Spring is here, load up on the Vitamin Cs

It's not officially spring yet, but hay fever season is here for me. Actually, it attacks me whenever it wants to, all year-round! But, these past few weeks was severe. Over-the-counter medication gives me hives, so the only other economical solution to treat this 'definitely timeout needing sinus problem' is home remedies. I found this site that recommended taking vitamin C in high dosage in addition to watching your diet. It seemed to work for me yesterday. But, this morning, the sneezing and runny nose came back, not as bad though. The day is still open to attacks, we'll see...

History of Dim Sum

While eating at a dim sum restaurant the other day, I thought of what my dad would always say about this old Chinese tradition of eating a light meal with tea.

Long ago, it was more about drinking the tea than about choosing and eating a variety of pastries. Teahouses across China would serve tea with side dishes much like peanuts served at bars. This tradition of drinking tea (yum cha) at the teahouses was made popular by Chinese noblemen, who frequented these places to socialize and to show off their prize pet birds.

How did he know birds were involved? Well, according to my dad, people have found hooks alongside the windows of these teahouses to hang bird cages with (try and pass that one by the board of health -- "bird flu", hello!). And occasionally, the teahouses would have live entertainment called "teahouse brawls". That is when all good kung fu fighting would occur.

Yes, a bit Hollywoodish!
Drunken Master 2, image courtesy of yahoo movies

Drunken Master 2, image courtesy of hkfanatic.com

The real story taken from the About: Chinese Cuisine site states that:
Originally a Cantonese custom, dim sum is inextricably linked to the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea. Travelers journeying along the famous Silk Road needed a place to rest, so teahouses began springing up along the roadside. Rural farmers, exhausted after long hours working in the fields, would also head to the local teahouse for an afternoon of tea and relaxing conversation. Still, it took several centuries for the culinary art of dim sum to develop. It was originally considered inappropriate to combine tea with food - in fact a famous 3rd century Imperial physician claimed this would lead to excessive weight gain. However, as tea's ability to aid in digestion and cleanse the palate became known, tea house proprietors began adding a variety of snacks, and the tradition of dim sum was born.

Tea At 1024

My friend T and I found this cute little place in Chinatown, where they serve English style tea. Although, we went around noontime, we had the Afternoon Tea Special for $15. It came with a salad, 4 different types of tea sandwiches (oh, the Tomato&Cheese was perfect), scones with clotted cream & jam, pastries and a pot of tea. The other items on their menu looked pretty good too. Great service and cozy atmosphere.


You can choose your own tea cup and saucer from a large selection of tea sets.

Yes, that's us ... crazy insane.

Cookies, Chocolate, & Rain

I am dedicating this site to three of my favorite things: cookies,
chocolates, and rain. I have not tried it, but I think I can eat them
all at the same time.