Sunflower Seeds aka kuaci

I love munching on kuaci(s) during my free time which is not much so usually I'll munch when watching tv. My love for kuaci(s) go way back to schooldays.



It has been a long time before I started munching again...partly kids are quite grown up and I usually rest a little in the night after dinner.  However I found that each time after eating kuaci(s), I either have ulcers or can feel a sore-throat coming. God knows what chemical they used to clean the seeds during manufacturing process.

Sunflower seeds has 5 health benefits and I used that as an excuse to continue munching although I know the end result if I do. I really have low threshold when it comes to eating. I just succumbed to temptation all the time!!!

So what are the benefits? Briefly...

1. Promotes Cardiovascular Health - vitamin E and folate

2. Phytosterols Promote Healthy Cholesterol Levels

3. Potent Source of Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can lead to a variety of heath problems that affect the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. The muscles and skeletal system also require magnesium for proper function.

4. Supports a Healthy Mood

5. Contains Selenium: A Powerful Antioxidant and Great for Thyroid Health

And how do I counter-act the after effects of munching kuaci's? With a packet of Izumio lor !!!!


It really works to keep the ulcers and sore-throat away. 

 What about you? Do you like munching on kuaci(s)? Do you get ulcers or sore-throat like me after eating. I don't experience this previously. Either my immune has gone down or they really use harsh chemical in cleaning. By the way, I get those kuaci(s) from pasar malam and I prefer this version of kuaci(s) compared to others!!!

 

 

Farewell

I hate farewells but I guess it is something inevitable in our lives. It's sad to see a friend leave either for another state, country or world.

Last Friday, I went for my home fellowship's ex-leader's wife farewell as she will join her hubby who is called to fulltime ministry in Australia. Although I don't know her that well because I joined the home fellowship when it has already been established for years. When I knew her , this sister went through a very difficult time of cancer battle of her son. There were ups and downs and finally the Lord called him home. But her amazing composure throughout all these speaks volumes of her faith.

So we went to Restaurant Talipon at Kuchai Lama. I passed this steamboat bbq buffet place many times but dare not go in because it's buffet and my kids don't eat seafood much so 'rugilah'. However when I went there I was surprised to see a huge spread of 'items' there for only RM33.80 minus gst. I understand that the price increases almost yearly. Just a glimpse of what they have. There were lots more and I think I will bring the kids the next time although for the younger one, it will not be worth it as he is soooo...picky.

After we walloped everything , each of us have to say something to our sister in christ. Not too long ago, I went for my cousin's 70th birthday ( ya my cousins and us are a huge gap because my dad is the youngest in a family of 9. So some of their kids are as old as me!) . Many took the opportunity to tell about their appreciation for the birthday girl and how she has impacted their lives. I think this is much more meaningful than saying all the good things during funeral when one could not longer hear.

Finally , one for the album.  All the best sister Amy ( 2nd from left, sitting)

As for the dinner, I truly enjoyed it. Ate so much......

Tortoise Crossing The Road

The other day, while on the way to fetch my son from school, I saw a tortoise crossing the road. I was a little panicky and was worried that I might hit it. It's a 2 lane one way road. It was moving from the 2nd lane to my lane. Luckily it was slow enough for me to pass through first.


The tortoise was the size of a 'young adult' perhaps. Not sure why it is crossing the road. It's only the LRT station over the other side.
I was rather amused because this is the first time I've encountered a tortoise on my pathway. So being 'eat full nothing to do', I googled to find out if it holds any significant meaning. Of course, I don't believe in myths and superstitions, just out of curiousity.

One version from here said :

If Turtle has crossed your path:

He is usually giving you the message that “slow and steady wins the race” Pay attention to details in your current project and take your time with it. Don’t be tempted to skip steps or take short cuts. You will get there! Just trust in the process and stay in the moment. Bigger, stronger, faster are not always the best ways to reach your goals.
Turtle can also be a signal that you need to ground yourself and your energy to Earth.

But it was 'turtle' not 'tortoise'. Anyway, doesn't seem to relate to me in any way.

However, my secondary Maths Teacher used to tell us " Slow And Steady Masuk Longkang!"

Hmmm.....any of you encouter any creatures crosssing your pathway? Snake, Cats, Iguanas, Chicken...these I've seen.

Wayne's Cafe

I don't normally post about food because I am lousy at reviewing food. It's either nice or not nice to me.

Recently I visited  Wayne's Cafe at Sri Petaling because I saw my neighbour went there too! Lol...sounds like a stalker! Found that the food is nice with a portion which is neither too big nor too small for me. Ok, I got the picture from their website because I normally don't take photo of my food. The moment the food is on the table, we quickly say grace and start digging almost like some hungry refugees.

We ordered this. Their signature Roast Pork platter served with brown gravy & house apple sauce.



And this - Classic Hainanese Fried Noodles

And finally this - Spanish Pork Chop with Apple Ring and Brown Sauce

I like the Spanish Pork Chop the best.

Partial view of the cafe, not a big place but cosy.


Heard that their coffee is very good. I'll definitely be back to try the other dishes.

Wayne's Cafe

10, Jalan Radin Bagus 6, Sri Petaling,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Floaters..please go away

About 3 weeks ago, I suddenly have a surge of floaters 'running' left and right, up and down. It was so irritating. I always hear of people having floaters and now I too experienced them.



It happened during school holidays and even eye specialists go for their break too. Goggled for recommended specialists and found one by the name of Prof Angela Loo. She is attached to UMMC and UMSC.

Tried to get a appointment soonest possible but she was away on holiday. This was about 6 days after I discovered my floaters. Of course I started to load myself with 6 Super Lutein a day. Previously I have been taking 2(below minimun recommended) and on and off forgot to take. It started to stabilise in the sense that I mostly see that towards the top of my eyes.

 We also tried our luck at other specialists , they were closed too as it was Malaysia day. Hubby then tried to call and check for me and found that I can actually get to see Prof Angela Loo on Sunday, the day after she is back from her holidays.  It was at her own private practice in Setia Alam.

On Sunday, I went for my 11 am appointment. She only  turned out at 12:45 pm? 1 hour 45 minutes late!!!!! Anyway,  I went in to see her and after some procedure , she said I had a tear in my retinol. Thank God , it was not retina detachment. The tear is somewhere at 11 o'clock ( using my eyeball as clock) at my right eye. I was told to wait for 20 minutes which turns out almost 3 hours later!!!!! She was  treating one patient after another.

The laser treatment for my eye took about 15 minutes. When the nurse told me it was going to be a very fast procedure, I thought it would be like 2 gun shots and kao tim!!!! It was uncomfortable and a little painful at times. My eyes were so dilated I could hardly walk properly. I was given a bottle of antibiotics eyedrops to drop 4 times a day.

Yesterday (10 days later) , I went for my follow-up treatment in UMSC as Setia Alam is so far away. So glad to find that my eye has healed well and no other new 'hole' occurs. Actually I was a little shock to hear her say 'no new hole' , I definitely didn't expect this. Can't imagine having to go thru the process again.  I will however continue to see floaters for a few more weeks ( according to the doctor) but it is a lot less. Less in the sense that when I am indoor, I hardly see them but when I go outside or under bright lights I see them again. Of course after the laser treatment I loaded myself with 6-9 Super Lutein and now that my eyes has somewhat heal, I need to cut down on my dose else brankrupt!!!



My left eye is a lazy eye. I can't read with it. So I was very worried when I find out that the floaters were in the right eye. My worries are all written on my face, because Prof. Angela kept telling me " I know you are very anxious, just relax"! Up till now, I can't see a screen for long. My eyes will feel very tired. Need to jaga...only one good eye left!!!!

Let's see how long before my floaters completely disappears.

Sapu cobwebs....and teenage acne

It is so hard for me to sit down and write after a long hiatus. So many things have come and gone.

Was struggling with my boy's acne that looks like mushroom that springs up after a rainy day. Tried several facewash recommended by friends. Didn't work, went thru more breakouts or purging as some would said it.

It started with small pimples that just spreaded over the whole face. I attributed his skin problem to his late nights...very late nights because he naps in the afternoon and became very active in the night!!! Coupled with his appetite for spicy food....eer...this one takes after me. Don't say about him, even I can't control my food intake when I was young and plagued with acne too. Ooops...its my fault..bad genes.

Finally, decided to send him to a Chinese Sinseh in Happy Garden.  Her diagnosis is that my boy's body is very heaty. She speaks mandarin so with my half-past-six mandarin with an equally hopeless chinese ed son..I probably can't get fully what she meant.

So I have to boil some most horriblelooking herbs and tasting herbs in which he cursed like mad while drinking. After a few rounds, the curses died.

Can you see those " kumbangs". I didn't dare to show him.

Other than that , I too have  to get him to abstain from chicken, soya milk, oily food, spicy food, lamb, nasi lemak in which a huge chunk are his favourites. Not forgetting, drink lots of water.

In the beginning it was soooo.....hard. I don't know what to cook, what to buy , how to cook. Luckily, can eat pork and japanese food. Meals became very expensive too.. japanese food wor.

It was amazing that we were so 'guai' and followed through for 5 weeks now without breaking the rules intentionally. I said intentionally because the other day he ate chicken spagetti. He sure does it better than me when I was younger. I couldn't resist asam laksa despite ruining my face!

He is now very much better but has lots of pimple marks to deal with.  And also to find a suitable cleanser because I find that even as his pimples are clearing up, he is getting those small headless pimples with bumps that you could only see under light.

The sinseh recommended the crocodile oil soap...all natural and handmade. I tested the soap myself, it is not drying like other soap or facial wash but it doesn't foam ( which is  a good thing...soap free) but I don't feel like my face is cleansed properly. Anyway, it seems ok so far, didn't have breakouts.

I think we will persevere up to 2 months or less...we're going into our 6th weeks before letting him try some of the forbidden food bit by bit.

His sinseh also recommended him to go for facial to speed up recovery but I have no confidence in any beautician that I have not heard of. So many has testified how they ended worst after facial.

Sigh....as if life is not stressful enough. I look around each time we go out, everyone seems to have flawless  skin and we have to struggle so much!!!

Happy Teacher's Day

Every year , I used to give red coloured pen to the boys' teachers. Then recently I made metal bookmarks for them.

Now when my son wants to give teacher's day gift up to a dozen of them, I really have no 'steam' to make the bookmarks.

So this year, the teachers had this.

Handmade Soap by a friend. The soap smells so good that one would be mistaken that it is edible.
The different flavours of soap in this soap set are : Lemon, Coffee Tangerine, Lavender, Peppermint.

Before I receive this loot, I told my boy that if any of his teachers is absent, pass the gift to his previous years teachers.

After I receive the loot, I told my boy that if any of his teachers is absent, bring the gift back for me!!!!

Obviously my son doesn't agree. Hmmm....he loves his teachers more than he loves me.

The younger one would only give to his class teacher because they actually pooled their funds to get gifts for all their teachers already.

I hope the teachers like the gift....something different from the norm.