Our experts:
Ken Chia, chef-owner of Rice and Fries
Lin Weixin, pastry chef and owner of Bonheur Patisserie

OVERCOOKED PASTA
Transfer it quickly into a bowl of ice water, then drain and chill to stop the pasta from getting any softer. Chef Ken recommends making a cold salad with the overcooked pasta: Melt 150g grated cheddar (add more if you like it cheesy) in 1 cup of milk in a pot. Cool, then mix in 100g mayonnaise and toss the pasta in the sauce.

Or for something lighter, mix olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and shallots to make a vinaigrette for a pasta salad with boiled chicken or tinned tuna, paired with veggies like cherry tomatoes and olives.

MUSHY POTATOES
Potatoes left to cook for too long? Rather than making a mash, try your hand at homemade gnocchi. Mash up all the spuds, then mix in plain flour and a pinch of salt and pepper until you get a malleable dough.

Knead and roll the dough into a rectangular log. Cut out 3cm-long pieces and press a fork lightly on each one to create a pattern. Cook in a pot of salted boiling water with a bit of oil until they float, then dress the gnocchi with a cream or tomato sauce.

STEW TOO SALTY
If it’s a beef stew, adding canned tomato puree helps – the sourness of the puree neutralises the saltiness of the dish. Alternatively, whip up a noodle or pasta dish with the over-seasoned gravy, which flavours the plain carbs quite nicely.

If the gravy is way too salty, strain the cooked meat and set it aside. Now add some raw meat (first seasoned with salt and pepper, lightly coated with flour and pan-fried lightly) into the stew together with more water or stock, and cook until the meat is tender. Then, mix the first batch of meat back in and cook for a while more. 

OVERCOOKED PRAWNS
Make wonton with them. Dice the prawns and mix with minced meat or fish paste (available in the chiller section of major supermarkets), chopped chestnuts, spring onions and coriander leaves. Spread on wonton wrappers and either bring to the boil in chicken stock for a quick soup, or deep-fry them for a yummy pre-dinner snack for guests.

OVERCOOKED BROCCOLI OR CAULIFLOWER
Make a creamy soup with it. Saute some onions until they are soft and caramelised, then saute veggies like spinach and green peas (optional), and mix in the mushy broccoli or cauliflower.

Add enough chicken or vegetable stock to cover the veggies, bring it to the boil then remove from heat. Leave to cool slightly, then blend the mixture directly in the pot, using a hand-held blender. Add 150ml cooking cream and a little butter and cook until fully incorporated, then add salt and pepper to taste.

OVERWHIPPED CREAM
The trick is to fold in more cream until it reaches the desired consistency. 

OVERDONE STEAK
Chill it and slice it thinly against the grain (which cuts the meat in a way that makes it easier to chew), then use it to make a beef sandwich with mayonnaise, sliced onions, lettuce and melted cheese. It makes a nice starter for your party.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

SAINT PIERRE
#01-15, 31 Ocean Way, Quayside Isle, tel: 6438-0887. Open Tue-Thur, 5.30pm-midnight; Fri-Sun, 11.30am-3pm and 5.30pm-midnight.
Saint Pierre’s new fine-dining vegetarian creations, the brainchild of chef-owner Emmanuel Stroobant, are almost too pretty to eat. Choose from an a la carte menu like we did, or have the five-course classic menu for $108++ per person, which must be taken by your entire party.

Must-tries:
• A refreshing starter, the Tomates ($34) is a cherry tomato confit served with quail egg and literally smoking thousand island snowballs, made by freezing the spheres in liquid nitrogen. Scoop them up with the avocado spread for a rich, sweet-salty combination. 
• The Potimaron ($30) is a smooth kabocha pumpkin soup with a roasted-cauliflower chawanmushi in the middle. The chawanmushi was a surprising hit, and the sprinkling of sunflower seeds in the soup added texture and crunch.
• The Epeautre ($28) is a perfectly al dente barley risotto cooked in a flavourful seaweed stock that’s full of bite – yum! 
• The pretty Watermelon Carpaccio ($14) is a wonderful blend of sweet and tart, from the watermelon slices and tangy sorbet. Dip it in the balsamic and melon drops for extra kick. 

JOIE RESTAURANT BY DOZO
#12-01 Orchard Central, tel: 6838-6966. Open daily, 12-3pm and 6-10pm.
Joining the meatless trend is Joie Restaurant by Dozo, helmed by Chef Sherwin Sim, formerly of Coriander Leaf, who continues to dish out innovative meals. The six-course lunch ($38.80++) and seven-course dinner ($68.80++) come with choices for all courses, except the amuse-bouche that starts the meal. The courses are also available as a la carte options. 

Must-tries:
• The Matsutake Cake ($12.80), a steamed cake made from prized matsutake mushrooms and teamed with crisp enoki mushrooms, rosemary gelee, pistachio crumbs and a vanilla creme dip. Light and fluffy, the aromatic cake was a good way to whet our appetite.
• Not only is it elegantly presented, the Snow Pear and Napa Cabbage Consumme ($12), a clear,sweet, double-boiled vegetable soup, is also rich and comforting.
• The Trio of Spheres ($36) - comprising wild mushroom puff pastry with truffle oil and onion, a butternut pumpkin risotto ball with curry mayonnaise, and a crispy ball of mozzarella arancini – hit all the right notes. We especially liked the bold and creamy curry mayonnaise. 

SMOR
#B1-23 One Raffles Place, tel: 9430-1500. Open Mon- Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 9am-4pm.
A open-face sandwich specialist, Smor is a new Scandinavian deli in the heart of the business district. It offers three sandwich sets. each comes with a generous quantity of your choice of hot or cold toppings and is accompanied by a side salad. You get one sandwich in the light sandwich set ($6.90), two in the regular set ($12.90), and three in the Viking set ($17.90).

Pick from four types of freshly baked organic bread: rye, multi-grain, brioche or chia seeds with Omega-3 (gluten-free). What makes the sandwiches tasty and wholesome is the mix of carbohydrates, fibre and protein.

Must-tries:
• The Kale & Mushroom Sandwich is chock-full of juicy mushrooms and sweet - yes, sweet!- kale that's springy too, with a pleasant punch from the chilli-infused olive oil.
• A classic Nordic favourite, the Smoked Icelandic Salmon Sandwich, served with horseradish, dill and parsley, and topped with salmon roe, was fresh and savoury. We loved the occasional bursts of saltiness from the roe.
• The unbelievably tender beef that makes up the Beef Sandwich is roasted overnight to let the herbs slowly infuse into it. It is layered with caramelised onions and thin slices of crisp beetroot, and served to you.

SUFOOD
#02-19 Raffles City, tel: 6333-5338. Open daily, 11.30am-4.30pm and 5.30-10pm.
The dishes at Sufood only add to the growing awareness that vegetarian food doesn’t have to mean bland and boring. You won’t find traditional mock meat offerings here – instead, the Italian-inspired menu put a creatives spin on classic recipes and keeps every dish free of artificial flavouring and monosodium glutamate. Its set menu ($25++) includes seven items – an appetiser, bread, salad, soup, main, dessert and drink - and offers choices for most of them. You can also order the set-menu choices as a la carte items.

Must-tries:
• Cream of Pumpkin Soup ($8.80), cooked with soya milk and sweet potato instead of cream. We loved its subtle hint of sweetness.
• The sizeable Baked Potato Al Funghi ($16.80) is sure to please – think juicy, earthy King Oyster mushrooms juxtaposed with a sweet-potato mash and baked potato. 
• Round off your meal with the fragrant Sesame Panna Cotta ($4.80), served with a black sesame seed puree.

FOODOLOGY FRESH @ THE URA CENTRE
#01-02 The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road, tel: 6223-9724. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm.
The self-service deli makes a good pit stop if you need a quick, nourishing bite. Its revamped menu is compact, with a few salads, sandwiches, wraps and soups.

Must-tries:
• Salads ($7.50 to $8.50). We tried four different ones and they were all excellent. The ingredients in each were a good mix in terms of flavour and texture. If you like yours light, there’s the Roasted Chicken, Grape & Apricot Salad laced with a tangy white wine vinaigrette. The medley of textures in the Smoked Duck Breast Salad with soft beetroot cubes, creamy feta cheese and crunchy caramelised walnuts were a pleasure for the palette.
• Savoury muffins ($4.80 each). One is enough for a light lunch. Unlike the salads, which have surprising ingredient combos, the mix in the muffins, like sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella, and feta cheese and black olives, is safe, but delicious.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

BEST HOB AND STOVE CLEANER
Bio-Home Kitchen Cleaner, $5.60
A powerful cleaner that worked like magic on greasy hobs and oily spots – it dissolved grime faster than any of the other soapy solutions we tested.

BEST ALL-PURPOSE DETERGENT
Dettol Multi Action Cleaner, $5.50
If you need just one cleaner for your kitchen, this is it. It cuts through grease to leave countertops, floors and even mirrors spotless and gleaming.

MOST REFRESHING KITCHEN CLEANER
Magiclean Kitchen Cleaner, $4.50
It leaves countertops squeaky clean to the touch, with a pleasant, fruity scent to boot!

FRESHEST-SMELLING BATHROOM CLEANER
Cif Bathroom Cleaner, $4.50
This leaves a subtle, powdery scent with no clinical afternotes.

BEST FLOOR CLEANER
Kao Magiclean Floor, $5.75
This cleaner consistently soaked up and cleaned oily smears effectively – a must-have for sparkling clean floors.

FRESHEST-SMELLING TOILET CLEANER
Harpic Active Cleaning Gel Wild Flowers, $3.10
It got rid of noxious stains and odours, leaving behind a light floral scent.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

To be honest, I wasn’t really sure who Godfrey Gao was before this. The only few impressions I have of the Taiwanese-Canadian actor comes from his appearance in Louis Vuitton’s Spring Summer 2011 campaign and from the movie, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

“Oh this guy, the one who played Magnus Bane, the one with the eyeliner in a Hollywood production,” was all I thought when the invite came for SK-II’s launch event of their new AurActivator Complete Correction Cream. Of course, I knew the 30-year-old as one of the ambassadors for the brand. (I won’t lie, I stock up on 330ml bottles of the “miracle water” when they’re available, and have even tried the men’s version, so I’ve seen his face around the counters.) Gao was going to attend the event and I had asked for a short interview after, and boy, do I have to say, I understand the craze now.

Godfrey Gao for SK-II

He showed up early for the event and stood amongst a crowd of buzzing women (yes, amongst, not away) for a good 20 minutes. Everyone was, obviously, raising their mobile phones up high and snapping multiple photos of the 1.95m tall actor, me included. Gao is after all, seriously good looking, even more so in person.

Throughout all this though, there were only one or two bodyguards in sight (at least from where I was standing) but they did not stop people from getting closer, maybe because everyone kept a comfortable distance. The nearest spectator to him was just slightly more than a metre away – pretty surprising for someone this famous.

Godfrey Gao, Lee Sin Jie and Belinda Lee at the SK-II event

On-stage, gorgeous Gao is what everyone expects him to be – eloquent and cool, even in the way he gestures with his hands, though a little less “chatty” than I expected. Still, there are no airs to this basketball enthusiast. Just watch him speak about his wishes for this 2015.

 

A video posted by herworldsingapore (@herworldsingapore) onJan 8, 2015 at 1:32am PST

I later discovered that the “chatty” Gao I expected was feeling unwell, when us journos got a chance to interview him after the event. Some said they saw a whole bag of medicine beside the actor, and just before my interview, I overheard one of his handlers asking for a tissue because the actor was feeling a little nauseous.

Despite having to go through about 10 interviews in that condition, Gao was very easy to speak to, even poking fun at his then-nasal voice when we asked for a microphone check. You'd expect someone this good looking to be very intimidating to look in the eye, but with how humble and soft-spoken he was, it was far from that.

His skin up close is also one to talk about – smooth, radiant and wrinkle-free, it’s hard to believe that this 30-year-old travels around so often. (Even his beard shines!)

Of course, an interview with a celebrity doesn’t happen without proof of a picture, and Gao agreed to take one with us.

Thanks for bringing yourself to our height, Godfrey.

That, ladies, is what meeting Godfrey Gao is like. If you’re reading this Godfrey, you’ve got yourself a new fan.

Stay tuned to HerworldPLUS for our interview with Godfrey Gao. He shares, among other things, which part of the face attracts him the most and his beauty secrets.

You can find out more about Godfrey Gao on his website, godfreygao.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

LINES WITH HIGH-TECH INGREDIENTS:

GAYLIA KRISTENSEN

Selling point: The beauty products are anchored in tried-and-tested methods from the pharmaceutical industry.

The collection of 10 skincare formulas are made with naturally derived ingredients and deploy molecular polypeptide and protein technologies which are used in medicine.

"These formulas are powerful because they can trigger actions within the skin cells. Think of them as medicine for your skin," claims the brand's founder, Ms Gaylia Kristensen, who was in town last November to launch the brand at Fairmont Singapore's Willow Stream spa.

Gaylia Kristensen facial and body massage services (from $198 for a 60-minute facial) are also available at the spa.

Ms Kristensen, who is 62 and based in Melbourne, has spent more than 25 years in the beauty industry. She spotted a gap in the market for gentle but high-performance cosmetics. She found doctor brands too harsh for intolerant skin; while premium skincare products felt rich and good, but had no tangible results. So, in 2010, she founded her own made-in-Australia range.

One of the most potent ingredients in her eponymous line is the acetyl octapeptide-3. Made with eight kinds of amino acids from plants, it promises to give skin a botox-like effect. It works by preventing the release of neurotransmitters, which cause facial muscle contractions and, over time, expression lines and wrinkles.

Touted as a painless and side-effect-free alternative to Botox injections, acetyl octapeptide-3 is used in the Eye Lift Intensive Eye Serum ($198), Utopia The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Serum ($268) and the White Magic Anti-Ageing Brightening Serum ($298).

Another interesting ingredient is tripeptide-1. In a test conducted by the University of Milan in Italy, this ingredient was found to help prevent free radical damage and, in turn, loss of skin elasticity and wrinkles.

Tripeptide-1 is added to the Dream Anti-Ageing Cream ($238), as well as the Deluxe Firming Cream ($268).

For best results, use the products in the morning and at night as the effects last for about 12 hours.

The formulas are free of petrochemicals, mineral oil, parabens and detergent.

Look out for:

Passion The Ultimate Treatment Oil (photo 1) $138

Made with a blend of essential oils to treat dry skin, it can be used on the face and body. Its delicious floral scent was concocted to bring to mind the Australian tropics.

White Magic Anti-Ageing Brightening Serum (photo 2) $298

A skin-brightening serum which also promises to lift the skin and smoothen lines.

Dream Anti-Ageing Cream (photo 3) $238

Suitable for women in their 20s to 40s, this lightweight cream contains seven types of cutting-edge peptides to prevent premature skin-ageing.

JUNE JACOBS SPA COLLECTION

Selling point: A line of products made with active and natural ingredients which are also rich in antioxidants, for spas and home spa experiences.

It claims to be one of the first in the industry to use hydrosol technology to distill active ingredients into an unadulterated form for better absorption without irritation.

While it will be launched in Sephora stores only in the middle of the year, it is currently stocked at Faith Beauty salon in International Building in Orchard Road.

The namesake brand was founded by Ms June Jacobs in New Jersey, United States.

Ms Jacobs is also partly responsible for the Peter Thomas Roth line of skincare, which she started with American entrepreneur Peter Roth in 1993.

With more than three decades of experience in the beauty industry, all her products are formulated in her own laboratories by her research and development teams.

Ms Jacobs takes inspiration from her family's home-beauty remedies. While growing up, she saw how women in her family often steeped leftover tea leaves in their face creams.

Today, all June Jacobs products contain an antioxidant blend of white, red and green teas, as well as pomegranate, goji berries and grape seeds.

Now sold in more than 10 markets worldwide - the June Jacobs Spa Collection is also stocked at Hyatt hotel spas internationally - there are more than 50 products in the line, including haircare, as well as bath and bodycare.

All the formulas are made without parabens, preservatives, sulfates and petrochemicals.

Look out for:

Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque (photo 1) $115

For gentle exfoliation with papaya enzymes and mango enzymes for brighter, clearer skin. Borage seed oil helps to regenerate, while aloe vera extract and almond oil soothe and moisturise.

Mandarin Moisture Masque (photo 2) $97

A gel mask blended with mandarin orange oil, ginkgo biloba oil, grapefruit seed oil and aloe vera extract to lift the mood and quench dry skin.

Brightening Serum (photo 3) $177

A cocktail which lightens skin naturally with lemon peel, bearberry root, mulberry root, liquorice root and mitracarpus scaber plant extract.

HEAVEN SKINCARE BY DEBORAH MITCHELL

Selling point: The star product is the Bee Venom Mask (from $89 for 15ml), which contains Abeetoxin, a skin-plumping substance derived from bee venom. It is marketed as an alternative to Botox injections to smoothen fine lines and boost collagen growth.

Apparently, the toxins from the bee venom give skin the effect of a sting, so blood rushes to the affected area to heal and stimulate it. Abeetoxin also promises to calm skin, as well as fade scars and provide relief from sunburn.

The brand's founder and facialist, Ms Deborah Mitchell, who is based in Britain, counts royalty (Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge) and A-list celebrities (Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow) as regulars.

Her clients are reportedly fans of her signature Bee Venom Facial and bee venom skincare.

Abeetoxin is supposedly so potent that Ms Mitchell has launched the Gold Label Bee Venom Mask, which costs $1,250 for 50ml and contains an "intense dose" of bee venom to tighten and firm skin.

On her blog, Ms Mitchell claims that no one has had an adverse reaction to the bee venom formula, even those with a bee allergy.

Besides the bee venom products, the 29-year-old brand also offers face oils, eye creams, tinted moisturisers, body creams and shampoo made from organic ingredients.

A selected range of the Heaven Skincare line is now stocked at Qbeautywellness.com.

Look out for:

Bee Venom Mask (photo 1) $89 for 15ml

An anti-ageing concoction of Abeetoxin, shea butter, manuka honey, rose oil and lavender oil to soothe, moisturise, treat and protect skin.

Age Defiance Moisturiser (photo 2) $159 for 50ml

A favourite of American actress Michelle Pfeiffer, this lightweight moisturiser contains vitamins B and C to protect skin. Tea tree oil is added to help reduce scar formation, calm rosacea (a chronic skin condition) and balance the skin's sebum levels.

Vanilla Pod Hand & Nail Cream (photo 3) $129 for 200ml

A rich and moisturising cream for the cuticles and feet.

LINES BASED ON AGE-OLD TRADITIONS:

SPA CEYLON

Selling point: An extensive line of skincare, haircare and bodycare made from natural ingredients. The products are based on Ayurveda, an ancient form of holistic medicine.

"Traditional Ayurveda blends are sticky and oily with a strong odour. They are good for you, but are not polished," says Mr Shalin Balasuriya, 35, the brand's co-founder, who is based in Sri Lanka. He was in town last month to debut the six-year-old brand at Wisma Atria.

To make Ayurvedic lotions and potions more palatable to urbanites, Spa Ceylon worked with Sri Lankan practitioners of Ayurveda and chemists for the brand's product formulation.

"They are lighter and smell better while keeping the goodness of Ayurveda intact," says

Mr Balasuriya, whose family owns an established Sri Lankan mass-market brand called Janet Ayurveda, which also taps on the traditional medicine.

According to Ayurveda, each individual possesses a pattern of energy, or doshas.

The three doshas - Vatha, Pitha and Kapha - are present in varying degrees in each person, with one or two of them more prominent.

To put it simply, Vatha-dominant types have normal to dry skin, Pitha-dominant types have normal to sensitive skin, and Kapha-dominant types have normal to oily skin.

Spa Ceylon's shower gels, body scrubs, hair oils, body oils, massage balms, body butters and lotions are customised for each of the three different doshas. Free of parabens and alcohol, there are also categories which suit every skin type.

Prices of the brand's offerings start from $6.90 for a bar of soap with an attached loofah to $55.90 for a jar of body scrub.

Teas, candles, herbal compresses and home fragrances are also available at Spa Ceylon.

Eighty per cent of the herbs and plants used in the formulas are from Sri Lanka.

The brand supports a variety of causes. Ten per cent of the sales from the Save The Majestic Ceylon Elephant range goes towards elephant conservation in Sri Lanka, while 10 per cent of the profits from the Peace line benefits community projects which rehabilitate people and places ravaged by war.

Look out for:

Green Mint Reviva Foot Soak (photo 1) $20.50

Give tired feet a treat with bath salts, peppermint, lemongrass, black turmeric and the nirgundi herb to cleanse, refresh and soften.

Sleep Therapy Body & Pillow Mist (photo 2) $26.50

Part of a set designed to help you prepare for bed, spritz this cocktail of patchouli, ylang ylang, lavender, aloe vera and witch hazel on your pillow and body to calm your senses.

Peace Bath & Shower Gel (photo 3) $22.50

A mild cleanser blended with lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, aloe vera, virgin coconut oil and olive oil.

BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES

Selling point: Australian skincare made with natural ingredients and traditional formulas, and scented with aromatherapy.

Ms Chey Birch launched the brand in 1989 in Bondi because she was concerned about applying harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances on her skin.

The brand's name refers to a mythical ancient crone known for her healing powers.

True to its name, Black Chicken Remedies products use ingredients which have long been known for their benefits.

For instance, raw organic cacao powder is the main ingredient in the deep cleansing Cacao Revelation Mask because according to Ms Birch, it is a traditional skin treatment.

The Cleanse My Face Organic Purifying Cleanser ($84) is made with 13 medicinal and nourishing oils from castor, jojoba, camellia tea, sweet almond, sunflower, sesame seed, macadamia, cedarwood, palma rosa, mandarin, patchouli, geranium and lavender, as an alternative to harsh cleansers.

Black Chicken Remedies is available exclusively at Beaute By Kew, 2 Everton Park, 01-47.

Look out for:

Balm Of Ages All Purpose Remedy (photo 1) $56.70

A multi-purpose balm to immediately soothe irritations, eczema, dry skin and sunburns.

It promises to minimise the appearance of scars, stretch marks and bruises. You can also use it to remove make-up and moisturise cracked heels.

ICU Intensive Care Eye Serum (photo 2) $132.40

A lightweight eye serum with milk thistle, cucumber seed oil, lavender, rose geranium, vitamin E oil, chia seed oil and green coffee seed oil to treat the delicate eye area.

Cacao Revelation Mask (photo 3) $115.60

Contains raw organic cacao (an antioxidant), pink and white kaolin clays (to draw sebum from skin), olive leaf (to stimulate collagen growth) and myrrh gum powder (to reduce inflammation). It smells deliciously chocolatey too.

KAHINA GIVING BEAUTY

Selling point: All the skincare and bodycare products in the line are made with pure organic argan oil extracted by hand, supposedly using ancient techniques, by the Berber women of Morocco.

Throughout history, Berber women have used oil from argan fruits to protect their skin from harsh desert conditions. The Berbers are an indigenous population of North Africa.

Kahina - named after a Berber queen and prophetess - was founded in 2008 by New York-based Katharine L'Heureux after she travelled to Morocco and discovered the beautifying properties of the oil.

According to the brand, the argan oil in Kahina products is different because it is minimally processed and extracted with sustainable practices. Argan oil is also used as food.

It takes one Berber woman almost eight hours to crack 30kg of argan fruit for one litre of oil.

While the labour is hard, it provides the women with a fair income. Kahina says its products are certified fair-trade, and 25 per cent of the profits are donated to them.

Kahina Giving Beauty also gives to the non-profit organisation Education for All Morocco, which provides girls in rural Moroccan villages opportunities for education.

The brand's products are available at www.charisnaturals.com.

Look out for:

Body Serum (photo 1) $150 for 200ml

A luxurious body oil with a scent reminiscent of the markets of Fez in Morocco to calm frayed nerves. It contains essential oils of rose, orange blossoms, patchouli, ylang ylang, sandalwood, cumin and clove.

The easily absorbed and non-greasy oil serum is a blend of argan, sunflower, olive and coconut oils.

100% Organic Argan Oil (photo 2) $122 for 100ml

Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamin E, this oil is as natural as anti-ageing treatments get.

Night Cream (photo 3) $145 for 50ml

A potent cream made from argan oil, resveratrol and polyphenols from red wine grapes.

VITAMAN

Selling point: Australia's first men's grooming range made with an understanding of Aboriginal bush medicine, as well as indigenious Australian plants, fruit and herbs.

The brand was started in 1999 by naturopath and herbalist Glenn Kiddell, and beauty therapist Clare Matthews.

Sold in more than 35 places worldwide, Vitaman offers an extensive range of innovative haircare, skincare, bodycare and shaving formulas which are made with interesting ingredients.

The Hair Food hair treatment is made with seeds of the evergreen desert shrub, quandong, and saw palmetto fruit extract to treat skin irritation and male baldness. It can also be used as a hair conditioner, a hair tonic or blended with a styling product.

There is also the I-Zone Eye & Lip Reviver Gel ($85) - an uncommon product in men's skincare products - which contains Coenzyme Q10 to treat irritated skin and bilberry extract to brighten it.

Available at the men's grooming area, Takashimaya Department Store, Level 3.

Look out for:

Ocean Deodorant Natural Body Spray (photo 1) $45

A moisturising deodorant made with blue cypress, lavender and peppermint oils which have antiseptic and soothing properties. It has a fresh, warm and woody scent.

Face Mud Masque (photo 2) $50

This deep-cleansing product contains 200-million-year-old Australian active clay, which is rich in 35 nourishing minerals. It also contains grapefruit oil, cedarwood oil and sandalwood oil.

Face Scrub (photo 3) $52

This scrub provides gentle exfoliation with crushed nut shells to prevent ingrown hair. It is formulated with aloe vera gel, witch hazel and lemon myrtle oil.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 9, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

One of our beauty resolutions this year is to style our hair more often, so we’re starting this off with a style we all know so well – the French braid.

Here are two easy ways to update it:

#1 BRAID IN REVERSE
Do the upside down french braid.

Af Vandevorst Paris Spring 15

Flip your hair over and start braiding from the hair at the nape of the neck. Once the braid reaches close to the crown of your head, secure it with an elastic band. Use an elastic band that’s thin and easy to conceal, because you will have to tuck it in inside your braid. Pin the excess hair down and you’re done! This is great for girls with short hair too.

#2 BRAID IT SMALL AND SEPARATE
This style looks a lot more complicated than the first hairdo, but it’s actually easier. You can achieve this look by starting your French braid at a level just slightly above your ears, braiding with two strands from the side of your face and a thin strand in the centre.

Suno New York Spring 15

In the classic French braid, you add sections by taking hair from the sides of your face all the way to the centre, but in this case, only take small sections of hair from the outside like you would in a fishtail braid. You should keep them as thin as possible, so it looks as if the rest of your hair naturally “falls through” the braid.

It sounds a lot harder than it looks, but try it, you won’t regret it!

GRAIN
www.grain.com.sg, tel: 8307-4253. Open Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm
With a menu that changes daily, expect different meals with every order. If that’s still not enough for you, Grain offers food from different cuisines, ranging from a chirashi-don ($11.95) to a deconstructed burger ($10.95). Cooking methods like grilling with less oil and with a direct fire, sous vide, and swopping certain ingredients - such as substituting mayo for cauliflower puree - are great healthy options.
Delivery areas: Marina Bay, Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place.
Placing an order: Via the website; the minimum order is $8.

SPINACAS
www.spinacas.com, tel: 9770-7039. Open Mon-Fri, 10.30am-1pm and 5-7pm.
Salad lovers will adore this one. Spinacas offers hearty carb-free salads ($9 to $11) like Moroccan Spiced Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork, Sesame Tofu Patties and Ratatouille, paired with baby spinach and topped with broccoli, hard-boiled egg, cheddar cheese and nuts.
Delivery areas: The business district and selected areas across Singapore; check specific location details on their website.
Placing an order: Order at least 24 hours in advance via phone or the website. The minimum order is $30.

THE NAKED MEALS
www.thenakedmeals.com, tel: 9456-6774 / 9799-2487. Open Mon-Fri, 11.45am-2pm.
Their meals do not contain artificial flavouring, colouring and preservatives. Stevia and sea salt are used in place of sugar and refined salt. Find dishes like Baked Masala Chicken Breast, Roasted Greens and Baked Pumpkins on their menu, with prices starting from $10.
Delivery areas: Bugis, Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, City Hall MRT, Orchard, Novena, Chinatown and Buona Vista.
Placing an order: They operate on a subscription-based delivery system – order five, 12 or 24 meals and let them know when you want them delivered.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

GET IN SURFER SHAPE

TRY:SURFSET
Surfers are known for their lean yet muscular form, strong back and legs, pectoral and abdominal muscles, well-defined triceps and overall cardiovascular fitness.

But you don’t need to be a water baby get a super-toned, surfer-like physique. With Surfset, you won’t even be getting wet. The exercises, which are done on a custom-made surfboard that wobbles as you move, are designed to engage your core and stabiliser muscles to help sculpt your body, as well challenge it in new ways.

Once you’re on the wobbly board, your main challenge is keeping your balance – this requires focus and control. You’ll be working your upper and lower abs, and back. The different high-intensity exercises are carried out at intervals to help you build your endurance, rev up your metabolism and shed body fat.

WHERE TO TRY IT: Surfset Singapore, Level 3, 454B Joo Chiat Road, tel: 9751-0793

PRICE: $35 per class, $33 a class for five classes, or $31 a class for 10 classes

CONTACT: info@surfset.sg; www.surfset.sg

JUST HIT IT

TRY: SPEEDMINTON
Speedminton is a racket workout from Germany that combines badminton, tennis and squash. It’s not only fun, but you can play it anywhere outdoors – at the beach or park, or on the football field.

You don’t need a net, and the shuttlecocks, called Speeders, are designed to fly accurately outdoors so you can still play regardless of the wind conditions. You can even play at night using the glow-in-the-dark Night Speeders.

What you will need is a partner to play against (it can also be played as a doubles game). The aim of the game is to score points. The first player to achieve 16 points wins. Other very basic rules are fast and easy to pick up once you start playing.

It’s a good activity for beginners as it’s easy to learn, and the large-headed rackets give you control – you don’t need racket-sport experience to get Speedminton moves right. In addition to boosting your cardiovascular fitness, it will also help develop your hand-eye coordination.

WHERE TO TRY IT: Singapore Sports Hub, 2 Stadium Walk, on Saturdays, 10am-2pm

PRICE: $120 an hour for a group tryout (maximum of 10 people)

CONTACT: Donald Koh, tel: 9126-0938, e-mail equiphaus@yahoo.com.sg, or go to www.speedminton.com.sg

FEEL THE BURN

TRY: FREESTYLE GROUP TRAINING
If you love working out in groups of up to 12 people, Freestyle Group Training is for you. This is the perfect blend of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, designed around the body’s natural movements, and is proven to be at least 50 per cent more effective than fixed machine training for strength, speed, endurance and flexibility.

Each workout combines squat, lunge, bend, push, pull, and twist movements. The 30-minute class is delivered by a certified coach, and includes a warm-up, a main workout, and a two-minute continuous workout to finish.

There are three types of workouts: In the H.I.I.T. programme, expect fast-paced, high-intensity moves, with equal bursts of 30-second work-and-rest intervals. It works your core and elevates your heart rate with your body weight and Freestyle equipment.

In the Power programme, you’ll learn explosive and progressive fast-paced power movements with heavy resistance, and maximise your body power with jumps, press-ups and burpees. This workout tones your whole body.

The Strength programme builds total body strength and muscle endurance, and promotes lean muscle mass. You’ll work for 45 seconds and rest for 15 seconds, and use the bosu ball (an inflatable rubber dome fixed to a platform), dumbbells, TRX and body weight exercises.

WHERE TO TRY IT: Available in Fitness First clubs, including those at Market Street and The Metropolis.

PRICE: First-time visitors can fill up the club's online one-day trial form for a free trial. Otherwise, the fee is $50 a class, which also gives you a one-day pass for the gym facilities and equipment, and other classes. 

CONTACT:www.fitnessfirst.com.sg

SUPERCHARGE YOUR WORKOUT

TRY: ALTITUDE TRAINING
Elite athletes use altitude training to enhance their endurance, power and speed to levels not attainable with s normal training regimen. Now you can do the same.

Altitude is Singapore’s first simulated altitude-training facility. Its purpose-built altitude room is equipped like a normal gym but features a state-of-the-art compressor system that can simulate any altitude up to 4,500m.

When training at altitude, the body triggers the production of erythropoietin, which makes your oxygen-carrying and utilisation systems more efficient. This increases the performance of your muscles, allowing you to go longer, harder and/or faster.

Choose from cardio and circuits, yoga, physical training and combat. Depending on what you do, you’ll notice improved strength, or a better core and stability.

WHERE TO TRY IT: Altitude, 11 Jalan Bingka, off Rifle Range Rd, tel: 9373-9034

PRICE: You’ll have to sign up for membership; monthly membership fees start from $130.

CONTACT: info@altitude.sg; www.altitude.sg

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

VICTORIA'S SECRET SCANDALOUS EDP

$130 for 100ml, from Victoria's Secret stores

A sweet fruity floral blend with a warm and woody base.

The notes: Black peony, raspberry liqueur and praline.

KENZO JEU D'AMOUR EDT

$79 for 30ml, available at Kenzo counters from the end of this month

A light, white flower perfume.

The notes: Pear, lemon blossom, green tea, tuberose, freesia flower, white musk and cedarwood leaves.

GIORGIO ARMANI SI EDP

$109 for 50ml, available at Giorgio Armani counters from next month

A light and sweet fruity floral, which is lighter and fruitier than Si EDP Intense.

The notes: Chypre, blackcurrant nectar, airy florals, musky blond wood.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 9, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

We’ve all experienced this before – dull, patchy skin in the morning that only gets more obvious, and usually even worse, with each application of sunscreen, foundation and powder.

We’re quick to complain after, about how cakey a powder is, or how difficult it is to blend a particular fluid foundation, but chances are, it’s happening because you’re not prepping your skin right, notes makeup artist Larry Yeo at the recent launch of SK-II’s new AurActivator Complete Care Cream.

Larry Yeo at the launch of SK-II's CC Cream. Image: SK-II

Larry, who was conducting a live demonstration on how to use the product, said skin prep was essential:“It’s (prepping your skin) very vital, so whatever you apply on after, like your sunscreen or the AurActivator CC Cream, you find that it appears smoother. Rather than ‘Oh, I have no time,’ and just finding some product and slapping it on the skin. ‘Oh why is my skin uneven,’ and then you blame the product – it’s all about priming the skin."

Here are two tips we learnt from Larry during the session:

TIP #1: TREAT DULL AND PATCHY SKIN WITH A DIY COTTON PAD MASK

First, gently massage a hydrating toner onto the face and neck with your hands. Larry used the SK-II Cellumination Mask-in-Lotion, which has glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to rehydrate the skin. Start at the centre of your face and move outwards.

Take one or two drops of a brightening serum with hydrating properties and apply it, again from the centre of the face and moving outwards. This method of application helps to make sure that you do not leave out any parts of your face, because portions that have been missed will appear drier after makeup application.

For those who travel a lot or have had a particularly stressful week at work, Larry recommends treating patchy and dehydrated skin with a cotton pad mask. Drench an entire cotton pad with the hydrating toner of your choice and hold it at the dry spot for about two minutes to soften the skin. This also works well for pimples that tend to get flaky while they heal.

Larry personally does not like to apply moisturiser after this because of Singapore’s humid environment, so don’t be afraid to skip the moisturiser if you find that your skin is supple enough.

TIP #2: TREAT DARK UNDER EYE CIRCLES WITH DIY EYE PATCHES

To instantly brighten dark under eye circles, Larry applied a drop of SK-II’s Cellumination Aura Essence onto the delicate skin around the eye, leaving a thin film to hydrate and plump the area. Follow up with a little cotton pad mask, or DIY eye patch sheets for two to five minutes, depending on how much time you have.

Once you’re done, lift the cotton pad and immediately use your thumb to massage outwards from the inner corner of the under eyes. If you’re worried about creating fine lines from doing that, Larry says: “Since there’s already product on the skin, when you do that, there’s ‘slip’ so there’s less risk of you pulling too much.” Finish by applying your regular eye cream.

You can also do this for laugh lines.

Now, your skin is ready for makeup application!

Larry Yeo can be contacted at www.larryyeo.com.

SK-II Cellumination Mask-in-lotion, $119, and the Cellumination Aura Essence, $199 for 30ml are available at all SK-II counters.

SK-II Cellumination AurActivator Complete Care and Correction Cream, $92, will be available from March 2015 at all the brand’s counters.

For more information, visit www.sk-ii.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Take a seat, Jackie Chan fans: Riveting revelations abound in a three-page letter said to have been penned by Jaycee Chan to his Mum while holed up in detention.

For starters, it looks like Jaycee is finally ‘fessing up to some hard-hitting Daddy issues – which may just have shaved time off his jail sentence for drug-related shenanigans.

So what did the letter to Mummy dearest contain? A fair bit of finger-pointing and navel-gazing, apparently: The prodigal son says he suffers from “insufficient love” from his detached Dad, and that it was the prospect of forever cowering in the supersized shadow of his father which ultimately drove Jaycee to his current sorry state of affairs. The 32-year-old signed off by swearing to sober up in the slammer.

And if Hong Kong gossip rag Apple Daily is to be believed, Jaycee’s suitably penitent postcard was cited by a Beijing court as sufficient “proof” of his remorse – enough to warrant slashing his two-year sentence for marijuana possession to just six months.  

Does Jaycee’s cannily timed sob story pass the smell test? To be fair, this is the boy who spent his childhood being cold-shouldered by his action hero father, who was apparently unwilling to risk alienating his fans by disclosing his paternal status.

Then there’s the widely reported public denouncement by Jackie Chan himself, who said he was “very angry” and would not be bailing out his son. That has got to suck, right?

In any case, the relatively lenient sentence means Jaycee will be officially jail-free come February 14 this year – in time for some Valentine’s Day father-son bonding, we hope. Stay strong, kiddo, see you out and about in a bit!

You can follow Jaycee Chan on Instagram and Weibo.

Prospect of pimples making you look all pensive?

Picture zombie zits that never go away, ever. Enough to make your skin crawl, yes?

This Walking Dead scenario may become the new normal if you continue downing antibiotics for the most minor of blemishes, warn dermatologists disturbed by the increase in cases of particularly persistent pimples.

What’s the link between acne and antibiotics? As it turns out, our over-reliance on antibiotics may have spawned an army of battle-tested bacteria which have emerged, stronger than ever and better able to survive the next onslaught of meds.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, one Dr Whitney Bowe, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center, says “we used to get more success with oral antibiotics” and that “our ability to treat moderate to severe acne has become compromised.” Sobering stuff.

Dr Bowe’s not the only skin doc sounding the alarm; an Arkansas-based dermatologist Sandra Johnson has even gone so far as to say that this acne-antibiotic bother may boil over into legitimately terrifying territory: “The pit in my stomach grows a little bigger every time I prescribe oral antibiotics to healthy, athletic teenagers for their acne, knowing I am increasing their risk of contracting MRSA from the locker room, classroom or anywhere in the community.” (MRSA is the original hospital “superbug” that’s notoriously difficult to squash.)

Happily, the solution to stomping out these stubborn spots is intuitive enough: Don’t take antibiotics unless absolutely necessary; and explore other gentler options, like slapping on one of Miacare’s protective pus-absorbing “stickers”.

Not sure what else to do? Try these totally safe top tips from yours truly, for starters. Good luck!

Miacare Acne Patches, $4.50 for the Day (12pcs) and Night (12pcs), and $6.20 for the Day & Night (18pcs), are available at selected Guardian stores. For more information, follow Miacare Singapore on Instagram.

BRAUN CITRUS JUICER CJ 3000 EDITOR’S RAVE
$35, from major electrical stores

JUG CAPACITY 350ml

CORD LENGTH 1.2m

JUICING WITH IT It juiced grapefruits, oranges and lemons pretty well. Its wide reamer held large fruits best – grapefruit halves were the driest after five seconds of juicing. The reamer had the deepest grooves in the line-up too, so oranges and lemons were well squeezed. It was the second quietest, and kept countertop splatter to just a few stray drops.

USING IT It was less tedious juicing five oranges at a go with this gadget than others – I didn’t have to apply much pressure on the reamer. But because it had the smallest jug, juicing large quantities was a little inconvenient – the jug filled up quickly, after three and a half oranges.

PULP CONTROL The strainer had an adjustable pulp control that also kept seeds out best when turned to the lowest setting for the least pulp.

CLEANING IT It needed a longer rinse to get all the pulp off, as the holes of the strainer were the smallest.

VERDICT The best performer, it gave lots of juice.

SCORE 7.5/10

PHILIPS DAILY COLLECTION CITRUS PRESS HR2738 BEST VALUE
$32, from major electrical stores

JUG CAPACITY 500ml

CORD LENGTH 75cm

JUICING WITH IT This gadget left my oranges drier than the others did after five seconds of juicing. It did a decent job with lemons and grapefruits too. The quietest in the line-up, it was let down by a shallow strainer – pulp built up more quickly – and created the most splatter.

USING IT I had a mild cramp in my hand after juicing five oranges as I had to apply slightly more pressure on the reamer than I did when using the Braun juicer.

PULP CONTROL The only one with no adjustable pulp control, it’s a good choice for those who like their juice pulpy. The strainer kept big seeds out of the juice but let smaller ones through.

CLEANING IT It was the easiest to clean – the pulp rinsed out of the strainer’s long slits effortlessly.

VERDICT A no-frills juicer that’s best for oranges.

SCORE 7/10

FUMIYAMA POWER CITRUS JUICER FCJ 63
$39, from www.fumiyama.com

JUG CAPACITY 1.2 litres

CORD LENGTH 85cm

JUICING WITH IT This was the only juicer with two reamers, for small and large citrus fruits. Grapefruits were still moist after five seconds of juicing, but oranges and lemons were well-squeezed and dry. It was a tad noisier than the other two, but had a deep strainer and hardly created any splatter on my countertop.

USING IT I had to exert the most pressure on this reamer, so my hand felt cramped after juicing five oranges.

PULP CONTROL The adjustable pulp control held back big seeds, but wasn’t as effective as the Braun juicer with smaller seeds.

CLEANING IT The pulp didn’t rinse off cleanly – it was the only juicer with double strainers, which I had to detach to get smaller bits of pulp off.

VERDICT A fairly productive family-sized juicer for OJ and lemonade; if only it were more ergonomic.

SCORE 6.5/10

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

No one likes an oily, itching and clogged scalp – it makes otherwise beautiful hair look flat and lifeless. Prolonged clogging of the scalp also leads to excessive hair loss in the long-run, which is why scalp detox treatments are necessary to keep hair looking full and healthy.

Marni Milan Spring 2015

These scalp treatments usually include a massage or two which are perfect for unwinding from a stressful week, the PHS Hairscience Detox Restorative Spa Therapy is one of them.

Here’s my review of the treatment:

PHS Hairscience Detox Restorative Spa Therapy, $348, 150mins

What it is: The Detox Restorative Spa Therapy is the first of a series of three treatments under PHS Hairscience’s Detox, Restabilise, Regrow programme, which is a long-term programme to treat hair loss. (Think: Same concept as a three-step skincare system.)

This one aims to detoxify the scalp by removing toxins and metabolic wastes from the deep tissues of the scalp. It is said to leave individuals with rejuvenated hair cells, nourished roots and a balanced scalp.

Suitable for: The treatment is not just for oily scalp folks, but also for anyone with scalp issues they need to address. It is customisable, depending on what PHS Hairscience consultants recommend for your scalp condition.

My Scalp Condition: The scalp consultation happens before the treatment in a private room. A scalp scan showed hardened sebum clogging the entrance of my hair follicles (the part where the hair grows out from) – I have an oily, dandruff-prone scalp, with no excessive hair loss.

The Process: There are two sections to PHS Hairscience outlets – a spa therapy room and a salon area. The spa therapy room in the Wheelock Place outlet I visited is very cosy with just eight plush massage chairs, and an iPad full of movies and television shows assigned to each one.

The spa therapy room in the Wheelock Place outlet. Image: PHS Hairscience

To begin, my scalp was first “combed” with a large paddle brush, followed by the application of a scalp mask to detoxify and nourish the hair cells. The mask smelled minty and had a cool, tingly sensation on the scalp. I was then treated to a little scalp massage and an oxygen therapy steam for 20 minutes.

After steaming the scalp, my hair was washed twice with an in-house detox shampoo to get rid of the toxins that had been brought to the surface. Then came the application of a detox scalp serum – this serum was chosen based on my oily dandruff-prone scalp; other serums in the range include sensitive, oil control, and anti-hairloss. They can also be layered over one another, depending on your scalp condition.

The most relaxing part of the treatment starts here – a 15-minute massage for the neck, shoulders and upper back with an essential oil of your choice. Out of the four available – bergamot, lemongrass, eucalyptus and lavender – I chose lavender for its calming and de-stressing properties. The therapist soothed and loosened the “knots” in my shoulders, which are usually tense from slouching in front of the computer. (Massage chairs? Who needs them?) Those who are afraid of hard massages, don’t worry, the therapist will ask for your preference on how much pressure they should apply before beginning the massage. 

For better penetration of the serum and blood circulation to the scalp, an Infra-red lamp directed onto the scalp for 20 minutes.

I was then brought outside to the salon area where my hair was blow-dried and styled, ending the treatment.

The results: I left the salon with a refreshed scalp, my hair was a little less flat at the crown and I felt relaxed. The effect lasted for two weeks before I started to notice my scalp slowly going back to its usual state, minus any itching of the scalp, which I had before the treatment.

The hair consultant did however, advise me to treat my scalp every two weeks because of how oily it can get. I also did an argan oil de-frizzing treatment within three days of doing this, which might have affected the results.

All things considered, this refreshing scalp treatment is a relaxing experience that’s well worth your beauty dollar, especially if you want to wind-down after a hectic work week.

PHS Hairscience is located at Ngee Ann City, Plaza Singapura and Wheelock Place. For more information, visit www.phshairscience.com, and follow them on Facebook.

PHS Hairscience was previously known as Phyto Hair Spa.

The beauty looks are always one of the top treats from the red carpet during awards season, and 2015 doesn't look like it will disappoint. Here are three beauty tutorials to get you in the mood, inspired by some of this Sunday's most glamorous nominees.

Actress Jessica Chastain Image: AFP Photo/Mark Ralston

Jessica Chastain 

The American actress is up for the best supporting actress in "A Most Violent Year" for her role as Anna Morales. Chastain is also one of the faces of YSL, and appeared in a the stunning advertising campaign for the brand's Manifesto fragrance. Vlogger Mallory replicates the look in this video.

Reese Witherspoon 

Witherspoon is nominated in the best actress category for "Wild," and the Louisiana-born star, who already has an Academy Award to her name is one of this year's hot tips. Young beauty fanatic Nadja from TheSecretsOfBeauty12 attempts to get Reese's style in this short film.

Keira Knightley

The final talent in our round up is Brit Keira Knightley who is up for the best supporting actress prize for her role in "The Imitation Game" alongside Benendict Cumberbatch. In this video Lisa Eldridge gives you some advice on how to wear Keira's trademark hot lip. Her hot tip: avoid this look if you've got a lot of red or pink in your skin or you'll look washed out.

-- AFP Relaxnews

This K-drama heartthrob is the new face of Calvin Klein watches. | Images: © 2015 Karim Sadli / Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry

Move over Justin Bieber!

Korean actor Kim Woo Bin is the latest star in Calvin Klein’s army of celebrity faces. See these hot pictures of the actor, best known for his starring role in hit Korean TV series The Heirs.

He models the new unisex styles of the Calvin Klein ‘alliance’ watches in the pictures below.

Follow Calvin Klein on Facebook at facebook.com/calvinklein, on Twitter @calvinklein and on Instagram @calvinklein.
Show off your Calvin Klein watch on social media with the hashtag #mycalvins
See how bloggers style their Calvin Klein watches with the hashtag #ckminute

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS
For the almond cream:
60g unsalted butter
50g sugar
¼ tsp vanilla essence
1½ eggs
15g wholemeal flour
65g ground almonds

For the pastry cream:
140ml + 10ml milk
50g whipping cream
50g sugar
1½ tsp corn flour
1 tsp custard powder
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp unsalted butter

For the crumble topping:
150g plain flour
150g sugar
150g unsalted butter
150g ground almonds

350g frozen apricots*, thawed slightly and chopped
3 tsp brown sugar
A pinch of ground cinnamon
Honey, to taste
A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
Crème fraiche, to garnish

*All ingredients are available at baking supply stores like Phoon Huat, Blk 107 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-270, tel: 6353-9136

DIRECTIONS
1 To make the almond cream, mix the butter, sugar, and vanilla essence in an electric mixer. Add the eggs gradually, then the flour. Stir in the almonds and set aside.
2 To make the pastry cream, bring 140ml milk, the cream and sugar to boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
3 In another bowl, mix in 10ml milk with the cornflour and custard powder, then add the egg. Strain the mixture.
4 Stir half the boiled cream mixture into the strained mixture. Then add the rest of the boiled cream mixture and whisk until thickened. Fold in the butter.
5 Measure out 225g almond cream and 75g pastry cream, and mix well. Pour this into six 6cm ring moulds placed on a baking tray lined with baking paper, and chill for 30min.
6 Mix all the ingredients for the crumble topping.
7 In a separate bowl, mix the apricots, brown sugar, cinnamon and honey.
8 Preheat the oven to 160 deg C. Take the rings out of the fridge and top each with the apricot mixture, then the crumble topping. Finish with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.
9 Bake for 50min. Remove the moulds and top the crumble with crème fraiche.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

Watch where you eat: You could be consuming unnecessary calories! Image: Cover Media

Even those most dedicated to their diets will find themselves slipping up every now and again. And while it's easy to reel off a list of things you shouldn't be eating (bye bye chocolate), it's not just about what you consume. In fact, where you eat could have an impact on your waistline. We take a look at some of the worst places to snack.

In bed

We're not saying you should turn down that attractive offer of breakfast in bed if you're lucky enough to have someone to make it for you – but don't make a habit of it. Eating between the sheets is less than hygienic and can also lead to mindless snacking. Don't keep treats like chocolate on your bedside table – it will be much too tempting. Instead, fill up on a healthy dinner and have a low-fat yoghurt or a piece of fruit an hour or two before bed to avoid an attack of the midnight munchies.

The office

Everyone has an allotted lunch hour but not many people take the whole thing. In fact, a recent study even showed that many breaks last for less than 30 minutes as people are eager to get work done so they don't end up staying late. Taking time for some lunch is important, so get up, walk around and make sure you have a change of scenery while you eat. If you're concentrating on a work task you won't be as aware of what you're eating and may end up consuming more than you intended. Eating while stressed could also lead to bloating and heartburn.

The kitchen

Do you snack while you're cooking? It might seem like a harmless nibble here and there, but it adds up and could mean consuming hundreds of unnecessary calories. Make sure you're not ravenous by the time you prepare meals by eating little and often throughout the day. Keep portioned, healthy snacks in the fridge – little tubs of mixed fruit or veg, small helpings of popcorn or a handful of mixed nuts will all provide energy. This will also keep you away from the biscuit tin in the evenings.

The sofa

You're snuggling down for a night watching your favourite box set. But before you know it, you've binge watched five episodes and snacked your way through a big bag of nachos. When you're concentrating on a show or movie, it's easy to mindlessly eat. Make sure you've had a healthy and filling dinner beforehand and, if you're still hungry, reach for some of those pre-made virtuous snacks rather than sugary or fatty treats.

© Cover Media