Say hello to the sexy Volvo S60 1.6L D2, my weekend ride. Well i had fun last year driving V40 T4 R (read review here) and the sweet Volvo folks got me back in to test the diesel version of the S60. S and i (ok just S) have driven diesel cars on our travels and it's really more fuel efficient than petrol.

I think there's a misconception that diesel creates more pollution but with technological advancement, it could be cleaner than petrol. The S60 D2 engine has a CO2 emission of 114 g/km, enjoying the Carbon Emission Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) rebate of $15,000, the highest in its class. As a result, there is also better fuel consumption at 4.3litres/100km.

The Volvo S60 is sculpted and it could be modified for a sportier design (as compared to our boring black). The engine produces 115 bhp and 270 Nm of torque and is turbo-charged.

So how does it drive? Well the engine rumbles a fair bit at lower speeds and felt sluggish too. The gear changes are also not that smooth. However when the turbo kicks in at the higher speeds, the drive becomes a lot better. The stability at past 100km/h felt more like a 2000cc car. Well i guess it's made for speed. ;)

I always feel safe in the Volvo because of its attention to safety features. They've included the groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection system and also the city safety system. New systems such as Road Sign Information, Active High Beam and Tunnel Detection can also be added on. We tested the brakes on wet road and it didn't lock on e-brake.

The interior is lavish in terms of its driver-oriented details, but it is still a five-seater offering comfortable space for all its occupants. I tested out the seats at the back and they cocoon the passengers in a good way.

All information such as the trip statistics display is presented on a seven-inch colour screen in the upper part of the centre stack. The screen is positioned high up to make it easy for the driver to keep his or hers eyes on the road. All the functions can be also controlled via buttons built into the steering wheel or via touch buttons located just below the colour screen. Like with the V40, there's also the hands-free bluetooth function.

So yea, yet another fun ride with Volvo. Thanks for inviting me to test the car! The D2 engine is also available in the Volvo S80, V40 Cross Country and V60.

Head on down to their showroom for a test drive this weekend. :)

Here's another unassuming petite cafe that I'm in love with and it's tucked in a corner of the Old Badminton Hall near Old Airport Road. Introducing hipster yogi hangout, Brawn &Brains! This hole in the wall is just around the corner for the super mod Yoga Inc. and right next to some rock climbing gym. They're so cool they don't know why they're even cool and that's totally cool, geddit?

It's a really small spot that seats probably only about 15 pax so be prepared to wait for a bit for a seat.

I was immediately drawn to the colorful display of cakes and drinks on the counter. My heart was racing as i tried to decide on what i wanted to savor after a terribly disappointing brunch at another cafe somewhere in Little India (thou shalt not be named but actually i can't remember the name anymore). 

Nothing is more mood lifting that a good cup of latte. Brawn and Brains uses single origin Brazilian beans but they also have other beans. There were plans to do their own roasting but i'm not sure how that panned out. 

I had the Costa Rica Tarrazu coffee. Tarrazu supposedly produces the most desirable coffee bean in Costa Rica. Tasting notes were chocolatey and nutty with a mild acidity smooth. Great coffee for only $3.50 a shot? Yes you have my heart and tummy!

Earl grey tea cake was a little on the dry side. I'm not sure if tea cakes are meant to be like that but it released a light perfume when toasted/heated.

The carrot cake and chocolate cake looked damn amazeballs. Certainly moist and rich tasting. Couple next to us were going on about the chocolate cake. Prices are reasonable too, i don't think they're more than $5.50?

On another occasion, i had the Orange Vanila and Flaxseeds Tea Cake ($3.50) which was a lot more moist than the Earl Grey and the vanila perfume with the light citrus was simply amazing. The chocolate croissant was also very buttery and flaky and the rich chocolate coat was melt in my mouth deliciousness.

Brawn & Brains also does sandwiches in their really small/ non existent kitchen by the counter. Make sure you get your hands on one of those (be prepared to wait for 15-20mins). Sandwiches are about $7 which imo is really cheap even though it's on the petite size. I'd certainly go for the Grilled Bacon open-faced sandwich which is served with a single molten egg. You can never go wrong with that option! 

S had the pressed Panini with pepperoni and cheese and had some spice in it (maybe paprika). It may look really simple but the flavors were robust from the thin spread of tangy tomato puree, cured meat and melty cheese. Essentially, it's a pizza panini. :) Met fellow yogi friend Ruth at the cafe and she highly recommended the Mushroom and Cheese panini. Next time!

So yea, Brawn & Brains is added to my favorites list for a quick bite. They're practically faultless. Well maybe just feed me faster? :)

Brawn and Brains
100 Guillemard Road #01-07 Singapore 399718.
Tel: +65 6348 8892.
Weekdays: 9am - 7.30pm
Weekends: 9.30am - 7.30pm
Closed Mon

It's been a month since i started on my Invisalign teeth straightening treatment (read my first post here). So far so good. I only experienced some aches in my gum for the first 2 days of wearing my first set of aligners and that went away after a bit. When i changed to my new aligners 2 weeks later, i was surprised that my gums did not ache at all. Not bad hur!

Well here's a little Q&A on Invisalign for those who may be interested in seeking teeth straightening treatment.

What do you think of Invisalign before u started treatment?
I was quite prepared for it since i've worn braces before and am quite used to the idea of wearing plastic retainers to keep my teeth aligned. Since the aligners are quite similar to the plastic retainers, it was rather easy to adapt to wearing them all day. However i did find that i spoke a little funny in the first month due to the extra plastic in my mouth.

What's your favorite part of Invisalign consultation?
A typical fear is that there would be pain involved with each visit to the dentist but it wasn't like that. My dentist, Dr Cheng Eng Wah from i.Dental Surgeons would always distract me with trivial and jokes but mostly he would be explaining the steps to me so that i know what i'd be in for during the consultation.

What do you like about Invisalign after you started wearing them?
It sort of prevented me from snacking too frequently! I snack a lot, especially when i'm bored! With the aligners, i'd have to remove them before i eat and then brush my teeth before i put them back on. So yes! Away with the unnecessary calories!

How do you adapt to the new lifestyle after wearing aligners?
Other than snacking less, i'm a lot more aware of oral hygiene. I'm terribly lazy when it comes to flossing but these days i'd floss my teeth every night. I've also taken to brushing my teeth after meals! So yea, i have a set of toothbrush and toothpaste in office. When i went to Penang for a food trip, i carried my toothbrush around and i'd brush my teeth in between all the little meals we had! Lame but absolutely necessary.

I have been drinking my coffee/tea with straws to prevent staining of my teeth so nothing new even after my treatment. Do remember to take off the aligners whenever you have a sweet drink and especially with drinks that are colored. 

What advice would you give to friends if they are considering Invisalign?

Well be prepared to brush your teeth more frequently and also to cut down on the snacking. Not necessary a bad thing! Other than that, it has been quite an easy peasy experience.

More updates on my Invisalign treatment next time!

I like to dine with the world under my feet and if you do too, then scoot over to the newly refreshed Salt Grill & Sky Bar at ION Orchard which provides a magnificent landscape of the Orchard Road skyline with their full glass floor-to-ceiling windows that span two storeys high. Swanky it is, Salt grill & Sky Bar serves up some Modern Australian cuisine by celebrity chef-restaurateur Luke Mangan and is known for its one-of-a-kind experience that begins even before guests enter the restaurant. Special concierge reception, private lift, exclusive dining area... it's hard not to feel special here.

I recently checked out their new space and also sampled the spring menu created by Executive Chef Mathew Leighton, who is the youngest Executive Chef in the group. But first, a tipple at the brand new bar. 

Crafted cocktails are a must here. On the left, the Salt Cooler is practically a health drink made from antioxidents (lotsa berries) with lemonade and cranberry juice. Well i preferred something stronger so it was The Australian by Luke Mangan ($18), a lightly spiced ginger based cognac-gin concoction.

Next, some canapes.The Tempura oyster, wakame salad, wasabi dressing. This is also available at Salt Tapas Bar (read review here) but it tasted better than i remembered. The juicy Lamb loin, mushroom duxelles in puff pastry were too addictive to stop at one. 

Modern Australian cuisine is an intersection of influences from cuisines around the world and i could taste that rightaway in the Amuse Bouche, Coconut broth with Sydney spice. Flavor-wise, it tasted very much like Thai Green Curry without the spice.

We then proceeded with our wine and dine event and our dishes were paired with drinks from the Award Winning New World Wine List of the Year 2013 by the World Gourmet Summit. There is also the signature range of eponymous 'Luke Mangan' wines which are produced in one of Australia’s leading wine estates - TarraWarra Estate in Yarra Valley, which Chef Mangan was personally involved in the selection of the grapes and the blending of the wines.

Wine with 1st and 2nd course. NV Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvee Pipers River TAS, $19 per glass, $99 per bottle.

Something light and refreshing to start, the Sashimi of Kingfish with a sweet puree of ginger and eschalot and crumbles of goats feta ($33). 

Spring vegetables were served next with the mild goats curd, ginger bread crumbs and dried black olives ($31). These are probably sous vide to seal in the freshness of spring.

Wine with 3rd and 4th course. 2011 Yabby Lake Chardonnay Mornington VIC, $140 per bottle. 

I love my eggs and the 'Glass' Sydney crab omelette ($33) totally won me over with the precious sheets of runny egg in the center, enoki mushroom and herb salad in miso mustard broth. A generous serving of sweet crab meat was wrapped in the golden parcel. This is certainly a light dish that is refreshing with a basil taste (again, this is almost Thai food). 

Signature starters include the Tea smoked quail ($31), an original creation in which the bird is smoked with a combination of earl grey tea and rice, and nicely paired with almond cream, prunes, truffled grains (i believe there is quinoa), grilled shallot, sorrel. There are so many dimensions and flavors to this dish and i was slowly savoring each component. I haven't had prunes in a dish for sometime and it went well with the smokey tender quail.

For mains, we had the Sirloin Rangers Valley, New South Wales, 300 days grain fed Wagyu ($74). Moroccan spice, sauté spinach, eggplant puree, red wine sauce  Wasabi, whole grain mustard. Fantastic aubergine spiced purée. Pick your cut from the meat board before having it grilled to your preference (only medium rare for me).

Paired with 2010 Luke Mangan Shiraz by TarraWarra Estate Yarra Valley VIC, $25 per glass, $125 per bottle.

Other mains include Lamb loin cutlet ($69) enveloped in foie gras mustard crust and served with spiced parsnip puree, almonds and dates; Whole baby snapper ($53) with bacon and Prawn a la meuniere. 

Dessert was pleasantly surprising with Luke’s liquorice parfait ($18). I don't quite like licorice but i was amazed at how interesting the flavor and texture worked together especially with lime. You gotta try it for yourself.

NV Buller Fine Old Muscat Rutherglen VIC, $18 per glass, $160 per bottle. This was like liquid honey.

Salt Grill & Sky Bar also does an affordable but impressive 2 - 3 course set lunch menu on weekdays (12 - 2pm) that is from from $45 onwards. Definitely perfect for corporate diners seeking to impress clients. Degustation Menus are also available daily for lunch and dinner (4/6 course from $98 onwards). Wine pairing is also available.

With the Celebrity Chef Luke Mangan. He's such a humorous and entertaining chef.

Poster boy Executive Chef Mathew Leighton.

I enjoyed every dish that we sampled for the media tasting. Everything worked and that is so hard to come by these days. I'm becoming such a jaded food writer! Certainly would be back to have brunch and tea!

Salt Grill & Sky Bar by Luke Mangan

55th and 56th floors, ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6592 5118

Daily: 11am - 11pm

Daily Afternoon Tea: 2 - 6pm
Brunch (weekends and PH): 11am - 2pm

Some people find it ironic that i preach yoga, active lifestyle and healthy eating but yet i tantalize them with delicious (and also decadent) food from all my tastings and eating adventures. Well i think it works out perfectly for me. I compensate for all that gluttony with lots of work out and eating clean on weekdays, so that i can indulge whenever i want to. Well the main thing is to always evaluate your diet and its effects (it's usually physical).

In my case, i've noticed that my hair has been falling out more than usual and i've been putting it off thinking that it's due to the constant tying of hair when i'm in yoga class and also that the heat from the hot studio is causing breakage etc. Well, i was glad to know that The DRx Medispa has a Hair Guru Peggy, who is the resident Trichologist to solve my hair woes! The Trichology center is located within The DRx Medispa (how convenient!).
I knew i was in good hands when i met Peggy. Just look at that head of luscious locks! We chatted about my lifestyle and Peggy was relieved to know that i'm not that extreme a yogi in terms of my diet. I'm already taking in a lot of folic acid, Vit C and Vit A so the main concern was that i may not be taking sufficient proteins to prevent hair loss. You are what you eat. So yea! More meat in my greens now.

Peggy then proceeded to scan my scalp to determine which are the problem areas.

OMG am i balding?! FAINTS. I have some hair loss along the parting of my hair because i haven't changed my parting for at least half a year? You're supposed to change it every 3 months by the way. There is also thinning around the frontal part of my scalp. :(

This is what healthy hair should look like. Thankfully my hair follicles at the back are still thriving! I was reassured that there is still hope for me. Haha.

Peggy prescribed me with the Purifying Hair Treatment with Laser Therapy ($188 for 90mins) to clear up the gunk on my scalp. She also included the microneedle therapy to stimulate and promote hair growth and also to prevent premature hair loss. More on the needles in a bit!

The Purifying Hair Treatment provides deep cleansing of the scalp. We started with the deep cleansing serum to exfoliate and loosen built-up scales and epidermis.

After which, warm steam/mist was directed to the scalp to enlarge the hair follicles for better absorption of the serum. 

Nutrients absorption in progress. 

The treatment draws impurities to the surface of the scalp and also helps to control excessive secretions for a clear and refreshed scalp!

Now, the scary but necessary part! Needles!! There are 192 0.5mm Titanium needles on this roller and the therapist would roll it all over your scalp for 15-20mins. Now the question is.. Will it hurt??

No it doesn't. Just look at my stoic face. Now wait for it...

OF COURSE IT HURTS! They are needles hello!! I was squirming in my chair and trying to get away from the needles. The lady next to me obviously found me very hilarious. She did not even move a bit when undergoing the treatment and was chilling out with her magazine. But really, no pain no gain. I really want my hair to grow like a rain forest with thick and dense foliage and strong healthy roots. So yes, i'm ready for the next treatment. And apparently the pain gets easier with repeated treatment (it better be). 

The treatment ended with a Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) which is a cool laser to relax the scalp. It also helps in improving the hair texture.

Another consultation after the treatment showed that my scalp is pink (which means that blood circulation has improved) and clean (less junk). Peggy also got me started on the Nanogen Thickening Treatment Shampoo (200ml, $30). I love the cool minty sensation on my scalp when i use this!

I also started on the 3 month Nanogen Serum VEGF Growth Factor Solution ($170 ) on the thinning areas. Hopefully we'll see effects when i go back for a review.

The therapist then used the Repit Brush Iron from Korea to curl my hair. It’s a heated brush and a tong combined in one and it gives you fast and instant curls that last!

Just a little C curl at the ends since my hair isn't that long now. It was rather perfect as i was headed for a short weekend getaway to Penang with my friends. I felt like a Korean pop star with my curls! Shall play around with the brush the next time. :) 

Another picture with lovely Dr Yanni. Hardworking doc has got to work so she couldn't join us on our foodilicious Penang trip. More on the trip soon. :)

A visit typically involves a consultation with the Trichologists and is arranged 30 mins before your scheduled treatment. Subsequent consultations will be on a needs basis.

Quote "Blogger Cheryl" for 40% off the Tricho Purifying Treatment (U.P. $188). Grow hair grow!

The DRx Medispa Singapore

302 Orchard Road, #14-02/#16-02

Tong Building (next to Paragon Shopping Centre)

Singapore 238862

Tel: +65 6223 1555

Mon to Sat: 10am to 8pm

Sun: 10am to 6pm

http://instagram.com/thedrxmedispa