Stars of a Breakfast Table- Start your day Right with these Power-Rich, Nutritious Food

As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day but many people still have a habit of skipping breakfast due to the lack of time. Skipping breakfast is strongly linked to the development of obesity as it makes weight control more difficult. Breakfast skippers tend to eat more food during the next meal or nibble on high-calorie snacks in between meals to stave off hunger. If you want to control your weight, do make informed breakfast choices by trying to incorporate some of these simple but nutritious food into your morning diet to give yourself that added energy boost and to fuel you throughout the day. As they say, a good breakfast keeps one happy and is a great start for the day :)

Almonds

• High in monounsaturated fats
• Contain Vitamin E, Magnesium and Potassium

Apple

• Decrease risk of diabetes
• Reduce cholesterol
• Prevents cancer
• Control weight and allows you to achieve a flat tummy

Avocado

• Contains monounsaturated fats
• Helps to lower cholesterol
• Contains folic acid, potassium, vitamins C and E and lutein
• Contain antioxidants that reduce the occurrence of eye diseases

Banana

• Good source of energy
• High in vitamin K and potassium
• Helps to reduce blood pressure

Beetroot

• Rich in potassium and lutein
• Contains nitrate for an energy boost

Dried fruits and Berries

• Contains anthocyanins that reduce inflammation
• Have antibacterial properties that prevents gum disease, stomach ulcers and urinary tract infections

Egg

• Keeps you full for a longer period of time
• Low calorie source
• Contains vitamin B and D, selenium and iodine
• Help to boost beneficial HDL (good cholesterol)

Hazelnut

• High in monounsaturated fats
• Contains oleic acid that reduces cholesterol
• Contains vitamins and minerals

Oats

• Keeps you full for longer periods of time
• Contains beta-glucan that reduces cholesterol levels
• Contains an antioxidant that protects blood vessels from harmful LDL cholesterol
• Improve our body’s insulin sensibility
• Prevent type 2 diabetes

Orange

• Rich in vitamin C
• Prevents cancer and kidney diseases( kidney stones)
• Fights infections
• Contains beta-carotene which is good for the skin
• Help to alkalize the body

Spinach

• High in antioxidants, vitamins A,K,D and E and minerals
• Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
• Alkalize the body
• Good for the eyes, prevent eye diseases (cataract, macular degeneration)
• Strengthen the bones as they are rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin K

Strawberry

• Rich in fibre, vitamin C, minerals
• Low in calories
• The red coloring contains anthocyanins which burns fat stored in the body
• Lower cardiovascular diseases
• Have anti-aging properties
• Help in weight management
• Good for eye health

Sunflower Seeds

• Rich in vitamin E
• Helps to lower cholesterol
• Contains selenium which controls cell damage

Tomato

• Rich in antioxidant lycopene
• Good for heart health as it reduces LDL cholesterol
• Prevent cancer
• Contains vitamin C and A that helps prevent damage in DNA

So, do remember to have your breakfast every single day. If you are in a hurry in the morning, it would be good to pack your breakfast the night before so that you can just leave the house and nom on your breakfast on the way to school or work. Here’s to a healthier lifestyle!

Popular Chinese New Year Goodies and Food- What You Need To Have For Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just round the corner (31/1/2014) and in case you are preparing to stock up on some of the goodies and treats, here’s a list of them that you would not want to miss out on!

Bak Kwa

Bak kwa is definitely one of the most popular snacks around during Chinese New Year! It is basically a flat and thin sheet of pork meat, marinated with sugar and salt then barbequed to give it a smoky flavour. Bak kwa is commonly offered to house visitors during Chinese New Year, becoming the fast favourite of young kids.

Want some?

Love Letters

                                 

Love letters are sweet, crispy cylindrical biscuits, made from baking sugar, eggs and coconut milk. They are either folded into wedges or rolled up into cylinders.

Mandarin Oranges

                                          

Mandarin oranges is a symbol of prosperity and good luck and visitors often exchange a pair of them each time they enter a house. Odd numbers indicate loneliness and should be avoided.

Pineapple Tarts

                                            

These sweet cookies is a must every Chinese New Year. Small and bite-sized, the buttery base crumbles away easily in the mouth, leaving the generous dollop of pineapple jam in the mouth to savour. These tarts are very addictive and you would be unaware of the number of tarts that goes into your mouth!

Prawn Rolls

                            

Prawn rolls represent joy and are small and crispy rolls of hebi hiam paste, made from dried shrimps and ground sambal chilli, then wrapped in spring roll wrappers and deep fried. These deep fried rolls are very delicious and the smell of them would get one addicted in no time.

Kueh Bangkit

                                       

Made from tapioca flour, eggs and coconut milk, Kueh bangkit is a traditional Chinese New Year cookies. They have a thin and crispy exterior which melts into sweetness once you put them in your mouth.

Peanut Cookies

                                                    

Peanut cookies symbolise longevity hence it is a must have during Chinese New Year. Similar to kueh bangkit, they crumble and melt away in your mouth leaving the nutty taste of peanut butter!

Yu Sheng

                                       

Yu sheng is a raw fish salad that symbolises abundance and prosperity.Some ingredients commonly used are white radish, carrots, turnips and pomelo and salmon. The sweet plum sauce and spices are also added to the salad and then tossed using a pair of chopsticks.

Nian Gao

                                    

Nian gao is a sticky rice cake which represents self-improvement and good luck. It is made from glutinous rice powder and sweetened with brown sugar, it is then flavoured with rosewater or red bean paste.

Kueh Bahulu

                                      

Kueh bahulu are little dry sponge cakes made from eggs, sugar and flour, then baked into a classic fluted round shape

Almond Cookies

                                         

Almonds are said to be anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic which is good for your health. Chinese almond cookies symbolize coins, which is why they are a New Year tradition. More cookies, more money!

Arrowhead Chips (Ngaku)

                                        

Arrowhead symbolizes benevolence and is commonly eaten as chips during Chinese New Year.

Kuih loyang/honeycomb kuih/kuih rose/beehive kuih

                                   

They are made using intricately designed irons. The iron is heated to a very high temperature in oil, dipped into the batter, then re-immersed in the hot oil to create a crisp shell around the metal. The iron is immediately removed and the rosette is separated from the iron.

Wishing all of you a Happy Chinese New Year and a prosperous year ahead!

How to Make a Face Mask At Home-Mask Made Using Ingredients Found At Home

Having good skin is something that everyone wishes to achieve but not everyone is blessed with good skin. Applying mask can help improve the complexion of a person and are a good way to thoroughly cleanse and nourish the skin on a deep level. Here are some natural face mask that you can try in the comfort of your home.

1. Tropical Mask

Mash one banana with 1 tablespoon of honey and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Apply to face and allow to stay on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well. Good for dry skin.

2. Chai  Mask

For exfoliating the skin, mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Rub on face and let sit 20 minutes. Remove with a washcloth and warm water. (Note: some people react to cinnamon or nutmeg on skin so test a small amount on your arm before using). Good for oily or normal skin.

3.The Guacamole Mask

For dry skin, mash 1/2 of a ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons of honey and apply to the face. Let sit 20 minutes and rinse well. Good for all skin types, especially dry skin.

4. Cool Cucumber Mask

This one is especially great for oily or inflamed skin. Blend 1/2 of a cucumber with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of bentonite or kaolin clay. Add additional clay if needed to create a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes. Remove with a washcloth and warm water. Good for all skin types, especially cooling for acne prone skin.

5. Teapot Mask

Add dried herbs like rosemary, sage, rose petals or essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and rose to a pot of boiled water. Place your face above the pot of boiled water and drape a towel over your head, creating a tent. CLose your eyes and steam for 10 minutes.

6. Breakfast Face Mask

Mix 1 cup of cold natural yogurt with ½ cup of oatmeal. Apply to the face and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.

For oily skin, add 2-3 drops of lemon juice.

For dry skin, add 2 tablespoon of honey.

7. Egg white Mask

Beat one white until smooth and cover your face with the egg white. Let it dry completely then rinse off.

8. Tea Bag Eye Rejuvenator

Brewed black tea bags help to reduce the puffiness in the eyes. Close your eyes and place them on your eyes  for about five minutes.

9. Anti-aging Mask

Mix one mashed avocado, 3 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder or cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons of raw honey or honey, and 2 tablespoons of oatmeal flakes. Infuse green tea in a small cup of hot water and let it cool. Add a splash to the mixture, or enough to make it into a paste. Let the mask sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

10. Tomato Mask

Cutting the tomato in half and rub it onto your face and neck. Rinse off with water after 15 mins. Alternatively, if you have more time to spare, slice the tomato and mash it into a pulp using a fork or spoon and apply it onto your face. this is used for treating oily and acne prone skin as tomatoes remove the excess oil on the skin and reduces the number of blackheads.

Aftercare:

After using a facemask, use a toner made from 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in 1 cup of cool water to lock in the effects of the mask.

Olive oil works fabulously as a lotion/ moisturizer. If you do not like olive oil, sesame oil (regular not toasted), peanut oil, almond oil, and argan oil work too. Just use 2-3 drops of oil for the face and massage it slowly onto your skin. Do not use too much oil as breakouts may occur.

All these face mask work wonders but you need to be patient to see the full effects of the mask. Stay determined and be patient for youthful, healthy skin requires hard work ;)

The Different Types of Cooking Condiments to Boost the Flavor of Your Cooking

Tired of the regular type of seasonings and sauces you use to flavor your dishes? Here are some condiments out there which you can definitely try to enhance the flavor of your dishes.

1. Flavored olive oils

Truffle oil has been gaining popularity these few years but there are other flavored oil that are really good too! These includes: roasted garlic, paprika, and mustard.

How to use them:

These oil can be drizzled onto fries, pasta, steak, vegetables, potatoes or in soup. Truffle oil can be added to mushroom soup which gives mushroom soup another dining experience. Try adding flavored oil onto your bread, it would taste great too :)

2. Dry Rubs

Dry rubs are a mixture of dried herbs and spices. They help to marinate food and give it a nice flavor.

How to use them:

Dry rubs can be rubbed onto chicken or any type of meat to marinate the meat. Alternatively, mix the dry rub with olive oil before mixing in the spices and running it onto the meat. Let the marinate sit for an hour before cooking it to allow the flavor of the spice to thoroughly seep into the meat.

3. Wet Marinades

Make your own wet marinades with oil, vinegar and herbs.

How to use them:

Wrap the marinated meat in aluminum foil and bake the meat. The aluminum oil helps to keep the juices of the meat in and this makes the meat more flavorful compared to other baking process.

4. Flavored Salts

Sea salt mixed with dried herbs, chilies, dried tea leaves or petals and spices make a really good condiment for marinating your meat.

How to use them:

Sprinkle some of the salt over a piece of steak.

Salt infused with Rosemary and thyme makes good spices for lamb chops or steak.

Salt with lemon zest would go great with seafood such as fish

5. Vinegars

Balsamic vinegar is a reduction of grape juice and it's also great for health. Good quality balsamic vinegar is thick and rich and has a good balance of sweet and sour.

Other fruit vinegars have a crisp and tart flavor.

How to use them:

To make a simple vinaigrette, mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This dressing can be kept for a week and it goes well with salads.

Fruity vinaigrettes can be added to olive oil and mixed with coriander, lemongrass, chilies,onions and like leaves to make a great seasoning for seafood. This also has a Thai flavor to it.

6. Sauces

There are a wide variety of cooking sauces out there which are really convenient.

How to use them:

These sauces can be warmed up and plated at the side of the dish. The dishes can be seasoned with just pepper and salt and serve up with the sauce.

7. Jams

Jams today comes in a variety of different flavors like onion, apple, chili or just the traditional fruit jams.

How to use them:

Jams go well with meat or seafood, bread or burger.

Pear apple or raspberry jams with duck

Pair onion jams or fruity jams like apricot or raspberry jams with pork

Chili jams go well with seafood or chicken meat.

These simple and easy to use seasoning methods would add great flavor to your food without needing to put in a lot of effort. Go give these spices a try and be in for a great meal :)