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!

Homemade Focaccia Recipe

Since coming back from our holiday in Italy, I have been in love with Italian food, mainly the fresh breads, seafood and fresh pasta sauce. After shopping for focaccia at M&S a few times, I realised I am spending too much money on something which is quite cheap to make. So I decided to sign up for a one off bread making course for my hubby and I.

The bread making course was a Groupon deal. Held at Open Kitchen in Hoxton. Open Kitchen is a local college which provides cooking course and qualifications for trainee chefs.All proceeds go back to Open Kitchen and their services. This place is open for lunch as well. I have never been to this restaurant but whilst waiting for the course to commence, we sat at the dining area and the decor was very bright, colourful and contemporary. It is worth checking this place out!

Below is the recipe I followed.

350g of Strong White Bread Flour
1 teaspoon of salt
10g of yeast
250ml or tepid water
3 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
some sea salt for the top along with some herbs like rosemary or oregano and cherry tomatoes.

1. Mix yeast in some tepid water and use your fingers to dissolve it.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, olive oil and the yeast together.
3. Slowly a bit at a time, pour in the tepid water and mix till you get a flaky dough.
4. Use a bit of flour so the dough doesnt stick, start kneading until the dough stretchy.
5. Put into a bowl, cover with cling film. Leave to prove for 30 minutes.
6. When the dough is twice the size, knead the dough a little more.
7. Using your fingers to stretch out the dough flat.
8. Once it is in desired shape and size, brush with olive oil and decorate with sea salt, rosemary and herbs.
9. Preheat oven to 200C and oven bake for 15-25 mins till golden brown or desired coating.

You need to eat the focaccia within 2 days!

Happy baking! Yum!