Easy Cooking: Bibimbap

Well, it appears I have been a VERY lazy mom. I haven't blogged in a very long time, and our trip to the East entries have stopped at Day 3.... well, I'll just summarize. Days 4-8 were great. We strolled around NYC, lost a couple more things, bumped into Samuel L. Jackson (okay, i didn't 'bump' into him, he was behind a fence for some event, but I saw him), discovered a very delicious bakery, and tried to re-create scenes from Disney's Enchanted.

You can expect that I will probably have the same amount of laziness with our next trip, to the real East. We're going to Hong Kong, and instead of being ambitious and attempting to be a good blogger, I'll just set your expectations low. And if you get a photo here or there - then consider yourself all caught up in my lazy, yet crazy busy with nothing, life.

Okay. On with the actual blog - Bibimbap. You ask what this is? it's basically a Korean mixed vegetable & rice dish. I just had a craving for it the other day, and it just seems that all the Korean and Thai restaurants in Vancouver think it's okay to charge $15 for their dishes of rice and/or noodles... so I went on a mission to just make it at home.

The only thing with this dish though, is that you HAVE to have the gochujang sauce (the red suace - red chilli paste in the soybean paste). It's what makes it... Korean. I had to go to H Mart to buy it - even T&T didn't have it.



Here are the ingredients - but in good old LM fashion... i don't measure anything.

bean sprouts (the bigger kind, not the dinky little ones)
spinach
shiitake mushrooms (sliced thinly)
carrots (julienne)
zucchini (sliced thinly)
eggs
rice
meat (can be ground, or sliced pork or beef)
sesame oil
soy sauce
garlic
korean bulgogi sauce
gochujang suace

a big bowl/platter to put all the cooked items on (part of this dish is about presentation, but really you will just mix it all up before you eat it...)


1. marinade the meat in the bulgogi sauce



2. mince up a whole lot of garlic

3. boil off your bean sprouts, when they're done sprinkle salt, sesame oil, and garlic in it. set aside on the platter.



4. boil the spinach, and when they're done a little soy, sesame oil, garlic - onto platter.

5. I have a wok, but if you don't just use a frying pan - fry off the carrots with a little garlic, sesame oil - and put on the platter.

6. do the same with the zucchini and mushrooms - hope you're getting the drift...


7. I fried off the eggs before the meat because that meant I didn't have to wipe down the wok after the meat (which is saucy) before frying the eggs.

okay, so your platter should be full of veggies, your riced cooked, and now it's just all about assembly. put all the clumps of veggies on top of your bowl of rice, put some gochujang sauce in there, a fried egg and meat on top.

dig in - mix it around, and it's a heavenly blend of happiness in your mouth.



Yes - I actually lied too a little - it's not really 'easy', and it's quite labor intensive with all the prep work - but it's easy in the sense that the ingredients aren't crazy, and the method of cooking is quite user-friendly. A healthy meal too - for kids and adults alike!

Colin says

UGHHH I hate myself for not being as disciplined with my blog. Since the trip it's been busy with ChicGeek, and just a backlog of things to do, and now with Autumn all the families want photos with the leaves, or getting photos done for their Christmas cards. But for now, I have to write down just some of the funniest things Colin has said. In the past few days, he's just been Mr. Chipper, and talks to everybody and anybody. He is cheerful. I want to remember what he says, so I'm just jotting these down as I can remember them:

[Joe fixing my phone]
Joes says to me: I hope the phone doesn't crash, or I'll be sad.
Colin: oooooh..... I hope it doesn't crash, or I'll be sad toooooooooo.


[Joe typing on iPad]
Colin: Daddy, you type pretty fast! i type sloooooooow, like a turtle.


[At Uncle Jeremy's house, in which he has many many aquariums]
Colin: Hi Fishies! I'm BACK!

[at the Save-On Foods, in the bulk section and an employee is doing an order]
Colin says to the man: What are you doing?
the man: I'm taking an order!
Colin: Ooooooh, I get it.


[at the Pho Restaurant - we're regulars at this location]
The waiter asks if Colin is all done his noodles
Colin: No, I want the lady.
Waitress comes
Colin: Can I have more noo-noos (noodles)?
Waitress ends up feeding him

Journey to the East: Day 3 - Motownphilly

Just giving credit to my favorite 90's group Boyz II Men. Went to Philadelphia to meet a couple of old friends of Joe, and also to try the Philly Cheese Steak. What else did you think we would eat in Philly??

Joe has an old friend from his HK days that now lives in PA. Let me tell you a little thing about Joe. He is smart. And this old 'friend' is actually a former computer teacher at his HK highschool, and while he was a student they developed a strong bond over their love of technology, and all things geek.

Over the years, they have kept in touch, and now with social media making it so much easier to keep in touch - you'd think it'd be Joe and his teacher doing the communication. Not the case. It's the wives. surprise right?

Anyway, JJ and I initiated the planning, and then we met up at Larry's Steaks - 'the home of the Belly Filler'. As tempting as it sounded, to fill my belly with just cheese steak.... I didn't attempt it. I wanted to try an array of American favorites. Mushroom cheese steaks, regular cheese steaks, fries, pizza..... as we neared caloric comatose, we couldn't eat anymore and left some of our precious cheese steaks unfinished.





After surviving lunch, we walked it off at the Franklin Institute of Science. I love how much history there is on the East Coast.

From Wiki: Many scientists have demonstrated groundbreaking new technology at The Franklin Institute. From September 2 to October 11, 1884, it hosted the International Electrical Exhibition of 1884, the first great electrical exposition in the United States.[1] Nikola Tesla demonstrated the principle of wireless telegraphy at the institute in 1893. The world's first public demonstration of an all-electronic television system was later given by Philo Taylor Farnsworth on August 25, 1934.



So even before entering the Science Center, the amazing amount of history inside it's walls were mind blowing - really? electricity was introduced right there? Cara and Colin could care less. But I'm glad that we've been able to take our children to some incredible landmarks early on in their lives.

Inside there many exhibits, and Colin got along merrily with the Landii - They did a weather report together and I'm pretty sure they all have a very bright future in broadcasting.



It was a fabulous way to reunite with old friends. We drove back to Princeton, NJ (with 2 screaming kids... good thing it was only 45 minutes away), and was treated to another delicious meal prepared by our hosts.... we were spoiled. Prime Rib that night. It was a good day.

Journey to the East: Day 2 - Ivy Leaguer

Joe's cousins live in Princeton, NJ - and they were generous enough to host us for the first couple of days of our trip. This was also the first time all 4 of us roomed together, so it was a good test to see how we'd handle Colin and Cara sleeping in the same room (my lofty goal of having them bunk together at an early age may need some practice runs). Aside from the time zone change, and waking up at 10:30am (great for them), I was up alternating between them, trying to coax them back to sleep with either a boob or a bottle. But, because it was a treat to already not have to worry about housework or meals, I tried to not let that get in the way of our visit.

We decided to get an early start to Colin's post-secondary planning, and took a trip to see the Princeton Campus. We thought 'cute' would be enough for the class of 2027 early admission into the Ivy League.

Well, as proud as we are, we're lazy too, so we only got as far as some steps in front of one of the buildings, and totally dismissed our ambitious Asian 'Tiger-mom' parental ways, and just took some photos.






Joe also took the opportunity to take some shots of his cousin and her family, as she's expecting #2!! We all know maternity photos for #2 are hard to come by... let alone family photos - so Joe made a conscious effort to try to do these for our gracious hosts :) They're a beautiful family!



Then we got to meet Joe's other cousin, who recently had twin girls - oh, they are so so small and so so adorable. I can't believe how tiny babies are!! Here's a small re-cap of they're truly amazing story... and difficult journey up ahead.



Before the twins were born, there were a lot of uncertainties regarding their health. There were suspicions that one may have a genetic disorder, while the other is missing her aorta (main artery to heart). Well, Sarah gave birth to them, DURING the earthquake - and after a couple days of testing any genetic disorders were ruled out. The second twin, although requiring future surgery, is stronger and healthier than they expected, so they were relieved that she survived to meet the family!! They were discharged DURING the hurricane (Irene), and are now just trying to give twin #1 the best chance of survival when she undergoes surgery (plumping her up, making her strong) in a couple of months.

I can't imagine having twins, but to go through all of the fears, and uncertainties that they have experienced takes tremendous strength and faith. We met the girls, and they are absolutely a gift from God. We are thinking of them and wishing them all the best for the upcoming surgery.


But, as sweet as they are, having twins is not easy. Joe captioned the photo below 'Birth Control' :)

Journey to the East: Day 1 - the lost phone

It's been a couple of days since we've arrived back, but I've had to catch up with our ChicGeek Photo clients, and then the flurry of Thanksgiving activity, along with settling the kids back into Pacific time.

I'll just post a day at a time, so that I don't overwhelm you loyal viewer... and you know, to keep you wanting and coming back for more.

Our first day wasn't much of a day, but I'll ease myself into blogging after not having done it for over a week. Good flight - thank you Air Canada! And the kids were great. Cara slept for the first 2 hours, and then Colin slept... well, he also took all 3 seats so there was a point on the flight were Joe and I were standing in the back wondering how it was that we paid for 3 seats, yet we were both not sitting in them.

Oh, and if you didn't follow me on Facebook, I lost my phone on the plane. I was hoping there would be some honest and kind soul out there that would find and return it - but it appears SOMEONE is in for some serious lightning bolts. I was saying to a friend, that I hope that at least he/she had starving children so the money that went towards selling my stolen phone goes towards that. If not, and it went towards illegal activity... well I hope karma hits them bad. I'm not a super-Christian, so I can't say I forgive that easily. Starving children I can forgive. Drugs, I hope you get stung by a swarm of bees.

Anyway, losing something of such high value tests a marriage. And for the record, Joe and I are still married. So, we rode this one out. He was great though.... yes, I'm certain there was anger about the situation, but he never directed it towards me. I'm so grateful I've got a very understanding husband. (one of the Thanksgiving thankfulness things).

So, we arrived in Newark around 10pm, and were welcomed with open arms, and delicious food prepared by Joe's cousin!! It was pretty awesome to be fed home cooking.

Anyway, not that exciting, now that I'm reliving losing my phone I kind of feel crummy... so I'm going to stop blogging and cry a river.

Bad Mommy

He's going to hate me when he's old enough to read my diary. So that's why this is classified under the Bad Mommy series.

You see, for the future of your relationship with your son, always always carry a diaper in your diaper bag. Just in case.

So What happened? Colin went for a play date. I picked him up, and he had pooped. I changed him, and realized I didn't have an extra with me, so I used one from my friend's stash. And, well..... they have a girl.



I'm so so sorry Colin, but you are so cute and so loveable, regardless of what colour pull ups you wear.

Things I didn't know I was capable of

Before becoming a parent, you think you know everything about yourself. Some may even think they're invincible, and could complete any challenge handed to them on a plate. Yes, bungee jumping, eating and drinking contests, swimming with sharks, skydiving... pretty amazing feats.

And then when you bring the baby home from the hospital, for the first time, and are really on your own with a new baby, you feel like you got hit with a train and you know nothing, and are nothing, and can't do anything - every death-defying challenged you survived, doesn't compare to this new 7 pound challenger.

The challenges you face - are not death defying... they're... sanity-defying. As a parent you just go into robot survival mode, and do things you didn't realize you were capable of doing.

Like what you ask? Here goes.

- eating food that has been pre-chewed thoroughly (either because there wasn't a garbage can around, or because you didn't want to be wasteful)

- pulling things out from someone else' bum. like long strands of hair.

- listen to the same 2 minute song over and over and over again in a 45 minutes car ride. Some would even go to the extent of singing along with that 2 minute song for the 45 minutes.

- shushing at something for 30, 40, or 60 minutes straight just in the hopes you can get some shut eye.

- let someone who can't use chopsticks properly, hold your $500+ devices

- getting up in the middle of the night just to go back to 'sleep' like a contortionist beside a snotty/miserable being

- ramming your nose in someone else' bum just to smell-check if there's a poopie

- the ability to drive like an F1 racer (for those times when there's a screamer in the back), or as slow as a grandma taking scenic routes (when there's a sleeper) - this applies to shopping carts as well

- step on sharp foreign objects and not make a peep because it's nap time in the house

- goalie-like reflexes to either catch falling objects, or to catch falling children

- a 6th sense for naughtiness


These are just a few of the skills parents acquire after having children. The military should consider recruiting parents, and/or stay-at home moms (cause these skills are a lot more refined with the SAHMs) to be secret agents. We are capable of a lot of things for the sake of sanity.