Me Time!

[Estéema]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134585\" time=\"1717468900\" user_id=\"43981:

I find myself clumsy when using app to pay at hawker ctr, including using CDC. But supermarkets very efficient even can whip out additional card ie member card using credit card payment. I think probably haven't got forced to use app yet.

On another matter, I was so suaku to use CC to pay taxifare to airport, there is admin charge+GST. Pls dont use CC.

I’m better with CDC as I download & on my safari, can whip out anytime.

I’m less agile when using CC with promo. Can’t keep up with such long lists of promo esp on TRUST Card & don’t bother with any UOB or DBS promo, unless big discounts or promo. I get dizzy & refuse to stand at cashier holding up Qs whilst searching for whatever. Other’s time more impt then my small discounts.

[Estéema]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"2134588\" time=\"1717469775\" user_id=\"70594:

thats what i m doing, i m not wearing progressive lens cos sometimes i still wear contact lens (worst cant take out to see menu but i 爱美， no choice - so cannt see manual menu or digital must expand big .

Not that I wish it upon anyone, t I thot I was the only one always wearing my glasses over my head when reading menu! Lol 😂

[Estéema]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134590\" time=\"1717470768\" user_id=\"17023:

Was at Zhongshan mall last week. Walked pass the Foodcourt, chicken rice was selling at $6.50 per plate. Dabao McDonald’s instead as Saver’s Meal is only $5 - $5.50 and it comes with a drink somemore!!

When I was a kid, having fast food was like a luxurious weekend treat. Now a plate of chicken rice actually costs more than a Mac meal. Amazing how Mac can keep their cost low.

It might be the difference is btwn price of frozen products and fresh chicken bah. Drinks are easiest to make money, as ingredients load can be twitch with amt of ice & water to dilute. I usually don’t get attracted by free drinks coz it’s usually sugar laden.

[Estéema]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134591\" time=\"1717471089\" user_id=\"17023:

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/doing-charity-encouraging-healthy-eating-adhering-to-onerous-rules-is-too-much-being-asked-of-hawkers

Maybe should encourage Singaporeans to cook and eat healthily at home. If we eat Fishball noodles, carrot cake, chicken rice on a daily basis, this will come back to haunt us in terms of medical cost for us and the govt (high blood, high cholesterol and diabetes).

Recently chanced upon two articles in ST, hinting about the suppression of hawker food’s prices. One hawker said for every Budget Meal he sells, he loses 50cents. To me, that’s very bad, bullying the lowly educated hawkers??

A simple meal at Toast Box (mee siam + coffee + a slice of cake) for example, costs like $10? When big organizations have business consultants to advise, they can sell at a higher price whereas hawkers who have no business consulting firms to advise them, have to sell meals at a loss? 欺善怕恶 !!!

I was also thinking if the hawkers can hv a localized association to bulk purchase common ingredients like eggs, salt, oil, etc. Think most big orgns like ToastBox, McD, etc hv economy of scale & big central kitchens to store bulk purchases & hence hv bigger savings to compete with small stall holders at hawker centres.

Unfortunately, I don’t eat out as often due to aversion to MSG, o’wise supporting local livelihood is good. I s’times enjoy the interactions with stallholders. I met an old couple selling wanton noodles when getting a bowl for MIL & was surprised they were naturalized PRCs & a very kind elderly couple. It’s alot more hardwork compared to machine prepared meals at central kitchen with helpers assembling at outlets.

Yes, cooking at home is better in many ways & we can orchestrate the type & level of nutrition as well. Also, for me, I don’t store a single grain of MSG, other than what is alr in my bottles of store-bought sauces.

[sharonkhoo]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2134579\" time=\"1717466933\" user_id=\"13281:

I know I probably am in the minority who is of the view that it is actually easier for me to get a nutritionally balanced (those who are counting macros will understand what I mean) meal in Western Europe (excludes Scandinavia & Switzerland) at a more affordable price than in Singapore. Most hawker food is not nutritionally balanced. I can get a bowl of fishball noodles at $5 (it won't be $5 at food courts), but that doesn't go anywhere in fulfilling protein, vitamins or mineral needs for the day. Yes it does fulfil the carbohydrates requirements. You do need 40g of protein a day. Most hawker dishes, even if there is one serving of protein, require adding a portion of veg, plus a fruit, to make a balanced meal.

In many Western countries, filled sandwiches and wraps are typically filled substantially with veg and meat, which makes for a balanced meal.

I agree. I've been puzzled for years why veg has been disappearing from our hawker meals in Singapore. Veg portions in even restaurants and caifan stalls are getting smaller. And when they are part of a meal like with noodles, chicken rice etc, they have all but vanished. Since meat is more expensive than veg, pound for pound, it can't be because of costs. Is the average Singaporean's aversion to veg because we don't eat it enough, or are hawkers giving us what the majority want?

[sharonkhoo]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"2134588\" time=\"1717469775\" user_id=\"70594:

thats what i m doing, i m not wearing progressive lens cos sometimes i still wear contact lens (worst cant take out to see menu but i 爱美， no choice - so cannt see manual menu or digital must expand big .

I am wearing progressives, but even then find some of the words too small. Maybe I need them changed!

[zac's mum]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134596\" time=\"1717474205\" user_id=\"28674:

I agree. I've been puzzled for years why veg has been disappearing from our hawker meals in Singapore. Veg portions in even restaurants and caifan stalls are getting smaller. And when they are part of a meal like with noodles, chicken rice etc, they have all but vanished. Since meat is more expensive than veg, pound for pound, it can't be because of costs. Is the average Singaporean's aversion to veg because we don't eat it enough, or are hawkers giving us what the majority want?

I suspect it’s because fresh veggies turn bad quickly, so it’s a liability for the stall holders. Cucumbers can be stored longer, but usually the leafy veggies put in the noodle soup are pak choy, which can’t really be bought & kept in bulk. Tomatoes as well.

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134599\" time=\"1717477844\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134599 time=1717477844 user_id=53606]
I suspect it’s because fresh veggies turn bad quickly, so it’s a liability for the stall holders. Cucumbers can be stored longer, but usually the leafy veggies put in the noodle soup are pak choy, which can’t really be bought & kept in bulk. Tomatoes as well.[/quote]

Don't hawkers get their main ingredients daily? Anyway, if we want healthier hawker food, besides reducing fat, salt and sugar, we should really encourage sensible amounts of veg instead of the minimal amounts we get now.

[starlight1968sg]

i make an effort to eat more veg than meat. Once a while, I will indulge myself with plenty of meat

[doodbug]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134596\" time=\"1717474205\" user_id=\"28674:

I agree. I've been puzzled for years why veg has been disappearing from our hawker meals in Singapore. Veg portions in even restaurants and caifan stalls are getting smaller. And when they are part of a meal like with noodles, chicken rice etc, they have all but vanished. Since meat is more expensive than veg, pound for pound, it can't be because of costs. Is the average Singaporean's aversion to veg because we don't eat it enough, or are hawkers giving us what the majority want?

I describe some dishes as 'slivers of protein' and 'sprinklings of veg'.

We need dishes aligned with the healthier plate proportions, which is roughly, one palm size (quarter small plate) of protein, 2 palm sizes of veg and a palm size of carbohydrates. Most hawker dishes are not in these proportions. Caifan is your best bet at achieving this, as well as the mala stall and spinach soup. Yong Tau Hu is not always available and there are no unprocessed meats (there are usually boiled eggs). All other hawker foods, I am sorry, but there is some way to go nutritionally. It is not the hawker's fault - we have to understand that hawker food originated from street food, which were not designed to be healthy, but tasty filling food for the masses. Its different from how acai bowls etc came about.