Foot Creams Review: Dry Skin & Cracked Heels

How are your feet doing? Mine have already become rough, tough, and full of character, with lines and wrinkles forming a natural pattern. Honestly, I don't mind the wrinkling - people rarely notice my feet. Well, maybe they do when I’m conducting yoga sessions, but even then, I embrace the lines and wrinkles. What I do struggle with, though, is the rough, dry skin. At times, I can feel the skin flaking under my fingers. Being an urban gardener and taking care of household chores that involve frequent contact with water makes this almost inevitable.

The real concern for me is if the dry, flaky skin will start peeling and expose raw skin underneath  -  thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet. For some, dry feet can lead to cracked heels, which can be quite painful. Once the cracks deepen, they can bleed, making every step excruciating. Luckily, this hasn’t been my issue, but I’m always mindful of it.

Semperit Cookies Recipe: Biskut Dahlia

Whether baked as long stripes or shaped like Dahlia flowers, these are yellow golden custard cookies that melt in the mouth. Some call them Kuih Semperit or Kuih Dahlia. They are Malay heritage traditional cookies (PINEAPPLE TARTS). 

The crumbly texture comes from corn flour and custard flour. Visually appealing and a delight to eat. Still popular for Hari Raya festive seasons, along with other Malay cookies.

 

The difference in making these custard cookies lies in the mould. Use either the stringent like metal long mould or a flower-shaped cookie cutter. Otherwise, the ingredients are the same (BUTTER COOKIES).

Singapore Laksa

Coconut milk, homemade spice paste, fish stock, and fish pieces, all lifted by the aroma of Vietnamese coriander (daun kesum). This is the vibrant, absolutely delicious laksa.

Is there much difference between Malaysian Laksa and Singapore Laksa? Not really. Some ingredients are the same, while others vary slightly. This laksa is also a blend of Asam Laksa and Curry Laksa.

 

The recipe is simple, with no lengthy ingredients list. It’s all about convenient home cooking. Unlike hawker stalls, food courts, or restaurants, it can be easily replicated at home -affordable, straightforward, and fuss-free (PRAWN MEE).

Cempedak Goreng Recipe

Crunchy outer batter coating, and soft, yellow-orange cempedak fruit inside. For Malaysians, or even those in Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, cempedak needs no introduction. But for the rest of the world? Cempedak is a tropical fruit, similar to jackfruit, and can be eaten fresh. It’s especially delicious when fried as a snack or sweet dessert (KUIH KASWI RECIPE). 

Cleaning cempedak can be messy due to its sticky sap, like jackfruit. Sometimes it’s easiest to buy from fruit traders who have already prepared the fruit.

Wardah UV Shield Essential Gel Sunscreen

How many of you actively defend your skin against the sun? It's crucial to acknowledge that indoor lighting, as well as the light from laptops and smartphones, emits rays that can harm your skin. Today, I want to focus specifically on facial skin.

Neglecting to shield your skin from sun exposure and indoor light sources can lead to several adverse consequences:

Accelerated Skin Aging
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancers
UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, raising the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Skin Inflammation
The blue light emitted from electronic devices is linked to various skin issues, potentially causing inflammation and contributing to conditions like acne and pigmentation disorders.

Nyonya Lam Mee

Thick, gooey gravy made from egg, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and prawn gravy clings to yellow noodles, seafood and Chinese broccoli (kailan), served with sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste dip). This is what makes Nyonya Lam Mee a beloved Malaysian Nyonya-style noodle dish and a traditional homemade noodle recipe.

Bursting with flavor, this noodle dish instantly awakens your taste buds. While it may sound like a complicated recipe, it’s actually simple: the prawn stock (PRAWN FRIED MEE) and the rest are common Chinese ingredients.

Climate Change and Mental Health: A Call to Action

Author

Ms. Krishnan N, a Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at the age of 58. With 22 years of experience as a lecturer, including 13 years in the Curtin University of Technology Perth, Australia Degree Twinning Program, she is now a certified yoga instructor, coach, and counselor. Her vast expertise enriches her current work, where she blends wellness practices with personal development. She is also the urban gardener of Nava's Zen, passionately incorporating sustainable living principles into her holistic lifestyle and business approach.

Abstract
This article explores the multifaceted impacts of climate change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual actions, leadership accountability, and mental health repercussions. It highlights the significant role of food choices in exacerbating climate issues, particularly the wastefulness associated with leftover consumption and the environmental toll of processed foods and single-use plastics. Additionally, the article scrutinizes the effectiveness of leaders and politicians in promoting sustainable practices, questioning their commitment amidst lavish lifestyles that contradict their public advocacy.

Indian Masala Chicken Curry

Not your usual Indian chicken curry, this is Masala Chicken Curry. It uses a homemade masala paste and a mix of spices for a thick, tasty curry with tender chicken. Potatoes are included in the curry for extra substance.

Spices are the backbone of Indian cooking, and in this curry, they bring depth, aroma, and authentic flavor. The recipe starts with making the masala paste. For natural thickness and creaminess, cashew nuts are added. The rest uses common kitchen staples and a straightforward cooking method (CHICKEN RENDANG).

Vegetarian Curry Mee Recipe

Whether it’s called curry mee or curry laksa, this Malaysian favourite is a comforting bowl of noodles drenched in thick, coconut milk–based curry. The name depends on where you are, in Penang and northern Malaysia, it’s curry mee, while in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and the south, it’s known as curry laksa. Either way, both names refer to the same delicious dish (SIAMESE LAKSA LEMAK).

Curry mee ranges from pork broth to seafood or chicken-based versions, each with its own choice of toppings. For a vegetarian version (VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK), the broth or stock is key. It lifts the flavours and prevents the curry from tasting flat. You can keep it simple with common kitchen staples and store-bought ingredients, or make your own curry paste by blending fresh ingredients.

Butter Cookies Recipe: Eggless

Crumbly, buttery, and with a gentle milky flavor, these cookies carry the irresistible aroma of vanilla. An eggless version, and vegetarian cookies too. Unlike other types of butter cookies, these vanilla butter cookies stand out for their pale milky hue and incredibly soft texture (CHOCOLATE COOKIES EGGLESS). 

One bite, and they melt effortlessly in the mouth.

 

This is also an easy butter cookies recipe. What’s the secret to their crumbly, crunchy yet soft bite? Corn flour. The dough will be sticky, which is why it needs to be set in the fridge. The result? Absolutely one of the best homemade cookies (PEANUT COOKIES).