groupon by elements gym at gtower

In a bid to get my lazy butt to exercise, I wanted to sign up for gym. Of course there are several gym available in Kuala Lumpur. To name a few: Celebrity fitness, Myfitness, Truefitness etc etc

I have inquired rates from truefitness and celebrity fitness. To tell the truth I love the environment, classes and the facilites by celebrity fitness. Although the prices are a bit wee high and location inconvenient (parking expensive), I was in fact turn off by the way the salesperson ( could be trainer/manager/consultant also. I forgot the correct term) told me that I need to pay money to the gym so that I will work out. My own hard earned money need to be paid to the gym so that I will exercise in order to get the body shape I wanted. I find it hard to believe and reconfirm with him again. He nodded vigorously and said that even with all the free facilities why did you not exercise? In disbelief, I straight away took my leave and went out. That's bad marketing that leaves the customer unsatisfied and very unhappy. Truefitness did not manage to piss me off but after much consideration, I decided I can do my own exercises without paying anyone.

In the mean time, I went to the park to jog, my own condominium's swimming pool to swim and sometimes I used the stairs to climb to my apartment. If I feel like following classes, I will do Tiffany Rothe workout on youtube. She is an amazing trainer and her steps are easy to follow.

So when I saw groupon promoting unlimited access to elements gym in gtower for 1 month, I asked my friend to join together with me. We wanted to go to classes and workout after work since it is so near to our working place. Bought but did not use straight away due to a bout of illness. After much delaying, I called up to book a place. To my surprise when I print out my groupon I (finally) saw the fine print. This is better explained with a picture.

 See the two red boxes? Aren't they contradicting each other? First it said UNLIMITED ACCESS. Then the second red box said ONLY VALID MON-FRI 9AM-5PM. I called elements gym to straighten the matters out. Obviously they are very experienced in handling groupon customers who called in and complained about their fine print. The person straight away emphasize on the condition not available after 5pm and even have the cheek to say that everyone who was in this situation just accept it as it is. I am pretty certain at this point that every trainers/consultants in gym used too much muscle and definitely not their brain/mouth. What's the point of putting unlimited access in the first place? When I asked that, the person only can reply, "it's like that in fine print" and might be shrugging his shoulders (which I couldn't see since I am calling).

I might be paying lower amount compared to normal paying members but this is not the way to treat a paying customer. What if you want to attract me as your permanent member? I am working near there and won't mind signing up but currently, I am definitely not joining your gym. I wouldn't mind paying rm34 if I know I am buying limited access and might even consider furthering my membership with the gym. Isn't there a law or consumers act in Malaysia that protect the public from blatant misleading advertisment? Even if they put unlimited as the main title and they explained in the short paragraph that introduces elements gym that this groupon is only valid mon-fri from 9am-5pm, I won't even mind so much. Who reads fine print???? Isn't this similar to products that advertises that they are free from msg but in the list of ingredients, monosodium glutamate was listed among them?

I called up groupon as well regarding this to ask for refund and was unfortunately turned down. The person said due to the fine print listed, they can't do anything about it. I would like to retort, 'How about not allowing them to use your services to cheat customers? It is bringing down your name just for the sake of earning a few bucks.' but I bite my tongue. No use making other people unhappy over these little stuffs. Hence I am complaining on my blog. I actually bought this groupon around the same time I bought mydealmates facial HSY beauty. Am stopping groupon/dealmates/mydeals for the time being.

Lesson learned: Never ever buy anything without reading the fine print and definitely not to be cheated by the cheap price on groupon or mydeal or dealmates without reading fine prints. There are clauses or fineprints or additional add-ons by these unscrupulous businessmen just to earn more money.

HSY beauty

It was a fun-filled weekend! I managed to squeeze catching up sessions with friends and eating to my heart content. This is so long overdue and I am glad that my health is finally restored! I missed eating alot =)

On Saturday, I booked a facial appointment for me and my friend. It is a deal by mydeal.com.my and it is only rm19.90 for 2 hour spa oxygen facial treatment + face, neck & shoulder massage + door gift. HSY beauty is located in complex mutiara, jalan ipoh.

I pick up my friend from Kepong and we snaked our way through traffic (or me who was driving). Traffic in Kepong was, as usual, jam and full of motorcyclists.

It was hard to search for the shop but once I called up to ask, it was just right beside 7-11. We went in and the assistant asked us to fill up a questionnaire regarding our face skin conditions.

It is a small shop with only 3 rooms and front partition as lobby. One of the rooms has an adjoining toilet which is leaking and smells funny. Luckily I am not in that room. I was lead to a room that has mirror and gadgets. Changed into a robe for easier massage by the assistant.

The whole ordeal lasted 3 hours. I was prepped with double cleansing and after she finished extraction, the beauty assistant told me that I have sensitive and dry skin which is not suitable for this package. In order to do a treatment that is suitable for my skin, I have to pay rm49 extra. I was sleepy and blurr so I kept asking why do I need to pay extra. In the end, she offered the package for rm40 and I happily took it, snoozing back again. I slept through extraction, massage and mask. I am too tired because previous night I slept at 2.30am and I really do not feel a thing when the assistant put the metal stick with a loop (not sure of the name) at the end to my face.

The result: My face looks radiant and smooth. I am not sure the assistants praised me because my face is really good or they just want to earn money (Chinese are pretty money minded). My friend have to pay extra rm49.50 because she needs extra hydrating treatment. She also complained that her beauty assistant did not clean properly and she needs to go to toilet to rinse the cleanser from her eyes. For extraction, mine was overall clean and she didn't leave any red marks because I think she chooses which is easier to extract. My friend's extraction was done pretty badly according to her. Her pimples are picked on and it became very red afterwards. She felt that her extraction was not complete. However, I am happy with my extraction because I don't like going around with red face.

The door gift is actually a whole body scan or face scan and we are supposed to go back again. I don't think it is actually feasible to go all the way to jalan ipoh just to get my face check and corrected by massages or treatments. This might be another way to make me pay more >.<

I might not go for facial deals on any groupon/mydeal/dealmates again. I think spa deals are worth it as they cannot add additional costs to the package. This is my first time going for a facial deal. Even though rm59.90 might be cheap for the whole facial, I do feel a bit cheated for paying extra.

*happy*

Being sick is mood breaking but armed with a full stomach and my favourite magazine, I am feeling much better. No studying for now >.<

being at peace with self

In the hustle and bustle of the city where I worked, sometimes I just wonder does it really matters?
To people who are caught up in the rat race for money, good luck and take care.
I also fell victim to greed. I want to earn more money. I want to be rich and buy expensive clothes and handbags. This is materialistic thinking. I realised that when I fell sick. Not from overworking but just from some random virus that I caught in clinic. I wasn't even overexerting myself. Once I am sick, I want nothing but my health back. The saying is true, "Once you lost something, only you realised how important that something is". (I am quoting based on memory)

Why are we so obssessed with money and power?

I am still coughing consistently. It hampers my job sometimes and might caused some stress to my colleagues for fear of getting infected. I am reading too much in one go, a few books at one time, my mind is all over the place, I can't speak without coughing, I can't sleep without coughing. I got annoyed with little things (especially patients). Things I do that I thought would make someone happy but someone doesn't think so. I am making myself catering to other people's needs but what about mine? Burden, burden
To avoid overthinking, I just focussed on the present and work with it. It is not easy, I might add but sure helps keep me sane sometimes.

Reading meditation book does help me. I treasured this book more that those books that I bought. I remember back when I am still in a-level without my parents with me. I am searching for my identity (and I am still not sure that I found it yet). I was exploring ways to help me concentrate. To keep my turmultous feelings in check.

Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh is a book I got for free from Kota Kemuning Buddhist Centre. I took it back and devoured every single words. The words that present themselves calm me down and I hold on to the book. I never once let go of it during my years of study. I might not read it every night but the thought that I have the book with me give me peace. Now I am rereading it and trying to memorise it all over again. Somehow it brings back fond memories and what I cherish in my life. I am the one who is going to forge a path for myself. I am not depending on other people to decide for me. I became who I am today because I wanted to.

We might want something really bad but have we thought of the price? Isn't letting it go better? What is meant to be yours, it will be yours.

I only remember my time in college and university of being with friends and having a good laugh. Sometimes I got so caught up with the race of trying to be the best that I got so down. Then I learn to let it go. I might not be the best and I will not be the one who put others down. I am just being me

sick again

I can't believe I am being sick again after recovering for a few days. This is the third time I am being sick in 2012 =(

I thought I am still not recovering until a doctor gently corrected me.
Dr: So you have been sick for 3 times this year?
Me: No no, this is the second time.
Dr: You said that you don't have greenish sputum after taking antibiotic?
Me: But I do now after finishing my antibiotic course
Dr: Actually you recover and got sick again
Me: Ahhhhhhh so that is what you mean.....

Sigh...a sick pharmacist means blurred and tired all the time.

I am prescribed lots of rest and soft diet. There goes my weekend. I am hoping I get to see hunger games or battleship tomorrow.

hazards of being a pharmacist

A pharmacist is a highly paid job that specialized in various medicines. We are there to educate doctors on different types of medicine available and prevent mistakes from reaching patients. However, pharmacists are not appreciated and often got bullied by doctors or patients.

Hazards of being a pharmacist
1. Being sick. 
The government clinic setting is based on 60's and 70's era planning. They do not expect the population of Malaysia could increase exponentially in the years to come. (same goes with the population of pharmacists and dentists in Malaysia). So, a small clinic is expected to handle 500 patients load instead of 200 patients load. Imagine a clinic that has tuberculosis patients coming in to eat their tb medicines and mothers bringing their a-few-months-old (weak and sick) babies to clinic for treatments. Tb is an air-borne disease which could infect babies that have not fully strengthen their immune system. That is just one example. What about flu viruses or bacterias? In that outdated era, the authorities have not think about air ventilation. So, your health doesn't bode well with environment that does not have proper air ventilation. Which explains why I keep on getting sick (or it could be just plain-old-sambal )

2. Being scolded by patients.
Listen out there patients. We are there to help you. You are not helping yourself by scolding us. We can choose to ignore you but we didn't. 90% of problematic patients speak in Indonesian. It would help us if you would speak slower or if you would be able to speak bahasa malaysia since you are on Malaysia soil. Some of the problems are inevitable due to missed appointments and we can direct you to the personnel who can help you. It is not our fault because you couldn't remember your appointment dates or forget to collect your medicines at the appointed date. We repeatedly emphasized to you while we are dispensing. It is not fair that we got blamed for your own lack of concentration and poor memory. It is your health and you are supposed to take care of yourself (or your relatives).

3. Being scolded for government policies.
This is a government pharmacy in a government clinic. We are helping you (patients) to lessen your medicine costs. It would be better if you are able to abide by a few rules. Government had already stated that all medicines are only supplied for 1 months duration FROM THE PHARMACY not 6 months duration. This is to minimize medicine wastage and ensure that patients are eating correct medicines in the correct way. This is a policy that come out in view of storage problem (due to no space in small clinic) and a huge amount of medicine wastage caused by public. Do you think that we make you come every two months because we want to see you for fun? We would want to lessen our work load as well. If you came to us earlier or later then we know that you might not be eating correctly and we could educate you.
However, government did come out with a few schemes that can lessen your burden from coming to pharmacy. We have post services and 'sms take and go'. If you think collecting medicine is a waste of time and you feel that we are not doing our jobs correctly (with all the services we are providing), please feel free to buy from outside pharmacy. They will provide 6 months or more medicines willingly as long as you pay up! We are not expecting payments from you. It's just the registration counter that are money-minded. You just need to pay RM1 (malaysian citizen) or RM15 (warga asing) or free (government servant/pension/kebajikan) to them and you are taking hundreds ringgit of medicine (insulins, insulin pen, high blood pressure/diabetes/cholesterol medicines) from us. Why are you scolding us again?

4. Being overworked and underpaid
Sometimes the amount of reports due every month is a task so daunting that I feel that I could not possibly elaborate on that. That's why we are overworked with low remunerations. On the topic of underpaid, comparisons between doctors and pharmacists who worked extended hours (outside office hours in a government clinic to better serve the public) can be made. Doctors are able to claim rm80/hour for each hour they work extra. For pharmacists, we can only claim hours. Imagine you are the only pharmacist working and you have accumulated probably 48 hours, how are you going to claim because you don't have a replacement. Each pharmacy must have one  pharmacist working. Case closed.

5. Future of pharmacy in Malaysia
The future of pharmacists are quite bleak due to dispensing rights. Dispensing rights are not exclusively pharmacists. Doctors, nurses and medical assistants can dispensed. Private gps could earn alot because they prescribe and sell medicine at the same time. (Some might argue that things are changing and private gps are not earning alot but they still have dispensing right!) Compared to UK and Australia, they have a proper system to ensure that patients received utmost care and pharmacists are there as a safeguard against errors. In Malaysia, the net that could catch errors caused by private gps are removed. Inside clinic itself, there are various errors caused by medical assistants that are prevented by pharmacists which is quite scary for the rate of them occurring.
For pharmacists, if you chose not to work with government, you have to be really resourceful to find another job that really utilized your specialty or you could end up being a cosway pharmacist like everyone else. Then you have to fight for sales, advertise, make sure your turnaround is high, recruit members which inadvertently caused each and every friend of yours to run for their lives! (that would be an exagerration) So far I have not heard anything other than being a community pharmacist in a private pharmacy and sell huge amount of medicine to increase profits.

6. Being called other names
This is just my private grouse. I just hated patients who called me ah moi, jie jie, missy, nurse or doctors. You can call us by Miss or Ma'am or Cik or Puan. I used to correct patient who called me nurse or doctor. "Thank you, doctor/nurse/something-creative-those-patients-think-of*."
"I am not a doctor/nurse/something-creative-those-patients-think-of*, I am a pharmacist"
"Oh sorry. Thank you, doctor/nurse/something-creative-those-patients-think-of*"
"I am not a doctor/nurse/something-creative-those-patients-think-of*, I am a pharmacist"
"Oh thank you" (patient rolled their eyes and couldn't be bother to pronounce)

*circle where applicable

Is it so hard to enunciate pharmacist? It's just a NOUN [COUNTABLE] and you could pronounce /ˈfɑː(r)məsɪst/ according to Macmillan dictionary or you could just do bahasa baku 'far-ma-si'. Easy-peasy. Nope, in the end the patients couldn't even thank us properly. I have long since given up the attempt of correcting patients although I would give them an annoyed look if they call me ah moi/jie jie/missy/nurse. I am freaking not a nurse. I don't wear a uniform. From which part of your brain think that I am a nurse? Shakes head and just looks up to the sky.

I hate to be on the negative side but sometimes you just have to let it all go so that you are at peace with yourself. Maybe I would do a benefits of being a pharmacist when I am in a better mood. I could just scribble all the words just like the good ol doctors handwriting and leave you guessing what benefits I am talking about.

Yours sincerely,
Pharmacist

Seikisho exfoliating massage gel and sekkisei supreme washing cream

Kose products that I am currently using:

right: sekkisei supreme washing cream left: seikisho exfoliating massage gel

Seikisho exfoliating massage gel
It is unique in the sense that it doesn't have beads or rough chips in it to scrub all the dirt from the face. Upon massaging onto your face, it will feel warm and with further massage, it will turn into greyish solution. Then it would be time to wash it away. Face do feel cleaner after using. I love Shiseido's face scrub as it has little beads inside that clears the dirt away but this exfoliates well.

This was recommended by Kose SG when I wanted to buy Kose Seikiso Mask. She told me that the peel off mask will dry my face. Instead I should exfoliate more and put more toner and rice power extract serum (which does not help in the end. My face just continued to be dry and peeling off). That prompt me to change back to Shiseido (which is another topic).

Sekkisei supreme washing cream

This is a smooth with lots of foam cleanser. Whenever I use this cleanser, my face feels deeply cleanse. I actually love this more than kose white liquid wash which I think doesn't really clean my face. I just love how this lathers up and feeling so smooth on my face. Then I would massage my face gently and feel all the dirt melt away. Bliss!

Abrupt end of post

Cheers

daiso natural pack

Daiso natural pack is my current 'mask'. Actually I am waiting for it to dry while I am typing away on my keyboard. It is a peel off face mask that is black in colour and gooey in texture. I normally do this mask once a month as I find that it is very drying after using it.

I normally followed up with a toner mask.

A toner mask is a fantastic invention. I wish I have discovered it sooner. I would cover my freshly peeled (red and inflammed) face with this mask. Heavenly soothing.

(kose sekkisei lotion + 5 pumps of moisture skn repair rice power extract) 

The effects of using Daiso natural pack:
Face feels incredibly smooth
Satisfying feeling of seeing all the stubborn blackheads and whiteheads come out
Leaving face very clean

Downside:
Very drying
Mild irritation (due to peeling)
Redness of the face (counter with lotion mask)
Not a daily usage

I think this is an incredible worth-for-your-money for only RM5. It is definitely comparable to Nivea visage gentle peel off mask which I used to use long time ago. The smell is definitely similar but I would say Daiso looks more effective as I could see more whiteheads on Daiso compared to Nivea peel off. It could be due to the black colour of Daiso mask so there is more contrast. In a tube form, it is definitely worth more than 5 times usage. I used about 4 times and so far there is no face sensitivity.

I used seikisho exfoliating massage gel beforehand to loosen up all the black/whiteheads followed by sekkisei supreme washing cream.

cheers

back and better!!!

Dear blog,

I understand your frustrations to me. One, I am not regularly visiting you. Two, I have not been updating. Three, I totally ignored you for my other pursuits of beauty and relaxing.

I have a perfectly good reason for ignoring you because I have been sick, not once but twice in a span of one month.

Warning: a disgusting explanation ahead
Each time I have a terrible fever that is accompanied by severe shivering and hacking cough that could induce vomiting or heart stopping reactions. My throat would grow or better explanation would be my cute little tonsils became inflamed and nothing can be done to reduce the inflammation. The inflammation irritates the hell out of me and I cannot eat anything except for porridge or some clear soup noodles. That is a torture since I have not been eating anything good. I have been taking NSAIDS just to reduce my fever and inflammation and pain so that I can have a quality life (sleep). Sometimes the vomiting is so bad that I threw up. Scariness. Lastly i would be sniffling with cold/flu that has a bright greenish yellow sputum produce. After that, I hope I am fully recover except for a cough and sneeze somewhere.

Note: I have been eating healthily with lots of vege and occasional fruit thrown in the mix. Maybe I have not been getting enough sleep and drinking water in the morning (the water is so cold and I can't wait for the water to boil, I need to rush for work!) Best advice is to sleep and drink alot of water with fruits and vegetables. They are good for your health! It must be balance because without balance, your body will be thrown into a wack (like in my case)

Anyway sorry for being sick (to my blog and my body) but remarkably I lost another 1-2kg from these debacle. So my weight drop to 57-58kg according to my weighing scale at home. However, weight is not a good scale to see whether you are in the correct path for good healthy lifestyle. It is better to have more muscle than fat as muscle takes up less space but more weight compare to fat.

I am hoping to take up something new to boost my immune system. Maybe aikido or self defense class in addition to jogging and youtube classes by tiffany rothe.

Cheers to a good life

Yours truly <3

2 kg

I am losing weight slowly... a big YES!
It's been two weeks, and I managed to lose 2 kg, ie one week 1kg.
So far so good, I am trying to lose even more and get fitter.
By mid-year, I can climb mt kk without leg cramps and fit into bikini ;)

Weight woes

An update since starting on my so called 'diet'

I have been down with flu, sore throat, fever and cough. I am getting better but I am allowing some time for my body to recover. I don't want to overexert myself until I cannot fully recover.

I noticed a few changes on my body. For once, my pants and skirts seemed a bit looser. Hurray! It's not as loose as I want it to be and I didn't see any weight loss when I am weighing myself. I keep reminding myself that as long as I keep up my healthy lifestyle, I will be losing weight slowly and packing up muscles (instead of fat).

Eating porridge diet is wreaking havoc to my appetite. I love porridge made by my mom but I craves for all sorts of crazy stuff. This includes chocolate cake which is conveniently bought by my dad and put inside fridge for everyone to partake in tasting the oh-so-smooth chocolatey cake. I had 3 slices over 3 days which I will probably regret in the next few weeks.

Otherwise, I am eating healthy with lots of vegetables, decrease my carbs intake (instead of one bowl of rice, it's a half bowl of rice) and drinking lots and lots of water to wash out all the toxins (and virus and bacteria) from body. I am trying really hard to exercise every other day (or at least 3 times a week) to keep my blood circulation up and running ( to avoid any blood vessels from clogging up ) which I have been unable to do so because I am sick.

So enough whining and it is time to follow some youtube videos in the hopes to kick my body alive instead of going around sluggishly...

Tata~

natural cosmetics

Television have pretty interesting topics nowadays. I am more into cooking and food-for-thoughts show currently. Today I watched a show from kbs regarding nature dye and diy cosmetics. That got me thinking and researching.

While researching online, I stumbled upon an article regarding DIY beauty brand: Home made cosmetics by Rebecca Armstrong from The Independent. It talks about the dangers that chemicals that we put on our skin. Our generation are all about organic food but have we ever think about organic cosmetics? A tidbit from the article, quoted directly "Last year, research funded by the breast-cancer charity Genesis suggested that there was a possible link between breast cancer and aluminium found in antiperspirants. And research conducted by the biochemist Richard Bence claimed that an individual can absorb up to 4lb 6oz of chemicals through their skin each year. Given that women use on average 12 skincare and makeup products every day – a combination that can clock up as many as 175 different chemicals – it's unsurprising that consumers are becoming concerned about exactly what their toiletries contain."

It is true that beauty products are aplenty out there supported by legions of women or girls or anyone who wants to be pretty. I, myself have bought a lot of beauty products because I am buoyed by their promises of crystal clear smooth skin etc etc. I love eyeliners and will never fail to use them except when I go to work. Maybe I should just buy 'kohl'.

The author have also tested several recipes from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book by Jo Fairley which is a guide to do-it-yourself beauty products, which features recipes for 100 lotions and potions. 

(I do hope I won't encounter any copyright issues if I recopy the recipes here. I am just reposting here for my own personal use. Disclaimer: It was published in a public article and I have no intention to profit from any of these recipes except to try it out sometime in the future)

Frankly I only find the cucumber anti-blemish mask do-able in my own home. I have no idea regarding half of the ingredients used. My own mom-passed-down-to-daughter recipe is egg white mask for making your skin taut and eliminates blackheads. I could probably use mortar and pestle to mesh up the cucumber before adding to the egg white. 

On one fine day, if I can find a herb or organic or nature store in any megamalls that spring up like mushrooms after rain everywhere in Malaysia, I will give it a try ;)

RECIPES FOR NATURAL LOOKS

* Rich rose moisturiser

The perfect, rich-textured, sumptuously scented night-time moisturiser for thirsty skin. If you like, add 10 drops of frankincense essential oil as well

as the rose. Frankincense is renowned for its anti-ageing powers.

2 large handfuls of fresh, scented rose petals

50ml (2fl oz) sweet almond oil or extra virgin olive oil

5g (1/4oz) beeswax granules or grated beeswax

1 teaspoon wheatgerm oil

15 drops rose essential oil

Pack the rose petals in a wide-necked glass jar and cover with sweet almond oil. Bruise the petals with a spoon in the jar, to start the maceration process, and seal the jar. Position it where it can absorb sunlight daily (a south-facing windowsill is just perfect), to speed up the infusion process. After 3 weeks, strain off the rose-infused oil.

Heat the beeswax in the sweet almond oil in the top of a double-boiler until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the wheatgerm oil and rose essential oil. Cool for a further 1-2 minutes then pour into a sterilised glass jar to set thoroughly. The mixture will harden, but it emulsifies when you touch it.

TIP: Wheatgerm acts as a natural preservative; you don't need to keep this refrigerated. If you can't find wheatgerm oil, you can pierce wheatgerm capsules, available from natural foodstores, and measure into a teaspoon.

* Comfrey acne mask

50g (2oz) fresh comfrey leaves and flowers (if in season) or

25 g (1 oz) dried comfrey

225 m (8fl oz) freshly boiled filtered, mineral or rainwater

1 egg white

50g (2 oz) Fuller's earth

Put the comfrey in a bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Cover and allow to cool completely, then strain. In a second bowl, mix the egg white and the Fuller's earth and moisten with 2 tablespoons of the comfrey liquid. Apply the mask all over your face avoiding the eyes and mouth area. Leave for 20-25 minutes. To remove, soak cotton wool pads in the remaining comfrey infusion and sweep over your face until it's clean. Allow the skin to dry naturally.

* Cucumber anti-blemish mask

Cucumber is calming while rosemary is a super-effective antiseptic. You'll find the egg white will tauten on your face.

2.5 cm (1 inch) chunk of cucumber

1 drop rosemary essential oil

1 egg white

Whizz the cucumber in a blender until it becomes completely liquid, then add the drop of rosemary essential oil. Whisk the egg white until stiff, fold in the cucumber mixture and smooth over the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area. Remove after 15 minutes using a clean, damp washcloth.

TIP: If you have a spotty back or shoulders, ask a friend or partner to apply the mixture to your back: it makes a wonderful 'back pack'.

* Rosemary and mint mouthwash

You can use this just like any mouthwash - swig, swish, gargle - but unlike alcohol-based mouthwashes (which can dry out the inside of the mouth and actually unbalance the natural 'flora') this is gentle while still being effective. The glycerine acts as a natural sweetener.

25g (1oz) fresh rosemary or 10g (1/2oz) dried rosemary

25g (1oz) fresh mint or 10g (1/2oz) dried mint

1 litre (13/4 pints) boiling filtered or mineral water

30ml (1fl oz) vegetable glycerine

10-12 drops peppermint essential oil

5-10 drops myrrh essential oil

Make an infusion with the herbs and the water; allow to cool and stir in the glycerine. Add the essential oils and pour into a sterilised bottle. Shake before use and discard any that remains after 2 weeks. (Don't swallow it - though it won't do you any harm if you do.)

TIP: You can also successfully freshen your breath in the following ways: chew a little fresh parsley. (This herbal garnish is rich in chlorophyll, a green plant compound that kills the bacteria that cause bad odour.) Or, chew on a dried clove, some fennel seeds or a juniper berry. Rinse your mouth with water that contains chopped watercress.

* Rosebud lips

This luscious lip-slick gets its purplish-pink colour from alkanet.

75ml (3fl oz) olive oil

1 tablespoon jojoba oil

45g (11/2oz) dried alkanet root, chopped

20g (3/4oz) beeswax

9 drops rose essential oil

Gently heat both oils in the top of a double-boiler for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the alkanet root and steep for around 30 minutes, to extract the colour from the root. Strain the root from the oils through a muslin cloth and compost the root. Return the oils to the double-boiler with the beeswax. Once this has melted, remove from heat and add the rose essential oil, drop by drop. Pour into small, sterilised pots or jars. Allow to cool thoroughly before capping.

* Simple Soapwort shampoo

Use this in the same way as a normal shampoo. However, you'll need to use more of this than you would a detergent shampoo - and don't expect much of a lather; soapwort cleans without lots of froth. Keep the soapwort mixture out of your eyes as some people find it stings, and follow with a conditioner or herbal rinse.

2 tablespoons crushed fresh soapwort root or 1 tablespoon crushed dried soapwort root

2 tablespoons of herbs (elderflower, fennel, horsetail, nettle and rosemary are all herbs hair loves)

5 drops of essential oil (lavender or - if you have a tendency to andruff - sage or rosemary)

1.5 litres (21/2 pints) filtered, mineral or rainwater

Pour the water over the soapwort root and the herbs in a pan and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool thoroughly, then strain through a piece of muslin or kitchen paper over a sieve; press down to extract as much as possible of the herbs. Add the essential oils, drop by drop. Transfer to a sterilised glass bottle, shake and store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight.

Use around 200ml (7fl oz) each time you wash your hair; the technique is to wet your hair first, then pour the liquid into the palms of your hands and massage in well, until your hair is lathered lightly. Rinse thoroughly and repeat, if it's more than a few days since you've washed your hair. Follow with a final herbal rinse made as an infusion from the same herbs that you used in the soapwort mixture. This quantity of soapwort shampoo keeps for just over 1 week, in the fridge - or you can freeze it in a plastic container and defrost as required.

* Rosemary foot reviver

The mint and rosemary in this recipe are naturally cooling and invigorating, while the lactic acid in the milk is soothing. If you put pebbles or marbles in the bottom of the bowl, you can roll your toes over them while you soak your feet, which is totally relaxing for body, soul - and soles.

225ml (8fl oz) milk

50g (2oz) fresh mint leaves

6 large sprigs of fresh rosemary

6 drops peppermint essential oil

Put the milk and fresh herbs in a small pan over a low heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and pour into a bowl large enough to bathe your feet in. Top up with warm or cool water, as preferred - or, best of all, some more milk. Add the peppermint essential oil, drop by drop, and swish.

* Lady's mantle hand softener

Keep this soothing hand-softener in the fridge and apply daily - it's wonderful after washing up.

10g (1/2oz) fresh or 5g (1/4oz) dried lady's mantle leaves and flowers

10g (1/2oz) fresh or 5g (1/4oz) dried lemon balm leaves

150ml (1/4 pint) filtered, mineral or rainwater

50ml (2fl oz) lemon juice

30ml (1fl oz) vodka

4 drops sweet orange essential oil

4 tablespoons vegetable glycerine

Chop the lady's mantle and lemon balm and put in a pan with the water. Bring to the boil, simmer for 10 minutes and then allow to cool thoroughly; strain. Take 4 tablespoons of this infusion and pour into a sterilised bottle with a cork or a screw-top; add the other ingredients and seal. Shake well.

TIP: Face masks work wonders on hands, too - cleansing or delivering a moisture surge. Next time you indulge in one of the face masks in this book, slather it over your hands, too - then rest your hands on a towel for 10-15 minutes while it works its magic.

*Aloe vera cleanser

30ml aloe vera gel

50ml olive oil

30ml rosewater

4 drops rose essential oil

2 drops grapefruit seed extract

Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor and decant into a small bottle. Ideally, keep in the fridge. Shake before use, as the ingredients may separate. Massage into your face and remove with either a muslin cloth or water.

* Beetroot and glycerine cheek and lip tint

45g raw beetroot, grated

3 tablespoons vegetable glycerine

Put the beetroot and glycerine a heat-proof ceramic bowl over a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes. Cool, then strain into a sealable container. Shake before use, then apply a dab to your cheeks and lips.

* Lavender deodorant

250ml vodka

50g dried lavender

50g fresh rose petals

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops rose essential oil

Pour the vodka over the flowers and petals and add the essential oils, drop by drop. Allow to infuse for 3 weeks, then strain and use in an atomiser in place of your regular deodorant.

If life gives u a lemon, make a lemon water

It's been a hectic weekend for me. Lots of FUN activities happening and somehow I have a niggling feeling that I am going to get sick on Friday. And I did! Am currently resting at home due to a viral infection (flu and sore throat) =(


On Friday, I decided to make some lemon water with a slice of lemon and put it inside my water tumbler.
(Another pointer, it is not advisable to leave lemon slice inside your water as chemicals or pesticides might leak into your water. I read that during my google search and will not do it again)


My water tasted so much better and I have been chugging lots of water down.


However I have another reason for drinking so much water. My throat felt ticklish after eating nasi lemak for breakfast. Regretted not getting up earlier to make breakfast. I shall not blame my clinic's water dispenser for breaking down (poor thing!) that leads me to buy (unhealthy but delicious) nasi lemak.

What is nasi lemak? Translated literally, it means 'fat rice'. HAHAHAHA
Essentially it is cooked in coconut milk(fat) and comes with sambal (onions, chillies and  anchovies cooked with belacan), cucumbers, fried peanuts and anchovies. You can choose to have side dishes such as rendang ayam (chicken rendang), fried chicken, fried egg etc etc. I chose to wash it down with lemon water as informed by google,


The benefits of drinking lemon water:
1. Improves digestion
2. Helps to eliminate waste (no constipation!)
3. Has alkalising properties due to low sugar content and high alkaline mineral content
4. Antiseptic
5. Cleanse kidney and liver
6. Have calcium, magnesium, potassium
7. Boost immune system or helps to fight colds due to high vitamin c content!
8. Clears skin (by clearing toxin from blood). It is said to reduce wrinkles and blemishes (which I am not so sure)
9. It helps relieve respiratory problems (asthma, cough etc etc)
10. Diuretic (by helping you urinate more, more trips to the toilet! burn more calories perhaps? )

I am also amazed to read about various health remedies using lemon:



From http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/lemon%20water.htm
Lemon Remedies Published by Jethro Kloss in Back to Eden
-For sore throat, dilute lemon juice with water and gargle frequently. Dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water. It is even better to use straight lemon juice.
-A slice of lemon bound over a corn overnight will greatly relieve the pain.
-A slice of lemon bound over a felon [pus formation on a finger joint] will not fail to bring the pus to the surface where it can be easily removed.
-To relieve asthma, take a tablespoon of lemon juice one hour before each meal.
-For liver complaints, the juice of the lemon should be taken in a glass of hot water one hour before breakfast every morning.
-To break up la grippe [flu or influenza], drink a large glass of hot water with the juice of a lemon added, while at the same time have the feet in a deep bucket or other vessel of water with mustard added to it. The water should be deep enough to where it comes nearly up to the knees. Keep adding hot water to the patient's tolerance and until the patient begins to perspire freely (about 20-30 minutes). Be sure there is no draft on the person while this is done. The patient should be near a bed so he can get in it easily and avoid any danger of getting chilled. If convenient, a full hot bathtub would be good in place of the foot-bath. The lemon water should be taken every hour until the patient feels that all the symptoms of the cold are gone.
-A teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water relieves heartburn.
-For rheumatism, one or two ounces of lemon juice diluted in water should be taken three times a day: one hour before meals and at bedtime.
-In cases of hemorrhage, lemon juice diluted in water and taken as cold as possible will stop it.
-Scurvy is treated by giving one to two ounces of lemon juice diluted with water every two to four hours.
-In excessive menstruation the juice of three to four lemons a day will help check it. Best to take the juice of one lemon at a time in a glass of cold water.

I would definitely try the first remedy. Having sore throat currently.


The website also recommends on the best way to choose a lemon.
It is best to choose a lemon with high mineral content and desired sweetness. By comparing two similar size lemons, the heavier one will have higher mineral content and sweeter. Another pointer would be looking at the end of the lemon that has a stem or dimple where the stem used to be located. There would be lines radiating out of the stem like sunbeams forming a star shaped structure called calyx. The greater the number of points on the calyx, the higher the mineral content of the lemon.


I did deviate from my usual no-tea(an apple) and healthy dinner to indulge in some girlish fun time!


We had dinner in Suki-Ya that serves non-stop meat flow (beef, chicken and lamb) in a japanese steamboat concept. They have a healthy bar as well that allow you to take as much vege and noodles as you like. So we were like why not for the price tag of rm46.50? We ate well that night^^


To recap our tea and dinner =)

From left to right above: mochi sweets, japanese mochi in sweet yam and caramel latte flavour

From left to right middle: tofu cheesecake that is smooth and almond mix macaroon

From left to right below: beef and lamb, our japanese steamboat (with lots of vege and mushrooms. both of us decided to forgo the noodles. not like we got any stomach space left) 

yum yum there goes my diet effort! lol

All in all, I think I did lose some weight by eating healthier most of the days of the week ie I eat more vegetable and fruits. It might be hard to shake my love for sweet stuff but at least I am minimizing the damage done to my body. I also resolved NOT to touch any carbonated/sweet drinks this year and hopefully in more years to come.

The reason

I started this blog for a reason.

1. To change my lifestyle

2. To document my life as a pharmacist

As a pharmacist working with a government clinic in Malaysia, I am working in a 8-to-5 job that requires me to either talk a lot to patients or stand a lot to pack medicines. Even though we have pharmacist assistants, we do hands on ourselves too. Sitting all the time dispensing does no good to the body, I feel.

Pharmacy is rapidly evolving world. With so many universities churning out pharmacy graduates, I do hope that Malaysia finally recognized the dispensing right for the pharmacist. I have not dream big but I want to be able to further my study and specialized in a field that can further bolster my self-respect. I might be working in a small clinic but I do have the same pride as pharmacist working in big hospitals.

Being involved in healthcare field influenced my decision to be healthy. If a patient sees that I myself is a healthy person, I might be an inspiration to them to be healthier. Some of the patients do come and ask pharmacist regarding nutrition and diets as government clinics share dietitians. Dietitians are not available all the time. I want to be able to advise them correctly if there are any queries.

Current interest: nutrition and diet
Ambition: To lead a healthy lifestyle with healthy mind.

Denmark Diet

I am interested in the Denmark diet cause I follow Korean shows and one of my favourite celebrity (Nicole from Kara) did Denmark diet.

Brief summary:
This is a diet plan used at the Royal Danish Hospital comprised of a very strict high-protein and low calorie diet that lasts for 13 days. The majority of the diet plan composed of animal protein.

This diet is very strict. It must be done for 13 days and one must be able to have a strong willpower. Even if you eat anything else, you would have to start from day one all over again.

It is expected that exercises are also included while doing this diet.

Having a strict diet that does not contain any carbohydrates, it can help to change sluggish metabolism. Apparently the results will hold for at least 2 years.

People who have undergone this diet lost an average of 7-12kg (15-26lbs). Generally a healthy weight loss is considered about 1kg (2.2lbs) a week.

However this diet can cause dizziness, headache and general malaise. As meals consist of eggs and coffee, it could bring about lower physical function and melancholia.

As a precaution, it is better to see a dietician / nutrionist / diet specialist for analysis and consultation if this diet suits you.

Nicole from Kara (korean girl group) is famous for sticking to the Denmark diet to help her lose weight.

She claimed she lost more than 3kg on this diet.

So I made a list of the Denmark diets I found on the internet. Google is such a useful tool ;)

Phew. That's hard work. But at least I have a clearer idea on how to follow this diet (if I want). I am actually still considering. It is actually relatively similar to Atkins diet. More research to be done on Atkins diet but it have earned such a bad rep that actually deterred me away.

There are a lot of factors in my life that could affect my diet

1. work

2. social

3. accessibility

4. convenience

For general information, I am not obese or overweight. My weight is 61kg (134lbs) but I am 171cm tall. I am a healthy 25 year old working woman. I, however, do feel that my body have become very unhealthy due to lack of exercise and gluttony. Gluttony came from the massive amounts of delicious food available in Malaysia. Everyday seem to be a culinary adventure. It is actually hard to eat healthy and cheap. It's either EXPENSIVE and healthy or cheap and DETRIMENTAL. Detrimental came from mamak food that god-only-knows what they put inside the plate of nasi goreng / mee goreng / roti canai.

I have not a valid reason to embark on drastic diet (maybe when I got married? That would be a valid reason), I am going to stick to my current pace with cutting out soft drinks and eating healthy stuff. Exercising whenever I have a chance to tone up my flabby stomach.

The motivation that keeps me going:

1. to be able to climb Mt Kinabalu without panting

2. to be able to wear a bikini in Bali (August which is a long way off)

I want to be able to look like Miranda Kerr (toned body) even after her pregnancy

I guess the only thing I wanted now is to be able to wear a bikini proudly =) Isn't that every woman wish?

xoxo

Healthy dinner recipe

What is my ideal meal?

add one egg

with some miso stock

Cook it all together, it will be uberdelicious healthy vegetable soup!

Dessert:

a sweet apple to satisfy my sweet buds

Today after half day hard at work, I chose to eat

instead of this

I feel rather proud of myself for not letting temptations get in the way of my new diet. Look at the differences in sugar and carbs!!! Gasp!!!

To treat myself, I order a cuppa tea.

It might not be an ideal style of healthy eating, it is better than none =)

Cheers

It's going to be a good day tomorrow