Jessica’s Notes

I think enjoying my 1 cup of coffee or tea everyday is one of the most pleasurable moments of the day (I limit myself to only 1 cup a day). However, having heard of medical experts encouraging us to have less coffee and tea due to it’s’ caffeine nature, I think the below caffeine information can guide us in selecting the best type of caffeinated beverage.

Caffeine is found in varying quantities in beans, leaves, and fruits where it acts as a natural pesticide. It is commonly found in coffee plant and leaves of the tea bush. Caffeine in human act as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, used to temporarily ward off drowsiness as well as restoring alertness. You can normally find caffeine in beverages such as COFEE, TEA, CHOCOLATES, SOFT DRINKS and ENERGY DRINKS.

Double espresso (2oz) 45-100 mg
Brewed coffee (8 oz) 60-120 mg
Instant coffee (8 oz) 70 mg
Decaf coffee (8 oz) 1-5 mg
Tea – Ceylon/black (8 oz) 45 mg
Tea - green (8 oz) 20 mg
Tea - white (8 oz) 15 mg
Coca Cola (12 oz can) 34 mg
Pepsi (12 oz can) 38 mg
7-up (12 oz) 0 mg
Chocolate milk (8 oz) 4 mg
Dark chocolate (1 oz) 20 mg
Milk chocolate (1 oz) 6 mg

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
http://coffeetea.about.com/library/blcaffeine.htm

Somebody forwarded this into my mailbox…I think it’s really cute…

Cord Blood Stem Cell Preservation is a more and more common topic of discussion among expecting parents. A lot of people however are not very sure of what is the actual usage of cord blood stem cell, why are stem cells stored, and how are cord blood stem cells collected?:

What are cord blood stem cells? Cord blood is blood collected from the umblical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. It is rich in stem cells, the special cells of the body that have the ability to develop into any cell types in the body (eg. body organs, blood elements, nerves and muscle cells).

Why are stem cells stored? The storage of stem cells from cord blood can be potentially life-saving for your child, as his stem cells can be accessed at a later date when needed to provide therapeutic treatments available currently and in the future. In addition, brothers and sisters can possibly share the use of each other’s stem cells. Stem cells have been used in therapy of various disease such as: Cancers, Leukemias, Stem Cell Disorders, Inherited/Cogenital Disorders (Thalassaemia, Severe combined immunodeficiency), etc.

How to collect cord blood stem cells?

Nowadays, some stem cells preservation providers also bundles their services together with insurance for the stem cells preservation. So you can also check out about it from your own insurance agents before you deliver your child.

The Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur Central has been constantly supportive towards their commitments on organizing the Chess Competition for the Disables. This is my 3rd time to help out in this event. This time, like the previous, the competition was held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

This would be the 12th Chess Competition for the Disables. A lot of people must be wondering…how can the blinds, the deafs and the disables compete with each other in a chess game. Let me show you how:

The stage…

The registration…

The blind chess set…

The blind chess set…

I can assure you, they really have impressive chess skills that even we can’t challenge them. The most important lesson to learn from them is of course not only on thier skills, but a high respect and tribute goes to all of the participant on their spirit to live life in despite of the imperfection that they have never asked for. Their positive attitude is definitely something all of us should learn.

The game…

The game…

The game…

The prize giving ceremony…

The end of the game…

Pictures courtesy of Weng Keong (http://fwengkeong.multiply.com/).

Eggs are an excellent nutrient-dense food that packs six grams of protein, a bit of vitamin B-12, vitamin E, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, zinc, iron, and essential fatty acids into a mere 75 calories. Second to the lactalbumin protein in human milk, eggs have the highest quality protein of any food.

People always say that having too much eggs are not good as eggs contain large amount of cholesterol. The concerns about unhealthy eggs which contributes to cholesterol has lead to the innovation of OMEGA EGGs.

Omega eggs are a type of “designer egg,” in which the yolk’s fatty acid profile has been modified by altering the hens’ diet. This egg is an excellent model for the saying, “you are what you eat.” Specific lipids — fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins — can be modified in the egg yolk by feeding the hen increased proportions of “good” fatty acids and increased amounts of fat soluble vitamins from dietary sources such as flax seed, fish oil or bioengineered algae. Check out the below nutritive comparison between Omega Eggs and Standard Egg.

Table I. Nutritive Value of Omega Eggs - Compared to Standard Eggs

For more reading about eggs:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041100.asp
http://www.northland.cc.mn.us/biology/Biology1111/Bioreadings/Omega%20Eggs.htm

From 28 Feb 2008 onwards, you can call me Jessica or alternatively Mrs. Sunny Tan…hehehe.Here are some of the flashback of our ‘husband and wife’ commitment ceremony. For more pictures and updates on our wedding, please check our wedding page frequently: http://www.mywedding.com/sunnyandjessica/

We had our marriage registered at the Buddhist Mahavihara Temple. It was a simple yet entertaining registration. Thanks to our registrar the other day: Mr. Chan Paik Yim…

Also a special thanks to our parents who were our witnesses for the auspicious ceremony…

Not forgetting our gratitude to my wonderful ji mui (Moon, SW and Min) and students (Pok-Pok, LJ, LS, Ivan). Also include those who have sent us your blessings and greetings via sms.

Special thanks also goes to Roger (my bouquet provider - you can contact him at 012-6936801 for a perfectly customized bouquet)…

Last but not least to LS as well as Ivan (our young and talented professional photographers with no professional trainings).