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About Me

About Me
CrystalPhuong.net is a Personal Style & Travel Blog based in Singapore, written by Crystal Phuong. The blog was nominated FOUR times in Top 10 Best Fashion Blogs in the annual Singapore Blog Award from 2012- 2015, voted as one of the Best Lifestyle Blogs in Singapore in 2013 by Hotelclub.com, and Best Travel Blogs in 2016 by Foodpanda.com. Crystal hopes to connect and inspire young women to lead a healthy and happy life. Be confident, be positive, and be kind.
HOW TO HAVE A PERFECT HEALTH?

HOW TO HAVE A PERFECT HEALTH?


I received this precious email from friend as lately I have had some problems with my health. I don't want to tell it too detailed, but it does SERIOUS and makes me worry and sick so much. And I was really confused and felt hopeless when I couldn't find any solution how to have good health (before that i never take care of my health seriously because I thought I'm strong :() Only when problems came, i realized that I was in emergency. And this is the time, I HAVE TO take care of my health immediately. So these are the things I should do to protect my health and I think You SHOULD do it too, because nobody has no disease in our body. So better take care of our health before it's too late.

HOW TO HAVE A PERFECT GOOD HEALTH DAY???
7.30 a.m. Get up.
Researchers at the University of Westminster found that, regardless of what time they go to bed, people who rise between 5.22am and 7.21am have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bloodstream. Cortisol makes you more prone to stress-induced heart attacks, so waking up after 7.21am could offer protection. Switch on a light'
Exposing yourself to light as soon as you wake will reset the body clock which governs our sleeping and waking patterns,' says Professor Jim Horne, who runs the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. Have a glass of water.
Water is needed for thousands of chemical processes in the body. A deficiency can cause headaches, dry skin and sore eyes. A glass in the morning offsets night-time dehydration.
7.30 a.m. - 8 a.m. Brush your teeth before breakfast.
This prevents dental erosion from food by coating the teeth with protective fluoride. Otherwise, wait half an hour after breakfast.
8 a.m. - 8.30 a.m. Eat breakfast'
Never miss this meal as you need to stabilize blood sugar levels,' says Dr Kevin Whelan, a dietitian and lecturer in natural sciences at King's College London. Try porridge oats - they have a low glycemic index, which means they release energy slowly to make you feel fuller for longer. Apply sun screen'
Even on cloudy or cool days, the skin can be damaged by UV rays,' says Dr Colin Holden, president of the British Association of Dermatologists. 'UVB causes skin cancer and an SPF of 15 or above will help to protect you.'
8.30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Avoid the gym
Researchers at Brunel University in Middlesex found that athletes who train early in the morning may be more vulnerable to infections, because the immune system is at its weakest at this time. Walk to work.
A team at the University of Massachusetts medical school found that people who walked every day had 25 percent fewer colds than those who were sedentary.
9 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. Take off your jacket.
Tight clothes can distort posture and lead to backache, says Robin Shepherd, acting chairman of the General Osteopathic Council.
9.30 a.m. Start your most difficult tasks.
Make a start on any demanding mental activities. Researchers at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Centre in New York found most people are at their most alert one to two hours after waking.
10.30 a.m. Take a screen break.
If you use a computer, take three-minute vision breaks at least once an hour, says Dr Kevin Lewis, of the College of Optometrists. The lens of the eye is held by a muscle, which pushes and pulls it. When we read on a screen, the focusing mechanism is locked in place. As a result, the muscle can tire, leading to eye strain. 'Our blinking rate - needed to keep the eye moist - also diminishes when we look at a computer screen leading to tired, gritty eyes,' he says.
11 a.m. Have a piece of fruit.
This is the best way to tackle mid-morning sugar cravings. Have one dark green vegetable, such as spinach, and one orange or red fruit every day. The iron from the veg almost quadruples the body's absorption of vitamin C in the fruit.
12 p.m. Have beans on toast.
You need a lunch to satisfy your appetite and provide slow-release energy. 'Baked beans are full of fiber and the tomato sauce means they count as one portion of fruit and veg,' says Dr Whelan. Chew sugar-free gum.
This stimulates the flow of saliva, which contains minerals that protect enamel under attack from sweet or acidic foods. Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University found chewing gum suppresses appetite. Those containing Xylitol reduce harmful bacteria.
2.30 p.m. - 3.30 p.m. Take a nap.
Our body clock is designed to have a dip in wakefulness. A University of Athens study found that people who took a nap for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were 37 per cent less likely to die from heart disease.
4 p.m. Have a pot of yogurt.
This will steady blood-sugar levels and prevent a post-work binge. Probiotic yogurts may help maintain the gut by redressing the balance of bad bacteria. 'But choose diet yogurts over low-fat ones, which can contain more sugar,' says Dr Whelan. Interspersing mid-morning and afternoon snacks with three main meals may protect the heart. According to the Medical Research Council's Human Nutrition Unit, fatty acids in the blood remain stable when you eat little and often - this avoids the peaks and troughs linked to heart disease.
5 p.m. - 7 p.mGo to the gym.
According to our body clock, this is the best time to exercise, says says Dr Rav Naik, an orthopaedic sports physician and GP in Sheffield. 'Our core body temperature is at its optimal level, which mean the heart and lung function at their best, muscles are warm, tendons are flexible, reaction time is at its sharpest, and the stress hormone cortisol, which can damage the immune system, is low.' Swimming is particularly good. A 20-minute session burns 240 calories, as well as give the body a full muscle and aerobic workout.
7 p.m. Have a daily post-work drink.
Researchers at University College London found those who drink moderately and regularly have significantly sharper thought processes than teetotallers. This may be because alcohol can increase blood flow to the brain and so improve mental function.
7.30 p.m. Have a light dinner.
A large meal of carbohydrates prompts a rise in blood sugar and puts the digestive system into overdrive, affecting sleep. 'It can take seven hours for food to go from the mouth into the small intestine. Too many carbohydrates can lead to fermentation in the gut, resulting in bloating and possibly disrupted sleep,' says Dr Whelan. Opt instead for a meal high in vegetables, with smaller portions of carbohydrates and protein. Eat slowly and chew properly. 'It takes 15 minutes for your brain to recognize your stomach is full, so if you rush your food you can end up eating far more,' he says.
9.45 p.m. Switch off the TV.
This will prevent over-stimulation of the brain that could lead to disrupted sleep. Avoid watching TV in bed for the same reason.
11 p.m. Have a warm bath'.
Body temperature needs to fall in order to help us sleep. Though the bath itself is warm, stepping out of the water will immediately cool the body,' says Professor Jim Horne, of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University.
11.30 p.m. Go to bed.
This will allow you up to eight hours' sleep if you are getting up at 7.30am. Though there is no set amount of time an adult needs to sleep, Professor Horne points out that on average men should sleep for around seven hours and women for seven hours and 20 minutes. 

It's important to get more than five hours' sleep if you want to stay slim.
A study by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, found that women who sleep five or fewer hours per night are at risk of major weight gain. This may be because sleeping less may affect changes in the basal metabolic rate (the number of calories you burn when you rest). Keeping to the same bedtime will also help synchronize your body clock so you sleep well. 

Make sure your bedroom is dark.
This will maximize production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Keep the room relatively cool and avoid thick nightwear or heavy blankets. 'When body temperature is raised, it is more difficult to fall asleep,' says Prof Horne. If, after 15 minutes, you find you can't get to sleep, read or do a jigsaw by a dim light.
P/S: Million thanks to Jacky who sent this email to me. I'm trying to do it daily. Thank once again:)
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FIRST TIME IN PENANG

FIRST TIME IN PENANG


As promised, I'm here after Penang trip. 
This was not the first time I've been to Penang. The hotel we stayed was Hotel G Penang, a perfect location with great service.

We went to the park after checking in


and we went to a famous temple.  


And back to the sea again:


So basically, the first trip we already went: "up to the mountain, down the sea, back to nature". I was happy! This time, I joined the boyfriend's and his sisters to attend a Gala dinner in a celebration 32nd National convention of Apex clubs of Malaysia.

Few random photos in the room before going to the dinner. 





That was it. 

Till next time, Penang! 
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A MINI CELEBRATION

A MINI CELEBRATION


"Your blog is so boring!!!! One week already, you have never updated any new thing."

Yes, I know! The reason is I was busy with my study, my exam because this is my final year. There were many projects, assignments that I had to take care plus my work, dance classes, and my personal life. All these need my 100% attention and focus. There was a time I wanted to update something, but I had no energy left. 

I finished my exam finally. You have no idea how happy I felt when I left the exam hall after the last paper. My stress level went down from 100 to 0 drastically. After the exam, my classmates and I decided to celebrate our hard work by a shopping session at Bukit Bintang from 12pm to 7pm. First thing first, a photo of us. I really love these girls.




It's a really great time for me to hang out with them and have fun. I haven't gone out for 4 months. The feeling is so great and I feel really happy. Sometimes on the road of life, we should stop for a moment just to relax and enjoy the fun of it rather than working non-stop. Otherwise, we'll all die when we are old.

Thank you for visiting this blog while I was away!

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SHALL WE DANCE 2ND ANNIVERSARY PARTY

SHALL WE DANCE 2ND ANNIVERSARY PARTY


It took a couple of months preparing for an anniversary. I'm so happy we made it happen and it was a biggest party I've ever co-organised. There were almost 200 guests attended. We rented a big ballroom hall for this event, order food catering for over 200 people, had many dance performances throughout the night. 

I was so happy and pleased with my students' dance performance. They did so well. There was no mistake. Everyone looked so beautiful and most importantly happy. 
You may think a 3-minute dance performance is an easy task, but you think of training someone from not knowing how to dance at all to performing in front of 200 people, it sounds like a daunting task. It took me 6 months to get to that point. I had 20 students all together to train for a 20 minute dance show. You can do the math. 

We practiced 3- 4 days a week for 3 months prior to the party. I had to thank my students for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm on this performance and the party. There were many days they had to practice until midnight just to bring to you a very short 3 minute performance each. On behalf of the studio, I deeply appreciate you all because without you, we couldn't have this success. 

The party was successful not only because of performances, but also the behind-the-scene work from video-recording to decoration, from the photo shooting to backdrop, invitation design. Every detail counts. So once again, I just want to capture the beautiful moments that we had and make sure we will never forget this big event and motivate us for the future ones.

The beautiful backdrop was a great job of Randy (Ivy's brother in law). Excellent!!!

Ivy was helping students to make up.... We stayed there since 11am to prepare all these... I was exhausted.

Three sisters in a family... Believe or not??? :)

Our pretty receptionists.

The food


The dance performances 

Aren't they cute???? 


Ivy kicked start the party with a "Thank you" speech: "I'm shaking now", she said.  In fact, she looked elegant and great on that day...


My students and their dance performance, inspired by the movie "Shall We Dance". I'm so proud of this group.

Mr. "John Clark" was feeling down and lost 

until he saw us dancing.


The teacher invited him to join the class. This changed him forever.

I really loved the time working on this performance with my students. I choreographed, cut and edit the music, chose the outfit for them. It was a long process, but looking at how much they enjoyed their dance on the dance floor, it made all my late nights worth it. 

This was a 20min dance performance, with each group performed 3-4 mins show each part. Somehow, I managed to connect every dance performance through a transition, costume and music change. It was so fun. 



The finale where the teacher closed the dance show.  



Where each couple ended up standing in line, how many steps they needed to get there. It was all calculated. There was no room for mistakes here. 

My last 2 dance performances of the night, ending our 2nd anniversary party on a high note. 

My hands were shaking. Thankfully, no accident happened.

The host and the MC of the night


Our very loyal students.

Our professional photographer who took so many nice photos you've seen...Deeply appreciate and thanks to JamesQ. Random photos:

Everybody had a great time that night. It was a success.

Maybe not everyone. 







"We are family"
These are all what we had on the anniversary. There are many more photos (around 700 photos) but I couldn't post them up here. 
Once again, thank you so much for your great effort during the party. Till we meet again many more coming parties in front.

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SURPRISED BIRTHDAY GIFT

SURPRISED BIRTHDAY GIFT


I don't remember when was the last time someone bought me a bouquet of flowers




But what a surprise! It's really BIG surprise to me that someone gave me a bunch of roses, the type of rose I like the most. Honestly, this is the second time I've received flowers. The first time was when my partner gave me a bouquet of lilies to thank me for partnering with him for his dance performance. 

I got into his car but didn't notice anything strange. He covered the roses by his shirt and asked me not to put my bag on it. I was wondering what's wrong with him today? Why he is acting weird? But then, after he asked me to hang up the shirt, I saw a rose bouquet and I still asked "Whose these roses for?" I was so surprised and happy to know he bought this for my birthday.  


Thank for the sweet surprise, my dear!

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