Where do you shop for your ingredients?
For local veggies, I like https://quanfaorganic.com.sg/ and for a little indulgence from the European countryside, I shop from https://www.thegreengirl.sg/
Lots of us are cooking at home now, what is something easy to cook but impressive as well?
I find that I am making a lot of risotto with different grains. Not just with typical Arborio rice but with farro, barley and sometimes, cauliflower.
Favourite Singapore eats?
Chwee Kuah – my weakness.
Food Philosophy?
- Eat real food
- Eat when you are hungry
- Upgrade food quality whenever possible. Try local and organic
- Treat yourself some days
- Never food shame others for their choices
- When in doubt, chocolate, always chocolate
How do you take your coffee / cocktail?
I can’t take caffeine or alcohol but in my fantasy world, my Mozambique single-origin coffee grown in a fair-trade manner will be served alongside homemade toasted Piedmont hazelnut milk with a shot of melted Alain Ducasse 75% Java chocolate.
For mocktails, Seedlip is my best friend. I would make an elderflower cordial from freshly snipped flowers, lots of lemon and Seedlip Citrus. Trying to imagine what I can do with Matcha Kombucha!
How did your Pilates journey start and when did you realise you wanted to become a Pilates Instructor?
My Pilates journey started when I was 19 years old, I was trying to rehabilitate from a ballet injury and pain from scoliosis. I started rehabbing with regular Pilates training in STOTT PILATES headquarters studio in Toronto. 10 years later, a bout of illness set me on my path to wellness and Pilates was the most natural activity I fell into once again. It has nourished me and kept me moving for most of my adult life.
What do you love most about being a Pilates Instructor?
My clients’ faces when they are done with a session! Their aura changes and you feel it so acutely.
Favourite Pilates moves?
The Teaser!
You’re quite the adrenaline junkie and see that you recently took a trip to fat-bike 250km across snow & ice on the Arctic Circle Trail where temperatures are dropping to –30 degrees in Greenland – what an accomplishment! How many months of training did you have to go through to be prepared for the trip? And what were some of the challenges you had to go through?
It took me 3 months of almost daily, dedicated endurance training on a bike, rower and ski erg to feel physically ready. I had to regain my confidence on a mountain bike and that was not a pleasant activity for me! Shopping and (testing and sweating) the right winter gear was fun. It was hard to imagine what you would require for -40 degrees C. By the way more is NOT more!