And today I had a craving for the curd but alas! No passion fruits in sight! Thus as the saying goes, when life throws you lemons, you make lemon curd! How about that?

photo credit: thepinkpeppercorn

Yay! And so I did. But instead of following the recipe taken online on how to make lemon curd, I foolishly followed back the passion fruit recipe by replacing the lemon juice. And I ended up with cooked egg bits in my curd. Rule 1 : Never mix the eggs into the juice while waiting for the water in the double boiler to boil. Lemon juice + egg = cooked egg…. Even if its with eggy bits, the curd still tasted very good… So just strain the mixture to get rid of the eggy bits and the curd is good to go!

The method I used was meant for the passion fruit curd. Thus be smart… follow lemon curd recipe method… After the incident, I read up more on the lemon curd recipe and found that the recommended method was to cream the mixture of sugar and butter first ( much like baking a cake ) and then to add in the eggs. Next, then add in the lemon juice (mixture will cuddle but don’t panic, the heat later will dissolve all the bits) and then cook the mixture in a double boiler.

Ingredients for Lemon Curd
===================
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 lemon juice
3 eggs
Some lemon zest
About 115g butter

PS. if you do not like too sour curd, you can reduce the lemon juice.

Yummy!

photo credit: toholio

But as usual, with much excuses like the rainy season and hot sun, I managed to go for only 3 running sessions before the run. Yikes!

photo credit: Patrick Hoesly
Well, despite my laziness and lame attempts to jump start my own fitness regime, I managed to finish the 5km run without stopping or walking! I am so proud of myself! It was a great feeling as it truly shows that at the end of the day, it is really mind over body. And the best part? I came out of the running without any pain or aches that normally will come when you don’t really exercise for a very long time… I expected a downtime of at least 2-3 days of intense pain coming up and down the stairs but surprisingly, I had no down time!

So without any hestitation, I am going for my next run in October for the Great Eastern Life Run! Heeee…. Maybe should be trying for 10km…. hmmmm…. or maybe not… yikes!

Now I am looking forward to the Oct one and hopefully try to beat my timing at the Shape Run!

~Namaste!

PS. Hamstrings are definitely getting tighter and tighter… sigh… need to go back to normal yoga classes soon!!!!

It’s no point going against what you dream of owning one day. Back 1.5 yrs ago, I wanted an iphone. But I did not get it as I heard from friends that iphone is not as fantastic as it is made out to be. SMS cannot forward, contact cannot forward, etc … My friends kept complaining about it and recommend me to get an Nokia instead. And so I did.

Was I happy with it? Nope. It was a pretty phone but still it was not iPhone… no cool touch screen, no zooming in and zooming out with pinching the screen, no fast scrolling, no keying in on a cool touch screen keypad – I had to struggle with the phone tiny key pad as I painfully typed out the URL of websites I wanted to surf on the phone. I used to think I will not be accessing the web via my phone… it will be so silly! Such small screen? I rather go on my laptop or desktop to surf…

But I was wrong! It has become quite important to be able to access the internet on the go. Especially with knowledge or data required at the top of your fingertips.

Plus the array of applications available on the iPhone is really amazing. And of course games are plenty on iPhone land – many free and provide you with hours of entertainment ( okay, more like a distraction… )

Now that I have finally gotten my iPhone, I am finally at peace. This was the one.

This is especailly true for women as some how, women tend to age faster compared to men in terms of loo. Men for some reason, tend to look better when they age. This is demostrated with those male hollywood stars like Johnny Depp ( I used to like him alot in 21 Jump Street when he was young but I really love him when he got older… so much more! ). Well, stars aside, we ordinary folks also want to look fabulous as we age!

I have been told numerous times that I don’t look my age. I look far younger than I look and always surprised people when I revealed my age. Secret? Well, there are a few "secrets" that I believe in :

1. Use sunblock! That is my number one must do before I step out of the house. This is one scientific fact that has been proven by dermatologist all over the world that we really need to keep the sun out! Above SPF 15 please! Currently I am using SPF50… better to be very safe then sorry…

2. Yoga of course! One of the most importance thing that I do to keep me youthful is of course yoga! I strongly recommend doing inversions as one of the best way to stay young as in our normal day to day  life, we hardly have any chance to allow blood to flow towards our head and face area. Headstands and handstands and even the simple downward dog are terrific way to keep our skin radiant.

3. Then comes what we eat and drink. Do you know that sugar or rather processed food is the number one enemy of premature aging? So think twice before you sink your teeth into sweet things like doughnuts, sweets, cakes etc. But then again who can resist? I for one, will still indulge in some sweets once a while…. but of course, not everyday!

4. Then we need to good facial products to upkeep our fragile skin on our face. Depending on your skin type, always choose those products that are suitable and if possible go for natural products. I tried to use those products from normal shops like Watsons from brandnames like Loreal, Garnier and Olay, but somehow my skin hates them as they are pretty oily they feel heavy on my skin. I am especially adverse to loreal products as using them often causes "oil" sacs on my face! Anyway, I have already given up on using these products.

However, recently I discovered this particular cream from the US which seems to be working well for me. It smells funny ( probably due to the content of Alpha Lipoic and DMAE )  and look like those light brown foundation cream but once you use it, you know that it works! A tiny dab each to the cheecks and forehead is more than enough. The skin feels firmer and softer in an instant. I love it! But remember a little goes a long way! I was greedy once and use alot on my neck and there was some redness as a result of that ( coupled with a few sprays of perfume which chemically spell bad news ).  Plus, its pretty cheap!

This cream is by Derma E : DMAE Alpha-Lipoic-C-Ester Retexturizing Creme

So far I give it a thumbs up as it is working for my skin ( firming and moisturing + anti-aging all in one bottle) and it does not cause any oil sacs. The only thing to note is not to use too much of it at one go. I bought mine here with the discount coupon HEW497 to get $5 off your first order.

5. Finally the most important thing I do every single without fail is to drink lots of water! Water is so important to flush out all the toxins of the water as well as to keep our skin supple. In fact, the less you drink water, the more your body tends to retain the water. Your skin will look clearer and more radiant if you drink water to help the body detox.

Yup. Notheless, I am trying to get back into practicing by starting 1-3-5 morning yoga practice of sun salutations plus a mix of yoga asanas as a start to get myself back to consistent practice.

It was not easy… so it shows that I lacked the discipline to practice on my own. But I tried… sometimes just basic sun salutations. At times just do a simple stretch, a simple twist , then perhaps a few handstands. Plus I did do my headstand for as long as I could.

Not very proud of the progress though. But I guess some is better than none. I even woke up early one morning and went for a jog. And the following week another jog. I hoped that I can increase my jogging eventually to at least 3 times a week with 2 sessions of yoga at home ( Ashtanga combi with inversions ). Ambitious? Likely… In fact, even though I stop exercising, I have not gained weight but in fact, lost 2 kgs due to stress at work.

But I think no matter what, I take exercising to be quite an important part of my life that I must work on in order to keep fit and stay healthy!

Wish me luck!

Namaste! ( yes, I still do my anusara chanting at every chance I’ve got! )

Grabbed a nice workout bra at only $38! Oh Joy! Perfect for jogging and rock climbing… ( until I lose another 5 kg…this will stay under my trusty racerback T )

Another major thing happening is that I have given up my membership at the local yoga studio ( getting commercialized and charging quite extorbitant prices… especially when the yoga classes I enjoyed were not as many as before… and no Anusara yoga! ARGGGGGHHHHH… talk about bias…. anyway I really hope that studio do not just focus on getting new members in and forgotten about loyal fiercely devoted practioners of yoga… this is one niche market that no one is really focusing on!!! Don’t they know that eventually, the massive numbers of beginners are going to get more advanced, more experienced and need better teachers?? Also moving into deeper practices that involve meditation, pranayama and more? )

Ah… the sad state of yoga in Singapore is as such.

Meanwhile, once my membership ends on 10 jan…. I will be "lost"… I’ll have to figure out and plan my own yoga practice. Perhaps this is a good thing! I am planning to add at least 2 jogging sessions per week for myself to keep fit ( hence the workout bra ) on top of daily mini yoga practices. Perhaps 2 days of Ashtanga Primary series on 2 weekdays. And a fab chance for me to turn my time table around from a night owl to a morning person!!!

PLUS I also hope to join Bo and Shirley in their anusara yoga classes when they are back from India ( I need you guys!!!! ). Please do visit their website and support them. They are wonderful teachers, kind ( almost too kind & nice that others often bully them… ) , giving, loyal, fearless, selfless, always forgiving,fun, beautiful yogis – their website : http://www.spandananda.com

Namaste!

2009 has been quite a year, full of ups and downs, lefts and rights. Even though it is eventful, I learnt a lot of things and it has been enlightening and most challenging.

To everyone : Happy New Year!!!

It was then that I thought about my life. All the people that have been in my life. Of course, my parents are my most treasured guardian angels that no one can take away! But there really are many others who are my guardian angels… some of which I did not realize that they are until now… the more I thought about my life, the more I realize that each every one of these guardian angels who may or may not know that the tremendous impact that they have on my life. It also sets me thinking, was I ever a guardian angel to anyone? I hope I was… or perhaps in the future I could be someone that brings the hot coal to someone’s house during cold winter ( as the chinese saying goes… )

To just being thankful is no longer sufficient for me. I have to do more. I believe I have to give back all the good that all my guardian angels have given me to others who are in need of help. My highest goal now is to touch and change someone’s life for the better in whatever way I can afford.

But first, one important point that no one should ignore or forget : you have to be YOUR OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL!

~Namaste!

This is the first time I have not done much reading up about the place before I go. The only research that I did was to source for the one night stay on my own on the first night in Kuta there as the rest of the people in the group are only joining me on the second day. For the rest of the trip, the planning was done by Felicia and Elene – not an easy task, considering they have to try to take care of all 10 of us in the group ( the more people, the more unexpected changes to handle… )

Seems like it was only yesterday that the world was shell shocked with the news of bombing in Bali back in 2005 and everyone avoided Bali. Not so now. When I reached Kuta, it was just like any busy tourists packed area with touters trying to get your attention. Even while checking the prices online for a night’s stay in Kuta is back to what it was before the bombing. Plus almost all the cheap accommodations are fully booked and it was quite a challenge to look for a budget and yet clean place to bunk for the night.

Kuta

I reached Bali late at about 9pm. It was really a rush for me and I almost did not make the flight from Singapore as I was the last one to have checked in at the counter. It was always the case when I go for holiday. There are always last minute jobs and things to clear and the mind start worrying about this and that. On top of that, there was the mad rush to call the various budget hotels to try to reserve a place to stay. ( note : most budget places cannot confirm if they have rooms or not 2 days beforehand, they asked me to call back on that day itself to check again… so it was really a mad rush. )

The little backpacker budget hotel that I finally managed to secure is called Ronta Bungalows. It is located in one of the mini lanes in between Poppies Lane 1 and 2. Apparently not even the taxi driver knows where it is… ( I paid 50,000 rupiahs for the taxi from airport to Kuta and the driver dropped me off at the wrong place, pointed me to the wrong direction – I walked for a massive 10 mins or so lugging my luggage before I finally realised that it was the total wrong direction – had to walk all the way back amidst heavy human traffic, scooter bikes honking…. ) When I finally found the hotel, it was already 10:45pm…

It is really a no frills bare basic hotel for one to bunk in – there is not even toilet paper in the attached bathroom! But at least it was clean although very run down. However, the people there are very helpful, friendly and kind. Hearing that I lost my way around, they were very concerned when I went out for my supper and they quickly passed me their namecard with the address and map on it.

 ( photos coming soon… )

I think this is a very good awakening for one to realize that the reason why we eat so much junk food is not because our body needs it. It is all in the mind. It is the mind that craves for salty potato chips, starbucks coffee etc. During the 10 days master cleanse, I was surprised that I was not as hungry as I thought I will get. Drinking the maple syrup water was sufficient to keep my tummy satisfied.

After the 10 days, my body felt very good. Thereafter, I have a new mindset that my body is cleansed and I should not put junk food into the body. Since then I have been sticking to a strict no coffee, mostly vegetarian diet ( with occasional fish ). In fact, I have not touch my favourite food like beef or potato chips yet! Furthermore I have finally lost an additional 2 kg. I was also very lucky to have attended the Anthony Robbins’ Unleash Your Power Within the following week. He also teaches very good lifestyle habits like drinking alot of water ( with lemon juice ), eating 70% water based food ( veggies ), breathing exercises as well as physical exercises. I have also taken out milk, sugar and flour from my diet.

However, there have been lapses in my commitment. I did indulge in a piece or two of bread, and also some unhealthy food like instant noodles. But I did try to compensate for this indulgent by eating more veggies. I think my biggest test will be during my upcoming Bali trip! Wish me luck!

~Namaste!