Sunday, June 26, 2011

using soapnuts

soapnuts - soapberries by melmok
photo by melmok
I was at Tropicana Mall recently and stumble upon to another alternative for natural detergent.
I can use it while waiting for my fruit enzyme to ferment.
It's soapnut / soapberries!!
These little things are from berries grown in india and nepal. (i could have walked pass these little things without realizing it in india.. argh..)

I was told that it has been used for centuries ago. the soapiness or the saponin is from the shell of the berries.
So far i've been using it for my laundry and as hand wash liquid as well.
I just put 6-8 berries in a muslin bag. (my 500pc of muslin bags have a purpose now....) i do 2 rounds of laundry with it. After that i soak them to use as hand wash.
Once the soapberries turn into pale colour i just put it in the garden for it to compose.
Easy Peasy...

i was told by the lady who sold this berries that if you have sensitive skin, doing laundry with these berries can help as these soapnuts have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbia properties.
Basically what the fruit enzyme cleaner can do, these little soapnuts can do as well.

The difference is just the $$$...
Fruit enzyme cleaner = FREE = 3 months to ferment
Soapnuts / soapberries = 200gm/RM12 = on the spot

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Sunday, June 5, 2011

all natural eco fruit enzyme

My second batch of fruit eco enzyme cleaner is not turning too good..
But my 3th, 4th & 5th batch is fermenting well thou. :D


I was too eager to start my second batch and I think i did not add enough of fruit peel
cos i was just estimating on the quantity of the fruit peel.
kekekeke.....


Gave my mom the recipe for her to try. she loved it and she's making her 4th batch now. 
My dad even tried using it to clean his belt and it turn out squeaky clean.

You can use the enzyme cleaner to mop the floor, wash the dishes, car, clean your vegetables & fruits,
wash your cloths with it and it's a natural insect repellent.

You just have to dilute it to ratio of 
• 1 part enzyme to 10 parts of water to mop the floor or to wash your car.
• 1 table spoon of enzyme with vegetables and fruits
• add 1 table spoon of enzyme with your normal laundry
• 1 part enzyme to 5 parts of water to use to spray as insect repellent. i do it for the irritating ants in my toilet wall. 

If you feel uncomfortable by just using the enzyme to wash the dishes, you can also add a bit of your normal detergent. But make sure you dilute your enzyme

Hey, you're saving the earth, it's chemical free and you're recycling your waste(fruit waste).

Here's what you need :
3 liter of water
300gm brown sugar
900gm fruit peel
big plastic bottle


What i do is i save up all my fruit peel and store in the freezer.
You can use orange, apple, kiwi, lemon, mango or banana. But i wouldn't advice you to use banana cos my mom's first batch was with a mixture of different fruit peels but mostly from banana skin. it turn out milky dark and the smell was a bit of a turn off. But it still works! it's just not as nice smelling like mine thou(citrus smell). ;)

Anyway, save up your fruit peels. Make sure you clean it first. 
Pour in the sugar and water, mix it well.
Then add in the fruit peel and shake it really well.


fermentation process by melmok
fermentation process, a photo by melmok on Flickr.

All you need to do is release the cap bottle everyday for the 1st month. If you don't, the bottle would explode. 
There was on time when i skipped a day and when i release the cap the next day, the cap pop up in the air and i could see the gas coming out from the bottle...
So make sure when you loosen the cap to release the gas, do it slowly. 
After that just shake the whole mixture and release the gas again. 

For the 2nd and 3rd month, you just need to shake and release the gas every fortnight.
You can then start using your enzyme cleaner on the 4th month.
You just need to strain the liquid out and transfer it to a smaller bottle.
You can also use the remaining of the fruit peel as fertilizer for your plants.



enzyme cleaner by melmok
enzyme cleaner, a photo by melmok on Flickr.


The longer you keep your enzyme cleaner, the stronger the enzyme gets. 
The gas still builds up in my smaller bottles.

Now and then, i'll release the gas from my ready made enzyme cleaner.


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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

food post that is a quarter way

Recently, my dad celebrated his 60th birthday at Hakka Restaurant at Jalan Raja Chulan.
To be honest, this is my first time trying out Hakka food.
I was suppose to take a pic of each and every dish.... but then i got side track with the food...

There was 12 dishes, 15 pax and the bill came out to RM587.
We had 4 pork dishes ( 2 of the same kind as everyone love the "pancake pork with salted fish"), 3 veggie dishes, 2 fish dishes,  2 chicken dishes, 1 dessert.

The food was good... It was something different.


IMG_0372 by melmok
by melmok on Flickr.

IMG_0376 by melmok
by melmok on Flickr.

IMG_0374 by melmok
by melmok on Flickr.

IMG_0377 by melmok
by melmok on Flickr.

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Last Weekend's Lunch

Sunday Lunch by melmok
Sunday Lunch, a photo by melmok on Flickr.
I like!

A whole chicken leg, with steam rice, asparagus and coriander...

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chemical free

Once while i would side track from my natural chemical free beauty products.
A girl can't help it when a huge word "SALE" or "Promotional Sets" or "Promotional Offers" appears every where you go.

Last weekend i went to the mall to do some window shopping. Since i was there, and since i've heard and read about a certain product and thought to myself *maybe i should check it out and give it a try*.

It say all natural chemical free, but when i look closely at the ingredients... i found a chemical in it. 

So i have to ask myself.. can i just close one eye with that one particular ingredient?


I found that ewg.org helps a lot.
You'll understand what kinda of chemicals that is used for beauty products and what to avoid.
Basically, i totally avoid
• anything with PEG
• Parabens or anything with the end "-paraben"
• Fragences
• SLS

I find that EWG CosmeticsGuide is pretty useful. It's a basic guide to let you know what to avoid. i got this from pureskinblog.


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Friday, May 27, 2011

Glycerin, Hydrosol, Clay N extra

I've finally gotten my stuffs - glycerin, hydrosols and clays that i've order.


I've been using the hydrosol as a toner every morning because i was feeling really uncomfortable with the alcohol content in the toner. 
I was at the verge of making my own hydrosol few weeks back but then where am i going to get pesticide, chemical free flowers here? hmm..

So i had to replenish my Rose Geranium hydrosol as i ran out of it.
I also got my self Witch Hazel and Helichrysum hydrosol to mix it up and to use it together with my clay mask as well.
Got my self some vegetable gylcerin to use it as a hydrator... 
Let's see how my skin would take it. 


I was presently surprise to find that there's a small little bag of Burts Bee scrub.

At first i though it was a face scrub that maybe i could temporarily replace with my dearest suki face exfoliater. 
but when i google it, i found out that it's a body scrub.

i guess i'll be trying it tonight.


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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Borderlinx / VPost

I've meant to blog about my purchase with Borderlinx but as usual, i totally forgotten about it.

I thought of trying out another shipping service and found Borderlinx. Saw a few promo that was link with Citibank credit card users.
Signed up with them and started to stock up my Suki products and my ingredients to make my own shampoo.

Yes, i'm making my own shampoo now.. been using it 2-3 times a week. so far so good.

Anyway, as i was about to enter my promo code for Citibank credit card users. the site rejected the code.
*crap!*... the total shipping cost for my purchase was USD47.12
I was counting on the promo code with USD20 rebate to help me out with the cost of the shipping.

You see, i've been using VPost for my shipments and i always take advantage of the promo shipping code to save the extra $$. yes, i'm a cheap skate.

After chatting with Alicia on live chat throu their website.
I found out that i had to register my Borderlinx account directly through the Citibank link in order to be eligible for the promo code.
*Darn*
So i had 30 days to store my packages free of charge before they start charging me USD5 per day.which is a good news, comparing to Vpost.

I googled and googled for other promo codes that i could use.
Finally found the 'First to use it, first to get the discount!'.
Just had to follow them on twitter and be the first to use the promo code.
I was glue to my computer and my twitter updated for a week before i manage to be to be first to use it.

Lesson learn. Always read the fine print....kekeke

It took 4 days to arrive after i made my payment. By DHL i may say.
The main reason i use Borderlinx was because i needed to buy my supplies from different stores and Borderlinx has the consolidate service.
Vpost doesn't have.

Overall, i prefer borderlinx service. it was hassle free.
After purchasing from amazon.com. My packages reached my borderlinx address and all i had to do was pay for the shipping cost.

As for Vpost, i had to email them the invoice and details of my purchases. But the plus point for VPost is that the US address that they have is at Portland, Oregon, which is a tax-free state.
So i'm free from paying tax for my items.


For now i have about 6-7 months supply of suki's facial cleanser.... happy me...



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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

sukiface skin care

i've never gotten so excited before for a facial cleanser..
my package finally arrived after 22 days from the days i ordered it.
it took 7 days to reach the US address at Portland,
then it took another 15 days for VPost to ship to Malaysia.

Took advantage of the christmas promo from http://www.sukiskincare.com/v6/ and http://www.vpost.com/maybank/ which is giving 40% off the shipping fees till end of 2010.

i regretted that i should have bought more and stock up.
i gave some for my mom to try... and she loved it!!
it was not drying and cleans the face....no chemicals and it's all natural!

the targeted bio-brightening face serum helps with the hyper-pigmentation, scars & spots which i need cos i'm still having scars from my pimples around my jaw and chin area.


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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

loving BFM... loving natural living...

Did I mention that I love.... BFM..

Well, i do!
I've learn so many things and they cover a wide range of topics..

I've just heard an interview on Eco Enzyme. Another step to all natural living...
woo hoo....

I do feel guilty with my purchases of natural skincare products from the states.
The shipment, the fuel, the energy foot print that i'm leaving just for my skin care products.

Will try to wash my face with the eco enzyme solution. and if it works for me..
I would be saving freaking a lot of $$ for my natural skin care products if it works on my skin....


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Monday, October 18, 2010

organic products

I've tried using OCM - oil cleansing method before and i can't seem to stick with this regime.
I just didn't feel comfortable wiping the oil off my face with warm towel with heat and all..
I guess i share the same opinion with vivawomen on this matter

I then discover SUKI and ORGANIC APOTAKE from vivawomen.

I just love the feeling for the sugary bits exfoliating my dead skin and dirts without harming my skin with all the chemical from the conventional cleansers out there.
I have very sensitive and oily skin, prone to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

After using suki's cleanser, i realize that i have very little whiteheads, less blackhead and just the monthly 'women' pimples.
I've been using this 'all natural' product for the pass month. all i can say that i have no regrets purchasing it...

Now i'm expending my venture to other product line...

Woo Hoo .... to my face..... boo hoo to my wallet


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Saturday, October 2, 2010

ipoh trip

we took a trip up to Ipoh 2 weeks ago.
the hotel that we stayed was a disappointment base on the price we paid for. But then again.. i guess it was the Raya festive season.
i'll just let the pic tell the story...
more at my album

















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Saturday, July 24, 2010

lovelula

After 2 weeks of waiting, my package from lovelula.com arrive this afternoon.
Woo Hoo....

The package was lovely. So eco friendly and so me....

I've only got budget for the Organic Apoteke Face Hydrating Gel for the time being. (which cost me £18.68)
Also bought the travel size of SukiFace Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser and the Forest Secrets iRejuvenate Step2 Regenerating Skin Serum.

it's time to test it.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

ninja joe

We manage to catch "Prince of Persia" after work on Wednesday.

After hearing from David with no E about Ninja Joe. We decide to try it out ourself.
To my surprise, the burger was not bad.
When we went in, I saw this guy who ordered 6 pcs for him self! Then we realize that the burger was quite small compared to the McD's.
Since we had some food before the movie, we ordered 3 ninja's with fries and lemonade.

Burger was good.
Fries was good.
Lemonade was ok.

We're a Happy customer!


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Sunday, May 23, 2010

the pink sage

Finally, after months of reading about the pink sage, we manage to pay a visit few Sundays ago.

It’s a brand new place at solaris damansara. The place has not been fully occupied yet, so parking was a breeze.

Can’t remember what we ordered. We had *something…. omelette with salmon, stacked breakfast and 3 stack buttermilk pancakes.
I was expecting fresh button mushroom but it came with Chinese mushroom.
The dried kind where you need to soak it before cooking it.
If they were to use can button mushroom also not so bad lar.. but Chinese mushroom.. hmm… That was a bit disappointing.

but i am looking forward to try out their other dishes the next round.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

muslin drawstring mini bags




I have been searching for these mini muslin drawstring bags for ages and couldn't find it in Malaysia. I had to order it from the States.

I have 500 pcs of these muslin bags / drawstring bags / favor bags to let go. Got these bags for my wedding. Wanted to use it as wedding favors but in the end I had to forgo the idea.

I'm selling these muslin bags / drawstring / favor bags now.

It's brand new and it hasn't been used.
These cute mini muslin bags is unbleached, eco friendly drawstring muslin bag.
Can be use as spice bags, gift bags, potpourri bags.
You can dye and sew on it too…


size : 75mm (width) x 90mm (height)
price : RM 300.00 for 500 pcs


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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

what do you see



tell me what do you see?
i see............... unclarity.


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Thursday, January 28, 2010

char siew, siew yok & asam gai choy






I don't know why, but lately i've been craving for this sar chiew and sei yuk place at taman connaught.
They also serve one of my fav food, asam gai choy.
spicy, sour, and hot. De--li--cious...

the place is pack by noon time and it only subsides at around 4pm...
but it's worth the wait.

at this very minute, my saliva is dripping.... *gulp*


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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

loving this oyster


finally i've manage to retrieve my flickr password account.

i've been meaning to post this for quite some time.
the image doesn't do justice to this oyster.
i've never like cook oyster. i always love my oyster as fresh as it is.

dave introduce us to this place at Low Yat Plaza which serve one of the best cooked oyster that i've tasted.

looking at it makes me drool. *slurp*


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Thursday, December 31, 2009

end of 2009


it's 10 hours before 2010.

heck with the celebration and the going throu with the traffic jam.
i guess it's time to reflect back what i've achieve for the past year.

- i totally lost my flickr account password. so there goes updating my "images"
- i've cut down on my "candy" intake
- got more pigmentation spots on my face which made me spend more money on facial product.... : (
- my minor slip disc is back. am trying acupuncture and hope that it will work. will have wait till end of Jan to see if there's any improvement.
- am learning to drink more chinese herbal drink which i hardly drink.
- learn how to take proper studio shoot.
- confirmed that i need a 24-70mm and a flash!. hehehe (should have bought it when i was in HK)
- manage to see some $ at shutterstock after more then 3 years... hahaha
- stop using plastic bags with i shop. it's a habit to carry my own recyclable bags now a days. but i do forget once as well. :D
- ignoring my blog for half a year....


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Friday, July 17, 2009


i can't remember where i've read this..
at this present moment.. i so totally agree with it.

"Money can't buy happiness
but money can certainly make your misery more pleasant"


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