Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi)

Hi folks!

Today is the annual Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) festival
celebrated by Chinese. For many families, Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) is
even bigger than the Chinese New Year.To Chinese, it is traditionally
celebrated at the beginning of winter to remind of another year gone by, and
for one to look forward to the new year. We are considered older one year
after each Dong Zhi.

Typically, on this day, we will make Tang Yuan (glutinous rice ball). My mom
will make the the sweet syrup either from rock sugar or brown sugar and add
pandan leaves and ginger.

Nowadays, Tang Yuan can be bought in supermarkets. They are available in all
sorts of fillings, e.g. in black sesame paste, red bean paste, groundnut
paste, etc. Some stalls would also sell ready-made Tang Yuan dough where you
can just purchase and roll into ball shape for those who still like to
experience the making of Tang Yuan ball without spending time to make the
dough.

So, how did you spend your Dong Zhi? Did you make your own Tang Yuan or buy
off-the-shelf?

No matter how we celebrated, I hope 2011 will be a better year for everyone,
a self-awakening year and a proactive year whereby everyone believes in the
power and the role we can play to make this earth a better place to stay!
Every single steps and thoughts we generate affects this tiny earth we all
call our "Home".

Cheers!