A Warning for Travellers  

Posted by Editor on Oct 18th, 2015 in Vacation and Relaxation | 0 comments

 

If we are a passenger, we are allowed to use the amenities of the airport – after all, we paid for that. We are also free to wander around the airport whilst waiting for our next flight. If we are waiting for the next flight here in Singapore, Changi airport is a nice place to wait and kill time.

We will not get bored in Changi airport because it has the best amenities an airport can offer. It cannot be the world’s number one airport if the airport is mediocre, right? We have to be warned though. The police issued an advisory on September 27, 2015. The advisory warns travellers of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act.

What is this “Protected Areas and Protected Places Act”? The Protected Areas Act is a special measure taken to control the movements as well as the behaviour of persons in the area. The Protected Places Act on the other hand refers to the provisions taken to prevent the entry of persons into unauthorized premises.

In the case of Changi airport, there are many transit areas that are tagged as Protected Places. Travellers should only use these transit halls for travelling not for meeting friends and celebrities. According to the police force, there have been nine reports of these offences. There are indeed people who abuse their boarding passes and enter the transit areas for their benefit.

If proven guilty, the person will pay a fine of S$1,000 or two years jail term. The worse thing is that it could be both. So, the next time we see transit areas tagged as “protected”, we have to stay away from it before we are caught.

The QS University Ranking: Asia Edition  

Posted by Editor on Oct 14th, 2015 in Education Worldwide | 0 comments

 

In the latest world ranking released by a London-based education consultancy agency – Quacquarelly Symonds (QS), Singapore’s two universities rose. Somehow this is not surprising because universities here are included in almost all university rankings.

This year, the National University of Singapore (NUS) seized the 12^th spot up from 22^nd last year. On the other hand, the National Technological University (NTU) seized the 13^th spot up from 39^th last year. The world is now recognizing our quality education and that is something to be proud of.

If we speak regionally, QS also released its university rankings. The universities included in the list are:

1.NUS

2.The University of Hong Kong

3.KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology

4.NTU

5.The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

6.The Chinese University of Hong Kong

7.Peking University

8.Seoul National University

9.City University of Hong Kong

10.Pohang University of Science and Technology

11.Tsinghua University

12.The University of Tokyo

13.Osaka University

14.Kyoto University

15.Tokyo Institute of Technology

16.Fudan University

17.Sungkyunkwan University

18.Yonsei University

19.Tohoku University

20.Tohoku University

The list goes on but the fact remains that one of our schools are considered the best not only in the region but the world. This is a proof that we value learning and knowledge here. If we are in the point of deciding where to go in college, we can start from this list and then choose.

We have to remember that education is our key to the future – cliché it may sound but it makes sense.

How do we know if the Baby is Getting Enough Milk?  

Posted by Editor on Sep 21st, 2015 in Baby Care | 0 comments

 

Being new to breastfeeding and motherhood in general, we are constantly worried whether our infants are getting enough milk. It is important that they get enough milk for their optimal development.

According to La Leche League, regardless of the methods we consider, we will know if our baby is getting enough milk with the following indicators:

• Average feedings: The average feeding should be at least eight to twelve feedings for twenty four hours.
• Duration of the feeding: If the baby is not sucking for more than ten to twenty minutes, we should be concerned. In average the baby will feed ten to twenty minutes per breast or longer – not shorter.

• Swallowing sounds: We will know if the baby is getting enough milk if we hear swallowing sounds. Of course, that also means our baby is enjoying the milk.
• Weight gain: After our babies fourth week, it is expected that he/she will gain weight. The weight should be at least four to seven ounces per week and if our baby fell short, we have to consult a paediatrician.
• Other physical signs: If our baby is active and appears healthy, that is the greatest indication that he/she is getting enough milk. As an addition, we should determine if our baby has a god color and firm skin. More importantly, our baby should grow in length.

To help the baby get enough milk, the position is crucial. We have to know the right position for babies to latch on. If we position the baby correctly, it can also help us avoid nipple soreness.

How Much Does it Cost to be Pregnant in Singapore?

Posted by Editor on Sep 18th, 2015 in All About Singapore, Women's Health | 0 comments

Pregnancy is indeed a blessing especially for couples who tried so hard. While being pregnant brings a lot of joy to the soon-to-be mother, the cost is another thing. Once we have confirmed our pregnancy, it is crucial that we determine our course of action throughout our pregnancy.

The cost of pregnancy here in Singapore is not fixed since everything depends on our choices of specialists and hospitals. For example, at a public hospital the cost of antenatal consultations (which includes check-ups, screening and tests) cost at least $400. At a private hospital, the cost of antenatal consultations starts at $150 not to mention the separate fees for ultrasound that can cost at least $180.

Many Singaporeans think that private hospitals will give them better service and care. That is their prerogative. For those who have money setbacks, public hospitals will do. We have to try; we might have a positive experience.

The good news is that the government subsidizes some of our screenings and tests during pregnancy. In fact, the government can subsidize antenatal expenses up to $450. We only need to claim it from Medisave. Now that we know the cost of tests and check-ups alone, we should consider baby things like clothing, bottles, toys and other accessories. Baby clothes start from $5 for example.

When we are about to give birth, we have to decide the room. For example, a delivery room can cost from $2000 to $3000 – granting that we have a normal delivery. If there are complications, caesarean is a must and it costs from $3000 up.

The point here is to be prepared. Pregnancy is serious so we need a plan.

Most Protein Rich Meats

Posted by Editor on Sep 13th, 2015 in Food | 0 comments

 

Bodybuilders or those looking to stay lean and fit always incorporate protein in their diet. One of the best sources of protein is meat. It’s not only one of the best sources but it is actually the tastiest source compared to other protein rich foods like legumes and dairy. And, as you may have noticed, meat is always in the best Singaporean dishes. As long as they are prepared in a healthy way, Singaporean dishes can actually be good meals for bodybuilders and fitness junkies. Without further adieu, here are some of the most protein rich meats.

1. Pork Tenderloin

Tenderloins are cuts of meat that have less fat content and leaner meat in them. Despite considered as “red meat”, pork tenderloin is the healthiest cut of pork you can find because of the rich protein content in it. It’s a good cut of meat for any diet. And, a lot of Singaporean dishes use pork. You can actually swap ingredients and use pork tenderloin instead.

 

2. Chicken Breasts

This is the staple meat when it comes to protein. A 4 oz. cut already contains 27 grams of healthy protein and very negligible amounts of fat. And, when it comes to chicken, the first dish you might think of is Hainanese curry rice, considered as Singapore’s national dish. You can swap out chicken thighs and other fatty cuts with chicken breasts for a healthier meal.

 

3. Shrimp

Often disregarded in many diets, shrimp is a healthy source of protein with 18 grams per 4 oz and very few amounts of fat to go around. Shrimp is an easy type of meat to cook. You can steam it, stir fry, deep fry, or grill it.

4. Turkey

Whether ground or not, turkey is one of the leanest protein sources around. There isn’t too much fat to go around the rich amount of protein it has. A single 3 oz. turkey breast already has the same amount of protein as a 4 oz. chicken breast. The downside to this is that turkey is often expensive.

 

5. Grass-Fed Beef

Cows fed with grass are often more protein rich because of the protein they get from consuming grass. When choosing which cut of beef to buy, go for tenderloins, sirloins, and round cuts because they tend to have less fat than cuts like prime rib, porterhouse, or T-bone. Nonetheless, they contain pretty much the same amount of protein. You can choose to consume the fatter cuts if you don’t mind the extra fat.