Nutritionist's Adventures

Finding a cafe is easy in this city while there're many cafes, restaurants and bars mushrooming. But finding a cafe to spirit you away, in which your mind can relax, this one probably is the one that set to satisfy your deeper needs.

Other than serving a cafe-menu with coffee and tea available, Green Tomato Cafe do have palate-pleasing main meals too. I had the egg benedict, which is my all time favourite breakfast.

It's also a place with love for all things in batik. They have Batik Painting Class, organize teacher training programs or other special activities sometimes. Multipurpose room is available upstairs. Tucked away in a bungalows housing area, it's hiding in plain sight.

Both the indoor and outdoor dining area are without air conditioning. The greenish garden creates a comfortable environment, not as hot and stuffy. It feels like home.

Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

A cup of cappuccino for one good mood.

They used Batik as table clothes too.

Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

There're some books for you to spend a leisure afternoon.

You can definitely bring yours too. :)

Beverages Menu of Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Egg Benedict of Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

This is really a plate-pleasing one. Love the egg benedict with the sauce so much.

It keeps me full for long!

2 whole eggs with 2 hams on two slices of wholemeal bread, sided with some vegetables and one whole potato, a really big brunch for me.

Estimating calories intake (600 - 650 kcal):

One whole potato 170 kcal

2 eggs 160 kcal

2 slices of ham 120 kcal

2 pieces of wholemeal bread 120 kcal

Other: 50 kcal

Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Their signage stated Galeri Seni - My Batik instead.

Their schedule is full sometimes. There's some group of students or travelers come for Batik Workshop, or getting Batik gifts, souvenirs, and clothing.

If you wish to book their multipurpose room, remember to give them a call earlier.

Green Tomato Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Cost:

RM 15 - 40 for a main meal

Around RM 10 - 15 for a beverage

Check them out at:

https://web.facebook.com/greentomatocafe.com.my/?_rdc=1&_rdr

34, Jalan Mengkuang, Desa Pahlawan, 55000 Kuala Lumpur

Reminder:
Opening hours 8am - 5pm

Note:
HALAL

I will return for a big brunch or breakfast. :)

Deviation for relaxation is always loved. :)

Eating is always one of the sincere socializing time with people around you. Maybe someone gonna tells that a drinking session (beer) probably is the best time. Either way. It’s hard to imagine getting together without the company of food, except when we're with close friends or family. The sense of fulfillment after a meal comes from not only the people whom you eat with, it's also including the plate presentation of a meal or the surrounding ambience. Gastro Sentral Restaurant and Bar provides the perfect combination of both.

I've really got to say thank you for getting me here to have brief good time at such posh and charming environment.

Let's have a visual tour of a few dishes served here!

Website: http://www.lemeridienkualalumpur.com/GastroSentral

"Gastro Sentral's all day menu consists of an array of Continental, Asian and local delights. Finger food and tapas provide delicious alternatives to those who enjoy a light meal. It specialises in boutique beverage and craft beer to accompany its wide range of scrumptious culinary wonders. "

Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien

The starter is the complimentary rosemary bread served in a cute tin can.

Speaking of bread, it relates to the gluten-intolerance problem caused by a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, I'm lucky enough as I do not have it.

Bread and Pao are loved!

Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien - Norwegian Smoked Salmon

It's a smoked salmon, the brine is key.

Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien - Norwegian Smoked Salmon
with Beetroot and Onion Salad, Avocado, Citrus

I love the side dish.

Arugula, torn pieces of salmon, avocado, and the citrus, and the sauce - it was good.

Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien

A cup of coffee to get off to a good start of a late evening.

Gastro Sentral, Le Meridien - Gastro Goes ‘Bananas’ in a Jar

You know what, girls always have a second stomach for a dessert.

Some mashed berries, berries purees, banana, marshmallow, rice crisp, yogurt - in a jar, just about right to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Gastro Sentral Restaurant & Bar, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur

Cost:

Above RM 60 for a main meal

Around RM 30 for a dessert/ beverage

Check them out at:

Gastro Sentral, Lobby Level, Le Meridien, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I've fed my eyes well.

Food can be a visual art. :)

When we start talking about healthy recipes or healthy foods, people will always relate them to bland food. It's actually not, because we have choices.

Fruits and vegetables can actually be dishes itself. Yet, with the right salad dressing, a colourful bowl of fruits and vegetables mixed with other ingredients can become so much nicer, and it's even better when served and enjoy together.

The secret is in its sauce. The commonly used sauce is mayonnaise, and now more people are aware of the roasted sesame sauce. In fact, the most delicious and healthiest sauce might be one that you make for yourself from scratch at home. It's really simple to make a low calories healthy salad dressing by yourself.

Before looking at the recipe, the question is, why not just use the ready-to-use regular mayo?

It shall be started with an understanding of how mayonnaise is made of. It is a stable emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and acid, either vinegar or lemon juice, added with salt and other spices. One tablespoon of mayonnaise has approximately 90-100 calories. The fat content in mayo is comprised of saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat, which is not solely the bad one. The problem is people can easily overconsume mayo and therefore we end up adding a lot of calories to a meal.

To make a salad dressing without using oil and egg yolk is possible. Afterall, oil contributes to the calories the most; an egg yolk provides you with approximately 200-230mg, while the recommended daily intake of dietary cholesterol for the average healthy person is about 300 milligrams per day.

Substituting them with yogurt, which is higher in protein, it tastes SO GOOD!

Ingredients for Homemade Low Calories & Healthy Salad Sauce (Makes about 3/4 cup):

Yogurt 1/2 cup

Apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon

lime/lemon juice 1 tablespoon

Honey 1 teaspoon

Simply mix all the ingredients together, and next, add it to freshly cut fruits (strawberries, tomatoes, guavas, apples) and corns, or other ingredients based on your preference.

Both strawberries and tomatoes are from Cameron Highlands

Strawberries, tomatoes, guavas, apples, corns, part of the ingredients for the fruit salad

Homemade Salad Sauce added to the freshly cut fruits

The distinct fresh sour taste from the apple cider vinegar and lime juice, with the slight sweetness from raw honey, together with yogurt which is packed with cultured bacteria "probiotics", this homemade salad dressing is definitely a better option.

Bukit Batu Chondong

A short hike to Bukit Batu Chondong was the first one in 2018 after a long hiatus. For a beginner like me, this was a pleasant slow hike, peaceful and comfortable as it isn't too crowded especially early in the morning.

It took us about 30-40 minutes to reach the peak, after passing some steep angle descent and crossing through the bamboo forest. Rock formation can be seen along the last few meters of hiking path, which is quite similar to Tabur. A little rope climbing and rock maneuvering are required to get to the viewpoint. It seems to be quite dangerous, but it is the only way to reach the peak.

The space at the peak is limited, it couldn't accommodate more than 15-20 people. There's a lower viewpoint around, we can chill and have a rest there.

A signboard showing the turning and direction to the Batu Asah Waterfall and to the peak of Bukit Batu Chondong is located at the main junction of the trail, so don't have to worry, the possibility of getting lost in this jungle is very low. We chose to skip the waterfall for this time, my body wasn't ready for a longer trail. :')

The stunning view from the top and fresh air worth the battle of the feeling of afraid and wanting to complete the hike. I was never in this much of fear before during a hike and this was the first time!

This is the scariest part as it had been long since the last time I merely depended on the arm strength and body balancing for a climb. My muscles were trembling!

All that in my mind was "a wrong and weak grip and I gonna fall..."

"I need to try but I'm so scared"

"Okay just a small challenge lets do this"

But it's always true, can't make it without a good friend/ team.

It was about 7.15am when we got up to the peak and we were the first one.

When the sun rises up

Can you spot the tip of the hill behind me?

I was told that that's the Bukit Tabur peak. It looks so cute here!

No breathtaking sunrise hues as it is blocked.

Bukit Batu Chondong - the most challenging part of a hike

Never deny that hiking makes people feel good.

Because there're paths that I can't figure out in life.

There're difficulties, challenges, and doubts that are hard to be resolved - which then defeated me and, I lost faith in believing that I able to overcome them.

But being in the woods/ jungles or crossing every path during a hike, it soothes my mind.

The feeling of being able to sort out the way to get up to the peak with like-minded people charged me. The sense of accomplishment after a few hours journey, it gives a huge lot of contentment, even though it is brief. I have to keep reminding myself - good things take time. It takes beyond few hours journey.

I connect with my group of funny and crazy friends who taught me that "LIFE IS SHORT, LET IT BE AND YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, LET'S HAVE FUN". Conversations on trails or on the tops of mountains are more relaxed and honest. I feel okay to be discovered, or, disclosed, mentally.

I met many elderly during a hike, some are couples. They are sweet.

And yea, my boyfriend and I found our similar interests through a hike.

Nothing beats the indescribable feeling when breathing in crisp, fresh mountain air.

To conquer the fear needs lots of preparation. I definitely am not ready for Rinjani or Bromo or what so ever crazy long hiking trails, physically. Gonna visit the path that I'd been to, again!

-----------

Hike: Bukit Batu Chondong, Ampang, Malaysia

Altitude (above sea level): 260m

Trail distance: 2km

Time: 30 minutes

Level of challenge: For beginners - dangerous at the last 50m before reaching the peak

(compared with Broga Hill - approximately 400m above sea level, trail distance 1.7km, 30-40 minutes hike)

Hikes completed in Malaysia:

Broga Hill

Gunung Tok Wan

Sungai Chiling Waterfall

Bukit Gasing