What happens if I went with her? ----- I'll die! (maybe)

Looking at her QO orders and the daily video calls I've made with her so far..   

I'd end up like her maid again. Wash clothes, undergarments daily, tidy up messy place which she always leaves behind, hair on the toilet floor. Nag nag nag nag nag. I get more stressed staying with her. Neighbours will hear me nagging and scolding her. 

Supposedly it's the same hotel as she is assigned - the space is really small. I think I will feel really claustrophobic. A room with an open balcony would be best! 

I'll have to hide at one corner of the room unseen so when she does her live lesson, I'm out of sight. 

Wifi is laggy there - I might not even have the chance to do my things smoothly? It'll be a torturous quarantine for me. Probably can't even catch some dramas too. I'll be so dead....  

Food - How? Not easy to find catered keto food. And if I need to meet a minimum requirement all the time, I'd be broke. Should I continue keto or is it time for me to whack the normal food which is easier for me to order from Grab? Then re-start keto after QO, afterall keto is a forgiving way of eating. 

But then again, with her away from us for 8-9 days. At the 5th day mark, I began to miss messing up her hair; irritating her; teasing her. Although she's talkative, she's still a good girl. She was even asking me permission if she could take a nap?? Yes, even when I wasn't around to watch her every moves she still seeks for permission. Haha! So perhaps the cleaning after her may mean nothing at all. 

 

So what will I pack now. New year - new way of eating - new lifestyle

So when the girl went into QO, I joked about me having my list all ready. I'm always ready to go, remember?  But that blog entry was dated last October. Many things would have changed. 

So let me make an amendment to my list. Amendments are in RED

MY HOLIDAY PACKING LIST

ELECTRONICS
1. laptop n mouse 
2. hard disks (just bring the hard disk to store photos)
3. airpod
3. lightning cables, micro USB cables
4. Targus 4 port USB (knowing that maybe I'll be charging a few things at one go?
5. multiplug (big business woman lah!) 

AROMATHERAPY 
1. diffuser (a smaller travel size diffuser)
2. YL essential oils (lemon x2, lavender x2, deep relief roll on, peppermint, RC, thieves, white angelica)


CLEANING STUFFS 
1. small bottle of Dettol - to clean toilet floor for that not long but not that short stay. Toilet is the only place I can go slipper-less. Can't expect me to vacumn the room carpet right? So keeping the toilet clean is reasonable. (shall omit this Dettol. Maybe I'll just use toilet paper to wipe the toilet floor)   
2. Alcohol spray or maybe bring my almost expiring Thieves spray to clear them first. Will clean the room before I start touching them. And this might be my insecticide incase I spot the most hated cockroach? No more heavy phonebook aka yellow pages for me to throw and trap cockroach beneath (that's how I killed a cockroach in the Gold Coast BNE hotel)
3. clothes scrub
4. clothes washing detergent (wtf?) - Is laundry provided? But I do need to wash my undergarment and knowing me.. I have the hard life of washing clothes while on holiday...  
5. dishwashing detergent n sponge 


STATIONERY
1. Test pad or notebook, post it pad, post it tabs (no need post it tabs)
2. pencil case
3. scissors, scotch tape (wait! These are usually in our luggage bags which I never remove)
4. German language stuffs. Only 2 weeks - will I be able to cover much? Considering that I hv short attention span. I may split between doing tasks n don’t hv time to study? 😂 (bring one book only)


TOILETRIES
1. Just grab my travel toiletry bag. Easy as everything is inside. Oh but I need my own shampoo and shower gel, I don’t really like hotel’s toiletries. 
2. Bring my Kiehls masks, hair mask (think should hv time tight?) Time for some serious pampering 
3. Vanav face massager (shall omit this and bring my guasha instead. It's smaller to pack in)
4. Labelle thingy 

5. Nail polish? Or maybe paint my nails before I leave house since I know it won't chip as I won't be doing intensive housework.


FOOD RELATED / NEED TO SATISFY STOMACH
1. travel cookpot 
2. blender? Or maybe not. Going 2 weeks only not 2 months. If I crave for Açai, I think I can order in right? (omit this. No need for blender. Maybe can bring my frother instead?)
3. Instant noodles, instant porridge, bread, Nutella, milo, tea leaves, cereals, snacks, eggs?? Black soy sauce, pepper, chilli sauce. Haha! Think I can order groceries right? Then maybe certain stuffs don’t need to bring from home. Maybe if I haven't started my ketogenic yet, food will be much easier to settle. (have already started on keto, so I'll have to bring keto compliant sauce. Will ask family to send eggs over the next day after I check in so can boil hard boil eggs.)   


MISC
1. Plastic bags (wah lau eh...I sibei aunty leh!) to throw trash coz I think I'll have lots of trash esp if I'm going to snack. Haha!  
2. thermal flask for cold water (omit this. shall chill water in fridge instead. Will bring my unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened herbal tea or maybe get family to send it over the next day) 


Oh goash! How can I forget abt clothings! 


CLOTHINGS / OTHERS
1. 3 T-Shirts n shorts
2. 3 sets of undergarments
3. Since I’d probably be wearing jeans, I’ll just pack 3 tops
4. Indoor sports shoes n socks for exercise

5. Yoga mat

6. cardigan (can't remember I forgot this in my list last year)

Oh! I may have missed this out previously. But I will definitely make an attempt to deliver to myself flowers. It’ll be nice to have flowers in the room. 

Somebody striked toto - Her staycation (Day 1)

Ever since some girls were put on QO in the nice hotel in Sentosa, lil' one has been saying she wished she gets to be on QO.

They heard her and granted her her wish. Hee! 

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

8th Aug (Sun)  

@ 6.12pm - FT called to inform that a girl in another class, where lil' one goes to for MT, is tested positive. As such, she and 4 other girls from her form class will have to serve LOA till 19th Aug (Fri) as investigations/tracing being done. FT asked not to divulge this information publicly until things are confirmed (I think she said that coz someone must have tipped off the media previously? The whole details of memo from school were in the news printed word for word.)   

Thought to self at night, I should quickly go out next morning to drop cheque, get some groceries for home just incase we all get locked in.

9th Aug (Mon)

@ 11.05am - Saw message in Parents Gateway on a mandatory swab test on the 10th and HBL from 11th to 13th Aug.

@ 11.39am - MOH lady, Jenny, called to inform that she's placed on QO. Though was mentally prepare she might be upgraded to QO, my mind wasn't that clear when it's confirmed by MOH. At that time thought maybe I should go with her. Cannot dilly dally my errands but quickly rushed out of house to return books, bank in cheque and do a grocery run. Told her to make a packing list on a paper, I have mine ready in here.   

@ 12+pm - lil' one happy to know she's on QO and wants to do it alone!   Excitement excitement!

@ ?? - While walking from places (library - drop books, postal office - post Mio's card, NTUC) Messaged tutors to go on Zoom during her QO period and to email me things to be printed so I can organize her things. Must admit I like Mr Mak's style, very organized and he got it out very fast for me. Even during the CB period last year, he was the most efficient one and emailed me earlier to get them printed out for her, all ready for his next lesson.  

@ - packed her bag for her. She's the light traveller just coz it's mummy's style . She has more books than personal effects.  

Packing list :
1) Study related (consists of books, notes, pencil case, calculator, test pad paper, graph paper, long ruler)
2) x3 sets of home clothes
3) x2 sets of outside clothes
4) undergarments
5) Toiletry bag (consists of Kiehls shampoo & conditioner, Kiehls Calendula facewash, Lavender & White Angelica essential oil, clothes detergent & scrub, toothbrush & toothpaste)

6) Electrical peripherals
7) Misc (brown bear toy, bedroom slipper, isopropyl alcohol spray, panadol, plasters)

8) abit of snacks. She doesn't want to pack alot as she's worried if she'd be  heaty) 

Anyway, I did tell her that I can always pack things for her if she needs them.  

@ 6.30pm - MOH lady, Gurmit, confirmed lil' one's details. And said she can be put on QO at home, but I told her our preference. She agreed and said it's easier for us too, otherwise we need to be quarantined with her. I didn't check with her if the 3 of us needs to be swabbed as well if it was a home QO, I didn't want to confuse her. I mean they're not here to chitchat with us but to disseminate information as quickly as possible 

So, it's hotel by herself. I will need to acknowledge consent via a message sent to my WhatsApp in the next 5-10mins. 

Briefed me on procedures that will happen within the next 24 - 48hrs. 

> 1st team is the Swab Team. Will call an hour before arriving at my place. I can check the results in HealthHub the next day. 

> 2nd team is the Conveyance Team. They will call 1-2hrs before pickup and I can check with them which hotel she will be brought to.

Other information briefed :

- She's subjected to security checks (no nail clippers, scissors, knives) at the hotel security

- She needs another swab test for exit one day before QO ends. Hotel will give the green light to check out at 12pm or later after the negative results. She will make her way home herself.    

@ 6.54pm - Message received and replied within the next 2 minutes. 

@ 7.26pm - Someone (which I found out later it was her who did the swab test) called to inform that swab staff will come over between 8.30 to 9pm.

@ 7.30pm - MOH lady, G, returned call to acknowledged receipt of my consent. And repeated on the 2 steps procedures again. 

Blunder - I misinterpreted her saying she's "going there alone" as in she was to make her way there to the hotel alone, and let out a big "huh? alone?" She was confused "yes, you asked for her to be alone I sent you the consent form". Oh my my.. when I realised my silly blunder I laughed and apologised to her that I heard wrongly. She said she had to wear a mask the whole day and the background is very noisy so sometimes people can't hear her well. Empathized with her and agree that it's not easy on her, but nonetheless I'm truly appreciative of her hard work this dreadful period and thanked her. She's a very friendly lady  

@ 8.19pm - a friendly gentle lady came by to do swab. She couldn't find our unit as she parked car on the 2nd level, so I directed her down to 1st floor and let her in by our PES. She informed that she's not supposed to step into the house, so grabbed a chair for her to do the swab outside. And suay lor! People had to walk by our unit at that time, so all looked... but perhaps it's a norm already. Let's see if my main door and floor is splashed with Dettol the next day.   

10th Aug
I must admit this waiting game is so agonizing. I feel like eating bak chor mee, want to run out to dapao also dare not. When will they call? Will they call?

@ 1+ - she told me her friend A (from Sec 303) received a phonecall. And she was heading to Holiday Inn Express Katong

@ 2.20pm - her friend, A, messaged her saying she saw her name in the same hotel list and they were both so happy. 

@ 3.39pm - a gentleman called to inform he is on his way. Double checked on the hotel she'll be conveyed to. At least we know when she'll be conveyed 

@ 4.17pm - he called and I brought her down to basement carpark. It's an SMRT  cab. 

@4.24pm - just as I was waiting for the cab driver to drive off. I received another phonecall from MOH. Was told "Are you aware of a case in 301? I would like to inform you that your daughter is under QO until .. and she is to ..." I had to cut her short and told her she's actually in the cab now to be taken to the facility, and she falls under the previous class case. The lady then informed me she'll strike her off from this list then. 

@4.25pm - cab drove off 

@ 5+ - In hotel. Let her settle herself, did a video call with her after she had her shower. All clean, all excited.  

All over and done with our vaccinations

Timeline for registration

From 22nd Feb - Registration for COVID-19 vaccination for seniors aged 70 years and above commenced island-wide.  

From 10th March - Seniors aged 60 to 69 years were initially slated for registration at the end of March. It was later brought forward as more vaccines came in. It was around this time that vaccinations are offered for migrant workers and educators. 

From 24th March -  Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term residents aged 45 to 59 can begin registering online for their COVID-19 vaccinations. 

From 19th May - those aged 40 to 44 years will also be invited to register for their vaccinations.

*********************

Hubby and I didn't register at the given deadline, still a little hesistant over the efficacy of the vaccine.    
But with the rising cases in mid May (where schools had to go on HBL within the week). Lil' one was being "offered" the vaccine. "The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been authorised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to be used for children between 12 and 15 years old, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (May 18)."

Vaccination for students in schools

On 5th June 2021, another message was posted on Parents Gateway 

Assistance for Vaccination Appointments for P6, S1-3, JC1, PU1-2 Students:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 You would have received the SMS with the unique booking link for your child/ward’s COVID-19 vaccination appointments <for P6 only: If your child had turned 12 as of 1 Jun>. Please log in with your child’s NRIC, and book as soon in order to secure appointments on your preferred dates before the slots are opened to other groups. Please note that this link is unique to your child. If you have not received the SMS, please check if it was sent to your spouse. If both parents did not receive the SMS, please complete the FormSG and the SMS invite will be sent by 11 June.

 <for P6 only: If your child is turning 12 between 2 to 7 June>, the SMS invite would only be sent by 8 June.

 For parents without local handphone number, a letter of authorization and a signed hard copy medical declaration can be issued to a Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident (e.g. family member) who can make the registration appointment on your behalf. The parents remain responsible for filling in the consent and medical declaration form. The authorised individuals will then complete the FormSG to submit their contact number. The student should bring along a copy of the signed authorisation and declaration forms on the day of the vaccination.

 We would also like to inform you that when your child arrives at the vaccination centre, there will be a detailed set of screening questions to be answered by your child as part of the screening process. We are enclosing a copy of this form for your reference, and also for you to explain to your child regarding the information required at the vaccination centre. Also, please try to be contactable on your handphone during the expected appointment time of your childat the vaccination centre, should there be a need for the vaccination centre staff to call you to verify any of the information.

Thank you.

Links:

Non-receipt of SMS Invites for Students

https://go.gov.sg/moevaccsmsngc

With increasing cases in Singapore, we felt the urgency to be vaccinated. So we all registered for vaccination. It was easy to book lil' one's vaccination as the students were all given their own link. Registration was done and confirmation sent the next day. At first we thought "wow! she's the first to be jabbed!"     

First vaccination schedule
Hubby : 11/6/21 (Fri)             
Aricia : 19/6/21 (Sat)              
Me : 22/7/21 (Thu) changed to 2/7/21 (Fri)      
Athena : 22/7/21 (Thu) changed to 2/7/21 (Fri)    

Second vaccination schedule
Hubby : 23/7/21 (Fri)

Aricia : 5/8/21 (Thu) changed to 19/7/21(Mon)

Me : 4/9/21 (Sat) changed to 13/8/21(Fri) changed for the final time to 27/7/21 (Tue)

Athena : 4/9/21 (Sat) changed to 13/8/21(Fri) changed for the final time to 27/7/21 (Tue)

A check with the medical hall guy, he advised to give 泡参 a day before the jab. And 2 days in advance for the 2nd jab as the side effects are worse than the first. But being kiasu, I gave 2 days in advance and 4 days in advance for the 2nd jab. And then brew herbal drink the same day after the jab. Coz the girls and myself prefer to drink chilled herbal drink, I'll usually boil the day before the jab. I stocked up on my no sugar JiaJia herbal can drink in the fridge as well.  

Like clockwork, when everyone's due for their second vaccination, as our dates were very close to one another. [Aricia - 19/7(Mon), Hubby - 23/7(Fri), Athena's n mine - 27/7(Tue)] we were drinking 泡参 literally on a daily basis. I'll give the 第一篇 to the person taking the jab, then 第二篇 to the next person taking the jab and since the 泡参 is so expensive - $260/两 (abt 50g) - I'll make 第三篇, 第四篇 to the rests. And nobody eats the 泡参 which by now is very blend except me. I ate alot! And almost finishing the 100g bottle of  泡参.  

Vaccination side effects

1st vaccination - All of us were alright except for the arm sore and slight tiredness. Though I was tired, I was able to keep myself awake, wasn't like dragging a half dead body around. By second day we were all ok, back to normal. I went for FightDo but didn't myself too much.

2nd vaccination - Lil' one and me had fever the same night we took the jab. Lil' one felt tired in school and she fell asleep at the last period which was PE. She managed to survive through her POA tuition but surrendered the next day's Chinese tuition (haha!). Her fever was mild, the highest it went up to was 38.3. Slept with her for 2 nights to keep tabs on her. Her arm sore but ok the next day. Still tired so let her rest.

Hubby and che-che were basically tired. Arm sore - yes. But they're not one who will complain pain. But I did noticed they were tired. 

Che-che and  I had our jabs the same day, we went out after our jabs to Orchard Rd as she needed to look for proper attire to wear on presentation days. I thought it'd be a good idea to chiong out the same day as we wouldn't get any signs or symptoms so fast, also just incase we might be half dead on bed the next day. My arm was sore in the late afternoon, I couldn't even hook my bra. Haha! By next day, I was fine. But I had fever, the highest it went was 38.1. No problem for che-che, I took her temperature once in a while. The next day, Wed, maybe coz we also had to wake up early for aircon servicing we didn't get sufficient sleep. After the guy left, we plonked to bed. I popped panadols and slept while hubby went to pick lil' one up from school. That's the reason why the adults had to take our jabs on different days, we still need a functioning adult in the house.      

Alot of people have symptoms as if they were run over by lorries. All lying down in bed, all weak, headache, fever etc.... I'm glad we're all so strong, the 泡参 helped us alot! Never help also must say it did lah! So expensive.. 

+ Cases in school (on separate days)

So after the +cases of 2 girls about 2 weeks back (21st and 22nd July) , on 3rd Aug [Tue] one staff is tested positive. School was disinfected on the same day as the girls left school, so girls went back to school as usual the next day.  BUT! Just as we thought perhaps some ND pre-celebration might give some positive vibes to all on the Friday before the long holiday, we received another notification from the school. 2 other contract workers working in the school were tested positive. Immediately students and staff who were in close contact with the cleaners have been placed on LOA. The ND pre-celebration are conducted via SLS.  

Sigh...... when will this end? Although I do like the idea of me escaping my chauffeuring duties, all these HBL are a disruption to school kids.   

Term 3 is more than halfway through?

Term 3 feels really short for us. 

I think a pictorial guide is so much better to see. 

HBL is indicated by clover leaf and PH indicated by ice-cream cone. Her half clover leaf on 19th was the day she took her 2nd vaccination, so she went to school around 9+am. If only her blur mother knew... I would have taken her off from school but she was well until noon when her eyes raised white flag.   

Weighted assessments have been postponed. Before you know it, you'll get both WA and EOY all crammed up together. Bleh!   

Keto Bakes

Kept seeing this popups in my FB from Goodness Eats. Haha! Just cause I was craving for ondeh ondeh and was looking for recipes. Instead of showing me recipes, it showed me a bakery selling ondeh ondeh pastry tarts. Might as well just place an order. 

Placed an order on 28th July (Wed) night for a delivery on 31st July (Sat)

My order :

1) Keto Ondeh piah pastry - $28/-

2) Teacakes Combo (x2 keto ondeh teacake, x2 keto walnut coffee teacake) - $30/- 

3) Keto Madeleine - marble salted caramel - $12/-

Total cost : $70/-

Really expensive! Think the most expensive keto snacks I've bought so far? 

Verdict :

1) First try was the ondeh teacake - Nice and soft and not sweet. The man likes it too! I only wished the "gula melaka filling" is thicker. Nonetheless , it's nice to have this craving satisfied.

2) Ondeh piah -   Apart from my mistake, which I didn't read properly. Only 4 pieces! $7/- per piece. It's the second thing I tried the next day (Sun). The tart is savoury. $7/- per piece, I had better not waste anything. I shall check for recipe and bake on my own next time? 
But I'm really missing - the soft pandan glutinous riceballs with gula melaka oozing out as you bite into it. Still this ondeh piah is a good alternative without breaking my carbs count.  

3) Madelaines - not a sweet taste which is satisfyingly good. But it somehow has that weird taste? The taste is more obvious in the madelaines than the cakes. Not sure what it is, they do taste like how a keto bakes should taste.

Another HBL - seems like forever

It's the 4th week of Term 4 and it seems like the girls haven't been in school that many days? Does it feel the same to you, or is it just me? Or perhaps coz' she had HBL on 12th Jul (Mon) followed by a slow start to school on 19th Jul (Mon) when I brought her in to school late after vaccination. Perhaps that's why I feel HBL is dragging on what seems like forever? 

Tuesday, 20th Jul, a PH (Hari Raya Haji) in Singapore @ 8+pm a parent messaged and asked if anyone one of us had received a phone call from the school informing them to not attend school the next day - 21st. Most of us are clueless until a parent mentioned that her daughter is a confirmed case together with her helper. Then it slowly revealed that perhaps some girls would be called up to do quarantine for precautionary. 

21st July (Wed)

The girls went to school as per normal except for that class. Teachers were surprised when they realized a class is absent. Considering the fact that they knew it late I'm sure hundreds of thoughts went through their mind but one will stand out - will I get it? 

Lil' one told us that the Sec 3s will be on HBL until next Tuesday, Sec 4s and 5 until this Friday and the lower sec HBL for one day tomorrow.

The school will be the cleanest in the whole of Singapore! 

School informed us via Parent Gateway. 

Messaged all tutors to inform them of the confirmed case. Hopefully no need for Zoom lesson but it's my responsibility to let them be aware of it since most of them are parents themselves. So far, all still ok with face-to-face. Zoom fatigue lah! She's not so productive this year compared to last year 

22nd July (Thu) - HBL DAY 1

Sanitation in school.

I know I took a picture of the notice on her door but it's lost somewhere... No live lesson but think she was on a video call with her friends to get some work done.  

Second letter from the school. Another case! But they're not linked at all. It's from a different level.  

23rd July (Fri) - HBL DAY 2

 

Typically her Thurs and Fris are the most relaxing days where she ends school at 12.30pm. Fris are CCA days, so unless she has in-person CCA she stays back until 5.45pm. So now you know the reason why I still can be busy chauffeuring one kid and can't have long nice lim-kopi time with friends.  

Her last face-to-face CCA this term has changed to e-CCA to ..? what's going on now? The school has followed MOE's latest directives  (MOE press release dated 20th July) that all in-person CCA sessions suspended to 18 Aug 2021. And then when we are dealt with this sudden HBL, the teachers are being tossed about in the air too!! Poor teachers.   

Lil' one told me her juniors said that lots of absentees in each class. Think their parents are worried to send them to school and I can understand why.          

26th July (Mon) - HBL DAY 3

I should keep a screenshot of some sort (for keepsake) of her HBL timetable. Well, I should have thought of this since last CB. But then again, it's a tiring process and no one wants to be reminded of this dreadful time.   

No live lesson today.

27th July (Tue) - HBL DAY 4

Ironically che-che and I planned to bring forward our vaccination to today while we were waiting for lil' one on 19th Jul. Time set at 8am so that we can go there after dropping her in school, so now it's a single trip down to Marine Parade. 

Lil' one only had a short live with ?? her FT? And she was obviously mad/ jealous that her sister can go out with me after our jab while she's stuck at home studying.

Keto snacks - 1st order from Strawberry Hut

Ordered new snacks and rolls from Strawberry Hut on 12th July, my orders came last night. 

The items that I ordered are :
1) Pizza roll $30
2) Roti Boy $23
3) Prata (original) $25
4) curry puff $25
5) siew mai $17
6) Fried chicken flour (original) $16

Total cost: $133/-

This pic is totally not related to the post. Just showing how messy and unorganized my fridge is now.  

Verdict 

 

1) Roti Boy - very nice. Tastes just as nice as what is sold outside. So how is the bread made to taste like normal bread? I bought this for lil' one to try since she loves roti boy. It is burnt coz I overheated in the oven. Hee! 

2) Curry puff - filling tastes a little just like ketojunkie's puffs. The puff is crispy and filling satisfying. But I'll still go for ketojunkie's puffs.

3) Pizza roll - not bad.     

Keto food delivery - Ketoeatosg

It's been a while since I ordered from them. So made an order and delivery came today 

Ordered :

1) Laksa bowl $14.90

2) Thai glass noodle bowl $13.90

3) x4 packs of fish otah $30

4) x2 Peach gum bubur cha cha $15.80

Total cost : $82.60 

As I wasn't sure how long I can keep the food so had both on the same day 

Verdict :

Laksa

Laksa taste is nice, the gravy is thick. 

But portion wise, as I have a comparison with QiYin, I feel is small. 

Price wise is also not worth it for me as they are generous with their prawns no doubt. I hate prawns! And the big ones? After what I learnt from the staff in NTUC, maybe bigger prawns doesn't mean it taste good? I don't know I really have to ask that prawn fan aka lil' one. QiYin gives a generous amount of minced pork but I must take into consideration that Ketoeato.sg is a muslim keto shop. Perhaps this will satisfy people who likes to eat expensive ingredients. I go for cheapo tau pok, fishcakes, eggs etc..

Fish Otah

The taste is subtle, not too spicy which is good for my sensitive stomach. However there's no kick if there's not spicy enough right? So this verdict may be an unfair one.  

However what irritates me is the long strips of ?? lemongrass? what's that, it's irritating when you eat and gotta pull something stuck in my teeth. Definitely not the thing you want to eat when you want to impress your date. 

I had the glass noodle for dinner

Taste wise - not bad 

But same thing with the prawns again. 3 prawns! In the end, I ate plain glass noodles for my dinner. I didn't know how to calculate my macros. And boiled 2 eggs to make up for protein and fats. 

Would I order this again? Not unless I can opt to change my prawns to chicken and fishcake. Otherwise this is a good way to satisfy my craving for pad woon sen. Oh my..... how I miss my BKK and LAX (SQ12) nightstops. 

As for the peach gum burbur chacha, I will keep for tomorrow. 

Repeated orders from Ketojunkie

I think we've qualified for their VVVIP membership. It's my 4th purchase within ?? months. And I notice everytime I get the healthy junkies from her, my airfryer is out for days. 

A breakdown of my purchase

1) Lekor  x6  $120

2) Curry puffs  x2 $44

3) Double chocolate puffs  x3  $78

4) Cream cheese rolls  x2  $57

5) Pizza puff  x1  $24

Total cost : $323/-

Made a slow nice drive to her place to collect the items before picking lil' one up from school. It's nice to see her again, such a friendly person. 

Didn't order chicken puff, no space. Che-che said my 6 packs of lekor is not enough?!?!  

Look at our small freezer space! And I also need to watch my weight, otherwise my effort in going keto is not worth it. Really tempting to pop the delicious puffs and rolls into my mouth but I want to fit back into my kebaya. 

 

23 food additives to avoid while on keto

 extracted from : https://sureketo.com/food-additives

- We have listed the most common food additives that should be avoided on keto.

- Food products containing these additives will have a lower keto rating.

- Use this as a reference when checking the ingredients of your food.

1. Sodium Nitrate

Commonly Used As:

Preservative and color fixative in cured meats and poultry.

Health Hazards:

Linked to increased deaths from Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, stomach cancer, and Parkinson's disease.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4551511

2. Sodium Nitrite

Commonly Used As:

Pink shade coloring for processed meats.

Health Hazards:

Classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Source:

https://publications.iarc.fr/112

3. Sulfites

Commonly Used As:

Preservative in dried potato, preserved radish, and dried fruits.

Also known as Sulfur Dioxide, Potassium Metabisulfite, Potassium Bisulfate, Potassium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite

Health Hazards:

Common allergen for asthmatics.

Could be fatal for people allergic to sulfites.

Source:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120723065412/http:/www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/Guidelines/Documents/fdb%20Sulfites.pdf

4. Azodicarbonamide

Commonly Used As:

Flour bleaching agent and dough conditioner.

Health Hazards:

Identified as a possible asthma agent.

Banned in the European Union as a food additive.

Source:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130531062959/http:/www.ohsrep.org.au/index.cfm?section=10&Category=69&viewmode=content&contentid=62

5. Potassium Bromate

Commonly Used As:

Flour improver in baked goods.

Health Hazards:

Classified as category 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Banned from use in food products in European Union, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina.

Source:

http://www.inchem.org/documents/iarc/vol73/73-17.html

6. BHA/BHT

Commonly Used As:

Antioxidant used to preserve fats and oils.

Commonly seen in lard, potato chips, preserved meat, baked goods, and many foods with added fats.

Health Hazards:

Classified as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Source:

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/butylatedhydroxyanisole.pdf

https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol1-42/mono40.pdf

7. Propyl Gallate

Commonly Used As:

An antioxidant often used with BHT and BHAT to slow down the spoilage of fats.

Health Hazards:

Linked to brain cancer in rat studies.

Source:

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/publications/reports/tr/200s/tr240/index.html

8. Propylene Glycol

Commonly Used As:

Thickener in coffee-based drinks, ice cream, liquid sweeteners, soda, and whipped dairy products.

Health Hazards:

Identified as a contact allergen.

Was named as the 'Allergen of the Year' for 2018 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Source:

https://journals.lww.com/dermatitis/Fulltext/2018/01000/Propylene_Glycol.2.aspx

9. Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)

Commonly Used As:

Preservative for edible animal fats and unsaturated vegetable oils.

Health Hazards:

Prolonged exposure and high doses may be carcinogenic, especially for stomach tumors.

Source:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15608132/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8242867/

10. Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)

Commonly Used As:

A synthetic hormone injected to cows to increase milk production.

Health Hazards:

Linked to increase production of IGF-1 and development of colorectal, prostate, breast, and other cancers.

Banned in Canada and Europe

Source:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8932606/

11. Sodium Benzoate / Potassium Benzoate

Commonly Used As:

Preservative in carbonated drinks, salad dressings, fruit juices, condiments, and jams.

Health Hazards:

May form into benzene when combined with ascorbic acid. Benzene is classified as a carcinogen.

Source:

https://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112012123/https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/ChemicalContaminants/ucm055815.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271273/

12. Carrageenan

Commonly Used As:

Emulsifier in desserts, cream, milkshakes, yogurts, salad dressings, and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Linked to gut inflammation, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn Disease.

Source:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28507982/

13. Enriched Flour

Commonly Used As:

Flour used in most procesed cakes, cookies, bread, cereal, and pasta.

Health Hazards:

Can spike blood sugar and insulin levels quickly since it has a high glycemic index.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6683091/

14. Modified Starch

Commonly Used As:

Emulsifier and stabilizer for baked goods, candies, yogurt, ice creams, and meats.

Health Hazards:

Provokes inflammatory response in the body; Linked to increased stroke risk.

Source:

https://www.abingtonhealth.org/healthy-living/health-news/library/articles-related-to-strokes/wheat-and-modified-starches-may-increase-stroke-risk/

15. Blue #1

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in baked goods, candies, drugs, and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Linked to kidney tumors in rat studies.

Potentially neurotoxic. Not recommended for pregnant women or babies under the age of 6 months.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

16. Blue #2

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in beverages, candies, drugs and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Linked to brain tumors in rat studies.

Does not have a convincing evidence for safe human consumption.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

17. Citrus Red #2

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in fruits.

Health Hazards:

Classified as a bladder carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

18. Green #3

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in candies, beverages, dessert, ice cream and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Linked to testes tumor in rat studies.

Further testing is required for its safe use.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

19. Orange B

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in frankfurter and sausage casings.

Health Hazards:

Linked to chronic nephritis in rat studies.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

20. Red #3

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in maraschino cherries, sausage casings, oral drugs, baked goods, and candies.

Health Hazards:

Linked to cancer in rat studies.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

21. Red #40

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in bakery goods, beverages, dessert powders, candies, cereals, foods, drugs.

Most used food coloring.

Health Hazards:

Linked to accelerated appearance of tumors in rat studies.

Linked to hyperactivity in children.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

22. Yellow #5

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in beverages, bakery goods, gelatin desserts, and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Might cause mild to severe hypersensitivity reactions.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

23. Yellow #6

Commonly Used As:

Food coloring used in beverages, bakery goods, gelatin desserts, and other food products.

Health Hazards:

Might cause mild to severe hypersensitivity reactions especially on children.

Source:

https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

What does gluten do to keto

So the question is - is keto gluten free?

https://leftcoastperformance.com/blogs/keto/keto-vs-gluten-free

“小妹，煮饭一定要放糖” (jul 7)

 Came across this quote today in The Daily Tonic

“If you truly treat your body like a temple, it will serve you well for decades. If you abuse it you must be prepared for poor health and a lack of energy.”

– Oli Hille

And just today it got me thinking that I’m lucky to have read up on keto. On why cutting sugar and even experimented on myself (actually was greedy so kept eating keto snacks n chocolates) is important. 

Quote from : https://ketogenicdiet.reviews/how-much-sugar-can-you-have-on-the-keto-diet/

However, for the keto diet to work its magic, you need to become a carb detective so you can avoid the one food group that could sabotage your progress. Spotting carbs is easy enough, just read your food labels. But what about sugar? How much sugar can you have on keto? 

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate which means, like carbs, eating too much will kick you out of ketosis and put the brakes on fat loss. Because of this, you need to develop a sixth-sense for sugar and avoid it whenever you can. 

Does that mean you can’t eat any sugar? Absolutely not! But you do need to make sure you limit your intake. Sugar and keto do not mix well! 

Can you imagine they add rock sugar in beef soup. The stall assistant commented if food don’t add msg, they will add rock sugar. That's the reason why there are so many cancer, diabetes cases in the world!

When I bought the meatballs in Toa Payoh, another old lady (customer) also said “小妹，煮饭一定要放糖 no sugar not nice”.

 

She's not wrong, they're not wrong. I experimented on my cooking last CB. When I don’t add sugar and after I add sugar, the food taste different n better. When I cook fishball noodles soup, I added sugar for the first time and lil’ one said it’s nice tasting like outside. 

So now I know when I cook following recipes, why sometimes my food tastes horrible. Coz when they ask for salt or sugar, most times I’ll omit them.  

Yes, I have a sweet tooth. I noticed when I was really strict with my keto diet. My weight went down. But these days it doesn’t coz I’ve been snacking on sugar. And why the shifus all say don’t eat sugar, don’t eat bakery. You’ll make your body crave for more. Damn! So true!