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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness

 

 

Mini Blueberry Cheesecake (No-Bake) (recipe adapted from OhMyGrocer)


Yay! I made these no-bake mini blueberry cheesecakes. Ingredients were bought from OhMyGrocer, a food and recipe grocer who sends fresh ingredients with amazing recipes designed by established chefs. Sounds cool, so I gave it a try.


The ingredients, packed individually, were delivered to my doorstep in a cooler box.


There was a recipe card as well. The recipe mentioned 6-8 servings but didn't specify the size of the cake tin. So, I used a 12-hole mini cake tin with removable bases.

Ingredients:

9 pieces cream crackers
65g butter
250g cream cheese
54g sugar
1/2 lemon
170g whipping cream
8g gelatin powder
80g blueberry filling

How to:
(Slightly adapted from OhMyGrocer's recipe card)

1. Melt butter and set aside. Put cream crackers into a plastic bag and crush to fine crumbs with a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs into a mixing bowl and pour in the melted butter. Combine the mixture until moist crumbs form.


2. Spoon the moist crumbs into the 12-hole cake tin with removable bases. Press down firmly with your fingers to cover each base. Chill in fridge for 45 minutes.


3. Whisk chilled whipping cream until soft peak. Set aside.

4. Sprinkle and soak gelatin powder evenly in a bowl of 24ml water to allow blooming. Sit the bowl in a pan of boiling water, stir until gelatin dissolves and becomes transparent. Set aside, keep warm.

5. In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy with a mixer. Add lemon zest and juice, beat until combined.

6. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture and mix well. Scoop about 3 spoons of cream mixture into the warm gelatin, stir evenly, and return it back into the bowl of cheese mixture. Stir and blend well.

7. Pour in blueberry filling into cheese mixture. Swirl gently with a rubber spatula.

8. Scoop cheese and blueberries mixture into the cooled crackers base. Chill the mini cheesecakes for 4-6 hours before serving.


9. Serve with fresh blueberries and drizzle with honey.



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Blossoms Cloth Pantiliners ByWiwin


Introducing cloth pantiliners

 What are these pretty little cloth thingies? These are called cloth pantiliners. The ones shown in the photo above are Blossoms Pantiliners made by local mommypreneur, ByWiwin.

I have 10 of these Blossoms Pantiliners and I absolutely LOVE them! I have been using them for the past three months or so. These super lightweight microfleece pantiliners are backed with pretty cotton flannel fabric and one-snap-button adjustment. I really like the matching colors of the cotton flannel (top photo), microfleece (bottom photo), and snap buttons.

The side that touches your private part is the cotton flannel side. The cotton flannel print is so pretty and I just love to take my time to choose which one I want to wear every morning.


These pantiliners are good enough to keep me feeling dry and protect my undies from vaginal discharge stains. I used them daily during the third trimester of my pregnancy. My lochia stopped three weeks postpartum so I've since resumed using these pantiliners daily.

They are pretty easy to wash and dry too because they are thin and microfleece dries very fast. The cotton flannel takes a tad longer to dry but as long as there's sun/air, they dry up well.

When my period resumes (I'm now six weeks postpartum and breastfeeding so no period yet), I will buy her cloth pads. :)

How to fold cloth pantiliners
 

This is one way to fold used (also unused) Blossoms pantiliners.


Find out how to fold them from the quick video below:


Why cloth pantiliners?

For health reasons of course! Disposable pantiliners are typically made with a combination of plastics, cotton, synthetic fibers (e.g. rayon), and wood pulp. Harmful chemical byproduct known as dioxin is found in disposable pantiliners and pads. Long-term usage of disposables causes side effects such as allergic reactions (rashes), hormone disruption, and women problem such as endometriosis (severe period pain). Oh my goodness!

Other reasons include: save money, save environment, support local makers, and I like this last reason: they are oh-so-pretty! Read more on this helpful article: 7 powerful reasons why you should switch to reusable menstrual products


More photos on my Instagram




How to buy?


Have fun!
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Comparing notes of my two pregnancies & births


Year
#1 - 2013
#2 - 2016

My age
#1 - 33
#2 - 36

Morning sickness
#1 - None, only mild nausea in the first month
#2 - Basically none, except nausea and vomited after dinner (3-4 times) throughout first trimester

Cravings
#1 - Butter, pasta, bread, basically Western food
#2 - Spicy food especially those cooked with cili padi, petai, masak lemak. Also tea (with evaporated milk) in the third trimester

Total weight gain
#1 - 10kg
#2 - 12kg

Baby's gender
#1 - Boy
#2 - Boy

Total gestational weeks
#1 - 38 weeks + 5 days
#2 - 38 weeks + 2 days

Complications
#1 - None, smooth-sailing, very textbook, no major hiccups except for rather bad pelvic girdle pain from 37 weeks till gave birth

#2 - Drama-rama this whole pregnancy I tell you! There was spotting past implantation window, then at 5 weeks, 19/20 weeks, 24/25 weeks, 31/32 weeks (diagnosed minor antepartum hemorrhage), and 35 weeks. I went to the labor ward to get CTG done in order to monitor baby's heartbeat and movement at 31/32 and 35 weeks in case of preterm labor. I was hospitalized and given the dexamethasone jabs at 32 weeks.

I also had one blackout episode (mid third trimester) possibly due to hyperglycemia. Glucose was detected in urine at 26 weeks but luckily no GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) after blood test was done at 28 weeks.

Hours in labor (started counting from intermittent mild surges of every 10-12 minutes)
#1 - 15 hours
#2 - 6 hours

Day & time of birth
#1 - Weekday, late morning
#2 - Weekday, early afternoon 

Hospital
#1 - Tropicana Medical Center
#2 - Pantai Bangsar (KL)

Labor ward experience

#1 - Unpleasant but bearable. The midwife was rather rude as far as I could remember and she treated me as an invalid. She insisted that I wore the hospital gown (okay fine, I gave in) and displeasure was written all over her face when I mentioned about my birth plan (I was a hypnobirthing mom). The nurses panicked and they weren't really clear about what to do after my baby torpedo-ed out without the ob/gyn in the labor room. Baby had to be weighed and jabbed in another room. I asked the hospital to throw my placenta away (I regretted this till now).

One good thing: I was allowed skin-to-skin and to room in with my baby the whole time and breastfeeding was encouraged till I was discharged the next day.

#2 - Very pleasant and I was very satisfied. The ob/gyn, midwife, and nurses were familiar with hypnobirthing, so my birth plan (approved by ob/gyn) was followed through. I could wear my own gown (I brought a dress pyjamas with button-down front). This time, my baby didn't fly out, so I managed to experience bearing down sensations and the infamous ring of fire. Baby was weighed in the same room and jabs were delayed till the next morning. The nurse packed my placenta nicely as requested. Roomed in and breastfed my baby till I was discharged the next day. Read my birth story.

Perineal tear
#1 - Second degree tear, was stitched but I wasn't taught how to clean the wound properly except doing sitz bath. The wound was infected and it took up to a month to heal completely. This caused so much inconvenience because I was in pain and much discomfort. Stress! Read about my postpartum experience in the first four weeks.

#2 - Superficial tear, was stitched. The postnatal ward nurses taught me how to clean the wound. I was also put on a 7-day antibiotics course. Apart from using antiseptic solution, I also spray with bottom spray mist to hasten healing. Complete healing within 10 days! Read about my postpartum essentials.

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Ning Salmah Minyak Tenang Anakanda (Calming Baby Oil)


I bought this Ning Salmah Minyak Tenang Anakanda (Calming Baby Oil) from Babydash when my one-month young baby was gassy and didn't sleep well due to snotty nose. I don't want to use yuyi oil on him so I've been looking for an alternative oil/natural remedy. So, Minyak Tenang Anakanda fits the bill perfectly.

Minyak Tenang Anakanda is specially formulated with selected herbs and flowers with secret ingredients from five generations that help to release trapped gas, reduce phlegm due to cold, and give babies better quality sleep.

This is exactly what I need urgently and it's truly effective! I use it on my baby twice a day, i.e. after his morning bath and late evening after wiping him down.


This is the external packaging, a sturdy round container with beautiful print and colors.


Born in the 1890s, Ning Salmah, a believer of natural healing, conjures up the best family remedies influenced by her Arabian and Malay Royalty parentage. The love for aromatic natural ingredients inspires her to create the best combination of organic products that can be used for any minor ailments and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The legacy of Ning Salmah reflects the passion for natural healing products (The Secret of 5 Generations).


How to use:

Apply a few drops of oil onto baby's body, stomach, and foot. Gently rub thoroughly. Can be used as massage oil after bath.

How to massage baby:

 

Ingredients:

Eucalyptus Oil (Minyak Kayu Putih) - Helps to reduce phlegm due to cold, and has antiseptic, analgesic, and expectorant properties

Nutmeg Oil (Minyak Buah Pala) - Helps digestion, avoids constipation, and reduces wind/bloating due to trapped gas

Clove Oil (Minyak Cengkih) - Helps blood circulation, keeps the baby's body warm and reduces skin problem

Peppermint Oil (Minyak Daun Pudina) - Has a soothing smell that improves focus

Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint Oil and Clove Oil are also active ingredients that function as insect / mosquito repellent.


It's currently sold at RM53 for 100ml on Babydash.


Note: This is not a sponsored post.


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My Postpartum Essentials


For mama

#1 - Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray

This cooling and soothing perineal mist helps ease discomfort of postpartum vaginal tissues soreness and swelling, episiotomies, and hemorrhoids.

Its all-natural ingredients include astringent witch hazel, antibacterial lavender, and cooling peppermint pure essential oils.

The spray bottle comes with a clever inverted sprayer so we can easily spray its cooling mist upside down onto our private area as often as needed, especially after urination and bathing.

My verdict: Thank God for this spray! I had superficial tear when I was giving birth and it was stitched up for quick healing. Pee stream stung the wound, so apart from a quick wash down with cool tap water after peeing, I would use this spray generously.

#2 - Dermacyn Wound Care Solution

This is a super-oxidized solution intended for use in the debridement, irrigation, and moistening of acute and chronic wounds, ulcers, cuts, abrasions and burns. Through reducing the microbial load and assisting in creating a moist environment, it enables the body to perform its own healing process.

My verdict: The nurses at Pantai Hospital KL taught me how to use antiseptic solution and cotton balls to clean the stitches at my bottom. I did this diligently twice a day and the wound was completely healed within 10 days!

#3 - Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter

This is a rich, all-natural, plant-based balm made with certified organic oil infused with healing herbs such as calendula, cocoa butter, shea butter, and mango butter. This luscious nipple butter blend helps protect and moisturise our nipples in order to prevent them from becoming sore and cracked during breastfeeding.

Safe for baby, it can be applied whenever needed and after each feeding without the need to wash it off before the next nursing session.

My verdict: I had milk blister (one white spot on my nipple) on day 6. With repeated application of this nipple butter and round-the-clock latching by both my toddler and newborn, the blister was gone!

#4 - Buds Cherished Organics Breast Massage Oil

This massage oil helps us breastfeeding mothers stay calm and relaxed and promotes lactation, making breastfeeding easier.

  • Organic Sweet Fennel Oil to promote lactation
  • Organic Inca Inchi Oil which is high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) to rebuild and maintain protective lipid barrier
  • Organic Rosemary Oil, a potent antioxidant to strengthen and protect the tender skin on the breasts
  • Organic Lavender Oil to calm, relax, and soothe
  • Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Olive Oil & Organic Jojoba Oil to nourish and moisturize

My verdict: I used this massage oil during the first week to help with letdown, thus I didn't really have "stone breast" when milk kicked in on the third day. In fact, baby already started passing seedy mustard yellow breast milk poop from the third day.

#5 - Young Living Gentle Baby Essential Oil

This is a gentle, soothing blend of 10 therapeutic grade pure essential oils designed for mothers and babies. It has an aroma that invites a sense of calming for mothers and children.

  • Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed oil
  • Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) flower oil
  • Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) oil
  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil
  • Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) flower oil
  • Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) flower oil
  • Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia) peel oil (Furocoumarin-free)
  • Lemon (Citrus limon) peel oil
  • Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) oil
  • Rose (Rosa damascena) flower oil

My verdict: I used this oil when I had throbbing headache due to heat and dehydration.

For baby

#6 - Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel

This is a mild cleanser perfect for newborns. It gently cleanses newborn skin and scalp with vitamin B5, which helps soothe irritation, and super-fatted agents (derived from coconut) to compensate for the drying effect of tap water. It's formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reaction. It's very gentle, effective, and has a great smell!

My verdict: I love it! Baby smells really clean and great but without strong fragrance like from those cheapo body washes.

#7 - Four Cow Farm Nappy Cream

This is a light and ideal easy-to-use cream for daily use during diaper change. As an effective soothing barrier cream, it combines anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil, moisturizing and safe-guarding actions of Sunflower Seed Oil, nourishing, strengthening, antioxidants benefits of Soy Lecithin, and protective qualities of Zinc Oxide.

My verdict: Baby poops a few times a day so his little bum is a bit red from time to time. After applying this nappy cream, the redness reduces! Yay!

#8 - Stérimar Baby Nasal Spray

This is a 100 % natural isotonic solution that gently clears and unblocks little noses. It works by clearing impurities from the nose and moisturizing nasal passages for the nose to work better as a first line of defense. This will improve breathing which leads to better feeding and sleeping.

As a low pressure seawater nasal spray, it's safe to use from 0-3 years for congestion and blocked noses when baby gets up in the morning, goes to bed in the evening and before feeding.

My verdict: This is truly a life saver. Baby's little nose is easily congested so this spray helps to thin his nasal mucus before I use the aspirator (no. #9 below) to suck it out.

#9 - NeilMed Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator by Dr. Mehta

This is a must-have item paired with nasal spray to get quick relief for baby's stuffy nose. Its design boasts 2-in-1 functionality whereby it can be used as a bulb or as an effective suction aspirator. It's also easy to clean and features an in-line filter. By using the NeilMed Naspira, nasal mucus can be quickly, safely, and effectively removed.

My verdict: Very easy to use and clean. Best used with nasal spray. Bye bye snotty nose!



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