Whyzee - The Perfect Cake Choice

Sponsored Review
[Joey's post]

The time has finally come to review the amazing Whyzee MSW DurianCake! When news first came about this special review, we were beyond excited for it to come. Our entire family loves durian and welcomes anything from real durian to durian flavoured food!

When the cake finally arrived, we were already amazed at the design on the cake, even before the tasting of the cake itself.

There was an abundance of fresh cream on top, making it look very soft and pretty as well. Don’t you think it really looks like a real durian too? Even before the taste test, the presentation of the cake had already won us over!

Now, moving on to the actual taste test! Our mouths watered when we first saw the inside of the cake at the first slice. It smelled exactly like durian too and that is because there is actual durian inside!

One of the many layers in this Mao Shang Wang durian cake, is a puree made of pure durian flesh. It definitely brought the entire cake to another level! The sponge cake itself was very airy and definitely balanced off the heavy creams on top and the thick puree. And even the frosting that decorated the cake was had durian incorporated into it!

It definitely is one of the best cakes I’ve eaten in a while! The whole family loved it and devoured it in a couple of days. Dessert is always the best course of the meal.

Overall, we absolutely loved this Mao Shang Wang Durian cake to bits, and we are very thankful to Whyzee for sending this over! This cake is definitely our go-to cake during birthdays now!

Here are some reasons for choosing Whyzee:
1. Same day delivery with no minimum order required.
2. To better it, Whyzee provides 1-hour express birthday cake delivery. Now you don't have to worry about celebrating your loved one's birthday without a cake in time.
3. Extremely affordable prices from $30 onwards, and more than 50 different cake selections to choose from.

AND here is just one more awesome reason for choosing Whyzee!
Quote ISAIAH10 when you place your order and enjoy a 10% off on all orders!
(discount is valid till 31 Oct 2020)

FavFlorist - The New Way to Brighten Up A Home

Sponsored Review

[Joey's post]

A week or two ago, a package arrived on our doorstep from FavFlorist. To our great delight, there was a beautiful flower dome in it! At first glance, we were already incredibly intrigued at the packaging that we were all clamouring to open it.

Once we opened the box, we were incredibly amazed at the beautiful design and intricate details. It was clear that there was a lot of care and thought put into it. The name of the flower dome is Peter Pan Preserved Flower Dome, and it definitely lived up to its name!

The placings of the flowers and the beautiful leaves wrapped around the centre of the whole piece. In the centre sat a beautiful dandelion, perfectly preserved! As I said earlier, it definitely lived up to its name, as it looked as if someone had trapped a part of a fairy tale in this dome.
It was the prettiest thing we have ever seen!

The flowers and plants in the dome were all very well preserved and we all marvelled at how some of the plants were able to stand up straight without falling, we definitely loved the entire concept of a flower dome!

Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, we found out that it could light up! Thus, we all scrambled up to the room to test it out in a dark room. All we could do was to stare at it in awe, it looked so magical!

With the fairy lights inside, we could see every aspect of the flower dome way more clearly and it seemed to glow from afar!

The flower dome has definitely given us a new perspective to preserved flowers and plants. Thank You FavFlorist for sending us this!

Check out FavFlorist for more items!
Each bouquet is passionately handmade with love. Free delivery, farm fresh flowers and most importantly affordable prices.
And yes, if you are rushing to send something today, they provide free same day flower delivery for all orders too!

新年来咯! CNY Goodies!

The most exciting festive is just round the corner! Chinese New Year is my personal favorite festive of all times!

Not only are we able to gather as a family and enjoy some time of catching up, getting Angpows for the younger ones, giving love to one another, and one main thing of CNY is the chance to eat all the delicious CNY Goodies!

As the years passed, CNY goodies are getting more and more popular and thus, many of the products out there are done as mass productions (factory production). Thus every year, we are just looking around and asking friends if they have any recommendations for homemade CNY goodies.

If you also one of them, look no further! Let me introduce to you the homemade CNY goodies that is available online!
Yes! You can get homemade CNY goodies without going all the way to your Malaysia relative’s place or some friend’s Auntie’s daughter’s home. All you need is a few clicks on your laptop or even mobile phones, and you will have your favorite goodies sent to you within days!

www.cnydelivery.com

This online platform is exclusively selling homemade CNY goodies from bakers established in 1971, Poon Confectionary.

With a wide range of selection, you will surely be able to find your usual favorites and some new flavors to add on to your CNY display when relatives and friends come over in the coming weeks.

And for this CNY, a personal note – stop counting that calories and just enjoy the goodies!
Because they are worth it!

 

For a full list of what is available, just click on the link and browse on.
www.cnydelivery.com

From the Kuan Family, we wish all our readers a Prosperous and Happy Chinese New Year!!

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Just to top it off, we are giving away 1 Golden Pillow Pineapple Tarts each to 3 winners in total.
Just follow the following steps to win a delicious CNY goodie for you and your family!

The giveaway will run from today till 20 Jan 2019 (Sunday), 10pm. All the best!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zimmer Review - Z Lipo & Z Wave

Sponsored Review

What is one worry for most men over 40? A growing belly tummy or what my wife jokingly would say, “Male pregnancy”.

Strictly speaking, I am not overweight nor am I considered to be fat, in fact most of my friends would call me slim or skinny. But that is the problem..
How can a seemingly slim man hide his budging belly tummy?

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In comes the new revolution of skin tightening and body contouring – Zimmer ZLipo & Zimmer ZWave.
Zimmer is here to help with the latest 2nd generation of Cryo-lipolysis German Engineered Technology; the power combination of Z Lipo and Z Wave Pro (Cryolipolysis & Shockwave).

What is Z Lipo & Z Wave?Z Lipo targets fat deposits and chills them in a controlled manner over a prolonged period, leading to the destruction of the fat cells. Dead fat cells will be naturally removed through the lymphatic system, emphasizing on the reduction of fat deposits with cold. This treatment is safe, gentle and great for treating every body areas optimally. The use of pulsating suction increases the positive effect on lymphatic drainage and metabolism.

Z Wave uses radical shockwaves to tighten one's skin, cellulite and general connective tissue. It helps improve skin firmness, elasticity and collagen regeneration on the abdomen, upper arm and cellulite on the legs and buttocks. With the use of Radial Pulse Therapy, it delivers comfortable pulses consistently, replacing the need for manual painful vigorous massage in many cryogenic lipolysis protocols.

Together they form a power fat reduction treatment to effectively reduce fat depots permanently.

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Still remember my belly tummy problem?

 

So I went to one of the clinics that provide the treatment, the doctor and nurses went through with me the procedures (which is about an hour), basically ensuring me that it is a painfree process, I will feel slightly uncomfortable in the beginning during the suction of the applicators, and after the treatment, there is virtually no side effects. There may be some redness or slight tenderness of the treated area in the days following treatment (a bit like muscle soreness after exercising).

 

As you can see, the 2 applicators were applied to my targeted belly tummy areas, one left and one right. Extra precaution was also taken to avoid damage to the skin, a special gelpad was placed on the treatment area during the treatment. It was like a cold pad over my tummy.

 

Lights off, and I was just resting and checking my social media for the next hour.

The first 5mins was a gentle suction (pulsating) massage on the treated area. Then for 50mins the applicators stay still with increasing suction (the intensity can be set to one of ten different levels, adjustable during treatment) over the treatment area to “chill”out the fat cells. Finally the last 5mins was another round of suction massage over the tummy area as it finishes the entire 60mins process.

This is how the treated area looked like after the 60mins treatment. You can obviously see the fat portion that was under the suction treatment. This process is the Cryo-Lipolysis by Zimmer ZLipo.

As recommended by Dr. Larry (the man on the left), and according to studies shown in 2013, shockwave treatment directly after Cyro-Lipolysis by Zimmer ZLipo and subsequently shockwave treatments once a week for four weeks can almost double the treatment effects with regard to fat reduction. Results are likely to be visible within 8 weeks!

Using radical shockwaves for skin tightening, cellulite and general connective tissue tightening, the Z Wave helps to improve skin firmness, elasticity and collagen regeneration on the treatment area.

The shockwave part can have a bit of discomfort or pain as the treatment area is still tender from the Cyro-Lipolysis. But what do they say? No pain no gain.

 

After 2 weeks, the result on the tummy is not obvious yet, but to my touch, I can feel that the area is no as “firm” as before. Which means, the fat cells are slowly breaking down and naturally removed through the lymphatic system. A constant reminder is to drink more water during this period to assist the process.

I’m definitely looking forward to the end results in 8 weeks time!

 

Just a word of thanks to Dr. Larry and his team. They have totally shown professionalism throughout the entire process. Constantly checking on me to see if I am feeling okay. Sharing with me experiences to make me understand better and feel more secure. What was really surprising was, on the following day after the treatment Dr. Larry sent a personal text message to check on me and how I feel. That was indeed a nice personal touch from someone who is not only purely interested to earn money but truly concern for his patient’s well being. Well done to the team!

[Giveaway] Wild Barley

Product Review

Eating healthy is no longer just a culture outside of home.

Wild Barley Singapore provides a whole range of healthy, organic, and natural food, free from chemicals and artificial additives and preservatives. Conveniently, at a click’s away.

To live well, you have to eat healthy and well. In the wisdom of ages, good health is not the absence of disease, but the daily healthy lifestyle, and healthy mental attitude.

The team at Wild Barley is founded with a simple mission in mind; to source and provide the community with healthier choices to everyday foods. Even comfort food items like pasta sauces, juices, ice cream, snacks etc, are carefully sourced from all over the world. The team at Wild Barley guarantees that they will personally conduct a taste test before putting any of their products on the shelves.

A personalised basket of goodies from the nice people of Wild Barley.

Diferente Aromatic Sparkling Cuvee
This is an alcohol-free premium drink. A great tasting extra-dry cuvee, reminiscent of fresh applesauce, ripe pear and crust aromas, perfect when tasted with sweet and salted dishes, either alone or mixed in a fruity aperitif.
Best served in a large tumbler filled with ice cubes and a few mint leaves, and a whole group of friends!http://www.zeroalcoholdrinks.com/

Natipuri Apricot Juice
40% apricot juice. With apple juice from concentrate, water, lemon juice from concentrate. Organic ingredients. Certified Bio

Ki Mixed Berries Jam
65% berries in varying proportions (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants). With concentrated apple puree, concentrated apple juice. Organic ingredients. Certified Bio

Cello Whisps Parmesan Cheese Crisps
A pure cheese snack made by Cello, an artisan cheesemaker themselves. The unforgettable flavor comes from their very own Wisconsin cheeses. Each wheel is aged and individually selected at the peak of its flavor to make the Whisps Crisps.
http://www.cellowhisps.com/

Wild Barley Dried Lotus Seed
In house brand of dried lotus seeds. Made with 100% natural, dried lotus seeds with no artificial flavorings and preservatives. Nuts are sourced from Vietnam.
Warning! These are super addictive! I can’t stop munching on these nuts once I have started. I personally recommend eating this with some of the sparkling cuvee. Nice!

Three Twins Bittersweet Chocolate & Three Twins Lemon Cookie
Bittersweet Chocolate has an abundance of organic cocoa, which makes it darker than most chocolate ice creams, and it also adds an incredibly rich flavor and texture.
All the ice cream flavors are made with combined organic ingredients, milk and cream with sugar and eggs to make the ice cream base.
http://www.threetwinsicecream.com/

Liquid Gold
100% natural honeycomb straight from the beehive unprocessed. Giving you all the pure goodness as nature created it.

3-Elephants Thai Organic 3 Color Brown Rice
100% whole kernel Thai organic mixed brown rice. Free from chemical fertilizers, free from chemical pesticides and herbicides. Free from additives, coloring and preservatives. No soaking required when cooking.
My children has been eating brown rice for a few years now, so they are not unfamiliar with it. But this 3 color brown rice (Black Rice + Brown Rice + Hom Mali brown rice) is slightly different from the ones we usually buy from the supermarket. Harder in texture but taste great. Since I am a lover of “hard-texture” rice, this suits me perfectly. But the girls, we added a small portion of white rice to soften the bite.
Did you know? Black rice has lower calories and a better source of fibre compared to brown rice?

Ki Shelled & Roasted Hazelnuts
High fibre, contains at least 6g / 100g of fibres or at least 3g / 100kcal of fibres.

Sign up as a member of Wild Barley (membership is free), and enjoy a 10% voucher (redeemable through Promo Code). And as members, you will also get to enjoy discounts or free delivery through Promo Codes which Wild Barley will send out to members monthly.

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away 3 hampers (worth $70 each) to 3 winners!
Follow the instructions below and stand a chance to win some of the mentioned goodies for your family.
The giveaway will run from today till 23 Feb 2017, 10pm. All the best!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LUNA Sandals [Review]

Sponsored Review

Running has now become a passionate exercise for me. As such, besides registering for various races in this past one year, I have been actively looking at all the different gears or equipment related to running. And one of those gears is this pair of running sandals – LUNA Mono.

Thanks to RUNMiNiMAL.com, I was able to have in my hands this pair of unique Luna Sandals.

Revolution is afoot. Run like a Human.

The Mono [Moh-No] (means Monkey in Spanish) is the do everything, go everywhere adventure sandal. When you think of hiking, traveling, lounging, camping, running, spelunking, or anything else-ing, this is the go-to-footwear.
The Mono quickly molds to your foot with wear and becomes “your” sandal.

The Mono is made up of super light, moldable Vibram® USA sole made in Massachusetts combined with the non-slip MGT (Monkey Grip Technology) footbed. The protective, lightweight sole allows for a wide range of uses from casual wear to trail running, while the overall thickness means the ankle holes can be countersunk to reduce wear on the laces.

Luna Mono Specs
Weight: 4.6 oz (single sandal)
Thickness: 12mm

So after receiving my Mono, I wore it out for a leisure trial run of about 11km. Stopped a few times just to re-adjust the laces so that I can get the best fit and run.
It was an overall smooth run, I didn’t have any abrasion on my foot after the run. Though I did have a few blisters on the toe, probably due to the friction, but this is all part and parcel of running in new gears.

So why run “barefoot”? What are the benefits? Is the support good enough? Will there be greater impact on the legs when running? Isn’t it more dangerous to run with sandals?

For the majority of human history, we have been running without cushioning. The invention of running shoes (sneakers) was a relative new idea as compared. Hence, some say this is an invention or modern product created to solve a problem that never existed.

Research is starting to show that heavy over-padded footwear may actually help to contribute to shin splints, knee injuries, and back problems. And Luna Sandals offer a lightweight and minimalist alternative to running shoes.

The Barefoot Movement has been around for more than 5 years now. People all around the world are re-discovering the benefits of running with minimal footwear or none at all.

So with the Mono, it enables the runner to effectively feel the ground when running, and this in turn strengthens and toughens up the foot. Without the extra padding, we are able to run more naturally, and learn to strike the ground with the ball of our foot and not the heels.

Comfort is achieved mainly due to the straps on the sandals. The straps are the highest quality of any sandals I have worn before. They are thick where it will provide stability on the top of the foot and thin for comfort near the toe area.

The rubbery material around the heel strap and under the top strap provides that additional secure feeling when running in it. And also it prevents unnecessary pressure or rubbing causing abrasion.

Recently, I wore the sandals for a 10km run around Kranji Farm area. The terrain was not as easy as the usual roads in the city, much more stones, sands, gravels, and dust. But the experience was great! I had a good run, no injuries, and I have learnt a few more things about my own running style and habits.

  And most surprisingly, I actually broke my PB in a 10km race, with the LUNA Mono sandals. Woohoo!

   

 

What do I think of the Luna Mono sandal?
1. It is incredibly light weight. It almost feels like I am not wearing anything.
2. Easy to pack and bring along in any bag. Hardly takes up any space in my backpack. And if I run in the sandals, I don’t need to bring along a separate pair of slippers to change out after the race. Convenient.
3. Good support and the strap system doesn’t slips off.
4. Great in wet terrain and suitable for all water sports like kayaking, rafting, trekking, etc.
5. No smell like wearing shoes. No worries of my girls complaining every time I take off my running shoes after a race.

Any product, no matter how good or effective it is, it can never be perfect.
And here are some of the disadvantages of the Mono.
1. Risk of strap break during a race, and that would mean slowing down or worst case, to end the race. Unless you are so determine and continue on the real barefoot way.
2. I realized (maybe just me), I cannot run fast in sandals. Probably I am still new to this style of running.
3. Due to the fact that it is a sandal, there is no covering and will not provide warm in colder weather.
4. With the same reason as the above, there is a certain risk of stepping on sharp objects when running.

Final verdict:
I think I will be using this pair of sandals quite frequently, for my endurance runs and definitely for my travels where it can be a great wear on all terrains. Am I ready to use it for Half Marathons or Full Marathon? Not yet, but I won’t say no.