Simple New Year Food Resolutions to Improve Your Diet

So, what have you been wanting to achieve in the year of 2010? As for me, I have my own list of easy peasy new year food resolutions in order for me to improve my overall diet and stay lean. If you promised yourself you would shape up your diet, why not scroll down and grab the easiest and healthiest habits to start today. Here's a list of New Year Food Resolutions to kickstart your new year with a slender body. =)

No.1: If your food has a label, don't eat it. Spend less time reading the fine print for calories and grams of fat by eating stuff that has no label. Whole fruits,vegetables, grains and food that haven't been chemically processed have no labels.

No.2: When you are in doubt, saute with garlic. Just chop up your veggies and saute them with olive oil, garlic and even salt. This practically works for everything. If it's something hard like broccoli, simply cut the veggie up really small.

No.3: Next time you're going for a dressing, swap mayonnaise for mustard. A research showed in the medical journal states that turmeric (used in mustards), may slow the growth of fatty tissues.

No.4: Create your own salad bar in your fridge. After buying your green leafy vegetables, immediate wash,chop and store them, and make a weeks's worth of salad dressing. Grab your salad each morning before you go to work.

No.5: Choose lean cuts of meat and don't eat the fat. Avoid eating the skin on chicken, because although the meat is low in fat, the skin contains much more.

Prevent Cervical Cancer with HPV Vaccine!

Two days ago, my mom brought me to a clinic in Bukit Mertajam for a cervical cancer vaccine after knowing the importance of the HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. I am sure that many of you lack the awareness of cervical cancer, a type of disease which kills approximately 300,000 women globally every year. If you girls are not aware of the high risk of getting cervical cancer, then I think it's about time you buck up.

This post mainly talks about everything you need to know regarding HPV and cervical cancer,including the types of vaccine and the immunization schedule. I've narrowed down the research so as you can get the very best information. Hope you'll find it useful. =)

Okay, first thing first. You must be wondering what is HPV. HPV is known as Human Papillomavirus, is a viral infection that spreads by skin to skin through sexual contact. HPV is a group of over 100 different viruses, which at least 30 strains known to cause different types of cancer. And one of them is the cervical cancer.

How can you get HPV?

HPV is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can manifest itself in flesh-colored warts that show up one to eight months after you become infected. However, some people infected with HPV have no symptoms at all, which means they could pass it on without even knowing it. Pretty scary isn't it?

Aside from causing genital warts, if a woman has HPV and it doesn't go away on its own, it's possible that the virus can cause abnormal cells to develop in the lining of her cervix. If not discovered early and treated, these abnormal cells can turn into cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a disease that affects the cervix in the female reproductive system, as illustrated above.

What are the symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

Many women often pass these symptoms off as PMS or ovulation pains because they mimic common ailments. The symptoms include abnormal bleeding (can be heavy or light bleeding during the month), unusual heavy discharge, pelvic pain, pain during urination and bleeding between regular menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, douching, or pelvic exam.

Now it's starting to get on your nerves, so what can you actually do about it? Or we say, prevent it before its too late? The answer is pretty much obvious; get a vaccine if you can.

Now back to my own experience. Before the injection took place, the doctor explained to me there are 2 types of vaccine, Cervarix and Gardasil. The doctor suggested Gardasil for me, as it protects against four types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18) compared to Cervarix which only protects 2 types. It can be given to girls as young as nine years old, and any woman can get the vaccine if she feels at risk. After all, people used to say, prevention is better than cure, right?

So, I just had my first dose before proceeding to my second dose which is due on Chinese New Year. For your information, the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is recommended in a three-dose schedule with the second and third doses administered two and six months after the first dose. Remember, you must have three doses to form a complete protection!

Also, get consultation from your doctor before you proceed to get your injection. You might want to ask for Gardasil vaccine instead of Cervarix, as Gardasil protects against 4 types of HPV. You can also go for a Pap Smear test which can detect abnormal cervical changes years before they become cancerous and begin to produce symptoms.

Credit to About.com

Do-it-Yourself Beauty Guides

Okay,admit it.You love to pamper yourself. After a tiring day jammed up with lots of stress, your face shows significant signs of fatique. You want your skin to look gorgeous, and yet you're too lazy to go outdoors to shop for your skin care products. If this is so, then now's the time to get creative. Head on to your kitchen cabinet to grab those ingredients and start playing mix and blend.
Don't have a face steamer at home? Just remember the next time when you want to treat yourself with a cuppa hot tea, try and have some steam facial right up from the hot boiling tea. Better still, if you have a bigger mug to fit your face just right. Oh yes, do this before you wash your face with a cleanser or even before dabbing on some moisturizer. Face steaming opens up your pores and this way it helps to easily absorb the nutrients from your skin care products.

Besides using green tea powder for consumption, you can also use it to make your own homemade green tea facial mask! All you need is a tablespoon of water and plenty of powder to form a smooth green paste. Also, the possibilities are endless and you can have fun experimenting it with honey, milk or any other ingredients that you like.


For skin that is smooth and soft to the touch, smash up a banana and mix one tablespoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply on face, leave on for about 15 minutes then rinse off.
Use egg white to matify and tighten your skin with a light layer of white egg over your skin. Rinse off after 15 minutes and you'll obtain a firmer skin. Egg white contains protein which is good for your skin too.

Instead of using Evian's spray, get creative and create your own refreshing mist by filling up your spray bottle with a mixture of water, a touch of orange juice and orange peel zest. If you want to spice up your mist spray, add your favourite essential oil or whatever that comes to your mind.Have fun. =)

Hada Labo Skincare Range

There was once I flipped through my favourite magazine and saw this advertisement that attracted me. It was about the Hada Labo range of skincare products from Japan. This bottle of Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) moisturizing lotion displayed on the page was claimed to have sold at a rate of 1 bottle every 4 seconds in Japan. Amazed with the popularity, I went to a Guardian pharmacy to have a quick glance at those products. I wanted to buy a bottle of the said SHA moisturizing lotion since it was claimed to be super beneficial. But unfortunately it was out of stock..Phewww..try my luck next time. O.0

The Birth of Hada Labo Skincare Range:
''Hada Labo'' means ''Skin Lab'' in Japanese. The Hada Labo skincare line emphasizes simplicity in its skincare development, removing unnecessary ingredients like colorant,fragrance,mineral oil and other additives that will only burden the skin. With the Perfect X Simple philosophy, Hada Labo uses only the finest , purest and highly effective ingredients to provide the ultimate result of a healthy and beautiful skin.

This bottle of Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) moisturizing lotion hydrates the skin almost instantaneously and helps to preserve skin's optimum moisture balance. Its hydrophilic nature helps to lock in moisture as it deeply penetrates into the layer of your skin to nourish from within. It is reportedly so effective that one bottle is sold every 4 seconds in Japan, making it the country's No.1 best seller for face lotion. It is recommended to be used after your daily cleansing regime.

What is the main benefit of Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA)?

Did you know that 1g of Hyaluronic Acid retains up to 6 litres of water? Even though it exists naturally in the skin, but eventually its supply depletes with age. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid(SHA) merges with the skin to form a smooth, moisture locking shield. It has twice the moisture retention to allow your skin to stay hydrated and smooth for a longer period of time!

If you want your skin to feel and look just like egg white, you can use this AHA + BHA Exfoliating face wash. This cleanser is inspired by the smoothness and delicateness of an unshelled egg,and lathers into a fine, velvety soft foam. Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Beta Hydroxy Acid works to gently exfoliate and refine skin for visibly smoother and radiant skin.

If your skin is dry, you may try the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing range which include SHA moisturizing wash, lotion, essence, moisturizing milk and mask.

If your skin needs a boost of radiance,, then the Arbutin Whitening range would be suitable for you. Arbutin is an extract from bearberry plant which helps to fight dark spots and brighten skin in a safe and natural way.

Here I include a Hada Labo video clip for you to experience the Perfect X Simple philosophy! =)

100 Yen Shop: RM4.90 for most Household Products!

Ever since the opening of 100yen shop near the hostel that I am currently staying at, I would sometimes take a short trip to the shop to get those household products for my daily use. As a student, I've always liked to purchase 100 yen shop's products mainly because almost all of the products were affordably priced and the location is rather convenient for me.

You must be wondering, since the products are so cheap the quality would definitely not be good. Well, I don't know about you, but I find that I can fully utilize those goods that I have purchased so far. Of course, for those who opt for premium quality products, just go ahead and get them at premium stores.

I can also easily stop by at the shop for some snow ice to relief myself from this hot weather. =) Oh yes, you'll definitely spot a cute penguin at a counter that looks like this....

I must admit, not all the household products were imported from Japan, but those foodstuff and beverages definitely were. Here's a sneak peek on those stuff I bought from 100 yen. They were priced at RM 4.90 each. =) There are loads of affordable products to cater to your household needs and these are just some of the itsy-bitsy that I can show you..

I have been wanting to buy a teapot because I used to love drinking tea. Some of those glass teapots out there are kind of expensive and since I am staying at a hostel so it's not such a bad idea to buy a RM 4.90 teapot from 100 yen store.

Except for this mop which costs RM 9.90. But it is still considered cheap right if compared to other superior magic mop selling at higher prices. And of course in order to form a complete set there comes this packet of 30 pc towel for floor cleaning. Wet and dry towels are available at the store catered to your preference.

I absolutely love Japanese snacks and candies, although they were priced at RM 5.90. Some are worth buying though, while some I considered it a bit pricey. Cream collon is delicious, the taste,biscuits, and flavour are different from those chocolate and strawberry Loller from Glico Thai. You will know what I mean if you love snacks like I do. =P

Japanese rice sake..maybe I was not used to the taste but somehow I tried it anyway because it cost me RM 5.90 and previously I haven't experienced it. Next time if you wanna purchase affordable household goods, try 100 yen store if there happens to be one near your house. Why spend more when you can get them at cheaper prices.

Spend Less $$$ and STILL look gorgeous!!

Wanna save on some hard-earned bucks by learning a few simple tricks and yet look stunning?Here's some beauty-savvy tips that are worth taking into account for.....

Tips No 1: Mix the last few drops of your favourite perfume to an unscented cream. Voila, the result is a moisturizer that smells good on your bare skin.

Tips No. 2: Cinnamon oil can be used as an alternative for lip plumpers. For your information you can easily get it online on sites such as eBay or any drugstore. But before you actually apply please try to do a patch test to ensure you're free of allergy.

Tips No. 3: Next time when you're thinking of pampering yourself with a DIY facial mask, just mix honey and brown sugar together to form a scrub. This solution is gentle, non-abrasive and removes dead skin.

Tips No 4: If you are running low on face moisturizer, try using olive oil. It contains vitamin E, an antioxidant which is good for skin. All you need to do is place a few drops on a cotton pad and dab it on dry areas to moisturize skin.