You're a good mom!!!!! Regardless..

I really like a post by Nibbly Bits thru their Facebook which I can't help but re-post here:

To the mom who's breastfeeding: Way to go! It really is an amazing gift to give your baby, for any amount of time that you can manage! You're a good mom.

To the mom who's formula feeding: Isn't science amazing? To think there was a time when a baby with a mother who couldn't produce enough would suffer, but now? Better living through chemistry! You're a good mom.

To the cloth diapering mom: Fluffy bums are the cutest, and so friendly on the bank account. You're a good mom.

To the disposable diapering mom: Damn those things hold a lot, and it's excellent to not worry about leakage and laundry! You're a good mom.

To the mom who stays home: I can imagine it isn't easy doing what you do, but to spend those precious years with your babies must be amazing. You're a good mom.

To the mom who works: It's wonderful that you're sticking to your career, you're a positive role model for your children in so many ways, it's fantastic. You're a good mom.

To the mom who had to feed her kids from the drive thru all week because you're too worn out to cook or go grocery shopping: You're feeding your kids, and hey, I bet they aren't complaining! Sometimes sanity can indeed be found in a red box with a big yellow M on it. You're a good mom.

To the mom who gave her kids a homecooked breakfast lunch and dinner for the past week: Excellent! Good nutrition is important, and they're learning to enjoy healthy foods at an early age, a boon for the rest of their lives. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the kids who are sitting quietly and using their manners in the fancy restaurant: Kudos, it takes a lot to maintain order with children in a place where they can't run around. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the toddler having a meltdown in the cereal aisle: they always seem to pick the most embarrassing places to lose their minds don't they? We've all been through it. You're a good mom.

To the moms who judge other moms for ANY of the above? Glass houses, friend. Glass houses.

Shaklee Collagen Powder (SCP)

Talking about collagen.. there are many options available in the market these days ranging from all-can-buy until only-certain-can buy price. There are many faces of it, from widely known brand until the first-time-know brand. Personally, I never into this collagen product until I am in my 30s and my curiosity over what I heard and saw about how collagen can improve our skin elasticity, its texture plus hair quality.. then I decided to give this collagen a try. I am one who always in doubt when comes into what goes into my body.. especially when I am still breastfeeding my kids.. It took quite sometimes for me to really gives it a go. This is the first time I am going to consume a collagen and I chose one from Shaklee. It has 15 sachets in the box and when I am writing this entry, there are only 7 sachets left in a box.

Why I Chose Shaklee?

Has right amount, which is consists of 4,000 mg proprietary RSS (Red Snapper Scale) Collagen. The recommended content would be between 2500 – 5000mg.

Has low molecule size, which the lower the size, the faster you will see the result because the right size will be easily digested and absorbed by the body. Shaklee’s extremely low molecular weight collagen, at approximately 1,000 Dalton.

7 key ingredients which functions as below are combined to enhance effectiveness of SCP.

• Camellia japonica seed extract: Increase fibroblast and promote generation of collagen and hyaluronic acid to maintain beauty skin, improvement of wrinkles & have anti-glycation effect.
• Pfaffia extract: It is used as an “adaptogen” to help the body adapt to stress by improving the immune system; as a treatment for cancer and tumors, diabetes, and male sexual performance problems; as a tonic to restore body function; and as an aphrodisiac to heighten sexual arousal.
• Fish collagen: Improve smoothness, retain moisture level and maximise suppleness of the skin and prevent formation of deep skin wrinkles.
• Shellfish extract: The glucosamine extracted from shellfish been used to treat forms of degenerative arthritis, or the arthritis that occurs from a gradual loss of cartilage that protects your joints, especially the weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: Helps to digest food, produce vitamins and facilitates digestion.
• Vitamin C & Vitamin Bs: Vitamin C to promote collagen production and anti free radical. Vitamin B plays important roles in cell metabolism.
• Red Snapper Scale Collagen: Premium source of collagen whereby less pollution and its high level of absorption.

Dual-way of usage

• As a drink, it can easily dissolve and mixes well with your favourite food and beverages. 
• As a face masker.

Looks and feel younger: Improve bone density

• Assist heart and cardiovascular system 
• Strengthen teeth and gums 
• Fortify fingernails and toenails 
• Strengthen skin elasticity 
• Change quality of hair 
• Burns and wounds are healed quickly

Who Should Consume It?

Based on its advantages, everyone from age of 25 years old and above who want the following benefits shall consider of drinking it:

• To look young and feel young by gaining strength in the bones, nails, hair and skin.
• To boost the collagen in the body to have a positive effect on the heart, as well as assisting in healing wounds more quickly.

Does It Safe For Nursing Mom?

I am tandem nursing my 2 kids (3 years plus and 10 months). So far, I have not encountered any abnormality related to breast milk or breastfeeding. The milk supply is OK, both kids are OK.. I concluded it is OK for me.

How Good It Is?

After 8 days of drinking it (1 mix a sachet into 240ml ESP) and applied it twice on the face (I use 1/8 portion in a sachet and mix it with a pipe-water then applied on my face and neck; leave it for 10 minutes before rinse it), I noticed my skin, (with only moisturiser applied):

·         Fairer than before

·         Looks fresh

·         Has smooth texture

·         Less sagging

I only focus on my face, so I cannot tell any other goodness I have experienced.. hahaha

As a face masker, it is really good. I can really feel the difference (compared to any face masker I have ever used before). I can say, in very small quantity of masker, it works wonder.. Which when I first mixed the 1/8 portion with water, O my, so thin.. can it works as a masker? To my surprise, as it dry on my skin, it becomes glue-like. When comes into rinsing, it can easily rinse-off. I can feel the difference on my face right away (or is it only my feeling? Hahaha, but I like how it feels.. it has fishy smell though.. of course it is, because it is made of fish scales).

What About The Price?

The retail price for West Malaysia is RM298 and RM305 for Sabah & Sarawak. If any of you interested to know more or would like to get a special price, please PM me.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is often mistakenly as a man-made product which widely known as a women and skin product. What is collagen actually? The article below explains its all about.

Collagen is a type of protein. Fibrous in nature, it connects and supports other bodily tissues, such as skin, bone, tendons, muscles, and cartilage as illustrated in figure 1 below. It also supports the internal organs and is even present in teeth. There are more than 25 types of collagens that naturally occur in the body.

Figure 1

Collagen is one of the most plentiful proteins present in the bodies of mammals, including humans. In fact, it makes up about 30 percent of the total amount of proteins in the body. Some people refer to collagen as the glue that holds the body together. Without it, the body would, quite literally, fall apart. Figure 2 below is summary of where collagen present in parts of our body.

Figure 2

Possessing great tensile strength, collagen functions in a manner that is very different from many other types of proteins. For example, it can be found both inside and outside of cells. Collagen fibers are important in contributing to the external structure of cells. However, they are present on the inside of some cells as well. Collagen works hand-in-hand with elastin in supporting the body’s tissues. Basically, it gives body tissues form and provides firmness and strength; elastin gives the same body tissues much need flexibility. This combination of collagen and elastin is very important in many parts of the body, including, but not limited to, the lungs, bones, and tendons as illustrated in figure 3 and figure 4 below. Even the blood vessels rely on both collagen and elastin.

Figure 3: Collagen Fibers in Skin

Figure 4: Collagen Fibers in Bones, Tendons, Ligaments

Often, collagen is discussed in relation to the skin. It works with keratin to provide the skin with strength, flexibility, and resilience. As people age, however, collagen degradation occurs, leading to wrinkles. Figure 5 below illustrates comparison between a skin with ample collagen and insufficient collagen.

Figure 5

As such, it is an important substance for those looking for ways to fight the visible effects of aging on the skin. Figure 6 below illustrates content of collagen degrade in our body as we grow. As we grow older, the production of collagen begins to slow down and cell structures start losing their strength. As a result, skin starts to become fragile, less elastic and wrinkles start to set in. In addition, hair starts losing it's color, joints lose their flexibility, and bone quality begins deteriorating.

Figure 6

Skincare professionals actually advise people on ways to stimulate the production of collagen in skin cells. In addition to being so important in the body, collagen also has many medical uses. It is used in some cosmetic surgery procedures and is sold as a supplement created for joint mobility. It is even used in treating and managing serious burns. For this purpose, it is used in creating man-made skin substitutes.

Collagen is so important within the body that it is often considered to be the "glue that holds the body together". When all bodily tissues are connected and supported by collagen, everything are functioning properly as it supposed to be, as illustrated in figure 7, a healthy body system. Since collagens are so important within the body, it stands to reason that collagen deficiencies can be problematic. In fact, there are some genetic diseases that are associated with collagen deficiencies. For example, osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly referred to as brittle bone disease, results from a significantly decreased level of collagen. It can also result from the presence of collagen that is of lower quality than normal.

Figure 7

Source: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-collagen.htm

Why Shaklee?

Do I Really Need Supplement?

Is it necessary? I am neither medical professional nor dietician/nutritionist, far from anything professional related to health. Personally, taking supplement for health maintenance never crossed my mind before. Why would I take it? Why wasting money when I can get the necessary vitamins from whole foods? Malaysia, especially Sabah blessed with abundant fresh foods. Why would I let more chemical goes into my body? For me, supplement is supplement which comes in a medicine-like bottle, a colorful pill, comes with a price, etc. Don't talk about taking it..

Supplement Is Necessary When..

When I say yes or no to something, I tend to justify. Whether I say it out or no, it's a different story. As a nursing mom for 2 plus manager and maid at my own home, it required me to be "energetic" and "alert" all the times (Even during night time, or else I can't feed my babies or change the diaper). Whole food never been a problem because I always keep stock and market is just few minutes away from home. My diet is quite good, I eat grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy foods.. basically each from the food group. How much my body needs from each group, I don't know.. All I know, as long as I am full, feeling good, that's it. Hahaha.. Exercise? Yes, I do (By doing the household chores). Regardless, I was so tired before end of the day (at the same time, I want to breastfed my kids as long as they want). Then.. I start looking into this so called supplement. I think, at least I need multivitamin. Then the searching begins..

Natural or Synthetic Supplement? How to Tell?

Now that I am into supplement, there are ton of choices out there. Famous brand, less-famous brand, expensive, can-have, etc. As for natural vs synthetic, of course I choose natural. Is natural really natural? Hmmm.. Let's google. And I found this very informative article from these two links, that at least give me some clues about it (some of them really "technical" which I have no idea what's it all about):

How to tell difference between natural and synthetic supplements

How to tell natural from synthetic

I Choose Shaklee because.. 

I have admitted that I chose Shaklee over other brand for its famous marketing over the FaceBook, which emphasizes on breastfeeding. Of course I was looking for supplement that is safe for nursing mom because whatever goes into my body will transfer into my babies body too. Still in doubt whether I did choose the right brand, I continue do some readings from their website. I guess, their product philosophy really comforts me. 

I also come across to this site, which compiles what health professionals say about Shaklee that affirmed me about my choice.

What health professionals say about Shaklee

Phew!! I am feeling good. 

Stay Calm, Mommy

Oo my God! I've just cleaned the house and before the whole floor dried, here comes the new mess. Never ending mess.. How to stop the mess? How to keep the house clean? After the kids go to bed? Hmmm.. I am not energetic enough to stay late just to sweep, mop, tidy up the house. No matter how much efforts I have put in on this house, the house will ended up messy. The household chores list will stay the same (or will be increased). Should I complain over these so called never ending jobs? I afraid complaining just make me looks older. I want to stay young.. (At least young at heart.. Looking younger will be a bonus.. Hahaha). How to stay young? Be grateful.. Looking thing at its positive side.. Stay calm.. Enjoy every moment.. And the list goes on (as we wish).. This quote is really an inspiration to me.

Hahaha.. The quote is so cute.. As cute as our little ones. Just excuse their mess as thing not gonna be the same 5 years from now (even tomorrow). Aiyoo.. Just start talking about the kids are growing up really make me sad. There will be no more "Mommy! Where are you?", "Mommy, my tummy is rumbling. I'm hungry", "Mommy, come back" and everything mommy.. I'm gonna miss these little lions. 

It is okay not to have all the household chore checklist checked by end of the day as long as I have a quality time with my super duper hyper kids. Hahahaa..

I don't know

There are lot of things I wanna share but I just couldn't decide which one to go first. There are plenty of reasons not to start and here I go.. No update for almost 5 days. The moral of the story is, if I kept delaying things, I won't be able to to start any because the hardest thing is to start something. Yes, to START something. I notice that once I have started.. I can't stop. The idea kept coming in that I couldn't find any suitable topic. 

The bottom line is.. Start something NOW. The more we delay, the more longer we see the result. And the result is.. Only you and I know what result we wanna see in life. All the best, everyone!!

Tandem Nursing Journey (Part 2)

Both kids latching at the same time.. It was hard (especially during confinement period) at first, until I get used to it , which I think by the time the confinement period is over. Even so, it's never been easy when comes into napping and sleeping time. I think the boy was trying hard to find the comfortable position (I used to always nurse him to sleep). As time goes by, as he growing up, he made himself fit into whatever breastfeeding position I am. I guess he felt secure too, that he no longer come every time his sister latch. The best part when they latch together is, how close they are that the boy sometimes poke the sister's nose, the sister pinch the brother's forehead, etc. then stop for a while just to laugh then continue.. 

Yes, tandem nursing is not easy but it is doable and lovable. I don't know how long will they nurse but just thinking of they are growing up and some day stop nursing.. really made me sad. Apart from being in my womb through pregnancy, nursing is the next thing that made us so close to each other. And as I am writing this.. I have been 3 years plus in breastfeeding and still.. It is a blessing