The mum from Slimum® Case Sharing had side bent and rotated spine, there is a larger crease on her left side than on her right side with her spine rotated to her right and her paraspinal muscles along the right side are thicker than those on her left. A 10-session massage therapy has improved her condition tremendously and bring relief to her pain.

We may never be totally symmetrical, small efforts in correcting the following habits goes a long way to improve our posture and eliminate back pain.

When sitting, centre yourself and not lean on any one side.‍
Avoid uneven weight-bearing activities such as carrying a child on your hips.‍
If you are a side sleeper, sleep on both sides evenly and not on just one side.
Do not stand with one knee bent and one knee straight

The post 4 Tips To Resolve Imbalance Hip appeared first on Restoring Mums.

The post Proper Use of Postpartum Corset appeared first on Restoring Mums.

If you think the benefits of massages are just purely relaxing and with a baby that demands 24×7 care and attention, you may be interested to know the Malay’s have one of the lowest rate of postpartum depression. There could be several contributing factors, but how a professional postpartum massage could benefit your postpartum recovery is one that many may neglect.

The American Pregnancy Association has listed the following benefits:

a. Relaxes muscle tension by increasing blood flow and oxygen to sore spots and eliminates toxins build up.
b. Excellent stress buster and mood elevator – massage encourages body to release endorphins, our body’s natural painkiller and feel good hormones
c. Encourages your body to release oxytocin, the hormone responsible to trigger release of milk from your breast. Oxytocin is inhibited with lack of sleep and massage aids in relaxation for its release.
d. Speeds recovery of Caesarean-section through gentle massage around the area to increase blood supply and aid internal healing. (There should be no direct massage on the wound and abdominal massage is prohibited until at least 4 week post caesarean section)
e. Improve well-being by stimulating lymph flow.

The post Postpartum Massage is Key for Postpartum Recovery appeared first on Restoring Mums.

去年搬家到郊區﹐終於擁有一個夢想的小院子﹐開始我的有機種植。經過幾個月的細心栽培終於看見收成了。其中蕃茄樹結了很多果子﹐發覺同一枝葉上有些飽滿紅通通的﹐有的卻細小未熟透﹐令我學習到植物如是﹐小孩如是﹐大家也有著不同的本質﹐能力性格各有長短﹐何必比較﹐只要他們健康成長便好了。

我種植的種類有很多﹐有瓜有菜﹐有開花的有結果的﹐而他們的需要大致相同﹐只要不要弄錯他們在不同時間的需要便行了﹐有時要施肥﹐有時要除虫﹐有時候只要靜靜的待著﹐什麼也不做就可以了。然而﹐小孩不是也一樣嗎? 孩子不需要我了? 他們不是不再需要我﹐只是需要的方法、時間跟以前不同罷了﹐孩子是一輩子也需要媽媽的﹐我也會一輩子守候在他們身旁﹐需要施肥時施肥﹐要除虫時除虫﹐有時候靜靜待在他們身邊什麼也不做就好……

我的“種植孩子”分享總是說得容易﹐畢竟要做到能收能放、少點嘮叨一點也不易﹐當媽媽的也是一輩子的學習、反思、改善﹐共勉之。

Mrs. Ada Kwok, mama of 2 beautiful children

The post (中文) 孩子不需要我了? appeared first on Restoring Mums.

However, did you know that thermogenesis can also be induced by your dietary components and, as a significant component of the metabolic rate, this process can be stimulated to increase energy expenditure and therefore fat oxidation? That’s right: eating certain food groups can help to keep you slim because your resting metabolic rate is raised during digestion, absorption and distribution of nutrients. Simply put, your body works harder to process certain foods, and the thermic effect of this can take inches off your waistline.

The foods listed below are all thermogenic agents, meaning they increase your body temperature thus helping to burn fat more effectively. So if, like me, you don’t do much exercise, you may want to include the following in your diet to help keep you slim.

Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea

Ginger is well known as a natural digestive aid, but it also helps to reduce your belly fat by suppressing cortisol production. Cortisol is a steroid hormone essential for energy regulation and mobilisation. So, have ginger tea daily to aid your efforts of losing belly fat.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods

Oatmeal and brown rice are highly recommended for those seeking to lose weight on a thermogenic diet, because your body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole foods than it does processed foods.

Lean Meats

The low fat protein in lean meat and poultry has a high thermogenic effect on the body. Protein takes much longer for the body to digest than fats or carbohydrates.

Green Tea

Green Tea

In a report by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking four cups of green tea a day helped people shed more than six pounds in eight weeks. Now that’s just by drinking tea alone, so for those who dislike exercise, this may be a fantastic option. Try drinking it hot!

Lentils

Lentils

One cup of lentils packs 35% of your daily iron needs and it’s low in GI as well. According to Tammy Lakatos Shames, co-author of The Secret to Skinny, our metabolism slows when our body is not getting what it needs to work efficiently. As 20% of us are also deficient in iron, adding this into our daily diet may be doubly beneficial.

Hot Peppers a.k.a. Chillies

Chillies

Chillies are my favourite food and it’s music to my ears to discover that capsaicin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their kick, also heats up your body, which makes you melt additional calories.

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) found in virgin coconut oil retard the accumulation of fat in the body. A British study found that adding chilli and MCT to meals increases dietary induced thermogenesis and over time may cumulate to help induce weight loss, equally preventing weight gain.

Karen Loke – Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums

Photo Sources: Internet所有溫血動物，包括人類，都會自然地產生熱量。這個名為生熱作用的過程可以通過幾個方法做到，包括運動和顫抖（其中肌肉被加熱到與身體活動不同的程度）。

不過，您可知道飲食其實也可以引發生熱作用，而且，作為代謝率中一個顯著的組成部分，這個過程可以被刺激而增加能量消耗，並促成脂肪氧化？對，進食某類食物可以幫您保持身材苗條，因為您的靜止代謝率在消化、吸收和分配營養時提高了。簡單地說，您的身體更加努力地工作去處理食物，而這樣的熱效應可以減去您的腰圍。

以下列出的食物全都是產熱劑，意味著它們提高您的體溫，從而有助更有效地燃燒脂肪。因此，如果您像我一樣，就可以不需要做太多的運動，試試將以下的食物加到您的餐單內，就可以減肥了。

薑茶

薑茶

生薑出名於是幫助消化的天然好幫手，但它還可以通過抑制皮質醇，幫您減走腹部脂肪。皮質醇是一種類固醇激素，在能量調節和流通中是必不可少的。因此，每天飲一杯薑茶有助減少腹部脂肪。

全食

全食

強烈推介燕麥和糙米給那些想要用產熱飲食去減肥的人士，因為比起加工過的食品，您的身體會燃燒的兩倍多的卡路里去分解全食。

瘦肉

瘦肉

瘦肉和家禽中的低脂肪蛋白質對身體具有高的產熱效應。比起脂肪或碳水化合物，人體需要花更長的時間去消化蛋白質。

綠茶

綠茶

《美國臨床營養學報》(American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)的一份報告指出，每日飲用四杯綠茶有助於八週內減掉多於６磅。現在只要飲茶就可以減肥！對於那些不喜歡做運動的人來說，這可能是一大喜訊！熱飲效果更好！

扁豆

扁豆

一杯扁豆包含了35%的每日所需的鐵，而且它是低升糖指數(GI)的食物。根據＂The Secret to Skinny＂(《瘦身的秘密》)的合著者Tammy Lakatos Shames，當我們的身體得不到它所需要的元素去高效地工作時，新陳代謝就會減慢。由於20％的人都缺乏鐵，所以將鐵加到我們的日常飲食中可能會令減肥事半功倍。

辣椒

辣椒

辣椒是我最喜歡的食物。我很高興我發現到辣椒素，一種使辣椒更為出色的化合物。它令您的身體發熱，讓你燃燒掉額外的熱量。

初榨椰子油

初榨椰子油

在初榨椰子油中發現的鏈甘油三酯（MCT）可以阻礙脂肪在體內積聚。英國一項研究發現，將辣椒和MCT添加到飲食中，可以增加飲食誘導生熱作用。隨著時間累積，它們可能幫助促進減肥，也即防止增重。

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師Karen Loke

圖片來自互聯網絡

The post The Thermogenic Effect: Keep Warm And Lose Weight appeared first on Restoring Mums.

It is common knowledge that blueberries are rich in antioxidants, but a 2009 study entitled Blueberries Boost Heart Health suggests that this popular fruit may be an important component to losing abdominal fat. Researchers at University of Michigan’s Cardioprotection Research Laboratory discovered that anthocyanin, the naturally occurring chemical present in blueberries, might alter the way the body stores and processes sugar. Over a 90-day test period, researchers fed rats that had been bred to be obese either a high or low-fat diet, the latter diet being enriched with whole blueberry powder. Results showed that the rats that were fed blueberries ended up with less abdominal fat, lower cholesterol and improved glucose control. These rats also lost body weight and fat mass.

Here are two suggestions on ways you can incorporate these tasty berries into your diet:

Flat Belly Salad

Blueberries Cucumber Salad

Salad ingredients:

• Salad leaves of your choice
• ¼ cup cucumber, diced
• ¼ cup pineapple chunks
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries
• ¼ avocado, diced
• 1 tablespoon chopped onions

Salad dressing ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice of half a fresh lemon
• ½ tablespoon maple syrup

Directions:

1. Mix salad ingredients in a bowl
2. Mix together salad dressing, drizzle over salad and enjoy!

Flat Belly Drink

Blueberries Juice

– 1 box of fresh blueberries

– 1 fresh coconut

1. Chop off the top of the coconut to open up the shell
2. Pour out the coconut water and spoon out the coconut flesh
3. In a blender, blend blueberries, coconut water and coconut flesh
4. Enjoy!

Karen Loke – Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums

Photo Sources: Internet其實，要減走腹部脂肪不一定要節食或者做運動，有時候只要食物吃得對，也可以幫您減走腹部脂肪的！您知道藍莓可以幫您做到這一點嗎？

眾所周知，藍莓含有豐富的抗氧化劑，但是，2009年一份題為《藍莓促進心臟健康》(Blueberries Boost Heart Health)的研究報告指出，這種深受各位歡迎的水果更可能能夠大大地幫助減去腹部脂肪。美國密西根大學心臟保護研究實驗室的研究人員發現，花青素，一種存在於藍莓中的天然化學物質，可能會改變身體儲存和處理糖的方式。在90天的測試期間，研究人員用高或低脂肪飲食餵食已培育成過胖的老鼠，其中低脂肪飲食中加入了全藍莓粉。結果表明，被餵食了藍莓的老鼠的腹部脂肪減少了。另外，牠們的膽固醇降低了，血糖控制得以改善，體重和脂肪量也下降了。

以下提供兩個建議讓您可以將這種美味的莓果加入您的飲食餐單：

減肚腩沙律

減肚腩沙律

沙律配料：

• 隨您喜愛的沙律葉
• 1/4杯黃瓜，切丁
• 1/4杯菠蘿塊
• 1/4杯新鮮的藍莓
• 1/4牛油果，切塊
• 1湯匙切碎的洋蔥

沙律醬配料：

• 1湯匙橄欖油
• 半個新鮮檸檬果汁
• 1/2湯匙楓糖漿

製作方法：

1. 在碗裡將沙律配料混合
2. 將沙律醬配料混合，淋在沙律配料上，然後盡情享用吧！

減肚腩飲料

減肚腩飲料

• 1盒新鮮藍莓
• 1個新鮮椰子

1. 砍掉椰子頂部，打開外殼
2. 倒出椰子水，用匙挖出椰子肉
3. 將藍莓椰子水和椰子肉放入攪拌機攪爛
4. 盡情享用吧！

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師Karen Loke

圖片來自互聯網絡

The post Did You Know Blueberries Help Lose Belly Fat? appeared first on Restoring Mums.

Excessive Pressure Pushing Womb Out of Position

Following childbirth, the womb takes about six weeks to return back to its size. What is not normally emphasised is the womb also needs to be back to its proper position for homeostasis and homeodynamics. When there is a strong downward pressure on the lower abdomen, it can cause your womb to prolapse or further weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Read our article to know more about this subject as to how a displaced womb can affect a woman’s health considerably.

When you wear a belly wrap or waist cincher (loosely termed as postpartum corset) and you feel pressure on your perineum or a sensation of “something” is bulging out of your vagina – these are signs that you are wearing your wrap too tightly. The pelvic floor muscles supports your bladder, womb and bowels. Having a weak pelvic floor makes it harder for you to squeeze the muscles at the bottom of your bladder and cause accidental leaks when you cough, sneeze or am holding your pee.

Excessive Pressure – Side View

Considering the above, a panty-like corset compression garment works better by ensuring the compression effect is even throughout the abdominal area. An even better option is the traditional abdominal binding method, which wraps your abdomen specifically according to your body shape instead of just choosing the closest-fitting size. The ideal is of course giving yourselves a treat of traditional binding and massage treatments.

Traditional Abdominal Binder

However, when an abdominal binding service is not an option, choose a postpartum compression garment that you feel is comfortable enough to wear over a period of two to three months post-delivery for best effect.

Karen Loke – Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums Limited腹部包裹型 (Belly Wrap)和腰夾式塑身型 (Waist Cincher)的產後束腹帶跨越整個腰部。他們都是很好的產後修身(腰圍和腹部)工具。但是我見過很多過分熱衷的媽媽以產後束腹帶把自己長時間包得太緊，想達到縮小自己腰圍和腹部的最大效果。這一番”努力”當然會幫助媽媽們達到縮小腰圍和腹喇，但是當有太大的外來壓縮力施予媽媽的腹部時，這便有很大可能造成對媽媽子宮和盆底肌肉的傷害。

太大的外來壓縮向下擠壓

分娩後，子宮大約需要六週才會自然的回到它在產前的大小。除此以外, 許多媽媽也忽略了子宮須回到正確的位置以達到媽媽身體機能的自然調節. 當下腹部位有太大的外來壓縮向下擠壓時，這可能會導致媽媽的子宮下垂或進一步削弱盆底肌肉。(建議讀者細閱”子宫的位置決定妳的健康”一文，以了解這個問題。)

當媽媽們穿上腹部包裹型 (Belly Wrap)和腰夾式塑身型 (Waist Cincher)的產後束腹帶修身，妳會感覺到陰部會有一些壓力或感覺到有些“東西”在陰道鼓起時 – 這些都是妳的產後束腹帶包裹得太緊的跡象。盆底肌肉在支撐着媽媽的膀胱，子宮和腸道。弱的盆底肌肉使媽媽們更難擠縮在膀胱底部的肌肉, 造成當你咳嗽，打噴嚏或憋尿時會有尿失禁的問題。

太大的外來壓縮向下擠壓 – 側面圖

鑑於上述情況，産後束衣 – 內褲型(Postpartum Panty-Like Corset) 是一個更好的選擇因為它的設計是確保壓縮力均勻分佈在整個腹部區域。但是我個人認為沒有比[傳統馬甲式束衣]更完美的，它的專門設計是根據媽媽不同的體型按腹部和腰圍去施予足夠但不會太大的壓縮力，這就是選擇最接近自己合身的尺寸的普通產後束腹帶所不能比擬的地方。

傳統馬甲式束衣

話雖如此，當媽媽們身邊未能找到傳統專業產後修身的服務時, 那選擇一個合適自己身型, 穿戴舒適的產後束腹帶(建議讀者細閱”産後媽媽最關注又最貼身的課題是…?”一文，以了解這個課題。)， 穿上兩到三個月後也可以達到一定的效果。

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師Karen Loke

The post Proper Use of Postpartum Corset And Your Health appeared first on Restoring Mums.

A corset is a tightly-fitting woman’s undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips, and is worn to shape the figure. It acts as frame or mould for your body and encourages weight loss following childbirth through a combination of compression and induced perspiration.

Before getting a postpartum corset, these are few considerations you must take into account:-

• Postpartum corsets should feel really firm, with very little elasticity. If the corset is too loose, it will not have the required shaping effect and your effort from wearing it day and night will be wasted.
• Look for a corset with a special flap for easy bathroom use; otherwise you will have to take off the entire corset for each bathroom visit, which is very cumbersome and time-consuming – you might just give up after a few attempts!
• Try to avoid latex materials if your skin is prone to allergy.
• Avoid wire supports that sit vertically below your bust, as they either poke uncomfortably into your breasts when you sit down, or onto your thigh. Wire support on the sides is far better for you and more comfortable.
• Choose a corset that is panty-like and supports your lower abdomen up to just below your breast. That way, you have your entire abdomen covered and compressed.
• Some corsets are very short, covering just above the navel. Such corsets aren’t recommended in this instance, as the lower abdominal fats are pushed up and out of the corset, creating an unsightly muffin-top look. 

Muffin-top Source: Glamour.com

Choosing a postpartum corset that works for your body shape can be a breeze once you have a good grasp of the differences between their fundamental designs and purposes:-

Belly Wrap

1. Belly Wrap

• Appropriate for woman who has shorter torso, so the wrap can cover the entire abdomen
• Not so for woman with longer torso as it creates a muffin top effect, and causes too much downward abdominal pressure that may harm the womb and pelvic floor muscle.

Waist Cincer

2. Waist Cincher

• Appropriate for woman who has shorter torso, so the wrap can cover the entire abdomen
• Not so for woman with longer torso as it creates a muffin top effect, and causes too much downward abdominal pressure that may harm the womb and pelvic floor muscle.
• Some waist cincher are made of very elastic materials with wire support at the front which may poke into your breast or thighs when sitting.

C-Section Support Belt

3. C-Section Support Belt / Wrap

• C-section support belt made of cotton is a great tool to support C-section healing and the womb.
• This should NOT be worn as abdominal binders as the width is too small to cover the entire abdomen.
• May give a muffin top look if you have a thicker layer of fats in your abdomen.

C-Section Panty

4. C-section Panty

• Like the C-section Support Belt, a C-section Panty is great for C-section healing and provides comfortable compression for scar healing.
• Compression cannot be adjusted so when your tummy size shrinks further, you may need a smaller size panty
• The panty normally covers below your navel and therefore not a good choice if you’d like to compress your entire abdomen.

Postpartum Panty Like Corset

5. Postpartum Panty-Like Corset

• Recommended type of corset among all others as this corset provides good abdominal support entirely.
• May create a muffin top for woman who has thicker fat deposits on your abdomen
• Woman with longer torso may find the corset not able to cover the entire abdomen
• Choose one with wire support on the sides
• The top of the corset may roll down if there is no wire support for this type of corset.

High Waist Panty Like Corset With Strap Support

6. High-waist Panty-Like Corset with Strap Support

• This is by far the most comfortable and supportive postpartum corset
• Strap support prevents the top corset to roll down during use and wire support are not necessary for these type of corsets
• High waist model covers the entire abdomen well, even for woman with longer torso
• This could double up as C-section healing support.

Don’t forget to check in again for another article where I will share with you the tips on why it is so important to use the postpartum corset correctly!

Karen Loke, Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums廿一世紀美麗優雅, 衣著時尚的産後媽媽最關注又最貼身的課題(除了育嬰以外)相信就是産後修身吧? 而挑戰這課題的成敗關鍵就非選擇最適合自己的[産後束腹帶]莫屬. 選對了, 有事半功倍之效, 但選錯了非旦白費心機, 而且有可能對妳的健康有影響!

KAREN   小貼士

這裡為大家分享一些在你未購買任何[産後束腹帶]之前必須考慮到或注意的事項:-

1. 當穿上[産後束腹帶]時感覺應該是很牢固，很少彈性的。如果[産後束腹帶]太鬆的話，那它就失去應該具有所需的整形效果，穿了也白費你的心機與努力。
2. 盡可能選擇“複合式”設計而非“笠式”設計的[産後束腹帶]. “複合式”設計的[産後束腹帶]方便妳在上洗手間時能快速又自如的鬆開而上完洗手間後可再輕鬆自如的綁好. 否則，這日常上洗手間的小事會因妳穿上了[産後束腹帶]變得非常繁瑣和費時的 – 你嘗試幾次後可能會乾脆放棄不再穿上那[産後束腹帶]從而失去修身機會, 那豈不是太可惜了！
3. 若妳有皮膚過敏症就盡量不要選擇以”膠乳”為原料的[産後束腹帶].
4. 盡量避免選擇在胸圍下方有金屬絲支撐的[産後束腹帶]. 當妳坐下來時它有可能捅入妳的乳房或大腿. 若金屬絲支撐是在左右兩側那會比較舒適.
5. 盡量選擇”高桶內褲“ 型的[産後束腹帶]. 這從下腹向上延伸到胸圍的設計可以給予妳整個腹部完整無缺的, 均勻的壓縮讓妳的身體自然的重塑.
6. 市面上有些[産後束腹帶]或(褲)的設計非常短, 它們只覆蓋到媽媽肚臍的部位.  我不建議選擇這些[産後束腹帶]因為它把沉積在下腹的脂肪往上推, 但又因為設計短的原因造成腹部贅肉橫向地在[産後束腹帶]頭凸出, 非常不雅. 英文有個非常有趣而又很貼切的形容詞為[muffin-top] – 我故且就翻譯成[鬆餅頂部]的效果吧, 嘻!

Muffin-Top 源自Glamour.com

下面我會圖文並茂為妳剖析市面上六類最常見的[産後束腹帶]設計. 一旦妳掌握了這些[産後束腹帶]的基本設計和目的及它們之間的差異後, 選擇一個適合你身形的[産後束腹帶]就可以是一件輕而易舉的小事一樁了：-

腹部包裹型

腹部包裹型 (Belly Wrap)

1. 適用於擁有較短的軀幹身型的媽媽，這類設計可以覆蓋較短軀幹身型媽媽的整個腹部.
2. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計，因為它會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果，並導致過多向腹部位置往下推的壓擠力，很可能會傷害子宮和盆底肌肉。 

腰夾式塑身型

腰夾式塑身型 (Waist Cincher)

2. 適用於擁有較短的軀幹身型的媽媽，這類設計可以覆蓋較短軀幹身型媽媽的整個腹部.
3. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計，因為它會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果，並導致過多向腹部位置往下推的壓擠力，很可能會傷害子宮和盆底肌肉。
4. 市面上流行的腰夾式塑身型[産後束腹帶], 是由非常有彈性的材料縫製，並且在胸圍下方有金屬絲支撐. 坐著時可能會捅着媽媽的乳房或大腿。

剖腹產型 – 腰帶或包裹

剖腹產型 – 腰帶或包裹 (C-Section Support Belt / Wrap)

3. 通常是棉製, 它是每位剖腹產媽媽的最佳拍擋, 其特點是幫助剖腹產媽媽C-部分和子宮的自然癒合。
4. 這類設計不應該被用作[産後束腹帶]因為它的寬度太小，不能以均勻舒適有力的壓縮力覆蓋媽媽的整個腹部所以未能達到重塑身型的目的.
5. 若媽媽有脂肪沉積在腹部就可能會形成[鬆餅頂部]的效果。

剖腹產型 – 內褲

剖腹產型 – 內褲 (C-Section Panty)

1. 像剖腹產型腰帶或包裹，這設計是每位剖腹產媽媽的佳音, 其特點除了是幫助剖腹產媽媽C-部分和子宮的自然癒合外，並提供舒適的壓縮力促使手術後留下的疤痕的癒合。
2. 這褲的壓縮力無法被調整，所以當肚子尺寸進一步的縮小時， 可能需要買一個更小尺寸的褲, 穿不足一兩個月就棄用, 不環保也有點不划算!
3. 這褲的設計一般只覆蓋到媽媽的肚臍部位，因為不能覆蓋媽媽的整個腹部所以未能達到重塑身型的目的.

産後束衣 – 內褲型

産後束衣 – 內褲型(Postpartum Panty-Like Corset)

1. 我會推薦此設計，因為它給產後媽媽提供了全方位腹部的覆蓋。
2. 若媽媽的腹部沉積了較厚的脂肪, 使用此設計的束衣有可能會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果.
3. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計因為此設計無法覆蓋驅幹較長的媽的整個腹部.
4. 緊記要選擇有左右兩側金屬絲支撐的款式.
5. 如果沒有左右兩側金屬絲支撐的支撐, 産後束衣的頂部可能滾下來, 不適也不雅觀。

高腰線産後束衣 – 內褲型(緞帶)

高腰線産後束衣 – 內褲型(緞帶) (High-Waist Panty-Like Corset with Strap Support)

1. 這是迄今為止市面上流行, 最舒適和最有支撐力的[產後束腹帶].
2. 緞帶的支撐防止[產後束腹帶]頂部滾下來; 此設計也不須要金屬絲支撐, 非常舒適.
3. 高腰線設計給予產後媽媽的腹部一個完整的覆蓋，即使擁有較長軀幹身型的媽媽也適用.
4. 這款式也可以用來兼任C-部分的癒合.

下星期我將與你分享為什麼要正確使用[產後束腹帶], 它與妳的健康又有什麼關係！記得回來噢.

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師 Karen Loke

The post Which Postpartum Corset Is Right For Me? appeared first on Restoring Mums.

And I feel it is those precious moments out of the many frustrating and exhausting experiences that keeps me being a mum, that puts a smile on my face and makes me take a deep breath and give a sigh of relief (with satisfaction.) It is moments I know I have climbed another hill, reached another height of motherhood, and looking back at those challenging moments, I could only call it memories.

One such memory is when my 5-year old boy wrote a letter (see attached) to my husband, who was on a business trip at the time. I was busy at home and he asked for a piece of paper. I saw him sitting on the desk writing and changing colour pencils as he wrote. He asked to spell certain words and I answered him but little did I know he was writing a note to “papa”! It was only when I have put my 3 kids to bed after a tiring day (with hubby away on a trip) and finally went in to my room that I saw this note stucked on the wall of our bedroom. It read “I love my dad and he always plays my favourite games and he watches my favourite movies and he always plays with my big dog and he always plays with Buzzy. Love Heng Yung”. It was a moment of sweetness and joy for both me and my husband (and he still uses this picture as his FB profile picture)

“I Love My Dad” – By Yung-Yung

You see, to really understand/appreciate the depth of my joy, you need to know a bit of the challenges we went through together. When Heng Yung was born, he had some pimples on his forehead and doc told me it was baby pimples and nothing to worry about. However, it developed more and more over time and by the time he was 4 months old, his entire face and scalp were full of pimples and turned excema. I consulted western doctors, naturopath, homeopaths, lactation consultants and all of whom gave me different views. It was a tough patch seeing my baby in such state. On top of that, he didn’t sleep much as a baby and awoke every 2 hours for feedings, not just during the day but night time as well. His naps during the day were at max 45mins before waking up for another feed. And he solely fed on breastmilk, directly! He would not take the bottle (trust me, I have tried every single bottle… and pacifier available in the market that time but he just refused) so I was literally home bound for at least 7 months as he feeds 2-hourly and I really dislike breastfeeding in public. My only leisure time out of home was that much-treasured 1-hour grocery shopping and be back within 2 hours. I have tried all methods weaning him off the breast, sleeping methods etc but it all failed.

Baby Yung-Yung

So looking back, and looking at how my sweet little boy has grown into such loving and thoughtful boy, I could not contain my joy (with a big smile soon my face!)

What I’ve learnt is motherhood to me is not about using the best method or getting the best advice, it is listening to my own mothering instinct.

By the way, Heng Yung is free from excema with no food allergy and he has the most contagious smile with smooth skin now.

Karen Loke, mother of 3 lovely children

The post I Roughed It Through With My Boy appeared first on Restoring Mums.

I find that how I look and feel at any given time depends on my lifestyle (I’m still trying to achieve the elusive eight hours of sleep daily). As a woman, I’m discovering that simply eating healthily may not be enough, and I find my diet needs to be supplemented, especially after every menstrual cycle.

I’m always encouraged to see both women and men who look younger than their age, with glowing skin. These people are not those who frequent facials or undergo Botox. One such lady (as I’ve mentioned in my previous post) is Datin Anisah, who at 72 looks no more than 50. Datin’s secret is herbal remedy and detox. My husband has a friend who is a dealer of bird’s nests and, now in his 50s, he has such wonderfully smooth skin he looks 20 years younger as well. I have also noticed many Chinese medicine shops owners have young-looking skin as well.

So here, I would like to share some of the healthy recipes I’ve been using for years to keep my skin looking in great condition. They are practical recipes and most do not require expensive ingredients. Do check back often as I update these recipes regularly.

Series #1 Chicken Essence Recipe

The consumption of chicken essence has long been used as a traditional remedy for fatigue in Asian countries, due to its richness in the antioxidants anserine and carnosine. In a study entitled Effect of Taking Chicken Essence on Stress and Cognition of Human Volunteers it was found that students who ingested essence of chicken fared significantly better, and in fact, during my own high school and university days, I remember having Brand’s Chicken Essence during my exams to boost mental alertness.

Essence of chicken has concentrated amounts of proteins, amino acids and peptides.

It basically means double boiling a whole chicken to extract the essence, with no water needed or added. One whole chicken will normally make one rice bowl of essence (or soup).

During my confinement period, my confinement lady made me a bowl of chicken essence a day – that’s daily for 30 days! I still remember how I felt so energetic, without needing a nap at all during the day. Nowadays, even though this soup boasts of its energy-giving ability, I like making it every month because it is protein rich and, as we all know, protein is important for beautiful skin, hair and nails.

Furthermore, I like using black chicken or the Silkie breed of chicken, because it has less fat than regular chicken and double the amount of carnosine.

The following recipe uses a double-boiling method. The inner pot of a double boiler is covered with a lid and its content does not come into direct contact with any external matter, not even the steam. Hence, the original nutrients and flavour of the ingredients are safely ‘locked’ inside the inner pot and do not run the risk of being carried away by the hot water vapour.

What you need:

• 1 x whole black chicken.
• A pinch of salt to taste.

Preparation:

• De-skin chicken for less fat in the soup.
• Cut chicken to small pieces.
• Smash up the chicken pieces using the back of a chopper so that the essence from the chicken can be easily released.

Equipment:

There are two ways of making essence of chicken.

1. Using a double boiler pot.

This type of double boiler can be hard to come by. It has an inner pot with a perforated lid about an inch above the base, which can be easily lifted up. The chicken pieces are placed on top of this lid. When the pot is boiling, the essence will drip down through the hole to the base of the inner pot. After double boiling for four hours, allow the pot to cool. Remove the covers, and remove all the dried-up chicken pieces from the inner pot. Lift up the perforated lid and there you have your essence of chicken: this looks like a clear, golden broth.

Double Boiler Pot

2. Make your own double boiler

What you need:

• 1 x rice bowl
• 1 x Chinese boiling jar

Chinese Boiling Jar

• 1 x steaming wire plate

Steaming Wire Plate

• 1 x metal stockpot (ensure this pot is large enough to put in the Chinese double boiling jar)

Let the fun begins:

• Turn the rice bowl upside down and place it into the bottom of Chinese double boiling jar.
• Place the steaming wire plate at the bottom of the stockpot and then place the Chinese double boiling jar on top of the steaming wire plate.
• Place all the mashed up chicken into the Chinese double boiling jar. It should look like this:
• (INSERT PHOTO HERE)
• Cover all the lids and double boil for three hours.
• Turn off the fire and let it cool for at least 15 minutes.
• Open the lid and remove the dried up chicken. Once you turn off the heat, the essence from the chicken (which by now sits at the bottom of the jar) will slip through to the rice bowl facing down. Higher air pressure from the jar will push the liquid to the vacuum area of low pressure inside the rice bowl. That is why you don’t see any liquid when you remove the chicken pieces.
• Slowly, remove the rice bowl and the essence will splash right out.
• Season with salt and drink warm!

Tips:

You may want to further sieve the essence with an oil sieve to remove oil and other residues from the chicken. Enjoy cooking and trust you will find yourself “recharged” after consuming the soup!

Karen Loke – Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums

 我一直深信「美貌並不是膚淺的」。如同我相信做好皮膚護理可以護膚，我相信食療可以滋養調理好我的身體。

我發現我的生活方式會影響我的外觀和感覺（我仍在努力做到每天睡夠八小時）。作為一位女性，我發現單單吃得健康是不足夠的，補充品是需要的，由其是在每次月經之後。

當看到男性和女性看上去比實際年齡年輕，有著容光煥發的皮膚時，我總會感到鼓舞。他們不是經常去做美容或打Botox（肉毒桿菌）。有一位名叫Datin Anisah的女性（我在上一篇提及過她），她72歲，但看上去只像50歲。Datin的秘密就是草藥和排毒。我的丈夫有位朋友是燕窩的經銷商。現在他50歲，但他光滑的皮膚令他足足年輕了20年似的。我也留意到很多中藥店的店主也同樣有著年輕的肌膚。

所以在這裡，我想分享一些我多年來用來護膚的健康食譜。它們是實用的食譜，大部分都不需要用到很昂貴的食材。我會定期更新這些食譜，請大家不時留意。

系列＃1滋補美味雞精食譜

在亞洲，食用雞精一直是傳統的提神方法，因為它有豐富的具抗氧化作用的甲肌冴和肌冴。一項名為《雞精對於人類志願者的壓力和認知能力的作用(Effect of Taking Chicken Essence on Stress and Cognition of Human Volunteers)》的研究發現服用了雞精的學生明顯地表現得更好。再加上其實，在我讀高中和大學的時候，我記得我在考試時都有飲過白蘭氏雞精，去令頭腦清晰。

雞精含有大量濃縮的蛋白質，氨基酸和肽

這代表著雞精的做法是不加水，將雞用雙沸騰去提取它的精華。一隻雞通常可以做到一碗（飯碗）雞精（或雞湯）。

我坐月子的時候，我的陪月員每天都幫我煮一碗雞精──煮了足足30日！我仍然記得全日我是多麼的精神有力，完全不需要打瞌睡。現在，雖然雞精提升活力的功效是吹噓的，但我每個月都會服用它，因為它有豐富的蛋白質。我們都知道，蛋白質對皮膚、頭髮和指甲好。

此外，我喜歡用黑雞或竹絲雞，因為牠們比普通的雞有較少脂肪和兩倍的肌冴。

以下的食譜用的是雙沸騰方法。雙層蒸鍋的內鍋由一個蓋子覆蓋著，令入面的食物不會與任何外部物質，甚至是水蒸汽直接接觸。因此，食材原本的營養和味道會被「鎖」在內鍋裡，不會被水蒸汽帶走。

妳需要的材料有：

• 全隻黑雞一隻
• 少許鹽，用來調味

準備工作：

• 去除雞皮以減少湯的脂肪。
• 將雞切成小件。
• 用刀背拍打雞件至少爛，令精華容易被帶出

用具：

有兩種煮雞精的方法。

使用雙層蒸鍋。

這種雙層蒸鍋已經很難可以找得到。它有一個內鍋，由一個離基座有一英寸高的帶孔的蓋子覆蓋，可以很容易被提起。將雞件放在蓋子的上面。沸騰時，雞的精華會由孔子流入內鍋。雙沸騰四小時後，讓鍋冷卻。揭開鍋蓋，將已經乾涸的雞件拿走。揭開帶孔的蓋子，您就會見到有著清澈金色的雞精。

Double Boiler Pot

自己動手造一個雙層蒸鍋

妳需要的材料有：

• 飯碗一個
• 中式燉盅一個

Chinese Boiling Jar

• 蒸隔

Steaming Wire Plate

• 金屬湯鍋一個（請確保可以放入燉盅）

步驟：

• 將飯碗反轉放入燉盅。
• 將蒸隔放入湯鍋內，然後將燉盅放在蒸隔上。
• 像以下圖示一樣，將所有雞件放入燉盅
• （圖片）
• 蓋上所有蓋子，煮三個小時。
• 熄火，讓它冷卻至少15分鐘。
• 打開蓋子，取出已乾涸的雞件。當妳熄火後，雞的精華（現在在燉盅底部）會順著飯碗流下。燉盅內的高壓會將精華推入低壓、真空的飯碗內。所以妳看不見雞件的水份。
• 慢慢地拿開飯碗，妳就會見到精華淺出來。
• 以鹽調味，趁熱飲！

小貼士：

妳可能會想用篩子篩走雞油和其他殘留物。請妳享受烹飪的樂趣，妳會發現自己在飲完雞精後「充電」了一樣！

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師Karen Loke

The post Chicken Essence Recipe appeared first on Restoring Mums.