A Yummy Pork Burger with some sides of oven roasted spicy potato wedges and a simple coleslaw

Hi there, dear friends

After feeling like I was hiding in a dark cave for quite some time due to perimenopausal problems, which finally got cleared up right away when I eventually found Natural Progesterone Cream to treat my estrogen dominance (I wrote about that HERE) , I got almost all of my old self back and I cooked this yummy pork burger meal for my family today! 

It was my way of thanking my family for being so understanding and supportive of me when I didn’t cook much for them these past few months. Everyone had a great grin on their face when they saw what I was preparing in the kitchen – wow, were they in for a great treat today!  

I marinated 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) of minced pork in some Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce (my secret ingredient), Chinese Rice Wine, chopped onions, salt and pepper. I also mixed in 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 a cup of breadcrumbs. 

Meanwhile, I got my dusty bread machine out and got it to knead some dough for some homemade burger buns. I had written about my homemade burger buns HERE.  After the buns were baked, it was time to prepare the potatoes for roasting. 

Simple oven roasted potato wedges with a sprinkling of chili flakes and chopped garlic – really easy to make, just  drizzle with some olive oil and roast them until a knife can be pierced through easily – about 20 minutes in the oven

The coleslaw was sliced cabbage, carrots and chopped onions mixed with the juice of a lemon, olive oil, a few tablespoons of mayonnaise, salt and pepper….refrigerate until serving time. 

The pork patties were pan fried until cooked and served immediately with some lettuce, onion rings, pickles, tomato slices in a fresh burger bun. Ah, nothing like the taste of a homemade pork burger … with homemade healthy roasted potato wedges and a tart, creamy coleslaw!

With best wishes,

choesf  :D 

Ladies and Gentlemen, do you have a PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY  

Go to THIS WEBSITE and check out the top right hand corner of that page – fill up a questionnaire there to see if your progesterone level has declined over the years  

Recently, I was gathering information for my perimenopausal issues (I wrote about it HERE) and I read up a lot on the use of bio-identical hormones, specifically the natural progesterone cream. 

Wow, was I surprised to find out that natural progesterone cream can be used by men to treat prostate problems, frequent nocturnal (night) urination and poor urination flow stream. As men get older, they may

encounter such problems. I have seen ladies asking Master atan at his forum about remedies for prostate problems (his remedy was to use Nugabest Thermal Massage Bed or Chair Pad)  

Men also go through a stage of hormonal change, a male version of menopause, called andropause. My middle-aged husband has been complaining of having to visit the bathroom often to pee in the middle of the night and that he often takes longer nowadays to pee than when he was younger. A check with his doctor confirmed that his prostate is alright and that it is normal for a man his age to pee more often nightly due to hormonal change at his age. 

However, my husband is not getting a restful sleep at night if he has to get up so often to pee. So, when I received my Natural Progesterone Cream from the USA a few days ago, I applied a little on him (just 1/8 of a teaspoon), too, just to see if it can help him with his frequent nocturnal urination. I will let you know here how it goes for him later  

Natural Progesterone Cream

Before you rush out to buy the natural progesterone cream, please do some research yourself on the benefits of the progesterone cream for men. Also, do check with your doctor to see if it is okay to use it. Make sure the cream you are getting is a USP (US Pharmacopeia) grade. USP sets the standards for purity, quality, strength and consistency and therefore, you know your product is safe to use. The USP standards are accepted worldwide in 130 countries.  ”Bio-identical” means the hormone is like the natural progesterone hormone that our body can use, and therefore, will have minimal negative side effects, unlike HRT (the chemical based Hormone Replacement Therapy.)

Here is an example of how men used progesterone  for prostate problems  :idea:  ===> 

Progesterone Therapy :- Man on Natural Progesterone Cream 8 – 10 mg a day

I mentioned earlier that menopausal women are most likely to have a Estrogen Dominance condition, i.e. while those women’s estrogen levels had declined a lot come middle age, their progesterone levels were almost depleted, thus resulting in their estrogen effects being more dominant. 

Estrogen Dominance can happen to men, too – this is when their testosterone levels drop more than the estrogen levels, and whilst progesterone does not drop as much as the women’s, nevertheless, the progesterone level will also become lower.  

Some signs of men having Estrogen Dominance situation are ===>

• man boobs
• waistline and belly getting wider
• enlarged prostate
• erectile dysfunction
• loss of muscle tone

Here in Malaysia, I think bio-identical hormones are not really well-known yet, and are not easy to buy. So, go do your research to find your answers to help you decide if you want to try using natural progesterone cream. I got mine from this US health supplement WEBSITE (you can use a Gift Coupon Code MLL 655 for USD10 off for first time buyers there for purchases over USD40). 

Caution – Make sure you don’t buy more than two number of any products there, and that your purchases should not exceed RM500 each time your order – else, the local Customs may confiscate your goods or charge you import tax respectively.

Hope you find this post on Natural Progesterone Cream useful ! 

With best wishes,

choesf

P.S. I have been using the natural progesterone cream for the past 3 days and the improvements I have felt in me are simply amazing (if not miraculous to me) !  

1) no more bloatedness

2) no more persistent headaches and gum aches (that lasted almost 3 weeks for me and for which none of my home herbal remedies helped)

3) no more chronic stiff neck and shoulders

4) I no longer get out of bed with stiff joints – I often shuffle slowly from bed due to muscular and joint stiffness. Now, I can just bound from bed and walk swiftly to the bathroom

5)  my belly bulge is lesser now – firstly due to no more stomach bloating. Secondly, the progesterone cream is easily  absorbed via the skin into our body, specifically into the fatty tissues. The fats are then converted into energy.

6) continuing from point above – I have recovered my energy back, I am no longer lethargic

7) my depression and crankiness are both gone – I smiled and laughed a lot in these last 3 days. Before that, I was really broody and grumply!  

8) I sleep better at night with deep, restful sleep – previously, I would wake up often and find it hard to go back to sleep

9) I no longer had to get up often and pee at night – I used to go like 4 to 5 times previously, but since I started using the progesterone cream, I only go like once or twice (and that twice is only because I drank more water before bedtime)

Oh, how I love my natural progesterone cream! 

One thing to note – I have to constantly gauge how I feel to see if I need more or less progesterone cream for that day.    

Rapunzel, Vegan Vegetable Bouillon with Sea Salt for USD2-63 or RM8-32 only

Hi there, dear friends

I was at Jason Foods at Bangsar Shopping Centre just now when I came across the above Rapunzel brand of vegetable bouillion cubes selling at RM16-49 per box there! Wow, that was really expensive !  

I used 2 cubes of Rapunzal Vegetable Bouillon to make a stock for cooking couscous . Then I added grilled yellow & red bell peppers, onions and cherry tomatoes. My children loved the couscous (in bowl)  !

When I recently ordered some health supplements online from this US WEBSITE ,  I had also bought 2 boxes of the Rapunzel Vegetable Bouillion for RM8-32 only – I was very happy to have  found some vegetable bouillion that didn’t  contain any MSG but has only natural, organic ingredients .

It is very hard to find stock bouillon cubes in Malaysia that do not contain MSG (Monosodium Glutamate).  MSG causes water retention and great thirst among some of the negative side effects. It can even cause headaches for some who are sensitive to MSG.  Also, it is not very common to find vegetable stock cubes – well, I have not found any, except for those mushroom powder for cooking sold at the vegetarian stores.  

I remember a few years ago, Knorr came out with chicken stock cubes which didn’t have any MSG but it wasn’t very saleable and the product was removed. It also didn’t taste very good. 

My daughters are on a diet now to lose some weight and they told me to cook healthy food for this week (no more roast pork belly for now!  ) and therefore, I am cooking for dinner tonight  ===>

* 2 Roast Chickens (salted lightly, with some herbs and lemon juice rubbed onto the skin, and drizzled with some olive oil before roasting)

* Grilled Yellow and Red Bell Pepper Couscous (cooked with Rapunzel Natural Vegetable Stock)

* Oven Roasted Potato Wedges 

* Stirfried Butter Garlic Yellow and Green Zucchini with Carrots

* Garden Salad with Wasabi Shoyu dressing

I thought to share with you here that there is a way to get natural vegetable bouillon that does not contain MSG online from  this WEBSITE. I usually add in some grocery products whenever I order some health supplements from there and usually,  discounts are given for the order. The discounts can be used to “offset”  the DHL courier charges (International Priority Delivery takes around 5 days to arrive from date of order and costs around USD11-00). 

I usually order around USD100 of products and factor in 10% for the courier delivery charges…so, the Rapunzel Vegetable Bouillon doesn’t cost much more. I have also bought organic popcorn, too … the quality of the popcorn is so much better than the dried popcorn kernels that are sold here in Malaysia.  

Do have a lovely day today!

With best wishes,

choesf  

P.S. I will post a picture of my dinner later!  

Day 1 ===> Simple Ingredients To Make A Sourdough Starter – Pineapple Juice, Wholemeal Flour (click on picture to enlarge)

My first sourdough bread – not very pretty but extremely tasty

Hi there, dear friends

I have been baking bread on and off for the past 12 years –  I got a bread machine as a farewell gift from my colleagues when I retired from the corporate world.  I just love the aroma of freshly baked breads wafting through my home, especially if I set a timer to the bread machine to start kneading the bread at 4am and I wake up to the smell of bread!  

However, my bread making skills are not very good – I can only make simple breads (white or wholemeal) and burger buns – it was easier to just buy the bread for my family  …

Recently, my husband has been asking me many times to make sourdough bread but I have been putting off learning how to make the starter because it seemed like a long and tedious process to me.  

But after reading about the health benefits of eating sourdough bread, and how the sourdough starter can be used to make delicious waffles, pancakes, pretzels, pizzas, flatbread and muffins, too, I was all set to finally make my very first sourdough starter and bread. 

There are so many recipes for making the starter on the Internet and it took me many days of thorough reading before I finally settled on one which I felt comfortable with and that I liked the most – from Pinch My Salt website - instructions and illustrations were well provided, sufficient to give me the courage to take the first step finally to make some sourdough bread for my family.  Another reason why I went for her recipe was because of the use of pineapple juice, instead of water,  because I love pineapple juice and fruit! 

The picture above shows Day 1 of my “Sourdough Bread Adventure” – it was super easy…just add 1 cup of wholemeal flour (I used organic stoneground wholemeal flour) to 3/4 cup of pineapple juice, mix well and put into a clean jar.

Mark the level of the starter with a rubber band (to see if the starter has grown) and cover the jar with a piece of paper kitchen towel, fastened with another rubber band. 

Today was Day 2 when I fed my sourdough starter with 1 cup of bread flour and half cup of pineapple juice. I realised today that my jar should be larger to accommodate the starter as I feed it daily…and I moved it to a larger jar.

It’s been 36 hours since I made my sourdough starter….just now, I could see the starter growing about 1/2 an inch above the rubber band level. Wow, am I happy that my starter seems to be on the right track. Hopefully, by next week, I would be able to make my first sourdough bread!  

I found some informative articles on the health benefits of eating sourdough bread ===>

Sourdough Bread Has Most Health Benefits, Professor Finds.. 

5 Reasons To Make Sourdough Your Only Bread

Sourdough Bread & Diabetics

Try making some sourdough bread for your family – they will love you more for it!

With best wishes,

choesf  

Fluffy cinnamon rolls that I made fresh out of the oven, drizzled with some butter cream cheese frosting

Hi there, dear friends

I am not very good at baking at all – heheh, please have a look  my ugly but yummy first Sourdough Bread that I had made a few weeks ago and you will get the idea  !

Most of my recipes here are for savoury  foods! My past baking attempts had usually resulted in some hard buns  and dense breads and as a result, I am not very confident at all in following any baking recipes. 

So, if I can make these super fluffy and yummy cinnamon rolls with my secret ingredient, you can definitely do so, too, and you will be able to impress your family and friends with your new found “baking skills” LOL  !

There are a few reasons why we can sometimes fail at following other people’s successful bread recipes  :idea:   ===>

1) type and brand of flours used – the flours that we have in Malaysia are very different from those in the US, Europe and Australia. My friend baked really good oatmeal cookies when she was staying in Canada, but when she used the same recipe here in Malaysia, her oatmeal cookies were not as tasty and were smaller in size. 

2) measuring cups’ sizes – I like the convenient US method of using cups to measure ingredients in baking, instead of using measuring scales. However, I had just learned from my daughter that my set of measuring cups are according to Australian standards.

But that is okay…  I will let you know below how to look at your dough to adjust the amount of flour to get the right consistency ! 

3) weather – our Malaysian weather is really hot and humid, causing yeasts to act wildly, unlike the cool, temperate, and drier weather in some countries.  So, if an American recipe requires the bread dough to proof for 12 hours to double in size for a sourdough bread recipe – in Malaysia, that dough can double in just 2 hours! Our high humidity weather can also require more flour to be used. 

Hence, this cinnamon roll recipe here is suitable for use in areas that have hot and humid climates!  

Another problem I had was whilst my breads were soft (but not fully) on the day that I had baked them, they were hard on the following day. I had tried the Chinese (Japanese?) “Tangzhong Method” of adding a roux of flour and water to the bread dough but I didn’t like the tedious step of having to calculate the flour/water ratios. 

So, while reading all over the Internet for ways to make fluffy bread naturally (without using wheat gluten), I stumbled onto the use of adding dried potato flakes to create fluffy, soft breads that lasts for days. I believed the potato ingredient was Amish in origin? 

Anyway, I had some steamed potatoes leftover from last night’s homemade Swedish Meatballs & Potatoes (I will post the recipe shortly ) and so,  I adjusted some cinnamon rolls recipes to incorporate mashed potato and yes, the potato worked in creating a super fluffy and soft cinnamon roll!  

I had used a bread machine to knead the dough for me, but you can use a stand mixer with dough hooks, or food processor, or knead the dough by hands (this will take about 10 to 15 minutes for a non-professional baker like me.) 

Here’s the recipe ===> 

Fluffy Potato Cinnamon Rolls

(makes 14 to 15 rolls)

Ingredients for Dough  :

3 teaspoons Instant Active Dry Yeast (I use Mauripan brand)

1/4 cup warm filtered or bottled water

1 cup warm full cream milk (250 ml) (I used Australian Farmhouse)

2 large eggs, beaten lightly

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I made some earlier by soaking some vanilla beans in vodka for 1 month)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I used pink Himalaya salt)

1/2 cup brown sugar (you can use white sugar, too…I just prefer brown)

1/2 cup mashed cooked potato 

5 cups  high protein or bread flour  (I used organic, unbleached type – available at Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, Cold Storage supermarkets)

Method :-

1) mix yeast with warm water in the bread pan or mixing/food processor bowl

2) add the rest of the ingredients in the order as shown above

3) if using bread machine, set menu to “Dough” function

4) if using stand mixer or food processor, mix until dough comes together and becomes almost like a ball. I said “almost” because the dough consistency may be very moist..

*** Note -  if dough is like a thick batter, then add 1 tablespoon of extra flour at a time, until an almost “ball shape” is obtained.  

*** Test the dough by touching it with your finger, it should be just a little sticky and the ball collapses a little at the bottom.

5) leave aside to proof in a covered bowl for 2 hours – dough will more than doubled in size. 

6) meanwhile……  get your cinnamon roll filling ingredients ready. You will need :-

1. 1/2 cup softened butter (I used Danish butter.  SCS is good, too)
2. 5 tablespoons of cinnamon powder (I used McCormick’s brand)
3. 1 cup brown sugar (you can use white, too)
4. 1 tablespoon cornstarch

…… and grease your baking tins, with butter. 

…… and preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celcius

7) Amply flour your working counter top adequately – larger than the size of 24 inches by 15 inches that the dough will be rolled out into

8) drop the dough gently onto the work surface. It should be pliable and elastic by now.

9) dust your hand with flour and gently press the dough into a rectangle shape. 

10) with a rolling pin, gently roll dough into a rectangle size of  24 inches by 15 inches..with the longer side nearest to you.

11) leaving a 1/2 inch margin from the 4 edges of the dough, brush dough with softened butter

12) mix cinnamon powder, sugar and cornstarch thoroughly in a bowl – the cornstarch is to prevent the filling from becoming runny during baking

13) it is easier to use your hand to sprinkle the cinnamon powder sugar evenly over the buttered area of the dough

14) starting from your end, roll the dough gently away from you with both hands into a log shape.

15) trim off the right uneven end of the dough log  (if you are right-handed).

16) start from the right side of the rolled dough – using a ruler or measuring tape as a guide, use a sharp knife to make a little cut to mark each cinnamon roll into  1 1/2 inches apart. 

17) use a serrated bread knife (they said a piece of mouth floss or thick thread will do a better job, but I just stuck with the bread knife ) to cut the dough at the marked points and place them in the prepared baking pans or trays. 

*** It is okay, DON’T WORRY  if your cut out cinnamon rolls do not look perfect or the cinnamon filling does not siwrl as pretty as you want it – just use your fingers to gently pinch the dough into nicer circles or shapes. The dough will expand further and your frosting is going to cover the imperfections !   

You can have the cinnamon rolls touch each other after baking, i.e. you pull apart the rolls before eating – in this case, place the rolls about 1 inch apart.  

*** If you prefer individual rolls, then place them 2 to 3  inches apart. 

*** Or, you can make a combination of both like I did – the individual rolls have a more chewy texture, due to more “skin” areas  

18) put aside trays and pans to proof dough for another1 hour – the rolls will likely double in just 1/2 an hour, but I left mine for 1 hour and the rolls just kept getting larger and fluffier! 

19) meanwhile…..prepare the frosting for the cinnamon rolls. You will need ===>

1. 2 ounces cream cheese
2. 1/4 cup softened powder
3. 1 cup confectioner’s or icing sugar

Combined all those ingredients until a frosting consistency is obtained. If you like a more runny frosting, add 1 tablespoon of milk. If you find the frosting is too thick, you can add more butter and/or milk. 

*** Note – you can double the amount of frosting if you love lots of frosting on your cinnamon rolls!  

20) bake your cinnamon rolls until golden brown on top for  ===>

• 15 minutes, if your rolls are individual stand alone rolls
• 20 minutes, if your rolls are touching each other but in a small pan, e.g. like my 8 X 8 inch pan in picture above
• 25 minutes, if you are using a 13 X 9 inch pan, and the pull-apart rolls are touching each other

21) put the frosting right away when the cinnamon rolls are done baking and are still hot

Enjoy your cinnamon rolls while they are still hot from the oven! Use your fingers to tear apart the rolls and feel the fluffy texture of the rolls. They are so yummy! I had difficulty stopping at eating just one roll…in fact, as I was typing this post, I have sneaked back into the kitchen and helped myself to more bites of cinnamon roll  !

Hope you will have fun making and eating your homemade cinnamon rolls, like I did !

With best wishes,

choesf  

*** Added on 21 October, 2013 – I had 3 cinnamon rolls leftover from yesterday. I ate one for breakfast and found it to be still as moist, fluffy, soft and yummy like the day before! So, this recipe works!  

Hi there, dear friends

As in previous years, Master atan from Dhealing Forum, is now offering a FREE Christmas Trinity Prayer for good energies and good luck. You can submit your names here to be included in his name list for the Christmas prayers. Details are in his message quoted below .

Please note that your names can be Google-ed or found in the Internet. As such, you are encouraged to use nicknames, initials or usernames to protect your privacy when submitting your names.

Christmas Trinity Prayers 2013 Name List

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

With best wishes,

choesf

Christmas Trinity Prayers for 2013

Dhealing is organizing a Christmas Trinity Prayer for Christmas 2013 – the Prayer can bring much good Chi and counter bad Chi.  

The Blessings of this unique Trinity Prayer are very good for Protection, Good Health, Peaceful Love and Relationships.  

In total, there are 3 Trinity Prayers – one can select all or any of the Listed Prayers below.

1. Christian Trinity Prayer.
2. Fu, Lu and Shou Trinity Prayer.
3. Feng Shui Trinity Prayer.

This is a Free Prayer – anyone can join.  

Those who wish to Donate - Donations are most welcome.  

Name listing format/example…..

1. Atan – Prayer 1,2,3 – Malaysia, .or
2. Atan – Prayer 2,3 – Malaysia., or
3. Atan – Prayer 1 – Malaysia

Submit your Names here- 2013.

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Master atan will be performing the Christmas Trinity Prayer on the 24th and 25th of December 2013. Master atan’s Prayers are very popular, for many had sought his help. In 2013, he had done more than 20,000 Prayer requests. 

Good Luck.  

Master atan

Get these FREE  !  Assorted Sierra Bees Organic Lip Balms retailing at some international websites from US$1-95 to US$5-00 each

Hi there, dear friends

Some time ago, I wrote HERE about a good online store where I got a variety of quality health supplements, organic foodstuffs and toiletries .  Since then, I had gone back  to replenish my stocks a few times and with each purchase, I got some free samples and economically priced trial products. 

 FREE SUNSHINE! ===> iHerb Nutritionals, Vitamin D3, 5,000 IU, 120 Softgels

 - Retailing at US$9-95

Please note that I am not being paid to promote that store but I am writing about some of the economical gains that we can get from the promotions there  .

During my “shopping trip” there today, I found a good deal on “Natural Factors, Echinamide, Clinical Strength, 60 capsules” being offered at a trial price of US$2-95 only (standard retail price US$14-95). This is echinacea,  a good herbal supplement for boosting our body immunity all year round, but I bought this more as standby for when anyone of my family members start to get the sniffles/flu and we can quickly take 2 capsules of echinacea to nip the flu in the bud . 

Just go to that website’s “Trials” and “Freebies“  categories displayed at the top of the page to view the respective items. You will see a range of sample products that are given away for free or at minimal prices when you order from that website. If you are a first time buyer there, you can even use this Coupon Code MLL655 to get a discount of US$5 off purchases less than US$40, or a discount of US$10 if  your purchases are more than US$40  .

The range of free or trial products varies from time to time and I had got many free lip balms, health supplements, metal tea ball, travel mugs, coffee mugs, recyclable tote bag, and even a bottle of Dr’s Best COQ10 (120 capsules) that retailed for around US$12. The trial products I got were Probiotics, Krill Oil, Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules, Digestive Enzymes Chewables, etc. 

FREE ===> Just O Bean Coffee Mug

Today, I also bought some Now Essential Oil Blends- Focusing Blend for Mental Focus for my children, and Sleep Blend for Peaceful Sleep for me and my husband, for only US$4-95 per 1 oz/30ml bottle,  instead of the standard retail price of US$12-99 each. Essential oils cost a bomb here in Malaysia and I was really happy to find them at such affordable prices at that online store. 

Now Foods, Essential Oils, Sleep Blend, Peaceful Sleep, 1 fl oz (30 ml) at just US$4-95 instead of US$12-99

Today, I also bought some organic Oat Bran, Apple Fibre Powder, organic Dandelion Root, organic Yerba Mate, and replenished some multivitamins and gingko biloba as well. So, if you or your family take health supplements regularly, you may like to check out this place for their freebies, trial products and promotions.

Health supplements and organic foodstuff cost a lot in Malaysia and this online store has helped me save quite a lot of money with their attractive pricing. Any money saved is always a good thing in view of the rising inflation, what with the rising electricity charges and increased toll charges scheduled for the new year 2014, prices of food and goods are going up soon !  :roll: 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! 

With best wishes,

choesf   

Happy Chinese New Year 2014

Hi there, dear friends

Chinese New Year will fall on Friday, 31 January this year, just under 4 weeks away from now.

I have already started cleaning and decluttering my house to remove old, stale energies (chi or qi) to make way for and welcome the new lunar year’s auspicious energies.  As in previous years, I will have Master atan perform 3 Chinese New Year Bird Release Ceremonies (CNY BRC) for my family, for getting “noblemen or helpful people (Gui Ren) and to energise my home with good chi.

Any of his CNY BRC comes with ===>

1) FREE God of Wealth Prayers on the eve of Chinese New Year (30 January

2) FREE making of activated Wealth Water and Wealth Cures – for increasing wealth luck

3) FREE Wish Fulfillment Technique whereby each family member gets to make a wish every month for the next lunar year

I have copied below Master’s message and those of you who are interested in following his technique to improve your luck, fortune and have your wishes come true are most welcome to try it out. You can order any of his CNY BRCs from HERE or his WEBSITE .  Anyone from any religion or any country can join. 

CNY BRC 2014 Name List 

May you have a prosperous and happy Year of the Horse in 2014!

With best wishes,

choesf :D 

Bird Release For Chinese New Year 2014

Welcome! This is the most successful Spiritual Technique by Master atan – in 2014 , there was a lot of good feedback received from those who had joined. Try not to miss this technique, for it can enhance your good things and remove many of the bad things for the year  .

1. Bird Releasing Ceremony for Family 2014 

2. Bird Releasing Ceremony for Gui Ren 2014

3. Bird Releasing Ceremony for House 2014

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1. Free God Of Wealth Prayer.
2. Free making of wealth water and Wealth Cure.
3. Free making wish fulfillment technique.12 wishes

In 2013 – I am happy that many wishes from God Of Wealth were fulfilled.

For those who wish to donate to the God of Wealth Ceremony – all donations are welcome. (This will generate money wealth and good luck karma/merits for you and your family. )

more Detail….

Master atan
3rd January 2014

Bird Release Ceremony for Family with God of Wealth Prayer for CNY   is …..

1. To get rid of Xiao Ren (vile people or people that cause trouble for us) 

2. To invite Gui Ren (noblemen or people who save us from hopeless situations) everywhere for us .

and include …..

1. One year of master atan’s Prayers.

2. Welcoming and inviting God of Wealth into your house on the eve of Chinese New Year 2013 . 

3. Creating wealth water and making Wealth cure in Dhealing forum( optional ) . 

The Bird Release will be performed during the 15 days of Chinese New Year 2014. (from 31st January to 14th of February ).

For those who wish to donate to the Wealth Of God Ceremony – all donation is welcome. ( this is to generate money wealth karma for you and your family. )

Click here to join.

Bird Releasing Ceremony for Gui Ren is…...

This is an important BRC to give thanks to our Gui Ren , as many Gui Ren ( Helpful people, Helpful Ancestors and Helpful Holy Angels ) had helped us to overcome our obstacles and brought many benefits to us and our family.

With this thankful BRC performed during CNY –  we hope our Gui Ren will continuously help us and our family in 2013 to achieve a much peaceful and better life with good things to come.

Bird Releasing Ceremony for House is…...

This is an advance technique for BRC during CNY, it can bring many benefits to you and your family.

1. It will open up North ~ East ~ South ~ West to attract and bring in many good chi to strengthen and enhance the house with Good wealth, Good health and Peace in the Family.

2. It will balance the chi for North ~ East ~ South ~ West for the house – a balanced house will be ready for good things to happen.

3. This technique is with God of Wealth Ceremony – God of Wealth will bless SE during the CNY – when one book the above technique, God of Wealth will also bless North ~ East ~ South ~ West , the house will open up in 5 directions to bring in many good things in life to you and your Family.

4. It is equipped with the ability to remove bad Spirit and enhance good Spirit in the house or business premises.

5. It is equipped with ability to Give strong protection for the house .

Hi there, dear friends

The lunar Chinese New Year is a week away. Preparations are well underway to welcome the new year’s auspicious energies and celebrate the happy Chinese year. As in previous years, Master atan is offering FREE Tai Sui Prayers and everyone from any religion is most welcome to join. 

You can post your prayer requests here or at Master atan’s Dhealing Forum. To protect your privacy, you can use your nicknames or usernames. 

Tai Sui Prayers Name List 2014

With best wishes,

choesf

All members and their loved ones are encouraged to list their names in the 2014 Prayer Room for Tai Sui Prayer.

This prayer is very important as I had activated it to be …..

1. You and your family will have the protection and support from Tai Sui in many areas of your life – especially wealth and health.

2. When you are moving outside or away from your home or traveling – you will also have His protection and support.

3. If you had unknowingly offended Tai Sui – you will be protected.

For the past few years, we had placed SCC and Trinity 3coins in the NW and North, and Piyao in the SE facing Him – these sectors were very clean when Tai Sui came and stay in our home – Tai Sui was very happy in years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,2012,2013 and I hope the same in 2014. 

With more than 10,000 people Praying to Tai Sui in 2011and 2012 and 2013 – please don’t miss out this Effective Prayer, it is free.

Go to these Links…..

Tai Sui Prayer Request – 2014

Tai Sui Prayer – Name List – 2014

Master atan. 

Hi there, dear friends

Today is the second day of the lunar Chinese New Year and I would like to wish all of you lots of happiness, prosperity, good luck, wealth and good health in the Year of the Horse!

With best wishes,

choesf

Hi there, dear friends

I lost 2 kilos (4.4 lbs) and my chronic cracked heel on my left foot healed suddenly since I started drinking lots more water daily 2 weeks ago! I didn’t go on any diet nor did I increase my daily activities or exercises, and yet, I have dropped one size in my clothes. Wow!

The only thing that I did differently in the last 2 weeks was to drink 3 cups of water immediately upon waking up, and BEFORE I brushed my teeth…and more water drank in between meals.

I have never been this excited, amazed and impressed since I wrote about the Homemade Citrus Enzymes For Cleaning  in 2009!

It all started when I read an article called “The Amazing Water Cure” (copied at the bottom of this post for your info) about how the way we drink water can treat various illnesses. I know the Chinese also like to promote drinking a glass or 2 of water before brushing our teeth, but I never knew the health benefits of doing that.

During the 2-week period of increasing my intake of water daily, I was pleasantly surprised that my clothes were getting looser gradually – today, I weighed myself and found that I had lost 2 kilos! As my caloric intake was unchanged (in fact, I am still bingeing on leftover Chinese New Year cookies!) and I did not do any extra exercises (other than my usual daily household chores), I knew it had to be the water that did it!

So, I decided to find out more information on the connection between water and weight loss and I found this wonderful article written by Steve Aitchison —>

How To Lose 10 pounds In 10 Days

*** NOTE – Be sure to read the comments at the bottom of that article to find out how some people who followed his PLAN on water drinking had also found themselves shedding off their weight effortlessly

Other than my weight loss, I have found out that drinking more water daily also had the following effects on me —>

Cracked heels healed and almost gone and body skin is softer and more supple

Because I was doing a lot of cleaning in the house during the course of the Chinese New Year preparations last month, my left heel had developed some really nasty cracks and thickened skin. While using the O’Keefe’s Cream For Working Hands helped to close those cracks somewhat, the thickened skin was harder to deal with.

It was only last night that I noticed both my heels are now very smooth with soft skin and the cracks are almost gone! In fact, my skin from head to toe is softer and more supple. I don’t even need to use cracked heel balm any longer and only a little bit of hand and body lotion is enough.

** Note – Before I started this “water cure” experiment, I had stopped drinking my usual health teas and stopped taking my health supplements, like CoEnzymeQ10, Multivitamins, just so that I can concentrate on the effects of the water intake.

Later, I will describe how much water and when I drink it during the day.

Energy and metabolism levels increased

The strange thing is I found my energy levels had increased with the additional water intake. Usually in the mornings, before I brush my teeth, I would still be in a sleepy state. However, with this “water cure”, I find that after I had drank the 3 cups of water, I would feel very fresh and alert right away…and the energy level remains more or less stable throughout the day.

I read that the stomach can’t distinguish between food and water, and when we drink water, the body’s metabolism mode kicks in and start processing (digesting?) the water. Hence, when we drink water more often during the day in addition to our food intake, this can also increase the metabolic rate of our body. Higher metabolism mean more calories being burned!

My knee joint pains are gone!

I suffer from knee joint pains because I climb stairs a lot every day as I live in a 3-storey house. My knees would creak and hurt a little whenever I have to go up my stairs. I noticed a few days ago that my knee joints no longer creak as much and the pains are totally gone! I read that drinking water can reduce inflammation and pain in joints by keeping the cartilage soft and hydrated.

Read —> 10 Life Changing Reasons To Drink More Water

Here is how I take my water

(1 cup = 250 ml = 8 oz)

1) First thing when I wake up – drink 2 cups of water….wait about 5 minutes, then drink another cup. Sometimes, I can drink up to 4 cups of water. After that, I am not to take any food or any beverage for 45 minutes. I go brush my teeth then.

2) By mid morning,  I will fit in another 2 cups of water….no water at least 1 hour before lunch. 15 minutes after a main meal, no water or other beverages are allowed for 2 hours. This is to ensure that the digestive enzymes in our stomach are not diluted and they can do their job properly in digesting the food that we ate.

3) In the afternoon, I will drink another 3 to 5 cups of water, making sure that there is no water taken 1 hour before a meal and within 15 minutes after a meal.

4) If I drink a cup coffee or tea (they are diuretic in nature), I will add on another cup of water, like in an hour later.

5) In the evening, I reduce my water intake because I don’t want to keep going to the bathroom when I sleep…so, I will take 2 cups earlier on in the evening. During the night, I will have small sips of water.

Getting started on the “Water Cure”
On the first day, people who are not used to drinking water will find it hard to drink it. My husband can’t even drink half a cup of water. He has to start his day drinking coffee.

So, you drink as much water as your stomach can take and then build up the amount over the next few days.

Initially, you will find yourself going to the bathroom to pee very often but after a week or so, your bladder will have been “trained” by your additional water intake and you won’t need to go that often.
During the first few days, your stomach will feel very bloated and the water doesn’t “sit very well” in your stomach.

But not to worry, after a few days, your stomach would have adjusted and in fact, when you drink 3 cups of water, you may feel your body welcoming the water instead!

The only disadvantage I found with this “water cure” so far is that you need to have easy access to a bathroom. So, for those of you who are working, you will have to find a way to fit in your “water drinking and peeing schedule.”

I told my youngest daughter who is overweight that she should wake up 2 hours earlier before going to her first class of the day to accommodate the time to drink the water and for going to the bathroom.

Water is very cheap in my country but considering the great potential it has on our health and weight when we drink lots of it to flush our body system of toxins, this method will cost us only a few cents or pennies each day. So, hope you can give this method a try and see how your body goes in benefitting from the “water cure.”

With best wishes,

choesf

Amazing Japanese Water Cure

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH!

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning.  Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water.

Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal..

After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

According to the Japanese Medical Society, the above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and promote a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:

High Blood Pressure – 30 days
Gastric – 10 days
Diabetes – 30 days
Constipation – 10 days
Cancer – 180 days
TB – 90 days
Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

The Japanese Medical Society recommends making this procedure an ongoing and routine part of our daily life.

They say: “Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active!”

This makes sense … the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating! Nothing to lose, everything to gain…

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this “sludge” reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

— Reported by a Japanese Medical Society

240 Capsules of Double Strength/630 mg Omega-3 Fatty Acids with a bottle of 60 capsules 100mg CoEnzymeQ10 FREE! Only US$29-97 or RM97-43 for both bottles! Use Gift Coupon Code MLL655 for US$10 off purchases exceeding US$40 for first time buyers!

Hi there, dear friends :D

More than a year ago, I wrote here about being “Admitted Into Hospital For Irregular Heartbeats/Arrhythmia” – my heart was beating uncontrollably and I was having difficulty breathing. A check by my family doctor revealed that I was having a ventricular fibrillation and I was admitted into the hospital for further checks. Unfortunately, my cardiologist didn’t find out anything wrong with me and in the end, I concluded that my heart was acting up as a symptom of perimenopause. 

I had tried many natural remedies (Motherwort Tea, Dong Quai, Hawthorn Tincture, etc) and although they do regularise my heart somewhat, after a month or two, my heart would go back to its own irregular dance, sometimes keeping me up at night and increasing my blood pressure. 

It was not until I started taking Double Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil and CoEnzymeQ10 in October last year that I noticed recently that I haven’t had any heart palpitations or  arrhythmia in a long, long time. How wonderful! 

I was originally taking those two health supplements for general good health and for improving my energy levels.. In the process of researching more information on their health benefits in the Internet, I found out that they are very good for cardiovascular health :idea: 

Here are some interesting links with additional information on Omega-3 Fish Oil and CoEnzymeQ10 –  you can also do your own investigating in the Internet for additional answers :wink: ===>

Daily Dose – Omega-3 by Dr. Oz

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha Linolenic Acid 

61 Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The Multiple Health Benefits of CoEnzymeQ10

More Support for CoQ10′s Benefits for Heart Healths

How to look at Omega-3 Fatty Acids content in Fish Oil capsules

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are considered fatty acids that are essential for human health, but our body can’t make them. We have to get them through food like salmon, halibut, tuna, krill, some plant and nut oils, or from fish oil health supplements.

When you buy fish oil supplements, look at the list of ingredients and refer to the DHA and EPA content. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are mainly the DHA and EPA, which stand for docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid .  

A typical level is 12% DHA and 18% EPA a fish oil capsule oil content. Therefore, “double strength” Omega 3 Fish Oil refers to double the typical DHA and EPA content in each capsule, i.e. usually 24% DHA and 36% EPA. 

So, when you are buying Fish Oil supplements, be sure to look at the EPA/DHA content and compare prices accordingly. So far, I have been buying my Double Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements from this online store from the United States because I also get a bottle of CoEnzymeQ10 for FREE! 

If I were to purchase the Omega-3 Fish Oil and CoEnzymeQ10 here in Malaysia, they will cost me at least RM300 (US$100) but I am only paying a fraction of the cost if I buy them online (if you are a first time buyer there, you can use Gift Coupon Code MLL655 to get US$10 off purchases exceeding US$40, US$5 off purchases less than US$40). 

Here is a picture of other products that I had purchased from that reputable health supplement store :-

I got all these wonderful products for  a total cost of only US$138, which was inclusive of DHL Courier charges of US$12 and my order took only 3 days to arrive in Malaysia from USA

With best wishes for good health,

choesf :D 

Mothers Day 
A Mother loves right from the start.
She holds her baby close to her heart.
The bond that grows will never falter.
Her love is so strong it will never alter.
A Mother gives never ending Love.
She never feels that she has given enough.
For you she will always do her best.
Constantly working, there’s no time to rest.
A Mother is there when things go wrong.
A hug and a kiss to help us along.
Always there when we need her near.
Gently wipes our eyes when we shed a tear.
So on this day shower your Mother with Love.
Gifts and presents are nice but that is not enough.
Give your Mother a day to have some peace of mind.
Be gentle, be good, be helpful, be kind.
Happy Mothers Day. 
Carol Matthews 

A bowl of hot, delicious pumpkin barley sweet soup

Hi there, dear friends :D

I first tasted this very delicious pumpkin barley dessert (aka sweet soup or “Tong Sui” in Cantonese) at my lady healer friend’s place two years ago. In addition to its great taste, this dessert is also very nutritional to us and packs a lot of health benefits!

My children love the pumpkin barley tong sui and I would usually make a large pot of it. We would have our first bowl piping hot. Then when the remaining tong sui has cooled, I would store the whole pot in the refrigerator and the tong sui is consumed cold over the next few days (3 days is the maximum). The iced, cold version tastes even better in the hot, hazy weather that we are experiencing in Malaysia now.

Here are the health benefits of the various ingredients used in the yummy Pumpkin Barley Tong Sui (the easy to follow recipe will come after that)  :-

1) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the whole pumpkin from skin to flesh to seeds have a lot of nutritional and healing functions – it is actually known as Nature’s nutritional powerhouse! Pumpkins have potent alpha-hydroxy acids that get our skin glowing, carotenoids that help us fight disease, and are rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin C to keep us looking young with lesser wrinkles. Here are some informative links :idea: -

TCM – Surprising Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin Could Hold Key To Diabetes Treatment

2) Barley is a superb source of dietary fibre and in TCM, it is known as a cooling ingredient to counter body heatiness (symptoms like sore gums, headaches, sore throats). It promotes diuresis, strengthens the spleen, benefits the gallbladder and good for detoxifying.

Barley, Ask  Dr. Mao

Barley Water Is Healing & Nutritious 

3) Pandan leaves grow easily and abundantly in many homes in the tropical countries here is South East Asia. I love the aroma of pandan leaves and I use it quite often in making sweet soups/tong sui. Surprisingly, the common pandan leaves also have a lot of medicinal benefits such as being anti-inflammatory in nature, as a pain killer and even as a remedy of hangover according to the link below :-

Herbal Medicine – Pandan (Pandanus Tectorius)

Recipe for Pumpkin Barley Sweet Soup/Tong Sui (serves 20?)

There is no fixed amount for each of the ingredients used, you can vary their amounts to suit the taste buds of your family members :wink: ….

5 cups pumpkin flesh, cut roughly into half inch chunks (I found that imported Japanese pumpkin tastes the best)

1.5 cups or 2 packets Swallow brand barley; 1/2 cup sago and 15 to 20 Pandan Leaves

1 packet Brown Sugar Bars or “Peen Tong” (you can use rock sugar or stevia, too). Adjust the sugar amount to suit your taste buds. 

The SURPRISE ingredient ===> yes, Coffeemate, the non-dairy creamer! About 2 cups is needed, depending on how creamy you want your tong sui to be.

Method -

1) in a large pot – bring 4 to 5 litres of water to boil (I gave an approximation of water to be used because the amount of water will determine how thick the the consistency of the sweet soup to be.  You can add on more water later. Note – the sweet soup will thicken up more when it has been refrigerated (just add a few ice cubes into your bowl of tong sui when you eat it). 

2) put in the pandan leaves and barley and boil over a medium fire (leave the pot uncovered to prevent overspill)  on the stove for about 40 minutes. The longer you boil the barley, the softer its texture. If you are short of time, 30 minutes will do, too.

3) add in the pumpkin and sago, and boil for another 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the sago from sticking. The sago is to give the sweet soup a “smoother” texture. 

4) if you think your sweet soup is too thick, you can add a little more water and bring it to a boil again. 

5) add in the sugar, enough to suit your taste.

6) add in the Coffeemate and stir until it has dissolved thoroughly.

7) switch off the fire and your yummy sweet soup is ready for serving! 

A cold bowl of Pumpkin Barley Tong Sui, with some ice cubes added! Great for a hot day!

There you have it – a refreshing, delicious, guilt-free dessert that you can eat lots of and know you are improving your health with it at the same time! :D 

This is one way of making sure your children are having some “cooling” foods in this hot, tropical weather and it is something “medicinal” in nature that they actually enjoy eating! 

With best wishes,

choesf :D 

Hi there, dear friends! :D

Yesterday, I was testing out blogging from my new iPhone and when I hit the “Publish” button, only the photos remained of this post – all narration was gone! LOL!  So, here is the update :idea: ===> 

This is a very classic, traditional Chinese sweet soup or dessert that uses the Green Mung Bean. It is not as popular as the other Chinese sweet soups (Tong Sui in Cantonese) but I do make it now and then as an easy method for countering body heatiness and for detoxification. 

A few years ago, a friend taught me an effective remedy for reducing high viral fever – take a handful of green mung beans and boil in 2 cups of water for about 15 minutes. Add half a teaspoon of salt and drink when cooled. The cooling property of the bean is magnified this way.

When I told an elderly aunt about this fever reducing remedy, she said when she was a young girl around 50 years ago, women would drink lots of this salted green mung bean water to prevent pregnancies whenever they had missed their period or their menses were late. 

It is such an easy dessert to make and it only takes 30 minutes maximum from preparation to serving time….so, it is a really simple natural health remedy that we actually enjoy tasting. 

All you need are just 2 cups of green mung beans to be boiled with 3 to 4 litres of water in a pot over medium heat for 20 minutes. Add sugar to taste, and the Tong Sui is ready to be serve. You can just drink the liquid or eat the beans for double potency for the medicinal properties. 

The pandan leaves in the picture above are optional as I had added them for their anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties, and my sweet soup above is a bit brownish because I had used brown sugar. Diabetics can leave out the sugar or use stevia in place of sugar.

What are the health benefits of consuming the Green Mung Bean Sweet Soup? 

1) It is good for dispelling heatiness in our body. Symptoms of a heaty body are fever without any sore throats, headaches, gum pains, sore or dry throats, restless sleep.

2) It is effective for removing our body of toxins.

3) When taken regularly, it can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol for us. 

4) People with acne problems can also take this sweet soup to clear up their facial complexion. 

Some good informative links ===>

Using The Tiny Green Bean

Mung Beans Can Clear Body Heat, Toxins and Acne

There you have it – the “often taken for granted” Green Mung Bean Tong Sui that actually packs a lot of medicinal value for us! A really easy, cheap, quick and effective Chinese natural health remedy! 

With best wishes for good health,

choesf :D 

A glass of refreshing fresh coconut water with pulp

Hi there, dear friends :) 

For the past one week, I had the type of heatiness known as “fire” heatiness (known in Cantonese as “for” for fire), usually caused from restless sleep or late in sleeping at night. This “fire” heatiness can be quite tricky to get rid of and the often recommended remedy from Chinese Medicine Shops would be to boil some ginseng root tea (“yeong sum soe” or “pow sum soe”). I was suffering from knee joint pains, increased heart rate, neck pains and a general feeling of restlessness, conditions that can be brought on by body heatiness. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are many types of “heatiness” that can occur in one’s body (I won’t go into their complicated descriptions) and without consulting a Chinese Physician to determine the state of yin-yang of one’s body, it can be difficult to treat to treat heatiness on our own with the various Chinese cooling drinks. 

This morning, I was having brunch at a Mamak (Indian Muslim) restaurant restaurant with my husband when I noticed they have fresh green coconuts lined up at their drinks counter. Then it hit me! I could have kicked myself for forgetting the oldest remedy and most yummy remedy for body heatiness according to TCM ===> FRESH YOUNG COCONUT WATER! 

Young, green coconuts

I quickly ordered a whole coconut to drink its water and an hour later, ah…I could almost hear my body sighing in relief – the heaviness and sluggishness that I had felt coursing through my body the past week, the knee joint pains, neck pains, etc…have mostly gone and I feel re-vitalised after drinking the coconut water! 

At home, I did a Google search on the “Health Benefits of Coconut Water” and got 11.6 million results. There is so much information on the goodness of coconut water from the Internet that if you have gone through some of the information, you would be tempted to run out and get some coconut water for yourself! 

Whilst some people have told me that only fresh, unchilled coconut water works the best, I think that the commercially packed and chilled or non-chilled coconut water sold in supermarkets and stores will work as well to some extent. But basically, the fresher the coconut water, the better is the belief.  Once exposed to air and heat, the coconut water rapidly ferments and loses its nutritional value. But then, I have heard of coconut water being fermented to make kefir, which is really good for body aches and joint pains. 

Below are a few of the health benefits of coconut water from the TCM, Malay Traditional and Aryuveda  perspectives  -

1) I had always known that coconut water is good for us but I didn’t know exactly for what until recently, when my lady healer friend told me coconut water has good enzymes that are good for digestive health. If our digestion is not too good, go drink some coconut water (preferably not cold, so as not to shock our stomach which is acting up). 

2) coconut water has “yin” or cool properties and will address a host of heatiness problems that we have. Not only in TCM, but the Indian, Malay, Thai and Indonesian cultures also believe is having coconut water regularly to counter headaches/migraines, gum pains, sore throats and dry coughs. 

3) in the pilot study done below, the “cold” attribute of the coconut water was found to reduce Capillary Red Blood Cell Velocity (increased heartrate?) and reduce skin temperature 

Effects of Hot & Cold Foods on Heart Rate Variability and Nail Fold Microcirculation

In another article – coconut water tonifies the yin and enters the heart…

4) in Traditinal Malay medicine, the coconut water is used to counter poisons and therefore, it is believed that we should not drink coconut water right away after consuming medicines to avoid neutralising the effects of the medication in our body. When one has fever or food poisoning, coconut water is drank as a remedy. 

5) The Jamaicans use coconut water as a heart tonic. 

Other health benefits of the coconut water are :-

*  it is good for digestive and urinary health

* it regulates blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol

* dubbed “Nature’s Gatorade”, it is better than a sports drink and causes less nausea, fullness and stomach upset than a sports drink

Since we have an abundance of young and fresh coconuts in this region of the world, it is good to get a drink of fresh coconut water whenever you see some being sold at the farmers’ or night markets, or in Malay and Indian eateries. 

With best wishes for good health,

choesf  :) 

 Warning!  Avoid coconut water if you are on a low potassium diet!

Nutrex Pure Hawaiian Spirulina 500mg 400 capsules, which I bought for only US$23 or RM73 from iherb (use Coupon Code MLL655 to get US$10 off purchases exceeding US$40 for first time customers)

Hi there, dear friends :D

I first heard about Spirulina back in the 90’s but never really looked into its health benefits until recently – my eldest son was found to have a low red blood cell count during a blood test to find out if he was suffering from dengue fever. No wonder he seemed tired most of the time and I thought he was not having enough sleep from playing too much online games! LOL! 

One of the things that popped up first during a search in the Internet for natural remedies for low red blood cell count was Spirulina. Fascinated that such a simple blue-green algae based Spirulina tablet can be Nature’s amazing Superfood, I decided to get a bottle of Pure Hawaiian Spirulina from my favourite online health supplement store. 

My family took 6 tablets of Nutrex Spirulina daily, while we stopped taking other multivitamins and health supplements to observe how the Spirulina could benefit us. We have been taking Spirulina for almost a month now and what prompted me to write about it here was seeing how my eldest son is consistently taking his Spirulina in the morning daily by his own accord before attending his classes.

He is the type who has difficulty swallowing any capsules or large tablets of medicine or health supplements, and he would often make a face whenever he has to take them. I actually have to prepare his supplements every morning and make sure he takes them in the morning. LOL!  

But one morning, I saw him looking for the bottle of Nutrex Spirulina and taking his 6 tablets all by himself. Surprised, I asked him how come he remembers to take them. He replied that the Spirulina gave him strength and energy without having to drink coffee. 

Other than being a natural source of energy, Spirulina has a range of health benefits :-

1) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Spirulina can help tonify liver blood 

2) it is a micro algae that is extremely rich in beta-carotene (30 times of carrots’), iron, proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements – a good nutrient source for the malnourished, athletes, and a good protein source for vegans

3) it is high in anti-oxidants and good for anti-aging

4) as mentioned above, it is good for treating anemia 

5) it restores energy and vitality 

6) it stimulates our immunity system and and reinforces the defences of our immune system

7) it helps to relieve cramps. Since I started taking Spirulina, I no longer experience electrifying cramps in my toes that I used to have frequently when I walked or squatted 

….. and the list of benefits goes on and on. The following links have good information on the goodness of Spirulina :-

Spirulina – by Mr. Ginseng

The Health Benefits of Spirulina – by Everyday Health

9 Powerful Benefits of Spirulina - by Skinny With Fiber

The History & Health Benefits of Spirulina – by Natural News

In Malaysia, Spirulina can be quite expensive. For example, a bottle of 150 tablets of 200mg Spirulina can cost RM150 (around US$50)….compare that to the Nutrex Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica that I bought for US$23 or RM73 only for a bigger bottle of 400 tablets of 500mg Spirulina, which is also Non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms), grown in a Bio-Secure Zone, free of pesticides, herbicides, gluten and lactose – suitable for vegans. 

(Please note that I am not being paid by Nutrex nor the health supplement store to promote the goodness of their Spirulina. )

With best wishes,

choesf :D 

(Source – Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Method)

Hi there, dear friends :D

I got such great relief just now from my chronic lower backache from doing this super simple Lajin self-stretching method for the first time, that I couldn’t wait to share this technique with you! It looks unassuming and simple but it really packs some healing power! 

For months, I have this on-off lower backache that got better when I went for Thai massages,  but the pain would be back whenever I do heavy lifting or mop the floor. Previously, I would go to my lady healer friend for deep massages to get rid of my backaches but since she passed away early this year, I never got 100% better relief from my backaches…..until today, when I tried the Lajin method!

Wow, I am now pain free from my back sprain and I could even carry out a major decluttering of my kitchen and clean up my house today. I had to bend this way and that way but my lower back was still pain-free! Previously, I couldn’t bend over much and even washing dishes at the sink was a torture for me!  

I am so glad that my eldest nephew from Singapore introduced me to this technique of self healing last week! .Lajin was originally taught by Xiao Hongchi from China. You will be amazed at how simple the stretching technique is and yet it is a powerful healing technique! Although it seems like just some simple stretching, the stretching poses actually activate certain meridian points and clear those that are blocked. :D 

After I had completed my Lajin stretching exercise in 10 minutes, I was able to walk properly again. I even tested bending at my waist in every imaginable situation to see if my lower backache comes back – it didn’t and I am still pain free now. My nephew said his chronic back pains and other pains have been gone for months now after doing this Lajin exercise twice only! :D 

The word, Lajin, means “Stretching or Pulling of Ligaments/Tendons” in Mandarin. Actually, Lajin can heal a lot of illnesses but for now, I will only write about it for back pains. I will try it out further and write more on it later. Right now, I am convinced that this is really one of the greatest beneficial stretching exercises I have ever experienced in my whole life!

If you want relief from back pains, do give this Lajin stretching a try – it is free and you can do it  conveniently at any time at home. You certainly have nothing to lose….but a lot to gain from the Lajin stretch. 

 All you need are just ===> 

1) 2 to 3 sturdy chairs,  or 1 sturdy wooden coffee table

2) a minimum of 10 minutes of your time (the longer you do this, the more effective it will be)

3) a wall 

I didn’t have any sturdy chairs nor table, but what I did was I lied down on the floor right at the top of my stairs and stretch upright either of my legs against the stair balustrade, with the other leg hanging down the stairs. LOL! But it worked for me, too, in that position! 

Source – Paida & Lajin Self-Healing Method

Method -

1) While lying flat, place one leg upright against the wall. It is best if the leg is completely straight – if you find it difficult, slowly ease your leg into position. For me, I felt a little bearable pain on the inner thigh but you try your best and see how far your leg can go. This leg is at a 90 degrees angle from your body. You can also have a partner help hold your leg straight for you. 

2) Pull your 2 arms over your head and shoulders straight. If you can’t do that completely, relax your body and slowly let your arms go flat down. 

3) Place the other leg down as far as you can, making it also at a 90 degree angle from your body, but with your lower leg dangling towards the floor. If your leg can’t go down that much, slowly push your leg down. Some people even put a little weight around their ankle to help the leg go down further.

4) Stay in this position for a minimum of 5 minutes. 

5) Then switch to the other leg and repeat steps 1 to 3 above. 

At the end of the session, get up slowly and see if you really got any relief from your back pains from that simple Lajin stretch! 

For more detailed information on this Lajin stretch, you can visit -

Paida & Lajin Self-Healing website 

Paida & Lajin Self-Healing by Xiao Hongchi (PDF version)

It is also mentioned at the website above that the amazing beneficial health effects of doing Lajin in the above position are :-

1. This position smoothens Qi flow throughout your body, which helps alleviate pain, discharge poisonous wastes, and enhance immunity and sexual potency.

2. This position produces a shocking effect against back and leg pains, knee pain, painful menstruation and headache.

3. This position is effective against chronic diseases like hypertension, cardiac diseases, diabetes, prostatitis, piles and constipation.

4. This position cures insomnia, reduces body weight and speckles, and develops fine body linage.

5. These abovementioned effects summarize the personal experience of readers and friends who have benefited from this self-healing technique. It is also effective against various other diseases.

Oh, one more thing, as in any exercises, do this stretch at least 2 hours after a main meal, or 1 hour before the meal! 

If you find that this Lajin stretch works for your back sprains, too – do teach your friends and relatives and spread this technique around! After all, it is free and convenient to do and you will save money from visits to the doctor or chiropractor, and from buying medication.

Most importantly, this technique will give you back your freedom from back pain and you can regain your previous active lifestyle! 

With best wishes for good health,

choesf :D 

P.S. There is another variation of this Lajin stretch that can help one to slim down and lose weight and  I am having my overweight daughter try that out – I will post here her feedback later. 

Pandan and Centella Asiatica Leaves for adding into the automatic rice cooker

Hi there, dear friends :D

I usually cook my rice plain to go with one soup, two meat and one veggie dishes for a meal. The only time when my rice got all jazzed up was when I cooked Nasi Lemak, i.e. rice that is cooked in coconut milk and with aromatics like pandan leaves, lemon grass, shallots and ginger thrown in and some salt added. 

Yummy Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice) with all the sides

I was first introduced to the method of adding herbs for cooking together with rice when Master atan said the healthy benefits of herbs can be infused into the rice and the whole family will be eating healthier rice, compared to just plain, white rice.

A few months back, my foot reflexologist,  a healthy 70-year old man, also taught me to add pandan leaves when cooking rice as a natural remedy for knee joint pains. Not only will the rice smell great from the pandan leaves, but it  will also have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. 

In 2010, I had written about the wonderful health benefits of Centella Asiatica/Gotu Kola, which is also known as “The Elixir of Youth,” “The One-Herb Pharmacy” and is good for enhancing memory ===>

Daun Pegaga/Gotu Kola/Centella Asiatica – The Elixir of Youth

So, with the Daun Pegaga added to the rice, there are even more health benefits to be enjoyed with the rice!

Recently, I found a cute, little stainless steel container that has a lid and I was able to cook white rice separately in it at the same time in the same rice cooker. My husband and eldest son absolutely refused to eat brown rice with the rest of the family.  

White rice in a little container, cooked together with the brown/red rice

The pandan leaves also help to make the brown rice more fragrant. Actually, pandan leaves are also known as the “Vanilla of the East.” 

Oh, I usually soak my brown/red rice with a little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and water for a few hours first. Then, I will pour away the water, give the rice a few rinses and add sufficient water to cook the rice with pandan leaves and daun pegaga.  

Soaking the brown rice helps to reduce phytic acid, which is an anti-nutrient, and soaking beforehand  makes the brown rice taste better like white rice, but much healthier than white rice. 

To know how much water is enough for the white and brown rice ===>  just dip your index finger into the water until it reaches the top of the rice. The level of water should reach the first line from the tip of our index finger.

Next time, I will make my brown rice more “interesting” by adding black beans, barley, etc….

Now, you can cook healthy rice for your family! <3

Take care and stay healthy! 

With best wishes,

choesf  :)

I stuck the red tube into place with a little Dunlop rubber glue 

Hi there, dear friends :D 

I use WD40 frequently at home to lubricate my auto-gate hinges, door and window hinges, padlocks, door knobs, drawer rollers, etc…but I always hate it whenever the thin red tube falls off in the middle of the spraying job and it can get difficult to stick the oily tube back into its place !  **rolling eyes**

…or whenever I need the WD40, I can’t find the tiny, red tube anywhere nearby! 

So, I tried tying the tube to the canister with a rubber band so that I don’t lose it…but over time, the rubber band would get warped and break, and the tube would drop off somewhere…again.

I also tried taping the tube, but because the tube gets oily over time, it wouldn’t stay glued …and off it goes missing…… again! 

..and then there are those times when the spray can tube was bent awkwardly into some little nook and cranny to lubricate some hard to reach areas…the tube fell off and I couldn’t retrieve it! Aaarrghh !!

So….. 

One day, a little  light bulb went off in my head and I got an idea to use a little Dunlop glue to stick the red tube firmly in place with the nozzle.  Ah, you should see see me beaming with pride and happiness then … I immediately went all over the house to spray WD40 onto any hinges I could see to test if the spray tube would hold properly in place and that the lubricant could be sprayed out with ease ===> yes, that glue certainly did the trick! Eureka! 

Oh, I have also bought before a can of WD40 that came with a permanent nozzle spray tube that won’t ever go missing but it was too expensive – almost double the price of a conventional canister of WD40 with a separate spray tube. 

So, now I am worry-free, knowing that I will never ever lose my WD40 red tube again! LOL! 

With best wishes,

choesf :D