You see, I decided to go for a little stroll around my work area to digest my lunch, but halfway through the walk (about 10 minutes later)  it started to rain like crazy! My shirt was so wet that I had to change it.

So how is the new year so far? This week my schedule is pretty packed this week as I have a night course to attend after work. Luckily it’s only for one week!

This past weekend ……

Needle session on Saturday

Grocery (window) shopping with dad at Carrefour

After that we headed to Mustafa Centre … the man was selling Indian desserts

Stopped for fresh coconut water after walking for hours

On Sunday, we went to Singapore Botanic Gardens

For a little picnic  – gotta do this more often because it’s fun :) Next time I will bring frisbees and balls

Decaf iced latte w/o syrup

I woke up to the sound of rain … Definitely no cycling to work in this kind of weather. I was secretly happy though–I wanted a little break. Plus, somebody drove me to work  :P

After a sweaty workout (ChaLean Extreme Lean Circuit 2), I made a warm bowl of oatmeal.

For 2 servings: 1/2 cup rolled oat, 2 tbsp milk powder, 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup peanut flour, 2 tbsp flax seed, cinnamon, vanilla essence, plum (topping). Sounds like a lot of liquid but the peanut flour will thicken it.

Yesterday for dinner at sis’ place … Fried rice

Buffalo (baked) chicken — one of the best I’ve ever eaten – tastier, crispier and healthier than KFC!

Salad – lettuce, cucumber, mango, cherry tomatoes with balsamic vinaigrette

Some random eats … Homemade peanut-oat protein bars (rolled oat, peanut flour, coconut flour, agave nectar, egg, cinnamon, vanilla)

Egg Cake — I didn’t know what to eat for breakfast one day. So I just took 2 eggs, added some coconut flour to it, then drizzle some agave nectar over… I always think that my palate is weird because the average person won’t like this egg cake … I do.

Fruits

Have a good day ahead!

[Image Source]

The guy who sends everything back because it’s too cold, too hot, too overdone, etc.: This guy is too picky and he’ll find some reason to pick you apart

The guy who finishes one type of food (e.g., his potatoes) before he moves on to the next type (e.g., his fish): This is a guy who is very orderly. If you move in with him, you better have your own bathroom.

The guy who always wants what everyone else has: Red flag. This guy is a commitment-phobe who will never really be happy with what or who he has.

The guy who talks with his mouth full: This guy may just be an enthusiastic multitasker with a big personality.

The guy who wants to share everything: This is a guy who’s open to new things and values your opinion — a keeper. However, if he quickly scarfs down all his food without letting you try a bite, you may want to send him back.

The guy who insists on ordering for you: He’s kinda domineering and may be overcompensating for something rather small.

The guy who wants you to order for him: A clear indication of mommy issues — stay away from him, especially if he asks you to cut his meat.

The guy who insists on splitting the bill and then pays for his half with a coupon: Run.

This morning, my ChaLean Extreme Lean Circuit 1 workout went like this:

• Single-Calf Raise, Bicep Curl (x12 reps on each side)
• Tricep Push-Ups (x12 reps)
• Split Lunge with Biceps (x6 reps on each side)
• Stationary Runners Lunge – Double Triceps (x12 reps)
• Bicep Curl with Hamstring Curl – Right and Left (x6 reps on each side)
• Plank with Single-Tricep Extension (x12 reps)
• Reverse Lunge – Double-Arm Bicep Curl (x6 reps on each side)
• Supine Tricep (x12 reps)
• Sumo Squat Calf Raise with Bicep Curl (x6 reps on each side)

Including x3 very slow reps of Extremes after each exercise. The changes in phase 3 are  that now the Reps are back up to 10-12, and the workout length is up to 40-45 min for the most part. Also, you work your lower body, upper body and your core with one exercise.

***

People think that I am the receptionist because I am sitting at the receptionist’s desk.  Its not too bad this position … I can peek outside and relax my eyes from time to time.

I bought this mango pickle at a ‘mama’ shop the other day

Mmmmm it’s nice (though too salty) and I like. I’ve used it as a dip for one of my afternoon snacks

Part of tonight’s dinner was as simple as this — cheesy spinach omelette

I bought a mango mousse last week from Breadtalk

I have a coconut muffin recipe to share with you soon

But before that I need to post my spinach-laughing cow cheese stuffed rolled chicken recipe <– what a long name!

Pray. Don’t be afraid. Let God fight the battle.

Yesterday for dinner we had this Bee Hoon dish from a popular (slash always-crowded) food stall near my place. Their dishes are very ‘homely’ and not so greasy.

Sometimes during the day I will drop by “Mr Bean”, sit there and eat a tuna pancake or drink a bubble soy milk (soy is back in my diet) while people watching.

Gloomy Sunday afternoon

The other night we ate at the food stalls opposite St James Power Station. We like the soup stall.

Sunday brunch. I had Fresh juice – a beetroot and apple combo. Nice!

Did you know …

• An intake of one glass of beetroot juice daily can assuringly tame high blood pressure.
• Beetroot juice is very potent, and it’s recommended that you drink the raw juice diluted at least 4 times with other milder juices such as carrot, cucumber, or celery.
• It is claimed that beetroot juice has the ability to clean and build the blood, improve circulation and calm the nerves.
• It also improves the health of the liver, kidneys, and bladder.
• The juice is claimed to be beneficial in the treatment of gallstones and kidney stones.
• It cleans the intestines and fights cancer.
• For women, it improves the menstrual problems as well as cures anemia.
• It is traditionally used for curing eye fatigue & tiredness.
• Along with treating skin problems, the juice is effective in dealing with weight loss problems.

Last two random pictures recently taken with my Canon.

Lotus and Green Tea Paste for mum

Don’t ask me about this archery :)

***

A year ago I was there …

With niece at Great World City

Taking self portraits

Iced Kachang and Iced Blended Coffee (I have not had one in AGES)

Lunch with the husband at China Town

We had Chinese Rojak

Prawn Noodles (dried)

And the soupy version

Followed by a foot Reflexology at China Town

Heavy Downpour @ Nanyang Poly during All Comers Meet 3

View from a Food Court

With niece

Donuts on a Friday in Office

More Office Snacks – Pineapple Tarts

Lunch with the husband – Grilled Seafood Platter

Followed by dessert – Brownie

Mikey

Morning

Happy Sunday!

High Tea at TCC

Mikey

Dinner at New York New York

Lunch at Thai Express

Lunch at Fish and Co

Seafood Platter at Fish and Co

Dessert at Fish and Co

A morning at the park with sis and family

Goodbye January, Hello February …

Peace out.

PS: I went for a haircut, wash and blow after I left my office (two hours earlier than usual). They say having your hair cut by someone else likely stimulates many of the same nerves as a scalp massage leading to more of a feeling of stress relief etc. And you know what. I felt damn good afterwards :)

By the way, look who had her hair done yesterday? :)

I went to the hair salon on Thursday and I requested for a light brown tone. However they gave me a reddish copper tone! What the ……….  It looked like this (below):

I was definitely not happy with the outcome (and so was the hairdresser – he admitted). The bottom tip of my hair (which was previously light brown) didn’t blend well with the rest. Simply put, it was not done properly. So my hair was re-done the next day — free of charge indeed. However I gave the hairdresser some extra for being patient with me!

I think it looks better now

Another view

Anyway, how is your Saturday? I slept pretty well last night. Dozed off around 10 pm and woke up at 7.30 am. Did 45 minutes of yoga followed by breakfast protein pancake, topped with microwaved cinnamon apples. I can eat the same thing day after day until I get sick of eating it (maybe after a week or two).

I haven’t eaten fresh fruits in a week O.o, so this was my first! In fact, my appetite was poor last week.

The state of our minds can have incredible power and control over the state of our bodies – Kate

On Thurday, breakfast was similar.  It was topped with nutella, peanut butter and toasted pecan nuts. Simply delish!

Speaking of food,  Monday was pizza night. I used ready made dough :)

Topped with ready made pizza sauce, tomatoes, chicken ham, button mushrooms and cheddar cheese

Okay friends, have a great weekend! I wanna go out tonight but no one is free  O.o The husband gotta finish writing typing a report …

Ingredients:

• 5oog mushrooms, cleaned and sliced. I used 400g button and 100g shitake mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 cup light cream (you could use milk + flour instead)
• Some mozzarella cheese

Method

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the sliced mushrooms and vegetable broth and simmer for 10 minutes
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Remove from the heat and puree with a hand blender.
6. Mix in the cream.
7. Serve garnish with mozzarella cheese

***

Some random pictures taken over the past few days

I like Clarins moisturising cream. Thanks sis  :)

My homemade granola bars

I processed some of my homemade granola bars into coarse ground granola. Use  this as topping over your morning breakfast cereal!

Such as this: milk + corn flakes + toasted pecan nuts + dried fruits + coarse ground homemade granola

Sunday dinner at a 24hr coffee shop

Drunken prawns – I love the soup!

My grocery shopping for the week. So little! I was in a hurry. I bought chayote (chou chou), sweet potatoes, mushrooms, yoghurt, aubergine and milk.

Spicy baked bean corn and tuna patties. I’m a huge fan of spicy food.

I will post the recipe another day. Well, baked beans and tuna wasn’t the best combi.

Experimenting with silken tofu and jelly crystals

It was a flop! Went straight to the trash. I will stick to my chocolate tofu pudding!

Mini pineapple cookie

XOXO

• See the vet
• See the dentist
• See the doctor

*Breathe in — Breathe out*

[Source]

I am bringing my cat to the vet tomorrow for a check up and to get him his yearly vaccination. I don’t vaccinate him every year because he’s a pure indoor cat. His last vaccination was over 3 years ago, so it’s time for another round.

* Old picture *

Sometimes I’m in this position too (the first and second from the left)

So here’s what  your sleeping position says about you … [Source]

Freefaller

Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Often gregarious and brash people, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism, or extreme situations.

Foetus

Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41% of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.

Log

Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.

Yearner

People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.

Soldier

Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don’t like a fuss, but set themselves and others high standards.

Starfish

Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don’t like to be the centre of attention.

The remainder of those in the poll said the position they fell asleep varied or did not know.

Professor Idzikowski also examined the effect of various sleeping positions on health. He concluded that the freefall position was good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions were more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.

Professor Idzikowski said “Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less well during the night. “Both these postures may not necessarily awaken the sleeper but could cause a less refreshing night’s sleep.”

The research also found that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position. Just 5% said they sleep in a different position every night.