Woodstock, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, 2012, McLaren Vale, Australia

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Woodstock, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, 2012, McLaren Vale, Autralia

Typical nose of passionfruit and mild lychee. Found this wine quite tart initially. After awhile, I started to taste apples and pears but the overall acidity and citrus notes were rather overwhelming. Quite edgy but refreshing nonetheless.  Not my fav white, I'm afraid...

Chateau Loeville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de Las Cases, 1997, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Chateau Loeville Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de Las Cases, 1997

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux

Second Growth. Even though this wine was classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification, this vineyard is special and often considered by those in the know to be as good as any of the First Growths. This inevitable represents great value where you can enjoy First Growth quality for maybe half the price! Chateau Leoville Las Cases borders on the north with Chateau Latour and has often been called the Latour of St. Julien. 

Perfume of sweet cassis combined with mineral, mostly that of lead. Powerful and rich. Concentrated and dense. Tastes elegant and refined, mainly of black berries and dark fruits. Svelte and silky smooth tannins. Beautifully coats your mouth! Can't believe the elegance of this wine!

Mixing it up!

Here’s 1 of my BIGGEST training secrets…always mix your training every time you hit the gym. This applies to all your muscle groups. It can be mixing the angles or reps or sets or the combination etc. Whatever it is, just mix it up!

Say you are training your biceps. You can do the following:-

Heavy weight: 5 reps x 20 sets

Normal weight: 15 reps X 10 sets

Light weight: 20 reps x 10 sets

You can use a straight Olympic bar or EZ bar, you can stand or sit down in an incline position, you can even use dumbbells or the preacher curl rest, you can do the weights as a pyramid or a half pyramid, different lifting an resting tempos etc. The idea here is to constantly mix it up.

What happens here is that you are constantly shocking your muscles and this is an extremely important element in weight training. When you keep your muscles off balance, they work harder as they can never build up a resistance and that gives you a better result that equates to muscle growth!

You shouldn’t be doing the same routine etc at every workout as you’ll never maximize your result. Your muscles tend to become complacent and resist growth if you are constantly doing the same workout.

7 anti-aging foods

I’m a vain pot and they call me Vain Ken! There you have it! I’ve admitted I’m vain! *LOL*

I’m in my mid-30s and I’m not waiting ‘til I’m older to start taking natural anti-aging nutrients. Best to start early if possible to defy each passing year!

Below are what I regularly take (mostly the first 4 items) to help me stay youthful:-

1.  Red Wine - Its resveratrol content is a unique anti-oxidant that can help fight against diabetes, heart disease and age-related memory loss (drink too much and you’ll have momentary memory lapses! *LOL*)

2.  Beans - The unique proteins in beans thicken and strengthen your hair cells resulting in a fully head of hair (hopefully it’s only applicable to the larger head! *LOL*)

3.  Tomatoes - Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has been shown to support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels as you age.  Lycopene also acts as a natural sun block to keep skin youthful and protected from harmful UV rays. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to apply sunblock when you go out in the hot sun ya ;-)

4.  Olive Oil - The monounsaturated fats contained in olive oil support healthy arteries and a healthy heart, while the polyphenols, which is a potent anti-oxidant helps prevent a number of age-related diseases.  Organic extra virgin olive oil is arguable the best!

5.  Brazil Nuts - Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a mineral which aids in the production of the anti-oxidant glutathione to help slow down the skin aging process.  Just 2 nuts a day will provide you with enough selenium to reap its anti-aging benefits.

6.  Raspberries & Blueberries – They contain important anti-oxidants that help offset inflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to skin aging and wrinkles.  Just one serving of either contains more anti-oxidants than 10 servings of most other fruits and vegetables! Berry up!

7.  Organic Eggs - Eggs are rich in biotin and iron which help to promote healthy, youthful skin and hair.

Chateau Cantemerle, 1996, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Chateau Cantemerle, 1996, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux

Fifth Growth. 1996 is a great year in the Medoc.

Balanced sweet perfume of bouquets, truffles, berries, plums and mineral. Tastes of luscious ripe dark berries with some mild spices. Brickish colour at the rim. Soft, smooth and pleasant tannins. Medium bodied. Medium finish/length. Very delicate, elegant, romantic and feminine. Balanced and highly enjoyable wine.