A_butterfly_kiss

Thought you would like this. From a Chinese menu :-) 4 hours ago

I will not be writing here on this goal from now on. The only reason I wanted to write here is that to keep myself motivated. It is very grey in London and started feeling a bit depressed. And I have a big appetite as well. I had a big appetite like this for a short while last month too. I don’t get this feeling every month. I don’t know.

However, despite all of these feelings I have been eating healthy and started exercising this week. And I will not be drinking alcohol until Saturday.

I went to the gym this morning and had a really good cardio work out. The rest of the week’s plan is:

Thursday :
Walk one hour in the morning
KW dvd workout in the evening

Friday :
Walk one hour in the morning
Combat class in the evening

Saturday :
Bum, tum, thigh class at the gym
Sauna session after the class (Want to sweat the toxic out of my body. If that is possible. Maybe I am being a bit health freak now!)

Sunday :
Rest or if I have the energy I want to try Sunday’s salsa aerobics class at the gym

I hope I can stick to the plan. I know I will feel better next week.

Good Luck Me. 8 hours ago

Exercising:
Walked an hour this morning

Food:
Apple, cucumber and celery stick juice
Chicken noodle soup
Tomato, cucumber and spring onion salad (Greek salad) with feta cheese and oat crackers

Snacks:
Lots of healthy snacks 1 day ago

I really needed solid food today. I give up on this goal for now and I will just stick to healthy eating plan only. 1 day ago

Exercising:
Walked 1 hour (not so intense walk)
Body conditioning class and 15 minutes cardio work out at the gym

Eating:
Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs with oat crackers
Lunch: Green beans in onion and tomato sauce (A Mediterranean dish)
Dinner: Lentil dish and half a tomato and cucumber slices as side salad
Snacks through out day: 1 tangerine, 1 nectarine, handful of mix nuts and 2 spoons of natural yoghurt with 2 ryvitas in it
Drinks: Coffee in the morning, green tea, water

A very healthy start but feels like I ate too much.

I do not wish to write here daily. I just found myself a bit demotivated today. In realty this is my daily diet. Just need to remind myself that. Hope writing here will help too. 2 days ago

I am breaking my goals into smaller goals. I know I already have 2 weeks healthy eating and exercising plan on the list. But breaking the goals into smaller goals help me to stay motivated. I need to juice 3 days because I feel bloated and in need of healthy fruits and vegetables juice urgently. I have a sore on my lip and I am guessing that is the result of dramatic diet change for two weeks while I was away on a long trip.

Anyhow, this is the plan I want to start tomorrow with:
Breakfast: Apple, celery stick and cucumber juice
Snack: Strawberry and banana smoothie
Lunch: Carrot and ginger juice lunch
Dinner: Pumpkin or some sort of soup that I will make myself tomorrow

I will use this site for new ideas and recipes:
http://www.raw-foods-diet-center.com/vegetable-juicing-recipes.html 2 days ago

I’d like to recommend this site to you . There are examples of writing, speaking, listening and reading on this site. If you study the samples on this site you will find the exam much easier.

http://www.ielts-exam.net/academic_writing_samples_task_1/83/

Good Luck. 2 days ago

and meet you and see Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa.

In the mean time I will look forward to your entries to see more of Tokyo. 2 days ago

I didn’t see a sign of socialism in China. The Chinese people pay for everything. From education to medical treatments. Our tour guide told us that there is nothing free in China. An other thing if you want to have a second child or more you pay hell of tax to the government. So they know you can afford to raise your children. How? By taking all the money you have because you want one more child so your one and only child isn’t on his/her own when you are gone. They love their children in China and they pay regardless the future insecurities.

Anyway, this will be week 20’s subject to read. I will get back here tomorrow or early next week.

PS: I found this very interesting blog written by an American guy who lives in China. I think it’s a great bloq. It may not give me the answers I am looking for but I will go through this site anyway. Might take a week of me to read it thorugh.
http://seeingredinchina.com/

and want to read these sites:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_politics/government/html/1.stm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110818232621AAggx93 4 days ago

I enjoyed reading about the tea ceremony this afternoon.

For the tea ceremony:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony

The Japanese tea varieties:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2041.html 4 days ago

1. Life of Pi 4*
2. Oz the great and powerful 3*
3. Hitchcock 5*
4. Lost in translation 5*

I have watched four movies so far in May. I am sure there will be more. I have not been watching any tv series, dramas anything like that recently. I have not had time for it. I will not have time for it until mid July anyway. I guess watching tv series on dvd’s are something you want to in autumn/winter.

However I want to buy Downton Abbey S3 and watch the I,Cladius before anything. Guess I will come back to this part of the goal in August. 4 days ago

1. Taken 3*
2. Dangerous Liaisons 4*
3. Airplane 5* 4 days ago

I purchased wakame and some other types of seaweeds from Japan. For wakame I also bought miso soup paste. I will use these combination together but I am also in search of for new recipes for the other variety of seaweeds I bought. Seaweeds have the widest range of minerals and vitamins. On my behalf I am interested in them because I have under active thyroid and they are good for it.

THE TYPES:
KOMBU
Also known as kelp, kombu is commonly used in Japan for making dashi broth, which is a stock used as a base for many traditional Japanese dishes. Dashi is made from kombu and soy sauce, sometimes with the addition of other ingredients such as ginger, mirin (rice cooking wine), sake and bonito (fish) flakes. Kombu is high in glutamic acid, which is like a natural MSG and can add flavor to foods. It also contains alginic acid, which helps break down the tough cellulose fiber in foods and make them more digestible. For this reason, a strip of kombu is often added when cooking beans, as it makes them more digestible, less gassy and helps them cook more quickly.

WAKAME
Wakame is most commonly used as an ingredient in miso soup. It swells up significantly when soaked in water and cooked, so a little goes a long way. It also has a tough, spiny piece running down the middle of it—which should be cut up small—and it takes a little longer to cook, so add it first. Wakame can also be soaked and used in salads, combined with cucumber and an Asian dressing made with tamari, brown rice vinegar, mirin and a little toasted sesame oil.

NORI
Nori is mostly used for wrapping rice and other ingredients to make sushi rolls or hand rolls. It can also be cut up into tiny strips and added to soups and casseroles or sprinkled on rice and other grains. Nori also makes a great Band-Aid if you get a cut in the kitchen! Just wrap a strip of nori around the cut, and it will seal it. The minerals in the seaweed will help to heal the cut.

DULSE (or dillisk)
Dulse is one of my favorite sea jewels! It is red in color and requires little or no cooking. I love to add it to soups, stews or casseroles, serve in a salad or simply munch on it for a nutritious snack. For a special treat, flash-fry dulse pieces in hot oil. Remove quickly and drain on paper towel—now you have delicious seaweed crisps.

ARAME
Arame is one of the most mineral-rich sea jewels. It looks like black hair and, coincidentally, is said to be extremely nourishing for your locks. It also has a balancing effect on the hormonal system and is particularly beneficial for the thyroid. Arame is mostly served as a side dish. It needs to be soaked for about 15 minutes before cooking to soften it up, then it can be drained and added to sautéed onion, carrot and whatever other vegetables you wish to add. Season with tamari, mirin and ginger, and serve sprinkled with slivered scallions and toasted sesame seeds. It can also be soaked for up to an hour and served in a cold salad with quickly blanched sugar snap peas, carrot, corn and a spicy salad dressing.

HIZIKI
Hiziki is much like arame but is harder and has a thicker texture, so it requires longer soaking and cooking. It is also mineral-rich, very high in calcium and iron, an excellent blood tonic and good for hair and hormonal balance. It is recommended to strengthen the kidneys and is cooked much like arame.
•Try Aine’s Golden Hiziki Tarts recipe

AGAR AGAR
Agar agar is a natural gelatin from the sea and can be used in place of gelatin in recipes. It is high in fiber and is also a good source of calcium. Agar agar is used to make a dessert called Kanten, in which it is simmered in fruit juice (about 1 tablespoon agar agar flakes to 1 cup juice) and poured over cut-up fresh fruit or berries, left to set. Just avoid using agar agar with citrus fruits, as this will negate the gelling action. It can then be pureed or served as is. I like to pour it into individual serving glasses and let it set in the glasses and top with a dollop of cashew cream or natural Greek-style yogurt.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Seaweed-Varieties-and-Cooking-Tips-Aine-McAteers-Blog/2#ixzz2Tejfviqr

HEALTH BENEFITS:
The Different Seaweed Benefits

Scientists just recently confirmed that seaweed benefits are true. This is because they found out that they are the plants on earth that have the widest range of minerals. These plants have all minerals which are available in the food humans eat. That should be a good reason why everyone should eat the plant. They are rich in minerals like iron, B-vitamin folate, magnesium, calcium and many others. The seaweeds are used by some people in the preparation of soup, side dishes and even salads. The people who have tasted it say that they taste good. The sea weeds which are eaten are deep green Kombu, chewy red dulse, toasted nori and many others.

A good source of nutrients
Aside from being a good source of minerals it is also a good source of amino acids. This is what makes it very important food stuff for vegetarians as they will get nutrients they need.

Helps in weight management
The sea weed is a good food to take when you want to take control of your weight. This is because the sea weed has only up to 20 calories per serving and has no fat. Therefore there will be no fat deposition. It is also high in fiber which makes a person feel full when eating a meal. This is a good factor as it will prevent eating junk and snacking all the time.

Can be a good substitute for salt
Seaweed has a high salty flavor which could be used in processed foods and also snacks instead of salt. This will be very advantageous because it helps reduce the chances of someone developing high blood pressure which could result to heart attacks and even stroke.

Helps in regulating blood sugar level
Seaweed is a good product when you are looking for ways to balance blood sugar. It has fiber which is very soluble and hence can slow down the rate of digestion and absorption. This will help balance the blood sugar.

It is good for digestion
This is another one of the seaweed benefits that is not well known. The soluble fiber found in this seaweed is good for digestion. Fiber prevents constipation and facilitates in effective bowels movements.

Countries like Korea and Japan have been using seaweed for sometime because they already discovered its health benefits. The cultures that used to eat this plant in the olden times showed no signs of medical conditions like obesity, Alzheimer’s disease or even diabetes among many others.

There were also less instances of breast cancer. It also helped prevent birth defects as the infant would get all the nutrients needed for healthy growth. It has a high level of folic acid which is very essential in the breakdown of a chemical that poses great risk called homocysteine. The chemical is the one responsible for damaged blood vessels and also stroke.

It is also a good stress reliever as it is high in magnesium, vitamins and Pantothenic acid. These are very important parts of the adrenal glands which helps someone to cope with stress. The seaweed benefits are countless. You will enjoy a healthy life from it.
http://modepi.org/health-benefits-of-eating-seaweed 4 days ago

We also went to National Museum in Ueno Park. But I was disappointed with the museum. I am not sure why it didn’t impress me. Maybe the countries bombed during WW2 do not have much historical items to show. But I would expect more from it. 4 days ago

While we were there but thought it would be rude since we had not spoken before. I had a great time in Tokyo. I loved it in fact. We stayed 5 days in Tokyo in Ikebukuro. We went to Shibuya, Ginza, Roppongi but didn’t like Roppongi area really. That is the only place we didn’t like. That’s only because we don’t go to the clubs. And the area was too expensive anyway.

We took a day panaromic tour that took us to Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Asakuso Temple and went on a boat trip on Sumida river. We went to Odaibe Island too.

And we visited Ueno Park and the Ameya Yokocha market and the rest of the attractions ourselves. My favourite attraction was Tsukijijo fish market. But we could not make for the auction as it would be too early late at night to get there to queue up.

Like yourself we love food and I fell in love with Japanese food. I keep an eye on your food entries. I tried natto. And we went to a restaurant to have ox tongue for lunch in Shinjuki on our last day. And I had never had that much beer in my life. I loved hoppy. Though it is not categorised as beer to me it looks like beer. Loved it.

I could go on how much I loved Tokyo. I am still under the influence of the time we had in Tokyo. I will come back again. And next time I will let you know. It would be great to meet you and see Tokyo with local’s help.

Have a good w-end. 4 days ago

The plan was to start reading this book and have an easy reading book as a back up in case I need a break from reading a looong book. But now I can’t find the book. I must have forgotten to put in the suitcase when I was packing to bring it to London.

Anyway, enjoy reading your book. 4 days ago

By the colours of the leaves I thought the tree was either dying or it could be the type of the tree.

Good to know it is not a dying tree.

Thank You for the photo attachment too. 4 days ago

Dieting and exercising are full time job. You need to make an effort. Some people like your colleague likes quick fix. If you moan and try to do it effortlessly the result will be a no success. I have been reading your entries for some time now and I admire your determination and hard work. And good to see that you enjoy the health changes you’ve chosen to do in your life.

In regards to your break from the gym is I am sure this will help your muscles to shape during the break.

Keep going and good luck with it all. 5 days ago

I really need to plan a healthy and normal living after our long trip to Far East. At the moment I am still not normal me. I have had the sides of jetlag for the first time in my life. I guess that is normal as we travelled to two countries with different time zones. We stayed at 4 different hotels during this time. Flew 32 hours in total. And we walked and cycled a lot. I mean a lot. and I am also in charge of packing and sorting out the clothes to minimise the ironing business during our trips. That on its own made me feel tired after changing to 4 hotels. That I had to re-organise the dirty clothes and the clean ones etc etc.

Plus I have to do the unpacking and washing and ironing straight after our arrival. Which I already have. That also tired me up to extreme level.

I even did the food shopping. I was jetlagged so much I found myself at the front door of Tesco on the first morning of our arrival at 6 am in the morning on Monday. So I also did the food shopping. Now the fridge is full with healthy food, washing and ironing are all done and the flat is tidy. I can now start thinking of my health.

I will be gentle with myself this week but I will come up with picking the healthy eating and exercising habits from next week. 6 days ago

UPDATE I – 16/5/13
I am stuck with Master and Margarita. I am actually so disappointed with this book. Didn’t realise this book was involved in fantasy to this level. Feels like there is more fantasy involved in it that is kind of stopping to get to the point. Anyway, I will finish it though. But I will also search the internet to find out what Mikhael Bulgakov was really trying to tell when he wrote this book as most of the things in the book bores me to death without getting to the point. I didn’t want to know more than what I knew about the book earlier. I didn’t read many reviews about the book before. I knew not much other than the book telling Stalins’ days politics and a love story. I wanted it read it myself so it would make sense itself by time. Anyway, I have under 100 pages left. I will try to understand it with the help of internet at the w-end before I finish it.

I am also thinking that I am reading this book in the wrong time. Anyway I want to finish it anyway.

Next book maybe Les Miserable as I had a copy at home that I brought last time I went home. Plus I want to order a couple of books from the library. I will start reading the les miserable until the ordered books arrive.

Oh another thing with me is that I like to have 2 books to read. Not to read them at the same time :-) But it is good to have an option to choose to read the book according to my moods. That helps me to enjoy reading more. I will keep this in mind in the future.

UPDATE II – 20/5/13
I feel like I need to study Master and Margarita to understand it. I also read the reviews on goodreads. I found some people share the same views as me on goodreads. Here is the site I want to read soonish.

http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/02themas/verhaal.html

And I ordered 1984 and Frankenstein at the library. Hope they won’t take ages to come. 6 days ago

I actually meant to have the chocolate dumplings and the tea organised in a Chinese restaurant in London. But it was not clear in my entry. Just made it more clear now.

Of course I wouldn’t dream of having chocolate dumplings in China :-)
I’ve just been there. As much as I’d love to try chocolate dumplings in London my first choice is to have tea and scones with clotted cream. Just the way the English do :-)

Oh I had plenty of tea in China. Wouldn’t miss the opportunity to try traditional Chinese tea.

Thank You for your message. 1 week ago

This colour is my favourite on maple tree leaves. 1 week ago

I was surprised to see such a small maple tree. It looked so beautiful though. Not sure why the leaves are brown at this time of the year.

PS: I added the name of the tree in Japanese on the subtitle today 18/5/13. I found out the name of it and more details about this type of trees with the help of DocD. Thank you DocD. 1 week ago

Luckily our tour guide was very much into the trees and she told me a lot about this tree and also other trees in China. While talking about trees with her she started taking some photos of a tree as she never noticed what I was pointing out to her. Her interest on the same subject made my day.

I will add more entries about the other trees that she told me soon too. 1 week ago

I saw this tree in Yangshuo and took the photos of it. Here is the story of it:

It is said that the banyan was planted in the Jin Dynasty, and has a history of over 1,300 years. Its age and towering beauty make this tree a must- see attraction in Yangshuo. Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree is located 7 kilometers away from the center of Yangshuo, and the old tree is 17 meters high and covers an area of over 1000 square meters. It continues to grow strongly to this day.

People in ancient times believed the tree to be as powerful as a god. Poor people look upon the tree as a doctor, capable of curing all illness. It is said that if a sick person writes their wish for health on a piece of red paper and sticks it to the tree, their wish for good health will be granted and they will recover.

The beautiful scenery makes this a popular place for shooting films and the famous old movie called Sister Liusanjie was shot here. The beautiful scenery has made it a popular spots for movie enthusiast and lovers.

http://www.chinatouronline.com/china-travel/yangshuo/yangshuo-attractions/yangshuo-big-banyan-tree_261.html 1 week ago

I heard this song at the gym two weeks ago. And have been listening to it since. How can you not love 70s bands and songs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHXFOUQBRHE 1 week ago

This is not my choice of song but M kept singing this song all week last week when we were in Japan. I don’t know how he knew the song but it became the song of the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tbobaz8nn4 1 week ago