Steamed salmon using my mum's recipe, simple and healthy :>
Rice with Kimchi, perfect!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Bikini Season - Sheila Roberts
Another interesting book by Sheila Roberts which i borrowed from the library yesterday, gonna start reading later :>
Erin Merritt has returned to her scenic hometown of Heart Lake to plan her wedding, but when she repeatedly runs into her childhood crush, she wonders if she's engaged to the wrong man. To make matters worse, all the stress is making her eat, and now she can't fit into her wedding dress.
Erin enlists the help of her cooking club--Angela, Megan and Kizzy--and the Teeny Bikini Diet Club is born. The women make a pact to get slim enough to wear their bikinis to the lake by summertime, a pact that changes their lives forever. With a little help from her friends, Angela faces her fear that her marriage is crumbling. Megan confronts the self-esteem issues that have always held her back. Kizzy deals with her husband's efforts to sabotage her diet and keep her overweight. And Erin learns some important truths about love.
Pull up your favorite beach chair and savor this funny, inspiring story about being true to yourself and following your heart, and the women who enrich our lives.
(Source: http://www.sheilasplace.com/)Top Antiaging Foods from Around the World
From exotic juices to cans of cocktail peanuts, more and more edibles in the supermarket are being dubbed "antiaging" by some marketer or media pundit. The real deal about munchies that keep you youthful? They come from the earth, not a vacuum pack.
We're not the only ones who are saying that. Take a look at what the longest-lived people in the world are eating (if you know us, this list will look familiar, but with a few twists). Then, put their favorites on your own table.
Costa Rica: Beans for Breakfast
Residents of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula are four times more likely than most North Americans to live past age 90. One reason may be dishes like gallo pinto, a tasty mix of black beans and rice flavored with onion, red peppers, garlic, olive oil, cilantro, and a salsa lizano -- a condiment a little like Worcestershire sauce. The Oz part of this team learned on a trip to Nicoya that big breakfasts that begin with beans rule there. But don't limit yourself; this dish is great at any meal. Find out what makes black beans the most nutritious.
Nova Scotia: Wild Blueberry "Grunt"
Some of Nova Scotia's picturesque villages are home to Canada's highest percentages of centenarians -- people who've lived for at least 100 years. One reason may be polyphenol-packed wild blueberries produced by the millions of tons on this island. Luckily, you can find frozen wild blueberries in your supermarket. Use 'em to make a traditional "grunt"-- lightly cooked blueberries (skip the sweetener that's usually in the recipe; the berries are sweet enough!) served over a biscuit (but please, make it whole grain, or skip the biscuit altogether). It's also known as a slump, a fungy, a buckle, or a bang belly. Here's another healthy berry-filled treat: Whole-Wheat Blueberry Bars.
France: Wine
In this country, local red wine is king. And for good reason. Moderate drinking (1 glass for women, up to 2 for men) with a meal a day seems to explain some of the "French Paradox"-- low rates of heart disease despite a penchant for artery-clogging goodies like cheese. It may help explain why the French tie the Italians (another nation with a healthy love of wine) as Western Europe's longest-living people. Wine's magic seems to come from a few components: ethanol, which boosts levels of healthy HDL cholesterol; resveratrol, which new research suggests can mimic the life-extending effects of cutting calories; and polyphenols, which rev up the body's own cell-protecting antioxidants. Why not try a red wine from a vineyard near you, or head for a heart-healthy zinfandel, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon? Here's a little wine-and-food pairing that makes drinking wine healthier for you.
Greece: Lots of Veggies, Little Meat
On some Greek islands, one-third of the residents have already celebrated their 90th birthdays. Their longevity secret? The famed Mediterranean diet. When researchers quizzed 23,349 Greek women and men about what's on their plates, they found that death rates were lowest for those who ate the most fruit, vegetables, beans, and olive oil. The occasional glass of wine helped, too. So did fish, seafood, whole grains, and dairy products. What wasn't on their plates also mattered. Those who ate red meat just a few times a month lived longer than those who indulged more frequently. Find out why eating less red meat is good for your eyes, too.
Eating lots of vegetables accounted for 16% of the youth-power of Mediterranean eating. Drizzle on a little olive oil and top with a scattering of walnuts and you can more than double the impact. Not only will it be delicious, the good fats pamper your heart and help your body absorb more of the carotenoids and other nutrients in cooked veggies and in salad greens.
Japan: Tofu
Tofu's on sale in the produce department of nearly every supermarket. Good news, because on the Japanese island of Okinawa, it may be why residents age gracefully to 100+ more often than anywhere else on earth. Researchers credit this mild-tasting soy curd's low fat content and high levels of good-for-you saponins and isoflavones. Chunk up some extra-firm tofu instead of chicken or pork in a stir-fry, or use soy crumbles in place of ground meat in a hearty spaghetti sauce. Marinate first to heighten flavor; we love it with ginger, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce. Or, trying giving a classic Italian dish a meatless makeover: Tofu Parmigiana.
So instead of falling for an antiaging additive pitch, steer yourself toward these flavorful, health-giving goodies. You'll see what these cultures have known for years: When it comes to the tastiest antiaging foods, Mother Nature makes the best.
(Source: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/top-antiaging-foods-from-around-the-world)
The "Do Nothing" Way to Burn More Calories
Want to burn a few extra calories today without even trying? Brew yourself a cup of tea.
It's inexpensive, calorie free, and full of amazing-for-your-body antioxidants. And you may burn more fat and calories just by drinking it, according to Elizabeth Somer, registered dietician and author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.
Calorie-Burning Cuppa
Compounds in tea called catechins may help turn up the dial on your metabolism, increasing how many calories you burn as you go about your day. It's a modest effect, but every little bit helps in the battle of the bulge. Just how much help does tea offer? According to Somer, a few cups of tea a day could help you burn up to 80 extra calories. (White tea may help shrink fat cells. Here's more on this.)
More Slimming Support
Some research also suggests that tea drinking could help calm appetite and curb food intake -- possibly due to tea's combination of caffeine and a special catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). And if that doesn't make you a tea lover, here are a few more amazing things this brew can do for you:
- Soothe your knees. Find out why green tea is so great for achy knees.
- Improve your blood sugar. Here's why black tea might be best for this job.
- Lengthen your life. Discover how regular tea drinking affects your risk of stroke.
Did you know? Green tea can help revive aging skin cells, too.
(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/the-do-nothing-way-to-burn-more-calories)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Angel Lane - Sheila Roberts
Have just finished reading this book and i love it :> i will definitely be looking for more books by Sheila Roberts in the library.
Keep the heart in Heart Lake. That’s exactly what three small-town shop owners hope to do when they launch their crazy-ambitious “Have a Heart” campaign—asking neighbors to commit one random act of kindness every day. Emma, Sarah, and Jamie love their lakeside community, but the little town is growing too big too fast, and a doing a good deed never hurt anyone. Or so they thought…
When Emma slashes prices at her quilt shop, practically giving away blankets to anyone who looks vaguely cold, she almost stitches her way into bankruptcy. Sarah’s free cooking class boils down to a hotbed of crime when some punk kid swipes her favorite heirloom. And at Jamie’s chocolate shop, things take a bittersweet turn when a local policeman starts giving her grief, stirring up feelings she’s tried to forget—and slowly melts away her defenses…
With irresistible humor, warmth, affection—and recipes!—author Sheila Roberts serves up a generous, open-hearted story about the friendships we make, the chances we take, and the lives we touch every day.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Go !Go!Curry! Real Delicious Japanese Curry Rice For Lunch
GO!GO!CURRY! was first introduced at Tokyo’s popular Shinjuku district in May 2004. Today, a total of 27 outlets have been established in Japan and one other, in New York City, USA. Its principal owner, visualizes a prominence of 555 brand outlets in 55 countries across the globe eventually. Marking its inaugural presence in Singapore, GO!GO!CURRY! is situated at Basement Four, Ion Orchard and Food Republic, 313@Somerset.
Japanese curry has always been the least intimidating in reference to its spice content. On the contrary, it is sweet and more pungent in flavour. GO!GO!CURRY! with its signature bright yellow logo, is not only highly visible from a distance, it is clearly differentiated by a unique curry recipe that has its very own distinctive dark brown colour, a thicker texture and a more pronounced peppery taste. Fans of GO!GO!CURRY! enjoy their set meals with either a choice of Shrimp, Sausage, Pork or Chicken cutlet, accompanied by a mix of cabbage along with a generous portion of rice in four variations – Healthy, Economy, Business or First Class where each category represents the desired portion or set meal that suits the appetite best. Additional orders of boiled egg slices, cheese and extra portions of curry are encouraged too.
Most Japanese usually use their fork whenever they embark on a GO!GO!CURRY! experience. In fact, annual curry eating championships are staged regularly in Japan, with a very familiar looking Gorilla mascot appearing at intervals to tease guests with their loud tactics. The popular mascot has become a very sought after icon even with the Japanese TV media and press publications alike! The continued interest in GO! GO! CURRY! stems from Japan’s most popular baseball player, Hideki Matsui, who played for the Yomiuri Giants before he joined the New York Yankees. ‘Go Go’ also means 55 in Japanese, which was Matsui’s jersey number. His ‘Godzilla’ nickname has since influenced the introduction of the Gorilla mascot at GO!GO!CURRY!
My yummy healthy class curry rice with chicken cutlet S$11.50/- :> will be back to try the Pork Katsu Curry during my next visit!
(Source: http://www.gogocurry.com.sg/)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Visit To The Museum - Quest For Immortality (The World Of Ancient Egypt
Quest for Immortality - The World of Ancient Egypt offers an insight to the ancient Egyptian's attitude to life and the afterlife, and the preparations they made to ensure their transition from earthly existence to immortality. Hubby and i spent a leisure afternoon looking through the exhibits and it was really a fascinating and educational experience for those who loves ancient Egypt!
(Source: http://www.nationalmuseum.org.sg/nms/nms_html/nms_content_6c.asp?content_template=4&content_id=23&tab_id=23&cine_id=2399&fest_id=0)
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