London is not my one of my usual work destinations but going to the London office for meetings sounded much palatable than getting stranded in Riyadh over the weekend.

On the 9th April, drove down to Borough Market in my rental car, a very nice Opel Insignia and left it at Park Street. I walked a few steps towards the London Bridge Tube Station and met Wei Hann. Richard Thiang arrived not too long after and the 3 of us were then waiting for Jen and Sean Chua. Jen and Sean were apparently having a wild shopping frenzy during their London-Paris pleasure trip. Soon all 5 of us were tucking into a hearty lunch and heartier conversation.

It was a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning; Borough Market was abuzz with activity. As we navigated around the displays of fresh produce, food, and flowers, we reveled in all the sights, sounds and tastes on offer. Acting like real tourists, obligatory souvenir photos in front of the London Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast were taken. However to me, the best part of this is just about meeting up outside of Singapore, reminiscing the good old times and discussing about the sport that bonded us together…”

- Mr Gwee Pei Chuan, President of Kiyah-Splashh! Dragon boat team, 2008 – 2010

Photos courtesy of Jen

Last year was a bronze, this year a silver, maybe next year a gold? :)

The race of the season is coming up! How will the team fare in the 28th River Regatta 2010?

Can’t wait. :D

Breakfast. Break fast. Yes, it is the most important meal of the day because it is the meal when you break the fasting state that your body has gone through the night. 

Skip breakfast and you’ll feel sluggish at work, and then famished at lunch. What do you do when you’re famished? You pig out! 

Nutrition is extremely important for performance, especially in terms of sport performance. Considering the jump in intensity for trainings in preparation for the Singapore River Regatta, Kiyah-Splashhies should have a good meal before turning up for trainings. 

WHY? 

A good breakfast provides your body with the necessary nutrients and energy that you need to last throughout your workout. This is especially important since our training lasts more than 2 hours, combining water and land trainings. For guys looking to bulk up, if you train for that long without eating beforehand, please say good bye to nice hunky muscles. 

WHAT? 

No, no matter what Ronald MacDonald says on TeeVee, eating MacDonald’s for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner or tea is NOT the way to go.  

The typical Singaporean fare of fried beehoon with chicken wings, hotdog and luncheon meat won’t do either. The oil will likely make you queasy halfway through the training. 

White toast with kaya? You’ll feel energized on your way to Kallang, but believe me, once you get into the boat, you’ll feel hungry and tired before even rowing. 

That’s what happens when you consume simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs causes a sudden spike in insulin levels, causing a sugar crash after. But let’s leave the details out shall we? 

Special Kiyah-Splashh! Breakfast Menu: 

Set A – Apple Cinnamon Delight 

• 1 Cup plain non-fat yogurt (Try Marigold’s, quite nice)
• 1 Apple, cubed
• Ground cinnamon powder
• Raisins and nuts (Baked, not fried and/or salted)

Pour the yogurt into a bowl, cut the apple and mix into yogurt. Sprinkle the ground cinnamon powder. Serve with some baked nuts and raisins if you like. 

Set B – Go bananas! 

• 1/2 cup rolled oats, measured dry
• 1 Banana
• 1/2 cup low-fat/skim milk

Warm the milk on the stove, add the dry oats and cook. Mash half the banana in bowl, slice the other half. Cook oats till the consistency that you like, then add in mashed banana and stir. Pour contents into the bowl of sliced banana. Eat! 

Set C – Ya Kun  Kiyah Toast 

• 2 Slices Multigrain/Wholegrain/Whole wheat bread
• 1 Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter (Try Adam’s. No sugar, no hydrogenated oil, ingredient only peanuts)
• 2 soft-boiled eggs

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Remember, abs are made in the kitchen! ;) 

AHHH!! Butterfly arms! *gasp*

XOXO, 

Ali