February 2024 – HEALTH FREAK MOMMY

Alycia’s Heart-Stopping Moment Before Taylor Swift’s Concert in Singapore

Today, Alycia experienced a heart-stopping moment that sent waves of panic through our household. With her eagerly anticipated trip to Singapore to attend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert looming on the horizon, the last thing she expected was to face a potential nightmare.

After a long day at university, Alycia made a detour to Sunway Pyramid to exchange some Singaporean currency. Little did she know that this seemingly routine errand would lead to a frantic search for her identity card, her lifeline amid her upcoming adventure. Without her IC, she would not have been able to board the flight to Singapore on Saturday morning or enter Singapore by land.

As Alycia stepped through the threshold of our home, her panicked voice filled the air as she confessed to losing her identity card. My heart sank as I watched her in distress, knowing the implications of such a loss on her impending trip. With a calm demeanor, I guided her through the steps of retracing her movements, urging her to remain composed amidst the chaos.

First, we reached out to the money changer where she had conducted her transaction, hoping against hope that her identity card was still there. Despite our efforts, the staff claimed no knowledge of her missing card, plunging Alycia deeper into despair.

Alycia also made a call to the Lost & Found Dept. to inquire about her lost IC. While there was a lost IC but it wasn’t hers.

Refusing to concede defeat, I suggested contacting the security department of Sunway Pyramid to review the CCTV footage from the time of her visit to the money changer counter. As Alycia’s high school best friend Elly, a beacon of support and solidarity, rushed to her aid, I could only pray for a swift resolution to this nerve-wracking ordeal. Thank God Elly was still in the university, which is just a 10-15 minute walk to Sunway Pyramid via a connecting bridge. Elly rushed to the money changer counter.

With bated breath, Alycia awaited news of any potential sightings of her lost identity card. The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, threatening to shatter her childhood dreams of attending the concert she had long awaited.

Then, like a beacon of hope in the darkness, Elly delivered the news we had been desperately hoping for – Alycia’s identity card had been found at the money changer. Relief washed over us like a tidal wave as Alycia’s tears of anguish gave way to tears of gratitude and joy.

Praise the Lord!

As Alycia dashed to Sunway Pyramid to reclaim her lost identity card and to have dinner with Elly afterward, I couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience and determination she displayed in the face of adversity. As of typing this post, Alycia is still not back home yet. She’s still having dinner with Elly, with the dinner on Alycia to thank her bestie for helping her out.

Alycia’s heart-stopping moment became a lesson in resilience, resourcefulness, and gratitude. As she prepares to embark on her journey to Singapore, I have no doubt that she will carry this experience with her for life, ensuring she remains ever-vigilant and extra careful with important documents and belongings. Just one moment of neglect can be a life time of regret!

No. of times viewed = 19

Sunday, 25 February 2024

Today is the last Sunday of February 2024. And just in the blink of an eye, Chinese New Year is over and February is coming to an end. February has always been an eventful month with Chinese New Year and my dreaded yearly medical check-up and pap smear procedure. Tomorrow will be my appointment at my gynae’s clinic for pap smear, ultrasound and transvaginal scan. Never liked these scans and test 🤪. I still have some issues that need monitoring.

Lunch today is at Wai Kee, our favorite Hakka tai chow style restaurant. The chef is a lady in her 70s, helming the kitchen for decades. I’m always amazed with her grit, stamina and vitality for shouldering the challenging job of being the head chef in the super hot kitchen.

Our favorite Hakka dishes ~ braised pork belly with yam, Hakka yong liu, stir-fried choy sum and half a steamed village chicken with ginger sauce.

Everyone’s favorite – crispy skin deep fried threadfin fish with soy sauce.

After lunch, we went to Red Kettle, our favorite cafe for coffee and the best Portuguese egg tart in the world. Also bought a loaf of walnut sourdough bread.

My latest fitness tracker ~ a new Xiaomi Mibro C2 smart watch from Shopee. Love this watch with plenty of cool & cute watch faces to choose from. The battery (magnetic charging) is very long lasting too. It comes with many functions but I only track my steps and heart rate. It’s a great smart watch for someone who is obsessed with counting their daily steps 🏃‍♀️ The best part is it only costs RM129 with free shipping and a RM10 shop voucher. I hope I will remember to remove it from my shorts pocket before putting my shorts into the washer. My Fitbit conked out as it went into the washer several times 🤪

The watch comes with two straps – a black by default and another color of your choice.

No. of times viewed = 17

Wednesday, 21 February 2024 ~ Cass’ HPV Vaccination & Excursion At The Exchange TRX

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has been giving the HPV immunization for free for all girls in Form 1 (aged 13). However, the HPV vaccination program in schools was suspended since 2021 due to the lack of global vaccine supply. Thankfully this year, the supply has been replenished and the free vaccination program can be resumed.

The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.

Today I accompanied Cass to a government clinic for her first dose of government-sponsored HPV vaccination. Little did we know that what started as a walk-in medical appointment would turn into a memorable adventure exploring the newest lifestyle hub in Kuala Lumpur, The Exchange TRX.

Our journey to the government clinic at Jalan Hang Tuah was not without its hiccups. It took us almost an hour to reach the clinic, even though it wasn’t very far from us. After encountering a canceled Grab ride and a Grab driver who lost his way, we arrived just in time, breathing a sigh of relief as we beat the lunchtime rush.

At Klinik Ibu Dan Anak Hang Tuah for Cass’ free HPV vaccine.

Surprisingly, the vaccination process was super swift, with almost zilch wait time. Everything was done within 10 minutes, plus a 15-minute observation period post-vaccination. However, I couldn’t help but question the logic behind filling out a detailed form as a parent when it’s the child receiving the vaccine. The form required me to answer questions such as whether I have any diseases, allergies, depression and easily get upset. Shouldn’t it be the child who has to answer these questions instead of the parent? 😂

Post-vaccination, Cass eagerly suggested a trip to Petaling Street aka Chinatown, but my concerns about the scorching heat (as Cass had just taken a jab which I wasn’t sure would have any adverse reaction) led us to The Exchange TRX instead.

Our first stop was the food court, where Cass was drawn to a Yong Tau Fu stall displaying a wide assortment of fish balls, noodles, tofu, mushrooms, etc. Despite the hefty bill of RM42.40 for just the two of us and lackluster taste, we pressed on, determined to make the most of our outing. We didn’t finish the Yong Tau Fu as some of the items were sour and tasted funky.

Our RM42.40 bowl of Yong Tau Fu liu, which tasted MEH. The items that were supposed to be fried were not fried. They were just blanched and added into a bland tasting chicken soup.

Fortunately, our spirits were lifted by indulging in Hey Tea’s strawberry jasmine tea and All About Chew’s heavenly chocolate cookie. Despite the steep prices, the delectable treats made it worth every penny. The Big Ass Softy (BAS) dark chocolate cookie at RM15 per piece was so divine that despite the hefty price tag, I bought another piece to bring home for Alycia and Sherilyn to try. The Big Ass cookie was love at first bite for both Cass and me. It has everything that we look for in a cookie.

The Big Ass Softy (BAS) chocolate cookie (RM15/piece) was da bomb – soft chewy buttery cookie with bits of dark chocolate and walnuts.

We waited for almost half an hour for our jasmine tea strawberry drink. According to Alycia that night, Heytea (a China tea chain) is the newest tea craze amongst Gen Zs. Her friends waited for 1-2 hours for their tea.
Heytea opened its first store in Malaysia at the Exchange TRX shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur in late 2023.

Energized, we ventured to TRX City Park, a verdant oasis atop the mall, braving the sweltering heat for a glimpse of nature in the heart of the city. With its array of attractions including playgrounds, water features, cave play, and alfresco dining, clean walking treks, TRX City Park offers a welcome respite from the urban hustle. After exploring the park and satisfying Cass’s curiosity at Kinokuniya bookstore, we headed home, cherishing the memories made during our impromptu adventure.

The Exchange TRX is a blend of unexpected twists and delightful discoveries. While the mall itself offers a typical shopping experience, its rooftop park provides a refreshing escape.

SEIBU, the luxury department store from Japan, has made its debut in Malaysia for the first time at The Exchange TRX.

Zones at TRX City Park. Very nice park for people of all ages. Would be enjoyable to stroll at the park when the weather is cooler in the early mornings or evenings.

Many eateries, cafes and restaurants with alfresco dining at the park.

No. of times viewed = 52

Eve of CNY 2024 Dinner

It’s been aeons since we last had our CNY Eve dinner at a restaurant. In the years that we were back in Ipoh on CNY eve, dinners were always homecooked by my papa. And in years that we stayed put in KL, the MIL would cook. So this year’s CNY eve dinner was a breeze and stress-free at a Chinese restaurant. The best part is there’s no massive prep, washing and cleaning up after dinner. Totally my kind of reunion dinner 😜

As hubby booked the table only a week earlier, there were no more tables inside the air-conditioned restaurant for us and we had to accept sitting alfresco in the super hot and humid weather, which made the dinner a tad uncomfortable. After our meal, everyone was drenched in sweat 🥵

After dinner, hubby sent the mil and I home as we wanted to pack our bags for our trip to Ipoh. Hubby and his three girls then headed to Mid Valley Megamall for a super last minute shopping for new clothes.

Here’s our CNY Eve set menu dinner, which cost RM1k+. In fact, the restaurant dishes on Chor 1 and Chor 2 in Ipoh were 95% similar to the ones that we had on CNY Eve in KL and we started to get blasé of those dishes on the second day of CNY.

Braised lai park veggie in mock crab meat broth.

No. of times viewed = 46

Reviews of YNM Weighted Blankets

A weighted blanket offers several benefits regarding the quality of your sleep. This type of blanket provides a snug and calming embrace that helps you sleep better, similar to a tight hug.

It also reduces stress and anxiety and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing. This article reviews some of the best weighted blankets from YNM.

Chunky Knit Throw
The Chunky Knit Throw is a chic weighted blanket with an aesthetic hand-knit design. The throw is made from both natural and synthetic yarn and hollow fiber filler. It weighs between four and a half and seven and a half pounds, depending on the size. This makes the blanket a great choice if you like lighter-weight options.

Its beadless design ensures the throw’s weight is evenly distributed for optimal comfort. The blanket also boasts contour technology, which helps it adapt to your body’s shape. You can get the throw in small, medium, and large sizes, and a number of colors.

One thing to love about the Chunky Knit Throw is its attractive handcrafted design. You also have a variety of color options to choose from to complement any type of interior décor. The dense yarn it’s made from makes the blanket highly functional. This throw is naturally breathable and offers good ventilation thanks to its loose knit and moisture wicking textiles.

The Chunky Knit Throw is less likely to trap heat due to its beadless construction. As such, you’ll be very comfortable if you run warm when sleeping. The even weight distribution spreads pressure is across your body.
This helps eliminate the feeling of being crushed you may get with other weighted blankets. Its body shaping ability offers that soothing body-hugging feel. Also, you can machine wash and tumble dry the throw. The one-year warranty and customer support are great additions.

Exclusive Cotton Weighted Blanket

This is a best-in-class duvet-style weighted blanket made from high-quality cotton and synthetic fiber filler. The premium glass beads that give it its weight have been sewn in small pockets to ensure the weight is distributed evenly. The blanket features a seven-layer system and also conforms to your body’s curves to provide a cozy and snug feeling.

YNM’s cotton weighted blanket comes in weight ranges between 7 and 30 pounds. This means there are options for sleeper with different weight preferences. They are available in colors including dark grey, light grey, navy, green, and lavender.

The blanket has interior fasteners that enable you to tie protective duvet covers. This is a great addition if you want more variety in terms of style and colors. The blanket comes with a one-year warranty.

The premium stitching and neutral colors give the blanket an understated look that blends well with different décor styles. The cotton fabric is very comfortable and breathable. It also encourages air circulation and wicks moisture away from the user. A

The pocketed glass beads ensure the blanket exerts pressure evenly across your body. In addition, the fabric is machine washable and dryable. You don’t have to worry about beads coming loose.

Exclusive Dual-Sided Weighted Blanket

This is an all-season weighted blanket made from natural bamboo viscose and velvet. The naturally breathable bamboo and velvet sides are designed for warm and cool sleepers respectively. The blanket also features synthetic fiber filler.

The blanket’s weight is uniform since glass beads sit in small patches across its canvas. You can get the blanket in three sizes and weights between 12 and 30 pounds. It features two color combinations – dark and light gray and blue and grey. In addition, you can spruce up the colors through duvet covers you can attach via interior fasteners on the blanket.

This dual-sided weighted blanket is highly versatile, with a design and construct that’s suitable for different climates. If you get warm when sleeping, the bamboo viscose side provides optimal comfort. For people who get cold when asleep, you can simply switch over to the velvet side.

The blanket is exceptionally well made with quality fabrics that provide comfort, warmth, and breathability in one package. Maintenance is easy since you can you can machine wash and dry blanket. Finally, the weighted blanket offers a snug fit since it takes the form of your body’s outline.

Original Knitted Weighted Blanket

This is a stylish and functional hand-made blanket constructed from natural and synthetic yarn. The fabric is breathable and supports good ventilation to ensure you are cool and comfortable. It also has hollow fiber filler and comes with a one-year warranty.

All these aspects make the knitted weighted blanket the go-to option for sleepers who run warm. Further, the product is made out of recycled materials so it’s eco-friendly too. Since the blanket is beadless, its weight is spread uniformly. Also, contour technology ensures its blanket to drape snuggly over your silhouette.

You can get the Original Knitted Weighted Blanket in weight ranging from 10 to 25 pounds. There are three size options including twin, queen, and king. The blanket has an aesthetic design with many colors to complement your home’s theme. These include grey, blue, brown, white, lavender and more. The fabric allows easy maintenance and care since you can machine wash and tumble dry the blanket.

No. of times viewed = 46

Haru In Ipoh

Even though Haru’s carrier and bed were on our bedroom floor, she never slept on her bed for the two nights that we were in Ipoh for CNY. She only went inside her carrier to hide from my squealing and overzealous nieces and nephew from getting near her.

At night when we were in bed, Haru kept jumping up the bed to be with us. I kept pushing her away but she jumped up again and again until I gave up and let her be. Haru slept in between us 😆. She hardly did that in KL, except when she’s afraid of the thunderous fireworks and once when Cass stayed overnight in the hospital and Haru was looking everywhere for her sister.

Also, when we were asleep in the wee hours of the morning, this fella had her zoomies and zoomed up and down the bed, the room, and jumped up the dressing table. She also pooped at 3 a.m. on our last night. Because of this cat, I didn’t sleep well for more than a week – before and during her boarding as well as in Ipoh.

Alycia brought Haru out of the room to let her explore the stairs and to desensitize her phobia of seeing new faces.

Have I told you that Alycia is one of Haru’s favorite people? Besides her dad, Haru loves Alycia.

I am thankful that Haru did pretty well in the car on our road trip to and from Ipoh and did not cause us any major problem, besides meowing intermittently and trying to get out of her carrier to sit with us.

I can forget about boarding Haru again in future. If I have to travel in future, one of the girls has to be around to feed her and clean her litter. Haru is happiest when she’s in her home sweet home. When Haru’s happy, I’m happy 😻

No. of times viewed = 42

Failed Boarding For Haru

After 2 days of harrowing experience for Haru at the catsitter’s house, resulting in her going on a hunger strike and no peeing and pooping for 2 days, we (catsitter, hubby and I) decided that it’s best to bring her home. I sent Haru to the catsitter’s house on Wednesday and she was sent home to me on Friday morning. Our trip back to Ipoh was the next day, on a Saturday morning.

So Plan B was activated, which was to bring Haru with us to Ipoh. There was no time to think of another plan for Haru except for her to follow us.

To begin with, Haru has never liked car rides. Even a 5-minute car ride to the nearby vet would cause Haru to hyperventilate and pee in the car. What more a 2 to 4 hours journey to Ipoh. We had no idea of how bad the traffic would be on the highway on the first of Chinese New Year. We had no idea of how Haru would adapt in my parents’ house in Ipoh with so many new faces in a brand new environment.

We had to Just. Do. It. and prayed for the best.

Our trip from KL to Ipoh took three hours instead of the usual 1 hour 45 minutes. Haru was put in her carrier in between Alycia and me. We opened the flap on top of the carrier and Haru stuck her head out to enjoy the view. Having all her favorite humans in the car with her helped to calm her down, though she was shivering almost throughout the car ride.

After 2 hours of intermittent meowing in the car, we took Haru out of the carrier. She sat briefly on Sherilyn’s lap and then sat on my lap quietly for the remaining one hour journey. Sitting on my lap, Haru calmed down instantly and even fell asleep. For the first time in her life, she sat on my lap for an hour. Haru is not a lap cat and can never sit on our laps for more than 5 minutes. She even licked my hand, something which she has never done before. She must have felt so grateful that I didn’t abandon her 😄

I actually enjoyed having Haru with us in the car on a road trip. I’m now even thinking of going to Penang for a holiday and bringing Haru along with us. But we’ll need to look for a pet-friendly Air-BNB. Hotels usually do not allow pets in.

Thank God everything went pretty smoothly and now we’re back in KL.

Haru and I survived Ipoh during CNY! Praise the Lord!

To be continued….

No. of times viewed = 48

Tips for Ensuring Your Kids Are Healthy and Happy Every Day

Sending your children off to school each day can be filled with both excitement and anxiety. As a parent, you want your kids to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. While you can’t control everything that happens once they leave the house each morning, there are steps you can take to set them up for success.

Establish a Routine

Having a predictable morning and evening routine can go a long way in making kids feel secure and prepared. Try to stick to regular times for waking up, eating breakfast, and getting ready. Build in time for things like brushing teeth, getting dressed, packing backpacks, and double-checking homework. Clear routines take the guesswork out of the morning rush.

Prioritise Sleep

Make sure your children get enough high-quality sleep each night. Most sleep specialists recommend 9-12 hours for primary school-aged kids and 8-10 hours for secondary schoolers. Establish a regular bedtime and relaxing pre-bed routine. Limit screen time before bed, which can negatively impact sleep. With adequate rest, kids will be more focused and better behaved at school.

Offer a Healthy Breakfast

Fuel up kids with a nutritious breakfast every morning. This gives them the energy to tackle the day ahead. Quick, healthy breakfast ideas include yoghurt with fruit, whole grain cereal or porridge, toast with peanut butter, boiled eggs, and avocado on toast. You can prepare grab-and-go options like breakfast burritos, overnight oats, and smoothies. Offer balanced options from multiple food groups like protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

Teach Organisational Skills

Help kids stay on top of schoolwork by teaching organisational skills. Make sure they have a system for keeping track of assignments and packing what they need the night before. Provide an easily accessible workspace for completing homework. Check agendas and online portals daily to stay up-to-date with schoolwork and activities. Celebrate when they show responsibility in keeping track of their obligations.

Foster Positive Communication

Maintain open communication with your kids about school. Ask them each day about what they learned, who they played with at lunch, and what they’re excited or nervous about. Listen attentively to both the ups and downs. Provide empathy when they struggle with a subject or have a disagreement with a friend. Share in their pride over achievements like a good test score or making the basketball team. Letting them share both worries and wins helps you guide them.

Ask Your School to Provide Canine Assisted Learning

Research shows that having dogs in schools provides a wealth of benefits for kids. Called canine assisted learning, this involves highly trained dogs, like the ones from The Dog Mentor, working with students under a teacher’s supervision. Interacting with dogs cultivates empathy, teaches responsibility, reduces stress and anxiety, and is thought to improve academic engagement. If your school doesn’t have a dog integration programme, ask them to consider it. Explain the well-documented advantages and offer to connect them with reputable training providers. Seeing the far-reaching positive impacts dogs can have will help them say yes to bringing these paw-some classroom companions on board!

The key to school success is supporting your kids’ overall health, well-being and organisational skills. Establishing routines, fostering communication, and keeping them active gives them the tools to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

No. of times viewed = 26

7 February 2024 – Haru’s Boarding (Day 1)

I managed to put Haru (who is usually terrified of the carrier) into her carrier while she was having a cat nap at 2pm today. I felt so bad for ‘betraying’ her.

The catsitter, who calls herself kaima (aka godma in Cantonese) came to pick us up. I paid her RM80 for a 1-way pet transport. Cass accompanied me.

At kaima’s house, all hell broke loose. I expected it.

Haru was hissing uncontrollably. The shell shocked and scared look on her face broke my heart. She was hissing at not only kaima, but at Cass and me. When Cass tried to comfort Haru, she almost got bitten. Kaima told us to leave Haru alone.

Haru was hyperventilating while hissing at anyone who tried to get near her. She was afraid that we may harm her.

I took out all her stuff and explained them to kaima. I put Haru’s bed and lined it with my worn pajamas. Haru sniffed it and immediately calmed down. She went to her bed and sat on it. The familiar smell of my worn pajamas did wonders in calming her.

I tried to feed Haru with a kibble but she was too scared to even notice a kibble on my hand. Haru is usually very food-motivated. After a while laying on her bed with my worn pajamas, she calmed down and ate that kibble. That was the last time she ate.

As of typing this post (it’s now 7.50 pm on 8 February 2024), it’s more than 24 hours since Haru last ate or drank. She wouldn’t want to eat anything. Though I brought along her usual bowl and food but all she did was just sniff it and turned away.

From the Tapo app (CCTV) on my phone, I could see Haru either sleeping or hiding under cabinets the whole day. Kaima tried to feed Haru three times but she just wouldn’t eat.

The room is equipped with Feliway diffuser to calm cats and calming music specially for cats is played 24 hours. I paid over RM100 separately for the Feliway diffuser.

I am crushed 😭. Watching Haru on the CCTV day and night rejecting food and hiding feels like watching my child die a slow and painful death. Ok, I may sound melodramatic but this is exactly how I feel now.

When will Haru ever eat, poo and pee?

Haru must have thought that I have abandoned her. I have prepared Haru for this boarding for over two months, telling her about my plans and that I am not abandoning her, but all the preparation seemed to be futile.

I told hubby and kaima that if Haru continues to go on a hunger strike tonight and tomorrow morning, I will have no choice but to bring her home. And take another drastic measure – lug her along in our car on a road trip back to Ipoh.

It’s a big risk that I will be taking as Haru is terrified of car rides and being in the car for 2 hours or more will stress her out even more. And when she reaches my parents’ house, it will be another traumatic time for her with another new place, new faces and new routine. When she’s stressed out, so will I.

I have been praying fervently that Haru will start to eat, poo and pee by tonight. I still think that leaving her at kaima’s house is a better option vs traveling as traffic on the highway will most likely be bad during the CNY period.

My greatest worry is Haru developing gastric, serious gut issues, UTI or organ failure from being dehydrated and malnourished. To begin with, Haru already has sensitive guts and is prone to diarrhea.

For cat parents, has this ever happened to your cat when you sent him/her to the cat boarder’s house or pet hotel? Would greatly appreciate advice. Thank you from a desperate cat mama.

To be continued…

My worn pajamas did wonders in calming Haru down.

Haru’s room. This room isn’t supposed to be her room. I had planned to book a room with cat trees and hanging toys for her but I was slightly late and it was booked by another customer. So kaima offered me her foyer, at a cheaper rate of RM120 per night. A proper solo cat room costs RM150 per night.

Screen shot of the CCTV. Haru is staring at her food here but doesn’t have the appetite to eat it. 😭

No. of times viewed = 31

Fruit and Veggie Lovers

Our girls have been trained to eat lots of vegetables and fruits since young. As such, they have no problem eating a wide variety of vegetables and fruits every day. These are important to us, just as how water is to us. They’ve also been trained to eat raw greens and funnily though, they prefer their raw greens without any salad dressing, which is healthier.

Of the three girls, Cass is the most health conscious. She’s a fruit and veggie monster and can really scarf down a LOT of veggies and fruits every day, which hurts my wallet *ouch*.

Alycia is grazing on her plate of raw Mizuna leaves here. This semester (short semester), most of her classes are in the evening, so she joins us for lunch at home on most days.

Alycia chomping down her plate of Mizuna leaves sans any dressing. She loves it this way.

I get at least two punnets of Mizuna salad from the supermarket each week, on top of the regular veggies like cabbage, broccoli, spinach, cucumber, beans, etc.

This superstar green is high in nutrients yet low in calories and boasts a long list of benefits to your health. Mizuna provides a megadose of nutrients, including antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that work by neutralizing harmful free radicals, preventing damage to cells and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

No. of times viewed = 20