For all you travel lovers and globetrotters, Decathlon has something special just for you! As part of the brand’s Back To Travel campaign, Decathlon Singapore will be running a photo contest in collaboration with Nikon Singapore. 100 lucky participants will be chosen to snap the best pictures or videos that feature themselves using the Forclaz Trekking 40L Backpack provided by the Decathlon team, to stand a chance in winning this exciting reward!
From today to 30 September 2022, stand a chance to win either a Nikon Coolshot 200 GII worth S$248, a S$500 Decathlon Gift Card, or the grand prize of a Nikon Z30 worth S$1,679! As the lightest and most compact Z series to date, the Nikon Z30 is made for your inner videographer. From teasers and reels to stories and streams, stand a chance to win this reward and begin your content-creator journey with the Nikon Z30. What’s more? Chosen submissions will also be featured on Decathlon’s Back to Travel campaign across Decathlon’s marketing channels!
To join, simply follow the guidelines below:
Complete this form and stand a chance to be part of the 100 selected participants.
Upon being selected, a Decathlon Singapore representative will be in touch to help you with the facilitation of bag collection.
Upon receiving the bag, participants will have to:
a. Capture 3 visual content, photos or videos, and upload them on Instagram or TikTok with #DecathlonTogether, #nikonsg and tag @decathlonsg
b. Shortlist 1 photo as your Key Visual for contest submission before 30 September 2022.
*Contest ends on 30 September 2022, 2359.
Submissions will be independently reviewed by Decathlon, Nikon, and The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) panel of judges. Winners will be announced on 7 October 2022, on Decathlon Singapore’s social media platforms.
Terms and conditions apply.* This contest is open to Singapore residents only.
The crypto world is not entirely new to me. I actually tried mining Bitcoin in the past but it got increasingly more difficult and costly because the code just gets tougher and tougher to crack. Hence, I drifted away from crypto to focus on my career and have only recently gotten back into the crypto scene when a friend of mine introduced me to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
If you are new to crypto and you want to start putting some real money into it, you must be prepared to lose all your money and I really mean it! One thing you need to understand about cryptocurrency is that once you lose it, you really lose it forever. There is absolutely no way you can reverse transactions like how one can do so in a retail setting.
One crucial aspect that you need to be mindful about when entering the crypto space is being responsible for your own safety and security. There are many dodgy scam tactics that people will try to employ and this could include getting you to reveal the seed phrases to your crypto wallet through phishing and bots.
Now, whether you use a hot wallet or a cold wallet, there will always be recovery seed phrases that you will need to jot down and safekeep (in the event you lose access to your wallet and need to re-gain access). This has always been the case but not anymore!
Hugware®, the world’s first seed phrase-free wallet by a locally founded tech company, UKISS Technology, is now available for US$139 and it comprises of an Authentication Key (A-Key), a Rescue Key (R-Key), and a five year warranty!
Safe and easy to use, the Hugware® crypto hardware wallet is the epitome of state-of-the-art security that every crypto novice needs, providing a reliable recovery plan for their investments. Users can be rest assured that their private keys will always be at their fingertips with this new must-have tech accessory.
Hugware® is a great solution for those who tend to forget or lose their seed phrase and are looking for a self-custody wallet with a simpler recovery process, thanks to its master seed synchronisation capability. It boasts seamless key pairing, which ensures that private keys are generated and stored in the hardware while enabling backups through device pairing. That way, the seed does not have to be translated into recovery phrases and will not be exposed to human error, phishing, or theft.
Hugware®’s safe and secure technology is patented in more than 20 countries and significant markets, including the United States, Europe, China, India, and Southeast Asia. Each Hugware® comes with a Certificate of Authenticity recorded on blockchain.
How Hugware® Works
Each Hugware® comes in a pair. During setup, the master seed is generated in the Authentication Key (A-Key) and synchronised with the Rescue Key (R-Key). The A-Key is used to manage crypto assets and is the gatekeeper of your private keys. Simply plug it into your device to provide authentication or confirm transactions.
The R-Key can be kept for when users need to recover access in the future, and is your life-saving gizmo. Plug it into your device to recover private keys in case you lose the A-Key. The R-Key backs up your master seed for fast wallet recovery.
Featuring a sleek and streamlined design, the A-Key and R-key are pocket-sized, enabling users to easily carry it around wherever they go. Hugware® also comes with USB and USB-C connectors that users can plug into their devices.
Additionally, Hugware® comes equipped with a security system that is programmed to lock the device after 10 failed logins. This offers an added layer of security in the event you lose either one of your keys.
The fuss-free solution supports multiple blockchain networks and is available on desktop for Windows and MacOS, and soon on Android (iOS users will have to wait a little longer) .
As an iterative product that consistently works to improve itself, there will be more features to be added with every Hugware® version upgrade. These include new features such as U-Archive and U-Hide that are in the works.
U-Archive
Fortify your backup in the cloud. Secure your archives without compromising on space. The U-Archive encryption software allows you to encrypt large folders in your computer or in the cloud, and only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access the archive. This software is slated to launch in September 2022.
U-Hide
Hide your files while keeping them within reach. Protect your sensitive files and media assets with ease. U-Hide allows you to encrypt individual files in your computer while keeping them accessible: only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access those files. This software is slated to launch in November 2022.
UKISS Technology is also rewarding buyers of the Hugware® and other UKISS services with KISS Tokens to offset their next UKISS purchase.
For the 5.6 million people who live in Singapore, home reflects a connection to a community and the continuation of time-honoured practices and memories. Exploring these unique and intimate connections is at the heart of My Community Festival (MCF), a ground-up community event from 5 to 21 August 2022.
Organised by the non-profit organisation, My Community, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the third edition of the festival centres on the theme of ‘My Home Sweet Home’ and will give festival-goers exclusive access to the private spaces of the many communities in Singapore, including their homes, workplaces, places of worship, and communal spaces. This year’s programme will also spotlight three neighbourhoods which will become “festival villages”, and feature workshops and thought-provoking tours that allow visitors to discover more about the area’s history and uncover hidden gems.
This year’s line-up is the biggest, with 64 unique and riveting tours and experiences split across eight programme series. Each programme will be led by a member of the community who can bring different perspectives and understanding of home and community as they share intimate memories and knowledge about their personal spaces.
This year’s anchor programme series is “My Home, Truly”, which pays tribute to the different types of homes in Singapore. Tour participants will get to meet various groups of people ranging from foreign workers, animal shelter workers and students who will take them to the places where they lay their heads in. Participants can look forward to visiting spaces including a foreign worker dormitory, Singapore’s last kampung, and rental flats in Jalan Besar to hear heartwarming stories about creating homes out of these diverse housing types.
Kampong Buangkok with Kyanta Yap
This year’s festival also includes several new programmes that provide perspectives on how people keep memories of home alive. For people who hold on to broken items for sentimental value, “Find My Fixer” offers participants an opportunity to restore them to their original state or find a new lease of life while doing their part to live sustainably and reduce waste in Singapore. This includes workshops with a soft toy “doctor”, kintsugi artist or teaware design for ceramics, and even a stained glass rescuer. The programme also offers an opportunity to meet Singapore’s own version of Marie Kondo, Amanda Ling, who can help revive spaces with the art of decluttering.
Teaware Designer Alvin Ng
Festival goers can discover how expatriate communities recreate pockets of their home to form unofficial enclaves like Little Belgium, Little Philippines and Little Taiwan under “My Little Singapore”. Besides learning about their culture and their recommendations on where to find the most authentic taste of their hometown cuisine, participants can take the chance to reflect and appreciate how these communities contribute to Singapore’s identity as a melting pot.
Another programme, “What’s for My Dinner?” takes it a step further by having members of 20 Singaporean, ASEAN and international families, welcome visitors into their homes to serve up cultural dishes ranging from local fare, regional cuisine from Thai and Vietnamese food, to international flavours like African, Maharashtrian and Northern Chinese food.
Another new aspect of the festival is the introduction of three festival villages as part of the “My Lovely Neighbourhood” series of programmes. For each of the three weekends during the festival duration, the festival will spotlight a locale in Singapore to learn about its thriving community through a series of immersive tours, workshops, experiences and performances that are a result of My Community’s extensive community mapping exercise within these neighbourhoods.
My Thailand Dinner with Mita Kelder
For the first week, festival-goers can head to the quaint seaside town of Changi Village to get acquainted with its wartime history and the variety of shops and eateries. This is followed by a focus on Singapore’s largest motor repair village, Alexandra Village, which is also home to well-known hawkers and unique craftsmen like rattan weavers to glass installers; and lastly, the iconic Chinatown, where visitors can immerse themselves in the unique shophouses, discover the various clans’ associations and the mouthwatering food available.
Hello! My Alexandra Village
Each festival village will feature three unique self-guided tours that can be accessed through My Community’s community map, comprising a main storyboard and wayfinding signages, allowing visitors to explore curated trails that capture different facets of these neighbourhoods. On the days when the festival village is running, visitors are encouraged to speak to the community stakeholders with stickers on their storefronts and get to know them better and attend co-curated workshops to get up close and personal with their trade.
Returning favourites such as Welcome to My Island Home, My Prayers and Practices, and After Hours @ My Community, have also been refreshed to align with this year’s theme, offering new and returning festival-goers an opportunity to discover the best that the festival has to offer from previous editions.
● Welcome to My Island Home: Discover the gems out of the city in a morning walk along six offshore islands led by ex-islanders and hear the stories of their beloved island communities. On top of visiting known islands like Pulau Ubin and Kusu Island, look out for special tours to visit transient islands like Pulau Hantu, and an exclusive tour into the Pacific Light Power Station on Jurong Island.
My Pulau Hantu with Richard Kuah
● My Prayers and Practices: Singapore is home to individuals of different races, languages, and religions. From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Theravada Buddhists, join us on a journey to the places of worship of all 10 major religions in Singapore and learn about their cultures and practices. Additionally, there are private tours showcasing home-based rituals such as Seventh Month rituals at a shophouse, Eng Tiang Huat, and Baháʼí devotees introducing how prayers and practices are conducted differently in their homes!
Hougang Dou Mu Gong with Dr Ji Ling
● After Hours @ My Community: The city never sleeps with our unsung heroes keeping Singapore going at night while the rest of us sleep! Join in on a night walk around the spaces including Bukit Brown Cemetery that comes alive at night, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of some bustling hotspots, including Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Jurong Fishery Port.
This March to November, align your Body, Heart & Soul at Marina Central district, where interactive installations, workshops and boundless experiences are set to vivify possibilities across arts, business and leisure. Debuting on 26 March, the travelling initiative Body, Heart & Soul will be unveiled at Marina Square as its first stop and will subsequently be popping up across Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City.
Interweaving the district’s values of collaboration, innovation and sustainability to create a profound digital experience, the photogenic series of installations are designed to transform interactions in public spaces with new themes and experiences at each stop, vitalising the district into a thriving, interconnected community for the common good.
Marina Central Business Improvement District (BID)
Marina Central district (Image Credit: JWMarriott Singapore South Beach)
Marina Central Business Improvement District was established as a joint effort by four stakeholders, Marina Square, Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City, and community partner, Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, to inject fun placemaking experiences, rejuvenate vibrancy and support businesses in the district. Exciting past activations include the creation of the Largest Rubik’s Cube Mural in Singapore and the record-breaking skipping event, Skip for Steps organised in partnership with Health Promotion Board’s Healthy Workplace Ecosystem and National Steps Challenge.
Presently, Marina Central district rings in the second quarter of the year with the launch of the sublime art installation, Body, Heart & Soul — a testament to the district’s endless and exciting placemaking initiatives for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Body, Heart & Soul is an initiative by Marina Central district that is headlined by an interactive installation designed by Dr Jason Lim of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Ar Asami Takahashi of YUME Architects, in collaboration with TinkerTanker. The installation which first made its debut at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2018 is now reimagined as four illuminating cubes — representing Marina Square, Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City — that explore the way light can be used to affect our perception. An intricate crystal lattice is artfully assembled out of more than 1,200 four-point-knots to channel light and create an illusory world of reflections and colour as it responds to human presence and gestures, transforming and taking on new forms with each movement they make. Body, Heart & Soul illustrates the convergence of art, technology and human consciousness.
Traversing through Marina Central District
Body, Heart & Soul kicks off with the first theme — Body at Play, in the central atrium of Marina Square from 26 March till 12 May. Visible from all four entries, the interactive cubes draw shoppers, young and old alike, into their vicinity and light up in response to playful poses and gestures. Through their body movements, audiences are invited to control projections of shadow puppetry. Integrating art and technology in a tangible way, this installation is the setting for new memorable experiences, further enhancing Marina Square’s reputation as the space for fun and merry-making with its diversity of amusement tenants including Pororo Park, Kiztopia and the world’s first NERF Action Xperience.
To complement the experience, children and adults can participate in a workshop entitled, Programmable Shadows. The workshop at Marina Square will tie in with Body, Heart & Soul’s key motive of ‘humanising technology’ as visitors learn to create their very own digital shadow artwork. Workshop participants will be able to draw their own artwork and transform them into shadows that respond to their body motions. The workshop is suitable for children from six years old and adults, and it is a great activity for parent-child bonding.
In mid-May, Body, Heart & Soul will be transformed and transported to the next mall, Millenia Walk. Themed Heartfelt, the cubes will create passages for visitors to walk through. Upon sensing the presence of its audiences, the cubes will pulse with light in a measured rhythm, creating an immersive atmosphere along with the additional transformational projections in the arena. To offer an intimate insight into designing the heart of the installation, the interactive animated lights — Dr Jason Lim will be facilitating a Heart of Computing workshop. The workshop offers participants a hands-on experience to learn how to express their creativity with the aid of technology by learning how to build an electronic circuit and compose a computer programme for light animation.
In July, the installation will arrive at South Beach themed In the Mood. The installation will take on an audiovisual format and be displayed across the open air plaza to allow visitors a more intimate and multi-sensory experience as they respond to audio cues to effect change in the illuminating cubes. Carrying forward Body, Heart & Soul’s sustainable initiative, and in a bid to normalise sustainable design in our everyday lives, visitors can also sign up for the Origami Upcycling workshop and learn to turn used paper products into beautiful Origami art.
The installation makes its final stop at Suntec City in mid-September 2022 with the theme Collective Soul. Visitors will be enthralled by synchronised displays of light designed to accentuate vibrancy. Visitors will also be encouraged to make their mark on the installation with their Instagram photos by tagging @marinacentralsg. The collage of photos contributed by visitors will aptly epitomise the ‘Collective Soul’ of Marina Central district’s Body, Heart & Soul. Adding to the experience and in line with the district’s aim of ‘galvanising sustainability’, the Second-life Electronics workshop seeks to impart vital skills of transforming used electronics into art and breathe new life into electronic junk, thereby saving them from landfills.
That’s not all, visitors at Marina Central district can also look forward to a variety of exciting retail promotions across the stakeholders, redeemable through their respective apps.
The ISSA 3 by FOREO Sweden is a game-changing toothbrush and it has made my daily cleaning regime so much more enjoyable ever since. I say this only because I have had many experiences with other electric toothbrushes and though I have my usual go-to electric toothbrush before the ISSA 3 landed in my hands, I sometimes do find it very annoying when I have to charge my electric toothbrush every week in order for it to work.
Since I received the ISSA 3 at the start of October, I did not have to charge it for more than 3 weeks now and though it is too early to tell if one single charge can last for one year (because this is what FOREO claims), I guess only time will tell.
The brush head of the ISSA 3 by FOREO is another feature that I must mention because the unique hybrid wave brush head is made with PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) bristles at the core and surrounded by a ring of ultra-soft silicone bristles that are extremely gentle and non-abrasive on teeth and gums. The hybrid brush head can also last for up to 6 months and this is twice longer than the brush heads of most electric toothbrushes.
Now, I have been using nylon brush heads all my life and I do have a very bad habit of brushing my teeth so hard that it causes my gums to bleed. This is probably the reason why as a child growing up, I have very sensitive teeth and it hurts so much whenever I consume ice cream or have some icy-cold soda.
ISSA 3 has truly made sensitivity and receding gum lines a thing of the past because with its revolutionary brush head design, it has literally made it impossible to brush too hard.
Those on the manual toothbrush camp will say that manual brushing feels more natural while those on the electric toothbrush camp will say that electric brushing is cleaner. Regardless, whether you are using a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, applying too much strength will cause bleeding and that is not healthy for the gums and teeth.
I am sure we have all seen advertisements about how electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes but what if you can brush your teeth manually and still get electric toothbrush results?
Well, that is what you get with the ISSA 3, a natural manual brushing gesture that you are most familiar with your whole life combined with perfect electric brushing results. An added advantage is the soft silicone bristles which are gentle on the gums and cannot be found on any other electric toothbrush.
Featuring a whopping 16 intensities, ISSA 3 offers a wider range of intensities and speeds than any other toothbrush on the market, so you can customise your brushing experience to suit your preference and oral care requirements.
10,000x more hygienic than nylon-bristled brushes; 100% waterproof and free of BPA & phthalates for health and safety; lasting up to a whopping 365 days on a single USB charge, with a travel lock and case for ease on the go; and featuring a built-in timer, and a brush head that lasts up to 6 months before it needs to be replaced; there is so much to love about the ISSA 3.
The future of food is going to change and whether this change is going to be temporary or permanent, it looks set that cloud kitchens are here to stay.
For those of us who do not know what a cloud kitchen is; a cloud kitchen is a delivery-only restaurant that has no physical space for dine-in. It relies entirely on online orders placed through online food aggregators or an online ordering-enabled website or mobile app.
In a bid to live a healthier lifestyle, I embarked on a 5-day long gastronomic journey with YoloFoods and received daily flexible deliveries of YoloFoods’ tasty and healthy pre-packed meals that include mains, sides, snacks and tea that are tailored to my own personal fitness and wellness goals i.e. weight loss.
Weighing a hefty 80kg due to many factors such as binge/stress eating and a lack of physical exercise, my goal to lose weight has been put on the backburner for some time. Therefore, one goal that I hope to achieve from this gastronomic journey with YoloFoods is to eat healthily and live healthily.
YoloFoods offers two options for their weight loss meal plan; a 1000 kilocalories weight loss meal plan and a 1400 kilocalories weight loss meal plan. Since weight loss is a primary objective for me, I decided to go for the weight loss meal plan where the total number of calories that I get from lunch, snack, and dinner will amount to 1000 kilocalories (kcal).
Obviously, just controlling the amount of calories that I take in is not going to help me lose weight because the food that I consume also needs to be of high nutritional value as well. What is really reassuring to me is that YoloFoods’ nutritionally balanced power-meals are developed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Dietician and International Olympic Committee qualified Sports Nutritionist Jane Freeman, and is founded on the simple but powerful philosophy of “good food that’s good for you”.
The Five Day Meal Plan
Day
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
1
Beef Bulgogi with Sweet Potato Noodles, Spinach and Shredded Carrot
Peanut Butter Cookie
Gong Bao Chicken with Brown Rice, Spicy Eggplant, Garlic Bok Choy
2
Herb Chicken with Roasted Potato, FrenchBeans, Harissa Sauce
Mango Chia Seeds Pudding
Beef Bolognese with Pasta, MixedMushrooms and Green Peas
3
Rendang Chicken with Coconut Basmati Rice, Roasted Cauliflower
Banana Bread
Fresh Herb and Lemon Barramundi Fishwith Cajun Roasted Sweet Potato, Herb Veggies
4
Salmon Chicken Balls with Quinoa, Baked Spinach Egg, Broccoli, House Made ChilliSauce
Low Fat Cheesecake
Peri Peri Chicken with Cauliflower Rice,Braised Purple Cabbage
5
Lamb Kofta with Couscous, Mint Yoghurt, Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Basil Minced Chicken with Brown Rice, Soy Egg, Kailan
The above menu was what I had from 18 to 22 October and YoloFoods changes their menu often to ensure that customers are never bored and always have a variety of power-packed meals to choose from.
The 5-day meal plan that I went for costs $179.50 and it works out to $35.90 per day. This means that each meal costs $17.95. However, if you decide to go for a full month, the cost per meal will go down to $15.45 and this price is pretty competitive when compared to other providers who have a similar offering.
Whether it is eating clean for a balanced diet, weight loss, retaining muscle mass with low carb and high protein meals or aiding a personal transition into a vegetarian diet, YoloFoods brings delicious and wholesome meal plans that are not only exciting but tastes familiar and comforting. Their most popular pre-packed meals include the best-selling Cauliflower Rice with Herb Chicken & Spinach Egg, Herb Chicken & Roast Potatoes, Rendang Chicken with Brown Rice & Curry-Roasted Cauliflower, and Thai Basil Minced Chicken with Brown Rice.
In terms of the overall meal experience that I had and what I think of the quality and taste of the meals, I actually find the meal experience quite comparable to the inflight meal experience that airlines served (5 stars customer service experience and everything was neatly packed and organised), and there were more positives than negatives (meals on some days were really great although there were days when I felt it could be better).
The pre-packed meals also make it easy and convenient for me to just heat up and have nutritious and tasty meals on the go.
Will it be a gastronomic journey that I will continue? Yes, it will be until I achieve my ideal weight.
To subscribe to YoloFood’s meal plan or to check out the a-la-carte items that are available, you can do so here.
Have you ever visited a friend’s home, used their massage chair and wished you had one at home too? Well, that was definitely me up until recently. Last week I received the Cosmo Zero Massage Chair and it is safe to say, it has been the most relaxing week I have had in a while. I have been using the massage chair for around an hour a day, trying out all its features and different massage settings. Here is my review on what I think about it.
The appearance has a cool stylish look. It has a glossy black exterior, plush PU leather seats and it blends seamlessly into my home. I honestly expected the chair to be much bulkier, so I am very glad it is of a good size and would not be turning into a white elephant in my house.
Sitting into the chair, it feels sturdy and comfortable. As for the features, there really are a whole lot of them. It has voice control, compression and heat therapy, Bluetooth, body scanning to customize the massage experience and so much more. There are so many massage positions that I have yet to test out, but some which I really liked were the stretch massage which loosened up my tense body, lumbar massage, Japanese massage and sleep massage. There is even a senior massage option, so I got my parents to be the judge of that. They have been thoroughly enjoying it, along with the other massage modes. Even though the technology of the chair is pretty advanced, it is still user-friendly enough that they are able to navigate the settings on their own.
My parents easily feel soreness or discomfort in their feet after walking too much so this massage chair at home has really helped to relieve the soreness. I am sure the Cosmo Zero Massage Chair will have something for the needs of each of your family members as well.
Now, you may think a massage chair is just a luxury product, but did you know there are also many health benefits? The different settings of the Cosmo Zero such as heat therapy, zero gravity position, experiential music therapy and even detox massage setting, all help to promote blood flow, lowering of blood pressure and reduced muscle tension.
Overall, if you are considering getting yourself or your family a massage chair, I highly recommend the Cosmo Zero as it is reasonably priced and has great value. The whole experience of buying the chair is also made smooth and seamless, starting with a free 30 minute trial at their showroom. If you find the chair is not for you, you are able to get 100% of your money back. No frills and no commitments. Additionally, they offer a 10-year warranty which is much longer than other brands and free 24hr delivery too. Check out their website at massagechair.com.sg
Travelling has not been high on anyone’s to-do list over the last 18 months or so. But now, the world is starting to reopen again. We can’t travel the way that we used to but we can get out and about. One of the best ways to stretch your legs at the moment is by taking a road trip. Here are some ideas about how to plan the perfect road trip.
Know Where You are Going
As tempting as it is to throw caution to the wind, you still need to plan your trip a little bit. You can easily plan your journey out online and work out the best way to travel and the best places to stop along the way. This is important for a number of reasons. For one, it can help you plan out a timeframe and manage expectations about what you can do. For example, you could travel around a lot of Ireland in 7 days. In comparison, 7 days in Texas would be nothing. So, with this in mind, remember that a little bit of planning can go a long way.
Plan for the Unexpected
There is always a chance that something will break, a battery will die, or a GPS will go crazy. This is why you should always have a backup plan, some basic tools, and a paper copy of the map. You should try and plan for accidents and breakdowns. You can attempt to prevent breakdowns by servicing your car before you leave. As for accidents, you can be vigilant while driving, and if you have an accident, contact some top car accident attorneys afterwards.
Be Slightly Spontaneous
If you have made a plan, you might be tempted to stick to it no matter what happens. However, you should allow for a little bit of spontaneity. There is no point in driving down the road, seeing something wonderful that should be explored, and driving on because it is not on the list. When it comes to exploring, it pays to have some wriggle room. Even if you get to check it out briefly, you could add it to your must-visit list for the next road trip. And, if it makes you feel any better for changing the plan, some of the best memories are made when you go off-script.
Have Plenty of Space
When you are travelling, the space that you have can make a difference to the journey. If you have ever made a trans-Atlantic flight in economy seating, you will know what we are talking about. The same rule applies to a road trip. Don’t fill your car with unnecessary things because you can. Travel light and make sure that you have plenty of room to spread out. Plus, where else are you supposed to put all of your souvenirs if the car is jam-packed before you leave?
No Snacks
Ok, maybe some snacks, but lay off the sugar. Filling yourself full of sugar while you are driving can have some terrible effects on your stomach. The sugar and the motion can create a recipe for disaster. That last thing anyone needs is for someone to feel sick or throw up in the car. You should eat but it should be low in sugar and high in protein. Nuts and seeds are a great driving food that will keep you full and blood sugars low. So make sure you pack a big bag of healthy treats to keep your mind off the sweets.
Have a Budget
As part of your plan, you should make a budget. We are not including it in the plan section because this deserves a full entry of its own. Having a road trip budget is essential because, without it, you can be stranded. If you spend too much money, you could go into debt trying to put some fuel in your car to get home. You may end up going over your budget but if you have one in place, you could save yourself a lot of heartache and wallet worry.
Take Some Breaks
Driving all day can be tough and it is important to take regular breaks. Not only is this essential for your circulation, but it is also necessary to prevent accidents. Even professional heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers have to stop and take a break. Although you are not bound by the same rules, it is a good idea to keep them in mind when you are driving. Take regular breaks, rest, and don’t overdo it.
Going on a plant-based diet twice a month got me looking out for more options other than Impossible, Beyond, and the oily deep-fried gluten-rich vegetarian dishes from the hawker stalls; and the BamNut Noodbox got me super intrigued when I found out about it. Hence, the launch of WhatIF Foods’s instant noodles at FairPrice Finest stores came rather timely and I was raring to give it a go.
Before I dive deep into my personal take on their instant noodles, let me share more about WhatIF Foods, the company behind the BamNut NoodBox.
About WhatIF Foods
Founded on regenerative principles and with a mission to reinvent the food industry category by category, WhatIF Foods is permeating being a responsible company through all aspects of its product and service delivery.
WhatIF Foods offers an authentic, nutritious basket of regenerative foods – foods that replenish the nutrients we need throughout an active day; foods that regenerate land and reconnect us with our values and communities; foods that appreciate the interdependency of our wellbeing because we need nature in cities, life in food, and a purpose in communities. WhatIF Foods aren’t designed for baby boomers, Gen X, Millennials, or Gen Z – but for the Regeneration.
The Very Interesting Thing About BamNut Noodles
What really caught my attention is the fact that the BamNut Noodles are made from highly sustainable crops like Bambara groundnut and are packed with plant-based protein. It also does not contain any artificial colouring, artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, palm oil, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Appearance
Depending on the flavour of the noodles, they will come in 4 different colours; orange, black, yellow, or green and they do look super colourful and delectable when cooked. With an attractive packaging that is both modern and stylish, its look and feel is certainly more premium-looking than that of the usual instant noodles. Then again, anything that looks premium probably comes at a premium price.
Texture
The texture of the noodles is springy/chewy and it has an al dente bite feel. As the noodles are meant to be served dry (with no soup), people who fancy their noodles with some wetness/soup might probably be disappointed.
Taste
I had the BamNut Charcoal noodles that come with the Shroom Pepper Seasoning while Jacqueline had the BamNut Moringa noodles that come with the Sesame & Garlic seasoning.
I found the BamNut Charcoal noodles to be pretty salty so the next time I have this, I will just reduce the amount of seasoning. However, having said that, the BamNut Charcoal noodles are flavourful and has a tinge of spiciness.
As for the BamNut Moringa noodles that come with the Sesame & Garlic seasoning, I actually like the taste better and the colour is more appealing than the BamNut Charcoal noodles. There indeed is a hint of sesame and a vegetal aroma that may remind you of green tea.
Overall
If you’re going for a plant-based diet and are experimenting with what is possible, this might just be it. There are a couple of vegetarian instant noodle brands out there but in terms of nutritional content, BamNut Noodles pack a punch.
WhatIF Food’s plant-based noodles are lower in saturated fat, high in plant protein and deliver substantially more fibre content than comparable brands, and they are packed with flavours that do not make use of MSG, preservatives, or artificial colours.
Founded with a mission to reinvent the way we create our favourite foods, with the insight that sustainability is not enough, their idea is to create plant-based foods that will replenish both us and the planet.
FairPrice Finest will carry a colourful array of noodles (orange, black, yellow, and green) which you can sample in the BamNut NoodBox, or buy a box of each flavour.
The BamNut NoodBox and all flavours of WhatIF Foods Noodles are exclusively sold at FairPrice Finest for the special price of $7.90 (instead of $8.90) in the months of July and August.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post or through this Website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use.
My weight has been quite crazy this year. I currently weigh 82 kg as of 12 May 2021 and the last time I had a similar weight like this was 9 years ago after a surgery that kept me from doing any exercise.
Well, this time around, I don’t have any good/valid excuse for not exercising and I have put on so much weight due to accumulated stress and frequent snacking. I feel super clumsy/lazy and even lack the energy/willpower to go for a simple run.
After doing some research and fuelled with a tinge of motivation, I decided to start taking action to address my weight issue. I came across Keto Actives, a dietary supplement that supports weight loss and I bought a 3-month supply which cost me $140. Since I read that the weight-loss pills work best for those who are on a Keto diet, I started to research the kind of foods I should consume or avoid.
Staying off carbs (rice, noodle, and bread) and sugars is an extremely difficult thing for me to do especially since I have a sweet tooth but I am committed to making sure that I get back on track to being healthy. To stem my craving for something sweet, I gotten Monk Fruit (Lo Han Guo) Sweetener as a substitute sugar.
Hence, this post will be the beginning of my Keto Diet and Weight Loss series where I document and track my progress. I will be updating this series on a weekly basis so if you’re interested to know how I’m doing, I will be posting updates on this same post.
The Preparation Phase As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Hence, to get myself prepared for this journey, I went to the supermarket to buy some groceries and some items that I bought included bacon, tuna, salmon, sardines, asparagus, avocado, pistachio milk, and almond milk.
I also bought Ketone Urine Strips to test whether my body was going into ketosis.
The Beginning, 12 May 2021
I started taking the Keto Actives pills and I experienced the following:
Bad Breath Known as the keto breath, it is a common side effect when ketosis kicks in. Thankfully, keto breath is temporary the odour will subside as the body adjusts to a lower carb intake.
Heavy Perspiration Sweating and frequent urination happens in the early stages of ketosis. When the body adapts to changes in the diet, these symptoms normally go away on their own.
Warm/Spicy Stomach I guess this is only expected since the Keto Active pills contain ingredients thermogenic compounds such as caffeine, bitter orange, and etc.
On a more positive note, I was able to resist and curb my appetite for snacking and that really helped to reduce my calorie intake. As the Keto Active pills that I am taking contain 150mg of caffeine, I am avoiding coffee for the time being. Just so you know, a single shot of espresso contains about 63mg of caffeine. I am also staying off beer and wine.
As the Ketone Strips that I bought is taking some time to arrive, I wasn’t able to test if my body is in ketosis mode. But from the side effects that I have experienced, I guess my body is entering ketosis mode. Also, I haven’t done any exercises to burn off extra calories yet and it would be something that I am considering doing if I can find time for it.
18 May 2021 I did a weigh-in and here are the stats:
Weight: 81 KG I have dropped 1 kilo after 6 days.
Body Fat Percentage: 28.6% 8-20% is considered to be in the healthy range and I’m still quite far from the ideal range.
Visceral Fat 14 1-12 is considered to be in the healthy range and I’m nearly there.
Body Muscle Percentage: 31.5 The ideal percentage range for body muscle is between 40 to 44%, I’m still quite far off and as we all probably know, an increase in muscle mass will also increase the rate at which our body burn energy (calories).
29 May 2021 I felt like my weight has somewhat plateaued and although I have shaved off another kilo, my metabolic rate seem to have decreased somewhat. I am also getting tired of the Keto diet because staying off carbs is super tough! I will see how this goes and whether I need to make some changes to my diet. As I haven’t incorporated any exercise into my daily routine, perhaps this might just be the answer that I am seeking for.
Weight: 80.1 KG I have dropped 0.9 kilo after 11 days.
Body Fat Percentage: 28.7% 8-20% is considered to be in the healthy range and I’m still quite far from the ideal range.
Visceral Fat 14 1-12 is considered to be in the healthy range and I’m nearly there.
Body Muscle Percentage: 31.3 The ideal percentage range for body muscle is between 40 to 44%, I’m still quite far off and as we all probably know, an increase in muscle mass will also increase the rate at which our body burns energy (calories).
6 June 2021 My whole Keto diet has been thrown out of the window as I could not sustain without taking any carbs but where I could, I stayed off carbs during lunch. I also included some light exercises where I run 5km at least twice a week. That might have contributed to the decrease in my body fat percentage but I’m not entirely sure yet as my weight has remained stagnant.
Weight: 80.1 KG My weight has remained stagnant since 29 May 2021.
Body Fat Percentage: 28% 8-20% is considered to be in the healthy range and I’m still quite far from the ideal range. The only consolation is that my body fat percentage has decreased by 0.7%.
Visceral Fat 14 1-12 is considered to be in the healthy range and there is no progress in this aspect.
Body Muscle Percentage: 31.9 The ideal percentage range for body muscle is between 40 to 44%, I’m still quite far off and as we all probably know, an increase in muscle mass will also increase the rate at which our body burns energy (calories). On a more positive note, my body muscle percentage increased by 0.6%.
