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.

Shaping eyebrows made easy | Andmetics Brow Wax Strips Review

As long as I remember,  I have fairly messy and bushy eyebrows. I started trimming and tweezing but the hairs grow back within a week and usually there will still be many fine hairs being left behind. It is also easy to overtrim the brows resulting in very thin, sometimes assymetrical and artificial looking brows.

Andmetics Brow Wax Strips have made shaping eyebrows so much easier and time saving. All brows will now have the ideal two third up and a third down ratio! The strips already shaped and are ready for use. They are so thin that I can easily bring them and wax my brows anywhere and anytime. Yet another trick to lighten my ever growing luggage size!  (the only downside of traveling with my children)

How to use it?

Watch this official video. I find the model a bit distracting though haha.

1. Each pack comes with 2 sticky wax strips
2. Separate the strips.
3. Stick the wax underneath the brow.
4. Leave the strip for 2 minutes.
5. Remove the strip in a quick pull.
6. Admire the hair removed!
7. Wipe the area clean to remove waxy residues.

This is how messy my brow looked like before waxing. Lots of flimsy baby hairs underneath.

After 2 minutes,  the brow looked much neater. I must say the wax strips managed to remove most of the unsightly hairs. Unlike most waxing products,  Antmetics was relatively painless. Gentle yet effective.

There are also wax strips for upper lips and the area above the nose bridge (in between the eye brows). Just all the spots I need to remove annoying facial hairs from.

Other waxing tips :
1. Before first use,  perform a sensitivity test 24 hours prior by sticking a strip on the upper inner arm.

2. Make sure skin is dry, clean and free from makeup and facial products before use.

3. Avoid waxing after a hot bath.

4. Avoid contact with the eyes and under eyelids.

5. Avoid sunbathing a day after waxing.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I love how uniform my brows look now without having to worry about fine hairs underneath the brow. As the strips remove hairs from their follicles, it takes about 4 weeks to grow back. That saves me so much brow trimming time and effort! The sticky residue can be removed  easily by gently wiping the area using cleansing wipes.  It gives an instant visible result for my brows.

Where to get Andmetics brow wax strips?

Available at Hermo, Andmetics brow wax strips can also be purchased online from Shopee,  Lazada or Zalora.

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Eumora moor facial bar review

We have been extremely busy. Organising course after course; speaking in various meetings,  preparing for Jasper Lodge Kuantan; juggling our full-time doctoring job while caring for 2 young children. These stresses put a toll on my skin,  making it dull and acne prone. Therefore, I'm so excited to try Eumora Moor Facial Bar!

What is Austrian Heilmoor mud?

The use of moor for it's beautifying effect started since ancient Rome and Egypt. Imagine herbs, plants and flowers permanently submerged under water or underground for thousands of years. After the ripening process in the unique environment without oxygen,  moor is produced. Interestingly,  the therapeutic effects of the plants are still retained in moor which creates the main active ingredient in Eumora Facial Bar-suitable for all skin types with a hypoallergenic property.

 It contains all minerals except iodine. The ability to adsorb pollutants and pathogens allows the skin to be cleansed inside out. Moor helps to rebuild the skin into thicker and denser layers so to smoothen wrinkles and reduce skin sagging.  Eumora sources its moor from the highest quality European moor. 

What is Hydration Microalgae Factor (Hma)?

Similar to the structure of collagen,  Hma is derived from Microalgae (Haematococcus P. and Chlorella S) cultivated in fresh water lakes. This hydrates the skin very well while helping to maintain skin elasticity and suppleness. Hma is also suitable for those with sensitive skin in all types of climate. Also rich in vitamin B, it strengthens the skin's natural protective barrier function. As collagen production dwindles with age, external sources like this is essential for anti-ageing properties.

All ingredients used in this facial bar is naturally derived with no harsh chemicals such as paraben, alcohol and SLS. No artificial coloring or fragrance added. Besides that,  it also follows GMP and is Halal certified, vegan friendly and not tested on animals.

How to use Eumora Moor facial bar?

1. Lather a generous amount.
2. Apply onto wet face.
3. Leave on for at least 3 minutes.
4. Rinse off with cold water.

Just a good tip- lather using wet hands instead of running it under water for the bar to last longer. It's about RM75 a bar after all!

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Using Eumora moor facial bar is like applying a clay mask everyday.  I love how it pampers my skin,  providing it with a boost in hydration and nutrients. As its pH is neutral, it doesn't sting when applied. It helps to relieve these skin problems such as eczema, acne,  uneven skin tone, pigmentation, dark circles and wrinkles.

It is truly a one size fits all skin remedy. One can omit toning, exfoliating and facial with Eumora! Moisturising may be necessary for those with dry skin though. This simplifies my skincare regime so much. It works as good as a needleless face lift!

Facial soap is definitely the new trend now! Grab your own Eumora moor facial bar today. Each packet comes with 4 travel sized facialbar. But the price is a bit steep. Worth spending for youthful skin though I would say.

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Best Korean Food in Kuantan Gangnam Street Revisited

Since we had such a great dining experience at Gangnam Street, here we were again trying out a different set of dishes. We had a fiery Korean meal during our first visit as stated in my previous post. This time round the dishes were not spicy and milder to the stomach.

Gangnam Street
16, Lorong Tun Ismail 8, Sri Dagangan Bussiness Centre, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang
017-986 7408
https://g.co/kgs/YYtZzY
Opens daily 1pm to 12am
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Sausage Yachae Bokkeum

This was our first time tasting Korean style Vienna sausages and I must say they were extremely addictive! The skin were crunchy with a slightly chewy filling and were bursting in flavour! This dish is popular among children as it is stir fried in a ketchup and sugar based sauce together with colourful vegetable combinations like bell pepper slices, broccoli, cauliflower, mushroom slices sprinkled with white sesame seeds.

Pan fried mandul

The Korean dumplings are different from both the Chinese and Japanese dumplings. This pan fried variety was filled with pork mince based filling with some vermicelli, sprinkled with mixed herbs to give more fragrance. The dipping sauce was either homemade Korean chilli sauce or a signature soy sauce based version (with onion, sesame, chilli flakes etc) which came from the boss's secret recipe.

Odeng soup

Directly imported from Korea, this fish cake soup comforts the hungry tummy during this cold and rainy monsoon season. Fish cake skewers were cooked in a clear broth with slices of shitake mushrooms, hard boiled eggs, tteokbokki and spring onion. The fish cakes were of spicy and non spicy varieties with different shapes and textures.


Tteokbokki

This Korean stir fry rice cake dish was more sesame oil based with bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, vermicelli and rice cake slices. The surprise element here was hard boiled quail eggs which was the main protein in the dish. I love how chewy yet soft the rice cake here is, simply irresistible!

Each Gangnam street visit brought us some surprise dish choices. Even though we have never been to Korea before, we are so grateful to be able to taste these awesome new flavours. So if you want to try something new, head on to Gangnam Street Kuantan!

Skincare product for the family with sensitive skin | Remdii product review

Born in a family with atopy (which means tendency to have sensitive skin, allergies and sensitive airway or asthma), we are always very careful when it comes to selecting skincare products for ourselves as well as our children. Now we are already a happy family of 4, it becomes even more important to find products that are suitable for the whole family’s use. Because we travel a lot, we need just a set of products that we can bring along for everyone’s convenience to lighten the luggage and lessen the hassle of luggage searching.

Remdii Sensitive skincare range definitely fits the bill. It is produced by Lipidware, the brainchild of a group of dedicated scientists in a laboratory under the Institute of Bioscience, University Putra Malaysia. As a doctor couple, we believe a lot in research driven and science proven skincare products. What’s more, Lipidware is also awarded as the winner of INPEX award (2017), gold medalist for ITEX (2017) and winner of ‘Commercialization Success Story’ in PECIPTa (2017). Browsing through the list of team leading the brand reveals a strong and solid research background.

Harnessing the power of phytonutrients, the ingredient list can be found on the product labels.  Besides that, their patented formulation (MY 158177-A) has anti-microbial properties towards Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus which often cause troublesome acne and skin infections. The ingredients are delivered via nanoemulsion which are bioactives that can penetrate deeper skin layers into the dermis easily.

One of the key ingredients used in the Remdii is Vitamin E which is 60 times more potent to allow deeper penetration. This is because 75% of tocotrienols and only 25% of tocopherols are used. Tocotrienols have shorter tails on the molecular level to allow greater mobility in cell membranes. This allows a much larger skin area to be covered by this powerful antioxidant. This combination makes oil that's water soluble with lightweight and non greasy application.

Remdii products are also free from harsh and potentially harmful chemicals such as paraben, artificial fragrance or colouring, mineral oil, as well as dehydrating agents such as SLS and alcohol. These ingredients are the no-nos when it comes to eczema prone and sensitive skin. 

Remdii Calming Body Wash 250ml

Mr husband had been really stressed with his final year master thesis with eczema flare up. The itch can be really intolerable. This calming body wash has a comforting effect to his skin and does not strip the skin off the natural moisture.

Remdii Gentle Hair Shampoo 250ml

The shampoo is suitable for all hair types and daily use. It's gentle to the scalp,  easy to lather and rinse off. We did not have to use conditioner as our hair were not dry after shampooing.

Remdii Ultrasensitive Intensive Barrier Repair Cream 50ml

This barrier repair cream is made based on Skin Mimic Technology ceramide complex. In other words, when applied, it acts like the natural skin layer to help our skin’s natural function as a barrier. This cream is especially useful for those who has inflamed, itchy and broken skin surface due to scratching. I suggest to use this cream for skin areas that are really eczematous. It works for insect bites as well. 

Remdii Intensive Moisturising Cream 112ml

Baby Bing applying the cream on his own. 

This moisturizer hydrates the skin from deep within. It is lightweight and not oily. Apply the cream at least twice a day for the whole body to get the right level of hydration for our skin. The cream also has the ability to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Using the latest technology to produce high end skincare products and proudly owned by Malaysia, I am definitely a supporter for Remdii products. Not only are they suitable for those with sensitive skin, it can also be used by the whole family without the need to purchase multiple products, including babies. This makes grocery shopping a whole lot easier. As the products are packed in convenient packaging, they can be brought along while we are travelling. There is no more need to separate adult and children products anymore!

Remdii Sensitive Series and Skincare Series can now be found in clinics, retail pharmacies and health centers throughout Malaysia. They can also be purchased online. Support our Malaysian made high quality skincare product!

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Filling noodle dishes under RM10 | Yumee Yumee Kuantan City Mall Review

You are not reading it wrongly. It's possible to get a meal under RM10 in a shopping mall. Yumee Yumee is based on a budget meal concept, especially in a cosy dining environment and tailored to the need of the working class and local taste buds.

Yumee Yumee
LG,
Kuantan City Mall
6, 1, Putra Square, 25300 Kuantan, Pahang
09-531 6776
https://g.co/kgs/jzB2Zg
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You know how popular this eatery is when options like teh tarik, tom yum and curry chicken rice ran out by 6pm. Nevertheless the rest of the food options are equally exciting. For each flavour ie curry,  tom yum,  asam laksa and soto, combinations with yellow noodles,  laksa noodles,  rice noodles and vermicelli are allowed.

Curry vermicelli with yellow noodles. The fragrance of the coconut milk and curry carries wide and far. The gravy is thick and smooth with a generous portion of carbohydrate, blanched cockles, tofu pok, chicken breast strips,  fish cakes, fresh fish balls, bean sprouts and hard boiled egg. This is a great comfort food.

Curry rice noodles. With the same toppings, rice noodles give a different yet welcoming texture from the classic yellow noodles variety.

Asam laksa here is suitable for all, even those who does not really like the soury taste as it is mild and not really spicy. It's a healthier option with fish, shredded lettuce, red onion slices, pineapple strips and julienned cucumber. The laksa noodles are really springy and refreshing. For those who prefer a stronger flavour, please let the staff know to prepare beforehand.

Soto is always a good choice for children as it is a sweet clear chicken broth that goes well with vermicelli. Toppings like fish cake, chicken breast strips,  bean sprouts, hard boiled egg and hotdogs are also children friendly ingredients. Bing boy happily finished two third of this huge bowl.

If you want more, side dishes like cockles, chicken breast strips,  fish cakes,  curry fish balls,  hotdogs and tofupok are available. An healthy way of eating out while trying to lose weight- order a standard noodle portion with 2 side dishes and share between 2 people to cut down the amount of carbohydrate consumed.

Drink options like Milo, iced water and orange cordial are also available at Yumee Yumee.

Want to have a decent meal out without creating a hole in the wallet (and not in a food court!),  try Yumee Yumee. Our verdict is therefore 7/10!

Babysitting made easy at Waka Waka Playland Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang

While mommy was busy absorbing all the beauty information at Natugee x Mrs Malaysia World event on 20 October,  Mr husband, my mom and my 2 boys had a great time at Waka Waka Playland Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang.

Waka Waka KL
Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang
136, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
03-2733 5755
https://g.co/kgs/f17sxw
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This indoor playground caters from children as young as 1 years plus to activities suitable for those of primary school age. My boys are 3.5years and 10 months old. The play areas are very colorful and well lit.

For baby Yi,  the play area has slides,  swings and wall mounted Montessori toys to train fine motor skills. Lots of cute little toy houses to play peek a boo in.  The area is well padded with foam pieces so it safe with low risk of serious injury.

Look at how much the boy is enjoying himself.

Make belief games using props such as an elegant carriage like this are also ways in fostering creativity in young children.

Bing boy, on the other hand, has a lot more play options in Waka Waka. He enjoys climbing the rubber volcano and sliding down. I'm very impressed with his gross motor skills given that the slope is actually fairly steep and only recommended for children 5 years old and above.

Since his recent visit to Super Park, he has learnt how exciting flying fox is.  This flying 'turtle' is a much cuter and safer options for him with lots of foam mattress on the ground to cushion the fall just in case.

Sliding can be lots of fun when it becomes a race. This slide with multiple lanes make the game so much more competitive and fun to make new friends.

Bing could not participate in the tubing game due to height limit in another playground. But the one in Waka Waka is specifically designed for smaller children.  I always feel amazed at how agile he is in sports and games. I am a proud momma looking at how fast he picks skills up.

Feeling hungry after playing? No worries,  the cafe serves great finger food and drinks with a big open dining area for everyone. Other facilities include clean toilet,  baby room and nursing room in the facility. Socks are compulsory in the playground which are important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

For those attending meeting or conference like me,  Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang is a good choice. 4 star accommodation in city centre with an infinity pool,  spacious conference meeting rooms, yummy food as well as Waka Waka Playland to keep the little ones happy and the spouse some me time supervising from far. Their event parking rate is also one of the cheapest at RM5 each entry.