Having "Me" Time

Yes, the flood waters are moving closer to Bangkok.  Everyone is getting a little nervous, me included.  When it rains, I can't help but wonder if that will mean one more line of defense has broken and that soon the waters will rush into the inner city area.  Let's pray that there be no more casualties.  When stressed I tend to eat more than I should.  It's like my brain decides that eating helps relieve stress.  However, it only helps short term for it ends up making me feel worried about having eaten too much.   I end up looking for healthy foods to eat, which brings me to the third myth.  The myth that low fat foods are always good for you. I'm sorry to have to be the one to break the news to you, but low fat foods are NOT always good for you. It is important to always read the food labels when you buy food.  Sometimes, the food is indeed low in fat, but extremely high in sodium (salt) and sugars whic...

The world has gone bananas.  Bombings, shootings and phone hacking scandals are what dominate the headlines.  Everywhere I go, those are what people are reading about.  The world has indeed gone bananas.  If you can't already guess by now, I thought today I'd write about how good it is to actually go "bananas."  No, don't take me literally and go crazy,  what I want to say is eat bananas. The past few weeks, I've returned to my healthy snack routine at the office which involves daily does of fresh bananas.  I bring along two each morning.  One for my mid morning snack and one for the mid afternoon snack.  Some days if I anticipate long hours, I bring an extra banana.   They are great especially if you are looking for a healthy alternative to chips, fried chicken or the grilled pork skewers that set up shop outside the office building. Bananas are rich in fiber and so they keep you filling full.  If you n...

If you missed me the past few days, I have to admit I've been feeling a bit "under the weather."   I suppose it's a good phrase to use at this time of year when the weather in Bangkok is just plain bothersome.   It's extremely hot in the mornings and then in the afternoons, it'll rain cats and dogs out of nowhere.   Anyways, still a bit "under the weather" but determined not to let it stop me from doing what I love today (blogging of course!)  I thought I'd write a bit about "intention versus actions." This is something that took me awhile to understand and now that I do, I think it makes great sense. Thank you Alex.  Here's an example I think many of you can relate to.  It's something that's happened to me year in, year out. (Thank goodness I've gotten it over with..)   Every year I'd make the same resolution and somehow as the year passed it'd fade away quietly.   It goes like this. I want to lose weig...

If you are like me, somedays the discipline just goes on holiday and it takes awhile to get it back.  You start on a series of eating out with friends, then more and more reunions come your way, and before you know it, you keep wanting to eat more.    For the ladies out there, here's a tip on how to make sure you don't eat too much:  Wear Pants.  Wear Jeans.  or Wear Skirts with waists that do not expand. I'm a big fan of skirts and dresses and I love the ones without any waists.  They just flow over and then you tie it up with a little belt or a bow to finish the look.  They're comfortable, they're convenient and they are perfect for Bangkok's hot weather.  However, they can be quite dangerous if you eat out a lot when your discipline has gone on holiday.  You don't feel your stomach expanding and you can keep on eating till your heart's content.  As long as the mind isn't full, there is more room to grow (your stomach ...

I'm always looking for something healthy to eat and drink, but when you are on a weightloss program things get a lot tougher.  I love drinking Yakult.  If you don't know what it is, it is probiotic drink made by fermenting skimmed milk with a special strain of Lactobacillus.  This is supposedly a very healthy drink that is supposed to regulate your bowel movements and help you in a zillion ways. It's an awesome drink that refreshes me every time I drink it.  I love it.   The funniest thing is that it is only sold by direct sales.  It's not easily found in stores and you have to find it from one of the Yakult ladies dressed in their brown uniform with a brown cap.  Originally from Japan, this drink is now sold worldwide. However, if you are on a diet, I have to tell you this.  BEWARE.  Yakult is extremely high in sugar with roughly 17 grams of sugar in a 100g serving!!  That's already around 6% of your suggested daily intake....

Yesterday I started out writing with the intention of talking about "Dragon Fruits" but half way through I realized I was talking more about weigh scales.  Tonight I'd get straight to the point and talk about this relatively new fruit called "Dragon fruit." When I first heard the name I wondered what could a fruit look like to justify such a name?  Is it shaped like a dragon?  Is it large and full of fire with flapping wings ?  That's what I always think about when I hear the word "dragon."  I still love saying the name "dragon fruit."  It makes me feel like I am in a mystical land. Interestingly, it's a fruit that comes from a cacti plant that only blooms at night. What's more, it depends on pollination by bats and moths. Not exactly your ideal fruit that dangles from pretty looking trees, like apples that tempted Adam and Eve. However, after seeing the "dragon fruit", I can somewhat see why it's called so...

Now the year has started and the holiday festivities are slowing losing momentum (at least until the Chinese New Year) let's all start the year out being fit and healthy!    A lot of people start the year with a resolution to lose some weight and be healthy.  It often works for a couple months and then somehow the goal gets lost amidst all the work and whatever life brings us and we end the year having gained weight rather than having lost weight. That was me for probably more than a decade or so. No more.  It still feels surreal having lost 15kg (32 lbs).  This time last year, I was still working on my last few kgs. Wow. This year, for the first time, my goal is to just maintain my weight and I tell you it feels WONDERFUL. It's amazingly less stress and I don't have to start the year with a guilty feeling knowing I didn't make it happen last year and so I have to do it again this year.  I can move on with my l...