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Working Mom Blogger

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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness

 

 

The Soup Spoon


After months of waiting, finally I have the chance to drop by The Soup Spoon in Singapore.


Simon and Garfunkel Chicken and Mushroom Ragout (bowl)

Main ingredients: Chicken, portobello mushroom, shitake mushroom, button mushroom, oyster mushroom, abalone mushroom, enoki mushroom, potato, carrots, herbs


Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme - as the album Scarborough Fair/Canticle released by Simon and Garfunkel goes. This Ragout pays tribute to one of the most influential groups of the bygone era. Yes, this rich, creamy stew is filled with marinated chunks of chicken cooked together with the infamous herbs and 6 types of mushrooms including the woodsy Portobello, smooth Oyster and Abalone Mushroom, the oriental Enoki and Shitake, and the ever popular Button Mushroom. These four herbs are known for their mood enhancing abilities with a wide range of cleansing and protective properties. Sage eases indigestion, Rosemary is anti-inflammatory, Thyme a good expectorant, and Pasley a power antioxidant. Need any more convincing?



Beef Goulash (bread bowl)

Main ingredients: Beef, shitake mushroom, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, celery, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, onions


Prime beef cut stewed with the infamous paprika and loaded with starchy vegetables to make it a meal in itself.



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What I like most about being pregnant


The answer is...

...my baby's every single movement!

I'm so in love with my baby's active "training sessions" in my belly every single day! :D

The article below shows the different types of fetal movement during pregnancy.

[Credit: Article source] 

Flutters & Tapping
In as early as 16 weeks, your baby's constant movements might now become apparent to you. These early movements have been categorized as a "flutter" or "tapping," very similar to a muscle spasm or gas bubble you may have experiences before. Quite appropriately, these little flutters can often give you the butterflies. These feelings are also sometimes called quickening.

Me: I felt my baby's very first movement during the 17th week.

Kicking & Punching

As your baby gets stronger and slightly bigger, you may begin to feel some jabs and kicks. You can get a sense of how big your baby is when you feel a kick close to your belly button and feel its reverse reaction on the lower part of your pelvic bone. Although your belly is growing to accommodate your baby, he or she will start to be a little crammed sooner or later, and these kicks and punches can become more violent and sometimes even jolting enough to take your breath away or stop you in your tracks. They should never cause serious pain, but you might begin feeling a little discomfort closer to your due date. Regardless, it's all a reminder of how amazing pregnancy can be, and how much your little one grows each day.

Me: My baby started kicking during the 21st week and the rhythm has gotten stronger as weeks went by.

Rolling & Sliding 

You usually don't hear "is he rolling?" more than "is he kicking?" but it happens just as much. This feels much like an inside out Shiatsu massage chair in your belly. You may feel like your baby is a little squirmy snake or wiggly fish. This is a really fun part of fetal movement because you can actually see your baby moving inside your belly. And where your husband, other children, friends and other family members can't feel the baby like you do, they can see him move when he changes positions. It may become something you share as a couple and/or family before the baby's arrival. It's a way for everyone to bond with the baby and each other before birth.

Me: Yes, this is fun! How I love watching my belly moves on its own as if a little alien is hiding behind it! :P

Tickles & Popping 

It might sound crazy, but it is quite possible that your baby is blowing bubbles in the womb. Although their lungs are full of fluid, they prepare their lungs for birth by expelling these fluids into the amniotic sac, which feels very similar to a bubbling tickle in the womb. Some mothers even report being able to see their baby blow bubbles during an ultrasound. Your baby may also have the ability to pop these bubbles, or even "cry", causing the same sensation. 

Me: This, I haven't felt yet.

Vibrations & Spasms 

Sometimes scary and unexpected, but these feelings are completely normal. These can most likely be attributed to fetal hiccups. Fetal hiccups are unlike regular hiccups, but they have the same spontaneous reaction. It is normal to experience these occurrences multiple times a day, and even normal to never feel them at all. It all depends on the baby - every pregnancy is different. For mothers, fetal hiccups can feel like their belly is experiencing a rhythmic earthquake with shakes and shocking spastic movements. The baby can even be a little frustrated and disturbed by these hiccups, thus thrusting and stretching around inside, causing even more chaos in the womb.

Me: Yeah, sometimes I do feel mini earthquakes or tsunami ripples in my belly. I will rub my belly gently to soothe my baby.

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My DreamGenii Pillow


The best sleep position during pregnancy is "SOS" (sleep on side). Even better is to sleep on your left side. Sleeping on your left side will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby. Keep your legs and knees bent and a pillow between your legs.

Sleeping on the back causes low blood pressure and decreases circulation to your heart and your baby. This is a result of your abdomen resting on your intestines and major blood vessels (the aorta and vena cava). 

[via] 

So, hubby bought a DreamGenii 2-in-1 Pregnancy Support & Feeding Pillow for me so that I can start sleeping on my side comfortably. :)


Product features:

  • Multi-award winning and patent-protected
  • Supports back, bump and knees without taking up all of the room in the bed
  • Encourages you to sleep on your left side (which is the best position for mum and baby), but can be used just as comfortably on the right hand side
  • Encourages maximum blood flow between mother and baby
  • If used from around 20 weeks, optimal fetal positioning will be encouraged that leads to a shorter and less painful labor with less chance of medical intervention
  • Comes with a removable, washable pillow cover

Photo source

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Video



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Last week's food diary

Minestrone Pasta Soup + Salad

This wholesome bowl of seashell pasta, white button mushroom, pumpkin, potato, carrot, zucchini, celery, tomato, red lentils, barley, black pepper, herbs and spices is so good!

 Venue: MG's Vegetarian Cafe & Bakery @ 77-G, Jalan SS21/60, Damansara Uptown

Nutella Milkshake

Ain't this the best dessert while you're chillaxing on a hot Sunday afternoon?

Venue: Meeples European Board Game Cafe @ 64-1, Jalan SS15/4D, Subang Jaya

Ninja Joe's Chuck Burger

This is awesome! Dig into layers of pork patty, fried bacon, cheese, egg, onion rings, and lettuce.

Venue: Ninja Joe @ LG-233, The Gardens Mall (Mid Valley)

Ninja Joe's Sloppy Joe Burger

This is sloppily and droop-ily awesome too! Dig into generous amount of spicy minced meat sauce, cheese, and bacon.

Venue: Ninja Joe @ LG-233, The Gardens Mall (Mid Valley)

Fried Rice with Green Peas & Egg

I cooked this one. I melted some salted butter in a frying pan, added a can of peas (drained), two eggs, overnight steamed rice, and a dash of salt and pepper to taste.


The next morning, I heated up some leftover rice in the microwave oven for breakfast. Topped with a slice of cheese for extra kick!

Charcoal Cheese Swiss Roll

This is good for dessert too. It's not too sweet and the cheese layer in the middle isn't too overpowering.

Venue: Michimi Bakery & Cafe @ ZP-01-27, Zest Point, Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil, Bandar Kinrara 9, Puchong
 


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Capricciosa's FREE Squid Ink Pasta


Do you know that Capriciossa Pasta & Pizza Malaysia is running a "magic show" whereby they make one Squid Ink Pasta magically appear for FREE with any spaghetti ordered?

Note: Limited time only.

Pepperonccini with Steamed Chicken

This is a classic dish - spaghetti sauteed in olive oil with garlic, red pepper and topped with chicken and chopped parsley.

Squid Ink Spaghetti with Calamari and Onions

Black and gooey! It doesn't look very appetizing at a glance but taste wise, it's really not too bad.

Caesar Salad

A refreshing plate of greens and crunchy croutons with bacon bits and cheesy goodness.

Sicilian Rice Croquette with Savory Meat Sauce

This fancily named dish sounds and looks interesting.

When you "crack" the ball, you can see rice and peas...

... and melted cheese! 

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Being strong


"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." 
- Bob Marley

Thank you baby for your strong little kicks every day. Each kick reassures me of how strong you are and how strong your mama is!

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by workload, commitments, and stupid human idiosyncrasies, baby's strong little kicks give me strength to stay focused and strong!

Moreover, my God in me is bigger than any problem out there. 

Thank You Father for delivering me from evil people and matters.

Thank You Father for empowering me to do all things in Christ.

Thank You Father for resisting the proud and giving grace to the humble.

Amen. 

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Ketupat sotong and more food from Kuala Terengganu

Here are more Terengganu local delicacies!



Ketupat sotong

This is a delicacy made from whole huge squids stuffed with glutinous rice and cooked in coconut milk, green beans, and spices.


Here's a cross-section of one of the squids stuffed with glutinous rice. They are very yummy!


Nasi kunyit with fish curry

This is another must-try. Terengganu's Malay-style fish curry is one of the best curries around.


Fried ice cream

This is my first time eating fried ice cream and I must say I love this creamy dessert!


Breakfast at home

Homemade bread for breakfast is the best breakfast ever!


Homemade bread, fried egg, butter, cheese, and milk. Baby in my belly is happily fed!


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Babymoon on Labor Day 2013! :)


Yes, I'm pregnant. :)

And that's why I have been neglecting my blog for the past two months. :P


We spent our babymoon at The Legend Resort, Cherating on Labor Day.


I love the maroon-colored bed in our room!


We had our first lunch at the resort. Hubby chose their homemade Beef Burger served with fries.


I chose pasta - Chicken Alfredo Linguine. The little fella in my belly loves dairy products, so I'm really in love with creamy stuff, i.e. mostly milk, cream, butter, cheese. Yummy!


The next morning, I had my must-haves for breakfast, i.e. wholemeal bread, salted butter, and milk. The scone is an extra treat for my little fella. :)


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Being pregnant is a really wonderful experience. Those little kicks create "mini earthquake ripples" on my belly and I always have a very good time watching them! :D


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