Health Products – HEALTH FREAK MOMMY

The Ultimate Guide to Magnesium Bisglycinate

Ample magnesium is essential for our health, but getting enough through diet alone takes work. This mineral has been shown to assist brain chemicals that encourage a good night’s rest and healthy circadian rhythm and aid muscle cramping and tension.

There are several magnesium supplements, each with its benefits and uses. Magnesium bis-glycinate is a magnesium salt that combines inorganic magnesium with an amino acid called glycine.

Increased Energy

Magnesium bisglycinate is the form of magnesium that’s most readily absorbed by your body. This is because it has two glycine molecules attached to each magnesium molecule, which reduces the pH in your small intestine for better absorption.

Magnesium promotes healthy blood sugar levels, helps lower high blood pressure, and boosts memory. It also supports sleep and relaxation. It’s an essential mineral in preventing bone diseases like sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

Better Sleep

Magnesium is crucial for many bodily functions, including producing protein and bone and balancing blood sugar and pressure. It also supports a healthy nervous system and promotes restful sleep.

Studies have shown that magnesium may help reduce insomnia and improve the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, which causes a painful sensation in the legs. It is also a joint supplement for chronic fatigue syndrome, often associated with sleep, memory, and mood issues.

Reduced Stress

Magnesium bis-glycinate supports the brain in reducing stress and anxiety levels. It also helps promote restful sleep and reduce insomnia.

Fluttering eyelids or trembling legs may be warning signs that your magnesium levels are too low. Fortunately, magnesium supplements can help.

This chelated form of magnesium is bound with the amino acid glycine, making it readily absorbed by your body’s digestive tract. It is highly effective in helping to reduce stress, improve sleep and boost memory.

Better Muscle Function

When magnesium levels are low, muscles can become tight and tense. This is particularly common in the neck, often caused by strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.

Magnesium is essential for producing energy, psychological function, normal synthesis of proteins, healthy bones and teeth, and maintaining normal blood pressure levels. It also helps with the digestive process, including bowel movements. The body quickly absorbs this form of magnesium.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Studies show that magnesium reduces the risk of heart disease by maintaining normal blood pressure, lowering angina and muscle spasms, and keeping calcium out of the blood vessels. Magnesium promotes strong bones and prevents skeletal frailty, sarcopenia, and fractures.

While it’s important to note that any supplement can have side effects, magnesium bis-glycinate is generally safe and well tolerated by most.

Reduced Risk of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Magnesium is crucial for the body, but most people need more. That’s why magnesium bis-glycinate is an excellent supplement to take.

It is absorbed by the digestive tract better than other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide and citrate, which can cause laxative effects. Magnesium bis-glycinate also increases relaxation and sleep quality.

In addition, it improves the function of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which helps reduce anxiety and stress.

Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

In a recent study, higher magnesium intake was linked to improved brain health and reduced dementia risk.

Magnesium binds to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, which helps quiet nerve activity, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep. It also works to prevent cellular damage caused by stress and to slow down the aging process by protecting telomeres.

Magnesium glycinate is generally safe for ongoing supplementation within recommended dose ranges, but diarrhea could occur if a person consumes too much of the compound.

Reduced Risk of Diabetes

Studies have shown that a high magnesium diet decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This is especially true if your supplement contains magnesium bis-glycinate.

The chelating process makes it easier for the body to absorb magnesium. This form of magnesium is also less likely to cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Magnesium helps prevent bone diseases and improves skeletal strength. It is also an essential mineral for the brain and muscles.

Improved Mental Health

Magnesium bis-glycinate has been shown to improve memory and increase sleep quality. It also has anxiolytic effects, which help reduce anxiety.

The body poorly absorbs many forms of magnesium, but magnesium bis-glycinate has a high absorption rate due to its chelate structure. It attaches to two glycine molecules, reducing the small intestine’s pH, making it easier to absorb.

Decreased Risk of Cancer

Magnesium has been shown to prevent lung cancer in smokers and drinkers due to its role in DNA repair.

The magnesium bis-glycinate form is highly bioavailable and quickly absorbs into the body. This contrasts forms such as oxide, citrate, lactate, and chloride, which have a poor absorption rate. It is also better for the digestive system than other magnesium supplements.

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Cosmo Pro Air Purifier Review: Great For Homes With Indoor Cats and Dogs

I have been using the Cosmo Pro air purifier for more than three weeks now. Ever since we adopted a kitten in February 2021 at the height of the pandemic and during the MCO, I have been mopping the floor more often because of Haru’s fur. Mopping does not really help as Haru keeps shedding fur, especially after she gets the zoomies and sprints non-stop around the house. Even though the floor is mopped, I see fur on the floor again almost immediately and this can get really frustrating. Owners of indoor pets will know what I mean.

Thankfully a robot vacuum cleaner from my mum as a gift last Christmas has saved me from being the human-robot. However, I find that the air in our home is still not 100% clean as I have an ultra-sensitive nose. I have an allergy to dust and cat fur, thus my house has to be really clean, to the point of being almost dust-free, which is impossible.

Even though the Roborock has been really helpful in the mop and vacuum department, Haru’s fur is constantly circulating in the air as the ceiling fans and stand fans in our living room are turned on for almost 24 hours. My nose and eyes still itch and I still sneeze occasionally, especially after playing or cuddling Haru. So, the next household cleaning appliance came into our lives recently to help with my allergy and it’s the revolutionary Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA filter from Cosmo.

Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA filter with a **retail price of RM1,500.** It is designed in Germany by a team of experts.

At the height of the pandemic, I intended to purchase an air purifier with a HEPA filter to clean the air in our house to ease my allergy and sinus issues. The air purifier finally arrived a year later and I am very satisfied with it.

Features of Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA filter

Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA filter is one of the most advanced and value-for-money air purifiers in the market, in terms of features and cost.

Not only does the Cosmo Pro filter harmful particles, but it also disinfects circulating air by killing bacteria and viruses with the UVC function.

Equipped with a revolutionary 5-in-1 HEPA Filter and an AI-powered PM2.5 Sensor, this is Cosmo’s highest-performing filtration system that is proven to filter air pollutants like pollen, dust, bacteria, tobacco smoke, dog fur, cat fur, skin flakes, mould (fungus), pet dander, textile fiber, dust mites, and even Covid-19. Their air filtration technology has pores 20 times finer than the average filters which can filter all kinds of air pollutants.

5-in-1 HEPA Filter Functions

1. Pre-Filter

The Pre-filter is designed to sieve out the largest particles first including hair, dust, lint, and fur. Designed using Cosmo’s patented unique filter fabric, it prevents wear and tear, hence it maintains pore size. This makes for a much stronger filtration efficiency for an extended period of time.

2. Cosmo Ant-Bac Shield Filter

The Cosmo Anti-Bac Shield filter specifically suppresses the growth of bacteria by using anti-bacterial technology to provide the most effective filtration. Thus, it reduces your risks of getting infections and allergic reactions.

3. H13+ Medical Grade HEPA Filter

Specifically engineered to remove micron particles and block bacteria, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and finer particles. The HEPA filter is able to capture almost any size of air pollutant.

4. Activated Carbon

These air filters are made from small pieces of charcoal – generally in a granular or powdered block form – which is extremely porous. The pores in these carbon blocks can absorb a very large number of contaminants. Cosmo’s specially engineered activated carbon layer neutralizes odors in the air, and absorbs formaldehyde that’s commonly found in homes – in gas stoves, wood products, and even your walls & floor.

5. Photocatalyst Filter

Innovatively designed to use light energy to kick-start a process that turns all kinds of bad air pollutants into harmless substances. Germs, viruses, and bacteria are broken down by the electrostatic and oxidization effects of the electrons generated from the Photocatalyst Filter, keeping your home healthy and safe.

UVC Lamp That Kills Bacteria and Viruses

This is another feature that I am in awe of. The Cosmo Pro air purifier has a UVC Lamp that kills microbes, disinfects in just a few minutes and cleans circulating air continuously. UVC radiation damages the DNA of harmful matter including Covid-19. The lamp itself has a shield so that you are kept 100% safe.

Cosmo Pet Guardian – Great For Homes With Indoor Fur Babies

Cosmo’s carbon filter layer is fitted with an antimicrobial agent unique to us called Pet Guardian. This feature works in tandem with the activated charcoal to effectively neutralise odours, especially from pets. With this feature, we don’t have to put up with the smell of Haru’s poop first thing in the morning after she takes a dump.

Pet Guardian effectively neutralises organic matter that causes foul odours from cats, dogs, small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds.

Cosmo pro air purifier with an allergen-capturing air filter has a 360˚ filtration that effectively filters fur, dander (5-10 microns), and microbes from all around no matter where it is placed, up to 100m2 coverage or 1,000 square feet. Thus, it is adequate enough to cover the whole apartment or house where your pet roams around.

Circulating air on the panel shows 13, which means that the air is clean.

The other day Cass forgot to turn on the exhaust fan in the kitchen when she was frying wallet eggs which caused quite a bit of smoke from the wet kitchen into the living room. When this happened, the air purifier suddenly worked very hard and it was obvious from the loud sounds coming from the fan. When I looked at the panel, the circulating air was 202 and turned to red, which means unclean air. After a few minutes, the number went down to double digits again.

Other Noteworthy Specifications

5-Year Warranty
Night Light Function
Soft as a whisper (20dB)
Coverage Area: Up to 100m²
Healthy Ion Release Function
Aerodynamic 360° design for air purification in all directions
AI-powered PM 2.5 Counter for 99.9% accurate readings
3 fan speed control with sleep mode and a noise level of 20 dB.
PM 2.5 counter
WIFI activation – allows you to control your air purifier via your mobile phone anywhere and at any time via the Smart Life app.
Night light function
UVC lamp that kills germs like bacteria and viruses
Filter replacement indicator
Light-based air quality indicator (red, green, blue)
Child lock
Smart timer
LED display panel

Dimensions

Height: 58 cm, Width: 29 cm

Pay By Instalments

You can choose Atome as your payment option and the cost of the air purifier will be divided into 3 hassle-free and interest-free instalments.

The first instalment will be deducted upon checkout. Reminder emails will be sent before the due date and instalments will be charged automatically from your credit card account. There are no processing fees, credit checks, or waiting time.

Conclusion

The Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA filter is a good investment if you have allergies, sinus, have indoor furry pets, and crave clean and disinfected air for better health. Before the next haze season comes around, it would be a good idea to get a good-quality air purifier for your home now.

The Cosmo Pro® Air Purifier + 5-in-1 HEPA air purifier is affordable and you can even opt to pay by interest-free credit card instalments.

No. of times viewed = 224

Importance Of Clean Filtered Water For Optimal Health

The human body is composed of an approximate average of 60% water. Aside from helping us to quench thirst, water is crucial for optimal health and is essential for numerous bodily functions. These include waste removal, temperature regulation, and cellular function.

Health experts recommend that we drink around 2 liters of water per day. We need to increase this amount if we’re exercising or losing fluids through sweat on a hot day, to prevent dehydration. As our body requires so much water a day for optimal health, we should be drinking clean and filtered water that is free from contaminants, bacteria, odour, and heavy metals. A good water filter will be able to do that. The Thanos water dispenser with a built-in filter (5 filtration steps) made in Korea can remove over 1,000 harmful contaminants from the water before it is dispensed, either cold, hot, or warm.

Below are the types of contaminants commonly found in water and some water filters can filter off these contaminants.

TURBIDITY: A major source of turbidity in drinking water is soil runoff but other sources include rust, sand and sediment.

LEAD: Typically, lead enters the water supply after it leaves the local treatment plant.

Lead plumbing is common in homes built before 1986 and can contribute to the contamination of water in a home.

SEDIMENT: Water passing through a series of pipes to reach your home may contain sediment.

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA: Cryptosporidium is a single-celled protozoan parasite commonly found in lakes and rivers, especially when the water is contaminated with sewage and animal waste.

CHLORINE TASTE AND ODOUR: Chlorine taste and odour is caused by compounds containing chlorine added to local water supplies.

Living in Malaysia, you will often notice that at certain times of the day the water that comes out from the tap is brown. You will need to let the water run for several seconds to several minutes before using it. Sometimes the color of our clothes turns brownish caused by the turbidity of the water.

A good water filtration system is a priority in our family. Previously when we stayed in a double-storey house, we had a huge outdoor water filter unit. In our dry kitchen, we have an electric water filter system and in the wet kitchen, we have a simple water filter attached to the tap faucet. Now that we stay in a condo, we only have a water filter in our dry kitchen. There are several outdoor water filter units at the compound of our condo.

Some people feel that a water filter is not a necessity as the water in Malaysia has been treated before they are piped into our homes. It is up to individual preference but I personally feel that it is safer to drink filtered water as filtered water looks cleaner and has a neutral taste. Everyone in our family drinks a lot of water every day and I want only clean filtered water for us. What’s on my wish list now is a good water dispenser with a built-in water filter as our RM2k+ Panasonic water filter finally conked out after 13 years with us.

So it’s time for me to shop around for the best water dispenser in Malaysia! I don’t know if it’s just me or everyone, but I find that water that comes out from water dispensers, especially cold water tastes so good!

No. of times viewed = 34

KEEPTO Motivational Water Bottle with Time Marker, Straw & Handle, Leakproof and BPA Free

Importance of water to our health

Our body is composed of about 60% water. It is therefore essential to keep our body well hydrated so that our body can function optimally. The function of water is more than just to quench our thirst. Water is needed to regulate our body temperature, protects all our organs and tissues, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells and to moisten tissues in the eyes, nose and mouth. Water can even help with weight loss. When you drink a lot of water, it helps you feel full longer, thus you eat lesser. And the best thing is water is zero in calories!

As our body loses water through sweating, breathing, bodily excretions and digestion, it is therefore important to rehydrate by drinking fluids regularly and eating foods that contain water. This is the reason why it is so important to drink sufficient water so that we remain healthy.

How much water do we need?
The current IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendation for people ages 19 and older is around 131 ounces for men and 95 ounces for women.
This refers to your overall fluid intake per day, which includes anything you eat or drink that contains water, like fruits or vegetables. Of this total, men should get around 13 cups from beverages. For women, it’s 9 cups.

Girls and boys between 4 and 8 years old should drink 40 ounces per day, or 5 cups.
This amount increases to 56–64 ounces, or 7–8 cups, by ages 9 to 13 years.
For ages 14 to 18, the recommended water intake is 64–88 ounces, or 8–11 cups.

How to get motivated to drink enough water

Many people find it a chore to drink the recommended daily water intake. The reasons are varied from dislike to drink water to being too busy with life’s daily activities and work and simply forgetting to drink.

Staying well hydrated and healthy requires a little effort on our part. One way of reminding ourselves to drink is to have a water bottle by our side. You can be working in an office, a student or always on the go. Get yourself a Keepto 64 oz water bottle with time marker and you’ll most likely feel motivated to keep chugging every two hourly.

Keepto 1 gallon motivational water bottle

Keepto water bottles have unique inspirational quote and time marker printed on the bottles. This makes it even easier than ever to drink the perfect amount of water each day. The inspirational quote is great motivation for any fitness goal including weight loss, muscle gain, and tracking water intake during a detox or pregnancy.

Keepto comes in 20 fun colors in a variety of color gradients. Choose one in your favorite colors and you’ll be happy to lug the water bottle everywhere you go to keep yourself well hydrated. You have the option to choose the lid – straw lid or spout lid.

KEEPTO Half Gallon/64oz Leakproof BPA Free Water Bottle with Motivational Time Marker, Straw & Handle

KEEPTO 32oz Water Bottle with Straw – Motivational Water Jugs with Time Marker & Removable Strainer, Fast Flow BPA Free Water Bottle for Fitness, Gym, etc.

Keeping ourselves well hydrated is a conscious effort. You have to remind yourself to drink throughout the day so that you get the recommended daily water intake everyday to stay healthy. Having a cool water bottle with motivational quotes in your favorite colors next to you makes drinking water just so much more rewarding! I’m a sucker for water tumblers and am now itching to get a Keepto water bottle with time marker 😁

No. of times viewed = 195

Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow

We all know that having a good pillow helps us to get a restful sleep at night. An important factor for a healthy and happy life is getting an adequate amount of good quality sleep every night. A key factor towards achieving this is to invest in a good quality pillow.

Have you ever bought a pillow that’s either too soft or too hard and it affected your sleep so badly that you had to give the pillow away? Over the years, I’d spent quite a bit of money buying new pillows and bolsters but hardly found the perfect one for myself.

The primary role of a good pillow is to provide good support for your neck and upper back when you sleep. This support is needed due to the natural curves in our spine. Having the correct support for our head and neck will help the alignment of these spinal areas. Sleeping without adequate support will not only negatively affect our sleep, but it can also lead to issues including joint and muscular stiffness. Sometimes, a crick in the neck or stiff shoulder blades caused by an unsuitable pillow can persist for days and even weeks and the persistent pain can affect us emotionally.

Last week I received a new Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow from Origin Mattress, the specialists in mattresses and pillows. It’s one of the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever gotten myself! It’s exactly a week that I’ve been sleeping on the pillow and I’m absolutely satisfied with it. The pillow is soft yet firm enough to support my neck and head. My head doesn’t sink into the pillow when I sleep on my back; and it gives support to my neck when I sleep on my sides. When I wake up in the morning, I don’t get cricks on my neck. Best of all, the pillow is cooling as it’s made from high quality natural latex infused with a cooling gel formula, making it an absolute dream to lay my head on it, especially on hot nights.

The Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow is delicately designed by a team of experts in Germany and has a 2-year warranty (how cool is that!). It comes with a removable Tencel fabric pillow cover that is easy to clean and suitable for machine wash – this is another plus point for an OCD like me who likes my bedding items washed regularly 🤗

Another feature that I love about the Origin pillow is the latex material of the pillow will mould accordingly to the shape of my head. This gives me the perfect level of sleep support. Made with 100% natural materials, the pillow has hypoallergenic properties and suitable for people like me who have an allergy to dust.

Photo credit: https://expressphotography.com.sg/

Worried of a pillow that will attract dust mites or breed bacteria? Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow is:
✓ Anti-Dust Mite
✓ Anti-Bacteria
✓ Anti-Mircobial

I would never scrimp and save on a pillow that I sleep on everyday for 6-7 hours a day for the next 2 to 3 years. At a discounted price of only RM400, the Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow is a great investment for better quality sleep and better quality of life.

Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow has been voted as the The Best 8 Pillows in Singapore, ranking top on the list. I think it deserves the coveted rating as the pillow has gone through dozens of sleep trials, more than 10 different product tests and 100 density changes before making its entrance into the market.

If you’re hunting for a good quality pillow that gives you the perfect support for your head, neck and upper body, I strongly recommend Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow. For more information on Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow, visit their social media pages at the following links:

Origin Mattress
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Best in Singapore
Website | Facebook | Instagram

No. of times viewed = 50

Which Vitamins and Supplements Should You Take

Your body requires vitamins to heal, develop, and function. There are at least thirteen essential vitamins and 16 minerals. Some of the common vitamins include A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. With many vitamins and supplements, and it becomes difficult to determine the best combination. There are companies dedicated to ensuring you lead a healthy lifestyle by manufacturing supplements and vitamins.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is on top of the list of the vitamins you should take. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium, thus improving the health of the bones. If you don’t take this vitamin, you will be more likely to get sick, and you will also experience back and bone pain. In some cases, you will experience hair loss. You can get all the supplements you need from Level Up Nutrition. Some of the foods that give vitamin D include:

• Cereals, milk and juice
• Yolks from eggs
• High amount of fatty fish

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for our bodies, meaning you should do everything possible to get it from supplements or food. Magnesium is critical for energy production and the health of bones. When you consume magnesium, it can reduce stress and calm your nervous system. Apart from easing sleep problems, it can also regulate nerve and muscle function. Magnesium is also well known for:

1. Balancing the level of blood sugar
2. It helps make proteins and bones

Zinc and Iron

Research has shown that the amount of zinc in stressed and older is always low. This makes a large portion of the global population. Being an essential mineral supports the immune system. You should buy zinc supplements by all means as it helps the body to use fat, proteins and carbohydrates for energy. If you have a wound, having zinc in your body will ensure faster healing. Eat meat and spinach for zinc.

Iron should top your multivitamin list. However, you should be careful about the amount of iron you take as not everyone requires the same amount. Iron is responsible for increasing energy in the body. It is also responsible for healthy red blood cells and better brain functioning. Apart from buying iron as a supplement, you can also get it from eating meat. However, for women, pregnancy may increase iron requirements in the body.

FAQ

Can I rely on vitamins and supplements?

Vitamins and supplements should be viewed as boosters and bonuses to food. They should never be taken as a replacement for food. Our body works well with natural nutrients derived from the food we eat. It is advisable to eat food rich with vitamins and supplements instead.

When can Start to take vitamins and supplements?

There is no early or late time to start taking supplements. You can start taking vitamins and supplements as long as you can afford them. If you don’t have any information on these products, consult a professional nutritionist. You are responsible for your health.

What do I need to consider while taking supplements and vitamins?

The most important things you should consider are your health and lifestyle goals. The number of supplements you need may be lower or higher than you thought, depending on your lifestyle and health goals.

No. of times viewed = 57

3 Great Tips for Losing Fat While Building Muscle

Burning fat while gaining muscle is a delicate balance that takes some effort to achieve, but the good news is that anyone can do it! Here are three tips to help you reach that balance and advance on your journey to fitness.

Take Supplements
If you need a little boost to improve the results of your workouts, consider taking supplements. To promote muscle recovery, you could take a magnesium supplement or Omega-3 fish oil, which eases muscle soreness and increases your body’s protein synthesis. Supplements like Trimbolic First Fitness target areas of your body that store surplus fat, melting it away to give your body the leaner look you’ve been working toward.

Eat Right
You’ll need to make major changes in your diet if you want to lose fat while gaining muscle. Eating enough protein is key. Each day, you should aim to eat 1 to 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight. This extra protein will feed your muscles, causing them to grow even while you’re burning fat. In addition, you’ll need to be sure to drink enough water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Keeping your body hydrated helps prevent muscle injury and cramps, allowing you to continue to hit the gym to work toward your fitness goals.

Train Hard
It almost goes without saying, but if you want to gain muscle and lose fat, you’ll need to work hard in the gym. While weight training, focus on compound lift exercises that work multiple muscles at a time. You’ll also need to incorporate fat-burning high impact interval training into your routine. In order to allow your muscles to properly recover after a workout, vary your workout regimen and don’t train the same muscle groups on consecutive days.

group of women doing yoga

Getting in shape can be a trying process, but your goals can be achieved. By following these tips, you’ll be able to transform your body by losing fat while gaining muscle!

No. of times viewed = 30

Seaberry Crunch

What is Seaberry?
Seaberry, also known as Sea Buckthorn comes from sea buckthorn berries. These berries are found in the mountains and coastal areas of Europe and Asia. It’s a potent omega-7 oil, which has been used in history to treat everything from cracked, dry skin and eczema to coughs and digestive problems.

Goodness and health benefits
Sea buckthorn oil is rich in various vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds. It is naturally full of antioxidants, which helps protect your body against aging and illnesses like cancer and heart disease. The seeds and leaves are also rich in quercetin, a flavonoid linked to lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Seaberry is rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. It also contains good amounts of folate, biotin and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and E. More than half of the fat found in sea buckthorn oil is mono- and polyunsaturated fat, which are two types of healthy fats.

One interesting fact about seaberry oil is it may also be one of the only plant foods known to provide all four omega fatty acids — omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9. Very impressive indeed!

Other health benefits of seaberry include supporting a healthy liver, may help fight cancer cells, may improve digestion, may reduce symptoms of menopause, may lower inflammation and a whole lot of benefits.

Seaberry has been quite under the radar until it started appearing on TV and news articles being touted as the ultimate superfood. Dr. Oz has appeared on Oprah to promote it as the all-in-one superfood and dozens of articles worldwide has appeared before and after to sing its praise. Just google seaberry and the search results would yield hundreds if not thousands of research papers on its benefits for the human health.

Seaberry Crunch supplement
In the past, Seaberry in the form of supplement is not widely sold. However, in recent years, these supplements have started to appear on the shelves of pharmacies and online stores. One such brand is Seaberry Crunch, a natural organic supplement made from only two ingredients, i.e. Seaberry and honey.

SHOP-Product-Slider-Image-1

In the wake of the recent global health pandemic, I have been stocking up on several types of immune boosting vitamins and supplements to boost the health of my loved ones. One of it is Seaberry Crunch. Research has found that people who are deficient in one or more nutrients are generally more susceptible to infections, and these infections are more severe and last longer. And when given supplements to rebalance their deficiencies, people tend to see improvements in the functionality of their immune systems and they become more resistant to infections, and cope better if they get infected.

Seaberry Crunch is made from 100% organic seaberry and Australia honey and nothing else. It’s the tasty organic multivitamin packed with over 200 bioactive nutrients to boost your kid’s immune system and brain development. It’s even suitable for adults as we adults too need a lot of brain power and a strong immune system to deal with the stress of everyday lives.

My box of Seaberry Crunch, with a personalized handwritten thank you message from the seller /owner ❤️

That’s how we love to eat our Seaberry Crunch, by sprinkling it on a bowl of sugar-free low fat yoghurt, topped with bananas, blueberries, red dragon fruit, cashew nuts and granola.

Seaberry Crunch has an interesting sweet and sour taste. It has the taste of honey with a mild tinge of herb flavor.

Seaberry Crunch can be purchased online from boonyandco.com.

No. of times viewed = 127

Clinell Disinfectant Wipes (Super Big Sheets)

Face masks and hand sanitizers flew off the shelves at all the pharmacies at our neighborhood a few days before Chinese New Year. As the number of infected patients in our country rises by the day, so does the fear and panic among Malaysians.

A few days ago when I was at Big Pharmacy, I saw a new brand of disinfectant wipes – Clinell Universal Wipes. I have never seen this brand of disinfectant wipes before but since everyone is buying disinfectant wipes, the kiasu-ism in me told me to get a pack, though it costs a frigging RM45 for a pack of 200 wipes (selling at RM69 at Shopee). Plus point is that the sheets are big enough for me to slot them into my Kao magic wiper mop. I now use these disinfectant sheets to wipe our floors, tables and chairs several times a day.

What really enticed me to buy Clinell is when I saw that the wipes can kill all these bacteria: MRSA, Acinetobacter, VRE, TB, Hepatitis B & C, HIV, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2, Influenza, Avian Influenza (H5N1) and a whole list of other bacteria!

Check out how big a pack Clinell is in comparison with regular packs.

These wipes are so easy and convenient to use and everyone at home is now wiping off surfaces with them. I made another trip to Big Pharmacy just now with the intention of getting another 2 packs of Clinell but was informed that they are all sold out! Within days! Other brands of antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizers are sold out too. I am going to Mid Valley Megamall in a few days to hunt for antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizer. I am that kiasu when it concerns the health of my family and I.

Have you been stocking up on these items too?

No. of times viewed = 86

Sensenique Natural “Betaine, Sulfate & Silicone Free” Hair & Body Wash

I wash my hair twice a day and sometimes even thrice a day as I exercise, cook and walk under the sun (thus sweat buckets!) almost every day. Thus, I have to use a mild shampoo that will not dry or irritate my scalp. I also have mild folliculitis on a few hair follicles on my scalp that will get inflamed if they are aggravated. If you have this condition, you’ll know how annoying this condition is and one of the nasty side effects is hair loss. So, using a shampoo that’s mild and contains as few harsh chemicals as possible is key to treating the condition.

Recently I tried Sensenique’s range of natural shampoo and body wash infused with essential oils, Argan oil, Olive oil, Jojoba seed oil, Macadamia seed oil and a host of other natural plant extracts and have fallen in love with them!

I have the complete range of hair shampoo and body shampoo from Sensenique and love each one of them!

Product variant (priced at RM39 for each variant):
Ginger Orange – Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash
Peppermint Lime – Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash

Every bottle of hair care product comes with a little note on what users can expect when they switch to betaine, sulfate and silicone free shampoo.

How Do I Feel After Using Betaine, Sulfate & Silicone Free Hair & Body Wash?

1. Hair and scalp
Hair feel a little dry after shampooing ( that’s because it does not contain silicone) but after applying Sensenique’s silicone-free conditioner, it feels smooth. Previous synthetic conditioners I’ve used always give my hair that slippery and creamy feel and makes my hair super smooth and ‘conditioned’. Even the bathroom floor has a slippery coat that is hard to wash off (major turn-off for me!) Turns out this is the work of silicones – which aren’t found in organic hair care as they cannot be classified as organic. Silicones coat the hair, giving it an artificial, slippery feel that can cause build up on the hair and scalp. Sensenique’s conditioner does not give me that ‘stubborn’ waxy feel on my hair and bathroom floor 😆

With Sensenique’s natural sulfate free shampoo, you won’t get a rich lather, like with most mainstream shampoos. This is because your bog-standard shampoo will contain sulfates like sodium laurel sulfate. Sulfates are used in shampoos as a foaming agent. Not only are sulfates irritants, but over time they can dehydrate the hair and scalp. Traditional sulfate-based shampoos can leave you with a more a “squeaky clean feel” and so you may experience less bubbles and a more “creamy” lather.

Natural and sulfate-free shampoos like Sensenique’s hair care range that are made with natural plant oils and herb extracts have the ability to promote new hair growth by naturally stimulating the hair follicles, maintaining the moisture and improving the overall condition of your hair and scalp,

2. Skin (body and face)
The natural scent of peppermint, lime, ginger and orange is really invigorating and wakes up my senses early in the morning and at the end of a long and tiring day. I apply the body wash on my face and body. What I like about Sensenique’s body wash is that I do not get the dry and tight feeling that I usually get from most brands of body wash and face wash yet the gentle formula is efficient enough to wash off all my make-up with just one pump. The body wash comes off easily with rinsing and does not have the slimy feel you get from some brands of body wash. Super love it!

Ingredients
Sensenique Natural products are made with the following soothing, calming and conditioning herbal extracts for skin, hair and scalp (include anti-hair loss, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation properties):

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
Equisetum Arvense Extract (Horsetail)
Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Leaf Extract
Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract (Lemon Balm)
Centella Asiatica Extract* (Centella)
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract* (Japanese Knotweed)
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract* (Baikal Skullcap)
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract* (Tea)
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*
Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf juice *

*ECOCERT natural plant extracts

Why I Choose Sensenique’s Shampoo and Bodywash?
As a health freak mom, I get a peace of mind when my girls use Sensenique’s premium blend of safe, toxin-free, gentle yet effective glucose, amino acid & fatty acid based surfactants that make them perfect for everyday use. They are scented with pure essential oils and consistent usage leaves us with healthier skin, hair and scalp.

Their formula does not contain any sulfate or betaine surfactants such as Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Coco Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate(SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS). Thus, the formula is suitable for all hair types including color treated hair and all skin types, especially sensitive, dry and problematic skin like eczema.

Lastly, the products are priced reasonably at RM39 a bottle. No doubt it is costlier than bog-standard brands of shampoo and body wash. However, if I were to compare Sensenique with other premium brands of shampoo and body wash with similar premium formula, Sensenique is priced at a fraction of the price of its competitors.

Where Can You Find Sensenique Natural range of products?

SENSENIQUE NATURAL is available at:-

Home & Bath Department at
> ROBINSONS -GARDENS -2nd floor
> ROBINSONS – FOUR SEASONS KL – 3flr
> SOGO KL – 5th flr
> SOGO CENTRAL ICITY – 3rd flr

Healthlane Pharmacy @ the following shopping malls:- KLCC, NU SENTRAL, THE GARDENS, BANGSAR SHOPPING COMPLEX, HOCK CHOON(AMPANG)

Healthlane Pharmacy @ ARDENCE LABS ,ARDENCE SETIA ALAM, SETIA ALAM TOWN CENTER, KEPUNG MALURI, ARA DAMANSARA, MUTIARA TROPICANA, SETAPAK CENTRAL MALL, PUCHONG TAMAN KINRARA, RAHMAN PUTRA, TAMAN DESA JAYA, SRI DAMANSARA

Organic Shop – Matahari Organic at Taman SEA

If you prefer to shop online, hop over to www.senseniquenatural.com
and register to enjoy membership benefits of
– Immediate 15% discount on all your purchases
– Free Delivery for nett purchases above RM100

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Sanitary Napkins Enriched With Negative Ions (Anions), Nano Silver and Far-Infrared Ray

Approximately 15,000 or more sanitary pads are required by a woman in her lifetime. It’s terrifying just to think of the amount of toxins already absorbed by my body over the years from the harsh chemicals used in these sanitary pads! Some brands of sanitary pads that I use cause itchiness and skin chafing at the groin area. This prompted me to Google for alternative healthier brands of sanitary pads and that’s when I found Lavender. I ordered the complete range from day pads to night pads and panty liners to try and love it!

Lavender is a brand of feminine hygienic sanitary pads embedded with Negative Ions (Anion), Nano Silver and Far-Infrared Ray chip. These sanitary napkins are enhanced with natural substances which improve and provide additional benefits to women’s health and wellness.

I find Lavender sanitary pads thin yet absorbent and very comfy to wear. What I like most about Lavender pads is that they are made from non-caustic soft materials (Hydrogel and cotton). It gives me a peace of mind to know that the materials are not made from recycled paper pulp and contains no caustic soda, bleach, softening agent and deodorizer. These robust chemicals are harmful to the skin’s acid and alkaline balance, and can cause to the propagation of microorganisms and infusorian and other skin disorders.

Interesting Facts On Negative Ions or Anions, Nano Silver and Far-Infrared Red

Benefits of Negative Ions or Anions
Often nicknamed as ‘vitamins of the air’, anions have a myriad of benefits to the human body such as energizing the body, improving sleep quality, activating different enzymes in the body, strengthening the body’s immune system, among others.

Benefits of Nano Silver
Nano Silver will not expire and has been used for the treatment of medical ailments for over 100 years due to its natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can kill more than 650 types of bacteria within minutes and it has the most powerful anti-bacterial effect due to its strong penetration into the bacteria structure. Its bacteria killing effectiveness is hundreds of times more than normal silvers and are used to treat burns, trauma, infection, purulence, acne, skin diseases, gynecological diseases that are caused by bacteria and fungi.

Benefits of Far-Infrared Ray
Far-Infrared Ray is able to promote cell activation, blood circulation and pain relief. The Far-Infrared Ray contained in Lavender’s sanitary pad’s functional 3-in-1 core chip will help to regulate the overall body cell and stabilize a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Why I Choose Lavender Sanitary Pads over other brands of sanitary pads?

COMFORT LEVEL – In comparison to the traditional fibre or rough cotton surface, I like it that Lavender sanitary pad surface is made from softer, thinner and more comfortable sterilized cotton. Strontium Ferrite is added to the anion-chip to prevent various diseases and vaginal itching. It is bio-magnetic and activates the body’s bio-currents.

AIR PERMEABILITY – Unlike most traditional sanitary pads that do not take into account the danger of bacteria multiplication and gynecological diseases, the base of Anion sanitary napkins is permeable to air but not to water.

WATER ABSORBING ABILITY – The surface’s absorption of fluid is three times greater than that of a traditional sanitary napkin. This is possible because there is sufficient hydro gel (from Japan) to hold the fluid in instead of letting it back flow or leak from its sides. So this means the pads are great for heavy flow days.

HEALTH PROTECTION – It gives me a peace of mind knowing that the anion strip inside the cotton helps to prevent gynecological diseases. As it is chemical free, it does not raise the optimum pH of the vagina, i.e. at 4.0 and 5.5.

SAFETY PACKING – Aluminum foil is the material used in the packing of Anion sanitary napkins as it is safe and hygienic. I like it that the packaging can be reused as it comes with a resealable flap that’s easy to pull. This makes it safe and protects it from dampness, mildew and fungus.

SAFE GLUE – Industrial glue is used for most of the traditional sanitary napkin’s base. Although its glutinosity is reliable, it leaves behind residual benzene inside the underwear which sometimes cannot be removed. This residue can cause diseases and endanger the user’s health. But the glue used on Anion sanitary napkin is edible glue and it is non-toxic.

Where To Buy Lavender Sanitary Pads?
These sanitary pads can be ordered online at https://www.pro-care.com.my/

The Lavender sanitary pads collection includes the Day Use, Night Use and Panty Liners.

Recommend Retail Price:
Lavender Night (290mm) 8pcs/pack @ RM14
Lavender Panty Liner (155mm) 30pcs/pack @ RM15
Lavender Sanitary Pad for Day (245mm) 10pcs/pack @ RM14

There is also a special bundle pack that’s beautifully packaged and perfect as a gift.

Lavender sanitary pads and panty liners are hygienically machine packed in an aluminum foil packaging that’s resealable with an easy-to-pull sticker flap.

While checking out at the pro-care.com.my website, I stumbled upon a contest where I’ll stand a chance to win a beautiful Swarovski charm worth RM149 when I purchase Lavender sanitary products. Contest period is from 1st July through 30 September 2019. It’s pretty simple to take part. Just purchase Lavender sanitary napkin products, fill out a simple form and upload the receipt of your purchase. For more details on the contest, click here!

Lavender X Swarovski

No. of times viewed = 153

Aunty Nutty Homemade Walnut Milk

The health benefits of walnuts are manifold and include reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol, prevention of inflammation, improvement in metabolism, improvement in heart health, boost bone health, weight management, and diabetes control. Walnuts also benefit brain health and act as a mood booster.

Walnuts rank second on the list of ‘antioxidant-rich’ foods, just under blackberries! The rare, powerful antioxidants such as quinone juglone, the tannin tellimagrandin, and the flavonol morin present in walnuts have remarkable free-radical scavenging power. These antioxidants also help prevent liver damage due to chemicals.

There’s so much interest in walnut that for the past 50 years, scientists and industry experts have gathered annually at the University of California, Davis, for a walnut conference discussing the latest walnut health research!

According to the USDA Nutrition Data, walnuts are a rich source of vitamin C, B vitamins (vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and folate), vitamin E, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc.

Have you ever tried homemade activated walnut milk? Last weekend I tried it and love it! It’s very refreshing and nutty, is vegan (dairy -free), gluten-free and paleo-friendly. Walnut milk is a great milk substitute for those who are lactose-intolerant and healthy beverage to beat hunger pangs.

I have never seen fresh walnut milk in the market before. Last week, I stumbled upon Aunty Nutty’s homemade walnut milk on my friend’s Facebook page. It piqued my interest right away and I messaged her immediately and got 8 bottles to try!

Information on Aunty Nutty homemade activated walnut milk
1. Only walnuts from USA are used.
2. The walnuts are activated for at least 24 hours in a controlled temperature environment to avoid nuts turning rancid.
3. Walnuts are very delicate nuts. Activation is required and crucial to neutralize enzyme inhibitors and anti-nutrients removed to activate the walnut’s full nutrient potentials.
4. No direct hand contact. Food grade gloves are worn at all times while handling and cleaning the nuts to avoid contamination.
5. Aunty Nutty processing facility and utensils used are segregated mainly for this purpose to avoid contamination.
6. Cold pressed nut milk using hydraulic press. This method protects and preserves the nutrients in the walnut as no heat is involve as how blending does.
7. Nut milk is suitable for the young and old but NOT for toddlers below the age of 2 and those with tree nut allergies.

Benefits of activating nuts

Activating nuts and seeds is the process of soaking raw nuts and seeds in salt water for a period of time that is long enough to start the nuts and seeds germinating. This process is believed to breakdown the Phytic Acid in the nuts and seeds and in turn you get what raw foodies call a “live” nut full of accessible nutrients that beforehand where bonded up in the Phytic Acid.

Activating nuts and seeds also seems to make them a lot more digestible. There are many reports of people who couldn’t eat nuts before, but who can now tolerate eating nuts and seeds that have been activated.

Aunty Nutty’s fresh activated walnut milk comes in 2 flavors: lightly sweetened with coconut nectar and unsweetened.

I love the coconut nectar flavor. It has a nutty and creamy texture (tastes a little like soy bean but NO soy is used) and the taste reminds me of Cendol! The Cendol taste comes from the extra virgin coconut oil and coconut nectar.

The one sweetened with coconut nectar has a brownish hue.

One with no coconut nectar added. It has a mild nutty taste and right level of creaminess.

As no preservative and stabilizer are used, the walnut milk is best consumed within 3 days from date of production. I drank it on the 4th day and still tasted good.

The ingredients.

Even Cass, my very very finical daughter loves the walnut milk. On the day Shereen delivered the walnut milk to me, Cass quaffed down the entire bottle herself!

If you’d like to try Aunty Nutty’s homemade walnut milk, you can get in touch with Shereen either through:
PM at Aunty Nutty
OR
Whatsapp at +60 12-921 6892

No. of times viewed = 142

Izumio & Super Lutein – Super Good Promotion Until 28 February 2019

Cass has been drinking Izumio hydrogen water for 4 years. I stopped drinking Izumio last year for about half a year as I wanted to see if stopping it would mean a weaker immune system for myself. And hell yes, I kept getting the sniffles and sore throat so frequently that I started to drink Izumio again recently. I also increased my Super Lutein dosage from 1 capsule to 3 to 4 capsules a day. So far, all has been well. That’s all I can to say. I am a very taboo-ish person and won’t say too much of anything good about myself, lest the opposite happens! Can’t help it. I spent 17 years of my life growing up with my late maternal grandmother (who hailed from Guangdong, China) who had a lot of ‘pantang’ and taboos that even up till today, I still think that they exist and practise some of them! 🤫 🤭

I can write an entire post just on my late maternal grandmother’s ‘pantang larang’, I kid you not. Perhaps one day, I’ll just put down a post on it, in remembrance of my very much loved late por por.

Anyway, back to my Izumio and Super Lutein purchase!

If I could afford it, I would still have been drinking a few packets of Izumio a day. Same goes for my 3 girls. I can feel the difference in my health when I was drinking 2-3 packets of Izumio and popping 4-5 capsules of Super Lutein a day. But now, only Cass gets to drink a packet everyday. The other 2 girls and I would only drink it as and when we feel a little under the weather. Cass had the most difficult babyhood, being exposed to a lot of radiation from a battery of scans since she was an infant and was on prophylactic antibiotics everyday of her life since she was 6 weeks old until around 16 months old. Thus, only Cass gets the privilege of drinking a packet of Izumio everyday to detox her body.

When I saw February’s promotion from Naturally Plus, I immediately signed up for a 12-month package. What I’ll get in a usual 12-month package is 12 products plus 2 and sometimes 3 free products. But for February 2019 promotion, we get 5 free products! Now that’s more than RM1,000 saved!!

My friend was so efficient and sent the products to my door step the next day after I’d made payment! And he even gave me two tubs of CNY cookies.

All these should last me till end of this year and hopefully by then, Naturally Plus will have this free 5 products promotion once again.

The February promotion has been so encouraging that Naturally Plus is extending it to 28 February 2019!

This is by far the best promotion offered by Naturally Plus. If you are interested in taking a package or just want to try out one or two products, do let me know. I can be reached at email shireenyong@gmail.com OR Whatsapp 019-266 4290.

No. of times viewed = 129

Vitacare’s ‘Food For The Soul’ Event @ The Gardens Mall, 20 April 2018

I love attending Vitacare Pharmacy’s events and always look forward to receiving invites for its events which focus on healthy eating and living. I never fail to learn something new at each of its event.

The latest Vitacare event that I attended was held on 20 April 2018 at The Gardens Mall. Titled ‘Food For The Soul’, we were given tips on the preparation of easy yet wholesome meals using only natural and healthy ingredients. We were also introduced to several healthy beverages made from superfoods carefully designed for the health of our guts and overall health of our body.

Good Morning brand range of nutritious beverages from V Grains 18 Grains purple beverage, V Halia 18 Grains ginger beverage, V Quinoa healthy snack and Amazin’ Graze granola (my absolute favorite brand of granola!) :

There was a demo on how to use V Grains purple powder to blitz up a delish snack / dessert, which provides so much sustenance that it can be eaten per se as a meal replacement for those on a diet.

Everyone was given a cup of V Grains power-packed snack concocted by the team from Good Morning to bring home, together with a recipe book and CD. I was amazed to see how V Grains 18 grains powder can be used in so many creative ways to whip up an endless list of mouth-watering desserts and dishes.

VGrains 18 Grains is made up of 18 types of premium whole grains with 5 colours of phytonutrients. It is also added with 7 unique ingredients including purple sweet potato, blueberry, lutein, calcium, soya lecithin, prebiotic inulin and water soluble fibre.

A speaker explaining the importance of incorporating plant protein into our diet:

Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, soy and lentils are some of nature’s treasures. They are a powerhouse of good nutrition, a good source of plant protein, loaded with disease fighting phytonutrients, cholesterol-lowering fiber and naturally low in cholesterol and sodium. A diet focusing on plant-based protein sources can be beneficial for helping to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality.

This nutritionist concocted a delish smoothie composed of plant protein powder + organic rolled oats + green leafy vegetables + a pinch of salt (blitzed together), flavored with raw cacao powder and raw nuts.

I was given the privilege to try the smoothie, right out of the blender. Though it’s thick and some thought it would taste yucky but surprise surprise, it was pretty good! Nutty, oaty, chocolaty, milky and refreshing from the raw vegetables. This is a balanced cup of meal complete with carbs, protein and fiber, all in one. And it’s super low in calories and fat too. I had a cup of this and it filled me up pretty well, so much that I wasn’t even hungry when it was time for lunch.

This V Quinoa 18 grains crunchy bars healthy snack from Good Morning got everyone raving about how delish it is. We were passing the bag of snack around and everyone just couldn’t get enough of it. This product will only be officially available at selected supermarkets and pharmacies in June 2018. It’s made from healthy legumes and grains and tastes like pop corn. Our girls were fighting for the snack and it sure isn’t enough for the 3 piranhas haha!

Fibre Cleanse and Actizyme from New Morning ~ something for the health of your guts.

“You are what you eat” Agree with me on this popular adage?

Yes and no.

It’s actually “you are what you digest and absorb”. And this means you need to have healthy guts for good digestion, absorption and elimination. This is something that I learnt at the event from the nutritionist.

ActiZyme from New Morning is a premium, all-encompassing blend of digestive enzymes formulated to optimize the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, dairy, legumes, cruciferous vegetables, cereal grains and other foods. ActiZyme is an advanced digestion supplement that combines DigeSEB with a proprietary blend of 22 natural and bioactive fruits and vegetables and concentrates. This product is recommended for those who suffer from weakened or inflamed stomachs, pancreas or GI tract, the elderly who face declined digestive and absorption functions and for those who need the extra help to promote digestive and gut health and overall wellbeing. If you’ve had a very heavy meal and need aid in digesting your food, ActiZyme might just be the solution 😉

For those of you who need a little nudge in your bowel movements, New Morning FibreCleanse Forte might just be the answer. It helps to promote bowel regularity, promote healthy gut microbiata balance, healthy GI tract, better gut health and is 100% laxative with no laxative. Made from 11 fruits, 11 vegetables and Moringa Oleifera extract, FibreCleanse Forte also helps to promote internal cleansing and detoxification.

Celebs and bloggers taking part in an experiment with ActiZyme:

It’s amazing to see that with ActiZyme added into a thick oat paste, the paste gradually melted and liquefied. That’s how the enzyme in ActiZyme digests food in our guts.

A group picture to conclude the Vitacare event. Can you spot me? 😆

VIPs at the event include Sarah Lian, a local and international actress and other celebs.

As with previous events, Vitacare is extremely generous with their goodie bags. I always look forward to receiving it. All the products promoted at the event were included in the goodie bag, yippee! And an awesome bottle of high grade MGO 250+ Manuka honey from New Zealand too, which costs over RM100 a bottle!

Thank you very much once again Vitacare for having me at the event. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it and can’t wait to attend the next event 🤗

No. of times viewed = 29

Homemade Natural Baby Powder

I am a sucker for baby powder. I cannot live without it, literally. I’ve used baby powder all my life. After each shower, I lather my body generously with baby powder. Just LOVE the smell of baby powder. Who doesn’t love the smell of babies, yeah? And who doesn’t love the dry feeling under the armpits and thighs after a cooling shower? I also use baby powder as loose powder on my face.

But is baby powder safe to use?

All the while, I thought it was. Mum used baby powder to dust our tushie after each diaper change. In fact, mothers since the dawn of time have used baby powder on their baby’s tushies to keep them dry and nice smelling, as well as to prevent nappy rash. Baby powder is a staple on every baby product aisle but in recent years, there have been so much negative articles on the dangers of using talcum powder and baby powder that you wouldn’t want it near your baby or yourself anymore.

Baby powder has fallen out of favor in recent years due to it’s main ingredient, talc, being listed as a possible carcinogen. Many commercial baby powders contain synthetic fragrances which can be irritating to baby’s sensitive skin.

Some of the reported dangers of using baby powder / talc powder include:

1. Breathing issues and lung damage.
2. Talc powder is associated with ovarian cancer and women who use powder on their genitals have more than a 40 percent increased risk of cancer, according to The Huffington Post.
3. Cornstarch used in talc powder can worsen a yeast infection of the skin, creating a really bad diaper rash that will have to be treated with anti-fungal cream.

So scary, right?

These reasons are scary enough to prompt me to make my own baby powder using only organic and natural ingredients. And it’s SO easy and fast to make it at the comforts of your home. It takes 10 ~ 15 minutes at most to prep a 50g bottle of baby powder.

You’ll need:
1. Organic arrowroot powder or organic corn starch. Be sure to get only organic powders and not GMO powders. Some recipes use kaolin clay and bentonite clay. But I am not 100% sure of the safety of these clay powder, thus I’m sticking to organic plant powders.

2. Pure essential oils. You can choose the fragrance of your choice. For my first batch made two weeks ago, I used tea tree, peppermint and grapefruit essential oils from Melaleuca. For my second batch which I made yesterday, I used tea tree, peppermint and lavender essential oils. I use about 6-7 drops of each essential oil. You can use more if you wish.

3. Funnel

4. Sterilized bottle.

Instructions:
~ Pour the powder into a bowl.
~ Drop the essential oils onto the powder.
~ Mix well with a clean spoon.
~ Pour the baby powder into a bottle using a funnel.
~ Shake well before each use.
~ The powder will turn slightly lumpy over time as there’s moisture from the essential oils. But not to worry. The powder is super soft and does not harden. Pour the powder onto your palm before use. Using your finger tips, press on the soft clumps to break the the powder before applying on your face and body.

This homemade baby powder is safe to use and does not cause tightness and dry feeling on your body and face. My homemade baby powder is super smooth and moisturizing on my dry and sensitive skin.

If you intend to apply the baby powder on your baby, you can try adding something soothing and mild like dried chamomile flowers and calendula flowers, powdered in the blender or food processor.

No. of times viewed = 21

Vitacare’s Health & Wellness Discovery Journey – Bloggers’ Event (Friday, 17 Nov 2017)

I was privileged to be be invited by Vitacare Pharmacy again to attend their Health & Wellness Discovery Journey bloggers’ event last Friday. The topic this time is on essential oils, Udo’s Oil, handmade natural soaps and some beauty tips. This is just the kind of event that I love attending, over and over again.

Did I tell you that I just love to step into Vitacare Pharmacy @ Mid Valley? I’ll be like a little girl in a candy shop whenever I’m at Vitacare Pharmacy. Organic snacks, honey (they have such a good range), supplements, quality beauty products, organic essential oils, these are just some of the products that this pharmacy offers. Their range of products is pretty complete.

We had the honor of having Prof. Dr Lim Lit Sing (Hong Kong) to explain to us what essential oils are and the difference between aromatherapy oils and essential oils.

Did you know that an aromatherapy oil is usually a 2% dilution of an essential oil in 98% almond or grapeseed oil which is usually extremely poor value for money? In reality, Aromatherapy Oil is just a massage oil presented in a 10ml bottle that looks exactly like the ones normally containing undiluted pure essential oil.

Prof. Dr Lim (in white shirt below) then introduced us to Florame organic essential oils, from France.

Florame’s certified organic essential oils are botanically and biologically defined. No synthetic ingredients, no dilution with other essential oils and no modification made to their natural composition, Florame’s certified organic essential oils are guarantee to be of the purest and highest quality.

Essential oils can have a healing effect mentally, physically, and emotionally. Technically, essential oils aren’t oils at all, as they lack fatty acids. Rather, they’re highly concentrated plant components. It can take a huge amount of a plant to get out even a small portion of essential oil, thus they are very expensive.

Being a sucker for essential oils, I was extremely delighted to find a bottle each of organic sweet orange and organic tea tree essential oil in my goodie bag! I’m so happy to have sweet orange essential oil added to my collection of essential oils now. As for tea tree essential oil, my family and I use it every single day for just about everything. I find tea tree essential oil a very handy first-aid oil to keep in your home, office and bring along with you everywhere.

Next up, Ms Faith Chong (in yellow picture below), co-founder of Sensenique Natural gave an interesting talk on natural soaps. For those of you with eczema, sensitive and dry skin, you would have already discovered that commercial soaps will cause dryness, itching, tightness and multiple issues to your skin. For someone with ultra dry skin, I can never apply soaps with harsh chemicals on my skin. Thus, natural soaps with essential oils are my skin’s savior.

Sensenique Natural handmade soaps are free from SLS, Paraben, Phathalates, synthetic color, animal fats, petroleum based chemicals, synthetic fragrances and preservatives. They are made using natural extracts and ingredients with a traditional cold process method which helps retain and preserve the goodness of natural ingredients used in the soap. Cold process soaps are also rich in glycerin. Glycerin is naturally formed in cold process soap making method. It is a humectant and emollient, thus hydrating skin and making skin soft and supple to the touch.

Clockwise from top left: lemongrass and orange, cinnamon coffee, charcoal and benkoang and ginger peppermint natural bar soaps.

Sensenique’s natural soaps are made from quality vegetable and fruit oils such as olive oil, palm oil, sunflower oil and coconut oil which are great skin protector due to its calming and moisturising properties. The added pure essential oils provide the soap with natural fragrances.

Below: Mix FM deejay Linora Low (on the right) and her friend in a guessing game. I first got to know Linora at an Ikea bloggers’ event about 5 years ago.

Wrapping up our interesting session is an enlightening educational talk by a nutritionist on Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend.

Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend consists of 100% sustainable, organic flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds, as well as organic oils from evening primrose, rice germ and oat germ. It contains omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9 fatty acids – all of which have been shown to boost cardiovascular health, brain function and promote radiant skin. After ingesting the fatty acids, your body turns those fatty acids into countless different compounds: fats are needed by almost every cell in the body. When you ingest fatty acids in the right ratio, your body can function in its most optimum state.

Towards the end of the session, there was a simple recipe demo, after which the bloggers were treated to a yummy DIY healthy snack comprising of corn flakes, almond milk, fresh and dried fruits drizzled with Udo’s oil.

Best of all, we were given 2 complimentary bottles of Udo’s 3-6-9 Blend oil! As the oil has to be kept chilled, the 2 bottles of Udo’s oil were stored in a bottle filled with ice cubes. How cool is that, eh?

As with previous session, we were given a big goodie bag filled with all my favorite things!

From my goodie bag: Florame organic sweet orange essential oil and organic tea tree oil, a pack of 4 Sensenique homemade soaps worth over RM160, Breton gluten-free biscuits, Perskindol, lunch box and a Relish healthy cooking recipe book.

Celebrities at the event:

You can purchase Florame organic essential oils, Sensenique Natural handmade soaps and Udo’s oil from Vitacare Pharmacy.

Once again, I’d like to say a big thank you to Vitacare Pharmacy for having me at this fun-filled event. I can’t wait to be at the next event! 😉

No. of times viewed = 60