Counting Calories Again

Its always so much easier to gain weight than to lose weight. The former would entail eating til your heart's & stomach are contented. The latter meant having limited amount of food. Like now my stomach is growling but I can't indulge it. Its like the stomach got used to lots more food so now lesser food, growls. Mouth also needs restraining. It got user to being able to eat lots of savory food in a day.

I started calorie counting again. From last Mon, 14th April. I would keep it up and try to consume within my defined calories, 1600. And according to the app, it would see me losing that unwanted 5kg in 10 weeks time... (which incidentally is about the duration I have been eating uncontrollably) Just that when one is enjoying the food, lack of control, time dpes seems to pass quickly. In this calorie-limiting days, just getting thru one week felt long.

Food choice is important. Like how I could eat a foot-long subway sandwuch for dinner and still be within my limit but how the combinations of Frankenstein hotdog, chilli con carne with tortilla (lunch) and my earlier 1litre of milk (breakfast) meant I had only a measly 250 calories for dinner. But I had lunch very late, near 3.30pm so wasnt hungry ao just ate a few pieces of steamed chicken and the chicken liver. That petit dinner kept me within my calorie-limit.

This coming week, I have to eat lunch in class, so sian. I bought cans of tuna, low fat milk, oatmeal squares and bread. Will be eating tuna sandwiches *urgh* The very thought sounds like torture. Indeed on one hand, I can exploit it and eat healthily, building up some deficits. Luckily I can say goodbye to sweetened drinks permanently. Think I will try to exercise a little cos feeling "pent-up". Also see if my shoulder is ok enuff to exercise a bit.

Last Pig-out of the Spring Hols, back to Calorie counting on Monday

My final weekend before work resumes,  hence I had already decided that I would count calories cos put on 5kg since CNY, since the shoulder injury. So no exercise until now. Back to cleaning up my food and slowly try to exercise.

Wed: Acupuncture session no 2 that left with me tears and very sore. Went for hair-cut. Headed to Ikea for 2nd time meatballs in this month. In the supermarket, there is a very nice raspberry jam vanilla cookie, a nice alcoholic pear carbonated drink (4.5%, 500ml). They have an apple version but I preferred the pear. Bought it the first time I went during this hol. That was the time I bought the perler beads n the setting plates.

Thur: I went exploring at Haji lane. Been a very long a time since I been there. The last time, was with Tab and Quet, one afternoon there. We ate in a Turkish restaurant and later stayed in a cafe on the second floor of a junction.

Went there on a bus 33. Enjoyed the ride. Walked over from Raffles Hospital?  There were a few parallel lanes, Bali lane, Haji lane, Arab street and then into malay kampong area. I walked down the length of the entire lane then cross to the next. There are changes in thr shops, think high turnover. Didnt go in the shops much cos selling fashion stuff, and nothing I needed. Its interesting how when u cross from one lane to another, things change entirely, one moment turkish, one moment Arabic indian, then Malay. I did end up buying 3 scarves. One cos the print is very cheena chic and the other 2 is for possibily my bro's wedding use.

Fri: Met up with Candle for dinner. FH decided to join in. I wanted to go for dinner at this place I saw in a website, and I was hungry so thought to go try out that Hotdog place opp Crispy Creme. Passed a few times before but never tried. Decided to eat one then later for dinner.

The name is Mustard Incident, asked them whats most popular. Frankinstein & Duck-Can-Fit. Ordered the Frankinstein. Took a pic to post and bit into it. WOAH! Its damn good. Wow better than Lil Papa Waynes. The pork sausage is flayed open, with some minced meat scooped in between. Then a creamy sauce toped with caramelised onions. Damn nice. A symphony in my mouth. Going to eat here everytime I am in Orchard CK Tang area, in case it didnt last long. I was eating it damn happily and by the time FH, I had finished mine and was contemplating a second dog. FH got a Frankinstein too and he also said its good.

By the time Candle came, we ordered a second dog. I decided to go for Duck-can-fit. Its an Asian-fusion hotdog. It has a chewy firm duck sausage with grilled red and green capsicum, with sour cream on top and topped with fried bacon. It tastes good but for more those who dun mind capsicum. They still have 4-5 more, I wanna try them all.

Quet came and joined us. A bit paiseh sitting there longer cos only 2 tables and a group of girls were aiming the table. After that became our dinner, we walked to take a look at the food court cos FH said they chose good hawkers to open in that food court. Later we walked over to Crispy Creme and noticed they had an indoor production for their doughnuts. We stared as a new batch came out and was gonna get glazed. We stared, looked and discussed the doughnuts as they inched forward on the ultra slow conveyor belt. The floor manager inside got his staff to wrap up some doughnuts, thry camr iut and handed to us. FREE! The freshly glazed doughnut was soft, moist and warm plus not as sweet. Wow. We all totally enjoyed that.

Decided on tea to help digestion. TWG, first time there. Tea is exp $11++ and each teapot had its own insulation that had an exterior gold casing. Wow, we all were impressed. The list of tea they had was extensive. I enjoyed my White Knight - oolong and sencha with orchids. But there is no refill cos no tea leaves were in the pot. They brew then pour it into the teapot. Refill is just hot water. Candle's choice of the choc cake is good cos it wasmt sweet and the chocolate gnash is chewy. Talked and chatted then Tab joined us for more tea and cake. I went back after cos parents went back again and got to keep an eye on sis

Sat: Had mee siam breakfast and damn nice Javanese nasi padang. Felt guilty but met Candle for dinner. Wanted to check out Maki-san, from the internet list I found for good and affordable and popular food. Tried to find the perler beads refill 8n Spotligjt but they didnt have it. We walked over and saw Maki but it had very few seats and beside it is another which I wanted to eat at, 18chefs. So we ate there. Had my "Heart Atk Fried Rice" for one. Think its ok. I felt the butter fried rice was sinful. Candle liked her steak but found the aglio olio too little.

So we decided to eat Maki-san, following FH's discussion of a 'petit' dinner followed by a 'dinner proper' the day before. Had our meat and fats at the 18chefs and go Maki for our carbs, we joked. Happily customised our own maki rolls though it felt as though I was filling out an exam questionnaire.  We got a table and waited for Quet to joined us. Its interesting to be able to choose ur own fillings. Mine had salmon, cucumber, carrot, egg, edamame, bonito flakes. It tasted good for me. Next time I must get the yuzu sesame sauce and make a combination for it. After that we walked around the Cathay and headed back. The Cathay basement has much better food now than before. Though for me, it will still be hotdog first than maki rolls.

Sun: Brunch was 卤米粉面 then went for drums class. Went to Vivo Toys r Us to see if they had the perler beads. Nope. On the way home, I decided to buy some grocceriea to mske aglio olio after Candle mentioned hers wasnt enough the day before. It stayed in my mind. I haf some pasta stuff from previous cooking 2 weeks ago. So I added the ground black pepper, a red capsicum and a couple of chilli padi and Korean strawberries. Thinking to make aglio olio, more the outside style and also french toasts eith strawberries. Reaxhed home,  cooked, multi-task between prep for aglio and french toasting. Ate. Then swept floor, mopped floor. Washed up dishes and pots. Tired siah.

Work starts tom. A mixed feeling cos on one hand its great to be laxed and do ur own stuff and so on, but it gets repetitive and stagnant at times. Periods of routine, same-ole, same-ole and some burst of excitement and fun. Yet theres a lack of purpose. Work can be repetitive,  stressful and tiring. But provides the money and fills the time. Kinda mixed. I better sleep on time.

Cajun Chicken Breast fillets & French Toast with strawberries n syrup

After 2 consecutive dinners of pre-made Tempura fish fillets and then Fish fingers dinner with bread, lettuce and tomatoes. Decided I wanna go to chicken breast cos I intend to restart my diet monitoring... let myself go in the past 2.5 months that I havent exercised fromthe shoulder injury. Plus the stress and then the holidays meant I didnt control my eating. Have lots of cleaning up to do.

Yesterday tried out the Cajun chicken breast. Itwas a recipe I found online. It is supremely easy. The chicken breasts I let it thaw and separate into 4 batches of 6 breast fillets in ziplock bags. Chuck the rest into the freezer. In the one I would cook, pour in olive oli, cajun spice from a bottle, added thr multi purpose spice and minced garlic. Massaged with the bag and chuck in chiller to marinate.

Cooking is easy, heat up olive oil over small fire and fry each side 3-4mins. I used a knife to cut thru to check its cooked through. Ate it and it was very moist inside. Flavorful from the marinade. Didnt add sauce. Also did a plain simple garlic aglio olio. Ate that for my experimental lunch. Later before I went out, I cooked for my sis.

Today I made soba for breakfast cum lunch. Around 2pm I got the munchies and decided to try out french toast. The recipe included quick, light- fry in the pan followed by toasting in the oven. Its less soggy than a pure frying in oil. Had Korean strawberries and cut a few and put on top. Drizzled pancake syrup over. I tasted the plain, plain with strawberries and one with everything. The first was plain but just like light tasting toast. The second had sweetness from the strawberries and the third had the syrup and strawberries taste much enhanced and the chewy texture of the toast made it slightly cake-like. Interesting how the flavors and textures play out. That was my "lunch".

Dinner I am going no carb cos I over ate the carbs - 2 servings soba and 5 slices of bread. Going to cook Cajun chicken breasts, Fish fillet Papillote (trying out) and blanched oyster sauce 小白菜. Plus tofu for me and bread for sis. My appetite is huge and its a challenge to rein in.

Cooking - Jap curry & Hand-made Burgers n meatballs

Jap Curry

Didnt know what exactly, maybe cos I had meatballs at Ikea, so I guess the thought of minced meat struck me as something I could use in the cooking of Jap curry. It appealed to me cos I used it similarly in my version of pasta bolognese.

Bought the hot version of the curry (not even a hint of heat) and minced pork. Parents went back and my job was to look after my sis. Help out. So felt like cooking a bit. Helped use up the carrots, potatoes and onions at home. So the preparation was kinda typical. Wash, peel and chop into smaller pieces. I fried the carrots and potatoes for a while then transfer to a pot. Then fried some garlic then onions and added the minced meat and stir until cooked. Then added 1liter of water, bring to boil, throw in the Jap curry blocks and keep stirring over a lower fire, to soften the carrots and potatoes. Also to let it thicken as some of the water is boiled off. Tasted okay, then scoop and serve beside a bed of rice.

It was my lunch and dinner, and lunch and dinner the next day. It was enjoyable. My sis also ate that for dinner and lunch the next day. By the second heating up of the curry, all the carrots and potatoes have softened up. Definitely something u prepare when u are not too hungry. To me, its good cos not too salty, every bite has either minced meat, carrot, onion and potato. Not like the authentic ones which has just a few cubes of meat which doesnt last until u finish the rice.

Burger n meatballs - minced pork

Before the hols, I got a basic recipe from my colleague that I wanted to try out. Cross-checked with another one. Plus I had to use up the spring onions and I wantee more onions. Modified the recipe.

First time making my own version of a burger. Wanted it to be "healthier" so more onions and later added the spring onions. Put in 2 eggs and 2 slices of bread. After mixing all in, seems more onions than meat. Or can say the patty didnt resemble outside patties. I had wanted to add shredded carrots but it was already bursting with all the ingredients so skipped that. Maybe next one to make will be carrot burger. Chilled in the fridge while I cleaned up and prepared the sliced tomatoes, washed the lettuce and cut up the cucumber sticks and even made pickled cucumber.

Fried the patties about 4 mins on each side over low fire once the oil is hot. I had 6 patties and made the rest into meatballs on a whim. Experimented with frying only, frying then baking and baking frying. 3 different batches with slight differences. The pure fried tasted between a burger and a meat patty my mom usually cooks but this is more moist. The fried then baked is moist and jucier inside. Btw cucumber sticks without the seeds is nice and crispy. The 3rd is crispy outside. Didnt eat that cos my sis packed and passedpto other sis.

I considered quite successful, played around with 3 ways of cooking. Ate and finished off some of the ingredients at home. Sister also ate. So considered.successdul. That was lunch and dinner was meatballs. Added some flour and pan-fried. Later baked with a small square of cheese over. The ones with cheese over it ends up being moist. And the overheated cheese became a brown layer like pastry. Adds a dried cheese taste which is not bad too.

So these two-three cooking attempts dont mark the end. Will rest up a bit then try to practice my drums which I haven't touched in 3 weeks. Later on, see which food item strikes my fancy to give it a try.

Batam Trip, shoulder, Fraud and the 1st week

Lemme start with the most pleasant entry,

The Batam Trip
Last year Tab and I went for a day spa at Angsana in Bintan.  It was really luxurious and of course expensive but worth it. While we were on the ferry, traveling. We chatted how it might be better to have just a night stay over.  Less hassle,  can stone. I told her I haven't been to Batam too. So the plan was to go there for spa and do a one night stay

I looked up the Internet and typed spa package Batam and different ones pop up.  One caught my attention cos it covers everything, all-in, ferry tax,  transport to and from the ferry terminal, one night stay, with breakfast and later lunch and has a spa and a second massage. Seems pretty decent, though I didn't think it would be the same as Angsana cos from the Internet pics, can see it's lower but no harm giving it a try cos it's just one night getaway. Not too picky. I forwarded to Tab and asked for her decision. She was ok with it and so in the last week of my work, I made the bookings, fax and later went down to pay.

So we were set for a 1-night getaway. My plan was to do nothing. In the end I read just one chapter of my jap tb. The rest of the time was spent just really really stoning. Bought minimal stuff, just a change of clothes, 1 towel, toothbrush and some food (instant noodles,  Kettle's chips, packs of coffee and tea) just in case the food was very pricey like in Bintan.  (it was actually pretty affordable)

Met up with Tab n FH who were at Harbour front chatting away. My new big square scarf just arrived so I decided to use it to make good use of its price. It costs about $6.50 USA.  So I reckon 1-2 times of using is fair. When I reached there,  first thing was the comment I was becoming more Japanese cos I wore the scarf. Later it was about the bunch of Korean women who all wore scarves. While eating my last I was worried about spilling on it so FH got to wear it as I tied it for him and he happily posed for Tab's camera. Think the pirate style suits him a lot. Tab later put together a photo montage of all 3 styles.

So we sat and chatted, including my views of being Malaysian esp in wake of the missing plane and the bomoh thing. Later we walked to firm and collected our ferry tixs,  sticker for identification,  and even our arrival and departure cards were filled in already.  How convenient. The ride was ok,  45mins according to Tab cos I wasn't keeping track of time once we headed into immigration. Just wanted to enjoy the moment. We did buy a small bottle of vodka (cos I found the small bottle cute and can reuse), some mineral water, orange juice and coke as mixers. Vodka Coke and Screwdriver. Really didn't regret those.  They really helped make looking at the sea and sky from the balcony very enjoyable.

But the only bad thing was my nose was unsheltered from sun in that 10m walk towards the van. Once I got one, I put on the sunblock on my nose. Later after we checked-in, walked.less than 5mins under the sun with the sunblock on. Threw our stuff and went to explore. I decided to use the umbrella cos it was hot. We walked towards the Guan Yin giant statue there and then thru the playground and the nine dragons feng shui thing and went to the dining cafe for lunch. I felt my nose was a bit painful and asked Tab if she saw any white heads on my nose. She said yes. I went to the toilet to confirm that my UV-ALLERGY on my nose tio again!!! Urgh... no steroid cream with me so I have to endure the pain, damn unsightly nose and the urge to pop all the pusy white pimples forming. The pain continued until Sat. Luckily there was our own alcohol to numb it but it's an irritation constantly.

Despite what people might think upon seeing the posted pics (all those bluff people pics) the room was really sparse and does bring us back to the days of the Redang huts. But the view from the balcony made it all worthwhile. Can see the 'beach'/lagoon,  green/blue sea and blue skies. The most enjoyable part aside from their really surprisingly delicious n affordable food in the dining area, the surprisingly good spa and massage, and stoning  and staring at the hazy view of the Singapore skyline and skies/sea at the dining area, was to sit at the balcony, sipping Vodka Coke and later Screwdriver and just chat or stare at the skies, clouds, sea,  lagoon and the occasional other visitors walking about. Those were what we did. Just be in the moment. Time seemed to slow down.

Tab remarked that it felt like we had spent an entire weekend but in reality it was just a day and a night. It was refreshing for me because could finally slow down and get away even if it was just a day. Cast the rest of the problems and issues and anxieties away as we stared at the SG in the horizon. Like what Tab said, that all the worries and troubles are back in SG which is at the distant horizon. We would sail back to it the following day.

My nose kept me waking up 3-4hrs. Cos of the pain. Burning sunburnt  pain and the sheer number of pimples that are pusy added to the pain. Bi bian,  by the next day even more has sprouted. Covered my unsightly nose with the scarf to prevent staring, also protect my facefrom uv not umbrella. Later on Thursday,  after I reached home, put on the steroids cream overnight but still painful and pimples are still coming out so saw the docs. He gave me an antiseptic cream to put and antibitoics to eat and it slowly got better. By tomorrow, once the the pimples have reduced their inflammation,  I would have to pore-pack my nose. Can see all the heads left behind by the pus. Sian...

We saw fish in the lagoon, a turtle, fishing eagle-type bird, monkeys besides insects like ants. And mostly.just sat around, drink and chat, watched a bit of the news, Sg programs are received clearly. Makes ya feel like u haven't left Sg. Potato chips feast with drinks.And taking more "Deceptive" photos. The trip including the food and drinks cost slightly less than $185 is worth it, to me. But dun think it's for everyone unless u just want to do nothingood,  sit and chill. As I was telling Tab, the younger me, at the time of Redang,  didn't enjoy this type of lax. As in I couldn't slow down my pace and mind. So I would be bored after a short while but the current me could just stone and do nothing but stare at the skies and sea. What a change indeed.

Shoulder - Still hurts a bit and numb pain. Don't dare to use it yet. Don't want to go back to that second physican. I'll try to rest it and then see if I need to seek treatment again. So dunno when can I recover to go for KM.

Fraud - found an unauthorised transaction to that left me $211 poorer. The fraud mgt team contacted me. My card is replaced, pending a fraud dispute for to fill in to hope to recover the money. I hope to get it back. Then spend on my shoulder treatment. Sian... so no more online transactions and once it's settled,  I would change to a credit card.

1st week - has seen me out wandering to Ikea,  bought some organizers and ate the meatballs,  salmon (think standard dropped a lot) and the hot dog. Bought some alcohol from the Ikea food store. Walked about Anchor green and Queensway shopping center. Been really a long time since I went.

On Sat, Ting came and fetched me to go to Westgate Mall. Tab joined us later. They were surprised that the two malls;  Westgate and Jim had quite a bit of stuff, including its own unique shops not found elsewhere. Showed them the Famous Bishan Curry stall and Tab was perplexed. Though by the time we came out, most places were closing. They won't mind coming down to explore it more. Mission accomplished.

recent updates

Since after my shoulder got injured before CNY,  it's been 6 weeks of no KM. In this period,  many things happened. Just saw another Chinese doc on Sunday cos there was something loose and just carrying next to nothing resulted in a sort of numbing dull ache. The doc pulled my shoulder and fixed the dislocated tendon but it's inflamed so advised to put Ice over it, no other cream or stuff n I had to do 3 exercise to strengthen it. Can't do any exercise with it until it heals. WTF... I missed this great doc who could fix me up previously with tui na and just paste his medicine over.  This one is like chiropractic so he adjusted my shoulder without any holding any acupuncture points and pulled. It was veryvvery sore the whole of Sunday and the pain resumed today from morning... Still painful at this moment... so I have been icing it and trying to do the physio exercise he told me to do. Resist putting medicated plaster... The dull pain is not nice to endure.

These past 3 weeks, I have been falling asleep before 8th and later waking up in the wee hours like 1-3am. Just so tired mentally that I could fall in a deep sleep after dinner. Turning flabby. With the no stretching not no heavy thing on my left shoulder,  meant continued absence from KM until it recovered. Sian,  I'll try to rein in my eating.

Just need to survive another week before I can enjoy the massage and 1N overnight stay at batam. Just settled payment today. Midweek next week. Need to get away even if it's for just one night. I best pack some instant Cup noodles and instant drinks I'm. Case food is.suer pricey. Haven't been there before. The Bintan day spa last year made me realise how expensive food was in Bintan,  but of course I truly enjoyed the spa.  Felt pampered nd really refreshed. It was pricey. This one we aren't sure of the quality but cos it's more hassel-free. As in there's accommodation,  ferry tix,  transport to-and-back n short spa not massage, all-in. Seems like a decent deal thus far. Would have to try it out for the verdict. Feeling really tired and empty by now. Need to survive for a couple more days.

Cravings is abating but definitely plumper

The feasting excuse, birthdays is finally over.my pants felt a bit tighter and stomach is more flabby from all the eating and cravings and munching. Slowly it is abating. And I am restarting some exercise and also my strict diet, porridge.

It had been difficult cos I am thwarted by the stress not sian-ess from the job that I can't seem to dispell since I haven't been going for KM for about a month. Will resume that in March. My left shoulder still has crackling sounds when I lift it though...

One of my shirt is tighter around the stomach,  so can't wear it until I have slimmed down.  All these gorging meant my stomach is acting up again. Think the porridge lunch and plainer food should be easier to follow though my mouth disagrees cos it's been too pampered by all the good food.

My work motivation has dropped drastically. Tired, zombies not uninspired. Contemplating... but I need some time to make the preparations. Thinking for just one more year, I will try n see no make preparations.