Dragon Fruit – A must to try!

Especially at this time of the year when it is cheap! At its best! And selling in abundance all over Thailand!

Dragon Fruit is the more common name given to the Pitahaya or Pitaya which turns out to be family members of several cactus species. It is a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. The plant is actually a type of cactus, and the fruit comes in 3 colors: 2 have pink skin, but with different colored flesh (one white, the other red), while another type is yellow with white flesh. Dragon fruit is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, plus fiber and antioxidants.

Dragon fruit tastes wonderful! – mildly sweet and crunchy(the crunchiness of its numerous embedded seeds gives it a unique character as compared to any other fruit) , with a flavor that’s like a cross between kiwi and pear.

To choose a ripe dragon fruit: look for bright, even-colored skin. If the fruit has a lot of blotches, it may be over-ripe (a few is normal). Another sign of over-ripe dragon fruit is a very dry, brittle brown stem, or brown on the tips of the “leaves”. Hold the dragon fruit in your palm and try pressing the skin with your thumb or fingers – it should give a little (like a ripe kiwi), but shouldn’t be too soft or mushy. If it’s very firm, it will need to ripen for a few days.

Bangkok Named World’s Best City 2011 by Leading Travel Magazine

Travel + Leisure Magazine has released its 2011 “World’s Best” list, with Bangkok voted as the top city in the world in the annual poll voted on by the American luxury travel magazine’s readers.

According to Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, a questionnaire developed by the editors of Travel + Leisure that judges cities around the world for their sights, culture, food, people, shopping, and value was used to make the determination. Bangkok came out on top once again with an overall score of 90.49, an improvement of .19 over last year’s rating.
The Thai capital retains its number one ranking in the world for a second consecutive year after it was voted to Best City in 2008 and 2010.

Rounding out the top 10 on the “World’s Best City” list after Bangkok are Florence, Rome, New York City, Istanbul, Cape Town, Siem Reap (Cambodia), Sydney, Barcelona (Spain), and Paris.

Thailand’s hotels did well too, with the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai (rank 7), Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (rank 23), The Peninsula Bangkok (rank 40) Four Season in Chiang Mai (rank 49), while Thai Airways was voted the world’s ninth best international airline.

Regarded as one of the true travel hotspots in the world, Bangkok has grown in popularity for tourists and world travelers over the years. The city is known for its fantastic tropical settings, historical venues, rich culture and wondrous architecture.
Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2011 was available for digital download on July 11 on iTunes
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-best-cities-bangkok 

Longan berry, this sweet delicious juicy fruit called ‘Lamyai’ in Thai

Longan berry, this sweet delicious juicy fruit called ‘Lamyai’ in Thai, is one of the prized fruits grown in northern Thailand, and the peak of the harvest season comes in August.

Scientific Name: Dimocarpus longan. The longan is China’s gift to Southeast Asia, where it was brought by Chinese emigrants hundred of years ago. Longan also known as “dragon’s eye” (because of an ovoid, white eye shaped mark on the pit). The juicy pulp, which is easily separated from its shell, is white and translucent. Embedded in it is a large, shiny jet black seed. Lychee is it’s better known cousin, and is bigger and fleshier when compared to Longan. The size and shape is similar to a red globe grape. The texture is also grape-like, but the flavor is really unique – sweet, fragrant, refreshing, and slightly floral. One has to taste to be able to derive to the correct explanation of the flavor, and will yet be short of words if asked.

This fair, held in the provincial capital of Lamphun about half an hour from Chiang Mai, features a contest to judge the best fruit and to select this year’s Miss Lamyai.

Next year Lamphun will celebrats its 1,440th anniversary with several cultural and religious events to take place.

Tips on selecting the fruit: Longans are harvested when they are ripe. Choose with skin that is free of any mold spots and tight to the flesh (no air pockets – this means the flesh inside is starting to rot). Longan still attached to the branch are fresher than fruits that have become detached. Longan can be kept at room temperature but should be eaten within a couple days of purchase.
Health / Medicinal Benefits:

Longan is used as remedy for stomach ache, insomnia, amnesia, and dropsy.
The fruit is said to invigorate the heart and spleen, nourish the blood and have a calming effect on the nervous system.

Healthy Eating Tips

To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.
Simplify. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of color, variety and freshness—then it should be easier to make healthy choices. Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients. Gradually, your diet will become healthier and more delicious.

 Start slow and make changes to your eating habits gradually over time. Trying to make your diet healthy overnight isn’t realistic or smart. Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. Take small steps, like adding a salad (full of different color vegetables) to your diet once a day or switching from butter to olive oil when cooking.  As your small changes become a habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet.

 Every change you make to improve your diet matters. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. Don’t let your missteps derail you—every healthy food choice you make counts.

Source: http://centrepointhospitality.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/healthy-eating-tips/

Centre Point Langsuan

Centre Point Langsuan is an absolutely unique location; Soi Langsuan has been described as ‘Bangkok 's best kept secret', a perfect definition of welcoming warmth and comfort. It runs between the main Central Department store on Ploenchit Road to Sarasin Road bordering Lumpini Park. Even with the convenience of living in the vital heart of town, here your home is surrounded by tranquil, restful greenery. The businesses in Soi Langsuan also benefit the ‘elegant' tag. This is above all a genteel street located in the middle of modern Bangkok between the financial districts of Silom and Sathorn, and the tourist and dormitory areas of Sukhumvit. It is a perfect alternative for nature lovers, for those residents who like a walk on the green side, Lumpini Park provides one of the few green areas in central Bangkok and is ideal for a stroll, or even a run if you are thus inclined. Giving credit to most popular fashion hub, Siam Square and Siam Paragon, where fashion-wise eternally moves are also just 5 minutes away. Soi Langsuan makes it an ideal location for those living and working in the city, especially for executives who demand an uncompromisingly high standard of living.

 

Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri

The Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri is an urban paradise at the heart of Bangkok. It take just a quick visit to the district to see how the spirit of Ratchadamri lives on Siam Paragon, Amarin Plaza, Central World, Erawan Bangkok, Gaysorn, Maneeya Center and President Tower Arcade. The city’s pulse beats right here.

 

Centre Point Sukhumvit Thong-Lo

Centre Point Sukhumvit-Thong Lo is the ultimate location of Sukhumvit, it is one of the most loved road by Thais and expatriates alike, located in Soi Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 55), the most popular expatriate residential area. Here, you experience distinctive living that is exclusively superior to fulfill your desire for a home of your dream. Centre Point Sukhumvit-Thong Lo elegant executive serviced apartments combines an elite traditional of Thai style with all the essentials of modern living that meet every lifestyle need.

Centre Point Silom

Centre Point Silom is situated on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, "The River of Kings" in times gone by was the focal point of Thai lifestyle. As it was in the past, so it is today. Silom Road was originally a tree-lined canal, one of many in old Bangkok which once was called "The Venice of the East". Thai riverside life is still celebrated and there’s nowhere better than the Centre Point Silom Executive Serviced Apartments.

 

Centre Point Wireless Road

Welcome to the exclusive world of our Centre Point Hotel and Residence on Wireless Road. Luxurious elegance in Thai contemporary style on prestigious Wireless Road, the ultimate space in an ultimate place. Furnished with typically Thai motifs, you will find an excellent combination of Thai style and state-of-the-art-technology. Walking distance to Sukhumvit Road, Suan Lum Night Market and Lumpini Park, with easy access to the Central Shopping district and Silom Road, this beautiful residence has it all.

 

Centre Point Sukhumvit

Lying on a tranquil residential area, Centre Point Sukhumvit is a heaven of comfort surrounded by a magnificent lake view with easy access to business areas, shopping centers and international schools. Spaciousness and serenity make Centre Point Sukhumvit an ideal home of executives' family members.

 

 

Centre Point Saladaeng

Here you can live life to the fullest. You can enjoy a lifestyle with all the advantages of a major city center. Cool modern decor reflects your personality in style. And your individual privacy is unequivocally ensured because the restriction of only 5 units per floor. The central business district is right on your doorstep, along with, the major tourist entertainment areas, as well as, all the benefits of living downtown. For the energetic and for those who like to green areas, Lumpini Park is just a step, skip and a jump a way. In town, very private, exclusively where u call home.

Centre Point Petchburi

Elegance sets the tone of Centre Point Petchburi's decoration ambiance. Situated in the merge of business areas, Centre Point Petchburi welcomes you to the most comfortable and convenient apartments with a full service business center, outdoor pool and fitness center. It is conveniently located near the Rajchathewi skytrain station. The serviced apartments offer guests spacious living spaces in a clean and comfortable environment.