Monthly Archives: August 2014

August 25th, 2014
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Lemon Juice And Erosion of Tooth Erosion

I had several of my teeth filled by the dentist this morning.   On top of that, my dentist did scaling on my teeth too.  I have not had my teeth cleansed for yonks and I must slap myself for being such a slack in making regular visits to the dentist.  Brushing our teeth after every meal and flossing everyday are not enough.  Regular visits to the dentist (preferably twice a year) and scaling can help prevent tooth decay and for the dentist to pick up initial stages of tooth decay and rectify it.   I have always been very fastidious in the health and cleanliness of my teeth but I just can’t seem to rid myself the phobia of going to the dentist.  However, after my visit to the dentist 3 months back to remove a mispositioned tooth that was decayed, my phobia of dentist seems to have eased a wee bit.

The reason why several of my teeth were filled was not because of tooth decay but because of erosion of the teeth enamel.  And I can only blame it on the lemon juice that I have been religiously drinking for the past decade.  No doubt lemon juice boasts a host of health benefits but drinking too much of it causes erosion of the teeth enamel.

My other mistake was brushing my teeth too roughly, thinking that by doing so, my teeth will be whiter and cleaner.   In actual fact, brushing the teeth too roughly may wear out the enamel too.

 

My dentist used an equipment like the one above when she did the filling on my teeth today.

The bill came up to a whopping RM300!

 

Drinking Lemon Juice And Risk Of Tooth Erosion

Many people regularly drink hot lemon water first thing in the morning. It is suggested that this helps to cleanse the digestive system, stimulate digestive enzymes and possibly even assist with weight loss. Others enjoy eating or sucking or mulling lemon slices. Lemons and lemon juice is essentially citric acid and is highly acidic. Over time, routine consumption of lemon juice will affect your tooth’s outer covering – the enamel.

Drinking lemon juice can put you at risk for tooth erosion, a condition where the thin, protective layer of enamel slowly wears away from your teeth. Lemon juice contains acid, which irritates gums and softens tooth enamel.

Frequent consumption of products that contain acid will eventually destroy the enamel and expose underlying dentin, leaving your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity and tooth decay. In fact, enamel erosion is one of the most common causes of cavities and tooth loss.

Erosion is the loss of tooth enamel, caused most commonly by acid attack. When the enamel is worn away, it exposes the underlying dentin (which is yellower in colour than enamel), and this may cause you to experience painful tooth sensitivity. Acidic foods and drinks can cause enamel erosion. As your enamel erodes it becomes thinner and this allows the yellower dentine that lies below the enamel to be more visible through the enamel. Your teeth may appear indented and yellower and they may also feel rough to the tongue. The temperature of your hot water make a difference to the effect of the lemon juice/water. The rate of chemical reactions increases with temperature and therefore erosion will be more severe at higher temperatures.

Mixing the lemon juice in 250ml of water may help to lessen the acidity. You can further minimise risk by drinking the warm lemon juice through a straw. Using a straw allows the fluid to bypass the teeth.

After drinking the acidic lemon water, rinse your mouth with water immediately. This removes any acid that may remain on the tooth surface and reduces the acidity of the oral saliva. Another option is to chew sugar-free gum after drinking the lemon water: this helps you produce more saliva, which helps neutralise the acidity in your mouth.  DO NOT brush your teeth for at least 60 minutes after drinking the lemon water. Use a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste (fluoride strengthens your enamel) and do not brush aggressively. Why? Because acid softens enamel and makes it more prone to erosion during brushing. If you already have enamel erosion, consult with your dentist. Your dentist may recommend treatments such as resin bonding, veneers or sealants to protect your remaining tooth structure, restore aesthetics and/or minimize sensitivity.

 

 

 

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Uncategorized
August 19th, 2014
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Organic Oranges

The other day, the MIL bought some organic food stuff from the organic shop.  Some of the items include organic veggie, spelt flour, red dates and even a packet of three organic oranges. My eye balls popped when I saw the price on the packet of three organic oranges – a whopping RM31.82!

Well, she had her reason. She wanted to make marmalade jam and since orange peel would be needed, she bought organic ones.  With 3 organic oranges, she made 3 medium-size bottles of delish marmalade jam, which I love to bits!  She also used organic raw sugar for the jam.

At RM31.82 for 3 organic oranges, would you buy them?

Here is an interesting read on organic oranges which I gathered from the internet:

Organic oranges grow on certified organic orchards which use no growth hormones or chemicals. Rather than chemical pesticides, organic growers rely on beneficial birds and insects to control pests and disease. They use natural compost and manure as fertilizer instead of chemicals to encourage growth and never use chemical herbicides or fungicides.

Eating
Although commercial oranges are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, the chemicals don’t reach the inside of the orange. The peel acts as a natural barrier and, as long as you don’t eat the peel or use it in recipes, you won’t ingest the chemicals that coat the outside of the orange. Organic oranges have the same nutritional values and calories as commercial oranges. A small orange contains 45 calories, 1 gram of protein, 11 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber and 9 grams of sugar. It is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium, potassium and vitamins C and A.

So for the love and health of her loved ones, my dear MIL spent a tad more to buy organic food. And I am saying it again – that  you are what you eat.  If you eat junk, you have junk in your body and if you eat wholesome healthy food, it is reflected in your health too.  Our health is our wealth.  So if you can afford it, go organic. Or you can skimp on other things like clothing and branded items to buy organic food. Investing in organic food is investing in good health and hopefully, staving off diseases too.  Just make sure that you buy organic food stuff with credible organic certification.

 

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Organic Food
August 19th, 2014
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What Naturopathic Services Can Do for You

Like all physicians, a naturopath believes in doing no harm. Naturopaths are general practitioners who are also trained in the science and art of healing with natural medicine. Naturopathic Vancouver medicine is a branch of science that believes in the promotion of wellness by emphasizing and improving upon the positive aspects of a patient, while also addressing areas of need with as much nature-based methods as possible.

Naturopathy begins with identifying the root of the problem. Rather than simply treating the symptoms of an illness, disease, or condition with medication or physical or behavioral therapy, naturopaths will attempt to uncover the actual cause of the symptoms. Naturopaths believe that external symptoms — such as fatigue, nausea, and pain — are generally caused by an imbalance related to something emotional or mental, or perhaps physical. Treat the source, and eliminate the symptoms.

Treatments you can expect from a naturopath include vitamins and botanical medicine, nutritional recommendations and guidelines for healthy diets, and even acupuncture. You and your naturopath will come up with a treatment plan that is right for you. You can click the “contact us” link on your naturopath’s website if you are interested in learning more about their services, hours, and fees.

 

 

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MFLV
August 18th, 2014
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Carb-Free Chicken Bolognese Spaghetti

While my girls tucked into their spaghetti noodles with chicken bolognese sauce for lunch yesterday, I had my kind of spaghetti, free from carbohydrates – with organic alfalfa sprouts 😉

 

 

This tasted SO SO good and not cloy at all.  There’s something about durum wheat noodles that give me a cloy feeling after the meal, which I hate. The same goes whenever I eat yellow noodles or flat rice noodles.  But with green sprouts, mmmm, it tastes so refreshing and I do not have the nauseous feeling after my meal! And alfalfa sprouts are very healthy too!

 

I also like to enjoy my ‘spaghetti’ by substituting the wheat flour spaghetti with multi-grain and seed crackers or a slice of toasted wholemeal bread.    This way, I do not have to worry about the insulin spike from the wheat flour and I get to enjoy the meaty bolognese sauce without feeling fat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Diet and losing weight, Healthy Food
August 18th, 2014
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Getting Breast Implants in Montreal

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in North America, and many women undergo this surgery each year to enhance the look and feel of their breasts. This surgery is often performed on women who want to feel more confident and enjoy an enhanced intimate life. Understanding this procedure will better prepare you for surgery.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is the procedure in which women receive larger and fuller breasts through small implants placed under the skin. Breast augmentation can lift sagging breast tissue and give you a more youthful look. Some women receive them as a form of reconstructive surgery if they have lost their breasts to cancer. Others simply want a more enhanced look and undergo breast augmentation to enjoy greater self-confidence.

 

Who Gets Breast Augmentation?

Women of all ages get breast augmentation to enhance the look and feel of their breasts. There are many conditions and situations that can affect the look of the breasts, from childbirth to heredity. Getting breast augmentation will create a breast that is as close to your ideal as possible. Many women want to look like celebrities and movie stars and breast augmentation is one of the best ways to achieve that look.

There are many surgeons that can perform breast augmentation Montreal and give you an enhanced look. Whether you want to increase the size of your breasts or simply enjoy a fuller and more youthful appearance, getting Augmentation Mammaire et Implants a Montreal is the best way to transform the body.

 

 

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MFLV
August 14th, 2014
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BaNaNa Fitness Special Bootcamp Exercise @ Plaza Damaz, KL

Hear ye hear ye all you fitness buffs and those who intend to melt away your belly fat to have a fabulous bod!

A friend of mine is organizing a BaNaNa Fitness Training (special bootcamp exercise) and has asked my help to spread the word around. My hubs has been attending this bootcamp at our neighborhood for almost a year and it is very intense. If I have the time, I will attend too. I am all for fitness but unfortunately, time is not on my side for now.

Here are the details of the BaNaNa Fitness special bootcamp exercise:

Venue: The Space, C1-3 (above Dynasty Club), Block C, Plaza Damaz, 60 Jln Sri Hartamas 1, Kuala Lumpur

When: every Monday & Wednesday,

Time: either 10am-11.15am or 8.30pm-9.45pm by Rapid Fusion Fitness

Price: RM299/mth (Early Banana Rate at RM799 for 3 mths).

For more information, you may send all enquiries to thespacekl@gmail.com or call 016-217 1060.

The organizer is offering a FREE trial if there are 5 or more people. So gather your friends, colleagues, husbands, wives, siblings or your boss to try out this fitness bootcamp for free! Don’t let this opportunity to jump-start your health and fitness regimen slip away ok 😉

 

 

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Health and Fitness, Uncategorized
August 9th, 2014
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Honey – The Food That Never Expires

The other day, at a friend’s house, she showed me a bottle of honey that she had been keeping for 20 years!   Though the color of the honey has turned into dark brown, nonetheless it has not crystalized yet.  Just before she left for overseas, she gave us the bottle of honey.  One of our topics of discussion that night was honey – the food that never expires!

Just like uncooked rice, sugar, salt, vinegar, corn starch, wine and pure vanilla extract, honey is also one of the top ten foods that never expires.    Some food items just can last forever.  These vampires of the food  are good to have on hand — and to buy in bulk — because they will never spoil, hardly lose quality and will always be there when you need them.  But seriously, would you dare to cook up that bag or rice you found hidden behind your kitchen cabinet that your late grandma bought in 1980?  Or put into your coffee a teaspoon of sugar that your mum bought 30 years ago?  Errm, I don’t think I will do it.  The bottle of honey that my friend gave me is still on my kitchen shelf. I guess I will keep it for remembrance. Some day perhaps when I summon the courage to try it, I shall!

So why does honey never go bad?

Honey is a sugar. You may have heard all sorts of things about the health benefits of substituting honey for sugar, which may or may not be true. While honey isn’t the same as regular, granulated, white sugar, it’s still a sugar. And sugars are hygroscopic – they don’t contain much water in their natural state. And very few bacteria and microorganisms can live in the resulting low-moisture environment.  Honey in its natural form is very low moisture. Very few bacteria or microorganisms can survive in an environment like that, they just die. They’re smothered by it, essentially. The fact that organisms can’t survive long in honey means they don’t get the chance to spoil it.

Another thing that sets honey apart from other sugars is its acidity. Honey’s pH is between 3 and 4.5 (or, more precisely, 3.26-4.48), which also kills off anything trying to make a home in honey.

Caveat: Infants

So, yes, honey mostly doesn’t spoil. However, honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. This isn’t harmful to adults and children over one year old, whose gastrointestinal tract is developed enough to deal with the spores. But children under one are at risk for infant botulism, so honey is not for your infant.

So could you eat 5,000 year old honey? Well, if it’s spent that time sealed and stored against moisture, sure. If it’s crystallized, it’s not spoiled, just heat it up and put it in your food of choice. Unless you’re under one year old. Then you’d have to wait.

 

 

 

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Interesting Information
August 5th, 2014
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Black Monday

This is not what you think, definitely not vulgarity using the third finger ok.

Yesterday was a classic Monday blues day for me.

After the week-long Raya holiday, I was worried on Sunday night that I could not wake up at 4:45am the next morning. I triple-checked the alarm on my alarm clock and mobile phone on Sunday night. After my previous incident of oversleeping when I had forgotten to turn on my alarm clock, I now have a phobia of not setting my alarm clock.

When my alarm clock buzzed at 4:45am on Monday morning, I stumbled out of bed. In the haste to get up, I accidentally scratched my left finger with my right fingers when I pulled my blanket off… from the third finger all the way 8cm up to the knuckle shiats! It was darn painful pulling my skin off too *SOBS*  The skin from my injured left hand was scraped off and lodged underneath the finger nails of my right hand. How gross can that be, ewwwwwww!!

While Cass was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, she slipped and fell backward.  She hit her head and back. This rascal who hardly cries, cried. I was scared shit, worried that she had injured her brain and back.  Her back is now bruised and the back of her head has a bump. She told me last night that her back was painful when she lay on the bed 🙁

 

 

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