Month: May 2018

Power Of Prayers

On Saturday, I hurriedly left the house to bring Cass to Yamaha for piano lesson. Cass would normally remind me to bring along my mobile phone as I have a tendency to leave my phone behind. I am perpetually in a rush from one place to another, thus always leave my phone at home. I have since appointed Cass to be my personal reminder for me to bring along my phone and purse before I leave the house.

But on that particular day, Cass had forgotten to remind me. She was dawdling away at home, enjoying her freedom as her exam had just ended. Despite me hollering at her to dress up and go, she was taking her own sweet time, did her theory homework at the eleventh hour and other non important stuff.

About 20 minutes before we left the house, I put the kettle on the stove to boil water. I told myself that I HAD TO REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE FIRE BEFORE GOING OUT but as I was busy rushing Cass to get ready and got myself ragged and frazzled nagging her, I buggered up. This is the second time I had left the kettle on the stove and left the house.  How could I?!

Note to self ~ never ever do this again! NEVER. REMEMBER!! *pull my own ears to the sides*

While in the class, I realized that I had left the mobile phone at home. Without the phone to distract my mind, my mind wandered back home. Suddenly, I remembered that the kettle was still on the stove, with the fire ignited at max speed. Alycia was at the gym. Drama Queen was in the bathroom. Our dear part-time helper was cleaning the bedrooms and bathroom. Dang it. No one would realize the kettle whistling until the water inside evaporates to nothing, the kettle gets burnt and the smoke detector gets activated and the loud alarm beeps. And I had no phone to call home. I immediately said a prayer to Jesus to protect everyone at home, for Him to get the helper to turn off the fire and to not let a tragedy happen. Our part-time helper who is a very initiative maid often helps to turn off the fire on the stove when the kettle whistles. Drama Queen also helps to do the same IF she’s in the kitchen.

After piano class ended, I sped home and dashed right into the kitchen and guess what?

The kettle was still on the stove, the knob was still turned to the max level but there was NO FIRE on the stove. NO FIRE. NO GAS SMELL. The kettle was COLD.

I am 100% sure that I saw the fire when I ignited the stove.

How could this happen?

I asked our part-time helper if she had turned off the fire and she said NO.

I could only think of DIVINE INTERVENTION!

Thank you Jesus for your help once again!!


Cass, doing what she loves most ~ reading a novel and munching on an apple, on a lazy Saturday morning, after a stressful exam week.

No. of times viewed = 14

DIY Sore Throat Gargle With Essential Oils

Someone brought home some nasty bugs and didn’t take special care to use separate cutlery when we were eating. I got bitten by the bugs eventually.  I find that when I am chronically sleep deprived,  it takes a toll on my immunity. I get bitten by flu and cold bugs pretty fast when I lack sleep. I started with a mild sore throat and advanced to a cold with nasal congestion. Darn it!!

The most common cause of a sore throat is a cold or the flu. You often first realize a cold or the flu is coming on when you get that first bit of pain and scratchiness in your throat.

Being an all-natural wellness mommy, I googled for an essential oil recipe for sore throat gargle.  All that’s needed are 3 ingredients, that’s it and in just a day, my sore throat is gone!  I love my Young Living essential oils!

Just a short introduction on Young Living essential oils:

Young Living’s very strict “Seed to Seal” standards regulate the company’s processes and that of its suppliers.  Young Living takes the methods of distilling and producing an essential oil very seriously, which ensures that the essential oils they produce are nothing less than therapeutic grade or functionally active. Also Young Living owns 11 of their own farms around the world where they employ beyond organic practices to ensure quality and consistency.

The quality control measures that Young Living imposes upon itself and its partners go beyond the current organic standard, which is why they are able to deliver 100% pure, unadulterated essential oils with all the natural ingredients and therapeutic properties that occur naturally.

Ok, back to how essential oils can help make a sore throat go away quicker or avoid one all together!

The following essential oils for sore throat pain will kill germs, ease inflammation and speed healing of this annoying and painful malady:

1. Peppermint
Peppermint oil is commonly used for treatment of the common cold, cough, sinus infections, respiratory infections, and inflammation of the mouth and throat, including sore throats.

2. Lemon
Lemon essential oil is known for its ability to cleanse toxins from any part of the body and is widely used to stimulate lymph drainage, to rejuvenate energy and purify skin.

Lemon oil is derived from the skin of the lemon and is excellent for sore throats since it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C, increases salivation and helps keep the throat moist.

3. Clove / Thieves
Clove essential oil is useful for boosting the immune system, so it is extremely useful at discouraging and relieving a sore throat. The sore throat benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and stimulating properties. Chewing on a clove bud can also help a sore throat (as well as a toothache).

I added 2 drops of Clove and 2 drops of Thieves. If you have no Thieves essential oil, you can use Clove. Thieves essential oil is a blend Clove, Lemon, Rosemary, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus therapeutic grade essential oils.

4. Tea tree
According to a 2013 study, tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects against germs. It’s often used as an antiseptic for gum infections and other oral problems.

Baking Soda
According to American Cancer Society, rinsing your mouth regularly with a salt, baking soda, and water solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart water) can help prevent infections and helps your mouth feel better. Gargle with the mixture to relieve a sore throat, but don’t swallow it.

Saltwater
Several studies have found that gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria.

What Is Needed For Sore Throat Gargle
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Boiled filtered water
2 drops each of the following essential oils: Lemon, Peppermint,  Clove / Thieves, Tea Tree

Method
Dilute the sea salt with some warm boiled water.
Add in baking soda and essential oils.
Mix well.
Store in sterilized bottle.

Directions
Gargle several times a day for at least a minute each time but DO NOT swallow.

A note of caution: be sure to get your essential oils that are pure and are of therapeutic grade from reputable sources.   Cheap essential oils are adulterated and contain pesticides and herbicides that may cause harm to your body.

Let me know if you need help to get the essential oils. I can get them for you at wholesale price. Just drop me an email at shireenyong@gmail.com.  You can also click here  to sign up as member (signing up online is so easy and fast!) or Whatsapp / call me at 019 266 4290.

 

No. of times viewed = 81

Wednesday, 2 May 2018

Today Cass my forgetful girl forgot to bring her purse to school again! I only realized that she had left her purse behind at around 8 a.m.  On the spur of the moment, I wanted to drive to school right away to save her before her recess starts. Just last week, she had forgotten to put money into her purse and had to borrow money from her class teacher.

But wait a minute…

If I keep popping up at her side like her 24-hour guardian angel at the onset of a problem whether it’s due to her negligence or not, am I helping her? Would my cosseting parenting do more damage than good to her?  She would then think that mummy will always magically pop out like a genie in the bottle to solve all her problems, thus she would never use her logic and interpersonal skill to think of a solution.

So I decided to just let her be and wait patiently for my baby girl to come home at 4 p.m. to find out from her how she dealt with her negligence. Today is CoCo day in school. I was super anxious to find out from Cass what she ate for lunch without a single sen in her pocket!  I knew she wouldn’t be thick faced enough to borrow money from her class teacher again. Tak malu ke? 🤨

While waiting patiently for my baby girl to be home, I went grocery shopping. Today’s damage is RM153.95, spent on a quarter head of organic cabbage for my salad, organic tomatoes, pineapple and oranges for the girls’ smoothie of the day,  honey mandarin oranges, avocado, sesame seed oil, kampung chicken eggs, lemon water kefir, baking soda for my DIY toiletries and cleaning, cha soba from Japan, etc. etc

My salad today is composed of organic cabbage, organic tomato, cilantro omelette and a small piece of pork chop; drizzled with sesame seed dressing. Super love the crisp and crunch of the raw cabbage. I could eat this everyday!

Cabbage is a rockstar vegetable: it’s cheap, versatile and packs a seriously healthy punch. If you’re trying to save money, cabbage is practically a steal at only a few Ringgit for a medium size head of non-organic cabbage. Organic ones are about double the price.  I spent RM4.49 on a quarter head of organic cabbage. It’s still way cheaper than imported organic alfalfa sprouts, kale or hydroponic vegetables.

Cass was lucky that today a few of her classmates brought junk food  snacks to school for a joint birthday celebration in the class.  So she had junk food  snacks for her recess at 10 a.m. and saved the small parmesan cheese bun that I gave her for lunch at 1:15 p.m..  She also had some free ‘chap fan’ (economy rice) from C, her bestie.  C’s mum orders catered food from the canteen just so she has a place to sit comfortably in the canteen during recess and lunch. But C doesn’t eat the food from the canteen. Her driver and helper would bring food for her on most days.

So that was how Cass managed to go by today in school without a sen in her pocket ~ with junk food, pecking on her friend’s lunch (which was also shared with another classmate) and a small parmesan bun. And a packet of Izumio hydrogen water (her antioxidant water) on top of 1,ooo ml of water in her tumbler.

My ever optimistic baby girl with a humongous appetite quipped: “mum, I don’t know why but I am not hungry though I didn’t have a proper lunch. And the good thing is I get to save the RM4 that you gave me for lunch!” ❤

No. of times viewed = 12

HEALTH FREAK MOMMY