It's the season of baking again! I'll be making three cakes (finally! after such a long promise) for a gathering with my dear friends :)
What's on the menu? We have..
1) Chocolate Genoise Cake with Grand Marnier Creme de Patisserie and Vanilla Buttercream
2) Green Tea Sponge Cake with Green Tea Mousse
3) Coffee Genoise Cake with White Chocolate Mousse
Will upload the pictures soon! :) Can't wait.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
For those who are visiting Hong Kong...
This website provides a wealth of information on where to find good food in Hong Kong (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/tramguide/eng/)
Enjoy! :)
Enjoy! :)
FOOD GALORE!
You guys should visit foodgawker.com to witness a neverending gastronomical (optically) feast! It provides awesome links to other food blogs around the world. There are over 3000+ pages of links, take your time and enjoy the immense delight of food (for your eyes) :D
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Nasty!
Let me attest to the corny, but very factual statement 'Money is the root of all evil'. Apparently my uncle had been conned by the local fishmongers in Hong Kong who unscrupulously labelled 'oilfish' as its pricey counterparty 'codfish'. Oilfish is a fish that highly resembles codfish in terms of appearance and taste but it contains some nasty indigestible wax esters (the stuff that contributes to the oilyness of the creature) that will bring laxative side effects. Enough said, you guys should know what happened after I've consumed that darn thing. It grossed me out, like how I'm so disgusted by the dirty dealings carried out by those selfish fishmongers.
Remember to differentiate between codfish and oilfish before making your purchase. More information is available on Google.com :)
Remember to differentiate between codfish and oilfish before making your purchase. More information is available on Google.com :)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
My Happiest Day of my LIFE
To XXX,
Thanks for coming over and accompany me for the whole day! It was fun crapping with you, staring at you, touching you, feeling you. Love!
Thanks for coming over and accompany me for the whole day! It was fun crapping with you, staring at you, touching you, feeling you. Love!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tangled heartstrings
I guess I'm holding you too tight. But I can't let myself to lose grip even for a few seconds. I feel like a tinpot dictator, a brutal ruler who is hated by people. I know all those words I've said have made you sad in a certain way, I'm deeply apologetic. I can't help but to feel this way, I'm sorry for being so darn foolish. Sometimes the emotional burden is so heavy that I wish for you to leave me and let me suffer all these pain alone, but I need you by my side forever. I can't imagine life without your presence, your silliness, your aloofness, your ignorance, your stubborness. At least I know when I crash to the rock bottom, you will be there for me. I'm really thankful for all that you've done. Your love to me, is like my drug. When you're gone, I crash and crave for you. With you around I get so high (sometimes angry, because you just won't talk much). So yeah, forgive me for being so selfish, I blame myself, for loving you too much.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Foods that enhance metabolism
As extracted from http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/foods-that-speed-metabolism/,
1. Hot peppers
Jalapeno, habanero, cayenne and other forms of spicy peppers directly boost metabolism and circulation. In fact, eating hot peppers not only speeds up your metabolism, it also reduces cravings. This is related to its capsaicin content, a constituent that stimulates the body’s pain receptors, temporarily increasing blood circulation and metabolic rate. If you have ever experienced a bout of intense sweating after eating a particularly hot tamale, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, studies have shown that eating hot peppers can boost the metabolism by up to 25%, with the spike lasting for up to 3 hours.
2. Whole Grains: Oatmeal & Brown Rice
Whole grains are chock-full of nutrients and complex carbohydrates that speed up metabolism by stabilizing our insulin levels. Slow-release carbs, such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa offer long-lasting energy, without the spikes associated with other sugar-rich foods. We want to keep our insulin levels low, as spikes in this chemical tell the body that it needs to begin storing extra fat.
3. Broccoli
High in calcium (a known weight-reducer), broccoli is also extraordinarily high in vitamins C, K and A. One serving of broccoli will also provide you with plenty of folate and dietary fiber, plus a variety of antioxidants. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods you can add to your diet.
4. Soups
Studies show that people who eat soups eat less solid food with their main meals. One study on soup done at Penn State University found that the liquid goodness offered a appetite reducing combination of liquids and solids that reduced intake of excess foods, speeding up the metabolism for fat burning. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch.
5. Green Tea
It is now becoming a well-known fact, through multiple scientific studies, that green tea extract significantly increases metabolism, as well as provide a variety of other health benefits. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also rich in the antioxidants needed for optimal health.
6. Apples and Pears
Studies show that these two fruits help boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. A study done at the State University of Rio de Janeiro found that women eating three small apples or pears daily, lost more weight than women who did not. Apples and pears are also two fruits that you want to eat organic.
7. Spices
From cayenne to garlic to cinnamon, spices are one of the best ways you can keep your metabolic rates high. Especially speedy are the more pungent spices such as black pepper, mustard seeds, powdered onion and ginger. One Canadian study found the use of spices enabled people to burn up to 1,000 more calories daily than those not incorporating spices into their diet.
8. Citrus fruits
Fruits such as grapefruit have been shown to help us burn fat and keep metabolism high. This could be related to the fruits’ high amount of vitamin C, a component that again, reduces insulin spikes.
9. Foods High in Calcium
A study done at the University of Tennessee found that people who consumed 1,200-1,300 milligrams of calcium a day lost almost double the amount of weight as those who were not getting enough calcium in their diet. To help boost your metabolism, eat plenty of foods high in calcium. If you are unable to eat more of these foods, then you should consider taking a calcium supplement.
10. Foods High in Omega-3′s
Foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to speed your metabolism. These acids reduce the production of a hormone called leptin, a natural chemical thatlowers metabolism. Animal studies done at the University of Wisconsin found that lab mice with low leptin levels produced faster metabolic rates than mice with higher levels of the hormone.
Another study done by the Mayo Clinic found that African tribes with a heavy fish-based diet had leptin levels up to five times lower than tribes that did not consume fish. Please keep in mind that there are many other nutritional sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, besides fish. These foods include many nuts and seeds. Hemp oil and flax seed oil are both great additions to your diet, as they are naturally high in essential fatty acids.
11. Purified Water
Okay, it’s not exactly a food, but it is a metabolism booster. A recent German study found that drinking water speeds up fat burning. It is also a natural appetite suppressant and detoxifier.
1. Hot peppers
Jalapeno, habanero, cayenne and other forms of spicy peppers directly boost metabolism and circulation. In fact, eating hot peppers not only speeds up your metabolism, it also reduces cravings. This is related to its capsaicin content, a constituent that stimulates the body’s pain receptors, temporarily increasing blood circulation and metabolic rate. If you have ever experienced a bout of intense sweating after eating a particularly hot tamale, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, studies have shown that eating hot peppers can boost the metabolism by up to 25%, with the spike lasting for up to 3 hours.
2. Whole Grains: Oatmeal & Brown Rice
Whole grains are chock-full of nutrients and complex carbohydrates that speed up metabolism by stabilizing our insulin levels. Slow-release carbs, such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa offer long-lasting energy, without the spikes associated with other sugar-rich foods. We want to keep our insulin levels low, as spikes in this chemical tell the body that it needs to begin storing extra fat.
3. Broccoli
High in calcium (a known weight-reducer), broccoli is also extraordinarily high in vitamins C, K and A. One serving of broccoli will also provide you with plenty of folate and dietary fiber, plus a variety of antioxidants. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods you can add to your diet.
4. Soups
Studies show that people who eat soups eat less solid food with their main meals. One study on soup done at Penn State University found that the liquid goodness offered a appetite reducing combination of liquids and solids that reduced intake of excess foods, speeding up the metabolism for fat burning. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch.
5. Green Tea
It is now becoming a well-known fact, through multiple scientific studies, that green tea extract significantly increases metabolism, as well as provide a variety of other health benefits. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also rich in the antioxidants needed for optimal health.
Studies show that these two fruits help boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. A study done at the State University of Rio de Janeiro found that women eating three small apples or pears daily, lost more weight than women who did not. Apples and pears are also two fruits that you want to eat organic.
7. Spices
From cayenne to garlic to cinnamon, spices are one of the best ways you can keep your metabolic rates high. Especially speedy are the more pungent spices such as black pepper, mustard seeds, powdered onion and ginger. One Canadian study found the use of spices enabled people to burn up to 1,000 more calories daily than those not incorporating spices into their diet.
8. Citrus fruits
Fruits such as grapefruit have been shown to help us burn fat and keep metabolism high. This could be related to the fruits’ high amount of vitamin C, a component that again, reduces insulin spikes.
9. Foods High in Calcium
A study done at the University of Tennessee found that people who consumed 1,200-1,300 milligrams of calcium a day lost almost double the amount of weight as those who were not getting enough calcium in their diet. To help boost your metabolism, eat plenty of foods high in calcium. If you are unable to eat more of these foods, then you should consider taking a calcium supplement.
10. Foods High in Omega-3′s
Foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to speed your metabolism. These acids reduce the production of a hormone called leptin, a natural chemical thatlowers metabolism. Animal studies done at the University of Wisconsin found that lab mice with low leptin levels produced faster metabolic rates than mice with higher levels of the hormone.
Another study done by the Mayo Clinic found that African tribes with a heavy fish-based diet had leptin levels up to five times lower than tribes that did not consume fish. Please keep in mind that there are many other nutritional sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, besides fish. These foods include many nuts and seeds. Hemp oil and flax seed oil are both great additions to your diet, as they are naturally high in essential fatty acids.
11. Purified Water
Okay, it’s not exactly a food, but it is a metabolism booster. A recent German study found that drinking water speeds up fat burning. It is also a natural appetite suppressant and detoxifier.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
My first chocolate souffles!
Triumph of the day! :D
These soft little fluffy creations are soooo irresistable!!
These soft little fluffy creations are soooo irresistable!!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Craze!
I'm getting all hyped up over University of Pennsylvania and MIT for their Architecture courses... they seem to provide such a fun and lively environment for the students to study. The application process may be arduous but it looks very promising :)
#endofrandomthought
#endofrandomthought
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Revelation - 3 myths about dieting
1) You can eat after 8pm
It doesn't matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. No matter when you eat, your body will store extra calories as fat. If you want a snack before bedtime, think first about how many calories you've eaten that day.
2) There Are No Negative-Calorie Foods
You may have heard that some foods, because they are difficult to digest, will make you lose weight. Dubbed "negative-calorie foods," citrus fruits and celery have both basked in this flattering light in fad diets over the years. The problem is that it's not true. The calories your body burns in fueling the digestive cycle are minuscule compared with the calories in the food itself. Although chewing celery might seem like a strenuous activity, it burns about the same amount of calories as watching grass grow.
3) Yo-Yo Dieting Won't Wreck Your Metabolism
Because of all the ups and downs I've experienced with my weight through the years, I was afraid that dieting might have messed with my metabolism. Now I've learned I don't have anything to worry about. While extremely low-cal diets temporarily lower your metabolism, recent studies suggest that the effects don't last. Researchers in Canada looked at fifty-two overweight women who'd been dieting on and off for an average of eighteen years. They measured the women's resting metabolic rate, then compared those numbers with what their metabolism was expected to be based on their weights, heights, and ages. The result: There was no difference between actual and predicted metabolic rates in all but four dieters. So even if you've lost and regained weight countless times, don't give up. Yo-yo diets don't hurt you; they just don't get you anywhere.
Happy weight-losing folks! :)
It doesn't matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. No matter when you eat, your body will store extra calories as fat. If you want a snack before bedtime, think first about how many calories you've eaten that day.
2) There Are No Negative-Calorie Foods
You may have heard that some foods, because they are difficult to digest, will make you lose weight. Dubbed "negative-calorie foods," citrus fruits and celery have both basked in this flattering light in fad diets over the years. The problem is that it's not true. The calories your body burns in fueling the digestive cycle are minuscule compared with the calories in the food itself. Although chewing celery might seem like a strenuous activity, it burns about the same amount of calories as watching grass grow.
3) Yo-Yo Dieting Won't Wreck Your Metabolism
Because of all the ups and downs I've experienced with my weight through the years, I was afraid that dieting might have messed with my metabolism. Now I've learned I don't have anything to worry about. While extremely low-cal diets temporarily lower your metabolism, recent studies suggest that the effects don't last. Researchers in Canada looked at fifty-two overweight women who'd been dieting on and off for an average of eighteen years. They measured the women's resting metabolic rate, then compared those numbers with what their metabolism was expected to be based on their weights, heights, and ages. The result: There was no difference between actual and predicted metabolic rates in all but four dieters. So even if you've lost and regained weight countless times, don't give up. Yo-yo diets don't hurt you; they just don't get you anywhere.
Happy weight-losing folks! :)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Pop me a maraschino cherry
Decided to start a new blog because I'm bored. Enjoy reading y'all.
Blogging from work, and my stomach's growling like a brawl between two bloodhounds infected with rabies. #needsfood
:)
Blogging from work, and my stomach's growling like a brawl between two bloodhounds infected with rabies. #needsfood
:)
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