My food bill grew in size but my weight reduced.

Not too long ago, I blogged about being on a new diet. So, have I noticed any changes since starting on this diet?

The thing to hit me quite quickly is the increase in expenses when it comes to food!


Salad is very expensive and it takes more to fill me up too. $4 for a bowl of salad in the food court compared to $2.30 for economic rice, for example. 

Salad is cheaper in the supermarket but it is still rather pricey. Animal protein also costs more than carbohydrate.

Got this at a food court. $4.00.

I think that my food bill must have at least tripled or, maybe, even quadrupled in size. I don't know exactly how much because I no longer keep track of my expenses. Has been the case for a few years. So, this is just a feeling.

$5.00 from NTUC Fairprice.

Pan fried in butter. Powdered with black pepper.
Romaine lettuce on the side drenched in salsa sauce.
The tangy salsa sauce goes well with the salmon too.

When I talked to a friend who is a doctor, he said that the diet does make sense. Cut down on carbohydrates and sugar and we will probably be healthier.

Many overweight people are overweight because they take too much carbohydrates and sugar which are what comfort food is packed with.

Roasted chicken on lettuce. About $4.00.

Pan fried Batang and ginger. About $4.00 too.

Being on this diet, I do miss ice cream which is one of my two biggest weaknesses in the world of food. As for chocolate, the other weakness, I am allowed dark chocolate but not too much.

I also miss fish ball mee pok dry, char kway teow and chye tow kway. I also miss eating sandwiches which I used to make frequently and, definitely, my daily bowl of oatmeal.

Greek yogurt, banana slices and lettuce.

Pan fried Batang steak in garlic salt and turmeric powder.

Well, I do look a bit trimmer without having increased my level of physical activity. In case you are wondering, I do plan on doing something about this.






In fact, I lost more than 3 kgs in almost 4 weeks. I also seem to have less gas (if you know what I mean).

I will continue with this diet and see if I manage to gradually lose more weight over the next month or so. I would be quite happy to be another 3 kgs lighter by then.

Added (6 Jan 17):

Antioxidants attack!

Added (5 Sep 17):

Added (10 Sep 17):

Added (12 Sep 17):

Added (10 Oct 17):

Related post:
Something AK wants to lose.

Healthy yogurt costs less than Yami, Yoguru & llaollao.

I have been trying to cut down on sugar but one of the things I like to eat is yogurt which apparently has lots of sugar. You know the type with bits of fruit? I particularly like those with bits of mango.

Although I have been told that natural yogurt is sour, I have not tried it before, well, until today.

On my first attempt a few days ago to get natural yogurt in the neighbourhood supermarket, I could not find any. 

All the yogurt I found had more than 10 grams of sugar per 100g. Most had between 12 grams to 15 grams of sugar. 

If you cannot imagine what that means, Vitagen Less Sugar has about 9 grams of sugar per 100g. Jia Jia Liang Teh Less Sugar has about 5.5 grams of sugar per 100g. 

So, most of the yummy yogurt on the shelves in the supermarkets have relatively more sugar.

Anyway, today, I found this:

4 grams of sugar per 100g. Great!

So, what does it taste like?

OMG! 

It is sour! Sour! SOUR!

Anyway, if you want to try this, I got this from NTUC Fairprice Xtra. It was on special offer. 

Two servings for $2.95 instead of $3.95.

Yup. It costs more than the usual Low Fat or Non Fat yogurt with bits of fruit which I like so much.

Well, I guess this is healthy yogurt and it still isn't as pricey as those frozen yogurt from brands like Yami Yogurt, Yoguru or llaollao which probably have tons of sugar.

(Confession: 
I used to enjoy Yami Yogurt and Yoguru from time to time. I never did try llaollao because it is so expensive.)

My food bill is growing in size! 

That will be another blog post.


Related post:
Life is about many things.

Life is about many things and my time is in short supply (Some of the things I do in retirement).

I have been spending less time blogging and it will probably stay like this for a while more.

The primary reason is that I have become more introspective lately. I have been spending more time meditating, gardening and going back to doing some yoga. I have also been eating differently, following a diet which is very different from what I was used to.

Gardening is a good and inexpensive hobby. Growing plants also means that I am doing my bit for the environment. I fancy myself to be a bit of an environmentalist and recycle whatever I can. 

As with all new hobbies, learning about gardening takes up quite a bit of my time. I am learning new things all the time about plants.
I enjoy spending time in my little outdoor space with my plants. 

In the evening, it is rather calming, especially this time of the year. There is always a cool breeze and with soft lighting, it is a perfect spot for meditation. Before I knew it, I had lost an hour just sitting there. 

Rosemary seedlings.

My planter must be enchanted.

Catnip grows really well from seeds.
Seen here with a solar powered LED light from IKEA.
See: Saving $384 on solar powered LED lights.

As for my new diet, it demands much more attention from me. It is not as convenient as what I was used to. 

So, I end up having to spend more time preparing my own meals, more than before. The selection process is really a learning experience. 

It is hard to have no carbohydrate and no sugar in my diet. The best I can do is to try to have as little carbohydrate and as little sugar as possible. It is about being more careful. 

The results have been encouraging so far and I will probably blog about the initial success of my diet a bit more in a separate blog post.

Tuna, eggs and lettuce.

Oh, I should mention that I have been spending more time visiting doctors, doing check ups and stuff. It is only prudent since I am past 40. 

Frankly, there are certain health issues which probably should have been addressed years ago but I had swept them under the carpet as they were not life threatening (and I didn't want to spend the money, ahem).

For exercise, I continue to take long walks which I do usually in the evenings. I like taking in the sights on such walks. 

Today, I decided to go for a morning walk instead and there were reminders everywhere that Christmas is just round the corner.

As we count our blessings, let us not forget to bring some cheer to the less fortunate. 

Be charitable and remember that true charity does not discriminate amongst the needy.

Related posts:
1. Consider making a donation.
2. Grow a money tree.
3. Something I want to lose.

Something AK wants to lose and not gain.

I was inspired after talking to a new found friend to try a new diet. So, I have not had any rice, bread, noodles or crackers since 8 November.

I have cut down on stuff with lots of added sugar which, of course, includes sugary drinks. I now drink water or green tea only.

If I want something sweet, I take some roasted almonds, dark chocolate (70% to 85%) or fruits. 


I have increased my intake of animal protein and greens. I have even started to take butter and certainly hope it is the right thing to do.

Cowhead belongs to QAF Ltd. Buttercup belongs to Auric Pacific.
Be careful. I found out today that Buttercup is actually not butter!
http://foodtherapybyaz.com/2014/05/27/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter/
Luckily, I chose to get Cowhead. I like supporting my companies.
AK is definitely a butter virgin.

Although being inspired is important, what really made me want to try this new diet was a visit to the clinic.


I was told that I was 7 kgs overweight. OMG! 

OK, to be honest, I knew that I was probably somewhat overweight because my pants felt tighter around the waist than before but 7kgs? 

That's a lot of excess weight!

Anyway, my new found friend told me that, to lose weight, exercise is 20% while diet is 80% of the formula. That was a revelation. I have always thought that exercise is more important than diet.

So, what have I been eating this week?

Here are some photos of the meals I had:

All prepared at home (except for the dark chocolate, of course).

It has been only a week. I don't know if I have lost weight but I guess I will know in another couple of weeks. 

Stiff upper lip and soldier on. What?


On a separate note, I am thinking of taking a short break from blogging and anything related to my blog which would include time spent on Facebook.

So, if you do not hear from me for a whole week or a few days in the near future, don't be alarmed. Just taking a break.

Save money and time with a simple meal.

I am a big fan of the microwave oven. A big time saver, it can be used to prepare all sorts of food. I even use it as a steamer.

Today, the ingredients that went into my lunch were:

1. Cauliflower
2. Tofu
3. Extra virgin olive oil
4. Black pepper
5. Garlic salt

We could buy a big head of cauliflower for very little money. For a bit more than $2.00, there is probably enough for 4 servings here:

Tofu, unfortunately, is sold in boxes of 300 gm each and I only used half a box for lunch. I usually pan fry the rest to be eaten later in the day.

Wash the cauliflower and, then, put them in a microwave oven safe container with the tofu. The tofu provides the moisture required to steam the vegetable. Close the container and leave it in the microwave oven on high for 8 minutes or so.

Before.

After.
The cauliflower looks moist and the tofu shrunken.

Be careful in handling the food as it is steaming hot. Transfer onto a plate and add extra virgin olive oil, black pepper and garlic salt. 

There, we are done.

Oh, I had a banana and an apple too. I like to eat spotty bananas because they are less likely to give me gas.

Total cost of the dish? Less than $1, probably. 

The fruits probably cost just as much.

This is one ideal dish for people who are looking to cut down on carbohydrates and meat in their diet. 

For people who say that they would like to save money by cutting down on dining out but think that it is too time consuming to cook at home, this didn't take me much time at all.

Ah, in case you are wondering:

The rest of the tofu. Pan fried with just a bit of butter.

Bon appetit.

Related post:
Suddenly, financial freedom looks less remote.
"Regular readers know that my journey towards financial freedom is anchored upon a philosophy and that philosophy is apparent in my daily life."

Saizen REIT: TKs.

When I was a soldier in the Singapore Armed Forces, I learned a Hokkien phrase with the abbreviation "TK". It was one of those inane things that I picked up during those two and a half years that somehow got stuck in my mind. If you don't know what the abbreviation is, here is a hint: It has to do with size and a part of the male anatomy. OK, no more.

Anyway, today, I replied to an email from a reader about TKs. However, these are TKs of a very different nature. These are the TKs of the Japanese business world.

Hi AK,

I am currently trying to understand more about Saizen Reit, a stock that you happen to own. Hence, I would like to ask if you could share with me the structure of the REIT. I was reading their annual report and I could not understand the jargon.

Can you kindly explain about what is the relationship between Saizen and the TK operators because I do not understand who actually owns the properties. Thanks in advance for your help. 

I am a noobie trying to learn more about this Reit and I got confused by its structure.

Warm Regards,

KF

Hi KF,

The TK structure is one way foreigners can invest in Japanese real estate. It is a typical Japanese real estate investment structure, in fact. The TK or Tokumei kumiai is a legally binding contract.

So, when we buy into Saizen REIT, we are buying into a foreign investor that has a stake in these TKs. Saizen REIT has contributed money to the TKs and has the right to share in the profits but Saizen REIT is not allowed to run the TKs. This is why there are TK operators who are actually the local operational managers in Japan.

In case you are wondering, Saizen REIT is entitled to 97% of the profits generated by the TKs.

The investors own the assets in the TK, not the TK operators. Saizen REIT has invested money and they own the assets.

Best wishes,
AK

OK, I think I am going to have some rice and "tau kee" stewed in soya sauce for lunch.

See the TK? ;p



Related posts:
1. Deeply undervalued but is it a BUY for you?
2. Saizen REIT: Still a good investment for income?

Funny stuff AK shared in Facebook in August 2015.

Dug up in July 2018.

Almost 3 years old!

This is almost 3 years old!

How time flies.

Now, where is that fly swatter?

Remember Mr. Market's pessimism back then?




----------------

With so much panic and tension in the air, I decided to bring forward the publication of a more light hearted blog post. 

Here are some of my intellectually undemanding postings on FB in the month of August:

What was this referring to har?

I remember a reader requesting that I take photos and share here in my blog whenever I go for my long walks. 

I cannot remember the lady's name by now.

BRA OF SHAME. 

The story is quite funny.

Enlarged for those who had difficulty reading the story in the bottom left frame:

I nice, right?

A guest blogger said these looked like gigantic bra cups. 

OMG!

In case you are wondering, this is the stadium at Sports Hub and not something in Madonna's wardrobe.

I have been eating less for dinner which I think is a good thing. 

Still trying to work off weight gained from too much eating on the Super Star Gemini.

Star Wars fans? LOL!

I enjoy savory puff pastry. 

This is good lobang (i.e. value for money) for tuna puffs. 

Just don't use the microwave oven to heat them up.

Oh, don't ask me for lobang in the stock market, OK? 

Later, I share with you a lobang and you fall into a big longkang (i.e. monsoon drain).

(As an aside, if UMNO were to decide to start a script writing class, I would sign up for it immediately. I think if UMNO should start a drama production unit, TVB and Mediacorp should be very worried. UMNO have some really talented people.)





I hope this blog post has brought you some fun and laughter. 

Take deep breaths. 

Relax lah.

Related post:
Missed some stuff AK shared on FB in July?

20 million pieces of $50 notes and 75 million pieces of $10 notes. (Could the long queues for SG50 notes have been avoided?)

Unless you don't read or watch the news, you would know that there are special SG50 notes available for purchase from today onwards. They are available at branches of nine major retails banks:

DBS Bank and POSB

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation

United Overseas Bank

Citibank

Standard Chartered Bank

Bank of China

HSBC

Malayan Banking Berhad

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

I didn't know that ICBC was a major retail bank in Singapore. Well, now, I know.

Wait! Before you rush to purchase these special SG50 notes, look at this:

I was on my way to buy lunch at a food centre when I walked past this UOB branch. 

OMG! Are they giving away special SG50 Hello Kitty toys as well?

Apparently, this is happening island wide and some of the queues started forming at 6am in the morning! 

Despite advice from the government not to rush for the notes, the kiasu mentality of Singaporeans' cannot be suppressed. Hey, I am not being derisive here hor. I am Singaporean too.

I would like to say that this kiasu mentality is part of being Singaporean and the government should have taken this into consideration when deciding on how to get this done without long queues forming. 

Not only are the queues a waste of time, they also show the not so nice side of us Singaporeans. This is the truth lah. Hurts a bit is normal lah. Laugh! Laugh now! Laugh at ourselves now! See, OK liao! So simple!




This is where AK says something to make a bid at being elected a Member of Parliament at the next General Election. This is what AK would say during his campaign rally:

"A way to avoid such a situation is to send out letters to each Singaporean household and to let them know that Singaporeans have priority and with that letter, they are assured of at least 5 sets per household. They could make an appointment to exchange for the new notes at a local retail bank of their choice before the end of the year. After which, the notes will be available to other interested parties. Is this so difficult to do? Seriously."

There, any reasonable person would be able to tell that AK is MP material after this.

Anyway, according to the MAS, they have produced some 20 million sets of the SG50 notes. So, really, if you are thinking of rushing down to join a queue because the notes might run out, I don't think you have to worry.

"A total of 20 million pieces of $50 notes and 75 million pieces of $10 notes - 15 million pieces of each design - will be printed." Source: The Straits Times.

More importantly, what did I have for lunch?

The queue was rather short. Thank goodness.

UPDATE - 29 Sep 15:

I tried my luck at balloting for some uncut sheets of limited edition SG50 notes and I got a sheet of $50 and a sheet of $10 notes!

Special serial numbers for the limited edition notes.
The note on the left is a regular SG50 $50 note.

There are only 50 sheets per design for the uncut $10.
So, I feel really very lucky to get a sheet through balloting!

Related post:
McDonald's Black Kitty.
What? You don't think this is related? OK lor.