If you haven't been able to tell by now, I love chicken curry dishes. There are so many possible variations, that I made it a goal to try as many as I can over my lifetime! So get used to the chicken curry posts. 

The Taste:
This is calm chicken curry. It's almost like a chicken curry for beginners, because its so easy to make and you can modify the strength of the curry taste by the amount of curry powder you put into the pot. I recommend putting in at least 1-2 tsp of curry powder to start and then you can always add more along the way. The red and green bell peppers took on the flavour of the coconut milk, blending right into the curry (which I didn't expect). The peppers did however get a bit soft, so if you like them on the more firm side, add them into the pot at a later stage.

For your convenience I have listed the recipe ingredients here. Click here for the recipe source and or a step by step directions on how to cook this recipe (including pictures)!
Recipe (Makes 4-6 servings):

• 1 of each red and green bell peppers
  
• 3-4 small red potatoes
  
• 1.5 lb chicken breasts
  
• 1 can coconut milk (I used low fat)
  
• 1 scoop curry powder
  
• A generous squeeze of Fish sauce

And this is how Nutrition Meets Life . . . 
Just because some recipes are made with the same ingredients, doesn't mean you can't be adventurous and create you own recipe. In general, you can create healthier recipes by:

1. Adding in more vegetables
2. Making healthy food swaps: Cream for milk, white rice for brown rice, salt for herbs
3. Making your own sauces and curries
4. Using healthier cooking oils 
5. Choosing leaner sources of protein such as chicken, fish, and legumes 
6. Using your 'inner chef' instincts.

This recipe is simply yummy and takes no time at all to make. It is a perfect family dinner!

Overall Recipe Rating: 4/5 Kiwis

40 Hands
78 Yong Siak Street
#01-12
Tel: 62258545

The best coffee in Singapore doesn't come from Starbucks. It's hidden in the side streets where no car could possibly find parking. A Singaporean recommended the coffee at 40 Hands, so I ventured out to see how good the coffee was for myself. 

40 Hands is small cafe with friendly staff, artistic graffiti on the walls, and of course makes one damn good cup of coffee. The neatly cramped cafe constantly has people in and out of the space. Word about good coffee spreads fast.

When my mom got her latte, the first thing she said was, "How can I drink this?!". She didn't say it because there was a bug floating on the top of it, rather, the individual making the coffee drew a picture of a cute bear out of milk and foam. How could she ruin this piece of art? Well, after five minutes she gave in, and she was glad she did. 

I ordered a ham, tomato and cheese sandwich ($12.00 SGD) and the O.M.G fruit salad ($11.00 SGD).  The sandwich was big enough to be my breakfast and lunch. Thick slices of airy warm whole wheat bread filled with the simple ingredients of a ham sandwich. Why mess with a classic sandwich by adding some fruity mayo concoction? I'm glad they didn't.  The fruit salad was covered in a strawberry sauce that made it a bit too sweet, like when you regret adding that extra 1/2 tsp of sugar to a cup coffee. Fruit is sweet enough on its own. 

I ordered a cappuccino ($5.00 SGD) which was just strong enough to wake me up without being too bitter. Even the Flat White ($5.00 SGD) that my MEH ordered wasn't bitter. It had deep flavour that tasted exactly like it smelled; smokey, nutty and sweet all at the same time. You know how I know it was good? You didn't need to add sugar to it. 

An excellent cup of coffee and a filling sandwich. What more could you ask for to start your morning off on the right foot? Oh, good service. They have that too. =)

Overall Cafe Rating: 4/5 Kiwis

I can guarantee you don't know where I took this photo. Head on over to Eat. Drink. Travel. Magazine to find out! 

I love all foods with curry. I love the taste of curry so much I try to add it to many of my recipes. Some recipes work out great, while others, well, lets just say they don't end up on my blog. haha! If your looking for a twist for your traditional egg salad sandwich, you must try this recipe!

The Taste:
You can expect a bunch of "c's"; creamy (yogurt), crunchy (celery and onions), citrus (lemon) and of course curry. Each bite initially offers a citrus flavour that lightly touches the back of your throat. At the end of each bite there is a faint aftertaste of curry, but it doesn't linger around; its pleasant. 

Recipe (Serves 4):
6 hard boiled eggs
2 heaping Tbsp Greek yogurt
1 celery stalk (finely chopped)
1 Tbsp finely chopped white onion
10 cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/8th tsp curry powder
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Pepper, to taste

Directions: Combine ingredients into a bowl and mix it up until your preferred consistency. 

And this is how Nutrition Meets Life . . .
Sometimes having your favourite foods over and over again can be boring. Sometimes we don't even realize that we are eating the same foods. For example, my all time favourite lunch meal is an egg salad sandwich. I didn't realize I ate this so often, until a good friend of mine made fun of me for it! I always use the same ingredients and the same flavours. But after exploring with new ingredients, I have a new sandwich that can go into my egg salad recipe rotation. Go on, try something new!

Here are 5 reasons to modify your 'favourite' recipes:
1. Different foods = different nutrients
2. You can expand your taste buds
3. You get to experiment in the kitchen
4. You might create a new recipe you like even better
5. You can surprise your family/friend (or prove them wrong)!

Overall recipe rating: 3/5 Kiwis

Al Hamra (Holland Village)
23 Lorong Mambong, 
Singapore 277682
Phone:6464 8488

I was disappointed with the food at Al-Harma. I lived in the Middle East for almost two years, and after tasting the food, it didn't bring back any good memories from the food I loved. 
Located in busy Holland Village in Singapore, Al Hamra has indoor and outdoor seating. The interior contains uniquely carved architecture that makes you feel as though you are in an mosque. Dim lighting, sheesha, and antique tables and plates with flecks of navy blue set the mood.  

To start we ordered the Baba Gahnouj ($12.00 SGD). This was my favourite part of the meal. The roasted eggplant had a balanced mix of garlic, parsley, spring onion and of course tomatoes and onions. It dip was seeping with intense garlic flavour, as if it has been made the day the before and was given the chance to intensify. It was much better than the Hommos Bil Awarma ($14.00 SGD)  which came with chewy lamb minced meat and stale pine nuts. The Fattoush ($12.00) came with long pieces of crispy fried bread, which was visually distracting, as I couldn't actually see the salad. But, the flavour of this was spot on, they must have had sumac powder on hand.

One of my favourite foods in the world is zatar bread with cheese ($7.50SG). Thank gosh this was perfect! The pita bread was drowning in zatar (just the way I like it) and had flecks of cheese, like a painter would throw paint on a canvas. Just perfect. 

The kofta kebab ($24.00 SGD) was dry and lacked the intense flavour of onion and parsley. It felt as though I was eating a meal that had been left out in the heat for a few days. It was so dry, I needed to ask the waiter to leave a pitcher of water at our table. The kofta was served over top of the pita, which made it soggy enough that I could poke three holes in it and make a mask. 

It wasn't the worst Middle Eastern food I have had, but it doesn't reflect what I feel is one of the best cuisines in the world. 
Overall rating: 3/5 Kiwis

Chili is one of my favourite foods. The reason why chili has a permanent place in my heart is because of it is so simple to make. Chili allows me to use up the leftover vegetables in my fridge giving me leftovers for days (and sometimes even weeks when I make a large batch and put it in the freezer). Instead of using my "throw everything in a pot method" for chili, I decided I would follow an actual chili recipe. 

The Taste:
This Skinny Easy Beef Chili recipe turned out perfectly; a thick sauce and with just the right amount of spice. I normally do not use beef broth in my chili, but this gave an intense beef flavour to the meal. The broth also made the chili saucier; perfect for dipping a piece of bread.

Optional: You can modify this recipe by adding in vegetables you love. I added in some carrots for some extra chunk!

And this is how Nutrition Meets Life . . .
Although this recipe was great, I missed my own chili creations! What's fun about chili, is that there are no right or wrong ingredients. Throw everything into a pot for a few hours and I guarantee it will come out to your liking. So don't feel confined to recipes if you need to use up some of the ingredients in your fridge. I highly recommend making a HUGE batch of chili for the following three reasons:

1. Chili usually tastes better the next day!

2. Chili freezes well, making for a great lunch or backup dinner.

3. Chili is an easy way to get vegetables into the men in your life! Chili is considered a 'manly meal', so it's unlikely you will get complainants about the vegetables.  

Overall Recipe Rating: 3/5 Kiwis

To get the best view of the sun going down in Singapore, head on over to the Club Lounge at Ku De Ta. But don't even think about going after 6:30 PM. There will be a long line up, which no body wants to wait in. Below is a picture of the view you can expect, while watching the sun go down over the busy city of Singapore.

I didn't expect the drinks at Ku De Ta to taste so good. I thought, that since they have the best view in Singapore, they wouldn't need to focus so much on the quality of the drinks. I was thrilled when I took the first sip of my berry bellini. Made with Prosecco, Chambord and fresh fruit juices, this bellini was by far the best one I have ever had. It has just enough Chambord, providing the perfect amount of sweet raspberry flavour. This flavour was followed by a crisp taste of light sparkling wine, which reminded me of a sipping on a mimosa on the beach under the hot sun. 

Besides the stunning taste of the bellini, the colour was the same as a fresh plump raspberry picked from the bush. It was almost too pretty to drink, but after taking one sip, I had no problem. To take a look at more cocktails available at kudeta click here. I also highly recommend trying the Angry Bird cocktail! 

Whether you're going on vacation, a daily excursion, or hopping from country to country, there is one simple thing you can do to make for a healthier journey: carry a water bottle.

Water makes up the majority of our body weight and we owe it to ourselves to replenish our bodies with what it naturally needs, in its most natural form. When traveling, it's even more important to consume enough fluids throughout the day because you may be walking for long periods of time or sitting in the sun on a beach. Fluid requirements are different for everyone, so instead of focusing on how many glasses of water you need in a day, you should focus on always having water nearby. Carrying a water bottle can encourage you to drink water even when you're not thirsty, which can help prevent dehydration. Need more reasons to carry a water bottle? Here are my top five:
 
5 Reasons to Carry a Water Bottle While Traveling

1. It Keeps Your Family Hydrated
   When my family members and I are dehydrated, we are not focused and tend to get a little bit cranky. Who wants to spend their trip being cranky?
2. It Helps Maintain Energy Levels
   No one wants to feel lethargic on their vacation. Water helps our bodies remove toxins and waste products which is perfect for keeping energy levels up.
3. It Prevents Weight Gain
   Drinking water throughout the day or during a meal promotes feelings of fullness and can help your body to function at its best. Stick to drinking plain water. One 20-ounce bottle of vitamin water contains approximately as much sugar as 36 jellybeans, two and a half chocolate-covered donuts or one chocolate bar!
4. It Supports Joints and Muscles
   Most vacations involve a lot of walking each day. Adequate water helps to reduce muscle cramps and fatigue, and also helps to lubricate joints.
5. Purchasing Disposable Water Bottles is Expensive
   If you know it's safe to drink the water where you are traveling, I highly recommend spending your money on something fun instead of buying water bottles.

So, on your next trip, don't be focused on forgetting your favorite outfit, sunglasses or hat. Focus on packing that water bottle, as it will offer more health benefits than any other object in your luggage!

To visit the Food and Nutrition Magazine Blog click here

I love Edamame Beans for an afternoon snack. Edamame beans do all of the things a good snack should do: satisfy hunger, taste spectacular and nourish health (in moderation of course). I normally boil my Edamame beans, which can get boring for my taste buds. When I found this Citrus Soy Edamame recipe, I knew I had to try it out! 

The Taste:
The beans are both sweet and sour; with the soy sauce adding a slightly salty touch and the orange adding a refreshingly light aftertaste.  Since the beans were quickly pan-fried, they had a firm exterior with a soft warm filling, similar to that of a baked potato.  There was a strong punch of citrus from the orange zest that made this snack just magnificent!
Recipe source is available online here: 

Ingredients:
2 c. frozen shelled edamame
1 tbsp. fresh orange juice + zest from orange
1 tbsp. soy sauce

Instructions:
Heat a skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add edamame, orange juice, and soy sauce; cover and cook 2-3 minutes or until edamame is heated through. Remove lid and increase heat to medium-high. Continue to cook until liquid has mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes more. Stir in orange zest.

And this is How Nutrition Meets Life . . . 
When I get hungry in between meals, I need to snack or else I tend to overeat when I finally am able to sit down for my meal. 


If you tend to get hungry between meals, here are three things you can do:

1. Identify the times you get hungry everyday: For me, I generally get hungry at around 10AM and 3PM. If I know I am going to be away from my desk during these times I simply take a snack with me.

2. Be prepared and plan ahead: If you have an office job, it may be a good idea to keep some snacks in a drawer at work or in the fridge. For example, peanut butter and wholewheat crackers can make an easy and quick snack to ease the hunger pains!

3. Drink water: Sometimes when we think we are hungry, we actually are thirsty. Don't forget to replenish yourself with water.

Click here for ten examples of healthy snacks you can enjoy at home or at work!

Overall recipe rating: 4/5 Kiwis

This months recipe redux theme is all about the May 'Brunch Season'. If you really want to impress your brunch guests, why not take them to the tropics? These two layered tropical smoothie shooters are not only easy on the eyes, they also taste like a little sip of the sun!

Recipe (Makes 6 shots)
Mango smoothie:

• 1/2 cup of frozen mango or 1 cup fresh mango
  
• 2/3 cup low fat milk

Kiwi-Avocado lime smoothie:

• 1 avocado
  
• 2 kiwis
  
• 1 tsp of lime juice
  
• 1/4 cup low fat coconut milk or almond milk
  
• 1 tbsp honey
  
• 4 ice cubes

Directions:
1. First make the mango smoothie by putting all of the ingredients in a blender and set aside the smoothie in a jug with an easy to pour spout!
2. Rinse the blender. 
3. Place all of the ingredients for the kiwi-avocado lime smoothie in the blender and blend until smooth. 
4. Pour the ingredients in shot glasses. Mix and match the smoothie layers! Enjoy!

The Taste:
You will feel like you are laying on the beach underneath the warm sun after sipping on this smoothie. I am personally not the biggest smoothie fan because I find they can be overwhelmingly sweet. What I love about this recipe, is the ability for the neutral balance of avocado to calm the candied taste of a ripe mango. The coconut milk soothes over any tart taste from the kiwi. 

Overall Recipe Rating: 4/5 Kiwis

Looking for more amazing brunch recipes? Check out the healthy creations from my fellow bloggers below: