Recession Proof Fitness Tips

September 17th, 2010 by dolita

Exercising regularly does not mean we have to spend a bomb to do it. The following newsletter from Vitage Fitness is about keeping fit at less bucks in Singapore. Although the tips are more specifically for Singapore residents, those who are not in Singapore could be able to find equivalent services near you.

A teacher friend of mine flinched as she was calculating how much she spends on fitness activities every month. She has a 2 year gym membership that she pays via an interest-free installment scheme and also spends $60 every weekend to get her wakeboarding fix. In all, she spends close to $200 per month and that does not include the transport and parking costs to get to the fitness facilities! With all the scary financial news out there, there is a very real possibility that such discretionary spending will soon catch up with you if it has not already…

Are there any inexpensive or even free alternatives to get fit while having fun too? Fortunately, the answer is yes! Other than jogging and walking, here are some ideas and activities will keep your hear rate going!

Trekking

The slopes of Bukit Timah Hill (The highest natural summit in Singapore) provide a challenging and fun alternative to the stationery stair climber in the gym! If you re unfamiliar with the hills, the easiest way to the summit is to get the free pamphlet from the Nature Reserve Visitor Center at the trailhead which has a simple topography map with colored routes.

Another great place to trek is at the Southern Ridges trail connecting Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill and Kent Ridge. My favorite part of the trail is climbing up the pre-war granite steps cut into the forest at Mount Faber. A close second would be to walk on the magnificent Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch. The experience is refreshing and the scenery is simply breathtaking!

Fitness Bootcamp

If you fancy working out as a team, make new friends and enjoy a combo of fitness activities such as kickboxing, yoga, circuit-training and obstacle course, take part in one of these bootcamp sessions that are available at almost every major park on the island. The best part about these sessions is that there is no long term money committent. You only pay when you join the sessions. Hit www.fitnessbootcamp.sg for more info.

Rope Skipping

Inexpensive, effective and convenient! For those of you want to pick up new rope-skipping styles or to simply learn the basic bounce, there are free lessons being conducted at East Coast Park every Saturday. Check out www.skipping.sg for details.

Team Sports

Most of us have got a deflated soccer, rugby ball or a Frisbee stashed somewhere. Gather a few buddies for a kick-about or a game of Touch Rugby at the nearby fields. You get to catch up with your friends and get fit all at once!

Finally, avoid the trap of “recession pounds”, weight put on by eating less healthy food as a result of financial hardship and other unhealthy activities such as smoking. Instead take this opportunity to engage in sport and fitness, which are productive activities in managing stress.

source: http://www.vitagefitness.com/content/fitness-minutes-13-recession-proof-fitness

Selamat Hari Raya to All Muslims!

September 9th, 2010 by zian

Hey there, tomorrow will be Hari Raya Puasa for all muslims! Hari Raya Puasa means the celebration day of fasting and it is a muslim holiday which marks the end of Ramadhan. The holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. Muslims will make their preparations for Hari Raya during Ramadhan. Preparations include house spring cleaning, buying new Baju Kurung, baking cakes/cookies, new furniture or items for the house and lots more! House spring cleaning is the most tiring though. Especially for those with big houses.

On the first day of Hari Raya, Muslims will go for a special prayer in the morning and later in the afternoon is the visiting of relatives or friends. This is the day where we will ask forgiveness from each other especially from our parents. This is an important custom for muslims. Some families will wear the same colour costumes which gives them an identity that they are a family while some will wear different colours. However, the most important thing is spending time with family on Hari Raya. Usually, the Hari Raya festive is celebrated for one month, no only with family but also with friends.

The best part of raya? Of course it’s the food! Our most popular or rather must-have is the ketupat, rendang, sambal prawns and satay and not forgetting the ‘kuehs’ or cakes that those have baked during ramadhan. The must-have kueh is of course the kueh tart which is the pineapple tart. Honestly, my tummy is growling while typing this but that’s ok because i’m fasting. :) Below are some picture of the festive food.

Ketupat

This is the ketupat which is the rice dumpling

On the first day of Hari Raya, most families will visit their parents house where all the other relatives gather. We will then spend time with food and relatives there. It can be the whole day or maybe for a while depending on some families as they might have other houses to visit. First day is usually the family day. After that, we will visit our friends or other relatives’ houses.

So this is a short overview post on how Muslims in Singapore celebrate Hari Raya. And it’s tomorrow! Time flies really fast though. Anyways,

Apple Bazaar would like to wish all muslims out there

Selamat Hari Raya and Enjoy Your Holidays!

ESS Striker Asian Fit Series (with Demo Video on Anti-scratch Feature)

September 9th, 2010 by zian

ESS creates High Adrenaline Eye Protection systems for military, law enforcement and fire/rescue professionals. Designed to take out on the most hostile and unforgiving environments on the planet, ESS features cutting-edge technologies and patented innovations to ensure peak performance and uncompromising eye safety.


The ESS Striker Series military/tactical goggles are created with input from US Special Forces Groups. Specifically designed to withstand the rigors that today’s war fighters may encounter. This Asian Fit is also designed to fit Asian face profile.

Striker Series Goggles deliver:

  • Excellent impact protection
  • Large frame to fit over glasses
  • Wide field of vision
  • Superior anti-fog and anti-scratch performance
  • 100% UVA/UVB protection
  • Filtration of airborne dust and debris
  • Anatomical fit and helmet compatibility

The lenses are removable. They are easily removed just by peeling the goggle frame away from the lens. The frame is a rubber-like texture/material.

(Read more… )

[Contest] Win a X-mini HAPPY!

September 7th, 2010 by dolita

icon to promote xmini happy contestThis week My Apple Bazaar Giveaway would like to take a break. We have an open contest instead. Come and take a look at our page on Facebook (Apple Bazaar) and join in the fun!

Note: Please direct your comment on our page on Facebook. Comments left on this blog will NOT qualify.

Move Your Body, It is Your Instant Energy!

September 3rd, 2010 by dolita

The following is a re-post of Fitness Minutes newsletter from Vitage Fitness. This week we touch briefly on how to get energy without putting on excess weight. Enjoy the following article and think about how to fit in more movement to your daily routine. Simple thing like stand up and do some stretch movements can work too.

You’ve probably experienced this yourself…those times when you were overwhelmed by fatigue, all drained off energy, yet having to remain focused in order to finish some urgent work. Almost subconsciously,we most definitely will reach for caffine and/or some form of sugar to keep ourselves awake. Unfortuntely, this form of energy aka Sugar Dependency Cycle is not only inconsistent, it is also one sure way to put on excess weight in the long run.

Incidental Activities

Do we all have the ability to energize ourselves instantly? Of course we do! And the best part is that it’s free and it’s not going to cause us to put on any excess weight! To summon energy, all you need to do is MOVE! When we move, we feel, and its only when we feel that we become energized and enthusiastic! The key to having more energy lies simply in how much you move everyday. You might want to try walking down the stairs instead of the elevator or to simply keep walking when you are chatting on your handphone. Health educators refer to these movements as Incidental Activities.

Consistent Energy=Success!

If you think about it, how successful or happy we are is almost entirely tied to how much energy we consistently have. It does not matter how skillful or good you are at your job or how much you know about relationships, if you are tired and struggling all the time, you will not have the juice to be at your best at work or to have a passionate relationship.

So list down 10 Incidental Activities that you can fit into your daily routine and do it. Remember! More movement equates to more energy!

source: http://www.vitagefitness.com/content/fitness-minutes-14-instant-energy

[Contest] ‘My Apple Bazaar Giveaway’ – This Bass Earphone That is Retractable: TravelPac Turbo Bass

August 31st, 2010 by dolita

It is the return of the earphone:

Ever get fed-up with your earphones cable tangled mess? The folks at TravelPac know it so they did their Turbo Bass in Retractable design. Besides the neat retractable cable, this earphone also boasts its stunning bass and high quality audio. For more details, we talked about this earphone a while back. Tug and coil, tug and expand..

This week, grab your chance to win this Turbo Bass Retractable Earphone! Enter My Apple Bazaar Giveaway with your email address and try your luck! Three winners possible so don’t hesitate. Join now!

Good luck!

Mini FAQ

What do I have to do?
Enter Sweepstakes with your email address, then invite your friends. Share the fun!

Sweepstakes Starts
Aug 31, 2010 @ 09:45  (SGT)
Sweepstakes Ends
Sept 02, 2010 @ 23:59  (SGT)

Winners will be notified by email and have to reply within 14 working days after date of notification. By entering the giveaway, contestants are automatically subscribed to Apple Bazaar mailing list. Contestants could unsubscribe anytime.

Rules and Conditions:
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Burn the Fat When You Exercise (part 3 of 3)

August 27th, 2010 by dolita

The following is a re-post of Fitness Minutes newsletter from Vitage Fitness. It is a series of article about how and why we should burn fat, not sugar, when we exercise. Part 1 is covered here and Part 2 here. This is the last and toughest part in burning fat. Enjoy the following article and start burning fat the next time you exercise.

I must confess that the advice that I am about to share with you is something that I find most difficult to follow.  Thinking and training in ways that burn fat is almost second nature for me but all these efforts come to nil whenever I feed my body sugar.

This last instalment of Burning Fat will give you important insights into the relationship between your food choices and energy levels.

Sugar Dependency Cycle

Sugar-based food creates an immediate but short-lived energy surge, and most of us are caught in a cycle where we consume repeated dosage of sugar as soon as the previous ‘high’ wears off.

Such eating patterns leave us hungry all day long and over months and years, our energy levels become inconsistent and our health suffers. It will move our bodies in the direction of releasing insulin, burning sugar, storing fat and becoming more acidic.

Energy Comes From Within You, Not From Outside Of You

Are we resigned to this dependency on sugar? How can we fuel ourselves without having to experience and these mood and energy swings?

The energy that food can provide is no way comparable to the energy that the body can release. Our bodies’ possess an innate ability to release sustained energy that can only be tapped on if we change our perception about food. The key here is to view food as a means to tap on our own vast energy supply, which is stored in body fat instead of something that we consume to refuel ourselves when we run flat.

Eating To Release Energy From Fat

1.       Consume less dense, starchy, and wheat based carbs such as breads, noodles, and cakes and more low-glycemic foods such as green leafy vegetables, fish, seeds, nuts and plenty of water. As a rule of thumb, fill your plate up with salad and vegetables first and then add small amounts of fish, grains and other meat.

2.       Include monounsaturated fats and oils to your meals i.e. high quality essential fats such as olive, flax and fish oil. Also note that food with fat tastes better than food dependant on sugar to add flavour. Such food triggers hunger pangs more frequently, resulting in more calories being consumed.

3.       Meals should be small and numerous. Never allow yourself to be in dire need of food.

Lastly, remember that natural, simpler prepared and less sweetened food gives us more dependable and sustainable energy. Recognize that the true worth of a meal comes later, when you experience how sustainable your energy becomes and not the immediate energy they give!

P.s. The strategies shared in these three byte-sized newsletters on burning fat are far from comprehensive. To learn more, I strongly recommend reading Slow Burn by Stu Mittleman.

source: http://www.vitagefitness.com/content/fitness-minutes-11burning-fat-part-3-3

Use Your Paypal With DBS For More Convenient Online Shopping

August 26th, 2010 by dolita

Paypal Safer Shopping IconToday post is an announcement exclusive to Singapore or those who have account with Singapore DBS/ POSB Bank in SGD currency.

Paypal and DBS Bank have a collaboration for providing yet another method for paying your purchase online. Previously Singapore shoppers could take advantage of Paypal by connecting it with their debit/ credit card. With the collaboration, those who are DBS Bank customers have one more choice, topping up their Paypal account directly from their DBS account. There is no fee for topping up your Paypal account too, although you will still be subjected to exchange rate fee – if you purchase in foreign currency, and some applicable Paypal fee, if any.

Many online merchants now accept Paypal, including eBay, Gmarket, neko treehouse, Apple Bazaar and many more. With Paypal, you will be spoilt for shopping choices, could shop more securely and have easier checkout process too.

For more details and how to, click here to go to DBS Paypal page.

For a limited time till 30th September 2010, the first 5000 customers get $10 rebate with a minimum spend of $100 on your first online purchase. Are you still qualified? Shop now!

The Myriad Shoe Sizes and Its Conversion Guide

August 25th, 2010 by zian

There are a lot of shoe sizes with differing standards, for example US size, UK size, EU size and many more. Often time, we could get confused over which sizes to fit in. For brick-and-mortar shoppers, the process is easier. Go in the shoe shop, try on the display size and estimate the size that will fit – probably with the help of the shop assistant. Shopping for shoes online however, is a different matter altogether. Online shoppers could not try out the shoes beforehand, only relying on the measurement given by seller, and on the standard of size system used by a particular brand.

Hence, this post is written as a guide to a better understanding of shoe sizes in different standards. Hopefully this will help the next time you wish to purchase a shoe online. This guide is for both sexes.

So how does a shoe size convert from e.g. US size to other sizes?

Below is a snapshot of shoe size conversion chart from i18nguy. Click to view bigger chart.

US and UK Shoe Sizes and Their Basics
(Read more… )

[Contest] ‘My Apple Bazaar Giveaway’ – Mini Size Big Audio: X-mini II

August 24th, 2010 by dolita

X-mini slogan: Sound Beyond Size. It’s aptly describing all X-mini speakers range. Mini in Size, Big in Audio! You will be amazed at how loud this tiny speakers can be.

Banner of My Apple Bazaar Giveaway 11 - X-mini II

Featured this week is timeless updated classic X-mini II Capsule speaker! Long-standing and still popular, use it with your laptop, MP3 or iPod to boost the audio. Make your buddies get one, so when you meet, connect your X-minis buddy jack and create an impressive blast of music. Ain’t it wonderful?

Enter My Apple Bazaar Giveaway with your email address and try your luck! Don’t miss out this week hot prize!

Good luck!

Mini FAQ

What do I have to do?
Enter Sweepstakes with your email address, then invite your friends. Share the fun!

Sweepstakes Starts
Aug 17, 2010 @ 16:00  (SGT)
Sweepstakes Ends
Aug 19, 2010 @ 23:59  (SGT)

Winners will be notified by email and have to reply within 14 working days after date of notification. By entering the giveaway, contestants are automatically subscribed to Apple Bazaar mailing list. Contestants could unsubscribe anytime.

Rules and Conditions:
(Read more… )