Ramen Lunch At MOF

Get Happy with This Feel-Good Snack

Which nosh makes you happier -- carrot sticks or potato chips? If you want to feel happy for more than a minute, go for the sticks.

Why? Because research shows that the potato chips could be bringing you down. It seems that certain foods may bump up the risk of clinical blues. And junk food and sweets are high on that list, according to a recent study.

You Are What You . . .
In the study, researchers characterized the typical diets of middle-aged volunteers as either "whole food" -- meaning he or she tended to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and fish -- or as "processed food" -- meaning the study participant favored fried foods, sweets, refined grains, processed meat, and high-fat dairy. For the next 5 years, the researchers tracked the participants to see who became depressed and who didn't. The results? The junk-food junkies were 58 percent more likely to be down in the dumps. (Wondering whether you're a candidate for counseling or some other type of mood therapy? Take this quiz to find out.)

How Good Food Helps
Researchers suspect a healthy diet helps ward off the blues in several ways. First, produce-heavy diets deliver lots of folate, which enhances communication between brain cells. Second, fruits and veggies are also packed with antioxidants, which are linked to lower rates of depression. And finally, there's fish. Lots of research has shown that long-chain omega-3 fats, found in abundance in fish, may defend against depression by reducing inflammation in the brain. (Next time you need a nibble, try this mood-boosting snack.)

Watch this video for tips on swapping out unhealthy fats for healthy fats.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/get-happy-with-this-feel-good-snack)

Finally Forced Myself To Start Exercising :>

I could not resist taking some pictures while at the beach :>

Wonder Girls - Nobody MV

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuT0-WsS17A&feature=related)

My Favourite Bookstore - Page One At Vivo City

Loves the cozy decor, i can always spend hours at the store unlike in other bookstores. Below are pictures i took of some of my latest purchases at Page One last week :>

I have been interested in reading more books on Ancient Egypt and its pyramids since i went for the Quest for Immortality exhibition recently at the museum.

I could not resist getting this cute My Melody gloves and handphone cover :>

On Strike for Christmas - Sheila Roberts

I just finished reading this book yesterday and it was again really enjoyable reading Sheila Roberts' books. It really leaves me looking forward to reading more of her books :> In On Strike for Christmas, the husbands' awkward, often disastrous handling of routine tasks their wives normally do for Christmas was really comical and i found myself laughing while reading! I also loves how the writer tries to emphasize the importance of not taking the little things in life and your love ones for granted.

Christmas is fast approaching and many of the women in the town of Holly are bracing themselves for stress, overwork, and very little understanding or appreciation from the men in their lives. But then inspiration hits. Joy Robertson, Laura Fredericks, and their knitting buddies decide to “go on strike” and give the men an opportunity to see firsthand what it takes to make the holidays merry and bright.

Soon other women are joining in and husbands all over town are getting a crash course in decorating, shopping, and what to wear to see Santa, and are searching frantically for an interpreter to translate the mysteries of holiday recipes. The men may just come to appreciate the holidays after walking a mall in their wives’ high heels. But maybe the women will learn something, too...

(Source: http://www.sheilasplace.com/)

Song I'm Currently Listening To On My Iphone

Olivia You and Me MV

I love her voice and the songs in her new album :>



(Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sre1IM0pIU&feature=related)

Loves The New Chicken Chop with Mushroom Sauce Paired With Spaghetti In Cream Sauce At Xin Wang

Great Buys At Shiseido's Takashimaya Promotions

I wrote about Shiseido's White Lucent Range yesterday and decided to get its Booster Set when i was at Takashimaya earlier since it is retailing at S$200/- instead of S$238 till 6 May 2010! I also took the opportunity to try out its skin check to find out more about my skin condition and needs. I also bought the moisturiser with sunscreen from the same range and the purifying mask and loves the free gifts that comes with my purchases :>


I can't wait to start trying out the products and hopefully i will be able to see the benefits soon. I was told by the sales staff that i should be able to see the benefits to my skin tone within 2 to 8 weeks of using the products. Below is more information about the Takashimaya Promotions i found from Shiseido's Facebook Page:

Radiant Surprise: from Friday 30 April to Thursday 6 May 2010

Boost your skincare regime with these exclusive sets.

Exclusive $200 specials:
Purchase Shiseido White Lucent Booster Set or Basic set (see below) at $200 each and receive bonus gifts!

Booster Set (Save $38):
Brightening Balancing Softener Enriched W + Intensive Spot Targeting Serum
Bonus Gifts: Receive a travel size cleanser, day moisturizer and night moisturizer worth $50.

Basic Set (Save $21):
Brightening Cleansing Foam W + Brightening Balancing Softener Enriched W + Brightening Moisturizing Cream W
Bonus Gifts: Receive a travel size serum and night moisturizer worth $65!

Spot Check:

Make your way down to Shiseido Counter at Takashimaya for a complimentary skin check. You will find out the melanin level of your skin and also receive a 3 pc sample after the session.

Please call 6735 1039 at the Shiseido Counter at Takashimaya to make your appointment now!

*This promotion is not in conjunction with any other offers, discounts or promotions. All gifts are limited to one set per customer, while stocks last.

Shiseido White Lucent Range

I have been interested in whitening products since reading about its benefits from magazines and is currently trying out samples of SK-II's Cellumination Essence and Deep Surge after seeing its advertisement on TV and magazines. I'm tempted to buy the products as i have started using its cleanser, facial treatment clear lotion (toner), facial treatment essence, and skin signature cream for several months and finds my skin condition getting even better :> However I have come across rave reviews about Shiseido's White Lucent range online and in magazines and is tempted to try its star product, Intensive Spot Targeting Serum after reading the Shiseido article from Urban (The Straits Times, Friday supplement) today. Really wonders which whitening product is better, SK-II or Shiseido? Below is an article on Shiseido's whitening product from Beautymap.com.sg which i find really useful. I will also be looking for more information about Sk-II's Cellumination range before i decide which product to spend my money on ;>

Early this year, Shiseido launched the reformulated White Lucent range. The star product, Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, also known as "The Most Powerful Whitening Serum Ever" is a sell out. During the first weekend of the launch, one bottle was sold every 7 minutes. The key to its success is the combination of exclusive ingredients and its unique whitening concept-total spots control, texture control and microcirculation. This holistic approach achieves results in just 2 weeks, creating a soft focused glow on your skin as if the light is shinning from within.

One of the key actions, total spots control, lightens newly formed and stubborn spots, at the same time prevent more from forming. Patented ingredients, M-Tranexamic, 4MSK and multi-target Vitamin C, stop melanin formation and darkening. If you are troubled by persistent spots, White Lucent is specially formulated to solve this. This is also the reason why consumers are clamouring for it. This breakthrough by Shiseido sheds light to why persistent spots never seem to fade away. Melanin accumulation at a certain spot affects cell division, which results in the impaired ability for the skin to expel the dark pigments. Shiseido coined the term for them as, "sleeping cells". To "wake" these cells up and discharge melanin, Shiseido uses Yomogi extract. It is scientifically proven that this extract of a species of chrysanthemum encourages cell division and promotes the expulsion of melanin, thus stabilizing cell renewal. What this means is stubborn spots can now be lightened. The best part is, Yomogi does not affect surrounding cells, which results in an even and smooth skin tone.

Apart from these, White Lucent's abilities to re-texturize skin and promote microcirculation play an important part in the process. Rough surfaces reflect light badly, hence affecting the glow. Like a smooth marble flooring, the gleaming surface is the result of its texture. In order to enhance radiance, Shiseido adopts a two-way approach- from the outside and inside. White Lucent boosts the hydration level that plumps up the skin from within. With a smoother surface, natural glow is created. The products also encourage microcirculation that promotes healthy skin cells. With a timely skin renewal cycle, dead skin cells are shed evenly, minimizing the chance of having a rough skin surface. Furthermore, the serum can be used on the whole face, including the under eye area, to brighten and improve moisture level.

Are you not seeing results?

Many consumers do not see results with whitening products not realizing they are not using them the right way. Skin absorption level varies and this affects how well products can work on your skin. Other than feeding your skin with nutrients, preparing it is equally crucial. To answer this, Shiseido came up with the softener. This step comes after cleansing and before any other products, replacing the step of your toner. It softens the skin's outermost layer and optimizes it's absorption ability. The softener basically works as a booster for your serums and moisturizers, making them work doubly hard while your skin retains double the benefits.

Working in tandem with the Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener can be used on your whole face, including the sensitive eye area to boost your eye creams and serums making it an excellent right-hand man in the whole of your skincare regime.

Achieving a luminous and translucent complexion is no longer a faraway dream that cannot be fulfilled. The bottom line in skin care and whitening is to understand your skin, have realistic expectations and place safety in your priority using products you know you can trust.

(Source: http://www.beautymap.com.sg/index.php/articleContent/show?id=14)

20 Minutes To A Happier You

Want to manage your stress levels, improve fitness and achieve inner calm? Just make a little time in your day for these easy, helpful tips:

Enjoy a relaxed start

Set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier than usual to allow your body the extra time to slowly adjust to waking up - then indulge in your morning cuppa without rushing to beat time.

Drink a better brew

Try drinking hibiscus tea instead of coffee. A Tufts University study suggests that having three cups of hibiscus tea daily can lower systolic blood pressure by an average of seven points in six weeks. So go on, take time out for that tea break.

Get on with the housework

According to a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, just 20 minutes of brisk housework a week can make you happier. Exercise not only enhances the metabolism, it also releases endorphins which improves your mental state. No time for a job? Just work up a sweat while vacuuming!

Meditate

Research shows that practising just 20 minutes of meditation a day for six to eight weeks can decrease your anxiety, anger and depression levels. It's also said to strengthen the immune system.

(Source: The Singapore Women's Weekly, April 2010 edition)

Great Deal At The Body Shop

(Source: http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/en/products_promotions.aspx)

Just 1 Less Teaspoon Slashes Heart Risks

Getting just a smidge less of this in your diet could really help your heart. We're talking about salt.

In a recent study, eating roughly 1 less teaspoon of salt a day was associated with a significantly lower risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease.

The Heart/Salt Connection
Sure, you know being loosey-goosey with the salt shaker can lead to blood pressure troubles. But how much impact does a little pinch have? Quite a bit, it turns out. In a scientific analysis of 13 different studies involving data from nearly 200,000 people, researchers found that the reduction in stroke risk from consuming 5 less grams of salt a day -- a little less than a teaspoon's worth -- was about 23 percent. And the reduction in heart disease risk was 17 percent. So a little less salt could mean a lot more life. (Check out this collection of amazing snacks, meals, and treats with less salt.)

Live Well on Less
Salt isn't all bad. Our bodies need a certain amount of it to help control blood pressure, send nerve signals, absorb nutrients, and maintain proper fluid balances. But our bodies don't need much to do business -- only about 1/4 teaspoon a day. The problem is that salt is added to just about everything that is prepackaged -- even foods that don't taste salty, like breakfast cereals. So hide your salt shaker, read labels carefully, and choose whole, fresh foods whenever you can. (Find out which has more salt -- bread or potato chips.)

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/just-1-less-teaspoon-slashes-heart-risks)

An Active Way to Curb Your Appetite

If you exercise more, you're going to eat more, right? Not so fast.

According to a new study, adding more exercise to your life will indeed rev up your premeal appetite. But here's the cool news: You may find yourself getting full faster, so you end up eating less.

Flex Your Appetite
When overweight men and women burned an extra 500 calories a day through exercise as part of a small study, some interesting things happened to their appetites. After 12 weeks of working out, participants said their before-breakfast hunger was greater than it had been prior to the study. But they agreed that the same breakfast felt more filling than it did before they had started exercising. And the group continued to feel quite satiated for several hours after eating. Sounds like a little extra exercise may be a great way to avoid snack attacks! (Follow these four simple breakfast rules for better weight loss.)

Exercise Effects
Researchers aren't sure why working out seemed to have opposing effects on appetite, but it's encouraging to think it might help us do a better job of telling ourselves when we're full. Of course, whether you run marathons or walk around the block, you still need to listen to your body and judge your hunger realistically. No matter how many calories you've burned, force yourself to eat slowly and stop shoveling when you feel about 80 percent full. That will give the last bit of food time to really hit your stomach. (Did you know? Certain types of exercise may be especially good at curbing overeating.)

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/an-active-way-to-curb-your-appetite)

5 Foods For Healthy Skin

I'm definitely gonna try eating more of the below food items so that i will have even healthier skin :>

1) Tomatoes - Contain lutein, a proven free radical warrior, which also helps keep skin healthy, hydrated and elastic.

2) Lettuce - a good source of antioxidants, sulphur and B complex for healthy skin, it also aids digestion and promotes liver health.

3) Salmon - rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that keep skin supple and youthful by reducing the body's production of inflammatory agents that can damage skin.

4) Lean Red Meat - a great source of iron for people with dark circles and poor, pale skin due to a lack of the mineral in their diet.

5) Sweet Potatoes - loaded with vitamin A, which helps repel free radicals, fight skin problems and combat inflammatory problems.

(Source: Her World Magazine, April 2010 edition, Beauty Supplement)

Yummy Lunch Treat At Ichiban Sushi

Loves My New Shoes

Lunch At Cafe Cartel

The Summer Hideaway (The Lakeshore Chronicles) - Susan Wiggs

I just finished reading this book yesterday and loves all the books in the series especially "The Summer Hideaway" as it was really touching reading the scene where George manage to fulfill his wish of reconciling with his brother whom he has no contact for more than 50 years! I love that the story highlights the importance of trust, being there for your family members and not having regrets in life :> I'm looking forward to reading about Daisy's story next on the Lakeshore Chronicles series and can't wait for the book to be out soon.

Never get attached—Private nurse and protected witness Claire Turner lives by this motto. Fleeing a treacherous past, she knows no other way.

Never give up—In the twilight of his life, George Bellamy makes it his final wish to reconcile with an estranged brother. He and Claire journey to Willow Lake—where it all went wrong for him fifty years ago.

Never let go—George's grandson Ross is ruled by a fierce devotion to family and a deep mistrust of the mysterious Claire…yet sparks fly whenever she's near. In the face of a wrenching loss, amid the enchantment of Willow Lake, Ross and Claire dare to risk everything for love.....

(Source:http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Summer-Hideaway/Susan-Wiggs/e/9780778327998/?itm=2)

5 Keys to Making Healthy Changes

Want to be a healthier eater, a more interesting partner, a faster worker, a better parent? You may know exactly what it takes, yet something holds you back from doing it.

To break the bonds that keep you clinging to harmful habits and unproductive behavior, heed some real-life lessons and advice from Lisa Oz -- writer, actress, producer, president of Oz Works, mother of four, and (yes) wife of "America's Doctor," Mehmet Oz, MD.

Breaking the Chains
The real key to lasting change -- always passing up doughnuts for a fat-free yogurt with berries, for instance -- lies somewhere between what we know and what we do. It's what we think. So if change has you stymied, try these five thought-changers from Lisa's new book, US: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most.

1. Create a compelling reason to change. "I've learned to link the idea of healthy eating to things that really, really matter to me, like being a better mom by setting a good example for my kids or staying sexy so Mehmet stays interested. This raises the stakes," writes Lisa.
   
   
2. Don't associate pain with the desired action. "I find something in the new behavior that I can enjoy so that needing to be disciplined is no longer a factor," she writes. "Since most forms of exercise are anathema to me, I make running palatable by letting myself watch TV only when I am on the treadmill."
   
   
3. Disrupt the routine. Have a habit you'd like to break, like smoking or swearing? Lisa proposes disrupting the routine in a surprising way. "When you catch yourself in the middle of an unwanted action," she writes, "insert a completely incongruous word, thought, or action." For example, if you catch yourself cussing like a sailor, say "lemon custard," hop backward, or think about naked windsurfing.
   
   
4. Change the story. What story are you telling yourself that makes it harder to change? When you hear it in your head, Lisa recommends breaking the pattern by mixing it up. "One way is to change nouns," Lisa writes. "For example, if the story is 'I would be happy if only Johnny would get back together with me,' try 'My dog, Fifi, would be happy if only Johnny would get back together with me.' The whole thing becomes absurd, and the story loses some of its power over you."
   
   
5. Don't wait until you feel like changing. Act even when you don't want to. Sometimes you just need to do it. The purpose and the passion will come once you're engaged.

(Source: http://www.realage.com/tips/5-keys-to-making-healthy-changes)