Fall Out Boy: American Psycho/ American Beauty

I never thought that it has been over a year now since the release of "Save Rock and Roll" album of Fall Out Boy - one of my favourite rock bands of all time. It has been over a year of head-banging with the tunes of Phoenix, My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark, Alone Together and Just One Yesterday to name a few. This time, let's once again bang our heads with the band's new album, American Psycho / America Beauty. 

Kudos to this band for releasing a new album of great songs.  Haha, I sound like a total fan in here. I am a proud F.O.B fan but I am not the only one. Well, well, well, the album earned the number one in the Billboard 200 after its release. That means one thing - it's a great album. Let's get start with a Big Hero 6 soundtrack, Immortals. Yup, it's from them.

And a few songs from the album. Can't wait to get a hold of this album soon. 

Centuries 

American Psycho / American Beauty

2015: Everyday Happiness

I am seven days behind for posting something in this blog to welcome the year 2015. I left my immune system back home and did function as a zombie with nonstop coughing during the last days of 2014. However, my mind made sure that I would have a direction for this year. Last year, I told about what I wanted to accomplish  (see this) : To be a person with a bold mind, a brave heart and a selfless soul. Though building those would take time, and I am still working on being that person, I am sure taking that first step of deciding who I want to be is already a huge accomplishment. This year, I have 2 guiding principles. The first one is my 2015 hashtag. This will be my mantra throughout the year, it is #NoMoreExcuses. No more excuses on starting something. No more excuses on saying something. No more excuses on expressing oneself. This year, I vow to embrace life as it is. Friends, relatives, colleagues and acquaintances, join me in taking that leap of faith and take action to what our hearts and minds tell us.

The second thing that I will be doing differently is keeping a diary of Happy Moments for this year. I am calling this life project - Everyday Happiness. Logging at least one Happy Moment per day is a key to thinking living life is a mundane routine but an exciting journey. Trust me, someday when you look back and read through each day passed, you'd have that smile on your face. Plot anything that made you smile for that day - from seeing your office crush if you have one or getting a free ice cream, to big events on your life, your wedding or birthday perhaps. One simple sentence for each day would tell you personally how you are living your life, if you are actually living it.

I got my small organizer that I keep close to my bed and write the Best thing that happened for that day before I sleep. I intend to do it religiously.

So I tell you, for this year, start something. That first step is the biggest step in shaping this year to our likeness. 

Happy 2015 Everyone. 

To Fitness: Five Minutes with Shaun T

Same old story every year; I am adding extra pounds during the holidays due to Christmas parties, dinners and chocolates as gifts. And to top it up, I can't seem to find time to do my usual workout at the gym because of how busy December can be. Anyway, 10 minutes ago, I have stumbled on this awesome Doctor Oz clip featuring Shaun T. Well, he always invites Shaun T on the show to demo the latter's new exercise routines - Insanity and Focus T 25. And this year, he invited him again to introduce a five minute routine that everyone can do. Well, if you can't follow him, you have no excuse because we have Tanya, the modifier, who can modify the moves and still gives you the result the routine promises. I just hoped I stumbled on this clip earlier but nothing is too late. We still have a week of non-stop gatherings and festive eating and doing this routine will lessen the blow. If one can't do an hour in the gym; or the 60 minutes Insanity Programme or the Focus T 25 - 25 minutes workout, I am so sure all of us have five minutes to spare for this routine. I even spend more than 5 minutes to soap my body and exfoliate. Just 5 minutes to burn fats - I think I can and you can too.  I guess, I have found my morning exercise routine. Thanks Shaun T. 

Pop it Up, Daniel (2014)

My December will always include checking out Daniel Kim's Youtube Page for his most awaited Pop Danthology. And here it is, the Pop Culture of this year in six awesome minutes. Even Elsa (Frozen) got featured.  

Kudos, Daniel. 

You always Pop, instead of You Rock. (yeah, lame joke! haha)

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Daniel's Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhEl5o5IZgBGaX2Oxd_GMw

My Fave Christmas Glee

It's this time again of the year when Christmas Carols are being played everywhere. I never get tired of singing my hearts out to the tune of Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bells, Let is Snow and a whole bunch of carols. Though I am out of tune at times, I still need to belt out a Mariah Carey note as  it's Christmas, simple. For those of my friends who are tired of hearing me sing these jingles, good thing the popular musical TV Series always sing these songs during this season and keeping the melody intact but still beautifully new to our ears. 

Here are some of my favorite songs rendered beautifully by the blended voice of Rachel, Kurt, Blaine and the rest of the Glee Cast of McKinley High. 

Jingle Bell Rock

All I Want For Christmas is You

Let it Snow

White Christmas

Series: Homeland Season 4

A series that gets better every season. Or am I just being biased because I freaking love the current season? Anyway, the latest episode centers on Carrie being back on the ground in Islamabad trying to capture or kill Haqqani only to find out that he's alive. This simple sentence might sound so simple but from the Point A of trying to kill Haqqani with a drone to Point B of finding out he is alive is a long and interesting journey. So, don't be deceived by this simple sentence that I have because I am so sure that you would be left speechless with some of the episodes. 

Kudos to Homeland for making the story more interesting than that of the last. Can't wait for the next episode. 

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drone_Queen

My Journey to Weight-loss: Healthy Choices I Made

I love food …. A lot! Maintaining my weight doesn't stop me from eating food. In some ways, it made me eat more. And this is the reason I was given the nickname, Muncher. Yeah, I eat a biscuit or two whenever I feel like it and still achieving my goal of maintaining the weight loss. Of course, I made some changes on what I eat – but not a drastic change; just healthier choices which I love.

Switching from White Bread to  Wholemeal Bread

My Kaya Toast is never the same again with a white bread. Gotta say, I am now digging the rough texture of the loaf and the benefits I get from it.

White flour and wholemeal flour are the two main types of wheat flour. In the production of wholemeal flour the whole grain is used. This type of flour has an extraction rate of 100%, which means nothing is removed during milling. White flour is refined. The bran and nutrient-packed germ are separated from the rest of the grain losing many nutrients. There are also different types of flour between these two main types. What is commonly called “brown flour” has a higher extraction rate than white flour. It contains more bran and this gives the flour darker colour. The wholemeal flour contains all parts of the grain: the fibre-rich bran (outer layer), the endosperm (middle layer) and the germ (inner layer). The bran provides fibre, B vitamins, minerals, protein and other phytochemicals. The endosperm contains carbohydrates, proteins and small amounts of B vitamins. The germ is packed with minerals, B vitamins, vitamin E and other phytochemicals. Whole grain foods are an important part of the diet because they provide many nutrients. The regular consumption of whole grain foods has been linked by researchers to a reduction of several diseases including heart disease and cancer, especially colon cancer.

Source: http://www.eufic.org/page/en/page/FAQ/faqid/difference-wholemeal-bread-white-bread/

More on the Benefits of Whole Grain Bread: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/10/whole-grains-health-benefits_n_5655022.html

 Refuel with Water 

It is never a myth that we need to drink water. Eight glasses may not be the rule of thumb, but a guideline as we lose water content in every activity we do. Plus, it is a fact that Water helps control the Calories.

More on this: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water

 Roast/ Grill  over Fried

If I have the choice, I would always go for a roast over fried food. Apart from the taste, only thinking of additional fat on frying the food made me choose the roasted/ grilled version of the meat.

Munch with Nuts

Whenever I want to munch something during weekends, I stay away from the MSG filled Chips and instead go for nuts – almonds, cashew and peanuts. They are good source of antioxdiants with lower fat contents.

 Nuts for Weightloss- http://www.caloriesecrets.net/best-healthy-nuts-and-seeds-for-weight-loss/

Stay Tuned for More of the choices I made.. And remember this

Related Post: http://anapink18.blogspot.sg/2014/11/my-journey-to-weight-loss-first-step-gm.html