10000 steps:–Week 3 progress

Posted on June 11, 2014 | 2 comments

Another week of 10,000 steps a day is over and here is my progress report.

1000000I am sad that my average has dropped this week to 12055, because it was raining some afternoons so we could not do the bay walk. Anyway one week to go and I have to make up for the lost steps so working hard.

Yesterday morning I exercised with AS for 10 minutes, went swimming in the afternoon and going for the bay run this afternoon. Hope it will help.

How is your exercise routine going? Happy exercising everyone.

Take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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Queen’s Birthday long weekend

Posted on June 10, 2014 | 6 comments

Last weekend was a long weekend in Sydney as we celebrated birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. Normally we plan out-of-Sydney trips during long weekends but this time we didn’t. One of the reasons was because it was predicated to rain every day. How frustrating,I know.

When I came home after work on Friday, I was a bit annoyed that we had 3 days off and it seemed like we might be home most of the time. I was just venting my frustration when AS got me the socks. Now I know when he gets me the socks, he wants us to salsa. I really didn’t want to as it was a rainy day and I had been busy at work and was tired. All I wanted to do was rest and relax in front of the TV. I gave in when he asked me very sweetly a few times.

So, we danced the salsa for almost an hour and it definitely lifted my mood. I was happy when we had a light dinner and were off to bed. Sometimes I do need a bit of a push to do something and most of the time AS is there for that for which I am always glad.

Anyway, we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning on Saturday.

Beach

There was no way we were staying in so after breakfast we jumped into a car with some friends to go for a long drive toward Wollongong, aseaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, 82 kilometres south of Sydney. It was a nice drive but there was heaps of traffic on the road. It looked like everyone had the same idea when they woke up to an unexpected but beautiful and sunny morning.

Our destination was the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant located by the sea, which features an excellent à la carte menu. We had seen it featured in a program on TV and many good food guides so we wanted to try the amazing food.

We reached the restaurant just before 2 pm and all of us were already starving. We had made the booking beforehand so we got a table next to the window which had a great view. We ordered Salt & Pepper calamari, BBQ Seafood Platter and Hot & Cold Seafood Platter.

The lagoon (5)

So we had Lobster mornay, Moreton Bay bugs, BBQ king prawns, Kilpatrick & mornay oysters, scallops in the shell, BBQ octopus, salt & pepper calamari, barramundi pieces, tempura prawns, blue swimmer crab, natural oysters, fresh prawns & smoked salmon which were just delicious.

The lagoon (1) the lagoon

The portions were huge and we all were full but we still wanted some dessert. We decided to share and ordered a Cheesecake and a passionfruit coconut cake. They were delicious as well and we were glad we did order them.

The lagoon (4) The lagoon (2)

After lunch, we walked for a while near lagoon and it was just beautiful evening with sun setting on the horizon.

wollongong sunset

For a winter day, it was quite warm and beautiful.

shadow

On a whim, we decided to go for a movie so we jump into the car again and made an almost 2 hour journey back to Sydney. We picked Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt as everyone seemed keen on that movie. It was a good movie and all of us loved it. We had a perfect day with perfect company.

On Sunday, we woke up again expecting a gloomy day but again we were blessed with a sunny day. It was such a great feeling to have a beautiful weekend. We had a lazy breakfast at home and caught up on our TV series. I felt like having pani puri so made one for lunch. It was delicious as always.

pani puri

It was a relaxing afternoon and by evening we were ready to go out. We decided to go for a massage and dinner. Luckily, our regular Thai massage was not booked out so went for an aroma therapy massage.

 It is always so great when you go in with a sore body and come out fully relaxed. All the girls there are really friendly and do a great job. After the massage, both of us were fully charged so went for a walk hunting for a restaurant for dinner.

Finally, we decided on a Vietnamese restaurant. AS ordered three-way pork dish, which was really yummy and I ordered my favourite papaya salad with prawn and pork. The portion size was just perfect for us.

papaya salad three way pork

We ended our meal with Jasmine tea which was nicer that I expected. That ended our lazy Sunday.

jasmine tea

As we had a lazy Sunday, I told AS that we must have busy Monday as it is the bonus day and we should make the most of it. He agreed and we were excited to wake up to yet another beautiful sunny morning. Quickly, we got ready and went out for brunch.

We tried a new café where they served an amazing breakfast. AS ordered the big breakfast and I had Spanish omelette. The food was amazing but my omelette was so big that I could not finished it.

breakfast (2) breakfast (4)

I like my hot chocolate too.

breakfast (1)-tile

The day was looking good so after the breakfast, we decided to go for a walk on the nearby beach.

It was a perfect blue sky and no black clouds but slightly windy at the beach. We sat on the beach for a while and talked. I love all the session we have where we just talk about everything in our life. I really think these times we spend together are so precious and glad we do it so often. I believe that in every relationship good communication is very important.

 beach

After a while, we decided to walk the few kilometres of the coast line. It was nice to see so many people on the beach just relaxing or playing volleyball.

As we were walking the sky suddenly turned grey and sun went hiding behind them and it started drizzling and we had nowhere to hide.

We hadn’t brought the umbrella with us so we just ran for our car which was parked a few blocks away. We kept running and giggling as the wind tried to take my scarf away but we had a blast in the rain. As the rain was not heavy, we were not that wet but it was fun running, made me feel young and happy again

After the unsuccessful walk ,we decided to go to the mall where we looked around for a while, decided we were tired so did our grocery and came back home.

The timing was perfect as we Skyped with our parents in Kathmandu, watched the latest episode of Games of Thrones and enjoyed my Jamie’s Oliver’s Chicken tikka masala with brown rice for dinner.

It was the perfect unplanned long weekend.

How was your weekend everyone, hope all of you in the north are enjoying your summer, (I am so jealous).

Take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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Healthy, glowing skin: 9 foods that are good for your face

Posted on June 9, 2014 | 4 comments

This story has been adapted from the Huffington Post

GOOD skin: It’s something we all want, but often don’t have — and it might be because of what you’re eating.

So before you toss back comfort foods like hot dogs, chips or beer, think about how it might affect how you look and feel — and no, we don’t mean your waistline.

“It’s not just the sun that can age your skin,” Paula Simpson, a biochemist and holistic nutritionist who specialises in supplement formulation for skin health, told the Huffington Post.

“Diet influences skin at the cellular level, and since skin is our largest organ, it’s also the first to show nutrient deficiency.”

In order to keep a healthy glow inside and out, Simpson stresses eating well and hydrating correctly. Read on for her list of foods that will help you look and feel your best:

1. Watermelon

Maximise your watermelon consumption in the summertime.

Maximise your watermelon consumption in the summertime.

This symbol of summer is around 90 per cent water, which hydrates the body. “It’s loaded with vitamin C, which is required for healthy collagen production,” Simpson said. Its antioxidant properties make it “a free radical scavenger,” she says, which helps prevent signs of ageing.

2. Berries

Have berries as dessert instead of ice-cream.

Have berries as dessert instead of ice-cream.

Fresh produce like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are delicious in their prime, but Simpson really loves them because they’re packed with antioxidants, which can protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

3. Pineapple

Ripe, delicious pineapple!

Ripe, delicious pineapple!

Along with vitamins and minerals, this tropical fruit contains bromelain, thought to fight inflammation. Lessening inflammation also brings comfort for people with sunburn, Simpson says, which can occur all year round — so remember to slip slop slap, even in winter.

4. Citrus Fruits

Pop some lime in your water or tea.

Pop some lime in your water or tea.

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, mandarins — name a citrus fruit and it’s probably good for your skin, says Simpson. Their vitamin C and amino acids, like proline and lysine play a role in collagen production, which can keep skin looking young.

5. Cucumber

Cucumber has multiple uses.

Cucumber has multiple uses.

We’ve all seen cucumber used to relieve puffy eyes, but Simpson points out you should be consuming cukes for healthy skin, too. Cucumbers are mostly water, so they hydrate and replenish the body and skin.

6. Tomatoes

Vine tomatoes.

Simpson calls tomatoes “the perfect food to protect skin cells,” thanks to their lycopene, which not only promotes collagen production but also fights off fine lines and wrinkles.

7. Dandelion Greens

A dandelion in before it’s picked.

If dandelion greens aren’t already a part of your salad mixes, they should be, notes Simpson. You can also get dandelion root in tea form, which you should drink instead of coffee. You’ll get more than your daily dose of vitamins A and K, as well as a good deal of collagen-producing C. It’s also used for skin conditions like acne and eczema, according to WebMD.

8. Salmon

Smoked salmon with some chilli, to spice things up.

Seafood is always a tasty option, and Simpson suggests ordering salmon if you want your skin to appear dewy and plump. The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish are a key component of how skin cells regulate oil production.

9. Coconut Water

If you haven’t already tried coconut water, you need to.

If you haven’t already tried coconut water, you need to.

Hydration is important all year round, so instead of reaching for sugar-laden sports drinks, Simpson encourages getting electrolytes from coconut water. “It supports youthful and supple skin,” she says, thanks to it’s hydrating powers and its hearty dose of potassium, which can help deliver more nutrients and oxygen to the skin by boosting circulation, Prevention reported.

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Peplum trend

Posted on June 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

This article was published in +977 (a Nepalese Lifestyle Magazine in Australia) in  June 2014 issue.    

fashion

If you over indulge a little during holiday season, don’t worry a lot but invest in peplum dress/top/skirt/jacket until you get back in shape sa it draws attention away from non-washboard abs.

Peplum is a clever little frill, a short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, skirt or dress that extends from your waist to hips making your body look perfect.

From 1800s, peplums were in fashion and it has made a big comeback since few seasons now. From catwalks to celebrities to normal people, everyone is embracing this new tread and you will know why as well if you own a piece.

As everything in fashion, you need to know some simple rules on wearing peplum in the most flattering way. The length, width and volume of the ruffle determine it all, and the drape and choice of fabric make a difference too while choosing what to buy. The key to getting this trend right is keeping it modern.

  • Choose soft materials peplum making sure it stays next to your skin and gives the illusion of a smaller waist.
  • Get a peplum that has slightly higher waist and it can hide a thicker middle.
  • A single colour outfit will also help lengthen your frame so avoid extreme colour-blocking or graphic print-blocking.
  • If you are wearing a peplum top, wear a streamlined pencil skirt or tapered pants.
  • Buy peplum slightly narrower at the front than the back, creating a scooping effect at the waist and hips.
  • Paired with the right belt (read skinny), peplum can be even more flattering.
  • If you are not tall, buy peplum with short width and less volume.
  • If you have straight body, pick a soft yet streamlined flared peplums to add curve to your body.

Please click here for all my published posts.

Take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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Household tricks and tips (HTT)

Posted on June 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

I know we all have tips and tricks we use every day around the house which make our job easier. In this page, I want to collect all those tips and tricks. Please leave comments below with your handy tips so I can share them in my blog too.

#HTT : How to keep your shower cubical clean?

In Australia, most of the shower cubical is made out of glass. When you shower every day, it will leave behind soap scum which look really bad but you can’t clean it every day. So it is a painful job you need to do when you do it but in the meantime every time anyone uses the toilet, they will see the marks in the shower cubical.

Solution: Keep a window/glass squeegee in the shower. Yes, it is really handy. Every time, anyone has a shower, ask them to use it on the tiles and glass and you don’t have to worry about it at all.

As the tiles and glass panels will be soaked properly while someone has a shower, if you just use the window cleaner, squeegee, the surface won’t have any soap scum and will look clean. It takes only a minute and will keep your bath cubical shiny all the time.

#HTT : What to use as alternative for wet wipes?

We always need make up removal wet wipes around as it is so handy and can fix a mess but if you run out of it there is always a solution.

Solution: Use baby wipes instead. They are soft, most are fragrance and alcohol free and cheaper than wet wipes.

Both baby wipes and wet wipes contain the same active ingredients and have different additives like Aloe depending on the brand so I see no problem.

Dear readers, please leave comments below with your handy tips so I can share them in my blog too.

Take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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