Family friendly one day itinerary @ Port Dickson

We haven't been on a true holiday for ages! Besides having Jasper Lodge Kuantan to keep us occupied,  it can also be a real struggle to bring two young children on tow. Therefore, we just have to let things happen naturally on this trip with minimal planning.

We left Kuantan on a late afternoon and drove for slightly longer than 4 hours to reach our staycation destination- Thistle Port Dickson. It's been 2 years since our last visit and we were pleasantly surprised that it's been refurbished recently.

We love how much space was there in the room with a side lounge. The bed was made of 2 King single beds with ample room to squeeze in our family of four.

I vaguely remembered an old bathtub before the refurbishment. Fresh fruits were provided as compliments.

Cape Rachado Lighthouse
71050, Malacca
https://g.co/kgs/Rrv15U

After a sumptous breakfast buffet, we headed out for some fresh air. 

Cape Rachado Lighthouse is located at Negeri Sembilan and Malacca border. It's quite a leisurely climb for half an hour with some gentle slopes, tarred roads and many shaded rest stops along the way.

Army Museum Port Dickson
Kem, Persiaran Pahlawan, Kampung Baru Sirusa, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Opens daily (except Mondays and Tuesdays) 10am to 5pm

Visit is free or by voluntary donation. It's great for family. For young children, they are just in awe of the helicopters and tankers. For school aged children and adults, they learn about Malaysia's history and fight for independence.

Xiwang Village

Jalan Pantai Teluk Kemang, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
012-292 6219
https://g.co/kgs/NrQaMu

Lunch was at Port Dickson's favorite curry Mee and Yong Tau Foo restaurant. The place was spacious, food tasty and owners children friendly with lots of toys for children to spend their time with.

Back to Thistle, there were 2 children play rooms- one purely for Lego playing; the other with indoor ballpit and playground. Besides that, we also spent time playing giant chess and frolicking in the huge swimming pools with water slides and outdoor jacuzzi although we would prefer cleaner children pools.

Weng Yin Seafood Village

Lot 4132, Batu 9.5 (KM15.5), Jalan Pantai,, 71050 Port Dickson
012-628 1660
https://g.co/kgs/gHthLC

We were so famished by dinner time that we didn't take any photos of our satisfying dinner but we ordered steamed Negeri Sembilan local fish, claypot tofu and mixed vegetables. Would have tried Lucky King Bun if we had more adults (our boys do not eat curry to our dismay).

That's the snapshot of our fulfilling Port Dickson 1day itinerary!

Nature's Way for health and well-being

A hectic lifestyle often means lack of time for a good sit down meal especially for breakfast and lunch. This is because as doctors, both husband and I often spend these period rushing to get to work on time or trying to finish settling ward or clinic work.  We used to grab muesli bars or takeaway latte, even fast-food because an outlet is just opposite the hospital. Even though we know that a balanced diet with low fat, sugar and salt is essential for good health but it can be difficult to achieve.

Nature's Way is a trusted Australian brand using plant derived supplements. Nature's Way supplements are heavily backed by research to ensure safety while rooted in using traditional herbal remedies to enhance physical wellbeing. Nature's Way has a big range of supplements produced under the most stringent quality standards both for adult and children. Their products are also halal certified.

Nature's Way Instant Natural Protein

Asians often do not consume sufficient protein as our diet tends to be carbohydrate loaded culturally and historically. However, protein is a very important nutrient to build strong muscles and a strong immunity. Proteins should be consumed from natural sources such as lean meat (chicken, fish, eggs) or soy (soy milk, tofu). However, it can be difficult to get enough protein especially when eating out. Therefore, supplementary protein beverage can be useful and convenient.

Nature's Way Instant Natural Protein differs from protein supplements used by gym builders because Nature's Way doesn't contain creatine (for muscle building but only works with physical exercise). Creatine use can cause severe dehydration without extra water consumption and is not suitable for those with kidney problems.

Nature's Way Instant Natural Protein only contains natural amino acids derived from soy beans (vegetarian friendly!). This includes branched chain amino acids (BCAA) such as leucine, isoleucine and valine. Many of these are essential amino acids meaning they cannot be made in the body but need to be consumed by food or supplement. Except those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and some rare medical problems, most can consume amino acids safely. Read more here on WebMD.

Nature's Way Manuka Honey 100MGO

Manuka honey is harvested from Manuka flower only found native in Australia and New Zealand Bushland. Nature's Way hand harvest all their honey from 100% Australian native Manuka flowers containing Methylglyoxal aka MGO in its pure form after being filtered without additives.

MGO scores(internationally recognised and standardised rating system) of 100 and above are called bioactive honey, which is a measurement for the antibacterial activity. Do you know that each batch of Nature's Way honey is independently tested for the MGO?

Anyone ages above 1 year old can consume Manuka honey safely. There's no strict limit at how much and how frequently honey should be consumed so it's so versatile that it can be taken on its own or used in cooking to enhance flavors and nutrition. Do you also know that real honey has no expiry date?

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Nature's Way Instant Natural Protein is pleasantly chocolate flavoured and a healthy way to supplement my breakfast and lunch when I'm at my busiest with a tendency to skip meals or grab fat and carbohydrate loaded fast food. Using fructose and sweetener, it's suitable for those who have diabetes and prediabetes as well because it does not cause blood sugar levels to rise suddenly. Besides that, I also replace 1/3 of flour in my baking recipes for cakes/cookies  with protein powder to lower the amount of carbohydrate so that my family can enjoy guilt free treats!

I do use Manuka honey for certain patients with infected wounds. They work remarkably well to remove devitalized tissue and help to accelerate the natural wound healing process especially for wounds with excessive discharges. Just be careful at the amount you consume if you have diabetes because honey still contains sugar. But it's nevertheless a great remedy for sore throat and cold in this rainy season! 

Read more about Nature's Way!
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Disclaimer: the opinion given is merely a personal experience and does not constitute formal medical advice. Please seek your medical professional's advice before any complementary therapy. Always ask for certified professionals before proceeding with treatment and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.

Weil Hotel Ipoh Family Staycation day 2&3

After a well rested night in our cosy hotel beds, we were all ready for more fun!

Weil Hotel
292 Jalan Sultan Idris Shah Ipoh
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The day started late and lazy with an awesome Chinese dimsum brunch feast at Yuk Sou Hin Restaurant on level 1. The current head chef was imported all the way from Hong Kong who handcrafted all the dimsum so the pastry was fresh, thin yet able to contain all the delicious fillings waiting to burst in the mouth and overwhelme the taste buds.

We had prawn crystal dumplings, Xiao Long Bao (with the yummylicious stock all wrapped inside), matcha Liu Sha Bao (salted egg yolk lava bun), cod fish dumplings, steamed fish balls (Bing boy's favorite), Siew Mai on a skewer (fried and drizzled with sweet soy sauce), fish porridge with salted egg, as well as egg noodles with roast chicken Char Siew and prawn dumplings.

Deserving special mention was the half roast duck. The duck was roasted over lychee wood to create a unique smokey fragrance. The skin was thin and crackly with soft yet dense duck meat. The sweet dipping sauce completed the heavenly combination. We really had to thank Ron the restaurant manager for his great recommendation.

We then had a late lunch around 1.30pm at Tiffin on ground floor. Asian selections included sushi, rice, fried vegetables, stir fry fish fillet, puri with curry, lasagna, assorted salads (potato salad, Caesar salad, cold deli meat slices, cheese), artisan bread with cauliflower cream soup. The best was a hot cup of aromatic latte.

The afternoon was then spent with a quick nap, followed by more frolicking in the bathtub then some casual meeting up with Ipoh friends. There's just so much to catch up with! Lounging in the comfortable hotel area made our meetup relaxed. Plenty of parking spaces for visitors too.

Dinner was also served buffet style at Tiffin. If you are wondering, we were not sick with so much buffet food because the variety and taste was great. Dinner was seafood and grill themed with sashimi, seafood on rocks, teppanyaki salmon, chicken and lamb, Asian stir fries, vegetable pie, salad bar, fruit rojak, fresh fruits selection as well as cakes and creme brulee. Craving for ice? No worries, DIY ABC shaved ice with a few scoops of icecream to your own liking.

So we had a good night's dream, waking up to another morning spread of buffet breakfast at Tiffin. Tiffin is open for 3 meals a day everyday! Savouring fluffy croissants, specialty bread, pancakes, waffles, cereal, danish, yoghurt, nasi lemak and chicken Rendang, rice porridge and soup noodles were also available to suit your needs.

Don't forget to watch, like and comment on our YouTube video about Weil Hotel's room and dining outlets!

We reluctantly returned to reality after a sumptous breakfast. What a great weekend getaway! Can't wait until our next trip I fondly call as mental health trip.

Weil Hotel Ipoh Family Staycation day 1

It's been a while since we have been on a pure leisure trip! Even though both boys were down with cold virus, we took up the challenge of driving 5 hours to this historic town of Ipoh. We decided to stay at Weil Hotel's studio room for comfort and convenience!

Weil Hotel
292 Jalan Sultan Idris Shah Ipoh
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The room was spacious, clean and well maintained. We requested an additional single bed together with a king bed for 2 adults and 2 children. No more squeezing in the bed because there's more than enough space! Besides that, there were also 2 lazy couches for us to lounge on. Other amenities like bar fridge, safe, coffee and tea station and flat screen TV were in good conditions.

Bath tub! Children love a good time soaking. Having infinity pool is awesome but it can't beat a warm bath tub water play! Especially for young children who may catch a cold easily from the cold pool water. The tub was big enough to fit 2-3 children for some water gun shooting fun!

We were really hungry after checking in. But this elegant high tea set for 2 at Tea Lounge (Level 1) was more than enough to feed 2 adults and 2 young children with complimentary selection of coffee and tea (We got a hot cuppa of cappuccino and a fruity kiwiberry pot of tea, with an additional fresh watermelon juice for Bing boy). Not to mention all time favorite scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream!

Tier 1- macadamia cake, coffee cheesecake, fresh raspberry mousse, lemon curd eclair, durian meringue tart, mille feuille (custard filling), salted egg and pistachio macarons

Tier 2- Scotch egg (with sambal), Berny potatoes (crispy almond flakes), fish cake and Rendang chicken sushi

Tier 3- Smoked salmon brioche, multigrain egg mayo sandwich, tuna finger sandwich

Mainly Western pastry with Asian fusion, we love how fresh and crispy everything was. Each delicate piece handmade with care and love. The top tier desserts were just at the right amount of sweetness although we preferred the durian to be of richer aroma.

For avid shoppers，the bustling Ipoh Parade is just next door. Connected to the Weil Hotel on ground floor, there are many retail shopping options within walking distance. They also have many other food and beverage options such as Souper Tang and Sushi Tei.

Time to spend some energy after a fabulous teatime! Heading to the rooftop, we discovered lush greeneries and cosy couch to savour a birdseye view of Ipoh city centre with lots of instagrammable photo opportunities. The infinity pool was designed in such a way that one could take in the city view right at the edge. Do bring along buoyancy swimming devices for children though as the pool is 1.2m deep.

A great swim resulted in rumbling tummies soon after. The Deck Gastropub at the rooftop was definitely the right choice for a great evening away from home. Even though it served alcoholic beverages and sisha, smoking was prohibited and the setting was children friendly. The dazzling neon colored lightings kept the children fairly amused.

Our gastronomic experience included the following:

Appetizer- homemade multigrain bread with salted garlic butter (love how warm and soft the bread was!)

Starter- coi salad (a fresh selection of salad with a poached egg and freshly grated cheddar cheese)

Soup- Mushroom soup (freshly made in the kitchen with small chunks of fresh mushrooms in the soup for a different texture, as well as a swirl of fresh cream even baby Yi enjoyed)

Main
- Jerk chicken (2 slices of marinated and crispy pan fried chicken breasts served on a bed of mashed pumpkin and sweet soy based vinaigrette

- Perak snapper (Steamed fresh snapper smothered in a generous Portuguese style spicy paste on a bed of mashed brinjals)

-  Fried icecream ( rich chocolate icecream wrapped in fluffy chocolate sponge with a deep fried crispy breaded outermost layer)

-  Green tea creme brulee (a crispy crystalized caramel top layer with a rich matcha flavoured cream and egg with a pudding like consistency)

Beverages include
- Chilled pineapple 'juice' which is actually a cocktail containing vodka
- Virgin mojito is a mocktail instead. Very refreshing because of the mint leaves.
- Limau Pheng is a very Malaysian style of calling sweetened lime juice suitable for children.

We had such a great first day staycation in Weil Hotel! Day 2 and 3 to be continued in the next post.

The secret to health and age reversal | Ageversal by Dr Wu Product Review

I have been getting comments that I look about 10 years younger than my actual age.  Many do not believe that I'm already a mother of two and a general physician. What's my secret?

The first and foremost tip is lead a healthy lifestyle. I cannot stress how important it is to have 2 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each meal, replace high calorie and sugar loaded beverages with 1.5L plain water a day. Do aerobic exercise for at least 30mins every 2 to 3 days. I quit taking the lift for almost a year now and take stairs up to the 8th floor a few times each day. I have never smoked and say no to alcohol for 4 years already. I also try to make sure I get at least 7 hours of sleep every night,  even though it's usually fragmented as my young children are not sleeping through the night.

Besides that,  good anti-ageing skincare products are extremely important. My favorite product now is none other than Dr Wu's Ageversal series. I rarely go for facial treatments because I just do not have the time to sit for hours in the saloon without needing to attend to my work or family. Instead,  I often steal an hour off during the day to pamper myself.

Ageversal Intensive Repairing Serum with Squalane

Serum is a concentrated concoction of active ingredients designed to tackle certain skin issues such as dehydrated skin. It's often oil like but can be lotion like. Only a few drops are needed each application. Use serum after cleansing and toning. In many ways, the term essence is used interchangeably with serum.

This Ageversal Serum is a multipurpose essence oil and is required only in a single drop. It can be used on its own directly onto a rough and dehydrated skin area for a quick fix. When added to any current moisturiser or serum, it acts to enhance the function whether to boost hydration or repair ageing skin. Ever find it difficult to get an even application of liquid foundation? Add a drop of Ageversal Serum into the foundation and it will no longer be cakey! It can also be used  to smoothen rough skin, as a treatment oil for dry twice a day for the best results.

Squalane oil is produced naturally by our skin which makes up to 12% of total skin surface at birth. That's why baby skin is so soft and smooth. It can also be found in olives,  rice bran and wheat germ. Squalane oil penetrates deep into the skin to provide hydration right at the cellular level, balances sebum production, soothes inflamed skin and promotes collagen production.

Other ingredients include -

L22 Lipid Complex contains plant derived oils that similate the skin surface including Macadamia Seed Oil , Argan Oil and Olive Oil.

Juvenessence is a patented active ingredient that targets Progerin (an age accelerating protein) to improve skin firmness and elasticity.

Lupinus Albus Seed Extract has great antioxidant and emolient properties.

Dunaliella Salina Extract is a type of microalgae found in sea salt fields which is a powerhouse of carotenoid production (aka a potent antioxidant).

In a nutshell, it's a plant derived squalane with essence oils which is lightweight but able to achieve intensive skin repair!

Ageversal Multipeptides Anti-aging Ampoule

Ampoules, on the other hand,  are meant to save the day. When I have a full day ahead but need to appear my best,  I will use ampoules to "supercharge" my skin. It contains even higher concentrations of active ingredients than in serum. Use ampoules before applying serum or essence. Ageversal ampoules are designed for twice a day use.

10 types of multipeptides (including di-,  tri-, tetra-, penta -, hexa-,  octapeptides) in this ampoule at 10 times higher concentration signal the skin cells to produce collagen. The hyaluronic acid in the ampoule also directly improves skin firmness and youthfulness.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Pampering my face using the ampoule with a slightly viscous texture 

Working in a highly stressful environment,  I really need good skincare products like Ageversal to delay and also reverse certain signs of ageing, particularly sagging skin,  crow feet,  wrinkles and fine lines. Ageversal is a well researched product created by Dr Ying Chin Wu with 40 years of vast clinical experiences and extensive research on skin structure, and a formula based on doctor’s prescription, in order to bring high quality skincare treatments to our homes without needing to go through the needles or spend long hours in the clinics.

I love the instant boost of hydration and the ability to lift the skin, as well as smoothening and softening it. Ageversal is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin as it is made of natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals such as alcohol, parabens and preservatives. It delivers a pleasant floral scent which doubles as an aromatherapy for the face.

Interested to get your own? It's available at Sasa Malaysia outlets!
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Authentic Chinese Muslim Food | Muhammad Adam Lai Restaurant Kuantan

We haven't explored this part of the town for food to be honest. And we were genuinely surprised to discover such a cosy and modern dining space. Initially started by entrepreneurs from PolyTech MARA College,  the White and Black Cabin now showcases an interesting variety of Asian food,  including halal local,  Japanese and Korean cuisine at an affordable price tag. We chose to dine in at Muhammad Adam Lai Restaurant this round.

MUHAMMAD ADAM LAI RESTAURANT
White and Black Cabin,
25150 Kuantan, Pahang https://g.co/kgs/XWeifJ
Opens daily except Wednesdays 5pm to 12 midnight

The indoor and outdoor seating were spacious and made of vibrantly coloured wooden chairs and tables. Clean baby high chairs are provided. There's a centralised menu displaying food from all the stores. One needs to order from the front counter and pay first. Food will then be served pipping hot to your table!

These were what we savoured -

Salted Egg Prawns

Chef Adam Lai only used real salted egg yolks in his cooking, not ready made sauce. Therefore,  it contained less calories and salt.

We enjoyed how crunchy and fresh the prawns were. With the fragrance and additional coating of salted egg yolk, it is an occasional indulgence that excites the palate.

Nyonya Squid

It's an interesting combination of mildly spiced turmeric based squid rings,  red onion slices, long beans and chillies. The combination was harmonious and did not overpower the taste buds.

Thai Style Barramundi

Barramundi was deep fried until every bites crunched. A signature Thai sauce was then drizzled over the fish which contained sweet chilli sauce,  birds eye chili slices and scallions on a bed of fresh lettuce to create this sweet and spicy delicacy.

Braised Egg Tofu

We would recommend this dish especially to those who have children. Lightly fried egg tofu slices were braised in a thickened egg based broth of julienned crab stick with blanched brocolli florets. This is a comfort food especially easy for children to savour.

Shark Fin Fried Rice

Environmentalists, don't worry! Chef Adam did not use actual shark fins. These were imitation shark fins made from cellophane noodles with the same chewy texture actual shark fins share in common. Combined with a  serving of fragrant egg fried rice, this created a nice twist to a plain dish.

Two Combination Kailan

Crispy fried strips of Kailan leaves on top of a bed of blanched whole Kailan in oyster sauce. This made a gastronomic delight with two strikingly diffferent flavors using the same main ingredient.

For beverages, one can easily order from other partner stores. But a healthier way to dine out is definitely by drinking sky juice instead.  At White and Black Cabin,  they offer complimentary and free-flow Coway cold and hot water. Cut down on that unhealthy sugary overload!

Muhammad Adam Lai Restaurant is one of the most authentic Chinese Muslim cuisine that we can find in Kuantan area. Now I can confidently recommend this halal Chinese food to all my Muslim friends. The taste is great and food is prepared in a very hygienic manner. Getting halal nonspicy food is no longer a chore. Just a side note that chef Adam also accepts catering requests. Therefore our verdict is 8/10!

Supplement towards good health| Second Life Review

Liver is a very important internal organ that removes harmful toxin from the body,  maintains adequate blood sugar level and produces proteins that are essential for good immunity and the body's own ability to heal itself. Bad lifestyle habits such as being sedentary,  poor and unhealthy dietary choices (especially heavy alcohol consumption) as well as highly stressed lifestyle can result in fatty liver and eventually scarring and failure of the liver. Those who have diabetes and high blood pressure are even more susceptible to this.

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Second Life as a liver tonic

Research has shown the benefit of consuming milk thistle for those with fatty liver. In fact,  our local expert Prof Dr Chan from UMMC advocates this as it contains this active ingredient called sillymarin which can also be used in cases where the liver fails suddenly due to ingestion of toxic wild mushroom. Containing Dukung Anak, a traditional herb with phenolics, lignans and xylans, liver and kidney protective effects are possible. Read more about Dukung Anak here.

Watch this YouTube video for the scientific paper published by Prof Dr Chan.

Second Life as a skincare supplement.

Marine based collagen is proven to be a great skin food. Since natural collagen production dwindles with age,  supplementation helps to make skin supple and elastic. Marine based collagen is of the highest quality and the easiest to absorb. However it's not suitable for those who are allergic to seafood. Read more about collagen supplementation here in my previous post.

Second Life in promoting digestive health and  replenishing nutrition

Many people eat out because they have no time to prepare their own meals.  As a result,  we often consume high calorie food with excessive carbohydrates and fat content which is often lacking in essential nutrients and fibre. This in turn lead to lack of energy and weight gain, as well as indigestion and constipation. As Second Life contains inulin ( a type of dietary fiber called fructan), it helps to relieve bloatedness and regulate our bowel movements. It is also rich in vitamin B, C, D, calcium,  folate, magnesium and zinc.

The sweetness of the supplements comes from isomalt which is a sugar alcohol that tastes sweet without raising blood sugar levels. Isomalt is also tooth friendly. The flavor is further enhanced by using Torula yeast extract which gives the umami factor without the harmful effect of MSG.

How to take Second Life?

Simply open a sachet and pour the powder directly into the mouth. It tastes sweet with the fragrance of mango. A sachet a day will do because excessive isomalt may cause diarrhoea instead. Consume lots of water after that to wash down the supplement.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Second Life is a convenient supplement with multiple benefits in terms of liver protection, digestive and skin health. Supplements may have no harm and us as doctors can help by monitoring your blood and urine tests if you want to try any supplements. However,  it's always wise to consult your doctors first before starting any supplements. Avoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking any prescription medications in fear of interactions.

Disclaimer: the opinion given is merely a personal experience and does not constitute formal medical advice. Please seek your medical professional's advice before any complementary therapy. Always ask for certified professionals before proceeding with treatment and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.