HEALTH FREAK MOMMY – Page 26 – The joys and throes of motherhood…

How To Wear Shapewear Safely and Effectively

Shapewear is worn by women all over the world to sculpt and support their bodies to achieve a shapely figure. Body shaper for women like waist trainers and figure correctors are designed to impermanently alter the wearer’s body shape and they also work to provide support to the bust and back area.

If you are plus size and have never worn body shapewear before and are keen to give plus size shapewear a try to get an instant body transformation, here are a few things on shapewear and waist training that you should know.

1. It’s Not A Permanent Fix

Wearing a waist trainer is not an easy way out of exercise and a healthy diet, and it is not a weight loss solution. Shapewear and waist trainers give you the appearance of being slimmer, and can help mentally train you into following a diet and exercise regimen more strictly. But they can’t burn calories if you do not exercise and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

2. Improves Your Posture

A waist trainer certainly does not allow you to slouch and keeps your posture straight and after a period of time wearing it, it becomes second nature to you to keep a good posture.

3. Eating smaller food portions

When your midsection is under compression from a waist trainer, heavy meals will make you feel uncomfortable, thus you’ll likely feel more comfortable eating smaller meals rather than large ones.

4. It Can Affect Your Back Muscles

While waist trainers can help improve a bad posture, wearing them for prolonged periods may cause you to suffer from aches, pains and weakness in your back and abdominal muscles. This is because your core muscles aren’t active as they usually are. Thus, make sure you’re not wearing a waist trainer 24/7.

NeoSweat® Firm Abdomen Sculpting Leggings

5. More calories burnt

While waist trainers and shapewear don’t burn calories, wearing them during exercise will help you to sweat more. With that extra sweat, you will lose some water weight and calories.

Before you jump into your first waist trainer, make sure you do your research and get properly measured. It’s important not to exceed the maximum time you should be wearing the waist trainer. Lastly, it is important that you follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen to help the waist trainer do its things.

Don’t forget to take selfies to monitor your progress.

With a healthy diet, keeping yourself active and waist training, that Insta-worthy curves or flat will be yours in time to come!

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Saturday, 27 August 2022

Maria finally came back to work after a hiatus of almost two months caused by severe morning sickness and subsequently a D&C as she had a molar pregnancy and other gynecological issues. I had that familiar feeling of relief each time she came back after a long break. Our ceiling fans and windows had not been cleaned since Maria last came. She gave our fans and windows a good scrub when she came back on Wednesday. Gawd, the amount of dust and dirt that was wiped off! I’m so glad that Maria’s back. Even Haru was happy to see Maria. Haru kept tapping on Maria’s ankle and chased her old friend around as if to say ‘hello’ 😸

Alycia started uni last week. Her tribe of friends who were the closest to her the past one year when they were pursuing Foundation in Arts in college had a farewell trip to Malacca recently. Alycia made two separate trips to Malacca with her two groups of friends. It’s their farewell trip coz after the trip, many of them will go separate ways. Some of them will be going overseas and some pursuing law, accountancy, music and other disciplines. Alycia has a couple of FIA mates who are taking the same course as her.

I hardly see Alycia these days. She leaves the house early in the morning and only comes home after 9pm. She eats all her meals at the campus with her course mates. Assignments are mostly done on campus as it’s more conducive. Most students stay on campus to study and to complete assignments. The uni is closed at 2am. Don’t worry, there’s a police station on campus. Another reason why she comes home late is to skip the peak periods to avoid paying almost double for Grab fare. Speaking of Grab fare, Alycia spends almost RM1.5k per month just on Grab! It’s time for her to drive to campus but she can’t find the time to practise driving with me. And I still have no confidence in her driving skill yet 🥶🤪

Haru on Sherilyn’s lap as the scaredy pussy was afraid of the thunder again! She was literally paralyzed by fear, so much that even with the aroma of chicken (her favorite food) just inches away from her mouth, she was emotionless 😹

I wonder how Haru’s going to survive being away from home at a cat sitter’s house when we go back to Ipoh in December!

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What You Need to Know About Non-Medical Home Care

Non-medical home care like non medical home care Ann Arbor MI can include simple tasks such as companionship, meal preparation, and daily errands. Seniors may much need the services offered by a non-medical caregiver. They may also need transportation to doctor’s appointments or to the store. Here’s what you need to know about non-medical home care. It’s time you consider these options. You can benefit from the companionship and company of an experienced non-medical caregiver.

Companionship

A companion services provider assists in personal care and hygiene, including meal preparation and assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing. They can also take care of medical tasks, such as medication reminders. However, they are not equipped to perform medical procedures like blood tests. Companion services do not replace a physician’s care but can enhance the quality of life. Some providers also prepare meals and take the care recipient to doctor appointments.

Companionship for non-medical home care can help relieve the stresses of family caregivers. These caregivers are eager to spend time with their loved ones, but work and other obligations can leave them lonely and overwhelmed. Companionship for non-medical home care provides a second set of eyes and ears and can even help with housework, laundry, and errands. Companionship for non-medical home care is an excellent option for any older person who needs someone to keep them company during the day.

Meal Preparation

Meal preparation is essential for home care, especially for senior citizens. Whether in a nursing home or on their own, meal preparation allows them to eat a balanced diet and meet nutrition goals. Not only does meal preparation provide a more convenient and healthy way to eat, but it also helps clients to follow their diet plans and avoid becoming depressed. Meal preparation can also be a great way to connect with your loved one and provide companionship.

Meal preparation can involve grocery shopping, as well as food preparation. Home care services may also provide a nutritionist to assist with food preparation for seniors. It is essential to note that there are many different kinds of meal preparation, so make sure to find one that meets your needs and budget. In addition to preparing meals, meal preparation can also include helping with meal planning, making meals more social, and ensuring that the meals are nutritious.

Transportation Needs

A recent study showed that nearly eight million seniors rely on others for transportation. This burden can be difficult for family members, especially if they do not own a vehicle. But alternate transportation services are available to provide transportation for elderly residents. Whether they need to attend medical appointments or just get around town, these services can help them reach their destination. In some areas, such services can be as convenient as taking a Lyft or ordering a taxi.

Various programs are available to help healthcare providers and rural communities provide services for their residents. For example, the Department of Health requires that transportation providers notify them of non-urgent trips at least three days in advance. Therefore, their transportation options will be limited if they do not get the notice. However, emergency transportation, such as trips to the hospital, is not subject to this policy. Because of this, it is possible to find a vehicle in less time.

Insurance

Insurance for non-medical home care businesses is crucial for their protection. The day-to-day operations of the non-medical home care business involve providing supervision and companionship to elderly and incapacitated individuals. As a non-medical home care provider, you’ll likely use vehicles to meet with clients. It would be best if you were legally insured to drive in the state where you practice. Commercial auto insurance can be a part of a package policy or purchased separately. Because health care is a high-risk business, it’s essential to be covered.

There are many factors to consider when choosing insurance for non-medical home care. First, determine how much coverage you’ll need. Medicare only covers certain expenses, including physician visits. Non-medical home care costs can be as low as $10 per hour or as high as $30 per hour. It’s essential to keep in mind that your coverage may not cover every service you provide. You’ll need to compare the cost of various insurance plans and determine which one will cover the services you provide.

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Common Emergency Equipment Used by Paramedics

Providing emergency medical services requires a wide range of specialized equipment. However, the types of equipment used by paramedics are not widely known so contact emergency equipment for East Coast to know more. This article identifies some common emergency equipment paramedics use, including basic stretchers and radios, to advanced intensive care units and theatre equipment. Some of this equipment may be specific to the level of qualification of a paramedic. Other emergency equipment requires built-in batteries, which may be difficult to find in the pre-hospital environment.

Basic Emergency Equipment

Although basic emergency equipment can help most people in normal situations, many drivers fail to bring along this basic set of supplies. These items can help them repair vehicle problems and are recommended by California’s Office of Traffic Safety. Basic emergency equipment should be available in any medical office. Advanced emergency equipment should be available to dentists who have additional training and experience. In a worst-case scenario, these items can save lives. But which emergency equipment is essential to keep in your car?

It is a good idea to stock up on the following basic emergency equipment: first aid kits, dust masks, paper maps, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. These kits can be handy if you have lost power or internet access. You may also want to stock up on canned food and a hand crank radio, as they will provide helpful information if power is lost. The items in your emergency kit should be kept in a dry, preferably ventilated area.

Functions

The commonality of emergency equipment functions can provide multiple uses for personnel, facilities, and procedures during emergencies. These common functions simplify the EOP, minimize the number of functional annexes, and increase organizational reliability during emergencies. However, it is essential to note that certain emergency equipment functions are specific to particular hazard agents. Therefore, hazard-specific appendices should still be included in an EOP.

ANSI standards call for ready access to various emergency equipment, including drench showers and eye-and-face wash stations. These devices dilute and remove hazardous materials from victims. The selection of emergency equipment depends on the facility’s layout, size, and specific features. For example, a drench shower might be too small if a facility has a large fire station. Other emergency equipment functions may be necessary for a smaller space.

Location

Identifying the location of emergency equipment is essential for EMS workers. Paramedics use specialized equipment, and some of the most common pieces of equipment aren’t well known. This article will identify the most common emergency equipment and how to best use it. Equipment may range from basic stretchers to complex theatre and intensive care units. Some equipment may only be helpful to paramedics, and electronic equipment must have built-in batteries.

Training

Common emergency equipment training is a must when working in a fire-prone or hazardous environment. This training should familiarize crews with various types of audible and visible warning and caution indications. It should also teach them how to identify, suppress, and isolate hazards. Emergency training will help you save lives, property, and property damage if you’re a firefighter. However, it’s important to note that these training sessions are general and are not intended to be comprehensive or individualized for each fire department or business.

Several essential elements of general emergency training include recurrent drills and exercises. The POI must approve emergency drill training events and include actual hands-on operations. Certain hands-on emergency drill training events must be conducted in static aircraft. But even those with static aircraft should be trained on common emergency equipment. If you’re a firefighter or flight attendant, follow the procedures and standards to keep your crew safe.

Regulations

This regulation was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2016. It became effective on November 15, 2017. Health care providers must install fire safety equipment and implement emergency preparedness plans for all locations. The final rule, which promotes program efficiency, reduction of regulatory burden, and improvement of patient care, also outlines various providers’ emergency preparedness requirements. These regulations apply to all 17 types of health care facilities. This page contains important information and resources regarding these regulations.

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Tuesday, 16 August 2022

Just when I thought that Haru is recovering from a stomach flu, she threw up again yesterday evening and this morning. I noticed that she would only barf after eating kibbles. I only fed her about 7 small pieces of grain-free kibbles and several hours later, she threw up everything, water inclusive, till she had nothing left to puke. However, she could keep her food down when fed with wet cat food mixed with water (consistency like porridge). I suspect that her tummy is still weak and can’t digest hard food well.

After fetching Sherilyn back from school, we quickly took Haru to the vet again. The vet gave Haru another jab and more anti-inflammatory pills. I warned the girls not to give Haru any treats/kibbles.

With a smaller portion of wet food (fish) mixed with water, Haru has been able to keep the food down. I will continue with this diet for another week and start her with one or two kibbles next week to see how well she tolerates it.

While I was grocery shopping at the supermarket today, Maria Whatsapped me to tell me that she wanted to ‘ceritakan kat mem’ (tell madam some stories). I thought to myself that maybe she wanted to borrow money from me again. Honestly, I wasn’t keen to meet her in case she asked me for more money. But I met her anyway. She has never acted like this in her 11 years of working for me and I trusted that she would not take advantage of me.

Maria told me that after a post-D&C ultrasound scan today, her gynae told her that her uterus doesn’t look good. Her gynae has to perform another procedure tomorrow and she’s petrified, and wanted my advice. I didn’t really understand what she was trying to tell me about her uterus – were there still conception tissues inside or is there a growth detected? I will ask her again after her procedure tomorrow.

Maria then showed me her two medical reports of the procedures that she did last week. One showed that the cervical polyps were benign and the other report showed that she had a molar pregnancy.

So… it will be in another one to two weeks before Maria could return to work for us. I am so spent without any helper for two months.

Drama queen with drama pussy. As usual, there were lots of hissing, spitting and growling from Haru at the vet.

Haru is always the first to inspect all the parcels that arrive.

The compartmentalized plate with lid that I ordered from Lazada arrived from China after a week. This is useful for keeping dishes for the girls. It’s space-saving in the fridge and can be heated up in the wok.

No. of times viewed = 64

Saturday, 13 August 2022

Today has been an eventful day. Haru has been throwing up the whole day. We had a family lunch to attend at Oversea Restaurant @ Imbi and by the time we reached home, the vet’s clinic was 20 minutes away from closing. I begged the doctor to wait for me as I had a cat that’s been vomiting all day. As my car is still in the workshop, I had to wait for hubs to send us there. But he had a tummy ache and needed to get his fix first 😲

I was so worried that the vet would have left by the time we were there. Fortunately he waited for us. Haru was given a jab and some tablets. The vet told us not to feed Haru any solid food but to give her water.

Back home, after we gave Haru several sips of water from her baby milk bottle, she threw up again. When Cass tried to pick Haru up, the vomit splattered onto her hair and clothes 🤮 and Cass ended up having to take a shower. I also had vomit on my hands the whole day. Haru would barf around the house. Since last night, we had to walk around the house to hunt for her barf. She would puke on the floor behind my computer, under the dining table, at the entrance of the house, under the sofa, outside the room. OMG, I was so terribly enervated yesterday having to wipe barf off the floors the entire day, wipe Haru after she’s done vomiting, attend a family gathering, rush to the vet, on top of doing house chores. Maria is still not back at work yet as she’s still recuperating after a D&C performed last week. I was really worried when Haru vomited slimy saliva late at night despite the jab and two tablets that she’d taken.

By the way, Maria did return the RM500 that she borrowed from me, albeit 3 days later.

Thank God, Haru stopped vomiting the next day. She started to eat wet cat food again in the morning where I only gave her 1/3 of the packet, another 1/3 of the packet four hours later and the remaining food in the evening.

After a stressful day, I received the best piece of news late at night. Alycia’s Foundation In Arts final semester exam results were out and she earned a CGPA of 3.98, which means that she’ll be qualified to receive a RM15,000 scholarship from the university for her first year of degree studies. To qualify for the scholarship, a student has to consistently earn a CGPA at 3.65 and above in all three exams each year.

Alycia has to continue to study very hard to maintain a CGPA at 3.65 in all her exams so that she continues to receive a scholarship from the university in her second and third year of studies as well.

This pampered pussy gave us all a big scare! I must be very careful with what I use to wipe the floor as I suspect that she licked the hand sanitizer that I used to wipe the edges of the floor to kill an infestation of ants. Or it could be she had indigestion as she ate quite a bit of pork (from the watercress soup that the mil boiled) the past few days; her tummy was really bloated.

I asked the vet why is Haru still so skinny despite having 4 meals a day. The vet commented that Haru is not skinny but fat! Really? I’m not an expert in cats but I don’t think Haru is anywhere near fat 😸

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9 August 2022 ¬ Random Updates

Last week Maria (our part-time helper of 11 years) Whatsapped me a photo of a receipt and meds. The receipt has the name of a maternity centre in Cheras. When I saw the photo, I knew that something went awry with her pregnancy. She was about 11 weeks along. And I had the hunch that she wanted to borrow money from me.

My hunch was right. Maria later called me to tell me that she did a procedure to remove some polyps from her cervix at a private maternity centre. Her gynae also told her that the fetus wasn’t doing well and I think had no heart beat. I didn’t really understand what she was trying to explain to me.

Maria had to do a D&C procedure at the maternity centre the next morning. The earlier procedure cost her RM650 and the D&C would cost her another RM2k. She didn’t have enough money and asked if she could borrow RM500 from me.

I knew that there’s a high possibility that Maria may not be able to return the RM500 to me due to her financial situation. Her husband earns a meagre wage as a leaves blower. She also has to send money back to Indonesia to her mum, mil and for her toddler sons’ expenses.

I told Maria that I could only lend her RM400 as this was all the cash that I had with me. She needed the cash immediately. I don’t carry a lot of cash with me as 99% of my stuff are purchased via e-Wallets or online.

When I told the mil about Maria’s predicament, she was very empathetic and immediately told me that she could lend Maria RM100.

So now we have RM500 and Maria who was accompanied by her husband came to our condo pronto to get the cash.

Maria brought along a gold ring to pawn to me but I told her that I don’t want her ring. She promised me that she would return the RM500 to me by 10th August. I think she’ll keep her promise but given her financial situation now, it is highly unlikely that she could return the money to me on time. And in the event that this is true, I’ll treat it as charity and donate it to her. I hope she will still return to work for me though. She could at least repay me through instalments. In her 11 years of working for me, she has never once borrowed money from me.

Tomorrow is the 10th. I’ll know by tomorrow if Maria has kept her promise.

Meanwhile, without Maria coming to help me, I’ll have to clean the fans myself and get a reliable air-cond service company to clean my air conds.

Age is really catching up on me. I now need magnifying glass to help me read tiny prints on product labels! I ordered this RM7 large magnifying glass from Lazada and still contemplating if I should bring it with me and stash it in my tote bag when I do grocery shopping coz I don’t like to wear my grandma reading glasses when I go out. Grandma glasses are meant to be worn at home only 😬

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My Keto Meal

While I’m not a hardcore keto dieter, I have been a low-carb eater for over 20 years, ever since I was diagnosed with PCOS in the year 2000.

When I first started to be on a low-carb diet, I was hardcore. I printed out a list of foods with their carbohydrate weight and ensured that I stuck to a total carb of no more than 100gm a day. I would plan my low-carb meals everyday and had steely will power to stick to the regimen, on top of running twice a day – once at 5.30 a.m. and another time in the evening after work. It worked and my weight dropped steadily, though not easy for someone with PCOS.

Here’s another easy-peasy quicky keto meal that I had today – alfalfa, onion and chives sprouts with pork soup.

The pork soup was from the pork noodles that hubs bought yesterday. Today I heated up the pork soup and poured it over a huge bed of raw sprouts.

I chomped down the entire punnet of raw sprouts.

This is SO good! The hot flavorful pork soup with lots of pork lard infused every strand of sprout, making them so palatable, sans any taste of raw grass. Sprouts may not be for everyone because of the raw grassy taste but if you pair them with something flavorful like soups and a delightful salad dressing, you’ll be able to consume more of these tiny but mighty super food.

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How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator

You might wonder, “How do I use an automated external defibrillator?” There are four basic things to know before you use an AED. These factors include function, effectiveness, availability, and cost. Using an AED may be a lifesaver in an emergency. Follow these steps to learn how to use an AED or learn AED courses San Antonio TX. If you have questions about how to use an AED, feel free to contact us.

Function

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that delivers a controlled electric shock to a person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest. Most people have heard of in-hospital defibrillators, but the AED is a much more sophisticated device that anyone in a crisis can use. Defibrillators have two distinct functions: first, they analyze the heart’s rhythm, and second, they deliver an electrical shock to restore it to a normal rhythm.

Defibrillators are portable and use an algorithm to distinguish VF from other cardiac rhythms. The device then delivers a shock of appropriate amplitude to restore the heart to a normal rhythm. Unlike the earlier defibrillators, the new automated external defibrillators are designed for easy use by lay rescuers and first responders. It also helps save lives.

Efficacy

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that can provide cardiac arrest care to individuals who cannot afford a hospital stay. The FDA has given grants for public health surveillance, and the study’s results are reported to sponsors and participating sites. This study tracks individual AEDs in various settings to determine their efficacy. However, this research is limited by the limitations of the study. It lacks a control group for comparison. Its boundaries include incomplete case findings and selection bias.

For example, an AED’s performance largely depends on the VF amplitude at the time of the initial shock. While manual defibrillators were ineffective at converting fine VF, AEDs could convert medium VF with high amplitudes. This study has several important implications for the safety of automated defibrillators.

Availability

The availability of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a crucial component of the Chain of Survival in cases of cardiac arrest. AEDs are portable, automatic medical devices that help restore the heart’s normal rhythm in a cardiac arrest victim. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a devastating event that can cause life-threatening complications. But by establishing the “chain of survival” and implementing a simple, affordable, and portable device, the chance of survival can increase significantly. The American Heart Association recommends that workplaces and schools have at least one AED on hand. Other interdisciplinary healthcare organizations recommend the availability of AEDs in areas where cardiac arrest is frequent and deadly.

Automated external defibrillators are easy to use and have the added benefit of requiring minimal training. Under Good Samaritan laws, an AED can be used by anyone without medical training. The person cannot be held liable if the responder acts within the training guidelines and in good faith. Public access organizations and non-medical personnel can also use AEDs.

Cost

Defibrillators vary in cost, but a basic unit costs about $1,200. Adding accessories can add $200 to the cost of an AED. In addition, some models require battery chargers, which can run about $200 each. A new defibrillator can last five years or more with regular use. Some models have voice instructions and the ability to measure heart function. The technology behind an AED requires extensive R&D, and the price is likely to increase.

The cost of an AED can vary depending on the model, which will depend on its features and battery capacity. Some models feature higher International Protection Ratings than others. Other models do not have an IP rating at all. The cost of an AED can also vary because shocking energy can range from 200 joules to 360 joules. Regardless of the type, the price is reasonable for many users.

Certification requirements

To use an automated external defibrillator, a person must have a license to administer CPR and first aid. In addition to CPR, training should include the use of an AED. First responder personnel must be certified by the Department of Health and have undergone the appropriate training course. Often, certification is a requirement before an individual can use an AED.

AEDs are made for both professionals and laypeople. A basic certification allows a person to perform life support with an automated defibrillator on an adult or an infant. In addition to basic CPR, an AED can be used to treat patients with heart failure. This equipment has many uses but is most often used by healthcare providers.

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Covid Prevention – Second Booster Shot

I got my second booster shot on Wednesday, 27 July 2022 at a clinic in our hood. Though the Government recently announced that the second booster shot is only available for individuals aged 50 years and above, as well as for anyone with comorbidities, funnily though, I still managed to secure an appointment to get the shot via the MySejahtera app on my phone. I am 49 years old this year and will only turn 50 in 8 months.

This time around, the strongest side effect is soreness on the injected arm (left arm). It hurt so badly that I couldn’t sleep the entire night. The soreness and numbness lasted for 2.5 days. The day after the shot, as usual, I felt malaise and sleepy the entire day. My throat felt a bit sore too. On day 3, I had intermittent sharp shooting pain in my left ear for half a day. All the side effects vanished by day 4.

The mil had no side effects again. She didn’t suffer from any side effect as well after her previous 3 shots.

The hubs still hasn’t scheduled an appointment for his second booster shot as he’s still busy with work and can’t afford to fall sick. He’s short of manpower now and is still looking at hiring staff.

To secure an appointment, just ensure that the MySejahtera app on your phone is updated to the latest version as the appointment feature is only available on the latest version. Shots available at the clinic that I went to are Pfizer and Sinovac. I opted for Pfizer. Alternatively you can find out where you can walk-in for the shot. The shots are still free of charge.

When I called iHeal @ Mid Valley Megamall to enquire about the vaccine about three weeks ago, I was told that for individuals aged 60 and below, walk-ins are allowed provided there’s proof that you have a compromised immune system. Subsequently the Government announced that the second booster shot is allowed for individuals aged 50 onwards, with or without comorbidities.

If you’re still unsure whether to get a second booster shot, read this article and this article to restore your faith. And remember that when the pandemic first started in early 2020 before there were vaccines, many people died from the infection and symptoms were also more severe. After people received their vaccines, there were fewer deaths and people recovered from the infections faster too. Of course people can still die from the infection now and this is usually associated with underlying medical issues.

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Our Meals

We hardly cook elaborate meals these days. Ever since Maria stopped coming three weeks ago because of bad morning sickness (she’s expecting her 2nd baby), we have not had any other helper coming in. It’s manageable without a helper if we don’t cook.

We get takeout or order from Shopee Food on most days and will blanch a green leafy veggie every day. Sometimes the mil will boil soup, steam fish, steam minced pork or cook porridge. At times I will cook some simple fish or chicken dishes using the air fryer and pressure cooker. Sometimes we’ll boil some dumplings (‘kau ji’), konjac noodles or instant noodles.

I found a seller whose Taiwanese wife makes top-notch Taiwan-style dumplings and have been buying by the bulk from this seller for the past one year. Everyone in the house loves his wife’s dumplings. And on most days, we will have food from hubby’s central kitchen.

Sherilyn and Cass love prepping their own meals. As Sherilyn has been super busy with school activities lately, she’s not cooked for us. However she’ll prep simple food for herself. Cass loves using the Air Fryer to air fry sandwiches, French Toast, broccoli, meat patties and even fried egg.

Here’s a throwback of the meals that we had recently.

From hubby’s kitchen – seafood spaghetti, Brazilian spinach salad with broccoli and cauli and fried onion rings.

Big shrimps, mussels and lots of garlic in the seafood pasta. Very yums.

MIL treated us to unagi don and sushi on one of the week days last week to celebrate her all-good blood test result.

Dinner ordered from Tsuen Wan Restaurant via Shopee Food. I prefer ordering via Shopee Food vs Grab Food and Food Panda as SF has better deals and savings.

Our lunch and dinner today from hubby’s kitchen – stir-fried assorted veggies and sambal big prawns.

From hubby’s kitchen today – nasi lemak, chicken rendang and fried tofu.

From hubby’s kitchen today – fried mackeral fish with chilies and spices.

From hubby’s kitchen today – braised chicken with chestnuts.

From hubby’s kitchen last Saturday – mini burger and mashed potato.

Early dinner at a Filipino cafe two Saturdays ago, with just Sherilyn. While we had dinner, Cass spent two hours walking almost the entire neighborhood alone – something that she’s always wanted to do.

Halo-Halo, a popular cold dessert in the Philippines, similar to our Ais Kacang.

After Sherilyn and I were done eating at the Filipino cafe, hubs joined us and we segued into another restaurant for our second dinner, all because hubs was craving for Japanese food.

Sherilyn and I shared a cup of chawan mushi as we were already full from our earlier dinner.

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Saturday, 23 July 2022

Today has been another hectic day for hubs and his kitchen crew. They prepped over 300 burgers today and will be whipping up 300 more tomorrow for a client’s 2-day event. In addition, they cooked sambal, curries, bolognese sauce, deep fried potato wedges and marinated a whole lamb for BBQ tonight.

I brought Cass to the kitchen to help out in the afternoon after her online Japanese class ended where she spent over 4 hours there. Tomorrow she’ll follow her dad to the kitchen to help prep over 300 burgers. They’ll leave the house before 7 a.m.

Today’s dinner was at Sanuki Udon with just Alycia, the mil and me. Cass was still helping out at her dad’s kitchen and Sherilyn had dinner with her friends after training for javelin and running. Tomorrow morning she has training for cheerleading. This missy just loves busying herself and pushing herself to the max. I think she loves the adrenalin rush flooding her body. Did I tell you that she’s so enervated at the end of each day that she just plonks herself on the floor and sleeps without taking her bath? Don’t ask me why she does that.

WIP for prepping over 600 mini burgers. Good thing there’s an industrial Combi oven with a pan-fry feature to do the job of frying the burger patties.

While mil and Alycia had udon, I had cabbage salad, poached egg and Kushikatsu onion, chicken and sweet potato.

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How Celebrities Get Their Hour Glass Silhouette

One of the biggest fashion trends of the past few years has been waist training, thanks to the huge influence of the iconic Kardashian sisters. Since 2014, the Kardashian sisters have been taking turns flaunting their signature hourglass curves, perfected with their waist-snatching best waist trainer and corsets.

Kim Kardashian has one of the world’s most famous rumps, along with her super tiny waist. Over the years, her waist gets tinier. Kim credits waist-training corsets for her midriff and is even the owner of a shapewear company. Kim and Kylie Jenner often wear a waist trainer during their workouts to achieve tinier waists.

Since the Kardashians, more and more celebs are strapping on waist trainers and thong shapewear bodysuits to join the waist training trend. It might make it harder to breathe but that doesn’t stop these celebs from waist training to achieve a curvier body and a smaller waist, all in the name of looking sexy.

Jessica Alba is another believer in waist training. She is an early proponent of the trend and wore a double corset day and night for three months after giving birth to her two daughters to achieve her famously toned body.

Nicki Minaj is blessed with the most envious curves and a waist trainer is a reason behind those incredible hips. She believes that any woman who wants gorgeous curves like hers can achieve it with a waist trainer.

Waist trainers have become hugely popular as women of every shape and size use them to shape their waists, build their confidence, intensify their workouts, and even lose weight.

Plus-size women love strapping on a plus-size waist trainer because of the amazing instant result they see in their mid-section, as well as better posture. From an XXL to an L in a glimpse, it is worth the discomfort of wearing a waist trainer.

While waist trainers do not help you lose weight per se, they can play an important role in your weight loss program. Strapping on a waist trainer while you’re trying to lose weight can give you a vision of a slimmer figure and can help you stay motivated to reach your goals. You may find yourself a lot less likely to snack on junk food when you look in the mirror and see what the healthy, curvier, confident version of yourself looks like!

Waist trainers aren’t a miracle solution and it is recommended that you talk to your doctor before starting to use one, especially if you have a medical condition.

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Wednesday, 20 July 2022 ~ Random Updates

I just realized that I have not updated this blog for 10 days. As you might already have guessed, I’ve been up to my eyeballs with work – house work this time. Maria our part-time maid of 10 years is pregnant with her second child and has been riddled with bad morning sickness. She’s not come in for work for two weeks.

With the mil still not 100% recovered from her second cataract eye surgery, I have to cook, though not every day. Cooking is not something that I look forward to do ever since my last live-in maid went back to Indonesia for good 11 years ago, but would still do it when I’m in the mood.

With Maria pregnant now, I can foresee that she may not come back to work for us. Even before she got pregnant, she’s been getting jobs from other employers who are paying her higher than what we’re paying her.

With this scenario, I’ll have to start looking for another part-time helper. I may even have to learn to live without any helper at all. It’s not that bad an idea as I’ll be able to save a lot of money each month. I can definitely live with dusty ceiling fans and windows 🤑

The girls and I are also happy with Shopee Food and Grab Food several times a week 😁 as no one likes to wash the dirty dishes and keep them after washing.

Alycia returned to college last Tuesday after testing negative for Covid. However, she’s still having intermittent cough and have lost her sense of smell partially. She told me that her food lacked taste a couple of days after she tested negative. I think this is caused by her blocked nasal. As of today, her olfaction has improved and she can taste her food better, though not 100%.

I totally forgot that I have a box of Lian Hua in our larder. I bought it 4 months ago when our neighborhood pharmacy restocked it. When I was looking for my vitamins, I stumbled upon it. But Alycia had already tested negative. I still gave her two sachets (1 sachet a day). She said the taste is bearable, not as icky as she had thought. A box of 6 sachets costs a frigging RM48!

Something simple that I cooked the other day – air-fried butter and garlic pollock.

Seasoned with melted ghee, minced garlic, pinch of salt and dried herbs, lemon juice and black pepper.

My keto dinner – air-fried pollock on a bed of spinach.

Cass made frozen yogurt bites and yogurt bark using Gippsland strawberries and cream twist yogurt. They don’t look pretty but are yums! I love it and it’s a healthier alternative to ice-cream.

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Alycia’s Covid Infection: Day 4 – 7

By day 4, most of the classic symptoms of Covid crept out — sore throat and high fever. On day 5, the fever subsided but Alycia started to have cough and a bad throat.

Since Alycia had a zero-symptom Covid infection three months ago and is now infected again, I think she got infected by Omnicron BA.5, the new subvariant. BA.5 is now dominant in the US and has already landed in our shores. I hope none of us in the house will get infected as BA.5 is highly contagious and much more contagious than the previous versions.

Alycia’s well fed and hydrated all day. She gets honey lemon juice in the morning and in the evening. Mid morning after her breakfast she downs a mug of thick matcha powder tea. And in the afternoon she downs a mug of fresh coconut water. In between she drinks lots of plain water. She has 3 main meals and snacks in between. Her room is sanitized twice a day. My life since Monday revolves around prepping her meals, buying coconut water, sanitizing her room and the house, washing/sanitizing the toilet after Alycia uses it, and washing my hands like a hyper OCD lunatic 🤧 😷

Day 5 brekkie – egg and kale mayo with multigrain bun, sweet corn and orange and thick matcha tea.

Day 5 lunch – MIL bought healthy pan mee from an organic shop.

Day 5 dinner – Alycia requested for bread with strawberry jam as her throat hurt badly. MIL boiled a big pot of watercress + loh hon guo cooling drink for everyone.

Day 6 brekkie – chives and minced pork dumplings, veggies, red bean tong sui, black grapes, banana and thick matcha tea.

Day 6 dinner – air fried mini drummets, braised duck and veggies. Fruit – guavas and watercress + loh hon guo drink.

Air fried mini drummets marinated with turmeric powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce and corn flour.

Day 7 brekkie – Gippsland strawberry and cream twist yoghurt with walnut and watermelon seeds, Sanwa soda crackers, jackfruit and blush pear.

Day 7 lunch and dinner – Wantan noodles with broccoli + alfalfa sprouts, tau foo far and soy bean milk from Dao.

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Alycia’s Covid Infection – Day 2 & 3

6 July 2022 – The Covid self-test kit showed a faint line on the T window. Alycia is still feeling well and chirpy. The first symptom however crept out late in the evening with a scratchy throat. Alycia asked for lozenges and I gave her my honey and propolis lozenges that I kept in the fridge for emergency use.

7 July 2022 – The line on the T window is very clear this morning. Her temperature in the morning was 37.7C and shot up to 39C in the late evening. Alycia popped 2 Panadol today. I bought coconut water today and gave her a big mug. By late evening when her body was burning hot, she felt unwell and antsy. For once, she slept at 9-ish p.m.

Alycia’s four classmates/group assignment team mates who are also down with Covid are having fever as well, except for a dude who has no symptoms. Classes for them are via online mode until they are all well enough to return to campus.

Besides prepping her meals, my entire day revolves around sanitizing the house and bathroom (after each use), especially Alycia’s room.

As per her high school’s SOP on Covid prevention, Cass has to stay home for three days, as well as perform a Covid self-test twice. Her teachers arranged for life online classes for her.

Alycia’s room service meals:

Day 2 brekkie – Nama Shokupan bread with strawberry jam, mushroom omelette, banana and blush pear.

Day 2 lunch – chap fan, green tea, cut papaya and longan.

Day 2 dinner – air-fried boneless chicken chop.

Day 3 brekkie – Yee Mee soup with lots of veggies, black fungus, poached egg and minced pork.
Fruits – red dragon fruit and papaya. And a cup of thick matcha.

Day 3 dinner – vermicelli with beef and beef balls, raw broccoli and alfalfa sprouts, dessert of matcha red bean swiss roll and orange.

No. of times viewed = 40