Food & Lifestyle

5 Things I Love Vol. 8: The lockdown edition

April 30, 2020 Paris B 5 Comments

Hello friends,

How has your April 2020 treated you so far? Most of us around the world are staying home, or in various stages of lockdown and isolation, and there seems to be little be happy about isn’t there?

For us here in Malaysia, we are at day 44 of restricted movement, as of today, and I’m not sure when it’ll end for now. While I’ve kept my spirits up for the most part, I cannot deny that there are days when I lie back on my couch in the middle of the day, and wonder when life will go back to a semblance of normalcy, when we can go out at will, head to the park and just catch some fresh air and sun.

Yet, there have been bright spots in the month, that are worth documenting. I’d love to know what yours are too – they are there, look for them, hold them close and remember that this too shall all pass eventually 🙂

Eat at Chez PB: How to store fresh vegetables to keep them fresh and reduce wastage – What worked for me and what did not

April 27, 2020 Paris B 3 Comments

Staying home, being in quarantine or in isolation has brought out the latent cook in us all. Not saying that we’re all turning out to be Masterchefs, but I think that for the most part, people are learning to feed themselves and their families, and in the process, pick up a life skill. Look on the bright side!

A little while ago, I told you that I was having a problem getting in and storing fresh vegetables and greens, and that provided me with a challenge all on its own. But I’ve since solved that problem, and in the process, learnt something new.

After so many years of cooking (something I enjoy and have been doing even prior to this), I’ve finally worked out how to properly store fresh vegetables, herbs and aromatics, so they last longer.

In the past, I usually bought only enough to last me a few days or a week, so I’d usually just toss them into the vegetable drawer in the fridge, and leave them there. I had no real incentive to figure out how to properly store to keep them fresher for longer.

But now, I buy vegetables in greater quantities, and I did not want to waste all the herbs and aromatics that are delivered in larger quantities than I’m used to. So, I did some research, tested out different methods, and found the ones that worked for me. Perhaps they’ll help you too 🙂

What beauty treatments do you miss most? Here’s how to DIY home beauty treatments using your facial oil

April 13, 2020 Paris B 2 Comments

An on-going joke that’s arisen from this period that we’re in lockdown is that once it’s lifted, we’d finally see everyone’s natural hair colour, lashes, nails and brows again LOL!

The beauty service industry is a very personal one, and the order to physically distance ourselves from each other has taken its toll, both on the providers and the end-users.

I, for example, am missing my hairdresser like crazy! I’ve been overdue for a haircut, and not having the business open has taken its toll, not only on my hairdresser and his business, but the state and condition of my hair too. I’m going to come out of this with the longest my hair has ever been, for the past 5 years LOL 😛

If you are facing some issues with grooming and beauty treatments, I have some tips for you, that might help tide you over till we’re able to hit the salons again. The best part is that it involves you multi-purposing what you may already use – your facial oils 🙂

Help! Why is my skin breaking out although I’m staying home and not wearing makeup?

April 9, 2020 Paris B 3 Comments

One of the best things for me, about working from home, or being constrained to stay at home during this pandemic, is that I get to be makeup-free for most of the day.

Well, all day, really.

When I first observed this a few years ago, I noticed that my skin texture had improved, without the daily makeup and the constant air-conditioning. At home, I can’t afford to have the air-conditioning on all day long, so it’s either the fan, or in the mornings, just the morning wind through my windows.

breaking out while staying at home no makeup

In this period where we’re forced indoors for most of the day, I also noticed that due to reduced sun exposure, my stubborn pigmentation has actually lightened a little! I’d never expected that at all.

However, I did see more than a few people mention that instead of looking better without wearing makeup, their skin has looked worse during this time.

This, despite not touching their face, as recommended by the medical fraternity, so you don’t transfer viruses and bacteria from your hands to your face. You’d think that this prohibition will result in fewer breakouts, and clearer skin. But people have reported otherwise.

I gave it a little thought, and I can hazard a few guesses why this might be so 🙂

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