Want Quick Happy tips? Head over to Marc and Angels Hack

Practical Tips for Productive Living - Wonderful Quick and effective reading articles around the wellbeing, happiness and positiveness in bullet points numbers. I personally use it for easy reference

Want quick inspiration? Inspiration Peak is the place to go!

Check out and subscribe to Inspiration Peak in my Fav Websites for everyday quotes. Works a charm every single day. You're more than welcome to suggest a quote too!

Mind, Body, Green - Ultimate Wellness articles

I love their articles for it is written by various authors coming from wellbeing, yoga, holistic nutrition background that brings you closer to nature and serenity...

Lifehacker - Tips, tricks, and downloads for getting things done

Slightly drawn towards IT tips but they do also have tips about anything and everything you need under the sun, including tips for baking and cleaning! Check them out

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Major Rule for Eating Fruit

Yes, we should eat it BEFORE meals!! Else it wouldn't be absorbed fully into the body....also, it's a much easier food to digest so do eat it before meals!


There's no doubt that eating fruit is important to our overall health and wellbeing. Fruit is healthy for you, we all know that, but, it's good to know that eating it should follow some general guidelines to fully benefit our health. It's just not as simple as putting it into our mouths whenever we feel like it. Learn about the proper ways to eat fruit and your whole body will thank you with less digestive problems and tons more energy.

Incorporating fruit into our diet, the proper way, gives our digestive system more powerful benefits through vitamin intake and improved digestion. Looking at the nutrition of fruit, most fruits are a great source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C and folate and so much more. Their nutrients help guard against disease, lower rates of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. However, eating fruit carelessly without any nutritional knowledge could bring on more problems to our health than benefits. Here is the major rule about eating fruit:

Fruit should be eaten alone or with other fruit on an empty stomach.

This is because when fruit is eaten, the digestive process works very quickly and our body uses different enzymes to digest the fruit. The simple sugars contained in fruit need time to be completely absorbed by your body. When fruits are eaten alone, your stomach can more easily process all of the nutrients, fibre and the simple sugars contained in the fruit. This is the optimal 'proper way' to benefit from the fruit you eat. If you eat fruit close to a meal, especially right after a larger meal and combine with other foods, it's held in the stomach too long along with other foods and will rot and ferment in the gut. If you experience indigestion, heartburn, burping and and other digestive discomforts and you blame on the meal - it could be the combination of the food, the fermentation with fruit that causes your upset stomach. If left uncontrolled it could lead to other health problems that stem from the digestive tract.

Applying this rule is very simple. We eat approximately 3 large meals a day, so space out your fruit servings in between. If this means you need to glance at the clock occasionally and calculate when you could eat the apple you brought along with you, then you do that. And aim to have it about 1 hour before a meal, or 2 hours after your meal. For heavier meals, like pasta or burgers, you need to let that food digest for even longer before you add fruit with all its acid into your stomach, about 3-4 hours. If you've just had a mixed green salad for lunch, same rules apply but for a much shorter time, about 1.5 hours.

The best time to eat a bounty of fruit is either first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, or as a mid-morning snack (which I prefer) - in between breakfast and lunch. It's a good idea, to just eat more fruit at one time, whether it's fruit salad, an apple or a fruit smoothie. (3-4 servings of fruit is a proper daily requirement, that's 2 1/2 - 2 cups of fruit). If you feel very hungry after your fruit servings, pay attention to what you've had for breakfast and maybe your meal planning needs to be adjusted. You should be able to wait it out about 1-2 hours with success. That will ensure all the fruit is processed and gone into your body to do what it's supposed to do.

Definitely avoid eating fruit close to bedtime as there's plenty of sugar in fruit to spike up your energy and keep you up when you need your sleep.

Smoothie lovers! It is fine to consume nut milk or coconut milk with fruit, but in small amounts and not every time. Therefore, nut butters, nut milk, or non-dairy yogourt (such as soy) will not strain the digestive system too much. And adding a single serving of a low-glycemic fruit, such as an apple to your green smoothie will be fine and will not create a lot of problems for you as long as you keep the fruit serving to a minimum and it too is consumed apart from a larger meal. However, ideally it is best to stick with eating raw fruit alone - or leave alone!

Dried fruit holds the same recommendations. Keep in mind it's also too sweet and too addictive. Limiting portions of the dried fruit you eat is essential - think of a date as a special occasion ;)

If you do eat fruit on an empty stomach, you will gain the proper nutrients that fruit - nature's perfect gift - will offer to your health and wellbeing. You will avoid most digestive problems, feel energized, promote weight loss and you'll look and feel fantastic because your body will be fully absorbing all the vitamins, fiber and healthy carbohydrates that it needs to function in good health.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Hilarious and Heartwarming Animals on 500px

Happy Monday :)

Courtesy from: My Modern Met



In dreams I can fly
I thought we'd close out the week with something a little lighthearted. As many of you already know, 500px is a great website to not only share your latest photos, but to also get inspired. For us, it's a place to discover talented photographers. We've found some of our very favorite animal photographers from this site including ones we've shared with your right here at My Modern Met. Who could forget Japan-based Ben Torode and his adorably cute kitten, Daisy, or Russia-based Nikolai Zinovievand his incredibly awesome photos of bears?
Today, we decided to bring together some of our very favorite animal photos from 500px. In continuing our series of the hilarious and the heartwarming (see snow dogs and dog portraits), we bring you these sweet storytelling shots. While some, like the one above, only come with simple captions, others are accompanied with a great backstory.
For What, no butter OR salt (immediately below), photographer Barb D'Arpino writes on her 500px page, "We had fastened a cob of corn on a snag for the birds to enjoy. We sat down to dinner and out of the corner of my eye I noticed movement on the corn. Imagine my surprise when I saw Eleanor stuffing her cheeks with kernels until she looked ready to explode. It didn't take her long to strip the cob. Grabbed my camera, snapped a few pictures and the rest is history :+)"
Above Photo credit: Manuela Kulpa
What, no butter OR salt?

Photo by Barb D'Arpino

[Miss You]

Photo by Tragedienne [Rustle]

Kitten Observes Transit of Bubble

Photo by Ben Torode

Anyone Home?

Photo by Andy Rouse

I like to move it!

Photo by Nikolai Zinoviev

Hungry

Photo by Anita Meezen

Who's Got The Baddest Daddy Of Them All?

Photo by Laurie Rubin

He went that way...

Photo by Austin Thomas

Curiosity or wariness?

Photo by Alexander Dragunov

Sheltered

Photo by Romain Mattei Photography

and in today's news...

Photo by Michael Higgins

Wildscape

Photo by Marina Cano

Oh no, it's a ghost!

Photo by Zoran Milutinovic

Thai Massage

Photo by Romain Mattei Photography

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Foods That Look Like Body Parts They're Good For Read more: Food Nutrition Facts - Healthy Living Tips at WomansDay.com - Woman's Day

This is so cool! Something easy to pick up and remember :)


Every child has heard the healthy-eating mantra "You are what you eat." But there may be a closer resemblance between good-for-you grub and your body than you thought. We found 10 foods that mirror the body parts they provide nutrients for—for example, brain-boosting walnuts actually look like a brain. Coincidence? Maybe. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas.

1. Carrot: Eye
Slice a carrot in half crosswise and it's easy to see that the veggie resembles an eye—look closely and you'll even notice a pattern of radiating lines that mimic the pupil and iris. And the old wives’ tale is true: Munching on carrots will actually promote healthy eyes. "Carrots are filled with vitamins and antioxidants, like beta-carotene, that decrease the chance of macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older people," says Sasson Moulavi, MD, medical director of Smart for Life Weight Management Centers in Boca Raton, Florida. Photos by iStockphoto



2. Walnut: Brain
The folds and wrinkles of a walnut bring to mind another human organ: the brain. The shape of the nut even approximates the body part, looking like it has left and right hemispheres. And it's no surprise walnuts are nicknamed "brain food"—according to Lisa Avellino, dietitian for Focus28 Diet, "they have a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain function."Photos by iStockphoto



3. Celery: Bone
Long, lean stalks of celery look just like bones—and they're good for them, too. "Celery is a great source of silicon, which is part of the molecular structure that gives bones their strength," says Dr. Moulavi. Another funny bone coincidence: "Bones are 23 percent sodium, and so is celery," reports Avellino. Photos by iStockphoto



4. Avocados: Uterus
The lightbulb shape of an avocado looks like a uterus, and it supports reproductive health as well. "Avocados are a good source of folic acid," says Elizabeth Somer, registered dietician and author of Eat Your Way to Happiness. "Folate has been found to reduce the risk for cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition." Photos by iStockphoto and Shutterstock



5. Clams: Testicles
Studies have offered evidence that clams, which bear a resemblance to testicles, are actually good for the male sex organs. "Research from the Netherlands has suggested that supplementing your diet with folic acid and zinc—both of which clams are high in––can have a significant effect on improving semen quality in men," says Dr. Moulavi. Photos by Shutterstock and 3D Clinic



6. Grapefruit: Breast
The similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts may be more than coincidental. "Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells," says Dr. Moulavi. Photos by iStockphoto and 3D4Medical.com



7. Tomato: Heart
Slice open a tomato and you'll notice the red veggie has multiple chambers that resemble the structure of a heart. "Studies have found that because of the lycopene in tomatoes, there is a reduced risk for heart disease in men and women who eat them," says Somer. And, she adds, if you mix them with a little fat, like olive oil or avocado, it will boost your body's lycopene absorption nearly tenfold. Photos by iStockphoto and 3D Clinic



8. Red Wine: Blood
Red wine, which is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, including powerful resveratrol, looks like blood. "When you drink it, you're really loading up on the healthy stuff that protects against destructive things in the blood, like LDL cholesterol, which can cause heart disease," says Somer. "There's also a blood-thinning compound in red wine, so it reduces blood clots, which are associated with stroke and heart disease." Photos by iStockphoto



9. Ginger: Stomach
Anyone who's ever reached for a glass of ginger ale when they’ve had a stomachache knows about the antinausea effects of ginger. So it's fitting that the herb somewhat resembles the digestive organ. According to Dr. Moulavi, "gingerol, which is the ingredient responsible for ginger's pungent scent and taste, is listed in the USDA database of phytochemicals as having the ability to prevent nausea and vomiting." Photos by iStockphoto



10. Sweet Potatoes: Pancreas
The oblong sweet potato bears a strong resemblance to the pancreas, and also promotes healthy function in the organ. "Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant that protects all tissues of the body, including the pancreas, from damage associated with cancer or aging," says Somer. Photos by Shutterstock


Read more: Food Nutrition Facts - Healthy Living Tips at WomansDay.com - Woman's Day 



Friday, February 22, 2013

The Nature of Ambition

Hmm, quite related ;)


Monday, February 18, 2013

Visual: HiiT

Defining High Intensity Interval Training visually...

Did you know it only takes 30mins, but your body continuously burns after the workout for the next 9 hours (at least)??

I love it!


Friday, February 15, 2013

How Do You Know if You Love Someone?

Well, it's true to a certain point that Love is a choice, but to a certain extend as there must be a hunch as to when someone chooses to live with that person for the rest of their lives. I do live by the bibles definition of what love is just so that it doesn't necessarily feel as a struggle.

In short, I personally think that choosing to live with someone is sheer commitment, but it is worth everything and your whole life for when you know that both will be stronger, wiser and most importantly happy. Humans need each other. Maybe it doesn't have to be in the form of just one person, it could be other things...

open to other opinions! Article from Mind Body Green

I used to believe that love was a light switch. Something flicks on. You get an overwhelming sensation. It hits you like a bag of bricks. Or a strong arrow. When you know, you know. Right? Not so much. After 38 years and an expired marriage, I don’t see love that way anymore. I’ve placed Cupid right next to Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

Love is a series of choices. The first choice is based on many many factors, including chemistry, principles, logic, humor, intelligence, body type, where we are in our lives, what we want/need… the list goes on and on, and the weight of each factor varies depending on the individual. Based on these factors, we either choose to begin the process to love or not. If we decide to enter this process, the action of loving can bring “light switch” moments. The way he looks at you. How hard she makes you laugh. The notes he hides in your purse. The way she makes you feel when you don’t feel anything.

But like an airplane flight, there is turbulence. The fights. The disagreements. The little things that bother you. His socks. Her shopping. You start wondering if you’ve made the right choice. Once you are in doubt, you have to make another choice: to continue to fly with this person or jump out of the plane. This choice is based on a thousand other factors, again depending on the individual and where they are in their journey. If you decide to jump, the scary free fall will either make you stronger (grow) or miserable (depressed). But sooner or later, you’ll find yourself back at the airport waiting to board another plane. Then you hit turbulence. Or maybe there is no turbulence. Maybe you’ve changed your mind about the destination. Either way, another choice. Fly or jump?

Love is making a choice every single day, to either love or not love. That’s it. It’s that simple. Either to continue the process or not. We fall in and out of love. Even in relationships, especially in relationships. This doesn’t mean we don’t love the person. It means we are left with a choice. There is a difference between feeling love for someone (caring about a person) and loving someone (choosing to love that person). You may have love for someone forever. But that doesn’t mean you choose to love that person forever. The choice to love is not a feeling; it is an action. That is why it is so difficult. It requires you to do something, and I’m not just talking about buying flowers. It might mean putting your wants aside. Also, like chemistry, the ability to love is not a constant. It is a variable. It fluctuates, depending on where you’re at in your life and what you’re struggling with. Sometimes it is easy to love. Sometimes it is extremely difficult. But at the end of the day, it’s always a choice.

Although love varies, it also deepens. This means the longer you stay on that flight and embark on the journey together, the more fruit the process with bare. Your investment pays off. Your choices become easier. You not only become stronger as a couple, but also as individuals, assuming the love process is healthy - which means you guys are both doing work. The choice to love creates opportunity to hit notes in life that you could never hit alone, and THIS is what makes your choice worth it.

So, how do you know if it’s love? That is not the question to ask. The question is: Do you choose to love this person or not? Right now. Not tomorrow. Today. Make a choice. Yes or no. If the answer is yes, love as hard as you can. Love with everything you’ve got (your capacity right now at this point in your life). If the answer is no, promise me one thing.

Let the fall make you stronger. 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Stop Dieting and Start Living: Here’s How

So right, being healthy is NOT about dieting

Courtesy from Mind Body Green


We hear about them everyday, they’re drilled into our brains through commercials, they’re in every magazine with celebrity endorsements and they’re introduced in many methods and varieties. 

What am I talking about? The dreaded diet.

Whether you’re looking to gain, lose, or maintain weight, I’m sure there is a “diet” for whatever your needs may be. 

With obesity steadily rising in our society, companies have once again figured out how to capitalize on the fear driven by crisis. They’ve tailored every advertisement to tap dance on the solution, yet overlook the actual problem. 

Being healthy is not about dieting, it’s about total conversion. It’s about adopting a new lifestyle, not babysitting a trend. Health is not a hobby, its a commitment. 

So, where does this commitment start? How do you begin this new life? Well, the answers to each of these questions reside within your personal vow to change. It has to start in your mind first before it can flow into different areas of your life. You must ditch the 90-day weight loss system and endorse the 365-day healthy living philosophy. 

Let's face the facts: people often feel like in order to live a healthier lifestyle they’re required to go on strict diets and endure vigorous exercise routines. That's not true! One thing I tell all of my clients before they start training with me is “stop dieting and start living.” Some may think this is an aberrant concept, but I’ll explain further. 

Being healthy is not all about losing weight. Weight loss can help to eliminate health risks, but weight loss is not the holy grail of health. You have to be able to live while you’re living. What does it mean to live? To me it means to enjoy life, have fun, appreciate the little things that life has to offer, making yourself happy while making others happy in the process. Now how does that equate to healthy living? Here are a few suggestions:

Make life fun again

If eating healthy is something that you need to learn how to do, make it interesting. Attend a healthy cooking class with your friends or significant other. Find something health-related that interests you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about juicing (not the steroid kind). Have a juicing party, invite your friends and family over and experiment with different recipes. You may even meet new people that have similar goals and interests as you once you get out and experience new things. 

Take a yoga class

As a student and soon-to-be teacher of yoga, I can personally attest to the wonderful things yoga can do for the mind, body and spirit. Yoga is an experience in its own right. It has been proven to help aid in weight loss and studies have shown the probability of eating unhealthy meals decreases after taking yoga. It’s all a part of the lifestyle that yoga helps you to create. Immersing yourself in a deeper understanding outside of your physical presence is imperative to assist in the purging of unhealthy temptations.  

Don’t be afraid to try something new

I’m a firm believer in the idea that you never know what you enjoy until you give something new a try. If you’ve been wondering how that Zumba class down the street might be - go take the class. If you’re curious as to whether or not you would enjoy hiking, take a hike (no pun intended). I encourage everyone to experiment. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fitness class or a new Dance Fever video game. Anything that will keep you moving, motivated and burning calories you shouldn’t be afraid to try. You’ll be surprised as to how many new activities you may actually stick with.

Love yourself

This is the most important thing for everyone. So often people start to dislike themselves based on their looks, weight or the choices they’ve made in life. Understand that life is about lessons. I believe that life is an experience, filled with experiences intended for us to gain experience. Take advantage of knowing that whatever decisions you’ve made has led you to where you are now. Embrace your challenges and welcome new experiences. 

When it’s all said and done, the one thing to look forward to is you will become a better you.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Last Pick - Jeremy Lin

He is an inspiration. I was so touched watching this. May the next generation be like him =)



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Lazy Person's Guide To Burning Calories

Haha, well pictures are EASIER to read for sure :P


Monday, February 4, 2013

25 Beautifully Illustrated Thought-Provoking Questions

I bet everyone is in the CNY mood shopping for new clothes, cookies, changing money, exercising to prep up for more appetite on delicious food...and will be on HOLIDAY (like me haha!)

Anyway, since we will have more time, thought I'd post up questions....questions to ask upon reflecting oneself.

May not be of the right timing but this is how I spend my Sundays....most of the thoughts right now are 'I don't want to go to work on Monday' haha! To err is human.

Courtesy of Marc and Angel. Wonderful couple who continues to inspire.


 Thought Questions

A question that makes you think is worth asking…

At the cusp of a new day, week, month, or year, most of us take a little time to reflect on our lives by looking back over the past and ahead into the future.  We ponder the successes, failures and standout events that are slowly scripting our life’s story.  This process of self reflection helps us maintain a conscious awareness of where we’ve been and where we intend to go.  It is pertinent to the organization and preservation of our dreams, goals and desires.
If you would like to maximize the benefits of self reflection, our new sister site,Thought Questions, is for you.  A new illustrated thought question is posted daily.  We recommend that you read and reread these questions regularly when you have some quiet time to think.  After all, reflection is the key to progression.
Remember, these questions have no right or wrong answers.  Because asking the right questions is the answer.
Here’s a sample of 25 recent thought questions posted on the site:
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