On This Day - (5th Aug) #Reminders from FB#

5th Aug 2022

When they were younger (lil' one @ 1y 7d old, didi @ Smths), they were curious abt each other.

They'll look at each other and poke at each other, most times lil' one is the aggressive one 😂. Then they grab anything so it happened that he grabbed her hair on this day and didn't let go. She bawled out really loud and was really sad.

#theadultscanlaughsomemore# 

5th Aug 2021

Long story rant:

I've been a YL user since 2015? 2016? I love their oils coz I know I'm using the real stuffs.

BUT YL oils isn't cheap at all, so when I heard of this brand - Revive - that smells exactly the same as YL and cheaper than YL, I just had to try it.

My items came today and seriously I can't tell the difference (except for Courage (YL's Valor) the initial sniff was sharper but after that no difference.

I chose to try Peppermint too coz this was the first bottle a friend gifted me. Introducing me to the world of pure oils. It was this bottle too that my innocent unbiased child, Athena, says she loves this smell better than the others I bought before. So it kindda convinced me that she knows the pure stuffs and the fake pungent peppermint cheap no brand oils we normally buy outside. In today's sniffing experiment, Revive's Peppermint didn't disappoint me. Will apply peppermint later, just nice my headache came back so will see if this will help me.

Sorry ah..... I know some of my friends here are also YL users. I'm just sharing, not implying that Revive is better than YL. And do read up on 2 sides of the story in the internet. I'm only trying the smells, haven't applied on skin yet. Some may not feel comfortable to try a new brand coz too used to YL, so it's up to your discretion.

5th Aug 2016

Lil' one's cookies from Home Management.

5th Aug 2016

She's done with her book. Can guess how long she ate her dinner, sat on the throne. I had to control myself, otherwise my blood pressure shoots up.

Jocelyn Ng, she says it's nice.

5th Aug 2011

Backdated photo : Mar 11 - My lil' girl is in Yellow Belt - Shichida.

5th Aug 2009

*pics tagged by MMI Katong*

Beautiful park to run in

Bubbles!

Catching around the trees

Trying to solve her insomnia (The Timeline) - from July (still drafting. post after mid aug?)

Lil' one complained that she couldn't sleep sometime in July. I need to quickly help her with this, her first part of the finals are in September and she was sitting for Prelims in July/August. No time to lose. 

End of July

1. I gave her the flu medication first while I look for solutions. 

2. The next day dropped by Guardian and got her this Blackmore Sleep Sound Formula which has Valerian, lemon balm and magnesium as its ingredients. 

Gave her 2 that night and she slept better but next night tried 1 and was sleepless. All the while I was also diffusing essential oil. I wished I had read up more on valerian root, it wasn't easy holding onto the phone and checking on stuffs, hanging around the shelf so long that maybe staffs think I'm trying to steal something. So back at home I read up more on valerian root and another study says it's not good for children.  

I'd be more comfortable diffusing it when I realise there is Valerian essential oil. This is only available in YL USA.         

This is a good read of the differences between the 2

https://botanicalinstitute.org/valerian-root-vs-ashwagandha/

When one is comfortable, not in the shopping aisle, it's really important to read up loads of information on both sides as reports or clinical results can be quite biased. So another report I read that valerian root for anxiety can be risky. Reading up on the side effects is equally important too so I made sure I read up for all the "pills" I came across. Seems like valerian root has some side effects which might cause her more confusion in her academics instead? Haha! I gave her for 2 days and decided not to give her anymore; she has a small body frame, later she kena jialat jialat how? 

3. I remember melatonin. Ahhhh.... melatonin the small little pills I took in 2002 when I couldn't sleep during our holiday in USA, only to realise I was already 8wks pregnant when we got back to SIN. There are a few bottles of supplements containing melatonin so took pictures and slowly read up on the ingredients back at home.

An article pointed out that there's lack of scientific evidence, and some potentially harmful side effects, melatonin is not recommended for children or teens. 

Sigh.... another potential supplement striked off the list!

4. As I was checking on valerian root, one article mentioned something called ashgawanda. Sounds promising as I know it's ayurvedic. They don't carry that there, only in Taka's outlet. The cashier is an Indian and I asked him if he's heard of it and if it's good. His response is really strange "I've never heard of it." Huh? Can't be my bad pronunciation right?   

A quick search shows it helps in reducing stress and anxiety, stimulates brain power, improves mood and lifts depression amongst others. Somehow this name sounds a little familiar after some time. 

I have Ashgawanda at home! I bought her Goli gummies together with hubby's ACV in Oct'21 or Nov'21, intending to give her for her memory works then. She only took 2 and didn't like it so I kept it aside. However I wished I had checked more on pros and cons before, I read that it's not suitable for below 18. Oh my! And there's another conflicting article :- 

https://www.tribe-organics.com/pages/ashwagandha-for-kids-teenagers

 

So I'm confused can kids take ashgawanda? Or is this company just marketing it (unethically) without due consideration. I'm giving this to my child so I must be extra careful not to harm her.

A clinical results I read, if you might want to know. 

   

I decided to give to Teacher Cheryl instead, otherwise I'd have to throw it away. Fortunately still not past its expiry date, still good for many more months

5. Came across Goli's Dreamy Sleep Gummies, which is not available in Singapore so I have to order from USA. 

6. When one is desperate, one will find all means at the same time. So which works in the end? Abit difficult to tell right? But I was so desperate coz time is running out. Need to help her before her sleeplessness cause her more harm and worst performance.  *dread* 

On 12th Aug while I was still waiting for the delivery of the Goli's Sleep  - I thought since there's ashwaganha, definitely there must be a chinese way of slow healing right? Dropped by the medical hall at Parkway and asked boss. Immediately he introduced Pearl powder. I thought pearl powder is only for the face. Then he mentioned about ya jing - reduce shock and I remember that once I was recommended by the Tai Aun Medical Hall lady for something also for the girls when they were baby. Athena used to take it often. Unfortunately there's nothing that I can brew for her to drink. when I asked him what's the difference between ashgawandha and this, he mentioned that pearl powder is natural and ashgawandhe is ??? I'm clueless whats the chinese word he used. I asked him what that word means and he couldn't explain it. Haha! typical chicken and duck talking. 

A box of 30 pills which can last for a week (4 tablets in a day) sets me back by $50. No harm trying. I started giving her immediately. 

                                       

extracted from : www.healthline.com/health/pearl-powder

Pearl powder was used as an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying agent, and relaxant in Chinese medicine. This could be in part because of the magnesium it contains. Magnesium has an ability to elevate gamma aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) levels, which can help alleviate depression, anxiety, and certain sleep disorders.

extracted from :https://pearl-powder.net/stress-relief juice.htm#:~:text=They%20discovered%20that%20pearl%20can%20increase%20positive%20%22elevated,relieves%20dizziness%2C%20headaches%20and%20irritability%2C%20and%20improves%20sleep.

Pearl Powder contains taurine. Taurine has an effect on the central nervous system. Studies show that pearl can promote a calming effect on the nervous system and ease pain. They discovered that pearl can increase positive "elevated mood" neurotransmitters, thus reduce stress levels, and promote peaceful, positive Internal energy. Similar studies have been reported that when pearl powder is taken internally, relieves dizziness, headaches and irritability, and improves sleep.

7. Now that we’re on the cheena route. That got me thinking - will tuina help? Afterall she used to enjoy child tuina in 育国中医诊疗所 ？But that would means I’m taking time off to do tuina which will eat into her revision time, then she starts panicking. 

AFTER RESEARCH IS DONE ON CONSUMPTION, IT’S TIME TO EXPLORE OLFACTION

Essential oils

First approach are the expensive small bottles I have at home - my essential oils. 

I've done a blend of lavender, cedarwood and vetiver before, so I will diffuse again for now. 

So what is/are alternative/s to Vetiver, since YL’s Vetiver only comes in 5ml bottles. I'd like to finish off some oils at home too. Found out that oils that smell similar to Vetiver are Myrrh, Palo Santo and Sandalwood. 

Looked for more sleep sleep oil blends if the LCV blend doesn't work and found these.   

Will these 2 other essential oil blends help her? Peace and Calming and Highest Potential? If the anxiety is causing her insomnia then perhaps these two might help?    

I remember when they were both taking their major exams in 2014 (P6 and Sec 4), I used the AromaDome and make them lie inside with Valor diffused for 15mins. Perhaps I can do this again? My small bottles of Valor were used up really quickly, but if it will help her this time it might be worth trying. All I need to do is to note down my expenses and charge her next time when she starts working. Haha! 

Links : 

https://naturopathicpediatrics.com/2018/04/20/3-herbs-kids-anxiety-parents/

I hope I’ll remember to blog on what finally worked for her and IF it worked on her. 

Decided to stop EO ER

I decided to stop my ER membership with YL. I'm still using their oils though. What prompted me to terminate my ER was that I had too many oils. Usually in a month to qualify for ER, I had to make purchases of at least 100PV. And I usually top up on Lemon, Lavender oils. As for the rests, I'd only top up when I need it.

And even I use lemon around the house very often, my supplies didn't seem to run out. TOO MANY OILS! I didn't realise that for 3 months I didn't have any parcel from YL. Well, coz my credit card expired and I forgot to update my new card into the system so they couldn't process my order. I decided then to stop and just be a standard member. 

In January, I requested for them to stop with effect from February but it wasn't adhered to. And I redeemed stuffs with my PV points just before Feb came. And guess what? They processed again just cause I didn't remove items from my cart the previous months before. 

Another reminder was sent out to them on 3rd March. And finally they acknowledged my email and stopped my ER membership. Now all I need to do is to spend 50PV to keep my membership. 

I need to finish up whatever oils I have at home. Really too much already, I have alot of oils which I don't use too. Some are hasty purchase in my early days; some are FOC. I don't like most smell so will probably just diffuse them (some are expensive though) in the night in the yard area - hopefully can repel any insects trying to crawl into the house. Once I clear the oils, which at the rate might take me a year, then I'll just continue getting my usual oils? Or perhaps switch over to another cheaper brand - REVIVE? I'll definitely need to do the smell comparison between the two before I decide if I should switch. 

    

Smells nice

A neighbour walked past my house as I was sweeping the balcony. He smiled, walked past and then re-traced his footsteps back to my house and asked me if I sprayed Lemongrass in the house coz it smells nice.  I cited that it is Citronella that I'm diffusing.

After he left, he got me thinking ... If he came from the direction from our rooms to the living area, he would have sniffed the Odour Control blend (rosemary, lemon and lavender) that I usually diffuse in the mornings as I clean the house. But is it that strong that he can actually smell it from the outside? If he can, I will not have the problem of ensuring my bathrooms smell nice constantly. 

I've embarked on this oily journey for a year now. Any regrets? No, not really. I do feel a little lighter after applying JOY on my wrist and sniff.

I've tried to turn into a holistical living but it's difficult especially if the man doesn't so believe in this and keeps buying chemical laden products from the supermarkets. I've listed out the things that I want to make for cleaning but ..... haven't got done to business. Sigh...........procrastinate procrastinate. 

An accidental encounter with the OILS

It's been three months since I walked into the oily path. Well, if you don't understand me... playing with essential oils. I shall not divulge which brand I'm using here as I'm not hard-selling them but rather use them for personal use. This is a personal blog entry and not meant as a marketing platform for businesses. * I will not hesitate to delete comments if anyone is trying to sell their brands here. TQ. * 

COINCIDENCE OR FATE?

The uncanny thing about this is that I bought two of their blends for my girls when I read about it on the internet. And that was like 4-5 years ago? I was shipping them from the US all the time since 2011 or was it 2012? 

One day, Friend 1 was telling me she joined this company. And asked if I knew what essential oils were. Of course I did I told her, I mainly buy to make the house smell nice. And I used tea-light diffuser. She was surprised when I told her essential oils have been ongoing for a very long time already. She chuckled and commented she's the backdated one. And then she mentioned about the store bought oils I usually buy vs theirs. To cut the long story short, the next day she passed me a bottle of Peppermint. Che-che opened the bottle and immediately she took the bottle and claimed it's hers and then start putting back the bottles of essential oils she took from me. She told me it smells different and she likes it. Wow! I wasn't convinced and told Friend 1, who said she isn't wrong to like it coz it's natural and the rests are chemical laden.

Another time, I talked to Friend 2 coz once che-che told me she went to their house and saw so many bottles of essential oils around the house. I had no idea whether she was a fervant fan or just a passerby. I told her the whole story about how che-che is able to sniff that bottle Friend1 passed and friend was pleased that she has acute sense of smell. (I don't! Coz I kept asking "what's the difference. Isn't stronger smell better than the subtle smell?") Friend2 was so excited and really a guru, she started telling me what I can use with certain oil etc.. 

The next day she passed a bottle of Peppermint to my girl when I told her she likes Peppermint. Same thing again, she smelled and kaput the bottle and return me the first bottle Friend1 gave, saying that this is better. Again, I kept saying it smells just the same. Something must be wrong with my nose. She claimed it doesn't and she prefers this better. Then I took a look at the bottle. The label .... something is so familiar... I ran back to my room to take out the blends and checked. If only I can strike 4D as accurate as this. It's the same company! I asked Friend2, "you mean they have an office in Singapore now? How long have they been in Sin? I've been buying their 2 blends from the US all these while!" 

I guess it's just fated for me to bump into this company here. I did some read up on the companies as both friends are members of different company. Needless to say, my one and only judge, che-che, passed her verdict. She likes company 2 better, perhaps she was already accustomed to the smell since she used their blend for years? Even when we have two other oils from both companies to compare, she's still biased with her preference.

I decided it's no harm to join the company as I will need to get the oils. But I had many bottles of the other brands' essential oils. It'll be a waste to junk them away, as much as I would like to slowly get rid of chemical laden products in my home, I will have to do it progressively as I will get rid of them by using them in the toilet bins, toilet bowls. But ask me to drop the new oils into the toilet bowl? It's so .... wasted because they cost $$.

ONE MONTH INTO THE NEW PARTIALLY HOLISTIC LIVING
Che-che was telling me about her friend (her mother is Friend2) would always use oils in class in primary school. Their classmates didn't like it but they didn't tell her off and endured for the years they were together. Her friend would use this "weird smell in school but I'm so used to it." "She would also drop ### in the excursion bus such that the whole bus stank. When we went Malacca, we're the only group who didn't get any mosquito bite coz she protected us with her oils. During camps, she would go round the whole room and pour lavender." I answered, "isn't it good. She's putting all of you to sleep." "I don't mind, I love the smell of lavender and she did it to repel insects." Haha! Okay I have no complaints but I'd freak out if I found out my daughter is using oils like water. 
One day, a lady walked past us in Macs and immediately she told me "that's ###!!"  
I remembered her mom was telling me to get this ### which is really good. She started telling me what to do with the oils. It's really nice to have a learned person guiding me. I bought and che-che kaput from me (again). She helped herself to my bottles and put them in her room.          

ONE AND A HALF MONTH INTO THE NEW PARTIALLY HOLISTIC LIVING   
One day,I started with a little of that "gasping for breath" cough. That same bad cough which I got last year when I fell really sick during the impending move into our new home. I googled and decided to use the oils to heal myself. I was a little skeptical. Well you can't blame me, a person who believed in antibiotics to get rid of that sickness before I use TCM. This holistic living is a total different ball game from the two medicinal worlds. You can say I was sold into it because IT WORKED! I told mom I didn't go to the doctor but used oils. 
Then another day, mom came over and stayed. She suddenly felt feverish. I was a little hesistant to apply oils on mom as she is a renal recipient, and I really need to be very careful. But I decided to try on her somehow. IT WORKED! 

TWO MONTHS PLUS INTO THE NEW PARTIALLY HOLISTIC LIVING
I have a lot to learn, it's so interesting (like taking up a third language) but I really have no time to read up on more. However, there's one oil which is indispensable - Lavender. Lil' one is slowly loving it and would allow me to apply it topically on her. Whenever she feels itchy, she'd ask for the anti-itch spray I prepared. Also ask to apply the oil neat on her. "mummy mosquito bite me. Put lavender." 
Something which I need to remind myself. I need to read up before I apply any oils topically. Obviously I don't and a funny mistake I did was to put two drops of peppermint on my hand and rub her scalp. It's refreshing! Her eyes started to get smaller and she kept rubbing her eyes. "I cannot open my eyes.." Haha. Should put it in her mouth so she won't be able to open and talk, right? Then I read "Peppermint is a hot oil. Be careful when using on children."   
I do find myself reaching out for the oils more now. I mean, this is not as hard as cooking right? I get the feeling, then think a certain oil will help to remedy. Nobody suffers from inhaling wrong oils as compared to eating horrible food. I was angry with the girls once, really angry. After scolding them, I went to my room. 
I felt horrible and applied an oil on myself. Not too long after, I felt so much better, I didn't have that feeling of something gripping my heart.
The oils will change our lives, slowly. 

Looking forward!