Suffering from ECZEMA

Just a little background info about me. I've always had sensitive skin. And when I say sensitive, it really mean it!! As a child, I love the outdoors, beach, sea, etc... But lo and behold, my skin can't stand the torture I make it undergo.

During my beloved Phys. Ed. classes, we would be playing in the field. But I can't sit on the grass, I'll break out into a rash upon contact with the dirt and grass. Add on the fact that exposure to sea water would make me itchy all over. It's amazing how my parents dealt with my overly sensitive skin. 

As much as it was sensitive, I didn't have any problems. Until recently, about 1 year ago. I suddenly had an outbreak. I have no idea what outbreak it was though. It wasn't itchy, and my face was covered with huge, red, angry bumps! Of all places (for a lady), it had to be my face. Thinking that I had suddenly (though very belatedly) had acne outbreaks. So, I tried every product.. Of course that didn't help. After one full month of looking ugly, splotchy, and bumpy, I FINALLY made my way to a dermatologist. Upon seeing the dermatologist, she told me that it was ECZEMA I was suffering from.

Sure, the medicine the doctor prescribed worked wonders. But living in an age where information is just a keyboard away, I googled (Googling is my hobby) all the medication given to me. I found out that I was given steroid cream. While it worked wonders, it will never cure eczema. My eczema still flared up every month! Worse, I read that it will cause the skin to thin. 

There are so many more things I have to consider because of eczema. But I am happy to say that it has been more than 3 months since I had an eczema flare-up. As much as it sounds drastic, I tried to do the eczema diet (trying to see if food might be a trigger). I had to find out what could possibly be the trigger. 

I am happy to say that my skin seems to be better the minute I started reading ingredients to everything I put on my skin. I will share my skin care regime another time.

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What I do for FUN... & Fitness!

As a child, I had boundless energy (aka to my mom as little monkey). I never had to battled weight issues as I was getting my daily exercise just from jumping on the spot (it seems that I could never be still). All through school, I was either in a dance team or a cheer squad that kept me busy with trainings.

Imagine having such an active lifestyle! And when I joined the workforce... I landed a desk-bound job. Not only that, I had a desk-bound job that took up a lot of my time (Read: OVERTIME). I stopped exercising completely. I continued eating, constantly feeding my monstrous appetite. Needless to say, after 3 years I became 10kgs heavier!!

When I wanted to start melting away those kilos (the 10kgs that I gained to be exact) , I was on the prowl trying to find a workout that would capture my attention. Here are some of the workouts I tried and what it does for me: 

(Please take note that these are my own personal opinion. What tickles my fancy, might not be your cup of tea...)

1) Yoga
I practiced yoga for quite some time. I tried a wide variety of various yoga classes that the yoga gym (Pure Yoga) I enrolled myself into. It was great, I went 3-4 times a week. Tried Ashtanga, Vinyasa and even Hot Yoga. 

While I like yoga, I'm not very much a static person. Yoga was great in maintaining my flexibility, and allowing me to work on tight muscles. But it was not giving me the rush I desire. (FYI: I still go for yoga sessions time and again to centre myself)

2) Running

I stay near a beach. Running along the very well-paved path with the sea-breeze whispering through my hair. Such a romantic notion, but I was in such a bad shape that I had to work at it. I couldn't even hit the 3km mark without stopping (huffing and puffing). But people watching (especially those 

I have a love-hate relationship with running. You see, I think it is really truly boring to just run and thump my feet forward over and over again. But it is a good cardio workout that I need. But once I plug myself into music, it was the ME-TIME I started to crave. Time to myself... Leave all my trouble and worries aside and just push myself to run. I have joined 10km runs and managed to not stop!!

3) Zumba

I tried Zumba because a friend of mine was going for Zumba. After the first session, I absolutely loved it! It was a dance-fitness workout. I love dance, and it was a cardio workout. It was a great combination for me to fulfill my cardio workout, marrying it with my love to let loose and dance. No steps to remember, just copy what is being done. 

I loved it so much I went to 2-3 sessions a week. I have to admit that it might not be for everyone. For me, it's only because I love to dance, and it wasn't as monotonous as running.

4) Dance

I love dance... So it's only right that I shake those dust of my dancing shoes and use it. As much as I love dance, dance classes are not the greatest workouts in my opinion. I know dancing is as rigorous as any sport (I did have grueling practices during competition season). But taking a recreational dance class is just not a workout. We learn steps, while going through steps my heart rate will dip.

I needed cardio, or something with greater intensity. I still get my fix of dance classes here and there. It is afterall something I love to do! 

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RECIPE: Broccoli & Chicken Shirataki Noodles with Sesame Sauce

I found out about Shirataki Noodles when reading one of my favourite fitness blog Blogilates. Cassie (who owns the wonderful website) was raving about Miracle Noodles, and I just had to find out what this ZERO carbs noodles! You heard me right... ZERO carbs noodles!

Just like any typical lady of the 21st Century, I googled Miracle Noodles. I found out that it is actually a brand name for Shirataki Noodles. Of course I did some reading up about Shirataki Noodles, and to find out if it is truly ZERO calories. How is that POSSIBLE!!

I will dedicate one whole post about Shirataki Noodles...

For now, I'm going to share a recipe. In my quest on trying to eat as clean as possible, I have decided to pack lunches to the office as often as possible. (Note: I think it's impossible for me to jump right into it if I want to make a lifestyle change).


RECIPE: Broccoli & Chicken Shirataki Noodles with Sesame Sauce
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
1 pkg Shirataki Noodles (200g)
2 cups Broccoli
300g Chicken Breast Sliced
2 cloves Garlic chopped
1/2 med Onion chopped

Chicken Marinade:
2 tbsp Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1 clove minced garlic
Black Pepper to taste

Sesame Sauce:
1/8 cup Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
1/8 cup Tahini
1/8 cup Chicken/Vege Broth
2 tsp Honey
Chili to taste

Directions: 

1. Remove noodles from package and rinse. (Take note the smell can be off-putting for a lot. But for zero carbs, I'm getting past the smell) To remove the fishy smell, put noodles into boiling water and leave for about 5-7mins.

2. Remove noodles and rinse. To prepare noodles, dry fry them. Use a non-stick pan and fry the noodles without any oil. There will be some squeaking noises. This is the easiest way for me to dry the noodles.

3. Boil a pot of water. Add salt and olive oil before putting broccolis in for 5mins. Remove broccoli.

4. Mix ingredients for sauce together in a bowl. Put noodles into the bowl of sauce. (I do this and put it into the refrigerator overnight before I mix it the next morning before work)

5. Add olive oil. Brown garlic and onion and add chicken. Stir fry until chicken is cooked. Add in broccoli.

6. Mix all ingredients to serve.


Review: 
I love Tahini, so I do like the taste of it. If you don't particularly like Tahini (sesame paste), you might want to change Tahini to Peanut Butter. I have tried it with peanut butter and thought it was yummy too.

I had wanted to take a picture of my packed lunch, but I was too hungry and forgot all about it. Next time (yes, there will be a next time) I make this again, I will definitely take a picture to update this post.


I do hope you enjoy this recipe..

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You ARE What You EAT

Everyone keeps saying that “You are what you eat“…

I could never understand that. As a child growing up, I was blessed with an active lifestyle (basically my mom and teachers can vouch what a little monkey I was). I ran and swam for school. I loved trying out sports too. With such a lifestyle, of course I could eat like a monster and still be in the healthy (or sometimes borderline underweight) zone deemed by the medical boards. I always had the notion that as long as you excercise and moved your body, you are fine.. It held loads of truth for me until I started work!

All throughout my school years (even during my uni days) I was blessed to have the chance to be continuously active. However when I started my deskbound job, I never realized the weight piling on (DENIAL!). Until one day I realized, my clothes don’t fit anymore. I have moved up one dress-size!! That was 10 kilos later that I realized it..

I tried to find exercise regimes that I would be happy and excited on sticking with. I have tried Yoga, Pilates, Running and Zumba. I found what I love and stuck to it (with the occasional of the others too). I managed to drop my weight. But somehow, I could never hit my pre-working weight.

And I read this quote: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT…

You see, a diet in my eyes is STARVATION. I exercised, but continued eating everything I wanted. And in Singapore, FOOD IS everywhere. It’s a national pastime to EAT!!

Until I came across CLEAN EATING.. It makes sense and I had an A-Hah moment. I decided to embark on this journey to cleanse my body.Clean eating encourages eating food in its most natural form (NAY to processed food).

It is going to be difficult for me, but I’ve decided to make small changes in my lifestyle to work towards eating clean.

First thing to do:
Try to obliterate as much processed food from my food intake!

Click here for more info on Clean Eating…

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New Year, New ME!!!

The New Year’s is here!! Out with the old, and in with the NEW! With so much celebrations over the holiday season (aka parties and food gatherings), it was great to usher in the new year looking at fireworks lighting up the night skies…

But as the New Year dawn on us, most of us will start figuring out what will make into our New Year’s Resolutions list.

So here are my New Year’s Resolution for 2013:

1) You ARE what you EAT
I’m going to try begin my journey towards Clean Eating. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this, Tosca Reno wrote a book on Clean Eating. Clean eating, is eating foods in their most natural form. This means consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. Clean eating is not a diet, but rather a lifestyle. It focuses on eating whole foods and limiting processed foods.

2) No GREAT thing is created suddenly
With this in mind, know that every little step matters on our path to fitness. Everyday, I will challenge myself to do 10 sit-ups and 10 push-ups. It seems like an easy one, but it is only human to procrastinate!

3) “People often say that MOTIVATION DOESN’T LAST. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar
To motivate myself daily. This will be a very hard one!

4) “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” - Dr. SeussEveryone has their ups and downs, and I’m not immune to it either. However, I feel that I should have a better outlook when things do happen.

All the best to all of you (myself included) in working towards our New Year’s Resolution…

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