To Tuit Or Not To Tuit

Sending children to tuition classes is readily becoming a norm in our society so much so that if a child is not sent to tuition it is bordering on being abnormal.

When parents are TOO busy working, tuition classes more often than not are very convenient and usually cheaper.

NST today reported "more parents are sending their children, aged between 7 and 10, for private tuition" [read more]

Reasons cited :

1- competitive school environment
2- crowded classrooms
3- changing standards of language

Also reported is school authorities and parent groups generally agree that sending children under 10 years old for tuition is unnecessary.

Associate Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hasan, the President of National Collaborative Parent-Teacher Associations of Malaysia, believes that sending pupils for tuition too early could even be detrimental to their social development [from here]

Being a teacher for 30 years now, I see many students who are so tired and stressed out. Despite all the extra classes, I have had students sleeping during exams with unanswered questions.

They've been denied their natural development. Their social skills is so lacking. Their self drive is zero. They need to be directed and supervised EACH time.

I salute mothers who opted to stay home and look after their children themselves.

Perspective

BBC estimated 2000 people [here]

CBSNEWS estimated 3000 people [here]

MalaysianInsider estimated 8000 people [here]

Malaysiakini reported 15000 people [here]

Utusan reported 5000 people [here]

Berita Harian reported 10000 people [here]

Here is a picture from Facebook uploaded by Malaysiakini



Here is a picture from Facebook uploaded by PDRM

One event.

Perhaps different time.

But then ... it is not that difficult to doctor a digital picture.

We have seen how pictures were played up.

Even comments on both FB differs ... some commentors said ramai some said tak ramai.

I wasn't there!



Passing Away

My elder brother passed away on Monday 13th February 2012 at the age of fifty-three.

Apart from occasional headaches, he had no known heart condition, high blood pressure or diabetes.

He just arrived at his workplace and complained of tiredness to his colleagues who advised him to take a rest. He sat down and passed out. His colleagues rushed him to a clinic nearby and the doctor pronounced him to be dead.

He was far away from home.

My mother called in confusion. Took me few minutes to sort it out, thanks to the technology. That was about 11 am.

I took leave from work bracing myself for the task ahead.

This was my first experience handling the death of an immediate family member. 


First, locate the wife and her children. Next, deciding the burial site. Had to consider the wife's and the children' wish and the parents'. Apparently both parties had different places in mind.


Villagers started paying visits to my parents.

The time seemed to drag slowly. There was no news about the arrival of the body [about six hours journey away] and the grave site was not decided yet.


Somehow, my youngest brother managed to convince the wife and children to agree with the parents' wish.

The villagers started digging the grave.

The body arrived home about 9.30 pm. All taken care of.


Family members were allowed to take a last look at his face and say goodbye.


I was able to hold the tears until I stooped to kiss his cold cheek.


I was overcame by grief which I thought I didn't have.

About 10.00 pm he was laid to rest in a grave near the parents' home.

As I left the grave after the 'talkin' I was once again overcame by emotion.

Lay in peace my brother. Your tired bones and all your worries and concerns will trouble you no more. 

Rest in peace.


Innalillahiwainnailaihiraji'uun.

Jalan jalan

Kali terakhir naik keretapi ialah pada hujung tahun 1996. 


Sabtu lepas, ada undangan walimah di JB. Beli tiket Senandung Timuran online. Ayong pun ikut.


Dalam jadual, waktu bertolak ialah 3.18 pagi dan tiba di Kulai 9.10 pagi.


Sampai di stesen 2.30 pagi. Keretapi tiba 3.40 pagi. Berlepas 3.45 pagi.


Kabin 1. Habuk banyak. Bersin. Ada sinki.


Terus tidur. Sedar hampir sampai di Gemas. Subuh gajah. Melambung lambung menyusur koridor ke tandas. Keadaan tandas yang tak di urus dengan baik.


Sekejap saja shunting di Gemas.


Lajunya keretapi. Melambung lambung macam kena ayak.


Di Segamat, matahari baru nak mengintai

Tetiba keretapi berhenti. Kawasan ladang di Labis. Entah apa sebabnya. 

Terlena dalam menunggu keretapi sambung perjalanan. Tersedar ada nyonya bising bising nak turun di Kluang. Tak de sivik langsung.

Ke tandas lagi. Ada tukang cuci tandas sedang 'mencuci' tandas. Tapi dok sibuk ber SMS. 


Jam 11.00 pagi baru sampai di Kulai.


Epit terperangkap dalam jem. Kena tunggu sekejap di stesen Kulai.


Lepas kenduri pergi jamu mata pulak kat JPO. Tengok je!


Hehehehe!

One Day In Your Life

One day in your life
You'll remember a place
Someone's touching your face
You'll come back and you'll look around you

One day in your life
You'll remember the love you found here
You'll remember me somehow
Though you don't need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You'll remember one day

One day in your life
When you find that you're always waiting
For a love we used to share
Just call my name, and I'll be there

You'll remember me somehow
Though you don't need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You'll remember one day

One day in your life
When you find that you're always longing
For a love we used to share
Just call my name, and I'll be there.

flip flop lagi

Ketua Setiausaha Negara Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan mengesahkan pelaksanaan sistem Saraan Baru Perkhidmatan Awam (SBPA), yang dikuatkuasakan sejak 1 Januari lalu, ditangguhkan bagi membolehkan kajian semula yang lebih mendalam dijalankan.
Bagaimanapun beliau enggan mengulas lanjut sambil berkata, maklumat lanjut akan diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak kelak.

Rasa kurang puas hati dengan SBPA sebab gaji junior yang tak lulus PTK naik ratusan ringgit dan berada sebaris dengan kita yang berhempas pulas dapatkan 4:4 di DUA tahap PTK sedangkan gaji kita naik tak sampai RM50.00. 


Sebal je rasa.

Sakit je hati.

Tapi lagi sakit hati bila kerajaan ini flip flop lagi.


Agaknya diaorang ni memang sengaja nak sabotaj kot?


Supaya rakyat benci pemerintah. Benci Najib.


Diaorang ni dapat banyak duit dari 'luar' kot?


Macam bekas pensyarah tu?


Bukan dia sorang, pastinya. Ingat budak ingus yang kat universiti tu punya telur masak keras ke sampai berani menyalak kat pintu u, baring baring atas jalanraya kalu tidak ada yang mencucuk dan mengumpan. 


Risau mengenangkan satu demi satu 'Harimau Asia' dicederakan sang Helang.


Sedih melihatkan satu demi satu negara Islam dijatuhkan melalui 'suara rakyat' kononnya.


*Dugaa weh*

Ode to the Dove

looking outside my kitchen window

something moved in the shadow

as though taking a bow

in the afternoon glow

having only the phonecam

trying hard not to make any sound

adjusting to get into the frame

blooming orchids in the background 

took just one small click of the camera

for half a dozen sensitive creatures

to take off and disappear

leaving me with only pictures

taken through the window glass

of Zebra doves feeding in the grass

old lady and the south china sea 2

flashbacks

my son said

he would stay home

and take care of me

when i am old

now he's married

to a girl he portrayed

 doesn't mind 

making home as said 

then he got a job oversea

left his wife who is now preggy

i tot this would be a good opportunity

for bonding between her and me

guess what

when he got married

i thought

i would gain a daughter

looks more like

am losing a son 

FAMILIAR???

After the first day of the new year

Ya Allah

perbaikilah agamaku

yang menjadi sandaran urusanku

perbaikilah duniaku

yang menjadi tempat kehidupanku

perbaikilah akhiratku

tempat di mana aku dikembalikan

jadikanlah hidupku ini

tambahan setiap kebaikan untukku

dan jadikanlah kematian

sebagai ketenangan 

daripada segala kejahatan untukku

 

Amin

Here we go again

Article 153 Is ‘Bullying’, Says Christian Leader

SUBANG JAYA, Dec 24 – The Federal Constitution’s Article 153 is akin to “bullying” if it only protects the rights of one group, top church leader Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng said today.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman said the rights in any nation cannot be scrutinised in a vacuum.

“I think we need to talk about the rights of others as well under article 153.

“When we talk of rights of only one group, if I may suggest, that is bullying,” he said at the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Christmas hi-tea here at the Full Gospel Tabernacle.

The annual event was attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, MCA’s Loh Seng Kok, DAP’s Hannah Yeoh, PKR’s Chua Tian Chang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Malaysian Insider

taken from here

Ngellik berbelit

Pelik nya bila baca berita ni [dari sini].

Selama hari ni yang dok terpekik terlolong minta SPR guna dakwat kekal ni sapa ek?

Persatuan penternak kambing jamnapari kah?
d'oh !!! mokcik feninNNNNNN!
rasa nak termuntah lerrr !!!

PAS hari ini meminta Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) memberi jaminan bahawa penggunaan dakwat kekal pada pilihan raya umum akan datang mampu mengelakkan pengundian berulang.

Ketua Penerangannya Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berkata jaminan tersebut termasuklah memilih dakwat kekal yang bermutu tinggi bagi memastikan dakwat yang dicalit tidak mudah dipadamkan dengan apa-apa juga bahan kimia serta tahan lama.

"Kita sememangnya mengalu-alukan pengunaan dakwat kekal pada pilihan raya umum akan datang dan berharap ia tidak melanggar syarak.

"Jadi kita berharap penggunaan dakwat kekal ini mampu memulihkan keyakinan rakyat terhadap perjalanan pilihan raya di negara ini. SPR perlu yakinkan pengundi bahawa ia tidak melanggar syarak serta tidak boleh dimanipulasi dan tidak boleh dihapuskan dengan mudah menggunakan bahan kimia," katanya kepada Bernama di sini, hari ini.

HARMONY

Malaysia is a good example for the world to see how a plural society could live in peace and harmony, said Foreign Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman.

He said Malaysia proved to the world that a multiracial society could practise tolerance and develop the country together.

"Foreign countries with a plural society can learn from Malaysia as we have succeeded in uniting the races by sharing power and living in peace."

Mohd Radzi said this to reporters after opening a youth seminar on Malaysia's foreign policy at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday.

source here

And then this

The Transport Ministry has advised the KL International Airport (KLIA) and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) to make announcements in Tamil beginning Jan 1 during the flights to and from Chennai, India.

Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said today the passenger volume on the KL-Chennai route was high and almost 90 per cent of the passengers better understood Tamil than English.

KLIA and LCCT handled a total of 434,050 passengers to and from Chennai this year, 207,697 outgoing and 226,353 incoming, he said in a statement, adding that they travelled in flights operated by Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia, Jet Airways and Air India Express.

"As such, the government has acceded to the request by several quarters for announcements in Tamil during the arrival and departure of flights on the KL-Chennai sector," he said.

WOW!

After this surely we must have announcement in African and Arabic and Korean.

From Malay Mail December 21, 2009

In 2001, 51,383 African entered Malaysia. In 2008, 111,805 African entered Malaysia both as tourist and students.

Deputy Home Minister also said a total of 101,644 Iranians were recorded to have entered the country in 2009 and the figure rosed to 2108,047 in 2010.

Last year, some 264,000 Koreans entered Malaysia as tourist. There are currently 35 weekly flights from Seoul unto Malaysia. How often or rather have you ever heard about Koreans overstayers in Malaysia ? Folks, did you know that there is a thriving Korean community in Malaysia, especially in Ampang where a Koreatown is slowly beginning to sprout. In 2009, there were 14,580 Koreans residing in Malaysia many of them students or retirees coming under the Malaysia My Second Home

[from OutSyed The Box]

How about that?

How about this?

The novel, "Konserto Terakhir" by national laureate Datuk Abdullah Hussain will replace "Interlok" as textbook for the Malay literature component for Form Five students from next year.

Education director-general Datuk Seri Abd Ghafar Mahmud in a statement today said the textbook replacement concerned students in Zone Two, covering Negeri Sembilan, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Selangor.

He said "Konserto Terakhir" had gone through the process of selection and screening set and was found to be suitable as a school literature textbook based on the values promoted and the quality of the work.

On Dec 14, the cabinet decided that the novel, "Interlok", also written by Abdullah, would cease to be used as a Form Five textbook from 2012.

The decision was made following arising feelings of uneasiness among some sections of society about the novel and to prevent certain quarters from continuing to make it polemic.

"Konserto Terakhir" had been used before as a Form Five textbook in Zone Two from year 2000 to 2010.

The novel revolves around the struggle and resilience of a village youth who migrated to the city to look for a job and in the end becomes a big star.

[from BERNAMA]

Crack HEADs

The champion of 'ALLAH' for bible's god is rearing his head again.

He must have his cake and eat it!

From here

The Education Ministry should consult the school board of SMK Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) to resolve an ongoing dispute regarding the appointment of a new Muslim principal, said Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

He added that the person would need to work together with the school board and community.

“The 1Malaysia concept is reflected in the country's education system, of which the various communities including Christian mission schools and other religious schools have roles to play.

“Their contribution and roles must be well-respected and appreciated,” he said at the Gerakan headquarters.

Stressing that the views of the school board must be taken into account, Dr Koh said the decision to appoint a Muslim principal would create a negative impression to those who have contributed to mission schools.

“At least, have a meeting with the school board. Maybe other names can be accepted,” he said, adding that he understood the school board's proposal of three candidates had been rejected.

Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam was reported to have said the appointment of Datin Seri Zavirah Shaari as CBN principal was contrary to the Government's policy of consultation.

He said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had affirmed the pledge to consult mission school authorities over the choice of school heads and teachers during a 1988 trip to Kota Kinabalu.

Pakiam appealed to the ministry's director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud to reconsider the appointment and pick a candidate nominated by the school owners.

Pembaharuan Sistem Pendidikan Negara

Satu kumpulan panel yang terdiri daripada tokoh-tokoh industri dan juga pendidikan telah dibentuk untuk menasihati kerajaan dalam pembaharuan sistem pendidikan negara.

Anggota-anggota panel itu antara ialahKetua Pegawai Eksekutif AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes dan Pengarah Urusan Khazanah Bhd, Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.

Mereka akan diketuai oleh Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.
Lain-lain anggota panel ialah Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Profesor Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah, Datuk Profesor Dr Ab Rahim Selamat.
Tujuh anggota panel penasihat itu akan membuat laporan serta cadangan hasil kajian dan pemerhatian mereka kepada Menteri Pelajaran yang juga Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Pelantikan mereka dibuat oleh Muhyiddin baru-baru ini.
Adalah difahamkan antara lain mandat penting panel ini adalah untuk menentukan sama ada persekitaran pembelajaran persekolahan kita menggalakkan kreativiti dan eksperimentasi menjadi keutamaan.
[SUMBER]

Was looking for another name in the panel. Maybe he can put the unused 'resource' waiting in the classrooms in his condo.

Another one from mStar Online today

Novel Interlok Akhirnya Digugurkan Sebagai Teks Sastera Tingkatan 5

MELAKA: Novel kontroversi 'Interlok' karya Sasterawan Negara, Datuk Abdullah Hussain akhirnya akan dikeluarkan sebagai teks wajib sastera tingkatan lima mulai tahun depan.
Perkara ini diumumkan oleh Timbalan Presiden MIC, Datuk S. Subramaniam di sini semalam.
Beliau yang juga menteri sumber manusia menjelaskan, keputusan tersebut dibuat oleh Jemaah Menteri dalam mesyuarat mingguannya baru-baru ini.
Menurut beliau lagi, keputusan penuh mengenai perkara itu akan diumumkan oleh Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Novel tersebut yang mencetuskan kontroversi kerana mengandungi beberapa perkataan yang tidak disenangi oleh kaum India telah melalui proses pengeditan semula dan naskhah baru telah pun diterbitkan untuk kegunaan sekolah.

Adehh! Flip flop flip flop flip flop

Wondering now who is going to get ALL those naskah baru yang telah pun diterbitkan.

SURAT KHABAR LAMA! SURAT KHABAR LAMA!

Hmm ..wondering too if the author gets anything apart from heart attack out of this.

Malaysians and cars

Malaysians paid through their noses for cars. Read here.

And then

Malaysians spend millions to repair defective vehicles

Read this

MALAYSIANS have been forking out an average of RM76 million over the past three years to tend to defective vehicles, the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) revealed.

What's worse is that the amount -- spent to repair defects, pay service charges and purchase spare parts -- keeps rising every year, based on the centre's statistics.

This year is no different, with an estimated RM80 million spent between January and July alone.

NCCC senior manager M. Matheevani said yesterday the centre had not ruled out the possibility of it going above RM100 million for the entire year.

The figure, like the potential losses recorded since 2009, is derived from the number of complaints the centre handles.

For the first half of this year, the centre received 2,023 complaints.

Last year, NCCC recorded 2,244 complaints and potential losses of up to RM90 million, while in 2009, the centre received 1,314 complaints which saw estimated losses of RM52 million.

Manufacturing defects are a major complaint, one which also topped the list last year.

Overheating engines, breakdowns and substandard accessories and spare parts in new cars fall under this category.

Consumers also bemoan the supply of faulty spare parts, the use of cloned ones, the unavailability of such parts and their exorbitant prices.

Matheevani said the increase in complaints against the automobile industry was due to an increase in the number of Malaysians owning vehicles.

This, she said, could be attributed to the poor public transport service, which had contributed to more people purchasing cars for convenience.

"The rise in complaints is also due to the fact that the country does not have a redress, or recall mechanism. Right now, only the automobile industry has the decision-making powers in handling disputes.

"The outcomes will tend to favour the industry.

"Most people don't know their rights, nor are they technically competent."

She said because of this, the centre was pushing for an independent body, made up of industry experts, regulators and consumer bodies, to hear cases so that consumers would be treated fairly.

Matheevani said this would also reduce the backlog of automobile complaints.

She added that more than 90 per cent of consumers could not afford to take legal action against the automobile industry as the process was costly.

"The consumer will have to live with the defects or sell his vehicle at a lower price to a used car dealer."

The automobile industry, said Matheevani, should not be worried about admitting defects. In the long run, it would strengthen trust between consumers and the brand name as the former would feel that the company was being responsible, she added.

HIJRAH

Dalam kelam kabut menyiapkan kerja pening kepala cari sendiri, terpaksa berkejar ke pejabat pos pulak.

Balik dari pejabat pos, singgah di gerai adik untuk bersarapan. Beberapa orang tukang karut tempatan juga sedang menikmati nasi berlauk mereka. Galak mereka buat lawak pasal Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia. Paling bergegar gelak mereka bila ada yang berjenaka kerajaan beri bantuan itu supaya rakyat terus mengundi PAS. Entah apa muslihat disebalik kata kata begitu yang terpacul dari mulut mereka yang bila nak ke jamban pun berkopiah [sunat ya menutup kepala bila di jamban]. Namun bagi seorang yang tidak warak macam den nih, terasa sengal jugak lah telinga bila mendengar jenaka yang begitu dari orang dewasa. Di mana letaknya keluhuran budi pekerti?
 
Den hanya mampu tersonyum sahaja sambil mengunyah ulam timun nasi lemak kukus telur mata kucing. Dalam hati berdetik juga ...

Tahun baru Hijrah 1433 dah hampir sebulan berlalu. Sedang makan nasi lemak tadi, adik ipar den hulurkan kiriman omak den ... 'asyura. Masa kanak kanak den cukup gemar makan 'asyura, terutamanya yang ada daging. Sodappp.

Menjelang tahun baru Hijrah 1433, akhirnya den berjaya mengambil satu langkah ke hadapan setelah hampir sedekad berusaha.

50 pokok anak sawit tiba pada 21 Zulhijjah

selesai ditanam pada jam 7.00 mlm 22 Zulhijjah

  Syukur Alhamdulillah

Ya Rabb!

ampuni daku dengan kemurahanMu

semoga Engkau tidak memutuskan harapanku

kepadaMu

wahai Dzat yang Maha Pemurah
jika rezeki ku 
berada di atas langit
maka turunkanlah ia
jika berada di dalam perut bumi
maka keluarkanlah ia 
jika sukar
mudahkahlah ia
jika haram
sucikanlah ia
jika masih jauh
dekatkahlah ia

Amin

Elevation

Notice how something/someone being 'elevated' for purposes known only to the perpetrators? In recent times, some foods have been elevated to super status by marketers who termed them "super foods".


Some people in some parts of the world eat worms and bugs out of necessity - to appease hunger. But now scientists advocate bugs as a green superfood, arguing that insect dishes, boasting a lower carbon footprint in addition to being very nutritious, could be the answer to the global food crisis.


Every now and again, new items are given this super treatment. Most of them are grown abroad, thus are often less available and more costly locally. The hype surrounding superfoods has become so hot that companies are now selling superfood pills, extracts and elixirs, claiming to offer various health benefits such as anti-ageing, cancer fighting and detoxification, so much so that it gives the impression that once you have eaten such food; you don’t have to worry about other areas of your diet.


Technically, there is no such thing as 'superfoods'.


Blueberries are a top choice of those promoting superfoods, and there is no doubt that they are high in potassium and vitamin C. A 100g serving packs 77mg of potassium, 9.7mg of vitamin C and 6mg of calcium, among others. But at RM16 for a 125g punnet, they are beyond the budget of many.


However, the humble pineapple, which is widely available at supermarkets and local wet markets, is only RM2.50 [nenas madu lagi], and it packs a punch nutrition-wise. A 100g serving offers 97mg of potassium, 15.2mg of vitamin C and 24mg of calcium.


Kiwi fruit, touted as a nutrient-rich food, the New Zealand export has more potassium than bananas or citrus fruits and is an excellent source of vitamin C. A 100g serving boasts 180mg of potassium and 86.7mg of vitamin C, but it also packs a wallop on the wallet at RM7.90 for a packet of four (weighing about 600g).


While the guava at RM4.90 a kg [prices vary] may not boast a high concentration of potassium (29mg per 100g), it is still packed with nutrients. A 100g serving boasts 152mg of vitamin C, 10mg of vitamin A and 33mg of calcium. To my kampong tongue, it tastes a lot better than kiwi too.


Pomegranates are being hailed as a superfood that can protect the heart. A 2004 BBC report states that scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice daily could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A 100g serving of the fruit has 236mg of potassium, 10.2mg of vitamin C, 10mg of calcium and 4g of fibre [if you ingest the seeds]. At around RM3.30 a fruit [it takes a lot of fruits to yield a glass of juice], it may put a large dent in one’s wallet.


The dragon fruit (RM2.50 each - price vary) may lose out to the pomegranate in terms of calcium (8.8mg) and fibre content (0.9g of fibre and the seeds are a lot easier to ingest) but it is way ahead where potassium (436mg) and vitamin C (14.5mg) are concerned.


Like blueberries, salmon is a favourite superfood, thanks to its rich bounty of omega-3 essential fatty acids. A 100g serving contains 2,950mg of omega-3 and 490mg of potassium. We’re told to eat salmon two to three times a week to lower our heart disease risk and help prevent arthritis and memory loss. We’re also told to eat wild-caught salmon rather than farm-raised ones because of the chemicals that have been found in the latter. However, at RM99 per kg, the fish is beyond the budget of many households.


Ikan kembung (Indian mackerel) is a great source of omega-3, with a 100g serving boasting of 1,450mg of omega-3 and 370mg of potassium. Sure, it’s not as chockfull of omega-3 as salmon but at RM10.90 per kg, it’s more affordable. In addition, the humble ikan kembung also offers more calcium (48mg compared to 12mg in salmon, per 100g serving) and iron (1.8mg vs 0.8mg) and has less fat (3.9g vs 6.34g).


One of the more trendy nutritional wonders, wheatgrass (taken as a juice) is said to have beneficial effects on one’s cholesterol level, blood pressure and immune response, as well as prevent cancer, thanks to its high concentration of chlorophyll. But at RM3.99 for a small cup, it’s pricey.


To enjoy the benefits of chlorophyll, look for green vegetables such as kale or spinach. The latter is a great (and more palatable) substitute for wheatgrass and costs only RM1.20 per 100g. A 30g serving of spinach offers 128 mg of potassium (compared with 42 mg per 30ml of wheatgrass juice), 26 mg vitamin C (10mg) and 30mg calcium (7.2mg). 


Source here

Oleh itu makan lah makanan tempatan.

Allergy

Some people are allergic to certain food. In the UK, 90% of all food allergies are due to 8 foods, the so called 'big eight'. They are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts [ie hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds], fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Children often outgrow allergies to milk, eggs and soya. Although 2% to 7% of babies under the age of one are allergic to cow milk, 75% will be free of it by the age of three.
Allergies to peanuts, shellfish and fish usually last throughout life.

In adults, the most common food allergies are to nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, citrus fruit and wheat.

Both cooked and uncooked forms of the culprit foods are able to cause an allergic reaction.

People can be allergic to more than one unrelated food allergen e.g. nuts and fish.
Sometimes an allergy to a single food allergen causes you to be allergic to foods in the same food group.

This is known as cross reactivity. For example, people with a peanut allergy may find out they are also allergic to other legumes such as beans and lentils.

This is also why it is important to know as much as possible about the food allergen which causes your allergy, to develop an awareness of foods which could potentially cause an allergic reaction [taken from here]

A 26-year-old Vietnamese woman has left doctors baffled as she lost her once youthful appearance.


Nguyen Thi Phuong believes that an allergic reaction to seafood she ate in 2008, caused the skin over her face and body to sag and wrinkle. It has come to light now, as she has shown her face in public for the first time since it happened.


Her story has led health experts to question what could have triggered her rapid aging as pictures show Phuong looking like two different people.

Mrs Nguyen had been treating herself with various types of medication, from a local pharmacy as she and her husband could not afford to have her examined at a hospital.


She said: “I was really itchy all over my body. I had to scratch even while sleeping. After one month of taking the drugs, I became less itchy but hives remained on my skin.


“Then I switched to traditional medicine and all the hives disappeared, together with my itching. However, my skin began to sag and fold.”


The couple does not remember what the traditional medication was called, or which pharmacy they had bought it from.
In 2009 they decided to stop using the remedy; from then on Phuong wore a face mask whenever she was in public.


She said: “The skin on my face, chest and belly has folds like an old woman who has given birth several times although I have never had a child.


“But the rapid-aging syndrome hasn't affected my menstrual cycle, hair, teeth, eyes and mind.”


Phuong’s husband, Thanh Tuyen, insists her story is true and continues to stand by his wife despite the loss of her youthful appearance.
Tuyen said: “I married Phuong when she was a beautiful woman. I have followed her through her disease and have never been shocked at all.


“It's not easy to talk about one's own marital affairs. Just simply understand that I still love her very much.”


Mrs Nguyen has not had much luck treating her condition but there still may be a happy ending.


Phuong was able to have a free consultation at the Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University Hospital, in Vietnam, with doctors who believed she may have been badly affected with the skin disease, mastocytosis.


From this diagnosis, doctors hope that with medical treatment they will be able to restore between 50 and 70% of her skin [source here]

TELUR