standing eggs - "duanwu jie"

16th June 2010 was Duanwu Jie - the fifth day of the fifth moon, or double fifth.  I tried this traditional activity... a game of making eggs stand at noon.

It is a widespread belief that eggs can stand on summer solstice, winter solstice, spring equinox and autumnal equinox.

Dr Chong (Universiti Sains Malaysia Astronomy Club academic adviser Assoc Prof Dr Chong Hon Yew) explained that an egg, just like a book, had a centre of gravity and when it passed through the object and made contact with the surface, it would stand.

It all boiled down to friction, stability and smoothness of the surface. It is a delicate experiment and has to be done with patience.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F6%2F17%2Fnation%2F6489122&sec=nation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duanwu_Festival

糖水 dessert - white fungus, lotus seed & dried lily bulbs

clay pot pork with salted fish

natural alternative for COUGH

Natural alternative for COUGH
~ honey & garlic & some sunlight

[1]  Peel a handful of garlic pips.

[2]  Crush lightly.

[3]  Add to a jar of honey.
[4]  Seal the jar tightly.

[5]  Leave by the window, where it can get sunned regularly.

[6]  Allow to stand for 2 weeks.

Note:
> This can then be kept in the refrigerator for better long-term preservation.
> The dosage for both dry and productive cough is 1-3 teaspoons, 2-3 times a day.
> After consuming this formula, do not drink or eat to allow the 'cough syrup' to remain in the throat area for a little longer.
> Honey has a powerful demulcent (soothing) effect on the throat.
> Garlic, especially when 'aged' and 'sunned' is activated and becomes one of Nature's most powerful antiseptic formulas.

(Courtesy of The Star Newspaper)

dessert - "guīlínggāo" (龜苓膏) a.k.a, tortoise/turtle jelly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilinggao