Lose Weight by Cleaning out Your Closet

Did you know cleaning out your closet could help you lose weight? A 2010 study found that the average woman owns about 12 outfits that don't fit, translating to over $450 dollars hanging in the closet that will never see the light of day. According to the study, most women have a total of three different dress sizes in their closets. This is a mistake if you are trying to lose weight says certified personal trainer and weight-loss bootcamp coach Steven Cooper. To stay motivated to lose weight, it's better to "donate your 'fat' clothes," says Cooper. "Get rid of them...burn your boats, there is no coming back". Cooper recommends visualizing yourself in your new wardrobe for inspiration.

 

Instead of holding onto the past (in case of weight gain) or hoping for the future (toss those skinny jeans already!), why not get real about where you are today? Save yourself some time, money and space by clearing out your closet. You may find new motivation to continue your exercise program, eat better and when the time is right, you can invest in clothes that you love, and fit properly.

Here are five simple steps to start your streamlining:

1. Go shopping in your closet. Try on every piece as if you were thinking of buying it all over again. Really evaluate the item: how does it fit? Does it flatter my figure? Is it a good color for me? Where will I wear this?

Related: How to Find Your Magic Weight

2. Stick to the 6-month rule. If you know you haven’t worn something in the last six months, it’s time to move it out. If you really can’t bear to part with something (even if it hasn’t been worn), keep it for one more round. If, at your next six-month purge date, you still haven’t touched it – it’s out!

Related: Low Carb Recipes That Taste Great

3. Be honest about your skinny jeans. Keeping one pair of jeans that you are working towards fitting into serves as inspiration, keeping five pairs feeds exasperation!

Related: What Men Think About During Sex

4. Let go of the guilt. It IS hard to get rid of clothes that still have the tags hanging off them. But there is a reason the tags are still on – it wasn’t the item for you! Check out the store policy – some places will give you store credit for items with tags with no receipts. Or, donate it and feel good about giving a new item to someone who can use it. Whatever you do, lighten your spirits by letting go of it.

Related: How to Beat Bloat

5. Check out your dirty laundry. You don’t have to smell it, but chances are the dirty clothes bin is holding the clothes you are wearing the most. What type of clothing is in there? Is it mostly full of workout wear, business suits or sweats? Do any of these items need replacing or backup support? For example, has your favorite pair of workout pants been worn from black to gray and the seams starting to fray? This is where you get to ADD back some things to the closet. Reinforce the clothes that you DO use: buy more of what works. Update your underwear, socks and throw out the ones with holes, loose threads and faded colors. (And it is always a good idea to try to replace your underwear and sock collection at least once a year, for hygienic reasons).

(Source: http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/lose-weight-by-cleaning-out-your-closet-2451515/)

I Love Relaxing @ Starbucks With A Good Book :)

倪安東 - 散場的擁抱 MV

Nice song :)

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vANtwIj8oMw&feature=player_embedded#at=24)

Yummy Yaki Soba For Dinner :)

I bought a pack of instant Yaki Soba while i was at Cold Storage awhile ago and finally tried cooking it recently. It turns out to be really delicious and was easy to cook. I fried some garlic before adding the noodle, sauce,  ham , egg and a dash of pepper. You can choose whatever ingredients you like to go with the Yaki Soba although i prefer ham and egg and cabbage (which i had to do without as i forgot to stock up some) and it was a simple and delicious meal for hubby and i :)

Tip: For those who dislike salty stuff, you could add less of the sauce ;)

3 Days Only! Get 30% OFF eBooks!‏ @ Kobo :)

This is for fellow Kobo fans, i have been waiting for its 30% discount promo and received its email today. Just purchased a book at (http://www.kobobooks.com/) and hope you will also take advantage of the promo to get the book you have been eying ;) Have fun reading!

Challenger store to go 24 hours from March 1

Interesting news i found at (http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_638410.html) and it should be great news for gadget junkies and i'm hoping the Challenger store near my home will also be open 24 hour so that i can do some late night shopping ;)

Along with making its selection of IT gadgets available after dark, Challenger said it will also provide 24-hour customer service for late night tech support needs. -- PHOTO: CHALLENGER

GADGET junkies, rejoice: IT retailer Challenger will be open around the clock on March 1, starting with its megastore at Funan's DigitaLife Mall.

Challenger will be the first dedicated IT retailer to open its doors 24 hours a day, it said in a statement on Thursday.

Along with making its selection of IT gadgets available after dark, Challenger said it will also provide 24-hour customer service for late night tech support needs.

Challenger recorded a 24 per cent growth in net profit in 2010, while its revenue grew 26 per cent. The IT retailer said the move to 24-hour operations was a bid to push its benchmarks further for the fiscal year of 2011.

'We have the infrastructure and capabilities to bring more value and offer more convenience to each and every customer. We are constantly finding new ways to make things easier and more accessible for them,' Ms Loo Pei Fen, Director of Marketing and Ecommerce at Challenger, said.

My Favorite Kimchi Ramen For Lunch :)

Leighton Meester Rocks As Blair In Gossip Girl Season 4 :)

I have enjoyed watching the latest episode of Gossip Girl "While You Weren't Sleeping" online and loves Leighton Meester as Blair more and more. Who can imagine the day will come when Queen Blair would be forced to say "I, Blair Waldorf, needs Dan Humphrey's help as a friend and peer, not as an underling"!!!! It was so hilarious seeing her being forced to say that out by Dan! It seems that Leighton Meester has been carrying the show these days and her character is much more interesting than Serena who used to be my favorite character in the show. Blake Lively looks lovely as usual but her character Serena has been abit bland compared to the adventures of Blair and i don't really like her pairing up with Ben. They lack the chemistry of Blair with Dan this season and i still prefer Serena with either Dan or Nate. I also like Blair's dressing and fashion sense in the show. She looks especially lovely and delightful in pink in the picture below.

I was initially resistant to the idea of Blair hooking up with Dan but their relationship development seems kinda of sweet and i especially love the scene where they were watching the same movie in their respective rooms and discussing the plot over the phone. That was so sweet and they look so cute together :) It was also funny when Blair tries to hide from Serena that she was with Dan as she felt that it was beneath her status as queen bee to hang out with the Brooklyn kid although she could not resist not meeting with Dan ;) However i still miss seeing her with Chuck as they still make the perfect couple and i love seeing them saving the day with their constant scheming.

February 28 marks the final Gossip Girl episode before a six-week hiatus. In "Empire of the Son," Ben’s mother comes to town, causing issues between Ben and Serena. Russell Thorpe is determined to destroy Chuck Bass' family legacy, but risks alienating Raina. Meanwhile, William van der Woodsen makes his return to the Upper East Side. The season finale date has been set at May 16 2011 and i know i'm gonna dread that date as it will be the start of another constant pining for season 5...

(Source: http://www.tvfanatic.com)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa3NqBtUAC8)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckxoIuVLbgw)

7 Healthy, Cheap Eats

Got $36.32 to spend on food per person per day? We didn't think so. But that's what researchers recently figured you'd have to spend to eat really, really healthfully. No way. At least not if you put these budget-friendly strategies to work when you hit the grocery store:

Never shop hungry. It's not a myth. Hunger activates the part of your brain that responds like Pavlov's dog to tempting pictures and descriptions of food. That's why a stroll down the cookie aisle lands all those sweets in your cart when you shop just before dinner!

Plunk down cold, hard cash, not plastic. You'll make 30% fewer unhealthful impulse buys at the grocery store. (Look! MoonPies!) Ah, the power of green stuff -- the kind you keep in your wallet!

Related: The Hidden Cost of "Get One Free" Foods

Think local and seasonal. You can save big-time bucks buying squash in winter and cherries in summer (instead of vice versa), especially if you buy locally grown produce. Seasonal isn't possible everywhere, but get just-picked fruits and veggies whenever you can; they pack a big flavor bonus.

Related: Junk-Food 911: Give your junk-food splurges a makeover.

Be choosy about organics. Buying organic versions of these 12 fruits and veggies (the famous "dirty dozen") is worth it because they practically inhale pesticides: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. But save your organic money on these, which just aren't prone to pesticide residues: tomatoes (new entries), avocados, watermelons, sweet corn, onions, mangoes, pineapple, peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, and grapefruit.

Related: What are environmental estrogens?

Snap up bargain frozen foods. Save some change -- and avoid dreaded fruit-and-veggie rot in the fridge -- by buying frozen green beans, corn, peas, asparagus, raspberries, collard greens, squash, and more when they're on sale. Flash-frozen produce is more nutritious than wilted fresh, and it's usually more healthful than canned, which is often loaded with sodium (veggies and beans) or sugary syrup (fruit).

Related: 8 Great Frozen Entrees When You Need a Fast-Food Fix

Get secret wild salmon. Can't swing $30 a pound for the first run of wild Pacific salmon? Wheel your cart to the canned-fish aisle -- salmon packed in tins and pouches is usually the wild type!

(Source: http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/7-healthy-cheap-eats-2447719/;_ylt=AgajpGpc7JChSK7BinaVonVqbqU5)

Playable Angry Birds birthday cake

This is so fun for fans of Angry Birds :)

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hwVRzaQNkA&feature=player_embedded)

7 Avoidable Reasons You’re Waking Up Tired

If you’re getting the recommended seven to 10 hours of sleep, yet still can’t shake a lethargic feeling, your fatigue may have little to do with the amount of z’s you’re catching. Health conditions and factors in your waking life could be contributing to your general malaise. Before hitting the snooze button yet again, check out the following 10 potential reasons you’re waking up tired and learn how to restore your spark.

1.    You’re anemic.
 While there are several types of anemia, a condition that relates to abnormally low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which prevent adequate oxygen from traveling throughout your body, the common symptom is often loss of energy and chronic tiredness. If you find yourself easily fatigued, you could have deficiencies in your blood. A blood test can determine if you are anemic and the condition can often be managed by taking supplements as suggested by your doctor.


2.    Your sleep schedule is inconsistent.
It may feel good to sleep in on the weekends, but if you go to sleep and wake up at different times throughout the week, you’re disrupting your circadian rhythms that are crucial regulators of your sleep cycle. Consistency is key in maintaining energy so sleep specialists suggest going to sleep and waking up within an hour of the same time each day.


3.    You’re bored.
Lack of stimulation can wreak havoc on your energy levels. If you find yourself bored with your job, consider taking on a new, exciting project. You’ll find that an active mind can do wonders for your energy.

How to Enjoy Your Office More


4.    You’re not getting enough sunlight.
Sunlight sends the signal to your brain to release serotonin, a naturally occurring feel-good chemical that makes you feel happier and more alert. Unfortunately, desk jobs and the use of unnatural light can mess with our circadian rhythms and the regulation of crucial alertness chemicals in our bodies. According to WebMD, spending at least 20 minutes outside can make you feel instantly more energized throughout the day and increase the quality of your sleep that night.


5.    You’re drinking too much caffeine.
It’s hard to break the cycle of over-indulging in caffeine when you lack energy, but whether or not you’re completely aware, caffeine can have negative effects on the quality of your sleep, which in turn can have you reaching for another cup of coffee. Break the vicious cycle by abstaining from coffee within six hours of your bedtime to ensure it does not affect your ability to reach and stay in REM sleep, the most restorative part of your night.  


6.    You’re stressed out.
Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, initially rev you up, but if your inner alarm system is constantly on, it’s bound to wear you out. Chronic stress ultimately saps your body of energy and reduces your ability to cope with real or perceived stressors or dangers. If you find yourself anxious much of the time, consider meditation, yoga, or exercise to quiet your mind. Not only will your sleep improve, but you’ll literally free up your brain to focus on supplying your body with the energy it needs.

14 Luxurious Ways to De-Stress

7.    You’re not getting enough exercise.
Research indicates that regular exercise can increase energy levels in the long run. According to Patrick O’Connor PhD and co-director of the University of Georgia exercise psychology laboratory, 90% of exercise and energy-level studies showed that sedentary people who began exercising reported improved fatigue. Next time you’re tempted to take a 20-minute nap, opt for mild-to-moderate exercise instead.

(Source: http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/7-avoidable-reasons-you-re-waking-up-tired-2448027/;_ylt=Ar9CpcJ1uS3csJsmbcaPfHNqbqU5)

Delicious Marmite Spaghetti & Mushroom Soup From Soup Spoon For Lunch :)

My Mum's Delicious Curry For Dinner :)

Sleep better: 7 bedtime habits that help

No one likes to toss and turn all night, or even worse, struggle with outright insomnia.

There are things you can do to help get a better night's rest. A consistent wind-down routine every day can help you fall asleep more quickly and reliably.

Try any or all of the following relaxing behaviors just before bedtime to ensure a more restful night.

Take a hot bath
Your temperature naturally dips at night, starting two hours before sleep and bottoming out at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., according to a 1997 study conducted by New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in White Plains, N.Y. When you soak in a hot tub, your temperature rises—and the rapid cool-down period immediately afterward relaxes you.

Health.com: Can't sleep? What not to do at 3 a.m.

Two hours before bed, soak in the tub for 20 or 30 minutes, recommends Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor at New York University School of Medicine. "If you raise your temperature a degree or two with a bath, the steeper drop at bedtime is more likely to put you in a deep sleep," she says. A shower is less effective but can work, as well.

Install a dimmer switch
Late in the evening, your body releases the chemical melatonin, which makes you sleepy—but only if it receives the right cues from your environment. "Melatonin is your hormone of darkness—it won't flow with the lights on," says Walsleben. "You want to transition to dark as early as 9 or 10 o'clock." Sitting in a dimly lit room before getting ready for bed can put you in the right mind-set for sleep.

Health.com: The 11 kinds of insomnia

Lay out your clothes
You can help your body recognize that bedtime is imminent by setting routines and repeating them every night.

"We suggest that people establish regular nightly routines before they get into bed, to help their brain shift into sleep mode," says Gary Zammit, PhD, director of the Sleep Disorders Institute in New York. "Laying out your pajamas, brushing your hair or your teeth—these habits can be very sleep-conducive."

Health.com: 8 factors keeping you awake

Shun p.m. stimulants
Skipping your normal cup of joe should help you fall asleep quicker, because caffeine is a stimulant. "I don't like people having caffeine after noontime if they have poor sleep, because it can hang out in the system for a long time," says Walsleben.

Even decaf drinkers should beware: A 2007 Consumer Reports study found that even decaffeinated coffees sold at several chain restaurants contained caffeine, with one from a big chain having 32 milligrams of caffeine per cup—about the same amount as in 12 ounces of cola.

Nicotine is also a stimulant; smoking to relax before bed can actually do the opposite, revving up your heart rate and keeping your brain alert, says Walsleben.

Health.com: 12 surprising sources of caffeine

Shut down electronics
You may find it relaxing to catch up on correspondence with friends just before turning in for the night, but the practice could increase the amount of time you toss and turn. Lit screens (that includes televisions too) are stimulating, says Walsleben, so it's best to avoid them.

"Before your targeted bedtime, begin slowing down your brain by doing something calming, like reading in a comfy chair—somewhere other than bed," she says. "Stop watching TV and checking email."

Limit evening food and drinks
A large meal or spicy snack too close to bedtime can leave your digestive system working overtime while the rest of your body lies awake. And alcohol may make you drowsy, but it will disrupt your sleep patterns later in the night and keep you from getting the deep, restorative REM sleep you need to feel refreshed.

If you drink a lot of any liquid before bed, for that matter, you may be up throughout the night using the bathroom. "Most adults middle-age and older have to get up at night for this reason," says William C. Dement, MD, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and author of The Promise of Sleep, "but restricting fluids before bed can help."

Health.com: 12 natural remedies for incontinence

Wear socks to bed
If cold feet are keeping you awake—especially during the winter—warm them up with a soft pair of socks. The extra layer under the covers can help improve circulation in your extremities, which can help you fall asleep more quickly, according to Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD, professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. 

  
(Source: http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/sleep-better-7-bedtime-habits-that-help-2451607/)

Japanese Drama - Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku (Diplomat Kuroda Kosaku)

There are alot of interesting Japanese drama showing currently in the 2011 Winter schedule and starring alot of my favorite Japanese artistes :) The lineup consists of many different genres, from love stories to “who-done-it” mysteries, but which dramas have already caught the attention and expectations of the viewers? I'm looking forward to watching this new drama "Gaikoukan Kuroda Kosaku" starring Oda Yuji and Shibasaki Kou online at (http://www.dramacrazy.net/japanese-drama/gaikoukan-kuroda-kousaku/) and (http://www.dramastyle.com/drama/Diplomat-Kosaku-Kuroda-Japanese-Drama-2011/) in addition to 2 interesting Japanese drama "Control" and "Lady-Saigo No Profiling" which i'm currently following.

Oda Yuji is back again in the role of Kuroda Kosaku, a diplomat of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs focusing on protecting fellow countrymen from terrorism. His new partner, a female detective, will be played by Shibasaki Kou. She’s a “map otaku”, which means that she is obsessed with maps of all kinds and has an amazing ability of narrowing down the location of the criminals with the help of maps. In the drama, we are also going to explore the past of Oda Yuji’s character.

The drama didn’t carry on the title of the 2009 movie, "Amalfi Megami no Hoshu" mainly because it isn’t set in Amalfi, Italy anymore. “Amalfi Megami no Hoshu” was a movie about a diplomat, Kuroda Kosaku (Oda), who investigates a case about a young Japanese girl kidnapped off the streets of Rome. The entire movie was shot in Amalfi, Italy. Instead, the story in this new drama is going to lead us to Japan, America (San Francisco), and Mexico. “Diplomat – Kuroda Kosaku” is also going to feature Kagawa Teruyuki, Kaho, Konno Mahiru, Nishijima Takahiro (AAA), and South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun as an American detective. The first episode was two hours long and it aired in Japan on January 13th, 2011.

Kuroda Kosaku, a diplomat with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign affairs receives secret orders from his superior, Ando Yosuke, to protect Japanese nationals, and moves from place to place around the world. Kuroda solves a case involving the kidnapping of a Japanese in South America, and heads to San Francisco next. His objective is to protect Mikami Shoko, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting to attend the WTO negotiations on agriculture. Kuroda, who enters San Francisco and checks on the security at the meeting, meets John, an informant, and listens to the movements of the FBI. After that, he meets Shimomura Takeshi, a former diplomat, again.

Shimomura and Kuroda have a close connection from their work at the consulate in Mexico 11 years ago and Kuroda always felt bad towards Shimomura for indirectly causing the death of his wife due to a wrong decision in the past. When they part, Shimomura leaves Kuroda with the cryptic words, “I’m sorry”. At that moment, the murder of a university professor occurs within the jurisdiction Tsukuda Police Precinct in Japan. Detective Ogaki Rikako of Tsukuda Police Precinct is the first person to discover the dead body.

Rikako is bothered by the time of the dead body’s discovery and tells her boss about it, but is ignored. At the negotiation meeting, the Vice Minister appears to be attacked by radicals. However, Kuroda’s tact saves the day. How did the radicals infiltrate so easily? Kuroda, who suspects they had a man on the inside, is notified that a Japanese has jumped to his death … That man is Shimomura! Meanwhile, a suspect surfaces in the murder that occurred within Tsukuda Police Precinct’s jurisdiction from the footprints, fingerprints and articles left at the scene. The suspect is Shimomura. Rikako goes to San Francisco with his daughter, Rui, in order to identify Shimomura’s body and the evidence. Kuroda is waiting for the two of them …

He discovers later on that Shimomura is still alive and has left for Tokyo using another person's identity and gets transferred back to Tokyo's Foreign Affairs Ministry so that he can investigate the truth about what happened to Shimomura. Rikako ended up getting involved in the investigation and working with Kuroda to solve the case.

Updated 15 March 2011 - LadyJan: I just finished watching episode 8 online and the drama is getting more interesting as more information about Shimomura and gang's plot was revealed and could Kuroda prevent them from carrying out their so called "justice"? Episode 9 was just shown in Japan on 10 March 2011 and i can't wait to watch it once its available online. The final episode is supposed to air on 17 March 2011 but i'm not sure if it would be postponed to give way to earthquake and Tsunami news.

(Source: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/KOSAKUKURODA/index.html)
(Source: http://jdramas.wordpress.com)
(Source: http://www.tokyohive.com)
(Source: http://asianuniverse.net/forums/Gaikoukan_Kuroda_Kosaku_t259940.html&view=old)

Lunch @ Domino's Pizza

My McDonalds Miniature Complete Set :)

Bought this awhile ago and have been wanting to post the pictures :) Looking at it really tempts me to have Mcdonalds for dinner hehe....

After School - Bang!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFyliebXVrA&feature=related)

Delicious Fortune Pizza From Pizza Hut For Dinner :)