Installing on MAC: NPM, Puppeteer, ATOM Editor

ATOM Editor

• Get the zip installation from: https://atom.io/
• Download
• Unzip and install

Note: I move mine to Applications folder for ease of management but you do you..

Also if you want to check your installation, just follow the instructions here: https://flight-manual.atom.io/getting-started/sections/installing-atom/

Finally, I also check the shell commands installation like this: https://www.javatpoint.com/how-to-install-atom-on-mac

NPM

Pre-installation checks

• Go into a terminal 

brew update

brew upgrade

• Install NPM
brew install node
 
• Check the installation 
node -v

npm -v

Puppeteer

• Go into a terminal 
npm install -g puppeteer

How To: Clear Clogged HP Workforce Printer Head

Ok, So we haven't been using most of the colours from the HP Workforce 4720 and only using black. Which caused the printer head (colours) to clog. Watched 2 youtube videos and decided we will do the same.

Youtube videos watched and to copy:

https://youtu.be/IszUNL7znds

https://youtu.be/Qtnd8xO9g9Y

I also read this article: https://blog.inkjetwholesale.com.au/printer-maintenance/blocked-printer-head-printer-head-cleaning-process-explained/


The basic ideas from the 2 videos are:

1. Print Head Nozzle Check, which colours are having nozzle problem?
2. Try the Printer's maintenance - clean nozzle head. Are the nozzles still clogged after this?
3. Get the printer head in a loose mode (not stuck in "home"). Put the printer to print and immediately plug the power off.
4. Remove the ink cartridges and in saran wrap (this method can keep the ink for a while).
5. Create an absorbent below the printer head. Use a Kitchen towel that has been folded into the same size and move the printer head above it (lift it up and slide it to the right).
6. Push warm (almost hot) liquid through each individual noozle. Use a medication dispenser syringe with a tube stuck to the front.
7. LOOP: Keep changing the kitchen towel at the bottom and keep pushing warm liquid into each noozle until the liquid runs clear as seen on the kitchen towel.
8. Put everything back. 
9. Print Head Noozle Check.

WHAT I DID:

1. Put the printer to COPY and immediately plug the power off.
2. Remove the ink cartridges & soft vacuum pack then seal quickly before it ends.
3. Use a Kitchen towel that has been folded into the same size and move the printer head above it (lift it up and slide it to the right).
4. Use a baby medicine dispenser syringe and keep the adaptor at the front. It is the perfect size for the noozle, see fig. 1.
5. Push warm (almost hot) WATER through each individual noozle. I did not want to use any solution and took the advice from inkjetwholesale article to use either water / alcohol so as not to damage the sponge underneath. Warm to almost hot water worked wonders for me. 
6. I use 4ml water for each noozle every single time. In order to keep the water from flowing out and/or flowing into the pan, I find 4ml the best. 
7. I use 4ml water for 2 noozles and then change the kitchen towel underneath. I find this the most efficient method as the kitchen towel is not soaked through (which will then be hard to remove as it will be all soggy) and yet utilises the kitchen towel to its best maximum capacity. 
8. LOOP: Keep changing the kitchen towel at the bottom and keep pushing warm liquid into each noozle until the liquid runs clear as seen on the kitchen towel.
9. Let the printer to dry for 24 hours.
10. Put all the cartridges & power back.  
11. Print Head Noozle Check.

BUT the next day, I still couldn't print! So I followed the instructions from this article: https://bchtechnologies.com/blog/how-to-fix-blocked-or-clogged-epson-printhead-nozzles-cleaning-and-unclogging-tips/

SO... In the end I caved and bought a universal print head cleaning kit for $14 and it works wonders!

NOTE: To make sure this doesn't happen again in the future, print one full colour page at least once a week.

Figure 1: Oral Medication Dispenser Syringe with Adaptor

Passover: Matzah Ball Soup

Here's what we have successfully made because:

1. Need to be kosher for passover
2. Need to cater to our eggs & dairy allergy

Soup base from: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/matzo-ball-soup

Put all these ingredients into the Instant Pot & slow cook for 48 hours or less

Chicken Stock

• 1 4–5-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 1 pound chicken wings, necks, and/or backs
• 2 large yellow onions, unpeeled, quartered
• 6 celery stalks, cut into 1" pieces
• 4 large carrots, peeled, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 large parsnip, peeled, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 large shallot, quartered
• 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
• 6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns

Not using eggs for the matzah ball is hard!! Everything crumbles... Don't even try with flaxseed because... is it kitniyot??

So we modified the recipe from https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/vegan-matzo-ball-soup/ for the matzo balls.

Matzo Balls:

• (4 teaspoons egg replacer OR 1/4 cup potato starch) + 3/4 cup warm water 
• 1 cup matzo meal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill OR 2 tablespoons fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons safflower oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Like you would with baking, add dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients. You should have a thick batter. Because I'm lazy, I did it a day earlier and kept it overnight in the fridge. 

Makes 10 to 13 balls

Note to self: When boiling matzah balls, remove the matzah balls immediately when when they float and put aside or else they will crumble.

So I found reviews from https://wakeupandeat.com/we-tried-3-vegan-matzo-ball-recipes-and-heres-the-results/ but might try https://theveganatlas.com/vegan-matzo-ball-soup/ with baking instead of boiling!

Or this one http://veganstart.com/vegan-matzo-balls-kneidlach/. 

Poshmark: Auto Sharing

I've started selling on Poshmark and I was looking for a way to auto share the items...

I found a python script in git-hub and started using it.

Here you go!

https://github.com/jmausolf/poshmark_sharing

I do not know python but this really makes me want to learn so I can create more customisation to the script and Poshmark stuff.

Vegan Corn Bread

https://www.blessthismessplease.com/the-best-cornbread-recipe/

I've used the recipe above and substitute:
egg with aquafaba
milk with coconut milk

It came out perfect!!!!

Vegan Gluten Free Scones

I used this recipe: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/best-ever-gluten-free-scones-50121233

Came out really good.

What I changed:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 3/4 cups Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour (suggested: either King Arthur OR 3 parts rice flour + 3 parts white rice flour + 2 parts Potato Starch + 1 part Tapioca Starch)
• scant 1/6 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
• 3/4 cup additions (suggested: dried cherries, crystallized ginger, fresh blueberries, cinnamon chips or white chocolate chips)
• 1 large eggs, I used aquafaba
• 1/6 cup cold milk, I used coconut
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract

PREPARATION

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a large baking sheet (or line with parchment). Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Work in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly with pea-sized or just larger bits of butter remaining. Gently stir in the additions. Whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla until frothy.Add to the dry ingredients, stirring until well blended. The dough should be cohesive and very sticky. Place on a gf floured surface. Pat out to about 1 in. thick (do not attempt to roll out - the dough will be too sticky for this and adding more flour will only create a dry, dense, result) . Use a biscuit cutter to cut into circles and place onto prepared pan. Lightly brush milk on top of the scones and sprinkle with sparkling sugar if desired. Place baking sheet, uncovered, in the freezer for 15 minutes. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Indian Eggplant - Bhurtha

I made this recipe today. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/80686/indian-eggplant-bhurtha/
What I did differently was:
tomatoes : 1 big can
eggplants: 1 big pack
salt: none (as I have salt from the can of tomatoes)

I also did this:
Cut it into 1 inch rings, sprinkled it with some salt and let it sit for at least 30 min (to remove the excess water). Then I placed it in the oven and let it bake for approximately 30 mins.

Due to that, the taste is mild. I should have added some garam masala for the punch.

Vegan Baking Holy Grail

I come from a family of very detailed, almost scientific baking & cooking know-how in the family so to go vegan, I have to understand first

http://www.veganbaking.net

Sweet Potato Bread Recipe

I bought way too many big sweet potatoes so I decided to find something to make it with!

So I followed the recipe from here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6666/sweet-potato-bread-i/

With these exact ingredients:

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs (I use egg replacement 1 Tablespoon = 2 eggs)
` 3/4 sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup water
1 cup cooked & mashed potatoes


After:
I think the sugar is making it way too sweet like a cake. So maybe do it once more with half or even quarter amount of sugar.

Singapore / Malaysia Lor Mai Gai

At first I was following the recipe from rotinrice but I just cannot appreciate this taste. In the end, I tried making with lor mai gai with recipe from nyonyacooking.com and this is much much better.

From the layout and the way the information is given; I feel nyonyacooking is a better recipe and website. Sorry Auntie RotinRice.... No disrespect but the five spice and amount of oil in the rice is quite disgusting.

Hmm... after a day, I realised I do like the taste from Auntie RotinRice for the glutinous rice, maybe take away five spice and vegetable oil. Keep the rest.
The chicken is sort of tasteless so I will marinate the chicken overnight.


I will MERGE the two modified recipes below to create a better taste and efficient workflow (both for chicken & for the rice).

Modified Auntie RotinRice for preparing the rice:-

For the glutinous rice

• 2½ cups glutinous rice (soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight) (500g)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• ½ cup water (120ml)
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced

Prepare Glutinous Rice

1. Prepare a steamer and allow water to come to a boil.
2. Drain glutinous rice. Place in a deep bowl. Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, pepper, and ½ cup (120ml) water. Mix well.
3. Combine vegetable oil, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a small microwave proof dish and microwave for 1½ minutes on high. Remove and pour over the rice.
4. Place rice in steamer, cover with lid, and steam for 45 minutes.

Preparing chicken

• 4 oz skinless boneless chicken thighs (thinly sliced) (114g)
• 1/2 tbsp Shao Hsing cooking wine
• 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 inch ginger (peeled) (30g)
• 2 lap cheong / Chinese sausage
• 3 Chinese mushrooms / shiitake, soaked and cut into thin strips
• 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp corn starch mixed with 1/4 cup (60ml) water

1. Combine chicken, Shao Hsing wine, and soy sauce in a bowl. Grate ginger over chicken. Mix well and allow it to marinade for 30 minutes.
2. In the meantime, fry prepared lap cheong until lightly brown in a medium size pot, about 2 minutes. There is no need to use any oil. Remove fried lap cheong, leaving the oil in the pot. Set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add marinated chicken and mushrooms. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in dark soy sauce. Pour in corn starch mixture and allow it to cook for 2 minutes. Sauce should come to a boil and thicken. Turn off the stove.

Modified Nyonya Cooking for preparing the rice:-

Preparing glutinous rice:

• 1 shallot(s)    
• 1 garlic clove(s) 
• 0.5 tbsp oyster sauce   
• 0.5 tbsp dark soy sauce 
• 2 tsp soy sauce 
• 1 tsp sesame oil

1. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat to sauté sliced shallots and minced garlic until fragrant. Reduce the heat to the minimum. 
2. Microwave: oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil. 
3. Transfer glutinous rice to a plate. Add the sauces in and mix well. Add 2 tablespoons of mushroom water. Steam for 45 minutes.

Preparing chicken:

0.5 tbsp dark soy sauce 

1 tsp shaoxing wine   

1 tsp sesame oil 

1 tsp sugar 

0.5 tsp ginger

0.5 tbsp oyster sauce    

100 g chicken meat

Chop chicken into bite sizes. Marinate chicken and hydrated dried mushrooms with the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, shaoxing wine, sesame oil, sugar, oyster sauce and minced ginger together with four tablespoons of mushroom water.

Vegan Butter

So recently I had a hard time trying to get vegan butter sticks for baking.

Here are some recipes for vegan butter that I would love to make and then create my own butter in case I don't have any.

https://lovingitvegan.com/homemade-vegan-butter/

https://www.vegan.com/recipes/bryanna-clark-grogan/bryannas-vegan-butter/

https://nutritionrefined.com/vegan-butter/

And the absolute holy grail of vegan baking @ http://www.veganbaking.net/recipes/fats/vegan-butters/vegan-butter

Vegan Custard

I've missed custard so much. Imagine my delight at finding how to make custard here: https://amylecreations.com/vegan-custard-tarts/ and https://veganlovlie.com/custard-sauce-vegan-eggless/

I am going to try and see if I can make a custard berry pie today.

Vegan Quiche Recipe

I missed quiche every since I found out about our allergies. I've made a vegan version with modification from the recipe here: https://createmindfully.com/spinach-and-broccoli-vegan-quiche/

Tips: 

• Don’t skip cooking the veggies before baking the quiche. Even though you’re baking the quiche, the veggies need to be cooked ahead of time for overall taste.

 Cuisine vegan, gluten free

 Keyword tofu quiche, vegan quiche

 Prep Time 10 minutes

 Cook Time 45 minutes

 Total Time 55 minutes

Filling

• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 6 cups spinach (or 2 cups chopped broccoli & 4 cups spinach)
• 14 ounces firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons white gluten free miso paste
• 1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Filling: Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent.
2. Add garlic, broccoli, salt and pepper. Cook until broccoli is crisp tender.
3. Add spinach and cook until it is wilted.
4. In a food processor combine tofu, miso paste, tamari, and nutritional yeast. Mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour the spinach broccoli mixture in. Pulse to combine. 

About being minimalist in SG

Read later: http://www.jeraldinephneah.com/benefits-of-minimalism/

Vintage Reproductions

Check this out!

http://www.vintageproductions.com/index.php

Do I have clothes moth? What to do with potential moth holes?

Here are useful links:


http://goodreasonblog.com/2011/10/how-to-fix-moth-holes-in-wool/

https://tashamillergriffith.com/2014/02/28/finally-some-good-information-about-those-nasty-wool-eating-clothes-moths/

Panasonic Hairdryer

Read this later.

https://wonect.life/panasonic-negative-ion-hair-dryer/

Vintage or Reproduction Website Read

Just found this website. Will check out the information on this before I go further.

https://www.realorrepro.com/

Plant UML with Mac OSX

Followed these instructions from: http://macappstore.org/plantuml/

About the App

• App name: plantuml
• App description: Draw UML diagrams
• App website: http://plantuml.sourceforge.net/

Install the App

1. Press Command+Space and type Terminal and press enter/return key.
2. Run in Terminal app:
   ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" < /dev/null 2> /dev/null
   and press enter/return key. 
   If the screen prompts you to enter a password, please enter your Mac's user password to continue. When you type the password, it won't be displayed on screen, but the system would accept it. So just type your password and press ENTER/RETURN key. Then wait for the command to finish.
3. Run:
   brew install plantuml

Done! You can now use plantuml.

Vegan Spiced Banana Bread Recipe

Prepping Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Bakes 2 loaves of banana bread

Ingredients

Dry bowl

2 cups (500ml) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon (7.5ml) baking powder
1 teaspoon (5ml) baking soda

Egg Bowl

5-6 mashed ripe big bananas
1/2 cup (123ml) coconut milk (this is used to create a softer crust)
1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice*
1/2 cup (125ml) white sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) brown sugar / demerrera
2 eggs  (1 Tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer powder into fluid)
1 teaspoon (5ml) cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) salt

Butter Bowl

1/2 cup (125ml) vegan butter, softened / melted
1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract


DIRECTIONS


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x3 inch loaf pans. Whisk "Dry Bowl" ingredients ; set aside.

Mash "Egg Bowl" ingredients together in a large bowl with a fork until well combined. Stir in the "Butter Bowl" ingredients mix, then fold in the flour mixture until a batter forms and no dry lumps remain. Pour into the prepared loaf pans.

Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.