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My Experience with Intermittent Fasting

Published: April 16, 20241 Comment

For the past few years or so, I’ve been practicing intermittent fasting (IF) with practical benefits.

I usually train in the morning, and I feel like I have no problem doing this on an empty stomach. This might or might have something to do with my chronotype, which favors early morning activity.

Advocates of IF report having more energy, trimming fat, and saving time by being able to get straight into their work more quickly in the morning. While I can’t really say if it does help trim fat or not, it helps me to contain my tendency to overeat as I end up eating one meal less right from the get-go. I have found that during lunch and dinner I eat the same amount as before when I used to eat three times a day.

I do feel like I have more energy, especially if I’m going to train first thing in the morning. Working or training on an empty stomach feels great to me. The only exception would be if I have a padel match, and I would usually load up on some energy in the morning and not do intermittent fasting. This is to avoid any energy crashes during the match as the matches tend to be long and intense, unlike training sessions which are usually under one hour.

Another exception I make is when traveling to places that are renowned for their food. If the place I am staying has an amazing breakfast buffet I will definitely indulge myself, so I allow myself to bend the rules every now and then as long as the IF trend is not really affected.

It’s also worth mentioning that I take an espresso in the morning, usually with some coconut oil mixed in, as detailed in my morning routine. I might also drink more teas and coffee during the day.

There are several ways of fasting, and I chose the 16:8 intermittent fasting method as the one that works best for me. That means fasting for 16 hours a day and having an 8-hour eating window, as shown below. I don’t always manage to get the full 16 hours of fasting, but it’s always somewhere between 12 to 16 hours. Even with 12 hours of fasting, I get the benefit of feeling lean and clean. If I don’t practice fasting, I’ll typically be bloated and more sluggish during physical activity.

Some say that adopting intermittent fasting liberates you from the tyranny of thinking you must eat a certain meal frequency. I wouldn’t disagree with that, although I ate whenever I felt like it even before starting intermittent fasting.

Missing breakfast suits me, saves me time, and means that I have more time in the mornings when I am at peak performance due to my chronotype.

Fasting has been linked to benefits for longevity, although I don’t think that at this stage you should be doing it purely for that reason, as the research is still not conclusive.

Click here to learn more about intermittent fasting and a sample diet from the Bulletproof email.

Have you tried intermittent fasting or fasting of any sort?

Filed under: General

Best Mazda MX-5 Resources in Europe

Last updated: February 26, 2025Leave a Comment

mazda mx5

Miata is always the answer; that’s how the saying goes among owners of the iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster, which pretty much has no competition at this time. If you’re an owner of one of these toys for adults, and especially if you’re based in Europe, this article is for you.

I own one of these gems and it’s been one of the best purchases in my life. It delivers amazing fun and great times with my family and friends. I especially like weekend outings with my kids (one at a time) where we have the chance to connect at a deep level.

I love both the ST and RF versions; if you’re struggling to decide which one to get, I would suggest you consider the weather you will be driving in, what kind of trips you will do, and how flexible you want the car to be. Clearly the RF wins if you want maximum flexibility, while the ST pips it in that feeling of top-down freedom. Whichever one you get, you are guaranteed to have a blast.

Accessories

There are a few must-have accessories that improve your enjoyment of this car.

Top on my list is the Roof Controller from Sergey at MX5things. It will allow you to open and close the roof without holding the switch, and also open and close it remotely (if you also buy the ACC/IG module). An alternative is the SmartTop Controller. It looks a bit nicer (but who cares anyhow) but has less functionality than the previous combo I described, and is more expensive.

Here are a few more that you should consider:

  • Stubby shorter aerial
  • Tailormade luggage
    • Roadster bag
      Roadster bag alt version
  • All-weather floor mat
    • ILMotorsport floor mat set
    • Weathertech floor liner
  • LED light kit
  • Britax Roemer kids car seat (or Peg Perego Viaggio)
  • Wind deflector

Best Websites for Finding Upgrades

  • IlMotorsport
  • MX5Things
  • Comptoir de Cabriolet
  • Mecatechnic
  • TopMiata
  • MX5Parts

For non-EU purchases, MossMiata and Cravenspeed are good ones.

Forums

When you buy an MX5 you join a worldwide community of passionate drivers who love their MX5s. The best way to get in touch with other drivers who share your passion is by joining an online forum.

My favorite is the Miata.net forum. You can find all kinds of advice on all MX5 versions there.

Bigger countries tend to have their own MX5 forum, for example, in Spain you can register at MX5Forum.es. The nice thing about the country forums is that they often organize driving tours where you get to explore your country and meet other MX5 drivers.

Driving Routes in Spain

Here are some good routes for driving the MX5 and similar cars in Spain:

  • Grand Tour de Catalunya (see also this)

Filed under: General

Best Desktop Apps for ChatGPT

Published: February 14, 2024Leave a Comment

chatgpt desktop app

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT stands out as a revolutionary tool, offering unparalleled conversational capabilities. While its web-based interface is widely used, there’s a growing interest in desktop applications for macOS that provide enhanced interaction with ChatGPT. These applications not only offer the basic functionalities of ChatGPT but also bring additional features and integrations tailored to the macOS environment.

In this article, I explore the reasons behind the rising popularity of desktop apps for ChatGPT, and delve into the functionalities of three prominent apps: MindMac, TypingMind, and Team-GPT.

Why Use Desktop Apps for ChatGPT Instead of Web UI?

Desktop apps for ChatGPT, such as MindMac and TypingMind, offer several advantages over the standard ChatGPT Plus web UI. These include enhanced customization options, the ability to integrate with other applications and services, and features designed to boost productivity. Users can benefit from a more seamless and integrated experience on their macOS, with capabilities like inline mode, prompt libraries, and language support. These apps cater to specific needs, like organizational tools for teams or powerful personalization for individual users, going beyond the basic functionalities offered by the web UI.

MindMac

MindMac is a macOS native app that enhances the ChatGPT experience with a variety of features. It supports multiple AI models, including OpenAI ChatGPT, Azure OpenAI, and Claude, and offers a rich set of features aimed at improving productivity. Key features include:

  • Inline Mode: Allows quick generation of content or questions in any application without switching windows.
  • Customization: Offers customizable OpenAI parameters, appearances, context mode, and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Security: API keys are stored securely, and data is sent directly to the OpenAI server without intermediate servers.
  • Multilingual Support: The app supports multiple languages for its interface.
  • Advanced Features: Supports image generation (DALLĀ·E 2 & 3), custom API endpoints, proxies, and exporting options to various formats.

TypingMind

TypingMind is another robust option for macOS users. It stands out for its comprehensive customization options, allowing users to modify the model configuration, chat experience, and user interface. Its features include:

  • Personalization: Users can adjust the tone, language, style, and more.
  • Parallel Conversations: Enables multiple conversations at once.
  • Web Search Integration: Offers a live web search feature, adding more context and information to chats.
  • Prompt Library: Over 150 prompts are available to help users get started with ChatGPT.
  • Additional Tools: Saved chats, text-to-speech, and AI characters are included.

Team-GPT

Team-GPT, though not a downloadable app, offers a unique collaborative platform for teams using ChatGPT. It is designed for teams ranging from 2 to 2,000 members, focusing on organizing knowledge and enhancing team collaboration with AI. Key features include:

  • Chat Organization: Ability to categorize and organize chats in folders and subfolders.
  • Prompt Library: Provides over 100 ready-to-use prompt templates and tips to master GPT.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Offers a more affordable solution compared to individual ChatGPT Plus subscriptions, especially for larger teams.
  • Accessibility: No need for a ChatGPT Plus subscription; it uses an OpenAI API key and provides billing based on actual usage.

Conclusion

The emergence of desktop apps for ChatGPT on macOS showcases the growing need for more sophisticated and integrated AI tools. Whether it’s for individual productivity, creative endeavors, or collaborative team efforts, these applications are redefining how we interact with AI daily. MindMac, TypingMind, and Team-GPT each offer unique features and advantages, catering to different user preferences and requirements. As AI continues to advance, the development of such specialized applications promises to further enhance our experience with technologies like ChatGPT, making them more accessible, efficient, and tailored to our needs.

Filed under: General

Egg Fried Rice with the Bosch AutoCook Pro

Published: April 07, 2023Leave a Comment

Machine used: Bosch Autocook Pro multi-cooker

Today’s recipe is one of the easiest you can prepare and is ideal for those who are using the multicooker for the first time.

This should be enough to serve 4 to 6 people, depending on the portion size and if the rice is served as a side dish or part of a main course. I prepare it and use it myself for 2-3 days as a snack or as an accompaniment to protein and fats in my meals.

Ingredients (4 servings)

  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 3.5 cups water
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional, but recommended)
  • 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions for Plain Rice

The first thing to do is to cook the jasmine rice in the Bosch AutoCook Pro, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 3.5 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon salt (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the jasmine rice: Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This step helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from being too sticky. My packet said that it’s best to rinse it just once, so I did it twice just to be safe. The water was still pretty murky.
  2. Add the rice and water to the AutoCook Pro: Place the rinsed rice in the cooking pot of the Bosch AutoCook Pro. Add 3.5 cups of water, and salt if desired. Stir gently to distribute the salt evenly.
  3. Select the program: Close the lid of the AutoCook Pro and select the “Rice” program from the menu options and select the short cooking time (2o minutes),
  4. Start the cooking process: Press the “Start” button, and the AutoCook Pro will begin cooking the jasmine rice. The appliance will automatically adjust the temperature for optimal results.
  5. Wait for the rice to cook: The AutoCook Pro will cook the rice and switch to the “Keep Warm” function when it’s done. Allow the rice to rest for at least 5 minutes after the cooking cycle has completed before opening the lid.
  6. Fluff the rice: After letting the rice rest, open the lid and use a fork or rice paddle to gently fluff the rice.

Note: The rice-to-water ratio and cooking time might vary slightly depending on the specific model of your Bosch AutoCook Pro. Adjust the ratio and cooking time as needed to achieve your desired rice texture.

Directions for the Rest of the Ingredients

Now it’s time to cook the rest. While you can use the AutoCook Pro for this part as well, I used a normal pan and kept the rice warm in the cooker in the meantime.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional, but recommended)
  • 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Put the pan on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat it up.
  2. Once hot, add the beaten eggs and cook them, stirring constantly to scramble them. When the eggs are fully cooked, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
  3. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pot. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, then cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.
  4. Add the thawed peas and carrots (if using) to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  5. Stir in the cooked and cooled jasmine rice, breaking up any clumps, and cook for about 3-5 minutes until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
  6. Add the scrambled eggs back to the pot, along with the sliced green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil (if using). Stir to combine all the ingredients.
  7. Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Remember that you can customize your egg fried rice by adding other ingredients such as cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for added protein, or additional vegetables like bell peppers or bean sprouts for extra flavor and texture.

Filed under: General

My Favorite Chocolate Brands

Last updated: December 02, 2023Leave a Comment

Here are my favorite chocolate brands and related notes.

  • Laderach – Great for gifts
  • Vallflorida have the best panettones
  • Museu de Xocolata
  • La Pasticceria di Gracia for Italian sweets
  • Oriol Balaguer‘s panettones used to be top quality but in recent years they are not as great.

Filed under: General

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Jean Galea

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