September 2021 – Page 2 – HEALTH FREAK MOMMY

Looking Into Family Medical Practice

Tips for working in family medicine vary depending on the area of specialization that you plan to pursue. Family practice, family or pediatricians all have slightly different responsibilities. Some have a larger staff than others. However, all of them require similar fundamental skills and qualities. These tips for working in family medicine will help you find a job as an orthopedic family practitioner or family physician, similar to Dr. Francene Gayle. These skills are also helpful when planning a career as a family practitioner.

Education Required

A bachelor’s degree in family medicine is almost required for jobs in this field. However, there are some positions that do not require a bachelor’s degree. Instead, they may require a master’s degree. This would be necessary if you are planning to teach or do additional research at an advanced level.

A master’s degree in family medicine may be required for employment in some areas. The area in which you want to work will influence your career choice. Family practice settings tend to be less formal than other settings. For that reason, you may find that you are able to do more independent study and grow in your field without much guidance. You will also be able to choose your own patients.

Consider a Nurse Practitioner

In some areas, you may want to consider becoming a nurse practitioner. You can go on and specialize in a particular area of health care, such as pediatrics, internal medicine, women’s health, or physical therapy. Family medicine is not the only specialty within this discipline. You can become a doctor and practice medicine. You can also become a psychiatrist or a social worker specializing in mental health, substance abuse, and family services. Your opportunities for working in this field are quite varied.

Outlook and Growth

Because of the fast growth of this field, it has become one of the most popular professions chosen by young people today. You can get good salaries working in this field. Many doctors earn around forty thousand dollars per year. You may also earn additional money if you work for a hospital or other type of medical facility. If you decide to take the course required to become a family medicine physician, you can expect to spend four years getting a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.

Conclusion

Your tips for working in family medicine may not be able to solve every potential conflict between you and your patients. However, by making sure that all your professional and personal relationships are in order, you should have no trouble maintaining a professional and friendly working environment. In addition, by having a good rapport with your patients, you will also be able to provide them with all the information they require to make their health care decisions wisely. This can help to ensure that everyone receives the best possible medical care, and you can help this process along by being patient and understanding. You should never take your patients for granted, and you should make sure that you are providing them with all the information and assistance they need in order to make sure that you maintain a positive working relationship with them.

No. of times viewed = 51

Sunday Specials

Chef Sherilyn’s Sunday Specials on 5 Sept 2021:

Squid, shrimp and scallion pancake
Focaccia bread art
The Focaccia bread art is her first try at it and it turned out superb – crispy on the outside and super pillowy on the inside. A light and fluffy bread with garlic and olive oil littered with some token bits of herbs blanketed with scallions, red onions and tomatoes. Just love the vibrant colors. Not very complicated to make as the kneading was done by the TMX6, just a handful of simple ingredients and everybody loves it! It’s so delish it can be eaten on its own 🙂

I can confidently list her Focacia bread art for sale! Who’s interested? 😁

The Focaccia texture and taste were still good after 3 days at room temperature. We had chicken sliders with it the next day.

Refreshing salad of ice plant, onions, tomatoes and sweet cherry tomatoes.

I bought the ice plant and Garden Medley cherry tomatoes from an online seller in our neighborhood and had them delivered to my condo.

Super sweet cherry tomatoes in all shapes and sizes.

What do you see?
I see a snowman but it is a bowling pin in Cass’ eyes 😁

No. of times viewed = 27

The 5 Things You Should Do When Moving Into a New Neighbourhood

Moving into a new neighbourhood is perhaps one of the most complicated parts of life for many as there are many intricate processes. When you look around at all the belongings you need to take to your new home, you have no clue where to start and start to have a meltdown.

Besides packing and unpacking, your banks, credit card companies, insurers, utility companies and kids’ schools have to be notified of the change of address.

Don’t panic just yet. Moving home might seem like a daunting and colossal task, but there are proven ways to help make moving day easier – it doesn’t have to be super stressful and cause you heart palpitations. Get ready with the following handy tips!

1) Research moving services.

Decide on how you want to move. Do you intend to do a DIY Move, hire a full-service professional mover, hire just labour or hire just a moving truck? If you have many huge items and belongings to move, engaging the services of professional movers will give you a total peace of mind. If you have the budget for it, you can even request your movers to assist you with the entire move from packing to re-assembling.

2) Research schools.

If you have school-age children, start researching schools in your new community as soon as you have confirmed the move.

3) Get To Know Your New Neighbours.

Getting to know your new neighbours will help you feel settled in your new surroundings and your new routine. Get ready to say hello to the people next door within the first days after moving to a new neighbourhood – introduce yourself and your family and tell them you’re new to the area.

4) Start early.

Packing always takes longer than you expect. Start to pack a little each day than pack everything at the eleventh hour. The sooner you begin the packing process the more time you’ll have to attend to other important matters and the lesser you’ll get stressed out.

5) Get involved in the new community life.

The best way to settle into your new neighbourhood is to partake in the local life, such as:

1. Join religious groups and other community organizations, depending on your personal interests, values, and skills. Search for the neighbourhood group on social media and be a member of the group.

2. Get involved with your child’s school (if applicable).

3. Visit local hot spots and hangouts (popular bars, restaurants, shopping centers, recreation centers, parks, entertainment venues, etc.) to meet people from the neighbourhood and feel as one of them.

If you are looking for a real estate in Toronto, check out Redfin.ca. Toronto has been ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with many people calling the city “lively” and “full of unique neighbourhoods and charming, friendly locals.”

With the above checklist for moving into a new neighbourhood, we hope that you can embark on your relocation adventure in a breeze. Remember to plan ahead, stay focused and have fun!

No. of times viewed = 29

Alycia’s Milestones

This is the year that Alycia hit multiple milestones. In February, she sat for her SPM exam amid a pandemic. After her SPM exam, she worked for the first time in her life – as a temporary teacher at an international pre-school. In May, she sat for an online Undang-Undang (theory for driving) at the height of a worsening pandemic at the driving academy’s headquarters. She passed the Undang-Undang test but days later, our country plunged into a total lockdown. Driving schools were closed and her driving lessons have been on hold.

On Monday this week Alycia started her Foundation in Art program at Sunway College and the next day, she received her first dose of Covid-19 vax (Pfizer).

I must thank my childhood friend for helping me get the vaccine appointment for Alycia. Currently, only those 18 years and above will be given the Covid-19 vaccine. Alycia is only turning 18 this December.

The vaccine appointment at PPUM was a walk in the park for us. Everything was done in half an hour. Alycia did not even wait for 15 minutes at the post vax observation area as she wanted to get out of the centre to continue with her online orientation.

Thank God Alycia did not suffer much from the side effects of the vax apart from a very sore arm and feeling a little sleepier than usual.

6 Sept 2021 ~ 1st day of orientation for Foundation in Arts students at Sunway College via Zoom. About half of the students are from other countries. I enjoyed watching the international students introduce themselves.
I advised Alycia to keep her options open on her choice of undergraduate degree. She intends to study Mass Comm (Advertising) but I think she’s more suited for Computer Science. One of the advantages of the Foundation in Arts course at Sunway College is students have the option to choose a wide range of undergraduate degree of their choice from Computer Science to Psychology, Business, Accounting and many more.

In goes 0.3ml of Pfizer liquid into Alycia’s arm. As usual, the jab was painless but the after effect is a bad sore arm – for her and me.

No. of times viewed = 39

A Short Guide to Massage Therapy

The art of massage hails from India and has been practiced for thousands of years. As a natural healing technique, massage therapy was considered to have the power to prevent and cure ailments, have healing, and pain relief benefits. In today’s modern world, different cultures use varying massage styles to help improve health and wellbeing. Here is a short guide to massage therapy and the benefits it can have for your overall wellbeing.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy involves applying pressure to the body and manipulating the soft tissues, tendons, and ligaments to help an individual achieve good health and wellbeing. A massage therapist often uses their hands and fingers to deliver a message. However, depending on the style of massage, a massage therapist can also apply pressure using different body parts or with a massage device.

Close-up of woman doing foot massage at spa. Free Photo

Why Should I Get a Massage?

Massage therapy can provide individuals with both physical and emotional health benefits, with regular treatments being especially effective. A well-delivered massage helps release chemicals in the body which make people feel good. These chemicals, such as endorphins and adrenaline, can have a positive impact on emotional health. Massage therapy is also known to ease pain, such as back pain, headaches, and other chronic pain in the body. In addition, it can increase flexibility, boost immune function, strengthen the body, and help you recover quicker from an ailment or an injury. As a complementary therapy, it is also used to reduce cancer symptoms, such as depression, nausea, fatigue, and swelling.

Where Can I Get a Massage?

Massage services are often offered at high-end hotels and spas, but you can also find them in medical facilities, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Some professional massage therapists also provide mobile massage services or offer their expertise at a private massage clinic. For example, heaven and Earth Massage is a clinic that offers various massage styles such as Swedish, deep tissue, and crystal healing massage. As a Federation of Holistic Therapy member, they have certified therapists who can address individual needs. For more information about their services, visit heavenandearthmassage.co.uk.

How Do I Choose a Massage Style?

Over time massage therapy has been adopted by different cultures worldwide. In fact, you can now choose from an enormous array of massage styles which all involve varying techniques, pressures, and movement. The style you choose should reflect the reason you want a massage to begin with.

Different Massage Techniques

Relaxation massage therapy, such as Swedish massage, is ideal for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Swedish massage is a popular style that can be found in many places around the world. It involves gliding strokes, kneading, and tapping on the top layers of muscle. When done correctly, it can make an individual feel invigorated afterward. On the other hand, deep tissue massages focus on trigger points and reach areas deep in the body. They are usually chosen for their pain relief benefits. Sports massage therapy aims to reduce tension and prevent injury in athletes. A good sports massage can increase blood flow, eliminate lactic acid quickly and provide the recipient with a wider range of motion.

No. of times viewed = 31

Haru To The Vet

Haru started vomiting and retching since yesterday evening. She vomited twice yesterday and twice today. We suspect she must have ingested disinfectant that our condo guards sprayed on our parcels.

When my parcels arrived yesterday, I asked Alycia to help me get them from the lobby as I was busy with work. When Alycia brought the parcels up, I forgot to tell her to leave the parcels outside the house. These days, I open up all my parcels outside the house due to Covid safety concerns. Also, I don’t want Haru to bite and sniff on the parcels which have been exposed to millions of virus, germs, bacteria and what nots.

When I was busy opening the second parcel, Haru was busy biting on the parcel plastic, box and everything else that was on the floor from the first parcel. While I was busy testing out the newly received rechargeable USB charging fan, Haru was still sniffing and biting the wrappers and boxes. Moment later, Haru started to throw up. Minutes later after throwing up, she started retching white foamy saliva. But she seemed to be OK after the vomit episodes. I monitored her closely and gave her tuna at 9:30pm as usual. She usually eats hungrily and hastily (she’s always hangry!) but this time, she ate very slowly. Thankfully she didn’t throw up.

This morning, I thought that Haru had recovered as her appetite seemed to have returned. But an hour after eating her breakfast of tuna, she threw up again. And moments later, she retched out white foamy saliva again. I summoned Sherilyn to follow me to the vet’s immediately. Thankfully she had 30 minutes of break before the next class and the vet’s is just a 5-minute drive from our place.

Dr Ben examined Haru and told us that Haru’s lymph nodes were inflamed. Her tongue is also bluish in color, suggesting that she had ingested something that’s not right or toxic substance. It could be the disinfectant from the parcel. It could also be remnants of essential oils from my hands after applying on my body. I’m not sure who’s the culprit.

After taking her first dose of antibiotics and anti-vomiting meds, Haru stopped vomiting. But she’s still not 100% herself yet. We could tell from her resting position and her lack of interest in drinking water.

After this worrying incident, we will all be extra careful with our parcels whenever Haru is out of her cage and with our hands before touching Haru. I have to be mindful and remember to wash my hands after applying essential oils on myself and before touching Haru. She could have died from poisoning today had I not brought her to the vet’s. 😲

Meowing all the way to the vet’s clinic!
But this time Haru didn’t hiss and spit at Dr Ben. She has somewhat gotten used to the presence of humans and isn’t afraid of strangers that much anymore.

No. of times viewed = 51

Free Online Games For Kids And Adults

Online games often get the bad rap as it involves sitting in front of a screen. However, online games have their advantages for young and old people. Unlike watching television which is more passive, games require a level of interaction, brain power and skill from the player. Games can be a concern for parents and teachers, but playing games can also have beneficial impacts for children and young people. In fact, older people may even benefit from playing online games like Solitaire, Mahjong and Sudoku. Research has shown that playing games like Mahjong improves short-term memory, attention and logical thinking in both middle-aged and elderly people.

If parents manage their children’s gaming time, these children can reap some benefits through online games such as:

1. Computer and simulation fluency.

2. Helps with fast strategic thinking and problem-solving.

3. Improves a child’s online social skills.

4. Helps your child with attention to details.

5. Creates problem-solving and planning skills.

6. Helps build resilience.

7. Games like Minecraft help kids to practice their visual-spatial skills, leading to a better understanding of distance and space.

8. Beneficial for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Alycia used to play PUBG Mobile with her high school classmates whenever they needed a break from online classes and in between revising for exams. She still plays this online game with her ertswhile classmates whenever the time is right for everyone to play together. There are many advantages of playing this game such as improves problem solving skills, enhances memory, improves social skills and improves brain speed.

Sometimes when I have too much on my mind, I escape from the harsh realities of life by jumping into the world of online games. My favourite online games are Super Tetris and Crossword Puzzle. Super Tetris is a brain exercise game. According to a study, brain imaging shows playing Tetris leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency.

Do you want to know where you can play online games like Super Tetris, Pacman, Crazy Eights, Tennis and many more for FREE? Check out Solitaire.org, a website where everyone can play fun online games for free and the best part is all the games can be quickly played from the browser on desktop computers, iPads, laptops, Kindle Fire and mobile devices.

Some of the online games that I find very engaging at Solitaire.org are crossword puzzle, Sudoku and Letter Scramble. Our 13-year old youngest daughter who plays Sudoku occasionally managed to complete a Sukodu game within 7 minutes and 55 seconds. She’s quite good at this game though she doesn’t play it regularly and I’m now getting tutorials from her! When I improve my Sudoku solving skill, I’m going to have a challenge with her! Sudoku improves one’s brain power, problem-solving and thinking skills.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Sb0kX4O.png — Not bad for a beginner, eh?

Cass did well in Letter Scramble too. Letter Scramble is a great game to improve one’s vocab and spelling ability. She gets to learn many new words each time she plays Letter Scramble. This game also helps to develop one’s intellectual ability.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is b5eaVoj.png — Cass learned a new word today – annihilate.

Another game that I’ve tried at Solitaire.org and like is Hidden Object Games. This game is good at keeping me awake whenever I feel sleepy. Although it’s a game more suited for kids, I find that it helps me to destress while boosting my grey matter and awareness to details. This game has 10 levels which are timed. You may think that this is a kiddo’s game but it is not easy to locate some of the hidden things even at Level 1. Cass and I spent quite a bit of time finding the last hidden object, which is a piece of Chinese paper cutting and after a closer look and more thorough scan at the picture, she finally found the item hidden on top of a red Chinese lantern. This is one game that’s great for parent-child bonding.

Solitaire.org has over 100 browser-based games which you can easily find from their user-friendly website. There is a catalog which is located at the bottom of the website where all the games are listed, such as Solitaire, Mahjong, Card Games, Hidden Object Games and much more. And there’s no annoying advertisements on this gaming website. Another plus point!

If you’re a fan of online games and are looking for some free fun games to play, Solitaire.org is the place to go to. But play with caution as the games can be quite addictive 😉

No. of times viewed = 39

MacBook Air by Apple

The MacBook Air that I ordered for Alycia on Monday arrived yesterday (Friday)! I made the purchase through the official Apple website and the laptop was shipped to us from Singapore. I am super impressed with how prompt the delivery was and how professional and pleasant the entire purchase was.

MacBook Air is Apple’s thinnest and lightest notebook and it’s now transformed by the powerful Apple M1 chip. The laptop has shockingly good speed and amazing endurance. Alycia is very, very pleased with her new toy.

New toy for an entirely new chapter of her life. My eldest daughter will be starting her new journey on Monday next week. But it will somewhat be a tad uninspiring as orientation and classes will be conducted remotely and most likely on a hybrid mode in the near future until the Covid situation in our country is under control.

What’s college life when all classes are conducted online? We are paying so much for the fees for her to experience campus life and utilize all the college and university facilities but darn the pandemic, it’s going to be no different from high school. Alycia spent almost the whole of last year and first quarter of this year prepping for her SPM exam from home, via online mode.

On the upside, Alycia will most likely be getting her first dose of Pfizer vaccine next week. My ertswhile classmate managed to help me secure an appointment for Alycia. However, the vax date clashes with her college orientation. I will have to call the hotline to get the time or date changed.

We got this MacBook Air at a student price of RM3,959.

I’d like to thank my parents for partially sponsoring this laptop 🥰 . Alycia paid the balance with the earnings she received from her recent job as a temporary teacher at an international pre-school cum after-school care center.

No. of times viewed = 41

Top 3 Reasons Why It’s Important To Make Enough Time for Everyday Self-Care

Woman in White Shirt Carrying Baby in White Onesie

If you don’t already set a few minutes aside each day to look after yourself and practice self-care, now may be the time to start. Self-care plays an important role in keeping you healthy, giving you a bost in confidence and helping you relieve common feelings of stress, tension and more. Here’s why it’s so critical to make enough time in your schedule for personal care.

1. It Could Help Improve Your Mood and Give You Extra Self-Confidence

If you’ve been feeling a little down lately, working in a session of therapy Palm Beach Gardens FL or taking the afternoon off for hobbies can be the perfect mood booster. Regular self-care can go a long way in improving your confidence levels, and could put you in a better mood every day. Even ten minutes of meditation each morning could help!

2. It’s a Great Tool To Help You Relax and Relieve Everyday Stress

When it comes to dealing with common stressors, letting go and kicking back a bit, nothing does the trick quite like a little self-care. Whether you prefer spa days, long workouts or hours curled up under the blankets with a good book, taking the time to relax can have multiple benefits. For instance, self-care can help you:

Relieve workweek stress and tension
Lower high blood pressure
Get into a relaxed and happy mood

3. It Can Play a Key Role in Maintaining Good Physical Health

Although many of the main benefits of self-care are mental, it can also help you stay in good physical health, too. For instance, going for a jog not only lowers stress levels but can get your heart pumping and help you stay healthy. Try combining exercise and self-care for a powerful punch.

Whatever sources of stress you may have in your life, fitting a little self-care in your schedule can help you relieve the tension, stay healthy and feel better. These key reasons highlight why it’s so critical to make personal care a regular part of your day.

No. of times viewed = 12

Haru In Our Home

Today Haru’s ‘sakai’ mode is switched on. She looks restless, keeps running around the house and biting things. I think she may be on heat. I know, I should bring her to the vet to be spayed. I’m still waiting for the next school term break as I need Sherilyn to follow me to the vet. Sherilyn’s pretty good with Haru but lately she’s been busy with online classes.

Today Haru tore the scratch board apart. It was already fraying and peeling for weeks but I wanted it to be completely worn-out before getting the refill scratch board.

Only 8 months old and Haru has already used two scratch board beds.

This gives me a good reason to get her another scratch board from Shopee 😁. Yes, another excuse to do online shopping 😛

Haru loves this scratch board bed, which she uses as her day bed, besides filing her nails.

Haru has finally won over Alycia, who has **Ailurophobia**. Alycia still has the phobia but not anymore with Haru 😍

No. of times viewed = 49

How to Help Your Child Deal With Grief

woman sitting on black chair in front of glass-panel window with white curtains

Has your child recently lost a loved one? Grieving is a hard time for anyone but can be especially hard for a child who has not had to deal with loss before. Children deal with grief differently depending on their personality and developmental stage. It can be difficult to know what you can do for them as a parent during this time, especially since you are likely to be dealing with grief as well. Read on for ways you can support your child dealing with grief.

Explain in a Way They Can Understand

One of the most difficult aspects of grief can be figuring out how to tell your child. Although you do not want to tell them when you are extremely upset or still in shock by the news, you will want to tell them as soon as possible. You want to tell them in a private place as you never know what their reaction might be. Be direct, yet compassionate, when telling them what happened and be prepared with answers to questions that they are likely to ask. Make sure you don’t give them too much information before they ask or to use words they may not understand which may confuse them more.

Give Them Someone To Talk To

Being someone your child can go to during this time is a great way to support them. Remind your child that you are here for them and frequently check in with how they are feeling throughout the grieving process. However, they may not always be able to fully open up with you or they may need more guidance to properly grieve. You may want to consider looking into grief counseling for them or family counseling to help the entire family get through this. Seeing a counselor can help them to better understand what is going on, as well as help to develop the tools they need to grieve.

Be a Role Model

When your child is figuring out how to respond to a loss, they are going to look at how you handle it first. When telling them the news, you don’t want to be crying uncontrollably, but it is okay to be emotional. You want your child to know that it is okay and natural to cry after losing someone they love. Being open to talk about it will show them that it is important to express their feelings.

Have Patience

Facing the death of a loved one for the first time can be a very difficult experience for a child. During the time after, make sure to be patient and understanding of their behavior. Your child, even if they were previously well-behaved, can start to act out in school or against you at home.

Make sure to put yourself in their shoes and try to understand how hard it can be for them when they have never gone through a similar situation before.

Losing a loved one is always difficult, but can be especially confusing and overwhelming for a child. Your child, with your support and guidance, will get through this time but be sure to remain patient as it may take longer for them than expected.

No. of times viewed = 44