Beginner’s Guide To Cooking Your Own Meals

Nothing screams “labor of love” louder than preparing a homecooked meal for your family. Apart from showing your affection, cooking your own meals can help you save a lot of money. With the wealth of information available online, where do you begin?

KEY BENEFITS OF COOKING AT HOME

1. Cooking at home can help you save money. In most cases, cooking your own means are cheaper than eating out. There are several factors contributing to the reduced price of your meal. For starters, cooking at home enables you to opt for affordable ingredients. Moreover, you will have the power to create your own meal plans and shopping lists. Lastly, you can reheat your leftovers when you do not have time to cook.

2. Cooking at home allows you to connect with those around you. You do not have to be a distinguished chef to prepare delicious meals with your loved ones. Spend quality time together by allowing your kids decorate the desserts you have baked or by preparing a romantic dinner with your partner.

“Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.” ~ Guy Fieri

3. Cooking at home encourages control in food portions, especially for people with dietary restrictions. Restaurants do not rely on your preferred food portions. They serve you plates based on their standard portions instead. To get the most out of your money, you will likely finish the entire plate. In contrast, preparing your meals allows you to be more intentional with food servings. Filling your plate with what you can finish aids in reducing waste.

4. Cooking at home enables you to choose healthier options. Fast food typically glistens with high chemical additives, sugar, sodium, and so on. Eating fast food regularly can negatively affect your weight and mood. Eat fresh and wholesome meals by making your own food. Eating healthy meals can make you feel energized on the inside and out.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED

1. Ask a friend to teach you the basics. Do you know someone who is kitchen savvy? Perhaps, he or she can teach you some of the cooking basics (e.g., steam, fry, and sauté). You can even invite your closest friends for a private “cooking tutorial” via Skype or Zoom.

2. Learn from a local cooking class. Many affordable culinary programs are offered at CCs islandwide. The prices of these classes start from S$16.66. Choose wisely as some of these classes are merely demonstrations with food tasting. Check out the class descriptions and book a slot in the OnePA portal.

3. Keep things simple! Start with the easy recipes and work your way from there. Learn how to sauté veggies, boil egg, and steam chicken. Add herbs, spices, or your secret sauce. Look for quick and tasty dishes online.

4. Give yourself a room for improvement. It is alright to burn the rice or overcook the noodles in your first cooking sessions. After several attempts, things will get easier and tastier. Continue practicing at home.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

As time passes, cooking will no longer become a chore. Do not give up!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Coastal PlayGrove: Say Hello to the Newest Playground in East Coast

Looking for a recreational space where you can spend a day of endless fun? Search no further than the newest addition at East Coast Park! National Parks Board recently opened the family friendly Coastal PlayGrove. It is located at the Area B of the East Coast Park.

This recreational space may induce nostalgic memories as it was the former Big Splash site. The iconic Big Splash was redeveloped into the Coastal PlayGrove after it ceased its operations in 2016. Nowadays, we will be able to enjoy a 4.5-hectare recreation space with a Play Tower, a water play area, an outdoor classroom, as well as retail and dining offerings.

Let us breakdown Coastal PlayGrove’s interesting features. One of its main attractions is the 16m-high Play Tower. This impressive structure is hard to miss due to its massive size and its vibrant design. At its center is the Vertical Challenge. The Vertical Challenge is made up of climbing nets, which ascend from the base to the top of the building. Its dynamic design is a tribute to the coastal heritage of East Coast Park. Moreover, its vibrant colors are the same as the previous water slides. The Vertical Challenge is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 8am to 8pm. The slides are open daily, from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the tower is a water play area. If your kids are looking for ways to cool down on a hot day, try playing at the water play area. This area consists of wading pools, which are connected by a stream with numerous water jets. What is more? These water jets vividly light up at night!

Here are some friendly reminders when playing in this area. It is suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years old. A toilet is located nearby to allow visitors to dry up and change out. Lastly, it follows the same schedule as the Vertical Challenge.

As you stroll further in the Coastal PlayGrove, you will be delighted with the Nature Playgarden. This playgarden allows guests to be immersed with the beauty of nature. It is divided into several themed sections to introduce kids to the different habitats. In all these sections, natural materials such as wood and sand were used. For instance, the first section lets the children explore the bamboo tunnel trail. The last section consists of a trail leading to a sand pit with planted native shrubs. You will be able to spot various fruits and flowers as well as animals such as butterflies and birds. Its biodiversity aims to ignite the curiosity of its guests.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the Nature Playgarden is an Outdoor Classroom made for the preschoolers. It is equipped with chalkboard and log stools. Indulge in the coastal views as you learn with your child.

Aside from these interactive features, the Coastal PlayGrove has its own Event Lawn. Large events may not be permitted now, but this spacious Event Lawn can accommodate a whopping 5,000 people once the pandemic is over. Nonetheless, you can use this space by having a seaside picnic, a relaxing kite-flying session, or an exhilarating round of frisbee with your loved ones.

When visiting the Coastal PlayGrove, it is important to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and other safety protocols. With this newest addition to the East Coast Park, guests will be able to bask in the sun, immerse in nature’s beauty, and have a quality time with the whole family.

 

 

Address: East Coast Park, 902 E Coast Park Service Rd, Area B, Singapore 449874
Contact: www.nparks.gov.sg
Arrive by riding the bus (31, 36, 43, 47, 48, 134, 135, 196, 197, 401, 853M) or by driving your vehicle. There is a spacious car park with current charges of $0.60 per half hour. Bicycle bays are also available.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

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Decoding 8 Common Dreams About Money & Success

Weird, hilarious, senseless, or symbolic are just some of the words that you can use to describe your dreams. It should not really make sense at first because dreams are encrypted messages from our unconscious mind. This is the reason why some dreams are worth interpreting.

Different theories surround dream interpretation. For instance, Sigmund Freud (Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis) argued that dreams are disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes and motivations. Carl Jung, on the other hand, saw dreams as prospective and universal. He believed that our dreams have universal meanings across cultures. Their works paved way for the creation of dream dictionaries.

Decoding our dreams may bring awareness to our conscious mind. All you need is to identify the central symbols or themes and look at it as a whole. You can come up with two more or more interpretations for a specific dream sequence. All these interpretations can fit your life.

Now, let us focus on the dreams surrounding money. Dreams about money can represent concepts such as love, responsibility, time, energy, friendship, and more.

WASTING MONEY

If you dreamt about spending a lot of cash in a dream, what could this mean? Well, spending a lot of money in your sleeping state can be a sign that you are carelessly spending in real life. Take cues from your unconscious mind and consider being more intentional when it comes to your purchases.

In its latent form, wasting money in a dream can be associated with how you obtain your goals. If you feel like you are wasting your money in a dream, this can mean that you are wasting your energy on something in real life. You may reprioritize some categories in your budget to stay closer to your goals.

LOSING MONEY

Losing money in a dream may be a sign that your actual financial state is unstable. It can represent a general worry that things are beyond your control or an unpleasant feeling that your finances are out of control.

Focusing on what you can control takes discipline. It is a practice that takes conscious effort and energy. You may start by assessing your cash flow.

WINNING THE LOTTERY

Many people fantasize of winning the lottery. In fact, the next TOTO draw is today at 9:30 pm. Its estimated jackpot is at $8,000,000 (as of April 1, 2021). Who would not want to win that? In dreams, winning the lottery can be seen as a life-changing stroke of luck.

Dreaming about winning the lottery can be associated with freedom, responsibility, and happiness. It is not just about monetary gain. You may interpret it as gaining recognition or friendship. Alternatively, you may interpret it as not taking responsibility for your own actions or decisions.

OWNING A LUXURY CAR

A friend of mine once shared about his dream of driving a car. In his dream, he was driving a red luxury car while going around town. According to dream dictionaries, driving a car can mean many things. For starters, a car can represent one’s ability to efficiently make decisions in each situation. When a car is being driven fast, it can be an indication that you are currently feeling stressed out.

Let us go back to my friend’s dream. Driving an expensive vehicle in a dream may mean that you feel like you have an effective strategy in place. Moreover, driving a red car is seen as a symbol of love. His dream may be interpreted as his journey towards finding someone special.

STEALING MONEY

Stealing money in your dream may be a sign that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want. How you feel about acquiring the money can also be an indication of how you feel about going through extreme measure to accomplish something in real life.

Are you willing to exhaust all your efforts to reach what you want in life? This is worth pondering about!

HUNTING FOR A JOB

The act of searching for a job in a dream can mean that you are seeking for a new challenge or personal improvement. It may also indicate that you are having a hard time with your current position and you are looking for a new one.

LENDING SOMEONE MONEY

Lending someone money in a dream supposedly means that you are letting people borrow your time, energy, or attention. Who are you lending the money to? This may indicate that you are worried about a friend who is going through a rough time or a family member who has been making some questionable decisions in their career.

Nonetheless, it can be your unconscious mind’s way of telling you that you need to pay attention to these people.

CLIMBING THE STAIRS

For the past few weeks, I noticed a recurring symbol in my dream. I often dreamt about climbing the stairs. Its frequent occurrence ignited my curiosity in interpreting my dream. Dream dictionaries often associate stairs with progress in certain areas of your life. It can represent feelings of success, failure, fear, and improvement. These feelings depend on whether you ascend or descend a staircase.

If you are happily ascending the flight of stairs, it may mean that you are confident in the face of promotion or moving forward. It can also mean that you are undergoing growth in your experience. In contrast, going down the staircase can mean that you are feeling overlooked for a promotion or you feel like you are descending from a personal stature. It can indicate feelings of failure.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER: The meanings behind the dreams are subjective. While others believe that dreams have symbols attached to it, some may see it as mere electrical brain impulses. It is up to you to interpret your dream symbols and how they apply to your personal life. Ultimately, dreams can help you alter your direction and show your innermost emotions.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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4 Challenges of Budgeting in 2021

Stating that “2020 has been a tough year” is an understatement. Words cannot describe how much we have been affected by the past year. I, for one, was tasked to let go of employees due to financial constraints. It was not easy! It was one of the hardest decisions that I had to tackle because I have seen these people grow. Moreover, I felt responsible for their well-beings too. However, downsizing was essential for the company to survive.

Our stories may vary, but one thing remains the same. We have all endured the physical, mental, and financial toll that came with the pandemic. As we adapt to the “new normal”, we come to realize how challenging it is to keep a budget. You not only have to fight the urge of spending money, but you also must follow the budget despite unforeseen hurdles.

On that note, here are some of the common challenges that you may experience as you establish your budget.

#1: HIGH COST OF LIVING IN SINGAPORE

The cost of living in Singapore is one of the external factors that you have consider when making your budget. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) survey conducted in 2020, Singapore ranked fourth in the global list of the most expensive cities. The WCOL is a bi-annual survey that compares more than 400 individual prices across 138 products and services in over 130 cities worldwide. Zurich, Paris, and Hong Kong preceded Singapore.

Whether you are a young working adult or a foreign migrant worker, you must set a realistic amount for your spending each month. Take each financial category into consideration. For instance, you should have at least S$700 to S$1,500 a month if you are renting a space. If you are eligible to purchase an HDB property, you should set aside at least S$1,500 to S$3,000 a month. Your daily expenses and your overall lifestyle may change to fit your budget.

#2: LABOR-INTENSIVE TRACKING SYSTEM

Many people are afraid of establishing a budget due to the labor-intensive tracking system. Tracking your spending and income may seem like a chore at first, but you will be more comfortable as time passes. Start by tracking your receipts and other spending through a notebook or a spreadsheet. The rise of apps paved way for computer programs that are dedicated to tracking your spending. Find an app that works for you!

Being diligent with noting down your expenses takes practice. If you forget to write down important receipts, inaccuracies in your budget may occur. You may notice that your savings account depleted without knowing where your money went.

#3: DIFFERENCES IN CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT

The means of getting your income can affect your budget. What is the frequency of your paycheck? The first company I worked for paid us every end of the month. In contrast, the last company I worked for paid its employees every two weeks. Getting your paycheck once a month can entail different issues.

For some people, they experience stress as they wait for the next paycheck to come. It is hard for them to make ends meet because they see their money disappear in the first two weeks alone. These scenarios highlight an issue of cash flow management.

Waiting for your next paycheck can cause stress and anxiety. If you are paid once a month, consider dividing your income per week. Allocate enough money for the remaining weeks by keeping them in your savings account. Doing this will enable you to create a system that resembles being paid on a weekly basis.

#4: EXPENSES EXCEED INCOME

Many families have been painfully affected with job loss, reduced income, and prolonged unemployment in the past year. Recovery takes time. However, our bills remain the same. The effects of pandemic and the limitations in our income will greatly affect how we budget our money in the year 2021.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As I leave my full-time job this month, I will need to take serious lifestyle changes at heart. The first step is to eliminate all unnecessary spending. It is important to focus on the necessary expenses such as rent, food, healthcare, and transportation. The next step is to carefully track my expenses with budgeting tools. Lastly, it is important to become flexible when it comes to budgeting and to adjust my spending depending on my needs and income streams.

Cutting down one’s expenses is a sensible solution for the time being. Finding a permanent solution to this…is the challenge.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How To Cope With Job Loss

Speak from the heart and try to answer this question: “What do you do?”

Many of us may respond to this query by elaborating on our professions. I would do the same thing too. You see, our jobs are deeply integrated into our identities. Work helps us to satisfy our needs to earn money, to achieve goals, and to connect with others. It gives a sense of purpose and greatly affects our means of living. Therefore, job loss can be overwhelming.

It is common to feel like a part of you was lost. This loss can take a toll on your mental and physical health. As you through the process of adjustment, the next phase needs to be intentional. Let this article help you with that. Here are some of the steps that you may take after losing your job.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO GRIEVE AND ADJUST

The latest figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed an increase in the country’s annual unemployment rate. The overall Annual Average Unemployment Rate in 2020 was 3%, compared to 2.3% in 2019. Many people have experienced unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjusting to unemployment and grieving over job loss takes time. If you recently lost your job, it is important to accept that the process cannot be rushed. Rushing your feelings may lead to projecting unpleasant emotions during a job interview. Let everything simmer down first.

Losing your job may feel the same way as losing an integral part of yourself. You will undergo the grieving process and may feel the following stages: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. Do not be too hard on yourself. Accepting that these changes take time can help ease the healing process.

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

There are two ways to perceive your current situation. In most cases, losing your job or your source of income is difficult. Whether it has something to do with your performance or with the current economic situation, it is normal to feel worried about the future after job loss.

You can either look at it as a career barrier or a temporary setback. If you look at things in a bird’s eye view, you will realize that success in life is measured by how we respond to its challenges and setbacks. It is up to you to alter your mindset.

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE

At first, taking care of yourself is easier said than done. It is tempting to grab a bag of chips and wallow in self-pity as you sit in front of the television. The feelings you may experience in the first couple of weeks or months may be overwhelming. However, you must not neglect your own well-being.

The healing of your mental health requires physical resilience. It takes a lot of effort to take care of yourself and to build healthy habits that will keep your immune system strong. Start by being intentional with what you eat. You may even grow your own greens at home. Furthermore, you can plan out an exercise routine that will work best for you. Use your energy to fulfill productive tasks such as gardening and job hunting.

SEEK SOCIAL SUPPORT

As you are dealing with a range of emotions, refrain from isolating yourself. Having social support is crucial in times of struggle. It will help you overcome the loneliness you feel during the grieving process. Moreover, talking to someone about your current situation will help you acknowledge your feelings.

Talk to the people whom you trust. Your confidant does not have to offer upfront solutions, he or she just needs to be a good listener. Good listeners listen actively without passing judgment or being distracted. Alternatively, you may join support groups online.

ESTABLISH A DAILY ROUTINE

Maintaining a daily routine goes together with taking care of yourself. While it is possible for you to stay in bed the whole day, setting a regular schedule can help regulate your mood. Studies have shown that following a routine can help ward off depression. A routine will give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment as you complete your daily household tasks. Furthermore, not setting boundaries for yourself may lead to eating poorly or other unhealthy habits.

Write down the tasks that you aim to fulfill within the day. Maintain a body clock by setting up a timer. The timer will give you an external cue to wake up and to sleep on scheduled hours. This will help you create a sense of normalcy and prevent you from staying up all night. Additionally, you may incorporate your meal preparations, family visits, skin care regimens, and exercise plans within your daily routine. Remember that practicing self-care and maintaining good hygiene can help boost your mood.

SET LIMITS ON YOUR JOB SEARCH

Try not to add unnecessary pressure on yourself! You are already going through a lot. Despite how anxious you are to get a new job, spending all your time on job search can be stressful and frustrating. Know that you are doing your best.

Try setting aside a certain number of hours within a day for your job applications. The remaining parts of your day may be dedicated to self-care, taking care of your family, and to other productive tasks. The unexpected time off can be challenging, but you may use it as an opportunity to do something that you have always been busy for.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What are some of the things that you have put aside because you were too busy with your job? Whether you want to learn a new language or to clean out your closet, find hobbies and projects that will occupy your time. Now is your chance to focus on the things you are passionate about!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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