Mom's Tips

Tip of the Day: Cats, anybody?

2006-04-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

So far I've been blogging about us humans......now here's something for anybody who love cats and have cats as their pets.

Tip 1: Steamed is always better than fried. My friend who owns a pair of cats says when she feeds them fried fish, they tend to shed more hair on a daily basis. Switching to fried fish, she noticed that their fur has been softer and that there's been less shedding of hair - meaning less furballs everywhere.

Tip 2: Use Panadol if you run out of antiseptics. Cats will be cats, and it's common for them to have wounds when being out. If the wound isn't a big flesh wound (in which case you need to hurry to the vet), take half a Panadol, pound into powder and smear it over the wound (after washing it). The wound will dry and heal faster.

Tip 3: Bathe your cat. That's your - the owner's - responsibility, not the cat's. Ticks, fleas and lice can attack at any time. It's true that cats groom themselves, but they don't bathe. And if you don't want to be scratched like a manicure log, best be gentle. Use lukewarm water, cat shampoo (human soap can harm cat fur, y'know), and most important of all, use the kitchen sink if you can. That way, you don't have to bend over and then get scratched to bits.

OK, three's enough. I'm no cat expert, and these I've gathered from friend and family members who do have cats.

Later. Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: Milk bottles and Toxin

2006-04-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

I've got a question for you readers with infants and small children out there:

When you prepare milk in a bottle (powder milk, not pumped breast milk) do you put hot water or cold water first? This looks like a stupid question, but it does have serious long-term repercussions for your child. Why? Because hot water in a plastic bottle (most feeding bottles today are plastic) leaches a chemical called Antimony (also HERE), which is a chemical substance that affects the brain (negatively).

To a child, it may simply mean nothing, dependent on how much toxins they absorb when drinking milk. But brain development of children is a serious matter to most mothers today, and every little bit of info helps.

My tip on this: Look closely at the bottles before buying (any type of plastic bottle, including feeding bottles). There usually is a recyclable material marking (arrows forming a triangle) and a number inside. The higher the number, the better the bottle. For baby feeding bottles, use numbers 5 and above (mine is 7). A mineral water bottle is usually low numbered, and that makes it unsuitable for hot water, and storage for long periods. They're made for single use and then thrown away.

And put cold water in first into the feeding bottle, then add hot water, and then milk. This way, the powder can still dissolve, and you are cutting the toxins by not adding hot water straight into the bottle.

There - moms, be careful - you may be retarding your child's brain development.

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, children, baby, toxins

Tip of the Day: Does being healthy have anything to do with where you live?

2006-04-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

Pollution is something we have to deal with everyday of our lives, but I think many of us think that when we go back home it stops there. Wrong. Why? Because of two things:

1. Air quality
Inside is worse than outside. The problem is when we're indoors, we tend to shut all the windows, which makes inside air stale. Unless you have one of those Puritee - Plasmacluster - Nanotech type aircon running in your house, you're pretty much better outside than inside. To improve air quality, simply open the windows. Remember - Ventilation is important.

2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
This is something far worse than air quality. The organic materials that are inside the house - asbestos ceilings, fibers in our clothes and furniture, your carpet, wall paint, and curtains all 'emit' some sort of particles that are suspended in the air you breathe. There are many complications which can result, such as Mesothelioma, and if you can't pronounce it right, trust me - you don't want to know the consequences.

We spend 70 - 90% of our time in our homes The two toxins most commonly found in homes are Formaldehyde and Benzene. It's time we start realising that pollution is a 24 x 7 thing, not just when we're outside.

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, air, quality, pollution, illness

Tip of the Day: Love Me(at) Tender

2006-04-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves eating meat - except for those with medical conditions. But at some point in time, we encounter meat that is not exactly chewy, probably because it isn't well cooked, which really turns us off. Here's Mom's Tip on how to make fried meat a juicy affair.

First, mix the meat evenly with some sugar (don't overdo the sugar, a little bit is enough, you'll get the hang of it eventually). Then leave it for 5 -10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. Use caster sugar if you can't get plain coarse ones. After that, mix it with tumeric powder and then a little salt for taste.

Fry away......

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Tip of the Day: DIY Body Scrub

2006-04-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

Peeling away old skin to make way for new, healthier skin is a beauty tip that stretches way, way back. But did you ever wonder what grandma used for her body scrub? It sure isn't some big brand we've grown accustomed to see in departmental stores. This is how they do it back in the old days - it's healthy too, no chemicals, all natural : )

Use:
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Caster Sugar (skip this if you don't have it)
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4 Tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Powder

Mix all those in one bowl, and smear it all over your body evenly. Scrub thoroughly, but slowly. Then rinse - you're done. It's one of those things that make you wonder - sometimes you only need to go to the kitchen to get your beauty treatment - right?

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, beauty, skin, peeling, scrub

Tip of the Day: How to pick fresh Fish

2006-04-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to admit that there aren't that many honest fishmongers anymore. If you go to the nearest shop, chances are that there are less fresh fish than old (and nearly rotten) ones. Now imagine if you ask your husband (or some other guy with no knowledge of fish except the art of EATING it) to go buy some fish. You'd end up with old fish that's about a few hours away from being totally rotten and poisoning you if you eat it.

So, Mom's Tips for today is choosing the freshest fish you can find. Look for:

·              Shiny scales that are still intact and doesn't drop off the fish.
·              Fish Eyes that are still clear / transparent (not bloody)
·              Doesn't smell like somebody else's armpit (fresh fish actually smells good, it's the fishmonger that's smelly)
·              Meat that is tender and not too soft and mushy
·              Gills that are still reddish, and not grey.

If you're choosing fillets, look out for:

1. Fillets that are tender
2. The colour of the meat (either red or white, dependent on fish)
3. Freshness (smell if you have to)

There, hope you guys out there make the right choices. After all, the health of our family depends on what we cook, so choose wisely! Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: Brown is better than white - Rice, that is.

2006-04-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

In these parts of the world, rice is the staple food of choice. There are many types of rice, each with its own unique uses - white, fragrant, basmathi, herbal ponni, red rice are all different and produce different dishes.

But did you know that processed rice (which turns it into white rice) destroys the majority of nutrients it contains? You're only eating starch that are fattening by eating white rice. Try eating brown (or red) rice, because they are the least processed and therefore have many more nutrients than plain white rice.

There's a web site that will scare the hell out of us rice-eaters - HERE. After reading this, I can only imagine how much nutrients my body have missed out simply by eating something bereft of nutrition. By eating white rice, you lose out on:
1. Manganese
2. Selenium
3. Magnesium
4. Phosphorous
5. Iron
6. Vitamins B1, B3, B6

One more thing, there's also a para at the bottom of the page describing the dangers of keeping cooked rice for too long in the fridge for later consumption. Apparently, apart from all the bacteria it can collect, there's also a fungi that can produce toxins when coming into contact with the fatty acids in the rice.

Hope this'll help change our dietary habits. Try Brown Rice!

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, food, diet, eating, family, health, nutrition, vitamins, minerals

Tip of the Day: Rotate your Bed

2006-04-03T03:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who sleeps on a mattress (there are people I know who sleep on a tatami/ straw mat), here are some general tips to take care of your mat as well as your body.

1. Rotate your mattress - do this every three months to make sure your mattress doesn't go limp on one side. A mattress that limps on one side will have a bad effect on your spine. It's pretty much like rotating your car tyres every once in a while so that it wears out evenly.

2. Vacuum it - dust mites tend to flourish when humidity's high. There's a new breed of vacuum cleaners (water-based, no bags) that have the capability to suck these bloodsuckers out of your mattress. If you can't afford it, then dry it out in the hot sun (an alternative in tropical countries).

3. Soursop Leaves - I blogged about this HERE. Though it's a bit crude, it often works.

OK, blog later. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, sleep.mattress, mites, dust

Tip of the Day: The Natural Isotonic Drink - Coconut Water?

2006-04-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

Did you know that coconut water is isotonic? Bet most of you don't. It is naturally nutritious too, and doesn't even have a lot of sodium (which makes you fat) plus more potassium than most isotonic or energy drinks.

If you look at it from one perspective, coconut is a complete food for us. The water's isotonic, the insides (white, jelly-like contents) can be eaten (or can be made into coconut oil), and even the insides of the tree bark can be turned into a delicious Malaysian traditional dish.

For those of you who still do not believe me, here's another fact: It has Lauric Acid, the same thing that mother's milk have and artificial, processed milk lacks. It is even more healthy than whole milk, having less fat and no cholesterol! This should be good for us women. And there's more - it is naturally sterile, since water permeates through its husk.

But the really interesting stuff is when you look back into history, you can find that it has also been used in plasma transfusions, because it is identical to human blood plasma. You have to be nuts not to eat something this healthy, nutritious and beneficial. Careful, though - once you pry open the shell, the water and jelly-like insides have to be consumed immediately - it loses its nutritional properties as soon as it ferments.

There, that's enough facts for such a common (in my country) fruit. I know it isn't available in many parts of the world, but try it if you come across it. Many traditional practitioners recommend it for heart, liver and kidney disorders as well as chicken pox.

More information HERE

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Tags: mom, tips, health, coconut, food, nutrition, vitamins, medicine, traditional, herbal

Tip of the Day: The Two-Pronged Attack

2006-04-01T02:10:00.000-08:00

This is something that I've understood over the years from talking to various people who are more 'knowledgeable' than myself. I've found that there are two types of battle that we have to fight in order to keep our health, assuming that we eat nutritiously and according to the food pyramid - that's HERE

The two most constant attack to our body's health are:

1. Acid Attack - Believe it or not, our body contains a lot of acid that it is working hard to expel. Most toxins that we secrete or expel are acidic, even the air that we exhale is acidic. While some of the acid does some good, most of it degrades our health.
Solution: I try to drink some alkaline water (there's a good alkaline water filter HERE, but it's not in English) every day, to balance out and neutalise the effects acid can have on my body. If it isn't available, I drink water that's neutal in PH, that helps to dilute acid - it's basic chemistry, really.

2. Free Radicals - These result from our exposure to the environment - the (quality of) air we breathe (pollutants), and also the fact that our body creates some free radicals by synthesizing the Oxygen for the body's needs (I guess that's why pure oxygen can kill us) . The danger is that these free radicals can affect us up to the molecular level - our DNA - which can cause mutations (not the good sort).
Solution: I go for antioxidants - there are a lot of food with anti-oxidant properties (i.e garlic). Perhaps the most well known vitamins with antioxidant properties are vitamins E and C, so eat foods that are rich with those. I also supplement with vitamins and minerals (selenium is good)

Caution: This isn't meant to be an exhaustive list, as there may be other things that affects our body on a daily basis that I've yet to know (I'm not a doctor, you know). This is just a simple guide for healthy living, therefore treat this as so.

Until next time - Ciao.

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Tags: health, acids, free radicals, DNA, tip, food, eating

Tip of the Day: Which should I buy?

2006-03-30T03:12:00.000-08:00

Going to the pharmacy these days can be quite a huge task. The array of products available can make choosing the right product for your use quite daunting. To make it even harder, almost every manufacturer uses jargons like 'naturally produced', 'contains natural herbs' etc - even though when you read all the ingredients at the back, you find chemical compounds that you can't even pronounce right. Talk about tough choices.

Well, here's a tip : When choosing products, it is generally better to choose products that are in capsules or softgels - these don't contain as much chemicals as tablets (generally). Also, if you're looking to make a concoction / brew (as with most herbal medicines, pick one that is the closest to its natural form. Granted, you can't have everything fresh from Mother Nature - there has to be some preservative so it can last on the shelf, but try to lessen the chemicals going into your body.

Okay, hope this helps making those choices easier. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tip, pharmacy, chemicals, capsules, softgels, tablets, brew, herbal

Tip of the Day: Rocks that heal

2006-03-29T02:41:00.000-08:00

These lamps make great decor, don't they? They sit on one side of the house and light up a corner with some very warm and soothing light - makes a great night lamp too, the smaller ones.

But that's not the only thing they do. For generations, rock salt has been used by mankind and have proven to be useful in improving our breathing, alleviating stress and stress-related illnesses, as well as asthma and various types of allergies. There are many trace elements that are necessary for our daily lives, and most rock salt (lamps) provide you with these. Also, these rocks, when heated (by light bulb) will release negative ions that will neutralise the positive ions that damages our health.

And you thought it was just nice decor....BTW, there's more information HERE.

OK, Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tip, decor, home, health, minerals, rock, salt

Tip of the Day: Why buy two when you only need one?

2006-03-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hubby talked about this when someone asked him about tips for buying a new computer. One of the questions asked that he had to answer was, in my opinion, worth sharing in this blog.

His friend asked whether it was worth buying the new 'Core Duo' Processors from Intel. Hubby's answer goes something like this:

Core Duo is another name for 'two processors in one package'. Sounds good, doesn't it? Not really - because you don't actually need 2 processors to do regular computer stuff. If what you do is essentially Office stuff, email, Surf the Internet, listen to music, watch videos, keep contacts and documents, you haven't even begun to saturate the capacity one processor can provide. Why buy a two-in-one, which is more expensive? It's just a marketing tactic to lift margins up - for Intel, not for us customers. For the record - AMD does the same thing too. These people need to make money, so they bend the rules a bit.

Instead of buying Core Duo, consider buying more RAM. Reason being is - if you check your Task Manager (ctrl + alt + del) you'll find an item 'Commit Charge' - which basically tells you how much memory is being used (including virtual memory). These days, most people will install software, and some software wants to start with windows, even though you don't use them all the time. So, just booting up windows will eat up close to 200 MB of RAM. If you start using other applications, your RAM (if 256MB) will be close to full - and that's the main reason your PC slows down, not to mention any spyware - related activities.

So, if you don't know what to do (there is a workaround to this problem, but quite lengthy) spend more on RAM - 512 MB is usually enough to future-proof your PC against bloated applications. Also, get a faster Hard Disk - look for 7,200 rpm hard disks with 8MB cache, most manufacturers like Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor sell these parts. Transfer rates are important too, so pick a HDD with Serial ATA connections.

Conclusion: So you see that buying PCs isn't just buying processors, it's about buying the whole system. A fast processor can't get anything done if other parts slow it down. Instead, buy a fast single core processor (for Intel PCs - 3 Ghz, AMD PCs - 2GHz and above) and carefully select other parts according to the advice above.

Oh, and another thing - If you can afford a core duo processor, opt instead to buy a 64 bit processor (i.e AMD Athlon 64, or any Intel EMT 64) because when the shift by applications and OS to 64 bit completes, you can still use your processor. (Windows 64 bit is still in beta, I think).

Wow, this is a long post - thank hubby for this. Catch you later. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, computer, AMD, Intel, 64 bit, HDD, RAM

Tip of the Day: Help - my fish is stuck in the pan!!

2006-03-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

Sounds familiar? Have you ever got in a situation where the fish you fry sticks to the pan, and the only way to remove it is by scraping the flesh off the pan? I know some of us have that problem - it's basically part of the 'Cooking 101' experience. And it's not just fish either - chicken meat, eggs and a host of other stuff as well.

Well, MOM always had an answer to these sort of problems. Here's one you can try: Take one or two pieces of garlic, wash it, remove its skin and press it a little bit so the juice comes out. Cook it with the fish / chicken / whatever you're frying, and take it out only after you've finished frying. Since it's burnt, you can't really eat it, just throw it away. Use more garlic pieces for larger items you plan to fry.

There - I'm sure whatever you're frying will look good now, instead of it's flesh torn off / scraped from the bottom of the pan. Good tip if you plan to cook to impress, since presentation is everything.

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, kitchen, cooking, food, fish, chicken, health

Tip of the Day: Wax in your Noodles?

2006-03-26T07:40:00.000-08:00

Here's something interesting - a friend of mine watched a TV show the other day, it's about a nutritionist telling people to be careful when eating instant noodles.

Point: Apparently, the noodles contain wax, which can take quite some time for our body to dispose - 3 days, to be exact. So, eating instant noodles often isn't exactly a good idea. What with all the MSG, flavorings etc that makes things worse. If the wax accumulates in our body (or if our body is inefficient to dispel all of it) these things can be cancerous.

Counterpoint: If the noodles contain wax, then cooking in (in normal cooking temperatures - 70 Degrees Celsius) can surely burn it off. Most of us cook the noodles by frying (only those lazy ones put it in hot water for 2 mins than eat it ), because it tastes better that way, and we can add other things - such as veggies, meat/chicken and our own flavour instead of the packets that come with it.

Conclusion? This is something that cannot be easily proven. Wax can be eliminated by our body as easily as other toxins - it's when your body is inefficient (malnourished / malnutritioned) that these things become a concern. After all, wouldn't it be commonsense to not eat these things every day? Bread is better (most breads are now bromate-free, minus one health concern), and it definitely cheaper than these five-pack noodles.

I'll leave it to you to decide. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, noodles, cancer, nutrition

Tip of the Day: Since when is Snacking Bad for Your Health?

2006-03-24T03:17:00.000-08:00

Snacks are often associated with food that has no nutritional value at all, and most either have too much flavouring or too much colour to give any benefit to your body. Well, that's the problem with modern living, we tend to eat artificial stuff too much. But there's one snack that's been eaten for ages, and it's scientifically proven to be good - sunflower seeds (called 'kuaci' here in Malaysia). Now, there are many types of seeds - such as pumpkin seed and various types of sunflower seeds - but the focus today is on sunflower seeds.

Half a cup of these things supply enoughvitamin E for your daily needs, as well as various minerals and other vitamins as well (such as vitamin B1). It is also a rich source of oil (polyunsaturated fat). The minerals present in it also helps to regulate our muscles and nerves, and selenium is particularly important in helping growth (for children) and regeneration of cells (for adults).

Here, a lot of us Malaysians used to eat this, when watching movies, tv, at the nearby park, even at the regular mamak restaurant. But nowadays, we see less and less young ones picking up this good habit. We need to start promoting natural snacks to our own kids instead of those MSG-laden processed snacks that are plentiful in supermarkets.

There's some good information about the benefits of snacking sunflower seeds HERE

OK, post later - Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, snacks, sunflower, vitamins, minerals

Tip of the Day: Did he say "Asbestos"?

2006-03-21T04:19:00.000-08:00

Hubby talked to his brother through the phone the other day, and something caught my ear. His brother was changing the ceiling because it was cracked, and the ceiling was a few pieces of asbestos. I immediately remembered an article I'd read somewhere sometime ago about asbestos, particularly the danger it poses in terms of health.

There's an article at About.com about the dangers of asbestos - HERE. Basically, asbestos has been used for a long time in the construction industry. In fact, most houses that are more than ten years old have asbestos ceilings. The danger I'm talking about is when the asbestos particles are set free and inhaled by humans - it creates a disease you can't even pronounce correctly the first time - Mesothelioma - cancer of the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. There's also a more in-depth article HERE.

Careful, all you people. You might not know until it's too late, so better safe than sorry. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, dad, tips, health, disease, cancer, mesothelioma, asbestos, ceilings

Tip of the Day: Huh? - what's RMR?

2006-03-20T01:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why some people just naturally don't gain weight no matter how much they eat? And some people just have the tendency to gain weight even when they eat normally?

There's the inactivity factor, as opposed by merely overeating (that's HERE), but there's also something called Resting Metabolism Rate (RMR). What it actually is about is that there is a certain rate of metabolism in everyone, and there are factors that can influence the increase and decrease of that rate. The higher the rate, the faster you burn off the fat, even when doing nothing.

The factors that influence RMR are:

1. Bulk (Muscle) - The more muscle you have, the more you metabolise 'at idle'. That is why exercise is good for you. Ever seen Extreme Makeover? Almost everybody is recommended some form of weight training. It's simple really, bulk up - and you lose the fat faster.

2. Activity - Don't be a couch potato. Even if you can't bulk up (how many women want to, honestly?) there's still the option of raising metabolism during activity periods. So, do some common sense things - walk more, take the stairs, carry more weight around the house etc. 30 minutes of accumulated exercise daily is good practise.

3. Age - There's not a lot you can do when you get older, as our metabolism rate slows down. To compensate, we have to do more exercise.

There are other factors that actually contribute to RMR, but too technical to explain here. Anyway, the first two points above are the most important things when considering RMR and managing it.

So, get up and go do something. Don't just sit there and read my blog.......Shoo....hahahhaha. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, metabolism, rmr, health, exercise, age, muscle

Tip of the Day:Making it easier for Mom & Dad

2006-03-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

Using computers for the elderly is a chore. The concept is simply alien to them - they use something called a 'typewriter', and the thought of connecting to the Internet, or even making a Skype call freaks them out. Adding to the confusion is a start button loaded with applications that don't even know how to use. Mom and Dad is simply scared of breaking something if they use it. So, hubby did a few things to make it easier for them;

1. Change the Wallpaper
The standard WinXP Pro wallpaper is a big metallic silver thing that can scare anyone not used to PCs. So, change it. Bliss is a good and friendly option. We prefer the family picture as our wallpaper.

2. Change the DPI settings:
If you're using anything higher than 800 x 600, you better adjust the DPI (dots per inch) settings so that text won't look too small, and older people won't have to squint so hard. Using a large setting (120 dpi) to compensate for a higher screen resolution. Don't just bump down the resolution, since many applications will need scrolling (vertically and horizontally) and this will turn people off, especially horizontal scrolling.

3. Find a Dock:
A dock is something that Macs use to simplify their life. It is usually situated at the bottom of the screen, and it is a compilation of 'icons' that the user can immediately recognise - and launch with a single click. This is handy for old folks, because they can immediately see what they want to use, and just click to launch it - instead of going through numerous items in the start menu. Avoid putting shortcuts on the desktop, they make clutter, and sometimes it messes up your registry (hubby said). A dock is much, much better - in both form and function . You can get Y'Z Dock (discontinued) or Mobydock, both are suitable for XP, it's just a matter of preference - I like Y'Z better.
While you're at it, get some PNG icons, too. The standard WinXP icons suck, i.e get a phone icon if you Skype. It is immediately identifiable and easy to click and launch.

Lastly, this is something I would just tell you (not recommending anything) - use Mac theme - it is definitely easier on the eyes than windows. For starters, refer to Iceman's Mac Emulation page.It's a lot of work, though, changing the system icons n' stuff, but it's worth the effort. Or, if you're lazy, just use Windowblinds. However, this will add some weight to your system, since it resides in the memory - and system tray, thus adding resources to your system.

There - a few tips to get the old folks to cosy up to the habit of using the beige box. So far, from our initial tests, they like the changes.....I'll keep you updated for further improvements. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, computer, PC, mac, windowblinds, icons, PNG, wallpaper, dock

Tip of the Day: How to lead a Healthy Life

2006-03-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Went to a free health talk organised by the Ministry of Health the other day - it's near to my house, and I had a lot of time to kill. Turns out to be quite informative as well, to us laymen. Here's a few ideas from the talk I'd like to share:

1. Eat Healthy
Variety is the key here, but not variety of the fattening type. Base what you want to eat on the Food Pyramid - the Malaysian Food Pyramid's HERE.
A lot of obesity cases, when traced to lifestyle, reveals that inactivity is the key - not overeating. So, if you eat more, do more work around the house - don't just be a permanent couch potato. For the ladies (who have more fat-to bodyweight-ratio, start going to the kitchen more. Cooking does burn some serious calories, y'know.
And one more thing - use less oil, meaning less fried and fatty foods. If you must, use oils that are healthy - i.e sunflower oil etc. Less sugar is also recommended, so keep your sweet tooth under the pillow.

2. Play Healthy
Get up and do some exercises. Take a break when watching that DVD movie for five minutes and stretch your body. Try to accumulate at least 30 minutes a day for exercising - ACCUMULATE, not do it in one shot (trust me, you'll never find the time). IF you're too lazy, use the fitball to sit on - at least it'll correct your posture, and maybe you'll be urged to do some light fitball exercises. Most men don't need advice - they know how to sweat, it's the geeks that need help.
ADVICE: Get your kids off the Playstation set if they've been at it for too long, get them accustomed to outside activities, it'll help them in the long term.

3. Work Healthy
As a worker (even if you're the boss), you have to know how to manage stress. One of the main problems of stress buildup is your inability to think rationally when trying to solve problems. Get professional help, use some lateral thinking techniques, find what ever informational tools you need for problem solving. This will lessen your stress at the workplace significantly.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, stress, work, food, eat, obesity, activities

Tip of the Day: Dry - or Damaged Hair?

2006-03-17T04:33:00.000-08:00

You can probably notice your body's about to fall sick by detecting a few symptoms. For most common illnesses, you don't even need a GP, but how do you determine the health of your hair?

Unless you have a microscope, it's practically impossible to detect hair problems. Most people rely instead on their scalp for any symptoms. Although permissible, it can't be correct in all circumstances. A good example is this tip I'm going to tell you.

How do you differentiate between dry hair and damaged hair? Both fall off, and both will break off if you pull them. The point is, hair is too small for us to look at. So, try this - put some water, then oil in a transparent glass. Because of the difference in density, oil will stay on top of the water. Cut a small piece of your hair (about an inch, 4-5 pieces), and put it in the glass.

If the hair stays in the oil (doesn't sink into the water) then you probably have dry hair, but if your hair sinks all the way down into the water, you have damaged hair. So now you can find the correct shampoo to treat your hair (although I prefer the traditional way- less chemicals)

That's it for today. Post later - Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, hair, health, dry, damaged, shampoo, traditional

Tip of the Day: Facials - Straight from the Kitchen!!

2006-03-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

A lot of us use skin care products on a daily basis - even men too, although they hate to admit it (Sissies!!..hehehhe). If you look at the bottle closely, there's a lot of stuff you can't even pronounce, and the fact that it's going to stay on your face / body for most of the day bugs me a bit.

Me, I prefer to go to the kitchen and get my skin care products there. Believe me, if you take a good look around your kitchen, there's a lot of stuff you can put on your face and body that's been used for hundreds of years. I'll list a few that Mom and Granny use, and passed down to me:

1. Tomatoes
This is a very versatile veggie - you put it in everything, from curries to pasta sauce! But if you take the innards and paste in on your face regularly, it will remove all those blackheads & pimples like it never existed. It helps moisturise and supplement vitamins to your skin too.

2. Banana
Everybody's favourite fruit - at least in this parts of the world. It's everywhere, cheap, has lots of nutrients (potassium, magnesium etc) and helps digestion. Don't use the fruit on your skin, though - eat it, don't let it go to waste. Use the inside of the skin to wipe your face thoroughly, and do this often. Helps to make those laugh /squint lines disappear.

3. Tea Leaves
Everybody knows that tea has antioxidants that help stop free radicals from destroying your DNA (huhh?....you mean were made from proteins???). But if you boil tea leaves and wash your hair with it, it makes the hair healthier and stronger. So you can skip using those shampoos that contain whacamacallit-sodium-something-something, which doesn't really help you at all. Read about it HERE

4. Cucumber and Potatoes
These are good for the eyes. Cut them into slices and cover your eyes with it. WARNING - do this only when you've got time to kill, because nine times out of ten you're going to fall asleep doing it. Zucchini is a good substitute, though not as cooling as cucumber, and Russet potatoes are the best choice (I find sweet potatoes rather starchy & sticky)

5. Bedak sejuk (Beauty Rice Powder)
Ahh.....the secret weapon used for ages. This is basically made from rice and water, although the mixture has evolved through the decades by incorporating rose flower scents (air mawar), and some other things. In this country, you can see seventy-something grannies wearing this, and their skin is unbelievably soft and supple. The secret is in the ingredients and the way it is made. These days, there are many copycats and imitations of these, because it is actually easy to make.

That's it, I guess - I'll update this post if there's something I missed. In the meantime, if you've got other stuff from the kitchen that can be useful, leave a comment. Who knows, if I get a big list of stuff, I might actually make a book!!

Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, health, beauty, facial, skin, hair, soft

Tip of the Day: Ghosts under the Bed - Part 2

2006-03-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

I've made a post earlier about dust mites and the harm these bloodsuckers can bring, especially to people with skin problems - that's HERE. Apparently, the advent of tech products such as anti-dust mite mattress protectors and pillowcases are only recent discoveries.
This is how they used to do it in the old days:

1. Dry it out in the sun - I've discussed this too in my earlier post.

2. Find some sour sop leaves (the Malays call it 'durian belanda' - search it in Google, and you'll probably get a description of what it looks like), and put the leaves under the mattress /pillow for a few days in a row. Old people don't know chemistry, but I guess it must be some chemical compound in the leaves that either kills these mites or drives them away.

OK, hope this helps - Ciao.

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Tags: Mom, tips, advice, health, mites, dust, sleep, children, family

Tip of the Day: Hot or Cold - or Both?

2006-03-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

Have you ever broken a glass just by pouring hot water in it? Y'know, some glasses just can't tolerate when you alternate its use between hot and cold water. But there is a way you can lengthen its life by making it more resistant to hot and cold water.

Mom's advice: When buying glass, put it in hot water as soon as you get home (preferably water that's just been boiled) for roughly 1/2 hour, then take out and rinse with normal tap water for a few minutes. This should make it more resistant and not break as easily when switching between hot and cold water.

OK, hope this helps - Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: Cooking Oil - the Lowdown

2006-03-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Cooking oil is the perhaps the most used ingredient in our daily preparation of food for our family. The types of oil used for cooking varies depending on the food, culture and even region - for example, in Asia, Palm Oil is heavily used as it is widely available, cheap and nutritious (some are cholesterol-free too). Among the other types of oil used for cooking are:

1. Palm Oil
Has a lot various types, and with the advanced manufacturing processes today, are made with various nutrients (there's even a brand that focuses and extra-high Beta Carotene compounds). What you choose is entirely up to you and what you're going to cook.

2. Coconut Oil
There's been a lot of misconception about this, however, there fact is coconut oil is NOT metabolised into the heart, it goes straight to the liver, so there is actually no point worrying about heart problems when you use coconut oil. Again, many brands and many variations here. Can be eaten on its own as a supplement on a daily basis

3. Soybean Oil
A good alternative for cooking, as it is already nutritious without the need for a lot of processing. It is also light in colour and smell, therefore does not affect the look of whatever your cooking.

4. Sunflower Oil
Perhaps conceived as the most 'healthy' cooking oil, as it is very pure in processing, and not very expensive either.

5. Grape Seed Oil
I've already blogged about the virtues of grape seed oil HERE. Being nutritious straight out of the bottle, many housewives use grape seed oil in non-cooking preparations, i.e Salads. Can be eaten on its own as a supplement on a daily basis.

6. Sesame Oil
Used as an additive to enhance the flavour during cooking. Not usually used as main cooking oil, as the oil burns quite easily.

7. Olive Oil
Applications vary, as this oil is very widely used, from cooking to preparation of pastries! This is the favourite oil of the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver - almost always used in every episode.

Well, that's it, I guess. Before I forget, when you go buy your choice of oil, READ the label. Some oils are not meant for cooking (it will burn easily and quickly and will spoil your food). Make sure it's labelled "Cooking" - or something to that effect.

Post later. Ciao.

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Tags: mom, tips, cooking, health, fitness, family, women

Tip of the Day: Soy = Fair Skin?

2006-03-12T09:04:00.000-08:00

This is a tip for pregnant moms or moms-to be, however, I should caution you to take this with a grain of salt. Why? Because it doesn't make any sense to me, dunno about you guys, though.

It's been said by many people that drinking soy milk, or eating something made predominantly with soy (like tau fu fah, a sort of tofu in syrup) can make the baby's skin fairer and softer. I mean, come on - if both the parents and their families are dark-skinned (like Indians or Africans), can you expect the baby to have skin like Isabella Rosellini? Or Zhang Zi Yi? There's probably a one-in-a-googlezillion-chance of that happening.

This is the problem with traditionally passed down tips, sometimes they don't make any sense at all. Another one is a ban on killing other living beings (animals, mostly) for fear that the baby will not be normal upon giving birth. I agree with not killing animals (they deserve to live too, even poisonous snakes), but sometimes things like this make me think twice.....and then some more.

I'm blogging this not to recommend anything, just telling you readers out there. Remember, take this with a grain of salt - or two. Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: A Hygiene Wash - DIY

2006-03-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought that feminine hygiene wash can be made at home and stored in the fridge? Well, apparently it can be made, and this is how:

Ingredients:
- Some oak gall (about 4-5, depending on size)
- Betel Leaves (about 10)
- A medium-sized pot (half-filled water) or small pot (filled)

How:
- crush the oak gall to small pieces
- boil water in pot
- mix the oak gall and betel leaves in boiling water
- the mixture will turn dark in 30-45 minutes, let it cool.
- put a small portion in a small bottle for daily use, keep the rest in the fridge.
- when your supply runs out, use the one in the fridge, but heat it up for a few minutes first. Don't use it straight from the fridge.

I've posted something about oak gall (manjakani) earlier last month - that's HERE. It's a very useful plant for us women. Until next time, Ciao.

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Tags: Mom, tip, health, women, hygiene, family, home

Tip of the Day: Fingers you can eat

2006-03-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

This is a food tip that I practise often on my child. My parents and grandparents often included this particular veggie in their diet. Ladies' Fingers is something that is actually nutritious to eat, despite all the slime it produces.

In my country, almost all major races (Malays, Chinese, Indians) use this particular veggie in their cooking. I've seen curry that has ladies' fingers in it, but mostly it incorporated as part of a 'mixed steamed/ boiled veggie' cooking. That's what I normally cook.

Nutrition-wise, this veggie is rich in Calcium, so it is a good supplement for those not drinking milk on a daily basis. It also provides the regular fiber your stomach needs to aid digestion and produce a healthy 'solid waste'. Other than that, it also contains vitamin B, and the usual protein and carbohydrates.

Old folks have always recommended ladies' fingers for the development of children's mental capabilities - brain power, to be exact. It is also traditionally recommended for pregnant women to make delivery a less painful experience.

So, eat up, kids and mommies - life is hard enough as it is. Ciao.

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Tags: tips, food, cooking, vegetables, children

Tip of the Day: Go(a)t Milk?

2006-03-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

To most of us who are not lactose-intolerant, milk is a staple drink we take every morning before we go about our activities. We all know that Mom's milk (breast milk) is the best, but us adults are not eligible for it anymore, since the age of about, say 3 years old.

But do you know the next best milk? It's not cow's milk - if that's what you're thinking. Goat's milk is the superior drink, recommended for children and senior citizens. It is easier to digest compared to cow's milk (roughly 1/2 hour compared to almost 2 hours), which helps kids grow better and healthier.

For children with asthma, goat's milk can actually help increase resistance by improving the lung's ability to immunise itself. It is also good for babies with jaundice, and this is a tip which goes back generations here. In terms of nutrients, goat's milk has at least twice as much calcium and protein, whilst also having about four times the amount vitamins compared to cow's milk.

I guess all the above explains why goat's milk formula for children are so darn expensive compared to other typers of milk............Post later. Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: Pumping fuel - or just pumping Gas?

2006-03-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

Petrol prices just went up again - way, way up this time. Fortunately (if this can be called fortunate), we still have the lowest rates in the region, except for Brunei, which is really a sea of crude oil. In these trying times, our mechanic (and a longtime friend of hubby's) has a few words of wisdom. Here they are:

1. Pump Slowly - Most of the time, when you pump petrol, you are also pumping in more fumes than fluid. Just because the meter's moving doesn't mean there's that much fuel in your car. The fuel tank is as adept to keeping fuel vapour as it is fuel. There's even a vapour management valve and a vapour purge system in some newer cars just to manage fuel vapour.

2. Keep it cool, please - Don't pump when the weather's hot, just like any other molecule, it expands when it's hot - meaning that you actually get less fuel for your money. Don't pump when it's still too cold in the morning either, dew and vapourising water can get into your tank. It's best to pump when the ground isn't hot anymore - at night.

3. RON92 or RON97? - Gee, this is like Win95 or Win 98? Anyway, RON is actually the octane rating of the fuel, the higher meaning purer (less sulphur), thus better combustion. But seriously - these days, with the advanced formulation oil companies have come up, the quality is substantially better than before. To those of us who use older (circa 1995) engines, use RON92, and adjust (advance/retard) your timing accordingly, which can be done by most mechanics. Newer engines can't use RON92 - it'll ping and knock like crazy. Oh, for the record, RON92 is slightly cheaper - so you get more for our money.

4. Check your tyres - this is a must, as badly inflated tyres will result in higher fuel consumption. Some recommend to inflate tyres close to their maximum limit, but this I'm not sure. It's always good to stay in the middle, so experiment with tyre pressures before you make up your mind.

5. Don't be a leadfoot - Cruising always saves more fuel than going full throttle, brake and then accelerate again. When cruising at a constant, the onboard computer can easily calculate the ideal fuel to air ratio, and conserve fuel more efficiently.

6. Gadgets - if you're a gadget freak, an Air-Fuel Controller (AFC) and a good Fuel Pressure Regulator can help conserve fuel. They can also be used to extract the last drop of power from your engine too. It depends on how you use it.

There - that was quite lengthy wasn't it? Anyway, I've a suggestion - why don't we all boycott petrol and switch to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG / NGV) instead? It's a LOT, LOT cheaper (sometimes up to five times), but you'll have to live with the decreased power from the use of it. It's your choice, basically.

Post later - Ciao.

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Tags: tip, petrol, fuel, save, advice

Tip of the Day: Is plain water REALLY plain?

2006-03-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Now this is a tricky issue, since it depends on circumstances, and results may vary. My pharmacist cousin told me this the last time we met, and I feel inclined to share this with all you readers , since I've tried this out myself.

The question is simple, really - Take tap water, boil it, it should then be safe to drink, isn't it? Well, that depends. If you go to the nearest pharmacy and buy yourself a PH tester, try putting a few drops into the water you think is 'safe' to drink. In most cases, it will turn yellow - meaning it's acidic.

pH 3.5 up to 7.0 are normally good for external use, as it cleanses better, but for consumption it's better to drink water with pH level 7 - 10

Now, what does that tell you? Simple - we're drinking the very same thing our body is working hard to remove. Try breathing out (through a straw) into neutral or alkaline water (blue/ purple/ greenish). It will turn yellow, or orange depending on how much you breathe out.

Morale of the story? Get a water filter - but be choosy at it. Most simple one-stage filters won't do it. Remember, we're not talking about filtering gunk or dirt in the water. Even more sophisticated filtering systems can't turn out alkaline water. Bring your PH tester and verify the results yourself. I've even tried in at a shop selling hi-tech water filters, and they all come out yellow. Talk about wasting your money big-time.

Around these parts of the globe, I know only one product sold by a local company that's capable of turning the water blue. It also sells drinking water in small, mineral-water type bottles. If you find any other brands that are good, please leave a comment here - I'd like to start a list to recommend to people (this is really helpful y'know since it's the most basic of things that we consume every day).

Post later. Ciao.

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Tags: tips, health, advice, water, acid, drink, filter

Tip of the Day: Detox - Part II

2006-03-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

To those of you who read my first post on detox (it's HERE), this is a continuation of that post. Here are some of Mom's own advice on detox - the way they do it way back then. I'll try to adapt it to the hectic lifestyle most of us lead today.

First, why detoxify? Being able to cleanse ourselves from toxins that enter our body is crucial to looking and feeling younger and healthy. There are many things that enter our body daily - the ladies, for example - eat as much as 12 lipsticks a year through eating (with the lipstick on, that is). This is why regular detox is important.

Here's some suggestions on detox at home, starting from Friday evening to Sunday (when you're not working). Remember, it's good to start at home, since there are side effects to detox such as fatigue, lack of energy etc.

1. Start by eating less meat and carbohydrates. Proteins are okay, but meat should be avoided. If possible, drink only juice and plain water, as plain water helps to cleanse the body, and juices supply a lot of nutrients without the regular strain the body experiences in extracting nutrients from solid food.

2. Less processing will mean more time cleansing and healing. That means eat less solid food. Instead of French fries, eat mashed potatoes. Soup is a good and filling alternative to many other types of food. The goal here is to eat less fatty foods, and cut down the processing of foods by the body to concentrate more on detoxification.

3. Find something to do. Did you know that obesity is caused by inactivity, and not because of eating? OK, eating too much doesn't count. The point is if you do nothing, your body won't sweat. If it doesn't sweat, it won't detox properly, since sweating is a detox function.

4. Set regular rest periods. You might have a power nap every afternoon at work, so continue the regiment even if you're at home. A scheduled regimen enables your body to prepare in advance for the work it has to do.

5. Take supplements. Spirulina is a good supplement to take because it helps digestion in the stomach and assimilation of nutrients. Honey in the morning helps to boost energy levels, and with many nutrients (hey, it's called the food of gods - no wonder) aids to stabilise your body's intake against its outputs (waste).

There you go - a simple, three-day programme you can stick to and do on a weekly basis. In the old days, people used to drink lime juice and young coconut water (it helps out the liver system and flushes toxins out). We can add things like vitamins and supplements today because they are easily available.

Okay, I'll post later. Oh, and feel free to comment if you have anything useful to add. Ciao.

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Tags: Mom, advice, health, detoxification, cleansing, body, foods, eating

Tip of the Day: Diabetes - burn the sugar off!!

2006-03-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

My father in-law is a mild diabetic, and many other seniors (and semi-seniors) in my extended family are have diabetes, too. I'm not going to delve into the science of diabetes - that's HERE. Instead, I'm going to recommend a few things I've heard, which seems good to pass along. BTW, this isn't Mom's Tips, she doesn't have diabetes. She does have asthma, though.

OK, top of the list is watch what you eat - this, everybody knows. And to a certain extent, applies to everybody, diabetic or not. It's the calorie count that's dangerous. Did you know that a plate of fried noodles has at least 900 calories? That's one and one-half hours' worth of exercise.

For diabetics, you have to apply the basic techniques of stretching, as well as either aerobic exercise or resistance training. Most older diabetics won't opt for resistance training, and almost everyone I know opt to do brisk walking around their neighbourhood for about an hour or so every other evening.

For the more senior diabetics - 55 and above - be careful when exercising. Muscle and sensory degradation may mean that you won't feel cuts or blisters on your feet, which can get worse. Also, if you haven't eaten according to your regular diet, and feel like going for a stroll, bring water and some candy. Eating less than suggested by your diet can cause your blood sugar level to fall - leading to fainting, light-headed, excessive sweating etc.

And lastly, try exercising at home. Some things you can try:

- Lifting your feet up and down while sitting (good for you couch potatoes)
- Stand up and lift your heels (a few repetitions are good)
- Work your hands and fingers, elbows and wrists.

Okay, there might be a zillion other things that you can recommend that's not written here. As I said, I'm writing from experience. Feel free to post additional tips.

Post later. Ciao.

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Tags: tips, diabetes, health, family, medicine, exercise

Tip of the Day: Ghosts under the Bed

2006-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Been to a friend's house yesterday for a sleep over, it's been a long time since we last got some time for girlie (or is it womanly?) talk. I noticed that the guest room we're staying in had mites on the bed - we couldn't sleep peacefully that night. So this is Mom's Tips about Mites (in case you haven't figured that out yet)

1. Be clean as a whistle - going to bed sweating like a pig (like after an outdoor activity, or even cleaning up the house) is like an invitation for these bloodsuckers. The fact that they're nocturnal doesn't mean that they won't bite at any other time. And since we can't see them, it's best to avoid them altogether.

2. Get anti-dust mite sheets and pillowcases - these are proven weapons against dust mites. There's even a mattress protector that's anti - bloodsuckers (sheesh, they sound like vampires now). Just be sure not to bleach the fabric when washing - they're made with special chemicals added to the fabric, and bleaching will remove their 'ability' to protect against mites.

3. Get a tan - once a week (or more frequent, if you're able), dry the mattress and pillows under the hot sun all day. This will surely remove them from the homes they've built inside the mattress. This is not easy to do if you don't live in a tropical country, though.

That should be enough. Oh, there's also a new breed of vacuum cleaner (made specifically with vacuuming mattresses in mind) that can clean mites. You really should pay attention to these, since people with asthma are common these days, and they just can't tolerate mites and dust.

Post later. Ciao.

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Tags: tip, dust, mites, health, life, vacuum, cleaner, mattress

News: Victims of Nature - or Over-development?

2006-03-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Something happened during the week that led to a chain of events that got in the news today. The people staying in a city (Shah Alam) nearby Kuala Lumpur had massive rain that led to flooding during the wee hours of the morning. Since everybody was asleep, chaos ensued due to the rising water. Apparently, the river nearby could not cope with the volume of water, and there was nowhere to flow to the sea since the tide is on the rising cycle. The heavy rain lasted for about 5 hours - and water went up to about 1 metre (roughly 3 ft high) and in some areas, up to the roof. You could practically see cars fully submerged in muddy water (the mechanic and tow trucks had a field day). Then the water receded, but the residents' temper did not.

Today, the news reported that the residents affected by the excessive flood had banded together and started a picket in front of the Local Council's office. Apparently, they were p***ed at the fact that flooding had happened every year (though not to this extent) at this area but nothing was done by the Local Council. Only now there is talk about plans to alleviate this problem. As of this posting, they are still on strike, and afterwards there will be a press conference, as they attempt to hold a meeting with the council's director.

What's intriguing is that flooding in the area has gone on for an incredible 10 years (maybe more), but the Local Council did nothing? Then what's their purpose? To oversee the development of the area come to the point that has now become destructive and counter-productive to the city? I guess only the local council director can answer that.

The news on this subject is HERE and HERE

Post later when the press conference is over. Ciao.

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Tags: News, Flood, safety, submerged Tags: tips

Tip of the Day: Going Somewhere?

2006-02-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes tips really don't come at the right time. Take this tip, for instance - I should've blogged this during the festive season a few months back. This is a tip shared by a cousin who's a police officer.

If you're going for a vacation, here's some things you need to consider:

1. Don't tell the whole world
Never leave a message saying you're off on a vacation if you have an answering machine. Most people do this out of courtesy to the caller. Just say you can't get to the phone right now and ask the caller to leave the message. Or, just leave the answering machine at its default greeting settings.

2. Sometimes, Clutter is good
Never thought I'd say this, but it's common sense actually. When you're at home and people are coming in and going out, shoes are cluttered everywhere. It's nicely kept front porch that gives you away - thieves look at these small things, y'know. And while you're at it, keep the garbage can closed. If they see no trash - that means nobody's home.

3. Draw the curtains, but don't blow up the lightbulbs.
The curtain should be drawn so nobody can peep through, but do yourself a favour - buy some cheap timers for your lights, and set switching on and off times so the lights don't go on in broad daylight. If possible, alternate the lights in your house to randomise - if everything goes like clockwork, you know something's up - right? So, randomise the lights if you can.

4. Stop the Press!!!
It's a good idea to halt all sent-to-your-doorstep newspaper subscriptions, since thieves will see a pile of rolled-up newspapers outside, and a bulb will light in their heads.

5. Get your local numbers
It's a good idea to get the numbers of your neighbours, and call them every few days (if you're on an extended vacation) to check up on your house. Better still, get the number of the local police station in the vicinity of your house, and tell the officer you're out on vacation (leave the address with them first, okay)

This is not expected to be an exhaustive list - maybe some of you readers are professional security men who can contribute a few comments to this short list. You're all helping to make the world a safer place.

Post later. Ciao.

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Tip of the Day: Avoid H5N1

2006-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

For those of you who thinks that the code above is for some medical prescription - wake up and read the newspapers! H5N1 (link) is a deadly bird flu virus strain that can kill if absorbed into the body. There's news about it everyday - just tune into the latest developments in TV - there's surely something about it.

So, what do we do? Avoid birds, stop eating chicken and eggs, kill anything that has wings? Sounds insane and morbid. Instead, to avoid the deadly strain, we have to understand how it works.

For instance, there's no evidence that the virus is airborne - that means it doesn't infect through the air we breathe. All cases of H5N1 infections reported are through direct contact with infected poultry - so don't lock yourself at home everyday - you'll develop neuroticism instead.

Second, the virus is intolerant to cooking heat - 70° Celsius, so if you have a craving for mom's chicken soup, cook the chicken thoroughly (no pink parts inside). That should be safe. And FORGET about eating half-boiled eggs - it's not thoroughly cooked if it's half-boiled, is it? And I think I don't have to tell you to wash everything properly.

So that's a primer of the virus - go to the links above for more details.

I'll post later.

Tags: health, tips, virus, safety, life

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Tip of The Day : Pinch Yourself!!!!! - Acupressure, Part 1

2006-02-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

Mom's advice to all of us - and still we practise this till today - when you have a headache, pinch the temple of your head. That's true, and not many of us know that it's acupressure that's working.

Acupressure is the art of self-healing through triggering (pinching, rubbing) various parts of the body to stimulate the body to heal itself. Practised by the Chinese for 5,000 years, it is a commonly accepted method of alternative complementary healing, besides the usual scientific methods - hey, even doctors pinch their heads when they have too many patients to look after!!

It is most effective (and can sometimes cure without other types of treatment) on stress-related problems, improper body gait (like hunched walking, bad seating positions etc), and when combined with other types of treatment can usually result in very effective solutions to a variety of health problems.

I have read (quite a few times) of articles (Internet, newspaper etc - can't remember all of 'em, though) regarding massages and acupressure stimulating various chemicals in your body, especially endorphins that inhibit pain and therefore promotes blood (and oxygen!) to flow freely to the painful areas to aid healing. When you pinch certain 'tense' muscles, these muscles will flex under the pinch pressure, thus loosening up and letting blood flow better to flush toxins out.

The best part of acupressure is that it's easy to do (takes a few minutes once or twice a day), and you don't need to buy any special apparatus to do it, just your own two hands. What is also required is a lot of patience, since some ailments take time (sometimes months) to fully subside.

I plan to make acupressure tips in a few series of posting, so this is Part 1. Before I stop, I'll give a simple demonstration you can try yourself at home once or twice a day: But first a word of CAUTION - PREGNANT LADIES ARE FORBIDDEN TO DO THIS AS THE STIMULATION MAY CAUSE CONTRACTIONS AND MAY JEOPARDISE THE BABY YOU'RE CARRYING (told you it can't work on everything).

The webbing on your hands between the thumb and the index (pointing) finger (both left and right) is a very potent point in acupressure. It treats a few illnesses including sinusitis / allergies, arthritis, headaches. Pinch firmly the inside of the webbing (near the area where the bones of the fingers meet) for at least one minute and several minutes (3-5, take your pick) at most - don't overdo it, repetitions are better. A minute is all it takes to stimulate that point, and that few minutes per session is all you need (remember, sessions depend on illness, so I can't describe it here).

There you have it, a mom's advice that actually makes a lot of sense and easy to do. Like I said, I'll post a few series of this, so keep visiting for the latest tips. Ciao.

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Tip of The Day: Olive (Oyl)?

2006-02-24T23:41:00.000-08:00

This is an age-old tip I remembered during a recent trip to my uncle's house. The district he lives in is one of the driest places in the country, and there's hardly any rain for days at a stretch. When we got there, we noticed that he had a few bottles of virgin olive oil in the house.

Dry weather can cause chapped lips, dry (and falling hair), and a host of other problems associated with moisture/ water loss from your body. For most of the problems, there are products that are sold off-the-shelves that can help.

Back to chapped lips, my uncle uses the olive oil he bought for his kids. Kids being kids, its normal on days like this to have chapped lips, especially if they play outside a lot. Put some oil on the lips once every morning and when going to bed for a few days (sometimes up to a week), and your lips will be fine again.

It can also help in restoring the health of your hair by protecting your follicles from drying out.

OK, hope this helps. I'll post later.

P/S: Hubby's going to ask his uncle (who's an Indian Muslim) about Indian tips for things like these. He knows a lot of stuff. Post later if there's an update on this.

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Tip of The Day : Beat the Heat (and some eczema tips)

2006-02-23T03:29:00.000-08:00

It's been quite hot today, no rain (like we usually get here), no wind and the heat is searing to the skin. You can almost see heat drawing off the tarmac road, if you look closely. It's weather like this that causes fever, especially to children.Well, I guess I'll write some tips I've learned from good ol' mom:

1. Taking baths

Careful when taking baths, you might not cool down your body. Start from the bottom, wash your feet first and work your way upwards. That way, most of the heat in your body will be drawn off through your head. Ever wondered why babies have oversized heads compared to adults? Drawing off excess heat is one reason. The scalp has larger pores than the rest of your body (to accomodate your hair), therefore increasing heat dissipation. About a third of heat dissipates through a baby's head.

2. Dress not to look cool but to be cool

Choose your fabrics nicely - most synthetics aren't the choice to keep the body well ventilated. Pick Cotton garments to wear on a hot day. For men, opt for khaki pants (since they're made of cotton) instead of your usual pair of jeans.

Contrary to popular belief, don't expose much of your skin to sunlight. Take a cue from the Middle East, where they cover themselves up. Exposing your skin to sunlight can accelerate loss of moisture from your body. It's better to let the skin sweat naturally. It also exposes your skin to various skin problems (i.e if you don't use sunblock etc) and dirt, which tends to get suspended in the air on hot & dry days. So, cover up and lose the revealing blouse or the favourite short skirt.

3. Mind your Food (and drinks)

If the weather is already hot enough, why eat food that are hot and spicy? The only thing those will help is getting you to the toilet quicker than usual. Opt instead for watery food, like soup, or noodles. Keep the curry and chilies to a minimum. Don't eat too much either, it'll weigh you down more on hot days. Eat more often (in smaller quantities), don't eat more.

As for drinks, plain water is best. If you want some flavour, try lime juice (lemonade will also do). It'll quench your thirst and at the same time will make you eat less (it's good for diets, too). If it's not your cup of tea, then drink other fruit juices - orange, papaya, watermelon, guava etc. Whatever it is, make sure you don't drink carbonated drinks. And less ice please - it'll make your body hotter, not colder.

4. Lessen Outdoor Activities

I think the title is self-explanatory. Ladies - go to the nearest spa instead.

5. Eczema Tip

My daughter has eczema. So, here's some tips for you moms out there with eczema kids:

-    Use aqueous cream

    The aqueous cream is a moisturizer intended for exceptionally dry skin (such as eczema conditions). Use as often as      needed, it doesn't contain anything harmful in the long run (unlike some creams which contains steroids used to treat       eczema. It's just a combination of some oils and purified water to make it a cream. Use corticosteroid creams only         when necessary (as advised by the doctor)

    Come to think of it, it might be good for us moms too - moisturize our skin....hehehe

-    No sweat

    Keep eczema children indoors, sweat and outdoor dust/ soil will make them itchy and scratchy, so outdoor activities     are a strict no-no. Keep them occupied instead with board games, books, arts / craft projects ....whatever you can         think of. And let them drink a lot, especially plain water.

So, that's it for today. Post again later. Feel free to add your comments / ideas. Thanks.

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Tip of the day: Your car is not a boat

2006-02-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

It’s been raining quite frequently here these days. This being the monsoon season, that means flood everywhere in my country. Well, I’ll post something my hubby told me quite a while back. If your car happens to be caught in a flood, there are a few things you need to know.

1. Firstly, the insurance doesn’t cover acts of god (at least, here in Malaysia) like flooding, earthquake, lightning etc. You have to pay a premium to cover that.

2. Secondly, if the car’s tailpipe (exhaust pipe ) is partially submerged, DON’T start the engine. It will cause water to enter the engine and screw everything up real bad. There is something called a backpressure where some air (and exhaust fumes) go back into the engine cylinder to push the piston back up for the next firing cycle. And water backpressured into the engine will……you know what.

3. Thirdly, if the engine is submerged in flood water, DON’T start the engine (you have to be an idiot to start it). You’ll make the mechanic richer. Push the car (if you can, ask people nearby to help) to a dry area, call a tow truck and tow to your mechanic. If the mechanic starts the engine after you’ve told him it’s been submerged, you know you need to find another mechanic.

4. Ask the mechanic to perform an engine overhaul as well as the transmission. While you’re at it, replace all serviceable (i.e spark plugs, filters etc) and worn parts so you won’t have to pay extra labor the next time you do it. Let the engine dry for a day or two, and then assemble it and start the engine.

Remember, for most people, this cost will come out of your pocket, so this is the most cost-effective way to do it. The car should be okay by now. There’s a more detailed version of doing this (something about injectors and valves), but you can’t expect me to remember everything hubby said – right? OK, post later. Ciao.

News: Hey, Lighten Up!

2006-02-21T05:34:00.001-08:00

This is a funny one, a little noble though - apparently there is a programe under the Malaysian National Nutritional Policy that aims to "reduce the number of overweight children to less than 10%, and adults to less than 30% of the population by 2016. "

It also aims to reduce the number of obesity of the general Malaysian population to 15%. Come on guys - "we seriously need to change the way we eat", to quip a Minister in a local daily today.

The details - The Star
This really is something "seriously funny".

Tip for Today: Sleep like a baby

2006-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ever stayed up so much till you find it hard to go back to normal sleep hours? Black Circles forming round your eyes? Feeling like a zombie when the sun comes up? This is a tip shared by an elderly relative.

In the old days, when you can’t sleep, there’s no pharmacy selling sleeping pills (there’s no pharmacy at all back then), so what they do is go to the nearest Chinese store and buy Chinese dates (called ‘Kurma Cina’ in my language). These (10 dates) are then boiled with some manjakani (Oak gall).

Drink the water twice daily (one glass at a time) during morning and when going to bed. Do this regularly to have the best effect. This drink is also good for mothers who have just delivered babies.

OK, post later. Ciao.

Tip for Today: Got Gum?

2006-02-19T04:44:00.000-08:00

This is a great mom’s tips to share. What if you go out, had fun, was tired, got back home, change from your favourite pair of jeans and discover……a wet and sticky blob of GUM on it? Feel like screaming your head off? Fret not – in life’s lessons,there’s always a solution. No need to burn your jeans over it.

1. Go and stuff the jeans (gum side exposed) in the freezer for about 15 minutes.

2. Once the gum has hardened (and therefore easy to scrape off) put some coconut oil on it and rub it clean off the fabric.

3. Once cleaned, put a little detergent on the oily stain, and wash it in the washing machine as usual. There, problem solved – no more gum.

BTW, I forgot to mention it works just as well on any type of clothes (unless it states that the fabric will shrink in the freezer!!) OK, post later. Ciao.

Tip for Today: Does shampoo really clean your hair?

2006-02-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

I heard this from a friend who sells retail health products. Apparently, shampoos sold in retail shop don’t just clean your hair, they can really mess up your body in the long term.

Most shampoos today use Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) an abrasive ingredient that is usually found in detergents, floor polish etc. Although it does clean, it can also be absorbed into the body in large quantities over the long term, causing health problems. An alternative to SLS is Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (ALS), which causes the same damage although it is considered safer because of its ‘larger’ molecule – thus less is absorbed.

Another ingredient that should be paid attention to is Formaldehyde a preserving agent that is also carcinogenic. This is widely used in the preservation of dead bodies, animal carcasses etc. I’m not sure what this exactly does to your body, but it does sound like something harmful to me.

Read up the links above, maybe you’ll understand something. So next time you go shopping, think about this. I’ll post later.

Tip for Today: The wonders of Grape Seed Oil

2006-02-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of free radicals? Free radicals in our body can cause genetic defects leading to cancer and hereditary damages. Antioxidants diminish the effects of free radicals and therefore, are considered a preventive element to many diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease etc).

Oligomeric proanthrocyanidins, (OPC) is a potent antioxidant. Lab tests of antioxidant effect of OPC is 50-times stronger than that of vitamin E and 18.4-times stronger than vitamin C. That’s a lot of antioxidant. There is only one food containing OPC in a higher quantity - grape seeds, therefore also cold-pressed grape seed oil. I’m sure most of you know what grape seed oil is.

How do you take Grape Seed Oil?

First of all, it is important to understand that Grape Seed Oil is NOT MEDICINE. There are numerous methods to consume Grape Seed Oil. You may wish to take it raw as much as you like, to use as salad dressing, for dips, or for cooking. However, for continuity, it is recommended to take at least one table spoon 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner every day.

It’s something worth trying, y’all. It’s better than eating popcorn and chips all day while surfing the Internet. Ciao.

Tip for Today: Protect your plastic (Credit Card, that is)

2006-02-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

Credit card frauds are on the rise again here. Since there are inherently bad people there trying to squeeze out our hard earned money, I thought I’d make a comprehensive checklist of do’s and don’ts :

1. Nobody can stress this enough – DON”T TELL ANYONE YOUR PIN NUMBER. If you’re afraid you won’t remember it, write it down and lock it up somewhere, it’s much better than asking somebody else to remember it. DO NOT ever carry your card and PIN no in the same bag around – you lose the bag, you lose the credit card too.

2. Put your signature on the back of the card. The signature is important to block physical purchases by a thief who doesn’t know how to forge a signature properly.

3. If you have more than 1 card, don’t bring them all at once. A good tip is to plan for your purchases first (including which card to use) and only bring that card along. But hey, how many people you know do this? See? It’s a mentality problem.

4. If you’re paying by card, don’t be naive and assume the card it safe – never let the card out of sight. I’ve heard countless stories of people buying things, paying by card only to find out that their card has been racked up to the full the next day – due to the dishonest store worker who got hold of the card.

5. It does make some sense to have multiple cards with low credit limits than a single card with a high limit. If the card gets lost or stolen, the abuser has a high credit limit to shop with. If you have multiple cards, you can’t lose all of them – CAN YOU?

6. Check your bank statements regularly for anything fishy. Call the bank if there’s anything suspicious and make a query.

7. Shred / Tear up your card slips / statements prior to disposing them – ever seen movies where thieves ransack your dustbin for these things?

8. Lost cards should be reported immediately. If you happen to find the card again (through sheer good luck) don’t use it. Wait for the new card to be issued by the bank.

That about covers all we need to think of. See card issuer's site for more information
Visa
Mastercard
Amex
Diners Club

That's it. Remember, play it safe. Ciao

Tip for Today: Detox without seeing the Pros

2006-02-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Some elder people I’ve met swear by this tip, and they’re not in such a bad shape at all. To detoxify your body, do this: drink concentrated lime juice twice everyday, every morning and at night before bedtime. They also told me not to add anything else (i.e sugar) to the drink. I guess it must be because they don’t want the chemical properties of lime to be disturbed by other things you add to the drink.

OK, see ya later

Tip for Today: Cleaning Pots and Pans with……..Baking Powder?

2006-02-15T01:35:00.000-08:00

Call me crazy but it’s for real – I’ve tried it. If you’ve burnt out the inside of your pan / pot and want it to look squeaky clean again, put a little bit of baking powder in there, add a little water, leave it in the sink for a few hours, and clean the whole thing up like normal. It should look nice and shiny now.

Caution: Teflon / Nonstick pans – don’t brush too hard or you’ll take off the Teflon coating. Best be gentle and more repetitions are better than a good hard scrub. Not sure how this would work with a dishwasher though……..

The Most Beautiful Cellphone in the world?

2006-02-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

I love the new MOTORAZR V3i…..went to the mall today and saw one at a mobile phone shop. The design is great, it’s packed with the features you’d find on any Nokia or Sony Ericsson, plus it comes with an upgraded 1.33MP camera…..nice. Don’t think it has any 3G capabilities though.

What’s the deal with 3G anyway? Where’s the fun in browsing the internet with RSS and looking at tiny screens? To be honest, I don’t see the point. To me, a phone that doubles as a camera, a music/ media player and comes with games is all any normal people would want. Many models fit the bill but the new RAZR is out of this world. 3G phones are big too – the Nokia N90 isn’t exactly a phone as much as a very expensive brick.

The V3i comes with a price though, in Malaysia it’s MYR1,499 – not quite cheap. But hey, at least there’s a cheaper alternative – the SLVR L7 is also a looker at 10mm thickness and huge screen.

2006-02-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

BTW, Happy Valentine's Day to everybody. I had such a good time with my family I forgot to post this.

Anyway, it's back to work from cloud nine tomorrow..........

Viruses and Spyware

2006-02-14T09:28:00.001-08:00

A relative’s computer went haywire, and she rang me up for help, knowing that I’m quite knowledgeable with basic PC knowledge and hubby’s a PC nut.

From her description (PC slows down when running certain applications, trouble with internet connectivity etc) I know that it’s either viruses or spyware, the latter being the bigger suspect. So off we went to her house.

Upon inspecting the PC, hubby quickly identified spyware through the Task Manager. He says most malware uses a five-letter .EXE file, or resembles a system .EXE file – such as spoolvs.exe, not to be confused with spoolsv.exe which is a printer .exe. The PC had virtually no protection whatsoever – an outdated antivirus and no anti-spyware programs.

This cousin of mine knows next to nothing about PCs except how to use MSOffice applications. So hubby ran an antispyware program called HijackThis. It’s freeware, and it’s astonishing how effective it is at busting these malware. However, you’d have to be an intermediate or expert PC user to be able to use this.

After clearing the malware, resetting the internet connection, restored the browser to default – everything was OK again. He then installed AVG antivirus and Microsoft Antispyware, and reminded my cousin to update the programs every weekend.

There – wasn’t that hard, was it? - Anyway, HijackThis and Microsoft Antispyware can be downloaded at most software sites, but hubby has a preference for http://www.majorgeeks.com/ (I think I married a handsome… geek). Till next time, adios.

Blog like a Pro

2006-02-13T20:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a good place for your blogging needs. Hubby found this while he was roaming the internet Probloggers The site has some handy ideas and a very active comment poting section, and for us bloggers, this is quite a good bookmark.

Try going there - U might be surprised at what U can find.

Tip of The Day: Polishing glass around your house.

2006-02-13T03:23:00.000-08:00

This is an easy one…. After long use vases and other glass (crystal items too) items around the house tends to lose its shine. Make a salt solution (not very fine, otherwise it won’t clean quickly. Put the solution in the glass item you want to clean and shake vigorously – repeat 2 -3 times. Then clean with tap water and leave to dry.

It should look like new again. For crystals, its even easier – the salt apparently cleans crystal faster than ordinary glass. Try it out. Ciao.

News of the Day: FISH SHOES!!

2006-02-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Hi, today I’m not going to share tips – instead I’d like to share something I’ve read in a local newspaper. We all know how women like shoes and accessories. Apparently there is a boutique here in Kuala Lumpur (in a very upmarket mall) that sells shoes, handbags and other accessories made from…..guess what…..TILAPIA Fish skin!!! According to its designer, the surface feels tender and it looks different due to the slightly scaly surface. Wonder what it feels like on my feet.

In case you’re wondering what tilapia fish look like go here - http://www.morningstarfishermen.org/fish.html The story's Here.

What about catfish or salmon shoes next? Hehehehhehehee…… Ok, Ciao.

Tip of the day: Do you have old & faded jewellery?

2006-02-09T23:15:00.000-08:00

Some jewellery items fade over time, others lose its luster from regular use by its owner. Can’t figure out how to clean it? Well, here’s a tip – use toothpaste and a used toothbrush to clean it. Wet the jewellery first, put some toothpaste and brush gently, then rinse. You’ll bring out the shine back to old stuff.

Recommended for small jewellery only. For large items, i.e brass candlestands, use Brasso instead – don’t waste your toothpaste!

Now let’s see….where’d I stash those old jewellery of mine……

Tip of the day: Chipped / Scratched Car Paint repaired

2006-02-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

My hubby found something during our recent outing to the local supermarket. There’s a product called Turtle Wax Color Cure. What it apparently does is that it is a wax, but it also comes with something that looks like an oversized lipstick, made of car paint. It has various car colors on it.

Our car has some minor scratches and chips from our daily use, and we decided to give it a try. The instructions are simple enough – wash the damaged section, apply the lipstick (same color, of course – ours is dark blue) evenly, and when it has dried, wax it thoroughly with the wax supplied. Results are quite good, I must say – it covered the minor damage without any visible signs (unless you inspect it very closely). Hubby also says that it’s good to protect the metal underneath, as our tropical climate might corrode the metal if it’s not covered with paint.

In Malaysia, it’s retailed at MYR39.90. Check it out if it’s available at your local stores. I highly recommend this for minor paint damage since it saves you form a touch-up paint job which could cost hundreds. Ciao.

Tip of the Day: The Usefulness of cloves

2006-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

Cloves are widely used in my country for cooking, as it adds to the taste of whatever’s being cooked. However, cloves can also help in a variety of ways; here I will list 3 other uses of cloves.

1.    If you have a toothache and want to delay seeing the doc (for all the good THAT’LL do you), you might want to           chew on some cloves to alleviate the pain. Hey, it’s a natural alternative to painkillers, so why not try it out. It’s dirt        cheap (at least in my country) and it works. But not forever – sooner or later you will need to see good ol’ doc to          remove that bad teeth.

2.   Second, quitting smoking can be much, much easier if you chew on cloves once you get the urge for nicotine                  (works for caffeine addictions, too). I know a few relatives and friend who did this and it seems to work. An uncle         of mine even quit cold turkey and chewed on cloves.

3.   Soaking cloves in warm water for several hours and drinking it can also be effective in removing body odour,                 especially for women. This is an age-old advice that most people here know already – I’m just sharing this.

There you have it. Something natural, simple yet so effective. I’ll post other tips later.

Tip of the Day: Oily stains on clothes

2006-02-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

My first tip today relates to removing oily stains that may find itself onto your clothes.
You may be unlucky sometimes and these things happen during a meal. You will have to find some talcum powder (guys, please have the courtesy to ask from your date some if you don’t have it :).

Wipe of the stain gently first, DO NOT try to wash it out – it will absorb into the fibers of the clothes. Smear some powder on the stain, gently rub it in evenly. Do this as soon as possible – it might not work 100% if it is left for some time. Leave the talcum powder on the stain for at least ½ an hour before washing. It’s best to use concentrated liquid detergent on the stain first before putting it in the washer.