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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness

 

 

Hubby's Birthday Dinner at Naughty Babe Dirty Duck Restaurant, Pavilion Bukit Jalil

What we ate at Naughty Babe Dirty Duck Restaurant


I chose to dine at Naughty Babe Dirty Duck (NBDD) Restaurant to celebrate hubby's birthday.

Naughty Babe Dirty Duck is an European fusion restaurant that serves pork and duck dishes.

NBDD BBQ Pork Ribs (Half Slab)


This is NBDD's signature pork ribs lacquered with their homemade BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection, served with tomato salsa and hot stuff (homemade flaming hot chili sauce).

Verdict: MUST ORDER if you go to NBDD! It will perfect to pass the slab around the table and everyone has a rib or two.
 

Duckie Burger


Special duck meat burger + smoked bacon + cheese + blueberry mayo + mixed fries

Verdict: If you want to eat a fancy burger, this will be it!

Duck Ravioli


Homemade ravioli + duck + smoked duck + ricotta + cream

Verdict: The presentation can be a little underwhelming but the overall taste is really good! If you feel like eating some fancy pasta, this is a good choice.

NBDD Carbonara


Spaghetti + bacon + NBDD's cream sauce

Verdict: This classic hearty dish is best shared around the table.


Pork and beer. Best.


These are actually gloves that you can use when you eat the ribs. At first, I have a shock of my life when the waiter placed 3 of these packets on the table. LOL. I wonder if it's Durex's idea...
 


Lot 3.85 & 3.115, Level 3 (Orange Zone) - Pavilion Bukit Jalil


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Giant Croissant at BlackBixon Cafe - Imbi

 

What is a giant croissant?


A giant croissant is exactly what it sounds like.
 
Giant. Croissant. 🥐

Using my kiddo's head as a comparison, you can see how giant the giant croissant is!
 

Where can you get giant croissant in Malaysia?

 
Currently, it's available at BlackBixon Cafe - Imbi and PJ. But you might wanna call them to get the latest information about this giant croissant's availability. It's by pre-order basis, along with a limited number available for spontaneous walk-ins.
 
Here's where you can contact them - https://www.blackbixoncafe.com/contact-us

 
More photos!




Look at those beautiful buttery flakes!

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10 Healthy Rules for A Good Night's Sleep (Sleep Hygiene Tips)


What is sleep hygiene?

 
Sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices and habits that promote healthy and restful sleep. These practices help ensure proper sleep quality and overall well-being.
 
Studies have shown that getting adequate quality sleep is beneficial for your physical health, mental well-being, cognitive functions, and overall productivity.
 
Therefore, adopting good sleep hygiene practices can greatly enhance your sleep quality and daily life.
 

What are the 10 healthy rules for a good night's sleep?

 

Rule #1: Establish a consistent sleep schedule

 
Establishing a consistent sleep schedule includes consistent sleeping and waking up time. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's internal clock and improves the quality of your sleep.
 

Rule #2: Take a short nap if you're tired during the day

 
Short power naps can be beneficial, but excessive daytime napping can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you need to nap, keep it short (20-30 minutes) and early in the day.
 

Rule #3: Avoid caffeine too late in the day or before bedtime

 
Avoid consuming caffeine products especially when it's too late in the day because they may disrupt your sleep.
 

Rule #4: Avoid eating or snacking before bedtime

 
Heavy meals close to bedtime can lead to discomfort and disrupt sleep. Opt for light snacks if you need something before bed. Minimize the consumption of liquids before bedtime to prevent middle-of-the-night awakenings to use the bathroom.
 

Rule #5: Sleep on a comfortable bed

 
Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows that support your sleep posture.
 

Rule #6: Create a comfortable sleep environment

 
Your bedroom should be conducive to sleep in. Keep the room well-ventilated and at a comfortable temperature.
 

Rule #7: Block out noises and lights

 
Your bedroom should be conducive to sleep in. Keep the dark and as quiet as possible.
 

Rule #8: Keep electronic gadgets and devices away during bedtime

 
The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can interfere with your body's production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Avoid or limit screentime at least an hour before bedtime.
 

Rule #9: Practice stress management & regular exercise

 
Chronic stress can disrupt sleep. Engage in stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to help calm your mind before bed. Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep.
 

Rule #10: Establish and stick to your bedtime routine


Develop a calming wind-down bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to relax. This could involve activities like reading, listening to soothing music, or practicing relaxation techniques.
 
 
 
As a wolf (sleep chronotype), I have issues going to bed early, so it's kinda hard for me to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated every morning. So, I'm taking my time to establish the above 10 rules. Wish me luck!


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I'm a Wolf (Sleep Chronotype)

 What is a sleep chronotype?

 
A sleep chronotype refers to an individual's natural preference for when they feel most alert and awake during a 24-hour period.
 
Basically, a sleep chronotype refers to our body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) that influences when we naturally feel more energetic and when we feel more inclined to sleep.
 

Sleep chronotype quiz

 
Most of us can associate with one of these four animal chronotypes — bear, dolphin, wolf, or lion.
 
I took this sleep chronotype quiz and found out that I'm a wolf!

The Wolf

 
Characteristics of a wolf (nocturnal chronotype animal) include:
 
  • Introverted, reserved, creative, insightful, artistic, impulsive, emotionally intense.
  • Can usually be left alone; don’t respond well if they are micromanaged or asked too many questions.
  • Desires sleeping in (definitely not a morning person).
  • Prefers to wake up later in the day, snoozes the alarm relentlessly most of the time.
  • Prefers to cruise through the morning and takes time to get going in the morning before adjusting to the day's demands.
  • Creativity, productivity, and performance peak late into the afternoon to evening. Therefore, to optimize productivity, wolves should save essential tasks until the afternoon.
  • Most productive at night, enjoy working after hours when the rest of society is winding down for the evening.
  • Don't start feeling tired until midnight, prefers to stay up late and go to bed past midnight ("night owl").

 

So accurate! It's very true that I get most of my day's tasks done in the evening, especially when the office is devoid of people. Hahaha! Then, I also really enjoy working late at night because that's when my productivity is at its peak and the world is quiet and I can think and strategize.


Best schedule for a wolf

 

According to MindBodyGreen, a wolf should resist the urge to sleep late and try to get at least 7 hours of sleep to be able to perform their best.

 

Here's a recommended schedule according to Casper.com.

 

  • 7:30am - 9:00am : Wake up
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm : Focus on lighter tasks
  • 12:00pm - 2:00pm : Complete deep or creative work
  • 2:00pm - 5:00pm : Focus on lighter, less intense tasks
  • 5:00pm - 9:00pm : Engage in creative tasks
  • 9:00pm - 10:00pm : Unwind from the day
  • 10:00pm - 12:00am : Prepare for bed
  • 12:00am - 7:30am : Sleep

 


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Quick Dinner at MyeongDong Topokki (Fast Casual Korean Restaurant)

 

MyeongDong Topokki (MDT) Value Sets

 
I have always wanted to dine at one of the MyeongDong Topokki outlets in Klang Valley. Finally, I did so at Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
 
In the photo above, you can see:
 
Top left: Jajjangmyun (Black Bean Sauce Noodles)
Top right: Jjampong (Spicy Seafood Ramyun)
Bottom right: Hangul Chicken Ramyun (Fried Chicken Ramyun)
 
Each set is served with refillable banchan and a cup of  Korean corn tea.

All dishes are delicious! My husband has the jajjangmyun; I have the jjampong which I absolutely love for not being too spicy; my eldest boy has the chicken ramyun because that is his second favorite dish if kimchi ramyun is too spicy to his liking.
 
I just realize I didn't order any topokki (rice cake) dish, which is supposed to be the main dish on MDT's menu. Oops. Oh by the way, MDT serves halal Korean food.

 
This is Chez Jeu Corn Sausage (Cheese Sausage Stick). My youngest boy loves this sausage stick, which he calls a corn dog (like hot dog).
 
This sausage stick has half a sausage and cheese (if I remember correctly) stuck onto a long stick (something like a satay stick), wrapped by a blob of bread and deep-fried. Then they serve it with drizzles of cheese sauce.

Will definitely go to MDT again! There are so much more dishes to try!

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The Essential Guide to First Aid E-Book by IHH Healthcare Malaysia

 

 Whether you are a parent, a caregiver, or someone who wants to be prepared to be a vital link in the chain of assistance during emergencies, "The Essential Guide to First Aid" E-Book 📒 by IHH Healthcare Malaysia will be your foundational guide to help you learn essential skills to handle a range of emergencies!

You can learn how to:
 
Assess a scene and determine the severity of an injury. 🚨
Perform CPR and rescue breathing. 🫀
Stop bleeding. 🛑
Treat shock. 😵
Manage common injuries. 🤕

And more!

Download "The Essential Guide to First Aid" E-Book

 
You can download the e-book from any of the following links:
 



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#ReadyForYou Accident & Emergency (A&E) Campaign by IHH Healthcare Malaysia

 

"Ready For You" Campaign

 
IHH Healthcare Malaysia has recently launched their Accident & Emergency (A&E) 🏥 "Ready For You" 🚑 campaign, dedicated to ensuring communities are prepared with lifesaving skills to respond effectively during medical emergencies.
 
They will be training 1,000 individuals with basic lifesaving skills such as CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) to be able to provide fast and precise intervention should the need arise. 🫡🫡🫡
 
For the public, here are some interesting activities that we can participate to be part of this empowering campaign. 💪💪💪
 

Ready For You IG Filter First Aid Challenge

 
Join the IG Filter First Aid Challenge 🤳 and win exciting prizes!
 
Step 1: Follow any of these hospital's IG account - @pantaihospitalsmy @gleneagleshospitalsmy @princecourtmc
 
Step 2: Share a story of yourself conquering the 'First Aid Challenge' Filter, tag the hospital account, and use one of these relevant hashtags #PantaiReadyForYou #GleneaglesReadyForYou #PrinceCourtReadyForYou
 
Step 3: DM them a screenshot of your last frame with the final score. Remember to set your profile to "Public" for them to view your story.
 
Contest period: 16 August – 30 October 2023
 

Download First Aid E-Book

 
Did you know that 1 in 4 Malaysians are not prepared for emergencies?
 
Download the comprehensive First Aid E-Book 📒 (written by emergency physicians) 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️🩺 from the following websites now and equip yourself with essential skills to handle a range of emergencies.
 
 

More event photos

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Luke's 10th Birthday

 
Happy 10th Birthday to my eldest boy! 🎉🥰🎂 We brought him to experience a real-life flight simulator (A320) at SIMFLIGHTKL, located at SkyPark Subang Terminal (Subang Airport).
 
The package we bought was an hour of flying between Subang Airport, KLIA, and the City Centre; including takeoffs and landings. 🛫🛬✈️
 
 

Birthday dinner

 
I cooked his favorite kimchi-themed dishes for his birthday dinner at home.


Top: Kimchi soup
Bottom: Chicken cooked in kimchi sauce, served with white rice, fried egg, and seaweed strips
Right: Udon soup for my younger boy

 
Chicken cooked in kimchi sauce, served with white rice, fried egg, and seaweed strips. For the kimchi sauce (Luke's favorite sauce on earth), I bought from Glory Mart on Shopee (not an affiliate link).
 
Below are what else I have cooked with some products I bought from Glory Mart.
 

 
Kimchi soup cooked with kimchi sauce and I added in tofu, Chinese cabbage, and Enoki mushroom. I also used anchovy seasoning powder instead of salt for the seasoning.

 
This is Udon soup for my younger boy as he couldn't really take spicy food yet.

 
Luke said it's the best birthday dinner ever! Yay!
 

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Easy Peasy Japanese Pork Curry

 
I love all types of curries - Malay, Indian, Thai, Japanese. Japanese curry has the mildest level of spiciness and it is a curry dish that is very well accepted by my kids.

So, here's my version of easy peasy Japanese pork curry.

Ingredients:
(Serves 2 adults & 2 children under 10)

Cooking oil
400g pork shoulder, cut into 2" cubes (you can substitute pork with chicken or beef)
2 medium yellow onions, quartered
4 medium potatoes, quartered
2 medium carrot, cut into 2" chunks
5-6 tablespoons Japanese curry powder (this is where I bought the curry powder)
Water
200ml light coconut milk (added coconut milk because I wanted extra creaminess)
Salt, to taste
Basmati rice

How to:
 
1. Heat up cooking oil over medium heat in a pot and brown the pork. I used the Shogun Sakura Casserole pot that I bought during Mother's Day.
 
2. Add in onions and stir fry until fragrant.
 
3. Add in potatoes, carrots, Japanese curry powder, and some water. Stir until incorporated.
 
4. Cover the pot and simmer until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 20 minutes or so.
 
5. Stir in coconut milk, turn down the heat, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
 
6. Add salt to taste. Serve with freshly cooked Basmati rice.
 

 

Packed the leftover for my lunch at office the next day.
 

Recipe card for Easy Peasy Japanese Pork Curry

 
Download the recipe if you like. :)



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Rice Cooker Beef & Barley Stew

 
I'm a huge fan of cooking one-pot stews because they are easy to cook, nutritious, and most importantly, a family favorite.
 
Rice cooker beef & barley stew is a hearty dish packed with beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and chewy barley.
 

 
Ingredients:
(Serves 2 adults & 2 children under 10)

500g stewing beef (2" cubes)
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 medium yellow onions, quartered
5 small potatoes, quartered
2 medium carrots, cut into 2" chunks
1 can stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup barley, rinsed
4 cups beef stock
Salt, to taste

 

How to:

 

1. Rub beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Coat evenly with flour.

 

2. Heat up cooking oil over medium heat in a pot and brown the beef.

 

3. Remove beef from heat and set aside. Add in onions and stir fry till fragrant.

 

4. Add in potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, barley, and beef stock.

 

5. Bring to a boil and transfer to a multifunction cooker. In this case, I use my trusted smart rice cooker.

 

6. Choose the "Soup" setting and let it cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

 

7. Serve hot with your choice of carbs. We have homemade bread by my sister-in-law.




 

Recipe card for Rice Cooker Beef & Barley Stew

 
Download the recipe if you like. :)



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Makgeolli "milkshake" & my latest Korean food products haul


My latest haul from Korean marts


  • 4 bottles of makgeolli - original, peanut flavor, orange flavor (from left to right). Note: I made makgeolli "milkshake", recipe at the end of this post.
  • Korean instant noodles
  • Dried pollack instant soup block (the yellow box on the left)


More Korean instant noodles, including the one with real cheese (blue packaging) as requested by my kiddo. Also, more soup blocks. See photo below.
 
 
I bought 5 flavors of Ottogi Simple Soup Block:
 
  • Chicken Soup
  • Dried Pollack Soup
  • Seaweed Beef Soup
  • Spicy Mushroom Soup
  • Beef Bone with Vegetables Soup
 
Now, let's take a look at the Makgeolli "Milkshake".
 

Makgeolli "Milkshake"

 
Ingredients: 

  • 200ml Makgeolli (original flavor)
  • 200ml milk (full cream milk)
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • Ice cubes
 
 Mix everything together in a tall container, shake vigorously or you can use a personal blender to blend. You will get a lovely frothy and creamy "milkshake"! Serve cold.


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Bamboo House Korean BBQ @ Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway

 
You love Korean food? You love samgyeopsal? You enjoy having a hearty meal with a bunch of friends? You love eating out on weekends? You love good buffet deals?

Then, you should head over to Bamboo House Korean BBQ @ Dataran Mentari, Sunway for their "All You Can Eat" buffet.


To avoid the weekend dinner crowd, I suggest that you arrive by 6pm if 5pm is too early for you. But if you love to be in the crowd, 8pm onwards is great.

 
The sides include rice, topokki, kimchi soup, kimchi pancake, kimchi, and vegetables.

 
You will be served with pork cuts, i.e. the usual samgyeopsal (pork belly) and moksal (pork neck). Moksal is less fatty compared to samgyeopsal. You will have to grill the meat on your own. I guess that's the fun part when you go for Korean BBQ.
 
There are also chicken and shabu-shabu pork slices. Beverages such as soju, makgeolli, beer, and soft drinks can be ordered separately.

No. 21, Jalan PJS 8/17, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway (Google Maps)

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#SunProtectionSeries: A Guide to Safeguarding Against Harmful UV Rays

 

Why is sun protection so important?

 
Sun protection is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy skin and reducing the risk of sun damage, premature aging, and skin cancer.
 
The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause immediate damage to the skin, such as sunburn, tanning, and sunspots. Prolonged and repeated exposure to UV rays over time can lead to more severe consequences, including premature aging (wrinkles, sagging skin) and an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
 

What are UV rays?

 
 The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a type of energy which cannot be detected by our senses, unlike the sun's light or heat. Therefore, we will not notice the damage until it's been done.
 
UV radiation consists of UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays are harmful to the skin.
 
  • UVA rays penetrate deeply into the dermis layer of your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, making your skin looks older than it is, causing long-term damage and premature aging.
  • UVB rays primarily affect the surface of your skin and cause sunburn.
  • Both types of UV rays contribute to the development of skin cancer.
 


What is UV Index?

 
The UV Index (UVI) is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation on the Earth's surface that is relevant to effects on the human skin.

The Global Solar UV Index measures UV levels on a scale from 0 (Low) to 11+ (Extreme). Sun protection is recommended when UV levels are 3 (Moderate) or higher.


 

📲 Recommendation from WHO📲

 
Download the free SunSmart Global UV app to get advice and five-day forecasts on UV index and sun protection necessity.

 

What is SPF?

 
SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to protect the skin from UVB rays. It indicates how long you can stay in the sun without getting sunburn compared to not using sunscreen.
 
For example, if you use SPF 30, you can stay in the sun 30 times longer without burning than if you were unprotected.
 
SPF 15: Prevents 93% of UVB rays from being absorbed by the skin.
SPF 30: Prevents 97% of UVB rays from being absorbed by the skin.
SPF 50: Prevents 98% of UVB rays from being absorbed by the skin.
 
However, bear in mind that SPF does not indicate the level of UVA protection. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for "broad-spectrum" sunscreens that offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
 

How to protect your skin from harmful UV rays?

 

🧴Apply sunscreen🧴

 
Apply sunscreen often, generously, and evenly to all exposed areas of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using about one ounce (approximately a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover the entire body. Apply it at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to bind to the skin properly. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming, sweating heavily, or toweling off.
 
Look for sunscreens with active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (physical blockers) that reflect and scatter UV radiation. These ingredients are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions compared to some chemical sunscreen ingredients. However, many sunscreens now use chemical filters that absorb UV rays. Find a sunscreen that suits your skin type and preferences.

Note: I will blog about sunscreens in the next blog post under #SunProtectionSeries
 

🌴Seek shade🌴

 
Stay in shade whenever possible. When the sun is strongest, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., seek shade to reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays. If shade is limited or unavailable, consider using an umbrella or wearing protective clothing.
 

😎 Cover up with clothing, sunglasses, and a hat 😎

 
Wearing sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat when you are under the sun is an effective way to shield your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
 
Look for garments with a tight weave, dark colors, and a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) label, which indicates the amount of UV radiation the fabric blocks. A higher UPF rating means greater protection. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and UV-blocking umbrellas also provide additional protection.
 

☀️ Adopt sun-protective behaviors ☀️

 
Along with sunscreen and protective clothing, adopting sun-safe behaviors is essential. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, as they emit harmful UV radiation that can damage the skin. Regularly perform skin self-examinations to detect any new or changing moles, spots, or growths. Consult a dermatologist if you notice anything suspicious.
 
 
Remember, sun protection is necessary year-round, regardless of the weather or the season. Even on cloudy or cooler days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds and cause damage to the skin.
 
By adopting sun-safe habits and regularly using sun protection measures, we can help safeguard your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.



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