Green Smoothies

I have always love greens. If there's no greens in my meals, I'll feel uneasy as if something is not right and when I do not get enough green, yes.. I'll be constipated.

So what's my diet like? Basically, I'll try to avoid the 3 whites (white flour, white rice, white sugar), and replaced them with the browns (brown flour, brown rice, brown sugar). However this is not enough. I am a person that love greens but I do not really eat a lot of fruits and my greens intake is simply not enough. I'm hoping for a 50% greens, 30% fruits and the remaining will be rice, grains, beans, seeds and etc.

However, if you look at a typical Singapore meal, for instance, laksa, noodle soup and etc. There's not much greens and the whole meal is simply made up of carbo! Even if you go to the rice stall, they will give you more rice than the veggies. As such, I have always request for less rice and preferably it's brown rice and 3 kinds of veggies. However, I know something is not right. Sometimes after a meal, my stomach still feel empty and I'll have craving for more foods. Just couple of weeks ago, I had one of the strangest craving stuffs, like sushi roll and baby spinach. I felt my most content when I ate a baby spinach seaweed roll. Occasionally, I'll have craving for junks such as chocolate and deep-fried stuff and this is what frightened me. A week ago, I had a strong craving for chocolate. So I ate a lot of chocolate and durians. Straight away, I have this huge pimple popping out, and I really regret eating those chocolate.

So, what does all these have to do with green smoothies. After reading much on health and nutrients, green smoothies seems to be the best way to obtain nutrients. Apparently, having a craving is a sign that your body is lacking of some nutrients. Well, I do not know what I'm lacking but I'm really hoping to see improvement in my health.

I'll continue to update more along the way and in the mean time... I'm just enjoying the process of searching for a better health.

My Ferrari blender

Yes, finally I have waited till the day of my Ferrari blender arrival, my Vita Prep 3. Prior to this, I was stuck with the choice of Vitamix 5200 or Prep 3.

In Singapore, the 5200 costs more than a Prep 3 but it comes with a 3 year warranty and the BPA-free container. As for Prep 3, the warranty is only for a year and it's with the old container. But it's cheaper than 5200. So it's definitely a tough fight between the 2 models. However, why will I pay more for a 5200 whereby the price is actually cheaper in the US as compare to Prep 3. So the choice is clear.

Having said all these, this blender of mine is definitely the most expensive kitchen equipment that I have ever bought. So is the price worth it? My friends all jumped at me when they heard about it. Well, to me it's definitely worth it.

There are 2 reasons why I bought the blender. Firstly, it's for the recovery stage after my jaw operation, I'll need to be on liquid diet. Being a vegetarian who's trying to cut down her intake of milk, I definitely have no wish to survive the entire month with just milk. Next, I'm into this raw diet thing and I'm hoping for a 50% raw diet. Thus, the blender is definitely a good tool to make green smoothies!

I'm still playing with my blender, made some nut milk just now. I simply love the taste, it's yummy! It's always good to ask Mr Google for some nice recipes. Hopefully I can create more dishes from my lovely blender.

Life before death

This week has been a discourage week for me, especially job wise. I can’t wait for weekend to come. This weekend I have attended a talk by a photographer, Deanna Ng titled “Life before death”.

I have always been “fantasied” by death, since young. In this still society, death was pretty much still a taboo. No one really likes to talk about it. Since a child, I have always been pondering where do we go after death and this was what lead me to become a Buddhist.

The first time that I encountered death was about 4 years old when my grandfather passed away. My memory of it was very vague but I remember it as a “fun” one because of the fact that I can play with my cousins. It’s very rare in our family that we will gather together. It’s only during New Year or occasions such as wedding and funeral that we get to meet each other.

My next encounter with death was when I was 18 years old. My grandma had passed away in her sleep. She had diabetics and had both her legs amputated. Shortly after that, she suffered from stroke and remained bed-ridden for 4 years before she finally passed away.

I am not too sure whether it’s a Chinese practice or what. But after the cremation, everyone of us gather around the remains and “pick bones” to be place in the urn. We were not allowed to speak during the process, and it was through this process that I was struck hard. While picking her bones, this stream of thoughts went through my head, is this what remains of us after death. What’s money and materials means then. And I really envy my grandmother, at least there are people who pick her bones after her death. I wonder if the same will happen to me or not.

Today, the talk is about documenting those dying people before their death to leave a memory for the family. Deanna has shared a lot of her thoughts and feeling with us. To many people, death remains a fear to them. I think I was very lucky. Being a Buddhist, I have read up quite a few books about death. Perhaps people will find it strange but I supposed if we are mentally prepared for it, there will be no fear. After all, this is a path that everyone will have to go through regardless of rich or poor.

Having said all these, it is not that I can face death peacefully or what. As much as I can, I hope I am ready for it when it’s my turn. My life philosophy? To die without regrets.

Vegan Mayo

Today I purchased a vegan mayonnaise from Supernature. The name is Vegenaise. All I can say this is really the closest taste to a real mayo. I love it man.

I'm trying to cut down my intake in dairy products and eggs. Right now, I don't eat these stuff at home but only outside, and I tried to cut down the quantity as well. My favourite prata in the past are Egg and Cheese/Mushroom. Right now, I try to go for plain prata only but of course once in a blue moon, I will allow myself to indulge in those 2 pratas.

Yet when I ate those 2 pratas, I kind of feel guilty. I suppose it's a sign to tell me stop eating? Anyway, I found the following receipe from the internet. I will like to try it out when my Vita Mix blender is here... :)

I should blog more about my Vita Mix blender when I have received it.

Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe – Vegan Mayonnaise Recipe

Makes ¾ cup mayonnaise

½ cup soaked almonds (soak almonds for 8 hours)
½ cup purified water
Juice ½ lemon
3/4 tablespoon honey
½ tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ to 2/3 cup olive oil

Place all the ingredients for your homemade mayonnaise recipe in a heavy duty blender except the olive oil. Puree the ingredients until very smooth. With blender still in motion, slowly pour a thin stream of olive oil through the opening in your blender’s cover. Continue to puree until you reach the right consistency. Taste and adjust flavors to your liking.

HOT...HOt...Hot...hot...

It's very hot in this little red dot now. I think I am dying from the heat. With the current weather, I am in no mood for anything at all. The raising temperature only caused me more frustration, think my temper is hotter as well in this period.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

I have finally decided on the place to go. It will be Siem Reap. What's in Siem Reap, mainly Angkor Wat. I will be going there in June which is the start of raining season. Many people have advised me that it's a wrong month to go but hey... it's only rainy season, no big deal *I hope*.

Initially my friend and I were still contemplating on the place to go. Cambodia was one of them, but still contemplating about it until I saw Silkair's promotion. Silkair has a very good offer for Siem Reap but need to get the tickets by this Friday. Without further ado, I bought the tickets immediately after seeking my friends' agreement.

I think this is my first trip to a third-world country. But since Cambodia is a Buddhist country, I guess it will be alright. Most importantly, I can put my camera and lens into good use there. Cambodia is a good photography place. Hopefully the photos will turn out well.

Tired

I need a break, comtemplating to go somewhere and yet I do not feel like flying. Too much of flying lately, been flying almost every alternate week.

Last Friday, while waiting to board the plane, I have this weird feeling out of nowhere. I seem to be aloof from the crowd. It was like I was in the wrong place. Guess I was just thinking too much.
Looking out of the glass panel, I can't help but notice how dirty the glasses were. Bangkok's air was hazy due to forrest fire and the fire was caused by people clearing lands to grow crops. More pollution, more stress to our mother earth. It's sad what has the world become, and it's all due to the acts of human beings.

I seriously need to go somewhere where I can have a taste of clean air, no more hazy sky, no more burning smell, no more traffic honking...

Hong Kong shopping victory

It was still CNY period when I need to fly to HK. It's my fourth trip to HK, lesser excitement compare to previous trips except for my shopping list. With the current exchange rate, 5.49, I can't help but came up with a long shopping list.

My shopping victory:

My skincare...

My "wen fang si bo"...

And of course not forgetting the tabloid...

Alright, I got to admit, there are more items and tabloids in my shopping bag...

Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Today is Christmas's eve. Thank goodness I do not need to buy much presents. If not, I can't imagine myself squeezing with the crowds right now.

Of course, I have not forgotten to get myself a present! My Crumpler 6 Million Home!

While I am updating my blog, I can hear people singing Christmas Carols opposite my block. Christmas is in the air... Not forgetting I'm celebrating the arrival of Christmas with my baby!

Ho Ho Ho... Merry Christmas...

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 macro lens

The lens that I have been aiming for. Anyone who is kind enough to get me that as a Christmas present? Please....

Asian GEOgraphic

I subscribed to Asian GEOgraphic. What caught my eyes when I first saw it, was the striking green cover. And today I received the Asian GEOgraphic Journal - 101 Things to Do in Asia.

The contents is classified into 3 categories: Adventure, Festival and Nature. I only managed to find Singapore under the category, Festival, which mentioned about Chingay. That's all?! I mean is that all about Singapore?

Insanity

Sometimes, life needs some insanity.

I could not understand why I can't sleep last night. Maybe I shouldn't have think too much...

To celebrate the release of my once-in-a-blue-moon rebellious spirit, I decided to head down to Changi and shoot pictures of sunrise. It was 6.10am when I reached Changi. I was amazed by my own craziness, there's no females at all unless you want to consider those she-males.

Although Singapore is a safe country but for the first time, I started to worry about my own safety. Nevertheless, I decided to proceed. But what a joker I was! When I attempted to shoot a picture of the jetty, the "No CF" alert appeared! At that point in time, I really felt like banging myself against the wall.

No other option, but to leave Changi. It's was 6.20am when I left the place... Drove more than half hour to reach there and left the place in 10 minutes. Really joke of the day man...

Anyway, decided to head for Mac's hotcakes. I have had the craving since last night... So finally I'm done with my breakfast, and it's time to sleep... GOOD MORNING!

Smelly tofu

I fall in love with smelly tofu during my Taiwan trip. It is the best delicacy that one has ever invented.

I have problem finding smelly tofu back here. The only 2 shops I knew of are in Geylang and Bugis. That day, I went to Bugis to try out the smelly tofu. To my disgust, they no longer serve it!

Today, after dinner, I was walking along a pasar malam and I thought I smell something familiar! But I couldn't see it. After following the smell down a couple of stores... HO HO HO...There it was... a smelly tofu store at a corner...

Verdict... It's a bit salty maybe because of the chilli but still acceptable. As for the smell, if only it can be smellier...

Trapped

I'm trapped. Everything came to a halt. It's going to be a wet wet Christmas.

The "rambutans" in my house ...

Rain, rain, go away...

Accident

I have been driving for a year plus or so and today I met an accident. My car kissed someone's back. I can't even recall how it happened. Was I distracted or because the car skid? I really do not know.

Recently, I think I am down on my luck. Encountered a lot of obstacles here and there. After the accident happened, I can't help but start thinking that I must be the unluckiest person on earth. Maybe karma is catching up on me, maybe I didn't do enough good deeds, maybe I been very mean, maybe I didn't follow the 5 percepts, maybe and maybe... Too many negative thoughts.

To make myself feel better, or rather I think I should be thinking of the following:

1) Thanks goodness, no one was injured. Perhaps it's the results of me donating blood. I'm due for donation again.

2) My family and friends are concerned about me.

3) I get a new bumper.

4) The guy whose car I hit was pretty nice. He didn't blame nor scold me. Perhaps that's because I apologised immediately.

Well, I will be a liar if I said that I am not affected by the accident. The scene of the crash still flash through my mind now and then. Not too sure if it will become an emotional blockage and I will start to build phobia about driving. One thing for sure, I am losing my confident in driving now.

Pray, I should pray for now...

Ghostly pic

That night I was playing with my camera and the second-hand lens that I have just gotten. To my surprise (or should I say to my horror), some "ghostly image" was capture!

What was it? Can you see it...

Lazy day

It's Monday and I think I am suffering from Monday blues. As such, I decided to take leave today. Do nothing, just sleep and sleep through the whole day. A waste of life but I like it...

It's a sunny day today and surprisingly the light that cast through my window is quite amazing.

I won't have caught it if I wasn't on leave today...