Tip of the day

(Source from: http://realage.typepad.com/food_bites/2008/04/foods-that-make.html

Foods That Make Your Skin Glow

Top skin creams average about $400 per ounce (and you thought gas was expensive!), yet most offer little proof that they do half of what they promise. Want to save a bundle and improve your skin? Load your shopping cart with nutrients that have been shown to possess skin-hydrating, sun-protecting, and even wrinkle-preventing powers, says Manhattan dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD. Here’s her grocery list of the best foods for your skin:

Firm and Bright
You’re probably up to your eyebrows (Botoxed or not) with the mantra “eat more fruits and vegetables.” But if you’ve yet to take that advice to heart, maybe knowing that they prevent wrinkles will do the trick.

The skin doc’s three top picks: sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.

What they do: Replenish your skin’s supply of antioxidants, so they're ready to scarf up free radicals whenever they make an appearance. Free rads are highly reactive oxygen molecules that damage cells and contribute to just about everything that can go wrong with skin, from dryness to wrinkles.

Fresh and Juicy
Your body can’t store much wrinkle-fighting vitamin C, so you need to top up your supplies regularly. The easiest way: Have some citrus every day.

The skin doc’s four top picks: oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.

Ounce for ounce, oranges are the top citrus source of C, but you can only eat so many, right? For variety, make lemonade; squeeze limes on melon; add grapefruit to salad; and, instead of drinking soda, fizz OJ with sparkling water. It all adds up.

What they do: Keep skin’s vitamin C levels high. While C is a nifty antioxidant, that’s not the key reason it’s here. It helps keep collagen -- the supportive protein fibers that stop skin from sagging -- strong and resilient. (Flimsy collagen means lines and wrinkles.) Since collagen breakdown really picks up in your mid-30s, eat citrus early and often to head off aging.

Smoothing and Soothing
There’s a particularly potent antioxidant known as EGCG that does all kinds of good things for skin. The best place to find it? True teas: black, green, or white (not herbal). Brew a full teapot every morning so that sipping 4 to 6 cups throughout the day is a no-brainer.

The skin doc’s #1 pick::green tea.

While all true teas contain EGCG (by the way, that stands for epigallocatechin-3-gallate), the various types of green tea have the most. Dr. Wechsler’s personal favorite is hojicha green tea (available at http://www.adagio.com/). “The roasting process that turns this green tea a brownish color also lowers its caffeine content,” she says -- handy if you’re caffeine sensitive or it’s one of those days when you don’t need another stimulant.

What it does: Gives your skin a healthy dose of EGCG, which is a great multitasker. EGCG puts a damper on inflammatory chemicals involved in acne and sun-related skin aging, it helps prevent skin cancer; and it has a lion-tamer effect on tumor cells. What’s more, green tea contains L-theanine, a de-tensing amino acid -- and anything you can do to stanch the flow of the stress hormone cortisol helps keep collagen fibers intact.

Dark and Green
Certain dark green vegetables, whether they’re fresh, frozen, raw, or steamed, really deliver on vitamin A, one of the most skin-essential vitamins going.

The skin doc’s three top picks: spinach, turnip greens, and broccoli.

What they do:Deliver a hefty supply of vitamin A, which supports skin-cell turnover, the process that keeps cell growth and development humming along flawlessly. Without enough A, skin becomes dry, tough, and scaly.

Fish Faves
Several cold-water catches give your skin a double benefit: age-fighting omega-3 fatty acids and the restorative powers of protein.

The skin doc’s seven top picks: salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, Atlantic mackerel, Pacific herring, and most shellfish.

Just don’t, uh, go overboard. As good as omega-3s are for skin (and the rest of you, too), worries about the amount of mercury in many fish mean it’s smart to limit seafood or freshwater fish to two meals a week. That’s a must for young children and for women who are pregnant, who may become pregnant, or who are nursing.

What they do: Omega-3s fight inflammation, now considered one of the top skin agers, and they also help protect against sunburn, enhancing the effects of your sunscreen’s SPF. Protein is required to build and repair skin cells and to make enzymes and hormones that help keep it glowing.

Fill your grocery cart with all of these foods and you won’t just look younger, you’ll be younger. Eating at least one serving of fish a week and getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements lowers your biological age. In fact, the antioxidants alone can make your RealAge up to 6 years younger.

Women's Weekly Food Book (Muz Buy!!)

I just bought this new food book from Kinokuniya for only $4.90 and it is a definitely "must buy" for people who likes to cook as the book contains more than 70 irresistibly delicious recipes each tested and tried by the same team that brings you the recipes in The Singapore Women's Weekly magazine. Some recipes come with easy to follow steps; others use supermarket staples like bottled pastes and sauces which makes it real easy and convenient to cook :> I also like that the foodbook comes with useful tips, like how to organise your fridge to keep food fresh longer and how long i can keep leftover food.

A Relaxing day in Ang Mo Kio

I went swimming with my friend in the morning and we went to stock up for toiletries at our favourite shop "Red Tomatoes Beauty Shop" (Blk 720 #01-4104) in Ang Mo Kio Central. I stocked up on my Eversoft facial products since there was a promotion going on (till end of this month) and the prices are much cheaper than what NTUC Fairprice are selling even though Fairprice are offering 20% discount on the products also till end of the month! My friend bought Neutrogena Facial Masks and Olay Facial Wash which was also much cheaper compared to Watsons, Guardian or other supermarkets. I make frequent trips there also to buy toiletries like, Silkpro Shampoo, Nivea eye cream and body lotion which are also much cheaper.


Tinted sunscreen moisturiser SPF 35pa+++ $9.30, normal price $11.20 (NTUC selling $9.50 after 20% discount, normal price $11.90)


Facial foam $5.40, normal price $6.40 (NTUC selling $5.60 after 20% discount, normal price $7.03)


Purifying toner $6.90, normal price $8.20 (NTUC price not available)


After all the stocking up, my friend introduced me to this Hong Kong Cafe "Pin Si Restaurant" located in Ang Mo Kio Hub #B1-22. I like the decor of the restaurant and it was very cosy eating there and the food was quite good. I had passed by the place on numerous occasions but did not know that it is a Hong Kong Cafe. I tried the French Toast and it was very yummy and was even nicer together with a cup of Iced Yuen Yeung :> My friend ordered the Fried Beef Kway Teow and i tried some and it tastes quite nice and was not very oily like similiar dishes i had tried in other places.

My Melody Barbie Doll

Hubby just bought me this new doll while we were shopping in Orchard. It cost $69.90 which was quite expensive but i guess it is really worth it as it is so cute and i always like My Melody stuffs and Barbie Dolls and now i get a combination of both :>

Lunch Buffet at Carousel (Royal Plaza on Scotts)

I'm very happy as i won $1000 Travel vouchers from taking part in a magazine promotion and i collected the vouchers yesterday!!! Hehe i initially thought that the person who contacted me about my win was trying to sell me some financial packages haha i can't wait to plan my next holiday trip :>

Today i went with my family members for lunch buffet at the Carousel. It has been sometime since my last visit and i was looking forward to a great feast! I always enjoyed going for its high tea and the lunch buffet was also fantastic though i missed the chicken porridge and rojak which are available only during high tea.












The service was quite good and the waiters were quick to remove used plates on the table once you leave your seat. There was a huge variety of food to choose from, like the seafood spread, salad bar, sushi and sashimi, cakes, fondue & other desserts. There were also chicken rice station, pasta station, roasted beef/chicken station, Malay fare, Indian fare and more!





















My favourite dishes were the pasta and Thai Beef Noodle which were super yummy. I also like the bread pudding. Here are some pictures of the food that i ate haha i also can't believe that i ate so much!!! Luckily i'm going swimming with my friend tomorrow and can burn off some fats...













Address:
25 Scotts Road
GF Royal Plaza on Scotts
Tel: 6589 7799

Save the Earth

Today is Earth Day and HBO channel 60 has just shown the film "An Inconvenient Truth" by the former US Vice President Al Gore. The film offers a passionate and inspirational look at Al Gore's fervent crusade to halt global warming's deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. With wit, smarts and hope, "An Inconvenient Truth" ultimately brings home Al Gore's persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenges facing our global civilization.


From the film, i learnt that there are many simple things you can do in your daily life — what you eat, what you drive, how you build your home — that can have an effect on your immediate surroundings, and on places as far away as the Antarctica. Actually we read about the threats of global warming constantly in the papers and also when we were in school but sometimes due to our hetic lifestyles, most of us tend to push it to the back of our mind. It is never too late to start taking action and playing a part in stopping global warming NOW :>


We should all do our part to save Earth no matter how small or insignificant our contributions are. It does not really take alot of effort to do so. For example, i try to carry a bigger bag when i go shopping or marketing so that i can try to minimise my use of plastic bags. At home i try to set aside rubbish that can be recycled so that i can dump it at the recycle bin downstairs on my way out.


You can also shrink your utilities bill and do your part in stopping global warming at the same time with useful tips from websites like:

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_actionitems.asp

http://www.nccc.gov.sg/energylabel/aircon.shtm


http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/


Some of my favourite tips (meaning i strongly believe in it or try to do it frequently ;>) found online are:

1) Drive Less - walk, bike, carpool or take the public transport more often. You'll save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don't drive.

2) Recycle More - You can save 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste like unwanted paper, plastic and glass.

3) Avoid products with alot of packaging - You can save 1200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.

4) Turn off electronic devices and light - Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, computer and lights when you're not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year and your utility bills. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $256 per year by unplugging un-used electronics.

5) Wash a full load of laundry at a time - Alternatively, you could set the water level to match the amount of laundry. Also, a significant amount of energy used is for heating of water. You may wish to consider the need to wash with the hot water cycle. Alternatively, use cold water during the rinse cycle to cut a load's energy use in half.

6) Ditch the Plastic - 2.5 million individual plastic water bottles are thrown away every hour in the US. Start using a reusable water bottle and just say no to plastic!

Pictures of My Favourite Soccer Player

Found some nice pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo online to share with those who are also a big fan of him. I have been hooked on EPL matches because of him hehe :> He is definitely the best player in the EPL!!

Polynesian Prawn Curry Recipe

I found this interesting recipe from Vanilla Magazine Mar 08 issue. Can't wait to try it out, should taste well with rice or pasta :>

A special curry from the white washed beaches of Fiji! Not what we Asians normally expect, this is refreshingly spicy and sweet with just a hint of heat. For a fusion twist, use it as a sauce for pasta.

Ingredients:

-500g prawns, shelled
-1 tsp brown mustard seeds
-1 tsp cumin
-1 tsp chilli powder
-1 onion, chopped
-1 small can tomato paste
-1 can whole tomatoes
-1/2 cup water or stock
-Salt and pepper to taste
-A handful of coriander, chopped

Method:

1. Heat some oil in a pan and saute mustard seeds, cumin and onions briefly.

2. Add chilli powder, tomato paste, tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil.

3. Add the prawns and cook until done.

4. Adjust seasoning and serve hot, sprinkled with some coriander.

Great Food at Raffles City Basement

JCO Donuts & Coffee

I went Raffles City earlier with hubby for lunch at The Soup Spoon for my favourite mushroom soup and bought a box of yummy JCO donuts back. It is located at: #B1-44 and is a must try for all donut fans! There are various types of donuts to choose from and i tried the glazed donut (with honey) which comes free with any order of beverages when i went there with my mum and brother last Saturday. We were too full and could not tried the other types of donuts.

Luckily my hubby's friend also bought us a box of JCO donuts when he and his wife came to our place last Saturday. I tried the Choco Caviar (cruncy biscuit covered with premium Belgium chocolates and placed in the top of the donut and covered with melted chocolate) and it is really yummy and i could not resist buying more when i went Raffles City earlier.








The Soup Spoon

Pictures i took last week with my family.






Velvety Mushroom Stroganoff Soup (My favourite as i'm a huge mushroom fan!)


Smoked Ham & Cheese Sandwich


Herbed Chicken Caesar Sandwich


Chicken Tikka (Wrap)


Breaded Buttons with Garlic Aioli

Tip of the day

I found this useful tip online from: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/5555




What Your Colon Has to Say About Sweets

The next time your sweet tooth sends out peanut-butter-cookie signals, stave off the sugar rush and reach for a spoonful of all-natural peanut butter instead.

Why? Your colon will thank you. Ditching cookies and other sugar-laden refined carbs may mean less risk of colon cancer.

Ratchet Up the Risk
Research shows that eating a diet rife with sucrose (the stuff found in your sugar bowl and most candies and sweets) and other high-glycemic-index items can increase your risk of colon cancer. But candies aren't the only place you'll find sucrose. Check the labels on salad dressings, spaghetti sauces, and condiments, too. (Ketchup has 4 grams per tablespoon!)

Better Choices
So, what should you eat instead to keep your colon happy and healthy? It's simple.


Go for whole grains. Study after study shows that more high-fiber whole grains equal better colon health.

Be picky about protein. Opt for fish, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, tofu, and legumes over processed meats and cold cuts -- which are linked to colon cancer.

Drink your milk -- or eat yogurt, if you prefer. The calcium and vitamin D in dairy products have a protective effect.

Bae Yong Joon - The Legend 太王四神記

I have finished watching "The Legend" starring Bae Yong Joon in the leading role, for awhile and have been wanting to share this great drama in my blog but have been busy watching other dramas and have no time to write about it. There have been alot of nice Korean dramas recently like, H.I.T, New Heart and On Air which i have been watching online. I have also been hooked on a Korean family drama, "My Love", now showing on Starhub channel 56 every Saturday 9pm. I really enjoy watching a nice heartwarming family drama and this drama is really touching and the kids in the drama are really cute.





Back to "The Legend", this Korean blockbuster retells the saga of King Kwanggaet'o of the ancient state Koguryo and is awash with big battle scenes, and abit of The Lord of The Rings-like visual effects. It is also one of the most expensive Korean production ever, at 43 billion won (S$60.27 million). Kwanggaet'o's reign marked a high point in Korean dynastic history, and the drama follows his rise to power, military conquests and romantic encounters. I was fascinated with the ancient history of Korea after watching this drama and have even borrowed a book about it from the library! "The Legend" is also a continuation of the drama about King Jumong who was the founder of Koguryo.





In "The Legend", the story starts with 2000 years ago before the founding of Koguryo. The god's son, Lord Hwanwoong, was sent from the heavens to make the world a better place. He falls in love with Saeoh from the bear tribe and gives her the phoenix necklace. The power of the phoenix had initially belonged to Kajin, the leader of the tiger tribe. She had fallen in love with Lord Hwanwoong and given up her power after he saved her when she tried to kill him. However, Kajin becomes jealous after Saeoh had given birth to Lord Hwanwoong's son. She takes the baby and throws him off a cliff. Saeoh, thinking that her son had died, is overcome with grief and turns into the black phoenix to destroy the world. Lord Hwanwoong had to kill her to stop her. Afterwards, Lord Hwanwoong returns to the Heavens and prophecizes that 2000 years later, the true Joo Shin king will come to Earth. With the help of the four gods, he will rebuild the kingdom of Joo Shin.


The story then starts from the birth of the great king two thousand years later. The trouble begins when two boys are born on the same night to the same royal family. Dam Deok (Bae Yong Joon)the bright mature one, who is brought up by a cautious father and taught to hide his abilities and does not know that he is born during the sighting the of the Jyusin star initially. He had grown up to be a pleasant young man, but in his heart he always suffered because of Hogae's mother who had committed suicide, causing Hogae to believe that Dam Deok killed her. He was later found to be the destined King of Jushin. As the 19th king of Koguryo, he was initially despised by the leaders of the four tribes that form his parliament due to influence from Ho Gae's father who was the chancellor of the parliament. However, he proves himself to be an excellent fighter and a schemer who can win battles without a single casualty on his side or both.


Dam Deok's cousin, Ho Gae (Oh Kwang Rok), who is encouraged by his ambitious mother to show off and prove he is the true monarch to everyone. He grows up as the heart-throb of the kingdom and is widely accepted as monarch-to-be as everyone knows that he was born on the night of the sighting of Jyusin star. At first Ho Gae was very open and pleasant towards Dam Deok when they were kids, but after his mother's death, he resolved to take revenge and proved that he is the rightful Joo Shin King. He also hated Dam Deok as the woman he loved, Gi Ha (Moon So Ri) only has eyes for Dam Deok. This lead to his character changing devastingly to a cold, cool type from a warm, pleasant person. He had been winning many battles as early as his teens, and grew to be a powerful warrior.







Enter two orphaned, long lost sisters who might both be reincarnations of the Phoenix. One sister, Gi Ha,has been adopted by an evil cult and sent to the palace as a priestess since young as a bait to hook the future king who was thought to be Ho Gae. She met Damdeok by chance one night in the royal library and began to have a crush on him. Their relationship was very fine, until the day that Damdeok's father faked his death as an assassination by Gi Ha to prevent any harm on Damdeok. She changed after that and became vicous and cold-blooded, especially after seeing Dam Deok having a good time with Sujini.


The other sister, Suzini (Lee Ji Ah), grows up on the streets before she too is thrown into the royal cousins' lives. I like her character most and she is like the female version of Legolas from the Lord of the Ring. She looks so cool fighting battles alongside Dam Deok with her bows and arrows. Her character was very funny as she likes drinking and gambling and was not like the typical female heroine. I kept hoping that Dam Deok would like her and they would be together in the end. I was also quite irritated with Ho Gae's character towards the end as he was blinded by his love for Gi Ha and just following whatever she wants. Hubby and me were hooked to the drama and wanted to find out the ending and spent one whole Saturday night to finish watching it. I did not really like the ending and was hoping that there could be more scenes of Dam Deok and Suzini towards the end but i did like the part where Dam Deok finally figures out the real task for the Ju Shin King. Guess it ended the drama nicely...