Author Archives: martinphamdinh

E-Bike for everyone… from beginners to experts

If you have followed me long enough, you know I am passionate about everything related to mountain bikes…  I’ve been waiting a long time to write about ebikes, I wanted to be ready…  but today, as I came home after another epic ride in the woods, I realized that, in 4 weeks, I rode moreContinue reading “E-Bike for everyone… from beginners to experts”

Fettucini alfredo with grilled shrimps…

Yesterday, I prepared a quick meal with my 12 year old son. I want him to learn basic cooking skills and I find that white creamy sauce is one of them. I love this simple bechamel recipe that takes less than 5 minutes to prepare. https://www.marmiton.org/recettes/recette_bechamel-rapide-et-facile_14764.aspx Bechamel is a base white creamy sauce made ofContinue reading “Fettucini alfredo with grilled shrimps…”

An antidote for Covid brooding…

In these times of changes, when our society is forced to evolve, when our usual habits are replaced by news ways, problems inevitably arise and we must remind ourselves that, although we don’t fully control our environment, we always can choose our reaction and attitude. I suggest this simple antidote to the inevitable  frustrations ofContinue reading “An antidote for Covid brooding…”

The power of empathy… in every day life.

I cancelled a trip to Croatia in May 2020 and the “european airline” gave us a travel credit of 2200$ for 2 plane tickets with an expiration date of 31 jan 2021. In the last year, I had to call my “online travel agency” 4 times for various questions related to this credit. I evenContinue reading “The power of empathy… in every day life.”

The art of getting out of your head…

Have you ever been unable to sleep? Have you ever been stuck in your own head? Have you ever been caught in a circular pathway of recurrent, mostly negative thoughts? Don’t worry if you answered yes to all of those, you are just  human, like most of us . Rumination is the process of continuouslyContinue reading “The art of getting out of your head…”

Once in a life time and fear of missing out… or not.

How much fulfillment do we get from those rare intense experiences in contrast to the happiness that builds on our daily lives and interactions with people we love? Again, he nails it… I admire how Mark Manson tackles important subjects with simplicity and I love that he starts from his own navel to illustrate hisContinue reading “Once in a life time and fear of missing out… or not.”

Social isolation and the four horsemen of apocalypse…

Nowadays, a lot of people are struggling within their homes and in their relationships. We are social animals and we need people to be happy. When our social world is restricted, our stress levels increase. When our stress levels increase and our coping mechanism are limited, we adopt protective strategies which, in the end, canContinue reading “Social isolation and the four horsemen of apocalypse…”

On adversity’s effect on self…

Another great post by Mark Manson https://markmanson.net/life-lessons-from-2020 It’s about  what we learned in 2020. I keep this one quote because it resonates with what I experienced.  Adversity will divulge who we really are. I asked myself the question this morning: Am I proud of what i have become  in 2020?  I wish everyone a happyContinue reading “On adversity’s effect on self…”

Heart warming comfort food for cold autumn days…

Squash potage with cheddar-olive-pepperoni home baked bread. The recipes are simple and easy. For the potage… Oven cooked squash (60-90 min at 350). Make a puree in blender, add liquid as needed, I prefer milk but water is good. Blend at high speed.  Pour purée in a pan and add liquid to desired consistency.  AddContinue reading “Heart warming comfort food for cold autumn days…”

On the art of pickling…

On a cold november afternoon, we spend time together in the kitchen pickling food. I really do find simple happiness in my kitchen… We prepared pickled beets, carrots, red onions, pink daikon radish and sauerkraut. Here are my simple basic recipes. First, wash your hands and use very clean / oven sterilized jars. For pickling, Continue reading “On the art of pickling…”

When caring means burning out…

A story about the sacrifice health care workers make every day. Here is a powerful excerpt. I encourage you to read the entire article. « For many health-care workers, the toll of the pandemic goes beyond physical exhaustion. COVID-19 has eaten away at the emotional core of their work. “To be a nurse, you reallyContinue reading “When caring means burning out…”

To the fitness / endurance enthusiasts …

I was one of you. I ran marathon. I did long distance everything, running, rowing, hiking. I pushed myself in the gym and out. But in the last few years, I slowed down. Why? I see an epidemic of injuries around me, in people my age and dy objective is to live long and well,Continue reading “To the fitness / endurance enthusiasts …”

To bring forth the best in others…

Every day, I am involved in managing conflicts, difficult discussions and unpredictable events. On a daily basis, I have had to learn how to manage the emotional aspect of conflicts before adopting a rational discourse and proposing solutions. Recently, I wrote “when we give emotions the space to be felt and shared, they usually don’t Continue reading “To bring forth the best in others…”

Chronotype assessment tool

I have written multiple times about the importance of sleep… We can spend a lifetime without doing exercise and be healthy. We can spend a month without eating and survive. We can’t spend a month without sleeping. That’s how important sleep is. And yet, whenever we get the chance, we deprive ourselves from hours ofContinue reading “Chronotype assessment tool”