For Christmas I wanted a bigger kitchen space so I can move around more when I'm cooking or baking, but because it's impossible to wrap that, I guess I'd go for an espresso machine instead. And that's exactly what I got!

J gave me a Baumann Living One-Touch Café Express in white for Christmas.

Baumann Living One-Touch Café Express fresh out of the box

I was excited to get it out of the box but it took me one day before I primed and used it because I was so intimidated. (Heck I still haven't used J's anniversary gift to me which is the Baumann Living Breadmaker, heh.) (God knows it also took me a while before I opened and used my Instant Pot, but now it's my cooking bestie.)

Anyway, I was looking for reviews of this machine but couldn't find any so I figured I would just go ahead and write one.

SPOILER ALERT. I loved it.

Making my [first] cup of coffee in the morning is one of my favorite parts of my day, and the One Touch Café Express just made it more enjoyable. For one, instead of my regular brewed coffee from my old handy-dandy coffeemaker, I can now enjoy either espresso, Americano, latte, or cappuccino. All I need is freshly finely ground beans, milk optional.

The first drink I prepared with my new machine is a latte. It's soooo easy! One touch, indeed!

What I love about this machine is that I do not need to tinker with a lot of buttons and settings to prepare my chosen drink. All it needs is a touch (or two) of a button, and it does its magic. I only pressed the Latte button twice for this much latte as I had a big mug, but for a smaller cup, one press is enough.

The compartments for milk and water are also easy to take out to refill and clean and snap back in again, so crafting multiple drinks in one go shouldn't be a problem. 

You can also customize how foamy you want your milk to be. :) Do I add latte art to my [never-ending] list of hobbies?

I guess my only gripe about this machine is that because there are some plastic parts, it could feel a little flimsy, but not to the point that it looks easily breakable. I just need to be more delicate with it than say, a Breville or a De'Longhi, but for the price point, it definitely serves its purpose.

I got my Benguet coffee beans from Cafe Le Bearded Dogué. :)

A couple of years ago I got a coffee recipe book. It's in the condo somewhere, I better read up because I am excited to craft more drinks with this toy. Thanks, J!

Raise your right hand if you miss traveling. 

*raises both arms*

The only way to whet my wanderlust these days is via long drives when I go to my family's house and back to my apartment. How I wish we could go on longer road trips!

Now there are many features that make for a great road trip car, and it is important to know what they are before you start looking. Otherwise, you could end up with a vehicle that won't cut it on your adventures! This blog post will cover 5 of the most important features of a good road trip car.  

1) Size

When it comes to road trip cars, size definitely matters. You want something that is large enough to fit all of your belongings comfortably but not so large that it becomes difficult to maneuver around tight corners and through small towns. Ideally, you should look for a vehicle with plenty of cargo space that can also seat at least four people. Some good options include SUVs and minivans, which offer a lot of interior space as well as excellent driving performance. If you're looking for something smaller, consider buying a hatchback or wagon. These vehicles are great for road trips because they are fuel-efficient and easy to park in tight spaces. To find the right size for your travels, visit edmunds to browse through a lot of vehicle options.

2) Engine power

Another important factor to consider when buying a road trip car is engine power. You want something that is going to be able to handle long stretches of highway driving without breaking down. This means you should look for a car with an engine size of at least two liters and plenty of horsepowers. If you're looking for extra performance, consider opting for a sports car or luxury sedan. Just make sure that the model you choose can also accommodate all of your belongings!

3) Fuel efficiency

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a road trip car is fuel efficiency. You don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with an almost empty tank! So look for a vehicle that gets good gas mileage, preferably one that can get at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway. This will help you save money on fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint while on vacation.

4) Reliability

When you're on the open road, you want to know that your car is going to be reliable. This means looking for a model with a good track record for reliability and durability. You don't want to end up stranded on the side of the road because your car broke down! So do some research online before buying and reading reviews from real-life drivers.

5) Safety

Safety is another important factor to consider when buying a car for road trips. Look for features like anti-lock brakes, side airbags, and rear parking sensors that will help keep you safe while on the open road. You should also look at reviews of different models online to see what other drivers have experienced with their vehicle in terms of safety issues. Luckily, most cars these days are extremely well built and do not pose any serious risk or danger when it comes to driving them long distances!

In conclusion, when buying a car for road trips, it is important to consider size, engine power, fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety. All of these factors are important when making your decision and will help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

I switched to Android about three years ago because Huawei P20 Pro was too pretty to resist, but switching back to using an iPhone last year was a game changer! I never want to stray again! We like to think of our phones as handy devices that let us easily communicate with our friends, be a source of entertainment, and even organize our lives, but they can actually serve more purpose than these.

Yes, learning how to trim a video on iPhone can help you create killer Facebook posts, but these devices are now so capable, they could save your life.

Voice-Activated SOS

Imagine if you could simply speak to call for help. Well, nowadays iPhone apps are so advanced that they offer this feature.

Safe, for instance, is an app that responds to voice commands and immediately puts you through to an emergency operator if you get into trouble. It also has a helpful video call feature so that paramedics can get the jump on your condition, plus a siren sound, alerting rescuers to your location.

Does that sound over the top? Maybe not if you’re cold, tired, trapped, hungry or in the middle of nowhere.

Advanced Weather Warnings

Let’s say you decide to go for a hike in the mountains. How lovely. Except things can go wrong very quickly indeed when the clouds begin to descend.

Now you can get real-time monitoring apps, like Dark Sky Weather, that link to local stations and forecast crews in your local area. If there’s going to be a problem with the weather, they immediately let you know, giving you upwards of an hour to walk to a lower level.

First-Aid Assistance

If you’re in the middle of nowhere and somebody in your group collapses, what do you do? Well, naturally, you want one person to administer first aid while another goes and gets help.

But what happens if you don’t actually know any first aid? Well, don’t worry: in the inimitable words of Steve Jobs, “there’s an app for that.”

These apps provide you with spoken instructions for what you should do next in a variety of situations. They also offer helpful videos and graphics, showing you precisely how you should help someone in need. Many of these apps also come with emergency weather alerts – convenient if you happen to also be caught in the middle of a storm.

Medical Standard Apps

Paramedics and first-responders need quickfire information about your condition before they arrive at your location. Data helps them to prepare in advance for what to expect. The more targeted information you can provide, the better.

Some apps allow you to do this on your smartphone. After you get injured (or incapacitated in some other way), you tell the app to activate. It then displays all your vitals on your phone’s lock screen that paramedics can then use to assess you, your situation and what you should do next.

Location Apps 

Sharing your location with everyone you know sounds like Big Brother. But having an app on your phone that lets you tell paramedics where you are right now can help a lot. 

One example is Noonlight. All you do is open the app and tap a button. An operator will then forward your precise location to the relevant authorities, getting you out of a potential bind. After all, sometimes you don’t know how to describe where you are. It’s much easier to use your phone’s location tools to quickly provide relevant parties with information.

Check-In Apps

Some people have medical conditions that require constant control. Diabetes is a good example. If you fail to manage your blood sugar levels, it can lead to coma and death.

This reality has led to the development of a host of powerful check-in apps. The idea here is incredibly simple. The app notifies you at specific times of the day and then you respond, effectively “checking in.” Usually, all you need to do is push a big check mark, and that’s that.

If you fail to check in, the app automatically notifies selected contacts. They can then check on you or contact medical professionals.

Medication Reminder Apps

How many times have you forgotten to take your medications? It probably happens more often than you care to remember.

Taking medications on time and in the right doses is essential. If you get it wrong, you could put yourself at risk of serious medical complications.

That’s why multiple apps, including Medisafe Reminder, are now available that help you remember to take your meds when you need them. These offer simple alters and will often pester you until you confirm that you confirm that you’ve taken the right dose.

Apps also tell you whether there are any potential interactions between the various drugs that you take. If there are, you’ll get a warning.   

BRB downloading these now from the App Store ;)

The conversation around mental health issues and society’s understanding of it have grown exponentially over the years. Of course, if you experience long-term or serious symptoms of anxiety and depression, seeking expert advice is vital, but during moments when we experience low points in our lives, finding ways to restore our mental wellness should be top priority. Here are some helpful suggestions.

Take care of your physical wellness

Physical health and mental health are very closely linked. So, if you fail to pay attention to your body, it’s likely that your mind will suffer too. Staying physically active is a crucial step, which is why you should get your workout outfits out once more. Even a few minutes of running, yoga, or swimming can reduce stress and release endorphins. Eating the right foods (and avoiding ones that cause digestive issues) will have an immensely positive influence too. When combined with actively protecting yourself against viruses, staying in a more positive mindset will be easy.

I am happy that restrictions have eased up in my condo village and we can use the pool again. We're aiming to swim at least twice a week. 

Focus on human interactions

Other people hold the key to our long-term happiness. So, creating magical memories with the people you love will promote improved mental wellness. Meeting new people is another step that drives better results. Party phone lines are a great example of how a little flirting can severely bolster your mindset and confidence. As well as the added attention, you may find that it develops into a relationship. On a different note, you should always try to form more meaningful friendships at work. After all, you will probably spend more time with them than your closest pals.


Sleep better

A good night’s sleep will enhance your daily life in many ways. For starters, it means beginning and ending each day in style. However, it will also regulate the cortisol stress hormone. Most adults should aim for 7-9 hours each night, but it is equally crucial to get quality sleep. The REM stage is where this happens, which is why avoiding the blue light of smartphones and other devices is crucial. It’ll help you drift off and enjoy a better quality of sleep each night. When you get this right, you should see a noticeable change within a few weeks. This is something I should keep in mind, too. 

Find a hobby to devote your time to

I love cooking and baking because I am able to shut the world out. All that matters are my batter and baking pans. Last weekend I was able to bake a Basque Burnt Cheesecake for the first time, and I am so proud of it because it's so delicious!

I used to be intimidated because this is so expensive to buy, so I thought it would be too complicated for a newbie baker like me. Turns out it was easier to bake than my cake recipes because it didn't need frosting or any other extra stuff! So good! I am excited to make this again.

More importantly, remember that not all hobbies need to be monetized.

Stop over-complicating life

Millions of people suffer as a result of needlessly overcomplicating their lives. When you do this, it’s likely that you will focus on aspects that are not going as well as you’d like. It is a natural part of human psychology to do this. Therefore, keeping things simple is the key to success. Focus on staying on top of issues that are under your control. This could mean getting your finances in good health, organizing the home, or building a better work-life balance. When you learn to appreciate the positives in your life, you will feel calmer. Working on what matters in your life is vital too. We all need to feel like we are on a positive journey.

You got this. :)

I was browsing my phone for old photos the other day and I came across our Singapore travel pics from the last time we were able to go, pre-pandemic. I didn't expect the wave of nostalgia hitting me, I just miss airports and being in an airplane so much. :(

I know we all love the idea of traveling. And on our travels, we may want to try out new things, be adventurous, even maybe a bit of danger along the way. Everyone loves an adrenaline rush. But most people (I’m assuming) don’t want to be hurt. We want the best of both worlds; adrenaline, danger but not too much danger. Let’s have a look at some of the most exciting and shall we say, dangerous (but not too dangerous) activities there are to do around different countries on your travels!

 

Ireland

Ireland isn’t just known for its green fields and leprechauns, it also is the home for many tourist attractions with one of the most interesting being Todds Leap. It is situated in the North of Ireland, in a small town called Moneymore. This is the perfect spot for an adrenaline junkie who wants excitement and feels dangerous but is actually perfectly safe at all times! Have fun in crazy activities such as ZipLines, Giant Swings, Paint Balling, Blindfold Driving and even Off Road Driving. All whilst returning at the end of the day, safe and alive!

USA

The States you can imagine take adrenaline and danger to a whole new level. Some of the activities here people go to purely for the danger aspect, minus the safety being considered, all for the Gram right? Find yourself amongst these crazy things to do such as; Free Fall into the Grand Canyon on a Giant Swing, Motorcycle through the fastest highways in the state but you may want to consider having a motorcycle accident attorney close by for this one, and lastly you can even travel to space if you can spare a couple of thousands of dollars! You will never be short or stuck for an adventure in the States!

Australia

Again, a country filled to the brim with Adventure and a bonus; warm weather all the time! What more could you want? Travel around Australia’s East Coast at any time of the year. Partake in snorkelling, scuba diving, its amazing Fraser Island but watch out for the dingos! They would be sure to give you a sense of danger and sometimes a fear for your life, sound dangerous enough? Just keep your dingo stick close by and all will be peachy! Take a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, just don’t look down! All of these activities also are monitored and organised by a reliable and safe team around you, so once again you can feel dangerous and also be safe! The perfect combination.

Asia

Asia is amazing. Take a six-week break in Thailand. Go to an elephant sanctuary. Stay on water log cabins. Eat Asian food. Go and try out yoga. Thailand can be adventurous in a whole different way. You can make it as face paced or as slow paced as you like but it should definitely be on your BucketList, it is truly amazing. Don't believe me? Just look at these baby elephants.

The list of places to travel for an adventure is ongoing, there are new places being discovered every day and sometimes it’s better to actually go and find the less popular tourist spots and find your own special place. The world is unimaginably big and if you want an adventure all you have to do is take that leap of faith and go find it. Nobody to travel with? Go alone anyway. Scared of heights? Go on a bungee jump. Scared of water? Swim in the sea.

We all need to step outside our comfort zones, that's where all the magic happens!

However, what we always want to keep in mind when travelling, may it be alone, with a friend or partner, in a group of twenty. No matter what the situation, we always want to stay safe. There is always going to be a safe option for whatever adventure it is you want to go on. It might take a little longer to sort it, or a little more effort but in reality it is your life you have to think about first and foremost. You want to go on your travels and adventure and still live to tell the tale! Research your ideas, plan ahead, have a plan for afterwards if anything did go wrong, speak to a professional if you need help with anything before or afterwards and mainly and most importantly, be safe!

Have an amazing time! :)

I advocate for taking out insurance so that whatever may happen in the future, you and your loved ones are protected. I have two of my own, and I am almost done paying for the first one I took out. I guess what turns people off are the tendency of some financial advisors to resort to fear mongering just to sell insurance. But for me, an insurance is important and it is one thing you buy that you hope you do not get to use any time soon.

My Narwhal mug wishing you a safe and happy day

Anyway, if you have health insurance, you probably already know that it can be frustrating to have to use it, especially if your insurance doesn't cover the full cost of your treatment. For those times when your personal health insurance is not enough, there are a few exceptions that allow for additional assistance. Consider purchasing additional insurance so that you don't have to rely solely on your expensive personal health insurance.

 

Travel

To ensure that you are covered while traveling, you should purchase additional travel insurance. In the event of an emergency while abroad, many people are forced to remortgage their homes. Travel insurance is relatively inexpensive, even when you're covering yourself for medical reasons as well, so it's always a good idea to spend a little money in order to save a lot of money later on. Medical intervention in foreign countries can be extremely expensive, so don't take any chances and insure yourself.

In some cases, if your injury or illness is only minor, your health insurance may not even be impacted, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Vehicle Collisions

If you are involved in a car accident that was not your fault, it is the responsibility of the driver who caused the accident to compensate you out of their own pocket. It is the same rule even if you are only a passenger in the car; the 'at fault' driver would be liable to pay for your medical expenses if you were injured.

When you're signing up for car insurance, it's a good idea to check to see if your policy covers this. If it's something you're particularly concerned about, make sure the insurance policy you're about to purchase will cover you in the event that something happens. But keep in mind that if you're at fault, you're looking at a hefty fine. Additionally, if you are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (even if the accident is not your fault), your insurance policy may no longer cover you for the accident.

However, if the accident was caused by bad weather or something else that wasn't your fault, but no one else was at fault, you'll likely have to file a claim against your own insurance policy. To avoid being accused of causing an accident, it is best to exchange insurance information and proceed from there, rather than risk being blamed for it by both of the drivers involved. If you are blamed for something you haven’t done you’ll need effective car accident attorneys to help dispute the accusations.

Outside the House

Bad things can happen outside of your home that aren't your fault at times as well. This usually occurs when a pavement is unsafe, or when a dangerous open manhole hasn't been properly marked, and you end up getting hurt.

The first thing you should do is report the injury to your local council and let them know you intend to file a claim. As a result, they'll either guide you through the process of obtaining your claim, or point you in the right direction.

Situations like this frequently result in litigation, so be prepared to represent yourself in court or, if you prefer, hire a friend or family member to represent you. There is, of course, the option of hiring an attorney, but the compensation you receive after other fees and expenses may be insufficient to cover the cost of the attorney.

Also, keep in mind that if you require immediate medical attention, you'll need to notify your health insurance company. This could increase your insurance costs. When pursuing a claim against your local council, keep in mind that they always have a way to avoid paying compensation, so make sure you're absolutely certain that they were in the wrong before pursuing it.

Be Careful

That, of course, is a lot easier said than done. If you're concerned about your insurance premiums rising, it may be a good idea to steer clear of anything that could be dangerous. Having your home's maintenance and repairs done by a professional will ensure that nothing breaks and injures you. It's just as important to have your car repaired by a licensed mechanic to ensure that it's safe to drive.

The best strategy if you don't want to use your medical insurance is to avoid risk as much as possible. Remember that accidents can happen at any time and in any place. Spend a little money to save a lot of money (and possibly your life).