Health & Food - Apple Crumble Pie (Not)

Here goes the recipe of the Apple Crumble Pie that I made last Saturday evening. I got the recipe of Jamie Oliver's website (http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/apple-crumble) but I tweaked the recipe to make my apple crumble into a pie, which failed terribly even though the taste is still yummy! If you think this is super healthy, then I suggest you don't try my recipe because it's not super healthy (LOL), it contains unsalted butter and fine brown sugar!

Apple Crumble Pie (Not)

For the crumble (I made 4 servings of the crumble to complement the 4 apples used)
35g rolled oats
35g all-purpose flour
20g fine brown sugar
25g unsalted butter
2 cubes of Laughing cow low-fat cheese

For the filling
4 apples cored and chopped (I used medium-sized, quite similar to fuji but cheaper)
25g fine brown sugar
1 tablespoon water

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 175deg.
2. Prepare the apples first, cut and chop the apples into thin slices.
3. Put all the apples in a pan and put sugar and water. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
4. Mix flour, oats, sugar, butter and cheese into a bowl and mix them either with your hands or a whisk. Make sure you mix until the mixture turns crumble-like.
5. In an oven dish (I used a glass one), spread half of the crumble mixture until you have covered every spot on the dish. Lay the cooked apples for the second layer, after which put the remaining crumble mixture and try to cover the apples completely.
6. Put the dish into the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until you see that the crumble turns golden/brown.

**Note that this is not a real pie so you won't be able to cut a slice nicely, this will be rather messy to eat. I'll be attempting the real pie versions for my Christmas potluck parties and will update the recipe again I promise! 

Before it went into the oven

TADAH! My apple crumble

Do give this recipe a shot if you like and let me know how I can improve on this! I realized I did not cook the apples long enough but loved them crunchy because of that.

Updates on what I've been up to!

Always remember to stretch after warmup and after workout ALL the time! This is one of my favorite stretches!

I have been increasing my caloric intake and watching my body getting rounder is not exactly the most wonderful feeling (LOL). Muscles are fuller though, hoping to see some interesting changes slowly in the next weeks!

Outfit of last Sunday for Day of Recollection in Church

Today in full Lovebonito, love the Thalassa top (though I had to purchase size M) and the Maven midi which I got from the restock special! So flattering!

Love, Bonito has launched some of the new pieces from the collaboration with Julien Fournie so do check it out! I love the  Opera Skirt!

It's Friday tomorrow so hang in there everyone! Till the next!

Health & Nutrition - Health & Beauty Tips

I hope the week is going fine for everyone. I'm back to share 5 quick health and beauty tips, as promised! Will share more along the way too.

Tip #1: Put a slice of lemon in your everyday water bottle.

Try to drink your water warm if you can. Having a tinge of sour in your water actually has a lot of wonderful benefits! Here are some.

- Improves your immune system

- Aids digestion #truestory

- Cleanses your system

- Freshens your breath

- Helps to detox your body of toxins

Tip #2: Drink green tea.

Green tea helps to boost your metabolism! Try replacing your daily coffee with green tea instead.

Tip #3: Cup of black coffee for your pre workout energy boost.

Personally, I find it difficult to quit coffee. So, I'm making full use of this caffeine-addiction to fuel my workout sessions. I used to have a cuppa mid-day but I replaced that mid-day cuppa with green tea and have simple black coffee (no sugar no cream) before my workouts. How black coffee helps?

- Accelerates fat loss 

- Improves focus and performance

- Decreases muscle pain

- Makes me perspire more

Tip #4: Try Accupressure Therapy.

I tend to have quest stomach after meals so this really helps soothe it! Use your index and middle fingers to press down on the groove between the tendons that run from the base of your palm to your wrist. Keep massaging and pressing it down for 1-3 minutes. Really helpful especially when you have to sit down for a next 4-5 hours after lunch everyday.

- Relieves queasy stomach after meals

- Detoxify your body for better health and beauty

Tip #5: Avoid alcohol.

Okay, people who have 'grown up' with me will know that I used to drink and party more, especially when I was still working for RB. Since I embarked on this fitness journey, I have managed to stay alcohol-free and I'm very happy and proud about it. My friends have all given up persuading me to even take a sip. Alcohol is toxic to your body and the thought of having it flowing in my body disgusts me (no offence). Alcohol reduces your body's ability to burn fats up to 73% and ultimately cause weight gain. 

So, I'll be back with more tips!

Here are some updates in photos from the last week and past few days.

Soupspoon with Jasmine last week

Simba the cutie!

Simba enjoying my company. HURHUR

Love how versatile this pair of Olsen oxfords is! Get yours from Love, bonito!

Close-up of Love, Bonito's Olsen oxfords.

Again here, http://www.lovebonito.com/3675-olsen-oxford-shoes.html

Outfit for Love, bonito's Tea Party last weekend

With the bosses and the rest of the girls 

Rachel & Viola - The inspiring owners of Love, bonito

Sweet Nicole, thanks so much for all the trouble!

Pretty Charmaine & April 

Designed by Julien Fournie, thanks Love, bonito!

Selling these 2 mascaras urgently so do email or comment if you would like to purchase from me! I unboxed both last friday to try and realised it doesn't work on my stubborn lashes! 

Good night everyone! I hope you enjoyed the tips! Till then! :)

Health & Fitness - The Operation Thigh Gap

I have been requested to write about this new trend among female teenagers worldwide, and this is something that bothers me much. As I was googling to find out more, I discovered that there is even a pinterest topic called 'Operation Thigh Gap'! I briefly browsed through the photos and realised there are like-minded people like me who commented to say that this obsession is not healthy. Well, so what is this obsession over thigh gaps about?

Firstly, girls out there, please do not obsess over not being able to achieve a thigh gap, in other words, this should NOT be in your list of fitness goals. Why so?
1. Everybody's legs are shaped differently.

A. Straight - You are lucky to get this leg shape, straight and non-bandy.

B. O-shaped curvature - This is a congenital bone deformation where only your ankles touch in standing position, making your legs form a letter O.

C. X-shaped curvature - Another congenital bone deformation where your knees touch in standing position, making your legs form a letter X.

Looking at this, I'm sure you can identify what kind of leg shape you have. Very often when your legs are slightly O-shaped, your thigh gaps are larger. Vice versa for A. Straight and C. X-shaped. I'm no osteologist so I'm nobody to judge on the different types of leg shapes but I do have a slight X-shaped curvature (a little bothered!).

2. Whether you have thigh gaps or not will also be dependable on the size of your hips (of course and the leg shapes will then come into picture). You will only be able to reduce the fats around your hips, but unfortunately, unless you can cut the hip bones at the sides (sounds really silly), your hip size is rather fixed genetically.

Conclusion, do not think that just by losing weight (healthily or not), you will be able to achieve this because we are made differently! Instead, try focusing on your fitness goals to live healthily, exercising/working out regularly, eat well, having ample rest; having a healthy lifestyle will lead to longevity, which is much more worth it than obsessing over getting thigh gaps. 

If you have been following me on FB and Instagram, I think you might have already heard of Brandnewstart SG. Do check it out if you are looking for a personal trainer to kickstart a fitness regime, OR, if you know of somebody who needs such help! Our team of trainers are ever-ready to help! 

These are the 4 main programmes that Brandnewstart offers:

For ladies who are looking to burn fats and tone up!

For men out there who are looking to shed some flabs and that beer belly!

For men and women who are looking to gain some quality muscles!

Lastly, for men and women who are athletes or are looking to train up to be one!

Take your pick and simply email enquiry@brandnewstart.sg if you are already sure of what programme you are interested to sign up for, otherwise, feel free to look up www.brandnewstart.sg for more information!

I know I promised HEALTH TIPS! Coming up next! Have a great weekend ahead! 

Hapa Fitness & Us

I'm sure some of you will have seen what Hapa Fitness (as mentioned in my previous post too) is all about on our instagram feeds. We are official now and very excited to reveal what we have to offer for all of you out there! We will be sharing about health tips, workout tips and tutorials, fashion receipes, beauty (girls will still be girls righttt?), yummy healthy food, and events in time to come! Stay tuned and follow us @hapa_fitness if you haven't done so! <3

This is our very first diet challenge for all of you! For everyone who is as excited as us that Christmas is coming and all the feasting and log cakes will be part of the holiday season, try this diet on your own and give it 30 days to let your body feel the change and transform!

It may seem difficult for some of you so we are going to share some of what we eat. Today, till now, this is how my meals look like.

Breakfast:

1/2 avocado (Fats)

1 tablespoon of Golden flaxseed meal (Fats)

150 ml of milk (Protein)

1 scoop of vanilla whey protein (Protein)

Everyday smoothie!

I headed to the gym to hit my shoulders and back after my smoothie, had 1 1/2 scoop of whey protein post workout and headed back for lunch.

Lunch:

Approx. 1/2 serving of pasta (Carbs)

Approx. 1/4 of red and yellow peppers each (Veggie, Carbs)

Approx. 100g of chicken breast (Protein)

Pinch of Olive oil (Fats)

Snacks:

1 cup coffee, unsweetened (Fats, Protein, Carbs - coffee addict, here I confess and am guilty)

Handful of nuts (Fats)

Feel free to post your meals on Instagram if you have and #hapa_fitness and #santarinadiet so we can learn and from one another! My meal plan may not be the best so do let us know if you have a more effective and efficient way of preparing your meals and creative way to spread your meals out during the Santarina Diet challenge! Good luck!

Last week had been an eventful week and here is a summary of last week in photos!

Tuesday: Trained with Jasmine at GYMM BOXX (XS) at Punggol CC and met the courtesy lion!

Wednesday: Those who know me well enough, THIS is one of my weaknesses. I just had to have this since it was one week off any diet! Teehee. I always order without butter though. 

Friday: Went for my haircut with @johnthamyuehan at Salon Vim, looking like sadako because it was a day after Halloweeen. HURHUR

Outfit of my haircut day, dress from Allyfashion and clutch from Epicurations.

It was Nic's actual birthday so we had dinner before adjourning for Nic's place, followed by Karaoke (phew that was a super long day!)

Say 'Hi' to Dazzle! Such a beauty!

Smiley Dazzle

Me looking tired, with super hyper Dazzle!

Saturday: Met Jasmine before our training to get some work done 

Super yummy bread HOMEMADE by Jasmine! So loved!

Ended our workout with a good stretch

Our FITFAM!

Sunday: outfit to church

Accessories from Tod's, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Forever21

I will be writing about some health tips next so stay tuned and have a great week ahead everyone! Be safe wherever you are! <3<3<3