Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, 2007, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, 2007, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux

This white is of semillon-sauvignon blanc blend. It has a captivating pale golden colour and tastes of banana, lemon tart, pear, passion fruit and a hint of sweet nectarine, which gives this wine a very slight sweet finish. I enjoy the relatively rich, full-bodied and fleshy texture. Good nose, with medium strong length. Acidity is medium and finish is generally crisp.

Although I had this with some cheese sticks, it would be perfect with chilled seafood.

Home-made ice cream

I recently bought an ice cream maker and decided to make something yummy for Sonny. Instead of cream based (usually double cream!) ice cream, I decided to make yoghurt based ice cream. To indulge is a privilege, but let's try keeping it healthy whenever possible.

As for flavour, I knew I wanted a fruit flavour, but what could it be? Sonny's taste changes all the time and what he enjoys today may not be what he enjoys tomorrow.

After checking out the fruits at my neighbourhood grocer, I decided to get some mangoes. "Mangoes should be a good bet", I thought to myself. Even if Sonny didn't like mango yoghurt ice cream, both Wifey and I wouldn't mind having it.

HOME-MADE MANGO YOGHURT ICE CREAM

Ingredients
1. 1 ripe mango
2. 50g caster sugar
3. 250ml natural yoghurt

Instructions
1. Cut mango into cubes
2. Purée mango cubes and sieve mango purée
3. Add sugar and yoghurt, mix well
4. Pour mixture into freezer bowl and turn on paddle
5. Allow to freeze until desired consistency is achieved (about 45-60 mins)

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Ready mixture of mango purée, yoghurt and sugar

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Pour mixture into freezer bowl

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Turn on paddle and allow to freeze for 45-60 mins

It was delicious! :-) Sonny enjoyed it very much and we used it to sneak in some fresh fruits into his diet :-P

We didn't finish the mango yoghurt ice cream and kept the balance in the freezer. BIG MISTAKE! It's now rock hard. I guess I have to thaw it for about 30 mins before serving. Let's hope it'll still taste yummy...

7 top bodybuilding myths

I remember vividly when I first started weight training in 2001, everyone tried talking me out of it.

These are some classic/common statements from people around me..."Are you sure you want to do this? Lifting heavy weights isn't good for your joints. Eh, it looks ugly if you get too bulky. If you stop working out, your muscles will turn into fat!"

What a load of BS! It's funny how bodybuilding has been sorely misconceived.

I would like to share some bodybuilding myths for your reading pleasure...

1. You Get Fat When You Stop
People think that muscles will turn into fat when you stop working out. WTF?! Fat and muscles are different things and it's physically impossible for muscles to turn into fat. Yes, muscles lose definition when you stop working out but it doesn't disappear or turn into fat. After you stop working out, you’ll continue to have your muscles until they deteriorate through damage or your body burns them for energy when in nutrition deprived mode. If you continue to ingest high calories and not workout, you'll surely gain fat. So blame getting fat on your lifestyle and eating habit, not on muscles turning into fat when you stop working out.

2. Bad For You
Most people think that lifting weights put profound stress on your body, especially your joints and bones. However, if you use proper technique/form, bodybuilding will actually improve your overall fitness and strengthen your body structure. Some people also claim that bodybuilding does not help in strengthening your heart. Well, try doing high reps/dropsets/giant sets and you'll have a 2-in-1 (anaerobic and aerobic) workout.

3. No Skills Required
Bodybuilding requires proper technique/form, failing which you'll end up injuring yourself. Proper technique/form is also important to ensure your muscles are thoroughly worked out and worn so that they can thicken adequately in order to increase density. You'll never see results if you don’t use the right technique/form, resulting in frustration. Consequently, you might just end up throwing in the towel.  

4. It's Easy & Anyone Can Succeed
People think bodybuilding doesn't require skills and as such they feel it's easy and anyone can do it and succeed. Bullocks! In order to be a top bodybuilder you need the right mix of genetics and skills. Have 1 and not the other and you won't make it in the big league.

5. It's All About Good Genetics
Bodybuilding is not 100% genetics. It's probably 50% genetics and 50% skills/knowledge/determination. Again, have 1 and not the other and you won't make it in the big league.

6. Himbos
Although bodybuilders concentrate on building up their physique to look good, that doesn’t mean they are dumb asses or "himbos". I find that most bodybuilders are very strong mentally (strong-willed too) as they use their mental strength to focus on training and building up their physique (mind over matter) and to strive for overall well being. They use their mental strength, discipline and determination to commit and improve themselves by regularly hitting the gym and watching their food/nutrition intake. Bodybuilders are generally quite intelligent as bodybuilding requires a complex understanding of human biology, chemistry, nutrition and dietary to succeed.

7. Small Herman
Muahahahaha! This is such a silly myth! Yes, in order to build muscles, your body uses testosterone and people think it'll be at the expense of your mojo. No freaking way! Your body is an efficient machine and will certainly replenish the testosterone level so don't worry. Most bodybuilders feel good about themselves and how they look and it's this confidence that will give them the X-factor to last longer and go the extra mile when having sex.

Joseph Perrier, Cuvee Royale, Brut Vintage, 2003

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Joseph Perrier, Cuvee Royale, Brut Vintage, 2003

Property of Mr Flabby Less

Joseph Perrier, Cuvee Royale, Brut Vintage, 2003

 Property of Mr Flabby Less
Joseph Perrier, Cuvee Royale, Brut Vintage, 2003

I've always had non-vintage champagne. Truth be told, this is my very first (yes, virgin!) bottle of vintage champagne. According to connoisseurs, this champagne is best consumed between 2008 and 2012, so this means the timing cannot be more apt.

This champagne exudes fine bubbles but unfortunately the effervescence is short-lived once served. Overall zesty and lemony, but with a tinge of creamy nuts, cinnamon, apple and pear. I enjoy the medium lemon taste and crisp acidity. It's quite dry and has medium length. I find this champagne pleasantly refreshing.

StrongLifts 5x5

During the period when I was nursing my shoulder injury, I used my spare time to surf for information on many subject matters and I came across a training programme called the StrongLifts 5x5 by "The New Muscles From Brussels", a chap called Mehdi Hadim.

Squat, bench press and deadlift

Barbell row

Overhead press

StrongLifts 5x5 is a programme that focuses on 5 types of compound movements (squat, bench press, barbell row, overhead press and deadlift) with incremental increase in weight at every workout session (increments of 2.5kg for squat, bench press, barbell row and overhead press, and increments of 5kg for deadlift) over a period of time. The concept is very simple, i.e. focus on large muscle groups to increase strength, build muscles and burn fat. This means the heavier you lift (as you make progress in the training programme), the stronger you become and that will lead to bigger muscles, which will then result in your body burning more fat.

This training programme involves only 3 days of training per week (shocking eh but yeah only 3 days and each training session lasts approximately 45 mins max) and you'll always alternate between the same 2 workouts:-

StrongLifts 5x5 Workout A- Squat, Bench Press & Barbell Row
StrongLifts 5x5 Workout B- Squat, Overhead Press & Deadlift

Note: All movements are 5x5, save for deadlift which is 1x5

For more details, please visit the StrongLifts 5x5 website. Sign-up is free. Once you've signed up, they'll email the StrongLifts 5x5 Report and training programme (in both kg and lbs) to you for free.

Personally, StrongLifts 5x5 is timely and ideal for me. As I couldn't jump right into my usual training programme after staying away from the gym for about a month or so, StrongLifts 5x5 is perfect as I'm able to ease myself back into lifting heavy weights over time and help my weakened left shoulder gain strength in the process. I like the fact that the programme starts out really light (Olympic barbell light!) and resistance is increased over time.

I've just completed 12 weeks of StrongLifts 5x5 and it feels great! I'm stronger both physically and mentally and my muscles are now more dense, visibly thicker and more rounded. Over the course of 12 weeks, my body weight increased from 90kg to 97kg. Excellent! :-)

That's me! :-P

I find that StrongLifts 5x5 is a great training programme to bulk up. I would use it again (most likely in modified form and NOT starting with an empty Olympic barbell) in my next bulk up stage in a few months' time. But for now, I'm taking a much needed 1-2 weeks break (your body can't be under constant stress forever and R&R does help the body recover better and you'll return to the gym even stronger) before I proceed with cutting. Can't wait for to show off the definition! :-P

Wynns, Coonawarra Estate, Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, 2010

Property of Mr Flabby Less
Wynns, Coonawarra Estate, Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, 2010

This wine has an attractive ruby colour and tastes of fresh red berries and dark plums. The slightly earthy scent  marries the cassis flavour well. It also has a slight hint spice and medium notes. Acidity is rather high and tannins are quite strong.

This is a good bottle to enjoy together with duck liver pate...which I did :-P It was a delicious combination! YUM!

iHerb.com

I was busy working when I received a message on Whatsapp from Wifey...

"Check out iHerb.com!"

"Huh? What's this all about? What herbs do they sell? Are you suggesting I take some herbs? Safe or not?"

Wifey later explained that it's a website based out of USA that sells amongst others health supplements, foodstuff, supplies for babies and kids etc.

"I read it's cheaper than buying the same stuff from our local stores."

"Real or not? What if our order doesn't reach us? Let me do some research and check out the site."

The landing page of iHerb.com was minimalist. All items sold are listed clearly and without any frills. Since I've just bought whey protein from EGOnutritions.com and I needed to stock up on creatine and BCAA, I clicked on these 2 items.

"Cool! These are brands that we cannot find here in Malaysia! So many to choose from! Wow!"

I spent some time reading the product descriptions (especially the expiration date, can't be ordering if the expiration date is just around the corner, right?) and compared various products etc. I even took out my trusty Excel sheet to calculate the unit cost of each item after conversion from USD into RM (it required some minor tweaking to accommodate currency conversion).

"Price is very affordable, even after including shipping charges! Hmm...very tempting!"

Could my online purchase go MIA?

I was worried my online purchase might go MIA and with that I would lose some money in the process. Also, I was worried about having to pay additional customs import taxes when the products arrive in Malaysia.

"If you seriously want to give it a shot, perhaps you can consider ordering something cheap. That way, you can test whether you end up having to pay customs import taxes when it arrives."

"Yeah, I guess so..."

iHerb.com offers 3 shipping methods to Malaysia:-
1. DHL- Charges based on total weight of products shipped. 6-day average delivery time with possible extra delays/expenses due to customs. Offers tracking information.
2. UPS- Charges based on total weight of products shipped. 6-day average delivery time with possible extra delays/expenses due to customs. Offers tracking information.
3. International Airmail- Free delivery for orders over USD40.00. 1-4 weeks delivery time. Average delivery time to Malaysia based on feedback from existing customers is 9 days. No tracking information.

Accordingly to iHerb.com, international airmail deliveries are reliable and are a favourite shipping method for iHerb.com's customers in Europe and Asia Pacific. Also, chances are high that there will not be any additional customs import taxes. In the event of customs import taxes being charged upon arrival of the products ordered, the purchaser shall bear the same.

I selected the following products at iHerb.com:-
1. Optimum Nutrition, BCAA Caps, Mega-Size, 1000mg, 400 Capsules- USD24.62
2. Universal Nutrition, Creatine, 1000g- USD26.61

Total damage (including international airmail charges of USD4.00) is USD55.23, which is approximately RM172.72 (USD1:RM3.1272).

"This is not a lot of money. I don't mind giving it a shot..."

I took in a deep breath, then exhaled...and then I proceeded with my online purchase. My fingers were tightly crossed...

This time around, I made sure I double checked my orders and delivery details to avoid my previous fiasco! :-P

I waited and waited and waited...and my products arrived after about 2.5 weeks of making the online order. Here's the kicker...I didn't have to pay any customs import tax! :-)

Property of Mr Flabby Less
My ordered products arrived with 2 free gifts

Like me, if you would like to give iHerb.com a try and order something from them, please provide my referral code QUW344 when you make your online order. You will receive an instant USD10.00 off your first purchase of USD40.00 and above or USD5.00 off orders below USD40.00. I didn't get to enjoy any discount in my first purchase as I didn't have any referral codes as reference. Please don't make the same mistake ya...

I know I'm SO going to make more online purchasers from iHerb.com!

Online shopping is so easy and convenient!