Be In Control In 4 Weeks With Glucerna

I am very honoured to be involved in this program. Do you know that 1 in 3 Malaysians run the lifetime risk of getting diabetes mellitus (DM)? The figure is only going to soar as we face the obesity pandemic-- staying at home during this period is not helping either. 

 

Having a strong family history of DM, I knew I have 67% risk of getting DM. So I always try my best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. On the odd day, I will still have a few cheat days. But I did not expect the bad news to come so early. During my second pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Gestational DM. Read more about GDM here.

 

I felt really depressed and started with calorie counting and carbohydrate restriction. I also tried to become more physically active by increasing my level of incidental activity such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift. However my sugar control was still going downhill and never recovered even after delivery-- I was confirmed to have prediabetes.  Being a doctor, I probably have too much exposure about how detrimental even prediabetes can be. It practically makes the immune system weak and raises the risk of kidney problem, stroke and heart attack much higher than normal healthy population. Good sugar control is essential at all times, especially when a person is first diagnosed as our body develops memory and makes maladaptation to persistently high blood sugar levels.  Sometimes it gets really frustrating, not able to enjoy my food as much, especially during festivities. 

 

Prediabetes usually does not require medications but the risk of becoming overtly diabetic is at about 30% each year. I was aware that meal replacement can be useful in achieving better sugar control and can help weight management. I do recommend my patients to try meal replacement especially if they are overweight/obese. And now I am also giving it a go!

 

Glucerna® by Abbott is a diabetes-specific formula (DSF), which is a complete and balanced nutritional supplement formulated for people with diabetes or prediabetes. If you read more about diabetic diet, you will soon realise that carbohydrate counting and restriction is one of the keys. Choosing the correct carbohydrate-- ie those with low glycemic index (GI) which only release carbohydrate slowly into the bloodstream. The concept of suku suku separuh (fill your plate with a quarter of carbo, a quarter of lean protein and half of vegetables/fruits). Portion control is therefore also important. Gaining enough nutrition can be tricky for diabetics but it can be done easily when we are empowered by the knowledge to have a balanced diet with the help of DSF.

 

Wondering about the science behind Glucerna® ? The keywords are myo-inositol and slow release carbohydrate system which makes the body more sensitive to insulin by increasing GLP-1 levels (an important hormone lacking in DM), hence lowering blood glucose. The new Glucerna contains 4 times higher myo-inositol! Other active ingredients like Omega 3, 6 and 9 are vital for heart's health, as well as dual fiber blend of soluble fibers which relieves constipation and indigestion. Besides that 28 vitamins and minerals are also found in Glucerna with 35% higher folate and 56% higher iron levels which are essential for ladies with gestational diabetes.

 

Even if you don't like milk, Glucerna® is still an excellent choice because it comes in many flavours like vanilla, chocolate and the newest flavour, wheat and if you like, add some coffee powder/espresso shot and voila, it becomes so palatable. As Glucerna® is lactose free, us Asians do not have to worry about bloating and diarrhoea as many of us are lactose intolerant. 

 

Glucerna®  can also be used in cooking-- I sometimes substitute it instead of using coconut milk in puddings and curries. Combining it with oats also works well. If you like cold food, freeze Glucerna® with cut fruits into icicles! Remember to always combine meal replacement with healthy diet and exercises!

 

How is meal replacement done? This is the recommended guideline: 

 

UNDERWEIGHT: BMI <18kg/m2

● 2 SERVINGS A DAY TO SUPPLEMENT DIET

Eg. morning snack and supper supplement

 

NORMAL WEIGHT: BMI 18 — 23kg/m2 ( I am in this category)

● 1 SERVING A DAY AS PARTIAL MEAL REPLACEMENT

Eg. breakfast supplement

 

OVERWEIGHT: BMI >23kg/m2

● 2 SERVINGS A DAY AS MEAL REPLACEMENT

Eg. breakfast and snack replacement

 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

 

I felt discouraged at times in my journey of getting good sugar control. After 4 weeks of  Glucerna® meal replacement program, the fluctuation of blood sugar level has fortunately plateaued so I feel so much more empowered and in control now. The main problem I face was a rise in blood sugar level after meals as my body cannot respond adequately to secrete enough insulin. Meal replacement also works well by reducing the total amount of calories consumed in a meal. Remember to cut down other food intake especially carbohydrates when you are on meal replacement therapy or else there can be weight gain (total caloric intake exceeds total energy expenditure). As a Doctor myself, I will still ensure I do my regular check-up because this is where I can review my medication and nutritional intake and evaluate if it is working. One must always be aware of what we put in our body. 

 

Want to change for the better? Request samples at Glucerna webpage, or even make your purchase online at Lazada & Shopee official store now!

 

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To understand how other fellow Malaysians are living with diabetes: 

 

Abbott conducted an online survey from 2-12 October 2020 to find out more about people with diabetes in Malaysia and how they are managing their condition, including how they are making daily decisions about their food and nutrition. The survey aimed to identify areas that people with diabetes struggled with the most, with a focus on understanding areas that can be better supported.

 

● A total of 158 Malaysian residents with diabetes participated in the survey, comprising a mix of genders and ethnicity. Among the respondents, 24.7% provided feedback with the help of a caregiver, which was allowed to enable less tech-savvy people with diabetes to also participate.

 

● The respondents mainly indicated that they had been diagnosed with diabetes for:

o 3-5 years (34.8%)

o Less than 3 years (19%)

o 6-8 years (17.7%)

 

● The respondents were mainly aged:

o 50-59 years (28.6%)

o 40-49 years (22.9%)

o 30-39 years (22.3%)

 

● Most respondents reported going for follow-ups at a frequency of:

o Every 4-6 months (48.7%),

o Every 3 months (25.3%)

o Do not go for follow-ups (12%)

 

● Most respondents has recorded a latest HbA1c reading of:

o Within 6.5-7.0% (51.3%)

o Within 7.1-8.0% (26.6%)

o Below 6.5% (12.7%)

 

 

● The HbA1c readings were mainly steady, with respondents reporting that they were:

o Showing no change in trend (55.1%)

o Trending upwards (17.1%)

o Trending downwards (13.9%)

 

 

● When asked about how diabetes impacted their lives, the respondents indicated that they were struggling, agreeing (strongly agree, agree or somewhat agree) to the following statements in the indicated percentages.

o I feel that diabetes controls my life (96.2%)

o I feel that managing diabetes is taking up too much of my mental and physical energy every day (95.6%)

o I feel overwhelmed by the demands of living with diabetes (94.3%)

o I feel that I am often failing with my diabetes routine (92.4%)

o I do not feel confident in my day-to-day ability to manage diabetes (91.8%)

o I feel angry, scared and/or depressed when I think about living with diabetes (90.5%)

o I feel that I am not sticking closely enough to a good meal plan (90.5%)

 

● Nevertheless, 58.2% of respondents still felt they were managing diabetes very well or quite well.

 

● The respondents indicated that fitness and diet management factors were among the key stressors in their diabetes management, saying that the following activities were stressful (very or slightly stressful):

o Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight (74.7%)

o Daily carbohydrate or calorie counting (73.4%)

o Management of emotions (72.2%)

o Reducing or giving up favourite foods and drinks due to unsuitability (72.2%)

o Following a diet suitable for people with diabetes (71.5%)

o Regular exercise (70.9%)

Eco Beauty Squad Interview

Warning. Long post ahead! Thanks @thefaceshopmalaysia for selecting me to tell my story about content creation! Of course, @venicemin and @fishmeatdie are my awesome mentors this round.

About Yourself

1. What are the biggest and most life-changing milestone/s and/or achievements of your life?

 

Being able to undergo undergraduate training in Melbourne on a scholarship was definitely the life changing moment for me. I am the only child and had not lived away from my family until I turned 20. It was not easy fitting in a completely new environment, struggling to understand the culture and the peculiar Oz accent. I was not used to having cold milk and salad for lunch. Neither was I familiar with the way people socialized. But I was glad to have the support from my fellow uni mates. We explored mundane day to day activities together. We also travelled a lot-- from there I really learnt to be open minded and to assimilate different culture. This included my first and last time bungee jumping as well as visiting a hot spring while surrounded by first snow. I also met my then bf now husband there. 

I was also fortunate to be offered an opportunity to attach to one the most prestigious health facility in London. I was alone for 2 months. But the experience was one of a lifetime. Till to day, my values and approach to managing patients are still very much shaped by these experiences. My husband and my outlook in life is to dream big and work hard towards our goals-- dare to be different and shine. We encourage our children to do the same.

 

2. Why do you think it's important for you to share your life's stories/experiences with others?

The more I progress in my career, the more humble I am by the vast amount of knowledge and experience each expert has. So I believe that I have to share my knowledge to others' benefit as well. It is very important to keep the mind sharp -- at least learn a new thing everyday. I am learning to become an expert doctor in the care of older adults-- therefore, keep updating our mental faculty remains the most vital way of preventing cognitive impairment. This includes being creative when producing new content. Why do I share mainly on social media? Because that is where most people are getting their information from and one of the most effective ways of passing the message I want to convey about loving life. I try to share some tips about healthy living in each of my posts for example. And I like people to see how an independent woman like me can juggle between work and family-- hopefully to inspire other young mothers and to build a supportive community to share our joy and challenges. 

 

3. What does it mean for you to be bold and "dare to be"?

Confidence definitely comes from knowledge and experience. To explore, to see, to feel and to able to relate to every moment in life. And to reflect on my life so I can be better and stronger everyday. When I am confident, I automatically put on that smile and look. I do pay attention to my physical appearance as well because that is a way to showcase my boldness and character. As I am in a leadership position at my workplace, I need that energy and assertiveness to bring my team to another level to provide consistent and quality patient centered care. 

 

It is very important to voice out opinions even if it is clearly different from others. I do encourage my team to brainstorm and provide ideas as well for each patient as every team member sees the case from a different perspective and is able to give constructive input. To me 'dare to be' means being able give and accept constructive feedbacks as well as to learn from mistakes for self improvement. 

4. What do you think sets you apart from other participants?

As a fulltime working physician, I enjoy showcasing my medical knowledge and incorporate them into skincare and beauty. After all, any good skincare regime is futile without healthy lifestyle because it does not stem from within. To maintain good skin health, fundamental things like adequate hydration, avoid smoking, a balanced diet and active lifestyle are the basis-- but it is still not being emphasized enough. And this becomes even more important as people ages. 

5. If you had the power to change the world today, what would you do?

The world is becoming less healthy-- both physically and mentally. Due to the current pandemic, many has become even more sedentary by working from home, and getting daily necessities d elivered to doorstep. This means a huge loss in the level of incidental activity. People who have no means to maintain social connectedness, especially those who are underprivileged (the poor and the old), their routines get disrupted, they may lose the means to be able to fend for themselves and make a living . Frail older people are particularly vulnerable when they become home bound.

We may not be able to curb the transmission over the short term but I believe everyone needs to come together as one, to embrace the new normal,  stop the chain of transmission, while at the same time, be mindful of those who are being disadvantaged and still find means to reach out --- even if it is as simple as helping to set up video call for an elderly to contact their loved ones. 

As a single person, I will not be able to reach out to everyone. But to bring about the awareness to more people using my social media handles-- so everyone can do their part in keeping our society together and healthy. 

Your Experience of the Campaign

1. Why did you decide to take part in this campaign? 

2. 

I have always been interested in content creation. I see this campaign as a leaping ground for me to get first hand information and knowledge how to revolutionize my love for sharing and to really get the message across to my followers. Getting accepted and being able to join the top 55 contestants mean a lot to me. It is an acknowledgment to my dedication in producing quality contents. It has also become a source of motivation for me to carry on. 

 

2. What are some of the key things you have learnt thus far in this campaign?

[Talk about key learnings, share exciting experience, what have you applied from the workshops so far]

 

It has been an educational journey. I have learnt how to position myself in the world of content creation, how to produce quality content that will attract engagement including the story I want to tell, the angle, the lighting, the editing as well as the focus. Anyone can post on social media but whether the post will resonate with others depends on how sincere and how others can relate to the post. As people tend to scroll through contents, the first impression of the posts become the determining factor of whether your readers will invest interest. 

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I will complete my subspecialty training in geriatrics after 3 years. By then I am hoping to promote healthy living as well as healthy aging. I want to build a supportive online community who continues to make important conversations and to live healthily. And of course become an inspiration to those around them. As I become older, I want to live by example and prove I can still be youthful and beautiful. 

I am also hoping to let the older generation know-- becoming old is not an excuse to stop learning or to live healthily. In fact they should treasure and maintain their level of independence. The Eco Beauty Squad campaign has definitely improved my skills at content creation-- to portray the ability to shine through natural beauty using healthy lifestyle, aided by suitable skincare products.

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#yingzangel

#EcoBeautySquadMY #THEFACESHOPMalaysia #Belifmalaysia#beauty #everydaymakeup #makeup #beautiful #fashion #naturalmakeup #instagood #dailyofficeoutfit #officefashion #officeoutfit #workingwoman #picoftheday #workwear #fashion #workwearstyle #ootd #style #makeupartistkl

Is collagen supplementation worth the hype? | Vii Nutrition Sakura Collagen Review

 I have tried many collagen supplements but believe me, I am choosy when it comes to what to consume. I will show you why and how to pick the right product off the shelf.

40 years down the road, this is what face app think I will look like without me doing anything to slow the skin aging process. I think this looks fairly graceful but I definitely don't mind having less wrinkles :p

Collagen is abundant in human and animal connective tissue as the secret ingredient which makes skin elastic, joints lubricated and bones strong. With ageing, collagen production diminishes. So supplementing diet rich in collagen sounds like the way to go-- but most are quickly broken down during digestion, so how can any of this be true? Therefore, only certain collagen preparations work such as hydrolyzed collagen and collagen with enteric coating to withstand stomach acid to allow most of the protein molecules to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Always find out the exact ingredients in what you take. Make sure they are natural and produced by reputable source. I always research the products before purchase using reliable search engine like SFA.

In my constant quest for safe and effective collagen supplement, I have been taking Sakura collagen for a month now.

What is in Sakura Collagen by Vii Nutrition?

Patented Verisol® collagen peptide is the pioneer in the market developed by Gelita, the world's leading collagen manufacturer from Germany. . A unique membrane coating technology is used to prevent breakdown by the digestive system to allow the collagen to be absorbed by the body and gets delivered to its target site (underneath the skin, in the joints and bones). Verisol® also lasts for 192-hours - far exceeding the standard collagen peptide's at 8-hours.

Patented sakura extract is derived from hand-picked fresh petals within the "golden seven days" of its bloom. It contains two main active ingredients Caffeoyl Glucose and Quercetin Glucose. These are potent antioxidants to prevent premature skin aging and are able to stimulate skin cells from producing more collagen. As an anti-glycation agent, sakura extract also inhibits melanin formation to reduce skin tanning. Japanese Yuzu extract helps skin cell renewal and protects the stability of collagen. At the same time, Roselle extract is also rich in antioxidants.

Besides that, Vii Nutrition have also established a collaboration with Fitoplancton Marino - a world leading Spain-based company producing marine microalgae called TetraSOD® which forms the backbone of Vii Nutrition’s MA+ product. All Vii Nutrition products undergoes vigorous Pro Nutri Technology (PNT) Research, partnering with local scientists in both UPM and University of Malaysia Sabah. Therefore, the product quality is assured by multiple certifications such as GMP, MESTI, Halal, as well as ISO 9001.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Preliminary research suggests that collagen supplements are safe and effective to improve the health of skin and joints. But be cautious because the Ministry of Health does not regulate supplements, making it impossible to know if the supplement really matches what’s on the label. Therefore, choose brands that use third party testing, like NeoCell, rather than generic brands. Be vigilant and do not believe extreme claims-- especially in the ability to reverse aging, effects of unhealthy lifestyle, diet and previous smoking, as well as excessive UV exposure.

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 supplementation and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.

Vii Nutrition Official Website
https://www.viinutrition.com/

Maskne, maskne begone! | Sarah Skin Care Review

 

Now that wearing mask has become mandatory, Maskne has become a real problem for many. Maskne, aka mask acne has gained the limelight especially in the humid tropical Malaysian weather. The proper technical term is called "acne mechanica". The constant friction from the mask irritates the skin follices causing inflammation and acne formation. Unsurprisingly, the accumulation of trapped sweat, moisture and sebum underneath the mask also leads to outbreak around the lower facial area, including the nose and around the mouth. I have only suffered from acne during my second pregnancy due to hormonal changes and now it has returned with a vengeance.

As a healthcare worker, I have to be on at least a 3 ply surgical mask all the time, from 8am-5pm, if not a face shield and N95 mask when I perform certain procedures. Honestly speaking, the material of disposable masks has started to irritate my lips as well, causing a flare of my perioral irritant dermatitis (irritating ingredients causing inflamed skin around my lips which can cause chapped lips, itchy and peeling skin around the lips).

As the skin is already sensitive and fragile due to the irritation, conventional acne treatment such as alpha hydroxy acids, chemical peels or Retinoids may worsen the condition. So what can we do?

1. Choose your mask carefully- change to a new disposable mask after sweating. For more environmental friendly alternative, use a good quality cotton mask which is more breathable and can be washed and dried after each use.
2. Use gentle skin care products without ingredients/tools like SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial fragrance, scrubs, loofa.
3. Avoid heavy skincare products in the morning containing cocoa butter, coconut oil, oil based foundation. Save them for nights.
4. Wait for 15-30 mins before wearing surgical mask and N95 after applying moisturiser to allow the ingredients to be absorbed into the skin.
5. Use lip balm or serum. Avoid lip gloss/lipstick that will stick to the mask.
6. If your maskne is really bad and affects your ability to wear masks, please seek advice from your friendly dermatologists.

Sarah Skincare is a Malaysian skincare range designed for Malaysians. Read my previous blogpost about the difference between Asian and Caucasian skin. Therefore, we need a tailormade skincare range. Sarah Skincare uses good quality yet affordable ingredients to empower the average Malaysian girl to the way of healthy and glowing skin.

Sarah Antiacne Cleansing Foam

Thorough cleansing is important to clear clogged pores, gently exfoliate and to prevent breakout. Especially to remove traces of makeup after a day at work.

The active ingredients involve
- Papain Enzyme to remove dead skin
- Menthol helps to eliminate Blackheads & Whiteheads and lighten pigmentation
- Coconut Oil dissolves oil and waterproof makeup, enables cleansing without drying the skin too much

Acne Treatment Duo Serum

This serum simply zaps the zits! It also contains skin loving ingredients to calm and replenish hydration for irritated and tired skin.

The secrets are
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Lignosus Rhinocerus (Tiger’s Milk Mushroom Extract) fights acne and brightens the skin to maintain youthfulness
- Honey Extract (Black BeeOme™) enhances skin renewal to reveal the baby skin
- Humulus Lupulus (Hops Flower Extract) moisturises and faint lines
- Salicylic-Acid performs micro exfoliation

Enhanced Soothing Serum

This serum provides the calming and soothing effect to allow the skin to heal after a beauty sleep.

The skin loving ingredients are

- Allantoin (Comfrey Plant Root Extract) enhances healing
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Calamine relieves Irritation
- Sodium Hyaluronate, glycerin and Panthenol (Vitamin B5) replenish and lock moisture in the skin
- Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract (Pricky Pear Cactus) is rich in antioxidant to prevent premature skin aging

How to use Sarah Antiacne Skin Care Range?

– Cleanse at night with Antiacne Cleansing Foam.
– Apply a few drops of Acne Treatment Duo serum on affected sites only.
– Gently tap a few drops of Enhanced Soothing Serum on the whole face.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I tend to use Sarah acne treatment range at night before I hit the sack. This is because the cleanser contains oil which can effectively cleanse traces of makeup which may also be too heavy to be used in the morning. I have noticed an improvement in skin inflammation and blocked pores after 2 weeks. My face also becomes less oily and more supple. However as the cleanser contains fragrance and alcohol, I will suggest those with sensitive skin to perform a patch test first on your arm before first use. Hope these tips help!

Sarah Skin Care

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahskincare.my/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mysarahskincare
Website: https://www.sarahskincare.com/

The how and why of drinking Coffee | Mister Coffee Complete Coffee Company Review

Hands up if you are a coffee addict just like me! I love waking up to the aroma of a hot cuppa and on many afternoons, I need a cup to rejuvenate and go through the day. Moderate coffee consumption (1-2cups a day) has been associated with lower risks of developing dementia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver cancer and Parkinson’s disease. The scientists are not entirely sure why so and whether this is causative. But no harm making it a habit if it's enjoyable!

There are a few ways of making great coffee. And we have all these at home!

The cheapest way is  manual drip brew which is also more labour intensive. One can either hand brew/manual drip (need to pay attention to the temperature and timing of the brew), paper filters (travel friendly but tend to be light bodies) and the famous Vietnamese stainless steel filter (very rich and full of the aroma of condensed milk too).

If you don't have time, then investing in a coffee maker like my Philips Daily Collection Coffee Maker is the way to go if you prefer long black or flat white. I love how my machine can grind beans fresh every morning. 

If you are really into espresso-- it's worth grabbing a Breville Barista Express. Honestly, we have saved quite some bucks making our own espresso that easily rival famous cafes. These are great for short black, cappuccino, latte and mocha. 

No matter what you prefer, Mister Coffee has a complete range of beans for you to choose from. One can choose to buy whole beans or ground coffee with various level of coraseness. We prefer whole beans so we can grind them fresh just beforehand. Different grind size is suitable for various ways of brewing— with cold brew needing the coarsest size and Turkish brew the finest.

Espresso is strong, potent and great for a caffeine boost to kick start the day. The shot itself is creamy, foamy and rich in texture. An espresso shot is produced when the ground coffee is compacted and subjected to water near boiling point. Milk can usually be frothed and goes really well with the coffee for a perfect cappucino/latte. Mister Coffee has a comprehensive range of espresso beans which contains mainly of blend using robusta beans which has higher caffeine content. 

Espresso Range 

Espresso Classic is full-bodied ans has a strong aftertaste which lingers. When mixed with milk, it actually mimics hot chocolate!

Espresso Bar is strong, acidic and bitter reminiscing coffee lovers of fruit jam and chocolate. 

Espresso Super Bar is more acidic and citrusy.

Espresso Gold tasted aged and mellowed with the fragrance of bread. 

Espresso Pearl, on the other hand, is a robusta and arabica blend that tastes more bitter than acidic.

Espresso Royal gives off a vibrant sultana and chocolate taste. 

When we have more time during the weekend, we will bring out our manual drip brew kit. Drip brew tends to take alot longer to make. It can also be difficult to achieve the same consistency each time as the temperature and pouring technique have to be precise. Drip brew coffee involves pouring hot water over the ground coffee placed in a paper/stainless steel filter. It is therefore, lighter in taste and 'cleaner'. It is also easier to bring out the acidity and refreshing aspect of coffee. 

Mister Coffee's Drip Brew Specialty Coffee include: 

Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Grade 1 Kochere is considered the best grown coffee in the highlands of Ethiopia. The beans are dried inside the fruit to allow natural fermentation that results in a more pungent aroma. This yields a floral scent which has a sweet cherry and citrusy taste too. Do you know that Ethiopia is where coffee beans are discovered by a goat herder called Kaldi? 

Costa Rica SHB (Strictly Hard Beans) Tarrazu Finca Tirra don Fernando Coffee beans give an interesting combination of fruity and nutty aroma. This is a fragrant mixture of apricot and almond brittle. The beans are harder and denser as they are grown at altitudes higher than 4500 feet above sea levels, slowing maturation. As they can only be harvested later they are a lot more expensive. 

Single Origin Coffee refers to coffee beans harvested from a particular geographical area. It is usually done so to ensure a higher quality of beans. The single origin coffee beans often allow coffee lovers to bring back fond memories of the place of origin as it contains certain unique aroma. We have tried the following single origin coffee from Mister Coffee:

Rwanda Coop Korera Kawa is a medium roast which makes creamy and buttery coffee with lemony and orangey aroma. It is neither bitter nor acidic. 

Indonesian Bali Kintamani Ulian is grown in Ulian Village, planted in between orange trees to shelter coffee trees at least 10 years old, hand picked upon ripening. This unique bean makes the coffee taste like caramel and grapefruit. 

Grab your own coffee beans from

Mister Coffee 

Official Website

Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection in Households

    

 The coronavirus global health crisis has made everyone at a heightened awareness about cleanliness and sanitization. Covid 19 mainly spreads via droplets from coughing, sneezing and may become suspended in the air during certain high risk medical procedures such as nebulisation, suction of the mouth and airway. The Malaysian government endorses the mantra of avoiding 3Cs (Crowded places, Confined spaces, Close conversation) and do 3Ws (Wash hands, Warn and Wear masks). The current covid situation is very worrying, especially in Sabah and Kedah. Malaysians ought to be more vigilant and continue to follow SOPs, even if we are not in the red zone.

Detailed guidelines about cleaning and disinfecting our homes can be found on the CDC website.

Hand washing or sanitising if not possible is one of the keys in preventing  germ transmission, not just corona virus.  Alcohol and chlorhexidine based hand sanitisers have the longest track record based on effectiveness and safety. But these ingredients can be harsh on the skin. Working as a fulltime medical specialist means that I am constantly washing or sanitising my hands -- at least 20-30 times/day. This leaves my hands dry and irritated. Therefore, I have started to search for alternatives. Nanosilver has emerged as a potent sanitising agent as summarised in this research paper in which A+ protect spray by Antah Wellness is what I have been using recently. 

A+ protect spray  is a safe, effective non-alcohol antiseptic spray containing <10ppm Nanosilver colloidal particles. At this level of concentration, Nanosilver is proven to kill multiple micro-organisms and to promote wound healing within a minute of application. The shapes of the nanomolecules used in A+ Protect Spray are consistent in spheres, making it highly effective. Silver, at high concentration, is potentially toxic to human but A+ protect spray is safe for everyone's use-- including children and expecting mothers. It is useful for minor burns, wounds, sores, irritation, pimples and body odor. This spray makes wound cleansing painfree, is colourless and tasteless-- I have tried for my boys and they did not complain of stinging at all. 

Drinking Clorox is definitely not the way to safely mitigate against the risk of catching infections. But there are many ways of disinfecting the air around us using clorine dioxide gas. ClO2  Besides spraying sodium clorite solutions, do you know that you can now wear what is called a healthtag?has been proven to be effective as a rapid disinfectant which can also deodorises. However, it is non hazardous and is environmentally friendly, approved internationally by US-EPA, FDA, UK, Japan and most Health Authorities.

A+ Defend Tag by Antah Wellness is a creative way of wearing a tag containing a sachet of stabilised 5g Sodium Chlorite (naclo2) which slowly release  Chlorine Dioxide gas (Clo2). The concentration of the gas emitted is below  0.1 ppm which makes it safe-- it does have a slightly pungent order similar to the smell of swimming pool water but studies have shown no adverse effects like eyes irritations, respiratory discomfort or breathing difficulties. Each tag can be used up to 45 days in humid countries like Malaysia. And a study done by Nishimura et al has shown that it works optimally at a minimum humidity of 50% and best at relative humidity 70%. Malaysia, at its hottest and driest month has an average humidity of 70-80%, which is just great! I place my tag just next to my mini hand satiniser hanging from my work sling bag. Whenever I encounter the 3Cs, I will unseal the tag and protect myself. 

The A+  Defend Tag is imported from Japan and complies with the following Japanese Health Authorities and Regulations :- Standard Food Addictive Board, Japan Food Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Affairs Act,  Water Supply Law,  Swimming Pool Water Regulation and Bathtub Water Regulation. 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

The coronavirus health crisis is unprecedented and is detrimental to the social and economy development of every nation involved. Unfortunately it is not going away anytime soon until we discover an effective treatment and/or vaccine. Therefore, cleaning and disinfecting practices are even more important than ever to halt the transmission chain. A+ Protect Spray and Defend Tag are interesting and innovative products helping us to get through this challenging time. 

Antah Healthcare is one of the key players in the marketing and distribution of healthcare related products, including disinfectants and sanitisers. Those who are interested can get A+ Protect spray and A+ Defend Tag from most major retail pharmacies throughout Malaysia. 

Get more information about Antah Healthcare here: 

Antah Healthcare Website

Sustainable agriculture in Malaysia | Farm to Home Vegetable Delivery

 

The modern farmers are no longer what is depicted in the movies.  Mass agricultural production involves the use of many heavy machineries like tractors, processes such as tilling the soil, over-grazing, using fossil fuel based fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. All these produces vegetables fast to meet the public demand at the cost of leaving carbon footprints and damaging the environment. 

Farm to Home Delivery

An example of my everyday lunch box--full of nutritious salad from my vegetable subscription box!

Have you heard of sustainable agricultural practice called carbon farming? I was lucky enough to be able to learn about this environmentally friendly indoor farm around the Kayu Ara area. PG led me through his farm housed in the city. They produced compost onsite— using withered vegetables, quality soil, rainwater and the powerful decomposing power of earthworms and good bacteria. 

What a wonderful and natural way to farm! Carbon Farming involves implementing practices to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and converted to plant material and/or soil organic matter with a net result of CO2 gain. 

Read here to know more about carbon farming and why we should support it. 

Farm to Home Delivery has also collaborated with UPM to farm purple sweet potato leaves using ozone water. The UPM lab has proven their purple sweet potato leaves have antioxidants levels higher than those contained in grape seed oil. 

We actually asked Lala Chong to help us cook some of the awesome vegetables from the box, absolutely mouthwatering especially the Petai fried rice!

So where does Farm to Home Delivery source their vegetables? The main supplier is a reputable farmer from Cameron Highlands— the vegetables are chemical and pesticide free (CPF). Some vegetables are from Mantin carbon farm whereas the micro greens are from local farmers in Klang Valley. They ensure the vegetables are delivered from the farm to your doorstep within 48hours. If you would like your vegetables to last longer, you can request for them to be washed in ozone water at a minimal cost each box. Unlike many other vegetable delivery service, the customers can customise their orders — hence the tag line healthy, affordable and flexible.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I think it’s very important to know where your food come from, especially if you love to have them raw as salads. I have learnt so much recently about the scary facts in mainstream agriculture that I choose to get my vegetables from reliable sources only. I love Farm to Home Delivery because the quality control is good with the ability to exchange unsatisfactory items. Having said that, each box undergoes strict checks and sanitisation before they were being delivered. Even if u stay alone like me, one box can stay fresh up to 2 weeks as it is washed using ozone water— and remember to always cook the outer layer or leafy vegetables first which are more perishable.

Do you know that Farm To Home Delivery is having a Start-Up Pre-order Promo (40% discount!). Limited for the first 60 Customers with more than 27 veggie varieties to choose from and flexible delivery timings. Delivery is free within Klang Valley area; With an additional 10% discount on all PWP purchase. 

To get more freebies in your box besides the huge savings— head to this unique link to get your very own Clean Eating Vegetable Box from Farm to Home Delivery!

Preorder

Single order

Farm To Home Delivery FB page