Is it possible for us to stop indulging in desserts or snacks when we are on an exercise programme? Well, my answer is that it is insane to deprive yourself of food, especially in a food paradise like Singapore.

However, what you can still do is be on the lookout for healthy desserts or healthy snacks. Yes, they do exist...if you know where to find them :)

I reckon there must be some egg tart fans out there? If you are one of them, then you are in luck! As we all know, an egg tart is delicious but may not be the healthiest snack out there as most tart recipes include butter, eggs and sugar.

Fret not...Introducing a healthier version without compromising the taste. The bean curd tart!

Being a huge soya bean fan and perhaps the most faithful one as well, it's a double treat. In fact, I prefer soya bean milk over fresh milk. And for all readers out there who are lactose intolerant, do consider soya bean milk as well.

So when I came across this shop tucked away in a quiet corner of the Selegie area, my curiosity was piqued. Out came me with a box of bean curd tarts. I was lucky as I was told that I would normally have to call to pre-order. That box which I bought was a last-minute cancelled order from a customer.



When I sank my teeth into the beancurd tart, I could immediately taste the silky smooth soya bean filling.  Indeed, from what I understand, soya beans and almonds were first grinded and then cooked with water and pandan leaves for the fragrance. In fact, it was oozing with so much freshness that it reminded me of a soya bean drink. I love the taste. Add to the fact that it was fresh out of the fridge which meant the crust was hard.

I simply love the taste :)

How quickly time passes by...It was only Christmas some weeks back, followed by New Year 2011, then the recent Chinese New Year...And guess what? We are now going to celebrate Valentine's Day in just a few days' time!

Do you remember how you celebrated Valentine's Day last year? You probably had a sumptuous meal at a restaurant and bought each other presents...and possibly renewed your love vows.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day where love is in the air, here's to show I love all my readers too by spreading my love in the form of knowledge to all of you. Whether or not you will be spending Valentine's Day with your significant other or with close friends, just be mindful of that this piece is for you. Yes, it's my pre V-Day present to everyone! Here comes the Valentine's Day dinner eating our survival guide. Read on and help to spread the love :)


It's Valentine's Day! And whether you know it or not subconsciously, it's a day worth celebrating with your loved one. You may be saying to yourself that if you’re going to spend all that money on dinner, get dressed up a little, and dine out, you want to get your money’s worth. Well, at least the majority of us think this way as we all want to stretch our dollar!

Yet pause for a second and think again...you probably will be in a more joyous mood to enjoy the moment if you focus your thoughts on enjoying the ambiance (with the candle on the table complete with some red roses and a violinist serenading you), the amorous company, the luxury of being served and poring over the special Valentine's Day dinner set choices.

If you can think of these perks, then you will not be tempted to try to get the biggest steak, even if it's cheaper than the smaller salmon. Remember, regardless of what programme you are now - weight loss or muscle building, the aim is to be the same. You need to be consistent in your meals and not use Valentine's Day as an excuse to binge or go off-tangent.

Here's 6 of my Valentine's Day dinner eating our survival tips to keep the calories low on the special day.

Tip 1: Do Not Upsize It

 

If you've always loved cheese cakes, here's definitely news for you to cheer! Forget about the normal run-of-the-mill cheese cakes like New York cheese cakes, walnut cheese cakes, blueberry cheese cakes and the Japanese cheese cakes. These cheese cakes are notorious for being fattening diet-wreckers. After all, all cheese cakes contain cream cheese and it is this ingredient that helps us pile on the calories and put on weight.

Hanging out with my friend in town today, I decided to have a cheat day and indulge in dessert. And that was how i discovered the newest cheese cake cousin in town. Presenting the high fibre cheese cake from Secret Recipe.



From its very name, one can instantly guess that it is not the normal cheese cake one is used to eating. This is the healthy version that contains fat-free or low-fat cream cheese. Sinking my teeth into the cheese cake, I could pick out the ingredients that went into making it. I tasted the high-fibre grains, seeds and nuts. In particular, I was munching on the sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, oats, wheat, almonds, bran flakes, pistachio and raisins. All these are low in trans-fatty acids. It was delightful, without being too rich on the taste. Best of all, the flavour wasn't comprised. Absolutely a perfect treat for the hot afternoon.

This is indeed a wholesome high fibre and healthy choice for cheese cake lovers. Now you can have your cake, eat it and not feel guilty at all. Bon appetite!

Even though I eat this every Saturday for lunch, I still find it yummy...Like it or not, it has become part of my meal lifestyle. In fact, you can cheat your way thin.

 

It is really the thought that counts. A simple gesture in itself, it certainly goes a long way to show that when you shower kindness to others, goodness returns itself in another form. What goes around comes around. Eating the two buns (the one on the top is the tuna bun and the one at the bottom is the cheese bun with rosemary), a sense of love and gratification surrounds me. Thank you. I will continue to touch more lives in whatever little ways I can J