Throwback Food Snaps

Sherilyn’s SPM written tests started on Monday this week with BM paper. With four papers done and dusted this week, she has five more papers to conquer. In 2.5 weeks’ time, she’ll be free! And I’ll be free from my Grab driver duties for her. And free from having to pay her expensive tuition fees (four digits every month)! I’m going to get a breather from paying her tuition fees for nine months before the next big battle starts in 2024! 🤪

This month has been a busy month for me with a lot of chauffeuring the SPM girl for tuition classes and making trips to hospitals for various reasons.

Good food almost always make a bad day seem better. When I have a hectic day coming up or have to face something unpleasant, I like to get myself something nice to eat, to negate some of the stressors, like a loaf of cake, a coconut tart or order my favorite food from Shopee Food.

This was our dinner last Saturday, from Seng Kee Kitchen, our favorite neighborhood tai chow restaurant:

Satay and prawn sambal from hubby’s kitchen for dinner on a week day last week.

On Thursday this week, hubby and I had lunch at Nasi Kandar Pelita @ Jalan Ampang after I collected Cass’ scan images (Urodynamics and MRU) from HKL.

It’s going to take a long explanation on why I need those scan images. According to a top urologist from the UK (who is a friend of hubby’s heart surgeon uncle), Cass has a very rare congenital abnormality. I shall write another post on this when things are firmed up. However, finding the cause / confirming the diagnosis / deciding on treatment is akin to finding a needle in the haystack 😓

Lamb shank Nasi Biryani and Nasi Kandar with fried chicken and curry sotong from Pelita.
Food is mediocre. The squids were hard like rubber and lamb shank a tad dry. The fried bitter gourd was too salty and Teh Tarik Ice was bland and extremely diluted. I think the lamb shank Nasi Biryani from hubby’s kitchen fares better in every aspect. When you have a spouse who can cook or runs a shop/kitchen that churns out similar food, you just can’t help comparing the food with other restaurants 😉
Pelita has an extremely wide selection of dishes. We went there at around 12-ish noon and the crowd just got bigger and bigger by the minute with office staffers. The restaurant is very huge and on a stand-alone building.
Food is not cheap. The rubbery sotong cost a frigging RM10! And the lamb shank cost RM35.40!
This box of very yummilicious goodies were leftover from an event at the cafe that Alycia works part-time at. The generous boss gave all the leftover pastries and tapas to his part-time staff after the event ended at midnight. This is the second time that Alycia brought home such goodies. The previous time she even brought home Sangria.

No. of times viewed = 45

Sunday, 19 February 2023

Cass sat for her first figure skating test today. It’s the Basic Level Test (Pre-Alpha).

She had to be at the skating rink by 7.45 a.m. for two hours of lessons from her coach before the test at 10 a.m. Her dad sent her to the skating rink.

Off the skating rink, Cass has been practising and training really hard. She goes to the gym every day, does running, does lots of stretch exercises and off-skating rink exercises. She even takes part in online figure skating classes provided for free by some European figure skaters.

Besides watching figure skating competitions on You Tube, Cass has been reading up and researching quite a bit on this sport. She even eats like a sportswoman.

Cass passed the test!

And the damage for this test? RM225 for a 2-hour pre-test lesson by her coach, RM65 for the test fee and RM200 for a 2-year membership fee at the Ice Skating Institute Asia.

This is only the first test and there will be a few more tests coming up this year! Cass is even gamed to compete but I told her that this year is not for competing yet. As it is, her classes and tests are already very costly and it’s going to cost even more with competitions.

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A light snack during her break at the skating rink. This is what Cass usually packs in her tiny lunch box every Sunday – a banana and some walnuts and almonds. She eats rice with dishes or a sandwich at home before leaving for the skating rink. She skates for 3-4 hours on Sundays and begs for more hours on the ice each time.
Cass’ lunch box for school. She packs her own lunch box. It’s usually filled with fruits, sweet potato, some nuts and her homemade energy balls.

Cass even makes her own energy balls and it’s low in carbs. The ingredients are organic instant oats, some butter, vanilla essence, bananas, peanut butter and nuts.

Our lunch at Money’s Corner Food Court @ Brickfields after hubs sent Cass to the skating rink.

No. of times viewed = 52

What is L-Glutamine Powder, and What Benefits Does it Offer?

L-glutamine powder is a nutrient that helps boost immune system function, promotes digestion and brain health, improves athletic performance — and much more. But before you throw it into your daily supplement routine, you need to know a few things about how to take l-glutamine powder.

First, glutamine is an essential amino acid that the body can make itself. However, your body’s supply may decline during metabolic stress like surgery or illness.

Boosts Immune System

L-Glutamine Powder is a dietary supplement that boosts your immune system. The protein-like amino acid helps strengthen your body’s natural defenses and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. It also helps protect your intestines from damage, reducing intestinal permeability or leaky gut, which can lead to inflammation and allergies.

Glutamine is one of the essential amino acids in the body and is found throughout the entire body. Glutamine plays a role in many biosynthetic pathways critical for maintaining cellular function and integrity. It is involved in intermediary metabolism, interorgan nitrogen exchange via ammonia (NH3) transport, pH homeostasis, and the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines.

In immune cells, glutamine synthesizes proteins and other compounds essential for cellular survival, proliferation, and repair. Specifically, it is a substrate for nucleotide synthesis (purines and pyrimidines) and the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), nitric oxide synthase, intracellular heat shock protein, and cytotoxic enzymes.

During stress or trauma, such as burns, injuries, surgery, and malnutrition, glutamine levels can be depleted, making it crucial to keep your immune system strong. This is why taking L-Glutamine supplements regularly can help boost your immune health and improve overall well-being.

Aids in Weight Loss

Most of us would like to achieve and maintain a healthy weight for the long haul. While diets and fasting are both valuable tools in the weight loss toolkit, nothing beats a well-rounded approach to health and fitness, including regular physical activity and eating plenty of fresh, whole foods.

But what if you could get all the benefits of a well-rounded plan without relying on artificial stimulants, steroids and diuretics? That’s where L-glutamine powder comes in. It’s a natural amino acid that helps your body function properly, from maintaining energy to helping you lose weight.

Taking this supplement is easy, mix it with water or juice to your taste and drink away. The most effective way to use this supplement is to combine it with a meal that includes plenty of protein, fiber and healthy fats. This combination will help keep your blood sugar levels steady, which will, in turn, lead to fewer cravings and better weight management down the road.

You can buy this product in various forms, from powders to tablets. The aforementioned free-form L-glutamine powder has the highest glutamine concentration and is an excellent choice for those looking to boost their glutamine intake in one fell swoop.

It helps Treat Leaky Gut

L-Glutamine Powder is a natural protein source that promotes digestive and brain health, aids in weight loss, and boosts athletic performance — plus, it helps treat leaky gut. It was first used in the fitness industry to help preserve muscle tissue but has since been shown to have various other beneficial properties.

In terms of gastrointestinal issues, it’s often used to treat leaky gut because it heals the intestinal lining. This helps to reduce inflammation and prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream.

It also improves digestion and bowel movements by balancing mucus production. This can make a huge difference when dealing with digestive problems like diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and leaky gut syndrome.

Glutamine is found in meats, seafood, eggs, and other protein-rich foods. But if you’re eating low-protein diets or suffer from any other condition that reduces your body’s ability to produce enough glutamine, it’s best to supplement with it in the form of a powder.

To ensure you’re getting the highest quality, look for a supplement that has been rigorously tested and verified by an independent certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab or NSF International.

It’s best to take a dose of L-glutamine before each meal. This allows you to get the most out of it because your intestines can only absorb so much at a time. So it’s essential to consume L-glutamine in moderation and conjunction with other amino acids in your diet.

Aids in Athletic Performance

L-Glutamine Powder is an amino acid supplement that can help you improve your athletic performance. It can aid in recovery after strenuous workouts and increase your muscle mass.

Glutamine is found in many different foods, and it’s an essential amino acid. You should consume a minimum of 5 grams of glutamine per day to get the best results.

It helps boost your immune system and can prevent the catabolism of muscle tissue. It can also enhance glycogen storage and hydrate your muscles.

Additionally, glutamine can improve your endurance by enhancing the production of ATP. It can also minimize the accumulation of ammonia, which is a significant cause of fatigue.

Athletes can use glutamine and carbohydrates to fight fatigue’s effects during an exercise session. It is also beneficial for those who have had a bone marrow transplant or bowel surgery, as it may help speed up recovery.

Some athletes find it best to take a powder mixed into their workout drink rather than a tablet or capsule. Liquids are absorbed much more quickly than solids. But it all depends on your personal preference.

No. of times viewed = 66

How to Make Sure Your Kingwood Home Is Healthy

Having a home that supports your health is essential. Many people spend a substantial amount of time inside, so it only makes sense that the home is in the best shape it can be.

That being said, what does a healthy home actually mean?

This piece is going to take a look at a couple of things you should keep your eye out for to ensure your home is good for your health and how you can improve it if you find some issues.

Let’s get into it.

Check for Mold

Mold can be extremely dangerous when in the home for long periods of time, and while some mold is worse than others, it is best that you get rid of any mold that is lingering around – no matter how small, since it spreads really easily.

Having mold in the home is a health hazard. It can cause asthma, breathing problems, sneezing, and coughing and can aggravate those prone to allergies. However, thankfully it is a problem that can be avoided by keeping spaces ventilated, especially in humid places such as the bathroom and kitchen. On top of that, make sure to fix any leaks. Mold thrives in the damp!

Make Sure You Are Pest Free

Having pests in the home can be another factor that is dangerous to health, especially if they start to overrun the place. It is one thing for some little terrors to be eating your food, but contaminating areas, chewing electrical wires, and leaving feces can all spell big problems for health and safety – especially if it gets out of hand.

It can be easy to recognize when you have pests in your home from droppings, suspect noises, and chewed holes, but other times it might not be so easy!

If you suspect you have pests, you need to get a professional to remove them as soon as possible – for instance, Gulf Coast Exterminators has provided reasonably priced and very effective Kingwood pest control for over 20 years. 

Keep on Top of Cleaning

Many people have extremely busy lives that do not exactly leave a lot of time for something that is not a chore, which is why cleaning can sometimes be disheartening. If you have children or pets, things can get messier more quickly than you would like, but it is crucial to try and keep on top of this as much as possible.

Keeping the carpets washed and vacuumed regularly will keep bacteria at bay and remove crumbs that can entice rodents into the home. Keeping on top of dusting can keep allergies and other discomforts away. And making sure the kitchen top and chopping boards are kept clean can help prevent accidental cross-contamination.

Maintaining your home to be as healthy as possible is essential for your and your family’s well-being, and these are just a couple of ways you can do that. Don’t forget to do the basic things, such as taking your shoes off at the door or leaving the windows open for a while to help keep chores down!

No. of times viewed = 46

One Month End-Of-Academic-Year School Holidays Begins

But it ain’t no holiday for me. Not at all as Sherilyn will be sitting for her SPM exam for the entire month during the school holidays. I still have to wake up at 5 a.m. and leave the house by 7 a.m. My Grab duties have to continue 😭.

And I’ll be stuck with Cass at home for the entire month. This brat can really annoy me till I’m on the verge of tearing my hair out and pack my bags, walk out of the door and never return.

My younger brother’s condo (just a few minutes’ walk from ours) will be ready soon and he’ll be moving in this year. I’ll ask him to reserve a room for me for my refuge! 😜

Just today, the brat’s sass made me go apeshit and I almost spanked her but I tried so hard to control my hands.

The brat tells me that for the next one month, I can drop her off at the skating rink in the morning and fetch her back at night. She’ll be too pleased to spend all her time at the skating rink the entire school holidays so that I can have some peace at home. She knows that she irritates me to the bones. I think I may do just that to get some sanity. I’ll get hubs to be in charge of Cass as I’ll be a full-time Grab driver for Sherilyn for the next one month.

When the brat is in a good mood, she can nonetheless be pretty loving. She would peel and cut a persimmon or an apple and stuff it into my mouth when I’m too busy to eat. She would feed me with my favorite dark chocolate or snacks when she sees me busy mopping the floor.

That’s what parenting is like, right? A love hate relationship with your children, a completely ying-yang experience. The hatred and anger can be so intense it actually burns.

Cass air-fried a slice of bread and spread it with peanut butter and blackcurrant jam for me when I got home from the gynae’s office two Sundays ago.

No. of times viewed = 51

5 Ways to Get Perfect-Looking Eyebrows

Do you have thick, unruly eyebrows that never seem to stay where you want them? Maybe you have sparse eyebrows that lack shape and fullness? Regardless of your eyebrow issues, there are ways you can tame them and have beautiful and stylish-looking brows that frame your face. Makeup artists know all the tricks and tips and now you can use the same techniques and get the same incredible results. Here’s a look at five ways to get perfect-looking eyebrows.

Go Easy with the Tweezers

Where it used to be that thin, super-sculpted eyebrow were in style, that is no longer the case. It’s best to go easy with the tweezers and stick to the stray hairs only. Professionals suggest that tweezers should only be used for shaping, not thinning. Over-plucking is very difficult to cover up.

Check Out the Trending Eyebrow Products

In the world of eyebrow products, there is no shortage of options. You’ll find eyebrow pencils in different shapes and thickness levels, eyebrow waxes, gels, pomades, powders and more. Unfortunately, there is no one perfect product that fits everyone’s needs; instead, this category can take a little trial and error.

Ideally, you want to perform two tasks. You want to fill in the eyebrows and give them shape and then you want to set them in place for the day. Besides finding the perfect products, it’s also important you get the shade right. Eyebrows define the face and should be noticeable, but you don’t want them to be the first thing people see.

Free photo young beautiful girl sits at table with makeup tools draw arrow with eyeliner isolated on orange wall

Play Around with Different Shapes

There always seems to be the latest eyebrow shape that is trending but try not to get too caught up in fads. Instead, choose a shape that is flattering for you and that you feel comfortable with. This may require you to play around and try out different shapes. That could include the thinness/thickness, the length of the tail, the curve of the arch, and so forth.

Photo cosmetologist measures the proportions of the eyebrows with the ruler.

Know Where to Start and End Eyebrows

This brings us to the next point, which is knowing where to start and finish the eyebrow. Both ends should span further than your eyeball but you don’t want to risk creating a unibrow. Again, it goes back to trying out different shapes.

Professional Eyebrow Services Make a Huge Difference

While all of these at-home products are wonderful, nothing beats professional eyebrow services. These will give you the shape and structure you’re after, and then you can use the above-mentioned products to maintain the look. The most popular services tend to be eyebrow threading, eyebrow waxing and eyebrow wax and tint. You can visit a salon like karmaholywood.co.uk to check out the latest in trending eyebrow services. 

Eyebrow waxing tends to last about four weeks, which is the same for threading. Meanwhile, an eyebrow tint can last up to six weeks before you need it done again.

By combining all of these tips and tricks you’ll be able to get your eyebrows just perfect so that you look like a model in a fashion magazine.

No. of times viewed = 32

Annual Health Screening

The month of February is always the most dreaded month for me as it’s that time of the year when I’m due to go through a battery of medical tests. I’ve not skipped any of my pap smears and ultrasound scans even during the strict lockdown years. I know how important it is to do a yearly screening coz if there’s any malignancy brewing inside of me, at least it’s detected early and survival rate is higher with early treatment.

For this year:

Annual pap smear ✅

Annual ultrasound scan of lower pelvic and breasts ✅

Annual blood work ✅

Mammogram 🔜

Appointment with cardiologist to review high cholesterol reading 🔜

I skipped a blood work last year, so this year, I took a package with 45 parameters checked (with one free parameter on colon cancer test) offered by AA Pharmacy at my neighborhood.

A large vial of blood was drawn out for 46 health parameter tests.
My first meal after more than 16 hours of fasting – fried mung bean noodles (less noodles, more bean sprouts) with only fish cakes and egg. The CKT seller knows exactly how I want my noodles fried, i.e. less burnt, less oil, no cockles and no prawns. And this plate costs RM10!

Blood work report was out yesterday and everything looks good with no red flags except for my cholesterol reading. As expected, it’s pretty high at 6.82 as I have Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). FH is an inherited disorder that makes it harder for your body to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad ones) from your blood.

My blood pressure – still a tad low. It has always been on the low side.

If you have FH, your cholesterol is going to build up in the bloodstream regardless of what you eat. And this is exactly what’s happening to me. I eat very little meat, avoid fatty foods and minimal dairy products and yet my cholesterol reading is high.

Because of my strict diet, I’ve lost quite a bit of weight. And some unkind people have been body shaming me, accusing me of wanting to be stick thin. I can’t believe that some people can be so shallow-minded and insensitive.

Would you body shame someone who is battling cancer or have a hormonal disorder?

Oh well, I’ve now shunned away from these people and have minimal interaction with them.

Anyway, back to my health issues.

I’ll be meeting up with my cardiologist when he returns from the UK end February. He’ll review my medical report and perhaps asks me several questions before deciding if I should be started on statin to control my cholesterol levels.

As I’ve not done a mammogram for more than 5 years, my gynae thinks that I should get one done. She recommended a 3D mammogram at Sunway Medical Centre, which is a relatively new procedure and more advanced than a 2D mammogram. This procedure costing RM450 is going to burn a hole in my wallet this month as I’ve already spent quite a bit at my gynae’s office and on the blood work.

But spending RM1k a year on health screening is something that cannot be scrimped or avoided because you’re going to be spending even more when something bigger and more malicious is detected later. So if you’re above 35 and have not done a blood work and health screening for years, I think it’s good to have one done for early prevention of diseases.

No. of times viewed = 47

Saturday, 4 February 2023 ~ Lup Chun 2023

I only realized that today is Lup Chun day late in the evening when I saw my friends’ postings on them balancing eggs on social media. So, for the fun of it, Cass and I rambled to the kitchen, took out some eggs and kneeled on the floor to do our balancing act.

This year, balancing the eggs is so much easier! Cass and I balanced our first egg in less than a minute. And within 5 minutes, Cass balanced 4 eggs and 3 from my side.

Just like that, the eggs just stood on the floor. Easy peasy, unlike in previous years where we tried for almost half an hour and none of the eggs stood.

Does this mean that this year is a smooth-sailing and easy-peasy year for us?

I sure hope so! 🙏😁

Cass and I think that the logic behind the eggs standing is because the eggs were taken out from the fridge, and the firm egg yolks are at the bottom, thus, because of gravity, they stood.

When the mil came back from an outing with her SILs (hubby’s aunts, one of whom just returned from the UK for a holiday), she passed an MZ Wallace shoulder bag to me. It’s a gift from my SIL from the UK, for my birthday next month! I totally didn’t expect to receive a bag from my SIL. What a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much, tai kar che!

I love the design and material of the bag. It’s made of soft quilted fabric and very light weight. Just perfect for my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome right hand, as carrying heavy weights will aggravate the pain/numbness. Recently I have given many of my sturdy hand bags to Maria and have switched to light-weight bags.
I checked the price online and it’s a whopping RM725 for a tiny bag!

No. of times viewed = 65

What To Wear For Yoga Class

Yoga is an ancient practice involving a group of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines with origins stretching back thousands of years in India.   Focusing on flexibility, breath work, and strength, people who practice yoga find mental wellness, serenity, peace, and physical, and health benefits.   If you’re suffering from an illness, recovering from surgery, or living with a chronic condition, practising yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and road to recovery.

Attempting a headstand, shoulderstand, downward dog, or trying a new balance pose is challenging enough on its own, but it’s made even harder if you have to fiddle with baggy, too-tight or uncomfortable yoga clothes. That’s why it’s necessary to purchase proper clothes for yoga or yoga sets that are usually breathable, flexible, and comfortable.

AirWear Long Sleeve & High Waist Legging Set
AirWear High-Waist Legging

As yoga requires a lot of stretching and bending, you’ll need clothes that allow free movement. You should avoid clothes that are too loose and will bunch up, cover your face, expose your midsection or get in the way. Clothes that ride up can be annoying and they can block your vision.  Choose something that is form-fitting when it comes to yoga.

AirWear Long Sleeve & High-Waist Legging Set

The purchase of your yoga clothing will depend on your personal preference, and the style of yoga you plan to practice.  Generally, here’s what to wear to yoga:

  1. A breathable and form-fitting top that won’t hang over your head when you’re in an upside-down pose.
  2. For women, a sports bra or bra top that provides enough support for the type of yoga you’re practicing. As with any exercise, wear a well-fitting wire-free sports bra for extra support, particularly if you’re blessed with big assets.
  3. Breathable, flexible bottoms like yoga pants or shorts that are not too constricting or too loose.
  4. A good pair of high waist leggings is necessary for high-intensity workouts and yoga.  Unlike low-rise and mid-rise leggings, higher-waisted options are more likely to stay put on your waist, so you don’t have to worry about pulling your pants up continuously during a fitness class.
  5. Loose-fitted pants can also be worn for slower yoga classes like restorative or yin. However, they are not recommended for power vinyasa classes as they can hinder mobility. But if you do want to wear loose-fitted pants for a high-power, challenging yoga class, opt for those with a cinch around the ankle.
AirWear High-Waist Legging

As with all sports clothing, choose yoga pants or leggings that offer a good combo of flexibility, breathability, and most importantly, comfort.  One of the best yoga clothing materials is those that are buttery-soft and stretchy and can wick moisture, such as those from Cosmolle.  Choose yoga clothing made of fabric that you don’t have to adjust much during your stretches. This usually requires a blend of nylon, polyester, elastane, and spandex blend. These materials respond smoothly when you’re in a Downward-Facing Dog or lunging forwards pose.

Investing in good quality yoga attire will ensure supreme comfort and boost your confidence when you’re at the studio or in the gym. You can shop for yoga clothing online or offline at activewear shops and lingerie shops. If you’re shopping for them online, don’t forget to look out for discount vouchers, bundle deals, and free shipping.

Now that you’re fully set with what to wear, it’s time to stay in shape and do some yoga!

No. of times viewed = 45

Throwback Food Snaps

A couple of Sundays ago, hubs and I had brunch at La Juiceria Superfoods, just the both of us as everyone else at home had something to do. I’ve always wanted to try the healthy meals at La Juiceria. Their meals are my kind of food – mostly meat-free, low in carbs, and high in fiber with the focus on a myriad of colorful veggies and whole grains. They started with selling cold-pressed juices and smoothies at juice bars and have expanded their menu to healthy meals that are free from preservatives, chemicals and additives with the opening of cafes in the Klang Valley. If you’re a health and fitness freak like yours truly, you’ll surely love what La Juiceria has to offer.

I ordered this vegan bowl that’s composed of some very flavorful grilled mushrooms, tempeh, sweet potatoes, charred cauliflowers, purple cabbage, some greens and cucumber slices.
Hubby’s quinoa bowl with teriyaki chicken, hard-boiled eggs, sweet potatoes, cauliflowers and pumpkin. This finicky gourmand gobbled up everything.
Grilled chicken breast wraps – we got this for Cass’ lunch . She was having figure skating class at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.

I was super satisfied with my meal and will be back again to try other healthy meals on their menu.

This is one of our week day lunches from hubby’s kitchen. It’s always a delight for me to collect food from his kitchen as this means that we don’t have too cook at home 😬 as no one likes to wash the dishes.
From top right, clockwise: Mee Siam, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Lemak condiments, stir-fried turmeric chicken with long beans, carrots and big onions.

On the foreground – assorted delicious kuih, one of my kryptonites and something that I always look forward to collecting from hubby’s shop.
Dim Sum for brunch at Oriental Treasure @ The Sphere, Bangsar South a few Sundays ago with hubs, Alycia and Sherilyn. Cass didn’t join us as she was having figure skating lessons at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.
After Dim Sum, we segued into Rasa Viet for dessert. Our absolute favorite is the Viet egg custard, best in the world. One cup per person is not enough. I can chomp down two or even three cups myself! We also got takeaway Bánh Mì and beef pho for Cass and the mil.

Green curry chicken cooked using Ayam brand’s green curry paste and Ayam’s coconut milk. It’s surprisingly pretty good and very easy to prep. Just simmer the chicken thigh pieces and brinjals in the green curry paste for 15-20 minutes and serve. It would taste better with added lemongrass, Thai basil leaves and kafir lime leaves but we had none of these at home.
Besides brinjals, carrots, long beans, snow peas and other veggies can be added, making this a wholesome, delish one-pot dish.
If you have a hankering for green curry but are too busy or lazy to prep it from scratch, reach out for a packet of Ayam’s green curry paste and coconut milk and pimp it up with kafir lime leaves, basil leaves and coriander leaves. It tastes pretty close to the real deal.

No. of times viewed = 38

Jittery Kitty

Haru has been very jittery and nervous since the Eve of CNY, no thanks to the deafening fireworks in our neighborhood every single night and lion dance at our condo last Sunday.

Every night when the sky turns dark and thundering fireworks start to break the silence of the night, Haru scrambles to find a place to hide. She’ll choose a different place to hide each night and all of us will go looking for her, as if we were playing Hide-And-Seek with her.

On Sunday (Chor 8), there was a lion dance performance at the pool side of our condo. As soon as the clamorous sounds of drums and clanking cymbals were heard from our unit (5th floor), Haru started to run into hiding. We brought Haru to my bedroom and showed her the lion dance from the window but she was terrified. Her body turned stiff and she was quivering. She then jumped off from my hands and went into hiding.

We spent almost 20 minutes looking for Haru at all her usual hiding places and finally found her under my bed. I wonder how she squeezed herself under the bed as it’s a low bed frame. She hid there for more than an hour and only got out when the lion dance finally ended.

Photo taken from our kitchen.

Sitting under the table, and feeling safe next to daddy’s feet. This was on the first night of CNY when the unforgiving sounds of fireworks went on until the wee hours of the morning. She also howled throughout the night. Poor girl.

Last night I went searching for Haru again and found her at a new spot – on a clothes shelf in the mil’s walk-in wardrobe. Thank goodness I found her in the nick of time as the mil was about to step into her room. The mil would probably flip and get a shock of her life to see a cat sitting on her clothes shelf 😹. This is only going to make her despise Haru more.

Thank goodness CNY is almost coming to an end but Haru will go through hell again this Sunday on the last night of CNY when people start bombing the neighborhood again 😿. And burning of fireworks and firecrackers is illegal in our country (except for 2 types) as they’re in the same category as dynamite!

And the latest I read is that the Government has only on 2 February 2023 legalized the use of fireworks and firecrackers. So yeah, we can all be prepared to turn zombified for the remaining days of CNY and all other festivals from now onwards.

No. of times viewed = 27

Why Waxing Is Relevant For Hair Removal

Waxing is the most popular and efficient way to remove unwanted hair. It does not only allow for finer control over where the person wants to have hair removed, but it also lasts longer than shaving.

History

Waxing has been a popular hair removal technique for many centuries—waxing dates back to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian women used an oil-and-honey-based concoction called “sugaring” to remove unwanted body hair.

During the Middle Ages, women in Europe and India started using wax to remove hair from their bodies. This hair removal method was made even easier by resins from Africa.

A French beautician developed a unique formula in the 19th century. It was a successful hair removal product that spread throughout Europe. This unique formula made it much easier for women to remove their hair.

While waxing has been around for centuries, it was in the 1930s that it became widely available for mass use. In that decade, the first commercial body wax was manufactured.

It removes dead skin cells

Waxing is a great way to improve the look of your skin. It removes unwanted hairs, fuzz, and other dead skin cells. This leaves your skin smooth and supple.

However, waxing Long Island NY does have its downsides. In addition to removing hair, it also weakens the follicle, which can result in bumps, infections, and ingrown hairs.

Before waxing, you’ll want to exfoliate your skin. A gentle exfoliation will clear out dead skin cells and allow the wax to adhere to your hair more effectively.

There are a variety of scrubs and loofahs available at beauty salons and spas. They can be used for the whole body or a targeted area. Try a dry skin brush for some added exfoliation.

Waxing is a fast and effective means of achieving that silky-smooth look. However, it can also leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you moisturize afterward.

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It lasts longer than shaving.

Waxing is a great way to get smooth skin. It also saves time and money in the long run. And you can do it in the privacy of your own home.

The best thing about waxing is that you can be hair-free for several weeks. It is an excellent choice for people who are busy or prone to ingrown hairs.

While shaving may seem like a better option, it does have its disadvantages. For instance, shaving causes ingrown hairs, bumps, and nicks. Also, the blades used in shaving can cut your skin and cause infections.

On the other hand, waxing is less likely to cause irritation and scars. However, getting the desired results may take more than a single session.

When it comes to the most effective hair removal method, it takes a lot of work to beat waxing. This is because it removes hair from the root, an essential part of the hair growth cycle.

It can change the texture of the hair when it grows back.

When hair grows back after waxing, the hair may look sparser or even change the texture. This is because hair follicles have a blood supply, and waxing weakens the connection between the hair follicles and the blood supply. As a result, the hair follicles don’t have the same nutrients to make hair grow, so they don’t develop the thick, shiny, or strong hair they are accustomed to.

Hair texture can also be affected by temperature, color, medications, and genetics. For example, people with darker skin or hair may experience a thinning of the scalp. Similarly, people who shave more often can experience a decrease in hair growth. If you’re experiencing these changes in your hair, options are available to help restore it.

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