A Weekend Business Trip at Pullman bangsar KL

This business trip was my first ever attempt to leave both baby Yi and Bing boy under the care of my parents and husband. I decided not to bring them along as I would only be away for one and a half day. The separation anxiety was not really there by the time I drove out of the house because I had already prompted Bing boy a few days beforehand but it certainly took him a while to accept that mommy was not going to put him to sleep on Saturday night. 

With the newly found 'me time', I arrived at Pullman Hotel Bangsar an hour ahead of the scheduled meeting. 

Unfortunately, the rooms were not ready yet so I had to leave my luggage at the concierge. Since I would be pumping, I asked about leaving my ice blocks in the hotel fridge but it was not possible due to worries about cross contamination. I was reassured that the hotel would be able to provide me a bag of ice though upon check out the next day. I was glad that I checked in before the meeting started because there was a long queue because they advised to only check in after the day ended. 

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar

No. 1, Jalan Pantai Jaya, Tower 3, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60 (3) 2298 1888 

Fax: +60 (3) 2298 1999 
Email:H7962@Accor.com

The room was too spacious for me alone to be honest! It's what everything a 5 star hotel should be. Comfortable, fluffy pillows and fresh beddings. A working desk. Flat screened TV with satellite TV channels. Tea making station with bar fridge (no freezer compartment). The fridge was bug enough to fit all my expressed breastmilk- about 20 oz worth. A safe. 2 bathrobes with iron in the wardrobe. 

The bathroom was equally fabulous. 

I could finally enjoy the whole big bathtub to myself. But this tub could easily fit 2 people and it took about 15miutes to fill it up. 

The toiletries provided was of good quality. Hair dryer was also available. 

I even managed to squeeze 30minutes time each for a quick swimming before dinner and cycling trip after dinner.

The highlight of the hotel stay was definitely the food!

Dinner was spectacular with seafood theme. It featured Chinese, Malay, northern Indian, Japanese and Western menu. From sashimi (salmon, tuna, octopus), iced seafood (scallops, prawns, crabs and oysters), grilled seafood, seafood hotpot (soup choices- chicken, prawn or tomyum broth). 

The standard rice dishes, brocolli cream soup, pizza, bread, salad bar and soup noodles were also available. 

The dessert section was so colourful with tempting chocolate fountain and a great selection of local kuih muih.

The other side has assorted cakes, very rich brownies (to die for!) and cashew chocolate cones, not to mention their yummy ice-cream and shaved ice stations. 

The breakfast was of equally good standard and variety. My favorite is their croissants and danish with fresh delicious salad bar. Their bread is soft and still warm. 

They also have one of the freshest and cheese selection! Love it to bits. 

I would easily rate my weekend stay a 8/10! Very impressed and exceeded my expectations. Definitely would consider staying at Pullman Bangsar again.

Is probiotic skincare worth the hype? | Suzuki Herb Probiotics Lotion by Japan Premium

Here comes another popular Japanese skincare product from Japan Premium! Our skin will not be healthy without adequate moisture. Besides hydrating ourselves with fluids, we also need to protect our skin by applying moisturizer. Besides dry and flaky skin, dehydrated skin may also manifest as sensitive skin prone to itchy rash/eczema, when makeup does not adhere well and appear in blotches. It may also cause premature skin aging and make fine lines appear much earlier.

Many of us may have come across using water after being rinsed with rice as a remedy for dry skin. The Suzuki Herb Probiotics Lotion is formulated from the same principle. This is because this water contains important probiotics for our skin.

The use of probiotics in alleviating gut problems such as indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome is well described and has many anecdotal evidence in the literature. But do you know that probiotics can also be helpful for our skin? The normal healthy skin contains a balanced bacterial microbiota.

Probiotic skincare products help to maintain a balanced state of the skin.  It makes the skin neither too oily nor too dry and tones down inflammation- the secret to a flawless glow.

This includes the staphylococcus species which is important to retain moisture and oil balance on the skin, as well as to strengthen our skin's ability to function as a protective barrier against irritants, pollutants,  UV and harmful bugs. Skin staphylococcus does this by breaking down sebum into glycerin which is a moisturizing ingredient found in many skincare products. It also produces antibacterial peptides to fight against bad bacteria which cause inflammation .

The other active ingredients found in the Suzuki Herb Probiotics Lotion are as follow:

- Lactobacillus La Flora:
This is a good bug with registered trademark under Ichimaru Faruco Ltd. It functions as a bug which produces lactic acid which increase the amount of moisture in the skin, protect the skin against sun damage and improve the skin's natural barrier function.

Lactobacillus also helps by maintaining the skin's weakly acidic pH balance which is often disrupted due to sweating and excessive sun exposure.

- Lactoferrin/yoghurt/whey protein:
These ingredients are found abundantly in human liquid gold aka breast milk as well. They contain collagen and amino acids that are essential in making the skin supple, firm and radiant.

- Chlorella/Aloe Vera/Scarlet roots:
This combination works well to soothe irritated skin,  further alleviates inflammation and prevent breakouts.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I love how hydrated my skin feels after using the lotion twice a day after cleansing. It works fast within minutes and I could feel the instant boost. The lotion is also suitable for use on both the face and the whole body.

Suzuki Herb Probiotic Lotion is available at Japan Premium. 

Local comfort food | Home Coffee Cafe 关丹全家咖啡 Kuantan

Since we got off from clinic early today,  we decided to grab some local food from the new cafe opposite to Sultan Abu Bakar School and near Meng Fang Kopitiam.

Home Coffee Cafe 全家咖啡
B-1453 Taman City,  Jalan Beserah, 25300 Kuantan.

We really love the bright sitting in the cafe.  It's comfortable and air-conditioned!  We enjoy the clean and spacious dining environment.

Since its grand opening, Home Coffee Cafe is serving hot food from breakfast until late afternoon.

There are 3 main hot food options:
-Nasi Lemak with optional sunny side egg,  fried chicken and  curry chicken
-Pan Mee soup
-Penang fried kuay teow

Various local drinks are available from barley,  tea and Milo (an all time favorite malt drink). But our favorite will always be their hot coffee. It's thick,  aromatic and the bitterness is well balanced by the milk. We could easily smell it from far.

The Nasi Lemak is well cooked with a nice screwpine fragrance. Topped with crispy fried anchovy and sweet sambal, it goes so well with the sunny side up egg and thick curry gravy. The fried chicken is crunchy yet still juicy inside.

Pan Mee, on the other hand,  is pipping hot with clear broth which has a homey taste.  The portion is generous with large and fresh fish balls,  as well as sliced pork and homemade pork balls.  The noodles are springy and thin. 

Overall,  our verdict is 7.5/10! We look forward to future addition to the menu.

How to whiten pigmented skin | Ibiza Cream Japan Premium Review

Certain areas of our skin darken easily. Examples include elbows,  knees,  underarms, bra line and bikini lines. This is due to the deposition of excessive melanin in that area.  It makes people feel inferior and try to hide these areas because dark areas look 'dirty'. How to make us feel in our skin again,  literally?

How can we prevent these skin areas from getting darkened? Be gentle to that area by avoiding harsh shaving, tight clothing or lingerie resulting in chafe and repetitive friction. But, what if these skin areas are already pigmented? Besides painful lasers, Ibiza cream offers a painless and effective alternative to whiten the areas mentioned. There are many other ways to lighten skin colour, including skin bleaching, skin lighteners, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. The pros and cons are discussed in this WebMD article.

Ibiza cream is classified as a 'Quasi Drug' by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. It has been proven clinically to be able to reduce skin inflammation. Quasi drugs mean that Ibiza cream contains potent active ingredients that makes it grouped between cosmetics and medications proper. These are tranexamic acid which whitens the skin, as well as glycyrrhizate that soothes and smoothens the irritated skin.

Hailing from Japan, Ibiza cream harness the goodness of phytonutrients as well.

It contains 2 types of nano capsules which melts and penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin to suppress melanin formation.
- Whitening support capsules (hydrolozed Tong Sun, chamomile and alpinia katsumadai seed)
- Anti-glycation capsules (Sakura leaf, plum, soybean)

There are also 8 additional ingredients that make Ibiza cream moisturizing to the skin with deep penetration, namely vitamin E, stearoyl phytospingosine, rose water, sodium lactate, hydrogenated soybean phospholipid, glycerin, pentadiol and butylene glycol.

Ibiza cream is also free of potential irritants and allergens such as artificial fragrance, artificial colorant, mineral oil, parabens and alcohol. Since it's gentle and suitable for use at private delicate skin areas, it can also be used on other parts of the skin which has pigmentation problems.

How to use Ibiza cream?

1. After shower, apply Ibiza cream at the desired areas at least twice a day,
2. Apply at least 1 cm larger than the pigmented area.
3. Gently massage the cream in by drawing a circle 5 times.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

It is great that skin whitening at our delicate areas can be painless by using Ibiza cream. I love how lightweight and non-greasy the product is. Ibiza cream is effective but the effect is gradual after 2 months so one needs to be consistent and patient about it. Since it can be used for the whole body, it is a useful product to have for everyone. The tube size is convenient to carry around even if you travel frequently and each tube can last about a month depending on use.

It is now so much easier to get our hands on great Japanese products like Ibiza cream in Malaysia. This is because Japan Premium offers a comprehensive range of high quality Japanese products from cosmetics, skincare products to food delivered straight to your doorstep at a much lower price tag.

Tips of choosing and applying sunscreen | Japan Premium Nalc Sunscreen Review

Excessive sun exposure can be harmful to the skin.  Not only does it cause premature skin aging called photoaging,  it may also cause skin cancers which can spread such as melanoma. In the short term,  UV exposure can cause sunburn and skin damage.  Later on,  photoaging creates dry skin, lines,  wrinkles, skin pigmentation, freckles and sun spots. This makes sun protection and a good sunscreen in our tropical country extremely important.

The slip,  slop, slap slogan summarises  beautifully what should be done to protect against harmful UV rays. It's a successful health campaign that advises people especially Australians to slip on T shirt,  slop generously on sun screen, slide on sunglasses and slap on a hat between 11am to 3pm when the UV is at its strongest. This managed to reduce the incidence of melanoma.

Nalc sunscreen utilises the latest three phase emulsification technology to make sure that even with moisture, it doesn't reemulsify and get washed off which makes it really water proof. This technology also eliminates the need of using surfactant in the sunscreen,  rendering the UV gel suitable for sensitive skin and children use. However it get removed easily with soap and facial cleanser.

Nalc sunscreen has a SPF (sun protection factor)  of 50+ PA++++. Generally speaking,  a SPF of 30 filters 96.7% of UVB and SPF50 filters 98%. Nalc sunscreen is broad spectrum, which means it also protects against UVA (PA++++). The average-sized adult needs a teaspoon of sunscreen for head and neck, each limb and for the front and the back of the body. Sunscreen needs to be applied 20 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applied every two hours and earlier after water activities or excessive sweating.

The other active ingredients /phytonutrients in Nalc sunscreen are as follows:

-hyaluronic acid prevents skin dehydration after sun exposure

-Glycyrrhizinate dampens skin inflammation after sun exposure.

- Clara extract keeps tyrosinase activities in check to avoid skin pigmentation, wrinkles and saggy skin formation.

Not only that Nalc sunscreen is also free of harmful additives such as parabens, alcohol,  mineral oil,  artificial colorants and surfactant.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Nalc sunscreen is a great sunscreen because it provides broad spectrum UV protection. It's light and easy to bring during traveling.  I only have to bring one for my family of 4 with 2 young children.  It's not sticky,  spreads well. There's no white residues left after application. I also love to use it before I apply foundation on my face as a base.

Can't find this product from Malaysian supermarket shelves?  Don't worry. Nalc sunscreen can be purchased online from Japan Premium now.

Acne Buster | Japan Premium Null Face Wash Review

We can't help but notice that Japanese generally have tiptop skin condition,  even for those who are aging. Most of them look so refined and elegant. So the secret must lie in the skincare products they use. That's why I love 100% authentic imported Japanese products from Japan Premium.

Null Face Wash is a must have for both men and women who are troubled by acne. Acne vulgaris can affect adolescents as well as adults.  Acne is formed due to excessive keratin production in the follicles, as well as  too much sebum clogging the pores, resulting in bacteria proliferation and inflammation. Male hormones can further aggravate breakouts.

There are many active ingredients aka phytonutrients used in Null Face Wash

Glycyrrhizate- anti-inflammatory, soothes the irritated skin and prevent acne from forming

Hamamelis, Gingko biloba & Chamomile- powerful phytonutrient which softens the skin and reduce appearance of acne scars

Artichoke,  soybean and Scutellaria Baicalensis- form the basis of the bubble foam that cleanse in depth and exfoliate gently to achieve a radiant glow.

Aloe Vera and collagen- great moisturiser and contains hyaluronic acid which maintains skin elasticity.

Lime essential oil- this gives the facial wash a refreshing smell and rejuvenates the skin

Null Face Wash is also free of paraben,mineral oil, alcohol,  artificial coloring, artificial  fragrance  and petroleum surfactant agents.  These are potential allergens or irritants to skin. 

How to use?

1. Apply 2-3cm onto a wet face washing net.
2. To create foam,  rub the net between the hands.
3. Apply the foam lightly onto the face with minimal contact to the skin.
4. Rinse off with water and avoid rubbing the skin.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I love plant based products because they are natural yet effective.  Null Face Wash is a great product that has multiple functions by cleansing,  exfoliating and moisturising,  as well as reducing inflammation and preventing acne formation. This simplifies our daily skincare regime.

Null Face Wash makes a perfect acne buster and birthday gift for your boyfriend/spouse.  Purchase it from Japan Premium now.

DIY cookies | Weekend parent with toddler activity idea

Bing Boy's assessment week at his school was coming up the next Monday. We did not want to put too much stress to ask him to revise. After all, he is only 3 years plus and we would like him to explore and develop an interest in reading, writing, reasoning and counting at his own pace. There has been studies stating that children nowadays are forced into formal education too early. The expectations from schools and parents can be unrealistic for young children which may have adverse effects on their emotional, physical and social development. The full study can be accessed here.

Bing Boy happily munching away and reciting the alphabet and number cookies. 

Since Bing was not happy to write A-J, 1-7 which were his assessment scope, we decided to make it fun to revise. There came our weekend alphabets and number cookie making.

We got this Dr. Oetker chocolate cookies premix from Giant Superstore. So we did not have too much mixing to do because young children get bored if there are too many steps involved.

Fairly simple instructions: Bing boy fetched an egg for me. Mixed that with 125g of butter and the premix then we were all good to go!

After mixing the dough thoroughly, we had a nonsticky and fun playdough!

Time to shape the dough into alphabets, numbers and shapes. I did most of the shaping but Bing Boy had his share of fun mixing and handing me the dough. Of course we revised the strokes for writing and taught him to recognise them. We did not use any mould but in retrospect that would be a lot easier and faster.

After 15mins of bakingn at 180 degrees, tadaa! We were quite proud that the cookies did not break. They turned out crunchy, buttery, yet not too sweet. 

Dr. Oetker has many other premix for cakes, cookies and Malaysian dessert. It makes baking so much easier and less hassle. Their website also has many other simple recipes. Involve the children and they will appreciate the result so much better than you baking or cooking it alone.