So everyone knows that a plate of chicken rice is about 700 calories and that a laksa is not far away from that number – but who really knows how much of a punch that sugar cane drink can add to your meal?

We find out how many calories there are in popular hawker drinks in Singapore such as kopi, grass jelly, bandung, soya bean drink, milo dinosaur and more.

#1 KOPI (194G)

The morning caffeine hit of choice for many Singaporeans, young or old. It’s a concoction of strong brewed ground coffee mixed with condensed milk.

Calorie count of Kopi: 113

#2 KOPI-O (194G)

Instead of condensed milk, the black coffee is sweetened with sugar. It is much lighter in calories than Kopi.

Calorie count of Kopi-O: 66

#3 TEH (260G)

A strong, fragrant black tea mixed with condensed milk.

Calorie count of Teh: 153

#4 TEH-O (255G)

Just the tea with sugar – no milk! This is the lowest-calorie drink, out of all the entries on this list.

Calorie count of Teh-O: 64

#5 BANDUNG (250G)

This pink creation is made with rose syrup and evaporated milk, creating a sweet, floral-scented, milky delight.

Calorie count of Bandung: 158

#6 FRESH LIME JUICE (250G)

A refreshing, zingy drink that’s a favourite complement to a heavy zi char meal. Often has loads of sugar added into it to balance out the tartness.

Calorie count of fresh Lime Juice: 160

#7 SOYA BEAN DRINK (250G)

The drink is made by soaking and cooking soya beans, before blending it and straining the mixture to get the milk.

Calorie count of Soya Bean Drink: 158

#8 GRASS JELLY DRINK (235G)

You often get served this in a giant glass mug at the hawker centres. It’s made up of syrup and slivers of light-tasting grass jelly.

Calorie count of Grass Jelly Drink: 75

#9 MILO DINOSAUR (240G)

Who doesn’t love a milo dinosaur? A cold, chocolate malt drink mixed with condensed milk, and then heaped with an extra tablespoon of milo.

Calorie count of Milo Dinosaur: 270

#10 SUGAR CANE DRINK (263G)

This drink comes by squeezing out the liquid storedd in the fibres of a sugar cane plant.

Calorie count of Sugar Cane Drink: 126

CALORIES OF POPULAR HAWKER DRINKS IN SINGAPORE

As you can see, these drinks here (especially the cold ones), can add a significant number of calories to your meal.

Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietitian at nutrition consultancy Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants, says, “The calories of these drinks come mainly from sugar, found in the condensed milk, syrup and pure white sugar. To enjoy our local creations without feeling too guilty, always ask for less sugar or a ‘less sweet’ drink.

Ordering it with a meal will also help neutralise the spikes in your blood sugar level when these drinks enter your body. If you have frequent spikes, you’ll crave more sweet drinks and food. Apart from the teh and kopi that most of us need for our daily caffeine fix, try to limit the other drinks to less than twice a week.”

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Calorie count provided by Jaclyn Reutens. Illustrations for ladyironchef by Anna.

Trying to improve your eating habits? Don’t let these tricksters sabotage your plans. Check out these 10 foods you think are healthy, but actually aren’t.

#1 DIET COKE

You may be cutting out sugar but chugging a diet soda brings a whole host of other problems. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to weight gain – one reason includes people thinking that they’ve picked a healthier choice and therefore overeat later. It also increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

A Harvard Medical School study also found that diet sodas are associated with a two-fold increase in risk for kidney decline. Plus, sodas are known to be acidic and have been found detrimental to dental health. Try to cut out fizzies altogether or enjoy them sporadically. Choose freshly squeezed or cold pressed juices instead, and you can add carbonated water if you must have something sparkly.

#2 PRE-PACKED FRUIT JUICES

While nothing beats having the fruit whole so you get all it’s dietary fibre goodness, many people enjoy quenching their thirst with juice, thinking it’s a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks. Hang on – have you taken a look at the sugar content yet? Some juices actually have the equivalent amount.

Read the ingredients label – you might see sugar (or its other names, sucrose and glucose) alongside fruit concentrate. The process of creating fruit concentrate might already have destroyed all the vitamins and minerals too. Try to lay off these altogether and opt for freshly squeezed or cold-pressed juices instead. This page is a good resource to understand the whole fruit concentrate vs 100% juice, and learn about tricks that brands use.

#3 FLAVOURED YOGHURT

Would you be shocked if I told you that some flavoured yoghurts have as much sugar as a bottle of Coke? It all comes from the sugar-laden flavourings (fruit or otherwise) and possibly sweetened yoghurt itself. A better option would be to top plain, unsweetened yoghurt (creamy Greek is my favourite) with fresh fruits and some nuts, for an equally satisfying and less sinful snack. Drizzle some honey on the top if you want to.

#4 LOW-FAT ANYTHING

When food companies take one thing out, often they have to replace it with something else to maintain flavour. So most low-fat products have the fat compensated with – you guessed it, sugar.

Don’t fall for the large “Fat-free!” exclamations on the front of the box, turn it around and look at the ingredients list and sugar content too. Fat isn’t actually all bad as having it in a dish or food item can keep you feeling fuller for a longer time. For example, drinking whole milk is better than skim or low-fat, as it retains all its nutrients and is more filling.

#5 MUESLI BAR OR GRANOLA

Most people think of these guys as healthy snacks but often you’ll find that sugar is high on their ingredients list – which means that there’s a lot of it in there! One teaspoon of sugar may not seem like a lot, but one teaspoon in a tiny bar is.

Having one of these might not keep you satiated for long since it has barely any protein, and especially if it’s made with more rice puffs than fibre-high rolled oats. Invest some time in making your own snacks. Quick and easy no-bake muesli bar recipes are just a google search away.

#6 MARGARINE OR VEGETABLE OILS

Vegetable oils are no health heros. They are actually chemically removed, deodorised and altered from sources like soybean, corn, sunflower and more. Some of that goes into margarine, along with colouring to give it a that sunny yellow hue.

Contrary to popular belief, butter is actually good for you as it contains vitamins, the beneficial kind of saturated fats and good cholesterol – plus, it tastes amazing. Check out this article for a more in-depth explanation – you’ll want to swear off margarine for life.

#7 SPORTS DRINKS

Again, this comes with more sugar than you think there is. If you’re an athlete, you might get away with having one of these because of your intense trainings. But if you’re an average office worker who hits the gym or goes for a quick run three times a week, you’ll be undoing all your efforts by recovering with a sports drink.

If you’re susceptible to cramps and need electrolytes to help, try drinking some coconut water. Fresh ones may be difficult to get and packaged ones can be expensive, so another option is to get inexpensive packets of electrolytes from pharmacies that you can add to plain water.

#8 WHOLEGRAIN OR MULTIGRAIN BREAD

Sometimes, it’s just white bread dyed brown – really! You must check that wholegrain flour is first on the ingredients list. It shouldn’t be something refined like “high protein wheat flour” or “enriched wheat flour”. Enriched flour is essentially refined flour, and they’ve had their nutrients stripped during processing. Be discerning when buying your bread.

#9 DRIED FRUIT

Again, read the ingredients list carefully for this one. Do you see sugar on it too? Dried fruits can be thought of almost as candy with fibre. Go for brands that dehydrate their fruits without adding anything else. You can snack on these to satisfy your sweet tooth then – it sure beats consuming candies and chocolates made with processed sugar. Still, everything in moderation, please.

#10 PRE-MADE SMOOTHIES AND SALADS

Have you actually observed what goes into the blender at a smoothie bar? I did once. It was half a banana, two frozen strawberries, some milk and a large scoop of frozen vanilla yoghurt. This thing is more like a dessert than a healthy snack. Likewise with the salads, a pre-made one might have a lot more unhealthy, fat-laden dressing than you think.

Of course, you can savour these from time to time – let’s face it, not everybody has the time to make their own smoothies and salads every day – just buy one fully aware that they might not be a healthier option.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Illustrations created for ladyironchef.com by starsinajarr.com

Hands up, those of you who try to watch what you eat every day but pig out once your two feet touches foreign soil. And who could blame you? Trying out the local cuisine of a new city is such an important part of travelling!

If you, like me, hate coming back to reality and seeing that you’ve gain a couple of kilos, check out these five easy ways to exercise while on holiday, to mitigate the waistline damage. We’ve included a simple guide on how much calories you can burn for each activity.

#1 WALK EVERYWHERE

If you’re in a central area, chances are, you can take a leisurely stroll to all the points of interests within it. Using Singapore as an example, it would be like exploring the Kampong Glam area, then walking slowly to the City Hall area through Bugis, then making your way up the entire stretch of Orchard Road. Yes, your feet might hurt, but isn’t that a great excuse to check yourself into a massage centre at the end of the day?

Three hours of non-stop shopping/walking = 405 calories burnt = almost two bowls of rice

#2 GO HIKING

Hiking is one of my favourite ways to escape the bustle of a city area, appreciate the natural beauty of another country, and torch some serious calories. It’s also fun to pack lunch and have a picnic at the peak or a look-out point along the way. The view at the top is always worth the huffing and grunting on the way up, I promise you. Plus, it’ll strengthen the muscles in your legs!

Two to three hours of moderate hiking = 676 to 1014 calories = three to five bowls of rice

#3 GO SWIMMING AT THE BEACH

Only for a short while, okay? Most of us hit the beach to frolic in the waters or lay immobile on a deck chair while we even out our tan. Next time, dedicate just 20 minutes to swim alongside the shore – not towards the sea as that can be dangerous – and you can work pretty much every muscle in your body: your arms, core, butt and legs.

20 minutes of swimming = 115 calories = about half a bowl of rice

#4 DO A QUICK CIRCUIT IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM

Let’s face it, who would ever go running or visit the hotel gym when you’re on holiday? To get similar benefits, you can do a high-intensity circuit in your hotel room. High-intensity exercise done in a short period for time has been proven to increase strength and fitness at a comparable rate to long hours of running or cycling. I suggest doing one called the Scientific 7-minute Workout – all you need is a wall and a chair (or the edge of your bed, if your room doesn’t have one). Do two rounds of this exercise while waiting for your travel partner to get out of the shower.

Two rounds of the 7-minute workout = at least 58 calories burnt = about one-third a bowl of rice

Note: This looks little, but it is based on a slow to moderate pace of work out. Go at the highest intensity you can (level 8 or 10, on a scale of 1 to 10 in effort) and you’re likely to burn more than that.

#5 DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

There’s a reason why Zumba and Bokwa classes are such hits – dancing zaps major calories. Get your heart rate up in the club and if shorty gets low, low, low all night you’ll be working those thighs and glutes (butt muscles) too. Just remember to limit the drinks, okay? You wouldn’t want to wake up with a hangover while on holiday anyway.

Two to three hours of dancing in a club = 930 to 1395 calories burnt = about four to seven bowls of rice

Expert source: Bibi Chia, head dietitian at nutrition consultancy Live Wise.

Note: All calories burnt calculated using a 57kg woman as a basis. You are likely to burn more calories the heavier you are. Calories for rice based on a 200gm serving (one bowl).

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Forget making excuses. I’ve grilled my fitness buff friends for these 10 tips on packing a healthy lunch to work – including my own. These pointers are tried and tested by the laziest (ie. Me) – so hopefully you’ll find this combination of a perspective change, and practical advice, helpful.

#1 START WITH YOUR MINDSET

I won’t lie, it does take a level of commitment to do this. I have gone through the rollercoaster of being super healthy and then sliding off the bandwagon after weeks go by, feeling guilty, then climbing up the slope again. One day, my sports coach said to me: It’s not easy being healthy. There are sacrifices you have to make. Recognise that something has to change.

A lot of us expect it to be easy. It’s not. Saying no to convenient but unhealthy food is hard. When you recognise that, you steel yourself for the difficulty, then you won’t be put off by the work you have to put in. Of course there are ways to make it easier. So read on.

#2 MAKE TIME ON SUNDAY

You know how you commit to a gym class three times a week? Commit to prepping for your week’s lunches on Sunday too. Depending on what you’re making, you might only need 30 to 45 minutes altogether – for 5 days worth of food, I don’t think it’s very much at all.

#3 COOK ENOUGH BROWN RICE, QUINOA OR BUCKWHEAT FOR THE WEEK

These are healthier and more nutritious alternatives to starchy white rice, which is the culprit behind that 3pm post-lunch sleepiness. Simply spoon out one portion per day for lunch and keep the rest in the fridge. Then go get a selection of vegetables and meat at the coffeeshop or hawker centre. Using your own container also helps the environment since you’re producing less waste! This is one of the easiest ways to begin improving your eating habits.

#4 COOK EXTRA FOR DINNER AND PACK LEFTOVERS

If you love whipping up healthy creations for dinner, then why not make extra so you can take them to work the next day? You’re already cooking anyway!

#5 SOUP FOR THE WIN

A hearty soup is one of the easiest things to cook. Chop lots of stuff up, throw it in a big pot, together with water or a healthy stock, leave it to simmer, and your lunch is settled for the week. Take along some multigrain buns too and slather them with good, organic grass-fed butter. Yes, butter’s healthy reputation is making a comeback. This also brings me to the next point…

#6 INVEST IN A SOUP-CREATING GADGET

They are basically variations of a blender that also heats up the ingredients. All you have to do is chop up your ingredients (save time and do it roughly, no one’s judging the presentation of your lunch), add your desired liquid (whether it’s milk, water or stock), throw it in the device then hit a button. Presto, a hot soup is ready in 30 minutes or so. Super worthy investment, trust me.

#7 CREATE YOUR OWN SALAD BAR IN YOUR FRIDGE

Spend some time on kick-starting a salad bar system in your fridge. Buy a few clear containers and start putting chopped-up vegetables in them (do this every Sunday!). Then, in the morning, all you have to do is grab whatever you want and throw it into your tupperware. You can rotate the vegetables on a weekly basis so there’s always variety. Leave things like canned tuna, chia seeds or mixed nuts and dried fruits in the office – there’s less you’ll have to carry and you can add toppings as and when you like.

#8 PREPARE SOBA THE NIGHT BEFORE

Um, they’re delicious, springy noodles that are cooked in four minutes – and can be eaten cold. They’re the perfect, lazy-person healthy lunch. Remember that canned tuna you’ve got stored in your drawer? Yep. You can also pair it with a box of fresh salmon sashimi from the supermarket.

#9 INVEST IN FANCY CONTAINERS

Mason jars. They’re very pretty, and, aesthetics aside, large mason bottles actually make taking salads to work really easy. If you layer your ingredients right, you can pre-pack all five days’ worth of healthy lunches, ready for grabbing and going in the morning. Yes, they do stay fresh. Basically the dressing and heavier ingredients go on the bottom and things like your lettuce leaves go on the top.

Buying the right sized containers for different items also keeps your items fresh and looking appetising. For example, get a box that will fit a sandwich nicely so the ingredients don’t fall out during your morning commute.

#10 KEEP INGREDIENTS TO MAKE MUESLI IN THE OFFICE

Who says you can’t have muesli for lunch? Keep packet of muesli at work (take care to buy those that aren’t full of sugar), together with superfoods like chia seeds, cacao nibs, flax seeds, cinnamon and even extra rolled oats. You can whip up a bowl with milk or soymilk in literally, under 5 minutes. Add fresh fruits (easily available from most coffee shops) or use yoghurt even! All that low-GI fibre will keep you fuller for longer and prevent that post-lunch slump, the superfood toppings will give you the vitamin and mineral oomph you need and you’ll get your protein fix from the yoghurt or milk. Score!

Now I would love to hear from you guys – what are your tips for packing healthy lunches to work?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Yes, we are quite unique – as identified by our tourism board once. Our physical beings and special habits stand out wherever we are. Here are 10 ways to spot a Singaporean overseas (so you can pretend you didn’t see them).

#1 THE ACCENT

Even though it goes without saying, I’m going to say it. This is the 100% guarantee plus chop, irrevocably unmistakeable indicator that you are in the presence of another Singaporean. Don’t paiseh lah, say hi!

#2 THEY ARE IN A CASUAL TOP, DENIM SHORTS/BERMS AND SLIPPERS

Regardless of the season or how fashion-savvy a city is, our staple outfits do not change. Even if it’s winter, you’ll likely see the girls in a denim-shorts-with-warm-leggings (most probably a Heattech piece from Uniqlo) combo – with boots. Because we don’t get to wear boots back home. And in summery weather, unless we are going hiking, the footwear of choice is good ol’ flip flops – they’re comfortable, airy and easy to slip in and out of. Singaporeans value practicality.

#3 COMPARING EVERYTHING TO BACK HOME

“Eh this one Singapore cheaper, don’t buy here.”
“Eh, this one Singapore don’t have, buy more.”
“Wah, here so hot, even hotter than Singapore.”
“Wah, here the weather so chilly, if only Singapore was like that.”

You get the drift.

#4 TAKING PICTURES TO POST ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM BEFORE THEY EAT

I heard a funny anecdote from an editor I used to work with. Her sister was in transit in an airport in America and was sitting in a cafe with her food in front of her. Like the responsible Singaporean she is, she took out her phone and snapped a picture. A gentleman next to her asked if she was from Singapore. Surprised, she asked, “How did you know?” And he laughed, “Only a Singaporean would take pictures of their food before they eat.”

Thanks, we’ll take it as a compliment – good things must share!

#5 THEY ARE BUYING BUBBLE TEA

It doesn’t matter if the bubble tea is way more expensive than in Singapore (though we will complain about it – see point 2), or if the chain already exists in our country. We love bubble tea and we need our fix.

#6 THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE LACK OF CHILLI SAUCE

The sweet-salty zing of chilli sauce is so commonplace in our cuisine that the lack of it perplexes a Singaporean abroad. “Oh, they got no chilli sauce? So funny.” And if you see someone whip a bottle out from their bag, it’s almost a guarantee that they’re from the little red dot.

#7 THEY ARE ASKING FOR THE WI-FI PASSWORD

If you go into a restaurant, or a cafe, and you see a bunch of travellers on their phones – it’s likely that the place has free Wi-Fi. If you ever need the password, and can’t get the attention of the service staff, just ask the Singaporean – he or she would have already gotten it.

#8 THEY ARE IN A QUEUE FOR FOOD

We will apply the same logic we use for food vendors back home, to the cafes, restaurants and street food stalls we see when we travel: If there’s a long line – it must be good. Thankfully we’ve got lots of practice from back home so the extended wait for a reward at the end, is no big deal. We’ll just play with our phones meanwhile.

#9 THEY ARE DEEP IN THE MIDST OF A SALE

If there’s a big sale, the odds are there’s a bunch of Singaporeans rummaging in there. We cannot resist a good deal – whether at home or abroad. Long line for the cashier? No problem, someone will queue first while the rest keep shopping.

#10 THEY ARE EITHER SOLO, A COUPLE, OR A BIG GROUP OF MORE THAN 5 PEOPLE

There’s no in-between. I guess we’re really sociable people and when we plan a trip with our friends, we endeavour to make sure everyone can make it. If you find a trio or quartet, observe them – it’s likely that they’ll rejoin a bigger group at a later time.

Do you know of more ways you can identify a fellow citizen overseas? Share it in the comments!

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Tea has long been recognised for its healing properties and a wide range of health benefits. Whether it’s an upset stomach, a cold or even a headache, here are 7 ways you can heal with tea.

#1 If you… are stressed out or have trouble sleeping

Take: Chamomile tea or black tea (during the day)

This delicate herbal tea acts as a mild sedative and has anti-anxiety properties. Even it’s soothing fragrance will bring a sense of calm. In a British study, avid drinkers of black tea (four cups a day) were found to be able to calm down more quickly in high-stress situations. This is because the cuppa contains theanine, an amino acid that relaxes the brain and body.

#2 If you… have an upset stomach (bloating, pain, indigestion)

Take: Peppermint, chamomile or ginger tea

Ease your discomfort by sipping on some peppermint tea. The herb contains menthol, a volatile substance that reduces spasms in the digestive tract, and gets rid of bloating. Ginger is another popular remedy. It’s carminative, which means it prevents the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Besides that, it’s super effective against nausea and vomiting. Chamomile is possibly the most effective of all since it’s antispasmodic, carminative and anti-inflammatory – a good option especially if you prefer something that doesn’t feel “warm” in your tummy (an effect that peppermint and ginger can have).

#3 If you… have a headache

Take: Rosemary tea or black tea

Rosemary contains carvacrol, a substance with anti-inflammatory properties – it acts like a panadol would. Alternatively, try black tea, which contains caffeine. Tension headaches are caused by dilated blood vessels around the skull, caffeine constricts them, and that’s what provides the relief.

#4 If you… want to burn more fat

Take: Green tea

Research has shown that drinking green tea regularly will help you be twice as likely to lose weight as a non-drinker. Catechins and caffeine are the two chemicals that make green tea a superb metabolism booster, which in turn helps you blitz fat quicker. You will need to be drinking something like four cups a day to be seeing the effects, but it’s easy. Just throw three to four bags into a big jug and drink out of that throughout the entire day. You’ll even be reaping extra antioxidant benefits with the extended steeping time.

#5 If you… need an energy boost

Take: Guarana tea

Guarana is often used by athletes to give their performance an energy boost. It contains a high amount of caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system, heart and muscles. On top of that, it contains theophylline and theobromine (also in chocolate!), which are chemicals similar to caffeine. Think of this as a natural version of Red Bull (and similarly, you shouldn’t be chugging too much of it!).

#6 If you… have a cold

Take: Echinacea tea or rosehip tea

Echinacea contains active substances that give your immune system the extra pow-wow it needs to help fight infections quicker. Its antiviral properties have been shown to shorten the duration in which you’re feeling lousy from the symptoms of a cold (like sniffling and coughing). Some clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea as soon as you feel sick reduces the severity of the cold and results in less symptoms. Couple that with some rosehip tea, a vitamin C powerhouse that can help strengthen your immunity too.

#7 If you… have bad breath

Take: Green tea

The polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in the tea destroy a good number of compounds in the mouth that can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. It is also the most effective temporary treatment for halitosis. A 2008 study done in Japan found that chewing gum and mints had no effect on the stinky sulphur compounds in the mouth. Toothpaste is also effective, but getting up to brush your teeth several times a day is a bit of a hassle, so just sip on good ol’ green tea instead!

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Singaporeans bond over food – fact. When you and your friends meet up, you’re almost always catching up at a restaurant. Now, different people display different behaviour when they’re out eating. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek article about the 12 types of diners in your social group – which one are you?

#1 THE NIT-PICKER

He’s the one who has a million requests, like, “Is it possible for you guys to do the carbonara with less cream? Um, hold the croutons on the salad, and I don’t really like tomatoes so can you take that out and replace it with more lettuce? Oh and my drink needs to have less ice, please. Before you go, can you replace my fork? It’s got water marks on it.”

#2 THE WORKAHOLIC

This is the guy with two phones – the Blackberry’s the work one, obviously. He’s most likely to say, “Oops, sorry, I need to take this short call. Urgent client from America,” or, “Sorry, sorry, I just need to send this quick email.” Yeah, 20 quick emails still take a long time, you know?

#3 THE “I’M TRYING TO EAT CLEAN”

This guy will always pick a salad – it doesn’t even matter if you’re at the best steakhouse in Singapore. It gets annoying when he starts this battle with himself, by saying things like. “Oh my god, that looks soooo good. I’m so tempted. But I really shouldn’t. No, I shouldn’t. I have to be disciplined.” Cue looking at dessert longingly. And you’re just sitting there wondering if you should shove a spoonful of the gloriously sugar-laden chocolate lava cake into his mouth to shut him up and put him out of his misery.

#4 THE EXPLORER

You’ll never really see him order something twice – even if he really enjoyed a dish – because he just likes trying new things. He’s the guy to Whatsapp when you’re at a new restaurant and you don’t know what to order, because he’s already been there a week after it’s opened and tried five different dishes. Explorers tend to be huge foodies and may or may not have a food blog.

#5 THE THIEF

“Can I try yours?” is his favourite line – to everyone. The worse ones will go, “Woah, this is so good!” and help themselves to two or three more mouthfuls. Eat your own stuff please!

#6 THE SOCIAL MEDIA JUNKIE

Nobody can touch their food until this guy has placed it under the best lighting and taken five different shots of it. He’s already outgrown the embarrassment of standing on a chair to take a top-down snap. Often he’s the one posting pictures of the night’s gathering too, which is great, except seriously can we dig in already because the food’s getting cold?

#7 THE CALCULATIVE

Here’s a typical statement that emerges from this guy at the end of the meal: “My pasta was about $15.95, and I had a drink, which was $4.95. Oh, and I didn’t touch the fries and calamari rings that you guys ordered to share, so I guess I won’t need to chip in for that. Here’s $23.25 for my bill, including GST and service charge.”

#8 THE OVER-ORDERER

He’ll have three appetisers, a main, a drink and a dessert or two, and by the time the chocolate cake and sticky date pudding hits the table, he’ll realise he can’t finish everything. The rest of you, who are probably also already too full, are then either forced to play a game to clear the leftover dessert (7-up anyone?), or watch wistfully as a substantial amount of delectable sweets goes to waste.

#9 THE LOVEBIRDS

He or she always brings her plus one – whether or not everyone else was aware that the plus one was coming (or was even invited) does not matter. They are deeply in love, okay?

#10 THE MOTHER

This person’s the one who volunteers to cut up the and serve the fish when at a Chinese restaurant, ladle out the soup, makes the orders with the waitress and requests for your favourite sauce before you can ask for it yourself. He or she is also the first one to volunteer sharing their food with you if what you ordered wasn’t very good. Thanks, Mother, we love you!

#11 THE JUST-CAN’T-DECIDE-WHAT-TO-EAT

You can already hear their pet phrase: “Everything looks so good, I don’t know what to order!” They’ll then proceed to ask you to help them make the decision. The defining line between a normal person and the JCDWTE is the time taken to arrive at a choice – the latter often takes 20 minutes to make up his mind. That’s 20 extra minutes of stomach growling for everyone else.

And lastly…

#12 THE REGULAR DINER

Sits down, picks something in a fairly reasonable time, enjoys his (own) meal, doesn’t pick up his phone frequently (or, at least puts it down quickly), is flexible with paying the bill, gives you a hug and says bye, let’s meet again soon – which you will, because he is pleasant dining company.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

Not enough people know what to look out for in ingredient lists and nutritional labels. It’s crucial that you do, because that little box tells you exactly what is going into your body. More importantly, you find out whether the health claims of a product holds.

So here are 8 tips on how to read nutritional labels – you’ll be able to make better decisions at the supermarkets after this!

#1 THE ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE INGREDIENTS LIST

They’re not just randomly put, or sorted by alphabet. The ingredients are actually listed in descending order by weight. This means that the first item, makes up the biggest part of the product you’re buying. For example, you might see “Tomatoes” as the first ingredient on a bottle of pasta sauce. If “sugar” is the first or second ingredient for any product, especially one that claims to be healthy, you’re better off putting it back on the shelf.

#2 WATCH OUT FOR SERVING SIZES

Brands will sometimes try to trick you into thinking their products are low-calorie by playing around with the serving sizes.

Normally, you’d zoom right into the calories displayed in the first column. However, in some packaging, there will be a bar at the top of the table indicating that there are two servings in the product. You’ll need to multiply the calories, and all the numbers below it, by two, to get the accurate nutrient count for one bottle – which is what everyone typically consumes.

Health is one of the most precious things in life, but we often neglect it. Here are 10 Simple Health Tips that everyone should know, and must incorporate into our daily lives.

#3 HOW TO USE THE “PER 100ML/100G” INFORMATION

The nutrition facts per 100ml/100g is useful for you to compare numbers across similar products from different brands. For example, if you’re holding two different tubs of plain yoghurt and are not sure which one to get, compare the information on both their labels – if one has a higher amount of nasties per 100ml (think trans fat, sugar and the like), pick the other one.

Sometimes this is also all the information you get, without numbers specific to the serving size. You can still make your own calculations anyway.

For example, one of the soft drinks that I had recently states that it has 10.6 sugar per 100ml. So in a 500ml bottle, you’re actually taking in about 10.6g x 5 = 53g of sugar. But of course, which health-concerned customer is going to buy a product that boldly declares it has 53g of sugar in it? Which brings me to my next point…

#4 LEARN TO CALCULATE SUGAR IN TEASPOONS

What is 53g of sugar anyway? 53g is pretty light, right? Well, if you were to divide the total grams of sugar by four, you will see how many teaspoons it is. 53g divided by 4, is 10.75. So drinking one bottle of this is equivalent to scooping almost 11 teaspoons of those sweet, white granules, into your mouth. Of course, it’s not like you should never relish such treats again, but with this knowledge, at least you can make better choices and enjoy in moderation.

#5 KILOJOULES (KJ) VS KILOCALORIES (KCAL)

Both are measurements of food energy but Singaporeans tend to be more familiar with the latter. 1kcal is equal to 4.1868kj – but how many people are going to be able to remember that, let alone accurately convert it in their head? Just divide the kj by 4 or 4.2 to get a rough gauge.

We’re in the century where almost everything can be done with your smartphone – so why not use it to keep in the pink of health? We have picked out the best free health and fitness apps, for various categories.

#6 SUGAR HAS OTHER NAMES

You know the deal, you hit the supermarket shelves and the labels just scream at you: “LESS SUGAR!”, “SUGAR FREE!” and “NO-ADDED SUGAR!” It’s all very tempting, but sugar has many alter egos – a search on the internet will bring up the whole gamut: glucose, fructose, dextrose and maltose are just some of them. So go ahead and buy a carton of fruit juice, fully aware of what it contains (mainly fruit juice concentrate) – enjoy it moderately. Just don’t be tricked into buying it because brands claim it’s a healthier choice.

#7 COMPARE THE NET WEIGHTS OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS

This one isn’t so much about the nutritional value but about the prices. The net weight of a product is the actual weight of the food, sans packaging. For example, if two packets of macadamia nuts are of the same net weight, you could save some money by picking the cheaper one.

#8 LOOK AT WHAT THE “PERCENTAGE OF DAILY VALUES” IS BASED ON

The average woman with a sedentary job certainly doesn’t need 2,000 calories a day – which is what most products base their calculations on. That number may be more suited for men. For example, according to the Recommended Dietary Allowances by the Health Promotion Board, women aged 18 to 59, with low activity levels, should take between 1,720 and 1,745 kcal per day. Remember this the next time you see that a product fulfils “25% of your dietary fibre needs”.

It’s difficult to remember what all your daily requirements are, so one tip is to bookmark a webpage, or take a screenshot of your nutritional needs from reliable resources online, on your smartphone. That way you can access them easily for comparison when you’re grocery shopping.

Sources:
www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/article?id=2666
www.ktph.com.sg/hllibrary/display/936/reading_food_labels
www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2652
www.caloriecount.about.com/calories-rice-white-medium-grain-cooked-i20051
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/other-names-for-sugar-maltose-dextrose_n_1874487.html

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

We pit 20 hawker favourites with similar taste profiles together, to see who comes up tops as the healthier choice. Will duck rice beat out chicken rice? And should you go for black fried carrot cake or char kway teow? I got the help of Clement Gan, nutritionist at nutrition consultancy Eat Right, to help me play judge.

Here is the battle of 20 Singapore’s hawker food. Which is healthier?

#1 WANTON MEE (330G) VS BAK CHOR MEE (311G)
Calorie count: 407 cal vs 511 cal
Winner: Wanton Mee

Both dishes are quite similar in nutritional content but bak chor mee has twice the amount of fat compared with wanton mee (23g vs 12g). You can thank the delicious globs of minced pork, which are usually high in fat, since it’s made up of different cuts of meat. Both of these noodle dishes could use more vegetables to up the fibre content though, so ask the hawker auntie or uncle for just that! Watch out for the sodium levels too, which are quite high – ask for less sauce and drink less of the soup.

#2 CHICKEN RICE (320G) VS DUCK RICE (410G)
Calorie count: 618 cal vs 673 cal
Winner: Neither – it’s a tie!

They both have similar a calorie count, are good sources of protein and are both fat-laden. Some ways to up the health factor on these delicious Singapore signatures would be to remove the skin from the poultry and order a side of steamed vegetables to get more fibre, vitamins and minerals. Also, go easy on the sauces! With the chicken rice, you can mix in white rice to tone down the fat content and enjoy the same savoury kick.

#3 INDIAN ROJAK (290G) VS CHINESE ROJAK (300G)
Calorie count: 752 cal vs 443 cal
Winner: Chinese Rojak

Both dishes comprise a medley of ingredients doused in a sweet, peanut-y sauce. However, the winner is clear because of the difference in preparation between the two dishes.

The food items in indian rojak are coated with flour, herbs and spices, then deep-fried. Chinese rojak uses fresh fruits and vegetables, and cooked ingredients tossed in a paste. The former therefore has a high fat, sodium and calorie count, and you should only treat yourself to it occasionally. The one up side? It often contains tempeh, which is a good source of gut-loving probiotics.

#4 CHENDOL (368G) VS ICE KACANG (500G)
Calorie count: 386 cal vs 255 cal
Winner: Ice Kacang

Both contain similar amounts of carbohydrates (59g vs 57g) but chendol contains significantly more fat than its fellow icy dessert (15g vs 1g), thanks to the coconut milk. While coconut milk does contain some good fat, too much can also raise your cholesterol levels. If you, like me, are a chendol fan, consider asking the hawker to mix the coconut milk with some low-fat milk – or just share a bowl with a friend to minimise the damage.

#5 CHAR KWAY TEOW (385G) VS BLACK FRIED CARROT CAKE (500G)
Calorie count: 742 cal vs 493 cal
Winner: Neither – it’s a tie!

When you are after that wokhei-heavy, sweet black sauce taste, these are the two dishes you’ll think of. While the calorie count for chye tao kuey is lower, it is also much lower in protein – it has 2g compared with 22.7g in char kway teow (which is cooked with a variety of seafood).

Protein is what makes you feel fuller and for a longer time, so you won’t be reaching out for a snack soon after your meal. Bear in mind that both dishes are high in fat and sodium, thanks to the liberal use of cooking oil and kecap manis – plus they both have little or no vegetables. Enjoy these babies once in a while!

We Singaporeans love our hawker food – oh, yes we do. But as with all relationships in life, some love are a little more toxic than others. Check out Singapore’s 10 unhealthiest hawker dishes, listed according to total calories.

#6 GADO GADO (148G) VS MEE REBUS (515G)
Calorie count: 256 cal vs 571 cal
Winner: Gado Gado

Take note that a portion of gado gado is much smaller than a bowl of mee rebus. But even so, it’s a clear winner. Gado gado will give you more dietary fibre per serving (10g), than the latter (8g), since it’s made up of blanched vegetables and steamed potatoes. If you equalise the portion size, the malay salad dish wins over its noodle counterpart in terms of protein too. Finally, it’s chockfull of potassium (even more than a medium-sized banana!), which helps to regulate blood pressure. It’s one undoing? It can be rather high in carbohydrates (41.5g) for such a small serving, thanks to the potatoes.

#7 TAU SUAN (325G) VS PULUT HITAM (375G)
Calorie count: 293 cal vs 290 cal
Winner: Tau Suan

Both desserts are actually very similar in terms of calories and nutrients – they both have a high dietary fibre content and a considerable amount of carbohydrates. Tau suan beats out pulut hitam because it has a significant amount of calcium, contributing to almost 25% of your daily needs (based on a 2,000 cal diet). It also has a lower glycaemic index, which means it will not have that spike-and-crash effect on your blood sugar levels. Enjoy your pulut hitam if you must, but try to go easy on the coconut milk.

It is amazing how much our nation loves food. Our day-to-day conversation inevitably revolves around food. And the best part is for a fraction of the price, you get something no less satisfying than a meal in a high-end restaurant. So here is a guide to introduce 10 of the best Singapore Hawker Food.

#8 CHAPATI (1 PIECE, 40G) VS THOSAI (1 PIECE, 91G)
Calorie count: 165 cal vs 196 cal
Winner: Both!

Having either one would be making a healthier decision already – especially over something like high-fat roti prata. Chapati and thosai are both pan-fried with little or no cooking oil, so they’re lower in calories and fat. They both also have a low glycaemic index, with thosai rating a little higher since it contains white rice. The two indian staples are seldom eaten on its own so make the right choices with your side dishes – pick a vegetable one for more fibre, vitamins and minerals, and a meat one to fill up on protein. Remember to go easy on the sauces too!

#9 PRAWN MEE (574G) VS SLICED FISH NOODLE SOUP (686G)
Calorie count: 294 cal vs 500 cal
Winner: Prawn Mee

This result surprised even nutritionist Clement. After all, sliced fish noodle soup has often been touted as the healthier choice. Prawn mee wins because it has a lower glycaemic index, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Otherwise, both dishes are actually very high in sodium, low in dietary fibre and consists of a good amount of protein from the seafood and meat sources. Hard as it is, try not to finish the prawn mee soup, and order a side of steamed vegetables to improve your meal.

#10 SEAFOOD FRIED RICE (428G) VS HOKKIEN MEE (400G)
Calorie count: 907 cal vs 522 cal
Winner: Hokkien Mee

This doesn’t mean you can have hokkien mee every day, okay? It’s still quite a sinful treat. While the noodle dish has less calories, it’s got more sodium (1,423mg) and less protein (18g) compared with the seafood fried rice (1,245mg and 28g respectively). On the other hand, seafood fried rice has almost double the amount of carbohydrates (125g vs 69g) and fat (33g vs 19g), leading to the high calorie count.

Both dishes also do not provide you with enough dietary fibre and have high cholesterol levels, thanks to the seafood and seafood broth used. Enjoy these dishes only occasionally, or share them. You can also order some extra steamed vegetables to up the health-factor of these local favourites.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

Whenever I meet people and tell them I used to write the food pages for a magazine, they assume that I’m a fervent foodie who spends every Friday evening at a hip new diner and every Saturday afternoon having brunch and coffee at a just-opened cafe. The truth is, I’m as boring as they come. Also, I am as cheap as they come. I don’t believe in spending money when I want to hang out outside, so here, I’m going to tell you about 9 things you can do for free in Singapore.

#1 GO FOR A HIKE

Okay, I know this isn’t the most ingenious of suggestions, but really, it’s such a great free activity. There are plenty of routes to choose from, whether you’re after only a leisurely walk or a heart-pumping, quad-burning trek. Pack food to make it a picnic and double the fun. If you’re a lone ranger looking for company, search outdoor activity groups on Meetup.com to find trekking kakis. Along the same lines of this suggestion would be visiting parks or going to the beach.

#2 GO SAMPLE “SHOPPING”

Back in Her World, I was tasked by my editor to live on $0 for a week. I failed, mostly spending money on groceries to make my own food. But one thing I realised was an easy freebie, were beauty products samples, whether from departmental stores or individual retail outlets. Obviously, this shouldn’t be the only way you get your beauty hoard because that’s just plain not nice. If you’re strapped for cash with payday not till next week and you’ve run out of moisturiser, then head to these counters to tide you over.

Here are 12 Kids Friendly Activities in Singapore! These places not only enhance parent-child bonding, but create fun experiences for the little darlings as well!

#3 ATTEND A FREE CONCERT AT THE ESPLANADE MALL

I think the Esplanade team would be really upset if you didn’t know by now that they have regular free performances held on the compound throughout the week. Stumped by the dreaded “What do you want to do now?” question and don’t have much moolah left? Enjoy some free live music with our island’s gorgeous CBD skyline in the background.

#4 GYM HOP WITH FREE TRIALS – ‘NUFF SAID

I have a friend of a friend who saves so much on exorbitant gym fees by visiting a new gym every week. Free trials – ’nuff said. Sure, it can be a hassle constantly going somewhere new but think of it as exploration. Yes, some of you may say you can go running outdoors and not spend a cent too, but seriously, if everyone was motivated like that, there wouldn’t be a multi-million dollar gym industry.

#5 PICK UP SPEEDMINTON – TENNIS AND BADMINTON

It’s a sport that combines Tennis and Badminton, using a racket similar to a Squash one. It can be played anywhere because the “court” is basically some lines you set up yourself. There’s a group that comes together to play at various parks every Sunday at 9.30am so make your way down to learn more about the game. It’s totally free and equipment is provided. If you enjoyed yourself, the group also sells the kits. Click here (link: https://www.facebook.com/SpeedmintonSingapore) for updates on location and playing schedules.

So where do you go when you’re looking to escape the city bustle, or are simply seeking pocket-friendly options for a quiet retreat? You can escape to the following 6 places in Singapore. 

#6 EAT FOR FREE

Yes, you read right. The Buddhist Lodge temple, located in the River Valley area, dishes out free vegetarian meals every day and you don’t have to be a low-income individual to enjoy it. Many Buddhist temples in Singapore offer the same service but we heard that Buddhist Lodge has the biggest spread with a buffet of several dishes (think soups, congee, noodles, vegetables and fruits). Of course, if you aren’t actually strapped for cash, do leave a donation so the temple can providing good food to those in need, at no cost.

#7 WATCH ALTERNATIVE FILMS

Tired of mainstream movies? Get clued in on the local indie art scene at the Substation. Yes, I know the place might make you wonder if you’re cool enough to be there, but don’t worry too much about that – any support for local directors and filmmakers is very much appreciated by the community. There are short films shown every first Monday of every month under their First Take programme.

Whether it’s your computer, television, or your mobile phone, I say it’s time to get unplugged, and indulge in some good old offline fun. Here are five weekend activities you can try without relying on technology:

#8 GO ON A FREE TOUR AROUND SINGAPORE

The Singapore Footprints team will take you around the Singapore River and Bugis and Bras Basah area, enthralling you with tales of the yesteryears. The tour is run by a bunch of passionate students from the Nanyang Technological University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Club; you can leave a donation if you enjoyed yourself so they can continue providing the service for free.

Another one I recommend is a visit to Baba House, near Chinatown. It is a restored Peranakan heritage home that belonged to a rich local family in the early 20th century, accessible only by this free hour-long tour held four times a week. Email babahouse@nus.edu.sg for more information.

#9 GET OUT TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

It’s hard to fathom that we have a countryside, beyond the city skyscrapers, high-rise residential areas and industrial parks – so get out there and see it for yourself. The Kranji area is home to a wetland reserve, vegetable farms, fish farms and even a frog farm. A Kranji Countryside Express Bus service takes you from Kranji MRT station to several points of interests like Bollywood Veggies, Jurong Frog Farm and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (which has a free guided tour). If you are up for spending some money and want to take the experience up a notch, stay the night at D’Kranji Farm Resort. You shouldn’t expect city-slick amenities and 5-star service because then you’re missing the point. There are going to be bugs flying around – it is the countryside after all, people.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

We’re in the century where almost everything can be done with your smartphone – so why not use it to keep in the pink of health? Let’s face it – we do need all the help we can get in that area.

I know there are millions of apps out there so I’ve helped you to cut through the fluff and pick out the best free health and fitness apps, for various categories. I’ve found them to be really helpful and I hope they’ll help you too. Plus, they’re free!

1. CALORIE TRACKING – MYFITNESSPAL (AVAILABLE IN ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

Seriously, this app has one of the largest and most comprehensive food database out there. I’ve logged things from black carrot cake, to a square of Lindt dark chocolate, to Nescafe Ipoh White Coffee. The only setback I’ve experienced is getting the calorie count for salads – most times you have to key in the ingredients individually (eg. “Broccoli – one cup”, followed by “Avocado – half”, “Cherry Tomatoes – half cup”, etc). You can even log exercises you’ve done, which gives you a rough calculation of how many calories you’ve burnt. The app tracks your progress and allows you to add friends so you can motivate each other.

2. CIRCUIT TRAINING APP – SWORKIT (AVAILABLE IN ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

I love this app so much because it gives me a hard and varied work out anywhere and anytime – no equipment necessary. The app was designed and created by an ex-officer in the US Army and lets you choose between “Strength and Cardio”, “Yoga and Stretching” and “Custom Workouts”, where you can create your own circuit. Each category is then further broken down into many types like “full body”, “upper body”, “cardio – light warm up”, “head to toe warm-up stretch” and even exercises like “Office Chair Refresher”, “Golfer Workout” and “Pregnancy – full body”.

The free version makes you do 30 seconds of a movement shown on the screen (you can clarify the movement by tapping on the exercise and watching a short video), with a break after a few exercises. Work outs range from five to 60 minutes. The paid version will allow you to customise activity and rest duration.

3. INTERVAL TRAINING TIMER – IMPETUS INTERVAL TIMER (ONLY AVAILABLE IN GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

Whether you’re a basic user or someone who wants to customise the intervals for a detailed workout, this app can do it all. Pick from a list of preset timings for suggested workouts, or set your own activity and rest durations. What I also love is how you can save or copy the different interval settings for easy reuse or creating the next time.

The beeps are loud and distinct – you’ll definitely be able to hear it over your music – and you can also programme it to countdown the last three seconds before the rest or activity set. The app runs in the background so it doesn’t matter if you’re fiddling with your playlist – the timing won’t pause. The simple, minimalist interface is a nice bonus too!

4. RUNNING – RUNKEEPER (AVAILABLE IN ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

Runkeeper is one of the most popular running apps out there. Besides the myriad functions available – tracking your distance, speed, calories burnt accurately; get work out plans and coaching to prepare for marathons; sharing your progress with your friends, and more – its popularity means many external companies have chosen to link up with it. This, I feel, is what makes it a winner.

There are other apps that work as well as Runkeeper does, for tracking your runs. But Runkeeper can be synced with apps like MyFitnessPal, Fitocracy, Zombies Run; GPS heart-rate monitor watches; pedometers and activity tracking bands like Jawbone Up. So all you need is one running app to accompany your other forms of fitness tracking – so convenient.

5. PERSONAL TRAINING APP – BODBOT (AVAILABLE IN ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

A personal trainer and nutritionist in one – you’ll get a tailored exercise and eating plan with this app. You sign up for an account and then first set a couple of things, like your fitness goal, whether you prefer working out in the gym or at home, how hard you want to exercise and the schedule. You will then see the exercises planned for you, on the days you’ve indicated you can work out. You check off the exercises on the days as you go.

The free version unfortunately only comes with the exercise advice – but I think that’s already pretty awesome, considering it’s a free app. You can access the nutritional information with a $10 monthly subscription – a steal if you really need help with your diet. It helps to track your macro-nutrients (think vitamins and minerals) on top of your carbohydrate, protein and fat intake – a huge step up from any other calorie tracker out there.

6. YOGA – DAILY YOGA (AVAILABLE IN ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET

Whether you’re looking to relax, lose weight, tone up a certain part of your body or do some sun salutations, you’ll find a suitable practice in this app. The initial menu is actually empty – you fill it up with whatever programme you want to try and there is enough variety with the free ones. My only gripe is that you are redirected to the app store to download the programme, which can be a tad annoying if you are downloading a few at a go.

Nonetheless, you only need to do this once. During a session, soothing music is played and instructions are read out to you while an instructor does the poses real-time in a video. While the app says it is suitable for beginners, and does provide resources to educate one, I find that a complete newbie should attend several yoga classes in person first, to learn about the right postures. There’s nothing like having a teacher correct your posture in person – this is so you don’t hurt yourself attempting something from the app, at home. A nice little bonus is a list of 6 relaxing songs you can play during the session.

7. NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION – FOODUCATE (FREE ON ITUNES STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY MARKET)

This app is currently geared more for the American food product market, but it’s still really useful for us Singaporeans since we do get a lot of US food items in our supermarkets. Fooducate does help you track your food intake and exercise, but what I like about this app is how it highlights to you, the pros and cons of a particular item or dish (eg. It is high in vitamin C, or protein, low in fibre, etc).

Especially when they contain hidden nasties like sugar, high fructose corn syrup and trans fat. You can personalise your app so it picks out additional things you want to be notified about. Can’t take gluten? Put that into the app and you’ll find out if a product has gluten, when you look it up. I think this is most handy for cutting through brands’ marketing tricks – especially those that claim to be selling you a healthy product, when it’s really not.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

I love my coffee, and back when I was working in a magazine, I got the chance to speak with many baristas to get their tips on brewing a fantastic cuppa at home. Let’s face it – paying $5 to $6 for coffee every day is not the easiest thing on your wallet. I’d gotten the low-down from the folks from top cafes and coffee shops like Maison Ikkoku, Toby’s Estate, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Jewel Coffee, Highlander Coffee and Oriole Cafe & Bar.

So here are 13 barista tips for making great coffee at home!

1. USE THE RIGHT GRIND

The kind of ground coffee you put in your french press isn’t going to help you make a fab espresso. Generally, espresso-based drinks (think lattes and cappuccinos) require a very fine grind. The french press, V25, aeropress and other types of drip/filter coffee maker would require a medium to coarse grind.

2. USE THE RIGHT METHOD OR BREWING

If your favourite drink is a latte, you’re probably not going to be able to replicate that same strong shot with a drip coffee maker, a V25 or a french press. What you need is an espresso machine, which forces high-pressure hot water through fine ground coffee for maximum flavour extraction. Is a long black your go-to instead? Then any of those other coffee makers mentioned above would suit you better – plus they are less expensive.

3. GRIND COFFEE BEANS JUST BEFORE YOU MAKE A CUP

For maximum aroma and flavour, take your morning cuppa to the next level by grinding your coffee beans only just before you use it. Of course, it’s a little more work, but if you’re a bit of a coffee fanatic, this is what’s gonna add that extra oomph.

4. USE WATER OF THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE

If you are brewing coffee in a french press, V25 or aeropress, the ideal temperature is 96 deg Celsius. If you have a water dispenser at home that lets you control this, then great. For most of us, that might not be the case. Let some boiling water stand for one or two minutes and the temperature will be just right then. Don’t use boiling water as it burns the coffee and you might get a bitter result.

5. WHITE SUGAR VS BROWN SUGAR

This one is actually down to personal preference. Brown sugar can add a tiny hint of caramel, sometimes enhancing the flavour of the coffee. White sugar does not do that, so some coffee purists prefer using it – when they even use sugar, that is, most think good coffee doesn’t need any – since it doesn’t change the flavour.

6. POUR MILK INTO COFFEE

Not the other way around. This tip is more relevant for espresso-based drinks. I learnt that this is so the milk mixes well with the coffee and its crema. When you pour the espresso shot into milk, you’ll also lose its beautiful crema.

7. USE GOOD QUALITY MILK

This might seem like a no-brainer but people forget that milk is as important as the coffee. All the baristas told me: Stick with fresh milk. So what brands should you get? Through my personal observation, I’ve seen that the two most popular brands at the top cafes are Meiji and Greenfield’s – but it’s down to your preference too. Milk should be heated to about 60 to 65 deg Celsius; never reheat milk.

8. WARM YOUR CUPS BEFOREHAND

The longer your coffee stays warm, the longer the flavour and aroma is going to last – plus, lukewarm coffee just isn’t as ahh-inducing as a fresh brew. Heating your cups helps make the magic last just a little longer.

9. USE CERAMIC CUPS

Ceramic retains heat really well. Glass is also fine, but please don’t use plastic.

10. DON’T PUT YOUR COFFEE BEANS/POWDER IN THE FRIDGE

Moisture in the fridge (as well as condensation that forms when you take your container out) ruins the aromatic and flavourful oils in the beans. Store coffee in an airtight container (oxidation is what causes coffee beans to “go flat”), in a cool place, away from heat sources or direct sunlight.

11. BUY BEANS FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS FROM ROASTING DATE

If you are buying locally roasted beans, choose the bag that had its beans roasted five to seven days before. People tend to think that, as with vegetables, freshest is best. I found out that coffee beans continue developing its flavours and aroma even after roasting, and is best ground five to seven days later. The beans release carbon dioxide during this period, which is why you’ll find that the packaging of freshly roasted beans have a one-way air valve; it allows the excess air to escape.

12. MAKE THE EFFORT TO CLEAN YOUR ESPRESSO MACHINE REGULARLY

Coffee oils left behind in the machine can build up and eventually affect the taste of your cuppa. Do a flush with water once a week and clean out the nooks and crannies of the machine, as well as the components. Some espresso machines have special tablets you can use to clean the system more thoroughly; you can go to your retailer to get more advice.

13. WATCH THE TIMING

A 30ml espresso shot should be done in about 20 to 30 seconds. If it takes longer than that, your grind is too fine. If it’s shorter than 20 seconds, the grind is too coarse. When using a french press, one barista taught me to first pour the hot water until just above the ground coffee, let it sit for 30 seconds, before tipping in the rest of the water and letting it brew for the regular four minutes.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Superfoods are easy peasy ways to up your nutrition levels without putting in too much effort. If you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon yet, it’s never too late to start. Check out the Top 7 superfoods to add to your diet now.

1. B U C K W H E A T

You can think of buckwheat as a little “problem inhibitor”. It has high fibre and a low glycaemic index, which means it is digested and released slowly into your body, stabilising blood sugar levels and preventing diabetes and obesity.

Being chockfull of proteins and containing all the essential amino acids, this humble seed (not a grain!) is a top-ranking cholesterol-lowering food too. It also helps reduce hypertension by lowering the enzyme activity that contributes to the condition. Get your fix of manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc with a serving of buckwheat – these are minerals important to the immune system.

Cooking this seed is easy, just boil or microwave one cup to two cups of liquid (water or stock) – the result is a great rice-like alternative to our current meal-time staple. You can also sprinkle some in your muesli or cereal. Those who are gluten-sensitive will be able to enjoy products made from buckwheat flour.

2. F L A X  S E E D

This tiny seed is said to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Flaxseeds have extremely high levels of lignans (phytonutrients that give us antioxidant benefits and have plant estrogen qualities), containing 75 to 800 times more than other plant foods.

One tablespoon of these little babies contains about 1.8g of plant omega-3 fats, which help to keep your heart in tiptop shape. The super high amount of soluble and insoluble fibre it provides will also help maintain healthy bowel movements and keep you satiated for longer. Plus, it’s got zinc, iron, vitamin E, calcium and a ton of others – so much bang for your buck.

The catch? It’s a little troublesome to consume. They’re difficult to digest when taken whole – you’ll have to grind it fresh to get the maximum benefits (pre-ground flaxseeds may have already lost the nutrients). Then you can sprinkle that onto your cereal, salads, oatmeal, or even have them baked into muffins and cakes. Alternatively, try flaxseed oil.

3. C H I A  S E E D S

This is one of my favourites because a packet goes a long way and it’s so easy to consume – it can be simply added to anything: juices, salads, toast, cereal, brown rice or even baked into muffins and cookies. This tiny, tasteless seed is a fantastic source of heart and brain-loving omega-3 fats, dietary fibre and protein – the latter two keeping you fuller for a longer time. It’s got high calcium, manganese and phosphorus levels – these are minerals important for building up your bones and keeping them healthy.

Chia seeds also have a stabilising effect on blood sugar (prevents sugar spikes) so it can help control diabetes and fight belly fat (linked with insulin resistance). Oh, and don’t fuss over whether black or white chia seeds are better – there is a negligible difference between them.

4. M A C A  P O W D E R

Maca is a root that grows in the mountains of Peru, and is in the same plant family as radish, watercress and broccoli. It is most commonly eaten in powder form. Add it to your smoothies, cereals, juices and even cooked food – its taste has been likened to that of malt, or similar to toasted oats.

Maca is packed with important fatty acids and amino acids, protein, vitamin C, vitamin B, magnesium, iron, fibre and calcium. As such, you can expect it to help with bone building, increased energy (athletes have been known to take this for peak performance) and maintaining regular bowel movements. Some reports say it helps with improving your libido as well. If you have skin problems, give maca powder a go – for some, it helped to clear up acne and blemishes.

5. Q U I N O A

It’s a great source of complete proteins (containing all essential amino acids) for vegans and an alternative to wheat for those who are gluten-intolerant. Those trying to cut out carbohydrates will find that quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) makes an excellent stand-in for rice. The calcium, magnesium and manganese count in these little seeds are right up there, helping you to maintain strong bones. It also has good levels of several B vitamins, vitamin E and dietary fibre.

Cooking quinoa is easy; like buckwheat, just boil one cup with two cups of water or stock. They are fluffy with a subtle nutty profile when cooked. Remember to wash them first though, as they have a naturally bitter coating. There are three types of quinoa commonly available (red, black and white) – they are similar in nutrition, with differences only in cooking times and appearance.

6. C A C A O  N I B S

You already know that eating dark chocolate is beneficial to your body. But it often comes with other undesirable ingredients like butter and sugar. Start snacking on cacao nibs instead. They’re cacao beans that have been roasted, separated from their husks and chipped into smaller pieces.

If you’re wondering, yes, they do keep their chocolatey taste but they’re not as sweet, sometimes having a subtle nutty or fruity flavour too. Like chocolate, cacao nibs can put you in a better mood (hooray!). It is one of the best dietary sources of magnesium, which is important for muscle and nerve function, and heart health.

You’ll also be getting some iron, a whole load of antioxidants and fibre. Snack on them right out of the bag or add them to your muesli, trail mixes or smoothies. You can also grind it and use the powder in cooking or baking. This is probably the healthiest way to enjoy chocolate.

7. G O J I  B E R R I E S

Asians are familiar with this one because we see it in herbal dishes often. You may also know it as the wolfberry. This little fruit, often sold in dehydrated form, is loaded with beta-carotene to help you maintain healthy skin and eyes.

Getting a serving of these can also boost your immune system, since it has high levels of Vitamin C. Oh, and the antioxidant count is off the hook too. You can add these to your trail mix or muesli, or incorporate them into your cooking. The berry has a pleasant, mild sweet-sour taste.

Sources:

• http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html
• http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/flaxseed
• http://www.oprah.com/health/Buckwheat-Dr-Perricones-No-5-Superfood
• http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/nutrition/the-powerful-health-benefits-of-buckwheat.php
• http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-eat/diet-qa-maca
• http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/
• http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-quinoa
• http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/08/02/cacao-nibs_n_3695571.html
• http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/psyllium

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

I’ll be honest. When Ladyironchef first asked if I could do this article, I was a little stumped. I thought to myself: Do people need to know that it is really okay to eat alone? But then I recalled the first time I had to have dinner by myself – yeah, I did feel a little (okay, very) self-conscious. I’ve grown quite a bit since then, so let me give you 5 reasons why it is perfectly fine to dine alone.

1. BECAUSE NOBODY IS WATCHING

No, seriously. You tend to think that rocking up to a restaurant alone is social suicide because you’re positive that as soon as you walk in through the door, sensors are going to pick up the fact that you are “1 pax” and immediately sound the siren to alert all the other diners about what a loser you must be to not have dining companions.

I would hereby like to offer you a top secret piece of information that will blow your mind and release you from these debilitating cuffs of discomfort… Ready?

(whispers) Nobody is looking at you.

That’s right. Put yourself in the position of the diner who’s already seated. How many times have you paid attention to who’s walked through the entrance or who’s sitting alone? And say you did notice the single diner, did you have any thoughts about him/her except to glance away at something else, or return to your conversation with your friend? I thought so. (Well, maybe except if said single pax is kind of hot and you and your friend start to gush.)

This was actually the reminder that got me through my initial discomfort of having lunch or dinner by my single self – that seriously, nobody is paying attention to me.

2. BECAUSE DINING ALONE GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS SOMETIMES

Communal dining is all the rage now – forget sitting at individual seats, the long table is where everyone’s hanging out. It can, however, make things even more intimidating. Sit next to strangers? Alone? Whuttt? Once, I was having dinner at super hip restaurant Burnt Ends, which only has one long bar table that faces the cooking area, so everyone sits side by side in a row. I had expected company but there was a miscommunication, so I ended up sitting by myself at the right-hand end of the long table. Things were made worse because there was one empty seat between me, and the rest of the diners. It quite literally looked like I was an outcast. I’ll admit – I did feel extremely awkward because of the seating arrangement.

Soon though, a guy filled up the seat and he was also a lone diner. We began to talk and by the end of the night I’d made friends with a Swiss guy who owned an art gallery and guesthouse in Penang, where I was free to stay at if I decide to visit. I learnt a bit about his culture and he learnt a bit about Singapore. Such serendipitous occurrences are quite nice, really. And you might not get the chance if you were absorbed in a conversation with your friend.

3. BECAUSE DINING ALONE GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO BE IN THE MOMENT

In uber fast-paced Singapore, you rarely get the chance to savour a moment for exactly what it is, whether it’s particularly exciting or not. I would like for you to try this the next time you’re eating out alone.

• Don’t use your phone (yes, yes I know it’s hard, but try).
• Look at your food and wonder about how each ingredient got to your plate. Is the fish from Norway? Japan? Is the vegetable from Australia? Malaysia? Thailand? How did it get farmed? Did it come by sea or air? Look at that salad dressing, wonder how the chef thought of making such a combination – did he try 10 versions before he was happy with this?
• Pay attention to the surrounding without making any judgement; just observe. What’s the music like? What kind of buzz is in the cafe – a low hum or boisterous chatting? Is there a big crowd walking in front of the cafe? Where are they going at this hour?

Or, simply let your mind be blank. Our brains are constantly bombarded by information and rest only while we sleep – how nice is it to be able to just daydream, or zone out during the day?

4. BECAUSE DINING ALONE BUILDS CONFIDENCE

I told you at the beginning of this article that I didn’t think eating out alone was scary, forgetting that I did use to think so. The reason is, after doing it several times and realising that truly nobody was paying attention to me, it gave me the confidence to keep doing it.

And here’s the thing, after a while, even if people were talking about me (though seriously, it pretty much doesn’t happen), it doesn’t bother me anymore. There’s also the false assumption that people are saying unkind things about you – what if they were actually talking about how nice your hair was, or that they liked your outfit, or maybe, that you looked like another friend of theirs? We’ve all done that before.

There’s definitely a sense of freedom and confidence in being able to dine alone – everyone should be able to enjoy this.

5. BECAUSE IT’S NOT A SOCIAL CRIME TO DINE ALONE

Society makes us feel like we are constantly competing with people around us. People seem to fear dining alone because it invites judgement that: we must be eating alone because nobody wants to have a meal with us. Now that’s just silly. You do have friends – they’re just busy. Maybe you couldn’t join your colleagues for lunch because you were rushing to meet a deadline. Or, maybe – ooh, shocker – you just want to enjoy some me-time. Eating by yourself does not make you inferior to people who have company.

I think that people who dine alone exude confidence. They’re comfortable in their own skin and don’t find it a necessity to constantly have friends around to feel good. Don’t you think so?

So go out there and enjoy a scrumptious brunch by yourself over a couple of weekends, relax and enjoy the moment for what it is. You’d be surprised – you might even end up preferring to dine this way!

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

We Singaporeans love our hawker food – oh, yes we do. But as with all relationships in life, some love are a little more toxic than others. I got a local dietitian to help shed light on what dishes we should keep a distance from. Check out Singapore’s 10 unhealthiest hawker dishes, listed according to total calories. I do apologise for the impending heartbreak.

10. CHICKEN SATAY AND SAUCE
5 sticks of satay with 5g of sauce each (75g) = 185cal

Well, this is a small number – what’s the big deal, right? But this is a lot of calories, fat (10g) and sodium (249mg) in a small amount of food. Typically you’ll have satay alongside other dishes as well. Oh, and if you wolf down 10 sticks, you would have already hit about one-third of your daily fat allowance.

9. CHENDOL
Grass jelly, red bean and pandan jelly served in a sweet coconut milk base soup (368g) = 386cal

Who can resist the addictive combo of gula melaka and coconut milk? But it is precisely all of its sweet goodness that’s leading to the high calorie count. Plus, a bowlful has about nine teaspoons of sugar. Chendol has a high glycaemic index (GI), which means it’s digested and released into the body quickly, giving you a spike in energy that crashes, and leaves you tired and hungry quickly.

8. FRIED ECONOMIC BEE HOON
Fried vermicelli with fried luncheon meat and fried egg (273g) = 427cal

A favourite at breakfasts, this dish will almost hit your daily limit for cholesterol (300mg) at 219mg, so be careful with the rest of the day’s intake. Luncheon meats are also highly processed and contain a lot of MSG, which will make you thirsty. Try to reach for water instead of a sweet drink.

7. BLACK FRIED CARROT CAKE
Fried radish with egg and sweet sauce (295g) = 493cal

This dish scores high marks not just in taste but in all the wrong nutrients as well. There is a lot of fat in it (35g), because it’s usually cooked in pork lard. There is also a lot of sugar from the sweet sauce (up to 6 teaspoons) and about 1,289mg of sodium – this is more than half of your 2,000mg daily requirement.

6. MEE GORENG
Yellow noodle with vegetables, egg, cooked in tomato and chilli sauce (309g) = 500cal

This one’s a real danger for adults with hypertension as the salt content of 1,851mg is close to one entire day’s requirement of 2,000mg. A large proportion of mee goreng’s calories come from fat (20g), which makes the quality of the calories low. A dish with high quality calories would be a better balanced one (think salads with olive oil dressing and lean meats).

5. LAKSA LEMAK
Noodles with prawns and fish cakes in coconut-based soup (540g) = 591cal

The richness of the coconut milk which gives laksa that wonderful full-bodied mouthful is also the undoing of this dish – nutritionally. More that half the fat (32g) comes from saturated fat (17.8g), which is harmful to the heart. The sodium levels are right up there as well at 1,588mg.

4. CHICKEN RICE
“Roasted” chicken with skin, served with rice and chilli sauce (382g) = 607cal

The rice, while delicious, was cooked swimming in chicken fat. The total fat count here is at 23g, which is about one-third, or half of your daily requirement, depending on your gender. A fatty meal takes about four hours to digest – a plate of this will leave you sluggish and sleepy after you eat it, especially with a rush of serotonins (a feel-good hormone) from the high carbohydrate content. Again, watch the sodium too (1,287mg).

Read: recommendations on some of the best chicken rice in Singapore.

3. NASI LEMAK
Coconut rice with fried chicken wing, fried egg, fried anchovies and chilli sauce (306g) = 657cal

This one’s my personal favourite and I’m horrified to find it third on the list. The fat content of 25g is high and it’s all thanks to the rich coconut milk-soaked rice and deep fried accompanying dishes. At 657 calories, this exceeds your “budget” for a meal, based on a 1,800cal diet.

2. MEE SIAM
Thin, white rice noodle, hard boiled egg and dried beancurd in tangy gravy (655g) = 694cal

A bowlful of mee siam always looks so unassuming, until you find out about the high amount of carbohydrates from the noodles and sugar-laden gravy (92g). This dish also takes home the award for highest amount of sodium, clocking in a whopping 2,659mg – that’s one entire day’s allowance and a third of tomorrow’s.

1. CHAR KWAY TEOW
Rice noodles fried with cockles, Chinese sausage and sweet sauce (384g) = 744cal

This tasty plate of wok hei-heavy kway teow noodles tops the list at 744 calories. It is also extremely heart-unfriendly with it’s high levels of fat (38g) – of which 70% is saturated fat (29.2g) – and cholesterol (234mg). It gets most of its calories from the sweet sauce, highly processed meats and pork lard used. Also take note of the sodium levels, which sits at 1,459mg.

So there you go, remember that you don’t have to cut these hawker favourites from your life forever – they are after all, as Singaporean as they come. Enjoy them no more than once a week, and choose healthier dishes for your other meals on the days you decide to indulge.

Expert source: Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietitian at nutrition consultancy Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants www.aptima-nsc.com

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

The company you pick can make or break a great holiday. Here are the 10 best types of people to travel with – but be discerning, because the very same folks can also border on annoying!

1. THE FOODIE

No explanation necessary. This is the guy who’s going to lead you to the best restaurants and cafes that the country’s own locals clamour to dine in. He’s found and followed the right food bloggers to get all the recommendations you need.

Often heard saying: “This place has lots of good reviews. Let’s eat here.”

When it becomes annoying… When he starts dissing the local cuisine or goes into pretentious food-talk mode: “Mmm. This piquant sauce really brings out the tart zing in the berries and rounds off the mouthful with a full-bodied sweetness.” Who talks like this?!

2. THE SUPER PLANNER

He’s the detail-oriented one with an excel sheet of every day’s itinerary – planned down to the minute, and colour-coded – printed before he gets to Changi Airport. He’s done all the research about the must-sees and dos for the holiday so you don’t have do to anything but follow along. He watches the time like a hawk so you’ll see plenty in a day.

Often heard saying: “Okay guys, we have to leave in the next 7 minutes and get to the next point at 340pm.”

When it becomes annoying… When there is no flexibility in his schedule – which shouldn’t be the one everyone has to follow all the time. A holiday is meant to be fun, relaxing and enriching; if you’re just rushing from place to place or can’t make any spontaneous decisions then you’ll be missing out.

3. THE PHOTOGRAPHER

It’s not necessary for The Photographer to be wielding a DSLR, though he is likely to have at least a MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) – a step up from your compacts. He’s the one who’s going to help you relive your holiday through the awe-inspiring pictures he’s taken during the entire trip. Often you’ll end up using one of his photos as your profile pic on Facebook.

Often heard saying: “Wait, wait, wait.” *snap snap* “Ok.” Or, “You guys go ahead first, I’ll catch up.”

When it becomes annoying… When he’s holding the group up every five minutes to snap an “artsy” picture of something incredibly mundane – like a rock. Or grass. Or a lamp post… You know what I mean.

4. THE LANGUAGE JUNKIE

He’s never without the local phrasebook in hand and has a genuine interest in languages so he’s really put in the effort to learn how to converse. A super useful chap for obvious reasons.

Often heard saying: Practising phrases by himself.

When it gets annoying… When he turns every excursion into a lesson, by telling you what the local words are for the things around you, then quizzing you. Don’t turn the trip into a language course we didn’t sign up for!

5. THE LIGHT PACKER

He’ll bring half the amount of clothes required for the entire trip and use the sink to do laundry. Don’t bother borrowing toiletries from him as well as he’s likely to depend on the ones provided by the hotel. Either that or he’s got one soap to cover him from head to toe. Bare minimum, is the motto he lives by. The great thing is – if you’ve shopped too much, you can hop on his baggage allowance since he’s most likely to have excess space.

Often heard saying: “Yeah you can put it in my bag, I have space.”

When it gets annoying… Um, when he’s too knackered for laundry and a reused shirt leaves an unpleasant scent trail.

6. THE HIPSTER

Want to find a hole-in-the-wall cafe? You can bet this guy’s already written it down on his Moleskine notebook. Hidden alley leading to a speakeasy with amazing Happy Hour prices? He’s got a picture of their nondescript entrance stored on his Evernote app. With The Hipster in your travel group, you’ll get to experience off-the-beaten track stuff. He’s probably a bit of a coffee snob too so you’ll never have to settle for a subpar cuppa.

Often heard saying: Hipsters don’t say anything often enough, it becomes too common.

When it gets annoying: When he’s throwing a fit about visiting an iconic landmark because it’s “so typical”.

7. THE CHEAPO

Forget flashy shopping centres, follow this guy to the street markets or outlet stores. His bargaining skills are so unrivalled, you’re really paying the lowest price possible. He’s already trawled through forums to find out the ballpark figure of things – whether it’s material goods, food, tours or hotel rooms – so you’ll never be ripped off. With this guy around, you’ll be saving major bucks on your trip.

Often heard saying: “Give me a discount” in the local language – which is often the first phrase he learns, even before “hello”.

When it gets annoying… When he sacrifices quality for low prices. Bed bug bites from a cheap hostel room and a tummy ache from eating at the dodgy-looking food stall isn’t worth the savings, no matter how substantial.

8. THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL

He’s got a reaaal appetite. This guy’s good to take along because you can order whatever you want to try, and you don’t have to worry about not finishing it. He’ll inhale the leftovers in a flash. The difference between this guy and The Foodie is that the former doesn’t care about where, when or what you eat – he’ll lap it all up.

Often heard saying: “Just order, don’t worry – I can help you eat.”

When it gets annoying: When you actually want the last piece, but it’s already in his mouth. Sigh. Never mind, less calories taken in, I guess.

9. THE GUNG-HO ONE

He’s the one who pushes you to do things you would have never found the guts to do, but be glad you did it afterwards. Whether it’s skydiving, eating something weird or dancing in public to a busker’s tune – he puts the YOLO in your trip.

Often heard saying: “Don’t think so much! Just do it!”

When it gets annoying: When you’ve gagged from putting balut (a Philippine delicacy – go Google it) in your mouth and he still insists you finish it.

10. THE NATURAL NAVIGATOR

Y’know, the one who just never seems to get lost, and remembers the route after going through it once. With him around, you’ll always find your way back to the hotel or to the landmarks – no time wasted. He can even easily locate the street market stall you want to visit again, which, as the rest of us average folk know, is no mean feat.

Often heard saying: “It’s this way guys. Confirm.”

When it gets annoying: Actually, I can’t think of a downside to this guy… Even if you were to choose a wrong turn on purpose to explore, he can lead you right back to where you wanted to be in the first place.

So, do you have friends like this in your travelling posse?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.

Don’t let your savings account be an obstacle to your wanderlust – holidaying doesn’t need to be an expensive affair. Check out these 11 tips on how to save money before, during and after you travel.

B E F O R E  T H E  T R I P

1. CREATE A TRAVEL FUND

Every month, I put in a sum of money into a different bank account to save up for my trips. This is great because, for starters, you won’t be digging into your personal savings to travel, so you’ll always have money when you return. Second, by consistently making a deposit, you can amass quite a bit during the months you’re not holidaying. You’ll always have spare cash to travel – so no more excuses!

Obviously the more you put in every month, the quicker the fund will grow, but you decide this based on how hungry you are to go gallivanting in a foreign land. If you truly want something, you’ll find a way to make it work.

For example, shop less or eat out less so you can put more into the travel fund. If you can’t bear to not buy shoes or have a fancy dinner every week, then perhaps travelling isn’t your priority. And that’s absolutely fine, just don’t complain about not having enough money then.

2. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Start thinking of your expenditures in “travel money”. The $5 you pay for coffee every day could go to a new and exciting dish you can taste in a foreign land every day too. The $40 dinner every weekend could go to the accommodation you’re splitting with your travel partner. That $200 bag is literally equivalent to a return ticket to nearby countries.

3. BOOK AIR TICKETS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE

I almost always fly budget. And even then, I book about three months in advance and start looking four months before. I’ve always managed to travel at a steal. My return tickets to South Korea on AirAsia cost me $406 all-in, inclusive of one check-in baggage and a meal on the return leg. And whether you’re flying budget or not, always wait for a sale – they will come up. I’d once seen tickets to Oslo, Norway for $808 all-in on Qatar Airways.

4. COMPARE AIR TICKETS PRICES

Even though it is cheap, flying budget is not always cheaper. It is worth spending some time using fare comparison sites (or even going to the individual airline pages) to suss out the lowest price for your travel dates.

5. DON’T SPLURGE ON THE HOTEL ROOM

You’re only in there to shower and sleep. Also, how are you going to really immerse yourself in the culture of a place by staying in an isolated (albeit fancy) hotel room? Go for local homestays or individually-run, small guesthouses. Not only are they cheaper, you’ll get to interact with the locals – it is the best way to get travel tips, food or attraction recommendations and knowledge of what it’s like to be a native.

Pick a place that provides breakfast. I love using Airbnb.com because it ticks off everything on this list – yes, even the breakfast bit.

Read the top 10 things that we love about Airbnb.

D U R I N G  T H E  T R I P

6. LOOK OUT FOR LOCALS IN RESTAURANTS OR CAFES

You know how Singaporeans like to throng the cheap and good places to eat? Well it’s the same in every country. And I often look out for eateries filled with local folks, rather than tourists. That way I know I’m going to be fed well, with an authentic cuisine and my wallet isn’t going to take a beating.

For more suggestions, read 5 useful travel tips that everyone should know.

7. GO TO THE SUPERMARKETS THE HOUR BEFORE THEY CLOSE

In the large ones, you can find cooked foods like chicken wings, sushi and pizzas on discount – hello, cheap supper!

8. SHOP SMART

You didn’t just fly 3,000km to buy things from international brands already available back home. Generally, I follow this rule: if it is less than 30% cheaper than in Singapore – it goes back onto the rack. Alternatively, stick to street shopping. You’ll always find a smorgasbord of things you can wear at a fraction of a big chains’ retail prices – plus, you won’t see someone with the same thing back home.

9. BUY TICKET BUNDLES OR DEALS TO ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Look up deal websites (just type “deals ” to search) to score major discounts on attractions and activities. Alternatively, some ticket-booking websites also offer bundles to several points of interests with substantial savings. Just remember to read the fine print.

10. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is quite the no-brainer. However, if you’re in a group of three or four, sometimes it is cheaper and faster to grab a metered taxi to get to a nearby location. Think places like Hong Kong and South Korea – a $6 fare split four ways is about the same amount you’d spend individually on a subway ride, minus the hassle. This works best for fares under $10 – beyond that, your savings can’t compare to if you were to take a public bus or train. Remember that the little dollars add up!

A F T E R  T H E  T R I P

11. KEEP YOUR LEFTOVER CURRENCY

Many people like to change their foreign currency back to Singapore dollars upon return. I actually recommend keeping it for future travels instead (unless you desperately need the money). I’ve always found it a delight to see leftover money from the previous time because I now need to change less for the upcoming trip.

What’s even better is if I’d changed my currency at a better rate the last time. I like storing mine in ziploc bags so they’re easy to identify. If you do turn them back into Singapore dollars, deposit it into your travel fund account.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your travel saving tips?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

Nearing the end of 2013, I was feeling jaded from my job as a writer. My performance was dipping and I realised it wasn’t the work that was changing – I was. It was time for a break – I needed some space to sort out the thoughts in my head and figure out what to do with my life (doesn’t everyone, at some point).

In March this year, I quit my job and went on a three-week volunteering trip to Nepal. I helped local villagers with their farm work and taught English at a school twice a week.

My time there was both fulfilling and difficult. Here are 7 life lessons that I learnt from a trip to Nepal, and hopefully they can benefit you too.

1. HOW TO BE THANKFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS

I am in general, a very grateful person. I give thanks for wonderful weather, job opportunities, being able to travel, loving friends I meet, fancy food I used to get to eat for free as a writer.

But it was only when, for several nights, I was sitting in pitch darkness, because the electricity is out, and my phone about to die – that I come to appreciate how at any time of the day or what weather it is in Singapore, if I flick that switch, the light is going to come on.

It was only when I used a squat toilet for Number Two for more consecutive mornings than my aching knees can handle, that I come to treasure the toilet bowl at home. (No, I am not 50 years old, though sometimes my body acts like it.)

It was only when I had to carry a 20-litre aluminium canister to a water point to get clean water at least once a day, that I come to see the beauty in the clear liquid flowing out with a turn of my tap in my flat.

Knowledge that life in a third-world country is hard, is different from a full-on realisation how good life is in a place like Singapore. I don’t hide the fact that I wish to relocate, but Nepal taught me how to tolerate the negativity in my homeland a little better – by reminding myself of all the good things – before I move on.

2. THE POOR TEND TO BE MORE GENEROUS

I was brought up to be self-preserving, as are many, many Singaporeans – this is why the word kiasu exists. So I was humbled to see how the children shared the little food and toys they had when they could keep it all for themselves. One of the girls, who was a neighbour, had bought one piece of fishball-sized fried dough. (When I returned to the store to buy it for the kids on another day, I learnt that it only costs 5 rupees (SGD$0.07) for two balls!)

Instead of eating it all by herself, she pinched the small, sweet treat into four pieces for her friends, including a share for me. She insisted I take it. Another girl whom I met in the school, tells me about how she feels bad for the homeless that live around the town center, and that she would always give them something whenever she saw them, even if it were the last piece of biscuit she had.

If these children, could give so generously, then what is stopping me, a working adult in a first-world country, from consistently buying a packet from the tissue auntie or dropping a note or two into the cans on flag day?

3. THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE AND HOW HAPPY YOU ARE

The villagers were poor. They didn’t have branded clothes and shoes, they didn’t have fancy furniture, they didn’t have a wide variety of cuisines to taste, they didn’t have a car, sometimes the electricity runs out, and there’s no hot water. But they were happy. They grew food off their land and ate it for years without feeling frustrated about the lack of options, ability to buy materialistic goods, or technology. I learnt that happiness can be found easily if you changed your perception of what “happiness” is.

4. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE BIGGER BICEPS THAN YOU

Not much of an elaboration needed here. The children and I ended up comparing biceps one day and their years of toiling on the farm put my gym classes to shame. Moral of the experience? You shouldn’t have to pay that much to exercise.

5. HOW TO BE DIRTY

I am a clean freak. I do not get onto my bed if I have not showered, and every night before I tuck myself in, I wash my feet. I wash my hands several times a day (by this I mean every hour), and if there isn’t a toilet nearby, I’ll use a wet wipe, or heck, dribble some water from my bottle into my hands.

So I was rather uncomfortable in my first week. My hosts would walk with slightly muddy feet into their bedrooms. They picked up dung with their hands, and some of it would touch their clothes – which they would wear to sleep.

There was always grime and dirt everywhere, nothing is ever properly cleaned. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Touch Rugby player, and I have no qualms rolling around in a muddy field – the difference is being able to go home, have a shower and chill out on my spotless sofa.

So what did I do? I learned how to be dirty. I touched dung, I slept on a bed that I shared with a large spider (thankfully he remained at the foot of the bed most of the time), I sat down on dusty, grimy floors and then learnt to sit on my bed wearing the same pair of pants – it would never happen back home. I let my fingers be blackened with dust for hours and even laid down on dirt paths to rest. I couldn’t be 100 per cent comfortable, but I learnt to let go of my attachment to cleanliness and adapted.

6. FARMING IS TRULY BACKBREAKING… BUT IT CAN BE ENJOYABLE

It’s common knowledge that farming is hard work. But you would have no idea how painful it is until you get blisters on your hands from ploughing the field yourself. I harvested potatoes while I was there and every time I have a french fry now, my lower back gets little spasms… Okay, I am exaggerating, but you know what I mean. Funnily, despite all that, the experience cemented my dream for growing my own food one day (no irony intended). Also, ploughing fields = super toned biceps and quads.

7. I FIGURED OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO IN LIFE… SORT OF

And finally, what I’d came out here to do. The lack of a city’s fast-paced buzz gave me time to contemplate my life. The epiphany came slower than expected but I got some answers nonetheless. I realised I needed to be outdoors because I loved nature, and I wanted the next role I take on to allow me to give back to society somehow (so probably a teaching or an instructor position). It would be a bonus if I had the chance to take people overseas. I didn’t even come to the answer of what kind of job I could take but the universe sent it to me several days after I returned from Nepal.

The point is, a break like this in a quiet village gave me the right environment to still the chatter in my mind and ponder without distraction. And at the end of it, I’m glad I put myself through the discomfort to come out a humbled person, with a better idea of what to do with my life.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

You may be perplexed by some of the seemingly easy words on this list, but I’ve heard enough locals massacre them to include it. So check out this handy list of 20 food names Singaporeans commonly mispronounce – you’ll never get them wrong again.

1. A C A I

Does anyone remember a local 80′s children’s book titled The Adventures of Constable Acai? Well this tiny, dark purple berry – filled with antioxidants, by the way – is not pronounced the same way. You can call it “ah-sah-EE” or “ah-sai-EE” – both are acceptable.

Not: Ah chai or ah kai

2. A L M O N D

“A-ha!” you say, “The L is silent here too right?” Since we speak British english, yes. So the nut is pronounced “AH-muhnd”. Americans say “ALL-muhnd”, but still without emphasising the L.

Not: El-muhnd

3. B A G U E T T E

Theres not much that beats slapping on some good butter and jam on slices of freshly-baked “bah-GET”.

Not: Bah-gwet or Beh-gwet

4. B O U I L L A B A I S S E

A word that is as tricky to spell as it is to say. But the hearty traditional French fish stew is pronounced “BOO-yuh-bays”.

Not: Bui-lah-base.

5. C H A R C U T E R I E

It can refer to the art of preserving meats (primarily pork) – think ham, sausages, pates and more – or the delicatessens and stores which sell such products. At a restaurant, you can ask for a “shahr-KOO-tuh-ree” platter, typically as an appetiser, for a selection of salty, cured delights.

Not: Char-koo-tuh-ree

6. C H I P O T L E

Confidently tell the Subway sandwich artist you’d like the “chi-POAT-lay” sauce – no more wussing out and requesting for the, “Southwest sauce, please.”

Not: Chi-pot-uhl

7. C O G N A C

“KON-yak” is a variety of brandy originating from the town of (surprise, surprise) Cognac in France.

Not: For the love of humanity, do not pronounce the G and call it “kog-nack”, or put the N in front of the G and turn it into “kong-nac” – apparently it happens.

8. E S P R E S S O

This little shot of caffeine is what some people need to kickstart their day. Say it as you see it: “Es-PRESS-oh”.

Not: Ex-press-soh. There is no X!

9. J A L A P E N O

A pepper originating from Mexico that is often eaten while still green, instead of when it is a fully-ripe red. As the word is of Spanish origin, the J is silent. If you’re not one for spicy food, then stay away from the “HA-luh-payn-yo”.

Not: Jah-luh-pen-oh

10. LASAGNA

The next time you want a dish of layered pasta smothered in sauce, tell the waiter you’ll have the “lah-ZAH-nyah”.

Not: Lah-sahg-nyuh. Like with cognac, don’t pronounce the G.

11. L E T T U C E

There are so many kinds – from butterhead to romaine to oak leaf and even watercress (yes, it is a type of aquatically-grown lettuce). Say “LET-tis”.

Not: Let-yoos

12. M A C A R O N

These colourful little pastries got Singaporeans in a tizzy not too long ago. Again, you say it as you see it: “Mack-uh-RON”. Please stop confusing it with another treat of a similar name, the macaroon – a chewy cookie made with shredded coconuts.

Not: Mack-uh-ROON

13. P H O

It’s tempting to say it as it is spelled, but this traditional Vietnamese rice noodle dish is called “fuh”.

Not: Foh

14. P O M F R E T

Steamed or fried, this tender and light-tasting fish is a favourite at home-cooked family dinners. If, like me, you’re already getting a craving, head to your local wet market to buy a “POM-fruht”.

Not: Prom-fruht. Where in the world did the R come from?

15. Q U E S A D I L L A

A Mexican would probably die a little inside every time they heard a Singaporean order this tortilla (tor-tee-yah) dish. But they should forgive you – it’s a crafty one. The right way to pronounce this is “kay-suh-DEE-ah”. Tip: Remember how to sing Que Sera Sera and you’ll remember how to start this word right.

Not: Kweh-sah-dee-lah, keh-sah-dee-lah, kweh-sah-dee-yah…

16. Q U I N O A

This healthy protein-filled grain pretty much always ends up on such lists simply because it’s a real mind-boggler. The right way to say it is “KEEN-wah”.

Not: Kween-no-ah or kee-no-ah

17. S A L M O N

Anyone who is a fan of sashimi should know this omega-3-laden fish, but have you been calling it the right name? The L is silent, so you would say “SEH-muhn”. The first half of the word rhymes with “air”.

Not: Sell-muhn

18. S P A G H E T T I

The intonation is often stressed at the wrong place with this word. The popular Italian noodle is called “spuh-GEHT-tee”.

Not: SPAG-uh-tee

19. S T A R  A N I S E

This easily recognised star-shaped herb is often used in local Chinese-style dishes (think Bak Kut Teh and Soy Sauce Pork Belly!) to add a mild, sweet, licorice-like flavour. Say “AN-iss”.

Not: A niece

20. T U R M E R I C

A popular spice that adds a deep yellow colour and a peppery, spicy tone to our favourite Indian dishes. People often forget that there is an R after the U in “TER-muh-rik”.

Not: Tyoo-muh-rik or too-muh-rik

21. J A P A N E S E ( B O N U S )

Please, NOT: Juh-pen-ees

Okay, okay. So this is not exactly a food word, but given how popular omakase, yakitori, ramen and sashimi is here, it is appalling how people still can’t say “jap-uh-NEES” right.

Come on, they gave us such a fine cuisine and we call them something that kinda sounds like a private part? Repeat after me: “JUH-pen-ees” – wrong; “Jap-uh-NEES” – right. Okay? Arigato.

Tip: You can check pronunciations with an online dictionary. The sub-editors I used to work with recommend www.oxforddictionaries.com for British english spelling and pronunciations.

So, what other food names do you think Singaporeans tend to say wrong?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

If you clicked on this article, chances are, you are a 20-something or 30-something full-time employee who feels like you’ve been tolerating the humdrum 9-to-6 life for far too long.

So here’s an idea: quit. Then pack your bags, and go travelling. Yes, make that drastic decision, be a little daredevil – you won’t regret it. Let me tell you why you should quit your unhappy job and travel.

YOU WILL GET TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD

Yes, yes, I know – this is such a no-brainer, right? But take a second to think deeper into this. How things are done, as you know them to be, are very different around the world. For example, breakfast is a meal taken between 6am and 9am, right? Well, the Nepalese don’t actually have “breakfast”, at 10am, they eat lunch. When they rise at around 6am, they have tea and biscuits and call it a “snack”.

Do you think the elderly here could hike up a mountain? Let’s not talk about Bukit Timah. In South Korea, I had hunched-over ajummas overtake me on a hiking trail – and I exercise on a regular basis! It showed me quite clearly that I don’t have to resign myself to inactiveness in my golden years – which, in all honesty, is how I would have viewed it if I were to base it on how the aged get by here.

And yes, you could hear stories about all of this – but wouldn’t it be better if you got to try everything yourself? The world out there is so, much, more than our little speck of an island and the things that we are used to.

YOU WILL LEARN NEW THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF

I didn’t know that I could catch a fly with my bare hands. I didn’t know that I did, after all, fear heights a little. I always thought I had zero problems with it – until I stood at a cliff’s edge on a small mountain in New Zealand expecting excitement, only to feel my legs go soft and an urge to start crawling on all fours.

I didn’t know that there is a limit to how much I can take overseas and yearn to go home – I always thought the wanderlust in me could never be quenched.

I didn’t know that I would turn into a snapping psycho if we got lost and were wasting precious travelling time. Though I did learn that at the end of the day, there’s no harm done – what’s the point of getting mad at time that’s already passed?

YOU WILL FIND OUT IF YOU WANT TO STAY PUT OR RELOCATE

When I was 16, I visited an aunt who lived in Gold Coast. My family and I stayed with her for close to a month, and I returned home yearning to live in Australia. I am 26 this year, and as I matured throughout the years, a part of me considered that the desire to relocate was possibly something I wanted rashly as a naïve 16-year-old. Well, today, I still want to move.

In the last 10 years, I have visited several other countries and while I am now not so certain which country I’d end up in, my dream to relocate sticks. Singapore is great, and I am aware I am blessed to be born here, but it is not the place that makes me the happiest. Inversely, there are people who go abroad to find out that despite Singapore’s setbacks, they will never move. You can only find out which side of the fence you prefer when you’ve actually climbed over.

YOU GET TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, EVEN CLOSE ONES

I did not expect to form a bond with a couple that I’d met on a holiday in South Korea in 2012. My boyfriend and I stayed at their place, which we found on Airbnb.com. For some reason, we really connected and still keep in touch via Whatsapp. This year, my boyfriend and I even planned a surprise visit for them. We had to create a fake account to book a room because we knew they would’ve wanted to let us stay for free – like real friends would – but we felt bad and preferred to pay. Similarly, I’ve heard many stories of friends who’ve met some of their best friends while travelling, in the most serendipitous situations.

YOU GET TO TELL COOL STORIES

I was once almost stuck atop a mountain fortress close to sunset, with no food and warm clothing in autumn. Thank goodness I found a detour – I was honestly beginning to panic.

I once met a fellow traveller who shared the same birthday and who was turning the same age as my boyfriend (whom I was travelling with) – we ended up having a mini celebration at his hostel where he cooked dinner.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY, OR TIME

Notice how I didn’t mention anything about some 6-month round-the-world trip? Did you automatically assume that? Travelling for an extended period of time doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money, or time! Take a break for a month and a half.

You can go WWOOF-ing (an international programme where you work on an organic farm in exchange for food and accommodation) or do other forms of volunteer work to keep costs low. After I left my job as a writer, I went to Nepal for three weeks to help out in a village farm and teach English in a local school.

The entire trip cost me slightly above $1000, airfare included. Hostels around the world offer free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work, five to six days a week – you can find openings on sites like www.helpx.net.

YOU CAN FIND A JOB WHEN YOU COME BACK

A month-long break is not too long a wait for your next employer, if you already have a job lined up. And if you don’t, listen – the world is not going to end for you. It really isn’t! If you want more security in place, quit between January and March.

A lot of people are moving on in the job market then, and there are sure to be openings you can fill when you return. When I came back, I had interview offers which I was sure I would be able to ace because of my prior job experience, but I turned them down because I was looking to do something new.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

To wrap it all up, I leave you with this quote – by Randy Komisar, The Monk and the Riddle: The Education of a Silicon Valley Entrepreneur - which I try to live by: “The most dangerous risk of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.“

You can try to foresee and prep, as much as you can, for what will happen in the future, but the truth is, you’ll never really know.

Travel now – before you have children, before illness strikes, before you need to pay for your home loan, and car loan… And if you already have some monthly payments to make, it’s still not impossible to go – you just need to find a way to save more for the trip (and you really don’t need much!).

Travelling will do wonders for your soul, your being and your mind. So go ahead, take that plunge.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com