Health Freak Mommy ~ The Joys And Throes Of Motherhood
Because Haru is so loved on TikTok, I’ve created a special Facebook page just for my little princess Haru 🐱💕
If you enjoy her cute moments, sleepy poses, and cheeky personality, please come and like & follow Haru's page to support her journey. Every follow means a lot to us!
Thank you so much for your love and support for Haru 💖
When Alycia came back to Ipoh to surprise me for my birthday, we decided to celebrate with brunch at Canning Dim Sum — a popular halal dim sum spot in Canning Garden.
The restaurant offers more than 100 varieties of halal-certified dim sum in a spacious, family-friendly environment. One thing that immediately caught our attention was the beautifully designed garden-style façade — it’s very photogenic and perfect for taking pictures 📸
There’s a wide selection of both steamed and fried dim sum to choose from. Overall, the food was good, and I especially enjoyed the chicken siew mai. Surprisingly, it didn’t have the strong “porky” smell that you sometimes get from non-halal siew mai, which made it extra pleasant to eat.
Prices start from about RM3.20 per basket. Our total bill came to RM144.20 for five adults — slightly on the higher side, but still reasonable for the variety and experience. Since Ipoh is famously known for its many non-halal dim sum options, this was actually our first time trying halal dim sum here, and it was a nice change.
After brunch, we spent some time taking photos at their colourful outdoor garden area, which made the visit even more memorable 🌿✨
Canning Dim Sum (Halal)
1 Lebuh Cecil Rae, Taman Canning
31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opens daily from 6:30 AM
016-268 0535
Hop over to my YouTube channel to watch the video! 😊
Cassandra turned 18 this year — such a special milestone for our youngest girl, and one that felt especially meaningful to celebrate as a family.
On 31st March, Cass took the ETS train from KL back to Ipoh right after collecting her SPM results. We were so happy she came to Ipoh straight away, and we celebrated her good results together on her very first evening back. It was the perfect way to begin a week filled with love and celebrations.
The next day, we had an early birthday celebration for her here in Ipoh with just the four of us — her grandparents and me. It was simple, cosy, and very heartwarming.
This year, Cass had a very specific birthday request: a Pochacco-themed birthday cake in pandan flavour. A week earlier, she sent me a photo of Pochacco, and we arranged to custom-make the cake at JJ Cakes & Swissrolls. The cake turned out adorable and delicious — exactly what she hoped for!
For dinner, she chose Western food, so we brought her to Hayloft. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was relaxed, and it felt like such a meaningful little family celebration — just the way she likes it.
Her actual birthday fell on 9th April, and she celebrated again in KL with her dad, her sisters, and grandma at Butcher's Table. It makes me happy that she could celebrate with different parts of the family across a few days.
She also managed to celebrate with a friend at Sunway Pyramid after collecting her brand-new skating boots — which cost over RM5,000! A jaw-dropping price, but necessary as she progresses to higher levels in figure skating. She has worked incredibly hard for this step forward.
Another exciting milestone is that Cass has now started shadow-coaching, and very soon she’ll be able to coach beginners officially. Watching her grow in confidence and independence through skating has been such a proud journey for us as parents.
Looking back, it feels especially emotional to see her turn 18. She has come such a long, long way since her baby days, when she faced so many health challenges. Today, she stands strong, determined, and passionate about what she loves.
We are so proud of the young lady she is becoming. 💖
You can watch the video of the celebration on my Facebook page.
Today I am a very, very happy mama again!
Two weeks ago, my 80-year old mum and I attended a strength training workshop at IFC Gym Ipoh — the only gym in Ipoh that currently offers strength training classes specially designed for senior citizens.
Since last year, my mum has been experiencing chronic aches and pains throughout her body, especially in the mornings when she first wakes up. It has been worrying to see her discomfort become part of her daily routine. Determined to improve her mobility and overall strength, she decided to take a proactive step by exploring strength training to build up her muscles and bones.
One of her close friends, who is already 88 years old, has been attending classes at this gym and has become noticeably more mobile and active. Seeing that progress gave my mum the confidence to give it a try herself. She then asked if I would accompany her to the workshop — and later join her for the training sessions. Of course, I said yes. It felt like something meaningful we could do together.
The workshop turned out to be very insightful. There was even a scientist who gave a talk on nutrition, cellular health, and how these relate to muscle development and ageing. He also helped interpret our InBody analysis results. Yes, we both did the analysis — and now we have a clearer idea of where we need to improve our muscle strength.
Mum and I will be attending a hands-on strength training practical workshop at the end of April, after which we plan to sign up for regular classes at the gym. Given that Mum’s condition involves chronic pain, we will most likely start with personal training sessions, and I’ll be there alongside her for support.
Honestly, I can’t wait to become a gym regular again after such a long hiatus — and this time, sharing the journey with my mum makes it even more special. 💪✨
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| Keying in my details into the InBody BMI measurement machine. |
Continuing My Journey of Wellness Experience
The next few steps of the Journey of Wellness session at Sojourn Spa Hotel felt especially luxurious and thoughtfully designed to help the body relax deeper with each stage.
Step 4: Rock Salt Therapy Chamber
Step 4 was the rock salt therapy chamber, a warm room constructed with solid rock salt walls. In the centre of the room sat a box filled with sparkling rock salt that looked almost like glowing gold.
The room felt gently warm and very calming. Sitting inside this quiet space gave me a peaceful moment to simply rest and breathe. It was a very soothing experience.
Step 5: Body Scrub and Rain Shower Therapy
Next came the body scrub with essential oil, which left my skin feeling refreshed and smooth. After the scrub, I experienced rain shower therapy over my back and body — something that felt very luxurious and relaxing.
One small tip for anyone trying this: the treatment bed is made of PVC and can be slippery during the rain shower, so do be careful when adjusting your position or getting down from the bed.
After that, I moved to the next room to enjoy a relaxing dip in the jacuzzi, followed by a full shower from head to toe with shampoo provided. Hair dryer and body lotion were also available, which made everything very convenient and comfortable.
Step 6: Neck, Head and Shoulder Massage
Then came a neck, head and shoulder massage, which helped release a lot of built-up tension. By this stage of the session, my body already felt noticeably lighter and more relaxed.
Step 7: Foot Mask and Foot Therapy
The session ended beautifully with a foot mask and foot therapy using a machine, while I enjoyed a warm cup of red dates ginger tea together with a coconut biscuit.
It was such a comforting way to close the wellness journey.
Overall, this spa session was truly a luxurious experience to pamper both body and soul — a much-needed time to destress, slow down, and recharge.
Thank you to Alycia, my eldest daughter, for this thoughtful birthday treat. It meant so much to me 💛
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You can watch the video of my spa experience for Step 1, Step 2 & 3, and Step 4 to 7 on my Facebook page.
A week before my birthday, my younger brother Roy came back to Ipoh to celebrate with me. We had a really lovely dinner together at Hanz & Jane.
The café has such pretty, dreamy décor — very Insta-worthy — and they were playing Norah Jones–style jazz in the background, which made the whole place feel calm and relaxing. It was the perfect setting for a quiet pre-birthday celebration with family.
The food was great, and we also ordered their specialty Chocolate Bomb Cake, which is house-made by the café and quite a unique experience. The cake comes as a chocolate sphere, and you’re supposed to tap the chocolate casing gently with a small hammer to reveal a wedge of moist chocolate cake inside — complete with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate surprise. All of us enjoyed it very much!
It was a simple but very meaningful pre-birthday celebration with my parents and my younger brother — lovingly treated by my thoughtful brother Roy. I truly appreciated the time together. 💛
You can watch the video of the dinner on my Facebook page.
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Today I am a very proud mum.
After 17+ years of waiting for this day, Cass did it.
With zero tuition since Form 1 — because she chose to let me channel the tuition funds into her figure skating instead — and even having a UTI attack on the last day of SPM, and me moving back to Ipoh in the middle of her SPM exam, she still managed to do very well.
7As may not sound “perfect” to some people, but to me, it is more than good enough. Considering everything she has gone through — her existing congenital medical condition, studying without tuition support, balancing training and competitions, and still pushing through revision like everyone else — this achievement means so much more.
I am so proud of you, Cassandra. 💛
Tonight, we celebrate in Ipoh. 🎉
And after that… we look forward to the next step of your journey together. ✨
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| Cass the puzzle-crazed girl. |
In my 53 years on this earth, I don’t think I’ve ever had so many birthday surprises in one year. And the surprises just kept coming.
On the eve of the eve of my birthday (Friday night), Alycia gave me the first big surprise. Shortly after midnight, she suddenly appeared in Ipoh! Her best friend WY drove them up after both of them finished work. I was already asleep when my mum knocked on my bedroom door. The joy of seeing my eldest daughter standing there was simply priceless. As it turned out, Alycia had secretly planned this trip together with my mum!
Adding to the surprise, Alycia’s best friend WY also brought me a thoughtful birthday gift — a canister of Muzi Matcha, knowing that I love matcha. Such a lovely and unexpected gesture that truly touched me.
Then on Saturday, another unexpected surprise — the girls’ dad also suddenly turned up in Ipoh.
If only Sherilyn and Cass had been around to celebrate together with us, it would have been absolutely perfect. Both of them were busy with their own commitments, but I’ll be seeing Cass very soon. After she collects her SPM results on Tuesday (gasp… anxiety!), she’ll be taking the ETS from KL to Ipoh. We’ll celebrate her 18th birthday here together.
On the eve of my birthday, we had dinner at Pusing Public Restaurant (better known as the ever-popular Mun Choong). There happened to be a wedding dinner going on, and our table was placed right among the bride and groom’s guests! We felt like accidental wedding guests — we didn’t know anyone there, but we even joined in the yum seng with the happy couple when everyone did the 'yum seng' toast. It was such a hilarious experience.
Alycia also bought me 10 slices of cake in different flavours from August Healing, a lovely café in Ipoh New Town. The cakes were simply delicious — not overly sweet or cloying. My favourites were the bubur cha cha crepe cake and the matcha cheesecake with corn. I wanted to try more flavours, but honestly, I had already been eating far too much since Alycia arrived! I asked her to bring the remaining slices back to KL today for Sherilyn and Cass, since both of them are such cake enthusiasts.
On my birthday itself, we went for a dim sum brunch at Canning Dim Sum, a halal dim sum restaurant with beautiful outdoor décor.
My parents also surprised me with their own birthday gifts. They gave me an ang pow, and my mum bought me a new air cooler for my room as well as a bathroom wall cabinet. I felt very pampered and very loved.
Shortly after Alycia and her friend left Ipoh, she messaged me to say they had ordered four healthy bowls from Tummy Bowl Ipoh for us, scheduled for delivery at 4.30pm. Another sweet surprise!
And that wasn’t all.
Alycia also booked a “Journey of Wellness” spa session for me at Sojourn Spa Hotel for Monday (today). I’m really looking forward to that little treat.
The final surprise of the day came from Sherilyn. She ordered two tau fu fah bingsu topped with boba, yam balls, herbal jelly, red beans and yam paste, together with a comforting bowl of foo chuk yimai tong sui for us to enjoy.
I keep wondering why this year’s birthday feels especially meaningful.
Maybe distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it is only when people aren’t physically around us every day that we begin to see more clearly how much we mean to one another. Whatever the reason, I am deeply thankful to the Lord for blessing me with so much love — and another year of life.
Stay tuned for more photos and videos from my birthday celebrations… and my spa day tomorrow!
My birthday wish this year is simple:
for myself, my daughters, my parents, my family members — and each and every one of you — to be blessed with good health and happiness. 💛
You can watch the video on my Facebook page and follow me here >> https://www.facebook.com/reel/929515246364211
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| Indulgent & yummy slice cakes from August Healing, Ipoh. |
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| Birthday dinner at Mun Choong Restaurant, Ipoh. |
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| Alycia & her friend surprised us with 4 healthy bowls from Tummy Bowl Ipoh, delivered to our house by Grab on my birthday. |
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| Next surprise from Sherilyn - refreshing tau fu far bingsu and foo chuk yimai tong sui from Yam Meet, Ipoh, delivered by Grab. |
One of the things I truly appreciate about living in Ipoh is how affordable everyday food still is — especially if you know where the locals go. Away from the touristy spots, prices remain refreshingly reasonable.
We stay in Ipoh Garden East, and my 83-yo dad often goes to Kg Simee market and Bercham to do his marketing and tapau food. For just RM6, he can get a whole bag of salmon bones, which we air-fry at home — crispy, flavourful, and absolutely delicious. Fresh vegetables are just as affordable too. A few ringgit can get you a big bunch of spinach or lettuce.
Even when he tapau cooked dishes, RM40 worth of food can easily last the three of us for both lunch and dinner. Dad, mum and I are very small eaters.
Earlier this week, he bought a big piece of curry mackerel with lady’s fingers (with lots of gravy!), plus Indian-style stir-fried curried radish and cabbage. I was already estimating the cost in my head — maybe RM16 (RM10 for the fish and RM6 for the vegetables), because that's what I used to pay in KL. Imagine my surprise when the boss said RM9! That was from a mamak restaurant right here in Ipoh Garden East.
Our usual chap fan stop in Bercham (Ritz Bina) is another favourite — about RM6 per person for fresh, tasty, home-cooked style dishes (photos below). Living in Ipoh really has its perks: quieter surroundings, more affordable food, a slower pace of life, and those beautiful hilly views everywhere you turn. I truly love being back here ❤️
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| Dad's curry mackerel, radish and cabbage from a mamak restaurant @ RM9. |
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| My chap fan dishes (all veggies) @ RM6 |
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| Mum's dishes - braised pork with black fungus, braised tofu, braised radish and brown rice @ RM6. |
I spend many hours at my PC every day, so having a comfortable footrest makes a big difference. Recently, I found this collapsible Storage Stool Sofa / Storage Box, and it’s such a practical little gem! It looks like a mini sofa, feels soft and sturdy, and the top opens up for extra storage — perfect for keeping small items neatly tucked away.
I love that it’s foldable, space-saving, multi-purpose, and stylish enough to match any room. You can use it as a footrest, an extra seat, or a handy storage box. Best of all, it costs less than RM20, which makes it incredibly worth it. I’m planning to get a few more for the house because they’re just so useful and affordable.
If you’re looking for something practical, compact, and budget-friendly, this is definitely a great buy 👍
You can get it from Shopee here: https://s.shopee.com.my/15yuuLYbq
Recently my mum was spring-cleaning the cupboard where she keeps all our old treasures — things from my pre-teen days right up to items that belonged to my three girls when they were babies. She has always been such a careful keeper of memories.
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| Mum flashing my homemade cards to Alycia when she was 4+ (year 2008). |
One of the simplest cleaning items I’ve used for many years at home — and honestly didn’t expect to like this much — is this disposable dry electrostatic multipurpose cloth.
It looks very basic at first glance, but it’s surprisingly versatile and practical for everyday cleaning.
You can use it dry to sweep the floor and pick up dust, hair, and especially pet fur (very useful if you have cats like I do!). The electrostatic texture helps trap fine dust instead of just pushing it around.
When used wet, it becomes a convenient cloth for:
For kitchen cleaning, I like adding just a few drops of dish soap and using it to wipe down greasy stove surfaces. It works surprisingly well and saves me from using multiple cloths.
What I personally appreciate most is that it’s:
✔ lightweight
✔ hygienic (just dispose after use if very dirty)
✔ multipurpose
✔ budget-friendly
✔ and easy to keep around the house for quick cleaning
Instead of switching between different cloths for different areas, this one does almost everything.
If you enjoy simple tools that make housework faster and easier (especially for daily maintenance cleaning), this is something worth trying.
I found a very affordable option on Shopee here:
👉 https://s.shopee.com.my/1qXWSWEhaD
I usually get 4 or 5 packs in an order to enjoy free shipping.
Sometimes it’s the small household helpers like this that quietly make everyday life a little easier ✨
It’s been decades since I last visited the pasar malam in my childhood neighbourhood of Ipoh Garden East. Tonight, I came back with my parents — now both in their 80s.
The pasar malam felt so long, with endless stalls selling all kinds of delicious food… not exactly the healthy kind 😄 but so nostalgic.
After a long walk, we finally settled on something simple and comforting — Look Look in hot pot. We even brought our own stainless steel containers to tapau the skewers and peanut sauce.
Dad chose assam laksa, and I added some steamed fried fish balls too.
It really brought back memories of walking the pasar malam with my parents when I was young… and now, here we are again, almost four decades later.
We’ll definitely be back to try more next time!
If you like, you can watch the video of our pasar malam evening here > https://www.facebook.com/reel/1610456133405828
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| Wide array of fried stuff. |
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| Baked crabs |
If you’re exploring Ipoh Old Town and craving something different from the usual local fare, we recently discovered a hidden gem — Aro Restaurant, located just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Concubine Lane.
This cozy South Indian restaurant serves up hearty, traditional meals that truly hit the spot.
We ordered their mutton nasi briyani, special fish thali, and non-vegetarian thali — and every dish was full of rich, comforting flavors.
The highlight for us was definitely the mutton briyani. The meat was incredibly tender and well-marinated. In fact, my 80-year-old mum, who has gum issues, had no trouble enjoying it at all — that’s how soft it was!
The thali sets were equally impressive. For those unfamiliar, a thali is a complete, balanced meal served on a single plate, featuring a variety of dishes — from vegetables and lentils to flavorful curries and accompaniments. It’s a wonderful way to experience different tastes and textures all in one sitting.
What made it even more special was the little dessert that came with the thali — a comforting bowl of red bean, black glutinous rice, and coconut milk “tong sui”. Such a delightful surprise!
As for drinks, we kept it simple and traditional:
A refreshing mango lassi (we requested it without sugar)
A fragrant masala tea with strong notes of cloves and spices
And a cup of aromatic bru coffee made with fresh cow’s milk
Everything complemented the meal beautifully.
Now, just a small heads-up — the only downside during our visit was the air conditioning. It was a very hot afternoon, and only one unit was running, so we ended up… quite literally drenched in sweat by the end of lunch 😅
Also, parking around the Concubine Lane area can be quite challenging, especially during peak tourist hours.
But overall? The food, the authenticity, and the experience made it absolutely worth the visit.
📍 Aro Restaurant
Jln Sultan Yussof, No. 134, Ground Floor
30000 Ipoh
(A short walk from Concubine Lane, Ipoh Old Town)
Watch the video here > https://youtube.com/shorts/PB46TSSdKuI?feature=share
