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!
Throughout your life, you might have dismissed hypnosis as nothing more than an incredible magic trick therapists use to earn money. However, hypnosis can play a significant role in the form of psychotherapy called hypnotherapy.
In a COVID-19 world where mental and physical health may be worsening, hypnotherapy can reverse those effects by guiding you through relaxation, concentration, and attention to achieve an elevated state of awareness and mindfulness.
Let’s face it – no one wants to deal with heightened anxiety in an already stressful world. That’s why people are often drawn to hypnotherapy for its effectiveness in lowering their stress and anxiety levels.
No matter whether your struggle comes from relationships, academic work, changing career paths, or the uncertainty that comes with the pandemic, hypnotherapy can be your go-to solution before you pop the pill.
#2: Control of alcohol addiction
Another benefit of undergoing hypnotherapy is that it empowers you with more control over your alcohol drinking habits.
Folks who’ve developed an alcohol addiction and found it hard to moderate how often you drink for work or leisure, hypnotherapy can help to rewire your mind so you can depend less on alcohol.
#3: Cope with prolonged health issues
Image Credits: scripps.org
When you’re diagnosed and dealing with chronic health problems, it’s not only hard to face those issues physically but also emotionally.
That’s where hypnotherapy can come in handy, by helping you to better cope with your conditions and power through the painful symptoms you may experience. Be it high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or migraines, you may want to give hypnotherapy a try.
#4: Build self-worth
It’s almost impossible to come across a person who has never had to question their self-worth. When life throws us all sorts of lemons, we may inevitably doubt ourselves, our abilities, or our body image.
Thankfully, all hope is not lost. Hypnotherapy can help us to focus on being more assertive from within. Give it a go if you want to strengthen your self-esteem to counter life’s most demanding challenges.
#5: Ease food phobias
Do you know that there is a medical condition for food phobias? It’s named cibophobia, and Healthline defines it as the fear of food. These are the commonly known ones:
Leftovers
Undercooked foods
Foods prepared by others
Perishables like fresh fruits
Foods near expiration dates
There are various ways to treat cibophobia, and hypnotherapy is one of them. A typical session would involve a hypnotherapist offering you verbal cues or suggestions to reduce the adverse reactions you have towards certain food types.
#6: Facilitate fear of nausea and vomiting
Image Credits: yourtango.com
Since we’ve just looked at food phobias, there is another phobia that hypnotherapy can heal. Emetophobia is the name to note.
Besides taking medications and undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), one may want to try hypnosis.
#7: Work towards better sleep
No matter if it’s insomnia, sleeping too much, or just wacky sleep schedules in general, sleep-related issues are huge problems many people are undergoing.
Adequate sleep is essential as it’s one of the most critical factors in regulating one’s health. Hypnotherapy can play a considerable part in repairing your sleep schedule and ensuring you get a night of proper deep sleep.
Want to feel much more rested and restored than before? You know what to do.
Your ability to concentrate or hear external sounds could also be impacted by ongoing tinnitus. If that is you, you may want to opt for hypnotherapy. By being put into a trance-like state with a trained professional, you can rework your perception of sounds.
In the long run, it can make you less bothered by it, even if your condition still lingers.
Speaking of which, the fear of these commonly long and penetrating needles on the skin can be too much to bear for some. Despite this fear, getting injected is necessary to protect our body against harmful viruses.
To make this process a lot more stress-free, hypnotherapy can work to combat needle phobia and anxiety.
Final thoughts
Need help getting started? Check out this article on some of the best hypnotherapy sessions you can go through in Singapore or read about an actual experience here. Remember to do your due research and clarify with your hypnotherapist whenever in doubt.
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.
Life isn’t easy, and that’s the truth for everyone. No matter how put together your peers may seem on social media or real life, we all go through our challenging moments that can make rising out of bed the most difficult task to do in the morning.
From rough patches in our careers to tensions in our relationships, there can be a sea of reasons why we feel like giving up. When things have been hopeless for such a long time, and the universe seems like it has an agenda against us, walking away can feel like the most natural thing to do.
As time goes on, it can be difficult to remember why you started something in the first place, whether it be a job, relationship, or business venture. You might have strayed so far from your original vision that you simply fell out of passion.
However, it’s possible to gain instant motivation. Sit down for a moment and think about your ‘why.’ For example, these questions might help:
Why did you start your business?
What’s the main reason for pursuing this relationship?
Why did you fight for this job opportunity in the first place?
By thinking through your initial motivations, you will break through the clouds to find the clarity that will keep you going in life. Every quarter of the year or so, be sure to reflect on your ‘why’ to keep at what you’re doing.
#2: Embrace discomfort
Image Credits: MarketWatch
No matter how much we all hope that life would be constantly fun and worry-free, we know that that’s not what it’s supposed to be. The sooner you can embrace discomfort as part of your life’s journey, the faster you can move past your obstacles and reframe them to your advantage.
If life ever gets too overwhelming at some point, take time out to breathe, focus, and reset. Life pushes you around to try to teach you a lesson. The sooner you seek to embrace the challenges it throws, the easier it is to keep moving along.
When you feel like giving up, doing small acts of kindness might be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s more than worth it to try.
The next time you’re out dining, smile at a stranger at the restaurant, or if you’re bold enough, strike up a conversation with your favourite hawker. If you’ve got more time on your hands, take a shot at volunteering and helping those who are in worse situations than you are.
Engaging in these little acts can help you gain perspective and make you feel a whole lot better. This quote by Barbara De Angelis rightly puts it, “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
#4: Share your goals
Image Credits: vecteezy.com
If you’ve ever set goals for yourself, you might have felt far more comfortable keeping them to yourself. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, as we’ve mentioned in this article, you’ve got to embrace discomfort and open yourself up to vulnerability. You can start down that path by sharing your goals with people you trust and have them be your accountability partners.
They can help you stay true to your aims and show you that tough love to keep you on track, whichever point of life’s marathon you’re at.
#5: Reflect and have gratitude
It can be way too easy to dwell on your past or get overly obsessed with your future self. But it’s more than important to live in the present moment. Stop the motion of your life to observe the sky and the nature around you. Spend some time meditating if you must.
Observe all the little good things that are happening, and take the time to be grateful for what you have. Also, never forget to acknowledge any past progress you’ve made, no matter how small you may think it might be.
The simple act of being thankful can transform your outlook on a lousy ditch you’re in.
#6: Give yourself a treat
Image Credits: bestinsingapore.com
Last but not least, always treat yourself.
You are your own worst critic, so go easy and hit that bed an hour earlier than your usual snooze time. Or book an appointment to go to the spa, lay on the couch and binge that latest Netflix series, drink your favourite bubble milk tea, and do whatever makes you happy.
After all, life is short. You should spend time building on your goals but never neglect the fun side of life to re-energise you when the time calls for it.
It’s the height of the Sakura season in Japan now – the blooms might be far away, but you may still get a taste of Japan right here in Singapore.
Get tipsy on the Spring flavours of Ohanami Umeshu (IPPUDO Singapore), The Spring Equinox (Taki Izakaya Bar) cocktail, Ichigo Sawa (VUE) or a Pink Grapefruit Highball (&JOY Dining Hall)! Not a fan of alcohol? Do try the Sakura Latte (tcc – The Connoisseur Concerto).
Also fill your tummies with a series of carefully curated Sakura dishes such as the Satsuma Wagyu Steak Foie Gras (Sushi Tei), Chirashi Zushi (Tomo Izakaya) or opt for a seasonal Spring Omakase menu (Takayama). Or simply munch on the Sakura Ebi Tempura (Sushi-GO) and Sakura Hako Sushi (Kuriya Japanese Market) for a lighter bite!
Be it whether you have a sweet tooth, looking for a fun spring-inspired alcohol or simply craving for the best flavours of Spring, there’s definitely something in store for you. These Spring-exclusive offerings will be available for a limited time only – don’t miss out!
1. Kuriya Japanese Market
Waltz into the Spring Season with Kuriya Japanese Market and Sushi-GO’s Limited Edition Sakura-Inspired Sushi, Snacks and Desserts starting from $2!
Launching the new exclusive sushi creations this spring season, dig into the Sakura Ebi Inari, a sushi rice flavoured with seasoned sakura shrimp, along with chunks of cucumber, housed within sweet beancurd skin. Another to enjoy is the Sakura Hako Sushi, a trio of Japanese sea bream, salmon and tuna in one block of sushi topped with seasoned sakura shrimp. Get a roll of Sakura Duo Maki which features flavours of seasoned sakura shrimp, Japanese sea bream, avocado, egg, cucumber, Japanese rice seasoning.
Also not to be missed is the Kuriya Japanese Market Great World outlet exclusive Sakura Tai Chirashi Don, featuring Japanese sea bream, and a rose-shaped salmon sashimi cradling pearls of glistening salmon roe sitting on a bowl of sakura shrimp-flavoured sushi rice.
These spring-exclusives are available from 1 April – 31 May 2021.
Kuriya Japanese Market Spring Promotion
Sakura Sweets Promo: Any 2 Sakura Monaka / Sakura Daifuku Mochi for S$10 (UP: S$11.60)
Marshmallow Promo: Any 2 Jelly Filled Marshmallow (Strawberry / Blueberry) for S$5 (UP: S$5.60)
Address: Chinatown Point (#B1-23), Great World #B1-133 (within &JOY Dining Hall), Jurong Point (#B1-77), Nex (#B1-03) (within Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street), Causeway Point (#B1-17), JEM (#B1-01), Waterway Point (#B1-20), Tampines 1 (#B1-07), Tiong Bahru Plaza (#B1-137), Northpoint City (#B1-152), AMK Hub (#B2-52) WebsiteInstagramFacebook
2. Sushi-GO
To celebrate the sakura season, Sushi-GO will be launching four new Ohanami Specials from 1 April to 30 April 2021. Get these seasonal offerings delivered to your table on Sushi-GO’s conveyor belt in the shape of the Shinkansen train. The exquisite Sakura Roll (S$2.50) is made with sakura ebi, sakura fish powder, egg, cucumber, shrimp roe and crab stick whist the Sakura Ebi Tempura (S$6.20) sees the all-time favourite food flecked with sakura ebi. Boasting a pleasant citrusy note, the Tai Yuzu Sushi (S$3.20) is also simply addictive! Cap off the indulgence with the Sakura Jelly (S$3.80), which pleases with its floral note.
From 1 April to 30 Jun, delight your tastebuds with the flavours of springs at &JOY Bar as they offer 2 new Highball Flavours – Lychee & Pink Grapefruit. Enjoy the All day Highball promotion at &JOY Dining Hall (Great World)!
Address: Great World (#B1-133, within &JOY Dining Hall) Tel: +65 6235 1529 WebsiteInstagramFacebook
4. Takayama
Experience the ultimate indulgence in Japanese cuisine with Takayama’s brand new spring Omakase menu – Chef Taro Takayama has specially curated the spring Omakase menu to introduce the best flavours of Spring with the freshest seasonal ingredients! Be transported to Japan in its full spring glory as you savour the skilfully crafted spring Omakase menu handcrafted with ingredients at the peak of their season.
Relish the flavours of Spring with dishes featuring peak seasonal ingredients such as Sakura Ebi, which is named after cherry blossoms, and packed with deliciously sweet flavours, and the freshest Hotaruika (Firefly squid) from Toyama Prefecture, well known for its rich flavour and high nutritional value. Another notable ingredient is the bamboo shoot, a crunchy and juicy delicacy and a staple of springtime in Japan. The seasonal Spring Omakase menu is available during March and priced at $150++ for lunch and $280++ for dinner.
Address: Downtown Gallery (#01-09/10) Operating hours:
Mondays: 6.30pm to 10pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays 12pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10pm, Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays Tel: 6224 0864 WebsiteInstagramFacebook
Celebrate the arrival of Spring with a medley of delectable Roku Gin cocktails at VUE, amidst stunning views of Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline. Toast to Spring and take your pick from a choice of 6 refreshing and flavourful gin cocktails available for the month of April, all created with the beautifully aromatic and harmonious Roku Gin.
Six Japanese botanicals have been carefully selected and harvested at the peak of its season to create Roku Gin, extracting the best flavour and distilled to fully embody the blessings of nature. Look forward to delicious cocktails such as the Roku Gin & Tonic, Japanese Harmony, Ichigo Sawa and more!
Address: OUE Bayfront (Rooftop Level 19) Operating hours: Lunch: Monday – Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm (last order), Weekend “Surf & Turf” Lunch: Saturday & Sunday, 12pm to 3pm, Dinner: Daily, 5.30pm to 10pm (last order). The Charcuterie & Spritz Bar is open daily, from 3pm to 10.30pm. Tel: 8879 0923 WebsiteInstagramFacebook
6. tcc- The Connoisseur Concerto
Be transported to Japan with the pretty-in-pink Sakura Latte (S$7.80)! Espresso and fresh milk are infused with delicate notes of sakura, leaving a slight perfumed floral fragrance with every sip.
Exclusively for ladies, indulge in a Hot/Iced Sakura Latte at $3.80 when you dine-in or takeaway, valid with any main course order until 31 March 2021 at all tcc art boutique cafes except Great World and German Centre.
Address: Bugis Junction (#01-92-96, #01-97), Blk 3E River Valley Road (#01-01), 51 Circular Road, Great World (#01-119), International Building (#01-01), ION (#B2-49), Isetan Scotts, Suntec City (#01-604/605), The Pier @ Robertson (#01-01/02)
Sushi Tei Unveils Blossoms of Joy Spring Menu, with Camellia Buri and Satsuma Wagyu Beef as Highlights!
Springtime in Japan always promises such picturesque sights, with the roads and streets being blanketed by cherry blossoms. Inspired by this lovely season, Sushi Tei is launching a spring menu, bringing a taste of Japan right to you! Made with fresh produce, the artfully plated seasonal dishes invite the whole family to dig in and indulge.
Available for 3 months from 17th March 2021.
Address: China Square (#01-28/30), Holland Village (#03-04), JEM (#03-18), NEX (#03-15/16), Northpoint (#02-15), Paragon (#05-04/05), Raffles City (#03-13/14), Serangoon Gardens (64/64A Serangoon Garden Way), Tampines 1 (#04-13), Thomson Plaza (#03-46), Tiong Bahru Plaza (#03-110), Vivocity (#02-152), West Coast Plaza (#01-87), Changi Jewel Airport (#03-209) WebsiteFacebookInstagram
8. IPPUDO Singapore
For Sakura lovers who are bummed that they can’t visit Japan for hanami this year, IPPUDO Singapore is bringing the beautiful cherry blossoms to you – literally – as IPPUDO Mandarin Gallery transforms into an Instagrammable mini Japan, decorated tastefully with sakura flowers.
To celebrate, cherry blossoms here also come in the form of dessert, tea and even in a tipple! These items are available for a limited time only from April 1 exclusively at IPPUDO Mandarin Gallery.
Enjoy the Ohanami Sakura Cocktail ($7 per glass), a pretty-in-pink sweet plum wine with a cherry blossom colour and aroma that looks as good as it tastes. Crowned with a floating Sakura blossom and dusted with festive pink sprinkles when served, make sure you get your cameras ready for a magical Disney-like moment.
Delight in the Ohanami Sakura Umegaemochi next. The popular specialty rice cake with sweet Azuki bean filling is a traditional Japanese dessert which originated from IPPUDO’s hometown, Fukuoka Prefecture. It is a must-try whenever one visits the famous spiritual shrine Fukuoka Dazaifu Tenmangu in Japan. IPPUDO’s rendition gets a dreamy uplift with real Sakura flowers. At $6 per set, it comes paired with a pot of hot Sakura Green Tea infused with a whole Sakura flower – perfectly preserved in full bloom.
Even though we cannot travel to Japan this year, let nothing stop you from relishing the pink fever and indulge in all things Sakura at IPPUDO Mandarin Gallery.
This spring, embrace a new season with Roku Gin from the House of Suntory, and taste nature via this distinctively Japanese Craft Gin. The Roku Gin takes one full year to be harvested, infused, and distilled with 6 unique Japanese botanicals for that perfectly balanced, multi-layered gin. This is based on the Japanese culinary concept of “shun” – food and drinks are enjoyed in its proper seasons where ingredients are at the peak of their flavours.
Kick start this spring season with an exquisite glass of Roku Gin cocktail while savouring a scrumptious pairing menu intricately crafted by Taki Izakaya Bar with special seasonal ingredients flown in straight from Japan. Enjoy the 3 unique cocktail and food pairings:
Have a taste of spring at Taki Izakaya Bar with the exclusive Roku Gin pairing menu, available from 5 April to 15 May 2021 only.
Address: 16 Collyer Quay, #01-05A B, Singapore 049318 Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 12pm to 2pm , 5 to 10.30pm, Saturday: 5 to 10.30pm, Sunday: Closed Tel: 6223 0797 InstagramFacebook
10. Tomo Izakaya
Newly launched for Spring, Tomo Izakaya’s Chirashi Zushi ($48++, 3 – 4pax) features sushi rice topped with a plethora of ingredients including salmon sashimi, mekajiki (swordfish), grilled unagi, tamago, ebi and ikura. Exclusively available for a limited time at Clarke Quay outlet from 7 April – 31 May 2021.
Address: 3A River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, #01-14 Operating Hours: Tue – Sun, 5 – 11pm Tel: 6336 0100 FacebookInstagram
