Celeste Elle, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Download these apps if you want to train your brain

It’s natural for the mind to decelerate as we become older. Since we’re likely to be less involved in sports, it might have an impact on our overall mental activity. As a result, it’s essential to work out often to keep our minds and bodies engaged.

Studies have found that, just as we exercise our bodies to maintain them in excellent functioning order, we should also train our brains to relax and keep them alert when they should. This could greatly reduce the chances of dementia in our later years. Keeping our brains active allows us to focus on the present moment and diverts our attention away from our anxieties.

If you want to train your brain daily, these apps could help.

TED

Image Credits: edutopia.org

TED is a worldwide network that welcomes individuals from all cultures and disciplines who want to learn more about the world. They are convinced that ideas can alter people’s minds, lifestyles, and eventually, the universe. Their mission is to make brilliant ideas accessible and create dialogues surrounding them. TED, owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, makes a great platform to revisit if you’re searching for fresh inspirations.

Calm

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Calm (@calm)

Calm bills itself as the best app for meditating, relaxing, and sleeping. They were also the Apple’s App of the Year 2017, Best of 2018 award winner, and Google Play Editor’s Choice 2018. It’s not even surprising that they have over 100 million downloads and over 1.5 million 5-star ratings.

The team is dedicated to creating sleep and mindfulness solutions that are based on solid scientific data. By downloading the app, you can discover personalized music for rest, slumber, and concentration, as well as countless hours of mindfulness meditation on subjects such as worry, panic, and relationships.

Forest

Image Credits: Forest

You may plant an oak or cedar in the Forest app and watch it grow while you concentrate on your tasks. Because quitting the app halfway would cause your tree to perish, it’s an app that lets you concentrate on the present, urgent things that matter.

There are a variety of additional plant species available, some of which may be purchased with virtual gold coins. It’s a very meaningful initiative because to plant actual trees on earth, the Forest team collaborates with Trees for the Future, a real-tree-planting company. The Forest team gives to its partner and makes planting orders when users like ourselves spend virtual currency we earn while navigating through the app.

Lumosity

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lumos Labs (@lumosity)

Lumosity transforms laboratory assignments into enjoyable games where your results will be interpreted by the app, giving you useful feedback and deep insights on your cognitive levels. The team recognizes that everyone’s brain is different, regardless of age or ability level, thus their program caters to your strengths and shortcomings.

To keep yourself continually challenged, we suggest that you work out with a new set of games every day. It will help you keep your brain training habit if you use it in conjunction with their extensive progress tracking. Don’t take our word for it for Lumosity games and tests have been used in over 20 peer-reviewed articles in academic journals. One complete study can be found here.

Duolingo

Image Credits: Duolingo

Duolingo is a great way to learn new languages, and evidence indicates that it works. You can earn points and level up by taking short, bite-sized quiz-like sessions while gaining real-world language skills.

Classes are personalized to help you navigate at the proper level and speed, incorporating elements of AI and language science. Reading, listening, and speaking abilities are also adequately and efficiently taught in their programs. With game-like elements, engaging challenges, and prompts from their cheerful mascot, Duo the owl, they make it easy to create a routine of learning languages. Duolingo is fully free to use, but the Plus version removes advertisements and allows you to make quicker advancements.

Headspace

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Headspace (@headspace)

Consider Headspace to be your brain’s best pal. They are available to anybody who needs them, no matter the location, to assist people in getting through trying situations and finding joy in ordinary living.

Headspace helps you establish life-changing routines to enhance your psychological health and achieve a better, brighter self by using science-backed meditation and mindfulness methods. In just 10 days of usage, it has been shown to lower stress by 14%. It can also calm you down in minutes, boost your attention, and have you enjoy the best night’s sleep you’ve been longing for.

PsychologyCompass

Image Credits: getapp.com

The app’s goal is to use research to assist knowledge workers in attaining their optimum mental performance in a measured way. They provide a completely automated cognitive coach to help people in improving abilities including attention, communication, judgment calls, stress management, and more.

They do so by utilizing their free cognition calculator to get your benchmark rating on each category. Thereafter, you will start getting weekly bite-sized lessons based on psychological and neurological findings and content crafted by a team of PhDs that you can apply in your daily life. The app assesses your progression after each unit and tells you how far you’ve progressed.

Try these lesser-known co-working spaces for a change of environment

Though the authorities announced the easing of the work-from-home arrangement in December last year and up to 50% of employees who can work from home will be allowed to return to the office, the other half of us are still stuck with the default.

It’s not a bad idea to wake up late, not having to squeeze with a bunch of people on buses and trains, and drawing up reports in one’s favorite PJs. But too much of something is never too good. If you agree and need a change of environment, try these lesser-known co-working spaces that are ever-ready to welcome you to their premises.

Mox

Location: *SCAPE, The Rise @ Oxley, and Assemblage @ 362 Holland

Mox is a collaborative workspace and network for creative people to meet, engage, exchange, and invent. The diversity of events, work areas, social spaces, and folks in Mox help creatives develop and produce excellent works, whether they are enthusiasts, creative-preneurs, or established businesses.

The name derives from the word “moxie,” which denotes bravery, boldness, and audaciousness. It was created by the same folks that developed Artbox Singapore. The team thinks that their community demonstrates the guts to be unconventional and their shared spaces can physically connect people and allow individuals to produce extraordinary results via immersive experiences. Want to learn more about Mox and how having a creative workstation can help you succeed? They would be delighted to tour you around.

The Co.

Location: 99 Duxton Road, #02-00, Singapore 089543

The Co. is a community-run facility for the public. It’s a refreshing take on the neighborhood community center, and its mission is to bring people from all walks of life together in a welcoming and supportive environment while instilling new viewpoints via art, wellbeing, food, and beverages.

The community, which is housed in a heritage shophouse in the core of the culturally fascinating Duxton neighborhood, creates, curates, and hosts contextual, betterment, and social programs. They provide individual workplaces and a friendly and suitable shared work atmosphere with passionate hearts and brilliant minds, as well as being a communal area for your unique functions.

Found8

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Found8 (@found8sg)

Location: Amoy, Tanjong Pagar, and High Street Centre

Found8’s private offices are completely customizable, allowing you and your staff to work in an environment that satisfactorily suits you. Simply submit a request, and the team will do all the necessary to make your dream office a reality to the best of their abilities.

There are also choices for hot desks and dedicated workstations that are versatile and tailored to your working style. It provides opportunities to chat with fellow entrepreneurs across all of their center areas. Who knows you might find yourself sitting next to a prospective business partner or valuable investor the next time you’re clocking in at Found8? You can also engage with the community by attending periodic member-only events, which feature fascinating topics that are conducted on a rotating basis across their co-working spaces.

Trehaus

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trehaus (@trehausco)

Location: Trehaus @ City Hall, 109 North Bridge Road, #07-21 to #07-33, Singapore 179097 (via Lift Lobby A)

In this contemporary village, you won’t ever have to face a dilemma between work and family. Whether it’s a seat you can readily plug into a few afternoons a week or a room to get work meetings done, Trehaus Business Club could very well be the ideal space for you. It was founded by working parents who desire to concentrate on their careers without forsaking their families.

The brand is Singapore’s first flexible office with an adjacent preschool operated by kind and supportive caretakers, allowing you to work in peace while your child is tended to only steps away. And when your infant is ready for kindergarten, Trehaus School, which is located next door, will provide them with an elite education syllabus you can trust.

Gather Cowork

Location: 22 Martin Road, Level 3, Singapore 239058

Gather Cowork is a present-day coworking site that provides a variety of workplace alternatives, from S$750/month fixed desks with a view to S$900/month customizable and fully-furnished private offices, and meeting spaces for seminars, networking opportunities, and community engagements. There are also a variety of business services available.

The team strives to develop a tribe of like-minded folks that bring continual enthusiasm to their work tasks every day. They are located near the Central Business District (CBD) and are surrounded by a variety of fitness and lifestyle enterprises. Time to gather if you want to flourish together as a community at Gather Cowork. Did we mention that they are pet-friendly too?

The Great Room

Location: Afro Asia, Raffles Arcade, Ngee Ann City, Centennial Tower, and One George Street

The Great Room was founded in 2016 to revolutionize the way people want to work, socialize, and exchange ideas. It’s a space that’s perfect for serious conversations, deep reflection, and thorough research, but it’s also great for mingling and socializing. Trust us when we say it’s a fantastic place for both work and pleasure.

The team recognizes that a diverse workforce has a wide variety of demands and that meeting those needs necessitates flexibility. Their dedicated office solution is ideal for both established businesses and startup companies looking for a place to call home for the short or long term. The new age self-starters will be able to swiftly link up with the finest and brightest thanks to their well-structured common spaces. Each venue is sited in a bustling neighborhood in the heart of the city for the convenience you need.

All the F&B establishments you need to visit in February

Singaporeans love their food and the majority of us would flock to a newly opened F&B establishment when we catch news of it.

As most of us are supporters of the slogan ”Diet can start tomorrow”, we’re giving you a chance to continue with the Chinese New Year wave of sumptuous food with these relatively new-in-town food offerings. From laksa steamboat to siew baos and Din Tai Fung-style fried rice, here are all the F&B establishments you need to visit in February.

San Laksa

Location: 147 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208524

San Laksa, a steamboat restaurant on Kitchener Road, has reopened after 14 years in Telok Blangah. San Laksa’s owner claims that they are our sunny island’s first laksa steamboat expert.

If you like laksa, you certainly have to taste their famous laksa steamboat, which is a great combination of local culture and flavor. With a creamy coconut flavor and a tinge of spice, their classic curry laksa soup is offered. Please do ask for more chili if you have a spicier palette and prefer a pot that can match up to your taste buds. Lobster with laksa is one of San Laksa’s newest and more pricey selections, and there’s a CNY Lobster Promotion Set from S$88++ running till 15 February. Reservations are necessary, so phone them immediately to reserve your set!

Fei Lou Fatt

Location: 928 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 787121

Fei Lou Fatt is housed in a shophouse on Upper Thomson Road and will open to the public on 8 February. The founder of the famous Sembawang white bee hoon restaurant business has created this casual eatery.

A range of prawn and pork rib noodles with prawn soup that is slow-cooked every day for over 10 hours is the highlight of Fei Lou Fatt. It’s difficult not to get drunk in prawns, from basic prawn noodle bowls to large prawn noodle bowls and prawn & braised pork ribs noodles. If you want to go all out, get the Fei Lou Noodle, which includes abalones, giant prawns, and herb-braised pork ribs in mouthwatering prawn broth. Dry variations with specialty hae bee hiam will also be available.

Mr Shao Bao

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr.Shaobao (@mrshaobao)

Location: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-K3, Singapore 608532

Do you want to enjoy a box of baked crispy pork buns with your family? Mr Shao Bao is owned by a Singapore Permanent Resident who received training in Seremban to gain knowledge on how to produce the pastry and observe how things were run at a well-known 40-year-old siew bao store in Negeri Sembilan’s capital.

Traditional siew baos with a unique touch is the focus of Mr Shao Bao’s menu. Siew baos adorned with a piece of cheddar cheese or covered with the sweet crust of a bolo bun are now on the menu. There are also floss and bacon versions. According to the brand, a truffle rendition might be launched soon.

Little Grain Coffee

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Little Grain (@littlegraincafe)

Location: 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

Little Grain Coffee, as the name implies, is a little takeout shop with only two al-fresco counter chairs that recently debuted outside Lucky Plaza. The cute cafe was founded by the same people that brought you Grain Alley in Orchard Central and Grain Works at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

Little Grain Coffee’s menu includes a variety of teas and coffees, as well as alcoholic beverages starting at S$5.80. Salads, desserts, and pastries are also available as light nibbles to accompany your drinks. Those who are lactose sensitive may appreciate the fact that oat milk is available as a substitute at no additional costs.

The Butcher’s Dining

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MiddleClass.sg (@middleclasssg)

Location: 593 Havelock Road, #01-03, Singapore 169641

The Butcher’s Dining is a posh butcher’s shop that also doubles as a grocery store. A trendy Korean couple who formerly owned a Japanese restaurant at Odeon Towers, as well as other Korean and Italian F&B establishments in shopping malls, are behind this initiative.

Our focus is on the connected café, which is helmed by a Korean head chef who formerly worked at Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro & Oyster Bar at Marina Bay Sands and Meatsmith, a prominent American barbecue restaurant. Old-school pork cutlets, spicy pork kimbap, and rice with bulgogi-like meat are all on the menu. We suggest wrapping your meal up with an MIMC Jeju Tangerine Pound Cake.

Ah Keat Chicken Rice

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ah Keat Chicken Rice (@ahkeatchickenrice)

Location: Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, 163 Bukit Merah Central, #02-35, Singapore 150163

Ah Keat Chicken Rice was founded by a Culinary Institute of America 2020 alumnus who worked as an apprentice at Shunfu Mart Food Centre’s Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice before his venture.

You can expect the chicken meat to be soft and juicy, with the right film of gelatin behind the skin. Also aromatic, springy, and not overly greasy or salty is the rice. We certainly don’t need to go much further in the description, especially when coupled with the appetite-inducing house-made chili-ginger sauce. Greens, liver, and gizzards, as well as a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, can be added to upgrade your plate. For a lower-calorie meal, try their signature porridge instead.

Ding Gua Gua Fried Rice

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ding Gua Gua (@dggfriedrice)

Location: Block 69 Bedok South Avenue 3, #01-498, Singapore 460069

Ding Gua Gua Fried Rice is overseen by a chef with 13 years of Din Tai Fung experience and a former restaurant manager who has worked with Din Tai Fung before. They’re joined by a partner who manages the company’s back-end operations.

You would have guessed that the simple hawker stall specializes in fried rice, and of course, one inspired by Din Tai Fung. There are four different types of fried rice to pick from, each with shrimp, luncheon meat, a fried pork chop, or Taiwanese sausage. Spicy crunchy cucumber, hot and sour soup, and handmade crispy prawn fritters are among the side dishes available on the menu.

Best bars to grab your booze in 2022

Thinking of visiting some freshly opened bars in Singapore to grab your booze? We’ve got the new names in town just for you. But before you go with bae or enjoy a quiet night alone, make sure you know how to order booze without embarrassing yourself.

You know the saying that goes, “Ask and you shall receive?”, it works. It also doesn’t hurt to equip yourself with some bar lingo before you go on your date. Checking the menu beforehand can also go a long way to ease you into your visit.

Once you’re ready, call in to make a reservation to secure your seats. Here are the best bars to grab your booze in 2022.

Atlas

Location: 600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778

Atlas is a magnificent bar located on the ground floor of Singapore’s renowned Parkview Square skyscraper in the iconic Bugis neighborhood. A genuinely amazing assortment of cocktails influenced by the Arts Décoratifs can be expected.

The team is glad to provide a beverage exactly suited to your event and as spectacular as the surroundings, from an adventurous Old Tom & Tonic to a classic creamy Atlas Espresso Martini inspired by period trademarks. Two of the world’s most impressive physical collections of gin and champagne are housed at the Atlas Collections too. It’s a labor of love that took two years to put together, with contributions from generous pals, distillers, and vintners from all around the world.

Mo Bar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mandarin Oriental, Singapore (@mo_singapore)

Location: 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797

Head to Mo Bar if you want a dynamic experience that highlights our little red dot’s flavors and fragrances. It has also been named one of the world’s and Asia’s 50 best bars last year, having been driven by the wonderful culture of Asia’s ports.

Using the best ingredients and cutting-edge processes, Mandarin Oriental’s creative staff creates unique cocktails and drinks that vary from crisp to spirituous. It’s safe to say that Mo Bar is one of the trendiest places in Singapore, so grab your Skyline Whisky or a Daintree Gin and enjoy the stunning views of Marina Bay with your friends and loved ones.

Bar Uva

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bar Uva (@baruvasg)

Location: 24 Purvis Street, Singapore 188601

Bar Uva is a brand new all-encompassing wine bar initiative from the same folks behind Nutmeg & Clove and Tess Bar & Kitchen. For most who do not know Italian, “uva” is a term that indicates grapes, which makes a fitting name for this sophisticated brand.

This bar was founded with the intention of serving a wide range of wines at multiple prices. The team hopes to shift people’s perceptions of wines as being too difficult to appreciate, and to provide a location where wine enthusiasts of all levels may enjoy fine wines with a satisfying meal. Their wine selection includes approximately over 150 types, the majority of which are acquired abroad by the team themselves.

Analogue Initiative

Location: 30 Victoria Street, #01-31 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996

Analogue Initiative is headed by a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who want to make dining and drinking more socially responsible. To pioneer the modern-day bar scene, the team acts from a position of curiosity and a desire to enhance the eating and sipping experience by embracing new methods, innovations, and food products.

Their enthusiasm is at the core of their job, whether it’s exploring tactics to make their food establishment more accessible, selecting foods that have a low environmental burden, or rethinking energy and resource consumption. We took a look at their drinks menu and think you will fancy their offerings from classics to spritzers and non-alcoholic beverages. There are even uniquely concocted cocktails with peanut butter and mushroom jerkies!

Iko Restaurant and Bar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IKO Restaurant and Bar (@iko.sg)

Location: 65 Neil Road, Singapore 088897

iKO has re-risen after overcoming adversity. In daily Japanese, iKO means “let’s go,” and it emerges with a fresh resolution to shake up the meal experience with the enticing grace of a geisha. Tapping into the conventional and genuine Japanese cuisine for creative references, iKO also allows the seasons and their bounty to influence its food repertoire.

The remodeled restaurant and bar’s semordnilap “oki,” which means “ocean” in Japanese, makes up a significant part of their menu. Pair their cutting-edge cuisine with edgy natural wines or indulgent house and sparkling sakes. After surviving difficulties, iKO continues its tradition, much like the crane depicted in the establishment’s mural, which is an emblem of longevity and auspiciousness in Japanese culture.

Underground Taps Craft Beer Bar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Providore (@theprovidore)

Location: 6A Shenton Way, #B1-08 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

With the opening of their latest taproom, The Providore gets creative. The bar, which is located just behind the wine room at their Downtown Gallery branch, offers over 50 craft beers from across the world, as well as a changing quarterly selection of four distinct beers on tap.

We took a look at their menu in advance to spot all the quirky beverages before you so you know what to spot when you visit in person. Some of our favorites include the Wychwood Hobgoblin with full-bodied toffee flavor and the Sori Brewing Hybrid Treats 2, Belgian Waffle, with roast-like maple syrup, and waffle flavors. If you’re team pancakes instead, you will love the Maltgarden Can’t Wait to Eat You that literally tastes like pancakes.

Take bae to these lovely restaurants with a view

Is there a better way to enhance your eating experience than to sit in a restaurant that has a breathtaking view?

In a garden city like Singapore, there are lots of opportunities to dine in beautiful surroundings, whether it’s with your favorite group of mates or your significant other. At these eateries, grab a seat by the waters or hop on an elevator to the top for a bird’s eye view of the city skyline.

Here’s a list of restaurants you can take bae to on your next special occasion.

Vue

Location: OUE Bayfront, 50 Collyer Quay Rooftop Level 19, Singapore 049321

VUE, positioned above OUE Bayfront on Collyer Quay, offers a chef-driven menu with binchōtan-grilled specialties at the center of its gourmet offerings, supported by a diverse wine list. It also has our little red dot’s first rooftop spritz bar, which distinguishes it from other diners in the city.

Executive Chef Sam Chin, who has over ten years of expertise specializing in modern European cuisine, is the star of the show at VUE. He takes satisfaction in bringing VUE’s vision of offering a chef-driven menu that highlights the real flavors of quality ingredients while delighting guests with every bite they take.

LeVeL33

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LeVeL33 (@level33_sg)

Location: 8 Marina Boulevard, #33-01, Singapore 018981

LeVeL33 is the world’s tallest urban microbrewery and a distinct award-winning rooftop dining experience. The Marina Bay Financial Centre’s penthouse suite offers a breathtaking view of Singapore’s Marina Bay and the skyline.

Freshly brewed beers by resident Brewmaster Gabriel Garcia, the open counter cold kitchen, and the expertly chosen boutique wine selection showing labels with no more than 5,000 cases of production each are all examples of craftsmanship at LeVeL33. Whether it’s a casual weekend lunch, a glass of white wine and fresh oysters at the Raw Bar, or a more dressy feast in the Barons de Rothschild private dining room, there’s something for everyone. The spectacular view and atmosphere will ensure the ideal atmosphere for any function.

Panamericana

Location: 27 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore 099892

Panamericana has a prominent location on Singapore’s most famous golf club, located against the enthralling South China Sea, providing a tranquil and sophisticated environment with mesmerizing ocean views.

It features a full-stocked bar, a delightful and roomy indoor dining area with large windows, and an airy long verandah that’s specially arched to give an unobstructed view of the waters. It is bordered by the beautiful golf course on one corner and tropical greenery on the other, and a perfectly trimmed lawn with expansive outdoor dining space.

Shunjuu Izakaya

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shunjuu Izakaya (@shunjuuizakaya)

Location: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-15, Riverside View, Singapore 238251

Shunjuu Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant that offers an intriguing menu of casual charcoal-grill Japanese favors. We suggest ordering a variety of dishes and pairing them with their array of Japanese sake on the menu.

The little sanctuary is directly in front of the Singapore River and is set in Robertson Quay, just a stroll away from Clarke Quay. With a riverbank view, diners may savor Japanese cuisine outdoors. You may also request a seat in front of the open kitchen to see the grill in operation, which is frequently chosen by Japanese expats and local residents.

Mykonos on the Bay

Location: 31 Ocean Way, #01-10, Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098375

Mykonos On The Bay is the brainchild of co-owners Executive Chef Mauro Muroni and General Manager Gerri Sottile’s experiences working in Greek Tavernas in Greece. Their focus as part of the Mangiatutto Group of Restaurants is on traditional Greek food prepared with the freshest produce.

Apart from the main food and drink selection, we like that it also has a kids’ menu! As a result, couples with children may enjoy a meal at the seaside together. Step in and you will be welcomed by their Greek-imported blue and white furniture and decorations, which perfectly fits in right beside the beautiful marina.

Dusk Restaurant & Bar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mount Faber Leisure (@mountfaberleisure)

Location: Faber Peak Singapore, Level 2, 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099203

Dusk Restaurant & Bar, located 100m above sea level and surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna, is the ideal viewing platform for the beautiful landscapes of HarbourFront and Sentosa Island. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets in this sheltered location while dining on Modern European cuisines, expertly picked wines, and distinct nitro-frosted concoctions.

Executive Chef Kenny Yeo, a culinary professional with over 30 years of expertise in French cuisine, will provide you and your loved one with a memorable gourmet experience. This is one of the best outdoor hangouts for anything from a sweet date to an informal meet-up.

Zafferano Italian Restaurant & Lounge

Location: 10 Collyer Quay, Level 43 Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315

Zafferano, which is located 43 levels above lively Collyer Quay in the core of Singapore’s CBD and tops the Ocean Financial Centre, provides diners with a mesmerizing backdrop and an unparalleled experience of all-around Italian hospitality.

The Terrace Lounge, with its majestic cathedral-like proportions, lush foliage, and panoramic vistas, is a fantastic spot for al fresco socializing with companions over beverages. It has its dedicated bar, stools, and comfy couches where you can chill and soak up the vibe and beautiful scenery of the dazzling Marina Bay skyline while sipping on carefully-curated cocktails and snacking on light bites. Just what you need for a romantic evening!