Healthy Qualities of Chocolate

Here are some reasons why we should/can indulge in this sweet treat :)

1. High in AntioxidantsCocoa contains flavanols, a type of flavanoid that is only found in cocoa and chocolate. Flavanoids are naturally-occurring compounds that occur in plant foods that act as antioxidants and help counteract free radicals in the body.

2. Lowered Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Dark chocolate has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure in people with elevated blood pressure. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in cacao work like brooms in sweeping plaque out of the arteries. Eating dark chocolate on a regular basis has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.

3. Natural Anti-DepressantChocolate contains serotonin, a natural anti-depressant. Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production, which creates feelings of happiness and pleasure.

4. Cancer FighterSeveral studies have found chocolate to be one of the best cancer-fighting foods along with foods like red wine, blueberries, garlic, and tea. Two ways that chocolate works as a cancer fighter is by inhibiting cell division and reducing inflammation.

5. High in MagnesiumCacao is higher in magnesium than any other plant. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps in the regulation of the digestive, neurological, and cardiovascular systems.

Let's enjoy chocolate without guilt!!!

Hot New Movie :)

The Hunger Games
2012

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Just went to see this movie, haven't red the novels but the movie was really good... lots of action, highly recommend everyone to go see it :) love Jennifer Lawrence !!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/ 

Fashion Trend Spring 2012


1) Birds Print
Designers used hummingbirds, swans, pheasants and other birds in their bold creations this season—from abstract, graceful lines to three-dimensional birds perched on the chest and shoulders.


2) Pastel Color
Whether it is pants, knee-length dress or shoes, pastels have been dominating the fashion industry for the past few years.

3)Peplum

The flare design of this season relies heavily on accoutrement.

4) Baroque Touch

Big designers' collections all contain a taste of Baroque. This touch is illustrated through the used of fabric and fine embroidery.

5) Drop Waist

Shapeless flapper-style dresses are trending this season, with some designers modernizing the 1920s style by drawing the line just around the hips

6) Deep Sea

This season’s designers took a dive into the deep blue and came up with pearlized shell clutches at Chanel, coral embellishments at Alexander McQueen, and shark-tooth necklaces at Givenchy

7) Digital Image

Designers brought our tech-filled lives to the runway this season by using digital photographs—including a tropical jungle landscape, a spirited bow, and wrapping paper

                               8) Flash of Skin
Whether fully visible or through a window of fabric, flashes of skin revealed tight abs this season


9) Matte Satin
Sleek satin and the modern color are combined to create an elegant and yet edgy style.


10) Abstract Art

Models donned swaths of solid color and geometric shapes this season. From Barbara Bui’s clean, modern lines to Hermès’ angular couture, the art world’s twentieth-century geometric abstraction movement made its way to the runways.

 

 

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Trend-Reports/Top-10-Trends-From-Spring-2012/Top-10-Trends-From-Fashion-Week-Spring-2012?cid=obinsite#mode=base;slide=46;

Company2keep case competition

My friends and I take part in this business case competition where we had to analyze and find solutions for an IT company experiencing sales and suppliers problems. It was a great learning opportunity and we had lots of fun transforming our proposal to a video :) First time making a video, hope that it looks fine XD Check it out!

A bit of background information:

As the analysts of Peach Inc., we concluded that the company who currently outsources production in China should gradually leave this country to enter Vietnam. Other conclusions are the implementation of a feedback system from employees, and proactive research on competitors. Peach Inc.’s reputation is important, so only ethical and environmental behaviours should be implemented. To finish, adaptation is important in order to strengthen the company’s competitive advantage and to save its declining market share.

One of my favourite movie

Atonement
2007

Out of jealousy, a 13 year old girl irrevocably ruins her older-sister and the latter's lover's happiness when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Follow her through a tale of redemption where she tries to depict a happy ending for the ill-fated lovers in her tell-all novel in an attempt to seek forgiveness...

Atonement is a movie directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley, whom style I absolutely adore, and James McAvoy. The story is adapted from a novel of the same name by Ian McEwan.

Its a romantic drama taking place during World War II and the story is very sad. It is really not recommended for fans of happy ending. However, if you enjoy a realistic and heart wrenching story from time to time, I highly recommend this movie. Prepare your kleenex!!!

Language of flowers

Language of flowers is also called floriography, it is a way of assigning meaning to flowers. This practice was created in Victorian times as a mean of communication and various flowers were used to send code messages to one's lover. Flowers allow people to express feelings that could not be spoken in words. Even though the practice is no longer used and necessary today, I still find this language very fascinating so I'm gonna share some commons flowers' meaning with everyone :)

PEONY
compassion
happy marriage
bashfulness        

         






JASMINE
attachment
sensuality
modesty
grace and elegance

LILAC
innocence
youth
pride
beauty

LILY
virtue
chastity
royalty

TULIP
fame
perfect love

ORCHID
refinement
mature charm
thoughfulness

ROSE
love
remembrance
passion (red)
purity (white)
happiness (pink)
infidelity (yellow)
I love you...

Delicious treats !!!

I am going to share with everyone a very easy and basic way of making little cupcakes. Before discovering this recipe, all my attemps at baking failed and I have wasted tons of ingredients for nothing :( My cakes were too dry or uncooked... The following recipe has enabled me to bake my first successful cupcakes and I hope that it can help more people enjoy culinary art !!! XD


Ingredients:
-vanilla powder (0.5g)
-cake flour (120g)
-4 eggs
-vegetable oil (60g)
-sugar (130g)
-salt (1g)
-cream of tartar (2g)
-baking soda (3g)
-milk (60g)


1-Mix the flour, baking soda and vanilla powder together
2-Separate the eggs into white egg and yellow egg.
3-Pour the milk into yellow eggs and mix them with vegetable oil, sugar (60g) and salt
4-Mix step 1 and step3 together
5-With an egg mixer, beat the white eggs and cream of tartar
6-Add sugar (70g) to the mixture in step5
7-Continue to beat the mixture with an egg mixer until it becomes like dry bubbles
8-Add step 7's mixture to step 4's mixture and mix up until the whole mixture becomes smooth
9-Pour the mixture into a mold and bake it 35 minutes at 180*C

Enjoy!!!