西洋菜汤 - Watercress soup

It's been rainy all weekend. Soup is just the right thing to have. I have seen many variation of this soup. Here's my version:

Ingredients:

1 bunch of watercress, trimmed
2 medium carrots, chopped into chunks
chicken bones
3 honey dates 密枣
Handful of goji berries 枸杞
small handful of north and south apricot kernels 南北杏
Approx 2.4 lt water
salt to taste


Method:
1. First, put everything except Watercress and salt with the bones to bring water to boil. Remember to drain away the scum for clearer soup.
2. Then in the last 15 minutes, I put in the watercress. Season with salt to taste.




 

Te Henui Dental

On Holy Thursday, Abel had a dental check at the Auckland children /adolescent dental clinic located at Botany road. The dental therapist advised that Abel needs a filling done on one of his molar.  The 'cavity' was as big as a azuki bean (Red bean). However, as this was only a check, they couldn't fix it on the day. We were told to make another appointment as the filling would take approximately 45minutes. We explained we would be relocating so the dental therapist advised us to get it fixed in New Plymouth.

 

When we arrived with the kids in New Plymouth,  I quickly asked my colleague about children's dental check as she also has a 4 yo. She gave me the telephone number at Te Henui dental a ring.  It offers free dental care for children by the Taranaki DHB. When I gave them a ring, I explained that Abel's molar needs a filling.  They were able to see him pretty much immediately.

 

So above, brave Abel getting his tooth filled.  Dental therapist Gail was excellent. I forgot her assistant's name but she was very good too.  They were gentle and they really took their time to make Abel comfortable. It must have taken at least 3 minutes to coax Abel to climb onto the dental chair.  Fortunately I brought his favourite story book with him. He requested that I must read the story while the tooth gets filled. 

 

Gail didn't do any local anaesthetic as Abel seems to be okay with the whole exercise. There wasn't any tears apart from him asking me to continue reading the stories.  Good boy Abel. He got a spider necklace for good behaviour from the dental centre.

 

p/s: I also made an appointment for Noel to have his tooth checked.  Noel found out that he had an adult molar growing and was very proud and thrilled.