Mood & Muse

Tag: lifestyle

  • Weekly Meal Prep: Bulgogi Beef Stir-Fry That Hits the Spot

    Winter’s well and truly here, and with life getting busier, I wanted to knock out a proper meal prep for the week – something warm, tasty, and not boring by day three. What I ended up with was a bulgogi-flavoured beef stir-fry that was easy to make, packed with flavour, and super satisfying.

    This batch made 4 big meals for me, but honestly, it could’ve stretched to 6 standard portions if I wasn’t so hungry after cooking.

    What Went In:

    Here’s what I used for the whole thing:

    • 1kg beef, sliced thin (I used rump – anything that stir-fries well will do)
    • 1 red capsicum, sliced
    • 2 carrots, peeled and julienned
    • 1 brown onion, sliced
    • ¼ red cabbage, shredded
    • 2.5 cups uncooked jasmine rice (which makes a good 6+ cups cooked)

    For the flavour, I used a bulgogi sauce seasoning that I picked up from a Korean supermarket – such a game changer. It’s that classic sweet and savoury combo with soy, garlic, sesame and a hint of fruitiness. You can find different brands, but they all tend to deliver that rich umami hit that makes bulgogi so addictive.

    How I Cooked It

    1. Cook the rice first – I used a rice cooker so I could forget about it.
    2. Stir-fried the veggies in a bit of oil: onion and carrot in first, then capsicum, and cabbage last so it didn’t go soggy.
    3. Took the veggies out and stir-fried the marinated beef in batches – don’t overcrowd the pan or it’ll stew instead of sear.
    4. Tossed everything together at the end so it all came together with that bulgogi flavour coating every bite.
    5. Divided it up into containers – four big ones for me, but you could definitely get six normal portions out of it.

    The Vibe:

    It’s rich without being heavy, a bit sweet from the bulgogi, and the veggies keep it fresh and colourful. The red cabbage adds a nice crunch and bit of sweetness that balances the beef out perfectly.

    I’ve had it a few times already this week and it reheats really well – no sad, soggy stir-fry here.

    Perfect For:

    • Winter meal prep that doesn’t suck
    • Anyone who wants to eat decent without cooking every night
    • A quick gym refuel (protein + carbs = winning)

    Next time, I might throw in some broccoli or swap the beef for chicken or tofu just to mix things up. But honestly, this combo’s hard to beat.

    If you’re looking for a no-fuss weekly meal prep idea that tastes better every time you eat it, give this one a go. And if you’ve never tried bulgogi seasoning from a Korean grocer – do it. Absolute flavour bomb.

  • Welcoming Winter with a New Signature Scent

    It’s officially the first day of winter here in Australia — and that crisp chill in the air means it’s time to rotate my daily fragrance. My bottle of Azzaro Wanted by Night was on its last legs, and while it’s served me well during many cooler evenings, I figured it was time to try something new and perhaps a bit more refined.

    After hearing countless good things, I finally picked up a bottle of Stronger With You Intensely by Emporio Armani — and let me just say, I’m thoroughly impressed.

    This fragrance is rich, warm, and inviting — exactly what you want when the temperature drops. It opens with a sweet blend of pink pepper, vanilla, and chestnut, which settles beautifully into a base of amber and tonka bean. There’s a slightly spicy, woody backbone to it that feels comforting without being overpowering.

    What really won me over is the longevity. One or two sprays in the morning and I can still catch warm whiffs well into the evening. It clings to clothing in the best way and projects enough to get noticed, without overwhelming anyone in close quarters — perfect for day-to-day wear in winter.

    This scent shines in cool to cold weather — ideal for those brisk mornings, cloudy days, or cosy evenings out. I wouldn’t recommend it for warm or humid days, as it could come across too heavy, but in winter? It’s an absolute treat.

    If you’re after a versatile, inviting, and long-lasting winter scent that feels equal parts modern and comforting, Stronger With You Intensely is a solid pick. I’ll definitely be reaching for this one all season.