Eating too much bak kwa can be detrimental to health and giving it a miss this Chinese New Year season is probably a wise decision and a blessing in disguise.

Seasonal tidbits and expensive meals are not a prerequisite for a meaningful Chinese New Year. It is the family members, relatives and close friends interacting in a spirit of understanding, love and forgiveness that truly make a Chinese New Year important and meaningful.

With food prices on the rise, we should not despair. We can opt for simple and inexpensive meals and still have a wonderful Chinese New Year with people close to us. We can also share this joy with others.

Nelson Quah