CNY Huat! Huat! Danza Class

Before the CNY break, I organised yet another themed class for my Saturday afternoon dance class. All other students from my other classes at other locations & timeslots were also invited and those who could make it, did for the Chinese New Year session. We were missing quite a number of people that day!!

Everyone was told to come in red or oriental in theme outfits and everyone was sporting to ensure they did so for the day! I've never seen SO MUCH BRIGHT RED in my class before, it was quite blinding during the class as all we could see were flashes of red from everyone there... Thank you for being so enthusiastic everyone!!

Everyone also brought a dish for the potluck that we held after class and I look forward to every potluck as each of these women, those who cooked are crazy fabulous chefs and bakers! And those who brought food always brought something that everybody loved to have. Sinful food included!

Everyone also brought a brand new pack of Ang Pow for an Ang Pow exchange and I swapped the whole lot around and redistributed them to everyone with a fortune cookie.. Huat! Huat! Huat!! Good Luck for everyone!!

The class was crazily energetic that day and everyone participated to their fullest.. I could see seriously hard hip swaying going on in there and the atmosphere was hot hot hot!!! The class culminated with Theresa Tengs "The moon represents my heart" *who doesn't know this song?!* which everyone who could speak mandarin belted out with all their hearts... and those who didn't speak mandarin, hummed along and smiled throughout the cool down, me included! It was like a major major karaoke session! Everyone was fantastic! Thank you for singing so loud and with such passion!

After all that heart pumping and hip shaking action, everyone flowed out of the studio to prepare all the dishes and desserts. There was serious excitement and mayhem going on as it took me a long time to get everyone calm and their attention to gather for the tossing of the lucky Yu Sheng. "Ladies!! May I have your attention please!?! Do not touch the Yu Sheng till we have taken our group picture... Ladies?...Helloooo Ladies!?!" ....

Aha!! and finally... everyone had calmed down and we get a group shot in before we start on all the food... *Say Danza!!*

Tossing the Yu Sheng!! Huat ah! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Da Ji Da Li! Nian Nian You Yu!! Man Di Huang Jin! Huat! Huat! Huat ah!!

Emily made and brought the Yu Sheng for the day, very thoughtful of her to have thought of bringing it for everyone!! It was great!!! Who would have thought that shredding green papaya and green mango into the dish would make such a refreshing difference to your standard Yu Sheng! Yum! Yum!

And my twin buns were a hit at the class... too bad I didn't do a kick boxing track during that class so I could do a street fighter impersonation of Chun Li! *Haaaaiiiyah!*

Taking pictures with Judy, Pek Gan and Angie... this was a gorgeously structured shot that came out of us just running together and doing a quick pose by the little plant... very nice! Can anyone see my rainbow colored toe socks?

And when all the food and festive greetings were over... and most of everyone had left.. Pek Gan, Serene and I had a roaring laugh of a time playing with my camera with all sorts of strange poses... the 3 instructors and their chinky pony tails/buns...

And this is our, "oh I'm so tired, help me" wailing damsel in distress...

"Taxi!! Taxi!!".....

No taxi? *pouts* okay then.. one last pose... HUAT AH!!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

Zumba ZIN 28 Training

Every 2-5 months, Zumba releases a new release with new songs and new choreography to update and refresh each Zumba Fitness instructor taking the training. In other parts of the world, Zumba instructors would get their updated ZINs by post on a regular bi-monthly basis as they are released into the market.

However, in Singapore. We have it different. We wait for each and every ZIN release and the call for training. We all gather at an appointed gym studio and we drill out the technical steps for the appointed dance style for the day, whether its for salsa, merengue, cumbia or reggaeton.. it could be anything the ZES *Zumba Education Specialist* had selected for that training.

We had our latest ZIN 28 training over at True Fitness on the 9th of January with our favourite ZES of all time, David Velez, in green. (Yeah, and I'm only talking about it like 1 month later?). Well we're having another two trainings this Sunday, 13th February! ZIN 29 and ZIN 30 together!! I'm crazy excited as I know that ZIN 29 has an AMAAAAZING track list and nothing beats rocking the dance floor with my fellow Zumba instructors.. I know I see some of you often but yknow I heart all of you!! :)

Group shots with David and the rest of the Zumba instructors from Singapore and Brunei post workout after David had gotten everyone all hot & sweaty. If you attend Zumba Fitness classes in Singapore, you may know some of these people in these pictures! :) Many of these people are my dear dear friends and they're amazing people!

Viva La Zumba!! Peace Love Zumbaaa!!

ZIN29 and 30, here I come!!!

Happy Chinese New Year 2011!!

Chinese New Year has arrived! Thank you for reading me whether you have been with me for the past few years or whether you have just started reading my blog. Welcome and Thank you!

Without you, my blog would not have the readership that had enabled me to bring you some interesting products and services through the years. It was you that had made possible for me to enjoy them and for me to spread the joy where possible through prizes or giveaways.

I entered this Chinese New Year with great anticipation as it may be our last Chinese New Year celebration here in Singapore with our impending move this year.

With every year, Chinese New Year celebrations are filled with all types of treats, cookies, sweets and cakes. My mom in law's place was certainly filled to the brim with a full table full of sinful treats! The strangest thing that I noticed this year was that there was NO bak kwa on the snack tables this year... I was looking forward to sitting by and snacking on them... :(

The day before Chinese New Year Day 1 was the day for reunion dinner and it was a table filled with so much food. I fell asleep literally 1 hour from eating, completely crashed out on the living room sofa. I absolutely could not stay awake with the immense amount of food that was consumed that afternoon. For our family, we usually have it as a reunion lunch rather than dinner as my sister in law goes to her inlaws' house for dinner.

A must have at every Chinese reunion table, a leek and tofu dish for good luck & fortune.

This bitter tasting fish for luck.

Cauliflower, prawns and mushrooms for prosperity.

Cabbage, mushrooms, black fungus with dried prawns for abundance.

My mother in law makes a mean braised duck which is highly requested for during the Chinese New Year period so she made a huge one for the meal. I don't like duck but everyone else did! I loved the braised sauce with the quail eggs and tofu...

Steamed pomfret fish for more abundance...

Braised mushrooms with dried oysters and black moss for more prosperity...

Cuttlefish balls to represent gold nuggets for fortune and also popular with the kids too!

Home-made Ngoh Hiang which my mother in law made the week prior just for the dinner. It would not be the same without her home made meat rolls each year so we look forward to them alot! Dipped with Rose Brand black sweet sauce and Tiger brand chili sauce makes the best combination.

And whats a reunion dinner without the customary Yu Sheng platter which is filled with raw fish- usually salmon, radish/cucumber/carrot strips with a medley of various preserved ingredients topped with peanuts, sesame seeds, plum sauce, cinnamon & white pepper powder and packs of crispy fried crisps. Each ingredient represents a certain auspicious "saying" and each year, we amuse ourselves by attempting to remember them all while we lay out each ingredient in the serving dish.

And each table must be filled with alot of meat so we have platters of roasted pork which everyone loves.

And tender boiled chicken...

My mom in laws house was filled with gorgeous flowers too... Chinese New Year Day 1 started out at my mother in law's house where we exchanged greetings before we started the day of visiting...

The hubster CJ and his sister, Serene.... before we all started traveling about Singapore to visit relatives...

The hubster, CJ and me... still looking and feeling fresh before visitations...

My one and only sister in law and me...

And my next stop for the day, my aunt's house where all my side of the family gathered with my grandmother for the New Year celebrations.. and I got to meet up with my youngest sister, Alex.

This year was particularly fulfilling as I was pleased to note that most of my relatives took a while or at least took a second take at me before realising it was me. Compared to my 80kg size last Chinese New Year, this year entering the festivities at 67kg made a lovely difference and delightful change for the new year.

A picture with my grandmother who turns a golden 80 years old this April. I'm looking forward to celebrating her golden 8-0 in 2 months time! She has indeed lived a golden life and is well loved by many.

Group picture with my Dad, my youngest sister Alex and my grandmomma... and a review of what I wore for Chinese New Year Day 1! Black & Gold floral halter top with blue Levis jeans, gray 4 inch heels topped with twin buns on my head with mini red rose clips and red chopsticks for the occasion. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Who's that Girl?

Its me! I came across a stack of photographs from some 4 years back when I was still working full time/studying part time to complete my studies. It was a pack of photographs taken when I was doing an advertising pitch presentation and the photos really surprised me.

I knew I was big but I only saw how huge I was when we reviewed the photographs again. This serves as a grave reminder never to get myself back into that kind of size ever again! I stood around 100-104kg during this time and my tops were maternity/nursing tops because those were the only outfits that could fit me at that time.. and no, I wasn't pregnant!

In the picture below, I was at my desk and wearing my favourite denim jacket. I must have been particularly good to hug back then!! Hahahahaha!!! :)

From Old to Sexy! Deconstructing your Shirts...

Deconstructing shirts is not a new thing but it certainly works to renew old shirts or even make new ones just that bit snazzy and unique! Its also not an uncommon trend amongst Zumba instructors to slash up their workout gear to add that extra sizzle to the overall look of each individual Zumba instructor.

I cut up an old red tee above for my Chinese New Year dance class above and it was an instant hit once I stepped into the studio. Not only was it crazy sexy but the ribbons looked like Chinese firecrackers which was extremely suitable for the occasion. I just sliced off the collar and made it a V-neck and sliced off the sleeves to make it a sleeveless top. An alternative could have been making it a halter top instead.

Making a top with a tied ribbon design like above can make it very versatile as it can fit a wide range of body sizes as you can tie it to fit your torso size.

I personally cut up several of my tees and tank tops much to the hubsters horror at first. "Why are you destroying your shirts!!" he exclaimed but when I show him each finished piece on my body - he nods in understanding and says "your students might think you don't have enough clothes because you wear all these shreds of fabric instead of normal gear but its nice..."

Materials Needed:
An old or new tee shirt.
One that should still be relatively tightly weaved & of average quality rather than be old, thin & flappy or it will not hold up the shredding.

A sharp pair of regular scissors or fabric scissors preferred.
A long metal ruler
Fabric chalk *to mark out your patterns to make cutting easier ie for shapes like the heart below*
A cardboard piece or a cutting board
Scraps of other material ie ribbons



How you cut up your shirt would very much depend on your creativity and you can easily go online to youtube to check out various designs to try out on your old tshirts. Over above, I'm sharing one that I thought *although its a little draggy long to watch* a video that clearly explains how to weave a shirt like what I did below. She weaves her shirt 3 times in her top but mine was a single weave done in a V pattern with a cut out heart. Weaving a shirt looks incredibly nice and its really easy to do too even though it looks complicated.

I practiced on an old black tee above and learnt a couple of things NOT to do in my next deconstruction. *As you can tell, I'm increasingly addicted to cutting up my clothes that I've put aside a whole bag of old tops that are destined for the cut*

For the top above, I learnt the following:
1. The dip in the heart shape needs to be deeper to be more obvious its a heart.

2. The longest part of the weave should start below the armpit height & not above or you'll get a gaping hole. (but which would be filled w the sports bra anyway...) and the longest length of line shouldn't be cut too near to the sides of the shirt. 3/4 length is the longest it should go. This time I went as long as 2cm away from side seams.

3. Spacing between each horizontal line must be thicker than 1.5 inches or the shirt's structure gets weak. I cut the lines about 1.5 inches estimated apart for this top and I felt that the structure wasn't going to make this shirt last very long esp. after some machine washing.

4. Weaving this shirt 2-3 times might tighten up the shirt better as the shirt was still quite loose.

I thought this girl below had a great idea for a corset ribbon kind of design which I will try with a fitted top shortly. Its really sweet and would really make a plain top look special. I like it and I'll do one too!!



There you have it so far... I'll post more deconstructed designs as & when I create them but if you make one, show me! Email your creation to honeymeow@gmail.com. I'd love to see it!

UPDATE! Created some more tops. Made one for my friend, Serene below here with her dark blue tshirt and added a purple ribbon at the end.

And with my newly purchased fabric scissors. $4 only from Spotlight! I sliced n diced up this one below for my class tomorrow in under 20 minutes! A pair of sharp fabric scissors makes SO much difference in the speed of how this can be done!

Thanks for looking!

Verlaque Splash & So!Go White Chocolate Sauce

I have had the pleasure from time to time to have generous sponsor partners that appropriately offer me products and services that suite my lifestyle and needs. In December, some packages were delivered for me and I discovered several bottles of different flavored Verlaque splashes. What are splashes? Well, they're gourmet mixtures of Olive oil with various mixes of fruits or flavour dense ingredients for cooking, marinating or eating with salad or fruits. Check out the product range here at the Verlaque website.

With the onset of my low carb regime last month, these came at a perfect time as these splashes were extremely delicious with our salad mixes at home. There were more flavors received but by the time we wacked through the various bottles, I realised that I only had these 3 flavors left to take pictures of! Hahaa! We loved it so much mixed with a sprinkle of good quality Balsamic vinegar on our salads, we literally went through 2-3 bottles in a week with much gusto and satisfaction.

You can check out the rest of these splashes over at the Verlaque website and purchase your selection at NTUC Finest at SGD$13.90 per bottle. Each Splash bottle has enough for a family of 5-6 adults eating 2 large servings of salad. Available in Gooseberry, Raspberry and Cranberry mixes.

We went through so many different types of salad mixes but for this food shot, it was one of the salads that we mixed up at home one evening last week and topped with the Gooseberry splash. As usual, it was delicious! Flavors were intense and the lemon/balsamic vinegar mixture gave a tart but mouthwatering experience.

Even the "I.Only.Eat.Meat" hubby has been requesting for Salads again and again. Very rare request! Before you splash on the mixture, you have to ensure that you shake the bottle before pouring to ensure you have all the mixture in your salad as they separate into layers within the bottle when stored and not in use. Pour just enough to cover your vegetables - possibly equivalent to around 4-5 tablespoons in volume.

In our house, we have many variations of our salad mixes. From various sliced or diced vegetables such as iceberg lettuce, carrots, green & red peppers, tomatoes, peas, broccoli, fresh red onions *sliced thinly* as seen above to adding others like snowpeas, fresh mushrooms, cucumber, celery... practically any vegetable you like would work but above are our usual mixes.

We top our salads with variations of available fruits too like pears, apples, oranges, grapes, melons, berries, cranberries and raisins. We sprinkle handfuls of cashew nuts or any available nut mixture. We usually also have some hard boiled eggs that are sliced plus a choice between having cubes/slices of cheddar cheese or a block of creamy Brie cheese. If you haven't tried Brie cheese and you love cheese. Try it.. I heart! heart! heart! Brie cheese with its delicate flavour mixed with a gooey soft inner layer. A slab of Brie cheese and a glass of wine on an evening in at home and I'm one happy happy chicka...

Finally, we always top it with a meat of sorts. Whether its grilled sausages, grilled beef slices, roasted chicken, Teriyaki Wings *as above*, pork ribs, hotdogs, crispy fried luncheon meat or canned tuna. And that completes a very satisfying meal for the day. Heavy in flavor, Big in quantity and overall very Satisfying with the best part that we eat so much and we lose weight while at it! :)

I'm a splash fan for sure, you might want to check it out if you were thinking of something great to eat this coming week. NTUC Finest!!

And another product from the same sponsor partner was this bottle called So!Go White Chocolate Sauce. Most of my dance students would have received a bottle of this in December before Christmas. Its sinfully decadent and completely delicious in any way possible. If you are currently attending my classes and haven't gotten a bottle of this, I still have 6 bottles left so if you want one - let me know this week and I'll bring it to the next class for you! While stocks last.

As quoted from their website:

"Full-bodied, rich, decadent and simply irresistible, So!Go White Chocolate Sauce is a sweet staple: pour it onto pancakes, spread it over cupcakes, drizzle it around desserts, make mousses a masterpiece … or succumb to temptation and simply spoon it out of the jar.

Because we all prefer taking the easy way, if you'd like to serve it warm just heat it in the attractive, wide-mouthed, frosted-glass jar and dip chilled seasonal fruit into it to serve as an instant and wholesome dessert."

And spoon it out of the jar was exactly what everyone in my house did. We spent many evenings in front of the tv licking spoons covered with white chocolate sauce. We drizzled it over ice-cream.. spooned it into cups of hot milo and hot tea and coffee.. and dipped fruits into it like fondue.. and my girls spread it on bread and pancakes too... sinful but oh so yummy!


One of the best things that came out of spreading the joy of chocolate sauce out to my friends and students were that a box came back to me of homemade cupcakes made with a mixture of the white chocolate sauce with cream topping! It was crazy yummy!!

So!Go White Chocolate sauce is retailing at SGD$13.20 per jar and is available at NTUC Finest, Isetan Supermarket, Meidi-ya Supermarket, Meat The Butcher and Swiss Butchery at Tanglin.

Fresh Instructors! Oven Fresh again!

Every 3-6 months, a new batch of freshly trained Group Aerobic Instructors at FISAF emerges and that also means that I would be lecturing and in training again over a couple of days to assist those in the core course and those taking the group aerobic course...

Above is the latest group of instructors who took the latest Group Aerobic Instructor course in December 2010. And below is the latest group of those who took the Core course. Both groups, I had the pleasure of running through a full dance class to get them all hot & sweaty... and also sharing my personal experiences with them in hope that they go out there, passion in heart to give their best to their students and clients.

So once again.. new blood into the fitness industry.. take a look at these faces that are all keen to inspire people to wellness & an active lifestyle.. you may see them soon at a fitness facility/club/office near you soon! :)

Adiós Señor Velez...

Ha sido una experiencia bailar con usted. Gracias por todo. Se le olvidó.
*It has been an experience dancing with you. Thank you for everything. You will be missed.*

As they say, all good things must come to an end and with an end comes a new beginning... after nearly 3 years of dancing with Señor Velez - from stumbling over my feet over a salsa merengue routine around July 2008 to instructing my own classes daily. My dance instructor David, is leaving Singapore to further his career in the fitness industry in Jan 2011. It has been a dreadful feeling the past couple of weeks knowing there was a countdown to the classes that many of us had made our weekly routine. Deep friendships were forged, many calories were torched, bodies were changed and lives were inspired. I will miss all of that and all involved.

I cried through my sweat dancing from the warmup to almost throughout the final class at Novena, even when this picture was taken - my eyes were already swollen but I managed a smile as it would be my final one there.. I will miss having the early morning dances with the guys and gals that I've known over the past years... Thank you for screaming and hooting with me when I made my calls of joy in class.. Thank you for giving me chocolates, gummies and sweets.. Thank you for inviting me to your houses and bringing me food and clothes. Thank you for your concern and care. And finally Thank you for helping to inspire me to become as inspiring instructor as our Señor has been for us. I will give my best.

With this too as most would have known by now, I have cancelled my California fitness membership so I would not be seeing everyone from class from here on... maybe someone can sign me in for any special Zumba events if any these coming months and we'll all meet again from time to time. :) I will miss everyone. Sending my love to all.

And yeah, as usual - not the most flattering shot but what we would remember him most. His endearing Jekyll & Hyde self who can get from an amazing friendly people person whilst in class to a totally different introvert once he's out of the studio. Strange Phenomena but this I'm sure many would agree. He would always be remembered for constantly falling sick and coughing every time he comes back from a trip (which is like every 5-6 weeks?), getting chicken pox at such a ripe old age of 37 and being so humble & nice during his recovery, for inspiring my moves, for refreshing my choreo. each week with something that I've always never seen before, ruthlessly correcting my techniques during training *tears in pain* and finally loudly telling me off in front of everyone while staring me down during Zumba training. *pouts & wails - sadly traumatised*... :(

Picture with the Señor and the rest of the hot spanish chicas from Zumba class... Oh la la! muy bonito! Gracias de nuevo señor. Ha sido una gran inspiración para muchos y para mí también. Deseo todo lo mejor en todo lo que haces y la felicidad donde quiera que vaya. Y tal vez casarse con Wai Han eventualmente también! Sólo tal vez? :)

*Thank you again Señor. You have been a great inspiration to many and to me too. Wish you all the best in everything you do and happiness everywhere you go. And maybe get married to Wai Han eventually too! Just MAYBE?? :)*

Carb Lovin' Cupcakes

My girlfriend aka SuperWoman Group X "Chili Padi" Sexy butt Sherlin Foong made me cupcakes! Its these little things that are just sincerely made from the heart that really touches me specially when they're specifically created JUST for me!! *loves!!* I call her superwoman because she can go on teaching up to 24 classes in a week and still come out alive the week after and she was the one who corrected my squats for that "oh so sexy" butt that squats give you. I'm currently at 13 classes and I'm trying hard to manage my energy levels.

Who is Sherlin? Well if you work out at Fitness First - you would definitely know who she is. :)

It doesn't help that my weight is dropping and with that goes muscle loss which I'm not actively building up. CJ has been chasing me up everyday to do my resistance band exercises but I'm just so worn and lazy to get it done. I must. I must. And I will...erm... soon. (Big smile to CJ - really lah! I will). Less muscle = Less strength = Less calories burnt optimally = Higher chance of overcompensation on my body = Higher chance of stress injury = Not good for anyone.

Even though I'm carb free right now, it didn't stop me from trotting these little yummies home to pass them to my girls but not without swiping off a thick layer of white chocolate cream off one of the cupcakes first! Verdict! Very tasty!! Thank you babe!! It was much appreciated. :)