London Marathon 2016 - My First Marathon

This is a very late blog post, I don't know why I didnt write about this earlier, it has been almost a year now.

My first marathon, the full 26.2 miles was in London. I got a ballot place from the Virgin Money London Marathon way back in October 2015. I was very shocked because I hear lots of people who enter the ballot and year after year, they receive the 'Sorry' magazine. I was expecting the same as the year because, I got that same magazine through the post. Anyway, I was very nervous and surprised when I got the 'You're in' magazine!

I went with a training plan online, this was the Bupa beginners marathon training plan. I didn't have high expectations because the only thing I was worried about was that I couldn't make the distance.
I did follow the plan as much as I could, I say I did around 70% of us. It was rough and some days, I just felt like giving up and just having a lie in on Sundays.

From the diet point of view, I did eat more protein and carbs. After most long runs, I would have a hot chocolate. Every day I would have my daily vitamins which was the Alive from Natural Health for Women's Energy. I would say it helped with my push myself onto the scheduled runs.

For after care, post running, most of time, I would have a hot bath with Epsom salts and muscle soak. My calves use to feel so tired and in agony with ache, I used Biofreeze to cool and soothe them. Also I bought myself a handheld massage roller, so whilst resting on the sofa, I would massage my thighs and calves.

Many people use raising money for charity as a motivator for training for a full marathon, I was the same. My company was kind enough to double what I was raise and that helped me a lot and colleagues encouraged me not to give up! It was a local charity, Emily Ash Trust which helps family and kids who suffer through cancer and other illness.

Anyway, I did it, as my photo above show. I didn't worry about my time. 5 hours 56 mins, for the record. I had to stop twice to see friends and family and once for a stretch. It was tough but afterwards I couldn't stop smiling. It was one the best feeling in the world!

I hope this blog post is of some use to anyone thinking of running a marathon.

Happy running!

GNR - special race!

Just wanted to share that I am so excited to be running at The Great North Run 2015. I have been running for a few years now and although this is not my first race, I am excited because:

• I got a balloted place for one of most popular races in the UK.
• First time running in a different town away from home.
• I will be running on my birthday!!!

 Another medal to add to my race bling! :)

My Scheming Blackhead Removal Activated Carbon Mask Set

Wow, it's been a while since I have written anything for my blog. Time has flown and so many things has happened. Anyway I am back on this and will try and blog more. I promise to blog more on different things from events in my life to beauty products which I like and deserve reviews.

Recently I came across this product whilst stumbling on you tube. I always had a blackhead problem and like many women, you tend to try different products to see what works best. Anyway this is the product which I am surprised and thought 'this is THE ONE' for removing my blackheads.

I believe this is a Taiwanese product, and it boasts that it can remove or pluck out blackheads and whiteheads from the roots (my translation from the product box!). It is a 3 step system so the contents is 3 different products. Following these steps and do not miss any out!

1. Deep Pore Sebum Softener. This is a small white bottle of slightly sticky clear liquid. You use this first and put it on the areas where you want to soften the black/white heads. For me, it was on the whole nose and underneath the lip. Wait for 5 mins, then wash it off and leave the areas wet.
2. Blackhead Removal Activated Carbon Mask. This is a quite a big tube of black thick carbon mask. Once you did step 1 above, you put a generous amount all over the areas where you want to removal mask to work. For me, it was the whole nose and underneath the lip. Leave it to dry for at least 20 mins. Once dry, peel it from the bottom upwards. You should be able to see all the white and black heads on the dried mask, See  pic below

   

   TMI lol...my used carbon mask peeled with lots of whiteheads on!

3.  Skin Clarifying Pore Treatment Essence. This is a small white bottle of essence to tighten, moisturise and hydration your pores. Once all the carbon mask has been peeled or cleaned off (there might be some residue which you might want to get a flannel to get off), put a good amount all over the peeled off areas, i.e. whole nose and under lip. Once this is dried, you should feel it being very smooth and soft.

I was very amazed with this product, it managed to pluck out so many dirty stuff out of my nose, more than any other product I used before such as pore strips and just balm masks.

I got this product from eBay at around 10 pounds. I have a feeling its popular in Asian countries, but I have only heard about this product recently. I recommend this product 100%! Thumbs up!

Eason's LIFE Concert at O2 London

I had the opportunity to attend Eason's LIFE concert at the O2 in London. My hubby worked as one of the press and obtained a limited press pass.

Eason's Review in Inside Shock

The concert was so good! Please visit my review and put a like. The photos were taken by my hubby, Andrew Chang.

FINE Hyaluron & Collagen Review

I just came back holidaying in Thailand and Singapore and had an amazing time. Time spent with my other half is always fun and enjoyable. However this holiday is slightly different, I got to meet some of my friends from around the world. More on that later!

One of my good friends Mich, recommended me to try the FINE Hyaluron & Collagen powder to improve my skin. She has already blogged about it, so I will not go into details on the ingredients and packaging etc. Please read her review http://anonymousmich.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/fine-hyaluron-collagen.html.

Here is the link to more information about this product. http://www.tokyoninki.com/webshaper/store/viewProd.asp?pkProductItem=88

I bought my tin of FINE from Singapore Sasa, though you can buy it from Sasa online too. Every morning I have cereal and I put a teaspoon of this powder and mix it with milk before adding cereal.

Taste wise, mixed with milk, its a bit creamy, I think it milk smells rather sweet but it does not taste sweet.

When I got back from my trip, I had several spots on my face and with coming back to UK weather, my skin soon developed lots of dry patches.

I have taken this for 6 days now, I can honestly say all my spots have deflated and look really faint. I have freckles which are not changed in any way but the rest of the skin on my face seems to be clearer as well as brighter. I do still have some dryness but I don't think without moisturising, my skin will get any hydration. When I feel my face, its more elasticated and soft.  All in all, I notice a big difference on my face. This is because when I usually get spots on my face, it takes a long time for them to disappear, but this time, its less than one week!

I will continue with this tin until I finish it! So far so good though! Thumbs up!

Moroccan Fish Tagine recipe

Recently my colleague sent me this recipe, after chatting about wanting to eat more fish this year!

This dish is low in fat as well as easy to make, it tastes fantastic, especially on a winter's evening. Have it with either cous cous, rice, warm bread or whatever you fancy!


Nutritional info:
413 calories
8g fat
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, de-seeded and cut into strips
3 garlic cloves, quartered
2 tbsp paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
1 can of tomatoes
1 can of chickpeas, drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
500g of skinless white fish (like cod or haddock) cut into 1.5cm wide chunks
Zest of 1 lemon
Large handful of fresh coriander, chopped
Method:

1.    Heat the oven to 180C.

2.    Heat the oil in a casserole dish and fry the onion and pepper until softened and then add the garlic. Then add the spices and cook until their aroma is released.

3.    Stir in the tomatoes, bring up to the bubble, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

4.    Add the chickpeas and bring to a simmer and season.

5.    Put the fish on top and bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes with the lid on.

 

The details come from the following link from a Lorraine TV show

http://www.itv.com/lorraine/food/moroccan-fish-tagine

There’s a video of the recipe as well

Enjoy!

Happy New Year 2014!

Another year, another year older and wiser, time are flying by!

I haven't blogged for a while and feel that I need to make more of an effort with a lot of things. Here is a list of my resolutions:

1. Participate and complete 1 half marathon. I am so torn between the Nike Run To The Beat and Royal Parks.
2. Stay fit and health.
3. Lose weight, personally aim for losing at least 5kg.
4. Spend more time when possible with parents. When you know that one day they will leave you and they are getting old, you will learn to appreciate what they done for you and want to spend more quality time with them.
5. Take parents on 1 summers holiday. I already have an idea in mind.
6. Try and spend this years Christmas or New Years somewhere else, maybe abroad.

OK hope to blog more soon!

Happy New Year!