10 Ways to Beat the Haze

Haze situation in Singapore is getting from bad to worse. Yesterday, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was at 155! That's 50% over "unhealthy" levels of pollution which start at PSI 100 onwards. This makes the haze situation yesterday highest since September 1997. That's 16 years ago.

And the forest fires on Indonesia's Sumatra Islands are not letting up. To make things worse, Indonesian authorities are expecting the situation to get worse before it gets better. The hot and dry climatic spell is set to peak over the next 2 weeks. What?! Another 14 days of this haze.

Though smoke-filled air causes no long-term medical problems in healthy people, it can be irritating and uncomfortable. For people very old, very young and those with heart disease, haze can add life-threatening burden to their health.
 

Photo source: TodayOnline.com

Suit up now and and learn how to easily beat the haze in 10 ways.

Haze Buster #1: Stay Indoors
This is the best time to stay indoors. Put your outdoor exercise plan like running and brisk walking to rest for the next few weeks. Aerobic activity will only require you to breathe deeper, introducing more pollutants into your lungs. If you have to be outdoors, make sure you are not exposed to more than a hour of vigorous exercise because the body takes in 10 to 20 times more air during exertion than when at rest.

Haze Buster #2: Shut Your Windows & Doors
In this haze condition, there is no point staying indoors and leaving your windows and doors wide open for air ventilation. Shut all your windows and doors, and turn on the fans!

Haze Buster #3 Switch on the Air-con
Again, there is no better excuse to air-condition our homes. Make sure your air-con filters are clean and not clogged. If so, time to re-contract with your air-con maintenance company and gets your air-con units clean, unclogged and operating at maximum efficiency. This will help to save power and energy used as well.

Haze Buster #4: Quit Smoking
This is probably the best time to quit smoking. Besides exposing our bodies to the toxic pollutants in the air during this hazy season, cigarette smoke further aggravates our lungs, making them more sensitive to the effects of the air pollution.

Haze Buster #5: Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants
While you are staying indoors, make sure you are also managing other sources of indoor air pollutants. Avoid indoor cigarette smoking, candle burning, deep-frying of foods and heavy usage f aerosol products like hairspray. This will keep your indoor air as fresh and clean as possible.

Haze Buster #6: Put Away The Vacuum
Vacuum cleaners not only suck up loose dirt and dust off the floors, but they also tend to stir up surrounding areas of dust inside your home. Avoid vacuuming your home during this hazy period and use a floor sweeper and wet mop instead.

Haze Buster #7: Put on a Mask
Prevent from inhaling toxic air pollutants by wearing a mask. Don't just grab any surgical or paper mask because those do not provide adequate protection against haze pollutants. They are mainly used as a body fluid barrier rather than against fine micro particles. You will need a respiratory mask instead. Respiratory masks are designed to keep out fine air pollutants like smoke and dust. Available at most pharmacies and polyclinics.

Haze Buster #8: Wet Your Eyes
During this hazy period, having dry and irritable eyes is common. Make sure to keep your eyes moist with preservative-free eye drops. According to baby forums, some mothers use a few drops of breast milk to wash out their babies eyes. This helps to reduce eye irritation from the toxic air pollutants.

Haze Buster #9: Try Natural Remedies
Try natural home remedies to soothe ailments caused by the haze.

• To soothe dry throat: Mix equal parts aloe vera and orange juice. Add honey. Drink a glass every morning.
• To suppress bouts of coughing: Chop up a garlic clove and place in a small bowl. Add two tablespoons of honey, cover bowl and leave overnight. Take one tablespoon of the mixture throughout the next day.
• To dissolve mucus: Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a jug of water and take occasional swallows. This will cut through the mucus buildup and naturally clear your airways.

Haze Buster #10: Up Your Vitamin Intake
If you cannot avoid going outdoors completely, the best way is to get maximum internal air pollutant protection. You can do this by taking watching your diet and ensuing you maintain high levels of Vitamin A, C and E. These powerful anti-oxidants will help your fight against internal pollutant irritation or infection.

Panasonic Go Eco, Get Crafty Event

As part of the Singapore Blog Awards, Panasonic held an eco-friendly Go Eco, Get Crafty event yesterday at City Square Mall. Finalist bloggers of this year's Best Eco-Challenge Blog were invited to attend and participate.

Fun Fact: Do you know why City Square Mall was the chosen venue  to hold this crafty event? Because City Square Mall (nearest MRT station: Farrer Park) located at the junction of Serangoon & Kitchener Road, is the first shopping mall in Singapore to be integrated with an urban park!

This 49,000 sq ft park just outside the mall's entrance is filled with many natural green surprises, designed to provide a learning experience about ecology and the natural environment.

Last Sunday's event was attended by over thirty parents and their kids. It was great seeing families together and doing crafts. Good quality time spent. Moms, dads, little girls, little boys, brothers and sisters were all getting into the action!

Evelyn Kwek, our craft host was hard at work getting the kids to pay attention and follow instructions. Evelyn was hilarious and kept everyone laughing and entertained. She did a great jobs with the kids!

Evelyn Kwek, host

The main agenda of the day: Made 2 crafts from recycled old T-shirts.Here we go!

Craft #1: Old T-Shirt to Useable Coaster 
All you need is an old T-shirt, scissors and craft glue.

Step 1: Cut three strips of T-shirt across the bottom hemline about 1-inch thick. You will end up with three large loops.
Step 2: Cut the loops to make 3 long straight strips.
Step 3: Tie a knot at the top holding all 3 strips together.
Step 4: Start braiding the 3 long strips together, like you braid hair. Make a small loose knot at the end.
Step 5: Roll braid into a tight circle and tuck the end under the bottom side. You can use glue to hold the braid rolls and ends in place.
Step 6: Add ribbons, stickers, marker pen inks and more to decorate and customize your coasters.

I was so inspired by this little girl's coaster! She made this cute coaster with neon colors and a pretty pink bow.

While the little ones were busy making their crafts (with their parents assistance), bloggers were busy juggling between making their own crafts, socializing and snapping photos. Hence, it is no wonder we worked a little slower than the kids, and needed a little more help.

Craft 2: Old T-shirt to a Recyclable Shopping or Grocery Bag
This is super easy! All you need is an old-T-shirt, preferably one with a nice printed design or colors with pockets.

Step 1: Cut off a strip across the bottom hemline of the T-shirt.
Step 2: If your T-shirt has sleeves, cut the sleeves off from the arm/shoulder hemline.
Step 3: Cut around the neckline. This will remove the collar hem.
Step 4: Turn the T-shirt inside out, and bunch up the bottom of the T-shirt. Make a small knot using the hemline strips you previously cut off.
Step 5: Turn the T-shirt back.

You can accessorize your recycled shopping bag with old buttons, ribbons and what other loose fabric you have laying around.

Two hours later, all the kids and bloggers proudly showed off their crafts! Thanks Panasonic and omy.sg for organizing this fun crafty event.

With the very funny host of the event, Evelyn Kuek

Konjac: The New Natural Face Buffer

Photo source: blushinc.sg

Up until a few weeks ago, the word Konjac did not exist in my vocabulary. Used in the skincare context, the konjac sponge (or puff) is the latest natural beauty craze that has hit Asia and the rest of the world.

So, what is the Konjac sponge? It is simply a face buffer, made from 100% top quality food grade natural fibers of the konjac (Konnyaku) plant root - a kind of potato. However, these natural face buffers are not edible. Instead, they are meant to be used for cleansing your face as you would a muslim cloth or a face sponge.

Reputed for its health-giving properties, konjac is grown in Japan, Korea and China and has been used for over 1500 years as food and medicine. Konjac is loaded with tons of natural goodness like minerals, protein, zinc, iron, Vitamin A, C, E, D, B1, B2, B6, B12 and lots more.

Today, skincare companies have found a way to create an eco skincare product using the natural net-like structure of the konjac root plant. This new invention have been flying off the beauty counters every since. I say this because a few weeks ago when I went to Face Shop to buy their Konjac sponge, they were sold out! To make matters worse, the sales assistant told me that their konjac sponges is their best-seller and they hardly remain on the shelves for long.

Konjac's natural versatile and fibrous structure make for great gentle massaging of the skin, stimulating blood circulation and encouraging new cellular growth. When dry, it is small and stone hard. To use a konjac sponge, you need to soak it in water. It will soften and gradually puff up in size like how a well-soaked sponge. Once dry, it will shrink back to its original small size and can be re-used many times over.

The goodness of konjac:

• 100% Natural
• 100% Coloring Free (They do come in various colors, I'll touch on that later)
• 100% Additive Free
• 100% Biodegradable
• 100% Hyper-allergenic (Good for all skin types, including sensitive skin)
• 100% Environmentally Safe, Skin Safe
• A naturally moisture rich plant fiber with natural alkalinity to help balance acidity of skin impurities and oils.

Common questions women ask about the konjac sponge:

Why is it damp?
When you buy your first konjac sponge, it will be packaged in a small air-tight plastic pouch. You will notice inside of the bag appears to be slightly damp. Don't panic. Almost all konjac sponge brands are the same. The reason being the konjacs are shipped and package slightly hydrated. You are probably wondering 'Won't it be easier to ship it dry like a regular hard sponge?'. My only guess is hard sponges may be prone to breakage or cracks during transportation, whereas a slightly damp sponge can absorb shock and pressure extremely well.

Konjac is suppose to be100% coloring free. Why are there so many colors of konjac sponges?
The original konjac sponge is pure white. There are some innovative konjac companies who have created konjac varieties using natural clay coloring. Look at Konjac Sponge Company. You can get them in red (konjac red clay sponge), green (konjac green clay sponge), pink (konjac pink clay sponge) and black (konjac bamboo charcoal).

How do I use it?
Using your konjac sponge is no different with using a face scrub sponge or face cloth. Simply apply gentle circular strokes all over the face and around your eyes. Here is a good straightforward review on how to use a konjac sponge by Katie Hughes of KatieandSophieBeauty.

How long does a konjac sponge last?
A good konjac sponge that is kept under good care can last you 2-3 months. Before using your konjac, make sure it is completely dry before wetting it. Never wring out your konjac. After every use, simply squeeze between your fingers to get rid of the excess water and hang to dry. This will extend the life of your sponge.

Can you disinfect konjac?
Yes. Disinfect your konjac by soaking it in just-boiled hot water once every two weeks. But make sure you don't get into a crazy habit and do it too often because it can accelerate the breakdown of the natural fibers shorten the life of your konjac sponge.

When should I change to a new konjac sponge?
When it starts to break apart and deteriorate. But you don't have to throw it away! Remember, konjac is 100% biodegradable. You can literally put your discarded konjac sponge at the bottom of a potted plant to help retain moisture in the soil.

6 Dirty Truths About Drinking Bottled Water I Bet Your Didn't Know

In today's grab-&-go culture, bottled water not only serves as a necessary accessory for jetting between yoga, spin and zumba class paired with the latest Lululemon outfit, it has become the essential icon of a healthy lifestyle.

Bottled water is healthy water - at least that's what marketers tell us. Nothing beats gulping down an icy cold bottle of pure spring water sourced from the majestic mineral-rich alpine peaks of Switzerland after a hot and sweaty workout. But what do we do with the bottle?

Unfortunately, our need for bottled water on-the-go stems from many years of great corporate marketing. And quite unnecessary. Here are 6 dirty truths about drinking bottled water.

Dirty Truth #1: Bottled Water Increases Garbage Load
Even for a recycling-friendly country like the US, only about 15% of plastic water bottles are recycled every year. Compared to countries like Canada and Germany, Singaporeans are dismal at recycling (read more Are Singapore's Ready to Pay-For-Plastic Bags?).

Just look at this photo I took this morning. There was a pair of old shoes on top of the recycling bin. The bin clearly states for paper, glass and plastic only. Unless they are Cinderella's glass slipper (which clearly it is not), we are definitely not recycle-smart.

If we continue to support the bottled water industry by purchasing bottled water, we will inevitably continue to fill our incinerators with unnecessary garbage, release more carbon and toxic chemicals into our atmosphere, and further tax our already limited landfill areas. All this time, bottled water companies will continue to prosper.

Dirty Truth #2: Massive Strain On Resources
The amount of crude oil  needed to make plastic water bottles and transport them is enormous. In the US alone, production of plastic (PET or polyethylene) bottles to meet market demand for bottled water is equivalent to almost 17.6 million barrels of crude oil (excluding transportation). This equals to the same amount of oil needed to fuel more than one million vehicles in the US each year! Let's put it another way: it takes nearly 7x of water in the bottle to make the plastic bottle itself!

Dirty Truth #3: Bottled Water Serves Corporations
When you buy bottled water, you are contributing to the profits of the bottled water corporations. Period. This supports the privatization of water and financially discourages public infrastructure. When such  privatization occurs in countries, access to water (bottled or not) is viewed as a luxury and not a basic human right. On the other hand, when people from developed countries drink safe and clean tap water, they are putting money back into the government's hands (not the corporation's). Governments are, in turn, encouraged by nation duty to ensure proper infrastructure, strict regulations and sound policies are in place to continue delivering clean water to its people.

Dirty Truth #4: Bottled Water is Really Expensive
Bottled water is expensive. Not just on the sourcing, transportation and bottling of water, it is also expensive to buy. One litre of bottled mineral water can set you back S$10 or more. According to the Institute of Medicine, the adequate intake of water for women is 2.2 litres per day and 3 litres per day for men. That's at least S$20-S$30 on bottled water per person, and over S$7,000 per person per year. You can go on nice vacation with that kind of savings.

Dirty Truth #5: Bottled Water is Less Regulated
Bottled water companies spend billions of dollars to convince consumers that bottled water is healthier, safer, fresher and better than normal tap water. The reality is - it is not entirely true. In fact, tap water in developed countries like Singapore, UK and the US are highly regulated by the government. They are subject to strict and rigorous water testing requirements for bacteria and chemical contaminants. Bottled water, on the other hand, is corporatized - falling under the watch of the Food & Drug Administration which are less regulated than the government municipalities.

Dirty Truths #6: Not All Bottled Water is Created Equal
Did you know that as much as 40% of bottled water in the US is actually just filtered tap water? For the die-hard water connoisseurs, they claim that bottled water taste better than normal tap water, making it hard to break the habit of drinking bottled water. But did you know that many research and surveys have shown that blind taste tests prove otherwise on most people? Why? 

In 2009, a report by Food and Water Watch found that almost half of all bottled water is actually derived from tap water. Big and popular bottled water brands such as Pepsi's Aquafina (with over 13% of the bottled water market), Coca-Cola's Dasani and Nestle's Pure Life were forced to change their bottles' labeling to clearly state where their water comes from: public water resources.

So, before you get yourself into this expensive and unnecessary habit, ask yourself how badly do you want to save the Planet...and your wallet.

Inspiring Women: Audrey Hepburn

As a Finalist in the 2013 Singapore Blog Awards for Nanyang Optical Best Lifestyle Blog, we were asked to write a post on what or who inspires us from the 60's. This is a themed challenge that is in line with this year's blog awards.

Looking back at the 60s, one thing I absolutely love is the fashion, and its stylish female icons. Feminist revolution in the mid-60s to the androgynous hippie style of the late 60s, women of this decade defined popular fashion. Sex kittens, cutey pixies and elegant powerful women were all part of this grandiose mix. 

It was an era where fashion and beauty were infused with an evolving role of feminine confidence. It was a time when great and influential women like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, Bridgette Bardot, Coco Chanel and Twiggy once lived.

These women were not only fashion icons, but their personal stories of survival, courage and pushing boundaries in history continue to inspire me in many ways. One of my greatest fashion icons and person of inspiration is Audrey Hepburn.

Audrey Hepburn: The Legendary Style Icon
Audrey Hepburn is a petite woman of timeless Hollywood elegance and beauty. Her sense of fashion is classic and almost always the same. She exudes a certain kind of grace that I wished I had. During the time of the blond bombshell sex kittens like Marilyn Monroe and Bridgette Bardot, Audry Hepburn kept things different with her waif, thin, flat-chested physique and brunette mane. Her fashion style resonates well with me and some of them include:

#1: Know What Works For You and Stick With It
At a young age, Audrey Hepburn knew what styles looked good on her and she stuck with it all of her life. For example, she had a small 22" waist. So she wore clothes that clinched on the waist or silhouette structured outfits to enhance her figure.

#2: Keep It Simple
Audrey Hepburn's style has always been about simplicity. She never liked anything complicated and uncomfortable. Just look at some of her basic wardrobe must-haves: a pair of over-sized dark sunglasses, a string of choker pearls, a pair of kitten heels or ballerina flats, a fitted suit and the famous little black dress.

#3: Maintain Good Posture & Grooming
What works for Audrey can always be found in the details. Grooming was a big thing for her. Her look is unmistakeably neat and well-groomed. For example, a flawless face, manicured nails and smoothly combed hair was how she always presented herself. Posture was also very important to her. Her early training in ballet taught her to maintain good posture and grace, never looking sloppy.

Audrey Hepburn: The Brave War-Torn Child
Not a lot of people know the real Audrey Hepburn. Despite coming from a well-travelled European family with aristocratic roots, she has been through and witnessed first-hand the tribulations of war, at home and in public. Her father left her family abruptly when she was very young after her mother caught him having illict affairs with the family's nanny.

She has many recollections of the war. One of which she said "More than once I was at the station seeing trainloads of Jews being transported, seeing all these faces over the top of the wagon. I remember, very sharply, one little boy standing with his parents on the platform, very pale, very blond, wearing a coat that was much too big for him, and he stepped on to the train. I was a child observing a child".

While she may physically look petite and frail, her courage was bold and strong. When the Germans in Holland confiscated all radios, Audrey Hepburn secretly delivered underground newspapers in her oversized boots. At the tender age of 15, she was a prolific ballet dancer, and danced secretly for the Dutch resistance during World War II. She gave ballet recitals to make money for the resistance until she was too weak from malnutrition. War had left Audrey Hepburn suffering from colitis, jaundice, anemia, endometriosis, asthma and depression.

Audrey Hepburn: The Woman Who Saved Lives
Her history of having almost starved to death during the Nazi-occupied Holland of World War II, led her to dedicate the later part of her life to help save improvised children in the poorest nations. She became a formidable UNICEF goodwill ambassador for starving children around the world.

On the personal front, Audrey Hepburn located her estranged father in her 30s. And while he remained emotionally detached from his only daughter, she kept in contact and supported him financially until his death.

In 1993 at the age of 63, Audrey Hepburn died from appendiceal cancer. As one of the most beautiful women who ever lived, Audrey Hepburn's beauty was not only skin deep. It came from within.

I am inspired by the woman Audrey Hepburn was. She was a survivor and she had courage. She lived her life with purpose and never bolted in the face of fear. And when she made it good in life, she gave it all back.

Eco-Crafts: How to Grow Your Own Rosemary Herb Pot in an Apartment?

Photo from careerintheoven.blogspot.som

Let's face it: Fresh herbs in Singapore is expensive. Go to any supermarket and you will find a handful of rosemary will set you back $5. And they don't last for very long.

I am no green thumb. Most plants under my care struggle to survive past four weeks. But out of pure dollar savings, I started experimenting with my own condo-living herb garden. Most have died a miserable death.

The one I found easiest to grow and most hardy (it has got to be if its under my care) is rosemary. Rosemary is great in pastas, and often paired with red meats like lamb, beef and pork. Lots of roast chicken recipes use rosemary as well.

Rosemary's anti-inflammatory properties have been used as a natural remedy for many years to treat digestive ailments, arthritis, joint and muscle pains. Today, researchers have found that rosemary contain neuroprotective properties that protect brain tissue against degeneration that can lead to Alzheimer's and memory loss. 

Here is how you can grow your own rosemary herb in your condo apartment.

Step 1: Get a large deep flowering pot

Make sure the pot has a small hole at the bottom for drainage. If your pot doesn't have a hole at the bottom, bring it to your nearest nursery and ask them to help you drill one. Caution: If drilled too quick, it may crack the base of your red clay terra cotta pot.

Also, make sure you have a plastic dish or tray under your flower pot to catch any drained water from spilling unto your floors. For better drainage, place some large rocks at the bottom of the pot before you fill it with soil. 

Step 2: Make a trip down to a nursery

Choose a nice bushy pot of rosemary. Make sure the leaves are green and healthy looking without any dried brown bits at the tips of the leaves. Also, look at the stem and where the leaves connect, it should be clear and no trace of white spots (plant bugs). 

Step 3: Get a bag of potting soil

 This is the part where a lot of people get it wrong. Even me. There are lots of different kind of soil to choose from and soil selection is critical to plant health. Choosing the right soil provides your herbs with the right drainage, soil consistency, and nutrient and water retention. Choose a medium-weight potting soil premixed with fertilizer. This will not only help the soil drain water when exposed in the sun for long periods, it will provide the necessarily nutrients to your rosemary plant for healthy growth.

Step 4: Pot the rosemary
Fill about 3/4 of your pot up with soil. Sprinkle the soil with water and mix it around to moisten the soil bedding evenly. It should have a loose muddy feel. Then, use your hands to dig down the center of the pot to create a sunken bed and transfer your rosemary to your pot. Once you have done that, layer about 1 inch of soil at the top of the exposed rosemary's root base. Pat the soil down to pack it firmly to the rosemary.

Step 5: Find a sun-filled spot for your pot

Rosemary loves sunshine. Apartment condo living has great sun lit spots like along a window sill, on a outdoor balcony or even a kitchen counter with an open window. One good thing about rosemary is that it does not require a lot of watering.

Special note on growing rosemary: It loves rain too. Rainwater is mildly acidic with low alkalinity making it easier for your rosemary to absorb nutirents from the soil, and promotes the soil's micro-organism activity. Alkalinity from rainwater makes rosemary more fragrant as well. Having said that, do not over-water. Rosemary plant can suffer from root rot, so make sure you have good drainage in your pot and stick to the average level of watering to wet the soil.

Happy potting!

KIEHL'S: Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner

If you remember not too long ago, I posted on Kiehl's permanent price drop for 21 of their best-selling products (read Kiehl's Singapore Has Dropped Prices, Permanently). So when one of my favorite toners (read Le Château du Bois Tonic Toner) finished, I took the opportunity to purchase their calendula toner.

Most people will not know what a calendula flower is. But it also goes by a more common name, Marigold. Plant pharmacological studies have shown that marigold, or calendula extract has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties often used in herbal and cosmetic products.

Ancient Greeks used calendula to treat wounds and minor fungal infections. Calendula oil was used as a healing ointment for cuts, burns, bruises, warts, body aches and pains.

 Here is my review of  Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner after using it for 4 weeks.

On first impression, I was fascinated to see natural calendula leave petals floating in the bottle. Lots of it. How often do you see natural flowers and leaves in your skincare? It is a great marketing and packaging tactic for shoppers like me who are just thrilled to see something that.

Made from whole flowers and pure extracts, Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is suitable for normal-to-oily skin type. Being alcohol-free and free of harsh drying agents, this toner did not dry out or sting my skin upon applicable or contact. As for scent, it smells like I'm dabbing tea on my face - a combination of green and jasmine tea. A pleasant scent that makes you want to almost drink it.

The bottle has a great unobstructed dispensing flip top cap. I never struggle with getting the product out on my cotton pad.

Unfortunately, as an effective toner (stated on the bottle), I did not notice any significant improvement to my skin. My complexion is already fairly flawless. So, it is hard to say if this toner can make a noticeable difference to your complexion. To me, it makes for a good basic essential but not something that will specifically treat or yield obvious improvements.

However, I do have one major issue with this product. Take a look at the ingredients list.

It is not entirely free of chemicals with potential health risks! Propylene glycol (listed as #2 ingredient), pentylene glycol (listed as #3 ingredient), methylparaben (listed as #4 ingredient) and Disodium EDTA (listed as #5 ingredient). Oh dear.

Not to mention, the toner's main herbal extract calenula is known to cause allergies and should be avoided during pregnancy.

While these chemical ingredients are not directly responsible for health major risks and generally safe and stable, the truth is these chemicals have the potential to trigger allergic reactions, and at highly concentrated amounts have long-term accumulative effects that can lead to internal tissue damage, and even cancer.

Unfortunately, this is another Kiehl's product (read Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel) that I will not be buying again. But if this is a toner you have been using for a while and has shown significant improvement to your skin without any allergic reactions, then I suppose no harm sticking with it.

Retail price: S$58 per 250ml

Available at all Kiehl's outlets in Singapore islandwide.