BEAUTIZA

Misai Kucing

Botanical name : Orthosiphon stamineus benth. Known as misai kuching (cat’s whiskers) here, or kumis kuching in Indonesia, this herb is popular with many Southesast Asians. for centuries, they have been brewing and drindking misai kucing, also known as Jawa tea or kideny tea. this medicinal herb has been used traditionally for treating diabetes, gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis and hypertenstion.

Bitter Goud

Latin name : Momordica charantia. Like in Filipinos, most Malaysians know this plant well. Apart from making a great dish, it is good for diabetics. Oral consumption or juicing of the fruit has been recommended for its hypoglycemic effects on blood sugar. Studies are being done on the seed of the bitter goud on its effects on blood sugar levels.

Gymnema

Latin name : Gymnema sylvestre. Gymnema has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to reduce blood glocose and help in hyperglycaemia, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, anaemia and digestion problems. Besides that, the leaves are also used to cub ’sweet tooth’. when chewed, it kills the ability to taste sugar for a few hours.

Indian Kino Tree

Latin name : Pterocarpus marsupium. Originally from India, the kin tree is also nown as bijaka, malabar kino, banga or venkai. This plan, popularly used as an Ayurvedic ingredient, contains an active ingredient known as epicatechin, which mimics insulin action. It also has the capacity to reduce glucose absorption form the gastrointestinal tract. The Indian kino tree has been used traditionally for diabetic management, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Quote from HealthToday (November 2007) by Nutritionist Grace Kang, reviews some traditional herbal therapies for diabities.

My mum always asked me to do facial for her, which I enjoyed doing sometimes. Every time I did her facial I would promised her that I will take her to a salon one day. I can,t recalled how many times I promised her.

It was just recently that I was thinking to do facial for me and my mum. She was so exited when I called her to ask her whether she is free on Saturday to do facial but unfortunately she and my dad had made a planned to attend wedding. Well I though, I can arranged for her to do facial next time. Suddenly she said, can I go tomorrow? I explained to my dad where the place is. Ok.. set.. I spoke to the my friend (the owner) my mum will be there. the appointment is at 9.00 am.

The Next Day…. Friday….

Early morning I called her asking whether she had reached the place. I have been calling her hp for 3 times, there were still searching for the place. After 30 minute searching.. they managed to find the salon. The fourth time I called, she had switched off her hp, I was sure the beautician was treating her face that moment. After being pampered for one and a half hours, she called .. ‘Ley, I’m done with the facial, come and take me here’.

When I reached the place, I asked her to come down because it was hard to find a parking, but she said ‘I am not done yet’. Luckily I managed to find a parking space. Upon reaching the salon, she was doing her manicure. Wah .. no wonder lah.
Imagine at the age of 55 only she got the opportunity to do facial.

Sometimes i wonder, how long could a friendship last. Could it last only for 1 year, 2 years or for a life time. It is interesting to know that there are people who know you, sometimes more than you ever know yourself.

I met Kay, Fele, Collette and Flo in a college in 1993, taking the same course. Staying next door to each other, made us like a team. We do most of the thing together, go to class, cafeteria, library, what else..go to church..etc. Other friends will say we were just like ‘belangkas’ , they even notice when one of us in the team.

This is what i thought of them… i hope they wont marah me lah.. this is my own opinion..

Flo : The leader.. she just like to instruct us..

Cay : The big sister, our reference

Colette : Full of sense of humour

Fele : Soft spoken but you will hear her voice when she angry

Me : Dont know lah.. mybe the fighter..

We are still the best of friends .. all of us are married, with children .. except for flo..no news yet from her.

Until now, we still rely on each other’s opinions.. we still fight as usual when comes to disagreement. I pray that our friendship will last forever! Amen

From left : mummy ley, ina fele, aunty flo, mummy lett and mama cay..

Everybody is looking forward for a weekend. That is the only day that we can spend our time with our family. But I thought this Saturday (24 Nov), I need a break. A day for myself. Well actually there is a feeling of guilt leaving the family at home.

Early Saturday morning I woke up, clean the house, prepared breakfast for the family. At 9.40am, I say goodbye to them and went off to my friend’s salon which is located in Likas.

It feel good to drive on my own sometimes, tuning in to my favorite radio station ‘lite n easy’. Driving without disturbance, only surrounded by music. Wahh.. so good..

I straight away did my facial upon reaching the salon. At the same time, I had the opportunity to talk about business with my friend. So it’s a deal, we going to venture into business soon.. yes.. soon after another project is over.

Time check 1.00 pm, time to go home. Husband’s sms ‘where are you?’.. I bought goreng pisang and ubi manis before going off. On the way home, I have to take a cloth hanger in a shop in Likas, which we ordered few months earlier.

Reached home exactly at 2.00pm. Home Sweet Home!… Thanks dear for taking care of the children..

My son, Sean Matthew will be 4 years old on 8 November (Deepavali Day) it will be a holiday.  Well i am planning for a simple yet fun party for him. 

I am still thinking of the guests.   I cant invite everybody .. well actually .. how i wish everybody can squeeze in the small apatment of ours. 

Still thinking of what theme and how to decorate the house…

  ULTRAMAN 3 !!!

Mmmm… still thinking of what to cook…  Wait lah another day to think about it.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often referred to as a joint disease.  In reality, it is a far more debilitating disease involving the immune system.  RA causes your own immune system to attack your joints, causing chronic pain and irreversible joint deterioration.

Epimeliology

RA affects about 1% of adults during their most productive years, and women are three times more prone to it than men.  The presence of estrogen receptors on certain cells indicates a hormonal relationship.  RA also appears to be genetically linked.  There is a higher incidence in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins.  No one knows why the immune system attacks healthy joints cells in RA or what trigger the disease.  However, it may be related to aging, as it occurs more often in older people.  It could also be related to a number of environmental factors like smoking.

What Happens?

Joint damage is caused by inflammation, a process that your immune system uses to fight infections and heal injuries.  Under normal circumstances, once your body clears out an infection, the inflammation stops.

However, with RA, your body’s immune system mistakes some organs as foreign bodies and attacks them.  This results in damage to joints and organs.

There are some pertinent things to know about RA.  While pain and inflammation can be congroled with pain relievers, medications do not affect the disease process that damages joints and bones.

Unlike many injuries that heal over time, the deterioration of joints, bones and cartilage by RA is progressive.  As bleak as this situation sounds, you can work with your physician to make sure you get an early diagnosis.  Early treatment can help slow or stop the progression of RA.

If RA is left untreated, damage increases.  It begins in the lining of the joints, spreads to cartilage and finally erodes the bone.

Do you have these RA symtoms?

Check any symptoms that you are experiencing.

• Joint pain with warmth and swelling, especially in the small joints of hands, wrists and feet. 
• Pain in more than one joint at the same time.
• Fatique.
• Morning stifness that lastas an hour or more.
• Limited movement or function of joints.
• Painless lumps under the skin around your elbows and hands.
• Low-grade fever.
• Weakness.

This checklist is not a formal diagnostic tool, but rather to help identify symtoms.

There is a whold range of treatments for RA.  Talk with your doctor to find one that works for you.  Your doctor can also give you information about the benefits and side-effects associated with all the opstions.