Beauty Review : Clarins' beautiful mommy-to-be treatment

Starting 6 months preggy, tea start sakit area tulang rusuk, belakang... kadang2 tea lenguh2 dekat area kaki, paha, sbb tea still maintain active at the gym.... luckily, tea takde mengalami any leg cramps waktu malam, even now dah 30 weeks++, well, maybe experience setiap orang lain kot... jenuh tea mencari tempat yang boleh massage the whole body sbb backpain masa raya aritu... ye la... masak macam2 dari pagi sampai malam, campur ngn jalan2 rumah sedara mara lg, long hours journey.... lepas try once dekat clarins ni, tea puas hati sbb back pain mmg ilang terus for 1 week.. lepas tu minor2 je laa sakit yang mmg bearable... pastu, immediately after treatment tu, kaki tea rasa ringan sangat2 nak berjalan & even tea buat tu hari selasa petang, and usually Tuesday lunch hour tea buat kelas weight lifting (bodypump), esoknya tu mmg takde muscle pain langsung!!! mmg genius laa treatment nie...

Before tea going to the details of each products used, any additional tips & of course the price, tea nak summarize sket the "activities" masa treatment tu....

1. they explain what the products they're going to use throughout the treatment... they will inform you what type of treatment they gonna do according to your pregnancy progress.. kalo 1st trimester, lain method... kalo 2nd trimester, lain method... kalo 3rd trimester, lain method (fully manual, no machines used).... then lepas tu terus tukar baju/ pakaian yang sesuai for treatment lah kan...

2. Inspection time!!! they inspect your whole body & skin.... samada ada stretchmark ke tak, water retention, skin condition, hydration, discoloration, specific products needed for target areas etc.... masa ni, diorang akan advice what u can do at home to speed up healing /recovering process/ alternative home remedy...

3. Body scrub... diorang akan scrub dulu badan.... utk make sure treatment product & oil tu menyerap...

4. Body scrub lagi skali kat shower room & quick fresh shower utk remove scrub....

5. Body Rocking... lepas shower, diorang akan buat body rocking.... ala2 melenggang perut la... tp dia buat seluruh badan.. tujuan??? diorang cakap, to create space for the baby & relaxing the mommy....

6. Massage start!!.. diorang massage sideways, utk mengelakkan kita sakit belakang, since baby pun dah besar...

7. lepas siap massage, they will hydrate your skin dengan body serum, then urut chest area dengan sapu bust lotion, then diorang sapu "minyak angin" kat kaki utk relaxing, lastly, diorang sapu cologne utk refreshing & aromatherapy lah....

Anyway, during my first visit, they did briefed me on the products they're going to use through out the treatment...  Their products are natural-based & i love the smell too... tp mahal laa so tea takde plak beli product dia... cakap je direct kalo diorang promo2.... kate tak bawak duit & tengah budget...

1. Smoothing body scrub for a new skin (with Bamboo powders)...

best scrub nie, jatuh chenta tea sbb mmg lembut je & betul2 clean... bau pun of coz sedap...

2. Body Scrub glove....

yup, after the first scrub yang dorang buat, kita masuk ler dalam bilik mandi  utk scrub lagi skali & mandi pakai shower gel... (still dalam massage room tu jugak, mmg ada bilik mandi private).. sebenarnya yang clarins nyer glove scrub bukan rupa camnie, tp sbb tea teruja sgt dengan how convenient this glove scrub, tea pun cari alternative glove scrub kat the body shop utk pakai kat rumah everyday... serius best.... pakai glove, tuang bodyshampoo & lumur2 kat badan cam biasa.. tak perlu pegang scrub & tak terpelanting ke sana sini....

3. Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate

Ni utk shower gel... dia actually boleh pilih either calming or tonic... diorang rekemen yang toning utk tea pakai, and of course, tea prefer this smell too... calming tu cam tak best sangat.... cecair pencuci ni pun sangat pekat... guna sikit pun cukup.... mmg highly concentrated kot...

4. Tonic Body Treatment Oil

yup, mmg tea suka bau ni, sama cam bau tonic bath & Shower tu jugak rasanya... tujuan oil ni utk moisturize & of course, toning your skin & body & avoid stretchmark... the masseurs guna minyak ni utk massage upper body tea... meaning, dari perut ke atas.....

5. Anti-Eau Body Treatment Oil...

anti-water retention oil ni plak digunakan untuk hips & below..... kira seluruh kaki tea diorang massage pakai minyak ni lah...

6. Bust Beauty Firming Lotion

lepas abes massage, diorang sapu lotion bust beauty ni kat chest area tea... mmg diorang massage kat sini jugak...

7. Renew Plus Body serum

yang ni diorang sapu seluruh badan tea lepas abes massage....

8. Energizing Emulsion for Tired Legs..

lepas sapu serum kat atas... diorang sapu "minyak angin" ni kat kaki tea... supaya ilang letih & ringan utk berjalan...

9. Eau Dynamisante

yang ni last diorang sapuuuuuuuuu.... kat leher, belakang badan etc... kira minyak wangi la... sedap bau dia... 

Seriusly, nak list down products yang diroang pakai pun dah rasa letih... hahahahhahahahha.. of course, tea tak beli laaa product dia... tea beli satu je, yang tonic oil tu... sbb lain2 cam tak perlu punnn.... energizing emulsion?? tea pakai minyak mastika jeee........

IMPORTANT note!!!!

One thing u must remember kalo nak try out this clarins package, the price is RM288... tea add up 1 body scrub treatment sbb nak make sure the treatment products menyerap betul2.... rugi je bayar mahal2, tp kulit tak serap products kan? lagi satu, please make sure masseurs yang buat tu yang berpengalaman ek, i have my own preferred therapist/masseurs... sbb tea ada try 3 times, and ada terkena skali masseurs yang tak best and tea sakit pinggang lepas treatment tu, sbb dia tak betulkan katil massage tu masa treatment, terlalu lama baring terlentang (patut slightly inclined), and she set the bed temp slightly high, so tea tak selesa during some part of the treatment... anyway, overall treatment is good, cuma uols kena careful with the bed setting & communicate to masseurs, some masseurs listen to the customer, some others just nak siapkan keje aje...

Beauty Oils...

Tea blom ader mood nak menulis mengenai New Zealand South Island and Melbourne trip... tea tpaksa memendam minat travel tea buat masa nie, sbb dah 30 weeks and counting down.... makin cuak sbb due date makin hampir... berat makin bertambah, isk isk.... and thank god, still no signs of stretch mark kat badan... cuma tea ada sikit water retention at my lower part of the body... skang ni, tea makin religiously menggunakan natural oils utk beauty, sbb makin concern with unnecessary added chemicals to my skincare/bodycare routine... di sini tea share a lil bit ape oil yang recommended dan not advisable to be used ekkk...

Oil ni multi-purpose.. u can use it for cooking, for beauty, to improve skin hydration, prevent stretchmark, massage baby, massage oil, hair oil, or even as supplements...


AVOID - Baby oils

nama lain bagi baby oil nie mineral oil, paraffin.... Plis plis plis... kalo boley, avoid pakai baby oil nie... it's really produced by the petroleum/crude oil refining... usually the waxy residue.. used for production of base oil... em, base oil ni ape lak? it's the same oil for producing our car's lubricant oil, cam Shell Helix, Petronas Syntium... dengan kate lain, engine oil la... er... korang sanggup ke sapu engine oil kat baby?? nooooooo....


BEST - Natural Plant Oils..

i think today tea tak sempat nak cover really details on all available plant oils, tea cuma akan review few plant based oils yang tea pernah pakai je kot...

#1 Olive Oil (Extra virgin olive oil)
tea mmg suka Olive oil nie, paling best untuk cooking... normal olive oil sbb murah sket, extra virgin tak sesuai utk cooking sbb harga yang mahal & all the vitamins will be degraded /lost during high temp cooking... so, better pakai olive oil biasa aje utk masak or skang ni tea pakai normal palm oil/ minyak sawit je utk masak...  tp utk kegunaan direct, tea akan pakai extra virgin olive oil  utk makan dengan salad, as supplement... kalo utk kecantikan, tea paling suka extra virgin olive oil utk moisturize the hair... sbb ia menyihatkan rambut, hilangkan frizziness, and most importantly, sihatkan kulit kepala & avoid hair loss... tea ada jugak gunakan olive oil utk sapu kat badan... but i prefer extra virgin coconut oil sbb bau yang lagi besttttt..... dulu tea cam takut2 nak pakai olive oil kat rambut sbb takut bau tengik, but then bila tea pakai, ok je xtengik & rambut condition better... yang brand bawah ni tea beli kat jusco RM32 for 1 liter or you can choose smaller size RM13 untuk 250 ml...

#2 Coconut oil /VCO (or opt for extra virgin coconut oil)
Tea start pakai coconut oil ni bila pregnant masuk 7 bulan ari tu @ 28 weeks.... asal2 nya tea beli extra virgin ni utk supplement aje tp memandangkan at cold storage or jusco sebotol 500 ml rega RM33, kalo 250 ml plak RM18.5.. kat kedai cosway cheaper by 4 ringgit, 500ml for RM29 (same brand cam dalam gambar nie) and bau yang ni pun yummy. brand lain tea tak suka sgt sbb cam tengik sket... tea pun decide utk gunakan minyak ni utk stretch mark oil & perineal massage (kalo taktau ape tu perineal massage, sila google)... supplement VCO & perineal massage ni penting utk assist normal delivery nanti.. i need to start taking VCO  masa minggu 30, then use it as massage bila masuk minggu 34 onwards.... tea gunakan VCO ni as skin moisturizer & stretchmark oil waktu siang, sbb murah & very moisturizing.... utk tido, tea prefer something yang bau lebih calming & tea pakai clarins' tonic oil....

#3 Argan Oil
Dulu tea ada pakai argan oil as my hair, face & skin moisturizer.. but honestly, extra virgin coconut oil & extra virgin olive oil is wayyyyyy much much cheaper & better... it's ok kalo korang nak pakai argan oil, but for me, why pay more for something inferior? lain ler korang dok morocco / area mediterranean/african where this oil is abundant and cheaper kan?

#4 Grapeseed oil
yang ni pun senang beli from cold storage... tea tak pernah pakai, but its also full of vitamins & good for skin moisturizer... paling penting, banyak vitamins dan antioxidants utk awet muda... ni mm masuk dalam checklist tea lepas beranak nanti boleh ler ganti VCO dengan grapeseed oil nie... disebabkan its less oily than VCO, it's really suitable for skin moisturizer & mudah menyerap... tak mahal pun, sbb boleh beli kat jusco or cold storage je... grapeseed oil ni sesuai utk those beauties out there with oily skin... so, mmg tea aim nak beli lepas deliver, as my skin will return back to normal- oily/combination kot... masa preggy, mmg kering sket muka tea skang nie, so i have to switch temporarily...

#5 Rosehip oil....
since it's high in vitamin E (dan quite expensive), tea beli 30 ml aje utk scar serum & for topup vitamin E for my tummy utk elak stretchmark or selulit... :-)
tea beli dekat pharmacy... pakai sikit2 aje... kenapa sesuai utk scar? sbb ia kaya dengan vitamin E, natural vitamin A, essential fatty acids, vitamin C... boleh digunakan few drops utk add to your normal moisturizer utk boost antioxidant properties... and by the way, Miranda Kerr swears by using rosehip oil utk mengekalkan kecantikan kulit & avoid stretchmark, she delivered 10 pounds baby kalo tak silap tea, and still no stretch mark at all...

okay tu jer buat skang nie... tak larat nak menaip....

Exercise during your pregnancy~~

most people kat malaysia ni sangat2 laa sceptical pasal wanita yang rajin exercise, especially when she's pregnant... masa tea kat gym, doing my routine exercise, out of nowhere ada plak makcik yang sound tea selamba "you tak patut eksesais, ada kawan i bleeding at 27 weeks..." dia dengan kawan dia cakap tu dengan muka serius, muka cam annoyed and bila tea tanya, your friend tu bleeding masa tengah buat exercise jenis ape, tiba2 dia bleh plak reply, "oh, dia bukan bleeding masa eksesais, tp sbb mmg rahim dia lemah," dalam hati tea, oh well... tea cuma cakap, in sha Allah, kalo kita tau apa kita buat dan berhati2, semua selamat...  by the way masa 1st trimester tu mmg tea reduced exercise, a lot, cuma eksesais dalam 2-3 kali aje seminggu... and bila dah masuk 12 weeks onwards, tea increase back to my normal routine, eksesais dalam 5-6 kali seminggu, tp moderate intensity...

for the mommies and mommies-to-be, bawah ni tea attachkan link guidelines from the ACOG (american college of obstetricians and gynaecologists)... baca dulu guidelines ni baru boleh consider exercise ekk, just to be safe n sure... sila click link bawah nie...

ACOG guidelines for exercise during pregnancy

as for myself, there are few tips dan nasihat yang tea follow sebelum consider continue workout during pregnancy...

1. Consult your doctor/ gynae - and believe me, tea jumpa sampai 3 docs ok utk make sure tea selamat utk eksesais... huhuhuhu... but, their normal reply would be, "if you already regularly exercises sebelum nie, just continue what you're doing... reduce the intensity a bit and stop when your body tells you to" another is,"bagus u exercise, just careful with risk of falling, weight training is the best for you dan selalu buat squat utk help your delivery nanti"
2. Bgtau your gym instructors / class intructors that you're expecting... they'll definitely more than happy to give options/ ajar/ bagi tips on how to exercise safely... even masa kelas pun, diorang akan monitor you closely, especially kalo ada step2 yang ada risk of falling...
3. Avoid contact sports.. sbb risk of falling & berlanggar ngn orang la... contoh cam menunggang kuda, main netball etc..
4. minta nasihat dan tips dari kawan2 yg mmg regular gymmers and otai2 exercise masa pregnant... bg tea, their tips and kata2 semangat laa yg bagi tea motivation to stay fit for mommy and the baby.. biasanya mereka yang experienced saje yang tau the dos n donts...
5. beli buku2 exercise masa pregnant.. banyakkkkk snagat choices kat kedai kinokuniya or mph or popular tu.... pilih je satu.. takyah beli banyak2... lain2 info tak cukup, cari kot internet
6. baca dalam internet of course... 

okay, bawah ni tea share sket benefit yang tea dapat stakat ni..... 

1. reduced morning sickness.. emm.. mmg tak dapat hilang 100%, tp mmg setiap kali lepas eksesais, tea akan buang angin through sendawa and kentut, banyaakkkk... and then, mmg sangat2 lega dan kurang muntah or loya2... ada sekali tu, 1 week tu tea stop exercise sbb ramai orang saiko bahaya eksesais ni, and the result is, tea muntah sampai >4 kali sehari, tea jadi melepek aje cam roti, and rasa nak MC aje seminggu tu.... seriously, mmg tak larat... and the following week, tea eksesais balik & i get my energy back.. 
2. elak gestational diabetes & darah tinggi... okay, maybe because i'm still in my 2nd trimester, then tea tak bole komen banyak dalam hal ni, tp Alhamdulillah, setakat ni, my blood pressure, HB, glucose mmg normal range... i'm pregnant in my 30s, of course tea risau with all the complication with pregnancy at later age...
3. control weight gain within doctor's recommended weight gain chart... haa... yang ni penting, kalo kita terlalu gemuk, of course doctor akan buat macam2 test sbb probability kita dapat macam2 penyakit masa pregnancy ni sangat tinggi...
4. elak water retention!!!... bila kita pregnant, of course kita akan sembab merata2.... tp bila kita eksesais, kita akan berpeluh dan increase our blood flow circulation... sbb tu orang2 yang eksesais masa pregnancy ni, jarang yang sembab melampau2....
5. elak cramp!!! haaa, yang ni mmg tea tak pernah alami sepanjang pregnant setakat nie... tp ramai kawan2 tea dok complaint diorang kalo kena cramp, mmg sampai esok pun boleh rasa sakit lg.... some people cakap cramp ni sbb deficiency in iron, calcium or vitamin D... but i think stretching exercise yang kita buat masa yoga, taichi, warm up, cool down mmg sangat2 menolong...
6. posture badan elok masa berjalan, kurang sakit pinggang... even dah 5 bulan, tea blom jalan kengkang lagi.. hahahhaha...
7. beranak normal... bila eksesais, otot kita kuat, stamina dan jantung kita kuat utk push.. especially bila masuk 3rd trimester, the best exercise is brisk walking... 
8. recovery lepas bersalin... yup, i'm talking about recovery from luka bersalin... beza antara badan yang ada otot dengan yang penuh lemak is, otot ada collagen utk baikpulih sendiri, tp lemak??? how? that's why luka jahitan utk orang yang rajin exercise cepat baik, di samping improved blood circulation yang turut sama menolong dalam baik-pulih luka....
9. slim balik lepas deliver dalam masa pantas... yes, i'm talking about getting your pre-pregnancy weight within 10 weeks lepas deliver....
10. mengurangkan simptom2 lain cam back pain, insomnia, varicose veins... kalo tea nak list kan simptom2 ni mmg berjela2 laa posting.. heehhe...

well, tea sangat harap2 dengan berkongsi sikit ilmu nie, tea dapat beri sikit kesedaran kat kawan2 supaya kita jaga kesihatan kita dan baby....  tea tanak tengok statistik obesiti kat malaysia ni meningkat... huhuhhuhu mengharu kan!!!!!

- marina / green~tea -

exercising at home - Home gym!!~~

lama sangat2 dah tea tak update blog tea... travelling, moving to a new house, morning sickness during the first trimester dulu,coping with the new routine, and welcoming visitors to our small yet comfy new house... seriously, moving to a new house masa tengah pregnant is reallllllyyyyyyyyy exhausting!!! lipat2 kain & susun balik pun bole sakit pinggang... haiya... so, i really have to plan dan buat sikit2, then buat benda lain utk tukar posture, then sambung balik keje tu... and finally, siap jugak mengemas & mengatur semua benda... and of course, termasuk laa my new home gym!!!!

haa... nampak cam banyak kan???? actually still tak complete lg bg tea... tea plan nak taruk one full mirror, with 32 inch tv mounted kat wall (utk dancing vids & workout dvds).. then kalo ada extra budget nak beli set weight & bar utk weight training... tp tu angan2 laa... mula2 ni tea just tambah satu almari utk simpan benda2 kecik cam resistant tubes, yoga mats, step-exercise board, abs exercise, stepper, tali skipping, dumbbells etc... lepas taruk almari tu, terus nampak lebih kemas & compact... suka!!!!

Aaaaaaa... One of my recent head-ache for my home-gym is actually finding one good threadmill... btw, please note that i mention mini-gym, even sekangkang kera pun tea tetap nak taruk perkataan gym tu jugak.. ahhahahahha... sblm ni, every saturday morning, tea akan pergi gym dekat the twin towers dalam kol 8-9 am... then guna threadmill and sauna of course... kadang2 kalu boring, tea ajak husband pergi park utk jog... tp seriously, i hate the park sbb ada bau asap kenderaan, sangat2 tak healthy...

anyway, just a rule of thumb bila kita nak beli a good threadmill, harga dia mestilah dalam 5k ke atas... bukan kita gila benda branded, tp there are reasons for the high-price... kalo budget kita dalam 5-10k for a threadmill, few of the brands yang elok dan good after sale service is nordictrack, reebok, life fitness and precor... tu yang tea mampu fikirkan skang la, maybe ada yang better that i dont know... tp kalo budget tu kurang dari 2-3k, you can opt for the brand yang made in china and quite good design dia.... cam takasima tu... i did mention the design is good for it, but am not sure about the durability... brand cam gintell ke ape2 tu, em, tanak halang korang beli, but u must tengok dekat dimension threadmill tu, mostly brand gintell ke ape tu design running track dia kecik dan tak stabil masa tea try2 usha masa survey dulu...

lagi satu, ramai orang citer good threadmill is cam kat gym tu, rega rm20 - 40k.. haaaaaaaaaa jangan confuse ye, it's for commercial use & long-duration.... tak sama ngn home-gym yang kita pakai dalam 1-2 jam aje sehari.... some people prefer cross-trainer and some prefer threadmill, tp tea mmg prefer threadmill sbb bole control the speed and inclination.... and buleh opt for brisk walking, or running.... it's good for pregnancy jugak kan...

some tips utk beli threadmill: -

1. pilih threadmill ikut budget anda.. macam yang tea mention above, you can choose 1-2k, 5-10k or more than 10k... tp bg tea yang more than 10k tu dah mcm2 dah dia nyer function which is not really kita pakai pun..
2. tengok function yang ada kat threadmill tu, yang penting is inclination option, heart rate monitor, calorie counter, side railings, downloadable programs and of course, the motor yang controlling the speed... lagi satu, kalo nak ada fans (kipas) or MP3 /speaker tu pun ok jugak...
3. ada enough space kat rumah and of course, safe for the kids... jangan ler menghalang laluan orang dan  biasa nya budak2 sukaaa sangat main2 tepi threadmill tu.. bayangkan ada budak datang main2 time kita tengah syok2 running.. such a hazard kan... tea pun tanak anak tea cedera ke ape2 time ibu giat exercise...
4. test dulu berlari atas threadmill tu... tengok stability dia camne, selesa ke tak berlari atas tu...
5. running track dia kalo bleh, beli yang lebar.... at least 120 X 40cm... yang tea beli ni tak silap tea 140 cm X 50cm with maximum user weight 130kg.... ala.. mmg ler kita takde laa seberat tu, not even half laaa kan, tp mane tau kot2 ada tetamu yang datang visit tiba2 rasa nak eksesais kan...

threadmill yang tea beli ni mmg menepati citarasa tea, tambah plak ngn design yang cantik... :) mmg puas hati... and please yer korang, tolong jangan jadikan threadmill tempat sangkut baju paling mahal ye... biar alah membeli, menang memakai...

okay, pas masak ni in sha Allah tea nak upload pasal exercising benefits during pregnancy.... cara2 eksesais tu lagi banyak... so, tea tak rasa nak cover semua skali within 1 post... biar ler post sikit2, yang penting coverage yang ok, dan info yang kita nak kasi tu sampai...

- marina / green~tea -

Merawat Constipation aka Sembelit!!!

Haaaa... ni mmg masalah utama orang2 dewasa.. makin meningkat usia, makin kita ada kecenderungan experiencing sembelit, sbb pergerakan usus yang semakin "malas"... 

kenapa kita sembelit ek? biasa orang cerita, kurang fibre... tp kalo kita dah banyak makan sayur, still sembelit??? maknanya, kita kurang air & juga kurang kalsium!!!! sembelit ni sbnrnya masalah biasa saje, tp kalo kerap2 sangat jadi, takut stagnant stool tu menyebabkan koloni bacteria jahat di dalam usus bertambah!!!  so, apa akan jadi kalo bacteria jahat bertambah?? haa.. tahukah anda, penyebab utama Kolon Cancer is bad bacteria!!! tambahan lagi, passing stool effectively jugak dpt mengawal berat badan... :)

Okay, di bawah nie tea listkan few constipation cures yang tea rasa selamat untuk diamalkan dan proven sesuai oleh beberapa testimoni di sekeliling tea...

#1  Nasihat typical - banyakkan buah2, sayur & plain water...

yup, this is to soften our stool supaya senang sikit pergerakan peristalsis di dalam usus... specifically, PISANG!!! err.. tp kalo orang darah tinggi or ada sakit buah pinggang, tolong limitkan pengambilan pisang, sbb pisang ni kaya dengan potassium...

#2 Minum segelas susu sebelum tido/ awal pagi...

Actually, tak kira pun susu jenis ape, susu tepung ke, susu anlene ke, susu segar ke, low fat ke... yang penting, SUSU... Susu ni kaya dengan kalsium, the key ingredients to cure constipation.. tea suka dengan susu marigold HL ni yang perisa vanila tu.. sedap!!!!! as for Anlene, maybe bagus la untuk orang tua, tp Anlene sebenarnya banyak kandungan gula, so, for diabetic (penghidap kencing manis) sila jauhkan pengambilan Susu Anlene or susu tepung formula....

#3 YOGURT

Yes, this is my favorite constipation cure... mmg dalam banyak2 yang tea try, taking 1 pack of yogurt really helps & dapat membuang regularly... especially bila kita banyak makan sayur2 dan buah2, yogurt ni menolong sistem penghadaman kita from over-work.... dia tolong digestion laaa dengan kata lain...Favourite yogurt tea ialah Nestle Fat Free Natural Yogurt dalam bekas kecik2 tu... yang bekas besar cam masam sangat.. kalo yang jenis fat free bekas kecik2 ni rasa dia lebih mild... tea kurang suka yogurt yang ada perisa sbb rasa cam manis jeee... takleh terima sangat laa tekak nie... kecuali laa kita beli yogurt plain & tambah buah2 sendiri cam mango, strawberry, raspberry...

#4 PSYLLIUM HUSK

Yep, u heard me... tea mmg pernah mengambil psyllium husk... tp skang ni sejak tau yogurt sangat berkesan utk perut tea, tea lagi suka yogurt la... psyllium husk ni pun menjadi jugak, cuma rasa dia tawar sgt.. hahahhaha... Harus diingat, kalo kita nak makan ubat, or vitamin, jangan makan dalam jarak masa yang dekat dengan pengambilan psyllium husk nie... since husk ni soluble fiber & boleh menyerap 14 kali ganda berbanding volume dia... dia bukan setakat serap sumer toxin2 dalam usus, all the nutrients pun dia sapu skali.... so, rugi laa kalo kita beli ubat or supplement mahal2 then dibuang camtu aje through penyahtinjaan.. hehehehe... psyllium husk ni boleh didapati di Jusco/cold storage bahagian organic food tu... ada macam2 jenis brand... dekat farmasi pun ada jual... senang cerita, mana2 pun ada jual.. cuma kat jusco mmg murah laa sikit... ada jual dalam paket 200 gram, 500 gram, sekilo pun ade... tak silap tea, Sekilo psyllium husk ni harga dia dalam RM68 aje...

#5 Garlic Oil

Family tea ramai jugak mengamalkan sebiji pil garlic ni setiap hari... it's quite effective untuk merawat sembelit... tp sebenarnya tu side effect aje.. benefit garlic ni sebenarnya untuk reduce cholesterol level, healthy blood pressure & meningkatkan Imuniti... serius, mmg agak berkesan laa garlic oil ni dalam merawat sembelit... hehehhee... banyak brand buleh dpt kat farmasi, tp yang confirm Halal ialah jenama VitaHealth; sbb softgels dia daripada vegetable... gunakan tanpa was-was.. hehehhe

#6 HONEY

Yup, madu lebah.... selain dari kaya dengan anti-oxidant, madu juga buleh cure sembelit... cara dia amek sesudu siang & sesudu malam... ada certain people ambil madu dengan lemon (buat air minuman sedap).. ataupun madu dengan serbuk kulit kayu manis dengan air panas; setengah orang campur dalam hot-chocolate drink... benefit dia bukan setakat improve digestion saje, malah boleh relief joint pain (sakit sendi), improve immunity, lower cholesterol, increase energy /metabolism...

emmmm.... kenapa honey buleh cure constipation? aaa... sbbnya, honey ni buleh absorb water & menjadikan stool (najis) kita tu lembut & senang bergerak dalam usus... & of course, di dalam Al-Quran pun tertera Madu lebah sebagai salah satu penawar (as-syifa')

# 7 EXERCISE!!!

Exercise pun sebenarnya boleh menolong cure constipation - YOGA!!! untuk beginners... kalo takde access to gym, tea sarankan buat yang basics aje, that is surya namaskara (sun salutation)... aler,.. nama aje sun salutation, it's actually comnination of movements... Selain dari increase body flexibility, this basic yoga moves sbnarnya boleh activates body's endocrinal system (stabilize hormon) & corrects disorders, acidity, angin dalam badan & usus...

Cara2 nak buat sun salutation ni boleh tengok list di bawah & refer jugak gambarajah kat bawah nie: -

1. mula2 berdiri tegak, tarik nafas dan tangan ke atas, 

2. lepas tu lentik badan ke belakang, kira sampai 10-16.. 

3. lepas tu berdiri mcam awal2 tadi sambil hembus nafas... 

4. kemudian, turunkan tangan ke buku lali, kalo badan dah flexible, boleh sentuh ke lantai... 

5. tolak kaki kiri ke belakang, kemudian kaki kanan... duduk dalam keadaan plank..

6. tinggikan pelvis/punggung ke atas (downward dog)

7. kembali ke posisi plank... perlahan2 jatuhkan badan ke lantai..

8. angkat kepala/bahu seperti kedudukan cobra...

9. kembali ke posisi downward dog.

10. kaki kanan ke depan, diikuti kaki kiri... luruskan kaki...(posisi akan sama macam nombor 4)

11. ulang step 1-3... habis 1 pusingan... 

12. kemudian, ulang lagi step 1- 1.. tp kali ni dahulukan kaki kiri pulak...

13. buleh ulang kanan/kiri/kanan/kiri sampai beberapa pusingan... kalo boleh, jangan buat laju2, setiap step tu biarlah dalam kiraan 10 -20... makin lama kiraan, makin bagus & makin banyak Calorie burnt...

#8 - LAXATIVE - only for chronic constipation

Ada satu lagi cara untuk cure constipation... ni kalo dah tahap kronik... selain dari jumpa doktor, buleh try ambil teh herba dengan senna leave ni.. tp AMARAN KERAS, sila ambil teh herba ni paling lama pun seminggu aje... sbb kalo ambik lama sangat, nanti jadi de-hydration & electrolyte imbalance... makin lama guna ni, makin malas usus kita... asik2 nak chemical- stimulant utk buang air.. which is not good untuk jangka masa lama... takut jugak amek chemical lama2, takut rosak buah pinggang kan.... teh yang mild sikit berbanding teh herba orang kampung ialah clenz tea... okay laa kalo nak amek 1 sachet sehari.. tp ingat.. maksimum penggunaan berturut2 cuma 7 hari aje!!!!

okay laa.. takat ni aje buat hari nie... tea nak gi toilet.. hehehhehehhe acah aje~~~ tak perlu laaa kan announce seantero dunia maya... huhuhuhu

- marina / green~tea -

Vitamins for Your Skin

hmm.... selama ni kita ingat vitamins consumed orally kan, rupa2nya ada jugak vitamins yang better applied topically.. maknanya, lebih effective kalo kita sapu... ada yang bagus utk disapu, tp beracun bila makan berlebihan... ada juga vitamins yang jadi anti-oxidant bila kita makan, tp tak beri efek apa2 bila kita sapu di kulit (contoh - folic acid)... di bawah ni tea susun jenis2 vitamin yang paling bagus untuk kulit (boleh check dekat ingredients dalam setiap skincare yang kita beli.... pengambilan vitamin dalam skincare ni sama dengan well-balanced diet, tak boleh amek sejenis aje... baru laa cukup nutrients required for the skin kan???

Vitamin A - Retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinoid, Retin-A, Tazorac
One of the best anti-oxidants, anti-irritants, anti-aging ingredients available. cuma apabila kita mula2 pakai skincare yang mengandungi retinol atau retinyl palmitate, kulit kita akan jadi kering & sedikit sensitif pada cahaya matahari... cara untuk mengatasi masalah ini? pakai MOISTURIZER & SPF!!, within 2 weeks, in sha Allah, kulit akan pulih lepas mula memakai skincare yang ada retinol or retinyl palmitate ni malah akan bertambah2 improve, brighten etc...  retinyl palmitate ni version vitamin A yang stabil dan biasa didapati di farmasi atau Watson... while retinol pula kurang stabil & biasanya hanya boleh diambil di bawah pengawasan dermatologist untuk treatment acne & anti-aging & juga eczema... vitamin A ni sensitif dengan sunlight, so, better beli product dalam botol yang gelap, tak telus cahaya & simpan di tempat sejuk & gelap..
Contoh product yang ada Vit A as one of their key ingredients:  ROC

Vitamin B3 - juga dikenali sebagai Niacinamide atau nicotinic acid
Produk Olay banyak mengandungi vitamin jenis ni sebagai Key ingredients.. jadi tak hairan laaa produk olay sangat bagus & highly recommended among the dermatologist... Niacinamide ni terkenal dengan fungsi anti-irritants (skin calming effect), merawat hyper-pigmentation, dan juga skin-communicating ingredients... maksudnya, niacinamide ni akan memberitahu sel kulit utk berfungsi seperti sel2 yang muda (kawal kelembapan, kurang kedutan, dan increase circulation... continuous application akan increase ceramide & free fatty acids, so keanjalan kulit increase laa... cuma ada sesetengah orang tidak sesuai dengan vitamin B3/niacinamide ni & biasanya mereka akan jadi breakout, or rashes; tp itu cuma % yang kecil aje la.... so, apabila anda try produk Olay & ada rashes, berkemungkinan anda alergik dengan Niacinamide, tp kalo tak alergik, this is definitely the best ingredients for you!!!

Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid, ascorbyl glucosamine, sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Haaaa... vitamin ni adalah sejenis anti-oxidant & proven to increase collagen production!!... kalo korang perasan, kebanyakan minuman collagen akan add vitamin C utk increase collagen drink effectiveness!!! dah ler bagus untuk di makan, di sapu pun bagus!!! vitamin C jugak boleh reduce discoloration (even skintone laa), strengthen skin barrier & repair process, & merawat kulit from sun-exposure. Must remember!! Vitamin C ni mudah oxidized... so, kalo kita nak beli product yang ada Vit C, kena tengok packaging jenis dalam botol kedap udara & ada pump utk keluarkan product, jangan beli yang jenis dalam bekas calit2 celup jari, sbb Vit C dalam product tu akan rosak & tak berkesan....

Vitamin E - Tocopheryl Acetate, alpha-tocopherol
Still considered as one of the Best skin anti-oxidants superstar... bagus consumed both ways (orally & topically). Sbb Vitamin E ni banyak sangat faedah dia, tea taruk dalam bentuk points laa ek : -

• Menjaga epidermis from UV damage
• Increase keberkesanan SPF yang kita pakai
• Reduce free radical formation due to UVA rays & stress..
• Menghalang oxidation fatty acid dalam sel kulit (yang menyebabkan kerosakan sel)
• Menghalang kulit daripada de-hydration & menguatkan sel kulit
• Menyeimbangkan skin natural oil (lipid)
• Reduce effect of sunburn

Vitamin E ni banyak didapati dalam bentuk oil (yer laa, dah dia jenis oil-soluble).. contohnya, cocoa butter, Olive Oil, Argan Oil... tea sendiri memakai Argan Oil 3 titik max sebelum tidur... takleh banyak2 titik nanti jerawat batu tumbuh sebijik... huhuhuhuhu

Vitamin F - commonly known as linoleic acid.. :)
Still the best vitamins for your skin... considered as Essential fatty acid, so, penyapuan product yang ada linoleic acid nie, mmg akan increase skin moisture, anti-oxidants, anti-inflamatory & increase skin barrier function... kiranya vitamin ni menyeimbangkan skin's natural lipid & skin emmolient, biasanya menjadi moisturizer's emmolient properties...

Vitamin B5 - Panthenol/pantothenic acid
vitamin ni sangat2 bagus untuk acne sufferers... yang ada jerawat or blemishes la, selain dari tu, ia menolong untuk skin hydration & menyembuhkan luka....
Contoh2 product yang ada Panthenol - Olay Total Effects, Regenerist...

Vitamin B12 - yang ni untuk psoriasis sufferers... or eczema... payah kot nak cari skincare yang ada ingredients ni, tp buleh dapat from dermatologist kot...

Vitamin D - naturally produced by your skin dengan kehadiran UVB... so, even pakai sunscreen, your skin still can produce vitamin D...

Honey- Sangat2 kaya dengan Amino Acid, Anti-oxidants, peptides, anti-inflamatory... tea pakai honey ni untuk pelembab bibir selama 15 menet... lepas tu basuh... mmg bibir jadi lembab & pinkish... dulu bibir tea jadi hitam sbb alergik dengan lipstick maybelline, so, tea treat balik kulit bibir tea dengan lip balm ROC (malam sblm tidur) dan juga madu (lip mask selama 15 minit).... lagi gelap warna madu ni, lagi banyak anti-oxidant dalamnye....
















Argan Oil ni kaya dengan macam2 vitamin (especially vitamin E)

Pumpkin oil pula kaya dengan Linoleic acid (Vitamin F), Carotene (natural source of Vitamin A) dan beneficial enzymes utk skin's natural exfoliation..


Okay, setakat ni dulu coretan tea... In sha Allah, bila ada additional ilham lagi, tea akan sambung mengenai ingredients2 lain pulak.. e.g. anti-oxidants, skin communicating ingredients, Emmolients/Skin identical ingredients, anti-irritants, anti-bacterial (acne treatments)

XOXO
- marina / green~tea -

Basic Skincare Routines & the vitamins it needs~~~

yer, yer.... nak posting pasal kecantikan, tp diri sendiri takde laa cantik mane pun... kuang kuang kuang... tp bg tea "Beauty is an effort", so, untuk nampak cantik, tak apa kita berusaha, selagi cara itu halal & dibenarkan.. :) biar laa orang nak kata kita maintenance tinggi ke ape... yang penting, kita tau kita lambat kedut banding ngn orang yang too ego untuk mengaku/berusaha untuk maintain cantik...

apakah bahan2 yang basic kita perlukan untuk daily skincare kita??? kadang2 cam rimas gak kan nak tempek sampai 7,8 jenis product every morning & evening... tak campur lagi dengan mask yang kena pakai every alternate day or seminggu sekali... bagi tea, there are 5/6 steps that is essential for your skincare routine:-

 # 1 Cleanser - ada 2 main choices, either cream cleanser or foaming cleanser... tea pakai cream cleanser, sbb foaming cleanser akan buat kulit tea area hidung cam gelupas2... maklumlaaa, kulit dah agak matang... so, bila switch to cream cleanser, the problem is solved!!! tp untuk oily skin, it's better to use foaming cleanser.

 # 2  Toner - remove traces of impurities & instant hydration after cleansing. yang SK-2 ni tea tak pakai, tp tea taruk gamba kat sini sbb ingredients dia bagus, cuma yang tak best dengan toner ni ialah harga dia... it's very unreasonable in my opinion...

 # 3  Exfoliant - sun exposure, oily skin menyebabkan kulit kita menebal & banyak dead skin cells yang tak shed-off... so, you need this exfoliation; typically AHA or BHA... AHA is glycolic acid, BHA is salicylic acid... tea ada beli cleanser yang dah ada AHA/BHA terus. it's more convenient & i can skip this step... kadang2 baru tea scrub muka pakai serbuk beras, tp takleh kerap sangat, just 2-3 times a week kalo nak scrub muka ekk.... skang ni tea gigih perabiskan stok dermalogica toner sbb tea nak switch to Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion.. dia ni 2-in-1.. can be both exfoliation & toning your skin.. jimat duit i.. kihkihkih....

 # 4  Serum / targeted treatment - depends what u really need, either for acne treatment, whitening, anti-ageing, or jenis all-in-one... there are sooo many good serums out there... currently tea pakai Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair since last year, untuk anti-aging tp suprisingly, side effect pakai serum nie, jerawat2 dah segan nak naik kat muka... love it!!! siang tea pakai olay's regenerist serum (beli time sale, RM 35 aje sebotol... nak tau kenapa? wait for my review in my future posts~~!!

 # 5  Moisturizer - the basic 3 group of ingredients yang MESTI ADA dalam moisturizer is the anti-oxidants, skin-repairing substances & also skin communicating ingredients... okay, you must've noticed that i use olay products, sbb bg tea, product from olay ni sangat sesuai dengan kulit tea, it's full-packed with beneficial ingredients (anti-oxidants, skin communicating ingredients & skin repair ingredients) with a cheap price tags!!! 

 # 6 SPF - yang ni paling utamaaaa!!!!! the main cause of signs of skin-aging, pigmentation & wrinkles are the UV rays!!! so, bg pendapat tea, u need at least SPF30 untuk pakai everyday & mesti topup time lunch hour, especially bila kita basuh muka untuk ambil wudhu'.... kat bawah ni contoh2 SPF yang bagus & tea recommend pakai.. if you're dry or normal skin, boley try Olay's UV blocker... sbb SPF ni ada avobenzone dengan banyakkkk anti-oxidants & skin communicating ingredients, kenapa utk dry/ normal skin aje? yes, it's because of avobenzone which tends to make your skin a little bit oily, tp kalo anda ada kulit kering atau normal, mmg bole pakai sunblock ni... untuk yang kulit berminyak, boley try skin aqua by Sunplay pulak, they both have SPF50, tp sunplay ni guna ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate instead of avobenzone dalam olay tadi... ingredient ni bagus & tak menyebabkan kulit berminyak... mana satu pilihan hati? tepuk pipi tanya poket.. hehehhehe

okay, setakat ni dulu coretan tea.... my next posts will be Vitamins for the skins - Antioxidants, Skin Communicating & Skin Repairing Ingredients... :)

XOXO

- marina / green~tea -

Remarkable, Authentic Cheju-Do (Jeju Island)

The one place that i love most in Korea is Jeju Island... and seriously, tea rasa mmg nak sangat2 repeat lagi sekali Jeju Island tour nie dalam masa terdekat, in sha Allah, kalo ada rezeki... bagi orang2 yang suka nature, Jeju is the place, it's full of wonderful naturally-occuring attractions yang awesomeness... UNESCO heritage ada 4 sites kot kat Jeju nie...

One tips about visiting Jeju island ni, u must never ever make trip time winter, pilih waktu2 lain, sbb time winter, most tempat ditutup.. so, rugi aje laaa dah bayar mahal2 flight, cuti & masa.... sila datang time autumn (paling cantik), summer or spring...

cara2 nak gi ke Jeju island ni via flight la.. it's about 1 hour flight from Seoul.. tea naik Jeju Air aritu from Seoul, the ticket is about RM 120 saje all in.  kalo gi Jeju, u need AT LEAST 7 days utk tour all the attractions in Jeju island.. serius, mmg banyak sangat tempat2 cantik di Jeju ni...

below is the Map places of attractions in Jeju .. kalo korang nak tengok lagi dekat... Klik Sini Jeju Island Map - Attractions

kami sampai di Jeju Island pada 16/10/2012 malam... and bila sampai2 aje kami terus check in di Yeha Guesthouse, it's very near to airport, about 10 mins drive aje...it's highly recommended to stay at Yeha... they have kitchen yang spacious, power supply with adaptors macam2 jenis appliances, PCs to surf internet & free phone for local call (utk call teksi etc)... Yang paling tea suka is, they do provide cooking utensils for Muslims!!! not to mention they also have free flow of egg, drinks (as in coffee, tea and juices), kimchi, rice etc,...

the room is very nice, clean & completes the basic needs... kalo nak usha2 rate Yeha guesthouse, tengok sini yerrr...... Yeha Guesthouse

ni tea saje jenjalan dekat area hotel, actually kitorang on the way ke food market yang terletak agak jauh dari hotel, well of course kitorang walk aje, sbb ingatkan walking distance.. skali.. huhuhuhuhuhu..... 

ni dekat lorong betul2 belakang Yeha Guesthouse... on the way ke 24 hrs mini mart (ala2 7 eleven la)...

Ni pintu masuk Yeha guesthouse...

Okay, on the 17th october tu, cam biasa sbb budget tight, kitorang mmg bekfes kat Guesthouse aje, sbb free flow of roti, egg etc kan, tp untuk lunch, kami mmg makan besar..... Since kami kat Jeju, kami makan seafood dishes.. dia panggil haemultang... sedappp gilosssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss..... lain2 cam ikan bakar ke ape sume mmg order skali la...

Ni dia Seafood Haemultang... ada siput, sotong, ketam, sayur2 macam2 laaaaaaaaaaaa dalam ni... mmg kuah sup dia wahhhhh manis nyer dengan macam2 seafood dalam tu, bukan manis gula ek, manis isi sotong, ketam etc tu lar... and siput or kerang yang dimasak depan kitorang tu, mmg still hidup lg tauuu... aduh.. luluh hati tengok si siput dying slowly... uhuhuhuhuhu...

Awal2 trip kami, kitorang start dekat Ilchulbong Peak.. mmg kena mendaki sikit lah.. tp sbb scenery dia yang cantik.. tak terasa langsung penat tu...Ilchulbong peak ni UNESCO heritage site, asalnya kawah gunung berapi la.... sangat cantik.....

Dekat Ilchulbong ni, kami ternampak ramai giler remaja2 Korea tengah berjoget gangnam beramai2... kat bawah ni diorang tengah joget la... rugi tak amek video.. ihihihihi....

Selepas ke Ilchulbong, kami ke Sangumburi Crater... another kawah gunung berapi, but it's bigger & macam2 flora ada kat sini... the view is soooo breathtaking & nyaman & serene & magnificent!!!!! mmg cantik sangat2 tempat ni... i cannot find the exact words to describe the beauty of Sangumburi, so you can scroll down to the pics below utk menjamu mata dengan keindahan alam ciptaan Allah...

 On the way to Majanggul Lava Tube Cave, we came across fields full of flowers & ada sederet kincir angin, tp tea ter"snap" kincir angin satu aje.. aaaaaaaaaaaa... patutnye snap yang sederet tu baru nampak santek~~~ since kitorang bising2 tu, pakcik tu offer utk berenti amek gamba tepi jalan.. maka kami immediately setujuk.... hehehhehe

 Later, we went to explore the Majanggul Lava Tube Cave... it's a cave, tp cave ni terbentuk dari lava yang dah mengeras... Gua ni panjang, tp cuma accessible sepanjang 1.2 km saje.... lain2 tak dibuka ke public... cam seriau2 jugak laa kan nak masok~~ tp whatever, pengalaman ini penting~~~~

This is the turtle rock..

Pakcik teksi sabar menunggu kami yang gigih cam-wh*ring... hahahahhaha.. pakcik ni sangat friendly & terer cakap English, so communication is not a problem... he is a very good tour guide... kalo nak contact dia, sila tengok kat business card kat bawah nie.. he's very2 friendly & helpful... kat card dia ada tulis website dia... tea da masuk website tu, tp banyak bahasa korea la.. err.. tak paham.. tp kalo nak book dia, you can book one day in advance....

Then, kitorang singgah ke Trickart museum... mmg sini buleh cam-wh*ring sesungguh hati sbb banyak sangat art2 yang funny, puzzling, macam2 laaaa.... another must-go place....

The next day on 18th Oct, awal2 pagi lagi kitorang ke Halla-san mountain untuk mendaki.... honestly, kitorang mmg underestimate kesejukan & preparation untuk naik Halla-san nie.. bayangkan, kami cuma pakai jeans, jacket tahan sejuk, sneakers... sbb kitorang budget, setakat Yeonsil Trail (the shortest hiking trail)... Around Halla-san ni ada 5 hiking trails...

1. Gwaneumsa trail - 8.7 km
2. Eorimok trail - 4.7 km
3. Seongpanak trail - 9.6 km
4. Yeongsil trail - 3.7 km
5. Donnaeko trail - 9.1 km

Cara nak gi ke kaki gunung Halla ni, mmg satu cara aje.... naik teksi.. mmg jauh gilerrrrrrrrrrrrrr dari hotel... sbb Halla-san is the heart of Jeju,... the locals say that Jeju is Halla, Halla is Jeju... Halla betul2 kat tengah2 pulau Jeju....

Bawah ni statue simbol Jeju-island... dibuat dari batu2 gunung berapi & diukir simbol er.... how do i say this... er....  "kelelakian".. hehehhe.. sbb tu sumer nyer ber"topi"... hahahhahahaha.... tea tak sanggup nak beli buat souvenir & kasi hadiah kat orang.. hahahhaha.. takpelah.. biarlah rahsia....

okay lah... ini aja kot info sharing tea about Jeju... i should have stayed longer there... arrghhhhh.... tp nak wat canne... kitorang tak expect Jeju ni sangat2 best camtu... huhuuhuh.. serious mmg kena repeat lagi sekali.. tak puas laa gi sini... soo many places that we've missed....

Antara tempat2 yang kitorang tak sempat pegi (sob... sob... sob....) are the followings, but I do hope to repeat Jeju trip one fine day... in sha Allah... tp list ni yang tea rasa must-go... ada banyak lagi dalam list, tp buleh google kot, or buleh amek pamphlet kat Jeju airport, kat sana list lagi banyak... and if you're running short of time, boleh mintak pakcik teksi tu prioritize yang mana paling berbaloi utk gi visit....

1. Hallim park - kampung traditional, parks, patung2 from batuan gunung berapi....
2. Samseonghyeol - the legendary Three Holes
3. Folk villages - ni ada banyak, pilih salah satu aje la...
4. Love Land... err... tanak describe.. sila tanya pakcik Google... ahahhahahhaha... untuk 18SX aje theme park nie...
5. Yeomiji Botanic Garden
6. Iho Beach
7. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
8. Seopjikoji
9. Kimyoung Maze
10. Glass castle

till then,

- marina / green~tea-