Ramadhan's Feed The Fasting 2008

Just a short break from my usual green finger's write-ups....I would like to share this with everyone visiting this blog. Let us do a bit of charitable deed, for just RM50 (50 Malaysian ringgit), you can help to lighten up the burden of a poor family of five this upcoming holy month of Ramadhan. Your donation will help the Islamic Relief Malaysia in buying and delivering the food packages containing rice, flour, sugar, tea, canned food, salt and dates to them. Visit this website for more information.


Not only you can feed the poor in Malaysia, they can also deliver it to the poor in 25 countries where they are currently working to help them.



Fasting is obligatory on all Muslims, rich or poor. Some Muslims enjoy the luxury of breaking their fast in hotels and restaurants. The majority, however, are blessed to be able to enjoy good food at home in the company of family and friends. But let’s not forget that there are people at home and abroad who are so impoverished that they literally fast every day. They comprise of impoverished families, orphans and single parents.

This year once again Islamic Relief Malaysia is running its 'RAMADHAN FEED THE FASTING' Programme to help the needy through distributing food packages to the poor Muslims locally and internationally during this holy month of Ramadhan.

DONATE NOW!! YOUR RM50 CAN FEED A FAMILY OF FIVE FOR 2 WEEKS

CLICK HERE to donate online or direct bank-in to
MBB Acc. No: 5621 4270 8704 or
CIMB Acc. No: 1259 0000 804 058

My Modest Collection.....

When I was young, my late father owned a moderate collection of orchids. He was so proud of his collection which often earned praises as well as compliments from friends and neighbours. I can still fondly remember that we (myself & siblings) will just stand still by each potted orchid, admiring the beautifulness and the uniqueness of the colourful blooms. As for my late father, he would tend to his collection with much, tender loving care even after a hard day's work at the office. Most of the orchids were planted with just some broken pieces of clay bricks and pieces of black charcoal. Fertilising was done in a natural, organic method..ie. soaking the pots of orchids into a pail of water containing fishes' guts or sometimes into a pail of water derived from washing rice grains (air cucian beras..in malay).

Born and bred in a country that is proud to have a beautiful orchid as the national flower (Vanda Miss Joaquim)...I'm not too keen in nurturing or planting orchids in my potted garden BUT I do admire the uniqueness blooms of every single specie of the plant. My main reason being that nurturing orchids need lots of patience as well as great endurance and of course, tender loving care. To have an orchid plant to produce blooms sometimes can take months or even years for some species. Maybe, or just maybe..I might consider adding a few more species to my modest current collection of the orchids. Recently, a few orchids from the modest collection of mine have been producing beautiful, unique blooms...Enjoy!!






** This article is specially dedicated to my late father. Al-Fatihah for the late Haji Ahmad Bin Kitang and may ALLAH bless his soul and place him among the pious. Ameen.

Herbs anyone??? (Part 4) - Sweet Neem Leaf

The Sweet Neem Leaf is a sought-after culinary herb when preparing curry dishes. It is so-called Sweet Neem due to its resemblance to the Neem Tree (which is also referred to as Black Neem). Botanically, the plant is known as Murraya Koenigii from the family Rutaceae and is known to be origin from India and Sri Lanka. Locally the plant especially the leaves are popularly known as Daun Kari (directly translate as Curry Leaves) or Kari Patta (Hindi). The main part of the plant that are widely use as culinary herb are the leaves. These pungent, aromatic leaves are often added to Indian & Asian cuisine such as rasam, curries, chutneys and even as one of the ingredients in preparation of the Indian snacks such as murukku.



Almost all parts of the plant have a strong characteristic odour. The plant loves medium which are rich in minerals and most matured plants will produce small, white scented flowers on a stalk which eventually will wither and produces green berries, turning dark purplish when ripe. These berries are edible but not the seeds. Propagation of the plant is by germination of these seeds, matured stems or plantlets that grown on the roots.



Almost all parts of the plants are known to have some medicinal properties. The leaves, barks & roots of the Sweet Neem Plant can be used for the preparation of tonic. The barks and roots are used as stimulant by physicians and are often traditionally use to cure eruptions and bites of poisonous animals. The leaves, apart from adding fragrant and imparting a very good flavour in curry dishes, if eaten raw can actually cure those suffering from dysentery.

A strong odoriferous* oil occurs in the leaves and seeds and this essential oil exhibited a strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. The branches are also popularly use traditionally for cleaning the teeth (especially in rural areas where owning a proper toothbrush is a luxury)and said to strengthen the gums & teeth.

In another book about herbs that I read recently, there's a mentioned about using the leaves traditionally for promoting shiny, black hair. A bundle of the Sweet Neem leaves are washed & dried. The dried leaves are then grind to a powdery form and by mixing a teaspoonful of this dried powdered leaves to a glass of water, drink as tea everyday for at least a continuous of 48 days...will actually encourage the growth of one's hair to be black & shiny. I guess, I should seriously consider trying this method real soon....bye,bye grey hair!!



** odoriferous - diffusing odour