Saturday, 6 November 2021

Photos of the Month - November 2021 (Food and Drink)

 

Holiday has just started for some of us!
Here's what we've been up to.....



Lucky Cat Cafe@Hougang

35 Hougang Ave 3, #01-02, Singapore 538840

A family-runned Vegan Cafe nestled among the housing blocks in Hougang. 

Business is so good, we had to queue for close to an hour to get a table. But it was worth it!




Above: Konjac Salmon Sashimi, Tofunagi (vegan eel) sushi roll, lucky tendon (fried vegetable tendon) and deep fried house-made dumplings.




The cafe is good for small group bonding over a meal. The staff who are also the family who runs the cafe, are warm and polite.



Our favourite - the vegetarian eel sushi and the vegetable tendon. 




We would have liked to visit this cafe more often, if not for the 1.5 hour journey from our house 😅😅😅





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I saw Mr Baguette on the programme "HDB Tai Tai" on mewatch.sg and since we were in Hougang, we decided to pop by Mr Baguette which is just a few bus stops away from Lucky Cat Cafe. 


Mr Baguette @Hougang

102 Hougang Ave 1, #01-1195, Singapore 530102





We spent another 30 minutes or so waiting patiently for the little baguettes to be ready. Basically, these are baguettes in the shape of a small bun, with various fillings and toppings, all the creations of the owner and his wife.




Above: the staff working tirelessly in the little kitchen with hot ovens and multiple stacks of little baguettes



We liked the tiramisu and red velvet flavours, even though I would have preferred them to be a little less sweet. The orange and peach flavours are more fruity and refreshing. On the whole, these were nice and best eaten with a sugarless cup of latte.










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Thursday, 1 April 2021

Preparing for retirement

A few close colleagues are nearing retirement age, our recent conversation revolving savings and money matters leaves me wondering if I have prepared myself adequately for my own retirement when it comes knocking on the door...


It's never too late to start reading up and planning for the day when one stop receiving an active income. 

Introduction to planning for retirement

"Introduction to planning for retirement"on MoneySense website, is a good article to start with. MoneySense, was started in 2003 as Singapore’s national financial education programme. It's aim is to help Singaporeans to manage their money well, and make sound financial decisions on their own.

From the article, find out:
  • what planning for retirement means
  • When should I start planning
  • Why it pays to start early
  • The effects of inflation
  • The steps to building a retirement plan


"Introduction to planning for retirement" is part of the starter pack "Planning for retirement"​​. Spend about 15 minutes to read trough the 5 lessons in this mini series.
 








There are other information available on MoneySense:

“Approaching Your Retirement Years” is a booklet targeted at Singapore citizens (aged 40 and above) who may be starting to plan for retirement or in the process of planning for retirement.
Retirement Booklet_Chinese
Retirement Booklet_Malay
Retirement Booklet_Tamil




Topics Available on MoneySense with useful articles:

Investments 
Savings 
Insurance 
Retirement
Estate Planning
Property







CPF Retirement Estimator

This e-service provided by the Central Providend Fund Board. It provides a simple way to compute the lump sum savings you may need for your retirement.

There are other useful calculators available on the CPF Board website, including:

For Retirement:

Retirement Sum Scheme (RSS) Payout Estimator (needs SINGPASS Login)
Ordinary Account - Special Account Savings Transfer Calculator







未雨绸缪” (百度百科) 意思是趁着天没下雨,先修缮房屋门窗。比喻事先做好准备工作,预防意外的事情发生。 

The Chinese Idiom teaches us to plan and prepare well ahead of any adverse situation. It also implies "to save for rainy days". Thoughtful planning and sufficient savings could prepare us for retirement (or days with no active income), so that we can continue to enjoy the same quality of life as before retirement. 









Sunday, 10 May 2020

Where To Shop For Groceries Online? (4) - Premium Grocers

In this Issuse: The Finer Things In Life**

  • Sasha's Fine Foods
  • The Farmer's Market
  • Ryan's Grocery
  • Huber's Butchery
  • The Meat Club
  • Nature's Glory
  • OpenTaste
  • SG Organic
  • Straits Market
  • Super Nature
  • Little Farm















Sasha’s Fine Foods by Sasha Conlan


Sasha, a lawyer by background who moved to Singapore in 2008, decided to source for food of fresh, good quality for her family. Before long, her dedication and passion to bring fine food to her family and friends led her to set up her first company in 2011, later she rebranded it to become Sasha's Fine Food. Most of her produce are from Australia and New Zealand an dlater from her homeland, UK. Now she also supports local farmers who supplies fresh produce that are free off additives (antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, artificial colours, trans-fats or enhancers).


Image Source: Sasha's Fine Food



Product Categories:

  • Meat & Fish
  • Ready-to-eat
  • Dairy & Eggs
  • Fruit & Vege
  • Pantry
  • Bakery

Orders of $100 and above qualify for free next day delivery (after any discounts and loyalty points are applied).

For orders under $100, the delivery fee is $10 (after any discounts and loyalty points are applied).



enquiries@sashasfinefoods.com

Tel: 6273 0752






The Farmer’s Market by Emma Pike


Image Cource: Farmer's Market


"Premium Online Butcher"

What they offer: 100% naturally farmed meat & seafood products including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, salmon, chicken, barramundi, sausages and more

There is no minimum order spend and orders over $150 have FREE delivery, orders under $150 will be charged a $20 delivery fee.


Place your order before 12noon for next working day delivery (Mon-Fri).
Tel: +65 9778 2800  
email: info@thefarmersmarket.com.sg







Ryan’s Grocery (organic butchery and gluten-free specialist store)

The shop started with a humble story - that of learning of their son’s intolerance to dairy products, gluten, nuts, soy, egg and yeast, and went around searching for suitable quality food for him.

Ryan's Grocery website is filled with colourful tantalising photos of fresh produce and recipes. Vidit their blog to view more.




Image Source: Ryan's Grocery

Products offered:
  • Seafood & Meat
  • Delicatessen
  • Bakery
  • Ready-to-eat
  • Beverages
  • Snacks
  • Vegan
  • Dairy & Eggs
  • Pantry
Image Source: Ryan's Grocery


Location:
29 Binjai Park
Singapore 589831
Tel : +65 6463 3933


Delivery Information:
Free delivery for order of $150+
Check their website for additional information






Huber’s Butchery by Ernst Huber


Image Source: Huber's Butchery


Besides selling high quality fresh meat, sausages, cold cuts and marinated items, they have a variety of recipes and videos as well as useful product information on what else - MEAT!

For home delivery, the minimum order is $100.



HUBER’S BUTCHERY @ DEMPSEY:

22 Dempsey Road
Singapore 249679
Tel: 6737 1588
Fax: 6475 3733
Email: info@hubersbutchery.com.sg








The Meat Club 

Co-founded by Amy Bell, the Meat Club supports all-Australian suppliers that adhere to strict animal welfare practices.


Image Source: The Meat Club



Delivery charges are free for orders Above $100 nett . Otherwise, a $15 delivery charge will be incurred.



Office:
24 Peck Seah Street
Nehsons Building, #06-01
Singapore 079314

Contact:
info@themeatclub.com.sg
+65 9398 5746







Nature’s Glory

Nature’s Glory was formed in 1991. They provide a large selection of organic produce and other groceries.

Products:

  • Dry Groceries
  • Fresh Groceries
  • Home Accessories
  • Health and Beauty Items
  • Health Supplements

Gerson Therapy accessories (books, CDs) are available for purchase too. For those who do not know, Gerson Therapy was developed by a German doctor called Max Gerson in the 1920s and 30s. It aims to rid the body of toxins and strengthen the body’s immune system.




Image Source: Nature's Glory



Free delivery on local orders above S$100

Office:
Nature’s Glory Pte Ltd
Mapex Building
37 Jalan Pemimpin
Unit 08-16
Singapore 577177

Contact:
Tel : +65 62271318
Fax : +65 62270868
Email : chrislim@natures-glory.com



Open Taste



Image Source: OpenTaste




















A good choice for getting bulk supplies - fruits, vegetable, dairy and grocery

Other products:

  • Fresh Meat
  • Fresh Seafood
  • Wine
  • non-bulk fruits
  • non-bulk vegetable
  • non-bulk dairy
  • non-bulk grocery

Delivery information:
2 categories - premium members and non-premium members

Image Source: OpenTaste

Image Source: OpenTaste


















Hand soap delivered to you.






SG Organic

SG Organic is an online organic food and beverage store. All their organic fruit and vegetables are air flown from Australia and reach the packing warehouse within 2-3 days of harvest.

Products:
  • Fruit and vegetable boxes
  • Dairy
  • Salad
  • Beverage
  • Kitchen items
  • Juicing 


Image Source: SG Organic


All orders will incur a $10 delivery fee. There is no minimum order amount.
Free Self Collection is available at the address below:
152 Paya Lebar Road
#05 - 05 Citipoint Industrial Complex 
Singapore 409020

Contact:
Whatsapp 98329814
Email: hello@sgorganic.sg





Straits Market

Straits Market provides home grocery delivery of a wide selection of the freshest produce 

Products:
Fresh fish 
Seafood
Meat & poultry
Fruit & vegetable
Bakery
Pantry items


They also offer Kefir (suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals). Kefir is a cultured, fermented beverage that tastes a great deal like a yogurt drink. It’s made using “starter” grains, just as sourdough bread has a “starter.” This starter is a combination of yeasts, milk proteins, and bacteria. It has a tart, creamy flavor, and it’s loaded with probiotic health benefits.


Image Source: Straits Market






Wintershine, their dedicated fish farm in SIngapore, employs advanced technology to ensure that water quality is monitored, water is filtered, treated and oxygenated, contributing well-defined conditions for stress-free growth of the fishes. 


Image Source: Straits Market


Free Delivery above $150.

Tel: +65 9643 5358
Email: customerservice@straitsmarket.com





SuperNature

Established in 2001, SuperNature started as a little store with sporadic supplies of organic food. 

Product Range:

  • Fresh produce
  • Meats
  • Groceries
  • Baby and children's needs
  • Beauty and wellness
  • Household products 



Image Source: Super Nature

They have a number of wholesome and interesting recipes that are carefull grouped into various catefories such as ingredients, by course or by special occasions.


For a SuperNature Regular Member, delivery is free with a spend of $100. Otherwise the minimum purchase is $120.


SuperNature (Flagship Store)
#B1-05/09 Forum The Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road
Tel +65 6854 7399
Fax +65 67350366

Opening Hours:
10am – 7.30pm daily


SuperNature (Mother & Child)
B1-20A Paragon
290 Orchard Road
Tel +65 6854 7390
Fax +65 6735 4207

Opening Hours:
10am – 9.30pm daily





Little Farms

Product Range:
  • Fresh produce
  • Meat & Seafood
  • Dairy & Eggs
  • Groceries
  • Bakery
  • Pantry items
  • Drinks & Alcohol
  • Baby and children's needs
  • Beauty and wellness
  • Household products


Image Source: Little Farms


Multiple stores around the island. Please refer to their store locator.
The standard delivery rate is $14.98 for orders below $100.
Orders over $100* receive free shipping. 




Little Farm has a Cafe branch in River Valley Road. They provide delivery for orders above $30. Check out their website for the delicious and wholesome menu.

91 River Valley Road
Valley Point Shopping Centre
#01-21/22/23
Singapore 248371

Tel: 6732 1241










**These information are correct at the time of published. For updates and promotions, please refer to the respective websites.

Friday, 8 May 2020

Where To Shop For Groceries Online? (3) - Local Gems

In this issue: Local GEMS**


  • The Dairy Folks
  • Green Circle
  • Purely Fresh
  • Market Fresh
  • Redman Shop by Phoon Huat
  • Zenxin Organic/ Organic Delivery
  • Quan Fa Organic
  • EAMart
  • Greenies







The Dairy Folks

Providing Fresh Cow Milk and Freshly made Ice Cream in 3 delectable flavours - Original Milk, Dark Chocolate and Caramel. Now, I WANT some of that please......



Image Source: The Dairy Folks


Image Source: The Dairy Folks






They are located at:

5 Lim Chu Kang Lane 8A
Singapore 719608
Email: hello@dairyfolks.com
Phone: +65 67937114


Delivery Information:
Free Local Delivery Above $20.
$5 Delivery Fee Below $20.
Allow 5 working days for delivery, subject to stock availability.







Green Circle

The farm is owned and farmed by Evelyn Eng-Lim and  Lim Tian Soo since 1999. Being eco-friendly, the owners name this farm GreenCircle Eco-Farm because they use mainly tree leaves and rejected mung beans from bean sprout factories to make fertilizers to feed the plants. 

Image Source: Green Circle


Image Source: Green Circle


Delivery Information:

Minimum order of $30 is required for their farm produce. For imported goods only, minimum order if $100.

To maximize their resources and manpower, the following are the delivery arrangment:
Fridays: North and East of Singapore
Thursdays: West and Central

Tel: +65 9784 7275





Purely Fresh

Started by a team of entrepreneurs who have owned a variety of wet and dry markets since 1998.

Products:

  • Fresh Meat & Seafood
  • Fruit & Vegetable
  • Yong Tau Foo 
You can customize your orders, e.g get the fresh meat sliced, cubed, minced for you.
Image Source: PurelyFresh



enquiries@purelyfresh.com.sg

Free delivery for orders of $100+
For orders under $100, the delivery fee is $10









Market Fresh 


"The Online Wet Market", Market Fresh consists of a group of wet market stall owners, they provide a range of products from wet markets and provision shops online for the customers' convenience and hassle-free shopping. 

Image Source: MarketFresh

  • Fresh Meat & Seafood
  • Fruit & Vegetable
  • Yong Tau Foo 


All orders placed are for *next day delivery (*subjected to availability or slots).


Delivery Charges
$0 - $30 - $24
$30.01 and $50 - $18
$50.01 - $67.99 - $12
$68 and above gets Free Delivery








Redman by Phoon Huat (for baking fanatics)


Image Source: Redman Shop

Phoon Huat was established in 1947 by Wong Tai Fuang when he moved to Singapore from Hainan Island, China. Sheer hard work and shrewd commercial sense transformed his meagre 35 sq metre shop into a profitable business supplying baking ingredients.

Redman is the online e-commerce initiative by Phoon Huat Pte Ltd carries a full suite of ingredients and tools from international renowned and homegrown brands, providing a one-stop online store for daily avid bakers and patisserie professionals.


Redman has regular hands-on baking classes and workshops, and cake-decorating workshops of beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.



Image Source: Redman Shop

Products include:

Whole range of baking needs - flour, sugar, accesssories, frozen and chilled ingredients, molds and baking tools, beverage making supplies, gourmet groceries, meat and seafood.



Address:
231A Pandan Loop
Singapore 128419


Contact:
(+65) 6654 4333 Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm
customerservice@redmanshop.com








Zenxin Organic


By now, almost every household in Singapore and Malaysia is familiar with Zenxin produce. Zenxin Agri-Organic Food (Zenxin) is Malaysia’s leading producer, distributor and retailer of organic produce since 2001. They supply premium NASAA & USDA certified products, offering the widest, over 60 varieties, of fresh produce and 300+ dry goods to 13 outlets, over 70 supermarkets and 100 dealers in both Malaysia and Singapore.


A large variety of fresh produce are available, Zenxin products are mainly fresh farm products, including variety of lowland and highland crops ranged from vegetables, fruits, dry goods (cooking ingredients), together with several types of self-produced fertilisers.

Products Categories:
Organic Vegetable
Organic Fruits

Zenxin's website is loaded with information on fresh produce and related updates. Their bimonthly eMagazine shares overall happenings and news at Zenxin, ranging from Zenxin Organic Park new packages, Zenxin outlet events, product promotions, new tasty recipe highlights and much more! 

The eMagazines are downloadable here




Zenxin Travel, a subsidiary of the Zenxin Agri-Organic Food group, develops exclusive programs in order to build appreciation for the process of growing and making food sustainably. Currently, they specialize in offering travel destinations to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Image Source: Zenxin Travel




Organic Delivery Zenxin's SG Online Store

Organic Delivery is a home delivery service offered by Zenxin Organic Food Singapore.

Products offered:

  • Organic Fruits and Vegetable
  • Large variety of cooking & store cupboard supplies
  • Frozen food/ meat
  • Dairy & Eggs
  • Household items
  • Snacks & Baby items

Delivery information 
Minimum order is S$100 for FREE delivery
Minimum order is S$50, with $10 delivery fee
Orders under $50 will be charged $20


Image Source: Organic Delivery

Singapore Location:
Zenxin Agri-Organic Food Pte Ltd
Blk14 Pasir Panjang Wholesale
#01-25 Singapore 110014 

Tel: +65 67797839 / +65 6778 7369 
Fax: +65 67770879








EAMart



Image Source: EAMart


Image Source: EAMart


Groceries, household, pet supplies, beauty and fragrance, home and lifestyle, automotive supplies and accessories, fashion goods and sports & outdoor supplies.


Free Delivery with no minimum purchase.


Tel: 65-6257 9800











Quan Fa Organic Farm

Started in 1999, they have been cultivating organically grown vegetables for the large masses of Singaporeans. Over the years, they have grown to one of the leading distributors in Singapore today.


Image Source: Quan Fa Organic Farm

Image Source: Quan Fa Organic Farm


Free Delivery for Purchase of $60+


T: 65-6793 7693
F: 65-6794 2172
E: info@quanfa.com.sg
A: 2G Neo Tiew Lane Plot 119, S(719095).



Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday 12pm - 5pm




Greenies

Products offered:
A decent variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as frozen products, dairy and eggs.






Image Source: Greenies

Prices are generally reasonable and economical. They offer free delivery for orders above $39.

For enquiries, contact:
hello@greenies.com.sg









Kindness Mart Pte Ltd 
"A Mart Filled with Kindness"

Through the sale of groceries and basic necessities at this e-commerce platform, Kindness Mart, they support the various disadvantaged groups in the community, such as the physically or mentally challenged individuals or elderly and low income families.

Please give them your most generoud support! An act of kindness goes a long way.


Image Source: Kindness Mart



Delivery is FREE for orders over $50.

Customer Support:
+65 6954 2081
+65 9366 6528
10am - 7pm SGT
info@kindnessmart.com






**These information are correct at the time of published. For updates and promotions, please refer to the respective websites.