Author Archives: admin

Chocolate Overload

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I’ve been eating chocolates for the past five days this week. M&Ms, Tim Tams, name it, I probably have eaten it. I have let my raging hormones decide what I eat, unfortunately. Will I need diet pills? Probably not, if I get my act together.

Studies have found that dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and cancer, and has also been shown to improve mood by boosting the brain chemical serotonin. Some even consider chocolate an effective diet food, claiming that a chunk of chocolate before meals diminishes your appetite. It is not the case for me, as I am so hungry and crave for more after I finish one chocolate bar.

So how do I stop? Here are some things I saw online that I should do next time!

The bottom line: Chocolate may be getting a bad rap as a sinful food. On the other hand—as always—moderation may be the key. If you simply must indulge, here are some tips for controlling your chocolate cravings and consumption:

 

  • Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Studies based on dark chocolate tend to show benefits that milk chocolate does not.
  • Partner your chocolate with nutrient-rich foods, like chocolate covered strawberries, apple slices or bananas. Add a few chocolate chips in your berry-nut trail mix. Try a refreshing glass of chocolate-flavored milk or soymilk.
  • Buy smaller sizes of chocolate bars or hot fudge sundaes, since research shows you tend to eat the entire amount you’re served.
  • Order fruit for dessert, with a small chocolate truffle on the side.
  • Savor, don’t chew, your chocolate. Sit down, take your time, and focus on the taste in your mouth. Enjoy it thoroughly. If you pop it in your mouth while you are driving, watching TV, or talking on the phone, you’re likely to keep reaching for more.
  • Give in to your chocolate cravings! Every try to stifle a craving by eating something else? You usually just end up eating more and more foods, eventually giving in to your original desire anyway. Save yourself the calories and the torment! A small portion may be all you need for satisfaction.

    • How You Can Save Water with Dual Flush Toilets

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    image

    It is quite ironic that it is only now that there are efforts to really conserve our natural resources like water and trees (and even energy) when the effects of overusage are being felt and seen (drought, floods caused by deforestation, rising costs in fuel).

    However, it always never too later to act. We can all save our environment in our own ways, even right at our homes. For example, investing on a dual flush toilet will help you save water in the long run. You can also convert your current ones into Low- Flow toilets with SelectAFlush. The kit will convert your toilet into a dual flush enhancing the performance of your current toilet  for a fraction of the price of a new dual flush toilet.

     

    Save Water now!

    Hydrate Your Skin!

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    Before you invest on those expensive wrinkle creams that work, make sure you are doing everything you can to hydrate your body.

    I learned this from a great article:

    Maintaining your skin’s moisture balance and keeping it hydrated is fundamental to keeping your skin healthy. Weather, environment, changes from indoor to outdoor temperatures, time in the sun and even diet can all affect the moisture level of our skin. Regular moisturizing will help your skin maintain its vibrant elasticity and prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines.

    Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about moisturizers is that it hydrates the skin. The truth is moisturizers form a film over the skin and lock in the skin’s natural moisture. This in turn not only increases the skin’s water content, but also protects the skin and encourages an orderly desquamation (shedding) process that makes the skin appear smoother.

    So drink up!

    Practice Portion Control

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    We all have heard it, diet is not enough, one should also know the basics of portion control.

     

    Your stomach is about the size of your fist. Use the palm of your hand to get a good sense of how much protein you should eat at any given meal. Make the rest of the plate full of vegetables.

    Don’t forget to take a daily multivitamin too. Here is a quick reference list of popular food:

    • 1 cup of cereal = a baseball. For example, a cup Cheerios has about a 110 calories.
    • 2 Tbsp of salad dressing = a shot glass. Most salads in restaurants have 2 ladles of dressing on them; 2 Tbsp is a relatively small amount and will average about 240 calories. Adding lemon or mustard or something like balsamic vinegar can make your salad "moist" without adding extra fat and calories.
    • 1 Oz of Nuts = a cupped palm. For example, an ounce of cashews has 163 calories. 
    • 1 Oz of Cheese = a ping-pong ball. An ounce of Cheddar has about 110 calories.
    • 3 Oz of Hamburger = a mayonnaise jar lid. To get a good idea of how big that lid is, move your fingers into a "grab and open a lid" position. It’s a full one ounce smaller than a quarter pounder. Some higher end restaurants serve 1/2 pound hamburgers.
    • 1 Tbsp of Peanut Butter = three dice. Most peanut butter labels have 2 Tbsp as a serving, which is 200 calories. You can make a decent sandwich with 1 Tablespoon. Peanut butter is also delicious with bananas and celery.
    • 1/2 a Cup of Rice = an ice cream scoop. A 1/2 cup of white rice has about 205 calories.
    • 1 Potato = a computer mouse. A potato only has a 100 calories. It’s the stuff you put on the potato that makes the "portion" get out of control. 
    • 1 Dinner Roll = a yo-yo. A dinner roll has about 66 calories.
    • 1 Tsp of Butter = a Scrabble tile. Usually about a Tablespoon of butter is used at about a 100 calories. It’s virtually all fat. Better alternative to butter is olive oil.
    • 1/2 a Cup of Cooked Pasta = a golf ball. There are roughly 200 calories, depends on what kind of pasta.
    • 3 Oz of Fish = a checkbook. A serving of cooked salmon has about 175 calories.
    • 3 Oz of Beef = a bar of soap. There are roughly 200 calories (no marinade or other flavorings)

    Healthy Way

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    Today is the first day of July and my renewed focus towards losing weight begins again. I actually did some physical activity earlier while the daughter was still sleeping. Thankfully, our ipods do their job by providing music without interrupting anyone. My challenge to myself this month is to complete a 30-day journey, hopefully so it becomes a habit.

     

    July, please be good to me!

    Investing on Health

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    I am so thankful that my parents have health insurance coverage provided by my younger sister. They are having health problems lately and need a lot of medical tests and check-ups + follow-ups to consultations and with HMO coverage, at least they are getting everything for free. After almost a year of waiting, we also were able to apply myself and the two kids in my husband’s health insurance coverage. I just read the policy book and the coverage details and I am happy that we can have the kids’ health checked all the time without putting out a lot of money. I am actually eager to have my check-up as soon as I get my health card. It is like I am investing on my health, like when I invest our hard-earned money when we buy gold coins from the US Bureau.

    Quitting Smoking

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    image The husband came home one time with an electric cigarette. It looks like the one you see on the picture to your left. He wants to quit smoking but cannot stop cold turkey so he was advised that this one might help. The cigarette has no nicotine, just a vaporizer. So technically, the husband is just going through the notion of puffing.

    It can be quite costly because you would need refills but it can help you curb smoking nicotine.

    How To Prevent Cancer

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    I lost three of my grandparents to cancer in the last five years. I also have a lot of friends whose aunts and relatives are getting the big C, it’s quite scary. Here are some tips to prevent cancer:

    1. Walking

    Walking has many health benefits, such as cancer and other disease prevention. Instead of using the treadmill, walk outdoors. If you can find a safe sidewalk, or park, you can walk! Bring headphones and listen to music, or even an audiobook.
    Make it a family event! Exercise is important for children, too! Plus, if kids are involved, they won’t ever let you forget when it time to take a walk!

    2. Yoga

    If you have never done Yoga before, why not start a beginners’ class? Yoga is a great physical activity and is a great stress reliever. Don’t worry if you are not flexible; you will work your way up each class. Bringing a friend to class with you makes it easier and less intimidating. Once you learn the basic, you can do the exercises at home in your free time.

    3. Dancing

    Dancing can be the most fun way to meet fitness goals. You can dance in the privacy of your living room, or go to a club. If you have two left feet, try a dance class! Learn salsa, ballroom dancing or even the meringue! There are so many types of dance to learn, you can’t go wrong.

    4. Rollerblading

    Rollerblading just isn’t for the kids! Make sure you have the proper protective gear like a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and have a go at rollerblading! It is very cardiovascular and works out all muscle of the body. Don’t worry if you don’t get it at first, practice makes perfect!

    5. Tai Chi

    Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that promotes health through slow moving exercises and breathing techniques. It is also meditative. Classes can be taught in a group setting or in private classes. Many seniors practice tai chi for it’s health benefits.

    6. Join A Team Sport

    Joining a team sport like softball, volleyball, and soccer can be tons of fun! Organized sports are sometimes offered through the workplace and recreation centers. If your workplace doesn’t have one, why not organize a sport? You’ll meet new people and engage in healthy competition.

    7. Swimming

    Swimming is an excellent form of exercise! You workout out all muscles of the body, and it can be very cardiovascular. Many gyms or YMCA’s offer open swim sessions. If you don’t know how to swim, lessons are available for adults. You can also try water aerobics.

    8. Hiking

    If you love the outdoors, hiking is for you! The scenery alone makes hiking worthwhile. Set a goal for yourself like distance or the amount of time you hike during each session. Not only are you challenging yourself, you are getting one of the best ways to get in shape!

    9. Cycling

    You can cycle at home while watching TV on a stationary bike or hit the outdoors with a traditional bicycle. Stationary bikes are preferred by most adults because it is convenient. You can also control the resistance and simulate biking uphill or downhill. Whether you bike in the home or outdoors, you are easily meeting the 30 minutes/5 days a week goal.

    10. Dodgeball

    Do you remember playing dodgeball in high school gym class? Dodgeball is back! Gyms and rec centers across the country are catching onto the new trend by offering classes and organized teams. It is also the ultimate stress reliever! Think back to when playing in school, how good it felt to get someone “out”. Yes, its definitely a stress reliever!