Sitting Posture and Backjoy Relief

I've been experiencing on and off shoulder ache and neck pain since I transferred to my current work place. I used to work in hospital and clinic where I have to stand or walk around most of the time. Although life was hectic, busy and always work in a rush, I have never experience this kind of pain. Since my job becomes desk bound, muscle pain and body ache become a norm. Initially I thought is due to excessive exercise because the symptoms started when I joined gym at true fitness using the one month unlimited pass. However, the symptoms persisted and in fact worsening even though I stopped going to gym.

It was then that I started to feel something not right. I went to my previous work place to do blood check and get consultation from the FMS. Things turn out to be normal, thus dr suspect me having fibromyalgia. I then went for a few sessions of chiropractice and physiotherapy. Symptoms disappeared and I felt more relieved each time after those treatments. However, the symptoms come back after few days, especially after few days of work. According to the physiotherapist, the root cause  is wrong sitting posture and sit for too long. It was then I remembered the office chair I sat on during the first two months of work was not in good condition. I didn't bother much and just used it while waiting for the new chair. Wrong sitting posture + spoilt chair + long sitting hours = chronic persistent body ache. 

I have stopped all those treatments since April, as being told by the physiotherapist the treatment is just to relieve the pain. I still have to correct the root cause which is my sitting posture. Stretching exercise and get myself up from sitting position at least once in 30 minute are important too. After getting advice from my friend who works in retail pharmacy, I decided to buy Backjoy Relief. According to the description from its website, "The revolutionary and scientific design of BackJoy's Orthotic Cradling System™ allows BackJoy Relief to 'float' the user's spinal system over any sitting surface, hard or soft, for all-day comfort and injury prevention." 

This is the third day of me using this product, so far I do not experience shoulder pain and neck ache. I will have to use longer to judge whether it is really that effective...

Gelatomio Italian Ice-cream

Have you heard of Gelatomio Italian Ice-cream? When I visited Erik at Vitacare, he gave me few cups of Gelatomio ice-cream to try. His place is selling this ice-cream now, flavors such as chocolate, mint chocolate, strawberry yogurt, black sesame,vanilla and green tea are available. After doing some search online, it seems that it is made by an Italian guy who came to Malaysia more than ten years ago. He was unable to find ice-cream which satisfy his taste bud, thus he decided to make his own Italian ice-cream. Based on some reviews, black sesame and vanilla are the most popular flavors. However, I did not opt for these two flavors when Erik asked me to choose, em I thought vanilla is nothing special and I never like black sesame. Angeline, the black sesame lover, was unhappy with it, lol.

The ice-cream is very smooth and rich in flavor. The mint chocolate ice-cream is cooling and does not use much green coloring like the other brands do. Those who like chocolate should go for the chocolate ice-cream. The dark chocolate is so rich and smooth, one cup is definitely not enough and you will ask for more.

The strawberry yogurt ice-cream-I like this the most. Anyway, I have yet to try the green tea flavor.

The design is so adorable. If you google translate it, gelato mio means "my ice-cream" in Italian.

The saliva drooling yogurt ice-cream. It's not too sweet and just nice. Yummy~

Dessert Time @ Just Heavenly, Bangsar Shopping Centre

Yesterday I went to Bangsar shopping complex (BSC) to find my friend Erik and Yian. After having a great lunch at Monte's, Yian and I proceeded to enjoy dessert and chit-chat at Just Heavenly Cafe. Poor Erik has to continue his work at Vitacare pharmacy, this is the life of retail pharmacist, work during weekend and holiday.

We tried two types of cake, the choc and cheese cake and chocolate durian cake. The chocolate durian cake is highly recommended by my colleagues and they claim is a must try. 

The chocolate durian cake. Rm 11.90. It is really irresistibly good, especially if you love durian and chocolate. According to the Just Heavenly website description, it is Light as air chocolate genoise sandwiches a fresh D2, D24 and Kunyit blend for durian and chocolate lovers. 

Take a look at the interior, full of durian flesh, yum yum. Enjoy it while it is freshly taken out from the refrigerator, the texture is like eating durian ice cream coated with chocolate.

This is another cake that we had, the choc and cheese cake. Rm 12.90. A dark, moist chocolate cake topped with creamy cream cheese topping. This is a bit ordinary and nothing special to me, but can give it a try if you like moist choc cake.

Dinner @ Komugi Cafe, Paradigm Mall

Few days ago, I went to Paradigm Mall with my sis, Yin, for hair treatment. Before the appointment, we had our early dinner at Komugi Cafe, Paradigm Mall. Komugi bakery shops are available at few places in Klang Valley, but the cafe outlets only available at Pavillion, KL and Paradigm Mall. I first time come across half-baked cheese cake when I walked pass Komugi bakery in Mid Valley Mega Mall few months back. It was then that I realized bakery shop like Lavender also selling this kind of cheese cake. Whenever something become a trend, you can see it everywhere and every moment. When the heat over or slows down, it will be missing from your surroundings. This reminds me of bubble milk tea, lol.

Anyway, there is quite a variety of hot food from the menu, from soup bun, spaghetti, pie to croissants, pizza etc. Heard that the tofu cheese cake is nice but we have not tried it. 

This cafe does not serve plain water , ice water, sky juice or ordinary mineral water. The only option you have if you want to drink something plain---> Pure oxygenated water. RM 3.50.

Yin ordered a cup of hot chocolate, the taste is great and rich in chocolate. 

As an all-time salmon lover, I tried the smoked salmon sandwich. The taste is not bad, but the smoked salmon will taste even better if they can make it slightly less salty. The serving is quite generous as you can find few slices of "fat" salmon. The salmon goes really well with the baby lettuce, cucumber, tomato and buttery toast. Can give it a try if you love salmon. RM 22.90. 

Mushroom cream, a soup bun highly recommended by my friend. The mushroom soup is creamy and delicious, but might not be enough as a main course. The "bowl" is actually french baked toast, dip the toast into the soup and the taste is fantastic. RM 9.90. 

If you dine in during lunch hour, there is set lunch available. I've yet to try this.

All the prices above subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax.

Caramel Lover

I'm a caramel lover, I love desserts or snack made from caramel or flavored with caramel. Caramel cake, caramel chocolate bar, caramel popcorn, caramel cookies ... Recently I've tried a few caramel flavored cake which I like to share it here.

My favorite Salted Caramel and Almond Mille Crepe. Tried this few times at Food Foundry Section 17. It is the famous and top selling mille crepe there. Some people may find it too sweet thus better share it with someone.

Delicious Cafe Caramel Macadamia Cheese Cake. Really delicious, but I can't finish it alone unless I let go the main course.

Dome Cafe Caramel Macadamia  Cheese Cake. Tasty and less sweet compared to Delicious Cafe's. It is not so cheesy as well. 

My First Attempt on Grape Lassi

For the past few days, I've been making milk shake, yogurt drink and lassi using the "Shake N Take" blender bottle bought from Groupon last year. I first tried lassi drink in 2009 during my first Chiangmai trip. Since then, I will order this drink at least once whenever I visit Thailand. 

This is my first attempt to prepare grape lassi. My mum has bought quite a lot of grapes from a stall she frequent, but they turned out to be sour. In order to reduce wastage, I decided to turn them into lassi drink, by adding a few simple ingredients.

Honey, water, grapes (seedless), plain yogurt,ice. These are all the ingredients needed, and preparation time is less than 1 minute！I did not add milk but just replace with plain water, as I think grape and milk do not really go well together. 

1) 1 tablespoon honey + 150ml water. Blend together for 10 seconds

2) Add 2 tablespoon of plain yogurt into the mixture above. Blend for 10 seconds

3)  Add all the grapes into the mixture and blend for 20 seconds. If the grapes are frozen grapes, you might need to blend slightly longer, approximately 30-40 seconds. If the grapes used are not frozen, add 2 ice cubes to the mixture and blend for 10 seconds.

4) Pour the drink into cup and best served cold. 

Enjoy!