Marshall Cavendish Education - P3 & P4 Maths Coaching Workshop

Math, being one of my most hated subject, I struggled to pass both my Additional Mathematics and Elementary Mathematics and not to mention during my three years of studies when I did my Diploma in Marine Engineering. I did not fail any modules, just that I did not pass with flying colours.

For Xav, we sailed through P1 and P2 smoothly without having much difficulty in managing Mathematics. We were satisfied with his grades for Math though it could be better or probably aced the papers if he was not careless.

I did not send him for any tuition or enrichment classes as I do not believe in loading him with classes for subjects which I could teach him within my ability. What I did was letting him practise using assessement books and past year papers on a daily basis. Afterall, Math is about understanding the concepts and practising.

Occasionally, I will ask for some "time-off" from Don so that I could attend workshops organised by Xav's school and external workshops for parents to help better in coaching the kids in their work. I feel the need to equip myself with the knowledge to guide him better.

Over two Saturdays, I sat in a Parent's Workshop [ P3 & P4 Maths Coaching Workshop] conducted by one of my favourite publisher- Marshall Cavendish Education. The reason why I was there, the kia-si me started to get jitters as I realised that the difficulty level for Math is slowly getting more and more challenging, especially so in solving Heuristic problems, which is my worst nightmare and I seriously hated to deal with it.

The workshop basically covered topics like:
- Whole numbers
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Geometry
- Measurements
- Heuristics

Let's me share some of the tips on Whole Numbers. How would you say 22345 to your child ?

If you have been reading out the whole number as "2,2,3,4,5" you had better stop this habit and read out in words instead "Twenty-two thousand, three hundred and forty-five". Get your child to read out in words too if they have been reading like the way you do. It allows them to learn the place of the numbers better.

Learning can take place anywhere! Supermarket is a good learning ground. Get your child to look at price tags, weigh the vegetables and get them to read out the value in words.

You can also spot number car plates and get your child to think on the spot. For instance, 2478, there are several ways to make it fun. It's so common around us and I did not think of it. This is good to keep the brain thinking constanttly.

1. Ask your child to read out the number in words.
2. Ask what is the place /value of each digit.
3. Ask what is the sum of the four digits when they are being added up. Great to train their mental calculation ! You can ask them to multiply as well!

Ms Dhillon highlighted the common mistakes made by the kids as well.

Weak Area #1 Common problem is always the "hypen", comma and "and". I did not know that they will be penalized too if they forget to write or if they put it at the wrong places. Using her rich teaching experience, Ms Dhillon pointed out which are the "weak areas" for students and the type of common mistakes she had came across.

Tip #1 Using back the same number as above "22345". Using the Rule of 3 (Refer to the bolded part), if it's before the 3 digits, use a comma, if its inside the 3 digits, use "and".

In words: "Twenty-two thousand (comma), three hundred and forty-five"
In numbers 22(comma) 345 and not 22345.

Then again, it depends on the one marking the papers. If they are lenient enough to close one eye or if they want to nitpick on this and fault the child. For me, I would rather drill Xav and let him learn the right way early to make it a good habit for himself and Vera if I can instill in her before she starts official school.

Weak Area #2 Spelling Forty as "Fourty" and Ninety as "Ninty"was one of the areas pointed out. I remembered Xav made the exact same mistakes not once in these two years and we were told that you'll be surprise that even older kids have the same problem.

Tip #2 : Do not over-pronounce "Fourty" and if possbile, get the child to read out the sentence which they wrote and hear if they sound right.

The understanding of the basic concepts is very important. I came across this in Xav's textbook but I did not know how to explain to him because I, myself cannot understand the basic concept behind how the answer is being deprived. I was only taught the old fashion way of just multiplying and carry up without being taught on the concept why. Now you see why I could not explain and probably it also explains why my math foundation is so weak. It is tedious with the renaming but it teaches the basic concept which the kids were being taught and explained on numbers with renaming.

We were also taught on Heuristics, to read and identify which methods could help to visualize better so that it makes it easier for the kids to see. These are a few methhods:
- Draw a diagram / model
- Guess and Check / Working Backwards
- Look for a pattern
- Listing
- Make a supposition
- Solving part of the problem
- Simplify the problem

Then, we were tasked to work in groups on different Heuristics problems and shared how we solved them.

I did not find it easy at all, so what do you think it will be like for our kids who are only nine or ten years old to solve such problems?  Never throw them the problems and leave it to them and expect them to solve by themselves unless they know how to. If we find it "daunting" to solve, it's exactly the same way how our kids will feel.

The parents in the workshop, some could solve but not using the fastest, time-saving method. Time factor is a very important, the kids need to do it fast and accurate during the PSLE exams. Hence, it is good if we can start training them early.

Look at the question below, go ahead and laugh at me but I really did not know how to do it.  This is the typical kind of question that always either made me shut off otherwise, I will list the letters until I reach the 57th position. But what if it's not 57th position but at a 156th position, which is much higher? Am I going to waste my time listing? I was so glad that I learnt how to solve this question using the right method, in less than 30 secs.

At the end of the day, Ms Dhillon emphasised that it is not all about getting an answer for the questions but more of the process of getting the answer and understanding the concepts.

Yes, back to the basics and I am ashamed of myself that I did not even know how to count squares properly, until we were taught how to distinguish a partically shaded square to be counted as one, half or zero We got to hands on as well, identifying the most effective way in counting the area of an irregular shaped object.

If we are able to find the relation wtihin the question itself, tthe problem can be solved easily.

By the way, this is not the first time, I am attending Parents Workshop organised by Marshall Cavendish. I have attended one Math Heuristics Workshop conducted by Ms Peggy Foo when Xav was in Primary One. She is one very engaging trainer and her workshop is never boring. You can also hope over to Mummy Ed's blog to read on the recent workshop she attended on Stretching your child's Mathematical Abilities.

Apart from Mathematics, you can also read on Mummy Christy, who blogs at KidsRSimple on:
PSLE Student English Workshop
PSLE English Workshop for Parents

She has also generously shared her No Tuition #30minrevision tips on her blog. I find them pretty useful and am inspired to start on this #30minrevision too! 

For more updates on Marshall Cavendish Parents/ Student Workshops, you can visit or follow them on :

Website: https://www.mceducation.com/sg
Facebook: Mashall Cavendish Education

If you are very much involved in coaching and revising with your child, these workshops will be great to attend.

Cost Fee : $150
(Two days course, 9am - 4.30pm with one lunch included)

I did not see the date for the next run for 2017, do look out for any new updates on their website. These are some of the upcoming workshops should you be keen to attend. Do click on the picture to enlarge, this is the best I can show.

Venue: Times Centre
1 Industrial Road
Singapore 536196

Tel: 6213 9300
Email:  marketing@mceducation.com

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: I was invited to this attend this workshop to learn how I can coach better for P3 & P4 levels. No monetary compensation is involved and all opinions are of my own.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - Newly added All Day Breakfast Menu

[ Media Invite]

It was great to have sweat it out after having this flu symptoms in me for a few days. I met up with Mama Jenn from Mylilbookworm for a jog around the vicinity of Promenade before we head for our brunch at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Suntec City.

I did not even realise there are two stores within Suntec City itself and we eventually found the other outlet at Basement 1 at the fountain of wealth vicinity.

CBTL @ Suntec City #B1-132

Now patrons can find these new addition on the All Day Breakfast Menu (Halal Certified) ! We ordered these dishes that were new on the menu and shared among ourselves. I kid you not, we were filled to the brim. Let me bring you through the new dishes, beverages and dessert.

Served with a generous amount of dried cranberries and roasted almond flakes. The dressing is just nice over the fresh and crisp leaves, it will make you wanting to go for more. Oh, the chicken slices are not dry and pretty nice to chew on. Should you decide to go for a filling yet light meal, go for this healthy choice, Smoked Chicken Salad.

To be frank, I hardly take greens but I do make Xav and Vera takes them. But I am loving this ! It was quite appetizing.

Smoked Chicken Salad - $11.90

If you want a heartier meal, go for the pastas! I ordered Creamy Seafood Fusilli, it was a tad disappointing. I placed the order and opted for Fusilli but sphagetti was served instead.

The prawns and scallops were juicy and the dish was served with sprinkled parmesan cheese.  The mustard cream sauce was creamy and heavy but the taste was bland. The  cheese toppings could have been more generous. We have to ask for extra cheese and chilli flakes to spice it up. I do understand that different chef produces a different taste somehow but I hope they can improve on this dish.

Creamy Seafood Sphagetti - $14.90

Jenn ordered Mediterranean Sandwich. It is a fact that I hated to eat egg yolks, totally not a fan of it. I will usually removed the yolks and eat just the whites, unless it is soft boiled eggs which I will drink it up together.

The yolk ! I placed the whole yolk into my mouth, sank my teeth into it. Guess what, I told Jenn on the spot, the yolk was nice and soft and it did not taste "bitter" ! I actually took the whole yolk with no complaints ! You got to try this !

Mediterranean Sandwich was served with some sauteed mushrooms, vienna bread topped with spinach, feta cheese, turkey ham, tomato slice. The vienna bread was soft and flavourful after soaking in the flavors from the eggs and hollandaise sauce. It tasted like bread pudding but a much nicer version as I always find bread pudding to taste much sweeter.

Mediterranean Sandwich - $13.90

We were sipping on the beverages as we ate. If you are a fan of chocolate, go give this a try. For a limited period, grab this before it's gone, from 2 March - 24 May 2017 only. I opted for Maxican Chocolate Ice Blended, it was rich and aromatic yet not too whelming in terms of sweetness. Opt to go without whip cream if you do not have a sweet-tooth.

If you like to have some coffee kicks, go for Mexican Chocolate Latte. I give my vote to the former.

Top: Mexican Chocolate Ice Blended

Small $7, Regular $8, Large $8

Bottom: Mexican Chocolate Latte

Small $7, Regular: $7.70, Large $8.20

We indulged our tastebuds with a slice of Mexican Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Mascarpone Frosting.  The combination of Cinnamon dust, cheese and chocolate was just nice, it's not too sweet nor heavy. Am sure this slice is set to make a great after meal dessert ! A whole cake can be purchased at $59 SGD.

Mexican Chocolate Cake

For updates, do follow Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Sg on their social media sites:
- Facebook: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - Singapore
- Instagram : Coffeebeansg
- Website : http://www.coffeebean.com.sg

Should you need to locate an outlet nearest to you, you may want to check out this list of stores. Any enquiries, you can email to : customercare@coffeebean.com.sg

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: This is a media invite by AT Marketing Consultancy for the purpose of review. No monetary compensation is involved and all opinions are of my own.

[Reivew] Canon HD FotoJournal

Keeping memories, which is your way? These are some of the ways I believed some of us used to do. From puchasing thick, bulky albums to contain the 4R hardcopies, stashing the thousands of shots (softcopies) into a portable hard disk and forgot all about them simply because out of sight, out of mind. On top of that, if the hard disk is corrupted, bid goodbye to all the memories.

As compared to the option of keeping the photos in the hard disk, I thought it would be a better idea to scrap the photos into layouts. For my hobby sake and one of my ways to de-stress, I love scrapbooking. I would print out the photos and make them into layouts.

At least, Xav will still flip through the album and got to look at his photos. But sad to say, my scrapbooking tools and papers are now totally thrown into the cold palace due to the lack of time.

As time past by, I could no longer afford to sit down and craft the whole night away. Layouts soon got simple and more simpler than before.

Apart from scrapbooking, I have actually started to create photobooks 8 years ago. I got myself started with 2 albums for our honeymoon trip in Hokkaido and Xav's first visit to Hong Kong when he was 9 months old, with FotoHub. Personally, I prefer it to that of those bulky albums. And you know what, after 8 years, these three albums still looked the same as 8 years ago! The colours remained, nothing fades off.

Recently, I had an opportunity to review Canon HD Fotojournals . I created two sets of softcover Fotojournals measuring 10" by 10" and 8" by 12", with 20 pages each respectively using FotoIdeas

Working on the FotoJournals at the comfort of my home, all I did was:
- Visit Canon eshop to make my purchase, select the size of my preferred FotoJournal, FotoHub sent a voucher code via email and I would use that to enter when I need to submit my e-book for printing.

- Download the FotoIdeas Software. Inside the software, it contains a range of templates, layouts, frames, fonts and etc. Go play around with it ! I am not a very tech-savvy person but this software is pretty user friendly ! I just had to import the photos which I have selected into the folder.

I did not download any other fonts of my own, partly it was because I was feeling so lazy but hey, the fonts in FotoIdeas Software were good enough for me!

Font selection

- I was spoilt for choice to choose from the many layout options. After selecting my preferred layout, I simply just need to drag and drop the image into the black box. The software allowed users to do image enhancement too.

Layout selection

- If you would love to, frames can be added to make the photos stand-out from the background.

colour frames selection

- Spot those "caution sign" at the right corner of a photo, it actually prompted me to take note on the low resolution of the photos.

On the other hand, the software will prompt me again with regard to the low-resolution photo when I re-log in to continue with my project. A little reminder here to SAVE your project as you go along the way. I had to redo the album all over again when I wanted to save the project which was almost completed. I hit "save" and it was unfortunate that the software had to die on me.

Re-do and submit for order, I received an email with a link to the PDF for a preview and check if all the pictures were in place and should I decide to change my mind to make any changes at the eleventh hour, I just have to click on "Disapprove"

Within 5 working days from the day I submitted the project, I received a SMS notification on my mobile that my albums were ready for collection.

The end product was AWESOME! I created the 10 by 10" Fotojournal with pictures from Pulau Ketam while the 8" by 12" Fotojournal was used to keep memories of our US Road Trip.

Canon HD FotoJournal - 10" by 10" and 8" by 12"

The cover page did not look a bit like a softcover at all ! The cover is thick enough for Vera to handle and flip through, without having the fear that she may crumple the FotoJournal.

Some of my favourite prints from the two albums. I love how I can stretch one picture across to make the front and back cover.

Pulau Ketam 

 By the sunset

If you do remember, I did mentioned about of low-resolution pictures prompted by the software earlier? The pages turned out great and colours were vibrant ! True to that of what I saw on the screen during editing.

Young Living Mona Farm, Utah

Mona Farm, Utah

San Francisco Day 3

Grand Canyon, West Rim

Alcatraz Island

Prices are steeper as compared to the ones I made previously but you are paying for quality. More to come as I can work on it at the comfort of my home instead of rushing out the entire project if I were to do it outside! I am planning to work on my Taiwan and Khao Yai trip soon ! Thank you again Canon Singapore !

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, for review purpose only. No monetary compensation is involved and all opinions are of my own.

[Review] Superlife Co. - Asian Flavoured Quinoa Packs

Taken from my previous post "Why Quinoa (pronounced as Keen-wah) ? Being the Mother of all grains, Quinoa is an energizing suerfood which is high in protein, minerals, good for metabolic health improvement, weightloss, rich in antioxident and best of all it's gluten free. Today, they call it "Super grain". Quinoa is a low GI product as well, hence, it is also beneficial if one is on a diabetic diet.

This is part of Vera's diet too if you have read about her eczema management. She has to be on a gluten-free diet. Quinoa was also recommended by her doctor as kids needed protein to grow, Quinoa or Millets will make better options. Furthermore, Quinoa is easy to digest and is naturally gluten-free and wheat-free.

I have cooked Baked stuffed capsicum with cheesy quinoa for both Xav and stir-fried minced meat and vegetable quinoa for Vera. Both of them polished everything off their plates !

Stir fry minced meat and veg with #Quinoa for Vera #glutenfree #diet #kidsmeal #eczemadiet #superfood #homecooked #homecookedfood #food #Dish30

A post shared by Serene Seah (@xavvylicious) on Feb 1, 2017 at 6:01am PST

Usually, people would lament how yucky, healthy food would taste. But let Superlife.Co change your opinion of the usual boring and plain quinoa with their newly launched Starter kit if you would like to get yourself all 5 flavors to try out.

I think it's so creative of them to come up with the five Asian Flavours + 3 4pm Quinoa Cacao Protein Blocks and putting them together as one starter kit. Per pack is sufficient for one person's serving.

5 Asian flavours

Quinoa Cacao Protein Bloc

(Photo credit: Superlife.Co)

I cooked Japanese Quinoa for Vera's dinner and was pleased to find the flavour of the flavoured quinoa were packed individually. You can estimate on your own, how much seaweed (in this instance) to put in. I like that the amount can be controlled by my own preference.

Generally, this can be a #Quickfix dish for a healthy and fast lunch. Quinoa is pretty easy to cook. In less than 15 mins, they will be cooked. Simply just boil the quinoa about 10 mins, off the fire and cover the pot with a lid, allow the quinoa to sit in for another 10-15mins.

What I did in addition and at the same time was, I stir-fried some salmon cubes and asparagus before I add in the cooked quinoa and sprinkled some pink salt over and gave a few rounds of stir-frying just like how we normally cook fried rice.

Here you go ! One healthy and tasty meal served and it's easy to cook too !

I have also tried the Korean Kimchi Quinoa, I am no fan of kimchi BUT surprisingly, I could accept it! I wish the kimchi bits come in a larger pack. But overall, I find this flavour pretty appetizing! I am trying out the rest of the flavours in a few days time and if this stirred up an interest in you to try quinoa if you have never try before or if you would love to try these Asian flavors, I have a discount code to share. Enter SUPERSER17 when you are doing your online purchase and get a 10% off with a minimum of $40 purchase. The code will be valid until 30th June 2017. This excludes the Cacao Subscription on the website.

I am currently in search of more quinoa recipes so that I can cook something for Vera. Should you have any recipes using Quinos, would appreciate if you could share them with me ! Just drop your recipes in the comment box !

For latest updates from Superlife.Co, do follow them on:
Facebook : Superlife Co.
Website : www.superlife.co

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: I received a starter kit from #Superlifeco for review purpose only. No monetary compensation is involved and all opinions are of my own.

[Review] Primero Fitness - NatTone Mat

You must be wondering, it's just a mat. What's the fuss about ?

I was given an opportunity to review NatTone Mat from Primero Fitness. Before that I was using the kids' playmat to do my planking and stretching exercises and having to clear off part of the toys on the mat before I could free up a little space. I received the NatTone Mat in a sleek, classic black cover which made it convenient to carry around. Yes it may be on the heavier side BUT it does have its reason why it was produced this way.

This super-premium mat is designed with input from bodyweight professionals, and was specially made for bodyweight exercises like Planks, sit-ups and push-ups. It's surface features a honeycomb matrix that provides incredible traction, especially just for these type of workout. The proprietary Micro-Skeleton Polymer design ensures extreme firmness during exercises and also increases bodyweight workout efficiency by maximizing grip and having the perfect level of cushion. I did not need to be bothered about if the mat did shift and if my feet did skid.

On top of that, the best part is, I would not need to worry about Vera using it with me especially that her skin is more on the sensitive side. NatTone mat is completely skin-friendly, made with premium all-natural eco-friendly materials, from natural rubber tapped from renewable rubber trees. This is the only skin-health mat with no unnatural toxins and chemicals used during the production process.
It is best suited for the hot weather in Singapore as its open-cell rubber absorbs oils, odors and perspiration.

Just a few nights ago, I actually fell asleep on the mat on night while taking a break from writing one of my post. The mat was firm yet the level of cushion was comfortable enough for my back. Did I ever tell you that I cannot sit or sleep on soft surfaces for prolonged hours? It actually result in me having an aching lower back at the end of the day.

Here are some technical specifications of NatTone Mat:

1. Material of Yoga Mat: Nature rubber
2. Color: Olive Green
3. Size: 183cm* 61cm
4. Thickness: 5.2 mm
5. Logo: Debossed logo

You can also read about how Christy's review, who uses the mat with her foam rollers from Primero Fitness as well.

About Primero Fitness

Primero Fitness Singapore, is a one year old company which specializes in affordable gym equipment. Their aim is to provide affordable, high-quality gym equipment to every household in Singapore.

Having Virgin Rubber Weight Plates being their most popular product. This Weight Plate is protected by a proprietary elastic, non-recycled rubber that is odourless, durable and soft. The rubber protection protects floors from damage and is perfect for use in homes. And for women who wish to start a healthy and active lifestyle, do checkk out their Neoprene Dumbbells.

Should you be keen to start working out from your home,check out Primero Fitness' Home Gym Bundle (Beginning)

For updates, you can visit Primero's social media sites:
Website : https://primerofitness.com.sg/
Facebook: Primero Fitness

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: I was given a unit of the NatTone Mat for review purpose only. No monetary compensation is involved and all opinions are of my own.

Eczema Management

I believe alot of young children are plagued with this. I am concluding what have worked for Vera after having to trial and error for this 15 months anad I hope this post can help mums who are dealing with a similar situation as me.

Vera's first eczema flare was when she was 9 months old.

Two years later, a sudden flare came in December 2015. 

The flare did not completely go off and turned for the worse in May 2016 when she was supposed to start her Nursery 1.

After much contemplation, I’ve made the difficult decision to hold Vera back from attending school. It felt unfair to both the school and to us — the teachers, as loving and supportive as they are, cannot give her the full attention she needs right now. On our end, we simply cannot afford to let her go through that painful cycle again. It's exhausting — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our sleep is constantly disrupted, as we stay alert just to prevent her from scratching.

For 10 months, we managed her flares with non-invasive, drug-free, and steroid-free treatments. No small feat. But during that time, there were moments I felt like I was slipping into a mild depression. I found myself crying without warning — once on the way to the clinic, and again while watching Vera undergo electromagnetic wave therapy. The treatment isn’t painful, but it broke me to see her endure something repeatedly — three times a week for seven months — and yet, that stubborn patch on her left foot remained dry, red, and occasionally blistered. It just refused to heal fully.

Still, I can’t say the treatments didn’t help. Each session calmed her flares. But the cost — emotionally, physically, and financially — was heavy. Traveling back and forth, paying for every session… I was tired. I thought of giving up more than once. I asked the doctor repeatedly, “Why is the patch still there? Is there something else we can do?” Through it all, Don kept me going. His steady support reminded me that we had to hold on for Vera’s sake.

Looking back, I’ve learned a lot over the past year. Vera saw three different doctors — all of whom used non-invasive approaches focused on restoring the body’s natural healing through energy flow. No medication, just a focus on natural recovery. From them, I’ve gathered that three things are crucial in managing eczema: Diet, Skincare, Discipline These three pillars have become our way of life now.

One Year of Healing Eczema — What I’ve Learned from 3 Holistic Doctors

In our journey managing Vera’s eczema without drugs or steroids, I’ve sought guidance from three different doctors — all using non-invasive, holistic approaches. Each one brought a new perspective and insight that shaped our understanding of her condition. Interestingly, their treatments didn’t contradict but actually complemented one another. Here's what I’ve learned so far, how their treatments worked in harmony, not contradiction. Each of them helped us understand different facets of eczema that I had never encountered before, even through conventional or TCM routes.

From Dr Lai @ Bai Chuan Clinic:

Dr Lai shared a perspective I had never heard before — that eczema is an autoimmune disorder linked to inflammation in the brain stem, which then affects the hypothalamus and pineal gland. According to him, Vera belongs to a minority group where flares happen before flu symptoms appear, rather than after — meaning her skin is the first to react when her immunity is compromised. In contrast, most children without eczema would just show common signs like a runny nose or fever first.

Another concept Dr Lai introduced me to was the CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF). From what I understand, when there’s inflammation in the brain and spine, it can obstruct CSF flow. This poor flow may be linked to eczema flares. I’m still trying to fully grasp how this works, but the connection between neurology and dermatology is something I hadn’t considered before.

Lastly, he talked about nerve fibre sensitivity — how certain vertebrae in the spine are connected to different parts of the body. This was a completely new area for me. Apparently, irritation or misalignment in specific areas of the spine could influence skin conditions in corresponding body zones. It was eye-opening — no other doctor, Western or TCM, had ever explained eczema in such terms.

Bai Chuan Japan Enrac Collateral Meridien Therapy
1 lrving Place
#02-05
The Commerz @ Lrving
Singapore 369546
Tel: 67379611

From Dr. Diana Tan at NAET (Shenton Clinic), I learned a completely different way of understanding Vera’s condition — through energy testing. I know it might sound absurd to some, especially if you’re not familiar with natural healing methods (like how Don was at first), but over time, I managed to "educate" him too.

Through this energy testing, we discovered that Vera had leaky gut — which I later learned is common among eczema sufferers. We also found out which organs were weaker and what specific foods she should be avoiding. The test showed she was allergic to yeast (found in bread and buns), cow’s milk, egg whites, almond milk, beef, beta carotene, gluten, and papaya.

I’m so grateful to my chiropractor, Dr. Daniel, for recommending Dr. Diana — this was truly a turning point for us.

With no other options left, I decided to give diet change a try. I cut out her favourite bread and mantou (buns) for just one week. Remember that stubborn patch on her left foot? The one that would sometimes get inflamed and blistered? After just a week without yeast in her diet, that patch miraculously improved. The blisters dried up, the redness subsided — it wasn’t angry anymore. It returned to a calmer state, still dry, but no longer flaring.

That was the moment I truly understood: You are what you eat.

By that time, I had already removed dairy, seafood, and some fruits from her diet (you can see the full list here). So with just the addition of removing yeast and a few newly identified allergens, I was amazed by the huge improvement. I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel — Vera was thriving with the diet change.

Dr. Diana also asked me to bring along all the creams I had been using on Vera for energy testing. Thankfully, all of them passed! One standout was Young Living’s Boswellia Wrinkle Cream — just two applications on the dry patch on her foot, and it became noticeably smoother.

Shenton Clinic
Blk 498, Jurong West St 41
#01- 464
Singapore 640498
Tel: 65654442

The Next Step: Naturopathic Testing and Practical Adjustments

I have to admit — preparing Vera’s meals with such a limited list of safe foods has been one of the biggest challenges. Some mummies were shocked when I told them I had to cut dairy completely. Many exclaimed, “No, my child cannot do without milk!”

I get it. But here’s the truth: dairy is acidic in nature, and it doesn’t benefit eczema flares at all. Thankfully, there are alternatives — oat milk and rice milk, for example — but always remember to read the labels carefully. “No added sugar” doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free. Watch out for ingredients like sucrose or fructose — if you see them, skip it.

Currently, Vera is drinking Oatly at home, and I also pack oat drinks in tetra packs for her to bring to school. By then, Vera had started school, and traveling all the way to Lakeside for more testing became increasingly difficult. The tests there weren’t quick either — they were broken into multiple segments, and it simply wasn’t feasible to complete everything in one visit.

So, again through recommendation, I brought Vera to Naturopathic Therapies Clinic, where we sent a hair sample for allergy testing. Two weeks later, Dr. Saravanan shared the results, and it confirmed that Vera was indeed reactive to several allergens — some of which were already removed from her diet. He also gave us a set of health support strategies to help Vera heal from within:

- Support and improve digestive health

- Promote gentle detoxification

- Strengthen the immune system

- Progressively avoid all foods that tested positive

- Avoid all foods and supplements that may contain yeast

- Beyond just food, Vera was also found to be allergic to:

- Echinacea

- House dust and dust mites

- Certain antibiotics, like Trimethoprim, Erythromycin, and Acetyl Salicylic Acid

- Feathers and droppings of certain birds like lovebirds and parrots

- Two common cosmetic ingredients: Ethylene Oxide and Formaldehyde

Once again, it reminded me of the importance of reading product labels — not just food, but skincare and household products too.

Even oils and sugars were tested. She was allergic to:

Peanut oil , Canola oil, Sunflower oil, Palm oil, Refined olive oil

The recommended cooking oils were:

Rice bran oil

Coconut oil

Ghee (clarified butter)

For sweeteners, I was advised to use molasses if Vera really needed something sweet — though for the past six months, we’ve eliminated refined sugar completely. I give her fresh fruits instead, and I make a conscious effort to cook with whole, fresh ingredients as much as possible. Essentially, Vera has been on a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free, and sugar-free diet — and she’s been thriving on it.

Here’s one of the simple meals I prepared for her using quinoa as a base — it's now a staple in our home.

Dr. Saravanan also taught me a very important principle when it comes to food elimination: do it by block. Here’s how it works:

First, list down all the foods to be removed.

- One “block” equals one week.

- In Week 1, remove just one allergen.

- In Week 2, remove the second allergen — but continue avoiding the first.

Repeat the process gradually, building one block at a time.

This gradual method ensures the body doesn’t go into shock from having too many changes all at once — and makes the transition smoother for the child, too.

Getting to know Vera’s food allergens — and then removing them from her diet — took a great deal of discipline and determination. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. But it was doable. And I say that with confidence because I witnessed the improvement with my own eyes. If we hadn’t made these changes, there’s no way she would have been well enough to start school in January.

The journey was tough, but seeing her finally able to thrive — attend school, play with friends, and live like any other child — made every sacrifice worth it.

Naturopathic Therapies Clinic
1 Coleman Street, #03-20
The Adelphi
Singapore 179803
Tel: 68365615

If you’re looking for a non-invasive, drug-free solution for eczema, I highly recommend consulting these three doctors. Each of them contributed a different piece to Vera’s healing puzzle — and together, their insights helped us find a path that truly worked.

And if you’ve come across other doctors who practice natural healing, I’d love to hear your recommendations too. Let’s learn from and support one another.

Always remember: healing starts from the inside out. Skincare products can help, but they only offer external support. The real work begins within the body — with the food we eat and the allergens we avoid.

If you’re not sure where to start, begin by looking into the most common triggers:

Yeast, dairy (cow’s milk, butter, eggs), soy, seafood, and sugar.

These few changes alone can make a huge difference.

Next, let me share a little on Skincare products. If you recalled reading my bloody and weepy post ?

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast remains my top favourite. It’s non-steroidal, and I highly recommend it for skin with open wounds. Among all the creams I’ve tried, this is the only one that soothed Vera’s broken skin without any stinging — and it actually helped her wounds heal faster. It’s been a true lifesaver during flare-ups.

🌿 Product Recommendations

(Based on what worked for Vera’s sensitive and eczema-prone skin)

Over the years, I’ve tried many products, and I’ve learned that label-reading is key. For Vera’s sensitive skin, I always look for products that are:

- Hypoallergenic

- Fragrance-free

- Alcohol-free

- Colorant-free

- pH-balanced

- Paraben-free

Below are the creams and lotions that made a positive difference for Vera:

💧 1. For Open Wounds / Flare-Ups

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

This remains my top favourite, especially during flare-ups with open wounds. It’s non-steroidal, doesn’t sting on broken skin, and actually promotes healing. The texture is gentle yet effective — truly a must-have in our eczema kit.

🌬️ 2. Daily Moisturizing (Hot, Humid Weather)

Curel Moisture Gel Lotion

This is my go-to daily moisturizer for Vera in Singapore’s humid climate. It has a cooling effect, is lightweight and non-oily, and doesn’t leave that sticky feeling on the skin. Perfect for hot weather or when she’s active during the day.

❄️ 3. Deep Hydration (Air-Con or Cold Climates)

Curel Intensive Moisture Cream

If you're sleeping in an air-conditioned room or travelling to a cold country, this thicker cream is a great option. It provides intensive hydration and acts as a good barrier cream for dry environments.

🧴 4. DIY Oil Blend for Dry Patches

This is my personal blend, especially useful for stubborn dry spots or after bath time to lock in moisture. I apply it directly to affected areas and massage gently into the skin.

Ingredients:

2 oz AgriLife Organic Coconut Oil

15 drops Lavender essential oil

15 drops Melrose essential oil

15 drops Frankincense essential oil

Every skin is different, but if your child is also dealing with eczema, I hope this list gives you a helpful starting point. And again — always read the labels. Even natural or “gentle” products can contain hidden allergens like fragrance, parabens, or preservatives that may irritate sensitive skin.

Curel body wash too has became part of her daily skincare. If you have watched on TheAsianParent Facebook Page as well as on Curel Singapore Facebook page on production of a mum fighting eczema, yes that's us.

Before we were selected to shoot the ad, I had already gone through several bottles of the product for Vera — it had become part of her daily routine. That’s why I was genuinely happy to share our experience with them. It was also our first time doing a shoot, and the whole experience was awesome and memorable!

Thank you for taking the time to read this (admittedly long!) post. To all the parents out there — whether it’s your child or yourself dealing with eczema — I truly hope this post has been helpful in some way.

Always remember: it can get better. But it takes discipline and the courage to take that first step, especially when it comes to making changes in the diet.

Don’t give up. Healing is a journey — and you’re not alone. ❤️

Feel free to share this post with anyone you think might benefit from it. I’m not an expert — just a mum learning along the way. It’s been a journey of trial and error, but each step brought me closer to understanding how to manage Vera’s eczema more effectively.

If you’re also exploring natural healing methods, I’d love to hear your story. Please do share your eczema management tips with me — I’m always open to learning and growing alongside this community.

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

APS 11th Junior Squad Meet 2017 - ATTITUDE that matters

Currently, Xav is in Endurance - Station 8 in APS Swim School. We have been there like 3 years? Alot of friends asked me why I would not want to look for a nearer school but chose to travel all the way down town. We decided on this school because of the small number ratio of coach and students. It's 1:4 ratio attracted us. In terms of safety and the amount of attention the coach can give. I will still prefer this small, comfortable group.

Since last year, he was selected to undergo extra trainings to train up his stamina for time trial. If he could pass the time trial, he gets to join the competitive team. The journey was not easy, trainings are about clocking mileage, building up of stamina, fine tuning of strokes and endurance. By the end of the trainings, he would be so exhausted that he could just fall asleep when we were taking a train back home, all the way from ACJC back to Sengkang.

Unfortunately, after three months, he did not managed to pass the time trial. But I was glad that the school has offered prep classes to continue to train the kids. I did not want Xav to be demoralised and gave up just because he could not pass the time trial. He continued to swim intensively for 4 times a week, including his formal session on Sundays. These three months, we were actually rushing from school back to home, have a quick lunch and headed to the pool straight and thereafter rush back home again to do homework and do dinner. I barely have any time for him to do my revision. Oh well, we made the choice didn't we ? I told him, it may be tiring but he has to learn to manage it.

His first meet was in 2013! 14th March 2017:  Xav took part in APSC 11th Junior Squad Meet 2017.

We signed him up for some events to allow him to gain some exposure and confidence. We knew that he still has a long way to go to reach the stage where he should be. But like we told him, it's not about winning or losing but it's the ATTITUDE that matters. As long as he has go all out and put in all of his best effort, it's good enough. I want him to build up his resilience and endurance, be it in the trainings or in his academic journey.

He did not manage to emerge in the top 3. But from his usual timing of 1:30s, after months trainings, today, he did well ! He clocked and gave himself his new record timing:



Boys 9-10 50 LC Meter Breaststroke: 1:08.36 (Placement 5th out of 16)



Boys 9-10 50 LC Meter Freestyle: 1:04.04 (Placement 8th out of 13)

I have to tell him that it's very encouraging to see the big improvement in his timing, especially when he is weaker in free style but his timing was better than breast-stroke! A big pat on his back for biting the bullet and not giving up despite having to juggle his trainings between his school work, classes and homework. Well done, Xav !! Keep this spirit going! Mummy is sure that you will break this record of yours soon !

Congratulations to those who have made it to the top 3 and to the swimmers who were sporting enough to complete the race, a big pat on all your backs as well for the great sportsmanship and  #nevergiveup spirit. You heard us cheering and applauding for all of you? Carry on swimming and do not give up! One day, you will outdo yourself and make it there !

And APSC Swim School, I must say I love the way you encourage all your swimmers and recognise their effort! We look forward to the next meet !

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !