asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

and vegetables, is paramount but so is eating
it in a leisurely manner, on the table (not
in front of the TV), amongst friends and family.
Slow eating (i.e. chewing longer) encourages
better digestion. It also gives moment
to pause and reflect, or enjoy instead of the
frenzy that eating in a rushed manner while
thinking of the task(s) ahead.
Studies have also shown that eating slowly
can lead to weight loss without you doing
anything—in one study it stated that you
could lose up to 20 pounds a year without
altering your diet or exercise regimen by eating
slowly as it takes 20 minutes for the brain
to recognise that it’s full.
The pleasures of slow dining are catching
on with the resurgence of the slow cooker,
and contrary to popular opinion in the 1970s,
they do not strip food of flavour. A recent
article in the Guardian talked about there being
864 titles on Amazon’s site dedicated to
recipes for slow cookers.
Nice and Slow
Joanne, 30-something, talks about how
much of a difference daily dinner with the
family, gadget free, on the table with proper
china and silverware, has made on their relationship.
“My husband and I actually know
what is going on in our teenagers’ lives.
It’s not just about their activities or everyone’s
social lives and who needs the driver
when; we really do talk over the table about
holidays we want to take, news back home
and even gossip about the neighbours,” she
says with a laugh, adding that sometimes
the obvious solution (i.e. family dinner) can
evade you.
William Shakespeare summed it up well
when he wrote: “Wisely, and slow. They
stumble that run fast.” As we usher in 2011,
and make notes about resolutions we hope
not to break, take a moment to reflect on
how you can incorporate slow into your life—
and how it will enhance your life.
PLAY
Skip the computer games, put that I-Phone away and enough with Plants verse
Zombies. Instead gather a group of friends for a good old-fashioned board game tournament.
Whether it be Scrabble, Cluedo or Monopoly, playing board games forces
social interaction: great conversation and laughs are sure to be had. Add nibbles and
drinks and it’s a great formula for a party. Head to Hideaway Café on Pham Ngoc
Thach in District 3 to borrow from their great selection or buy your own for cheap at
any one of the Fahasa outlets located in the city.
LEARN
Take some time out to learn a new skill. Embrace your surroundings and give
speaking the local language a go. Lessons are offered at the University of Social
Sciences and Humanities at 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang in District 1. Difficult, yes, but the
feeling of accomplishment is well worth mastering the tricky pronunciation and pesky
words beginning with “ng”.
Exercise both body and mind with Tai Chi or Qi Gong. Both are ancient Chinese
methods of harnessing energy and can elicit startling results: an increased sense of
relaxation is just the beginning. Contact the HCM City Qi Gong Club at eckhartdutz@
mac.com for information about their free courses. Tai Chi sessions are held in most
public parks across HCM City.
30 asialife HCMC