Why Should We Not Live Only for Ourselves?

 "Living for oneself" has become a popular slogan among young people today.  However, this mindset can be seen as individualistic, even selfish. In the past, "living only for oneself" was almost impossible, as society and family imposed specific responsibilities and obligations on individuals.

For example, in a large family facing financial difficulties, parents often decided who could continue their education and who had to stay home to work and contribute financially.  Even in marriage, previous generations were heavily influenced by family arrangements and traditional rules.  This raises an important question: Do we truly have the freedom to live as we wish, or are we merely living for others?

Living for Oneself or for Others?

Living under the expectations of others may make a person feel restricted and lose their sense of purpose.  However, the modern tendency to live solely for oneself also has consequences.  Today, many marriages break down because individuals prioritize their personal desires over overcoming challenges together for the sake of their family and children.  Many young people are willing to leave home when their relationships are not approved by their parents, leading to an increasing number of single mothers and children growing up without proper parental guidance.  This, in turn, has significant psychological and developmental impacts on future generations.

So, should we live for ourselves or for others?  Perhaps there is no absolute answer to this question.  If we simply follow a path set by others, can we truly be happy?  But if we live selfishly, without regard for anyone else, what kind of society will we create?

The Middle Path

According to Buddhist philosophy, the ideal approach is to follow the Middle Path—not excessively prioritizing individual freedom but also not being entirely bound by societal expectations.  The key is to understand the meaning of life, make mindful choices, and act in ways that do not harm ourselve or others.

In conclusion, everyone has the right to seek happiness and live freely, but that freedom should not be detached from our responsibilities toward family and society.  A progressive society is one in which people can live for themselves while also caring for those around them.

Easy Chicken Fajitas

Mexican cuisine is rich, vibrant, and full of flavor.  While it is often known for its spiciness, it also offers a delightful fusion of ingredients and cultures.  Chicken fajitas are a simple yet delicious dish, similar to an Asian-style stir-fry with bell peppers.  They can be served with rice or wrapped in warm tortillas for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts sliced into ½-inch strips
• 2 cups total mixed bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced
• 1 cup white onion, sliced
• 4 tortillas

Spice Blend Ingredients:

• 2 tsp taco seasoning
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ⅛ tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar

Directions:

1.    Combine all the spices, garlic, oil, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl.  Add the sliced chicken and toss until well-coated.  Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight for deeper flavor.

2.    Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil.  Cook the chicken until fully cooked and lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes.

3.    Add the sliced onions and bell peppers.  Stir-fry for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.

4.    Remove from heat and transfer to a serving plate.

5.    Serve with warm tortillas or over rice.

Tips:

• Warm the tortillas on a dry pan or directly over a flame for a slight char.
• Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for extra flavor.
• Add a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky touch.

Easy Cake Mix Carrot Cake

 Carrot cake is a Western dessert that you can often find everywhere.  The sweetness of the carrot, cinnamon, ginger, and any nuts makes it consistently moist.  Today’s carrot cake recipes add a proportion of oil and frost with cream cheese frosting, and there are infinite ways to jazz up carrot cake.  But for this recipe, I like to make simple carrot cake using the yellow box cake mix and ready-made cream cheese frosting to save time.  This recipe is an easy way to bring to a party.  It is a budget-friendly recipe to get to a party.

Ingredients:

Soft butter greases the 9” x 13” cake pan, and some flour is used to dust the pan.

1 18,25 oz. plain yellow cake mix

1 package 3.4 oz. vanilla instant pudding mix

1 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

2 1/2 cups shredded carrots

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 roughly chopped walnuts

Ready-made cream cheese frosting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease the cake pan with soft butter or vegetable shortening and dust with flour.  Skim out the excess flour and set aside.

Place cake mix, egg, pudding, milk, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.  Blend with the electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.  Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Beat for 2 minutes more.  Gently fold the carrot, raisin, and nuts with a rubber spatula.

The batter should look thick and well-blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.  Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown.

Let the cake cool off, and then spread the cream cheese frosting over the cake.

Budget-Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Broth

 Chicken broth is a kitchen essential that enhances the flavor of stir-fries, soups, and various dishes.  Making it in an Instant Pot saves time, but a slow cooker works just as well.  To keep costs low, I use leftover chicken bones and vegetables slightly past their prime.  Seasonings can be as simple as salt and pepper or fresh or dried herbs.  For an Asian-inspired flavor, try adding ginger, garlic, and lemongrass.  Once prepared, strain the broth and store it in glass containers with lids.  It can be frozen for up to six months. For convenience, divide it into portions based on your usual cooking needs.

Ingredients:

• 5–6 lbs chicken bones
• Assorted vegetables (carrot, celery, onion, ginger, cabbage, jicama, daikon)
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, and rock sugar
• Other item: 8-quart Instant Pot

Directions:

1.    Wash the chicken bones thoroughly.  Blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove impurities and excess fat.

2.    Rinse the bones with cold water.

3.    Place the bones and vegetables in the Instant Pot.  Fill the pot with water up to the maximum level allowed.

4.    Secure the lid according to your Instant Pot's instructions.

5.    Pressure cook on high for 1 hour, then allow natural pressure release.

6.    Strain the broth through a sieve.  Line the sieve with a paper towel and strain again for a clearer broth.

7.    Let the broth cool before storing it in containers.  Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

Now, you have a rich, homemade broth ready whenever needed! 

Vegetarian Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Welcome to the culinary world, where health meets flavor!  I’m excited to present a vegetarian dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser, especially during temple visits on full moon days.  Imagine stir-fried vermicelli with vegetables and tofu—a nutritional powerhouse packed into a light yet satisfying meal.  The rice vermicelli is soft and fluffy, perfectly complementing the vibrant, fresh vegetables cooked to perfection.  This dish is visually appealing and a harmonious blend of flavors that will delight your taste buds.

Ingredients:

5 oz. dry rice noodles

8 oz. tofu

Vegetables:

4 cups total of the following: Bok choy, carrots, cabbage, three types of red, green, yellow peppers, mushrooms (all cut into bite-sized pieces)

Other spices:

1/2 cup thinly sliced ​​white onion

1 shallot, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce ingredients:

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp each of sugar, salt, and vegetarian seasoning vinegar

1/8 black pepper

1/8 Korean chili powder

1/4 cup water

Other items:

Green onion, chopped

Cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Fry tofu until golden brown, cut into long pieces.

Slice vegetables.

Mix the sauce mixture to stir-fry the noodles.  Stir well to dissolve.

Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 6-7 minutes or blanch until soft.  Remove, rinse, drain, and mix with cooking oil to prevent sticking and keep them shiny.

Sauté onions and garlic, add vegetables (carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, and onions), pour 1/2 of the sauce, and stir-fry over high heat until cooked.  Add fried tofu and stir-fry until flavored.  Scoop out and set aside.

Add a little more oil to the dish.  Reduce heat to low, add 1/2 of the remaining sauce to the pan, and stir-fry evenly.  Add rice noodles and stir-fry until the seasoning is evenly mixed into the noodles. After 2-3 minutes, add cooked vegetables and stir-fry until the seasoning is absorbed.  You can season to your family's taste.  Add chopped green onions and coriander on top.

Chicken Stewed with Orange Juice

Orange juice is a juice that quickly enhances the flavor of stews. One of the dishes that is always present in Vietnamese parties is chicken stewed with orange juice. Usually, this stewed chicken dish uses a whole chicken and is sometimes cooked with dried jujubes.  I will share a more straightforward recipe here: chicken thigh stewed with orange juice and taro.  You can cook this recipe in a rice cooker without paying attention.  This recipe is for those who do not have time to cook but still have a very delicious and nutritious dish.

Ingredients:

3 chicken drumsticks, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup vinegar

Orange sauce

1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup each

Ketchup and white wine

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp fish sauce

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp sriracha sauce

Other items:

Oil for frying

1 cup white onion slice

Directions:

Soak chicken in salt water and vinegar.  Rinse chicken and drain.

Pour oil into the pan and fry chicken until golden brown.

Mix orange sauce to taste.

Line white onion at the bottom of the rice cooker.

Put fried chicken in the rice cooker and pour in orange sauce.  Close the lid and turn on rice cooking mode.  Cook from boiling for about 15 minutes until done.

Sprinkle with cilantro and enjoy.

Stir-fried ground Chicken with Thai Basil

 Experience the authentic flavors of Thailand with this delicious stir-fried ground chicken dish, bursting with the unique aroma of Thai basil.  Typically found on the vibrant streets of Thailand, this popular dish is traditionally made with ground beef.  However, we will use diced chicken breast for a lighter and equally tasty alternative.  You’ll be surprised at how easily this mouthwatering dish comes together using a few essential ingredients from your kitchen and a trusty frying pan.  The key to unlocking the true essence of this recipe lies in the Thai basil leaves, which impart a distinct taste that sets it apart from other variations.  While you can substitute with sweet Italian basil, we highly recommend Thai basil for an authentic culinary experience.

Ingredients:

 

Main Ingredients:

• ½ lb chicken breast, finely diced
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves
• ½ cup diced white onion
• 1 shallot, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
• ¼ cup water

Other items:

• 2 Thai hot chilies, sliced
• 1 green onion, sliced (for garnish)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Steamed white rice (for serving)

Directions:

1.    Preparing the sauce: In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, sriracha, chicken bouillon powder, and water. Set aside.

2.    Dicing the chicken: Finely chop the chicken breast into small cubes for even cooking.

3.    Stir-frying the aromatics: Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.  Add the cooking oil, then sauté the garlic and shallot until fragrant.

4.    Cooking the chicken: Add the diced chicken and stir-fry until it turns white and is fully cooked.

5.    Adding sauce and onions: Pour in the sauce mixture, add the white onion, and stir well.  Let it cook until the sauce slightly reduces.  Adjust seasoning if needed.

6.    Finishing with basil: Turn off the heat, then add the Thai basil.  Stir well to incorporate.

7.    Serving: Plate the stir-fried chicken over steamed white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions.

Tips:

• For extra presentation, lightly fry some basil leaves for garnish.
• You can also slice garlic thinly and fry it until crispy for an added crunch.

Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying Thai basil stir-fried chicken!

Also:

You can fry basil leaves for decoration

Garlic can be sliced ​​and fried to a crisp for decoration