A guide to save you from ordering a triple espresso decaf
Anne walks into a coffee joint for the first time. The coffee aroma is stimulating, accentuated by the dim lighting that sets the mood. She is excited, until she gets to the huge menu on the wall ahead. It reads like Greek to her -- Espresso Macchiato, Cafe Americano and Cafe Latte. What on earth happened to the trarditional Kopi? She waits for her friend to place an order and decides to have the same. Standing behind the counter, lost, she says, "One small double Mo-cha Grand-ay," and lets out a huge sigh. The cashier looks at her puzzled and says, "What size, ma'am?" "Umm, the smallest," responds Anne. "Tall -- that will cost you four eighty," says the cashier. After giving the cashier her day's allowance, she settles down and slurps her coffee. She has no clue as to what she's consuming and doesn't like it!
I started drinking coffee because it was cool. When 3-in-1 coffee was in, I went out and experimented all the brands possible. When "branded coffee" came into being, again I sprung into action. Initially, I never enjoyed coffee -- it was too bitter. I guess it's a taste that grows on you. Soon enough, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the signature music of Nescafe and the huge mugs aggressively advertised in Central Park made it hard to not have a soft spot for coffee.
Those who are coffee-holics or need their dose of caffeine to survive -- be it injected into their systems -- are exceptions. As for the rest -- you have to experiment, understand and discover the taste that gives you the "feel" you're comfortable with. My personal favourite is a vanilla latte. It blends about two teapsoons of vanilla syrup, coffee and milk. On a hot Singapore afternoon (which is every afternoon!)v I get lots of ice added to it -- ultimate bliss! What's your favourite?
It's hard to escape the fact that coffee culture has invaded Singapore. Coffee cups have announced their presence island-wide. You can't even escape them at the library! So welcome to today's world where the choice isn't just between a Kopi-O and a Teh-O. There's much to know about coffee and its various blends. Here's your guide to getting the right coffee at the right time and enjoying every bit of it.
Introducing Coffee
Coffee, first discovered in the Middle East, has been a popular drink for more than a thousand years. Its aroma has travelled from richly embellished with social customs and rituals coffee (in the homes of Royal families) to instant coffee. Coffee is the world's most valuable agricultural commodity, of more importance financially than wheat or corn.
The whole subject of coffee is as stimulating as the taste -- the more you discover, the more you will want to find out, to taste and to savour.
Types of Coffee Plants
The higher the latitude, the better the coffee grown.
Coffea Liberica (Latin botanical name for liberica beans)
Not the best in quality, requires sympathetic roasting, is grown in places like Malaysia and West Africa, low in demand and poor in flavour.
Coffea Arabica (Latin botanical name for arabica beans)
Best quality, first grown in Ethiopia, lowest caffeine content and is 70% of the world's production. This is used in most coffee outlets. This is probably the coffee you drink.
Coffea Canephora (Latin botanical name for robusta beans)
Higher in caffeine content, has a neutral flavour and was originally found in Congo.
Coffee Blends
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teah a man how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime." -- Confucius
Espresso
In the coffee-making world, learning to fish is equivalent to learning how to make an espresso. An espresso is the first step to coffee-making. It's a short drink, served in tiny coffee cups. Its quantity is a little more than a mouthful, so people tend to order a double espresso. Ideally, the amount of coffee used is 7g, with 45ml of water. It's more of a morning drink.
Ristretto
It's a standard espresso with double its strength and denser coffee. It may not be stated on the menu, but you can ask for it. The only difference is that a ristretto takes a shorter time to be prepared as compared to an espresso.
Macchiato
I found this interesting quote on the net -- "A pretentious git orders a macchiato and has no clue what it actually is. An ultra-pretentious git orders a macchiato and knows what it is!"
There are two types of macchiatos -- an espresso macchiato and a latte macchiato. An espresso macchiato is an espresso with a dollop of mailk foam, while a latte macchiato is steamed milk with a spot of espresso. So do not just ask for a macchiato, state which one! This is more of an after dinner drink, because added whipped cream or caramel makes it an ideal dessert.
Capuccino
This blend gets its name from the "cap" of foam on top, which resembles the creamy coloured robes worn by Capuchin monks. A cappuccino should contain 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot steamed milk and 1/3 foamed milk. One may add nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa or chocolate to taste. Some adapt froth milk. You can drink this any time of the day.
Mocha
This drink is known as "The hot fudge sundae of espresso drinks". It's an espresso, with chocolate syrup and steamed milk, with a dollop of whipped cream on top. As sinful as it gets, it should be decorated with grated or flaked chocolate. Like the cappuccino, it can be drunk around the clock.
Latte
This is a long, milky espresso. It contains equal parts of espresso, milk and foam. If taken hot, a thin layer of froth is added. Lattes are recommended for thiose who feel coffee blends are too strong. This is considered a breakfast drink because Italians never liked milk in their coffee after noon.
Americano
This is an espresso diluted with hot water. Germans are said to love this drink. It can be taken at any time of the day.
Drink Options
You may ask for a:
Solo: single shot of espresso.
Doppio: double shot of espresso.
Decaf: lesser coffee content, light coffee.
Chiro: clear, by adding more milk.
Scuro: dar, by adding a little less milk.
According to The World Encyclopedia of Coffee: An average cup of coffee has about 60-90mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a white, slightly bitter alkaloid that stimulates our central nervous system. Coffee increases mental alertness and concentration by boosting our energy!
Too much caffeine, however, may result in palpitations, anxiety, inability to sleep and shaky hands. The amount of caffeine one can consume varies depending on an individual. For some, a single cup of coffee causes ill effects, while others thrive on 10 cups a day.
In a Nutshell
Knowing about coffee and its different blends is a great advantage. You can ask for a doppio while ordering your mocha, if you want to stay up late. Or you could ask for a decaf, if you are not fond of the strong coffee taste. Understanding coffee allows you to create a blend that caters to your needs and satisfies your taste buds.
Gone are the days when you had to wait for your friend to order and then say "Make that two". No longer do you have to stick to that one coffee blend that didn't taste all that bad. You know about coffee and you know the contradiction when you say, "I'd like a triple espresso decaf."
"Give a man an espresso
And he will buzz for an hour.
Give a man an espresso machine
And he will be buzzed for a lifetime."
It isn't a curse and there are ways of feeling better.
MYTH #1
Every women suffers from PMS.
Fact: False. Most do, but PMS is due to an underlying imbalance. PMS is a sign that something isn't working right -- it could be nutritionally, hormonally or psychologically. The healthier you are, the less upsetting the experience of menstruation will be.
MYTH #2
Acne, stomach bloating and breast swelling are attributed to PMS.
Fact: Yes, these are common symptoms.. However, there are more than 150 symptoms -- both emotional and physical -- that have been attributed to PMS. Anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, over-sensitivity, crying spells and forgetfulness are some of the emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms include headaches, weight gain, food cravings, swollen ankles and fingers, due to fluid retention.
MYTH #3
Exercising helps the situation.
Fact: True. Most women who exercise regularly are known to experience fewer pre-menstrual problems. A 20-minute swim, run, walk or bike ride helps. Some researchers say exercising enhances your mood, while others say it improves self-confidence and boosts your self-esteem. Another explanation is that it's a distraction from all the negative thoughts that invade a female's mind at this stage.
MYTH #4
Women are unapproachable and dangerous during this stage.
Fact: This is only true in certain cases, as it depends on the severity of a woman's PMS. In certain drastic cases -- which are extremely rare -- women have engaged in dangerous acts and even suicide attempts. In comparison, the mood swings, crying spells and social withdrawal isn't all that bad, is it?
MYTH #5
There is no cure for PMS.
Fact: Not exactly true. There are herbal medicines, homopathy and other solutions. One can also overcome PMS with nutrition. "You are what you eat" is a saying that works well here. You should reduce your intake of salt, caffeine(i.e. tea, coffee and chocolate) and especially sugar. Vitamin E helps reduce breast tenderness and certain oils (i.e. blackcurrant) help reduce menstrual cramps. Essential oil baths that help relieve PMS are also available. Of course, the best cure is your menses itself.
MYTH #6
PMS causes eating disorders.
Fact: This is true to a certain extent, as some lose their appetite and others stuff their faces during PMS. They key is to eat smart and often. Rather than having three meals a day, having six smaller meals. The reason being, if you don't eat for several hours, your blood sugar level drops and your body produces a substance that creates feelings of tension and aggression. That's why eating at regular intervals will reduce the stress caused by PMS.
MYTH #7
Calcium consumption is vital at this stage.
Fact: Yup, it helps balance the muscle tissue within the uterus. Also, some believe that PMS may be an early warning sign for osteoporosis, a condition which robs the inner bone of calcium and makes you weak. So, make sure you consume the right amount of calcium. Some natural sourcesof calcium are almonds, cheese, milk, soy bean, tofu and yoghurt. The mineral also helps combat stress, the nervous system and anxiety.
Contact lenses have invaded the market, our eyes and our lives. They are a good alternative to spectacles that fog up in the heat and require wipers in the rain. There are a wide variety of lenses that have come into being -- hard, soft, semi-soft, disposable and coloured, to name a few.
However, while enjoying all these options, a contact lens user should remember to thoroughly clean, neutralize and rinse the lenses. These small curved pieces of plastic can collect dirt and bacteria. Now, who wants germs on lenses that are placed directly on the cornea of the eyes and float on a thin layer of tear dluid?
10 commandments to remember
1. Thou must go to a registered contact lens practitioner.
Make it a point to see someone who's registered with the Contact Lens Practioners Board, Singapore. You have to be allocated your lenses by an eye care practitioner and also don't forgot to mention your medical condition to him/her. Tell your practitioner your life history, as these are factors that will be kept in mind while prescribing you with suitable lenses.
2. Thou must wash thy hands before handling contact lenses.
Maintain the utmost cleanliness while handling your lenses. Avoid perfumed or medicated soaps to wash your hands or cream soaps that leave a film on your hands, which can transfer to your lenses. Remember that you are dealingwith your eyes here and the slightest negligence can cause an infection.
3. Thou shall never use shortcuts in cleaning routines.
There is a wide variety of contact lens cleaning systems in the market, each with their own sequence of solutions and steps. Some suggest a simple one-step process and others get to five or six steps. However, stay with what has been recommended by your eye care specialist to avoid any problerms.
4. Thou shall always place lenses in their box only.
Store your lenses in a lens case with fresh solution when they are not being used. This is to prevent scratching of the lenses. Lenses should be placed in the case made for them. The case can be kept clean by rinsing and air-drying them. One may also boil it in water to sterilize it at intervals or brush it with a toothbrush once a week. It also helps to replace the lens case at six months intervals.. Have them -- the box, not the lenses -- marked to identify sides.
5. Thou must learn the proper insertion and removal procedure.
Follow instructions given by your eye care practitioner. Practice the care routine in your practitioner's office if you are unsure. Incorrect use of contact lenses can lead to serious eye complications.
6. Thou will only use contact lens solution to clean lenses.
No, not homemade saline solution. Improper solutions can put soft lens wearers at risk of blindness. Also, never bring contact lenses in contact with tap water -- it isn't a substitute to solutions. Some users use a multi-purpose solution, which takes total care of the lenses. Solutions that clean one type of lens may damage another, so stick to the one recommended for your lenses. Place the lenses in sufficient amount of solution -- this prevents the lens from drying up.
7. Thou will attend aftercare check-ups whenever advised.
This is essential even for users who are not experiencing difficulties. Subtle changes that you not be aware of can take place and it is important to make sure your eyes and lenses are kept at their best.
8. Thou will dispose the lens after their specified time.
Disposable andreplacement lenses should be thrown away when scheduled to be discarded -- even if they appear to be perfect to your naked eye. This is even applicable for solutions; those beyond the "best before" date should be forsaken.
9. Thou must not sleep with lenses on.
Just like our nose inhales oxygen and our skin needs to breathe, so do our eyes. You may get away with short naps, but literally going to bed in them is a no-no. Another little tip, don't wear your lenses on long flights as the dry air causes severe discomfort. However, there's now a revolutionary lens material that you can safely sleep in. Ask your practitioner about it.
10. Thou shall never lick thy contact lens.
It may seem tempting, but harmful organisms from your mouth can be transferred to your lenses. Then when you place these lenses in your eyes, it may cause an infection. And if you have infected or irritated eyes, you shouldn't wear your lenses. Instead, march straight to your eye-care specialist.
Saving yourself from the environment
It is also important to remember the environmental restrictions on your contact lenses. We all know what it's like when a dust particle gets into our naked eyes. We end up rubbing our eyes, making them look all red and sore. This particle is twice as punishing when you have contact lenses on, and this includes contaminants such as smoke and sprays. Eye cosmetics can also settle on the eye. Tears also contain compounds that stick to the lens and need to be removed. Components from the tears that get onto the lens can be fats, protein, mucus and calcium. Going by the rules and cleaning your lenses religiously removes most of these components. However, it is said that protein is the most difficult to remove and thus one should use protein removal tablets.
Protein Removal
Some eyes produce more protein than others and you may have to use the tablets more often. Also, some lens materials tend to attract more protein than others. Protein removal tablets are designed to remove this film and nothing else with it. One feels the difference after cleansing the proteins off the lenses -- the feeling is known to be refreshing. Try it!
Before you make contact
If you're thinking of getting contact lenses, remember that your eyes are precious, so start right by going to a registered contact lens practitioner who will conduct a thorough eye examination. This will evaluate your suitability for contact lens wear. Get the necessary lens care kit and follow instructions for wear and care.
If used correctly, contact lenses can provide excellent vision and are very convenient. They may also improve your vision due to it being placed directly on your cornea. Users must remember that, together with being a fashion statement, contact lenses are medical devices. They require regular and conscientious maintenance or they may cause severe damage. If you still experience any problems after following the 11 commandments and taking care of your lenses with your heart and soul, contact your practitioner as soon as possible. Problems that can arise include blurred or fuzzy vision, red or irritated eyes, and pain in and around your eyes.
For those who haven't noticed, prescriptions for beauty woes have come a long way from the traditional jog around the block. And as the price for beauty has continued to climb, so has its extremes with terms like "laser", "cling wrap" and "reflexology" finding their way into our beauty vocabulary and, most recently, into the hearts of those who reckon that they've one mole or an ache too many.
While the term "body imperfection" fails to exist in our vocabulary, beauty and health often go hand-in-hand. For these conditions, the latest in beauty elimination, reconstruction and therapy kills two birds with one stone.
Otherwise, it is vital that reconstructive surgery should not be done with the search of "perfection" in mind, in acknowledgement that your body exists as a sanctuary -- not a perpetual construction site.
Elimination
Moles, when strategically placed, represent "beauty marks" that artfully accentuate certain features. Conspiciuous moles, however, are a plain nuisance.
Witnessing moles darken, enlarge or appear during teen years is common. It is only when they form clusters, start sprouting hair or raise noticeably above the skin that people consider having them cosmetically removed. Meanwhile, moles that enlarge to the size of a one-cent coin, contain irregular colour, texture and begin to itch or become painful may be cancerous and should receive immediate medical attention before removal is considereed.
In general, mole removal procedures take only a short ti,me, are relatively painless and can be performed in-office. After a cream is used to numb the skin, small moles are removed at 10 to 20 a time with a laser, while bigger ones involve excising the entire mole and stitching the area close.
Don't be surprised if areas look scabbed or unpleasant after surgery, as healing takes a few eeeks. According to medical experts, "The most common side-effects of mole removal are a slight depression where laser treatment is concerned and a hairline scar from surgical removal."
And, while moles don't usually return once they have been removed, DO contact your specialist if:
» You develop a high temperature; or
» Pain and swelling of the wound occurs
Reconstruction
While braces and whitening toothpastes remain the most common avenues to obtain the perfect gab, more are turning to the oral facelifts, provided by cosmetic dentistry in the form of periodontal plastic surgery.
As a more complex brand of cosmetic dentistry, periodontal plastic surgery involves the reshaping of gum contours to make the teeth appear longer, the gum-line even, correction of a "gummy" smile and the covering of gum recessions. While a more beautiful smile is commonly a benefit of these treatments, many of these procedures are done for medical benefits. Corrections would, for example, improve dental hygiene and make teeth less sensitive to cold and daily brushing -- conditons that are normally caused by gum recessions. On average, the procedure can usually be completed in about 30 minutes.
The Surgery
» The area is numbed and the more superficial part of the gum is released from its underlying attachment before being repositioned to suit the patient's desired outcome.
» Sometimes, a small piece of gum may be harvested either from the palate area or the wisdom tooth areas to thicken the gum tissue, making it tougher and less likely to recede again.
» Micro stitches are then used to hold the newly-positioned gum in place.
» Patients may also be instructed to use an antiseptic mouth rinse until the gums heal.
Recovery
Where grafts are concerned, post-operation discomfort usually lasts for two to three days on the site where the graft was harvested -- not where it is finally placed. Otherwise, cases of severe swelling and discomfort can be well managed by medication.
While considering surgery, enquire if the dentist is experienced in cosmetic dentistry and if he or she has taken advanced continuing education causes in current techniques. Request to see before and after pictures and testimonial letters from people who have had similar treatment in the past.
Also request that the dentist has props or presentation devices to demonstrate how the procedure is done and what results might be expected. Ask and understand the cost and benefits of the entire surgical process before agreeing to treatment.
These steps will allow a careful understanding of the patient's expectations and careful planning to try to meet these expectations on the specialist's part.
Therapy
What's so attractive about lying cocooned, unable to move and trying your darnest to resist from scratching that itch on your left ankle? The novelty of being able to lie cocooned, unable to move and trying your darnest to resist from scratching that itch on your left ankle, of course!
As vexing as it might sound, many new generation masking and wrapping techniques claim to rid patrons of fat, detoxify, contour, tone and tighten while reviving, exfoliating and relaxing in the process. To achieve all these, all you have to do is lie still! Hard to imagine, isn't it? Here's how it works:
After stripping to the bare essentials -- to allow for maximum coverage of the body wrap -- you will be tightly bound in warm amino acid, herbal extract and collagen solution saturated elastic-type bandages that work to cleanse and nourish the body with essential minerals, while attempting to reshape your overall silhouette with inch-by-inch fat reduction. In many cases, alternatives like sea clay body wrap, cellulite gel, herbal body wrap, aloe wrap and mud wraps are also made available, depending on the anticipated end result.
For those who find claims that body wraps melt inches off your body and shrink fat cells after a single session rather ambitious and a tad idealistic, herbal and mineral wraps that focus on therapeutic results may just suit your fancy. Vitamin, mineral and rich seaweed wraps -- which are becoming increasingly popular -- aim to refresh, soothe, rejuvenate and leave you smelling great, but won't leave you inches thinner.
After several minutes in a steam room, expect to be slathered with a therapeutic but gooey concoction of seaweed and herbs blend and then wrapped in yards of cling wrap-like plastic and a blanket, Those who are claustrophobic may want to think twice about this treatment.
While any negative side effects of body wrapping are scarce, one is usually advised to assist the detoxification by avoiding the intake of salt, sugar, carbonated drinks, caffeine and alcohol for several days following the treatment and drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day.
Reflexology
Foot reflexology is essentially a form of "pressure therapy" that is suitanle for all ages and involves the application of focussed pressure to individual "reflex" zones located in the foot, which correspond to their respective areas in the body.
Health wise, you can expect to improve your blood supply and circulation, promote the unblocking of nerve impulses and reduce stress, tension and soreness in muscles from regular visits to a foot reflexologist.
"At the same time, it can help relieve stress and tension caused by daily routines. This is additional to the fact that foot reflexology helps to achieve nature homeostasis,"says a reflexologist expert.
If performed by certified and experienced reflexologists on a regular basis (one or twice weekly) pressure therapy can also be used as a holistic approach to healing, depending on the severity of your condition -- serious cases may demand medical attention.
If you leave the foot reflexologist in agony, rest assured that it means it's working! Pain is often caused when tension from a pinched vital nerve structure prevents blood from flowing smoothly. As a result, tension is caused when pressure is applied to that corresponding area on the foot during reflexology. As tension is eased, pressure on the nerves and their connected vessel is relaxed, improving blood flow and overall health.
We all know that getting a job is harder than keeping one. When we are on a job, we tend to complain about the office politics and trival things like "But she always needs the fax machine when I have to fax something!". However, there is always a certain degree of fun involved in a job. Besides, sticking to a job takes patience, endurance, independent thinking and the hope of getting promoted. The basic rule is just to do what is expected.
Job hunting, on the other hand, required separate skill. You have to get out of your cosy bed, despite not having a routine to follow. You are going to be on your most of the day. If you have time to spare between two interviews, spend it alone. Spending it with a friend fetches you high chances of not going for the second one. You also have to wander the streets and that isn't even for shopping purposes. Do whatever it takes and remember - GETTING A JOB IS A JOB ITSELF!
But, somehow, we don't tend to turn the job hunt into a full-time job due to the fact that we love the bumming around. We prolong the operation, and after three weeks of whiling away our time, doing nothing, we label job hunting as a lengthy process and wonder why we aren't hired. It takes a lot of discipline, guts and determination to get a job. As an unemployed person, you run a one person army - yourself! Think positive, send out good vibes and remember - where there is a will, there is a way.
The ticket to an interview - your RESUME
1. Prepare it yourself. Don't use an agency, a mother, a father or a friend. You could get a little help from Microsoft though. Do not play with fonts - it's a suggestion you use Times New Roman, font size between 10 and 14. Also, keep in mind that presentation is just as important as substance.
2. State your technical knowledge first. State all programming languages, platforms and software that you have laid your hands on. Remember, it's a virtual world!
3. List your qualifications in order of relevance, from the most important to the least. If your educational field is more relevant to the job that you are applying for, state it first. Likewise, if your previous job or the job before that is more related, then go ahead and put that in first.
4. Honesty is the best policy. Claiming to know something that you don't is suicidal - there is a high chance of getting caught at the interview itself. However, you could quantify your experience a little.
5. Use active words. Portray an image of someone that takes action and gets things done. Stick with the past tense even when describing current status. This avoids confusion.
6. Be concise and precise. Avoid lengthy descriptions. Keep your resume short and to the point. An additional tip: never use the word "I" to describe yourself (eve though it does).
7. Omit needless items. For example, present, previous or expected salary need not be added. As gorgeous as you may be, include a photograph only when specifically told to do so. Your height, weight and eye color (unless applying for a modelling position) can be excluded.
8. Have trusted people review your resume; the more the better. Get them to comment on your content, quality and style of presentation.
9. Proofread, proofread and then proofread again. Your resume should be absolutely clear of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
10. Laser print it on plain, white paper. You can bank your trust in this advice, it's worth thr dollar. Your resume will be photocopied, faxed and scanned numerous times, after which ink jet printing may look a little sad. And, please, do not fold your resume.
Before the nightmare
If you make it past the first hurdle and are granted an interview, here are some points you should take note of before the day it