Coffee,Caffeine & cellulite

I stumbled upon an article about in a magazine and decided to share it here. I believe ladies out there will be glad to know about it.

A cup of coffee has the power to fight fat and even make you more agreeable. What do I mean by it? Read on, you will find your answer.

Coffee makes us more agreeable
It would be great if our boss will grant us a big rise if we bring to him a starbucks every day. However, it is not our point here... I am sorry...

New studies done by Australian researchers from the University of Queensland show moderate intake of coffee before hearing an argument makes you more likely to agree with it, provided that the argument is convincing.

Caffeine, for a brief time, will increase your ability to concentrate and take in new information. When voluntary subjects were given a persuasive argument on a controversial topic after having coffee, they were more likely to agree with it than they were before they had the drink.

With this, it is probably a good idea to invite a customer out to a coffee during a sale pitch after all. Hahaha...

Coffee and Cellulite


About 80% of the women face problems with cellulite irregardless of age, races or weight.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is the expression used to describe pockets of fat which are trapped and cause dimpling in the skin. This dimpling is irregular and patchy and has been identified with orange peel.

Underneath the dermis and epidermis are three specific layers of fat. Cellulite tends to develop in the subcutaneous fat layers. This layer of fat is unique in its structure compared to the other layers because its fatty parts are structured into specific chambers by strands of linked tissue around it.

Your body can easily retain toxins and fats if you do not drink a lot of fluids. However, water is the most effective for keeping your body hydrated. The connection between cellulite and coffee is that drinking to much coffee can result in many toxins and fats being stored in your body. Most women's bodies store excess fats on the hips, thighs and butt. Most of the fat is underneath the skin - hence the cellulite.

The good new here is Cellulite can be treated with coffee grind.
All you need is a cheap hand lotion and caffeinated coffee. You have to grind the coffee into dust and mix the coffee grind with the hand lotion. As a result you will have a cream. Rub it into you cellulite areas and leave it for a minute. Rinse it off in the shower. Do this everyday and you will see those areas get smoother and firmer. It is very important that you do not use decaffeinated coffee because it is the caffeine that reduces the cellulite.

Coffee grind cellulite technique is certainly one of the popular ways to effectively get rid of cellulite in the comfort of your home. Did I mention that it is cheap too?


The link between cellulite and coffee grounds is that coffee can increase blood flow on the parts of the body affected by cellulite. Rubbing the coffee grounds increase circulation and facilitates the breakdown of the fats underneath your skin, which eliminates the cellulite.

With this post, I hope I have contribute my part.

Mango Salad

Last sunday, my aunt gave us some green mangoes and asked to wrap it with paper and wait for it to get ripe. However, instead of waiting, I decided to give this Thai Green Mango Salad a shot as I really has a weak spot for Thai food esp. Tom Yam Soup, Mango & Papaya Salad. I find them to be tasty and healthy as it contain less calories and fat as compared to some of their curry dishes.

This green mango salad is really a great appetiser with its tastebud-awakening flavors and mix of textures. I am sure you will like it.

Here is the recipes:


PART A
1. 2 medium sized unripe mango - shredded thinly.
For better mouthfeel, use a sharp knife to slice thinly (about 2 - 3mm thick) and then cut into thin strips.
2. Half a lemon grass - cut the lemon grass length wise and slice really thinly.
3. 3-4 stalks of coriander leaves, only use the leaves.
4. 3 - 4 chili padi (small fiery hot chilies)
(For those who can'take spicy food, 1 chilli padi would be sufficient, otherwise replace the padi and replaced with a small young ginger, slice thinly)
5. 2 tbsp roasted crushed peanuts
6. 3 tbsp roasted whole cashew nuts
(Almonds or pistachios can also be used instead)


PART B
1. 4 shallots, thinly sliced
2. 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
3. 1 tbsp of fish sauce / 2- 3 tbsp of soya sauce
4. 2 tsp of organic cane sugar
5. 1 tsp of sea salt
6. 2 tbsp of cooking oil (groundnut oil is the best)
7. Juice of 2 kalamansi lime (limau kasturi)
8. Dried shrimps (1 tbsp) - soaked before using.

1. Prepare all the ingredients in PART A and mix together (except for roasted peanuts, cashew nuts and coriander leaves) in a big bowl.
2. Heat the cooking oil in pan before adding the shallots and garlic. Fry till golden, add the dried shrimps and fry for another 1 minute. Add the rest of the PART B ingrediets (mix them in a bowl first before adding to the wok) and heat for about 1 minute. Turn off the fire and dish out the sauce, mix into the big bowl with all the PART A ingredients.
3. Stir the salad evenly, and transfer to a plate.
4. Garnish with coriander leaves . If you like peanuts, sprinkle with roasted crushed peanuts and whole roasted cashew nuts.

How do you like it? Is it a simple and nice dish that required little time?

More about Pu Erh Tea

The Chinese know tea. There's no authority more trusted, no keeper of ancient brewing secrets more renowned. You've prepared the Pu Erh tea in the recommended fashion, comforted in the knowledge it's a hardy tea, capable of sustaining flavor even in the face of the most amateurish brewing methodology. You slowly pour a steaming cup, relishing the pungent aroma that wafts gently upward.

You step outside and settle into a favorite, old chair on the back porch, enjoying the crisp tug of the fall weather on the back of your neck. Warming your hands on the hot clay mug, you anticipate the delight of your first sip. After all, at fifty dollars a pound, this should be one fabulous cup of tea. You'll have to thank your buddy Josh for turning you on to this rare blend. OK, you're ready. First sip and... You rush to the rail and spew the foul froth to the ground, hoping you won't have to reseed in the spring. "This can't be right..." You utter in utter disbelief. "This stuff tastes like dirt!"

It's true. Some have described Pu Erh tea as tasting like dirt. But, even if true, is that a bad thing?

The pungent aroma and earthy, dirt-like flavor of Pu Erh tea is a result of its unique production process. The tealeaves are gathered and fired, as in many other teas, but a portion of the moisture is allowed to remain. The tealeaves are then piled together and aged in underground rooms or caves. The remaining moisture allows a natural bacterium to grow and a process akin to oxidation, or composting, occurs. The result is of the process is a tea that is unusually earthy.

First brewed in China as early 1,000 B.C., the world's best Pu Erh tea comes from the Yunnan Province. Situated in the extreme southwestern portion of China, this province is home to the Six Famous Tea Mountains, known for their perfect climates and conditions for the production of tea. While the tea may be produced from plantation bushes or "wild arbor" tress, the most prized teas come from fully wild trees. These tress are known for producing Pu erh that is rich and earthy, yet without being bitter.

When purchasing Pu Erh keep a couple things in mind. First, don't look for a freshness seal. With Pu Erh it's "the older the better." Unlike other teas, which lose their taste over time, the depth of Pu Erh's taste is actually enhanced with age. It's not uncommon to find Pu Erh that is twenty to thirty years old, or even older. Also keep in mind that the older the tea the more expensive. Don't expect to pay grocery store prices for Pu Erh. Twenty dollars per pound is a bargain and, for older and higher quality selections, you may easily pay fifty dollars or more per pound.

Pu Erh is also said to have a multitude of health benefits, including aiding digestion and lowering cholesterol. Add to this its soothing effect, its blood cleansing properties, and its facilitation of weight loss and it seems like a surefire winner. But...

While health benefits are great, it may not be enough to pique your friend's interest in trying this rather unique brew. However, your friends simply won't be able to resist the intrigue when you tell them Pu Erh tea "tastes like dirt - and, it's good for you." After all, who could resist a testimonial like that?

Tim Anderson is a freelance writer who has a special interest in medical topics. Visit his blog at http://medicalmigrant.blogspot.com/

Secrets to steal from a Japanese Woman

Have you ever wonder why that Japanese women look slim and younger than their age and live a longer life as compared to other countries.

Ladies ladies out there, please pay attention now...you will know the secrets very soon!

Well the secrets are :

1) They never eat canned food. Typical Japanese have sashimi and sushi for their meal. No preserved or processed food. They eat a lot of fish like salmon and seafood that are high in protein. Moreover, fish reduce risk of heart disease and is full of omega 3 which are good for the skin. This explains why the majority of the japanese ladies stay slim and younger looking.

2) Typical Japanese ladies do not drink. They refrain themselves from it.
I do not know and can't say so about the younger generation.

3) Okinawa has the most longevity of any place in the world with a life expectancy of 81.2 years. They key factor to it is they practise calorie control in a cultural habit of eating until you are 80% full.
No overeating and no buffets...:)

4) Japanese are masters of zen. Staying calm is a Japanese attitude that has been proven be a key factor in keeping them youthful.
In the Okinawa study, centenarians shows low in displaying time urgency, tension and high in self-confidence and unyieldness. They are easy going, optimistic and adaptable. This is something we really have to adopt and practice especially this economic downturn time when everybody is feeling uncertain and dull about their future. Gan ba de... Jia You Jia You... buck up...:)


4) Japanese walks everywhere. They walk a lot. Instead of driving to supermarket once a week to lug back the week long of food, they usually walk to and from everyday. It is a walking culture which they cultivate over the years.
So ladies wait no further, start your walking regime now. A little walking every day does wonders for your well-being.

5) No maid policy. Instead of sitting down at a desk bound job, it is easier to stay slim tending to children and cleaning house. It is a common practice for a married women in Japan. They believe in doing everything themselves and not hiring maids.

Can our modern and capable mother do it in this technological, fast moving society? Well.... I would think it is difficult without the support and co-operation from your spouse or children... otherwise, it will be difficult to be a zen master. Hahaha...

6)Many Japanese ladies believe in natural therapies. They love hydrotherapies which help to relieve stress, soften the skin and releases endorphins.
Japanese faith in all things natural do not just stop at the food but extends over to what they apply to their skins. As such, if you review the skincare product in the market, you will find most of it natural or organic.

7) Japanese women are less ambitious and career minded as compared to woman around other developed countries. They are mostly full-time homemaker once after she is married or has a family. This cultural attitude actually means Japanese women experience less mental and emotional stress than those who are struggling to strike a balance between career and family. They have a well-defined role and they usually pick up leisure hobbies which is able to occupy their free time.

For this, I envy the Japanese culture.

Sweet potatoes

Today, my colleague shared with me her sweet potatoes (purple skin)for lunch. It is simply tasty and yummy... The thought of it make me hungry again.

Do you know Sweet potatoes has a high nutritional values. In fact, it is low in sodum, cholesterol free, fat free, high in fiber, with protein, vitamins A, B6 & C, iron and calcium. Orange and yellow sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene and purple sweet potatoes are very rich in anthocyanins. It helps to prevents osteoporosis, constipation, boost the immune system and anti-aging with whitening effect etc. It is also good for young children brain development and growth.

Is it amazing? A nice delicious food with high nutritional values. It is definitely a health food.

Healthy Sandwich

To lose weight is not about shutting off carbohydrates completely out of your meal. It is more about exercising regularly and knowing how to eat right.

To have a lighter meal of the day, you can opt for a tasty, crunchy Baguete Sandwich for lunch. See recipes below if you like my recommendation.



Ingredients

1 small baguette (purchased or freshly baked)
Cheese (may be soft cheese, such as Brie, or hard cheese, such as Gouda)
Ham
Tomato
Green Leafy Vegetable / Lettuce
Mayonnaise or mustard
Cornichons (tiny sweet French pickles) - Optional


Procedure

Slice the baguette in half lengthwise.
Spread one half with mayonnaise or mustard, depending on preference.
Arrange sliced cheese and ham over the mayonnaise.
Slice the sweet pickles in half, and arrange on ham.
Top with sliced tomato and green leafy vegetable/lettuce.
Wrap in plastic wrap and carry for lunch away from home.

Serves 1 or 2.

Pan fried Mackerel

Today, I have a special liking for fish, especially Mackerel.
As I was browsing through the web, I came across a recipe of Pan fried Mackerel cooked in the Japanese style. Look delicious and enough to make me drool...

The recipe is below:

Pan-fried Japanese-style Mackerel
Serves 2 people

2 mackerel filets
1 tbs yellow miso
1/2 to 1 tsp sugar
1 tbs mirin
1 tsp grated ginger
lemon or lime wedges for serving
finely sliced green onion for garnish

Methods

1) The paste by combining the miso, sugar, mirin and ginger.
2) Rub it on the meaty side of the fish.
3) Pan fry the fish in a fairly hot pan with a little oil.
4) Start with the skin side down, then flip it for the last minute or so.