I can have pretty nails again! - Gel Nail Polish

I had unintentionally gave up on getting manicures because they don't last very long. I used to get weekly manicures and monthly pedicures. But since my son was born, I hardly ever got my nails done. I'm constantly washing my hands, dishes etc, that the nail polish would start chipping within a few days.

My dear sweet cousin treated me to a manicure and pedicure a few weeks ago. She told me to try Gel Nail Polish (I remember once when Blublu had told me about Gel Nail Polish before too). So i decided to try it out.

What it is: A special nail polish that is UV-cured.
Benefits: Because the polish is cured using a UV light, your nails are completely dry right out of the drying lamp. You can rummage through your purse for your keys with no worries! Gel Nail Polish also lasts for a very long time (approx 2 weeks) without chipping.
Cost: Approximately $10-$15 more than a standard manicure.




Nails Freshly done by Glossnails (Sacramento,CA)

 I chose Gelish brand nail polish. It's been about 3-4 weeks since I had my nails done and they're in pretty good condition despite it starting to grow out. You do need to get the polish soaked off though, regular nail polish won't take care of it.

Gelish Nail Polish!

There are plenty of other brands of Gel Nail polishes. Ask your manicurist if they have Gel polishes! Become a believer. I highly recommend this for people that work in the food industry, crafters, etc. No more worries about nail polish getting chipped, scratched or worn out! :)

Travelling Tips and the Airplane Outfit - From Colder to Hot Climates

I have been on plenty of planes the past three years. With business trips and vacations, I've learned a few things about packing smart, and packing light. No matter where I go, I am able to fit everything I need into a gym bag. Not to mention I've finally figured out what to wear when a girl like me gets on a plane in rainy-and-cold Vancouver, and gets off in a place like hot-and-sweltering Mexico. Clearly, the clothes I bring have to be convertible, as all I have is a gym bag.

WHAT TO WEAR
These are the items I wear on the plane.

Yoga Tights
I wear these on a plane under a dress (which I'll discuss later). I wear them on the way to the airport, and on the plane to stay warm. However, once we land in hotter climates, I whip those suckers off while still seated in the plane - I'll let you know later how it is I do this discreetly.

WHY workout tights? Because I do workout at the fitness center in the hotel, run around the city, or practice yoga in my hotel room or on the beach. This extra functionality makes it so that I don't have to pack an extra pair of pants specifically for working out.

Another reason is because sometimes the plane gets hot, and these suckers are dri-fit.

My favorite pair of tights are Lululemon Wunder Under Crops!

These suckers are four-way stretch, which makes it awesome for when you're sitting comfortably in an awkward position in your tiny little airplane seat for 4+ hours.

I cannot tell a lie! I wear these tights as much as possible! I actually wear yoga clothes to work. I wear these tights, a yoga tank underneath a dressy top, and flats or boots. At the end of the day, I head to the yoga studio, whip off my top, and am ready to get my plank on.


Light-Weight Black Dress
I like to wear a light-weight black tank dress with simple shaping when I'm on the plane. The piece I own is also Lululemon. So again, it's dri-fit, and stretchy - which makes the plane ride more bearable. I wear my tights under these. Once I get off the plane, no matter how hot it is, I certainly do not feel hot (especially since by then, I've whipped off my tights).

What's great about this piece is that you can dress it up with a fancy belt, jewellery, or a big hat! Thus, it's not only for the plane ride, but for a fancier dinner in your destination city, or for exploring - it IS athletic, afterall!

Large Shawl
A large shawl doubles as a blanket on the plane. Mine was large enough to share with my husband. I got mine at H&M for $20. However, since this piece is generic enough, I'm sure you can find it in any department store.

The fantastic thing about this piece is that you can place it over your lap, and whip off/on your tights when your plane lands. It will also keep you warm on your way to the airport if you live in a place like Vancouver where it's wet-cold and chills you to the bone.

I've also worn it on chilly nights in the destination city!

Foldable Ballet Flats

Super comfortable, and easy to whip off when you're going through security at the airport or when you don't feel like wearing shoes on the plane. As well, if you decide to switch to your runners/flip flops (or whatever other pair of shoes you have) on the plane ride back, you can fold these suckers up, and shove them in your carry-on.

OTHER THINGS TO HAVE HANDY ON YOUR PLANE RIDE
Some things to consider...

Feminine Wipes
To stay fresh :) They do come in travel packets at the drug store and sometimes you can find fancier ones at the Spa. Alternatively, you could use panty liners. (I'm really hoping the guys aren't reading this right now.)

These are from a Canadian Company

Misting Toner
The air in the cabin can parch your skin. Consider bringing a misting toner for your face. I don't actually use one, but am going to start. There's Evian Mineral Water Spray,  and Caudalie Beauty Elixer, just to name two. I'm sure you can stop by your local beauty store to check out the selection. You can also use this on your feet if they're feeling tired from exploring your destination city.

Lotion
Don't forget about your hands!

My favorite and in the lovely scent of Lavender!

Tinted Lip Balm
I prefer tinted lip balm because it has color AND it's moisturizing. I like to bring my C.O Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint. The reason being that it helps with the fresh breath factor and leaves your lips tingly.

Get it at Bath & Body Works!

Happy travelling!

Swimming Tip: Protect your Skin from the Drying Effects of Chlorine

Chlorine dries out the skin on my face and makes it itch! I slather on the lotion afterwards, but I still itch, and there's nothing better than prevention. I found a way to minimize the drying effects!

Before I head out to the pool in the AM, I create a barrier on my face. How? As follows...

1. Cleanse with Cetaphil: I don't typically use this as my daily cleanser, but I do use it before I head to the pool. I slather on this cleanser on my dry face, and then I wipe it off with a clean face towel. I do NOT use water. I find that rinsing off Cetaphil is more drying than wiping it off. Before heading out to the pool, I want as much moisture in my skin as possible.


Moisturize: I use Clarins Hydraquench for Normal to Dry Skin. This moisturizer is my holy grail and Cherwhoah also swears by it. However, if you have a moisturizer that works for you, then stick with it!



Holy grail moisturizer!

2. Waterproof Sunscreen: I use Neutrogena's Ultra Sheet Dry Touch, also a holy grail of mine. It is not greasy, is light, does not break me out, and I forget I'm wearing it. This step is especially important as it creates a barrier between the pool and my skin. It basically traps the moisture in the skin, and keeps the chlorine out.
 



Holy grail Sunscreen!

Very important point: Do not rub your face while in the pool. You're rubbing off the barrier!

 

Looking cute while cooking.

As I threw my onions in to saute yesterday, some oil splashed on my shirt :(. Fortunately i did change to some casual clothes before cooking dinner. At first I thought I had splashed some water on my tank, but it never dried up, so i'm pretty sure it's oil. Anyways...I cooked so little in the past that I never had an apron! I did a quick search on amazon and came across these cute aprons:

Sooo Katy Perry!

http://www.amazon.com/Jessie-Steele-Josephine-Polka-Apron/dp/B0025VK8K4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1304525574&sr=8-9

 http://www.amazon.com/Jessie-Steele-Josephine-Toile-Apron/dp/B000TK4BLU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1304525574&sr=8-15

I got this one for myself :)

 http://www.amazon.com/Jessie-Steele-Carmen-Bib-Apron/dp/B000TK6GEU/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1304525895&sr=8-12

I got this one for the hubby!

 http://www.amazon.com/Chef-Works-CSBA-BCS-Pockets-27-Inch/dp/B002JM15Z6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304525895&sr=8-1

For the days you want to feel skinny or sexy! lol!

http://www.amazon.com/Attitude-Apron-Black-Lingerie-White/dp/B001D20DU6/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1304525908&sr=8-23



Chicken Breasts and Green Beans in Black Bean Sauce!

Over the weekend, the hubby said to me, "WE need to cook more and WE need to eat out less." (i like how he says "we" when we all know he means me). While I do admit, we probably order in or eat out more often than we should, we do eat at my mom's twice a week, so it's not like we don't get any home cooked meals. I tend to go through phases of cooking pretty consistently and then have one day where I'd feel tired and order-in. Then one day turns into two, two turns into three, and all of a sudden I stop cooking.  I hope to keep with it this time, I'm going to experiment with different marinades, sauces and recipes and share them here!

Tonight I made Stir-fried chicken breasts and green beans in a black bean sauce for the first time. I kinda winged it with this recipe and tried to cook it like my mom does. I don't think I've ever really seen her cook it though. I also don't know the amounts of the ingredients I used so I'll just sorta guess...

Stir-fried chicken breasts and green beans in a black bean sauce

6oz. Chicken Breasts - Cubed

2 Tbsp Black Bean & Garlic Sauce

4 cups Fresh Green Beans

1/2 White Onion - Chopped

Chicken Stock

Soy sauce

Garlic Powder

Vegetable Oil

Cornstarch

1. Marinate the chicken breast cubes with a few dashes of soy sauce and garlic powder (sorry I just eyeball it!) for about 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Blanch Green beans for a few minutes depending on how thick your green beans are and how crisp you like them. I prefer my veggies more on the soft side and blanched my green beans for about 4 minutes.
3. Heat up a wok or frying pan at Med-High heat, add about 2 tsp of oil and saute the onions for a few minutes. Add Chicken breasts, Black bean sauce and sugar to the onions and cook until chicken is almost fully cooked then add the green beans. Stir the ingredients around to coat the green beans with the black bean sauce.
4. Add chicken stock (amount depends on how much gravy you like), stir, and bring to a simmer. Add cornstarch dissolved in water to thicken the gravy (add cornstarch mixture until desired thickness, if too thick, add some more chicken stock). 

That's it! WAH LAH! Jpjp...Voila!

It was very yummy and tasted like something my mom would make! The hubby ate a lot! He even packed some for tomorrow! For my 2-year old son, I pan fried a few of the chicken cubes sans black bean sauce and made a creamed corn sauce to top his rice. He liked that very much!

This is the Black Bean Sauce that I used. There are other varieties (i.e. Black bean chili sauce).

I'm not a great cook, just a girl that has eaten a lot of good home cooked food thanks to her mom. That is where I'm getting inspiration for my home cooked meals. I hope you enjoy this recipe, you can switch up the protein or veggies too!

Quick Kitchen Tip:

The black bean sauce will need to be refrigerated after opening. Black beans are pretty strong in odor, especially with garlic in it. Place some twice or thrice folded over plastic wrap over the the opening of the bottle before capping it to reduce amount of airgaps. If you'd like you can wrap the bottle once more after it's been capped and rubberband the neck of the bottle for super odor protection. Let's make the refrigerator a happier place :)

Upcoming recipes:

Bulgogi Beef! (semi-homemade) Probably not really traditional since I'm Chinese :P

Turkey Meatloaf

Lemongrass Pork (maybe in the form of a banh mi)

Swimmer's Shampoo - Say No to the Stench

I had taken up "swimming" a few months ago. It's in quotations because I haven't actually done a full two laps of front crawl yet. I'm slowly building up.  Since picking up swimming, the chlorine in the pool has infused my hair with stench.

After my laps, I hop in the shower at the Community Centre, lather up, and scrub down. However, I noticed that the chlorine stench stays in my hair and punches me in the face when I take my next shower.

I started my hunt for a Swimmer's Shampoo and had found Ultra Swim at London Drugs! It cost about $9.

Ingredients
Water , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Sodium Lauroamphoacetate , Urea , Polysorbate 20 , Coco Glucoside , Sodium Thiosulfate , Glyceryl Oleate , Propylene Glycol , Diazolidinyl Urea , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Sodium Bicarbonate , Tocopheryl Acetate , Glycerin , Disodium EDTA , Polyquaternium-10 , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Fragrance , D&C Violet No. 2 , May Contain: Citric Acid and , or Sodium Hydroxide

Blurb on the Bottle
Pool chlorine strips hair of life leaving it dry, brittle and unmanageable. Ultra Swim shampoo removes chlorine and its odour from your hair while replacing lost moisture. Ultra Swim...

• Breaks the chemical bond that holds chlorine to your hair.
• Removes harmful oxidized metals
• Leaves hair feeling silky soft

Directions (on the bottle)
Wet hair and lather. Rinse thoroughly. Gentle enough for even children's everyday use, AND for permed, lightened or color-treated hair.

How I Use it
After another swim, I lathered up, massaged, let it sit in my hair, and rinsed it out. Sometimes I need to double shampoo depending on how my hair feels.

What to Expect

• No more chlorine stench: The next day, I hopped in the shower, and wasn't greeted with the strong chlorine stench.
• You may have to shampoo twice - I do most times, depending on how my hair feels. I sometimes can't get the lather going on the first go.
• Your hair will be dry, so be sure to use conditioner.
• Lovely generic shampoo scent
• Is a bit watery than my other shampoos

Recommendation and Alternatives

• I rinse my hair with water before jumping into the pool. This minimizes the effects of chlorine on my hair. 
• Use conditioner before and after the swim. If you apply the conditioner before, be sure it's a light coating on your hair. You don't want that stuff floating around in the pool in masses. (I don't, but I'm going to start!)
• Skip the blow dry afterwards and let your hair air-dry. Blow drying can further dry out your hair (unless you apply a balm first).
• Apply an after-wash hair cream, serum or oil - to further moisturize or seal in moisture. (I'm on the hunt for one)
• Wear a swim cap - but keep in mind it doesn't mean your locks will stay dry.
• After I finish this bottle, I am thinking of getting L'oreal Kids Swim & Sport Shampoo.
  

  

  L'oreal Kids Swim & Sport Shampoo

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Yes, it's for kids...but it's cheaper, smells like oranges, is gentler, and doesn't sting if I get it in my eyes. Need to finish up the big people's shampoo first though :)
  
  

Overall Rating
4.5/5 - Is a bit pricey, but it does the job!

Ice Cream Machine!!! Sooo bad yet soooo good :P

The hubby loves ice-cream. He loves it so much, he went on a mission to look for an ice-cream machine. The only problem is, he decided to go get it on Easter! I ended up ordering him one through amazon.com. We got the Cuisinart ICE-30BC.

Pretty, Isn't she?

The first recipe we tried was the vanilla ice cream recipe that came in the Cusinart's recipe book. It was pretty good. I had mine with some fresh pineapples.

My biggest gripe about the recipes is that it always calls for heavy cream and whole milk. For those who know a little bit about me, just last summer I was overweight. I've recently lost 35lbs and am trying to keep it off. Naturally, eating ice-cream isn't going to be too good for me. I'm going to experiment with Frozen yogurt and using substitutes for heavy cream and whole milk. From what I've read,  using half and half or skim milk will make the ice-cream more "icy" in texture. So we'll see.

Today, I made Lychee Ice-cream. I got the recipe from http://www.food.com/recipe/lychee-ice-cream-214114.

The main reason why I chose this recipe is because it didn't require any cooking (some recipes require egg yolks and cooking the ingredients, then letting it cool, etc.). It turned out really good! I used 8 ounces of heavy cream since I had the carton open from the last batch of Ice-cream and used 8 ounces of half 'n' half. The Ice-cream did seem a little lighter, but it was still very delicious and satisfying.

After eating my cup of lychee ice-cream, I realized my power...I can have almost ANY flavor ice-cream that my little heart desires! Also, If I want to make it low-fat, sugar-free, or turn it into a frozen yogurt...BAM! 20 minutes and there it is! Oh dear, I knew this was going to be dangerous!