Not knowing what it was, I assumed it was liquor per say. I had some doubts so I set out online with the help of Mr. Google to find out what it is.

What is chocolate liquor?

Many perceive this as a type of alcoholic drink. However, chocolate liquor, also known as cocoa liquor, is actually the liquid component obtained by the grinding of cocoa nibs from the cocoa bean. It converts cocoa powder and cocoa butter as end products. It is a primary ingredient in chocolate manufacture.

(Source: MUIS FAQs)

A semi-viscous sweet syrup containing chocolate, sugar and other ingredients. It is used in making candy, drinks and other chocolate flavored foods. Chocolate liquor is not alcoholic and is Halal, unless haram ingredients are added to it.

(Source: Islamic Food and NutritionCouncil America,
http://www.ifanca.org/glossary/, http://www.ifanca.org/faq/)

Chocolate liquor (cocoa liquor) is pure chocolate in its liquid form. Like the cocoa beans (nibs) from which it is produced, it contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter in roughly equal proportion. It is produced from cocoa beans that have been fermented, dried, roasted, and separated from their shells. The beans are ground into cocoa mass (cocoa paste). The mass is melted to the liquor, and the liquor is cooled and molded into blocks known as unsweetened baking chocolate (bitter chocolate). Chocolate liquor contains roughly 53 percent cocoa butter (fat), about 17 percent carbohydrates, 11 percent protein, 6 percent tannins, and 1.5 percent theobromine.

(Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_liquor)

Not to be confused with chocolate liqueur, chocolate liquor is in fact, halal. I can rejoice and enjoy my soft baked dark chocolate brownie!

Other sources:

http://swisshalal.ch/archives/107
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~facilities/documents/GuidetoHalalFoods.pdf
http://www.islamhalal.com/

Other related information:

Chocolate liqueur - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_liqueur
Halal Addictives- http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/uploadedFiles/MuisGovSG/Halal/Food%20Additives.pdf
i Ask - http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/uploadedFiles/PortalSG/Community/iASK/IASKBOOK_v2.pdf

“Tian Ma” is known as a specific herb for dispelling the pathogenic wind in the body. According to Chinese physicians, dizines, chronic headache, migrane, convulsion and numbness in the wind are mainly resulting from pathogenic wind. Clinical applications involve the usage for the relief of vertigo, migraine, chronic headache and convulsion. It dissipates pathogenic wind, regulates liver function and suppresses spasm.

Interesting articles relating to pathogenic wind that causes chronic headaches:

http://www.damo-qigong.net/pathogen1.htm

http://www.damo-qigong.net/pathogen2.htm

“TCM believes that the Heart is related to joy, the Liver to anger, the Lung to worry and sorrow, the Spleen to anxiety, and the Kidney to both terror and fright. Therefore, excessive joy impairs the Heart; excessive anger impairs the Liver, excessive worry or sorrow impairs the Lung, excessive anxiety impairs the Spleen; and excessive terror or fright impairs the Kidney.”

“Anger induces Qi to flow upward. This indicates that excessive anger can induce Liver Qi to go up excessively and give rise to the subsequent upward adverse flow of Blood. As Liver Qi tends to go up and anger corresponds to the Liver, excessive anger injures the Liver and disturbs the nornial descent and ascent of Liver Qi. In such cases, it is often manifested as a red face and eyes, dizziness and vertigo, distending pain of the head, or even sudden coma or syncope. Sometimes, hematemesis and diarrhea may also be seen as a result of Blood following the adverse Qi to rise excessively or due to Liver Qi attacking the Spleen.”

“Excessive mental activity. This mainly refers to worry impairing both the Heart and Spleen. As the Heart controls both Blood and mental activity and the Spleen is related to thinking in emotions, excessive mental activity is most likely to impair the heart and Spleen, causing Deficiency of both Heart Blood and Spleen, whicb is usually manifested as palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, abdominal distention and loose stools.”

How do you rate yourself? How do you see yourself?

These are the types of questions that one rarely asks themselves. I guess it’s difficult to make a judgement call of how you’ve met your expectations Or how much of a bad-ass you are at something. For instance, I can be telling myself that I’ve met all my expectations set by myself and others, just because that’s what I want to hear.

It goes back to the question of how DO you rate yourself? Do you bring your A-game all the time?

A conversation with my superior at work made me stop and give this idea a thought. Apparently, from other people’s perspective, I set high expectations of myself. If a task is given to me, I’ll mull it over and decide, “This is not going to work” or “This is too much” or something along those lines.

It appears as though, through my initial analysis of the said project, if I’m unable to produce a masterpiece, I will back away from whatever it is they dropped on my table. I have it somewhere in me that if I’m unable to produce a brilliant piece of work, it’s either not worth my effort or I’m not willing to have my name on it. I’d imagine someone asking, “Who did this piece of shit?” and all eyes are staring directly at me. I can’t have that on my conscience. That’s the flaw of being a perfectionist. I can’t just wing it or go with the flow.

I highly suspect that this behavior was imbedded way back in school, always thinking that I’m going to flunk an exam, always expecting the worst. And it’s dragged on to my adult life. I’ve never given myself any credit for all the effort that I’ve put in, irregardless of the score that’s on the page. In a perfect world, 100% effort equates to 100% output, but that just doesn’t translate in real life. Shit happens along the way to throw the equation off balance.

When trying or doing new things, people always say to just put in your best effort and try but what’s the point of trying if you know you’re going to make a mess out of it or producing only sub-standard results? I don’t want to be remembered by that piece of shoddy work.

I know I’m better than that.

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
Mixture of matte and slightly shimmered warm tones. Great for smokey eyes. Tons of looks that can be recreated with just this one palette.

Here are some looks recreated using this palette:
- MUG Kim Kardashian
- MUG Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Kandee Johnson’s tutorial
- TiffanyD’s tutorial

2. M.A.C Paint pots
I’ve swatched them before at the M.A.C counter and it was as if I had a superglue for an eyeshadow primer. I really don’t think you’d need a primer when you’re using this! The only problem is I can’t decide what colors I want to purchase – I love them all!

3. M.A.C Eyeshadows
I have a M.A.C Pro palette that can store 25 shadows. The only problem is I’ve only filled up a fifth of it. I have some colors in mind like Electra, Print, Silver Ring, Carbon/ Black Tied, Sumptuous  Olive, All That Glitters, Naked Lunch, something on the purple family etc.

There’s alot of M.A.C going around in this post but what can I say, it’s not that cheap and yet it’s not that expensive either. It just so happens that the price is right and the quality is good!

I have found cheaper alternatives to M.A.C eyeshadows that claim similar color payoff and intensity like NYX and Coastal Scents. Aside from the fact that they are cheap, I find that they are nowhere to becoming even close to M.A.C’s quality. The quality of these other eyeshadows are shoddy at best and not as pigmented as they claim to be. One reason I think this is so is because the “cheaper” alternatives that I have are probably knock-offs from China – hence the shoddy quality. The fallout from these shadows are comparable to snow storms, I tell ya! They  also fail my eyeshadow smudge test, i.e. swatch them on the back of my hand and then wipe it off. If it’s gone after one wipe, it’s got no staying power. If I need a ton of product for the color to appear, its not as pigmented as it claims to be.

Even after purchasing the NYX and Coastal Scents palettes (albeit knockoffs), I still reach for my limited number of M.A.C eyeshadows. Since the color range is limited cos I tend to stick to the same and safe color family, my go-to-look is silver smokey every time, which frankly, I’m getting sick of.  I need more colors but I will stop short from looking like a Benetton ad.

4. Brushes
Brushes are the key to makeup application. I haven’t decided what brand to purchase yet. The deciding factor is probably the price point. At this point, I must qualify that I’m a sucker for knockoff makeup items. Having purchased a so-called “2nd-grade authentic M.A.C brush set” (which we know is really no grade at all), I shall now stick to originals. Although it’s pricey, at least I know what I’m paying for.

5. Eyeliner
Next up on the list is eyeliner. I’ve found my holy grail of eyeliners, which is Bourjois Clubbing Waterproof. This formula is off the charts! I used to have a another HG eyeliner from Bourjois but they discontinued that range so I tried this on for size last year. It claims to be waterporof and what not. I was skeptical at first cos it didn’t pass my initial smudge tests. The salesperson was persistent so I caved. And I caved again and again. This formula works for me! I have tried countless of eyeliners that are the blackest of black but they smudge on the eyelids and waterlines. This eyeliner, however, does the trick, even with sweat while I run and during shower. It is only removed when I say it’s time. I sure hope they don’t decide to discontinue this in the future.

5. Mascara
My holy grail of mascara is Maybelline’s Collosal Volum’ Express. Again, I was skeptical when it was first launched but I tried it anyways and I was blown away by the ‘collosal-ness’ of it. So much so that I’m on my 5th tube and I have 3 more for backup. This is the mascara that I wear daily and along with the Bourjois eyeliner, it can withstand the sweat from my runs and after shower.

I also have a premium mascara that I use for special occasions when I want that extra extra va-va-voom. It’s Lancome Hypnose. I was first introduced to this in 2008 during a Lancome makeover that I went. I was stuck on this ever since. Before the Collosal from Maybelline came out early this year, this was my daily mascara. Unfortunately, this caused a deep hole in my pocket as I would run out of it within 3 months! It costs a blasted $49 but all worth it!

I was on Youtube the other day and one of my gurus had just reviewed a new mascara from Lancome from the same range. While watching the before and after comparison, I was speechless and blown away. I kept telling myself that “I NEED ME ONE OF THOSE!”. I called all the Lancome counters here but none of them have started to carry it. Please, bring it in soon! It’s called Lancome Hypnose Drama. One would usually steer away from drama but this is the kind of drama that a girl needs in her life.

Check out the video that blew me away here and I verified it with another video here and here.

6. Foundation
I have a love-hate relationship with the foundations that I have now – M.A.C’s Studio Fix Fluid NC40 and M.U.F.E Mat Velvet + No. 50. I spent good money on the latter ($68, I believe) but I always felt that the color was not right. After about 8 months of exile, I decided to try it out today and I was surprised at the outcome. A good surprise!

Another foundation that I’ve been trying to get my hands on is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. Unfortunately, NARS is not found here and Sephora does not carry that range…yet. I inclined to purchase it online through sprees and on eBay but I have the habit of purchasing items and going back to exchange them or buying the wrong shade.

7. Concealor
Currently, I’m on Bobbi Brown’s award-winning and top rated Creamy Concealor kit and Corrector. There’s millions of rave reviews on it but it hasn’t sat well with me as well. While I’m still using this combo, I’ve my eyes set on Benefit’s Erase Paste and/or Lemon Aid. I’m not sure which is for which cos I think they work about the same way. I’m looking to camouflage my ultra dark circles. Although I know enough sleep will do the trick but I need a quick fix in the meantime.

8. Blush
I have found my holy grail of blushers – NARS Orgasm. One of my colleagues recommended it to me in June and I’ve stuck to this. Since this is not available here, she helped me purchase it in Thailand’s Duty Free airport. Youtube gurus also swear by this blush although its on the pricey side. The catch is that this lasts forever! Also, I just saw some interesting colors on their website like Mata Hari and Dolce Vita.

But what’s the catch, yo?!

The only catch is I can’t get ahead of myself – it could lead to disastrous results if I end up buying all of it at one go. I’ve did the math – maximum of $80 per month on makeup. The UD Palette sets me back around $75 so that’s all I can expend for that month. Which is quite a steal if you think about it – you get 12 colors! M.A.C eyeshadows run at $27/pot or $21/refill. So that makes about 3-4 eyeshadows a month. I hope I can stick to this budget!

We girls can never have enough makeup!

Bought it on impulse. I’ve only tried it on with a newly purchased brush. Brand new with box.

Too Faced Duo Eyeshadow – Beauty Mark. $20

(drum roll)

DFZ Padi Cafe located at China Square Central. (Don’t ask what DFZ stands for)

They offer a million and one types of sandwiches with different types of bread. You’ve got the panini (wholemeal), focaccia (soft and wonderful herbs), baguette, wrap, ciabbata and I think they might have 1 more but I can’t remember. Sandwiches start at around $5.50 but the majority of them $6.50.

Fillings range from tuna, chicken, beef, turkey ham to egg mayo and lots more.The interesting thing about the fillings are the mash up of flavours and ingredients. I wonder where they came up with it. It’s like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Always experimenting with flavours. They even have oven baked potatoes ($4.00) And what huge potatoes they are!

They also offer salads such as the favourites like caesar and garden salads to prawn pasta, chicken grape walnuts, cream potatoes and loads more. They offer 6 different salads per day and it’s a surprise daily! You can purchase any 3 salads for a decent price of $6.50. You might ask, “Is it going to be filling?” My answer would be, “Hell yeah!!”

The catch about Padi is that they offer complimentary salads for every sandwich and oven baked potatoes (depending on availability of course).

The thing that I like about Padi is (and let me break it down to you):

1. It’s Muslim owned – i.e. Halal! (Halal food varieties in CBD area is very hard to come by)
2. The meat is shredded (I’m super (x infinity) fussy about my meat – no fats, no bones, no skin etc)
3. Extremely generous in their fillings and vegetables
4. The utensils that they provide – at first, you’ll think that they gave you a stainless steel utensil that you have to give back. But no! It’s high quality silver plastic utensil. I’m a collector!
5. Service is fast, ambience and music – perfect.

I’m not a huge fan of vegetables and salads. But – the last 2 weeks alone, all I’ve been having for lunch is sandwiches and salads. So far, I’ve tried these favourite items:

1. Chicken Padi Lime with focaccia bread – tangy and spicy taste (I’d strongly suggest to eat this with bread instead of a wrap so that the juices will be soaked up by the bread – no fuss)
2. Chicken Mango Chutney with focaccia bread – I was very surprised at the mash up of flavours.
3. Chicken BBQ wrap – Sweet.
4. Chicken BBQ oven baked potato – for the carbo-lovers
5. Tex – Mex Chicken – dry with jalapenos peppers I believe
6. Chicken Grape Walnut salad
7. Caesar salad
8. Garden salad
9. Cream Potato
10. Squid salad
11. Prawn Pasta

It’s obvious – I’m a fan. Anyone wants to hop in on the bandwagon? You won’t be disappointed.

1. Exercise
   The girls (Siti and my Pasir Ris kaki Jules) and I have signed up for Kickboxing. I’ve always wanted to try it out. I googled some clips of it on Youtube and heck.. we’ve got alot of work cut out for us.
   Kickboxing 101 – 1
   Kickboxing 101 – 2
2. Jogging
   Apart from the kickboxing class, the aforementioned girls and I have started on jogging. Albeit, it’s only once, but that’s the spirit!
3. Badminton
   Jules and I had a smashing had very tiring time becoming “World Champions”. We ned more homegrown talents.
4. Swimming

So I think the new resolutions revolve around being healthy. I need to be. I need to be!

Next up – cupcakes!

And my first recipe is: (cue the drum roll)

and this goes out to all the chocolate lovers out there

Devil’s Food Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream

The picture itself is devilish. It’s calling out to me.

Picture credits from chockylit

It’s sleek, black and silver, thin and light.

It will bring me much joy and physically drag me out of boredom during train rides to and fro Pasir Ris and Raffles Place.

Wednesday. Wednesday. Wednesday.

I took Food & Nutrition in secondary school but baking was never my forte. It was either rock solid or as coarse as sandpaper. I remember the last time I baked a cake was probably a few years ago using Betty Crocker’s cake mix. Even then, it was an unsuccessful attempt. The cake came out rock solid. It could probably be used as a weapon to knock someone out entirely. I, personally, blame the equipment. Mine is one of those dual use type machines – microwave plus convection. There’s a convection button on its own and there’s also the roast-bake-grill button. So which is it? Decisions decisions.

I suddenly had the deep urge to bake banana chocolate chip muffins. If I were to buy muffins, I would usually buy that combo mix (but it’s very rare). So I don’t know what got into me. I was so psyched about it, it took me forever to Google a recipe that met my fuss-free ingredients list and directions. I’ve never spent so much time at a supermarket before. And to find the blasted muffin tin is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Once I got all the materials, it was down to business. I followed the recipe to the tee but it looked like the mixture was too runny. I know for a fact that it’s supposed to be lumpy, not runny. My dad was asking me if I knew what i was doing and to that I answered, “of course not”. It looked to me that this was going to be another classic scenario of baking gone wrong. I knew not to expect too much, or expect nothing at all, since this was my first attempt.

But lo and behold, I actually baked something that’s edible! Obviously, my comments were biased. But if a whole team of people commented that it’s very nice, that has got to mean something right? I made it multiple times and it was great! My cousins wanted the recipe after the first bite. My sister, the critic of the family (she thinks of herself as the baking connoisseur) gave me a thumbs up!  I broke into a happy-dance-smirk right there and then.

I can bake (albeit, 1 recipe 4 times). And here I thought I was a lost cause. There’s still hope for some of us. The light at the end of the tunnel is still flickering.