- do wagyu cows listen to music daily, and eat apples and receive massage?
- world popular wagyu cattle is bred and how is the beef graded?
- a farm has about 1500 top-grade wagyu cattle (black wagyu cattle) in Kagoshima, Japan
- 7am in the morning and 7 deg C in the streets
- sun sets at 4.30pm in Autumn
- before entering the farm, everyone has to gear up from head to toe in white caps and robes
- the robes are meant to ward off external diseases and illnesses
- workers wear uniforms that they can't take out of the farm
- the Japanese shower wagyu cattle with devoted care in rearing them
- they provide the cattle with a comfortable environment to grow 24/7 and 365 days a year
- the wagyu cattle listen to music and feel relaxed, which improves the beef texture and becomes more tender
- to breed superb wagyu beef, even the water for the cattle's consumption is monitored
- the cattle eat organic hay
- grains made from natural ingredients and protein-rich wheat and feed are fed to the cattle
- the cattle is strong and healthy
Daisypath Happy Birthday tickers
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Biofactors for Young Children
- on average, children grow 5-6 cm per year during their preschool and early school years
- most healthy children also gain between 2-3 kg each year
- as young children grow, they’re building “bone mass”—the bone tissue in their skeleton
- most bone mass accumulates during childhood and adolescence
- helping bones reach maximum strength and density reduces the risk of childhood fractures and adult osteoporosis—a disease that causes bones to become fragile and break easily
- calcium is essential to developing bone mass
- studies indicate that young children often consume less calcium than is recommended
- calcium, along with biofactors that promote its absorption
- besides fortified with vitamin D, a balanced addition of phosphorus and low saturated fat levels
- too much phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption, as can saturated fat
- zinc is another biofactor that is important for growth
- specifically, zinc triggers reactions for more than 300 body enzymes involved in growth, and there are studies that have found a positive link between zinc and gains in weight and height
- most healthy children also gain between 2-3 kg each year
- as young children grow, they’re building “bone mass”—the bone tissue in their skeleton
- most bone mass accumulates during childhood and adolescence
- helping bones reach maximum strength and density reduces the risk of childhood fractures and adult osteoporosis—a disease that causes bones to become fragile and break easily
- calcium is essential to developing bone mass
- studies indicate that young children often consume less calcium than is recommended
- calcium, along with biofactors that promote its absorption
- besides fortified with vitamin D, a balanced addition of phosphorus and low saturated fat levels
- too much phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption, as can saturated fat
- zinc is another biofactor that is important for growth
- specifically, zinc triggers reactions for more than 300 body enzymes involved in growth, and there are studies that have found a positive link between zinc and gains in weight and height
Biofactors for Toddlers
- although growth rates slow after the first birthday, toddlers still experience significant growth
- they won‘t have a growth spurt this big again until they are teenagers
- during this time, calcium and vitamin D are essential for growing bones
- the diets of many toddlers fall short of the requirements for these nutrients
- the incidence of rickets—a disease resulting from vitamin D deficiency that can cause children’s bones to become deformed—peaks in the 1- to 3-year-old age group
- a biofactors blend that helps ensure that your toddler absorbs calcium—it has the right amounts of vitamin D and the mineral phosphorus
- low in saturated fat, a kind of fat that can hinder calcium absorption is recommended
- zinc is another biofactor important for growth
- if children do not have enough zinc in their diets, their growth is slowed
- children’s nutritional needs change as they grow, and toddler eating habits can be irregular & unpredictable
- toddlers can be at risk of nutritional deficiencies as they tend to become selective about what they eat & their food consumption varies
- they won‘t have a growth spurt this big again until they are teenagers
- during this time, calcium and vitamin D are essential for growing bones
- the diets of many toddlers fall short of the requirements for these nutrients
- the incidence of rickets—a disease resulting from vitamin D deficiency that can cause children’s bones to become deformed—peaks in the 1- to 3-year-old age group
- a biofactors blend that helps ensure that your toddler absorbs calcium—it has the right amounts of vitamin D and the mineral phosphorus
- low in saturated fat, a kind of fat that can hinder calcium absorption is recommended
- zinc is another biofactor important for growth
- if children do not have enough zinc in their diets, their growth is slowed
- children’s nutritional needs change as they grow, and toddler eating habits can be irregular & unpredictable
- toddlers can be at risk of nutritional deficiencies as they tend to become selective about what they eat & their food consumption varies
Biofactors for Older Infants
- breastfeeding is the best possible way of meeting your infant’s nutritional needs
- nature safeguards babies’ growth and health by providing the most complete food
- breast milk contains everything a young infant needs to develop & thrive
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- biofactors are nutrients and ingredients that enhance growth, health, and development
- although each biofactor is individually important, it takes a unique combination of biofactors to provide superior nutrition for older infants
- as weaning begins, solid foods should be an addition to—not a replacement for—usual milk
- many experts recommend the use of follow-on formula to ensure that weaning infants meet the minimum requirements for essential nutrients
- biofactors that optimally suit their developmental needs from age 6 months onward
- no one ingredient makes a follow-on formula unique compared to other formulas
- it’s the optimal combination of biofactors in balanced amounts that supports your child’s health and development today and enhances future potential
- nature safeguards babies’ growth and health by providing the most complete food
- breast milk contains everything a young infant needs to develop & thrive
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- biofactors are nutrients and ingredients that enhance growth, health, and development
- although each biofactor is individually important, it takes a unique combination of biofactors to provide superior nutrition for older infants
- as weaning begins, solid foods should be an addition to—not a replacement for—usual milk
- many experts recommend the use of follow-on formula to ensure that weaning infants meet the minimum requirements for essential nutrients
- biofactors that optimally suit their developmental needs from age 6 months onward
- no one ingredient makes a follow-on formula unique compared to other formulas
- it’s the optimal combination of biofactors in balanced amounts that supports your child’s health and development today and enhances future potential
Monday, August 30, 2010
Biofactors for Young Infants
- breastfeeding is the best possible way of meeting your infant’s nutritional needs
- nature safeguards babies’ growth and health by providing the most complete food
- breast milk contains everything a young infant needs to develop & thrive
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- biofactors are nutrients and ingredients that enhance growth, health, & development
- although each biofactor is individually important, the unique combination of biofactors is what makes human milk nature’s ideal nutrition for babies
- during the first 3 months of life, most babies gain 170-225 grams a week!
- during the next 3 months, their growth rate slows a bit, but they still gain about 140-170 grams weekly
- protein is a key component of the nutrition babies need to fuel their growth
- proteins are made up of amino acids—the building blocks that our bodies use to make their own unique proteins and other compounds
- nature safeguards babies’ growth and health by providing the most complete food
- breast milk contains everything a young infant needs to develop & thrive
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- biofactors are nutrients and ingredients that enhance growth, health, & development
- although each biofactor is individually important, the unique combination of biofactors is what makes human milk nature’s ideal nutrition for babies
- during the first 3 months of life, most babies gain 170-225 grams a week!
- during the next 3 months, their growth rate slows a bit, but they still gain about 140-170 grams weekly
- protein is a key component of the nutrition babies need to fuel their growth
- proteins are made up of amino acids—the building blocks that our bodies use to make their own unique proteins and other compounds
What are Biofactors?
- nutrients and ingredients that enhance growth, health, & development
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- although each biofactor is individually important, the unique combination of biofactors is what makes human milk nature’s ideal nutrition for babies
- when babies are not breastfed, parents look for a high-quality formula that will promote healthy growth & development
- human milk is a complex blend of over 200 biofactors
- although each biofactor is individually important, the unique combination of biofactors is what makes human milk nature’s ideal nutrition for babies
- when babies are not breastfed, parents look for a high-quality formula that will promote healthy growth & development
Bonito and its cultivation
- Japanese use bonito to give their broth a fragrant and oceantic flavour
- 3am the freshly caught bonito arrived at the port
- crowds usually gather to bid for fish laid out there
- as the weather may get bad sometimes, and the sea is very choppy, very few trawlers will be docking
- more ships may be arriving shortly
- Makurazaki City faces East Sea
- the fishing port churns out over 120,000 tonnes of seafood a year
- 7500 trawlers and rich marine products remain abundant on rainy days
- bond herring are unique to Kagoshima and don't smell fishy at all
- there's a myriad of familiar fish being towed in, such as sardines and mackerel
- 128 kg of sardines are brought in daily
- a ritual --the fish aution-- exists with bonito the first to go on the block
- in Singapore, fishmongers use hand signs to keep their bidding prices a secret
- fishmongers in Makurazaki write their bidding prices on small wooden sticks and toss them to the wholesaler
- 3am the freshly caught bonito arrived at the port
- crowds usually gather to bid for fish laid out there
- as the weather may get bad sometimes, and the sea is very choppy, very few trawlers will be docking
- more ships may be arriving shortly
- Makurazaki City faces East Sea
- the fishing port churns out over 120,000 tonnes of seafood a year
- 7500 trawlers and rich marine products remain abundant on rainy days
- bond herring are unique to Kagoshima and don't smell fishy at all
- there's a myriad of familiar fish being towed in, such as sardines and mackerel
- 128 kg of sardines are brought in daily
- a ritual --the fish aution-- exists with bonito the first to go on the block
- in Singapore, fishmongers use hand signs to keep their bidding prices a secret
- fishmongers in Makurazaki write their bidding prices on small wooden sticks and toss them to the wholesaler
Grapes and its cultivation
- urbanites love to indulge in a glass of red wine after dinner
- exquisite and fragrant red wine is balanced in body and structure
- it offers inmeasurable gastronomic enjoyment
- wine begins with the cultivation of grapes
- different kinds of grapes must grow in different types of soil
- grapes of the highest quality will grow in abundance
- sound management and ideal climate produce top-quality grapes that can be fermented into great wine
- drinking a little glass of red wine a day helps blood circulation
- the quality of grapes determines the quality of wine
- seasonal climate for cultivation affects the ripeness and quality of grapes
- low temperature may result in frost; humidity and rainfall also affect the cultivation of grapes
- grapes are cultivated through propagation of vines
- takes 5-6 years to bear fruit
- a rod is tied to enable the sapling to creep up and prevent it from drooping
- farmers fertilise and water the crops daily using completely unprocessed fertilisers
- an enormous amount of grapes are squashed daily
- exquisite and fragrant red wine is balanced in body and structure
- it offers inmeasurable gastronomic enjoyment
- wine begins with the cultivation of grapes
- different kinds of grapes must grow in different types of soil
- grapes of the highest quality will grow in abundance
- sound management and ideal climate produce top-quality grapes that can be fermented into great wine
- drinking a little glass of red wine a day helps blood circulation
- the quality of grapes determines the quality of wine
- seasonal climate for cultivation affects the ripeness and quality of grapes
- low temperature may result in frost; humidity and rainfall also affect the cultivation of grapes
- grapes are cultivated through propagation of vines
- takes 5-6 years to bear fruit
- a rod is tied to enable the sapling to creep up and prevent it from drooping
- farmers fertilise and water the crops daily using completely unprocessed fertilisers
- an enormous amount of grapes are squashed daily
Shitake mushroom and its cultivation
- Sendai Japan is located in Miyagi prefecture
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Wasabi and shitake mushrooms also flourish there
- a family there has won 2 accolades for the shitake mushrooms they grow
- they're apparently very solid and fragrant
- the mushrooms flesh are very thick and even those dried
- the mushrooms are cultivated in the backyard of the family's house
- traditionally grown on logs but is rarely used nowadays
- logs with more white pith provide more nutrients for shitake mushrooms
- picking quality logs is the first step in the cultivation of shitake mushrooms
- after making selection, the farmer drills holes in the logs
- the holes must be equally spread out and bear the same diameter
- if the holes are too close, the shitake mushrooms will cram together and not grow healthily
- this is the fungi of shitake mushrooms and we'll take them out and stuff them into the holes we have dug
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Wasabi and shitake mushrooms also flourish there
- a family there has won 2 accolades for the shitake mushrooms they grow
- they're apparently very solid and fragrant
- the mushrooms flesh are very thick and even those dried
- the mushrooms are cultivated in the backyard of the family's house
- traditionally grown on logs but is rarely used nowadays
- logs with more white pith provide more nutrients for shitake mushrooms
- picking quality logs is the first step in the cultivation of shitake mushrooms
- after making selection, the farmer drills holes in the logs
- the holes must be equally spread out and bear the same diameter
- if the holes are too close, the shitake mushrooms will cram together and not grow healthily
- this is the fungi of shitake mushrooms and we'll take them out and stuff them into the holes we have dug
Oysters and its cultivation
- Sendai Japan is located in Miyagi prefecture
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Matsushima Bay, Japan is well-known for breeding oysters
- it is reputedly one of the top three most scenic areas in Japan
- the lookout point gives a bird's eye view of the entrancing bay
- through the thick fog, a different kind of beauty emerges in front of one's eyes
- Matsushima Bay produces an enormous amount of oysters due to its natural environment
- salt and fresh water interface where the bay merges with the Pacific Ocean
- this is extremely suitable for the breeding of oysters
- some people claim that oysters breed best in months with the number '2'
- every country has different methods of catching oysters
- besides having a booming fishing industry, the area is a tourist attraction
- one can see a unique natural phenomenon
- from February to 15 Aug every year flocks of seagulls converge there
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Matsushima Bay, Japan is well-known for breeding oysters
- it is reputedly one of the top three most scenic areas in Japan
- the lookout point gives a bird's eye view of the entrancing bay
- through the thick fog, a different kind of beauty emerges in front of one's eyes
- Matsushima Bay produces an enormous amount of oysters due to its natural environment
- salt and fresh water interface where the bay merges with the Pacific Ocean
- this is extremely suitable for the breeding of oysters
- some people claim that oysters breed best in months with the number '2'
- every country has different methods of catching oysters
- besides having a booming fishing industry, the area is a tourist attraction
- one can see a unique natural phenomenon
- from February to 15 Aug every year flocks of seagulls converge there
Trout and its cultivation
- Sendai Japan is located in Miyagi prefecture
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- trout require more time and effort to breed and hence not as common as salmon
- the reason has to do with its habitat
- people have said trout breeding farms in Fukushima, Sendai are worth a visit
- trout can also be found in Singapore but people seldom eat trout as it's more expensive
- salmon and trout belong to the same family
- the water is fresh and clean and is pumped from Abuguma-gawa
- red trout eggs are housed there and they have high sanitary requirements
- outsiders are barred from entering lest the trout eggs are attacked by bacteria
- a trout reared for approximately 3 years is about 70 centimetres long and weighs 4 kg
- it can fetch about 8000-9000 yen (S$140 or S$35 per kg)
- such expensive food is not sold on a massive scale
- the fish farm goes by orders to catch the trout, slaughter, and pack them in ice before delivering them to restaurants
- it can be made into sashimi
- it has less fat than salmon and has a lighter taste
- the flesh is chewy and refreshingly sweet
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- trout require more time and effort to breed and hence not as common as salmon
- the reason has to do with its habitat
- people have said trout breeding farms in Fukushima, Sendai are worth a visit
- trout can also be found in Singapore but people seldom eat trout as it's more expensive
- salmon and trout belong to the same family
- the water is fresh and clean and is pumped from Abuguma-gawa
- red trout eggs are housed there and they have high sanitary requirements
- outsiders are barred from entering lest the trout eggs are attacked by bacteria
- a trout reared for approximately 3 years is about 70 centimetres long and weighs 4 kg
- it can fetch about 8000-9000 yen (S$140 or S$35 per kg)
- such expensive food is not sold on a massive scale
- the fish farm goes by orders to catch the trout, slaughter, and pack them in ice before delivering them to restaurants
- it can be made into sashimi
- it has less fat than salmon and has a lighter taste
- the flesh is chewy and refreshingly sweet
40th week of Pregnancy
30aug-5sep
- woke up 2am and 5.53am to go to the washroom (weather is unbearingly warm) & took 3 dates feeling very hungry
- ma will be coming over to accompany me this evening
- had multigrain bread for breakfast & took a pkt of wang wang biscuits for tea1
- finished reading 1 magazine+1 recipe book borrowed from NLB
- mum bought brown rice w veg fish and potatoes for lunch (had a ripe avocado each after lunch)
- feeling abit sleepy at 11plus in the morning and 2plus after lunch
- mum cooked white rice w potatoes, xiao bai cai for dinner (veg fish from lunch)
- napped for more than an hour before dinner at 6plus
- aunt came to visit and bought durians (had 2big+3small for the first time this pregnancy)
- foetal movements were noticeable at 10plus after dinner (read abit before sleep)
- woke up at 3am, 5.10am and 7.15am to go to the washroom (foetal movements were felt)
- staff dinner this evening at Holiday Inn Atrium@Outram (took bus 56, transfer bus 5 opp TMC, alight at Grand Copthorne Hotel)
- had multigrain bread for breakfast & rice w veg fish for tea1 (bro drove us there)
- mum gg to gynae with me in the morning (darling taking pm leave) after gg w dad in bro's car to pray
- had brown rice for lunch w lots of veg (potatoes, brinjal, long beans, lady's fingers, dou pau etc)
- little one is ~2.9kg while I've gained ~300g (49.4kg) & next gynae appt on Fri (can induce delivery anytime)
- woke up 2am and 5.53am to go to the washroom (weather is unbearingly warm) & took 3 dates feeling very hungry
- ma will be coming over to accompany me this evening
- had multigrain bread for breakfast & took a pkt of wang wang biscuits for tea1
- finished reading 1 magazine+1 recipe book borrowed from NLB
- mum bought brown rice w veg fish and potatoes for lunch (had a ripe avocado each after lunch)
- feeling abit sleepy at 11plus in the morning and 2plus after lunch
- mum cooked white rice w potatoes, xiao bai cai for dinner (veg fish from lunch)
- napped for more than an hour before dinner at 6plus
- aunt came to visit and bought durians (had 2big+3small for the first time this pregnancy)
- foetal movements were noticeable at 10plus after dinner (read abit before sleep)
- staff dinner this evening at Holiday Inn Atrium@Outram (took bus 56, transfer bus 5 opp TMC, alight at Grand Copthorne Hotel)
- had multigrain bread for breakfast & rice w veg fish for tea1 (bro drove us there)
- mum gg to gynae with me in the morning (darling taking pm leave) after gg w dad in bro's car to pray
- had brown rice for lunch w lots of veg (potatoes, brinjal, long beans, lady's fingers, dou pau etc)
- little one is ~2.9kg while I've gained ~300g (49.4kg) & next gynae appt on Fri (can induce delivery anytime)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wasabi and its cultivation
- Sendai Japan is located in Miyagi prefecture
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Wasabi and shitake mushrooms also flourish there
- few people have seen what wasabi looks like
- Mt. Yakurai is famous for wasabi farming
- wasabi is a unique plant initially grew wild by the streams
- more than 350 years ago, the Japanese began cultivating it
- the tents at the farm are filled with wasabi
- the spring water of Mt. Yakurai filled the floor up to the ankles is running water, not stagnant water
- water running at a temperature of 9-13 deg C thus it won't turn into ice and is crystal clear
- water helps to keep the place warm in winter and cool in summer
- wasabi is extremely fragile and the water sprinklers are on 24 hours daily
- they must be covered in winter
- the shield protects the wasabi from the cold and hot sun
- after summer, the cover will be replaced by a net which covers the entire place
- this stops the temperature from rising too much
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- Wasabi and shitake mushrooms also flourish there
- few people have seen what wasabi looks like
- Mt. Yakurai is famous for wasabi farming
- wasabi is a unique plant initially grew wild by the streams
- more than 350 years ago, the Japanese began cultivating it
- the tents at the farm are filled with wasabi
- the spring water of Mt. Yakurai filled the floor up to the ankles is running water, not stagnant water
- water running at a temperature of 9-13 deg C thus it won't turn into ice and is crystal clear
- water helps to keep the place warm in winter and cool in summer
- wasabi is extremely fragile and the water sprinklers are on 24 hours daily
- they must be covered in winter
- the shield protects the wasabi from the cold and hot sun
- after summer, the cover will be replaced by a net which covers the entire place
- this stops the temperature from rising too much
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Strawberry and its cultivation_Sendai Japan
- Sendai Japan is located in Miyagi prefecture
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- all the tents are filled with strawberries and the air is filled with strawberries
- unlike in Cameron Highlands, the strawberries in Sendai are planted in rows in greenhouses
- though the temperature is adjustable in greenhouses, strawberries must be guarded from pests and bacteria
- soil sterilisation is used and the saplings take a year to grow and produce strawberries
- temperature must be kept above 20 deg C
- to pluck the strawberries, hold it with 2 fingers (with the fingers closing towards you) before tugging at it lightly
- the strawberries are very soft and will be damaged if plucked incorrectly
- you can have all the strawberries you want for 1500 yen (S$15 or S$18) in half an hour
- must be selective when plucking strawberries, and the odd and irregular looking ones are the sweetest and juiciest
- if you don't finish what you've plucked and take them out, you'd be fined
- largest city in the Tohoku (northeast) region and the pace is not as hectic as Tokyo's
- a back garden that even the Japanese adore
- February is the best season to have oysters and strawberries in Sendai
- all the tents are filled with strawberries and the air is filled with strawberries
- unlike in Cameron Highlands, the strawberries in Sendai are planted in rows in greenhouses
- though the temperature is adjustable in greenhouses, strawberries must be guarded from pests and bacteria
- soil sterilisation is used and the saplings take a year to grow and produce strawberries
- temperature must be kept above 20 deg C
- to pluck the strawberries, hold it with 2 fingers (with the fingers closing towards you) before tugging at it lightly
- the strawberries are very soft and will be damaged if plucked incorrectly
- you can have all the strawberries you want for 1500 yen (S$15 or S$18) in half an hour
- must be selective when plucking strawberries, and the odd and irregular looking ones are the sweetest and juiciest
- if you don't finish what you've plucked and take them out, you'd be fined
Pork and its rearing story
- Victoria is situated in southern Australia with co-existing old and new buildings, an urban charm and elegant streets
- Melbourne is touted as the Garden City
- the city is covered in greenery and has been ranked as the most liveable place on Earth
- also a city of fashion with European influence
- apart from special tourist attractions, traditional and new cuisines can also be found here
- Victoria is a key economic hub of Australia
- the culture there is a blend of new and old but not many people may know that that place produces plenty of great food
- Australian pork sold in supermarkets in Singapore
- take 2-hr bus ride from Melbourne to a pig farm located in north central Victoria that is rearing pigs specially for Singapore
- pig farms disappeared from Singapore more than 2 decades ago
- the pig farm exports 20,000 pigs a year
- it's been around for 10 yrs and covers 12.5 square metres
- Singapore sets high sanitary requirements for imported pork and the farm also takes stringent sanitary precautions
- one is to produce the H1N1 vaccine pass and put on vaccination gear before entering the pig farm
- the pigs are transported there once they're 6-8 weeks old (weigh ~18kg) till 20 weeks old (~90kg - 95kg) and ready for export
- Melbourne is touted as the Garden City
- the city is covered in greenery and has been ranked as the most liveable place on Earth
- also a city of fashion with European influence
- apart from special tourist attractions, traditional and new cuisines can also be found here
- Victoria is a key economic hub of Australia
- the culture there is a blend of new and old but not many people may know that that place produces plenty of great food
- Australian pork sold in supermarkets in Singapore
- take 2-hr bus ride from Melbourne to a pig farm located in north central Victoria that is rearing pigs specially for Singapore
- pig farms disappeared from Singapore more than 2 decades ago
- the pig farm exports 20,000 pigs a year
- it's been around for 10 yrs and covers 12.5 square metres
- Singapore sets high sanitary requirements for imported pork and the farm also takes stringent sanitary precautions
- one is to produce the H1N1 vaccine pass and put on vaccination gear before entering the pig farm
- the pigs are transported there once they're 6-8 weeks old (weigh ~18kg) till 20 weeks old (~90kg - 95kg) and ready for export
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sugar and its benefits
- use raw sugar or evaporated cane sugar (for baking and coffee) instead of chemically processed granulated sugar eg. Taigo
- muscovado sugar is naturally processed from evaporated cane juice
- free from bleaching agents and is often found in health food stores
- name comes from the Spanish muscabado which means "unrefined"
- muscovado sugar is naturally processed from evaporated cane juice
- free from bleaching agents and is often found in health food stores
- name comes from the Spanish muscabado which means "unrefined"
Raspberries and its benefits
- low in sugar, high in vitamin C, potassium, and flavonoids
- TCM regards it as a tonic for the kidneys and liver and are used to prevent anemia
- pregnant women carry their leaves to alleviate the discomforts of pregnancy and childbirth
- raspberry leaf tea is used as an infusion to support female reproductive systems
- TCM regards it as a tonic for the kidneys and liver and are used to prevent anemia
- pregnant women carry their leaves to alleviate the discomforts of pregnancy and childbirth
- raspberry leaf tea is used as an infusion to support female reproductive systems
Strawberry and its cultivation_Victoria Australia
- Victoria is situated in southern Australia with co-existing old and new buildings, an urban charm and elegant streets
- Melbourne is touted as the Garden City
- the city is covered in greenery and has been ranked as the most liveable place on Earth
- also a city of fashion with European influence
- apart from special tourist attractions, traditional and new cuisines can also be found here
- nearly 10-yr-old Yarra Valley Farmers' Market is open on the third Sunday of every month
- from 9am onwards, farmers begin selling their harvested produce there
- a great place to look for special and fresh food products
- the strawberry jam tastes sweet, but not the sweetness of white sugar, but rather the natural sweetness of strawberries
- it uses fresh strawberries cultivated in the largest strawberry farm in Victoria Australia Mornington Peninsula
- it covers an area of 250 acres
- a machine is used to plant strawberries
- a plastic pipe will be laid underground for irrigation
- the plastic will cover the entire plot of soil to prevent any direct contact between the strawberries and soil
- the strawberries will rot easily
- fertiliser is used are little pellets which contain lime powder and chicken powder
- the lime powder controls the pH scale of the soil
- Melbourne is touted as the Garden City
- the city is covered in greenery and has been ranked as the most liveable place on Earth
- also a city of fashion with European influence
- apart from special tourist attractions, traditional and new cuisines can also be found here
- nearly 10-yr-old Yarra Valley Farmers' Market is open on the third Sunday of every month
- from 9am onwards, farmers begin selling their harvested produce there
- a great place to look for special and fresh food products
- the strawberry jam tastes sweet, but not the sweetness of white sugar, but rather the natural sweetness of strawberries
- it uses fresh strawberries cultivated in the largest strawberry farm in Victoria Australia Mornington Peninsula
- it covers an area of 250 acres
- a machine is used to plant strawberries
- a plastic pipe will be laid underground for irrigation
- the plastic will cover the entire plot of soil to prevent any direct contact between the strawberries and soil
- the strawberries will rot easily
- fertiliser is used are little pellets which contain lime powder and chicken powder
- the lime powder controls the pH scale of the soil
Lobster and its cultivation
- a lobster takes 6-8 yrs to grow to 1 pound
- there's a variety of lobster species found in the world
- normally in warm ocean beds or near the shores
- some hide deep in the sea and are hard to catch
- lobsters are the kings of seafood
- Singaporeans regard lobsters as exquisite seafood cuisine
- they're also fairly rich in nutrients
- every 100g contains 18.9g of proteins
- can lobsters be found only deep in the sea?
- located at Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia is a small town called Apollo Bay
- there's a port with a lovely mountain and sea view and fishing boats moored at sea
- southern rock lobster live in rocks which are 2-3 metres or even 200 metres deep in the sea
- cages are used to catch lobsters and bait is put inside (usually fish meat or any kinds of meat as lobsters eat practically everything)
- haul the cages back after 24 hours, the cages may or may not have lobsters
- this is repeated until lobsters appeared in the cages (the longest wait is 4 days)
- fisherman catch other fishes or read while waiting using nets
- the boat will set sail after the cage is dropped into the sea
- there's a pink buoy to mark the location
- there may be 1-3 (about 2kg each) lobsters in the cage
- there's a variety of lobster species found in the world
- normally in warm ocean beds or near the shores
- some hide deep in the sea and are hard to catch
- lobsters are the kings of seafood
- Singaporeans regard lobsters as exquisite seafood cuisine
- they're also fairly rich in nutrients
- every 100g contains 18.9g of proteins
- can lobsters be found only deep in the sea?
- located at Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia is a small town called Apollo Bay
- there's a port with a lovely mountain and sea view and fishing boats moored at sea
- southern rock lobster live in rocks which are 2-3 metres or even 200 metres deep in the sea
- cages are used to catch lobsters and bait is put inside (usually fish meat or any kinds of meat as lobsters eat practically everything)
- haul the cages back after 24 hours, the cages may or may not have lobsters
- this is repeated until lobsters appeared in the cages (the longest wait is 4 days)
- fisherman catch other fishes or read while waiting using nets
- the boat will set sail after the cage is dropped into the sea
- there's a pink buoy to mark the location
- there may be 1-3 (about 2kg each) lobsters in the cage
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Do you know..pregnancy test legend in olden Egypt?
- 3000-yr-old Egyptian document holds one of the earliest written records of a pregnancy test in which a woman who might be pregnant would plant wheat and barley seeds
- if the barley grew, it meant she was pregnant with a boy; if the wheat grew, she would bear a girl
- this theory tested in 1963 found the pregnancy aspect to be 70% accurate (but not the gender dertermination)
- in ancient China, barley was honoured as a symbol of male virility since the heads of barley are heavy and contain numerous seeds
- if the barley grew, it meant she was pregnant with a boy; if the wheat grew, she would bear a girl
- this theory tested in 1963 found the pregnancy aspect to be 70% accurate (but not the gender dertermination)
- in ancient China, barley was honoured as a symbol of male virility since the heads of barley are heavy and contain numerous seeds
Postpartum Depression (PND)
What is Postpartum Depression?
- commonly referred to as “postnatal blues” or “baby blues”
- defined as part of the psychological disturbance & usually occurs a few days after delivery
- lasts 2 to 3 days
- PND is characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, lack of confidence, self-reproach, poor sleep, changes in appetite and loss of libido
- depression can follow PND
- mother suffering from PND may feel depressed, irritable, worthless, helpless, tired and lacking in drive
- the mother may even perceive her infant as being difficult baby & is unable to cope with the demands of a newborn
How can Postpartum Depression be managed?
Vegetarian Fish and Papaya Soup
Ingredients:
200 g green (unripe) papaya
Fish bones or a whole fish (eg. carp, snakehead, sea bream, promfret)Vegetarian Mock Fish
Slices of ginger
Note: in order not to waste the fish meat, use the bones, head or tail.
Method:
1. Cut the vegetarian fish into mouthful size cubes.
2. Simmer the pieces of papaya and ginger for 1 hour or until it becomes soft.
3. Add in the vegetarian fish and bring to boil before simmer. Ready for serving. You are supposed to take it consecutively for three days. Avoid stirring during cooking.
4. Optional to eat the papaya.
200 g green (unripe) papaya
Slices of ginger
Method:
1. Cut the vegetarian fish into mouthful size cubes.
2. Simmer the pieces of papaya and ginger for 1 hour or until it becomes soft.
3. Add in the vegetarian fish and bring to boil before simmer. Ready for serving. You are supposed to take it consecutively for three days. Avoid stirring during cooking.
4. Optional to eat the papaya.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Chocolate and its benefits
- scientific name 'Theobroma cacao' literally means 'fruit of the gods'
- occasionally eat a small piece of good dark chocolate is good for the heart
- vitamins A, B1, C, D and E in chocolate are found to increase good cholesterol levels and contains flavonoids
- flavonoids are found in chocolate with a high percent of cocoa (>70%)
- cocoa contains caffeine
- occasionally eat a small piece of good dark chocolate is good for the heart
- vitamins A, B1, C, D and E in chocolate are found to increase good cholesterol levels and contains flavonoids
- flavonoids are found in chocolate with a high percent of cocoa (>70%)
- cocoa contains caffeine
Miso and its benefits
- smooth, dark puree made from soybeans, fermented barley or rice and sea salt
- aged together over a period of several months to several years
- provides a nutritious balance of complex carbohydrates, essential oils, protein, vitamins and minerals
- contains living enzymes that help digest food, lower cholesterol and increase friendly bacteria (esp helpful when taking antibiotics)
- to keep these enzymes alive, miso is never boiled during cooking
- aged together over a period of several months to several years
- provides a nutritious balance of complex carbohydrates, essential oils, protein, vitamins and minerals
- contains living enzymes that help digest food, lower cholesterol and increase friendly bacteria (esp helpful when taking antibiotics)
- to keep these enzymes alive, miso is never boiled during cooking
Pepper and its cultivation
- commonly used to spice up dishes
- can be used to make into candies
- fresh peppercorn sauce has a very concentrated spicy taste
- the more you crunch, the richer the scent of the peppercorns
- pepper, the king of spices, is a key condiment and take years to grow
- Sarawak is often perceived as the only place in Malaysia that grows pepper
- it is also cultivated in JB, Kampong Maju Jaya
- pepper plants creep on the trunks of other planst for support
- propagated by cuttings and not seeds
- the leaves of supporting trees are left intact so that they can continue to absorb nutrients
- Pepper roots must be healthy if the roots are dense, and flat
- a vine that fulfills the criteria qualifies for cultivation
- a fresh cutting with no roots at the base can't absorb nutrients
- it'll be brought to a cool place with sufficient water
- once the roots are grown after 3 mths, it will be planted outside
- insert 3 nodes into the soil
- can't have too much or too little water
- most of the cuttings are planted on slopes
- can be used to make into candies
- fresh peppercorn sauce has a very concentrated spicy taste
- the more you crunch, the richer the scent of the peppercorns
- pepper, the king of spices, is a key condiment and take years to grow
- Sarawak is often perceived as the only place in Malaysia that grows pepper
- it is also cultivated in JB, Kampong Maju Jaya
- pepper plants creep on the trunks of other planst for support
- propagated by cuttings and not seeds
- the leaves of supporting trees are left intact so that they can continue to absorb nutrients
- Pepper roots must be healthy if the roots are dense, and flat
- a vine that fulfills the criteria qualifies for cultivation
- a fresh cutting with no roots at the base can't absorb nutrients
- it'll be brought to a cool place with sufficient water
- once the roots are grown after 3 mths, it will be planted outside
- insert 3 nodes into the soil
- can't have too much or too little water
- most of the cuttings are planted on slopes
Eggs and the rearing process
- Singaporeans consume 4 million eggs daily
- to satisfy the stupendous demand, a hen lay eggs daily on average
- chicks which are darker in colour are female, and the fairer ones are males
- more than 26,000 hens inside the farm in Lim Chu Kang
- Singapore can't rear meat chickens but hens can be reared for their eggs
- race against time to move the chicks after 21 days of incubation, the chicks must be separated by gender
- females are favoured over males
- male chicks are sold for other purposes
- female chicks are moved to their new homes to perform the duty of laying eggs
- sent to the chicken coops and since their immunity isn't very strong, they have to undergo 3 rounds of vaccination
- 3 different inoculation methods are used for these 3 vaccines: to strengthen the chicks' nervous, respiratory and immunity systems
- chicks are placed in the chicken coops after vaccinated
- every coop has a lamp to keep them warm
- the coops are covered with canvas when it's raining which act as blankets
- after 17 weeks the hens will lay their first eggs
- a hen lays an egg at every 27-hr interval and lays 300 eggs a year on average
- apart from the different species of egg-laying chickens, the feed is a crucial factor
- to satisfy the stupendous demand, a hen lay eggs daily on average
- chicks which are darker in colour are female, and the fairer ones are males
- more than 26,000 hens inside the farm in Lim Chu Kang
- Singapore can't rear meat chickens but hens can be reared for their eggs
- race against time to move the chicks after 21 days of incubation, the chicks must be separated by gender
- females are favoured over males
- male chicks are sold for other purposes
- female chicks are moved to their new homes to perform the duty of laying eggs
- sent to the chicken coops and since their immunity isn't very strong, they have to undergo 3 rounds of vaccination
- 3 different inoculation methods are used for these 3 vaccines: to strengthen the chicks' nervous, respiratory and immunity systems
- chicks are placed in the chicken coops after vaccinated
- every coop has a lamp to keep them warm
- the coops are covered with canvas when it's raining which act as blankets
- after 17 weeks the hens will lay their first eggs
- a hen lays an egg at every 27-hr interval and lays 300 eggs a year on average
- apart from the different species of egg-laying chickens, the feed is a crucial factor
Coffee and its cultivation
- coffee can be addictive
- has unique aroma and perks people up
- coffee is categorised into 3 major families: small Arabica coffee beans, medium-sized Robusta coffee beans and large Liberica coffee beans
- coffee is one of the 3 top beverages worldwide
- requires 3 yrs to plant and grow before it can be harvested
- gardeners have to chop off the upper portion regularly to allow the lower portion to grow robustly
- the coffee beans are red / black in colour when ripe and the green ones are unripe
- legend has it that a shepherd found his goats jumping around after eating the red fruit
- that led to the discovery of the invigorating beverage, coffee
- harvested coffee beans are sunned and shelled and will only be processed after their raw flavour dissipates
- coffee beans which are dried and shelled are ready to be roasted/processed with butter and sugar
- unroasted ones are greenish white in colour and doesn't have much fragrance
- 250kg of beans have to be roasted for 35 min at 200 deg C a day
- using rubber wood (which can regulate the fire better) to roast with strong fire instead of gas makes it more fragrant
- lower the fire when it's almost done
- 7-8 pieces of wood required to roast a wok of beans
- has unique aroma and perks people up
- coffee is categorised into 3 major families: small Arabica coffee beans, medium-sized Robusta coffee beans and large Liberica coffee beans
- coffee is one of the 3 top beverages worldwide
- requires 3 yrs to plant and grow before it can be harvested
- gardeners have to chop off the upper portion regularly to allow the lower portion to grow robustly
- the coffee beans are red / black in colour when ripe and the green ones are unripe
- legend has it that a shepherd found his goats jumping around after eating the red fruit
- that led to the discovery of the invigorating beverage, coffee
- harvested coffee beans are sunned and shelled and will only be processed after their raw flavour dissipates
- coffee beans which are dried and shelled are ready to be roasted/processed with butter and sugar
- unroasted ones are greenish white in colour and doesn't have much fragrance
- 250kg of beans have to be roasted for 35 min at 200 deg C a day
- using rubber wood (which can regulate the fire better) to roast with strong fire instead of gas makes it more fragrant
- lower the fire when it's almost done
- 7-8 pieces of wood required to roast a wok of beans
Coconut and its cultivation
- drinking coconut juice is the best way to beat the summer heat and quench one's thirst
- Hainan, China, has more than 2000 years of history in coconut cultivation
- coconut is a typical summer fruit
- sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, low sea altitude and coastal regions suit their growth the most
- common folk saying in Hainan, that coconuts have souls and won't drop on good people
- some say farming involves 3 dimensions: dirty, difficult and dangerous
- if the skin is thick and unwrinkled, and the sound of water is audible, it means the coconuts can be harvested
- coconuts are tropical plants which can withstand strong winds
- growing in breezy coastal regions stimulates their output
- picking of coconuts in the morning 8am till around noon
- about 1200 coconuts are loaded onto a lorry (1min pick 5 coconuts on ave)
- fill 2 lorries a day to be delivered to the factory to be sold for their juice
- sold at $1 per coconut (sold at $5 at the market)
- Hainan, China, has more than 2000 years of history in coconut cultivation
- coconut is a typical summer fruit
- sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, low sea altitude and coastal regions suit their growth the most
- common folk saying in Hainan, that coconuts have souls and won't drop on good people
- some say farming involves 3 dimensions: dirty, difficult and dangerous
- if the skin is thick and unwrinkled, and the sound of water is audible, it means the coconuts can be harvested
- coconuts are tropical plants which can withstand strong winds
- growing in breezy coastal regions stimulates their output
- picking of coconuts in the morning 8am till around noon
- about 1200 coconuts are loaded onto a lorry (1min pick 5 coconuts on ave)
- fill 2 lorries a day to be delivered to the factory to be sold for their juice
- sold at $1 per coconut (sold at $5 at the market)
Chinese cabbage and its cultivation
- cultivated by hand at cameron Highlands, chinese cabbage seeds come from Taiwan
- using a planting tool from South Korea, pour a little bit of seeds into the tool, sliding back and forth and let the seeds drop into every hole
- insert the tray of shredded coconut husk and align the pipes to the outlets
- press the white panel and the seeds will drop into every pod
- put another layer of shredded coconut husk to cover them
- add water-based fertiliser which is gaining popularity as it has a higher absorption rate and can distribute nutrients evenly to plants
- water once daily as germination rate is fairly high & transfer to land after 15 days
- chinese cabbage loves water but once it's about a week old, it's watered only once every 2-3 days
- as the soil in Cameron Highlands is relatively dense, the soil must be turned twice
- first to loosen the soil, then the fertiliser is added and the soil is turned again to distribute the fertiliser evenly
- each sapling is then planted 6" apart and inserted just deep enough to cover the roots
- water regularly after planting and spray organic insect repellent every 3-4 days (contains chrysanthemum, lemon grass and other similar ingredients) after 2 days
- ready for harvest after 20 days
- farm harvests an ave of 200 kg of chinese cabbage daily using a special tool
- grab it by the base and uproot it, and slice off the roots
- not all agricultural chores can be done by machines
- using a planting tool from South Korea, pour a little bit of seeds into the tool, sliding back and forth and let the seeds drop into every hole
- insert the tray of shredded coconut husk and align the pipes to the outlets
- press the white panel and the seeds will drop into every pod
- put another layer of shredded coconut husk to cover them
- add water-based fertiliser which is gaining popularity as it has a higher absorption rate and can distribute nutrients evenly to plants
- water once daily as germination rate is fairly high & transfer to land after 15 days
- chinese cabbage loves water but once it's about a week old, it's watered only once every 2-3 days
- as the soil in Cameron Highlands is relatively dense, the soil must be turned twice
- first to loosen the soil, then the fertiliser is added and the soil is turned again to distribute the fertiliser evenly
- each sapling is then planted 6" apart and inserted just deep enough to cover the roots
- water regularly after planting and spray organic insect repellent every 3-4 days (contains chrysanthemum, lemon grass and other similar ingredients) after 2 days
- ready for harvest after 20 days
- farm harvests an ave of 200 kg of chinese cabbage daily using a special tool
- grab it by the base and uproot it, and slice off the roots
- not all agricultural chores can be done by machines
Cow's milk and its cultivation
- the cows in the farm in Victoria Australia don't live in cow sheds
- they roam free and graze in the fields
- the owner will take them to different locations daily to prevent the land from becoming bare
- milking will begin once the cows are back from grazing
- every cow consumes on average more than 30 kg (66 pounds or 5.5 loaves of bread) of grains and greens daily
- 45 gallons of water produce 40 kg of milk
- such contribution to mankind
- milking is fixed at 3.30pm and 4am
- the 12-hr interval allows the cows to rest
- the cows will be allowed to graze in the fields at 5am and bathed clean before they're brought back in
- about 220 cows in the farm and will increase to 350 in a month's time
- milking can be done for 50 cows at one time for 8-10min
- 25-55 litres of milk can be milked each time per day per cow
- milking the cows is no mean feat
- the cows have their temper too
- some techniques are required
- they roam free and graze in the fields
- the owner will take them to different locations daily to prevent the land from becoming bare
- milking will begin once the cows are back from grazing
- every cow consumes on average more than 30 kg (66 pounds or 5.5 loaves of bread) of grains and greens daily
- 45 gallons of water produce 40 kg of milk
- such contribution to mankind
- milking is fixed at 3.30pm and 4am
- the 12-hr interval allows the cows to rest
- the cows will be allowed to graze in the fields at 5am and bathed clean before they're brought back in
- about 220 cows in the farm and will increase to 350 in a month's time
- milking can be done for 50 cows at one time for 8-10min
- 25-55 litres of milk can be milked each time per day per cow
- milking the cows is no mean feat
- the cows have their temper too
- some techniques are required
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
How does follow-on formula help my baby’s motor skill development?
- during the months leading up to their first birthday, infants work hard to master 3 major motor skills—crawling, standing, and walking
- your baby needs proper nutrition to fuel the efforts to learn these skills
- iron in particular is essential to your baby’s proper motor skill development
- recent research has shown that babies who did not receive supplemental iron from ages 6-12 mths crawled later than babies who received iron-fortified formula or an iron supplement
- meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, and dark green leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron, but your baby may not be eating enough of these foods yet to get sufficient iron
- follow-on formulas are perhaps the best way to ensure that your baby gets adequate iron
- vitamin C and the nucleotide inosine monophosphate, also called IMP for short, help enhance iron absorption
- your baby needs proper nutrition to fuel the efforts to learn these skills
- iron in particular is essential to your baby’s proper motor skill development
- recent research has shown that babies who did not receive supplemental iron from ages 6-12 mths crawled later than babies who received iron-fortified formula or an iron supplement
- meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, and dark green leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron, but your baby may not be eating enough of these foods yet to get sufficient iron
- follow-on formulas are perhaps the best way to ensure that your baby gets adequate iron
- vitamin C and the nucleotide inosine monophosphate, also called IMP for short, help enhance iron absorption
How does follow-on formula help my baby’s visual development and eye health?
- during the second 6 mths of life, infant vision is maturing just in time to play a key role in early motor and cognitive development
- baby can now track moving objects, carefully inspect objects, and closely watch your every move
- research has shown that the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA or ARA) are important nutrients for visual development during the first year of life
- a recent study showed that babies fed formula supplemented with DHA and AA during the second 6 months of life had significantly better vision at 12 mths of age than babies fed unsupplemented formula
- scientists are also learning that young children’s eyes can be particularly vulnerable to “blue” light rays, which can be harmful
- fortunately, the biofactor lutein can act as “Mother Nature’s sunglasses” to help shield young eyes by filtering the high-energy blue light- lutein help shield your toddler’s eyes from high-energy blue light and with DHA and AA to help support visual development
- vitamin A is also important for vision
- baby can now track moving objects, carefully inspect objects, and closely watch your every move
- research has shown that the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA or ARA) are important nutrients for visual development during the first year of life
- a recent study showed that babies fed formula supplemented with DHA and AA during the second 6 months of life had significantly better vision at 12 mths of age than babies fed unsupplemented formula
- scientists are also learning that young children’s eyes can be particularly vulnerable to “blue” light rays, which can be harmful
- fortunately, the biofactor lutein can act as “Mother Nature’s sunglasses” to help shield young eyes by filtering the high-energy blue light- lutein help shield your toddler’s eyes from high-energy blue light and with DHA and AA to help support visual development
- vitamin A is also important for vision
How does follow-on formula help my baby’s mental development?
- although your older baby may seem to spend a lot of time engaged in simple activities, the baby is actually working hard to develop thinking skills.
- even shaking, banging, and repeatedly dropping your keys (and expecting you to pick them up!) is a way of learning the concept of “cause and effect”
- good nutrition is important to fuel your baby’s brain growth
- for a long time, scientists have known that iron is critical to babies’ mental development.
- scientists are also learning that the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid (AA or ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can help support brain development.
- studies have shown that babies fed formula with AA and DHA have better problem-solving skills than babies fed standard formula.
- unfortunately, the iron in fortified weaning foods may be poorly absorbed, and most weaning foods are also poor sources of AA and DHA
- follow-on formulas can be the best way to help ensure that your baby gets adequate iron, AA, and DHA
- even shaking, banging, and repeatedly dropping your keys (and expecting you to pick them up!) is a way of learning the concept of “cause and effect”
- good nutrition is important to fuel your baby’s brain growth
- for a long time, scientists have known that iron is critical to babies’ mental development.
- scientists are also learning that the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid (AA or ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can help support brain development.
- studies have shown that babies fed formula with AA and DHA have better problem-solving skills than babies fed standard formula.
- unfortunately, the iron in fortified weaning foods may be poorly absorbed, and most weaning foods are also poor sources of AA and DHA
- follow-on formulas can be the best way to help ensure that your baby gets adequate iron, AA, and DHA
Bee farming and its cultivation
- Tasmania in Australia created the first bee nature reserve in the world
- the honey produced there is tops in the world
- leatherwood honey, which is found in Singapore, comes from there
- leatherwood honey comes from gum trees (eucryphia lucida)
- it flowers abundantly each year beginning in early January till March
- leatherwood tree is evergreen tree, occurs as part of the cool temperate rainforest on the western side of the island
- the little pretty white flowers have a major nectar flow and is an important nectar plant
- leatherwood honey was first produced in the mid 19th century around Queenstown on the central West coast
- a bee flies to a flower to collect nectar and then swallow it
- after some preparations, it'll regurgitate the nectar to be stored in the beehive
- to keep the bees calm instead of buzzing around in panic, the bee keeper has to first wear protective covers, and light up some dried grass for smoke
- the yellow Italian bees take 1-2 weeks to fill up a box of honey (which is about 100kg)
- nature takes care of it, as no special care is needed for bee farming
- the bees are simply put into the forest when the leatherwood trees are flowering
- the honey produced there is tops in the world
- leatherwood honey, which is found in Singapore, comes from there
- leatherwood honey comes from gum trees (eucryphia lucida)
- it flowers abundantly each year beginning in early January till March
- leatherwood tree is evergreen tree, occurs as part of the cool temperate rainforest on the western side of the island
- the little pretty white flowers have a major nectar flow and is an important nectar plant
- leatherwood honey was first produced in the mid 19th century around Queenstown on the central West coast
- a bee flies to a flower to collect nectar and then swallow it
- after some preparations, it'll regurgitate the nectar to be stored in the beehive
- to keep the bees calm instead of buzzing around in panic, the bee keeper has to first wear protective covers, and light up some dried grass for smoke
- the yellow Italian bees take 1-2 weeks to fill up a box of honey (which is about 100kg)
- nature takes care of it, as no special care is needed for bee farming
- the bees are simply put into the forest when the leatherwood trees are flowering
39th week of Pregnancy
23aug-29aug
- It's almost due...is little one arriving yet? morning afternoon or midnight? very excited..
- woke up twice to go to the washroom
- updated abit of blog and checked emails after taking multigrain bread for breakfast
- made bee tai mak for lunch, washed spinach and filled water bottles
- pa called to have dinner at newly opened restaurant nearby ($7.80 for a plate of fried mee sua, $4.80 for 2 fried spring rolls, super expensive for ave households)
- bill more than $54 for family of 5 and still not feeling full
- read the bb magazines borrowed from NLB
- the feet were still swollen for the past few days
- woke up 4am and 630am to go to the washroom
- today is Buddha Joyful Day (15th day of lunar 7th mth)
- updated abit of blog and checked emails and take multigrain bread for breakfast
- called neuroscience clinic to ask status of medical memo
- called gynae to change appt time to tomorrow 4pm
- called bank to enquire about the statements for investments
- mum made bee tai mak for lunch w bak ku teh flavour
- went groceries shopping with mum (2% Elderly disc + BYOB disc & rounding adjustments = $1.05; $2.74 fm offer; total savings = $3.79)
- $1.50 packet of spinach spoilt yesterday after wash and not cooked (wastage)
- so difficult to earn a cent, and dollars spent just like that
- smell of marinated pork 'lu3 wei4' in our masterbedroom & toilet, and kitchen so strong when we reached home (the masterbedroom toilet windows can't be closed as the air-con pipe is there, and I forgot to close the kitchen windows tightly) that I sprayed alot of the tea-tree odour remover solution to rid the smell in the air
- the smell kept coming in from the masterbedroom toilet, and when I found the other window in the room 'cleared' to open, the wind coming in from this window finally solved the problem
- called to enquire about missing Linkpoints & emailed the necessary instead as there's no fax machine or scanner by 6pm
- mum made multigrain porridge for dinner w bb spinach
- received a '4GB Apple ipod' as present from darling ;)
- woke up 4plus and 6plus to go to the washroom
- had 2pc wholemeal bread for breakfast at 2 intervals w olive spread + strawberry jam and fruitjuice
- updated blog and journal and sent/replied emails (the NRIC was written on the receipt as attached in the email but I was asked to furnish it in the reply)
- made some chee cheong fun and bee tai mak for lunch
- refurnished my NRIC (written on the receipt as attached in email earlier)
- mum gg to gynae w me at 2plus (took a cup of fresh milk for tea 1)
- bb gained ~50g and now weighs 2.8kg (next appt is EDD and have to do heart rate tests for 30-45min)
- overdue bb have alot of prob eg.have to test this and that, danger of pooing inside me, risks etc
- made beehoon for dinner w broccoli, fresh mushroom, potatoes and tempei (took 0.5jar of essence for tea 2)
- showered and makan..hungry le
- It's almost due...is little one arriving yet? morning afternoon or midnight? very excited..
- woke up twice to go to the washroom
- updated abit of blog and checked emails after taking multigrain bread for breakfast
- made bee tai mak for lunch, washed spinach and filled water bottles
- pa called to have dinner at newly opened restaurant nearby ($7.80 for a plate of fried mee sua, $4.80 for 2 fried spring rolls, super expensive for ave households)
- bill more than $54 for family of 5 and still not feeling full
- read the bb magazines borrowed from NLB
- the feet were still swollen for the past few days
- woke up 4am and 630am to go to the washroom
- today is Buddha Joyful Day (15th day of lunar 7th mth)
- updated abit of blog and checked emails and take multigrain bread for breakfast
- called neuroscience clinic to ask status of medical memo
- called gynae to change appt time to tomorrow 4pm
- called bank to enquire about the statements for investments
- mum made bee tai mak for lunch w bak ku teh flavour
- went groceries shopping with mum (2% Elderly disc + BYOB disc & rounding adjustments = $1.05; $2.74 fm offer; total savings = $3.79)
- $1.50 packet of spinach spoilt yesterday after wash and not cooked (wastage)
- so difficult to earn a cent, and dollars spent just like that
- smell of marinated pork 'lu3 wei4' in our masterbedroom & toilet, and kitchen so strong when we reached home (the masterbedroom toilet windows can't be closed as the air-con pipe is there, and I forgot to close the kitchen windows tightly) that I sprayed alot of the tea-tree odour remover solution to rid the smell in the air
- the smell kept coming in from the masterbedroom toilet, and when I found the other window in the room 'cleared' to open, the wind coming in from this window finally solved the problem
- called to enquire about missing Linkpoints & emailed the necessary instead as there's no fax machine or scanner by 6pm
- mum made multigrain porridge for dinner w bb spinach
- received a '4GB Apple ipod' as present from darling ;)
- had 2pc wholemeal bread for breakfast at 2 intervals w olive spread + strawberry jam and fruitjuice
- updated blog and journal and sent/replied emails (the NRIC was written on the receipt as attached in the email but I was asked to furnish it in the reply)
- made some chee cheong fun and bee tai mak for lunch
- refurnished my NRIC (written on the receipt as attached in email earlier)
- mum gg to gynae w me at 2plus (took a cup of fresh milk for tea 1)
- bb gained ~50g and now weighs 2.8kg (next appt is EDD and have to do heart rate tests for 30-45min)
- overdue bb have alot of prob eg.have to test this and that, danger of pooing inside me, risks etc
- made beehoon for dinner w broccoli, fresh mushroom, potatoes and tempei (took 0.5jar of essence for tea 2)
- showered and makan..hungry le
Monday, August 23, 2010
How does follow-on formula help my baby’s overall health?
- as your older baby becomes more mobile, he or she will be exploring and interacting with many people and objects
- along with experiencing many delightful discoveries, your baby will also likely encounter many germs, bacteria, and viruses
- researchers have found that certain nutrients called nucleotides may produce favorable effects on immunity.
- nucleotides are found in food, but most early weaning foods, such as fruit and vegetables, tend to be poor sources of nucleotides
- older babies may benefit from formula fortified with nucleotides
- nucleotide fortification resulted in a modest improvement in some antibody responses
- babies fed formula fortified with nucleotides had a lower incidence of diarrhoea than babies fed formula without nucleotides.
- 5 key nucleotides to help in the development of a healthy immune function
- along with experiencing many delightful discoveries, your baby will also likely encounter many germs, bacteria, and viruses
- researchers have found that certain nutrients called nucleotides may produce favorable effects on immunity.
- nucleotides are found in food, but most early weaning foods, such as fruit and vegetables, tend to be poor sources of nucleotides
- older babies may benefit from formula fortified with nucleotides
- nucleotide fortification resulted in a modest improvement in some antibody responses
- babies fed formula fortified with nucleotides had a lower incidence of diarrhoea than babies fed formula without nucleotides.
- 5 key nucleotides to help in the development of a healthy immune function
How does follow-on formula help my baby adjust to a weaning diet?
- during the second 6 mths of life, your baby’s digestive system and kidneys are maturing, but face new challenges from solid foods
- while your weaning baby will be getting more nutrients from solid food, it is important to remember that the baby’s system is still a bit immature
- baby’s system may not fully process all of the new foods
- not unusual to find vegetable skins & other undigested food particles in your baby’s stools during this time
- follow-on formula can help ensure that your baby easily absorbs the necessary nutrients
- nucleotides—nutrients that help your baby’s intestine develop and absorb nutrients
- it’s important to remember that even older babies can be vulnerable to dehydration—loss of significant amounts of body water—during fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and hot weather
- protein and electrolytes—the elements that help regulate the body’s balance of fluids
- this puts less stress on baby’s kidneys
- while your weaning baby will be getting more nutrients from solid food, it is important to remember that the baby’s system is still a bit immature
- baby’s system may not fully process all of the new foods
- not unusual to find vegetable skins & other undigested food particles in your baby’s stools during this time
- follow-on formula can help ensure that your baby easily absorbs the necessary nutrients
- nucleotides—nutrients that help your baby’s intestine develop and absorb nutrients
- it’s important to remember that even older babies can be vulnerable to dehydration—loss of significant amounts of body water—during fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and hot weather
- protein and electrolytes—the elements that help regulate the body’s balance of fluids
- this puts less stress on baby’s kidneys
How does follow-on formula help my baby grow?
- babies grow an average of 10 cm during the second 6 mths of life, and most triple their birth weight by their first birthday
- older infants need 9-12 grams of protein per day to help build new tissues
- weaning diets are often low in protein
- cereals, fruits, and vegetables—typically the first weaning foods offered—contain little protein
- follow-on formula is important for ensuring proper protein nutrition during weaning
- calcium is also critical for help in strengthening older babies’ rapidly growing bones
- older infants need 9-12 grams of protein per day to help build new tissues
- weaning diets are often low in protein
- cereals, fruits, and vegetables—typically the first weaning foods offered—contain little protein
- follow-on formula is important for ensuring proper protein nutrition during weaning
- calcium is also critical for help in strengthening older babies’ rapidly growing bones
Developmental Overview: Ages 15-18
5 areas of developmental stages for 15-18yrs
Intellectual Development
* Abstract thinking becomes more common with older teenagers
- they’ll gravitate more to the “gray” areas between the “black-and-white” issues of their early years
- they’ll also change their mind about the “grays” to suit their goals and wishes
* Older teenagers, such as those in this age range, expand their logic and reasoning abilities, although many still struggle to match their thinking abilities with their actions
- a lot of kids will talk intelligently but then have trouble with planning
* Their thinking now considers the future
- they can think and have thoughtful discussions about war, college, the economy, and their visions of what would make the world better
* Because older teenagers are more intellectually advanced than a child or younger teens, adults can have more back-and-forth conversations with them
- they’re better able to understand other people’s points of views, and they’re more open to other perspectives and ideas
* Many older teenagers will use their new intellectual capacities as “logical weapons” against their parents
- this has more to do with them separating from you
- they’ll punch holes in your logic, and they’ll challenge you with thought-out reason
Physical Development
* Older teenagers typically look physically older than they are
- 15-year-olds can be mistaken for 21-year-olds, which is why some teenagers find themselves in troubling situations
Intellectual Development
* Abstract thinking becomes more common with older teenagers
- they’ll gravitate more to the “gray” areas between the “black-and-white” issues of their early years
- they’ll also change their mind about the “grays” to suit their goals and wishes
* Older teenagers, such as those in this age range, expand their logic and reasoning abilities, although many still struggle to match their thinking abilities with their actions
- a lot of kids will talk intelligently but then have trouble with planning
* Their thinking now considers the future
- they can think and have thoughtful discussions about war, college, the economy, and their visions of what would make the world better
* Because older teenagers are more intellectually advanced than a child or younger teens, adults can have more back-and-forth conversations with them
- they’re better able to understand other people’s points of views, and they’re more open to other perspectives and ideas
* Many older teenagers will use their new intellectual capacities as “logical weapons” against their parents
- this has more to do with them separating from you
- they’ll punch holes in your logic, and they’ll challenge you with thought-out reason
Physical Development
* Older teenagers typically look physically older than they are
- 15-year-olds can be mistaken for 21-year-olds, which is why some teenagers find themselves in troubling situations
Developmental Overview: Ages 10-14
5 areas of developmental stages for 10-14yrs
Intellectual Development
* Most kids enjoy the social aspects of learning
- this works well when teachers encourage learning in small groups
* Around ages 11-13, shifts occur in kids’ thinking
- keep them engaged in school & learning
- encourage their curiosity
- many are strongly influenced by friends, so if they have friends who only want to socialize and not learn, emphasize the importance of having friends & working hard to learn
* Many kids move from “concrete” thinking to “abstract” thinking
- concrete thinkers focus on the here and now, such as a particular house cat
- abstract thinkers focus on issues that are disassociated from a specific instance
- an abstract thinker can talk about domestic & wild cats, how they’re similar and different, and which ones they believe have more skills than others
* have strong emotions, they tend to either “love” school or “hate” it
- if your child happens to “hate” school, help her identify parts that are more enjoyable—even if it’s recess, gym, and lunch
* Most kids at this age think there is too much homework
- emphasize how homework helps kids learn
- do homework with them. Make it fun
- applaud their learning & new knowledge
Physical Development
* kids need to start using deodorant & learning more personal hygiene
- some go overboard and spend hours in the bathroom
- others resist, refusing to bathe
Intellectual Development
* Most kids enjoy the social aspects of learning
- this works well when teachers encourage learning in small groups
* Around ages 11-13, shifts occur in kids’ thinking
- keep them engaged in school & learning
- encourage their curiosity
- many are strongly influenced by friends, so if they have friends who only want to socialize and not learn, emphasize the importance of having friends & working hard to learn
* Many kids move from “concrete” thinking to “abstract” thinking
- concrete thinkers focus on the here and now, such as a particular house cat
- abstract thinkers focus on issues that are disassociated from a specific instance
- an abstract thinker can talk about domestic & wild cats, how they’re similar and different, and which ones they believe have more skills than others
* have strong emotions, they tend to either “love” school or “hate” it
- if your child happens to “hate” school, help her identify parts that are more enjoyable—even if it’s recess, gym, and lunch
* Most kids at this age think there is too much homework
- emphasize how homework helps kids learn
- do homework with them. Make it fun
- applaud their learning & new knowledge
Physical Development
* kids need to start using deodorant & learning more personal hygiene
- some go overboard and spend hours in the bathroom
- others resist, refusing to bathe
Developmental Overview: Ages 6-9
5 areas of developmental stages for 6-9yrs
Intellectual Development
* Kids learn to read gradually
- children who are read to aloud & are encouraged to read tend to develop more quickly intellectually
* Your child will become more sophisticated in understanding the concept of time
- they enjoy hearing about times past
* By age 6, most children can count to 100
- by age 9, they are beginning to learn how to multiply
* Engaging the bodies as well as the minds of children this age will help them learn
Physical Development
* More physical abilities will develop
- many children can dribble a ball with one hand by age 6
- most learn how to ride a 2-wheel bike
- they become more skillful at skipping and catching and throwing a ball
Intellectual Development
* Kids learn to read gradually
- children who are read to aloud & are encouraged to read tend to develop more quickly intellectually
* Your child will become more sophisticated in understanding the concept of time
- they enjoy hearing about times past
* By age 6, most children can count to 100
- by age 9, they are beginning to learn how to multiply
* Engaging the bodies as well as the minds of children this age will help them learn
Physical Development
* More physical abilities will develop
- many children can dribble a ball with one hand by age 6
- most learn how to ride a 2-wheel bike
- they become more skillful at skipping and catching and throwing a ball
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Developmental Overview: Ages 3-5
5 areas of developmental stages for 3-5yrs
Intellectual Development
* Imaginary play is a notable milestone of this stage
* Children begin to name colors & begin to understand simple counting
* important to stimulate your child’s intellectual development by reading aloud to him every day
* Kids gradually begin to understand the concept of time
* By age 3, preschoolers know 300 words
- that expands to 1,500 words by age 4, and to 2,500 words by age 5
- stimulate their language development through reading, talking & asking them questions
Physical Development
* Hopping, climbing, swinging, and doing somersaults begin at this stage
- by age 5, many kids can stand on one foot for at least 10 sec
* Children can draw a person with up to four body parts by age 5
- they draw circles and begin to learn how to copy a square & some capital letters
- they learn how to use scissors
Intellectual Development
* Imaginary play is a notable milestone of this stage
* Children begin to name colors & begin to understand simple counting
* important to stimulate your child’s intellectual development by reading aloud to him every day
* Kids gradually begin to understand the concept of time
* By age 3, preschoolers know 300 words
- that expands to 1,500 words by age 4, and to 2,500 words by age 5
- stimulate their language development through reading, talking & asking them questions
Physical Development
* Hopping, climbing, swinging, and doing somersaults begin at this stage
- by age 5, many kids can stand on one foot for at least 10 sec
* Children can draw a person with up to four body parts by age 5
- they draw circles and begin to learn how to copy a square & some capital letters
- they learn how to use scissors
Developmental Overview: Ages 0-2
5 areas of developmental stages for 0-2yrs
Intellectual Development
* Children at this age learn by exploring with their hands & mouth
- they bang, throw, drop, shake & put items in their mouths
* Hiding things will get more difficult when your child starts to look for hidden objects
By 24 mths, he can find things hidden under 2-3 other items
* Learning how to use everyday objects is an important development at this age. They learn how to
- use a spoon
- drink from a cup
- comb their hair
* By age 2, a child typically will have a vocabulary of 50 words
- as she learns to speak, she’ll use two- and three-word sentences, like “More juice,” “Me want cookie,” and “Up, up.”
Physical Development
* Children will first learn to hold their head up
- little by little, they begin to roll and to sit (usually 3-6 mths)
* Kids learn to creep, then crawl, pull themselves up, walk while holding onto furniture, stand, and then walk 2-3 steps without assistance (usually by 12 mths)
Intellectual Development
* Children at this age learn by exploring with their hands & mouth
- they bang, throw, drop, shake & put items in their mouths
* Hiding things will get more difficult when your child starts to look for hidden objects
By 24 mths, he can find things hidden under 2-3 other items
* Learning how to use everyday objects is an important development at this age. They learn how to
- use a spoon
- drink from a cup
- comb their hair
* By age 2, a child typically will have a vocabulary of 50 words
- as she learns to speak, she’ll use two- and three-word sentences, like “More juice,” “Me want cookie,” and “Up, up.”
Physical Development
* Children will first learn to hold their head up
- little by little, they begin to roll and to sit (usually 3-6 mths)
* Kids learn to creep, then crawl, pull themselves up, walk while holding onto furniture, stand, and then walk 2-3 steps without assistance (usually by 12 mths)
What are the effects of pregnancy on asthma?
- when women with asthma become pregnant, one-third of the patients improve, one-third worsen, and the last third remain unchanged
- although studies vary widely on the overall effect of pregnancy on asthma, several reviews find the following similar trends:
* Women with severe asthma are more likely to worsen, while those with mild asthma are more likely to improve or remain unchanged
* The change in the course of asthma in an individual woman during pregnancy tends to be similar on successive pregnancies
* Asthma exacerbations are most likely to appear during the weeks 24 to 36 of gestation, with only occasional patients (10% or fewer) becoming symptomatic during labor and delivery
- although studies vary widely on the overall effect of pregnancy on asthma, several reviews find the following similar trends:
* Women with severe asthma are more likely to worsen, while those with mild asthma are more likely to improve or remain unchanged
* The change in the course of asthma in an individual woman during pregnancy tends to be similar on successive pregnancies
* Asthma exacerbations are most likely to appear during the weeks 24 to 36 of gestation, with only occasional patients (10% or fewer) becoming symptomatic during labor and delivery
What other metals pose a risk in pregnancy?
- arsenic may be harmful to pregnancy.
- it enters the environment through natural sources (weathering of rock and forest fires) and man-made sources (mining and electronics manufacturing)
- although arsenic is a well-known poison, the small amounts normally found in the environment are unlikely to harm an unborn baby
- certain women may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic that may pose an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and birth defects
- long-term exposure in children may result in lowered IQ
- women who may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic include those who:
* Work or live near metal smelters
* Live in agricultural areas where arsenic fertilizers (now banned in the United States) were used on crops
* Live near hazardous waste sites or incinerators
* Drink well water containing high levels of arsenic (this can occur in the places described above and in other areas, including parts of New England and the Midwest, that have naturally high levels of arsenic in rock)
- it enters the environment through natural sources (weathering of rock and forest fires) and man-made sources (mining and electronics manufacturing)
- although arsenic is a well-known poison, the small amounts normally found in the environment are unlikely to harm an unborn baby
- certain women may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic that may pose an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and birth defects
- long-term exposure in children may result in lowered IQ
- women who may be exposed to higher levels of arsenic include those who:
* Work or live near metal smelters
* Live in agricultural areas where arsenic fertilizers (now banned in the United States) were used on crops
* Live near hazardous waste sites or incinerators
* Drink well water containing high levels of arsenic (this can occur in the places described above and in other areas, including parts of New England and the Midwest, that have naturally high levels of arsenic in rock)
What are the risks of lead exposure during pregnancy?
- lead is a metal that was found for many years in gasoline and house paint
- although lead is still present in the environment, the amounts have decreased greatly since the 1970s when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use in these products.
- lead poses health risks for everyone, but young children and unborn babies are at greatest risk.
- exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight and developmental delays in the infant
- children exposed to high levels of lead after birth may develop behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth and hearing loss
- women who live in older homes may be exposed to lead in deteriorating lead-based paint
- many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint
- as long as paint is not crumbling or peeling, it poses little risk
- crumbling paint can produce lead dust when the surface is disturbed, especially when it is sanded or scraped
- Pica is a pattern of eating non-food substances, such as paint, clay, dirt and plaster
- children with pica are at especially high risk of having high levels of lead in their blood
- this can occur if they pull peeling paint off walls and eat it or chew on painted surfaces, such as windowsills
- although lead is still present in the environment, the amounts have decreased greatly since the 1970s when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use in these products.
- lead poses health risks for everyone, but young children and unborn babies are at greatest risk.
- exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight and developmental delays in the infant
- children exposed to high levels of lead after birth may develop behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth and hearing loss
- women who live in older homes may be exposed to lead in deteriorating lead-based paint
- many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint
- as long as paint is not crumbling or peeling, it poses little risk
- crumbling paint can produce lead dust when the surface is disturbed, especially when it is sanded or scraped
- Pica is a pattern of eating non-food substances, such as paint, clay, dirt and plaster
- children with pica are at especially high risk of having high levels of lead in their blood
- this can occur if they pull peeling paint off walls and eat it or chew on painted surfaces, such as windowsills
Do chemicals in plastics pose a risk to the fetus or infant?
- plastics are made from a number of chemicals, including phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA)
- phthalates make plastic soft and flexible
- they are used in toys, medical devices (such as tubing), shampoos, cosmetics and food packaging
- BPA makes plastics clear and strong, used in baby bottles, food containers (to line metal food cans) and water bottles
- recent research suggests that exposure to phthalates before birth may contribute to subtle defects in male genitals
- phthalates also may pose a risk after birth
- in 2006, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) concluded that one type of phthalate used in plastic medical tubing could pose a risk to the reproductive systems of baby boys
- many hospitals have removed such products from newborn nurseries
- in 2008, the NTP also expressed concern about the effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children
- other studies suggest that high BPA levels may play a role in some miscarriages
- phthalates make plastic soft and flexible
- they are used in toys, medical devices (such as tubing), shampoos, cosmetics and food packaging
- BPA makes plastics clear and strong, used in baby bottles, food containers (to line metal food cans) and water bottles
- recent research suggests that exposure to phthalates before birth may contribute to subtle defects in male genitals
- phthalates also may pose a risk after birth
- in 2006, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) concluded that one type of phthalate used in plastic medical tubing could pose a risk to the reproductive systems of baby boys
- many hospitals have removed such products from newborn nurseries
- in 2008, the NTP also expressed concern about the effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children
- other studies suggest that high BPA levels may play a role in some miscarriages
Does mercury exposure pose a risk in pregnancy?
- mercury is a metal that is present in the environment
- elemental (pure) mercury and methylmercury are 2 forms of mercury that may pose risks in pregnancy
- elemental mercury is used in thermometers, dental fillings, fluorescent light bulbs & some batteries
- dental amalgam is a silver-colored material used to fill cavities in teeth.
- it contains elemental mercury, silver and other metals
- amalgam fillings can release small amounts of mercury vapor that can be inhaled
- the FDA considers amalgam safe in adults and children over age 6
- there are few studies on the safety of amalgam in pregnant women and their babies
- some countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) recommend that dentists not use dental amalgam in pregnant women
- pregnant women who are concerned about the use of amalgam should discuss it with their dentist
- pregnant women who work in dental offices or in industries that use mercury to manufacture products (including electrical, chemical and mining industries) should discuss their workplace exposures with their health care providers and take all recommended precautions
- elemental (pure) mercury and methylmercury are 2 forms of mercury that may pose risks in pregnancy
- elemental mercury is used in thermometers, dental fillings, fluorescent light bulbs & some batteries
- dental amalgam is a silver-colored material used to fill cavities in teeth.
- it contains elemental mercury, silver and other metals
- amalgam fillings can release small amounts of mercury vapor that can be inhaled
- the FDA considers amalgam safe in adults and children over age 6
- there are few studies on the safety of amalgam in pregnant women and their babies
- some countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) recommend that dentists not use dental amalgam in pregnant women
- pregnant women who are concerned about the use of amalgam should discuss it with their dentist
- pregnant women who work in dental offices or in industries that use mercury to manufacture products (including electrical, chemical and mining industries) should discuss their workplace exposures with their health care providers and take all recommended precautions
Do household cleaning products pose a risk in pregnancy?
- although some household cleansers contain solvents, there are many safe alternatives
- pregnant women should read labels carefully and not use products (such as some oven cleaners) whose labels state that they are toxic
- products that contain ammonia or chlorine are unlikely to harm an unborn baby, although their odors may trigger nausea in a pregnant woman
- pregnant woman should open windows and doors and wear rubber gloves when using these products
- she should never mix ammonia and chlorine products because the combination produces fumes that are dangerous for anyone
- pregnant woman who is worried about household cleansers or bothered by their odors can use safe, natural products instead
- eg. she can use baking soda as a powdered cleanser to scrub greasy areas, pots and pans, sinks, tubs and ovens
- she also can use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean many surfaces, such as countertops
- pregnant women should read labels carefully and not use products (such as some oven cleaners) whose labels state that they are toxic
- products that contain ammonia or chlorine are unlikely to harm an unborn baby, although their odors may trigger nausea in a pregnant woman
- pregnant woman should open windows and doors and wear rubber gloves when using these products
- she should never mix ammonia and chlorine products because the combination produces fumes that are dangerous for anyone
- pregnant woman who is worried about household cleansers or bothered by their odors can use safe, natural products instead
- eg. she can use baking soda as a powdered cleanser to scrub greasy areas, pots and pans, sinks, tubs and ovens
- she also can use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean many surfaces, such as countertops
Can pesticides harm an unborn baby?
- there is little proof that exposure to pest-control products at levels commonly used at home poses a risk to an unborn baby
- all insecticides are to some extent poisonous
- some studies suggest that high levels of exposure to pesticides may contribute to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight, birth defects and learning problems
- women who do agricultural work or live in agricultural areas may be more likely to be exposed to high levels of pesticides than other women
- all pregnant women should avoid pesticides whenever possible
- a pregnant woman can reduce her exposure to pesticides by controlling pest problems with fewer toxic products, such as sticky traps (Traps should not be set in areas where children can get to them)
- if she must have her home or property treated with pesticides, a pregnant woman should:
* Have someone else apply the chemicals
- she also should leave the area for the amount of time indicated on the package instructions
* Remove food, dishes and utensils from the area before the pesticide is applied
- afterward, she can have someone open the windows and wash off all surfaces on which food is prepared
- all insecticides are to some extent poisonous
- some studies suggest that high levels of exposure to pesticides may contribute to miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight, birth defects and learning problems
- women who do agricultural work or live in agricultural areas may be more likely to be exposed to high levels of pesticides than other women
- all pregnant women should avoid pesticides whenever possible
- a pregnant woman can reduce her exposure to pesticides by controlling pest problems with fewer toxic products, such as sticky traps (Traps should not be set in areas where children can get to them)
- if she must have her home or property treated with pesticides, a pregnant woman should:
* Have someone else apply the chemicals
- she also should leave the area for the amount of time indicated on the package instructions
* Remove food, dishes and utensils from the area before the pesticide is applied
- afterward, she can have someone open the windows and wash off all surfaces on which food is prepared
Can birth defects be prevented?
- a few steps a woman can take before & during pregnancy to reduce her risk of having a baby with a birth defect:
* Get a preconception checkup with a health care provider
- a medical checkup a woman gets before getting pregnant
- the provider can identify and often treat health conditions that can pose a risk in pregnancy
- especially crucial for women with chronic health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy, that can affect pregnancy
- eg. women with diabetes who have poor blood-sugar control are several times more likely than women without diabetes to have a baby with a serious birth defect
- if their blood sugar levels are well controlled before pregnancy, they are almost as likely to have a healthy baby as women without diabetes
* Make sure her vaccinations are up-to-date
- all women should be tested for immunity to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox before getting pregnant and consider being vaccinated if they are not immune
- after being vaccinated, a woman should wait 1 mth before becoming pregnant
* Get a preconception checkup with a health care provider
- a medical checkup a woman gets before getting pregnant
- the provider can identify and often treat health conditions that can pose a risk in pregnancy
- especially crucial for women with chronic health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy, that can affect pregnancy
- eg. women with diabetes who have poor blood-sugar control are several times more likely than women without diabetes to have a baby with a serious birth defect
- if their blood sugar levels are well controlled before pregnancy, they are almost as likely to have a healthy baby as women without diabetes
* Make sure her vaccinations are up-to-date
- all women should be tested for immunity to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox before getting pregnant and consider being vaccinated if they are not immune
- after being vaccinated, a woman should wait 1 mth before becoming pregnant
What are the most common birth defects?
Some of the most common birth defects include:
* Heart defects: As many as 1 in 100 babies in the United States are born with heart defects each year
- advances in surgery have dramatically improved the outlook for affected babies
- leading cause of birth defect-related infant deaths
* Cleft lip/palate: About 1 in 700 babies is born with cleft lip/palate each year
- affected babies can have problems with eating, speech and language.
- some have a small cleft that can be corrected with one surgical procedure
- others have severe clefts and need multiple surgeries
* Down syndrome: This chromosomal abnormality affects about 1 in 800 babies in the United States
- early intervention programs & treatment of associated health problems have greatly improved the outlook for affected individuals
* Heart defects: As many as 1 in 100 babies in the United States are born with heart defects each year
- advances in surgery have dramatically improved the outlook for affected babies
- leading cause of birth defect-related infant deaths
* Cleft lip/palate: About 1 in 700 babies is born with cleft lip/palate each year
- affected babies can have problems with eating, speech and language.
- some have a small cleft that can be corrected with one surgical procedure
- others have severe clefts and need multiple surgeries
* Down syndrome: This chromosomal abnormality affects about 1 in 800 babies in the United States
- early intervention programs & treatment of associated health problems have greatly improved the outlook for affected individuals
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Breastfeeding Benefits
- the ideal choice for new mothers and has benefits for infants, mothers, families & society
- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breast milk:
* strengthens the baby’s immune system because it has antibodies that help protect infant from certain infections such as ear & respiratory infections.
* lessens the occurrence of childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea.
* provides an infant with the proper balance of nutrients required for growth & development.
* is convenient since breast milk is always available and does not require preparation or storage.
* helps both mother and infant can benefit psychologically through this close & warm interaction.
- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breast milk:
* strengthens the baby’s immune system because it has antibodies that help protect infant from certain infections such as ear & respiratory infections.
* lessens the occurrence of childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea.
* provides an infant with the proper balance of nutrients required for growth & development.
* is convenient since breast milk is always available and does not require preparation or storage.
* helps both mother and infant can benefit psychologically through this close & warm interaction.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Juice and Water during weaning
- fruit juice—that is, 100% fruit juice, not a "fruit drink" that includes other ingredients—can be a healthy part of a well-balanced diet
- juice should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula
- excessive consumption of juice may reduce intake of the important essential nutrients found in these milks
- juice should not be introduced into your infant's diet before he/she is at least 6 mths of age and has begun to drink from a cup
- babies should not be given juice to drink from a bottle throughout the day, because prolonged sucking of fluids that contain carbohydrates puts them at risk for "nursing-bottle tooth decay."
- avoid giving your baby more than 240 mL of juice per day; too much juice may increase the risk of loose stools and diarrhoea
- additional water may be offered in warm weather
- consult your health care professional for advice about your baby's water needs
- juice should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula
- excessive consumption of juice may reduce intake of the important essential nutrients found in these milks
- juice should not be introduced into your infant's diet before he/she is at least 6 mths of age and has begun to drink from a cup
- babies should not be given juice to drink from a bottle throughout the day, because prolonged sucking of fluids that contain carbohydrates puts them at risk for "nursing-bottle tooth decay."
- avoid giving your baby more than 240 mL of juice per day; too much juice may increase the risk of loose stools and diarrhoea
- additional water may be offered in warm weather
- consult your health care professional for advice about your baby's water needs
Vitamins and minerals for bb during weaning
- Vitamins and minerals are essential for normal body functioning and growth.
- fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of many vitamins and minerals.
- if you choose to prepare these foods yourself, rather than buy commercial baby food products, use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
- avoid using canned products, which may contain added sugar or salt
some important Vitamins and minerals:
* Vitamin C: Children can get vitamin C from citrus fruits and various vegetables.
- their bodies need vitamin C both to form certain chemicals and to put others, including one of the B vitamins, to use.
- Vitamin C also plays a key part in helping children's bodies absorb iron.
- children who do not have enough vitamin C in their diet may develop weakness in their bones, anemia, and other medical conditions.
* Vitamin D: Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D, and, for some children, sunlight alone may provide sufficient levels of this important vitamin.
- Vitamin D is crucial because the body uses it to help get calcium into the bones.
- this is why vitamin D is sometimes added to cow's milk (this is called "fortified" milk).
- fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of many vitamins and minerals.
- if you choose to prepare these foods yourself, rather than buy commercial baby food products, use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
- avoid using canned products, which may contain added sugar or salt
some important Vitamins and minerals:
* Vitamin C: Children can get vitamin C from citrus fruits and various vegetables.
- their bodies need vitamin C both to form certain chemicals and to put others, including one of the B vitamins, to use.
- Vitamin C also plays a key part in helping children's bodies absorb iron.
- children who do not have enough vitamin C in their diet may develop weakness in their bones, anemia, and other medical conditions.
* Vitamin D: Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D, and, for some children, sunlight alone may provide sufficient levels of this important vitamin.
- Vitamin D is crucial because the body uses it to help get calcium into the bones.
- this is why vitamin D is sometimes added to cow's milk (this is called "fortified" milk).
Nutrient Needs for bb during weaning
- during the first year of life, an infant's body weight triples, and significant brain growth occurs.
- baby's nutritional needs increase more rapidly in the first year than at any other period of his or her life.
- key nutrients that should be included:
1. Protein
- important for building and maintaining body tissues such as chicken, fish, beef, pork, lamb, turkey, and liver (omit for vegetarians).
- vegetable sources of protein include legumes (such as beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans), nuts, and seeds.
2. Carbohydrates
- supply your baby with energy such as cereals and breads
- parents should choose iron-fortified infant cereals, especially for breastfed infants, to help prevent iron deficiency.
3. Nucleotides
- improve immune response and decrease the incidence of diarrhoea in infants.
- although the body can make its own nucleotides, infants may need extra nucleotides to meet the demands of their fast-growing bodies.
- early weaning foods are typically poor sources of nucleotides found in some follow-on formulas
- baby's nutritional needs increase more rapidly in the first year than at any other period of his or her life.
- key nutrients that should be included:
1. Protein
- important for building and maintaining body tissues such as chicken, fish, beef, pork, lamb, turkey, and liver (omit for vegetarians).
- vegetable sources of protein include legumes (such as beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans), nuts, and seeds.
2. Carbohydrates
- supply your baby with energy such as cereals and breads
- parents should choose iron-fortified infant cereals, especially for breastfed infants, to help prevent iron deficiency.
3. Nucleotides
- improve immune response and decrease the incidence of diarrhoea in infants.
- although the body can make its own nucleotides, infants may need extra nucleotides to meet the demands of their fast-growing bodies.
- early weaning foods are typically poor sources of nucleotides found in some follow-on formulas
What foods come next after introducing cereal for weaning?
- once baby is used to cereal, you can start to feed vegetables, then fruits.
- begin by introducing 1-2 tsp at each meal, after baby has had some cereal.
- as with cereals, most experts recommend that you introduce a single new food at a time & feed it for several days before trying another new food.
- this will make it easier to identify the culprit if there is a food sensitivity or allergy.
- if your baby has diarrhoea, gets a rash, or vomits, do not feed the suspect food again until you have consulted your health care professional.
- start with strained, sieved, or pureed vegetables, choosing mild-flavored ones such as carrots, green beans, peas, potatoes & sweet potatoes.
- remove the fibrous parts before cooking, and avoid overcooking.
- when your baby is used to vegetables, introduce strained or pureed fruits such as apples, pears, and bananas.
- after baby is accustomed to fruits and vegetables, protein foods can be introduced.
- start with soft beancurd and cooked beans (skin removed; strained, pureed, or mashed).
- some authorities suggest that you wait until your child is 6 mths of age before you introduce minced meat & poultry to the diet (omit for vegetarians).
- begin by introducing 1-2 tsp at each meal, after baby has had some cereal.
- as with cereals, most experts recommend that you introduce a single new food at a time & feed it for several days before trying another new food.
- this will make it easier to identify the culprit if there is a food sensitivity or allergy.
- if your baby has diarrhoea, gets a rash, or vomits, do not feed the suspect food again until you have consulted your health care professional.
- start with strained, sieved, or pureed vegetables, choosing mild-flavored ones such as carrots, green beans, peas, potatoes & sweet potatoes.
- remove the fibrous parts before cooking, and avoid overcooking.
- when your baby is used to vegetables, introduce strained or pureed fruits such as apples, pears, and bananas.
- after baby is accustomed to fruits and vegetables, protein foods can be introduced.
- start with soft beancurd and cooked beans (skin removed; strained, pureed, or mashed).
- some authorities suggest that you wait until your child is 6 mths of age before you introduce minced meat & poultry to the diet (omit for vegetarians).
What food should I feed first for weaning?
- start with a single-grain baby cereal, because it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in young babies.
- the best (least allergenic) of these is rice cereal. For information on preparation, please refer to the directions on the product package.
- gradually increase the amount of cereal you feed until you're feeding twice a day—in the morning at breakfast and again at dinner.
- when your baby is eating from a spoon fairly well, you can reduce the amount of breast milk, water, or formula normally added to the cereal.
- introduce one grain type of cereal at a time and feed for at least 3 days before trying a new one.
- gluten-containing cereals, such as oat, barley & wheat, may cause gastrointestinal problems in some infants.
- avoid feeding these foods until your baby is at least 6 mths of age.
- the best (least allergenic) of these is rice cereal. For information on preparation, please refer to the directions on the product package.
- gradually increase the amount of cereal you feed until you're feeding twice a day—in the morning at breakfast and again at dinner.
- when your baby is eating from a spoon fairly well, you can reduce the amount of breast milk, water, or formula normally added to the cereal.
- introduce one grain type of cereal at a time and feed for at least 3 days before trying a new one.
- gluten-containing cereals, such as oat, barley & wheat, may cause gastrointestinal problems in some infants.
- avoid feeding these foods until your baby is at least 6 mths of age.
Why is cow's milk inappropriate for weaning infants?
- although cow's milk is fine for calves, it is a poor food for babies:
* Cow's milk contains very little iron, a mineral with several very important functions involving blood formation & growth.
- the use of cow's milk during the first year of life significantly increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can delay mental & physical development.
* Cow's milk contains very little vitamin C, vitamin E, and copper.
- in some countries, it lacks vitamin D.
- a deficiency of vitamin D may put children at risk for rickets, a disease leading to defective bone growth.
* Cow's milk contains too much protein, sodium, potassium & chloride.
- excessive amounts of these nutrients may strain baby's kidneys.
* Cow's milk is high in saturated fat, which is hard for babies to tolerate & may interfere with calcium absorption.
- the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN), have recommended that breast milk or an iron-fortified formula be used during the first year of life.
* Cow's milk contains very little iron, a mineral with several very important functions involving blood formation & growth.
- the use of cow's milk during the first year of life significantly increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can delay mental & physical development.
* Cow's milk contains very little vitamin C, vitamin E, and copper.
- in some countries, it lacks vitamin D.
- a deficiency of vitamin D may put children at risk for rickets, a disease leading to defective bone growth.
* Cow's milk contains too much protein, sodium, potassium & chloride.
- excessive amounts of these nutrients may strain baby's kidneys.
* Cow's milk is high in saturated fat, which is hard for babies to tolerate & may interfere with calcium absorption.
- the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN), have recommended that breast milk or an iron-fortified formula be used during the first year of life.
Milk During Weaning
Milk during weaning
- the start of the weaning process does not signal the elimination of milk from your baby’s diet.
- breast milk or formula will still be the major source of protein and many essential vitamins & minerals.
- mothers may continue to breastfeed throughout the first year of life.
- breastfed infants may need additional iron, vitamin D & perhaps zinc as they grow older.
- consult your health care professional for details.
- if you have been feeding your baby with infant formula, you can continue to do so for the entire first year of life.
- you may want to consider using a follow-on formula that has been specially designed to help ensure optimal growth & development in babies 6 mths of age and older.
- during weaning, approximately 500 mL of one of these nutritionally complete fortified milks is recommended to be fed daily.
- nutritional experts agree that cow’s milk should not be introduced at all during the first year of life.
- cow’s milk and full-cream milks are nutritionally inadequate for children younger than 1 year, even if they have begun to eat solid foods.
- the start of the weaning process does not signal the elimination of milk from your baby’s diet.
- breast milk or formula will still be the major source of protein and many essential vitamins & minerals.
- mothers may continue to breastfeed throughout the first year of life.
- breastfed infants may need additional iron, vitamin D & perhaps zinc as they grow older.
- consult your health care professional for details.
- if you have been feeding your baby with infant formula, you can continue to do so for the entire first year of life.
- you may want to consider using a follow-on formula that has been specially designed to help ensure optimal growth & development in babies 6 mths of age and older.
- during weaning, approximately 500 mL of one of these nutritionally complete fortified milks is recommended to be fed daily.
- nutritional experts agree that cow’s milk should not be introduced at all during the first year of life.
- cow’s milk and full-cream milks are nutritionally inadequate for children younger than 1 year, even if they have begun to eat solid foods.
Weaning Guidelines
Weaning Guidelines
- at mealtime, feed solid foods first, milk last, so your baby can eat while he or she is hungry and drink afterward to relieve thirst.
- introduce a new food by giving your child 1 to 2 tsp at each meal.
- gradually increase this to 3 to 5 tsp.
- always feed solid food from a bowl or plate; never put cereal and breast milk or formula together in the baby's bottle for feeding.
- babies need to differentiate between what they eat and what they drink.
- a bottle is designed for liquids, not for semisolid foods.
- do not add sugar, salt, or other seasonings to your baby's food.
- do not warm your baby's food in a microwave oven; the heating is uneven and creates hot spots.
- pay attention to your baby's signals.
- some babies will let you know if they want more food by opening the mouth & leaning forward.
- if not interested/ no longer hungry, your child may lean back and turn away from the food.
- never force-feed your baby.
- once you have begun to wean your baby, feed him or her at approximately the same times every day.
- be patient with your child when introducing foods.
- sometimes it takes a while for children to get accustomed to the new experience of eating.
- at mealtime, feed solid foods first, milk last, so your baby can eat while he or she is hungry and drink afterward to relieve thirst.
- introduce a new food by giving your child 1 to 2 tsp at each meal.
- gradually increase this to 3 to 5 tsp.
- always feed solid food from a bowl or plate; never put cereal and breast milk or formula together in the baby's bottle for feeding.
- babies need to differentiate between what they eat and what they drink.
- a bottle is designed for liquids, not for semisolid foods.
- do not add sugar, salt, or other seasonings to your baby's food.
- do not warm your baby's food in a microwave oven; the heating is uneven and creates hot spots.
- pay attention to your baby's signals.
- some babies will let you know if they want more food by opening the mouth & leaning forward.
- if not interested/ no longer hungry, your child may lean back and turn away from the food.
- never force-feed your baby.
- once you have begun to wean your baby, feed him or her at approximately the same times every day.
- be patient with your child when introducing foods.
- sometimes it takes a while for children to get accustomed to the new experience of eating.
Stages of Labor
- there are 3 Stages of Labor
- the length and duration of these 3 stages may vary slightly for each individual.
- the first stage of labor is when you are actively having contractions & officially diagnosed as being in labor.
- this can last a few hours or from to 8-14 hrs.
- the first stage of labor is divided into 2 phases.
- the latent phase is the first portion of the first stage.
- this is the slow, drawn out portion that everybody hates (and they're told, "no, you're not in labor, go home.")
- active phase is the second portion of the first stage of labor, and this is when the delivery process occurs at a faster rate.
- as labor is more predictable at this point and the progress is steady, patients are typically admitted to the hospital once they reach this point.
- the second stage of labor occurs when the cervix is maximally dilated (10 cm).
- this is usually when the mother is told she can push.
- for a first-time mother if she doesn't have an epidural, this second stage of labor can last 1-2 hrs
- with an epidural 2-3 hrs (an epidural can slow labor down).
- the third stage of labor begins after the baby is delivered until the placenta comes out.
- this stage can last up to 30 min
- the length and duration of these 3 stages may vary slightly for each individual.
- the first stage of labor is when you are actively having contractions & officially diagnosed as being in labor.
- this can last a few hours or from to 8-14 hrs.
- the first stage of labor is divided into 2 phases.
- the latent phase is the first portion of the first stage.
- this is the slow, drawn out portion that everybody hates (and they're told, "no, you're not in labor, go home.")
- active phase is the second portion of the first stage of labor, and this is when the delivery process occurs at a faster rate.
- as labor is more predictable at this point and the progress is steady, patients are typically admitted to the hospital once they reach this point.
- the second stage of labor occurs when the cervix is maximally dilated (10 cm).
- this is usually when the mother is told she can push.
- for a first-time mother if she doesn't have an epidural, this second stage of labor can last 1-2 hrs
- with an epidural 2-3 hrs (an epidural can slow labor down).
- the third stage of labor begins after the baby is delivered until the placenta comes out.
- this stage can last up to 30 min
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Role of Infant Formula and more
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.
Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified formula."
role-infant-formula
Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified formula."
role-infant-formula
Story_Get out of our own way
Jennifer Taylor is a Buddhist teacher who lives in Alive Springs in the centre of Australia, and exudes all the warmth and peacefulness of the desert.
I was on a week-long retreat where she was one of the teachers and I had an opportunity for a half-hour appointment with her in which I could address any aspect of my practice.
I decided to seek an opinion on a troubling relationship with a female friend I have known for several decades.
I made a full presentation to her of the history of the relationship, complete with revealing anecdotes.
I was curious to know whose ‘side’ Jenny might take, or what advice she might suggest.
What would be her answer?
Her response, however, was not what I expected: ‘You seem to view this relationship in very distinct parcels, all neatly tied up with string.
I’m just wondering if you’ve acknowledged the mystery in the situation?’
As a matter of fact I had not.
Not even once.
Over the years that I had chewed over the details of our interactions, mystery could not have been further from my mind.
Yet Jenny was right: there was so much in this relationship that I could never know for sure.
I was relying on my memories and my fixed view of an unknowable other.
I was on a week-long retreat where she was one of the teachers and I had an opportunity for a half-hour appointment with her in which I could address any aspect of my practice.
I decided to seek an opinion on a troubling relationship with a female friend I have known for several decades.
I made a full presentation to her of the history of the relationship, complete with revealing anecdotes.
I was curious to know whose ‘side’ Jenny might take, or what advice she might suggest.
What would be her answer?
Her response, however, was not what I expected: ‘You seem to view this relationship in very distinct parcels, all neatly tied up with string.
I’m just wondering if you’ve acknowledged the mystery in the situation?’
As a matter of fact I had not.
Not even once.
Over the years that I had chewed over the details of our interactions, mystery could not have been further from my mind.
Yet Jenny was right: there was so much in this relationship that I could never know for sure.
I was relying on my memories and my fixed view of an unknowable other.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Toys that contain toxic chemicals
SINGAPORE: Nearly half of the toys tested by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) were found to contain harmful chemicals.
Some of the toys which were tested looked relatively harmless. But some are said to contain 5,000 times more phthalates - a chemical used to soften plastics - than acceptable levels based on international standards.
And this could lead to cancer.
Toys that contain toxic chemicals
Some of the toys which were tested looked relatively harmless. But some are said to contain 5,000 times more phthalates - a chemical used to soften plastics - than acceptable levels based on international standards.
And this could lead to cancer.
Toys that contain toxic chemicals
Posters in Taiwan promoting green planet
- 5 Jun is the World Environment Day Traffic MP to promote vegetarian diet for a day
- nutrients comparison table of vegetables and meat consumption for every 500cal intake
Environmental Protection Association (Taiwan)
24-hr documentary channel on global warming latest news
supreme master tv
be veg love ocean
Sample weaning kit for babies above 6 mths of age
- for free weaning kit, email nestlebaby@sg.nestle.com
- to Register online Nestle Baby Club (for babies above 6 months of age)
nestle baby
- to Register online Nestle Baby Club (for babies above 6 months of age)
nestle baby
Sample satchet for expectant and breastfeeding mums_EnfaMama A+
- SMS to 76565 the following for 2x 50g EnfaMama A+ Maternal & Lactating formula milk powder samples:
ENFA NAME
- sign up for free membership and receive goodie bag, quarterly newsletters, breastfeeding booklet and mystery gift
Enfa Consumer Care 1800-345 5213
Meadjohnson
ENFA NAME
- sign up for free membership and receive goodie bag, quarterly newsletters, breastfeeding booklet and mystery gift
Enfa Consumer Care 1800-345 5213
Meadjohnson
Sample satchet for expectant and breastfeeding mums
- SMS to 9093 3211 for free Anmum Materna (for pregnant women) or Lacta (for breastfeeding women)
- 2 sample 37.5g satchets per household
- include in SMS the following:
Anmum Materna or Lacta EDD NAME NRIC Address
- 2 sample 37.5g satchets per household
- include in SMS the following:
Anmum Materna or Lacta EDD NAME NRIC Address
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
38th week of Pregnancy
16aug-22aug
- woke up 3 times to go to the washroom (abit hungry and thirsty)
- Ven Chuan Guan's ang moh birthdae (friend's birthdae this week)
- Buddha's joyful day next week (hope little one will arrive that day)
- heavy downpour in the morning, & mum backache worsened (difficulty in squatting and had blisters after seeing TCM) so asked her to rest at home
- made organic spaghetti for lunch (received 5 calls with 10 'beep' sounds at reg intervals & called the svs provider to do call trace)
- received some new NB clothes from neighbour (so kind of them, expected No. 2 in Dec)
- we made jade noodles w cabbage,potatoes,tomato,fresh mushroom,chilli pepper for dinner (had a date before dinner)
- read a few pages of the 7th Realization and 8th Realization (from 'Sutra of the 8 Realizations of Great Beings' by Master Tsing Yun) before gg to bed early (darling had yoghurt & a date)
- woke up at 11.45pm, 1.45am and 6.45am to go to the washroom
- gg to pack my clothes away and tidy the nursery (cleaned the dusty floor edges in bedroom, living room)
- darling packed dinner home for us (pa & ma came over)
- coordinated get-together for friends this Sunday
- went to buy groceries with pa (2% elderly + BYOB discounts = $0.75)
- darling read the few last pages of the Sutra before sleep
- woke up at 2.55am to go to the washroom (runny nose and feeling abit hungry)
- updated blog & expenses
- plan for day - mkt w mum@10.35am; key in suggestions in office PC@ 12nn; staff dept photo taking@ 12.55pm; lunch@ 1.15pm; check out bb planner package at gynae@ 4.30pm; gynae consultation@ 5pm)
- checkout the planned routes and the fares (dad gg TCM after lunch so mum can go office with me before lunch)
- met most of the colleagues and exchanged hellos (had to request for new VPN pwd and mum made a soy drink for me as I was hungry then at 1plus)
- napped on the way home (ma came shortly after I reached home)
- checked out the bb planner and prices (ma fell asleep while waiting)
- gynae said bb gained 0.275kg and weigh 2.75kg now (I gained 1.7kg= 49.1kg)
- darling bought dinner and rtn/renew NLB books (I made some tofu, potato, tomato bak ku teh soup)
- woke up 3 times to go to the washroom (abit hungry and thirsty)
- Ven Chuan Guan's ang moh birthdae (friend's birthdae this week)
- Buddha's joyful day next week (hope little one will arrive that day)
- heavy downpour in the morning, & mum backache worsened (difficulty in squatting and had blisters after seeing TCM) so asked her to rest at home
- made organic spaghetti for lunch (received 5 calls with 10 'beep' sounds at reg intervals & called the svs provider to do call trace)
- received some new NB clothes from neighbour (so kind of them, expected No. 2 in Dec)
- we made jade noodles w cabbage,potatoes,tomato,fresh mushroom,chilli pepper for dinner (had a date before dinner)
- read a few pages of the 7th Realization and 8th Realization (from 'Sutra of the 8 Realizations of Great Beings' by Master Tsing Yun) before gg to bed early (darling had yoghurt & a date)
- gg to pack my clothes away and tidy the nursery (cleaned the dusty floor edges in bedroom, living room)
- darling packed dinner home for us (pa & ma came over)
- coordinated get-together for friends this Sunday
- went to buy groceries with pa (2% elderly + BYOB discounts = $0.75)
- darling read the few last pages of the Sutra before sleep
- woke up at 2.55am to go to the washroom (runny nose and feeling abit hungry)
- updated blog & expenses
- plan for day - mkt w mum@10.35am; key in suggestions in office PC@ 12nn; staff dept photo taking@ 12.55pm; lunch@ 1.15pm; check out bb planner package at gynae@ 4.30pm; gynae consultation@ 5pm)
- checkout the planned routes and the fares (dad gg TCM after lunch so mum can go office with me before lunch)
- met most of the colleagues and exchanged hellos (had to request for new VPN pwd and mum made a soy drink for me as I was hungry then at 1plus)
- napped on the way home (ma came shortly after I reached home)
- checked out the bb planner and prices (ma fell asleep while waiting)
- gynae said bb gained 0.275kg and weigh 2.75kg now (I gained 1.7kg= 49.1kg)
- darling bought dinner and rtn/renew NLB books (I made some tofu, potato, tomato bak ku teh soup)
Young Confucius Cultural Camp 2010
Help your kids to learn Chinese via our Young Confucius Cultural Camp
- a 2-day holiday programme in September 6 & 7 (Mon & Tues)
- integrated with fun and effective ways for children Chinese learning!
To register, kindly fax/email the completed registration form to: 6799-7859.
Please call 6514-1061 / 6514 1398 should you have any queries
Young Confucius Cultural Camp
- a 2-day holiday programme in September 6 & 7 (Mon & Tues)
- integrated with fun and effective ways for children Chinese learning!
To register, kindly fax/email the completed registration form to: 6799-7859.
Please call 6514-1061 / 6514 1398 should you have any queries
Young Confucius Cultural Camp
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hakka pronunciation of Chinese characters 正观
 Mandarin (hanyu pinyin) guān quàn guàn Hakka (phonetic) [Kwangtung] kwan1 kwon1 kon1 Cantonese (jyutping) gun1 gwun1 gun3 gwun3 Source: china language |
Eating for two during pregnancy– Myth or Fact
- when you are pregnant, you will need to eat a little more.
- more does not mean eating double the quantity of food, but you have to eat a little more during your meals or have a snack in between your meals to make up the extra calories.
- most women need an extra 200-300 calories, but this could vary depending on their activity level.
- you may speak to a dietitian, who will be able to guide you on the amount to eat.
- taking care of what you eat, will help you maintain a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy and prevent complications during pregnancy.
- most women gain between 10 and 12.5kg depending of their pre-pregnancy weight.
Quality vs Quantity
- source of the extra calories should come from nutritious food to help you meet the increased requirements for some vitamins and minerals.
- this does not mean that you need to change your diet.
- continue with your usual meals but if your diet is poor, it is important to speak with a dietitian, who can help you determine the areas you can improve on.
- the extra calories should be from nutrient-rich food, to provide you with the vitamins and minerals needed for the growth and development of the baby.
- it is alright to enjoy the occasional snack, so as long as it does not displace the other nutritious food in your diet.
- if possible, try to find alternatives to help you reduce your intake of high-calorie snacks.
pregnancy parenting article
- more does not mean eating double the quantity of food, but you have to eat a little more during your meals or have a snack in between your meals to make up the extra calories.
- most women need an extra 200-300 calories, but this could vary depending on their activity level.
- you may speak to a dietitian, who will be able to guide you on the amount to eat.
- taking care of what you eat, will help you maintain a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy and prevent complications during pregnancy.
- most women gain between 10 and 12.5kg depending of their pre-pregnancy weight.
Quality vs Quantity
- source of the extra calories should come from nutritious food to help you meet the increased requirements for some vitamins and minerals.
- this does not mean that you need to change your diet.
- continue with your usual meals but if your diet is poor, it is important to speak with a dietitian, who can help you determine the areas you can improve on.
- the extra calories should be from nutrient-rich food, to provide you with the vitamins and minerals needed for the growth and development of the baby.
- it is alright to enjoy the occasional snack, so as long as it does not displace the other nutritious food in your diet.
- if possible, try to find alternatives to help you reduce your intake of high-calorie snacks.
pregnancy parenting article
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Soups for expectant women or mums recovering from caesarean sections
- soups are warm, nurturing and easy to absorb
- for expectant women in their 1st or last trimester, for mums recovering from caesarean sections with difficuties digesting or nursing mums of fussy babies
- alternatively, you may get your vitamins and minerals via raw vegetables
- TCM recommends warm foods because of their effect on the spleen which transforms food into energy
- if baby seems more uncomfortable and active at night, try taking fuller breakfast, lunch and snacks, and have a hearty soup for dinner
- you may want to buy a hand blender or an immersion blender which blends hot soups and sauces in the pot
- when baby comes to weaning, you may need it to prepare puree small batches of food
- these soups can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen, and reheated to be used
- for expectant women in their 1st or last trimester, for mums recovering from caesarean sections with difficuties digesting or nursing mums of fussy babies
- alternatively, you may get your vitamins and minerals via raw vegetables
- TCM recommends warm foods because of their effect on the spleen which transforms food into energy
- if baby seems more uncomfortable and active at night, try taking fuller breakfast, lunch and snacks, and have a hearty soup for dinner
- you may want to buy a hand blender or an immersion blender which blends hot soups and sauces in the pot
- when baby comes to weaning, you may need it to prepare puree small batches of food
- these soups can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen, and reheated to be used
Learn How To Quickly Memorise Chinese Hanzi Characters
23 July 2010 (Fri) 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Confucius Institute (NTU) Auditorium
(NTU @ one-north Executive Centre, 11 Slim Barracks Rise, Buona Vista MRT)
Fees: $20 (Public) ; $15 (Members)
Registration ends 19 Jul 2010
Tel: 6514 1061/ 6514 1398
Fax: 6779 7859
Email: hssoh@ntu.edu.sg
Chinese Enrichment
Venue: Confucius Institute (NTU) Auditorium
(NTU @ one-north Executive Centre, 11 Slim Barracks Rise, Buona Vista MRT)
Fees: $20 (Public) ; $15 (Members)
Registration ends 19 Jul 2010
Tel: 6514 1061/ 6514 1398
Fax: 6779 7859
Email: hssoh@ntu.edu.sg
Chinese Enrichment
Cheer for our TEAM SINGAPORE Athletes from 14- 26 Aug 2010
Cheer for Team Singapore at our Cheerhubs and stand to win a Free Samsung Mobile!
Be there at the Tampines Cheerhub on 15 Aug 2010 from 6pm - 8pm and stand to win a free Samsung mobile.
Grab your complimentary cheer kit and show your support for our young TEAM SINGAPORE athletes as they aim to bring Olympic glory to the nation.
You get to enjoy the YOG action and free snacks at these SRCs - Clementi, Delta, Sengkang, Tampines and Woodlands.
Be there at the Tampines Cheerhub on 15 Aug 2010 from 6pm - 8pm and stand to win a free Samsung mobile.
Grab your complimentary cheer kit and show your support for our young TEAM SINGAPORE athletes as they aim to bring Olympic glory to the nation.
You get to enjoy the YOG action and free snacks at these SRCs - Clementi, Delta, Sengkang, Tampines and Woodlands.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
37th week of Pregnancy
9aug-15aug
- woke up twice to go to the washroom
- darling packed the nursery and bought dinner from Subway & food market (may be my last Sub meal before delivery)
- prepared a letter of appeal for hospital bills claim with darling after NDP telecast and fireworks
- felt frustrated as huge portion of the hospital bill has been deducted from my Medisave (Insurance co rejected my claim earlier in May)
- the balance has to be settled by cash/cheque from 2 hospitals amounting to ~$5.2k
- woke up at 1.10am and 5.50am to go to the washroom (not feeling urgent but felt warm and sticky)
- pa's hatchdae and little one falls in same mth and can celebrate & share a cake together in future
- gynae consultation next week as doc is out of town this week
- meeting hospital registrar (a rank below consultant, Dr Goh JJ who is A/Prof Ivan Ng's assistant) to seek doc opinion again and hopefully can get better view to support hospitalisation claim
- waited for >1.5hr and luckily mum had a pkt of oat biscuits as bb is hungry
- lunch at ard 2pm @Kopitiam and collected/waited for medicine/supplements (twice as I didn't want vitamin K earlier thinking it's for change of medication purposes), then went shopping at Somerset for groceries
- dad gg to TCM in the evening (mum left ard 4.45pm)
- we made pasta-cum-macrononi w potato, tomato, chye sin..& spring rolls..
- read abit and listened to 'fo qu' before sleep (felt very disheartened during discussion abt breastfeeding vs bottle feeding while on medication)
- decided we may not breastfeed to avoid passing the medication via the breastmilk to our NB
- woke up 1.40am and 7am to go to the washroom
- the weather is cool but i'm feeling warm and sticky (sneezed when windows & door ajar)
- aunt came by after her doc appt and left just before the heavy downpour (passed her some NDP vchr)
- mum cooked brocolli and potatoes-tomatoes for dinner
- pa called to have dinner tomorrow
- woke up twice to go to the washroom
- darling packed the nursery and bought dinner from Subway & food market (may be my last Sub meal before delivery)
- prepared a letter of appeal for hospital bills claim with darling after NDP telecast and fireworks
- felt frustrated as huge portion of the hospital bill has been deducted from my Medisave (Insurance co rejected my claim earlier in May)
- the balance has to be settled by cash/cheque from 2 hospitals amounting to ~$5.2k
- woke up at 1.10am and 5.50am to go to the washroom (not feeling urgent but felt warm and sticky)
- pa's hatchdae and little one falls in same mth and can celebrate & share a cake together in future
- gynae consultation next week as doc is out of town this week
- meeting hospital registrar (a rank below consultant, Dr Goh JJ who is A/Prof Ivan Ng's assistant) to seek doc opinion again and hopefully can get better view to support hospitalisation claim
- waited for >1.5hr and luckily mum had a pkt of oat biscuits as bb is hungry
- lunch at ard 2pm @Kopitiam and collected/waited for medicine/supplements (twice as I didn't want vitamin K earlier thinking it's for change of medication purposes), then went shopping at Somerset for groceries
- dad gg to TCM in the evening (mum left ard 4.45pm)
- we made pasta-cum-macrononi w potato, tomato, chye sin..& spring rolls..
- read abit and listened to 'fo qu' before sleep (felt very disheartened during discussion abt breastfeeding vs bottle feeding while on medication)
- decided we may not breastfeed to avoid passing the medication via the breastmilk to our NB
- woke up 1.40am and 7am to go to the washroom
- the weather is cool but i'm feeling warm and sticky (sneezed when windows & door ajar)
- aunt came by after her doc appt and left just before the heavy downpour (passed her some NDP vchr)
- mum cooked brocolli and potatoes-tomatoes for dinner
- pa called to have dinner tomorrow
Friday, August 13, 2010
Official Theme Song of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games
Everyone
Sang by: Tabitha Nauser (Asia), Steve Appleton (Europe), Jessica Mauboy (Oceania), Jody Williams (Africa), Sean Kingston (Americas)
Music & Lyrics by Ken Lim
Executive Producer: Ken Lim
Music Arranger: Adam Lee
Music Video Director: Melvin Mak
Sang by: Tabitha Nauser (Asia), Steve Appleton (Europe), Jessica Mauboy (Oceania), Jody Williams (Africa), Sean Kingston (Americas)
Music & Lyrics by Ken Lim
Executive Producer: Ken Lim
Music Arranger: Adam Lee
Music Video Director: Melvin Mak
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Simple Hakka Conversations
Useful Hakka phrases - A collection of useful phrases in Hakka. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.
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