39) HOMEMADE MASK FOR COMBINATION OR SENSITIVE SKIN

When I was a teenager, not only did I have oily skin, it was also very sensitive to over-the-counter skincare products and the sun.

38) HOMEMADE MASK AND SCRUB FOR DRY SKIN

Are you one of the lucky ones to have normal skin in your teens, twenties, thirties and well into your forties without using any skincare products? 

37) HOMEMADE MASK FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN

As a pre-teen, I started getting pimples. Most of the pimples resided on my forehead. They were small but very close together. When I  became a full fledged teenager, the pimples migrated on to my cheeks and chin. To add to my misery, acne became to form too. The hard lumps were an angry red, felt sore and tender to the touch. Whenever I go under the sun, the pimples become puss filled. It was a frustrating period in my life.

36b) HOW TO LOOK 10 POUNDS SLIMMER IN PHOTOGRAPHS

Do you catch yourself saying this to the photographer after taking your picture, 

"How? My photo come out nice or not? Aiyo, Not nice-lah! or I look fat-leh! Don't post in FB. Delete! Delete!"(Malaysian English)

36) HOMEMADE MASK AND SCRUB FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

Photocredit:StockFreeImage.com

Did you know that you can make your own face mask that only cost a fraction of what you pay to get one from the stores? The answer is, by using basic ingredients found in your home to make simple, hydrating masks and scrubs!

35) TIPS ON HOW TO USE BB CREAM.

BB cream (Photo credit: earthlydelights)

Now that you know what is BB cream, lets find out how to use it. If you haven't a clue, please read What is BB Cream?

34) WHAT IS BB CREAM?

Essance's BB Cream. (Photo credit: JAY ZHANG)

Blemish Balm Cream....That's what "BB cream" stands for.

33) HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 50

When women reach a certain age, changing their hair style is vital to stay fresh and stylish. Are you still keeping the same hair cut that you had when you were a teenager or when you were in your twenties?

32) MAKE UP TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 50

Did you know that once we hit the fifties, our skin will not only start to sag, it will  begin to shrink? Well, as we age, our lips will become thinner as lesser collagen is produced by our bodies. When that happens, you will have to kiss your Plum Shorbet or Maroon Delight lipsticks goodbye. 

31) THE SPICES OF LIFE-CORIANDER LEAVES AND SEEDS

English: Fresh Cilantro (Coriander) Deutsch: Verkaufsübliches Bund frischer Koriander (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Coriander or Chinese parsley is commonly found in Asian markets.  The leaves are apple green and delicate. The shape of the leaf is bi or tri-lobed. With a lightly fresh aroma, the leaves and stems can be eaten raw, add to salads, soups and stir-fried vegetables. I alway chop a handful and throw it into salads for that fresh minty flavor.

30) THE SPICES OF LIFE-TURMERIC

English: A variety of Turmeric Flower found in Maharashtra, India. Turmeric or "Indian Saffron" is one of the most commonly used spice in India -a key flavoring ingredient in any Indian cuisine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)e 

I was about 5 years old when my dad, a postmaster was transferred to the small town of  Batang Melaka. The whole family moved and stayed in a big colonial building that was built on pillars above the ground on top of a hilly slope. Well, we did not exactly occupy the whole building, since the main portion was the post office. The living quarters were at the rear section.  However, we had a huge open kitchen that was surrounded by a secondary forest. It may not be as huge now as it seemed then since anything will look bigger to a 5 year old. 

29) THE SPICES OF LIFE-CINNAMON

Leaves of Cinnamon, Pithoragarh, Himalayas, India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The smell of cinnamon can be described as sweet, spicy, aromatic with a tinge of mint flavor. Sometimes the flavor also reminds me of sweet vanilla.

28) THE SPICES OF LIFE-GINGER

THE SPICES OF LIFE-CORIANDER LEAVES AND SEEDS

English: Borman, A Red Ginger plant in Maui, Hawaii, April 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Candied Ginger

As a child, I used to eat ginger that was pickled or coated with malt and sugar. 

27) IS SEAWEED A HEALTH FOOD?

Kelp (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever eaten seaweed before? I must say that it is an acquired taste. The strong mineral, salty taste and sometimes fishy smell of the seaweed or the mossy green color can be a turnoff for some people. 

26) A SEA OTTER'S POEM

Did you know that the Sea Otter lives in the water twenty-four seven?  They even give birth in the water. Amazing but true.

For a change, today I would like to share this poem that I wrote about the Sea Otter. My inspiration came when I was drawing it.

25) IS IT HEALTHY TO VENT?

Anger is an emotion that can destroy. Have you ever felt anger so strong that you want to punch something or someone? Or do you keep the anger bottled up and numb yourself  to avoid the emotion? Or do you find an outlet to dissipate all the negative energy building inside of you? Another word is 'Venting.'

24) HOW LAUGHING IS HEALTHY

My Art Corner: Laughing Zebras

Did you know that animals are known to laugh, grin and show happiness, too? My dogs are always happy to see me when I bring them food.  They jump and lick and wag their tails joyfully.  Sometimes, they grin from ear to ear or put a front paw on my hand to show affection.  They follow me wherever I go and always sniffing around. They make me laugh with their funny antics and cute faces.

23) EMPTY NEST SYNDROME

A lonely swan

My two older kids are now studying in Universities.  We just sent the youngest off to college in May 2012.  Except for the company of my three dogs, a school of guppy fish and a fifty plus year old man who has put a ring on me for the last twenty-four years and still loves playing video games, my so called 'nest' is now empty.

22) ARE YOU ADDICTED TO JUNK FOOD?

English: Rack with Mexican-brand snack food at a convenience store near Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many mortals have been seduced by unhealthy foods. Like stepping into quicksand, finding it hard to pull oneself out of the trap. In fact, the harder we struggle, the deeper we sink. Finding a strong foothold seems impossible.  Is there no escape for the junk food junkie? 

21) HOW TO DETOX SAFELY.

Photos credit: StockFreeImages.com


We live in a modern world that provides us with multitude of ready to eat food that we can pick up from the frozen sections in hypermarkets, convenience store, your friendly neighborhood grocery shop and fast food drive-ins. Food can even be delivered piping hot directly to your doorstep. Just pick up the phone and dial a 1-300-xx-xxxx number. What about the tempting buffet spreads and all you can eat fare that major hotels in the cities beckons you to come and try?

20) THE HOWS, WHENS, WHERES AND WHYS OF COCONUT OIL?

English: Containers of coconut oil and flax oil (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Really, I can write a 100 page book on this topic alone.  For practical reasons, and as the title states, I will  keep it short, simple and informative.  So read on.

19) WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF VIRGIN COCONUT OIL?

Coconut Tree

Hmm....Where do I start?  The health benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil or in short VCO is long and impressive.  How long?  Lets put it this way. I can write a book or two about it. I am not going to do that.  Instead, I will try to give you dear readers a condensed version.  So here goes...

18) I LOST 5 KILOS IN 2 MONTHS

How did I lose that much weight and in such a short time? No, it is not by exercising until my butt hurts.  To find out more read on....

17) CONSTIPATION CAUSES AND REMEDIES

Constipation-Just a nice way to say, "You are full of crap!"

At some time or another we get constipated.  Constipation can be frustrating and painful. What happens when we constipate?

16) DOES BLACK RICE VINEGAR HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS?

Top: Black Vinegar & Palm Sugar. Bottom:Ginger

My mother used to make delicious pig trotter stew in black vinegar, palm sugar (gula melaka) with lots of ginger....and not any old ginger.  It has to be Bentong ginger.  Bentong is located in Bukit Tinggi which is also a popular hill resort.

15) LAVENDER, TEN NATURAL HEALTH BENEFITS

A lovely lavender field

Do you like the smell of lavender? If I am asked to describe it, I would say that the lilac colored scent has a refreshingly light note with a flowery bouquet.  An image of standing in a field of lavender blooms or a meadow with calming sound of a trickling brook comes to mind.

14) WHAT IS COLOR BLOCKING?

The current fashion reflects the bright and bold colors of spring.  Color blocking is now in trend.  Fashion aficionados are over the moon because they can have a fabulous time playing with colors for their clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.  Color blocking is about having fun with what you wear when you go out.

13) ARE HANDBAGS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Stingray Leather Bag

Alligator Leather Bag

Handbags are accessories that a full blooded woman can't live without.

12) CAN A WOMAN HAVE ENOUGH SHOES?

Besides art, I have a passion for shoes.  I would practically buy at least two pairs of shoes every month.  If I have kept all the shoes from the beginning of my shoe love affair until today,  the estimated total figure can be around 300 pairs. I kid you not. An Imelda Marcos wannabe? Perhaps....

11) MY PET POOCH IS UNDER TICK ATTACK!

Poor Tyson is infested with ticks.  It was so bad that his body felt lumpy and he started losing his appetite.