Apple Cider Vinegar for Blood Sugar

One of the things I've started doing recently to help regulate my blood sugar is drinking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with water after dinner. Sometimes I add a tablespoon of organic lemon juice to make it more palatable.

Some studies suggest that taking diluted ACV after a meal may help reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates and improving insulin sensitivity. ACV is also rich in acetic acid, which may support digestion, increase feelings of fullness, and help reduce unnecessary snacking. Some people also take it for its potential benefits in supporting weight management, gut health, and cholesterol levels, although more research is still needed in these areas.

That said, even good things should be taken in moderation.

I know of a few friends who drank almost half a cup of ACV and ended up vomiting and suffering severe stomach discomfort, requiring medication. Another friend experienced enamel erosion from drinking too much ACV over time.

Because ACV is highly acidic, caution and care should always be exercised. I personally take no more than one tablespoon, diluted in about 150ml of water, and occasionally add a tablespoon of lemon juice for taste. Drinking it diluted and in moderation is key. If possible, drink it through a straw and rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards to help protect your teeth.

I got my organic ACV here -https://s.shopee.com.my/1Vx7nvSW72

and the organic lemon juice here - https://s.shopee.com.my/40eSmfbht6

I Don’t Eat Much Sugar—So Why Is My HbA1c Still High?

One thing I’ve learned recently is that a rising HbA1c isn’t always caused by eating too many sweets.

As women enter perimenopause, hormonal changes can make our bodies more insulin resistant. Add in poor sleep, stress, gradual loss of muscle mass, and the natural aging process, and blood sugar levels can start creeping up—even without cakes, desserts, or sugary drinks.

Estrogen plays an important role in how the body responds to insulin. It helps regulate insulin sensitivity, which allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into the cells. As estrogen levels fluctuate and gradually decline, insulin sensitivity can decrease, increasing the risk of higher blood sugar and insulin resistance over time.

That’s been my experience too. My HbA1c has been hovering around 6.0 despite not really indulging in sweet foods.

That realization is one of the reasons I started strength training with my mum, and why I intend to continue for as long as I can. At this stage of life, building and maintaining muscle feels increasingly important. Muscle tissue plays a key role in glucose uptake and can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance.

I’ve also been paying closer attention to my HbA1c and making small, consistent changes to my diet and lifestyle. I’ve spoken to several doctors—some advised focusing on lifestyle adjustments before medication, while my gynae did suggest Metformin given my PCOS, which is closely linked to insulin resistance.

What I’m learning is that health isn’t determined by sugar alone. Sleep, hormones, stress levels, physical activity, muscle mass, and overall diet all play important roles.

For those of us navigating perimenopause, I think it helps to be a little kinder to ourselves. Not every change in our body is due to “bad habits.” Sometimes our bodies are simply evolving, and we need to adapt with them rather than fight against them.

By “adapt,” I mean making more mindful food choices, incorporating strength training and movement, prioritising good quality sleep, and managing stress where we can.

One small step at a time 🫶💪

Trying to Lower My HbA1c Without Feeling Deprived

Last Tuesday, Dad wanted to go to the pasar malam to buy some black sesame candies. When we arrived at the usual site, however, there wasn't a single stall in sight. We initially thought it was because of the drizzle, but I later found out that the pasar malam had actually moved further in.

Since our pasar malam dinner plans were foiled, we headed to our usual kopitiam instead. Dad ordered a wat tan fried meehoon, Mum had bitter gourd pork noodles, and I chose an egg tosai with onions and a side of stir-fried cabbage. 

As I don't usually eat heavy dinners, I only ate half the tosai and packed the other half home for breakfast the next day.

These days, I'm making a conscious effort to bring my HbA1c down to at least 5.5. That means trying my best to eliminate ultra-processed foods, minimise sugary foods and fruits, and avoid rice and noodles whenever possible.

Of course, tosai is still a carbohydrate food as it's made from fermented rice batter, so it can raise blood sugar levels. However, pairing carbohydrates with fibre, protein and healthy fats can help slow down the absorption of glucose and reduce sharp blood sugar spikes. That's why I always try to include vegetables and protein whenever I eat carbs.

I'm not aiming for perfection—just making better choices, one meal at a time. Small, consistent changes may not seem like much, but over time they can make a meaningful difference to our health. 

The Unexpected Adventures of Motherhood Never End

Last night was another bad sleep night for me.

At 3am, I was woken by my phone beeping with a WhatsApp message from my youngest daughter. She informed me that she had transferred RM1k+ into my bank account. It was her very first online banking transaction after turning 18 two months ago and only recently applying for online banking access.

I immediately checked my account because I had a feeling she might have done something wrongly. My instinct was right — the money wasn't there.

So there I was at 3am, wide awake, exchanging messages with her and trying to figure out what had happened. After that, I simply couldn't fall back asleep. This morning, I woke up with a terrible headache.

I checked my bank account. Nothing.

I checked my TNG account. Nothing.

Then I checked my Boost e-wallet and voilà! The money was sitting there.

Apparently, she had used DuitNow without entering a bank account number, and the money ended up in my Boost account instead. Thankfully, I was able to transfer it back to my bank account, as I no longer use Boost. After that, I gave her a quick lesson on how to do a proper bank transfer.

Despite the headache, Mum and I still went for our PT strength training session. We had a good workout, enjoyed ourselves, and then went hunting for food afterwards.

After getting home, I had a shower, took a nap, and now I'm feeling rejuvenated again.

Tonight, I'll be heading to bed early because tomorrow morning brings another strength training session with mum, this time at the group ST for seniors 💪

You can watch the video of our strength training at the gym here.

My New Favourite Superfood Drink: Raw Cacao + Beetroot

My latest healthy beverage obsession is simple: raw cacao powder mixed with organic beetroot powder.

I started making this drink for breakfast recently and have been enjoying both the taste and the health benefits. The earthy sweetness of beetroot pairs surprisingly well with the rich chocolatey flavour of raw cacao.

Why this combination?

Raw cacao is naturally rich in antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and plant compounds called flavonoids. These nutrients may help support heart health, blood circulation, brain function, and mood.

Beetroot contains natural nitrates that the body converts into nitric oxide, which helps relax and widen blood vessels. This may support healthy blood flow, exercise performance, and cardiovascular health.

Together, this cacao-beetroot combination provides a nutrient-rich drink packed with antioxidants and compounds that may support energy levels, circulation, and overall wellbeing.

I simply mix the powders with lukewarm water and enjoy it as part of my breakfast routine. No sugar needed. The natural flavours are delicious on their own.

You can also try beetroot latte (coffee with beetroot powder + milk) or beet mocha (coffee + cocoa powder + beetroot powder + milk). I also drink my beetroot powder with apple cider vinegar + honey.

Happy trying! 😁

For anyone who’s interested, I got my raw cacao powder and organic beetroot powder from here:

Raw cacao powder -https://s.shopee.com.my/20tD26TMFT

Organic beetroot powder - https://s.shopee.com.my/5AqEnld0fp

The Long Nights of Motherhood, Perimenopause and Memories

I've been battling insomnia for the past one to two years. Darn perimenopause.

No matter how exhausted or sleepy I feel at night, falling asleep is still a challenge. Deep sleep is now elusive. And when I finally do drift off, I inevitably wake up sometime between 1am and 4am to pee. After that, I'm suddenly wide awake. Then comes the temptation to check my phone to see if any of my daughters have messaged me.

If I'm lucky, I manage to fall back asleep for another hour before my fur baby decides it's time for breakfast at 4.30 or 5.30am.

The result? I spend my days feeling like a zombie—headaches, low blood pressure, dizziness, and sometimes a stiff neck and aching shoulders. For the past couple of years, this has been my reality.

I can't wait to be fully menopausal, though knowing my luck, post-menopausal problems may simply become my new companion.

Still, no matter how miserable these sleepless nights feel, they pale in comparison to the long, cold nights I spent at Gleneagles Penang in May 2009.

More than 17 years ago, Cass, my live-in helper and I were practically living in the hospital for three weeks. Cass had undergone major surgery to correct Grade 3 kidney reflux, but complications arose and she had to be rushed into a second emergency surgery.

Those were some of the hardest weeks of my life.

Cass was only 13 months old. She was constantly in pain, frightened, cranky and clingy. Tubes seemed to be everywhere—drains, IV lines and an NG tube running through her tiny nostril. I watched her constantly, terrified she would pull out the tubes and make her suffering even worse.

Unfortunately, one day she did pull out the NG tube.

The nurses had to insert it again without local or general anaesthesia. The shock and distress on her little face is something I can still remember vividly today. No words can describe how broken my heart felt watching that procedure on my baby.

At night, I would sometimes climb into her tiny hospital cot, contorting my body into impossible positions just so I could hold her hands and stop her from tugging at the tubes while she slept.

On other nights, she would sleep on my hospital bed. Despite being only a toddler, she somehow managed to occupy the entire mattress, leaving me with no space except the foot of the bed, where I rested my head and tried to get whatever sleep I could.

By the end of those three weeks, I was severely sleep deprived. I fell sick during the stay in the hospital and needed antibiotics, and suffered from constant neck and shoulder pain.

But that's motherhood.

No motherhood journey is smooth sailing. We stumble through sleepless nights, hospital stays, worries, sacrifices, and countless moments when our hearts break a little for our children.

Today, Cass is 18. Her two sisters are adults too.

Sometimes, as I lie awake in the middle of the night, I remind myself that these perimenopause-induced sleepless nights are temporary. The difficult years of motherhood have already passed.

And if all goes according to plan, I have just four more years before  my two younger girls graduate from university and are fully launched into adulthood.

Then perhaps, after decades of interrupted sleep, worrying, caregiving and mothering, I might finally get a little taste of freedom.

 

Rain May Stop My Walks, But Not My Workouts

It's been raining every single day in Ipoh for the past week, thwarting my plans for my usual evening brisk walks.

Mum and I now attend strength training classes at the gym three times a week. In the evenings, I try to do at least 30–40 minutes of brisk walking around my neighbourhood. Walking or jogging beside hills, trees, and greenery has always been medicine for my body and soul, ever since I was a child.

Since the rain has been keeping me indoors every evening, I've been adapting by spending at least 30 minutes working out or dancing in front of my laptop instead.

One of my favourite YouTube channels for free workout videos is Fabulous50s. The creator is an Aussie lady in her 50s, and her workouts are easy to follow without being overly intense. If you're looking to lose some weight, improve your fitness, or simply move more, her videos are a great place to start.

The good thing about exercise is that it doesn't have to be complicated. You can work out in the comfort of your own room, wearing your pyjamas and socks if you like, like yours truly.

But if you enjoy using gym equipment and don't mind spending a little, the gym can be a great option too.

The important thing is to keep moving, rain or shine.

Here's a video of Mum and me at the gym today. 💪❤️ 

Strength Training at 53, With My 80yo Mum

My 80-year-old mum has suffered multiple falls over the years, resulting in broken wrists, a fractured shoulder, head injuries, and even broken teeth. At her age, she simply cannot afford another serious fall.

Like many seniors, she struggles with low muscle mass, weak hands and legs, fragile bones, and chronic aches and pains. But doing nothing is not the answer. In fact, inactivity would only accelerate the decline.

The only way forward is to keep moving, build strength, and stay as active as possible. Movement is medicine, even when it comes with some discomfort. Every morning, Mum tells me that walking is painful, especially when she first gets out of bed. Strength training is not a miracle cure that instantly takes away all aches and pains, but it is one of the best ways to slow down muscle loss, improve balance, strengthen bones, and reduce the risk of future falls.

To be honest, if it weren't for Mum, I probably would never have joined a gym. But now that we're both members, we've made a commitment to keep showing up. We plan to join more classes, whether it's strength training, Zumba, yoga, or even Hyrox-inspired workouts, and continue building stronger muscles while having a little fun along the way.

Growing older is inevitable. Becoming weaker doesn't have to be.

You can check out our video on my Facebook Page.

13 June 2026 ~ Saturday Brunch

My brunch today was simple but satisfying — 2 eggs, some leftover sardines from yesterday, roast chicken, and durian. 😋

Dad, who turns 83 this year, still loves going to the market every week to buy our perishables and lunch. Today, he came home with half a roast chicken and a box of kampung durian. Though my brunch was quite modest, it kept me full all the way until dinner.

For tea, I had chickpeas again, yogurt with soaked chia seeds, and my favourite pandan custard Swiss roll from JJ Swiss Roll.

We also made a trip to the main JJ Swiss Roll outlet in town to pick up a cake for Mum and her friends, who are celebrating their 80th birthdays together. Some of her friends had travelled all the way from KL and Australia to Ipoh for this special reunion. These are her course mates from Teachers' Training College more than 60 years ago.

Growing older is a privilege when you still have dear friends by your side to celebrate life's milestones together. Here's to good health, lasting friendships, and many more happy memories for all of them.  I hope I can do the same with my friends in future❤️

Black Sesame Spread - A Delicious Way to Add More Protein and Minerals to Your Diet

I've been enjoying this organic black sesame spread from Lohas lately. It has a rich, nutty black sesame aroma, isn't overly sweet, and most importantly, doesn't have that stale or rancid taste that some sesame products can develop.

It's delicious spread on toast, stirred into plain yogurt, or even paired with fruits like green apples for a healthy and delish snack.

Black sesame is also known for being a nutritious food. It contains protein, healthy fats, calcium, iron, and other minerals. In traditional Chinese wellness practices, black sesame is often associated with supporting healthy hair growth, strengthening hair roots, and nourishing kidney health. Whether or not you believe in traditional remedies, it's certainly a tasty way to add more nutrients to your diet.

For those who are interested, I got mine from Shopee here:

https://s.shopee.com.my/3VhrXNeTmU

My High Protein Breakfast & Lunch

Today after attending strength training class with my mum 💪✨ I had a simple high-protein lunch—canned sardines with pressure-cooked chickpeas. Dessert was plain sugar-free yogurt with soaked chia seeds.

I actually wasn’t very hungry because my breakfast was already very filling and satisfying.

Breakfast was quite a feast 😋

2 large soft-boiled eggs 🥚, walnuts, roasted mixed beans, decaf coffee with milk + ground chia seeds ☕, fruits 🍎, boiled chickpeas… and the star of the morning—

a super low-carb, super yummy pandan coconut mug cake made by mum 💚

It’s basically a microwave mug cake made with coconut flour, egg, coconut milk, fresh pandan juice, and a touch of gula melaka syrup. Soft, fragrant, and guilt-free comfort food. 

Sardines may be simple, but they are a powerhouse food:

🐟 High-quality protein

🐟 Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health

🐟 Packed with calcium (especially when you eat the soft bones)

🐟 Low in mercury compared to larger fish

🐟 Very affordable and convenient

And canned sardines aren’t unhealthy like some people assume—in fact, canning preserves most of the nutrients, and it’s a safe, practical way to enjoy fish without added fuss.

👉 My high-protein breakfast + lunch kept me full all the way until dinner

No cravings. No snacking. Just steady energy.

Food really is fuel—and when you get it right, your body quietly thanks you 💛

Lunch today - canned sardines with chick peas.

Low-carb coconut pandan mug cake, microwaved for 2+ minutes.

The cake was so delish that mum made it again this morning, and this time, she made a bigger portion, in a Pyrex, microwaved.

From Online Classes to University Dreams

This picture of Cass attending an online Math class during the pandemic popped up in my Google Photos today. I can hardly believe it has been six years. She was in Primary 6 in this picture.

It was the height of the Covid pandemic, and we were all confined to our homes. Schooling was uncertain, and like many children, my girls were initially delighted that they didn't have to go to school. Instead, lessons moved online, and they attended virtual classes for more than a year.

While online learning worked well for some students, it wasn't easy for many others. There were countless distractions at home—online games, chatting with friends, taking naps, wandering off to do other things, or simply losing focus in front of a screen. I must admit that all three of my girls struggled with these temptations at one point or another.  I hated Roblox so much back then as Cass was always hooked on this online game. She could multi-task so well - shifting from online class to Roblox simultaneously. 

Cass, who is now 18, often tells me how much she disliked online classes. She found it difficult to concentrate and has since declared that she never wants to study online again, even if some universities still offer that option. She much prefers being physically present in a classroom.

The transition from Primary 6 to Form 1 was not an easy one for Cass. After being accepted into Kuen Cheng High School—a school that is not easy to get into—she suddenly told me that she did not want to study in an Independent Chinese High School. Respecting her wishes, I accepted an offer from her former feeder school, a national secondary school in our neighbourhood.

However, during the pandemic, things became even more challenging. For an entire month, Cass refused to attend her online classes. She kept to herself and ignored me, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not get through to her or understand what she was going through. As a mother, it was a worrying and frustrating period.

Then one day, she walked up to me and quietly said, "Mummy, I want to study at Kuen Cheng High School." I was overjoyed. I immediately contacted the school and had a lengthy discussion with the person in charge. By God's grace, everything worked out, and Cass was accepted back into the school. I made her promise that she would not change her mind again.

What happened next surprised me. The following year, she was awarded a full bursary by the school, covering her entire year's fees. Even more remarkably, the bursary was renewed year after year after fresh applications, and she remained a bursary recipient all the way until Form 5. Looking back, I believe it was God's provision and a reminder that sometimes our children simply need time to find the path that is right for them.

In less than a month, Cass will begin her Pre-U studies, and I couldn't be prouder that she has been accepted into this university. Looking back at all the challenges she has overcome—from the uncertainties of the pandemic to finding her own path in school—I am amazed by how much she has grown.

Father's Day 2026 (Celebration In Advance)

My older brother and his family from Singapore came back to Ipoh, and so did my younger brother from KL. They were all back to have an early Father's Day celebration with my dad.

Since Thursday, our family has been dining out and spending time together, bonding over good food, endless conversations, and lots of laughter. These family gatherings don't happen often anymore, so every moment feels extra precious.

My older brother's 9-year-old twin boy & girl and I have also been bonding over Haru, my cat. They absolutely love cats and have been trying their best to get close to her. But Haru, being the timid little cat that she is, has spent the last few days huffing, puffing, and hissing whenever the twins got near. The twins get so excited and noisy whenever they see her, and poor Haru gets completely overwhelmed by all the attention and fanfare! She hides under my bed most of the time to avoid them 😅

Today is their fourth day in Ipoh, and Haru has finally started to warm up to them. She still won't let them pet her, though—perhaps that's a privilege they'll have to earn on their next visit. 😆

Tomorrow, my brothers and their families will head back to KL and Singapore respectively, and the house will be quiet again. Mum and I will return to our strength training classes, and we'll be back to eating simple home-cooked meals after four days of eating out three times a day. 😜

As much as I enjoy the peace and routine of everyday life, there is something special about having the people you love gathered under one roof. The laughter, the noise, the shared meals, and even Haru's dramatic protests are the little moments that become treasured memories. 

Family time may be fleeting, but the memories made around the dining table will stay with us long after everyone has gone home.❤️

The video on our celebration is available on my Facebook Page.

Celebration at Hanz & Jane, a cozy Insta-worthy cafe with good food and cakes.

She Found Her Voice When the Time Was Right

Alycia, my eldest daughter, was an extremely shy and timid child from babyhood right through her high school years.

Even as a teenager, she was too shy to order food or ask for something at a restaurant. Whenever she was around people she didn't know well—especially strangers—she would become very quiet. She hardly spoke to her guitar teacher despite attending lessons regularly for years. Social gatherings were never her thing either, and she seldom attended parties throughout primary and secondary school.

If you had told me back then that one day she would become a social butterfly with a wide circle of friends, I probably would not have believed you.

But when Alycia started college, something remarkable happened.

She began her Foundation programme at Sunway College during the pandemic, so all her classes were conducted online. When physical classes finally resumed, she started spending time with her course mates. That was the beginning of a beautiful metamorphosis.

Slowly but surely, she emerged from her shell.

The quiet, timid girl transformed like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. She gained confidence, became more comfortable interacting with others, and started building meaningful friendships. Before long, she had friends from every stage of her life—primary school, secondary school, tuition centres, Pre-University, university, and church.

Perhaps it was the college environment. Perhaps it was the people she met. Or perhaps she simply reached a stage in life when she was ready to spread her wings.

Today, Alycia is a confident, sociable young woman with a wonderful network of friends. The transformation has been nothing short of amazing.

Her journey taught me an important lesson: children develop at different rates.

If you have a child who is quiet, socially awkward, struggles with social skills, or even has selective mutism, don't lose hope. Not every child blossoms at the same time. Some flowers bloom early, while others take a little longer.

Given the right environment, the right people, and the right timing, they may surprise you one day. Growth often happens quietly and gradually, until suddenly you look back and realise how far they have come.

Sometimes, all they need is the space to grow into themselves—on their own terms and in their own time.

When "Good Enough" Is More Than Enough

 Cass used to suffer from monthly UTIs when she was a baby.

My gynecologist first detected a problem during my 16-week pregnancy scan. Her right kidney was dilated. Because of that finding, he arranged additional scans, 3D scans, and even an amniocentesis to investigate further.

When Cass was born, all her initial tests came back normal. There was no obvious obstruction in her urinary tract. We thought the worst was behind us.

We were wrong.

At just two months old, she had her first UTI. That marked the beginning of a long and exhausting journey that would span years. Endless tests, scans, hospital visits, and invasive procedures eventually confirmed that she had Grade 3 Vesicoureteral Reflux (Kidney Reflux), a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder toward the kidneys.

Almost every month, she suffered another UTI attack.

Those years were a nightmare. Every diaper change came with anxiety. I would sniff her dirty diapers constantly because a foul smell often meant bacteria were present in her urine. Before long, I had become an unwilling expert in urine cultures. I could recognize the names of different bacteria by heart, knew which antibiotics they were sensitive to, and spent countless hours reading medical journals, researching UTIs, and exploring natural remedies.

Yet despite all that effort, Cass still needed surgery at 13 months old to correct the reflux. And that surgery had complications, which led to another surgery.

The surgery helped, but it did not solve everything.

Even after more than a decade of follow-ups at HKL, numerous tests and invasive scans still could not clearly pinpoint the source of one remaining issue. We know there is still a problem somewhere, and our hope is to eventually identify and correct it so that Cass can live a completely normal life.

From my research online, I found out that D-Mannose is the best natural remedy to treat a UTI caused by E-Coli (not other bacteria, though). 17 years ago, D-Mannose was only available in the UK and I ordered this preventive/complimentary agent from England, which Cass took as a prophylactic measure until today.

Because of her condition, Cass is more susceptible to UTIs than most people. As a result, I became extremely protective of her.

When she was in Standard One, I was constantly at school. I made sure she drank enough water, went to the toilet regularly, and was doing well. I knew all her teachers and many of her friends. Even today, some of her primary school friends who later attended the same secondary school still recognize me. When I visited her school recently, several of them greeted me immediately.

I was that mother—the one who was always outside the classroom or sitting in the canteen, quietly keeping watch.

When Cass was 12, she suffered another UTI attack. Every time that happened, I would bring her to Dr. Eric, the pediatrician at Pantai Hospital Bangsar, the one doctor I trusted completely with her care since Cass was 2 months old. He understood her medical history and was always careful in selecting medications because he knew her kidneys were vulnerable. He never prescribed antibiotics carelessly.

Each serious UTI usually meant hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and a course of oral antibiotics afterwards.

Then came her SPM.

On the morning of her final paper in December last year, my phone rang at 5.30 a.m. I had already moved back to Ipoh.

The moment I heard her voice, my heart sank.

She was having another UTI attack.

I immediately told her to see a doctor and to hand the phone to me to speak with the doctor once she reached the clinic. I also told her something I truly meant:

"If you don't sit for the last paper, it's okay. Take care of your health first"

The final paper was Chinese, but her health mattered far more than any examination result.

Even if she received an F for the paper, I would have been completely at peace with it. UTIs are not something to take lightly, especially for someone with her medical history.

By God's grace, Cass managed to see the doctor, sit for her Chinese paper, and recover.

She didn't fail.

She scored a C+.

The only person who was unhappy with that result was Cass herself.

As for me?

I was delighted.

Her 7As were more than enough.

In truth, she has always been more than enough.

After everything she has endured since birth, academic results have never been the measure of her worth. As long as her health is stable, her kidneys are protected, and she is happy, that is all that truly matters to me.

That will always be enough. ❤️

Cass warded at Pantai Medical Centre for UTI (age 12) in 2020.