Sweeter Slumbers

(Source: Shape Magazine Singapore, August 2008 edition)

Keep the mobile phone away before you go to bed. In a joint US and Swedish study, it was found that using the mobile phone for 3 hours or more before bedtime increases the amount of time you take to reach deep sleep by 6 minutes. It also shortens deep sleep by an average of 8 minutes and causes headaches. So, if you have trouble sleeping, don't talk on the phone right before you go to bed, and use a wireless or hands-free device to keep the signals away from the head, suggest the researchers.

Rain's New MV "Rainism"

Here are 2 MVs from Rain's new album that i found from Youtube for fellow fans of him :> I like the "Love Story" MV which he filmed with Ha Ji Won.

Rainism


Love Story


(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQoru9_R5CY&feature=related)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scs0LeZvIe8&feature=related)

Hong Kong TVB Drama - The Gem Of Life / 珠光寶氣

"You may wish to be a famous socialite.You may wish to have fame and fortune. But is that really what you will wish for at the end?"

This TVB's 80 episodes grand production (setting the record as the most expensive TVB production) to celebrate TVB's 41st Anniversary has started showing in Hong Kong since 20th this month. (Watch online at http://www.veoh.com/channels/The-Gem-Of-Life) The series will revolve around the struggle and rivalry of three sisters in the world of diamonds and jewels business which depicts an intricate, moving story. Filming locations include Hong Kong, Qingdao, Beijing, Shanghai, Thailand, London, Paris and Tibet. The selling point of the drama is its strong casts and i would definitely be watching it for my favourites actors like Moses Chan, Linda Chung, Gigi Lai, Wong Hei, Bosco Wong, Ada Choi and Bowie Lam. It would also be interesting to watch Linda Chung and Louise Lee playing different characters as a spoiled brat and a manipulative matriarch which are completely different from their roles in "Moonlight Resonance".

This drama would also be TVB leading lady Gigi’s last TV series of her acting career as she has announced that she would be retiring from showbiz to take care of her younger brother who is recovering from serious brain injuries after a road accident. She is a great actress and i always enjoys watching her drama and it is a pity that she is retiring at the peak of her tv career. So fans of Gigi must definitely support this drama!

Linda Chung would be starring as Sung Tsz Ling in the drama who is a spoiled, bratty, rich, and manipulative party girl. She treats men as toys and will have many clubbing and seducing scenes. She’s sworn enemies with Gigi’s character, Hong Nga Tung. Despite courting many men in the series, Tsz Ling will be mainly involved in a love triangle with Bosco and Wong Hei’s characters. Her character is quite different from the other good girls roles that she used to play and i'm looking forward to her acting.

The drama focuses on Louise Lee's character Pak Siu Yau's three daughters. In Yau's eyes, her three daughters are just as perfect as diamonds. She believes that the greatest blessing for a woman is to marry a wealthy man. To guarantee a better life for her daughters, she has started training the girls since they were young, hoping that they will marry into the richest families when they mature.

YAU’s first daughter Hong Nga Yin (Maggie Shui) does not agree with her on her values. Yet when she sees that the man Yin is going out with is Ko Cheung Sing (Bowie Lam), who is very well-off, she decides to let Yin go with her choice. Yau’s second daughter Hong Nga Tung (Gigi Lai), is hopelessly romantic but does not seem to have much luck with men. To make it up to her, Yau seeks to match her up with Ho Chit Nam (Moses Chan), the son of Hong Kong’s most powerful business tycoon Ho Fung (Yueh Hua). Being the youngest in the family, Hong Nga Sz (Ada Choi) is well aware of Yau’s concerns. Having recovered from divorce, Sz now decides to pin all her hopes on Fung.




Yau’s persistence pays off and her daughters have all found a wealthy husband. But money does not really bring them happiness and the sisters are gradually losing themselves in vanity....

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gem_of_Life)

(Source: http://virtuesofharmony.net/blog/?cat=66)

(Source: http://www.soompi.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t249855.html)

(Source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Gigi-Lai-Announced-Retirement-from-Entertainment-Industry-talk591736.html)

(Source: http://drama.tvb.com/thegemoflife/story/)

Miriel the Magical Merchant

For those who enjoys playing PC games like me, you should try out this latest game by PlayFirst, "Miriel the Magical Merchant". Meet Miriel the Magical Merchant, an ordinary girl with extraordinary talents. Help Miriel manage her busy shop and fulfill her dreams in this unique tale. Prepare fresh breads, cakes, jams, and more for her customers in more than 60 levels of fast-paced fun. Use magical devices and special abilities to deliver your one-of-a-kind treats to waiting customers before they get impatient and leave. Even unlock recipes that you can make in your own home!

Featuring an interactive storyline with multiple endings, a variety of shop locations, and hours of family-friendly fun, Miriel the Magical Merchant is a very special treat. I played for an hour and it was fun and entertaining. You can try out the game free for an hour at its website: http://www.playfirst.com/game/miriel-magical-merchant if you are bored and have time to spare :>

Chocolate: Great for Your Skin

(Source: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/7081)



Think chocolate is one of the worst things for your skin? Think again.
RealAge skin expert, Dr. Amy Wechsler, has a recipe for hot chocolate that can make your skin glow.

Dark Is Key

In one study, just 6 weeks of a daily dose of cocoa made skin smoother, better hydrated, and less sun sensitive. And 12 weeks did even more. All thanks to the skin-boosting antioxidants in cocoa, called flavonols. But it’s got to be dark chocolate, according to Wechsler. "Skip cocoa mixes, which don't have the same flavonol levels, and go for the real thing: dark, unadulterated cacao powder that contains 70 percent or more cacao," she writes in her new book, The Mind-Beauty Connection. Here's her to-die-for recipe (actually, it’s her husband Harry's!):

Harry's Super Simple, Healthy Hot Cocoa

The secret to this easy recipe? Heat it slowly. Slow heat helps release the antioxidants.

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder with 70% or more cacao (such as Scharffen Berger natural cocoa powder or Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa)
2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup skim or low-fat milk

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently (do not let it boil), stirring frequently, until cocoa is just beginning to steam. Pour into a mug and enjoy.

明天以后/After Tomorrow MV

I found these 2 nice MVs from Youtube of Raymond Lam and Vincy Chan singing their new song "After Tomorrow" and an old song of Raymond's to share with everyone:

Cheese Baked Rice

In my previous post, i wrote about getting lot of great household and cooking ideas from this Taiwanese TV show "Good Idea". I tried using its recipe to cooked cheese baked rice yesterday and it turned out to be quite yummy :> I made some changes to the recipe to suit my taste as i do not like seafood which was used in the original recipe. You can use whatever ingredients you like for the dish as the main selling point of the recipe is using tofu as sauce instead of cream which makes it healthier and less sinful to eat.


Ingredients I Used:

1) Tofu

2) Ham

3) Sausage

4) Mushroom

5) Cooked Rice

6) Salt & Pepper

7) Mozaralla Cheese

8) 2 eggs

Method:

1) Fried ham, sausage, egg and mushroom separately(i added some oyster sauce and garlic for the mushroom).

2) Mashed tofu and add some salt and pepper

3) Placed rice, half portion of mashed tofu, egg, ham, sausage and mushroom in a bowl and
mixed throughly


4) Placed the mixed rice in a baking tray and add some cheese on top, add the rest of the mashed tofu and then some more cheese and you can put in the oven to bake


5) I estimated the baking time and temperature as the show did not specific the temperature of the oven and only said that the time is 15 minutes. I set the oven temperature at 150 and it took about 25 minutes to bake. I had to constantly monitor so that it would not be burnt. I guess i'm gonnna try setting the temperature to 200 the next time so that the dish would be completed quicker. Do try out this recipe if you are also a fan of cheese baked rice like me :> You can add other toppings to the dish like fish (just fry the fish first) if you are craving for fish baked rice.

Good Idea 生活智慧王

I have been hooked to this interesting Taiwanese TV show with tonnes of innovative and useful homemaking tips and DIY creations. Most of the ideas are contributed by viewers of the show and tested by the show production team. It is currently showing on cable TV, TVB8 channel 53 every Saturday, 8pm .I have been regularly following each episodes as long as it does not clash with my EPL matches. It is hosted by Wang Yue and Chao Lam. Watch it to learn how to go about completing your day-to-day chores with greater ease and efficiency! You can also get more information about the show from its website: http://tv.ettoday.com/ettv_tv/goodidea/, i have difficulty getting more information about the show online and most of the informations are in Mandarin.


I just learnt a healthier and interesting method of cooking cheese baked rice using mashed tofu instead of cream sauce from tonight's episode. I'm gonna try it next week and would share the pictures and method if it turns out to be good :> There are alot of other useful and unique ideas like how to bake a cake in 1 minute, folding clothes the fastest way etc. which can also be found on youtube website. Here are some interesting video i found:

生活智慧王-快速折衣法

生活智慧王-圍巾織法

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqJGfrhvLXE)

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2VSUuhNUqs)

5 Effortless Ways to Eat Healthier

(Source: http://realage.typepad.com/youdocsdaily/2008/08/5-effortless-wa.html)



There’s no easier moment to kick-start your healthy eating plan than when produce hits perfection . . . which is right about now. Taking advantage of nature’s sweetest, most succulent offerings helps you save money and reprogram your body to work the way it’s supposed to, so you get younger, and possibly even slimmer, in the process. Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Count colors instead of calories. Every category of produce contains hundreds of unique, healthy substances. Do a little produce-market exploration, and you’ll find nutritious newcomers that will make any meal more satisfying. Aim to eat at least five different fruits or vegetables each day, in a range of colors. If your cart makes a box of Crayola crayons look pale, you’re on the right track.

2. Eat three main meals, plus snacks, so you're never hungry. Slipping into starvation mode makes your body want to stuff fat into long-term storage.

3. Have a fiber-rich breakfast. Toss fruit into your cereal -- and make sure the cereal itself (including oatmeal) contains at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. If you love toast, switch to whole-grain bread, and put some all-natural fruit or nut spread on top.

4. Bring home some fire-extinguishing foods. Every house needs a stash of good-for-you foods that put out three-alarm starvation fires. Consider blueberries, peaches, cherry tomatoes, celery, and other ready-to-eat produce options.

5. Remember that YOU are in control of your diet. Your body is made of hundreds of biochemical instruments, and they all play different notes and chords within your anatomical orchestra. As conductor, you direct how those notes are played. When you choose healthy foods, your orchestra will play like never before.

Hong Kong TVB Drama - The Four / 少年四大名捕

Hubby and i have been following these two interesting dramas recently: Hong Kong drama "The Four" and local drama "Crime Busters X 2" starring Tay Ping Hui and Dawn Yeoh. Both dramas are quite similiar as they both involve police officers/constables investigating strange and challenging cases but are set in different time period. "Crime Busters X 2" also provides some comical moments unlike "The Four" and i was quite impressed with Tay Ping Hui's acting in the drama as it is quite different from his normal cool roles.



Back to "The Four", it is a drama adapted from the popular martial arts novel written by Wen Ruian about the four great constables, “Heartless”, “Metal Hand”, “Life Chaser” and “Cold Blood”. "The Four" stars my favourite actor, Raymond Lam as Mou Ching (Heartless), Ron Ng as Lang Huet (Cold Blooded), Kenneth Ma as Tit Sau (Metal Hand) and Sammul Chan as Zhui Ming (Life Chaser).





Hardhearted and smart, Mou Ching became a crippled and lose his family when he was young. Fortunately Mou Ching met Chu Kot Ching Ngo (Lam Ka Wah), the Head of the Sheriff Bureau, and he adopted him and taught him martial arts. Chu has once helped the Sung Emperor recover an invaluable piece of article that the empire has long lost. To reward Chu, the Emperor reopened the Sheriff Bureau. In addition to Mou Ching, Chu has recruited Zhui Ming, a cunning swindler, Tit Sau, an honest guy and the cold-blooded Lang Huet, and called them The Four.



The Sheriff Bureau has cracked many difficult cases under the leadership of Chu. After having gone through thick and thin with the others, Ching has become a lot less arrogant. He has fallen in love with Song Chi Yin (Tsui Tsz Shan, Kate), a herb doctor, but she is only using him to sow dissension amongst The Four, furthermore deepening the hatred between him and Sau. The King of Qi Chiu Cheong (Tsang Wai Kuen) and the treacherous minister Choi King (Lau Kong) are plotting to revolt against the Sung Dynasty. Chu risks his life to ruin their plan but by doing this, he is also driving the bond between him and The Four to the verge of disintegration.





I feel that this is Kenneth Ma's best role till date as he looks so cool in his role as Tit Sau, like a real selfless and fearless hero. I also like the pairing of him and Selena Li as they make quite a cute couple in the drama. I also like Raymond Lam's character for his coolness and smartness. Although he is wheelchair bound in the drama, he does not let his disability gets to him and invented hidden weapons inside his wheelchair so that he is able to fight his enemies.





However i do not like his pairing with Kate Tsui as after watching "Moonlight Resonance" and her convincing portrayal of the evil and cunning Kamei, i could not believe that she was just a kind hearted and innocent herb doctor in the earlier part of "The Four". I guess Kate really did a great job of portraying the evil Kamei in "Moonlight Resonance" as it left a lasting impression on me even after the drama and makes me dislike her character in "The Four". This drama started showing in Hong Kong since 22 September 2008 and has 25 episodes and i highly recommend it to fellow drama lovers. I saw the finale trailer online and am looking forward to its exciting ending.





(Source: http://drama.tvb.com/thefour/cast/)
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_(TVB))
(Source: http://batgwa.com/story.php?id=6)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MALqYlX1rGA)