Monday, June 27, 2011

My Thoughts on Stevia

I usually use low GI raw cane sugar when i need to add sugar into things like tea, custard and porridge. But recently, i've been contemplating switching from sugar to something with an even lower GI count. This is mainly because i have PCOS and Syndrome X so it's always better to consume things that wouldn't be making my insulin resistance worse. For those who know anything about Syndrome X, you'll know that insulin resistance makes it more difficult for you to shed any weight and that the carbohydrate you consume is mainly turned into fat. But if you follow a low GI eating plan, you're more likely to be less insulin resistant without the need of medication.

My doctor mentioned that Stevia doesn't have any GI value at all so it'll be a good substitute for sugar. With that in mind, i was quite excited when i went to Woolworths to purchase the stevia brand pictured above. My excitement was soon cut short when i tried it with tea. All i can say is that it had a really sharp taste that made my tea taste so bad i had to pour it down the sink.

Don't get me wrong, it did have the sweet taste of sugar but it was accompanied by a sharp bitter taste. I already feel like i've wasted my money purchasing this but i refuse to give up any hope. 

Does anyone know anything that's like stevia out there but doesn't have the same sharp bitter taste? I would hate to give up my search so quickly and return to sugar. I'm looking for something that has 0mg of carbohydrates and fat as recommended by the doctor, thanks.
Image   via Shopmania

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Pale Skin: A Love Affair

For those of you who are unaware, i have a thing for seriously pale skinned girls. I think it might be because in my first year in England, i lived with a girl for a few weeks who was quite obsessed with fake tan. I never understood why people talked about girls looking orange until i met her. Due to that experience, i dislike the smell of fake tan and my love for pale skinned girls just grows stronger and stronger. 
For some reason, i love how Emily Browning almost looks ghostly in these pictures. But i have to say, i'm not quite sure of her outfit. I don't understand what that bag is doing there, even though she was at the LV show. I really like how her hair looks at that length on her facial structure. We do have a similar facial structure and my hair is only a few inches longer so i'm tempted to pull out the hair straighteners and give it a bit of a work out. But i've been working out often and i'm not sure that straightening my hair at the moment is a good idea because i'm just going to sweat it out; and my roots would end up puffing up.
Here she is with Marc Jacobs and her main squeeze Max Irons

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Simplicity

"Simplicity provides a fine line between eloquence and plainness" - LL Cool J
I feel like Cameron Diaz's outfit brings this quote to life.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Blogger Is Being Difficult

I think Blogger might be suffering from some sort of emotional breakdown because i can't seem to post anything with pictures at the moment. This is a lesson to me that i should consider creating drafts on Blogger as a way to save my post ideas. Hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday so far? I only have 1 hour and 9 minutes left of Wednesday :)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Learning Patience From Dogs

I've been doing a lot of people watching lately from my kitchen counter top. You see, the benefits of living on the 3rd floor with lots of windows in the kitchen (which i had a hard time getting used to because you can see in from the road) is that you get to observe people daily while they go on about their business.

I've always noticed the people who walk their dogs for two reasons. The first being that i want a pet. I didn't really grow up with a pet; we did have an Alsatian puppy for a while but he sadly died. We only had him for a few weeks so i never really knew what it felt like to have a pet. Back home where i grew up, most people didn't have one; dogs are mainly used as protectors as opposed to pets. The second reason i noticed these people (which is the main reason for this post) is how their dogs always seem to be in charge of the walks; especially those without a leash on.

If you went walking with a kid, you can always tell the kid exactly where to go and frown when they vie off that chosen path. With dogs, it seems to be a completely different scenario. I'm sure you could train your dog to be obedient and all, but they always seem to follow their nose. And that's when i see the dog owners being really patient. No one's there yelling at the dog to stop sniffing and continue with their walk; instead they wait patiently until the dog is ready to move on.

There's this particular man who walks his dog pretty much everyday just early into the afternoon. I've noticed that his dog always stops to smell an area that has something that wasn't there before. Today in particular, his dog stopped for almost 3 minutes to sniff around the lamp post outside (yes, i was timing it). I sat there, whilst sipping my milk tea, how this tolerance for the dog's need to stop and smell would translate into patience in their daily lives. Maybe they end up being more patient with the people around them? Or rather become more tolerant of people's attitudes and needs that they mightn't understand?

Now, i've never walked a dog in my life so i have no idea what it's like. But i'm sure there are some pet owners reading this who might be able to chip in and say a few words.

Until next time, do have a lovely Monday

Sunday, June 19, 2011

My Exams Are Over!!!

I finished my final paper as an undergraduate student (hopefully!) on Friday evening and it feels like so much weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can't even begin to imagine how much sleep i've clocked since Friday. All i can say is that i really needed it; my neck still feels a bit cranked from exams but it'll pass. I'm so glad i didn't have to work last week, with all the stress of exams, i don't know how i would have coped.

All i need to do now is sit tight and wait for my exam results to come out in July. But while i wait, i've decided i'm going to apply to some universities in England for a masters program. Aside from that, i'm hoping and praying that i'll be roster-ed into some shifts for this week and also be back to blogging more. 

I hope you're all having a lovely Sunday

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Couture Arabesque: Fab Friday Finds: The Simply Luxurious Life!

Couture Arabesque: Fab Friday Finds: The Simply Luxurious Life!: "We are closing out this very long feeling week with Shannon from one of my favorite blogs, The Simply Luxurious Life . This blog is chalk f..."

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Decadence for Divas: French Chic versus Inspirational Italians!

Decadence for Divas: French Chic versus Inspirational Italians!: "OK friends,since being on the blogosphere (which has only been for less than 1 year) I am “intrigued” perhaps at times a little “astounded” ..."

Monday, June 13, 2011

Absent Blogger

I know it's been a while since i've posted anything. But a lot has been happening behind the scenes. I got a part-time job and i'm currently in the middle of completing my final exams. I honestly don't know how most people that work full-time juggle that along with studying and life in general. It's been quite hectic over here, but i haven't completely neglected the blog.

During my study break (and a few sleepless nights), i was able to come up with an idea that has been lingering on my mind for quite sometime. Without giving away too much, i've decided to go along with this idea and it'll come to fruition sometime at the end of July, i'm thinking the 24th of July. But i'll definitely give you guys a heads up before it happens.

Until then, hope you are all enjoying life as it is. To all the blogs i follow, don't worry, i've been reading every single post, just haven't gotten into commenting yet. 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Just Do It

For as long as i can remember, procrastination has always been my thing. I always seem to wait till the last minute before i start something. Even on the occasions i try to start early, i always feel crippled and incapable of completing the task if there's no pressure around the corner. I guess the fact that i've always done well under these pressures meant that i didn't put much effort into facing my procrastinating demons.
But recently, things have changed, albeit at a slow pace. I'm getting much better at doing things earlier instead of waiting till the last minute for that pressure to set in and get me going. I usually start by writing a list of all the things that needs to get done and the deadlines i have for them. In regards to university assessments like reports, i draw up a plan/ draft of how i want to structure my work. With the basic footprint in hand, i simply dive straight in and get on with it.

Previously, i'd take a while to think it through and psycho-analyse it to see if it's possible or not. But i noticed that this habit led me to procrastinate even more. By going ahead without giving it too much thought, it makes me work through it. It was quite difficult at first and some days it still is, but then, i'm a work in progress