iHerb.com discount coupon code SKP520

Good news! I had just bought some stuffs from iHerb.com and found this :

There is this January Special where every customer is a VIP customer! Also, if you order $200.00 or more during this month, (instead of the required cumulative $2,000.00) your account will be elevated to VIP account, ongoing! This special VIP offer will expire at 12 midnight, Pacific Time, January 31st.
Apart from that, there is also January 2013 - DHL Challenge where DHL has offered a new set of discounts for some countries. For purchase above $60.00, there is up to 95% off DHL published rates!


So you had guessed right, of course I had bought lots of things in order to meet the VIP life-long account requirement ;)

So for those who are interested, there is a iHerb.com Discount Coupon Code SKP520. Just enter the code during Check Out or you can directly click here.

There will be $10 off for any first-time purchase of $40 or more. And for orders less than $40, you will receive a $5 discount. Orders of $60.00 or more a minimum 5% discount will be applied toward order total.

There is also free shipping for U.S. orders over $40.00.

Hoorays for iHerb !!!

I am Back !!!

Hello! I am finally back again after a long hiatus..... have been too busy taking care of my 2 kids. Hope to continue pick up blogging from where I had left off :)

'Alarming' levels of arsenic and toxic metals found in baby food

The following article is taken from TODAYonline from here.

04:47 AM Apr 11, 2011

LONDON - Baby foods used to wean infants off milk have been found to contain "alarming" levels of toxic contaminants including arsenic, lead and cadmium, in tests conducted in Sweden.

The products tested by researchers were made by major baby food manufacturers including Organix, Hipp, Nestle and Holle.

Researchers found feeding infants twice a day on the shop-bought baby foods such as rice porridge can increase their exposure to arsenic by up to fifty times when compared to breast feeding alone.

Exposure to other toxic metals such as cadmium, which is known to cause neurological and kidney damage, increased by up to 150 times in some of the foods tested, while lead increased by up to eight times.

Although none of the levels of the toxic elements found in the foods exceeded official safety limits, scientists believe they are still of concern if fed to very young children and have demanded new guidelines to restrict their presence in food.

Young infants are thought to be particularly vulnerable to these substances because they are going through rapid development.

Writing in the journal of Food Chemistry, the scientists from the Unit of Metals and Health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm said: "Alarmingly, these complementary foods may also introduce high amounts of toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and uranium, mainly from their raw materials.

"These elements have to be kept at an absolute minimum in food products intended for infant consumption. In infant foods, the high concentrations of arsenic in the rice-based foods are of particular concern."

Experts now believe there are no safe limits for arsenic and manufacturers should be making more efforts to remove it from their food.

Professor Andrew Meharg, a biogeochemist at Aberdeen University who has studied the presence of arsenic in rice, said the latest research highlighted the urgent need for new restrictions on arsenic and other toxic elements in food. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

What Women Want Fair (Singapore Expo)

Start: 15 Apr 2011

End: 17 Apr 2011

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5B

Cost: Public - Free admission

Time: 10am to 9pm
Organiser: Hemus Pacific Pte Ltd
Contact Details:
Tel: +65 9690 1623/ 9008 4234/ 9369 9618/ 6270 3498
Fax : 6634 1376/ 6270 2686
Email : info@hemus.com.sg
Website: www.hemus.com.sg

What Women Want fair aims to provide women from all walks a wide range of products and services under one roof! It is a consumer exhibition showcasing the wish lists of the modern women from latest beauty & health care products/services, high tech gadgets, household equipment to fashion.There will be performances, free talks, games and freebies giveaway. A free admission event caters to all women, whether they are teenagers, working women or homemakers. Mark the dates in your calendar as no woman will want to miss this event!

Travel Carnival 2011 (Singapore Expo)

Start: 16 Apr 2011

End: 17 Apr 2011

Venue: Singapore Expo, Hall 4B

Cost: Adult: $2.00 Children below 12 yrs - Free

Time: 9.30am to 9.30pm
Organiser: IBT Investment Pte Ltd
Contact Details:
Telephone: +65 6298 8425
Fax: +65 6298 8421
Email: info@uee.com.sg
Website: www.uee.com.sg
Travel Carnival 2011

Transform Your Parenting Paradigm

Transform Your Parenting Paradigm

Admission:	Admission by Registration - S$69
Venue:	Expo Conference Halls A-F

Time: 1.45pm to 5pm

Organiser: Congress360 LLP

Contact Details:
Telephone: +65 92779916
Email: enquiry@congress360.com.sg
Website: www.congress360.com.sg

Prof Zhou Hong is no stranger to many parents – the author of National Best Seller “Appreciating Your Child”. Millions of copies were sold, 7 pirated copies circulating in the market, major contributor to “I m Not Stupid II” movie, thousands of media including BBC had reported his miracles in parenting.

This seminar will help parents to transform their parenting paradigm. Many children and families’ destiny have been transformed after practicing his philosophy at home and schools. The results have been extraordinary.

John Little Mega Expo Sales

John Little Mega Expo Sales

Date : 31 Mar 2011 - 10 Apr 2011
Venue: Expo Hall 4
Time: 10.30am to 10pm

Organiser: John Little Pte Ltd

Contact Details:
Telephone: +65 6212 9200
Email: customerservice@johnlittle.com.sg
Website: www.johnlittle.com.sg

Lifestyle 21 Exhibition

Lifestyle 21

Date : 19 Mar 2011 - 27 Mar 2011

Admission:	Public - Free Admission
Venue:	Hall 6A

Time: 12 noon to 10pm

Organiser: Premier Exhibition Services Pte Ltd

Contact Details:
Tel : +65 6736 3177
Fax : +65 6737 9170
Email : sales@premierservices.com.sg

Furniture, Furnishing, Home Interior Design, Appliances and other end-marketing products

The POPULAR Sale 2011

The POPULAR Sale

Date : 18 Mar 2011 - 20 Mar 2011

Admission:	Public Free Admission
Venue:	Hall 5A

Organiser: POPULAR Book Co (Pte) Ltd

Time:
18 March: 10am to 3pm POPULAR Card Members Closed Door Sale
18 March: 3pm to 10pm Open to Public
19 - 20 March: 10am to 10pm

Contact Details:
Tel: 6462 9555
email: feedback@popularworld.com
web: www.popular.com.sg

Carrefour Fair 2011

Carrefour Fair

Date : 24 Mar 2011 - 27 Mar 2011

Admission:	Public - Free Admission
Venue:	Hall 5A

Time: 10am to 10pm

Organiser: Carrefour Singapore Pte Ltd

Contact Details:
Telephone: +65 6333 6868
Fax: +65 6887 5146
Email: SINGAPORE@CARREFOUR.com
Website: www.carrefour.com.sg

Up to 80% savings off your favourite brands

Motherhood Exhibition 2011

Motherhood Exhibition 2011

Dates: 2 - 5 June 2011
Venue: Hall 6B Singapore Expo
Time: 11.00am to 9.00pm

Free Admission

Marriage Convention 2011

at Suntec Convention Singapore on 25th March to 27th March 2011.

Each seminar’s duration is approximately 2 hrs 30 mins. Marriage Convention 2011 tickets are priced at $12 per person or $16 per couple, per seminar. And the early bird tickets are available from all SISTIC outlets from 14 February 2o11.

Here’s the list of the Marriage Convention 2011 seminars if you are keen to attend:

Sat 26 March 2011, 9.30am-12.00nn, Level 3 Theatre
Woo Him, Wow Her (English)
Jay and Laura Laffoon

Sat 26 March 2011, 9.30am-12.00nn, Level 3 Rooms 303-305
幸福婚姻家庭十诫
陈汉锡先生及陈黎凤玲女士

Sat 26 March 2011, 2.30pm-5.00pm, Level 3 Theatre
The Intimacy Dance (English)
Jay and Laura Laffoon

Sat 26 March 2011, 2.30pm-5.00pm, Level 3 Rooms 303-305
好夫妻动力信望爱
陈汉锡先生及陈黎凤玲女士

Sun 27 March 2011, 9.30am-12.00nn, Level 3 Theatre
Say WHAT? (English)
Jay and Laura Laffoon

Sun 27 March 2011, 9.30am-12.00nn, Level 3 Rooms 304-305
‘Bukan Aku Tak Sayang’ – Kenali Bahasa Cinta Pasangan Anda!
Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood

Sun 27 March 2011, 2.30pm-5.00pm, Level 3 Theatre
The Ultimate Date (English)
Jay and Laura Laffoon

Sun 27 March 2011, 2.30pm-5.00pm, Level 3 Rooms 304-305
Fleeting Romance or Enduring Love? (Tamil)
V Ravindran and Caroline David

More info here.

The Kidz Academy 2011

Venue : Suntec Singapore, Exhibition Hall 401 Level 4 from 11am to 9pm
Date : From 25 Mar 2011 (Fri) - 27 Mar 2011 (Sun)
Time : 11am to 9pm

Featuring more than 70 exhibitors and the finest selection of Child Education Centres and services including Modern Montessori International, Carpe Diem, Adam Khoo, Mindedge, Music for Young Children, Magic Fiddler and many more.

Free admission.

http://www.thekidzacademy.com.sg

Parents World Fair 2011

Venue : Parkway Parade, Basement Atrium
Date : From 14 Mar 2011 (Mon) - 20 Mar 2011 (Sun)

Further Info :

Have your kid’s photo take on an exclusive parents world cover for a minimum spend of $50 for the first 200 shoppers daily.

Stand a chance to win more than $10,000 worth of prizes in our Parents World Fair 2011 Lucky Draw.

Lucky Draw Prizes:
1st Prize:
Meyson Jewellery Set worth $9,000 plus $300 Parkway Parade shopping vouchers

2nd Prize:
Nintendo Wii Set plus $200 Parkway Parade shopping vouchers

3rd Prize:
Canon Camera plus $100 Parkway Parade shopping vouchers

Other exciting games:
- Power Mums & Power Dads 2011 Search
- My Parents are smarter than yours
- Stage games and many more.

Baby Care Festival Expo 2011

Baby Care Festival Expo 2011

Venue : Singapore Expo Hall 6B
Time : 11am to 9pm (18 & 19 March 2011) & 11am to 8pm (20 March 2011).

Free Admission.

Call 6357 5013 for enquiries.

Baby Expo 2011

Baby Expo 2011

Time: 11am – 9pm (Fri & Sat) 11am – 8pm (Sun)

Organiser: Vivacious Media Pte Ltd

Contact Details:
Tel : +65 6404 3676
Fax : +65 6343 9600
Email : sales@vimedia.com.sg

Singapore Baby Expo Oct 2010

Baby Expo
22 October 2010 - 24 October 2010

Event type : Retailer & Sales
Venue : Hall 6B
Admission : Public - Free Admission
Event Schedules : 22 & 23 Oct: 11am to 9pm
24 Oct: 11am to 8pm


Show Profile :
Baby Expo provides you with amazing choices and unbeatable value on everything for your pregnancy, baby and toddler. Get set to make the most of our Hot Deals & Great Promotions!


Organizer : Vivacious Media Pte Ltd

Contact Details :
Tel : +65 6404 3676
Fax : +65 6343 9600
Email : sales@vimedia.com.sg

Recipe : Lamingtons Cake

This is a free recipe : Lamingtons Cake, which I got from buying one of Lamington Baking tray :

Cake Mix Ingredients :
125g butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 milk (approx)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Chocolate Icing Ingredients :
30g butter
1/2 cup boiling water (approx.)
3 cups icing sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 cups dessicated coconut

Cake Mix Method :
1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
3. Sift flour and salt
4. Add alternatively with milk to mixture
5. Add vanilla essence
6. Blend well, but do not over beat
7. Add a little more milk if necessary, to form a soft dropping consistency
8. Spread evenly onto tray
9. Bake in a moderate oven (180deg C/350 deg F) for 25-35 minutes, or until cooked
10. Turn out and cooled on a cake rack
11. Cut into 30 squares
12. Dip each square into chocolate icing and roll in coconut

Chocolate Icing Method :
1. Melt butter in 1/4 cup boiling water
2. Sift icing sugar with cocoa
3. Add liquid, mixing well
4. Add vanilla essence
5. The icing must be thin so that squares of cake can be readily coated
6. Add sufficient boiling water to form this consistency

Convection Oven

I have been hunting around for a Convection Oven recently. And finally got one.

Here I am going to share some info that I had gathered during this hunting period :

How do you choose a Convection Oven? First of all, you need to understand what are your cooking needs. Do you need the oven more for Baking, Roasting, Grilling or others? Different oven work best for different needs.

However following are what an oven should have, no matter what are your cooking needs :

• Top heating coil
• Bottom heating coil
• Fan
• Glass door wide enough to see the food inside the oven
• Glass door that is able to maintain coolness while cooking for safety precaution - can be a double layer glass door
• Rack(s)
• Baking tray
• Independent Lighting
• Digital timer (better if have increments of 5 degrees)
• Door that can be keep ajar at an angle (when testing the food inside)

Now I'll list out which oven function to use for different cooking purpose :

1. Traditional baking
- Top + Bottom Coil Heating (eg. cookies)

2. Pastry Baking
- Fan Heating (eg. rising bread, meringue, choux pastry, sponge cake)
- Top + Bottom Coil + Fan Heating (eg. satay, fish, meat, cookies)

3. Barbeque
- Top Coil Heating (eg. grilling)

4. Gratin
- Top Coil + Fan Heating (eg. grill, sear, brown, crisp chicken)

5. Pizza
- Bottom Coil + Fan Heating (eg. pizza, quiche)

MIA again!

Hey I am back and alive again! (after my usual act of MIA - Missing in Action) ;)

What have I been doing all this while? I have been busy doing research. Research on how to be a successful homemaker without much effort. Gotcha ...

I have actually been busy doing experiments on food and cooking. Trying different methods and different mix of morsel bits to come out with unusual (in better words, creative) dishes.

Some come out great and some come out disasters. Of course the one who suffers from these is my dear hubby :)