My Healthy Birthday Lunch

Upon arriving at work on Friday morning, I saw this card on my desk:

It was an invite for a lunch at my healthy haven, Sugarleaf, to be hosted my friends at work a.k.a. my lunchmates.

As usual, food was deliciously satisfying but not too filling. We ordered a serving of Waldorf salad, consisting of mixed lettuce, apple, potato, raisin and walnut and comes with a yummy dressing, plus a variety of goody wraps and sandwiches (some not in photos). For myself, I ordered one of their healing juices, Immunizer, which is a mix of apple, lime, ginger and garlic. It helps boost the immune system to protect one's self from common viruses that cause this rainy season's oohs and ahhs.

Waldorf Salad

Smoked Fish Wrap with Dijon Mustard and Herb Finish

Veggie Wrap

Many thanks to my friends for the healthy treat! :-)

Three of us in this table celebrated our birthdays in the same week.

3 Things that Running Taught Me

I never was the sporty type but in April this year, I started running, along with biking and swimming, in an attempt to get back into shape. At that time, I was already spilling bulges off my clothes, refusing to shop for tops and bottoms that should be one or two sizes bigger than my old ones.

Little did I know that more than helping me lose weight, running would teach me things that trained me mentally for my journey to well-being.

1. Focus

Finished 10k in 01:19:41
during my second running event.

When I started running, I had a very clear goal in mind: I wanted to lose weight. A secondary goal was for me to become better at it, having been challenged by some people who did not think I was serious enough about the sport.

To do this, I had to be very disciplined in training. Instead of finding excuses, I made opportunities happen despite my priorities at home and at work, my four-hour daily commute notwithstanding. I also learned that it is impossible to train well if I am both physically and mentally unfit. So I took care of my body by eating right, getting enough sleep and yes, shopping for clothes and shoes that are perfect for running!

From a mere 1k, which I could not finish without alternating walks and panting, I was able to do a full 10k with hardly any walking and pausing for rest.

In running long distances, it is hardly about running fast; it is reaching the finish line. Goal over speed. With this, I realize that FOCUS is the key to meeting one's goal no matter what the odds are and how ambitious it may be.

2. Mindfulness

To maintain focus despite the many things on my priority list, I had to learn to sweep away all worries and fears, and adopt the "I'm here in the now" attitude when I go on my runs. I had to focus not only on each and every step I make, but also on my breathing. At the same time, I had to put all my senses at work in the scene -- whether it's a cityscape of tall buildings or a good landscape filled with lush lawns and old trees -- to remain in the present.

Love running in places with scenic views

As I learned to observe proper breathing and posture in running, each activity became an opportunity to practice mindfulness, a part of the Buddhist tradition, which enables self-transcendence.

Because of this, I often end my runs feeling refreshed with a clear mind and an energized body---full of love and gratitude, and ready to give more of myself to others.

3. Consistency

It's not how you start but how you finish.

My first running event.
It's always great to run for a cause.

One common mistake among those who just started running (and I am one of them) is beginning at top speed, which immediately exhausts the body. What I failed to take into consideration in doing this was that I have to gain my momentum---meaning, I had to let it build up. And once it has, I have to preserve it all throughout my run for me to reach the finish line at an acceptable time.

Similarly, I have to follow consistency in practice. One cannot just be a better runner overnight. It takes practice. It takes discipline. I figured, one of the things that I have to improve on in myself is consistency.

I am glad that running just taught me this.

Homemade Garlic Soup: An All-Natural Cure for Swollen Tonsils

My version of an all-natural garlic soup

It was quite unfortunate that my daughter met the weekend with a fever and a painful throat. I was hoping we were done with antibiotics for the rest of the year... So I thought of concocting my own garlic soup recipe after reading in naturalnews.com that garlic is an effective herbal cure to tonsillitis, the swelling of tonsils due to bacterial or viral infections. Garlic is said to be a powerful antibiotic, being able to kill a wide range of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites.

I am sharing my very simple recipe here after observing that it has quickly (almost immediately) and successfully relieved my daughter's sore throat.

Ingredients:

4 garlic heads

1 1/2 cups of olive oil

1 cup flour

1L water

Salt

Ground pepper

Spring onion

Fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Halve the garlic heads cross-wise using a knife then peel the skin.

2. Heat 1 cup of olive oil on a deep pan using low flame.

3. Once the oil is hot enough, put the garlic and cover the lid until the garlic becomes golden brown.

4. Turn off the flame.

5. Pour one cup of flour then mash and mix with the garlic. To make a rich mix, you may pour the remaining olive oil.

6. Once a smooth combination is made, heat the pan and fry for a while.

7. Slowly add 1L of water while stirring.

8. Season with salt and pepper until desired taste is achieved.

9. Add spring onion that's chopped into small pieces and parsley.

10. Serve hot.