My followers on Instagram and Facebook haven't seen me on the social media channels much lately, because I've started a brand new daily routine. J has just opened up his very own sports centre called Titan Sports Centre, and is hosting one of the biggest public futsal leagues to hit Selangor yet, so I've been shuttling back and forth between work, filming, and buying stuff to make the place functional....

....and then I fell ill. And I'm not talking the sniffles here. I'm talking too-weak-to-walk-or-eat kind of ill. It was total hell, but a couple of things got me through it. They're a little naughty, but what better time to treat yourself than the Malaysian flu-season, and the upcoming holiday season, right? ;)

Foodpanda.my is the ultimate convenience - delivering food from all kinds of different food establishments straight to your doorstep. This was a heaven-send when I was ill, because I didn't have the energy to lift my head, let alone drive a car to pick up food. I simply downloaded the app (they have one for both Android and Apple), and ordered away. Another thing I friggin' love about this place? They accept Paypal! A lot of Malaysian establishments haven't gotten around to accepting PayPal, but it's all I use when I shop online, so to have a place in Malaysia that accepts PayPal is exceedingly convenient for me! No shuffling around my handbag for my wallet, all I need to do is click a few buttons and my order is ready to go. I've always, always been a huge fan of eBay, so when I was lying in bed with nothing to do, I pulled out my trusty tablet and started shopping. It wasn't just pretty things, mind you! Okay, so this is pretty, but it's also functional! I bought a sonic humidifier (I think that's what it was) that doesn't use heat to create steam. It also has a little slot for me to drop essential oils into, and it changes colour as it creates steam! I loved it because my throat was so dry throughout the time I was sick, so I managed to keep the sore throat at bay by turning this on every night, with a couple of drops of my favourite lavender essential oil. My room smells absolutely amazing now! And, eherm, let's not talk about the rest of the stuff I bought, kay? ;)

YouTube is a fabulous place! It has how-to videos, funny videos, makeup tutorials, hauls and reviews...seriously, everything is on there! No wonder it has such a huge membership base. I spent hours on YouTube searching for simple sore throat remedies, looking for videos on cute puppies, and watching Christmas gift ideas and makeup tutorials! Oh, and shameless plug here (tee hee), my YouTube channel has makeup tutorials on a variety of different looks, and if you would like to request a video, just leave a comment here or on my Facebook page, or on my channel! www.youtube.com/emilyquak So these were my little 'treats' when I wasn't feeling well, things I wanted to do just to make myself feel better, and to while the time away whilst I was in bed with not much else to do. Do you have little 'comfort' things that you turn to whenever you're feeling down or under the weather? Do you turn to online shopping like I do? ;)

Winston and Jace's friends, Wilson and Jien Ann, were kind enough to take us up to Mount Dandenong the other day. The four of us, Jace and I, and Rue Bee and Winston, rented a car, and followed their car up to check out the sights.


We ate at Miss Marples (the scones were SO disappointing!) and Pie in the Sky (pretty good pies). I love going in search for food when we go on trips!



We also took in the sights at Sky High, walking through the gardens and taking a few pictures on the balconies.


It wasn't too hot, though the sun was shining down in full force. I loved that we got to explore and satisfy my food hunting urges. I want to go on an all out food outing soon. Maybe here, maybe in Malaysia. Either way, I will document it and post it here! :)

On one of their first days here, we took Winston and Rue Bee to Misty's Diner to try out the food there. It was all of our first times there, too.

When we first got there, I was a little bit disappointed looking in from the outside. It is a small, unassuming little place, and I didn't really think much of it. But my impression of it changed as soon as we walked in. There were colours everywhere, and it was so lively and bright. The music was great, the waitresses were friendly and smiling, and the food was pretty good!



We had the Carb Coma Platter - it had cheese sticks, chilli fries, fried mushrooms, veggie bites and potato mashies.


The cheese sticks were AMAZING! The chilli cheese fries were just okay for me, but I loved their gravy and potato mashies. Poor Jace had a soccer game and couldn't eat, so we're thinking of going there again soon so he can try the food there. He loves American diner-type food.


We ordered the brownie for dessert. It was pretty good, but nothing really special.

What's great about Misty's Diner is that they have this counter up the front, which sells all the snack food I was talking about in my American snack food post. I finally tried a Twinkie!
But it was disappointing. Nothing about it was good. Twiggies taste better   :(

Twinkie rant aside, I think this is a really great place. Everyone should try it at least once. Make sure to go early or book a table, because it gets pretty packed, even on a Monday night!

You can check out their website at MistysDiner.com.au.

For as long as I can remember, I've been obsessed with American snack foods. They always make little appearances in movies, and I've always made a mental note of them (I'm a little bit food-obsessed) and shelved them away for future reference. If I ever got the chance, I was going to go snack-crazy and buy them all up and binge on them in a room with my closest friends.

But, since I have no plans to go to the US, I've sort of resigned myself to the fact that I may never hold a squishy Sno Ball or bite into a Twinkie (Oh, the power of media!).

I never thought to Google it until this morning.

Well, guess what?

There's a specialty food store right here in Melbourne that sells all the snacks that I'm so curious about! It's called USA Foods, and you can check it out here. I am definitely going to check their store out soon!


Do any of you recall seeing these foods in movies or TV series that you may have watched?

First row, l-r

Twizzlers: I've seen these in countless movies. I have kind of a love-hate relationship with liquorice (it gets stuck between my teeth!) but I definitely want to try it out!

Twinkies: These are my all-time biggest obsession. I don't quite know why, but I've always wanted to know what the American counterpart to Malaysia's 'Twiggie' tastes like. I first sat up and paid attention when Xander on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' launched into a Twinkie-loving speech, and have been obsessed with tasting one ever since.

Nutter Butter: I first heard about these on the TV show 'Friends'. I have found so many Nutter Butter recipes since, and I want to try them all


Second row, l-r

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Who could forget the big Hawaiian dude who called Adam Sandler that in '50 First Dates'! I have actually tried these (Malaysia has bouts of genius importing treats from time to time), and I think they taste great!

Pop Tarts: These have made so many 'cameo appearances'. They had them in Malaysia for a while, and I liked having them toasted. But at RM 15 per box of 5, I stopped after the second box.

Dr Pepper: I think I unwittingly grouped the 3 products that I've actually seen in Malaysia into one row. I haven't tried it, though. I want to know what all the fuss is about.

Third row, l-r

Sno Balls: Second biggest obsession, but my 'fire' died down after I found out there's coconut in it. Blegh. But they look so yum! I remember first seeing them in 'Hot Chick', and then in 'Laws of Attraction'. I am so disappointed that there's coconut in them!

S'mores: I've tried various versions (read: ripoffs) of the S'more, but I haven't stopped wondering what the real thing tastes like.

Ding Dongs: I never noticed them till 'Transformers', but now I want to try them! I am such a junk food junkie :)

Okay, I'm done with my snack food rant. Does anyone else have a snack food that they really want to try?

Summer is coming, and I'm thinking up as many ways as I possibly can to combat the heat wave that is Melbourne.

One of my solutions?

A fridge chock-full of freezing cold popsicles.


So I thought I'd post a popsicle recipe that I'm dying to try, just in case you guys feel like trying it out too :)

This is a popsicle recipe with a kick (if you know what I mean), which I think is a great, fun way to start a night out with friends, or a night in, for that matter! Recipe comes from Savory.tv

Margarita Popsicles
(serves 4)

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup water

So in an attempt to snap myself out of this funk I've been in, I went grocery shopping and got myself baby cos lettuce, some ceasar salad dressing, and bacon bits, to make ceasar salad for lunch.

When I read Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life", she mentioned healthy eating for a healthy mind, and said that she ate a salad for lunch everyday.

So I tried it, and I have to say, it makes me feel better about myself for no particular reason  :)



And I am ecstatic to report that it's pretty satisfying (taste-wise)!

What better way to supplement studying, right? Speaking of which, I should really be getting back to it.

Wish me luck with exams!

Hey guys! As promised, here's a really simple tiramisu recipe you can make (that doesn't require raw eggs).

This recipe serves about 4 decent sized helpings. It's not too rich, and just the right amount of wet between the sponge fingers (if you get the dipping right!), and very satisfying!

Here's what you need:

Deep tray (about 25cm long x 10cm wide); or if you like, you can also make the tiramisu in small glasses
Sponge fingers (Savoiardi biscuits) - about 15 pieces
300g Cream (check the label, it should have 35% fat, not 45)
500g Mascarpone
9 tbsp icing sugar
1 1/2 glasses strong coffee/espresso
3 tbsp Dark rum (you can substitute this with brandy)
3 tbsp Baileys (you can substitute this with marsala wine or Tia Maria)
2 tsp Vanilla extract
Cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Combine 50ml coffee with the mascarpone, vanilla extract, and liqueurs. Whisk thoroughly till smooth.
2. Whisk the cream together with about 8 tablespoons of icing sugar, then fold into the above mixture.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of icing sugar to the remaining coffee, and pour into a flat pan.
4. Roll the sponge fingers in the coffee. Be careful not to roll for too long, or your tiramisu will turn out watery; but also do not roll for too short a time, because then the tiramisu will be too dry.
5. Line the base/s of your serving tray/glasses with sponge fingers.
6. Spoon the mascarpone mixture into the tray/glasses. The mixture should be about double the height of the sponge finger base.
7. Refrigerate for half an hour.
8. Before serving, dust cocoa powder over the top of the tiramisu.