9 Reasons to Use Epsom Salt

Found an interesting read and its a relatively cheap item (not as costly as all those massage oils and services you have to pay for) and easy to store and use too.

9 Reasons to Use Epsom Salt  
by TheAlternativeDaily.com

Epsom salt is a mineral compound comprised of magnesium and sulfate, and gets its named from a saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England. Epsom salt has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a number of ailments and also has many beauty, gardening and household uses.

Both magnesium and sulfate are readily absorbed into the skin which makes the health benefits readily accessible. Over 325 enzymes in the body are regulated by magnesium which also helps reduce inflammation, alleviates hardening of the arteries and improves muscle and nerve function. Sulfates improve the rate at which nutrients are absorbed and help to flush out toxins.

Here are just a few of the many wonderful benefits of Epsom salts we uncovered:

Ease Stress

If you are stressed, you may be deficient in magnesium and you may have elevated adrenaline. When Epsom salt is dissolved in warm water it is absorbed through the skin and can naturally replenish lost magnesium. This magnesium helps the body produce serotonin, which is a mood elevating chemical in the brain.

Magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP – the energy powerhouse of the cell. Bathing in Epsom saltthree times a week can help increase your energy, improve your mood and reduce the negative impacts of elevated adrenaline. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt in each full bath.

Eliminate Toxins

The sulphates in Epsom salt draw heavy metals and other toxins from cells which can ease muscle pain and improve cellular function. Adding Epsom salt to your bathwater pulls salt out of your body along with harmful toxins. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 10 minutes for detoxification.

Relieve Pain and Cramps in Muscles

If you have sore muscles, migraine headaches or bronchial asthma, you may want to try an Epsom salt bath. It can relieve both pain and inflammation. If you are on your feet all day you may want to soak them in warm Epsom salt. It can also help neutralize foot odor.

For Beauty

Try the following beauty treatments that use Epsom salt:

Exfoliating Facial Cleanser - Mix a small handful of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of coconut oil and rub on your face. Rinse and pat dry.

Blackhead Remover - Add a teaspoon of salt and 3 drops of iodine into half a cup of boiling water. Apply mixture to blackheads using a cotton ball.

Skin Mask - For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 organic egg, 1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk, the juice of one lemon and half a teaspoon of Epsom salt together. Dampen your skin and place the mixture on your face – avoiding the eye area. Allow the mask to harden and set for about ten minutes – rinse and pat dry.

Home and Garden

Use Epsom salt around your home and garden:

Clean Bathroom Tiles - Get those dim and dirty tiles in your bathroom clean by mixing equal parts of Epsom salt with liquid dish detergent. Scrub tiles with the mixture and rinse well.

Fertilize Plants – Plants need nutrients including magnesium and sulfur in order to grow their best. Sprinkling Epsom salt once a week on houseplants, flowers and vegetables will provide them with nutrients they need to thrive.

Greener Grass – Magnesium is necessary for seed germination and is vital for the production of chlorophyll which plants use to change sunlight into food and helps the soil absorb phosphorus and nitrogen.

Sulfur also contributes to chlorophyll production and, as mentioned above, makes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium found in fertilizers more effective. To help your grass be as healthy as it can, apply 3 pounds of Epsom Salts for every 1,250 square feet of lawn using a spreader. You can also dilute it in water and apply with a sprayer.

Enjoy all of these benefits of inexpensive old-school Epsom Salt!

The Gym

Should I or shouldn't I join the gym? I miss the workouts I get in the gym. But I do find it a lil' difficult to juggle the time (hence I stopped a year ago after my office moved and everything else became inconvenient and the extra drive seemed just a waste of time), as nowadays I don't get to send kids earlier, and by the time I set foot in the gym it'll be bit late and I wouldn't get much done.

But...but...the attraction is that the office is subsidizing half of the monthly fees!! It's so attractive. Where else can you get a chain of outlets where you can go to at less than RM100? No way, man! I'm in such a dilemma. And evenings are bad because almost everyday I have to fetch the kids too. Haish. I need a personal driver to chauffeur my kids :)

Dilemma of a first world problem!

Pityriasis Alba

Exotic name. What do you think it is?

:) Actually a skin disorder. Not too serious, but it is a common skin condition affecting children and occasionally young adults. Several round or oval slightly scaly pink patches appear, leaving pale marks when the redness has faded. Easily mistaken as 'panau' where it can happen when your skin/body is hot/sweaty and then you wipe/wash with water.

Took AIR2 to the doctor to get it checked as she had in the beginning one small patch on her cheek (I never saw the red part, only noticed the white) and after a few days, there was another smaller white patch closer at side. And of course her grandma panicked more than me. So I was given a cream to 'encourage the pigment' to develop in the white areas. Although internet sources seem to have varied cures to it, let's just hope this doctor's cream works.

I hope she gets better soon, before grandma's next visit, otherwise I'll hear no end of it :P

So what is it when it happens to the not-so-young-adults like me? :P I do have these too, but I guess its just attributed to uneven skin tones? hahaha and aging skin? kihkihkih

The haze is not gone, but today was better than yesterday and the weekend. Looking forward to clearer days ahead as I'm going insane not running!! (but I managed to steal a short one just today).

It's a long way to the weekend!

2015?

OMG!  I miss blogging! Shucks! It's been so long. Since April. And I've not been very consistent recently either.

So much to tell and so little time.

So at 6, AIR1 has just participated in a run. Yeah 3km. I believe he could've done better but for one, he lacked training and the other, he refused to listen to instructions.

I'm now quite cautious about uploading photos...I'd just prefer those abstract ones...particularly FOOD! :) Not so keen on photos particularly of kids.

Need to be working on that drama plot again :)

Too many to update

I've not been so great (again) at updating my blog.

And since 2015, alot of things were changing, in the work scene and even time for managing the family. Worse when February came and a change in role in such a short notice meant a whole lot of kelam-kabut-ness (topsy turvy) in everything. I had so little time but so many things to do. Some may say, that is a typical corporate world thing, but mind you...it was not THAT bad until Feb.

For the first time, my nights after putting the kids to bed, I was on the laptop. My weekend nights were that too, and sometimes weekend daytime, where lounging around at home. I was burnt out.

To top it off, I was trying to put in training hours as I am training for a 68km run. I really didn't have time and I was worried.

Now finally I can breathe. So I shall slowly update my blog. :)

Stay tuned.

WW - Signage in Malaysia

Delayed WW post.

Hospital < Prison??

Hmmmmm

September already?

Happy 57th Merdeka!

Time has gone by so quickly, its amazing! I can't believe its already September. Everything is just flying by.

So many things are concurrently changing. Work, life, events....

Signed up for a races in October and December but everything is falling in really quickly. An unplaned volunteering technical official duty for Ironman Langkawi in September cropped up, and likely another officiating event for triathlon in Phuket might happen in November. I am excited. I think this year is the most run-cations and travel without involving work is happening :P

But at the same time, travelling due to work within the country (including Sabah & Sarawak) is going on quite often too.

Don't know how should I be putting it - whether it is good or bad or just nice, but it is kind tough working around all these happening at the same time.

Not all things are as rosy as it seems on the forefront.

And the year is coming close to its end and many other things are also taking place at the same time and all I can hope is for a lit path, for the way it should be.

I seem to only have a lot of issues going on at the same time. All the negativity lies within (seems to me). But it is as though there is a sign. Everytime I have that very same feeling, when I suddenly look at my FB newsfeed, there is always someone else who is facing even a harder situation, or there will be posts on words of wisdom which makes me feel slightly better. And I believe it is God's way of telling me that there are still good things waiting to pop up for me.

And I am waiting with open arms :)

Masak-Masak

I realised I am horrible at posting photos while in the process of either cooking or preparing to cook or bake. I dunno how all of you do it.

I guess it boils down to:
1. My hands/fingers are already dirty, so how to handle camera/phone?
2. Too troublesome to go and clean and then snap a photo at almost every process or when new ingredients are added.

Hah, so how do you do it?

That said, even the finished product I would sometimes forget, until it has been half eaten or transferred into another container to keep. :) Sad but true. Maybe I should get my kids to take the photos. They are able to do random shots and selfies now. :)

Been doing some baking and cooking again these few days but my attempt at BBQ ribs have to be postponed as I will be travelling tomorrow and the weekend is again filled with activities.

Now, I better remember to get my photos ready for the weekend. It will be interesting as there is going to be a birthday bash for a 5-year-old at the ice ring. Yes, ice ring....he is one lucky fella.

Have a good week(-end) too!

Back to Square 1

That was before the 2-weeks-gym-absence

And this is AFTER the 2-weeks-gym-absence

It was sufferfest at the gym this morning. Although I have been doing runs....but I totally lost my upper body ability. :( TRX helped but I didn't do it as often.

Now back to square 1....thank goodness I didn't sign up for any triathlon races....

WW - From my kitchen recently

 10 egg yolks as part of the recipe for the cheesecake below

(first time ever baking in such huge proportions!)

 The soft and fluffy cheesecake which set a little during the second batch.

Air fried drummets (like grilled because no batter used)

Raya and such

Selamat Hari Raya folks!

Again the lull happened and the blog remained quite for a bit. Apologies. :(

Raya 2014 seemed abit subdued and slow and quiet. I have no idea why but the hustle and bustle at the inlaw's on the first day was absent. Too quiet to be true (although I was quietly glad) and quickly passed. Second day was not much different but the usual routine of my parents visiting my inlaws happened. Less hassle in food prep this time and kids had more fun cos my cousins came along too.

And since I anticipated the usual 3rd day bore, I decided to do some field visits (yes, work) on the third day. Nice weather, gloomy and cool but didn't manage to steal some time to train because I had no where to go!! So it was only work. 

I went to the foothill of Gunung Jerai but there was no proper park or track. At 8am it was lonely with only 2 or 3 other people who were tourist bus and lorry drivers perhaps waiting to ferry people. It would have been a good opportunity for me to do a hill run, but I just didn't want to risk safety. So I left and continued to work.

Then we were back in the city on the 4th night and so that was Raya. 

Good thing was kids had fun at their 'uncle & aunts' place. So we were less worried on how to keep them sane.

And so work started on 4th August as usual.

Have a blessed year ahead, folks.

WW - Baking Frenzy

Carrot Muffin

 Pumpkin Popevers

 Quinoa Breakfast Joy

 Some healthy muffin which I can't remember its glamorous name

Quinoa bread with avocado and dark choc cashew spread

WW - Ladybird invasion

Happy Teacher's Day!

Delayed posting - Kiddos took this for their Teacher's Day party at their respective kindy. 

Sibu - 2nd revisit

Sibu....first time was in 2006 when I was 'sent' there for the Explorace TV programme. 'Sent' because it was a surprise destination. We were not told where we were going. We were taken to KLIA and until we received out boarding pass, then we knew.

'We' would be my teamate/partner and the other two people who we were supposed to be racing against. Neutral ground for us as none of us have been there. It was an adventure on  its own where early in the race the soles of my shoes decided to peel off and I was running with a rubber-banded-sole until I tripped and fell and scrapped myself in one of the locations.

Then I tried to tape my shoe, but after one or two more tasks, one of the assistant race director was kind enough to lend me her shoe to complete my race. (In the show it was portrayed as a stranger in a random shop by the jetty who was kind enough to lend me her shoe).

Unfortunately luck wasn't with us and we lost out by just a bit to the other team. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable and eye-opening race which let us to alot more connections and friendship.

Went back there again sometime in 2011 and now again in 2014 and both were for work. Not much has changed except for a better-looking airport, renovated market complex, some new shopping centres and the rest remained the same.

A few shops have closed and some new ones have come to replace but essentially the town centre still remains the same full-of-one-way-street and congested. Night market still exists and stuff seems to be even cheaper than in the Peninsular. Eateries like Islamic Nyonya Cafe (along Jalan Ramin) still remained but with some changes to the menu. Now serves roti canai and the likes. Food is still really cheap.

Famous for its kampua noodles (foochow speciality), it was one of those things you had to try when there. Luckily there is the halal version at a few places, like the Islamic Nyonya Cafe. Then there is Mee Sapi which essentially is like the Indonesian food 'Rawon' and now there area few eateries even selling Indonesian food, which I believe is gaining popularity there too. Ayam Penyet, Bakso, Pecel and the likes are getting more common there.

Well, maybe in another four years I get to go there again. Not much to attract me to go there again for a holiday, but if duty calls for it, then its alright, as time will be occupied. Otherwise this laid back town has been explored.

 The Pagoda

 Swan at the entrance to the town centre also known as Sibu Gateway

 Part of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs at the Gateway

Part of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs at the Gateway

This is how poultry is sold at the market

M Boutique Hotel, Ipoh

I chanced upon this hotel once when driving by. Then a friend mentioned that it was a really unique hotel. Many many months later, a colleague managed to stay there while going to Ipoh for work, and just a few days ago, I finally made it there. 

It has a very unique set up. Individually themed floors, a gym, a 'meet-up area' and even a laundry area complete with washing machine, detergent and dryer.

And so these are photos of the room I had on 'The Adventure' floor.

 Very comfy bed with four 'white coloured pillows' on top of the two 'M' and safari-coloured ones, which takes up half the bed if I stacked it all aside :)

 My room key holder with a 'movie ticket' which is actually the wifi password

 The room number which also indicates the type of bed in the room

Photo and sculpture in the room

Breakfast at 'The Myth' their eatery and cafe

The hotel is located right behind 'Old Town White Coffee Grand'. Hence you could miss the hotel because the name is on the side. But once you see the Old Town, you should slowdown and notice the hotel just behind it.

It also sells merchandise of it own. Interesting, but might be quite pricey.

Now, I wouldn't mind going there again....this time to another floor, as the rooms are decorated slightly differently although the furnishing is about the same. Gives you a colonial touch with outback feeling, as the flooring is wooden and the furnishing, i.e. cupboard and table are all made to look like roughly cut wood.

Wooden flooring along the corridor and graffiti on the walls

Now let's see if I can get there again soon! :)

Haze haze haze

Hello!!

Gosh, its been ages since  I updated anything in my blog. Not much excuses but perhaps just not the right time.

Its already March 2014...time flies and so many things have happened. Especially in 2013. Nothing dramatic but lots of experiences in 2013 which has taught me alot about life....

but anyway, rest assured, there will be more postings in 2014 and I shall update...:)

Just a short one for now....

take things easy as the haze is not helping. Every other person is not well and I have developed cough from my earlier sore throat. This will go away....it has to :)

have a good weekend everyone!

Redang Island Challenge, Reebok ONEChallenge & Putrajaya Night Marathon 2013

Looks like its been ages since I posted anything. Yeah blame everything else but myself....was going to do that, but I guess I wasn't just making enough effort to blog. Many people have not enough time too, but can find the time. Blogging was put aside for a while recently. But I do miss blog-hoping and reading what my other blogger friends have been up to.

So anyway.....

Nothing very interesting except for some drama at work and then these three events which occupied me from 16th September till 19th October. Almost 2 weeks apart each.

So it was after raya and I decided to make some changes to my eating habits, lost some Kgs and happy with what I saw. Then on 16th Sept, went for Redang Island Challenge, didn't really train for the short swim (1.5km) but after that the run and kayak was ok. Finished 15th, where the last 5 teams came in together. Happy with the results and this was an event I partnered a friend I knew for almost 10 years through Ironman/ triathlon/ dualthon but never raced with each other before. Fun event, and relaxing getaway in Redang.

Then came Reebok challenge, the most talked-about event among outdoor/multisports enthusiasts. It was an obstacle course and the distance covered was 18.95km.  Completed the course in 2hrs 15min, and I thought it was quite a notable timing, having to go through 8 challenges in between. So I had hopes of breaking the 2hr bracket in a 21km run soon. (Yes, after so many attempts :P)

I was looking forward to the night run to break that 2 hr bracket. However, I asked a close fren if he wanted to run with me, knowing he wanted to do his 1st 21km run. He agreed and I told myself my target can wait. Let me run with him and push him through his 21km.

I was surprised that I had bountless energy after 5km. I was tempted to go ahead and just break my 2 hour target, but I told myself, doing a 21km with not enough preparation is not easy, so I will stay and run with my friend. I didn't want him to give up along the way. It was a nice cool run after rain in the afternoon and slight drizzle before the race start. When I realised I had so much energy, I kept running ahead then turn to run back to get him and encourage him along. I soon felt it could be a bit too much for him and may embarass him, but after a few attempts of just slowing down to wait, my body was cooling down too fast, I could feel cramps almost setting in. It was only about 11-12km then. So I continued doing the go-first-then-run-back routine. Told him I will stick with him up to 15km, then I will run to the end and then come back for him.

And so I did. I couldn't believe that after 15km the last 6km was done at 5+ min pace. It never felt so amazing. The feeling of sprinting to the end. Yes, literally sprints to me, because usually by the time close to the end, I am always to tired to even sprint the last 100m. And now 6km?? MAnaged to encourage another friend who was suffering from blister, to run the last 800m or so.

I was totally taken by surprised. Finished 2:25.... taking into consideration running the extra distances (though I do not know how much) but I felt good doing it. Then after collecting my finisher stuff, I walked till the arch (start/finish) and then slow jogged to back-track towards my friend. I dunno if he was happier or was I happier to see him, because it was more than 1.5km away before I saw him. Though he was walking, I was glad he got till that point. And so we ran towards the finishing line.

I really enjoyed myself, running and pacing with the superb weather and scenery. I didn't think twice about having to forgo my target, which I know that can be another race for me. Now maybe the 2XU or PBIM can be my next target.

Photos will be uploaded later :)

I wasn't

Raya 2013

Eid Mubarak!

It has been sometime since I posted. Well, not really only due to work but I've been pretty emotional and if I post during these times, gosh, I'll be ranting on lots of nonsense.

Anyway, its the time of the year again where we rejoice after a month of fasting.

I recall my first Raya experience at my in-law's almost 5 years ago. As a child, and subsequently adult, I have been having images of raya being celebrated with the traditional ketupat, lemang and rendang during the first day of raya. Although those were not really my favourite food, but I was looking forward to something new in my life.

So come raya morning, we all prepared to go the the mosque for prayers. Upon coming home, I was shocked to discover that not everyone came back together. MIL went to her parents' graves and some other relatives' grave, FIL was elsewhere, hubby was also elsewhere. (At this juncture, I imagined a Chinese Cheng Beng (all souls day) where the whole family would visit all the graves together) Then I thought to myself that it would be alright as they will still convene at home. Boy I was in for another shock.

I ended up alone at home, not knowing what to do....I didn't know where MIL kept all her cookies/snacks, I couldn't find the ketupat/lemang/rendang (ok, no rendang at all) and was kinda lost. Lost for words and lost not knowing what to do.

Then when throves of people came by, I found it very much different from the usual Chinese New Year (CNY) visiting sessions I have always known. When visitor comes, no matter relatives or friends, if there is rice/meal cooked in the kitchen, the visitors are always asked to stay for the meal, and many times, they do!! Boy was I surprised! Imagine if we didn't have enough food? And these people will visit throughout the day, even till past 11pm!! That was such a no-no in the Chinese culture.

So it took getting used to. 5 years on I still find it odd. I don't get the spread of ketupat or rendang (not that I am complaining), and I realised my inlaws are not fans of cookies or cakes and they usually have the traditional snacks, such as the fried stuff, bahulu and traditional crisps. I made cookies and mini cupcakes one year and they were  not even touched. Just placed for visitors to have. I was rather taken aback but have accepted it, so every year I no longer stand for long hours making cookies or cup cakes prior to raya. So if I do give you raya cookies, it will definitely likely be store-bought :P

I supposed different background of the same race and culture will differ in their celebration. Although this is not apparent in the Chinese or Indian. The only difference in the Chinese is depending on which region you are from in China, i.e. whether you are Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka etc, it will determine what days of the new year is your auspiscious day and different prayers are planned.

So no traditional meal for me on raya, though I feel that that was the cause of the lack of raya-feeling for me. (or maybe I am just getting older and these festivities do not thrill me as it did when I was a child.

Anyway, selamat hari raya, maaf zahir& batin to all!

Bangkok oh Bangkok!!

The Thailand office is 1km away from my hotel. Took about 15min to walk yesterday. Today I had a huge bag and another small bag to lug along so decided to take the taxi. 30+ mins to get to the office. WTH??!!

We (my Thai-office colleague and I) were supposed to leave to site early. 930am, planned. Its now 1130 am and I am still sitting in the office trying to structure my brain to do some desktop work because in my mind I'll be in the car now. WTH??

OK fine, kelig's new so I tried to assist, but seems like trying to google for location is almost impossible cos the roadnames and location are mostly in Thai and even a local person can get lost using google maps. So fine, I'm back to doing my own stuff and I decided to ask 'What time are we leaving?' you know what she said? 'I will think about it' WTH??? WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT??

FINE!  you ask me for my opinion and I tried to help you but if you don't need that opinion then just don't ask lah...ask then later when I turn around you are still doing the same old nonsense...what crap is that??

arrrrrrrgh!!

trying to keep my cool....pool at my hotel

Mummy, I am 5 today!

AIR2 just turned 4 in Jan 2013.

In his kindy, he is in a class with 5-yr-olds. I requested for that not because I was kiasu, but from the previous kindy, when he was with kids his age, he found it very boring, uninteresting and always found reasons to delay going to school. When we reached the school, he will cry.

So when this kindy allowed, I was glad. He has been enjoying himself. Though his colouring skills may not match that of his classmates, his writing is not too bad. I'm glad he is coping well and enjoying it.

However.....

In Feb and March, many kids celebrated their birthdays in his class and they have the usual, birthday cake cutting, singing and goodie bag distribution. It was only 2 weeks into school when he had his birthday so we didn't bother celebrating in the kindy but did it in the babysitter's place.

So one morning, while getting out of the car, he told me, 'Mummy I am 5 today.' I was caught off guard and speachless. Oh dear. How am I going to explain to him? I told him, not yet, he will be 5 next year. But at this age, the visualization of time is not there. He took it as it meant 'soon'.

Fast forward maybe 3-4 weeks or so, this evening, he complained to me that he is 5 today and asked why didn't I bring a cake to kindy for him. His sister obliged by singing him a birthday song.

Oh dear, now how am I supposed to explain this to him??