Apr 19, 2013

JEWELRY CARE

If used on a daily basis, jewelry pieces can tarnish and become dull because it comes into contact with your skin and natural body oil. Therefore it is best that:

All jewelry is stored separately. Gold and silver are not stored together.



If it needs to be cleaned, use a gentle hand soap with warm water. Rinse and pat dry. Make sure every piece of finding is dry to prevent rust.



Brass Charm Bracelets.. NikkoAnt Design
 
ala Pandora Bracelet..by NikkoAnt Design

Clean silver regularly with a silver cleanser in liquid or cream form using a soft silver polishing cloth.




If the necklace has stones, use a soft polishing cloth to wipe off. Whenever possible, store your jewelry with gems in a dark place. Certain gems are known to undergo natural light bleaching over time with exposure to light.




Mandy Nikko's Collections

Silver oxidizes on contact with water, air, strong lighting and other chemicals. Sea water, bleach and chlorine can also cause oxidization.

It is natural for all metals to oxidize with exposure to air. To ensure that your jewelry stays bright for a longer time, please keep it in an air-tight bag or in our pouches. Wrap jewelry in anti-tarnish tissue paper.



In the case your jewelry tarnishes,  use a polishing cloth for sterling silver or gold filled items. Please DO NOT use solvents or harsh chemicals.




The general rule of thumb for putting on jewelry is to always put it on absolutely last. Direct exposure to hair-styling products and the alcohol in perfume will often damage not only the metal, but the gems as well. Never spray your perfume over your jewelry! Perfume first, jewelry second.

Cheers..



Apr 9, 2013

AIR PURIFYING HOUSE PLANTS

My good friend Agnes watsapp me the other day showing a beautiful sunset pic which she had taken at the Tanjung Aru beach earlier and I was like ...stunned.  "Wowww, so very nice! Hoi why you kasi kalah me. I'm supposed to be the photographer here, now you have taken my title...hahaha. But this is superb!!. What camera you used oh? It's beautiful and the sun is round. Not easy to take round sunset." I  responded.   "Haha.. hey, you take vv nice pictures. I guess this time I was lucky." She said.  



Sunset, Tanjung Aru Beach courtesy of Agnes using her hand phone cam.

I have not known Agnes long, just slightly over a year but every time we talk to each other, seems like we've known each other for ages. I guess we get along because we can put up with each other's craziness. There would be weeks we do not communicate with each other and suddenly out of the blue, I would receive a message from her and she telling me stuff like as if we've been talking everyday.  There are times, she would text me and later I find her at my doorstep with her cookies or bread or buns that she had baked earlier. "Hey, you trying to make me fat are you?" I said, but obviously very pleased at her thoughtfulness and generosity. 

I received another watsapp from her showing me her coriander seeds which she planted that has started to shoot up. We had few weeks earlier bought several vegetable seeds from a lady at the 'tamu'.  She complained that some of her seeds which were supposed to be 'sawi' vegetable came out looking nothing like the vege at all instead looked like ganja.   Told her I had the same problem. The lady at the tamu said  mine were 'bayam' vege.    "Mine has started to shoot out too but look nothing like bayam, more like ganja!!!"..hahaha!!" We were kidding of course. I don't even know how ganja looks like.

I also told her how some of my plants came out so healthy and I was so pleased until later found out that they were weeds. How it came to  there puzzled me to no end.  Perhaps it was already in the soil much earlier.   I promptly pulled them out!.  "See we kena tipu lagi", I told her.  She added "We must never buy from that lady, balik balik kena tipu! " 



..sayur bayam or ganja?  ..lol


I love plants and really enjoy looking at young plants growing especially house plants.  There are not only pleasing to the eyes giving a fresh crispy look to a dull place, but also as a way to purify the air around the house.  But now, instead of just planting the house plants, Agnes gave me the idea to plant herbs or small leafy vegetables instead. My first harvest was a couple of weeks earlier.  See pic below. No fertilizer, no pesticides.  Don't ask me what type of vege  they are hahaha.. because I have no idea.  Tastes like the 'sayur pahit'.  Agnes said, before I eat them, better check if my insurance  still enforce as who knows they may be poisonous.. hahaha...   See, it was from that lady from tamu again.   Really must stop buying from her. If any of you readers know what these vege are, please let me know ya..:).  Obviously they were not poisonous, as I wouldn't be here writing.. hehe. 



.. first harvest..


I read that there are several plants that can filter out common volatile organic compounds.




1. Bamboo Palm: According to NASA, it removes formaldehyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant: Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde.

3. Areca Palm: One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant: Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily: Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy: Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.



So come, let's go, grab a plant today!




Apr 8, 2013

A LITTLE BREAK

To my dear friends who dropped by.  My apologies for closing the door of my other blog "Thru Lace Covered Window".  

I love that blog even though it does not always churn out anything interesting and yes may sometimes be a bit boring but that blog and me has a lot of history together. Rest assured though that it is just a temporary break and I would be back soon.  Just giving it a little break so those infamous spammers forget me and pass me by...hehe

Actually, this blog is not spared  too..  sigh.. Am sure I am not alone facing this. I guess this happens when it is a public blog.  Oh well...

Have a lovely day and cheers!




Mar 21, 2013

HOW AND WHEN TO EAT FRUITS


I received this useful article shared by a friend and I would like to share it with you.






Dr Stephen Mak treats terminal ill cancer patients by "un-orthodox" way and many patients recovered. 

He explains: Before he was using solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients. He believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses.

See the article below. Letter to original email writer: 

Dear Shereen, Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found. It is whether you believe it or not. I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments. Thanks and God bless. Dr Stephen Mak

EATING FRUIT:
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat. 

What is the correct way of eating fruits? 

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
 
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities. 

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so. 

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.... 

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining 




"— every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc.  Actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! 

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach. 

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight. 

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins. 

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look! 


KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.





APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke. 





STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals. 




ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer. 




WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene, the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium. 








Pink Guava





GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.



* All pictures above are courtesy of the Net




Cheers everyone, and have a fruitful day!


Ok, I am off to the fruit market....  




Feb 16, 2013

HOW TO READ BAR CODES.

I received this forward from a friend. It probably is not new but would like to re share it again. It is good to know and also a reminder to us all given that there are many unscrupulous people out there.  And it always point out food products from China.

For example, we hear about mercury in baby formula, cabbages are sprayed with formaldehyde,  gelatin capsules for pills and tens of millions of them are laced with chromium.  Then we hear about used cooking oil scooped out of gutters for recycling right along the sewerage and the list goes on.


An Information Must share 

 HOW TO READ BAR CODES...(everyone must know) 

 ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY--NO MATTER WHAT THE FRONT OF THE BOX OR PACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK---CAREFULLY! 


 With all the food and pet products now coming from China, it is best to make sure you read label at the supermarket and especially when buying food products. Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located. The whole world is concerned about China-made "black-hearted goods". 

 Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China ? The world is also concerned about GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods; steroid fed animals (ex: 45 days old broiler chicken). 

 It is important to read the bar code to track its origin. How to read Bar Codes....interesting !

 If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA. 
 471 is Made in Taiwan .
 If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 00-09 then it's made or sourced in USA. 

 This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves. Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA", so they don't show from which country it is made. However, you may now refer to the barcode -

 remember if the first 3 digits are:
 890......MADE IN INDIA
 690, 691, 692 ... then it is MADE IN CHINA
 00 - 09 ... USA and CANADA
 30 - 37 ... FRANCE
 40 - 44 ... GERMANY
 471 ........ Taiwan
 49 .......... JAPAN
 50 .......... UK Share it!












An Information Must share

HOW TO READ BAR CODES...(everyone must know)

ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY--NO MATTER WHAT THE 
FRONT OF THE BOX ORPACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK---
CAREFULLY!


With all the food and pet products now coming from China, it is best to make sure you read label at the supermarket and especially when buying food products. Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located. The whole world is concerned about China-made "black-hearted goods".

Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China ? The world is also concerned about GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods; steroid fed animals (ex: 45 days old broiler chicken).

It is important to read the bar code to track its origin. How to read Bar Codes....interesting !

If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA.
471 is Made in Taiwan .
If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 00-09 then it's made or sourced in USA.

This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves. Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA", so they don't show from which country it is made. However, you may now refer to the barcode -

remember if the first 3 digits are:
890......MADE IN INDIA
690, 691, 692 ... then it is MADE IN CHINA
00 - 09 ... USA and CANADA
30 - 37 ... FRANCE
40 - 44 ... GERMANY
471 ........ Taiwan
49 .......... JAPAN
50 .......... UK Share it!