Hair Beauty Tips from the Kitchen!

It is a wonder that our kitchen has most of what we can use to beautify ourselves without the need of spending much. Does your hair break easily every time you comb? Have you been coloring or blow drying your hair excessively? Want softer and more manageable hair?

Here are some tips you may like to try out in the comfort of your own home. You can  even have a little girlfriend party for extra fun! It takes only a fraction of the time you spend at salon, and saves a big heap in your pocket.

Damage and Weak Hair Follicles 

Eggs are rich in fatty acids and protein

To help strengthen and repair damaged hair follicles, use eggs. Eggs contain protein and fatty acids that not only strengthen and moisturize your locks, but they also give your hair extra shine and body boost.

1. Beat a couple of eggs in a bowl and use it as a conditioner after shampooing. 

2. Leave the egg mixture in your hair for a couple of minutes, then rinse completely with luke warm or cold water.

or if you don't like the eggy smell on your hair:

1. Beat a couple of eggs (or enough eggs for the length of your hair).

2. Massage into dry hair.

3. Leave for 15 minutes (use a shower cap to prevent mess), then shampoo off with luke-warm  or cold water.

Hair Loss

Potassium rich bananas

For stronger hair, and to prevent hair loss, try bananas. Bananas are rich in potassium. You may find potassium in hair care products that intended for topical use  to prevent and treat balding.

1. Mash a ripe banana into smooth puree. 

2. Massage into your hair and scalp.

3. Leave for about 15 minutes, then shampoo off.

Coarse Hair

Emulsion of oil, egg yolk and and lemon juice

To soften your locks to have more manageable hair, try mayonnaise.

1. Apply a cup or enough mayo to dry hair.

2. Massage into scalp.

3. Leave for 15 minute and shampoo off. 

Dry Hair

Maple syrup made from xylem sap of maple trees

Moisturize your hair instantly by using maple syrup. Ensure you use high quality/real  maple syrup and not the maple syrup that contains high-fructose corn syrup stuff.

1. Pour maple syrup directly onto dry hair.

2. Use a shower cap to hold hair and syrup for about 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Rinse off with warm water.

Dry Brittle Hair

Olive oil

To moisturize and strengthen your hair, try olive oil.

1. Warm 1/2 cup of olive oil.

2. Apply to damp hair.

3. Wrap with plastic foil/wrap or use a shower cap.

4. Leave for 20 minutes to one hour.

5. Shampoo off completely.

Flyaway hair

Use olive oil to smoothen flyaway hair immediately. Rub some olive oil on the palms of your hand and smooth over ends of hair.

Final note:

Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month. To ensure new growth is healthy, it is important that your diet is healthy and balanced. Here are some of the food that you may consume for healthier hair and body!

1. Salmon (omega 3 fatty acids , vitamin B12 and iron)

2. Dark green vegetables (vitamins A and C)

3. Legume/beans (iron, zinc and biotin)

4. Nuts (omega 3 fatty acids, selenium and zinc)

5. White meat - chicken, turkey or pork (protein) 

6. Eggs (protein and fatty acids)

7. Carrots (vitamin A) for healthy scalp

8. Low fat diary products (whey and casein, high quality protein source)

9. Oysters (zinc)

10. Whole grains (zinc, iron and vitamin Bs)

11. Red Meat - beef and lamb (zinc and iron)

   

Bersih 3.0 video - the truth

A Bersih 3.0 video by DAP - I am posting it because even if DAP is a political party in Malaysia, I see the video as something informative revealing the truth with no political issues in which, ALL political parties in Malaysia must take note to the fact that BERSIH is a NGO that only wants fair and clean election  for MALAYSIA!

Salute to Ms Ambiga for leading BERSIH and making Malaysians care!

How to protect the secrecy of your vote for GE13 Malaysia

Most Malaysian citizens are probably looking forward to the GE13 to vote and make a difference. With Bersih trying to clean up the election acts and loads of independent such as Tindak Malaysia, Jom Pantau PRU13 - KOMAS, MAFREL, NIEI coming in to educate and monitor, we are hoping the rakyat of Malaysia will know what they can and cannot do during the election day.

One of the GE13 Voting Tips, which I posted in May - (Tip 2) is now updated as follows (refer Tindak Malaysia):

1. In order to prevent a voter from ensuring the secrecy of his vote, the SPR wants to insist upon issuing the ballot paper by sequence. They have sought the advice of the Attorney General and this is the advice given to them apparently:

"The Presiding Officer shall refuse the Voter's request for a random paper and if he protest, to evict him from the polling station. Let them go to court to challenge the Presiding Officer's decision."

What is the strategy behind this?

1. To inflict fear in the voter about the secrecy of their vote.
2. To reduce the votes of voters deemed to be trouble-makers.

What can you do?
If the Presiding Officer refuses to issue the ballot paper randomly, don't protest. Just accept the paper issued and VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR CONSCIENCE!
Note down the name of the Presiding Officer and immediately lodge a report against him for violating the secrecy of your vote.

Pass a copy of the report to:
o the Candidate you support,
o Email one copy to JOM PANTAU - http://pru13.info/ushahidi/.
o and to : pacaba.admin@tindakmalaysia.com.

For more info go to www.tindakmalaysia.com

United, let's make a change for the better!

Voting Tips For GE13

I went to Jom Pantau on 26th May, Saturday to see if I could learn more about how elections are run in Malaysia, and maybe volunteer as an observer of election happenings. As far as I know, Jom Pantau is a non political organization that observes elections and educates the people of their voting rights so that real democracy continues to exist. It was certainly an informative day as 4 presentations were given on different topics in relation to elections by different speakers from various organizations.
The most important points that I got out of the workshop are our rights to vote and how we may protect our votes. So I am going to share them with you here in hope that our votes are protected and counted successfully.
At present:
Register to be a voter, or if you are already registered, check your voter status and confirm you are registered. You may do so by two ways:
(i) Online: http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/NEWDAFTARJ/ - Print a copy of your confirmation slip and safekeep the slip. If your status is not available during the a status check a few days before polling day, or not available in the list at the polling centre on polling day, I suppose you may use your print out confirmation slip to insist on your right as a registered citizen to vote.
(ii) SMS: SPR<space>semak<space>new IC No, and send it to 15888.

 These tips are provided by Tindak Malaysia:

A few days before polling day:

1. Please check your voter status online or via SMS.
2. Find out and ensure you know the location of your polling centre.
3. Make sure you remember your chosen candidate's name and party logo.

On polling/election day:

1. Ensure you do not display any party logo or candidate's name or image on your clothing or any document or items you bring to the polling centre. It is an offence to campaign on the polling day, and you may be accused of campaigning.

2. Your vote is protected by the Election Laws. To guarantee secrecy of your vote, RANDOMIZE your ballot paper. Here is what you can do:

• The SPR clerk will give you the top ballot paper. Each ballot paper has a serial number. It is possible to match your name to the serial number. Doing this is an offence under Section 5. Maintenance of secrecy at elections of the Election Offences Act 1954. 
• Ask the SPR clerk to give you another ballot paper from the same booklet. Say: "Encik/Puan, saya minta kertas undi yang lain dari bawah." If necessary, keep on saying: "Saya mahu pastikan yang undi saya adalah rahsia." 
• If the clerk refuses, tell the clerk that anyone who violates Section 5 can face the penalty of either up to 1 year imprisonment, or up to RM3,000 fine, or both. The polling agent will help you. 

 3. Check the ballot paper you receive is clean (no marks or writing), not torn, clearly perforated and has a serial number. If any of the conditions are not met, immediately ask for a new ballot paper.

4. At the voting booth, mark an "X" clearly inside the right hand box next to the name of the candidate you are voting for. Please ensure the "X" is written inside the box and not out of the box.

The power is in the rakyat's hand - so ensure you are registered and vote wisely for the candidate you believe will do the job of upholding the integrity and successful growth of Malaysia!

Bersih Rally 3.0 News from BBC World As Opposed to Astro News

We need to know the whole news and not censored versions! Please help spread the truth.

Aftermath of Bersih 3.0 Rally

What is happening now? Can Malaysia have the change that the rakyat wants? Can Malaysia have a clean and fair election as the rakyat wants?
Independent opinions find EC backward. Is the Malaysian government going to do anything about this or continue to be arrogant?

BN needs to know we want a clean and fair election. From Bersih rally 2.0 last year, it seems they are still refusing to listen, and instead chose to take a harsh stand for Bersih Rally 3.0. They prefer to blame it as a political rally supported by the opposition. I do not support any parties in particular as I only want to make my choice on the party that works for the rakyat, and this remains to be seen. It is good the opposition supports the Bersih Rally, as it shows that they too want a clean and fair election as do the rakyat of Malaysia, and it will be good if BN can see that too, instead of seeing it as a threat to the interest of the country.

Bear in mind, most countries have peaceful demonstrations all the time, and most times, they end peacefully as well.

I have yet to see one peaceful demonstration in Malaysia where the government supports the cause and allow the rakyat to show their support peacefully. Instead, it seems, the organizers are always blamed, and the police are always using tear gas tactics and violence to control the crowd.

I certainly hope that we do not have another Bersih Rally again and this can only happen if a clean and fair election is established. Long Live Bersih!

Malaysia BERSIH RALLY 3.0 28th APRIL 2012

I am lucky enough to be in Malaysia to join in a historic walk in support of BERSIH 2012! The BERSIH RALLY 3.0 which went ahead yesterday, started off with a good note. I met with my friends in Kelana Jaya LRT station and I have never seen such a muhibbah group ever. Everyone was smiling and calm as we took our train, which was quite full even from the first stop, to KLCC. Some of the commuters were very excited and looking forward to the duduk bantah as a way to show that they really wanted a change for the better of Malaysia.

We reached KLCC about 10am, and the crowd was already huge. There were people of all ages and walks of life, most wearing yellow, and a lot wearing their Lynas t-shirts or Bersih t-shirts. It was really wonderful to see so many people with a common goal, and everyone was helping each other put up green and yellow ribbons for anyone who wanted it.

I really forgot to take a time watch as I was just enjoying busy chatting with new found friends and taking photographs everywhere. We started our march close to 11 am, I think, and it was a more like a stroll amongst a really huge crowd. Some were singing, some had some home utensils to make music, and everyone was just walking peacefully, and taking detours wherever there were blocks.

 

We finally ended up in Menara Maybank, where we took shade and sat by the roadside. An ice cream seller came on his motorbike, and the business was fantastic as everyone was lining up to buy from him.



Close to 12pm, my friends and I decided to makan lunch and went to Petaling Street in search of a place to eat. We found a coffee shop and was lucky to get a table within minutes as it was packed full. As we sat down and ordered our drinks and food, some of the patrons was good enough to self serve themselves, taking their orders to their own tables when the drink or food was ready.

The air was filled with cheers and we could see the hawkers really had their hands full. Most food were sold out and we did not have much choices but it was the company that counted yesterday.

At about 1pm, we decided to rejoin the crowd and started heading towards Masjid Jamek LRT station. There were a few blue clothed police personnel standing under the trees, keeping an eye on the crowd. However, no tension was felt. When we got closer to the Masjid Jamek station, we could not proceed any further and was told to just duduk bantah where we were. I believe it was almost around 2pm then.

After a while, we decided to get a drink from McDonald's. We were shocked as we entered the shop, as the queue was so long that we had no where to move. Now, who says business will be bad for the day? LOL....business must never have been so good everywhere I looked, where the shops kept opened.

About 3.10pm , we came out from McDonald's and the tear gas were already deployed. The crowd started moving backwards, some running almost causing chaos.
Most of us ran round the corner towards St John Cathedral to take cover, but the fumes that flew over were burning and stinging. We were not even near the frontline, and yet we felt the discomfort in our eyes, on our skin, and in our nostril and throat. Luckily for another passerby who offered us some salt! I just can't imagine the pain and the suffering of frontliners, and all we did was sat on the road.
My friends and I did not stay till the end as we called it a day at about 4pm, and had to walk back to KLCC because Masjid Jamek station was cordoned off and closed.

I am disappointed that the police force did not learn from the previous year. I am more disappointed in BN for using such tactics and making excuses that this was a security breach against the country to make it seem right. More points to ponder?

The crowd that was out there yesterday were common Malaysians and as such had no political agenda, and do not deserve the brutal violence that was thrown to them. All MALAYSIA want is a CLEAN ELECTION which seems to have more and more dirty amendments instead of CLEAR TRANSPARENCY and OPENNESS.
I certainly hope fairness and truth will win soon and that Malaysia will become a better country than it has been for the last 50 odd years!

Thanks to all who allowed me to take your pictures and post them here. Before I end, I like to share the You Tube Video posted by ukchannelsss.

Bersih Rally 3.0

Once again , Bersih with its continuing work is holding another rally (Bersih Rally 3.0) to demonstrate that Malaysians DO WANT a clean election. All the more so, with allegations circulating revealing that foreigners are given MYKAD with an expiry date. It is amazing that most of the new registered "rakyat" are mostly with Selangor address, and the federal government and EC has yet to answer to that with true transparency and public publishing of the report. The nation is surely not getting the transparency from the BN government about this through local medias. It is a shame that instead of focusing on truly ridding corruption and dictatorship, the federal government seems to be seen as using all means to ensure a win in the coming election. The most common reasons given for not approving the Bersih Rally 3.0 is safety and traffic congestion. Although this time, the government has approved two other venues for this rally, most Malaysians are convinced that if the venue was moved, some other reason would come in at the eleventh hour as to why the changed venue would be disapproved, as one of the alternative venue (Stadium Merdeka) offered this year was actually disapproved last year citing BERSIH as an illegal entity. Dataran Merdeka is a perfect place for the peaceful rally as it is what MERDEKA is all about!
It is truly a shame the federal government has not been walking their talk sincerely since the political tsunami landslide when the opposition almost took over the country.
I believe the rakyat do not care which party rules the country, be it the federal government or the opposition. What we do care is for a party that will govern the country fairly and bring Malaysia to a better future for ALL. Most of the participants who WILL GO AHEAD for the BERSIH RALLY 3.0 this Saturday 28th April 2012 will be peace-loving rakyats, and I do hope that the Police Commissioner will remember that before taking actions as they did in the Bersih Rally 2.0 - Protect the rakyat for a peaceful rally; not block and create violence, then blame it on the organizers. Learn from other nations where rallies are common, and the police forces do their jobs right in upholding the law and protecting the citizens as they should for a peaceful event.
BERSIH is for the people of Malaysia, who wants a clean election and a better future:

Clean the electoral roll
-          Reform postal ballot
-          Use of indelible ink
-          Minimum 21 days campaign period
-          Free and fair access to media
-          Strengthen public institutions
-          Stop corruption
-          Stop dirty politics
Education and Economic Plan for the minority
-          Abolish the PTPTN higher education loan fund
-          Set up a ministry for minority groups
-          New economic plan for minority groups
-          Free and equal education for all

BERSIH is not a political group and the people who support the cause of BERSIH truly believes we need a change for the better, and we hope that any political parties who wants to rule remember this as well. Please support BERSIH not as part of a political agenda but as a way to the truth and a clean country.