What Caffeine Does To Your Body Will Shock You

Happy long weekends everyone! Recently I had a discussion with my friend about caffeine. Two of the most-loved beverages that contain caffeine are tea and coffee. Caffeine has both favorable as well as unfavorable effects on our health. I found an article by Dr. Ooi Yau Wei is a cardiologist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital who has explained the pros and cons of caffeine in detail. 

Apparently, there exist many adverse effects of caffeine. It disrupts the functioning of body parts like the brain, heart, stomach, and hormones. Adenosine is a hormone present in our body that not only slows down our nervous system but also relaxes our body. Apparently, when there’s an intake of caffeine, the effects of adenosine is blocked, which leads to greater alertness, mental energy, and concentration. 

How caffeine affects your brain 

Research suggests that caffeine influences a perception and the state of mind. However, it all depends on the amount of caffeine and time of consumption. In people who are well rested, caffeine in small and medium doses improves attentiveness. In individuals who haven’t slept enough, caffeine tends to boost up their learning and decision-making skills. People who are addicted to coffee and tea perform better on various tests of cognitive performance such as reaction time and visual-spatial skills. 

Caffeine is known to relieve headache symptoms significantly. It can either be used alone or in combination with other medications for headache treatment. However, regular caffeine consumption isn’t good for health as it can lead to a chronic migraine and analgesic rebound headaches. 

Effects of caffeine on your heart 

Caffeine can protect individuals against heart attacks if taken in a low to a moderate amount (up to 3 cups per day). However, drinking more than 3 cups of caffeine in a day may cause heart artery problems and heart rhythm irregularities, especially in people with underlying heart disease. For people who rarely intake caffeine, one serving of caffeine intake may raise their blood pressure. However, there is little effect on regular coffee drinkers. 

Disadvantages of caffeine 

Apart from having various advantages, caffeine intake has plenty downsides too. The main function of caffeine is to boost mental and physical energy. Apparently, many individuals turn to caffeine to cope up with their active and busy lifestyles. However, high levels of caffeine consumption may lead to symptoms such as a headache, trembling, fast heart rate, and insomnia.

Other long-term effects of caffeine dependence include anxiety disorder nervousness, insomnia, irritability, and panic attacks. Caffeine can also cause a higher risk of osteoporosis. As per research, high coffee intake in women increases the chances of lower bone density and increased fracture risk. However, this can be taken care of by consuming calcium-rich food and drinks. 

What happens when you quit caffeine 

Caffeine can be addictive and gives you side effects when you stop taking it. One can tell that they’re going through caffeine withdrawal if they experience the following symptoms: 

• Headache 
• Tiredness/fatigue 
• Decreased energy 
• Decreased alertness 
• Drowsiness/sleepiness 
• Depressed mood
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Irritability 
• Fuzzy/foggy mind 

How much caffeine is too much? 

For an average adult, consumption of up to 400mg of caffeine a day appears to be safe. Here’s the amount of caffeine present in our common drinks is as follows: 

• Coffee(235ml): 102–200mg 
• Espresso(30ml): 30–90mg 
• Tea(235ml): 40–120mg 
• Coke(355ml): 35–47mg 
• Mountain Dew(355ml): 118mg 

An average US adult consumes 2 cups of coffee per day; this is almost 280 mg of caffeine. Heavy coffee drinkers are the people who consume 4 or more cups of coffee every day. Research proves that the advantages of caffeine outweigh the disadvantages. However, there are a few medical conditions that are made worse with the intake of caffeine. 

Now you have a better reason to get your daily coffee fix!

The inspiration for this article has been taken from Health Plus Section, a source of credible health information by Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, Singapore.

Start your day right by eating right, get positive energy with MILO. Join Malaysia Breakfast Day Run 2014 in Putrajaya!

My parents always tell me you must have the breakfast if you want to have energy for the rest of the day. 

Do you know Breakfast is not just a meal but it's about starting your day with positive energy to help your body to perform its best throughout the day?

And many people thought that skipping breakfast will help to lose weight, but it's wrong because it will only worsen to your diet. You will feel more lethargic, blood sugar level will drop leaving you feeling easily distracted and causing mood swings. And end up you might eat more because of mood swing!

While Roti canai, mee goreng and nasi lemak is definitely delicious, but all of us know it's not healthy and too heavy for breakfast! So have a balanced breakfast instead with a cup of MILO that would better boost the energy intake! 

A good breakfast will simply means getting the Positive Energy which is derived from the perfect ratio of nutrients consisting of protein, carbohydrates and fats. It would provide our body with the much needed fuel to take on both physical and mental challenges each day. 

According to Ho Hau Chieh, Executive Director of Dairy Business Unit, Nestlé Products, “Fuelled by MILO’s determination and motivation to advocate Malaysians on the importance of a well-balanced breakfast, the day is part of its nation-wide nutrition campaign - ‘Positive Energy For Champions’ that aims to keep the momentum going as the healthy breakfast habit should be adopted actively and not just in the heat of the moment,” he says. 

"As an advocator of healthy living, we strive to reevaluate how the nation can adopt an improved view on healthy living and start practicing with little steps,” adds Ho.

MILO representatives holding different MILO products, as you know MILO comes in Powder form, 3 in 1 and Ready to Drink !  And I miss the MILO truck drink... it always seems to taste so much nicer! 

This year, MILO also hold their annual Malaysia Breakfast Day Run in Dataran Putrajaya on 20th April 2014 starting from 7:00 am. 

The event calls upon all Malaysians to come together as a family to enjoy the most important meal of the day and participate in physical activities together. 

Apart from the 8-km and 3-km runs, there will be breakfast meals available to all runners and attendees while conducting various interactive sport activities that will keep the whole family energized. 

For more information on Malaysia Breakfast Day and its activities, please visit: www.milo.com.my/breakfastday

Learn to cook Shoyu & Honey Glazed Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass with Horseradiah Aioli with Samsung Galaxy Life

Recently I came across a new FREE Samsung mobile apps i.e Samsung Galaxy Life where Samsung users like me can enjoy exclusive rewards and privilege by using the apps. Very easy, just install it at Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.galaxylife .

Once I opened the Samsung Galaxy Life apps, it would search for some good stuff or me! 

I registered myself on the apps so that I could enjoy daily surprise deals with discount coupons, promos and rewards. 

There are many categories to choose from Life, Entertain, Learn, Play, Connect, Work and Surprise.

If you have been following me on my instagram or facebook, you will realised how much I love to cook at home. But I only know how to cook Chinese cuisine so I am always on the look out to learn western cuisine or even learnt to bake. But the thing good cooking class is not cheap especially when the Chef are really famous & good. 

Am so happy to find this Buy 1 pax FREE 1 pax cooking class by Starhill Culinary Studio at Samsung Galaxy Life mobile apps. So quickly call to reserve for a western cooking class last week before I click REDEEM!

So last week went to Starhill Culinary Studio which is located Muse Floor. Beautiful set up! 

Guess what I am learning to cook looking at the ingredients ?

Also we are going to cook this huge piece of Chileam Sea Bass! 

We are so lucky to have Chef Wai to teach us how to cook because he is an award winning Chef who has served for many local and overseas in the past. Besides he is also a Corporate Executive Chef for the restaurants in Starhill Gallery! All thanks to Samsung Galaxy Life promos ! 

Excited to know that we are learning to cook Shoyu & Honey Glazed Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass with Horseradiah Aioli! 

The ingredients needed for 4 pax are: 

4 x 160gm fillet Sea Bass , skinned

Sauce Ingredients

60 ml light soy sauce, Kikkoman

45 gm soft brown sugar

15 gm manuka honey

15 gm ginger puree

15 gm garlic puree

3 sprigs coriander root, crushed

Horseradish Aioli

80 ml kewpie mayo

25 g freshly grated horseradish

dash of Tabasco to taste  

Lobster Sauce ( this was pre-made by Chef Wai)

Lobster head

Red Celery root

Tomato paste

Carrot

White Wine

Taragon herb

Lemongrass

Fish Stock

Cognac

Flour 

Butter

Swiss brown mushroom

Sesame Oil

Walnut Oil

Balsamic vinegar Oil

First Chef Wai showed us to skin the sea bass.

Looks easy ? 

After skinning the fish then must cut into fillet

I can tell you that it's not easy because not only you must be really precise but you must own a really sharp & good knife to do this! Gotta to start saving money to buy a set of this Global Knife from Japan already!

After that mix and stir all the sauce ingredients well until the sugar dissolved, then place the fish fillet cut side down in the sauce mixture. Place the crushed coriander root next to the fish and marinade for 2 hours in the fridge. 

Tips : You will notice Chef is using a piece of kitchen cloth to dab dry the fish before soaking the fish fillet. This is to ensure the freshness of the fish is preserve. 

While waiting Chef Wai showed us how cook risolto as our side dish. Stir onion before adding in risolto, chicken stock, cooking crem, prawn, coriander root, paramesan cheese and a pinch of salt.

Bake the glaze marinated sea bass under salamander until crisp brown on the surface with 200 celcius (top heating).

Tips : If the surface is not brown after few mins then take the pan out and add on a little bit brown sugar on the top and continue baking for another 2-3 minute

As for the Horseradish Aioli 
Mix & Stir all the ingredients well, keep at room temperature for half an hour before serving

Wooylaa my Shoyu & Honey Glazed Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass with Horseradiah Aioli is ready! 

The sea bass is so freaking nice! Just like those I had in fine dining restaurant, crispy on the outside and savourly sweet on the inside with the lobster sauce or horseradish aioli!  

Finally a picture with Chef Wai, now I am also a Master Chef like him after learning how to make my favourite dish! :D

I like how the cooking class is conducted in small group, where it was more cosy and I get to know better other participants! They also love cooking like myself and we have actually asked Chef Wai so much cooking tips and he is generous enough to share with us :) Met Cik Lily Putih there as well :D 

I have learnt so much and can't wait to cook this back at home.. (in fact was hungry by looking at the pictures I posted here!) . Definitely I can't wait to go more cooking class like this in the future so any of you want to join me ? 

Well all you need to do is to download the Samsung Galaxy Life from Google Play Store and start redeeming exciting deals & promos! 

I always think eating home is always the best if you want to have a healthy life because there will be NO MSG added in, plus they is a saying "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"! 

For more info, visit:-

Samsung Mobile Malaysia Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/samsungmobilemalaysia

or Download Samsung Galaxy Life at Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.galaxylife

KL Restaurant Week: Opus Bistro @ Bangkung, Bangsar

Earlier this week I went to food tasting in Opus Bistro which is located in Bangsar, I was told this is one of the best Italian restaurant in town where spaghetti alla Opus, homemade ravioli and roasted cod are some of their best dishes. They are pork-free.

Was quite suprised to see it was quite crowded even on weekdays.

The place has simple decoration but yet cosy.

The reason we are here for food tasting is because Opus Bistro is one of the participating restaurants in Kuala Lumpur Restaurant Week.

The concept of Restaurant Week was first launch back in 1992, when the late restaurateur Joe Baum and Tim Zagat first dreamt up Restaurant Week in New York City, they had no idea that it would become a national and international success. The original four-day event was created as a goodwill gesture to the 15,000 reporters coming to cover that year's Democratic National Convention. Both creators had thought it would be a short-term money loser but with long-term PR benefit for New York and its restaurant industry. Today, almost 20 years later, restaurant weeks have become a tradition in city after city for their appeal to customers and restaurants. In short: they are a win-win.

In a nutshell, participating restaurants in Restaurant Week create a fixed menu at a special price to attract customers to come try the restaurant. Customers love the concept of Restaurant Week because they offer a chance to experience many of their city's best restaurants for a modest price. In exchange, the restaurants gain by attracting thousands of new diners who might hesitate to try such restaurants without the assurance of an affordable bill.

KL Restaurant Week will begin on 4th October 2013, armed with a bonanza of 45 participating restaurants from casual to fine-dining categories, that offer a plethora of exquisite cuisines set amidst dynamic dining scenes for patrons to experience at a modest price.Menu prices start from RM20 nett for lunch and RM50 nett for dinner. Participating restaurants will set aside limited seats offering the KL Restaurant Week menus. And reservation must be made online with a reservation fee of RM 2.00 per seat will be charged, strictly non-refundable.

Let's look what Opus Bistro has to offer for their 3 course meal  lunch set at RM38 nett person. Lunch hour are from 12pm to 3pm and Sunday is off for lunch.

As for starter, one can choose whether to have caesar salad or asparagus soup. And I highly recommended in having the later as the soup is really delicious. It's creamy but not overwhelming.

As for main course, you can see there are 3 types of dishes to pick. My favourite would be Linguine Zucchini Prawn; those prawns are really big and fresh... oh yummy!

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As for dinner set which is also a 3 course meal is offered at RM78 nett per person. Their dinner time starts from 6pm to 12am.

 As for dinner set, one can choose between Mushroom Soup and Salmon Roll with Rocket Salad (which setting looked like carrot like... so cute!)

As for the main course for dinner, I would prefer Grilled Seabass with salsa verde over the others as it was well seasoned and taste really nice.

Strawberry Pannacotta is arguably one of my favourite Italian dessert, yummy and sinful at the same time. The portion of the this dessert is suprisingly really big as it comes in a big glass but I like it... so its good la....ohlalala!

Oh notice the dessert that they are serving for lunch and dinner set is the same.

The man who made us all the delicious food that night! Chef Ariff bin Mohd Nor has more than 15 years of experience with cooking Italian food, and as one of the pioneers at Opus has been heading their kitchen for the past 10 years. 

Opus Bistro Bangsar is located at Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Contact number : 03-2092 4288. Click here to check the menu pricing.

It’s not everyday that you can eat these awesome set lunches and dinners within the range of RM20 - RM98! So click here and read those reviews! 

 Book your restaurant now on http://klrestaurantweek.com/ ! Online reservation closes on 29th September  2013 and dining period start from 4 October 2013 onwards.

Let's indulge in Nestle La Cremeria Ice Cream ; now with improved recipe and packaging!

Anyone here an ice-cream lover or La Cremeria fans?

Well I have good news for you because they had just improved their recipe and packaging starting 1 September 2013!

During the last week Nestle La Cremeria 1.2L Relaunch in Laundry Bar in The Curve, the gorgeous Julie Woon was the emcee for the event. She briefly introduced what is the event is about before passing the mic to the representative of Nestle.

The improved range comes with creamier texture that melts smoothly and gives a satisfying moment of indulgence. The range comes with an improved packaging with stronger and tighter tub cap lock to ensure product freshness. 

The Ms. Yit Woon Lai the Business Executive Manager of Nestle Ice Cream Business Unit (thanks to Grace for the name) said that every woman deserve to indulge in a tube of La Cremeria ice cream after a busy day juggling between work & family as a reward for herself! I totally agreed on this!

Before we are officially introduced to the six variants of La Cremeria ice cream; there is a showcase of models wearing very colourful dresses.

And in case you are wondering where there is a fashion show in an ice-cream launch, actually those colour dress represent different flavour.

A group of the pretty models with representative from Nestle Malaysia.

La Cremeria comes with six variants and each offers different sensations and experiences!

Here are the 6 different variants for La Cremeria with description

1. LA CREMERIA Chocolate Hazelnut Temptation: Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream with heaps of peanuts and velvety chocolate hazelnut sauce 

2. LA CREMERIA Strawberry Dream: Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream with lots of strawberry pieces

3. LA CREMERIA Vanilla Cashew Delight: Vanilla ice cream with generous chocolate chips, cashew nuts, and velvety chocolate sauce 

4. LA CREMERIA Chocolate Obsession: Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate sauce 

5. LA CREMERIA Hazelnut Ganache Sensation: Crème Brulee flavoured ice cream with almond chunks and chocolate chips swirled in chocolate hazelnut sauce 

6. LA CREMERIA Almond Pecan Praline: Delicious pecan flavoured ice cream with almond chunks and velvety swirls of chocolate sauce 

Personally I felt that the new improved La Cremeria ice creams are much creamier and actually melt slowler in my mouth. And one more thing I discovered is that it is not as sweet as before; yes I do like sweet stuff but not overly sweet and this adjustment of the level of sweetness is just perfect. 

And the improved cap lock system  is great because it locks the tube tighter; definitely the freshness of the ice-cream is preserved!

And out of the 6 variants of La Cremeria ice cream I have tried, I love La Cremeria Almond Pecan Praline the best because the combination of almond, pecan & praline is just perfect! I love how I can actually feel bits of almond chunks and chocolate sauce in every spoon I took! Sinful but very delicious! Highly recommending this, especially if you are trying La Cremeria for the first time!

And if you are not a fan of Praline, I would personally recommend Hazelnut Ganache Sensation (creme brulee anyone?) or Strawberry Dream (yep I'm a strawberry lover!) as they are my next choice!

For chocolate lover, you should not miss Chocolate Obsession because the chocolate flavour is really rich & you can actually feel the bitterness of the chocolate! And Vanilla lover should try Vanilla Cashew Delight which are really milky& creamy in texture!

And for those who are torn between vanilla or chocolate ice cream; well Hazelnut Temptation is for you because it has both!

Oh did I said that got pretty yummy boy served us yummy ice cream on that day!

LA CREMERIA 1.2L range is available at a recommended price of RM16.89 (West Malaysia) and RM16.99 (East Malaysia) at major hypermarkets and supermarkets nationwide.

The top two bestselling variants i.e  LA CREMERIA Almond Pecan Praline and LA CREMERIA Vanilla Cashew Delight is available in 100ml serving cup and each is sold at RM3.00 (West Malaysia) and RM3.20 (East Malaysia) and available at selected convenient stores nationwide.

In conjunction with the re-launch, several road shows will be held around Malaysia from September to November 2013 to give consumers the opportunity to experience this indulging and satisfying LA CREMERIA range. The road shows give consumers a chance to win some goodies and enjoy exciting activities at the booth. 

Just to share with you all, LA CREMERIA is one of the participating Brands in the NESTLÉ Bonanza Hari Keluarga Malaysia Contest. Consumer may use the lid of the LA CREMERIA 1.2L or LA CREMERIA 100ml as the point-of-purchase to enter the contest. 

For more information on LA CREMERIA products, activities and contest, please 

Call Nestlé at 1-800-88-3433 between 9am and 5pm from Mondays to Fridays.

or 

visit http://www.facebook.com/NestleLaCremeria 

Let's try Meet Fresh Taiwanese Dessert

This pic is credited to Elizabeth.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to my Muslim readers! What are you guys in this long weekends breaks!  Well I had a pretty good time indulging in dessert! Ah.. I love dessert and you know how warm our Malaysia weather can be so warm and cool dessert is really perfect to chill us out!

The first time I came across Meet Fresh was in Times Square and I was really glad when they opened their branch in Pavilion last year cause this is my favourite hang out mall!

A little background of Meet Fresh

Meet Fresh is established in 2007 with millions invested to create a six-star comfortable dining experience for its patrons, “Meet Fresh” is a Taiwanese dessert chain that prides itself on preserving the authentic taste of yesteryears when food was handmade by the sellers and ingredients were of the highest quality and fresh. The taro dessert is one of its notable bestsellers.

 

Well last Sunday I was invited to Meet Fresh High Tea press conference at their Pavilion branch to sample the different types of "Meet Fresh" desserts .

This is a part of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs’ (MOEA) effort in reaching out to neighboring countries, its Bureau of Foreign Trade jointly with “Meet Fresh” invited members of the media and bloggers. This high tea session enabled us to have an authentic taste of Taiwan’s delicacies and other wholesome treats.

These are 4 Meet Fresh best sellers; namely Taro Balls No.4, Meet Fresh Signature Herbal Jelly, Tofu Pudding with Peanut and Little Taro Balls in White Ground Tea.

If you are first time visiting "Meet Fresh" these are the 4 must have, let me tell you why and share with you which is my favourite!

 Meet Fresh Signature Herbal Jelly - RM6.90

The word Signature is not there for nothing because it is a must have and I do really like this! This is one of my favourite and I tell you why!

This is a combination of herbal jelly blended ice together with herbal jelly, taro balls and cream. And if you are not much of a cream (milk person) you can always opt it out! In case you don't want a cold dessert, this has a hot version too.

I really like how the herbal jelly ice is finely shaved & the taro balls (made from yam) are really chewy! The cream milk just add more sweetness in this. This is a sweet & refreshing dessert for me! Highly recommended!

p/s: I want to have this now by just looking at the picture, yum yum...

 Taro Balls No.4 - RM6.50

I think it is called No 4 because it has 4 ingredients inside; i.e taro balls, red bean, sago pearl & taro (aka yam) on shaved ice.

I like the yam here, it was cooked to perfection! Well if you are yam lover, this is the one you should order!

 

 Tofu Pudding with Peanuts - RM5

This is the tofu pudding aka taufu-fah with peanuts & syrup on top of shaved ice. Overall this dessert is not too sweet & tofu pudding texture is smooth.

This is definitely one of the healthier dessert as it is not too sweet & the tofu which is made from soya bean is known to help in skin whitening!

Honestly not one of my favorite here because personally I prefer my dessert to be sweet & shaved ice to be a little bit finer....I have sweet tooth  >.<

 

Little Taro Balls in White Ground Tea - RM5.90

Oh I really love this. The drink is really refreshing and the little taro ball is really nice to chew! Best drink to quench your thirst on sunny day!

Oh just before we left, the manager dropped by and offered us to try Mango Supreme (RM17.90). A dessert that available exclusively in Pavilion !

Generous amount of mango spread on top of sweetened ice & cream. And it is crowned with a scoop of yam ice-cream. 

The portion is really quite big & good be shared between 2-3 persons! Well if I am going to order this again, I want to ask for additional taro balls topping on this for only Rm1.50... ah I just can't get enough of the taro balls... you can tell that by now... how addictive is that!

This pic is credited to Elizabeth.

Meet Fresh located in 6th in Pavilion at the centre court, next to Bosphorus Turkish Fine Dining Restaurant or just exactly opposite Tonkatsu! This is place is nice to hang out after a tiring shopping trip! Sofa is comfortable, there is ample walking area and best of all there is WIFI. I would personally choose to sit next to glass partition as I enjoy looking down what is happening down there.

Currently Meet Fresh has 6 outlets at:
Pavilion KL

 Berjaya Times Square

 Laman Rimbunan Kepong

 Bandar Mahkota Cheras
Penang - Gurney Paragon Mall
Negeri Sembilan-  Uptown Avenue Seremban 2

 For more information, kindly visit their 

Website: www.meetfresh.com.my

Facebook: Meet Fresh Malaysia