What is Your Comfort Food?

Mine is not exactly food. It's a drink.

 

It's a cup of Chai Tea Latte. I like mine non-fat, extra hot, no foam

 

My love for Chai started in Hong Kong back in 1999. I was on a business trip and my colleagues treated me to lunch at an authentic Indian restaurant. I am not a fan of strong spices so the food did not impress me too much. But the drink was definitely a game changer. I stepped out of that restaurant without remembering the name of the drink that would soon haunt me. After my trip, I had cravings for that spiced milk tea that I did not know the name of. I just knew there were hints of cinnamon and ginger mixed into the hot drink.

 

Six years later I was on a business trip to Australia and found a small café that was popular for their Chai Tea Latte. I did not know what it was but the description of the drink enticed me to give it a shot. Lo and behold, it was the same drink I tried back in 1999! And so my love affair with Chai began.

 

The only problem then was that Chai was not readily available in Manila. I would drink it only during my business trips to Australia. It was my safe haven in between and after stressful client meetings. I would drink multiple cups in a day just as one would be addicted to coffee.

 

Years later, Chai started becoming increasingly available in the popular coffee shops in Manila. It has, since then, been my almost-daily stress reliever in the office. It reminded me of those cool and sunny days in Martin Place where I would review my notes prior to my client meetings. It brought me back to those days when, for once, I do not mind sitting alone in a restaurant.

 

Several years later, Chai remains to be such a comfort drink for me. I now have new memories of Chai. Enjoying a book in Starbucks while waiting to fetch my daughter from ballet practice, movie dates with Dens, and good times over Chai in Coffee Bean with friends and family.

 

Funny how a simple drink has so much history. One sip is all it takes. And just like that, it's 1999 all over again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







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Results of My 21-Day Challenge

So, remember when I decided to do the 21-day challenge 22 days ago? Well, i officially ended my 21st day yesterday and here are the results.

1. Have my daily quiet time with the Lord.

I keep my devotional and journal in the office so i missed out on most weekends (except the first weekend of the challenge when i remembered to bring them home). I technically did around 4 to 5 times of quiet time a week.  Not quite there yet so i need to be more diligent.

2.  Exercise EVERYDAY. 

This one has been very successful! I exercised everyday and i'm now really looking forward to it (seriously!). I don't feel that it's such a chore anymore and i'm actually thinking of joining a 42-day fitness challenge. Woo hoo!

3. Moisturize daily.

I probably missed a night or two but i've been very diligent at this and am seeing better skin already (or is it my imagination?). I may not really see the big difference at this time but i'm sure my skin will thank me when i grow older.

4. Sleep before 11pm.

Err...i blame iwanttv! i've been so hooked on watching a Be Careful With My Heart lately (yes, it's true! I am chaka on some levelz) that i wake up to watch the day's episode after putting the kids to bed at around 9pm. My bedtime ranges from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. Not that bad considering my self-imposed curfew is at 11pm.  But then again, late is late. Whether it's 30 mins or an hour past my supposed bedtime. I will improve!

5. No colored drinks.

This challenge has also been successful. I've skipped Iced teas and juices for most of the 21 days (except for a few sips during parties where water is not available). What i noticed was that i didn't really crave iced tea as much as i thought i would. And also during one party that we attended, I was forced to drink iced tea but couldn't finish it anymore since i found it too sweet. Maybe my taste buds have been reconditioned. Yay! Here's to less liquid calories.  Now about that Chai tea latte...hmm...that's another story.

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My 21-Day Challenge

They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. I am not sure how accurate that theory is but i will put it to a test. Today, i am starting my own 21-day challenge that will end on June 24. I will let you know how it goes.

Habits i intend to develop:

1. Have my daily quiet time with the Lord. I try to read my devotional and bible everyday but I haven't been as diligent as i'd like to. I also have a journal where i write the messages I receive during my quiet time. It can either be quotes from my devotional or verses from the bible. I also list down things that i am grateful for as well and update my prayer request list.
Having my quiet time daily is important. It is a great time of conversation with the Lord.

2.  Exercise EVERYDAY.  I do muay thai (kickboxing) around 3 times a week. I sometimes squeeze in an hour of Yoga on some weeks but not regularly. On weekends, i play badminton but it's also very irregular. For the next 21 days, i plan to have some form of exercise every single day. On days that i can't go to the gym or badminton court, i will exercise at home.

I learned this 4-minute workout recently that is said to burn over 600 carlories. That's what i plan to do on those gym-less days. It's basically just 10 jumping jacks, 10 squats, 10 push ups, and 10 lunges. Do this repeatedly for 4 minutes. You can do it too!

3. Moisturize daily. Whenever i remember to moisturize at night, my skin looks amazingly clear and soft in the morning. I know it has worked its miracle somehow overnight. This is something i need to be more diligent at if i intend to delay the signs of aging for as long as i can.

4. Sleep before 11pm. I contacted hepatitis when i was a child. And ever since, i have tried to take care of my liver by staying away from alcoholic drinks. Another way to help help strengthen my liver is to sleep before 11am. They say that the body (specifically the liver) detoxifies from 11pm to 3am. So my goal is to develop healthier sleeping habits. I think this will be the hardest to accomplish but i will try my best.

5. No colored drinks. I love iced teas! Especially during this hot summer weather - it's always so refreshing. But i also know that iced tea contains a lot of unhealthy liquid calories. Water is still best. I will stay away from colored drinks (i.e. iced tea, artificial juices, coffee, milk tea) for the next 21 days.

Go on and develop your own good habits. Start your own 21-day challenge today!

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