15 Tips to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

Why am I so skinny and how do I stay skinny?

First of all, skinny is not a good thing. At all. Being skinny is just the same as being fat. Not literally, but it is the same. Being skinny does not mean that you are healthy. The healthy condition is being fit. Most of my friends and family members keep asking me why am I so skinny and how on Earth I maintain the weight and slim, slender figure for many many years.

You totally can share it with anybody. Tell you what, this is not a secret for having a skinny body, but you can take these tips of mine not just to have a healthy body and lifestyle, but also your mind and soul.

1) Cook whatever you want to cook with olive oil or canola oil. Extra virgin olive oil is better for a quick meal, not for frying. My family have been using olive oil for cooking for more than 15 years now and we have never using any other cooking oil other than these three; olive, canola, coconut.

2) It is a compulsory for me to have veggies in every meal I take. Veggies is a must! I can't eat the food if there is no veggies in it.

3) Walk a lot. Like, A LOT. I can say that I use my precious legs for about 15 hours a day? Another 9 hours are meant for sleeping and relaxing. That is the secret for me to have nice, leaned, cellulite-free legs, is to work those muscles out. (Psstt, ladies, you can walk around the mall! I call it, stuff-hunting. LOL)

4) Stop eating fast food. I have stopped eating fast food for like a year now but I do have my weaknesses too, one of them is, a cheat day by gulping fast food down my throat. But it happens very rarely. Say like, once in every three months?

5) Stop drinking carbonated drinks. I have stopped drinking it for a year now and have never touched it anymore. No more bloated, gassy stomach. Yay me!

6) I drink at least a cup of green tea per day. At least. Usually I take about 3 litres of green tea per day. Jasmine green tea and chamomile tea are my best buddies

7) Drink a lot of plain water, oh why, of course.

8) Yoghurt. Either pure yoghurt or the yoghurt drink doesn't matter. But yoghurt must be taken at least once a week, and I will have it in the morning.

9) Fruits intake. We never ran out of fruits, especially berries (blueberries, strawberries, cherries) and bananas. My dad will pass us fruits while we are watching TV to make sure that we eat fruits everyday! I thank my parents and God for giving me infinite of great food in the refrigerator!

10) Don't smoke or drink alcohol or taking any substances. Nope.

11) I love exercising. I love working up a sweat. But if you really hate to exercise, or don't have that much of time to do it, just move your body, muscles, just to make sure that you increase your heart rate once in awhile. Once you start to sweat, trust me, you're gonna love it!

12) Get enough sleep. Go to bed early, and wake up early. 8-hour sleep is highly recommended for you! *hands up*

13) Be gratitude. Pray. Be thankful that God gives you a healthy body, mind and soul. Never forget to say your prayer.

14) Change your mindset. Set your mind to be positive and to see things in a positive way. Be productive. Stay productive.

15) Smile and be happy with your life and your body and for who you are!

I do want to be fatter than I am right now, I want to be fitter. Meatier. But it is what it is. I am what I am. It is not being thin or fat, it is all about being a healthy person that leads a healthy lifestyle.

x, Malina

Responsibilities with a capital S

Growing up as the eldest daughter in my family is not always hard but when it comes to a bigger responsibilities like taking care of the households and look after my family and at times I have to take over my dad's job as the "only man" in the house are just another new level of great tasks. I really have to look at a bigger picture to have a better perspective towards what is going on and what are the actual things that I have or need to handle in order to keep my family happy, safe and sound.

I am a student and also a daughter and an eldest sister to my 21-year old little sister, like it or not, the fact that I have to be the man in the house is just too overwhelming. I am not complaining, oh God, no. In fact, I am thankful to have this kind of "hectic but fun" life, because I know it will turn out good in the future. Why? Not everybody has this so much of experience or exposure to pick up and handle a lot of responsibilities, mainly because they know they have somebody to do it for them or they might just take the easy way out to run away from facing the real deal.

I admit that it gets a bit hard sometimes, with all the nagging that I didn't do that well in particular tasks, but at least I have tried and will always strive for the betterment. I am the kind of person who believe in doing things wholeheartedly and never do it halfway. Finish what you start. I have been raised that way by my parents and it has been stuck in my brain since I was in my mom's womb. It is in my blood. It is not about being a perfectionist or seeking for a perfection but, try your best, your hardest job to do it. Like my dad always say to me, "Try your best, do your best. Never give up on good things", so I will never give up on keeping my family and friends happy and at the same time I know it will bring happiness for me too.

Other than getting the euphoric feeling, I earn exposure and gain experience from the given responsibilities, might as well as, knowing what is maturity that will definitely helps me to get through life in the next hundred years.

Malina Azman, x

10 Don'ts - Food photography

My love towards photography is beyond infinite. You can ask my friends or my family members, if you got a chance to do so, how passionate I am when there is something interesting for me to capture either to keep those photos in my iPhone or post it on Instagram or delete it right after I took it. That is basically normal. Everyone does that! But that doesn't mean I'm a photographer, I am just a kid who is lucky enough to own some of cool stuff and see awesome things around me. Alhamdulillah for that.

I am very passionate when it comes taking photos especially for food. I have my own food microblogs (Instagram, FoodSpotting) so I take it seriously to take photos of those food, to post it on my microblogs and to share it with you. But, I have my own "Dos & Don'ts" on whether it is appropriate or necessary, enough, to take photos of the cuisine I am having at that moment.

Never imagined in my head, that I will take photos of the food I am having at the dinner table with my future husband or his family or with my family at a family gathering or anything similar. NEVER! That is just too much. Wait, someone ever did that? Gosh, sorry for saying this, I am not trying to judge, but, guuurrrlllll... put away your phone!

Can't believe what I typed just now. Seriously? I can't seem to digest that though I typed it out myself. LOL!

Well anywaysssss, back to our stuff. So these are the DON'Ts. Taking photos of the food or posting/sharing it to the public are not always necessary or appropriate when... 

1) As I mentioned earlier, don't take photos when you are at a family gathering or having dinner with your in-laws or with your spouse or high school reunion. Respect them, alright!

2) When your friends/family members are talking to you. How could you busy playing with your phone or taking photos of the food with that clicking sound or maybe with a couple of flashes too when they are talking to you? Pay attention to them and what they are saying. Taking photos can wait!

3) You are having fast food. Come on. Every fast food in this world looks the same, with the same packaging and taste, except for the logo or what's written on the wrapping paper or box. So, no need. 

4) You are eating Nasi Campur or Nasi Kandar? Well, you can. But, I don't know. It is just doesn't feel right.

5) When you are at kedai mamak. Usually you want to hang out with some old friends or watching football over the big screen. You know, that laid back, chill, relax mood and you just want to eat and have fun with your friends. Mamak restaurant always brings you closer to your homies. So definitely no time for you to socialize with the people in social media.

6) You are eating the same thing. In order to avoid this, you should have an excellent memory to remember whether you have posted it or not. I usually never take photos of the same food, twice, in my favourite restaurant, eating my favourite food. Mainly because it is my favourite dish and I can't wait to eat it right after the plate touches the dining table. I don't care, I just take the cutleries and start to dig in!

7) When the restaurant organized an event (gig, karaoke, standup comedy, talent show, concert, etc.). Focus on what's in front of you, participate or be supportive (like, clapping your hands, dance, sing-a-long or woohoo-ing or things like that)

8) Food from polyester box or any takeaway food.

9) Whatever you do, don't take a photo of half-eaten food or the "stained plate" picture. Such a turn off! If you have touched the food, just eat it all up. Forget about taking any photo that day.

10) When you are hungry. Of course! Duh! I always forget to take photos when I am hungry, and when my plates are all squeaky clean, I'd go like, "D'oh! No photo this time!"

Well, in the end, it is all about enjoying what you love to do and eat what you love to eat. You can do whatever you want but respecting each other is the main thing that you should always consider of. Some of these don'ts can be applied to taking selfies, too!

Pay attention to people in front of you and what's in front of you in the real world, not the one in social media. Other thing is, wait til you get home to post or share it on your microblog, not when you are still outside, hanging out with your loved ones. First, the safety measure. Second, it can wait.

Yours truly,
Malina Azman, x

Malinalism. now on Instagram

Went through my personal Instagram account, just realized that I have more than a thousand photos and is that normal for someone who is rarely go out and see the world that never takes a photo with a GoPro? Nope. Not normal. In order for me to cut down or delete some of the photos, I double-realized that I had so many photos for food. Everything that I ate or had (not literally everything, just some food that I think can be fun to upload on Instagram), I posted it on my personal account, which makes me think that I should separate it between my personal life and the food I want to share with all of you.

A friend of mine, told me about a year ago, she gave me the idea of creating a new account just for food. So I thought, "Hey, why not?". I was/am so occupied with my daily routine and trips and spending time with my family (actually, my internet coverage was just as poor as me. Pfft), so, I don't have that much of time to create a new one and a year after, here you go... Malinalism. on Instagram.

As most of you all know, I am a food fetish, but in a good way. I'm a food junkie. I love to eat and I love to cook. I love to explore new places to eat and new food to cook. I always watch cooking shows and I really enjoy it. Sometimes I tell my mom that I just want to be a housewife once I'm married because at times I just love to be at home, doing chores and just cook four meals a day and she replied, "What to do with your degree and masters then?", well, she is right. Mom wins. Again. LOL!

About Malinalism., I posted/will post more photos of food that I had or prepared with hashtags of #Malinalism, #WhatMalinaEats, #WhatMalinaCooks. The reason is that it will be much easier for people to explore and search on what to eat, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have traveled almost about everywhere in Malaysia (and some outside of Malaysia, too) but to me it is not necessarily to take pictures of every food that I have. There are some pantang larang to that. I'll elaborate later in a future post, soon.

I want to share and celebrate with you every food that bring happiness to me, personally and wishing that you will try it too! I will definitely accept YOUR POSTS as long as you mentioned/tagged @malinalism with the hashtag of #Malinalism and I will repost your posts to share with my people in Malinalism. too. I also can share with you the recipes for food that I have cooked simply by asking for it on the desired photo and leave your email in the comment box, and I will send the recipe to you! Voila! Easy right? I need recipes from you too, so I hope that you can suggest or recommend me on what cuisines I should try to make. It doesn't matter on where are you from, we may be from different background but hey, that is just perfect! I want to learn new things by having the privilege to know and cook different kinds of dishes, especially from you bunch of awesome dudes, it helps me in such a happy way!

|Malinalism.|

Food enthusiast,

Malina Azman of Malinalism., x

How Do I Make a Decision?

Playing on my Spotify: Every Other Freckle by Alt-J

Where am I right now: Breakfast nook in the kitchen

When you are trying to make a difficult decision, bear the following points in mind:

• Ask yourself if you will look back ad feel proud of yourself in a month, a year or 10 years from now. That should influence the choice you make
• Think about the strategies you used when making decisions in the past. What worked and what didn't? Apply that information to your current decision
• Try and quieten the voices around you and listen to your heart
• Take your time. Rushed decisions are rarely good decisions. Do not act in haste.
• Think about the impact it will have on others, especially those who we are closest to you
• Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Few decisions are irrevocable –and living without risk is a life half lived. You can always learn from your mistakes.
• Talk it over with people who know you well –and are willing to be honest and speak the truth (and who won't only say what you want to hear)
• Ask yourself: What is the worst thing that could happen? What are the chances it will happen? And can I survive if it all falls apart?
• Get as much information as possible. Try and see the problem from every angle, and think about every possible effect
• Take time out and walk away from the decision. Opting for some space usually brings a new perspective
• Be brutally honest with yourself. Don't sugar coat the truth or try and kid yourself
• If you have to talk yourself into making a decision, then the chances are that it is not a good decision.

Malina Azman, x

Source: Online Counselling College

Loneliness vs Solitude

Loneliness

• Loneliness is painful, negative state
• It is where we feel alone, and cut off and estranged from other people. Thus, we may feel as if we are excluded, unwanted, unimportant or unnoticed.
• We cam be surrounded by people we know and love but still experience feelings of intense loneliness
• Loneliness feels like punishment or rejection. It is rooted in a sense of deficiency or inadequacy
• It is something that depletes us, and is imposed on us
• Loneliness can lead to self rejection, and even to self loathing and despair

Solitude

• Solitude is a positive state
• It is where we are perfectly happy to be by ourselves and relish and enjoy your own company
• Solitude can help us get in touch with, or engage with, our true self. It allows us to reflect on ourselves, others, our life and our future
• Often, solitude is a springboard to greater self-awareness, greater creativity, fresh insights and new growth
• Solitude is something that we choose. It is something that restores and builds us up
• Solitude grounds us in who we are –and that enables us to reach out and give to others

Which one are you?

Malina Azman, x

Source: Online Counselling College