Myopia & What Helps

Nearsightedness is a common concern for children in Singapore.  It does not help when the parents are also blind bats.  Because nearsightedness can be hereditary.

We are all myopic.  So it was not surprising when E needed spectacles too.  We have been going to the eye doctor, a professional, since E had strabismus.  Although he no longer needed those eye patches, his myopia increase is something that has to be controlled.

At Primary 1, he was prescribed with his first pair of spectacles.  After 6 months, we were back at his Paediatric Ophthalmologist for review and alarmingly, his myopia increased pretty rapidly.

What's done cannot be undone.  It is definitely there to stay.  There is no cure to myopia.  The only way is to prevent it from further increasing.

Myopia arises when the eyeballs are longer than normal, which changes the angle at which light enters the eye and therefore the ability to focus on distant objects.  Thus, light rays from distant objects focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. 

We all blame the reading, the gadgets and screen time.  We all know about limiting our time for using handheld devices and TV.  We all know about looking out to far distance.  But it all does not stop there.

We should take a break after 20 minutes of looking into handheld devices.  Which I am now making them be accountable for it themselves.  They set a timer on the iPad or timer and stop when it rings.

We learnt from the doctor that sunlight is good for the eyes too.  Reading up myself, I learn that we should all spend at least 20 minutes daily out in the sun, without sunglasses or tinted glasses.  Morning sun will be the best if UV is a concern (the bad harmful impact.  Sigh.)  For now, I tell the boys to get out to the field to walk or play after eating during recess to get their daily dose of the sunlight.

The boys are reminded that their eyes belong to them and we can only nag at them this much, threaten them that much.  They have a long way to go and should always love themselves.



Disclosure: I am not a doctor or a medical professional.  What is stated is my personal experiences and what I have learnt as a parent.

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Experience So Thai Spa During a Mummy's Trip!

2018 has been a year of travels for me.  5 trips, not including trips to neighbouring JB, 4 countries.

I wrote about my trip to Bangkok here and here.  

Blessed with a hubby who is totally hands-on, I am able to travel with friends.  Why travel without the family you ask?  And I will ask, why not?  To me, that does not make me any less a parent or a Mum.  I just feel that it is a time to reflect, make connections with like-minded friends and just relax. Back home, the world revolves around the family and work (for working mums like me).  Sometimes, I just want to wake up without the need to prep breakfast, wash water bottles, nag and babysit.  Hahaha!!!  Yes yes, i signed up for parenthood and I am not complaining.  I am just finding reasons to enjoy myself, even if it meant 3D2N.

Anyway, if you are thinking to travel sans kids, i will say, just do it!  I always come back a better human being.  And maybe that's what has been keeping me going - working, cooking, nagging......

The last trip to Phuket was indeed a rest and relax trip.  We checked ourselves into this huge villa.  And we ordered breakfast service.  On other days, we were out eating seafood, fast food.  But most times, we were just lazing in the villa, enjoying the blue skies and sea, soaking up the sunlight.

But what is a holiday in Thailand without a massage, right?  We were recommended to So Thai Spa Phuket, which has 3 outlets in Phuket.  I am somewhat picky with the massage places I go to, especially if it involves body massage.  Foot massage is fine as we all know that there are lots of shops along shopping streets at cheap prices but for body, I prefer to pay more for a better experience.

As were staying in the Surin area, So Thai Spa Phuket Privilege is just 8 minutes drive away.  Out of the Patong area, this spa's location is superb as its surroundings is quiet and zen.

Deciding the oil to use for my massage.  There is an option for aloe vera too if you are sunburnt.  

It always start off with a little treat.  No matter you are there for 2 hours or 4 hours.

A tip!  If you do not mind sharing a room with your friend (I'm sure partners are fine), it is always cheaper to book couple rooms!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 4-hour So Thai Treat which includes foot massage, body scrub, herbal ball compress and lastly, an aroma oil massage.

A treat in between.  After a shower after the scrub.

The massages were good!  So good that we went back for a 2 hour session before we flew home.  As most of the masseuses are not fluent in English, the receptionist (better command of English) will ask questions about which body part you want the massage to focus more on, any injuries so that they can be more careful.  During the massage, the masseuses will ask if their use of strength is okay.  Apart from that, I drifted off to dreamland most times.  

Refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on come what may.  

So Thai Spa has a few outlets in different parts of Thailand now and I will definitely have them in mind when I next travel to Bangkok.

Now, when can I have the next break?  Pretty soon, I am sure.  2019, please be good!

Disclosure: We were given discounts at So Thai Spa.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photos and opinions are true to my own unless otherwise stated.

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Influenza - An Adult's Version

Influenza is not unknown to most of us.  We know them by H1N1, H5N1 etc.  Lately, there seems to be new mutations going around.

Influenza is not the common cold or runny nose.  Also known as the flu, which many often mix it with common cold, it is a illness definitely more severe.  Why I say so?  Because I have been through it.

It all happened when E was down with fever.  Initially diagnosed as the start of a common cold by the GP, it got worse and he was hospitalised.  I remembered when we were at the hospital, the paediatrician commented that I sounded bad too and might have caught the same bacteria / virus as E.    But, the mummy in me had to set right my priorities which was caring for the little boy.  What I did was simply buying off the shelf Danzen from the pharmacy to help with the anti-inflammation and anti-swelling of the painful-but-still-bearable throat.  

Of course, I have to thank Serene for bringing some of the Young Living essential oils as I used quite a bit of Copaiba for my throat.  I think that helped me with keeping whatever I caught at bay temporarily.

E had blood tests and an x-ray done and the diagnosis was influenza and mycoplasma which caused the roller-coaster fever and croup.  Double whammy.  He managed to ride out the influenza without antiviral medication but had antibiotics for the mycoplasma.

When he was discharged after 4 days, we were all so happy.  Little do we know that it was the start of me falling sick.

I was so tired the next day, we thought it could be just fatigue.  But we knew it was not when a high fever was spotted.  For one week, I was literally "floating", drifting in and out of sleep.  The medicine made me even sicker as in I felt a weird film of stuff covering my mouth and lost all appetite.  The amount of medicine to take for easing the symptoms made me nauseous.  Can you imagine I actually bought gummy bears and ate them after each medicine?!

In any case, I declared contracting influenza worse than natural child birth.  I was down and out for almost a week.

Antiviral medicine would help in easing the symptoms and promoting recovery if they are taken within the first two days.  I did not take any as I was pass that crucial two days and had to ride it out. 

Well, I survived.  But not without lots of sleep, warm water, medicine.  The boys were out and about doing their own things and the hubs did almost everything he could without bothering me.

Influenza is on the rise according to the news lately and is characterised by the sudden onset of the following symptoms:

- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- General fatigue

More details can be found at the Ministry of Health website.

For people who are at a higher risk of developing complications of influenza, please consult your doctor if you suspect if you are having influenza.  There are tests that can be done quite quickly, such as the nose swab test, for diagnosis.

All in all, it takes definitely more than 2 days for recovery.  So, work is out and so is looking after the children.  Have standby help is what I will advise.

Though we all wish we will never fall ill, we really never know.  I guess, just be prepared to deal with it, come what may.

Oh, the good and the bad of it is that I took a pretty long time to regain my appetite.  Mentally yearning for a lot of food but when those were placed in front of me, I could only stomach a few mouths.


Disclosure: I am not a doctor or a medical professional.  What is stated is my personal experiences.

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Quinoa [藜麦] - The Super Food from Superlife Co.

You probably have read that the hubs and I are currently trying on some kind of "diet" - our own kind of diet.  Low carbs, no (added) sugar diet.  As such, we have been pretty much playing around with our grains, to substitute our very Asian palate of white rice.

Interestingly, we got attracted to this superfood called Quinoa [pronounced "keen-wah"].  Commonly known as a grain, it is actually a seed.  One that is packed full of benefits, thus the high rating for being a healthy food.

So what is quinoa?

It is a protein-packed seed that is low in sugar.  Also high in fibre, it is an excellent rice replacement. 

Some people dislike quinoa because they find the taste "nutty".  Some find it tasteless.  And I agree that plain quinoa can be quite unappetising especially if you are so used to white rice.  However, Superlife Co. changed the whole "food" game.

With the introduction of the Asian Quinoa Packs, Superlife Co. manage to incorporate many of the Asian flavours with quinoa.  From Korean kimchi to Thai green curry, from non-spicy mushroom to spicy curry, I am sure there is one that suits every taste buds.

As I found something the family love!  And it is non other than the Japanese quinoa.  The nori seaweed was a refreshing change to the plain quinoa we often cook.

Each individual pack is 90g and serves 1 to 2 persons.  Easily a complete meal when paired with some vegetables and meat.

Here's my version of stir-fry beef with capsicums, roasted asparagus and mushroom quinoa.  My kind of one-bowl meals.  Zero pretence, zero added sugar.  Just pure good food.  :) 

Superlife Co. only imports the most premium quinoa that is pesticide-free, non-GMO and organically-grown using ethical and sustainable agricultural practices.  Totally what I look for in superfoods.

Then there is this Protein Bloc.  Made from 70% Tanzania organic premium taco, 10% quinoa and 20% sugar, it is an interesting block.  As much as I would prefer a block with no sugar, it is not easy to find one that is completely sugar free.  The fact that Superlife Co. states the percentage of the sugar in the block makes me feel more in control as I know how much sugar it contains.

The hubs tasted it too and found it pretty tasty.  I guess we would rather eat this, than many of the other yogurt bars and chocolate bars out there.  And it's so so so so much convenient!

Thinking to try out the different flavours?  Get the Quinoa Starter Pack!  It has one of every flavour of the Asian Quinoa packs, together with 3 of the quinoa cacao protein blocs.  Perfect.

And to make these superfoods "sweeter", enter SUPERCYN17 at checkout to get a 10% off your online purchases.  Valid for a minimum purchase of $40, this code last till 30 June 2017 (excludes the Cacao subscription).

Try it and let me know how it is!  I am bringing my kimchi quinoa with more kimchi to work next week!

Disclosure: We were given the quinoa starter pack for product review purposes.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photos and opinions are true to my own unless otherwise stated.

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YOLO Run

YOLO - You Only Live Once.

YOLO Run is back this year.  Bigger and faster after the success of its official launch last year.  Starting at Gardens by the Bay (East) on 22 October 2016, 8am to 12pm, there will be 2 race categories - 5km and 10km.

If there is anything about this run I look forward to, it will have to be running shirtless for a good cause.  Seriously, I am unsure if I am able to do it although I am thinking of it because this year, X-Change Republic Pte Ltd has partnered with Breast Reconstruction Awareness Singapore (BRAS), a non-profit organisation, to create a better and wider understanding of reconstruction choices and resources.  For every participant who runs shirtless on the race day, a sports bra will be donated to BRAS, an essential in the recovery process of patients.

Who is keen to do that with me?!

If you are, use the promotion code YOLOXCYNTHIA and get a 10% off the race fees.

Your race entitlements, depending on men's or ladies' when you sign up.  

Come on, join me on a Saturday morning for a run along one of Singapore's prettiest are, Gardens by the Bay.

Disclosure:  I received 2 complimentary tickets to the run.  Terms and product information about the product were provided by X-Change Republic.

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{Media Invite} AIR+ Smart Masks and Why You Should Own Them

Remember the time when buildings not too far away are blurry?

Remember the days when we woke up and exclaimed, "Something's burning!"

Those days were not too long ago.  In fact, it was just last September and it lasted a month or so.

I fear of those days.  I wake up everyday, hoping that the weather is good, the air is fresh and taking deep breaths are not luxuries.

But, the truth is...  life isn't always a bed of roses.

Singapore periodically gets affected by severe smoke haze due to forest fires in the region.  Especially during the dry season.  Typically in the months of June to August.  With the ever-changing weather and whatever-you-call phenomenons, I seriously wonder if every other month is going to be a dry season now and in the near future.

I cannot stop the forest fires.  Neither can I change how the weather is going to be.  As much as I would like to simply fly off to another country when the haze hits, it is impossible.  The best I can do is to reduce the family's risk of exposure to air pollutants during the haze period.

My best bet last September.  It was so difficult to get my hands on these masks that are suitable for children as everyone rushed to get them when the haze hit us.  So this year, I am not taking any chances.  Slightly kiasu but yes, I have 2 boxes (i think) of each size sitting in my cupboard now.

Ahead of the possible haze period, we were invited to a informal sharing with the people behind the AIR+ Smart Mask at MINT Museum of Toys.

What's a better way to educate children?  Get them involved and let them understand the basics of it.  Now the boys know that once the haze is here, they need to put on their masks.  

I cannot emphasise enough about the use of the correct mask during the haze period.  I cannot remember how many people I have spoken to regarding the wrong use of surgical masks during the haze period.  In summary, a surgical mask is used to protect against micro-organisms, body fluids and large particles in the air.  Because it is designed only to cover the mouth and the nose loosely, one do not get the seal that is required to protect against airborne pollutants such as haze and that ridiculously harmful PM2.5 particles.

If you do not believe me, take a surgical mask, wear it and you will feel the gaps at the sides.

At the clinic, having a fever, sometime back.  Surgical mask provided by the clinic.

No one-size mask fits everyone.  There are also no masks available in the market that suit children.  Asians have a smaller face frame and that is why AIR+ Smart Masks are fit tested and trialed in Singapore, coming up with 3 different sizes to protect even children as young as 7 years old.

D trying out the 3D profiling used by the people behind AIR+ Smart Mask.  Through the profiles of hundreds of people, they came up with the 3 different sizes that are supposed to be able to fit most Asians comfortably.

About the AIR+ Smart Mask

The AIR+ Smart Mask is tested in accordance to the EN 149:2001+A1:2009 (European) and the N95 NIOSH-approved (American) standards.  Under both test standards, the Smart Mask achieved at least 95% filtration efficiency against non-oil based particles, including PM2.5.

This means every AIR+ Smart Mask, regardless of size, is a N95 mask.

In addition, there is the AIR+ Micro Ventilator that enhances breathability by expelling the moisture and carbon dioxide build-up within the mask rapidly as one exhales.  This reduces the heat and increased carbon dioxide levels for a cooler comfort.

Time for some fun now at MINT Museum of Toys:

MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia) Museum of Toys houses a world-class collection of vintage toys and collectable items in an international award-winning contemporary building on Seah Street.

Since its inauguration in 2007, the museum is house to over 8,000 exhibits out of its collection of 50,000 items.  Across 6 levels, one will find items from over 40 countries, ranging in dates from the 1840s to 1980s.  Wow wow wow.

Let us take a look at some of the toys you can find there.  All of them are older than us.  :P

The boys were so intrigued with Mickey Mouse.  One of their favourite characters never really seen before.  And how we adults were brought back to childhood days of toys of yesteryear.  Nostalgic.  

Disclosure:  We were invited to the AIR+ Smart Mask workshop.  No monetary compensation was received.  Terms and product information about the product were provided by them.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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#Throwback - Great Eastern Women's Run 2015

As we soon wrap up 2015, here is one throwback that is part of my resolution for 2015 which was to exercise more.  Also another resolution in 2016...  One of yours too?

 

Up early one Sunday morning in November, I joined the other 17,000 participants in the Great Eastern Women's Run that was held annually.  An event that is dedicated to helping everyone live healthier and better, it is Asia's largest all-women race.

 

2015 also marks Great Eastern’s 10th year of unifying women in health and life.  And with that, the event was held on a bigger scale, with three race categories of 5km Fun Run, 10km and 21.1km.

 

The last GE run in 2012, I ran 5km with a friend.  This year, I ran 5km too.  And something special this year was that I donned the tu-tu while running! 

 

In a myriad of hues of pink, blue, yellow and purple in support of three women and children-related charities - Breast Cancer Foundation, Community Chest (Children with Special Needs) and SingHealth Duke-NUS OBGYN Academic Clinical Program, many participants ran with their tu-tus on. 

 

 

 

Finishing in an official time of 26 minutes, it does not seem very satisfactory.  I know I should not compare myself to days when I have been more active.  Hopefully this will spur me to achieve a better result next year.  I love running in the morning and the lovely part was running on a route that brings us around the areas less ventured to on our own.  It was not too hot and humid and the sky was clear, what a perfect time for taking photographs of some of the nicest buildings in Singapore.

 







Together with some of the Mom Bloggers, another achievement unlocked!

Photo Credit : Great Eastern Women's Run 2015

Great Eastern Women's Run 2016?  Bring it on!

 

 

Disclosure: I was invited to the Great Eastern Women's Run 2015.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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