home can lead to heightened tensions, especially among couples. Why not use literal bananas and bake your partner a divine loaf of banana bread? Sometimes all we need is a good loaf of “I love you” to quell the nerves. This banana bread is a winner and my husband loves it. Recipe at the link in my bio. #goingbananas #bananabread #loveisedible #loafoflove #cherylovescake #homebaked #instafood #foodstagram #vegan https://www.instagram.com/p/CA69W-XnGyv/?igshid=190yc8kmz89i2

Kuehs (bite sized desserts/cake) are labour intensive and often take up almost half a day. My all-time favourite kueh is kueh salat. Known for its lovely three-toned hues (green, white and blue), it is a balance of slightly salty (the rice) and sweet (custard). The texture is what I am crazy about - the soft jiggly top vs a stodgy sticky glutinous rice bottom, and biting into both at the same time results in a tantalizing dance in the mouth. I could always wolf down a good 3-4 pieces. I dived into this tedious kueh-making party of one yesterday and emerged victorious. With one entire cake pan’s worth of kueh salat, I felt accomplished. I also foraged the blue pea flowers (thank you nature!) myself. I’ve only ever made this kueh twice and to varying levels of success. This version by far is pretty dope. I used a recipe from @shiokmaneddie. He has precise instructions and also a how-to video if you’re keen to make. #kueh #sweetthings #dessert #homemade #pandan #foodstagram #imadethis https://www.instagram.com/p/CAjNKOnHMtL/?igshid=197h9el39076z

Daryl and I had planned to make our annual trip back to Ireland in July to celebrate our birthdays and introduce our latest addition Eoin to the family. Alas with the pandemic, that plan is kaput. One thing I was really looking forward to doing on this trip was stuffing myself silly with the quintessential Irish fry-up. Having been deprived of black and white pudding (not avail here), I’ve had dreams of this gorgeously robust breakfast of true champions. Daryl must have got my hint and did his best this morning to churn out an Irish brekkie with the brioche and gratin dauphinois he had made earlier in the week. #Potatoes, #bacon, #egg and #toast - all you need for a happy wife (for me at least). My batteries are duly recharged! #thankgodimarriedachef #Irish #fryup https://www.instagram.com/p/CARkP7cnAut/?igshid=d77ngz1fwiwi

My son is fascinated with Cookie Monster (thanks to my @sesamestreet conditioning 🤪). He’s been helping Cookie Monster in the kitchen making all sort of treats (a really fun game!) and last weekend, he insisted on assisting me when I was making these #mostlypeanutbutter cookies. He was of great help! For the recipe, go to the link in my profile. Happy Saturday! #childhood #bakingisfun #allfat #cookies #kidsactivity https://www.instagram.com/p/CAPMXXTnYVb/?igshid=1gaem1lnvskss