I Tried... a Fish Foot Spa!

In Malaysia recently, I tried a pedicure with a difference...

I think I first saw doctor fish on The Amazing Race on TV. If you haven't heard of them before, they're two species of small fish used in special foot spas around the world to slough dead skin off your feet. Charming! Apparently the practice originated in Turkey. Check out a news story about the craze spreading through the US here.

In Malaysia earlier this month, my friend Karen and I spotted a spa offering this fish pedicure and couldn't resist giving it a shot.

When we walked in, our feet were firstly bathed over smooth stones in a basin. While that was happening, a customer getting a foot massage nearby said he'd tried the fish foot spa moments before and recommended we try the leftmost pool first, as that's the "easier" beginner pool. So, we steeled ourselves and plunged our feet in.

It's a really strange feeling. Once we got over the initial tickle torture, it was actually a relaxing sensation, made even more pleasant by the refreshing ginger tea the staff served (we ended up asking for the recipe, see below), probably to calm our shrieks and screams!

The helpful stranger had left, but we decided to now try the more difficult pool with the hungrier fish. We dipped our feet in and... nothing. The fish took the occasional nibble, but seemed pretty lazy and disinterested. He'd apparently lied to us for a laugh. Gah!!

Well, while the fish foot spa wasn't officially on my bucket list, I'm certainly glad I tried this new experience. Er, at least until I arrived back in Australia and googled "fish foot spa". I wish I hadn't. Hey, try it at your own risk and check the place is reputable before, well, taking the plunge!

Ginger Tea Recipe

To calm your nerves the next time you're being eaten alive by fish!

Fresh slices of ginger and lemongrass
Teabag of green tea
Pinch of sugar

Boil water and brew tea in a cup. Add a pinch of sugar and the slices of ginger and lemongrass (you can use a tea infuser if you wish) and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. Remove slices and tea bag and serve.

Have you ever tried any of the wackier beauty treatments? Would you try the fish foot spa?

Fabulous Fridays: 24 February 2012

Oh, tonight is gonna be such a blast!!! I'm following in Carrie's footsteps and judging some sexy firemen for one hot, hot calendar. : ) But first, here's what's been amusing me this week...

• What happened to Charlotte when the Sex and the City girls ventured to Staten Island to peruse firemen's hoses. Giggle.
• I admit I've been mighty sceptical about every man and his dog being gluten intolerant these day... until I read Sarah Wilson's explanation. Hooray, it finally makes sense!
• Like a fish bowl, but far sexier.
• I'm not much of a kitchen goddess, but gosh darn it I could be if I gave it a cotton candy makeover.
• Two of the best things in life join forces in the Edible Book Festival. Yes, you heard that right. Get onto it.
• I saw my all-time fave band, Roxette, in concert Monday and they are still phenomenal! Check it out: "Dressed for Success" then and now.
• A lady at my temp job this week was telling me she's lost 8 kilos by following the clean and lean diet. I'm very much tempted to try it.
• I collared Hot Fuzz and watched it this week. The blooper reel from the movie is possibly even funnier.
• An essential life skill: how to make guacamole (extra handy because it's a dip you can make without owning a blender, which I don't!)
• Fabulous: Diary of a Vintage Girl blog.
• Reading this week: Mr Big and one of our friends have been reading The Zombie Survival Guide, so I caved and joined them. Pretty good so far. : )

Okay, time to visit the lovely lads who keep us all safe from burning buildings. Better be careful not to spontaneously combust. ; ) See you next week!

Food Words for Writers

We all love food and our language has many words to describe it. Here's some suggestions if you ever get stuck writing about your favourite dish.

Pie, casserole, salad, garnish, creme brulee, vegetables, roast, sauce, stew, chutney, soup, entree, main dessert, stirred, sprinkled, scored, julienned, delicious, tasty, hearty, healthy, wholesome, low-calorie, restaurant, cafe, pizzeria, pudding, seasoning, herbs, spices, fresh, garden, cuisine, sticky, gooey, oozing, crunch, crackle, melt, sweet, savoury, gelatinous, smooth, creamy, salty, blend, watery, solid, spongy, liquid, smoky, lick, bitter, sour, flavour, pate, coulis, indulgence, whipped, terrine, fruit, degustation, menu, layered, texture, presentation, toasted, batter, fried, steamed, pancake, topping, pleasant, aroma, smell, fragrant, flambe, eat, drink, accompaniment, side dish, cake, gelati, bread, tart, wood oven, pickle, pasta, icecream, starter, table, service, amuse-bouche, adornment, toffee, dip, noodles, dish, chef, waiter, sorbet, peppery, sauce, custard, glaze, feast, mayonnaise, gourmet, servings, portion, a la carte, buffet, smorgasbord, dinner party, yum cha, picnic, hot pot, steamboat, bento, pastry, tapas, afternoon tea, brunch, snack, meal, plate, marinate, infusion, knead, breakfast, lunch, dinner, course, boiled, braised, coated, homestyle, sushi, jam, juice, blender, kitchen, salsa, spread, condiment, mustard, cheese, garnish, fusion, culinary, gourmand, fine dining, al fresco, organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low-GI, iron, clacium, claories, trans fats, dairy, kosher, halal, processed, canned, frozen, refrigerated, preserved, succulent, tender, sumptuous, souffle, tantalising, hot, warm, cold, tossed, combine, ingredients, method.

Bon appetit!

Fabulous Fridays: 17 February 2012

It's here again... Fabulous Friday!!! Take a whirlwind tour of what's fascinated me in the past 7 days and if you haven't already, check out the post earlier this week on awesome intern, Aubrey...

• I wish my Valentine's Day chocolates for Mr Big turned out like these ones.
• The "how people view my profession" meme has taken over the internet. Here's the one for writers. Pretty accurate, except replace solitaire with Facebook, I reckon.
• I breezed past the supermarket section while in Ikea on Wednesday. Wow, the Swedes appreciate a varied diet of strange things!
• Dita Von Teese designing bargain-priced raunch for Target? Yes please.
• Up for some delicious floaty fabulousness? Me too. Go to the Avenue M blog immediately!
• Shield your eyes. It may be too much sparkle all at once for your retinas, but it is certainly showstopping: NikolinaMarie's Etsy shop.
• Toilet paper for the literary type or the bibilophobe. I can't decide.
• One sassy blog: Betty Bee Vintage. Helpful crafty and style how-tos.
• In honour of Valentine's Day and lovin' yourself first, here's a little consumer advice from Sex and the City's Samantha. ; )
• Even I might be up for a spot of camping in this wicked, wicked number.
• I confess: I dabble in illicit adult onesie-wearing. Errr, not quite as wacky as these, though.
• I probably need to be smacked hard for fondly remembering this '80s song, but so be it: 1927's "If I Could".

Wishing you many happy happenings for the week ahead! xx

Our Malaysian Holiday

Gong xi fa cai (happy Chinese new year)! For those of you keen to hear how our recent 10-day trip to Malaysia went for our friends' wedding, here's a quick quiz...

1  The bazillions of shopping bargains we snagged include:
a)  a wicked-cool gift for Mr Big's brother
b)  four pairs of comfy-but-chic flat shoes
c)  a LEGO book and several sets of Nanoblocks, LEGO's tiny cousins
d)  all of the above
correct answer: d

2  During the trip, we ate:
a)  dragonfruit
b)  snails
c)  century egg
d)  all of the above
correct answer: d

3  Almost every T-shirt on the island of Langkawi featured:
a)  Angry Birds
b)  Charlie Sheen
c)  Spiderman
correct answer: a

4  On Langkawi, we tried:
a)  milking buffalos
b)  parasailing
c)  a fish foot spa (where small fish nibble on dead skin to exfoliate your feet!)
d)  all of the above
correct answer: c (we wanted to try the other two activities, though!)

5  I ordered a great, hulking mess of a McDonald's burger in Penang called the:
a)  Double Prosperity Burger
b)  Chinese New Year Burger
c)  McYucky Burger
correct answer: a (check out the TV ad here), but suspect its real name was c

So much fun! Anyone else been to Malaysia? How did you find it?