The Continuous Search for Falling Hair Refief

Have you had those after bath moments when you see your floor sink full of hair clumping together? Eekky, isn't it?! 

Falling hair can be worrisome for both women and men. Losing 50 to 120 hairs a day is normal but once you can see your scalp through your hair then that's the time when it gets to be a concern.

Hubby and I have this problem which started to be a concern last year. By just running his hand through his hair we can see several strands on his fingers. After every bath I would see lots of hair on the sink and while combing my hair. I believe stress is the main culprit for hubby and for me, PCOS.

So we've tried several ways to alleviate this problem. From diet by reducing chilli and eating lots of high in omega 3 fatty acids foods. To putting VCO with Rosemary leaves to our scalps and even hair grower treatment like NovuHair.

This is the one endorsed by Fanny Serrano and have testimonials that it did not only reduce falling hair but helped hair regrowth. It has natural ingredients such as ginseng, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and others. The caveat is, it has different types of parabens and polysorbate which were said to cause or aggravate cancer especially breast tumors. These are also linked to affect the sperm negatively and hormonal abnormalities in men.

So, we stopped using it. We then resorted to shampoos.

Ilog Maria Honey Propolis Shampoo

                                                 source

It has all the natural ingredients of honey and propolis grown in Ilog Maria's own farm. It doesn't give a rich lather but you can feel how clean your hair is after rinsing with it. The aromatherapy essential oils leave a cool minty sensation on your scalp. Taking a bath has never been this delightful with Ilog Maria shampoo. Sadly, it didn't help our problem. I still get a lot of hair fall.

Human Heart Nature Strengthening Shampoo

This pearly white shampoo is an all natural product that boasts with zero SLS and SLES that can be toxic to our bodies. It is sweet smelling and gives just a small amount of lather. It is best to follow it with a conditioner otherwise you'll end-up with a stiff and rough hair. While others have all praises for this product this didn't prevent our thinning hair and caused some dandruff here and there. I guess this doesn't suit my scalp.

Now, I am going to try this: Snoe Hair Heroes Damage Recovery Cream Shampoo

My friend had me try this when we were in South Korea. And, with just three days of trying I noticed that it minimized my hair fall. It didn't give a rich lather, which is natural for products without SLS and SLES.

I chance upon SNOE kiosk at Festival Mall in Alabang and bought myself Recovery Cream Shampoo (P399.00/bot at 250ml) and Intense Argan Oil (P499/bot at 250ml). Intense Argan is a five-in-one conditioner that can be used a cleansing conditioner, conditioner, deep treatment mask, de-tangler, leave-on treatment and Hero Sulfates. I just have to check if this will totally stop the hair loss and won't cause any dandruff or itching.

With a hefty price compared to a regular shampoo, I hope this is all worth it and would end my search for that effective falling hair treatment.

Have you tried this product? What can you say?

Hongik Area: Trick Eye Museum

When I said I'd go back to South Korea I never thought I'd go back so soon. I am just so glad my husband is so kind that he allowed me to go to Korea with my two girlfriends, my ex-roommates. It wasn't all the places I have been to last time. I had also my firsts at my second affair with South Korea! 

My friends booked us 8 days of trip. We spent 5 days in Seoul and the rest in Jeju Island. Yup! Jeju!! Which I'll be sharing later.

We spent a whole day in Hongik area. First stop is The Trick Eye Museum. This is just near the exit 9 of Hongdae Station. The place is not along the main road so you really have to keep your eye on the small signage of the museum.

The Trick Eye (or Art) Museum is a gallery of paintings that uses trompe l'oeil technique which creates illusion in flat surfaces. This allows an interactive experience with the characters and the visitors. Everybody would surely enjoy this place no matter how little art inclinations you have. The paintings are changed every few months.

The small English sign of the museum.

 

We really enjoyed this place and consumed a lot of space in our SD cards. It brought out the playful and silly side of us!

 

Japanese Book

Hubby and I often would check out bookstores even without any agenda to buy a book or supplies. We just include it as part of our route whenever we visit a mall.

Something new caught my attention when we dropped by Kinokuniya. I thought these are just your ordinary books:

But, once you look closer you'll see that inside are bags with a picture of what you're to expect.

And, this is what I bought:

Look what's inside!

I got an agnes b. tote bag (made of flour sack?). At a price of S$36, uhmmm... I don't think it is worth it. The fabric is soft and the size is a bit small for me. Then again, this is agnes b. so we're paying for the brand.

How Do You Grieve?

Or, do you grieve for someone else's loss? Is it even a question?

I am beset with sadness I cannot fathom and yet I can't shed a tear. The choking of my throat is enough to tell that my body is aching, emotionally.

My bestfriend lost her barely three-month old son. My godchild. I haven't seen him yet since we're miles apart. I was an absentee sponsor during his baptism. Nevertheless, I felt I was there as my friends and the mommy shared the wonderful day of welcoming their first born to the christian world.

When it was time for her to leave for her overseas job I felt her pain of being away from her son. Ahh, the essence of her being a woman has finally been revealed. She is in-love! Love, that only a mother can understand.

Then, last night barely two hours from receiving a news from a common friend that her baby is critical to getting an sms from my bestfriend, I lost my godchild a few hours ago. That, killed me. Instantly.

So many thoughts suddenly ran through my mind. I tried to call her but she begged off. I don't know what to reply to her. I cannot say "be strong" when I know that strength has lost her at that moment. I cannot say "everything will be ok, soon" when things for her might be a dreadful nightmare. I cannot even say "just trust in God and pray" when I can feel that sprititualizing the situation is not what she needs.

All I can say is that I am here. Her friends are here. I feel like flying back where she is just to embrace her. And, that I love her.

She don't want other people to know. She is shutting out. She wanted to process things by herself. All I can do is support her on her way of coping with the tragedy. Yes, pray for her and her family.

My mind is still clouded. It's so unreal. This isn't happening. Why would an innocent child have to die? Why does he have to go so soon? Why does it have to happen to someone close to me.

My bestfriend is in pain. Its hurting me so much that I can't do anything. I am grieving. Grieving for losing my godchild, for the loss of the mother and for my bestfriend's partly-death.

Help Anna

source

I was doing a research yesterday when I came across this intriguing sidebar link, Help Anna. It is about the different Anna who is a victim of violence and trafficking.

Anna, 8 years old, a tsunami survivor in Aceh, Indonesia, was abducted and forced to labor by a criminal syndicate.

Anna, 26 years old, a domestic helper Filipina who was physically and verbally abused by her employer. She is also once been deprived of food for a simple mistake committed.

Anna, 26 years old, Columbian who escaped with her children from her abusive husband, was kidnapped, trafficked to Asia and was forced into sex slavery.

Anna, 35 years old, a former successful stewardess, who suffered physical, emotional and verbal abuse from her husband when Anna caught him having an affair.

I don't know the exact statistics on the violence against women all over the world or even in the Philippines. I guess I'll have to leave that to the experts. I have witnessed and experienced myself different forms of abuse. They can happen everywhere and to anybody. In the office, at the street and even to the place we call home. The common way of violence is by being beaten almost to death and lashed out with words which make a person reduced to being an animal. It can also be in a very subtle way where bullying is done or a person can be the center of all jokes. It is mostly done by men but sadly women can also be perpetrators. Social media and networking sites are the easiest venue for bullying since some people can bash and troll by just using their fingertips and an anonymous usernames.

November 25 is the International Day to End Violence Against Women and on that same day The National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore will unveil Anna's future. 

Let us support the End of Violence to Women. Join UNIFEM, Singapore on November 25 at Angel Canopy, Clarke Quay from 12nn to 9pm.

The Miracle Boy

My in-laws stayed with us for nine days for a vacation, hubby's parents and his three siblings. While these past days it has been hot with some overcast clouds the week they were here the weather was just crazy. There were times it was raining hard with thunderstorms! Luckily, the day they were in Universal Studios it was just cloudy and it didn't rain at all.

They are a family that exudes happiness and joy! I am proud to say that my in-laws are a family of only trying to be a blessing to others. They would try not to do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. They are even very expressive on their endearments with each other. There are lots of hugs and kisses whenever they are together. Specially if it's towards the youngest. 

The youngest has been dubbed as the miracle boy. You wouldn't believe that once he stayed in the hospital for two months with one month in a coma in the ICU. He contracted dengue but when the day he was supposed to check out from the hospital that's when he suffered from a deadly virus causing him to be in coma. 

For days and weeks he was in ICU every second counts and every cent is valuable. Almost every minute or hour his vital signs are being checked. Every two hours or so he had to take strong antibiotics costing between 1.5k to 3k. Fresh blood were also transfused to ensure his platelets are in normal levels. 

I once went inside the ICU with MIL and I couldn't bear it. I was crying the whole time because he was so thin and has to be in life-support. I went out even before the time to visit was up and never dared to go inside again. All I can do was pray for him and the rest of the family.

He was finally sent home after two months and a sky-rocket hospital bill. His left brain was affected due to comatose but after several therapies all that is left now is his deep voice, he used to sing beautifully, his hands without full control and his balance.

All through that phase in their lives, the family never gave up. When the doctors would give a bad news everybody would take it as it is, take the best option and would eventually leave everything to God to work on. No one showed any sign of weakness. A hug from each other was enough to say that 'we will all get through this'. And it did! God worked in ways none of us where able to comprehend. He sent a message through a fellow boy, who was also in the hospital at that time, that hubby's youngest brother would wake up soon. We held on to that. Knowing in all things God is at work. Strangers and friends would visit and pray over him. Monetary help came in without them even asking. It brought closer and tighter relationship within the family. They are able to say I love yous without cringing which some would often take for granted.

He is indeed a miracle boy for me. Now, at 19, he is living his life. He has more friends than ever. He sings louder than he should. He dances even without music because he is happy. Whenever I see him, he reminds me with one passage in the bible, 'with God all things are possible - Mat 19:25-27'. That no matter how bad things may seem everything will come out good in the end. If it is not good then it is not yet the end. God is forever faithful to His promise that He has plans for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future - Jer 29:11.

Instagram Mode

Finally, Instagram is now available for android! I was so glad it did because I am still able to blog real-time while I'm out and about the city with my in-laws. My in-laws are here for a vacation for 10 days so, naturally, hubby and I are the official tour guides and photographers which means no time for me to blog or even do some blog hopping.

Instagram has been my temporary recluse to document where and what have been catching my fancy while my feet are aching to death walking around Singapore. So if you are on it, follow me @viperbuzz12 or here and we can have a good share of our lives through pictures.

I am still trying to get the hang of this new photo app. Oh, how I envy those stunning posts and some with water mark. Some have bokeh effect and some have even that depth of field. Wish someday I can also do those amazing shots.

Here are some of mine. Please bear with me.  :-)

 

 

 

 

 

My Attempt To Cook: Korean Green Onion Pancake

I promised here that I am going to give you the recipe for the Green Onion Pancake so here it is. This pancake is great for afternoon snack or something to much on before your main meal. This sweet little thing will give you that little crispy, salty and a kick of chilli flavor that you would love! Pair it with mixed soy sauce and cider vinegar, bang! Satisfaction!

Ingredients:

200g shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup green onion, sliced into 2"

1 1/4 cup cake flour

1/8 cup baking soda

salt and pepper adjust according to preference

1 egg

red chilli, thinly sliced, optional

water, adjust until a batter consistency is achieved

ice cubes

cooking oil

Procedure:

1. Mix flour, baking soda, pepper and salt in a mixing bowl. Add some water and egg. Mix the batter until just combined. If the mixture is clumpy add more water. Be careful not to make it too watery.

2. Add the shrimp and green onions. Toss until well coated. Add the chilli and ice cubes.

3. In a hot skillet, drizzle some oil. In medium heat pour in about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan. Flip over when the edges of the pancake are golden brown and crisp. Sear for about 4-5 minutes to each sides.

4. Serve immediately with sauce.

Enjoy!

Burkina Faso

I was going through my SPAM mails. There are times I would open the mail because I might be missing some which aren't supposed to be in the spam folder. I'm used to receiving emails which are obviously scam mails but this particular one had me reading it through the entire 407 words. 

Here's the script:

Dear friend,

With all due respect, I am Mr Mahrous Haider., director of the audit section of African Development Bank, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in West Africa. I am contacting you based on the fact that your profile was good and commendable. This message might meet you in utmost surprise, please forgive my intrusion into your privacy, however, it was due to the urgency implied and the need for a foreign partner that made me contact you today for a business transaction.

When auditing abandoned and outstanding accounts of the bank, I discover the secret file of one of our late customers, who was involved in a plane crash while on a trip along with his entire family on 31 July 2007 and they all lost there lives. He lodged some money into this bank either for personal use or for business of which we could not disclose, the said amount was US$3.5M (Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand USA Dollars). Since then we have made several inquiries to locate any of our customer's extended relatives, but our several attempts was unsuccessful as he neither left a Will nor any next of kin to this fund.


After these several frantic searches proved unsuccessful, I personally decided to contact you and to seek your consent to assist me and apply to the bank as the next of kin to the fund, so that the proceeds of his account can be paid to you for our benefit. As a foreigner, you stand a better position to apply through documentation as the next of kin to the fund since the deceased is also a foreigner. I can not do this deal alone as a citizen of Burkina Faso. 

I have the opportunity of transferring this left over as I am the director of the Audit section of the bank, all I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through and if only you will give me a full assurance that you can handle this business, then forward to me immediately the bellow information.

If you agree to my business proposal and on receipt of your prompt and positive response, further details and modalities for the transfer will be forwarded to you.You can write me on my personal e-mail address  (

Your name..................
Your age...................
Your occupation............
Your country...............
Your  passport.............
Your telephone number......
Your sex...................
marital status.............
Your home address..........

with best regards,
Mr Mahrous Haider. 

I wonder if there's someone actually being lured by this? What kind of law would allow to transfer any asset, in this case an enormous sum of money, by just being considered the next possible 'kin' and by providing some information only and without any documents for proof? How can an email be truthful with this kind of sender address, goodnewssssssss58@msn.com? And where in the world did he get the profile he was talking about that I am commendable? If this thing is too good to be true, then it sure is!

I am glad Google have tracked this kind of email and provided a warning and precaution:

So, guys be careful!

This email has given me more than a good laugh. It has introduced me to Burkina Faso, Africa which I didn't know exists until now.

Burkina Faso is a land-locked area located at the Western part of Africa. It is a little smaller than the Philippines with 274,200 sq km. Having just 15.75M population with more than half are Muslim and the other percentage is composed of Christian denomination, traditional indigenous beliefs and others.

    Muslim Mosque:

source

Traditional Dinian house. Isn't this cool!

 source

Oh!

                             source

My Attempt To Cook: Korean Spicy Stew

It was never my intention to create a themed dinner once every week. I started it with Italian the other week, last week was Thai and last night was Korean. I just hope I would be able to commit to this ritual. Anyway, we have several famous culinary specialties from different countries. 

Last night, I was so giddy preparing the meal because I love almost everything Korean. The drama series, the city, food and fashion, of course. Although, Korean dish is mainly hot and with a lot of different bean or chilli pastes I still love them. What more, cooking them on my own which I can adjust the intensity of the chilli flavor.

Korean Spicy Stew Recipe:

This is a good comfort food especially when you are sick. The chilli would make you sweat, the chewy mushroom as your vegetable and the clam or any seafood as your source of protein. This is best cooked in an earthen bowl to keep the stew hot longer.

Ingredients

3-4 cups cold water

10g of seaweed flakes

4 shiitake mushroom, if dried mushroom soak in cold water for 3 hours to soften

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 medium white onion, cut into four

8 dried anchovies, heads removed

2 tbs cooking oil

2 tbs red pepper paste or gochujang

100g or more clams with shell or mixed with shrimps

soft tofu, squared

3 spring onions,slivered

1 red chilli, adjust according to preference

salt to taste

1 egg

Procedure

1. In a deep wok, mix water, seaweed flakes, mushroom, garlic, onion and anchovies. Bring to boil and simmer for 15 minutes. This is now the jjigae stock.

2. In a bowl or separate deep saucepan, heat the cooking oil and add the red pepper paste. Once sizzling, pour the stock into it and let it boil for few 5 minutes.

3. Add the clams or seafood and bring to boil again.

4. Add the tofu, spring onions, chilli and stir.

5. Bring to boil and add egg. Stir just right with egg still a bit whole.

6. Add salt when necessary.

Serve piping hot and Enjoy!!!

I will be blogging the other food, Green Onion Pancake, in another post.

Book Review: 1001 Home Remedies and Natural Cures

1001 Home Remedies and Natural Cures by Esme Floyd. As the title of the book implies it is a natural and readily available at home for simple remedies and cures. Esme Floyd is known for her works on 1001s. She is also the author of 1001 Beauty Miracles, 1001 Little Health Miracles and others. 

This book is a collection of some of the things we already know on the remedies and cures for simple ailments, burns, cuts and others that are readily available in our homes, can grown in our gardens or found in the supermarket. The chapters are broken down into different areas of health issues with several tips and procedures on how to relieve each problems. It has widely covered the simple injuries such as burns and cuts, coughs, colds, skin problems, headache, PMS, personal care, immune boosters and even fertility enhancers! What do you know?

Although some are not surprising anymore as they have been published in different magazines, websites and lifestyle shows, this is a good book that would come very handy when you forget those drug-free reliefs from different medical complaints. The book is backed with medical research and proven homeopathy remedies but has provided a disclaimer on the advice that caution should be taken when pregnant, taking medications or with sensitive skin and other allergies. It doesn't in any way recommend to use it as a substitute for serious conditions. Makes sense that's why I double check each herbs on the web for any contraindications.

At SGD27.95 I find it expensive since the US price is just $13. But, I cannot not buy this as I find it both fun to read with the illustrations and great thing to have in your kitchen. 

Vansh at The Stadium

I was watching Laputa, Castle In The Sky, by Hayao Miyazaki when hubby excitedly said that we're eating out for dinner. Naturally, I was happy as I don't have to prepare our meal for the night. Yey! After  watching the movie we headed out to the stadium.

Hubby is fascinated by the architecture of this terminal.

 

There were several restaurants at the side of the Stadium. While we were contemplating where and what to eat we strolled along Kallang river.

After much thought we chose Vansh among others. Vansh, which means a new generation within the family, is an award-winning Indian dining spot that offers a unique cuisine combining traditional Indian culture with modern touch of elegance. It is part of the Rang Mahal Group, a consortium of fine-dining Indian restaurants in Singapore. Vansh's interior is washed with romantic soft lighting, comfortable couch in bold colors with contrasting fluffy throw pillows which makes it excellent for long chit chat over food.

source

Our food has arrived. Appetizer with three dips, yoghurt with fruits (this is love!), chutney and mint. These last two are spicy for me. You have to eat this crunchy bread with these three dips and be surprised with the bursts of flavors.

 

This sampler is the best option if you are not familiar with Indian food. Vegetarian Kebab Sampler gives you an excellent taste of mushroom tandoori (one with cheese on top), paneer tika (square one) and aloo. I love the mushroom tandoori. It is succulent and the salty taste of cheese makes it more appetizing.

For our main dish we had fish masala paired with garlic naan instead of rice. Foodgasm! It was the perfect combination. We initially ordered one set of naan but had to have another because we both couldn't stop devouring the fish masala. A masala can either be a combination of dried (and usually dry roasted) spices, or a paste (such as vindaloo masala) made from a mixture of spices and other ingredients—often garlic, ginger, onions and chilli paste - Wiki.

Indian cuisines don't appeal to me. I always stay away from it whenever hubby plans for an eat out. To have this date a little different and since most of the reviews are excellent I have let myself loose to try out Vansh. I am glad I did! It totally changed my palates toward Indian dishes. And, somebody is so happy!

We were hoping to have some dessert but we were so full that we just chilled out to let the food go down for a while. We ended the night with a nice walk along the bridge.

Vansh

2 Stadium Walk, Stadium Waterfront
Singapore Indoor Stadium #01-04
Singapore 397691
Tel: 65 6345 4466
Fax: 65 6344 5344
Email: vansh@rangmahal.com.sg
Opening Hours
Lunch 12.00pm – 2.30pm (daily)
Dinner 6.00pm – 10.30pm (daily)