Vegetables? Tofu? Wholemeal bread? What are your dietary habits like?

Hi folks,

Are you taking every measure to include healthier option in your diet? Is it sufficient?

Being a vegetarian, all the more important for me to study and ensure my family receive a balance diet. But thus far, what we are adopting, is it sufficient?

How about taking a profile test to see what else we could improve?

Interested? Check out the link below:

Vegetables? Tofu? Wholemeal bread? What we all need now is a profile test to determine what we need to improve. Thank you, #NestleProfiler!

Cheers to a healthier you!

Umami Cooking Class, 2 April 2011

Umami Cooking Class

Last day to register today! :)

 

Cheers!

What you did on Earth Hour?

Hi folks!

My family and I had very unpredictable schedule during weekend. During Earth Hour, we did switched off all the lights as we were taking our naps way pass dinner time; from 5pm to 9.30pm :P

How did you spent your Earth Hour this year?

What are the changes/actions you like to take to contribute to a better earth?

For me, I like to:

1. Start making my compost
2. Learn to make garbage enzymes
3. Educate my family & myself to start separating our rubbish efficiently (and earn from the recyclable items at the same time..things like old newspaper, glass bottles etc)
4. I like to switch from a vegetarian to a vegan diet (as much as possible) as I felt I am still taking eggs right now (more about animal protection and rights here than being environmental-friendly unless you are taking about meatless diet ;) to reduce carbon emission and wastage of grains feeding to cow and ended up few grams on human's plate)
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and..have you heard of the new "R"....Reject....yeah...reject the inner desires to own yet another pair of shoes when there are dozens hiding in the shoe cabinets....reject anything that are more of "wants" rather than "needs"...Be wise...

Cheers to a better earth and better human being!

Getting a Bigger car?

Hi folks!

KY has been asking her dad to get a bigger car so that she can fetch the whole kampung...haha ok exaggerating..her whole family including gong gong (grandpa), po po (grandma), jiu jiu (uncle), ayi(aunty), cousins etc etc etc.....

So we have been more observant of such big cars like MPV....checking out those more affordable brands like Lavina, Alza..and I have personally "seat drive" it...checking whether the back air-cond is cool enough hehe...the other brand that I wanna try is Exora....it looks huge enough and comfy too....not sure how is the engine and etc.

Now, if you are interested in trying out Exora, you might to check out the url below:

Big cars doesn't necessarily mean a mini-van! With #allaboutexoraa, you can sit for 6 people & be comfy too! Get your test drive session today!

Big cars....when can you be MINE..haha...then I can bring my whole "Kampung" out in one car...carpool mah....be green!

Yey...Cheers!

How much do you spent on facial?

Hi folks!

Every women would want porcelain doll skin....one of the way (beside having good genes of course!) is to practice good skincare regime and if possible have weekly facial. But isn't that gonna cost a bomb?

Here's one good deal I saw...RM38 hmmm quite affordable right? Check out the deal yourself to find out:

Want porcelain doll skin like Emily Browning frm Sucker Punch? #ElyseeBeauty is offering facial - RM38. #MilkADeal

Cheers to a healthy-looking skin!

Reminisce on past traveling trips

Hi folks!

Recently, DH and I were talking about traveling trips.

My next traveling destination that I hope to make is to visit my aunts at Down Under, whereas DH wanted to visit Taiwan.

It reminds me of the time, during my final year study break; I took a trip to Taiwan for a month during the winter time. It was recorded as the coldest winter at the time.

I am lucky as being a student then I couldn't afford to get a pricey thermal clothing, some travel-savvy friends loan me a pair of long john and a ladies underwear.

With a thermal wear, you can avoid layering yourself too much during the cold weather and end up looking like a huge ballooned or stuffed snowman :P

When I wear those thermal wear , I can easily wear another pair of jeans and turtle-neck sweater on top of it when I go sight-seeing. During the night, I can choose to cover myself with thick blanket wearing just the ladies underwear :P my travel-savvy friends said, "Don't over-cover yourself too much when you sleep, else when you woke up; removing the warm blanket, you'll be freezing..."

Really miss traveling to those different or four season climate country. I feel the people staying in those country really know how to take care of themselves.

Everyone in Germany, even males can be seen sipping their hot herbal tea in their hot flask or thermos. Isn't that nice? My friend told me that some people in Taiwan even have the habit of sipping hot miso soup on the go...that's a brilliant way to stay warm and healthy at the same time.

Besides, staying on these cold climate country, you also need to put on protective measure like lip balm, lotion and even sun care lotion. I inherited the good habits from my trips to these countries....diligently applying lip balm and lotion ;) even now back in Malaysia.

How about you? Did you pick up something useful from your traveling trips? Do share with me....

Cheers!

Part 1: What is your childhood food memories?

Hi folks,

What are your childhood food memories? For me, one of them is:

1. *Roti Canai with "telur"/egg

Roti canai (pronounced "chanai," not "kanai") is a type of flatbread found in Malaysia, often sold in Mamak stalls. It is known as roti prata in Southern Malaysia and Singapore, and is similar to the Indian Kerala porotta.

(from Wikipedia)

I remember when we were young, I used to visit the Roti Canai mamak opposite the old bus station in my hometown in BP to get 5-6 pcs of piping hot roti canai. Mom will also asked me to bring along our own eggs and the roti Canai man would charge us the price of roti kosong..having a big family(4 hungry kids to feed)..that helped to save a bit :) smart & savvy mom plus of course, very willing+kind roti Canai uncle..try getting your roti Canai man to do the same in KL, and see what kind of weird expressions you might get! 

Now, to be fair, I have not tried...and am too shy to do it here in big city unlike a close-knitted community in the olden days whereby everyone seems to know everyone's kids by heart..and can keep an eye for each other...Of course this would also means we kids don't dare to do anything "stupid" that will bring shame to our parents! :)

As the ancient scripture- Di Zi Gui (Standards for Being a Good Student & Child) says:

If your virtues* are compromised,
Your parents will feel ashamed.

* Virtues are standards and principles of one's conduct. In China, a man's conduct is ruled by "Wu Chang" (Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Faith) and "Ba De" (filial piety, Respect for elders, loyalty, credibility, proper etiquette, personal loyalty, a sense of honor, and a sense of shame.

So now what are your food memories?

And what are the food memories of our children?
Is it KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald?

Let's try to build a better and healthier food memories in their childhood. Hopefully this will bring them a good start and a good nutrition habits since young.

Sent from my iPhone

Home-cooked takeaway

Hi folks, this dish is inspired by a meal@Marmalade. Did not have fresh shitake mushroom, replace with canned mushroom. Stir-fry & saute with a tiny bit of salt and herbs(thyme,rosemary,basil,mint,parsley)...yum..(btw, in case u ar wondering, tat is organic GMO free soy-based sausage ;) meatless)

Big Carton box to giveaway

Earth Day spring-cleaning, I have this huge carton box used to store my 6tier Billy bookcase..wonder if anyone has good use for it. Previously we went looking high n low for such box to used as the base for our buffet table...such a pity to just send to recycle if only someone can reuse this for good purpose ;) else I might just use it for outdoor picnic with d kids hehe...

Preloved Toy Car & Train

Letting go @ MYR10 each. Take both @ MYR18.

COD at Sri Petaling, Puchong, Wangsa Maju area.

Reminisce on Earth Day Pledge

Last year, I made a pledge to plant something and learn to make compost. Done d first yet to achieve the latter. Amazing, the mint planted with organic soil(in the small & medium pots) grew much better than the normal soil ;)
Will use organic soil in future planting work! Happy Earth Day folks! Cheers!

When it could have been worst...

Hi folks!

Yesterday I received a message from someone close asking me to check out for best rate of Personal Loan in town for MYR15k. Being one who are not fond of taking loans, paying high interest rate etc, of course I am wary and worried. The first question I asked is of 'cos the intention of getting a loan. When my question receive no answer, I started to worry and all kinds of thoughts and assumption came into my mind. I lost my focus for a seconds and then recollect back...trying to adjust my wild thoughts and out of control worrisome emotions...which would not help the situation.

I just keep calm and cool without taking any action or thinking much further than what the series of thought I have actually generated within that single second!!! Human minds are really powerful and faster than the speed of lightning!

I have thought of;
1. Is the person trying to invest in a biz?
2. Is he trying to invest in another gadgets(but wait..what gadgets cost over MYR10k? Even IPad cost less than MYR2.5k for the highest range...
3. Is he having extra-marital affairs and needed to sort out the "other" family that he just knew (yeah I know this is more bizarre thoughts...)
4. Seriously no idea ...got into debts? Trying to pay off debts of his closed ones?.......

No no no gotta stop making my own assumption and just try to sound him out when I meet him(hoping he is willing to share)...

Alas he is NOT willing to share until I promised not to make any statement and judgement/comment after he shared....

Phew.. When I finally heard the reason though totally disagree inside but at least it's not hitting any one of my worst assumptionssss...phew...now it could have been worst...yes...(my Fren once disagree on such statement as it works more like a psychological reassurance...but still I would lile to count my blessings... and think It could have been worst and I shouldn't take this case any further...

It served as. wake-up call to me really...that anything can happened...just how prepared you are to face anything or any ball that get thrown to you.....

Take care of yourself well and always be Prepared mentally and physically to face any "balls"... I am going for my preparation work now with my weekly exercise (cleaning & mopping) regime which usually lasted more than 2 hrs...yeah long workout ;) !

Cheers!

Sent from my iPhone

Always Be Prepared

Always Be Prepared

For the good and bad news in life
For they are part and parcel of life

Cherish friends and opportunities arises
As they are full of surprises

Always Be Prepared for the Unexpected
So you won't be defeated and stay calm & adjusted

Life is indeed full of surprises
How ready you are depends on how well you can get adjusted to the shock & surprises

Today definitely I did not fully ready for such surprises
God, give me the wisdom and strength to choose the right thought, speech and action...

Thank You!

Sent from my iPhone

Elizabeth Taylor left at age of 79

(Picture Source: http://galaxieblog.com.my/blog/permalink.asp?id=4233)

Hi folks,

I overheard at the radio about the news that Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at the age of 79 yesterday.

Elizabeth Taylor is famed her striking beauty and a film career that spanned five decades. She was admitted to hospital early last month for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure.

What strikes me most about this legendary star is her stunning eyes.

79 years of glamorous lifestyle....

How would we like to be remembered when we left this world?

It all depends on how we lead our life today...

Do you have strong thoughts about the demise of this legendary movie star?

Updated: Look at what these celebrities and people who have known Liz says about her here .

Want to surf with non-smart phone?

Hi folks!

Love to surf on the go on your mobile but not using a smartphone?

Now, I saw this news that we could actually does so with free download of Opera Mini with Digi.

Now, check this offer out yourself to find out how!

Opera Mini-fy your non-smart phone with DiGi & you stand a chance to win a HTC Mozart! Click for more info. #DiGiOperaMini

Cheers!

Pay Less Books Warehouse Sale, 25-27 March 2011

Hi folks,

Another book hunting season ;)

Enjoy...Cheers!

25-27 March 2011

Pay Less Books Warehouse Sale

Source: http://www.shoppingnsales.com/2011/03/21/25-27-mar-2011-pay-less-books-warehouse-sale/

 

Books Offered

Paperback Fiction – 5 Books for RM12

Teen & Children Books – From RM1

Non Fiction – From RM3

 

Time : 10am to 7pm

 

Location

3K Inn

Jalan SS 13/1

Subang Jaya

www.paylessbooks.com.my

Love for Baked produce

Hi folks!

I have always wanted to learn how to bake. Recently my over spoilt and I actually bought a bake-less chocolate powder and am ready to experiment some "bake-less" fun with kids...

How I envy those who can make lovely cupcakes, creampuff and tartlets hehe.....

Now, those cupcakes don't come cheap! It can easily cost MYR2.50 for a simple one.

Now, I saw this great deal at IreneBakeLove:

MAD Deal of the Day: RM25 instead of RM56 for 12 Cupcakes + 10 Cream Puffs + 7 Cheese Tarts from Irenebakelove Online Bakery, Shah Alam. Today, we've got a really MAD deal! 12 cupcakes, 10 cream puffs, 7 cheese tarts for only RM25! You could host a tea party with that. Then again, you really should! Grab this MAD deal today!

 Source: Masterpiece of Aireen of Irenebakelove

Have a cuppa! Have a puff! & Be a tart! #IreneBakeLove is offering cupcakes+creampuffs+tartlets! Only at #MilkADeal

Looks like a good deal! Good for a nice tea parties with friends and children...

Check it out if you are having one soon and aren't good at baking like me :P !

Cheers!

What are your ways to unwind?

Hi folks,

When you suffers from burn-out, where and how do you unwind?

For me, usually a ME time with window-shopping(rarely.. :P ) or a nice shower and bedtime with a favourite book does the trick!

But would not reject such pampering like:

Signature Purifying Facial + Aromatherapy Body Massage + Rose Salt Body Scrub + Steam Bath + Foot Spa

Sounds great! And how much does it cost? I saw their latest promotion here:

Going bonkers? Check out #MilkADeal 's latest deal. #SSpa for only RM49. Unwind now!

Sounds too good to be true! Check it out yourself in the link above to find out!

CHeerS!

Vocab 3: What new words I learn from the news today?

Hi folks!

Here's my daily reading ritual and vocabulary built-up session.(see Vocab 1 here, Vocab 2 here).

From TheStarOnline:

Mr. XXX has vehemently denied that he is the man in the sex video, saying that this was a "scurrilous attack" on him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. ve·he·ment

adj \ˈvē-ə-mənt\

Definition of VEHEMENT

: marked by forceful energy : powerful <a vehement wind>: as a : intensely emotional : impassioned, fervid <vehement patriotism> b (1) : deeply felt <a vehement suspicion> (2) : forcibly expressed <vehement denunciations> c : bitterly antagonistic <a vehement debate>

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vehemently

scur·ri·lous

adj \ˈskər-ə-ləs, ˈskə-rə-\

2. SCURRILOUS

1 a : using or given to coarse language
 b : vulgar and evil <scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people — Edwin Benson>

2: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander <scurrilous accusations>

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurrilous

Learn another new words today!

Cheers!

Notes from a renowned Heart Surgeon

Hi folks,

I received this e-mail from my ex-superior and I find it very good reminder to us all...and love to share it with you all!

Stay healthy folks!

Cheers!

(Pls. bear the formatting...can be rather huge and long entry here.)

One of the best & most renowned Heart surgeons we have in India today.

A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty (Heart Specialist),

Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees .

The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?

Ans:

1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil

2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime

3. Quit smoking

4. Control weight

5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?

Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person

gets a cardiac arrest.. How do we understand it in perspective?

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?

Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?

Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?

Ans: Mother Theresa , who was my patient

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?

Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age

(I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ?

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?

Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?

Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?

Ans: All oils are bad .

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents.. Also, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?

Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti- hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?

Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas..

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?

Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?

Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?

Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up. 

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight.

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?

Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti- hypertensive drugs?

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to

reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended) ..

Share it to all your friends whom u care about …..

Do you listen to MYFM?

Hi folks!

If you are a regular listener of MYFM, perhaps you would have heard of this contest:

Tune into MYFM and play #MYFMCashMe to win cash prize! More details here

I normally tuned to the radio station while driving and which station I tuned in depends greatly on the passenger I am fetching.

If I am alone...I would vary from 988, One FM, or to my own CDs ;)

But I have yet to win any contest in the radio stations, reasons being I get "kelam-kabut" or disorientated if I do received their call when I drive :P haha..

To those who joined radio station contest, wonder how do you managed? Do you stopped by the roadside? Or do you join such contest only when you are not driving?

Yea, some people do have such privilege to listen to radio station "legally" in office during office hour you know!

What a happy working time! Cheers!

Interested for Make up, silky hair & perfect body at #MilkADeal?

Hi folks!

During the International Women Day, I saw many cash vouchers specially for women. I even signed up for one(hehe..another ME time) but haven't find time for it..(gee.....)

Here's another one..hmm...I wonder if you guys interested ..but not sure how good it is as I have not tried it...check it out if you are interested:

Make up, silky hair & now perfect body! RM28 for RM68 Worth of #Scala Cash Voucher. Check this lady secret #MilkADeal

Cheers .......and hoho..perfect body..phew...I really feel regular exercise regime is REAL important to regain and maintain the "perfect body" which can burns fats efficiently and perform effectively!

Woo..hoo...What say you?

What does our life revolve around? Need a getaway!

Hi folks,

The road starts to be busy again today after one-week school holiday.

How was your holiday break with your kids? Enough? No, even more busy when it's school holiday?

Now, is it our(parents) turn to go on holiday? :P

Guess we all love for a well-deserved holiday!

If you do, do check out and Join #MASTraveller today & stand a chance for a well-deserved holiday!

Click the link below to find out how?

What does my life revolve around? Work, work and more work! How do you spell peaceful weekend when shopping malls are packed like mad? I need a getaway! Join #MASTraveller today & stand a chance for a well-deserved holiday!

Cheers and have a fruitful day!

How's d Weekend?

hi folks! Mine considered quite a fruitful weekend. Managed 2 checked most to do list items including a one-2-one session with KY, we went for trial music class, shop for our shoes, sit n sip juice@merry-go-round, etc...Now how was ur weekend? Hope it was awesome too! Cheers! :)

Sign up to Leo Club

Hi folks,

If you are a frequent visitors in Sunway, can consider signing up for your child in Leo club to enjoy member benefits ;)

Need a Hair Expert?

Hi folks,

Ever visit a Hair expert?

I saw this ad:

Who is a better hair expert than #Svenson? Come and participate on their Save My Hair contest today. Many attractive prizes to be won!

If you need a help, can try their contest and win yourself something for a good hair day!

Cheers to a good weekend all!

What a txxxxxxx mom!

Hi folks,

I felt like a terrible mom. What an opening but yes, indeed, I feel really awful.

This whole week is school holiday and coincidentally(yep, not on purpose, just happened to browse through and found some books for the kids to do, with stickers and all during my book-hunting at MPH last weekend),  KY was real happy.

On Monday night, we started off with some reading, with KY on her book and mommy on my new book (after so long, mommy hasn't been buying books for herself for like few years??? It's always parenting books, children books..or ebooks alone). It was a good day and a good start.

However, on Tuesday, things changed, mommy was hit with the monthly cycle..and was feeling real lousy. Specially applied for a 20-minute from Daddy and lie down to rest. Then off daddy went to continue his work at office.  So mommy had to lie down and go through the reading with KY. KY felt impatient and angry as mommy kept falling asleep in between the reading session (yep, am real tired after waking up at 4.30am by little Shone who is not so well, coughing). Then, for the past two nights, things have not been any better. Mommy was accompanying KY on her night routine of reading and writing on the education board; and again mommy feel asleep…terrible!!!

Yesterday, the two kids were fighting over the education board(consist of one side whiteboard and another side chalkboard); and mommy feel asleep halfway through and only woke up when KY accidentally mistook my finger as her brother's finger and bite on it. How terrible can this be???

Tonight, last day of the holiday weekday, I will strive to stay awake and spend a fruitful night with the kids…I feel so guilty and apologetic…mommy is really losing her stamina and low power…

Hope I can still fill in the missing moments…and really need to back to my exercise regime to rebuilt my energy.

Cheers  to a better mommy….

Good News! Vegilicious, Europe's first vegan supermarket opens in Dortmund

Hi folks!

Good news! The first vegan supermarket in Europe opens in Dortmund, Germany.

(Source: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14903137,00.html)

Now, Germany is famous for its beer, and sausages, seems like an unlikely choice for Europe's first vegan supermarket. But it happens! And big applause for it! Wonder if Malaysia has such stores or would have such store in near future! Then it would be a haven not only for vegan but also for parents who wish for a better and healthier food choices for their children; and in fact even for people who are having lactose intolerant would find their "safe" food here as vegan do not take eggs and dairy products!
For a more complete definition of vegan, let me quote from vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Vegan.htm:

What is a vegan? What is veganism?

Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines. Most vegans also avoid the use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool.
Vegan refers to either a person who follows this way of eating, or to the diet itself.

Vegilicious, which opened on February 26, occupies over 100 square meters in the city-centre, technically making it the only vegan supermarket in Europe.
 Vegilicious offers chocolate bars, cereals, and even meat imitations, like fake chicken wings, which use cane sugar sticks to serve as 'bones.'

"People say they can't live without cheese, but we've got 30 different cheese alternatives," said Kalkowski, who co-owns Vegilicious with wife Kim. "You can have anything you think you might be missing, so there's no need to eat animal products anymore."

Starting with a café and online shop, the Kalkowski's and their 16 staff have so far maintained a customer flow of 120-150 people per day. They have even managed to attract non-human clients, selling vegan dog- and cat food.
"It's ridiculous if you rescue one animal, but feed them with another dead animal," he said.

Said one Vegilicious shopper, "No, I'm not vegan, I have never tried real vegan food. I think it's good so I can now try."


Now, it makes me feel like flying to Dortmund now. If you do visit Dortmund, do drop by Vegilicious...another vegan shopping haven!


Cheers to a more healthier and lifestyle choices....and we do have a liberty to make the right choices!

Mercury Poisoning

Hi folks!

I wonder what is the first solid food you have fed your child?

For many chinese older folks, they believed a lot in feeding the baby at 4 months old with porridge cooked with seafood such as clams, "ikan bilis" or anchovies, some "expensive" fishes(in Malaysia) like cod fish.

Being a young mother then, I read a lot from the Internet and asking more modern moms what is the best food to feed my child too.

Actually, my closest older folks also have the same belief that those seafood are good for brain-building...but having read a lot about the negative effects of mercury poisoning ever since I was pregnant, I am quite wary of it....and am thankful at the same time I practice vegetarian diet, thus do not have any intention to feed my child with such food.

But, indeed there are still many modern parents who thought feeding the child with such food is good as preached strongly by the older generation.

One thing I noticed, one of the child who has been feeding on porridge cooked with clams, "ikan bilis" or anchovies and cod fish daily have a hard time eating some other "plainer" healthier food choices. No offence at all to those who believe in the goodness of such diet. This is purely based on my own experience. I saw when the mom tried to feed the child with puree of pumpkin+red apple+potato; the child refused. Maybe he is so used to very strong seafood taste in his food which makes him hard to accept other "plain-tasting" food.

Now, having to come across this article written by a mom on Mercury Poisoning (http://parenthots.com/parents_corner/soapbox/Mercury-poisoning.aspx), I cannot helped but raise this issue again to alert the rest of the parents.

Excerpts:

"My son is 18 months old now. We started feeding our son cod fish, and occasionally salmon since he was six months old until one year old.

We found out that he was suffering from mercury poisoning during a routine checkup when he was one.

There were no signs or symptoms of mercury poisoning. We casually asked the doctor whether it's okay to feed him cod fish (chilean sea bass) every day since we read that it contains high mercury content."

(For full content, please visit Parenthots: http://parenthots.com/parents_corner/soapbox/Mercury-poisoning.aspx)

Based on my reading, baby do not need seasonings in their food when they are young (less than one year old) as their organs (such as kidney) are not fully-developed to digest/take in such ingredients.

I have to salute my ex-boss and his wife for turning into more plant-based and organic diet just for their child's sake. As they knew the goodness of not taking the meat which largely contained of hormones etc.

And, you may asked what other option we can take to include DHA (if that is what you are concerned about when it comes to feeding your kids with seafood as most parents do); breastmilk does contains DHA, so do most of the powder milk/ milk formula available in the market today.

I researched about this and found out that many food that we have been taking daily do contain certain qty. of DHA too. Food like:

• algae (such as spirulina or chlorella)
• vegetable oils (primarily flaxseed, soy, and canola)
• Flaxseed & flaxseed oil
• soybeans
• walnuts
• wheatgerm
• pumpkin seeds
• egg
• green leafy vegetables
• etc

So, yes, parents, we do have many other options besides seafood.

Let us ponder before making the right choices for our children!

Cheers!

Pelikan Sale, Up to 90% Discount, 18-20 March 2011

Missed it few times...hope to visit this time!

(Source: http://www.shoppingnsales.com/2011/03/16/18-20-mar-2011-pelikan-sale/)

Cheers!

18-20 March 2011

Pelikan Sale

Up to 90% Discount

Pelikan Products on Sale

FREE Non Woven Sling Bag

with purchase of Pelikan Products above RM150

FREE Mystery Gift

Print this Flyer and Redeem!

Event Partners

Koko Krunch

Mentos

Chupa Chups

Wong Lo Kat

Crispy

Yoco

Tudor Gold

Pallas

Marigold

Vitagen

Winplus

Nestle

Time : 10am to 6pm

Location (Tel 1300 88 2838)

Lot 3410 Mukim Petaling

12 1/2 Miles

Jalan Puchong

Selangor

(Next to DHL)

www.pelikan.com

Popular Book Fair – Ikano & IOI-Up to 70% Off

BOOK SALES I have been looking for...

wonder if there's real good deals...need to get some chinese books for me and kids!
Cheers!

(Source: Sns Website)

Popular Book Fair – Ikano & IOI

Up to 70% Off

Offered

Books

Stationery

Time : 10am to 10pm / 1030am – 1030pm

Locations

Concourse Area

Ikano Power Centre

Mutiara Damansara

8-20 March / Tel 603 8070 9188

Kiko Warehouse Sale,17 – 20 March 2011

Hi folks,

For Kiko fans...check this out!

(Source: SnS website)

Cheers!

17 – 20 March 2011

Kiko Warehouse Sale

From RM5 onwards

Kiko Kid Wears

from Age 1 – 14

Location (tel 603 8064 8888)

Kiko Garments Sdn Bhd

No1 Jalan Industri PBP 13

Taman Industri Pusat Bandar Puchong

Puchong

Terms

Visa & Mastercard accepted for minimum purchase of RM50

Vocab 2: What new words I learn from the news today?

Hi folks!

Here's my daily reading ritual and vocabulary built-up session.(see Vocab 1 here).

From TheStarOnline:
Japanese Ambassador Masahiko Horie is known for his gregarious ways. Not yesterday.

This time, he fought hard to keep his emotions in check as he addressed the local media about the situation in his country.

Etymology

From Latin gregārius.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɡrɪˈɡɛə.ɹɪ.əs/
• (US) IPA: /ɡrɨˈɡɛɹ.i.əs/

Adjective

(of a person) Describing one who enjoys being in crowds and socializing.

Source: Wiktionary

Learn another new word today!

Cheers!

Vocab 1: What new words I learn from the news today?

Hi folks!

Here's my daily reading ritual and vocabulary built-up session.

Words I learn today:

Yesterday, Chong Wei showed who was the real boss on the court when he defeated his nemesis, Lin Dan of China, 21-17, 21-17 in a highly-charged 52-minute final to retain the All-England title.

nem·e·sis  (nm-ss)n. pl. nem·e·ses
Retributive justice in its execution or outcome.

(Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nemesis)

Chinese literal translation:

復仇者
(Source: http://translate.google.com/#en|zh-TW|nemesis)

Happy Learning....

Cheers!