FOR YOUR SANITY

MEN IN PINK
Out of social norms
PG 10

THE ACCIDENTAL
DIVE
Pain To Power
PG 12

MASK UP!
Find that mask for you
PG 24

ISSUE 1
February 2017
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 CONTENTS
LEARN
Gloom To Bloom 04
Running for His Life 06 feature
The Training Ground 08
10 Men In Pink
12 The Accidental Dive
14 The Silent Killer

eat
Poppin Flavours 16
Healthy 400-Calorie Fixes 18 Unwind
Whimsical Edible Greens 20 22 24H in Kyoto
24 Mask Up!
26 Snooze On!

2
 EDITORS NOTE
Inspirit means to instil courage or life into. That is just what
we aim to do through the variety of uplifting stories weve
gathered from around Singapore. Everyone faces their own
struggles and one might even lose their sanity along the way
but our team wants to give readers a sense of hope to get
through whatever adversity they may be facing; through the
inspiring stories in Feature, to help them Learn from others
and getting them to loosen up through more light hearted
articles in Eat and Unwind. As you navigate through these
stories, we hope youll find comfort and optimism within
these pages to face the crazy chaotic world head on, so read

Sophia Ng
on reader fam!

Editor

EDITORIAL TEAM

Shannon Ang Ardelle Tan Marcus Goh

Sub-Editor Designer Sub-Editor

Andrea Tan Kimberly Foo Sheila Lim

Reporter Reporter Photo Editor

3
LEARN | INSPIRIT

Gloom To Bloom
Follow KIMBERLY FOO as she discovers flower arrangement and shows you how to spice up any living space
starved of colour and decorations.

Materials
What you will need:
1. Scissors
2. Ribbon
3. Single Stalk of Gerbera
4. 3 Stalks of simple fillers such
as Lavender
5. A glass bottle or jar to keep
the flowers

D
o you feel like the four walls are closing up
on you? Its time for a change! Spruce up
your room with these easy and cute flower
arrangements that can brighten up any living
space.

According to aboutflowers.com, a site dedicated

to flowers, flowers have an immediate impact on
happiness. The 10-month study was conducted
on participants emotional responses to flowers

The participants are reported to feel less

depressed, anxious and agitated. The reaction
is reported to be universal, occurring in all age
groups.

I think flower arrangement really allows you to

practice your creativity. Its just something you can
do as a hobby and its really relaxing, said Shirley
Lee, 18, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student.

4

Photos by Sheila Lim
Step 1: Measure the flowers. Cut them to make
sure that they are of the same length and that they
can fit into the chosen jar. This is to make sure that
the arrangement will not topple after placing the
jar.
Step 2: Ensure that the bloom of the flower is nice
and upright by taping the back of the flower to
retain its round shape. Make sure that the tape is
not obvious as shown in the picture above.
INSPIRIT | LEARN
Step 3: Tape the mini arrangement together so that
it will not go out of order in the jar.
Step 4: Place the arrangement in a nice glass
or plastic jar for a vintage feel, then tie a ribbon
around the neck of the bottle as a finishing touch to
beautify the jar.
And voil! You are finished! The contrast between
the vibrant hues of the flower and the bottle will
make a perky mood lifter. Its simple and takes less
than 10 minutes to put together! But remember to
change the water every 2-3 days to avoid breeding
mosquitoes. It also helps to keep your flowers fresh
longer!
5
LEARN | INSPIRIT

Running For
His Life
Join ANDREA TAN as she speaks to Matthew* about his life as a drug runner.

Photo by Sheila Lim

6

I was sitting at the usual spot, 18-year-old
Matthew told me. The golden glow of the
afternoon sun was peeking through the
curtains of his house and he and his friends just got
hold of the treasure. The boys were ready to kick
in. It was a kick that never got old; an indulgence
that Matthew simply could not get enough of. For
years, this activity was routine but too many knew
of Matthews activities and word got out.
It had only been a few minutes into what seemed
like just a regular session when a rough banging
was heard on the front door. It was the police and
the young teens had nowhere to run.
There was once when I
had no tissue, I used a 50
Dollar note to clean my
sweat!
-Mathew*
Busted, they were brought down to take a urine
test and their parents were summoned. The
silence was deafening as he waited anxiously
in another room while the officers spoke to his
father. Matthew had tested positive for drugs
and was sentenced to six months of lock up and
another six months of probation for smoking and
selling Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Matthew had been smoking Ice for the past three
years and moved on to making a profit out of
selling it the past one year.
It was really good money (and) I could earn up to
2K a day, he claimed. The amount of cash you
receive is really a lot (to the point when) it spills
out of your wallet. There was once when I had no
tissue, I used a $50 note to clean my sweat! He
describes how money was never an issue.
Without being given a chance to see his father or
other family members one last time, he was sent
off to Changi Prison for his long vacation.
I was very scared and I just cried. It was a day Ill
never forget.
Matthew did not expect himself to end up where
he was even though he knew the consequences
INSPIRIT | LEARN
of selling and taking drugs of that calibre.
Compunction overwhelmed him as he stepped
into his cell and met the rest of his cell mates.
Lying on his bed with the grim walls staring
back, Matthew just wanted to devote himself to
solitude.
He was only allowed visitation rights bi-monthly
when his family came to see him which made him
reflect on his actions a lot.
My dad told me that its done. So theres no point
in any scolding. I feel bad because I promised
them that I wouldnt touch those things anymore.
I broke my promise, he said remorsefully.
At night, the sound of crickets and locusts was all
that echoed through the cells.
Daily life consisted of 22 hours in a cell with
only one to two hours of leisure activities and
wretchedly bad food. Matthew had to get used
to staying there and his cellmates were all he had.
He was the youngest among them and fortunately,
they treated one another like family.
With the occasional fights and change of inmates,
his six-month sentence eventually passed.
Stepping out of the prison gates marked the
threshold of Matthews new life. His family was
there to fetch him. It felt like he had been gone
his whole life. The six months seemed like an
eternity and everything felt so new.
The look and feel of the outside world felt so
foreign.
Today, Matthews life outside is better with his
family by his side. However, he still has to abide
by the orders of his probation officer. His life now
revolves around family, work and weekly urine
checks.
Once Im off this tag, I want take private O
(levels), complete National Service and think
of a career. He states that he wants to lead a
purposeful life and no longer be the ah beng
(gangster) he used to be.
I dont regret anything because getting locked
up was definitely an experience I will never forget
and without it, I w uldnt have been able to stop.
7
FEATURE | INSPIRIT
Men in Pink
Join Sheila Lim and Sophia Ng as they talk to some guys who have decided to enter a more conventionally
female profession.
W
hat do a nurse, a florist and a sculptor of
mini figurines have in common? Well the
first thing that might come to mind as you
imagine these people, is that they all manifest as
images of females.
Farouq
Nursing was a calling for me, it didnt come to
me until I was hospitalised.
When he was 14, Mohamed Farouq Bin Mohamed
suffered a bout of heat stroke during a training
camp in Pulau Ubin and with no doctors around,
he had to be rushed from the island to KK Hospital
to receive treatment. The drips intimidated him
and the initial absence of his parents did not
help to quell his fear of being hospitalised but he
remembers how the nurses there helped him feel
more at ease.
There were many sweet nurses who came to talk
to me and they brought me milo (a chocolate malt
drink). They would ask me, why look so scared?
and theyd tell me its fine, everything is ok.
The nurses helped make his stay a comfortable
one, so much so that he left with the aspiration of
joining their ranks someday.
8
As a society that still upholds many traditional
Asian values, its rare to find males in Singapore
taking on such jobs since theyve long been
branded female occupations. In recent years,
however, more males are seen entering female
dominated industries.
His parents did not approve of it at first however,
deeming it a job for girls, saying that guys does
more manly work.
According to Farouq, the stereotype that nursing
is a girly job is due to the fact that nurses have to
be meticulous and gentle with patients.
As much as that is true, he cites the physically
demanding work male nurses have to do, such as
restraining patients (if you work in mental health
institutions), and moving the patients of a bigger
build during physical examinations.
His favourite part of the job is interacting with the
patients.
Its the smile and gratitude they give to you
when they leave the hospital.You work hard for
your patient and to see them get better is very
rewarding.

Desmond
A male florist is another rare breed in Singapore
and though it may come off as a feminine job,
Desmond Chua isnt the least bit bothered by it.
There are many other countries where there are
male florists too.
But he added that it does take a more gentle
personality to be able to do his job.
You have to be really gentle when you handle
plants. When I handle plants, I also have to be
like this, with the little finger sticking out. He said
in jest as he demonstrated an effeminate hand
position.
You cant change flowers. Flowers are soft and
gentle so you have to be gentle towards them
too.
Identifying as both a horticulturist and a florist,
the 24-year-old with a sunny disposition runs his
own business, Knovus, selling indoor plants and
open terrariums.
Although he did not face objections from his
parents of his choice in occupation, Desmond
shares that he still gets many reactions of surprise
from people who find out about him being a
florist.
When I tell people Im a florist, theyll be like
Huh!? Youre a florist, a guy florist? You sure you
(are a) florist? the chatty entrepreneur guffawed.
I do get good responses from people too. Ive
met people who happen to find out Im a florist
and then theyll be like finally, we have a male
florist!
FEATURE | INSPIRIT
Jonathan
To make something like mini sculptures of food
is no easy feat considering the patience and
meticulousness required for creating the details.
Its why people are often surprised to find out that
the person behind all the creations on MiniJon
are handmade by Jonathan Seetoh.
The 18-year-old found his love for art through
clay, and after experimenting with different kinds
of clay, he finally sold his first clay sculpture at
the age of 15. Seeing that he had the potential
to build a career with his talent, he decided to
spend his holidays after his O levels to pursue his
passion.
My friends are often quite surprised when they
find out that I make all these mini sculptures of
food, theyll find it very hard to believe because
these type of things are normally made by girls.
He doesnt view his job as a girly one, but
understands why people view it as such.
People find my job feminine as most of my
compeititors on instagram are girls. Guys normally
cant handle the clay well since it requires them to
be gentle and many guys by nature are anything
but gentle.
He revealed that although the mini sculptures
look simple because theyre small, it takes up a
lot of his time and effort to make one. He also
mentioned how tiring it was to knead the clay
every night after a hectic day in school, but it
provided him a sense of resilience.
He hopes to grow MiniJon into a business that
will give him the capabilities to provide for his
step-siblings in the future.
9
LEARN | INSPIRIT

The Training Ground

Photos by Kimberly Foo

ANDREA TAN and KIMBERLY FOO head to three polytechnics to see how the real world is simulated in various
courses to prepare them for the industry.

D
iploma courses in polytechnics offer students
different learning perspectives by inculcating
industry projects with actual clients to pitch
to in their curriculum. The polytechnics efforts
to prepare students for the real world extend to
in-house training at places such as M:idea, LRez
and Sugarloaf, that gives students a first-hand
experience of the operational aspects of the
industry.
Established in 2009 by the School of Film & Media
Studies (FMS), M:idea is Singapores first youth-
led conglomerate that offers internship positions
to students in the school.
Students are expected to be versatile and master
all components of running a restaurant, which
sees them taking on front and back-end roles,
ranging from manning the front desk to cooking
in the kitchen.
The internship also comes without any boundaries
in the creativity aspect, which breeds fresh ideas.
Our lecturers dont set the themes for us, so we
have to come up with concepts and menus as
part of our assignment, said Chelsey Ong, a Year
Three Diploma of Food and Beverage Business
student as he introduced the menu that LRez was
serving at the point of time.

Students get to be the boss by making decisions

on team management. Youll get to liaise with
other companies outside, get advertisements
and theres always something new to learn even
if youre not ready, said Ms Shareeda Morrison,
the lecturer-in-charge of M:idea in Ngee Ann
Polytechnic.

At LRez restaurant in Nanyang Polytechnic,

final-year students pursuing a Diploma in Food
and Beverage Business are involved in overall
preparations from the restaurant layout to the
planning and designing of the monthly menu
as part of their internship. Unlike other student-
run eateries, LRez is a fine-dining restaurant with
strict dress codes to adhere to.
LRez
10
 INSPIRIT | LEARN

Tucked away in a quiet little nook, Sugarloaf is

a student-run training caf under the Temasek
Culinary Academy (TCA). Year Two students from
the Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management
work there twice a week for modules such as Food
& Beverage Operations and Business Etiquette
& Service Excellence. One semester is spent in
the kitchen, and another semester out of it, is
dedicated to serving customers.

Being more of a training ground for students

to hone their operational skills rather than a
commercial business, the food sold is affordable
LRe
and cost-recovery priced, meaning that losses
can be recouped easily if made. z
It is a very demanding way of learning. Some
days youre in the office and others, you are out
to supervise photo-shoots. There would be times
we hardcore edit all day at the desk but when it. I love interacting with customers so this
were thinking of design, well be at the library becomes motivation for me to come down early
to seek inspiration, revealed Adelina Oh, a to work and time just flies, shared Samantha
third year student, who was the previous editor Toh, a Year Two student pursuing a Diploma
of NPTribune, Ngee Ann Polytechnics campus in Culinary and Catering Arts Management in
newspaper. Temasek Polytechnic.

The students here are all trained to look and
serve with professionalism because our main
objective is to provide training for a competent
service person, said Mr Tan Hsien Wei, the course
manager for the Diploma in Culinary and Catering
Arts management in Temasek Polytechnic.
In fact, students who received training from such
student-run operations usually do well after they
graduate and enter the workforce. Mr Tan said
that the TCA received positive feedback from
industry partners when their students went out for
their internships.

However, not everyone that is posted to m:idea
wants to be there. Sometimes, people who dont
put m:idea as their top choice get in for various
reasons, said Ms Morrison. We just have to
learn how to work with them, added Adelina.
Mr Tan also added that students have to come
down regardless of their interest in the assigned
role. As a result, some may falter.
Ms Morrison also commented that students who
graduated from FMS after being in M:idea for
their internship are doing well for themselves.
We have some alumni from Radio Heatwave
(one of the broadcast arms in M:idea) who are
doing quite well in the industry like Justin Ang
(from The Muttons), Gerald Koh (from 987FM)
and Sonia Chew (from 987FM).

Despite its demanding standards, students dont

feel like they are ready for the workforce. Adelina
said, I wouldnt say that we are 100% ready (for
the workforce).

Some people, however, feel that this is the best

way for them to learn about the industry.

This place is an opportunity for me to make as

many mistakes as I can because I cant afford that
in the industry and its all about seeing the fun in

a r l o af
Sug 1211
FEATURE | INSPIRIT

The
Accidental Dive
Join ARDELLE TAN as she discovers why Freida Lim plunged into deep waters
and became the national diver she is today.

D
onned in an American Eagle T-shirt and black
ripped jeans, Freida Lim stands tall at 158
cm. Her toned legs and arms speak volumes
about the amount of hard work put into years of
training while a hint of her warm personality is
revealed through her wide grin.

However, behind her cheery disposition is a

personal battle with a health condition.

At five years old, Freida was already doing sports

like gymnastics and swimming but by 13, she was
diagnosed with thyroid disorder As a result, she
dropped swimming and pursued another
watersport diving.

Freidas father, a general practitioner, was the

one who diagnosed her. Her neck swelled and
I thought it was really strange, he said. He drew
her blood which he sent to the hospital for further
testing. It turned out that Freidas thyroid disorder
was hereditary; inherited from her grandmother.

According to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada,

the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your
neck and is four to seven times more common in
women.
Photo by Freida Lim

12
 INSPIRIT | FEATURE

Freida recalled how her appetite increased When I first started, training was tough and I felt
rapidly due to her overactive thyroid glands. My like giving up. I didnt see where this was going,
swimming worsened as I had muscle wasting, she admitted.
she sighed, explaining that its the excess
thyroid hormone that eats up her muscles. She Spending twenty hours weekly on training, Freida
experienced symptoms like hand tremors and has certainly come far from the start of her diving
faster heart rate. Endurance was a requirement for journey at 14.
swimming that Freida struggled with because of
the state she was in. She added that her thyroid condition caused her to
be weak in her upper body, thus, handstand dives
I just had no stamina and I got really tired after, were only practiced when necessary. A handstand
she said. She recalled how she consumed six meals dive is performed with a divers back to the water
everyday but still remained skinny. Freida stopped at the end of a springboard or a platform.
swimming soon after due to her overactive
thyroid glands. My swimming worsened as I had I avoid them,
muscle wasting, she sighed, handstands are
explaining that its the excess scary, she
thyroid
hormone that eats up her
muscles. She experienced
Im there to continue doing what I confessed.
love doing and I feel blessed that
I am given the opportunity to train Gradually, the strong-
symptoms like hand tremors there. willed Freida gained
and a faster heart rate. her momentum
Endurance was a requirement -Freida Lim through trainings and
for swimming that Freida also found a group of friends in the process. The
struggled with because of the OCBC Aquatic Center, a place she used to dread
state she was in. going for trainings, became a place where she
spent time with the people she grew to love.
I just had no stamina and I got really tired after,
she said. She recalled how she consumed six One of her major sacrifices was her physique.
meals everyday but still remained skinny. Freida Whenever she does a 10-metre dive, the impact
stopped swimming soon after. often takes its toll on her elbow and knee joints
and her back. Furthermore, the dives also
Freida wanted to (continue) doing watersports, caused impingement problems for her shoulders.
but with her condition, she could not continue Impingement occurs when the shoulders muscles
with swimming so I recommended diving to her become irritated and inflamed which results in
instead, her swimming coach, Mr David Lim, 50, pain.
said.
To alleviate her back problems, Freida goes for
Four months into recreational diving, she tried out chiropractic, acupuncture and physiotherapy
for the junior national diving team. Fast-forward to sessions provided by Singapore Sports Institute.
2015, Freida carved a name for herself by securing
a bronze in the womens 10m platform in the 2015 Besides being dubbed Athlete of the Year
SEA Games. (Diving) by the Singapore Swimming Association
in 2016, the 18-year-old has also been offered a
Freida attributes her success as a national diver to full scholarship by Clemson University in America,
her mother. She played a crucial role, especially in which is known for helping students juggle sports
the earlier days when Freida had doubts about her and studies through their Division 1 schools.
decision to dive, and deliberated a lot on whether Freida is currently pursuing Food Science and
she should dive despite making the team. Human Nutrition, and trains together with the
Clemson Tigers, a diving team in America.
My mum always told me to keep trying. If a
Singaporean like Joseph Schooling can win a gold Im there to continue doing what I love doing
medal in the Olympics, what else is stopping you? and I feel blessed that I am given the opportunity
All you need to do is to give it a shot. to train there, she shared.

13
FEATURE | INSPIRIT
The Silent Killer
According to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Singapore, one in 17 Singaporeans will suffer from depression at
least once in their life MARCUS GOH investigates.
A
fter coming in fourth in the 2009 Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games, Team Singapores
swimmer, Pang Sheng Jun aimed for a
bronze medal in the 2011 SEA Games. When
he came in fifth, his life seemed to crumble and
he wanted to jump off the roof of the athletes
dormitory in Jakarta.
I couldnt cope with the reality at that point in
time so I really wanted to end my life.
At that moment in time, the only way out
was to just jump. To be honest, you tend
to not think straight when you are in that
state of mind, he recounted in his blog.
Living in one of the most competitive
countries in the world, this 24-year-
old national swimmer is not the only
one who has had to face his demons.
According to IMH Singapore, one in
17 Singaporeans have suffered from
depression at least once in their life,
making it the most common mental
illness in Singapore.
While not all suicide cases are linked to
depression, there is a high correlation between
mood disorders and suicide, said Ms Fionna
Thong, a lecturer and school-based counsellor
at Temasek Polytechnic who specialises in
Counseling Psychology.
According to Ms Thong, depression is the
constant feeling of sadness, worthlessness
and a lot of negative thoughts of oneself in an
omnipresent emotional state. Depression is more
chronic and pervasive in nature while sadness is
temporary.
In an interview with TODAY, Samaritans Of
Singapore (SOS) executive director, Christine
Wong, said that teenagers expressed fear of
14
being judged by their friends and family if they
shared their struggles.
In spite of this, some are willing to seek help.
I think its about lending me a listening ear to let
me rant and let me talk about something thats
bothering me, said Amy (not her real name), 18,
who was on the verge of depression.
Aaron (not his real name), 19, who is currently
diagnosed with depression, said, I sought
help from my friends at first and (they) gave
me emotional support. They pushed me to
seek professional help so I approached
my parents. My parents then sent me
to a psychiatrist and I have been on
medication ever since then.
According to the SOS study, the total
number of suicide cases in Singapore
fell in 2015. However, despite the
shrinking teenage population, the
number of suicide cases amongst
teenagers aged 10 to 19 rose to its highest in
more than a decade.
Ms Thong explained this phenomenon using the
cohort effect, a term used to describe the variation
of unique characteristics of individuals who are
grouped by age and period effects.
Different cohorts experience different (types of)
pressures and stresses. With the younger cohort
(aged 10-19), we see that they experience stresses
that are related to very high expectations of
themselves.
In the past, no one would have expectations for
your grandmother to go to a university or live in
a condominium (when she was young) but in this
cohort, there is high academic pressure which
results in young people nowadays putting
 INSPIRIT | FEATURE

a lot of pressure on themselves and that is one
of the main reasons why a lot of the youths Ive
counselled have gotten depression, said Ms
Thong.
Due to the stigma attached to depressed patients,
a depressed individual is less likely to tell people
of their struggles. However, there are tell-tale
signs of depression.
After Sheng Jun stepped down from the roof, his
friend explained that he had more to live for and
that his family would be crushed if he ended his
life. That made me realise that it was a selfish
act, Sheng Jun recalled.
I didnt see a doctor, but I went to see my Sport
Psychologist in the Singapore Sports Institute and
he helped me with my condition, he added.

One of the most common symptoms of depression
is when one has an inability to experience pleasure
or enjoy things they used to like. According
to SingHealth, an academic medical centre,
depressed individuals also tend to withdraw from
friends and family as well as show significant
changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
Sheng Jun quickly got over the saga and trained
hard for two years leading up to SEA Games 2013.
Two years would mean two more painful years of
training but if Im able to overcome the obstacles,
it would mean that all the pain and hard work will
be worth it.

There are many different ways to prevent yourself
from being depressed even when you are at your
lowest point in life. Experts at IMH suggest that
one should refrain from negative self-talk like I
am useless or it can never change.
For Amy, she writes only about the the positive
incidents in her day to purge the negative ones
so that she can remember all the good things that
happened instead of the rough ones.
We can do more than just saying depression
should be treated because its not (a) firefighting
(kind of issue), Ms Thong highlighted. She also
emphasised that its important to have a strong
social support structure. Families need to
understand (what youths are going through).
He emerged victorious in the 4x200m freestyle
relay in 2013, earning him his first SEA games
gold medal that lifted the mental obstacle for him.
Setting goals is what helps Sheng Jun to keep
going even in tough times. He plans to better his
performance in the 2017 SEA games and qualify
for the 2020 Olympic games, winning more
medals for Singapore.
We shouldnt let things that we cant control in life
like medals and results, dictate ur happiness.
Photo by Tan Junda

Im trying to (recover from depression) by being

on medication. It helps me feel less helpless and
hopeless, said Aaron.

There is no one size fits all medicine yet so one

should seek medical advice from field specialists
before consuming any kind of medication.

We shouldnt let things that we

cannot control in life like medals
and results dictate our happiness.

- Pang Sheng Jun

15
LEARN | INSPIRIT
Poppin
Flavours
SOPHIA NG heads to Jurong to try Poppy Pops whacky take on gelato popsicles.
I
t doesnt matter how old we are something
about eating a popsicle just fills us with (childlike)
glee. Personally, I have always thought that this
childhood treat is only limited to classic flavours
like Vanilla or Chocolate but a visit to Poppy Pops
proved me wrong.
Hidden away on the elusive Level 6 of JEM,
Poppy Pops is a gem of a place. The caf exudes
a peaceful and laidback vibe with its simple yet
tasteful interior design. A touch of greenery is
provided with the hanging vines and faux moss
covering the front counter, while the warm glow of
the hanging bulbs and the natural light coming in
through the glass panels create a cosy ambience.
The first thing youll see when you set foot in
the caf is the wide range of gelato popsicles
to choose from. Thai Milk Tea, Lemon Blueberry,
Salted Honey, Orange Ashthe struggle of having
to choose just one out of so many interesting
flavours will have you feeling like a kid again.
16
When asked how she comes up with such
unconventional flavours for her popsicles, Ms Piak
Jia Ying, the owner of Poppy Pops said, If I drink
a cocktail, and it tastes nice, then I will translate
the
cocktail into a popsicle flavour. Or sometimes its
just, I want to make something a certain colour, so
Ill think about what can I add to this to make it the
colour I want.
After choosing your popsicle flavour, you can then
pick a coating of different chocolates either dark,
milk or white and top it off with whatever you
desire, be it nuts, oreo crumbs or cornflakes, all
for the price of $4.80.
Deciding to try their take on a unique yet
conventional flavour, I went with Raspberry and
Honey Yogurt Apricot. The Raspberry popsicle was
coated in dark chocolate with cookie crumbs as
toppings and the Honey Yogurt Apricot popsicle
was dipped in white chocolate accompanied with
fruity pebbles.

As I savoured the chocolate-coated Raspberry
popsicle, the rich dark chocolate coating melted in
my mouth with the right amount of bitterness, but
the gelato flavour beneath was completely lost.
When I had finished devouring the coating and
could finally taste the Raspberry gelato, I found it
too sweet. The additional layer of dark chocolate
coating on top of the thick and creamy gelato felt
too heavy and filling for me. The crunchy cookie
crumbs provided a bit of texture in the otherwise
smooth and creamy popsicle, but did nothing
to enhance the overall taste. Although the
combination was pretty, it certainly did not taste
as good as it looked.
To my surprise, I enjoyed the Honey Yoghurt
Apricot popsicle a lot more. It had a lighter and
more refreshing taste to it and wasnt too sweet
due to the yogurt. The sweet white chocolate
coating also complimented it really well. A pop of
colour is added to the full white ensemble of the
popsicle with fruity pebbles but that had no effect
on the overall taste.
The apricot bits in the gelato help to give a bit
of texture to the popsicle so it doesnt feel too
overwhelming, commented Loca Tan, a customer
at Poppy Pops, who also tried the Honey Yogurt
Apricot.
INSPIRIT | LEARN
Photos by Sheila Lim
Besides the cafs great location and warm
ambience, the service is also great with pleasant
and polite staff serving you. The unique popsicles
are definitely worth trying but you might have to
put some thought into choosing your coating and
toppings to ensure that the flavours dont clash or
become too overwhelming.
Since the popsicles are homemade, they are also
slightly expensive but its a small price to pay to
enjoy the simple bliss that comes from eating a
childhood treat.
Popular choices
Brown Butter Cookie Dough and Salted
Honey are the most popular choice of
flavours among customers.
Seasons surprise
The different batches of popsicle flavours
follow a certain cycle so dont be surprised
to go back a while later only to find your
favourite flavour gone. Dont worry though,
those flavours will be back eventually!
More than gelato!
Poppy Pops also has an extensive
menu which includes savoury dishes
like Kimchi Pasta, Chili Crab Pasta and
Pork Belly Sandwich. Jia Yings favourite
is the Smoked Salmon Pasta while the
customers usually opt for the Mentaiko
Fries or the Pork Belly Pasta.
17
 EAT | INSPIRIT
Healthy 400-Calorie Fixes
Want to eat healthily but unsure of how and where to start? Follow ARDELLE TAN as she shows you two recipes
that are both healthy and easy to make.
W
ith the increasing amount of mouth-
watering delicacies in Singapore, it is
without a doubt that some of us cant
resist them. Living in a fast-paced society has
also caused a rise in consumption of fast food
and takeaways. These have led to the rise of a
worrying issue increasing obesity rates.
According to the National Health Survey carried
out by the Ministry Of Health in 2010, obesity
rates have risen significantly as compared to
2004. Despite the increasing efforts taken by
Singapores government to alleviate the state
of obesity, Miss Toh Hui Kheng, a senior lecturer
with a diploma in Nutrition Health and Wellness,
said, Kudos to their effort but more needs to be
done.
Often seen as time-consuming and cumbersome,
the preparation of nutritious meals is not
commonly done. The National Nutrition
Survey carried out in 2010 states that 60% of
Singaporeans choose to eat out at least four
times a week. As a result, diabetes rates went up
to 12.9% in 2015 as revealed by epidemiologists
at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Not to mention that the Ministry Of Education
stated that obesity rates in children have risen
from 11 per cent in 2012 to 12 per cent in 2013.
Singaporeans tend to choose the hassle-free and
18
Photo by Sheila Lim
efficient method of having their meals, which
is to purchase fast food or settle for takeaway
food. We are often unaware of the quantity and
quality of the food that we consume resulting in
an inability to fulfill our required daily nutritional
intake. It is alarming to find that skipping meals is
an increasingly common occurrence in Singapore.
The lack of calories and nutrients, coupled with
unhealthy eating habits, has created a damaging
cycle in the everyday lives of Singaporeans.
Eating healthy is really all about having the
determination to make that change.
Overnight Banana
Cinnamon Oats
( 347 calories )
Ingredients
cup rolled oats ( 150 Calories)
2/3 cup milk ( 68 calories )
1 ripe banana ( 105 Calories )
A handful of Blueberries ( 85 Calories)
Cinnamon ( Accordingly )
1 Jar or Container
Method:
Step 1: Chop the banana into smaller chunks
Step 2: Pour the rolled oats, milk, banana
chunks and chia seeds into a container.
Sprinkle cinnamon into the container along
with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Place the container into the
refrigerator to let the ingredients soak
overnight.
Step 4: Pour the overnight oats and the
other ingredients into a bowl the next
morning

Organic Pasta with
Salmon
( 395 calories)
Ingredients
1/2 cup choice of pasta ( 100 calories)
1 lb. salmon fillet ( 177 calories)
teaspoon parsley
1/2 corn shucked and kernels removed ( 50
calories )
3 baby tomatoes ( 68 calories)
1 Lemon (Optional)
Method:
Step 1: Boil water in a pot. Add a dash of
salt before adding pasta. Cook for 8-10
minutes. After the pasta is cooked, drain it
and keep it aside.
Step 2: Put the salmon into the oven to bake
for 15 minutes at 170 degree Celsius.
Step 3: Have the kernels of the corn
removed and place them in a bowl. Season
it with a sparse amount of margarine and put
it in the oven to bake for 5 minutes at 150
degree Celsius
Step 4: Wash the baby tomatoes, lettuce
and parsley. Afterwards, dice the baby
tomatoes and chop the parsley.
Step 5: Place the pasta onto the serving
plate. Add the salmon followed by the corn
kernel, baby tomatoes and lettuce. Sprinkle
some chopped parsley on the pasta and top
it all off with a dash of pepper.
(Optional Step) Squeeze a quarter of a
lemon onto the salmon.
Bon Apettit !
INSPIRIT | EAT
aL
im
il
he
byS
o to
Ph
The lack of calories and nutrients, coupled with
unhealthy eating habits, has created a damaging
cycle in the everyday lives of Singaporeans.
Eating healthy is really all about having the
determination to make that change.
You have to make a conscious effort to look at
what you eat, Miss Toh emphasised.
Many Singaporeans bear the common
misconception that preparing a healthy meal
takes more effort than usual. On the contrary, with
a little planning, one can whip up a scrumptious,
nutritious meal effortlessly for the next day! If you
are watching your weight or simply want to eat
healthier, here are two recipes recommended by
Miss Toh that are under 400 calories each. With a
little effort in prepping your meals, youll be able
to live the healthy life you deserve!
In less than five steps for each of the recipes,
you can retain the nutrients that the ingredients
contain with little effort! If you are one of those
interested in simple recipes to get a start on
eating healthily, why not give these recipes a try?
Prepping ahead has never been as easy as this!
19
EAT | INSPIRIT
Whimsical Edible Greens
Follow SHANNON ANG on a journey where she explores what Epiphyte has to offer amidst the
competition.
E
piphyte is a plant that grows on another
harmlessly. True to its name, Epiphyte is
a new caf to existing ones at the cafe-
saturated Neil Road. The brainchild of nature
lovers, it is no wonder that Epiphyte serves
edible terrariums.
Epiphyte represents us in a way (because) we
(aim to) improve and grow towards something,
the down-to-earth owner, Stan Ng quipped.
Epiphyte brought greater meaning to their
overall theme when Terrarium ($12), a
signature, was served. Dont be deceived by
its resemblance to the real ones adorning each
table. Every part is edible and the exquisite
pastry reflects how meticulous the pastry chef
is. Fresh in the market, Terrarium is an original
creation made possible with time and effort.
20
Photo by Sheila Lim
Before it graces your lips, a floral scent emits
from the vibrant flower petals. Comprising of
green vanilla sponge, brown chocolate soil,
yellow apple compote and mint custard,
Terrarium possesses a rough grassy texture and
added moisture to elevate the flavour when
accompanied with a drizzle of rum ($3). The juicy
apple bits add a burst of sweetness and the
crunchy cocoa bits in the soil are a satisfactory
contrast to the soft sponge.
Terrarium is a combination of different parts, a
lot of research was done from the presentation
to the proportion of the ingredients, Stan
shares.
He adds on that the pastry chef was also
particular about the complementation of the
flavours and the sequence of tastes that one
will experience.

Epiphyte is also being conceptualised as a
caf with an infusion of arts and food. A lot of
emphasis is put on marrying ones five senses
to the surroundings and everything has to feel
right.
The very first step into the quaint caf will instantly
transport you to a zen world. Your sense of smell
will be gently invaded as a waft of subtle jasmine
fragrance lingering in the air greets you. Artistic
vibes radiate through the vibrant yet stimulating
art installations and paintings plastered on the
rustic brick walls, some of which are part of the
owners personal collection. A mini sensory
garden is situated at the back of the caf, which
is akin to a lush paradise that entitles one to
engage with nature.
Epiphyte changed the game further when
another signature pastry, Twilight ($12) was
served. The mesmerising blue and orange
of the chocolate Cointreau mousse cake was
prominent against its black plating and left me
awestruck.
DID YOU KNOW?
Epiphyte is more than just a cafe!
There are ongoing plans to collaborate
with non-profit organisations to contribute
to the society.
We support local artists and recently we
have been talking to Hush, a silent tea
bar to organise events in the near future,
cafeowner Stan shares enthusiastically.
INSPIRIT | EAT
Its a piece of instagrammable art that is too
precious to sink your teeth into and is something
I have yet to see, exclaimed a first-time diner,
Joanne.
The ethereal glossy exterior isnt just a faade.
Upon first bite, the alcoholic pastry dissolves in
your mouth. There is an aftertaste of different
flavours shortly. First, a hint of bitterness from
the Cointreau, an orange liquor with a strong
tradition in France. Next, a wave of tangy
sourness from the orange curd followed by the
sweetness of the creamy chocolate mousse. I
was expecting the Cointreau to be overpowering
but it proved me wrong. The slight bitterness
balanced well with other flavours and toned
down the sweetness, great for a guilt-free sugar
fix. Twilight was a crowd-pleaser but the
texture of the sponge cake was a tad too dry.
Although Terrarium was an appealing
visual treat with complexity, Twilight won
my heart by a significant margin. The pastry
kept my expectations up with the perfect
complementation of flavours and its alluring
presentation.
The service was slow but Epiphyte pleasantly
surprised me with eye-catching aesthetics and
a comfortable environment that was opulent in
greenery. It is definitely worth the hype if youre
seeking a relaxing hideout to get in touch
with nature while devouring affordable yet
extraordinary desserts.
Ratings
Price:
Twilight:
Terrarium:
Overall:
Photo by Sheila Lim
21
UNWIND | INSPIRIT

24h in Kyoto
KIMBERLY FOO travels to the land of the rising sun to visit the
most beautiful must-see tourist attractions in the city of Kyoto

Photo by Kimberly Foo

22

A
stilted temple stands
supreme over the
skyline of Kyoto in
the mountains. This grand
structure is the Kiyomizu-dera
Temple, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, and the first stop
of a day tour of the famous
sites in the city of Kyoto.
The temple, built by hand
in 778AD, is famous for its
architecture and the waterfall
that flows through the site,
hence its name, Pure Water
Temple. Its most defining
feature is the stilted stage that
hangs over the mountain. The
stage, built with 400 cypress
boards without using any nails,
was used by the temple to
perform rituals.
Kiyomizu-dera also boasts
a shrine dedicated to
matchmaking and love above
its main hall. At its entrance
are two Love Stones with a
distance of 18 metres between
them. According to belief,
visitors who manage to find
their way across the 18 metre
distance with both eyes shut,
will be blessed in their love life.
Unknowingly, I spent a few
hours just soaking in the sight at
Kiyomizu-dera. As the sunlight
hours are short in Japan, it was
time to take my leave from
Kiyomizu-dera and head to the
other side of the city to visit the
famous Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Its not hard to navigate
around the city as buses link
the main attractions together.
A 30-minute bus ride from
Kiyomizu-dera to Kinkaku-
ji was enough for me to
experience the citys way of life.
Modern architecture and
history lives in harmony in
the city of Kyoto. Flashy
shopping malls stand adjacent
to traditional wooden huts,
temples stand undisturbed
next to busy crossroads.
Kinkakuji Temple, better
known as The Golden Temple,
is best known for its golden
pagoda that sits next to a
tranquil pond. At the temple,
you can buy various charms
that are said to bless you in
the different aspects of love,
health and wealth. They come
in many designs and sizes
and some are even embossed
with Hello Kitty on them!
If you want to experience
something more traditional,
head down to the tea garden
where Geishas, Japanese
hostesses, will serve you
authentic matcha tea as you
take in the breathtaking sights
of the temple. You can also
proceed to make their wishes
at the Fudo Hall, where you
can learn how the Japanese
pray in Shinto style. End off
the tour on a sweet note with a
milky green tea soft-serve.
INSPIRIT | UNWIND
The Kinkaku-ji temple not to
be confused with the Ginkaku-
ji temple, a silver temple
with a similar name is the most
famous temple in Kyoto with
its golden appearance gracing
the covers of many travel
magazines. It is also one of the
17, UNESCO World Heritage
Sites found in Kyoto. Originally
built in 1397, it was supposed
to be a villa but was eventually
turned into a Buddhist temple.
The temple truly lives up to
its name, shining a brilliant
shade of gold in the sunset.
That was also my cue to
make it to the last destination
before it turned dark.
A short train ride to
Arashiyama-saga station
would bring me to another
popular tourist site the
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
This last destination is a
mystical forest located on a
hill. With towering bamboos
framing a lone path up the
hill, it really is a magnificent
sight to behold. As the lights
illuminating the path turn on,
the sight before me turned
even more breathtaking
against the dark night sky.
Leaving on a train with a
camera filled with shots of
beautiful scenery, Kyoto has
left me mesmerised in the
short span of 24-hours.
23
UNWIND | INSPIRIT

Mask Up!
O
riginating from skincare-obsessed South
Korea, sheet masks are all the rage these days.
Over the years, their popularity has spread
globally, with many Asians seeking it as a way to
rejuvenate their skin and pamper themselves.

Today, consumers are spoilt for choice with a wide

variety of essences ranging from nourishing pearl
powder to more interesting ones like bee venom
and horse fat oil.

Korea
Innisfree Second Skin Moisturising Mask (SGD 5.60)

KIMBERLY I was surprised when I tried this mask. Its not the usual
cloth-type mask but had a gel-like consistency. The mask clung
snugly on my face and was akin to a cooling second-skin that I
thoroughly enjoyed. The gel-like essence definitely lived up to its
promise of being moisturising. After the mask treatment, I could
feel that my skin texture was smoother and the redness was gone.
My skin also looked significantly brighter. Despite its price being
on the higher end, its money well spent to pamper my face.

Korea
Innisfree Second Skin Moisturising Mask (SGD 5.60)

Andrea The jelly-like mask had a layer of gauze for structural

support, which you need to peel off before use. The essence was
not very thick and allowed for fast absorption into the skin, which
is something I personally like to look out for in a mask. My skin was
left hydrated after use. As it is rather pricey, this mask is suitable
for the occasional treat.

Photo by Sheila Lim

24
 INSPIRIT | UNWIND

ANDREA TAN and KIMBERLY FOO tests Korea and Japans trendy sheet masks to see if they are
really worth the hype.

According to Alicia Yoon from K-Beauty site Peach

& Lily, hydrogel masks are becoming a crowd
favourite in Korea because of their ability to lock
in moisture compared to cotton ones. In Japan,
however, cute character masks of cartoons are a
rising trend.

But are these sheet masks good, bad or just a fad?

We tried both a character mask and a gel mask
each and heres what we think:

Japan

PureSmile Character Face Collagen Mask (SGD 4.33)

Andrea What makes this mask unique is the packaging as well

as the design because it embodies the typical Japanese Kawaii
theme. The mask is generous with the amount of essence and
you wont feel shortchanged once its on your face. Besides
the abundance of essence, the mask also brightened my face,
making it look more revitalised. However, it was a pity that the
essence was too watery to be absorbed by the skin quickly and
the end result was a gooey layer on my face, which I personally
didnt like.

Japan

PureSmile Character Face Collagen Mask (SGD 4.33)

KIMBERLY With a quirky Japanese character design printed

on it, this unscented mask is one that cannot be
found in Singapore. Advertised to provide
collagen essence for the skin, the mask is
soaked thoroughly with essence, making it
watery and light when it sat on my face.
After peeling it off, the mask helped the
redness of my cheeks subside slightly
but my skin was not moisturised,
leaving my face tacky even after an
hour. Overall, the steep price was
not value for money as the masks
effect was nothing special.

Photo by Sheila Lim

25
UNWIND | INSPIRIT
SNOOZE ON!
Youths nowadays dont see the need in getting enough quality sleep everyday. MARCUS GOH finds out why we
need better sleep and how to achieve it.
People tend to sleep later in fear of
wasting time on sleep, mentioned one
of the respondents in a self-administered
survey conducted with 200 youths aged 16
to 30, who are currently working or studying.
Professor Michael Chee, director of the Centre
for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke-NUS,
reccomends that youths should sleep eight to 10
hours to function well for the day.
However, according to a new study done by
Duke-NUS Medical school, only about 20 per
cent of teenagers from top schools in Singapore
get enough sleep, which is a worrying issue. In
fact, Singapore is the third most sleep-deprived
nation of the 43 cities surveyed, behind Tokyo
and Seoul, sccording to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Just like how instruments need
tuning, our bodies get tuned to
the optimal state when were asleep.
- Ms Suki Tong
2. Sleep Time
With a relaxing colour scheme, this sleep app also
doubles up as an alarm clock. It has fewer features
than Sleep Cycle but it has an alarm, the ability to
track motion and the ability to play soundscapes.
One thing I like about this app developed by
Azumio Incorporated, is that it tells you both how
long you have till the alarm rings and what time it
will ring. However, the free version only functions
as an alarm clock.
26
Just like how instruments need tuning, our bodies
get tuned to the optimal state when were asleep.
You will feel physically tired and will not be able to
concentrate. You will also feel stressed, said Ms
Suki Tong, a psychologist and principal consultant
of Life-Magic Works LLP, a consultancy firm.
It is also suggested by sleep experts that you
should be woken up during your lightest sleep
when your body is experiencing non-REM (Rapid
Eye Movement) to avoid feeling disoriented.
To achieve better quality sleep, here are three
apps you can try
1. Sleep Cycle
Sleep Cycle, developed by Northcube AB is
available on both the app store (iOS) and play
store (Android) and is helpful for an app thats
free. It tracks your movements when you sleep
and records it, displaying your sleep patterns
the next morning. The good thing about this
app is that it has a 15 to 45 minutes window to
sound the alarm when you are in the non-REM
sleep stage, feeling more refreshed the next day.
3. Bedtime
Bedtime is a pre-installed app for users of iOS 10
and above. It records the time you are in deep
sleep and the time you wake up. Whats helpful
about this app is the linkage of data to the health
app on your phone. However, the app is not as
user-friendly as Id like it to be as it follows a very
rigid schedule. It rings after a given time period
and it does not analyse your sleep.
27
The Chuck Taylor
All Star