Saturday, November 30, 2024

Getting a Headstart in December

Time and tide await for no one, be they kings, queens, celebrities or ordinary folks. The passage of time and the ebb-and-flow of tide are unstoppable and follow a rhythm of their own.


As you transition to the month of December, you can prepare to make the most of it before the year-end holidays and Christmas pass you by and the New Year arrives sooner than expected with you scrambling to make resolutions instead of darting off from the starting line on cue.

Here are some ideas for your refreshing:

1. Take Stock

Review your progress thus far this year and check off your goals which have been achieved. For those unmet goals, review and decide whether they need to stay on your list for the upcoming new year. 


2. Shop Now

Well done, if you have capitalised on Black Friday sales and filled up your shopping cart for Christmas. If not, it would be advisable to get your Christmas shopping done early in December before you end up jostling with the chronic latecomers on the cusp of Christmas Day.


3. Plan Ahead

Start making your list of goals for the new year. WRITE IT DOWN. Do not be fuzzy about your goals. Envision your goals and be SPECIFIC. Fill in the details; specify what each goal would look like for real. Stay hungry to achieve your goals. 

Watching video clips by Terri Savelle Foy such as "Conquer The Clock - 5 Ways to Manage Your Time" is one way which you can propel yourself forward and closer to lay hold of your dreams and goals.


As you put the above ideas into practice, may this December be a harbinger of a higher level of growth and expanse of accomplishment for you in the coming New Year.


Click here for Coldplay - Clocks (Official Video)

Click here for Conquer The Clock | 5 Ways to Manage Your Time


Saturday, November 16, 2024

BIRKENSTOCK Quality for Your Feet

Since its founding in 1774, BIRKENSTOCK is a long established German footwear maker which continues to flourish and ranks amongst the top five global footwear producers.

According to the blurb from its website:-

"We create products that make the lives of our customers easier and better. Our core products is our unique, anatomically shaped footbed. BIRKENSTOCK invented the footbed and has also shaped the meaning of the term "footbed", which is so common today. The footbed is not only a unique, revolutionary product concept that paved the way for a completely new market. It's also a core idea and a reference point for everything that we do. Now and in the future. Everyone should have access to our footbed.

BIRKENSTOCK stands for excellent comfort, high functionality and extraordinary quality. The high level of quality is the result of carefully selected, high-quality materials from sustainable sources that are processed under what are for our brand typically demanding conditions. Our products promote wellbeing. They literally do good. So they stand out from the flood of cheap products that dominate large parts of our consumer world today."

Here are some sample Birkenstock sandals and shoes for your refreshing:-


























Click here for more fascinating Birkenstock products.





Saturday, November 9, 2024

Power Up with Your Favourite Coffee!

If you are a coffee drinker, this is for you as written by ChatGPT based on the following prompts:

Does drinking coffee help us think better and find inspiration? If so, please provide a scientific explanation for this phenomenon by citing the sources and conclusion of their findings.  Does the type of coffee beans, roast and brew affect the positive effects of a coffee drink? Also, please list the top 10 favourite international cafe chains and list some best coffee trivia. Please write in a poetic and inspirational way to enthuse and delight readers to chase their dreams.

Starbucks Coffee @Suntec City Mall, Singapore

Photographs were taken at a Starbucks outlet in Suntec City Mall, Singapore, during a recent visit.


"Ah, coffee—the elixir of the soul, the muse of many a writer, the quiet companion of the deep thinker. It is a magical potion that has spurred creativity, spurred revolutions, and whispered secrets into the ears of poets, artists, and scientists alike. But, does it truly help us think better, find inspiration, and ignite the fire of our ambitions? To answer this, let us journey into the scientific heart of the matter and explore the rich and aromatic world of coffee.


The Science of Coffee and the Mind

Indeed, coffee can help us think more clearly, sharpen our focus, and perhaps even stumble upon that elusive spark of inspiration. At the core of this phenomenon is caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee. Caffeine works as a stimulant for the central nervous system. When consumed, it blocks the adenosine receptors in the brain—adenosine being a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation. By inhibiting adenosine, caffeine increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals responsible for improving focus, alertness, and mood. In simpler terms, coffee wakes up the mind, sharpens it, and sets it to task.

Studies have shown that caffeine can enhance cognitive function, such as memory, attention, and learning. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that caffeine intake improved short-term memory and information retention. Furthermore, research from Harvard Medical School suggests that coffee can boost creativity by enhancing the brain's ability to connect disparate ideas—an essential mechanism in problem-solving and innovation.


Caffeine and Inspiration:

But what about the spark of inspiration? That elusive idea, the sudden burst of creativity that feels almost divine in its arrival? Coffee may help there too. According to research published in Psychopharmacology, a moderate dose of caffeine can improve your ability to generate creative ideas. This boost in creativity is likely linked to caffeine’s effects on dopamine, which is associated with the brain's reward and motivation system—encouraging exploration, novelty, and, ultimately, the connection of new ideas.


Does the Type of Coffee Matter?

Ah, now we enter the realm of the beans. Does the roast or the brewing method impact how coffee fuels our minds? The answer, beautifully, is yes—though perhaps not in ways you might expect.

The Bean: Coffee beans themselves are composed of complex compounds that vary depending on their origin. For example, Arabica beans tend to have a smoother, more flavorful profile, while Robusta beans are more bitter and contain higher levels of caffeine. The type of bean you choose can influence how quickly and strongly caffeine affects you—Robusta beans may deliver a more intense boost, but Arabica beans offer a more refined experience.

The Roast: The roasting process—light, medium, or dark—can affect both the flavor and caffeine content of your coffee. Light roasts retain more caffeine than darker roasts, as the higher temperatures of dark roasting can cause some caffeine to break down. However, darker roasts may have more aromatic oils that contribute to their richer, bolder flavors, which some people find more invigorating.

Brewing Method: Whether it’s espresso, pour-over, French press, or cold brew, the brewing technique also plays a role. Espresso, for example, delivers caffeine in a concentrated form, while cold brew tends to be smoother but higher in caffeine. The method you choose determines not just the taste but the intensity of your coffee's effect.



Top 10 International Café Chains

If you find yourself yearning for a cup of inspiration from a café that has mastered the art of coffee, look no further than these global icons of the coffee world:

Starbucks (USA)
Tim Hortons (Canada)
Costa Coffee (UK)
Dunkin' (USA)
Peet's Coffee (USA)
Lavazza (Italy)
Caffè Nero (UK)
Blue Bottle Coffee (USA)
Gloria Jean’s Coffees (Australia)
Caribou Coffee (USA)


Coffee Trivia to Delight the Mind and Heart

Coffee’s Origin: Legend has it that coffee was discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed his goats frolicking with unusual energy after eating the red cherries from a certain tree. That tree was the coffee plant.

The First Coffee House: The world’s first coffeehouse was opened in Istanbul in 1554. Known as a qahveh khaneh, it became a vibrant hub for conversation, ideas, and intellectual exchange.

Coffee and the Brain: Drinking coffee regularly has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, thanks to caffeine's neuroprotective effects.

Coffee and Productivity: Studies show that coffee drinkers are often more productive at work and study. One study revealed that after a cup of coffee, people showed improved performance on tasks requiring sustained attention.

The Coffee Bean Is Not a Bean: Botanically speaking, coffee “beans” are actually seeds from the fruit of the coffee plant, which is called a coffee cherry.

The World’s Most Expensive Coffee: The most expensive coffee in the world is kopi luwak, made from beans eaten, digested, and then excreted by a civet. Though the process sounds unappetizing, this coffee is prized for its smooth and unique flavor.

Coffee and the Heart: While coffee has long been linked to heart health, some studies show that moderate consumption (about 3-5 cups a day) can actually help protect against heart disease.

A Coffee Bean’s Journey: Coffee is grown in over 70 countries, mostly within the “coffee belt” between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee.

Coffee as an Art Form: The art of latte art—the intricate designs made on the surface of a latte—became popular in the 1980s in Italy and has since taken the world by storm, with baristas turning each cup into a canvas.

A Global Passion: The world drinks about 2.25 billion cups of coffee every day, making it the second most traded commodity in the world, after oil.


Chase Your Dreams, One Cup at a Time

Coffee is more than just a drink—it is a catalyst for dreams, a companion on the road to greatness. With every sip, your mind is awakened, your ideas unfurl, and you are reminded that creativity is as boundless as the horizon. So, let the warmth of the cup in your hand be a reminder to chase your passions, to ignite the spark of inspiration that lies within you, and to persist in the face of challenges.

The path to greatness may not always be clear, but with each cup of coffee, you take one step closer. Stir your soul, awaken your mind, and let the world of possibilities unfold before you. Keep moving forward, for as long as you have coffee, you have the power to dream."

Enjoy your coffee and have a nice day!



Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing!


People Can Be Surprisingly Talented

Each day you will continue to find that people can be so surprisingly talented and inspiring.

Here is sample of clips for your refreshing.

Click here for This 3 year old SINGER shocked EVERYONE ! 

Click here for This 10 year old PRODIGY shocked the whole AIRPORT ! 

Click here for When Kids Make The Judges BREAK DOWN Crying

Click here for AMAZING Auditions on AGT 2023!

Click here for Chinese Kung Fu 



Saturday, November 2, 2024

Insights on Singapore (3 Nov 2024)


Here are some clips with insights on Singapore for your refreshing. Enjoy.

Click here for How To Upkeep A Scenic Paradise | Inside Our Gardens By The Bay | Full Episode

Click here for Searching Across The World For Trees For Singapore's Gardens By The Bay | ROOTS: A Greening Journey

Click here for Up Your Alley: Hidden gems around neighbourhoods in Singapore | Full series

Click here for 24 Hours Eating ONLY Michelin Restaurants in Singapore | $2 vs $276 Michelin BREAKFAST vs. DINNER 


Rail Corridor (ft. Trail from Buona Vista to Hillview)

With the cessation of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train service in 2011 from Woodlands in the north to Tanjong Pagar in the south of Singapore, this 24 km stretch of railway corridor had since been re-purposed and described by the National Parks as "a continuous green passage that allows wildlife movement between major green spaces. It also serves as a recreational corridor for all members of the public."


The railway tracks and sleepers have been removed except for those along the truss bridges and Bukit Timah Railway Station (and, possibly, at Tanjong Pagar Station, which has been gazetted as a national monument and currently undergoing restoration for completion by 2026).

Click here for National Parks' map of the Railway Corridor and the various entry points for you to access and explore on foot or bicycle. As the terrain is relatively rough, roller blade and skateboard are ruled out. Pets are allowed though.


Here are some pictures of the trail from Buona Vista to Hillview and you will see why Rail Corridor is often labelled as 'Green Corridor'.

Take the MRT train and alight at Buona Vista station. 

Head for Exit C as follows:


Look for the following underpass and proceed through it.

Keep walking along this path and you will reach the Rail Corridor. 

Turn left in the direction of Woodlands for your Hillview destination. 

Keep left and enjoy the lush greenery along both sides of the pavement with a mindfulness nature-bath. Wear a hat for some shade, stay hydrated with bottled water, and bring along a brolly or poncho in case of rain. No need for any insect repellant.







A resident in its natural habitat.



Bukit Timah Railway Station

Bukit Timah Truss Bridge


Further along after Bukit Timah Railway Station, the path is coarser with pebbles and you can feel the crunch under your feet as you walk towards Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge.



Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge

After crossing the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, keep a lookout for an overhead bridge to your right which will bring you to Rail Mall and nearby Hillview MRT Station.


To chill after your walk, my recommendation would be for you to take the MRT train from Hillview Station to Beauty World Station, which is one-stop away. 

Alight at Beauty World Station and head towards Beauty World Centre (next to Beauty World Plaza) for a wide selection of food and drinks from various outlets, including a hawker centre at Level 4 rooftop for a unique experience. 

Rooftop (Level 4) Beauty World Food Centre


Click
here for 15 Beauty World food gems to explore.


Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.

Friday, November 1, 2024

You Can Be Happy In 2 Minutes

You know that how you think (in your mind) would trigger how you feel (in your body).  

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

When you feed your mind with happy thoughts or find a solution to your gnawing problem, you will reap the propensity to be happier than your status quo. So, set a guard on your brain factory to keep out the robbers of unhappiness and welcome the happy workers to work for you. 

What is lesser known and surprising is that if you change your physical body, you can also change the way you feel. From a neutral or negative state, you could then actually transition to a more powerful and happy state of well being as you re-direct your body.

For your refreshing, here are two exercises which you can do to feel happy in 2 minutes or less.

1. Change your body language

Strike a victory pose with arms raised in a V-shape like what a victorious athlete would do as he or she crosses the finishing line. You could do this in a private space, exercise arena, or even on your chair when you are taking a break. 

Hold on to this victorious moment for 2 minutes and experience the change in your physiology to a stronger state of being and becoming.

Click here for Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED.


2. Remember to smile

Stand in front of a mirror or use your mobile selfie mode to practice smiling and make it a habit to smile. If your smile appear fake, recalibrate your smile to what you like to see. If you have problem smiling, search online for smiling faces of people (yes, animals do smile, but you don't want to go there). 

Whenever you feel down, look at yourself in the mirror or phone and bring on a smile. Smiling is contagious. You are better off with a smile and it's free :).

Click here for The hidden power of smiling | Ron Gutman

Click here for Stanford professor who went to Bhutan to learn about ‘the key to human happiness’: My No. 1 takeaway from my big ‘aha moment’.

Click here for 10 Big Benefits of Smiling.


Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.