Lowering Cholesterol level

4 months ago when I went for my yearly blood test at the Clinic, I was shocked to learn that my cholesterol level was high, bordering danger. She wanted to put me on medication but I declined and promised that I would work hard to lower it naturally. She gave me 4-6 months to go back to normal reading ie. below 5. I did my research through internet and found a bunch of information on how to lower cholesterol level. I also learned that prescribed cholesterol medication has side effect such as decline in memory power. My memory is already not good and I didn't want to make it worse. So Cholesterol medication is out for me.
Today, I got my second blood test result and I was elated that it has gone down below 5. That was a big sigh of relief. This is what I do.

1. I take Kordel's Oat 35 twice a day mixed in fruit juice.
2. Ika bought me regular Organic rolled oats. My breakfast is a bowl of rolled oat mixed with hot Milo with Analin milk for calcium. To make it taste better, I add some raisins and some wolf-berry (for my eyes).
3. I eat eggplant/ brinjal regularly. I usually steam them with chicken or with salmon which I marinate in salt and pepper. I add a bit of olive oil and some sambal for taste. It's yummy!!!

 My steam chicken and brinjal in sambal cooked with olive oil.

4. Once in awhile, if I remember, I take a teaspoon of habatulsauda or blackseed oil at night.
5. I take a 45 minutes brisk walk about twice a week or whenever I can. I don't exercise regularly because of time constraint. But I exercise whenever I have the opportunity.
So, if you suffer from high cholesterol, you can help yourself and avoid taking prescribed drug which is not good for your body.
The above steps work for me. I hope it work for you too.

Similar but different - Lombok

At Scenic Bukit Malimbu, Senggigi

Lombok is developing into a tourist attraction next to Bali. Whereas the majoriy of Bali population is Hindu, Lombok is mostly Muslims. It boasts of pristine beaches, green landscapes, and intriguing culture. Visiting Lombok on 6-9 Dec2013, gave meaning to my Nusantara history lessons of yesteryear. The Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit and the role of Mataram in the spread of Islam vaguely surfaced in my memory. It gave meaning to what I've learned. The role of Patih Gajah Mada in the Malay Annal (Sejarah Melayu) and in the legend of Hang Tuah connected me to the place. Unfortunately there was no historical mark of Majapahit Kingdom except some familiar names.

At Sasak Traditional Village buying hand woven sarung from a Sasak lady.081213

Lombok indigenous people is called the Sasak. Though their religion is Islam, many have wavered and established their own sect like the Wetu Tiga. They pray 3 times a day, not the mandatory 5 times a day as required by Islam. Many of them are staunch Muslims but some mixed Islam with animism and Hinduism and practice mystical magic which is forbidden by Islam. Marriage is by 'curi' system, that is, a boy steals the girl he fancies and takes her to his house. After much negotiation by both parents, then they are married. There are a few cases where Malaysian Malay girls were stolen or kidnapped by their Lombok boyfriends to Lombok, causing so much heart ache and worry to their parents. Some are lucky to be rescued and brought back to Malaysia by the government.
Kendi Maling is a pot pottery designed to store water to cool without refrigeration. Water is poured at the bottom hole and poured out through the snout. I found this fascinating.

Sasak tarditional house.

The Sasak Traditional Village is an attraction by itself. The people maintain their traditional way of life strictly and intermarry among them. Their houses are made of bamboo with woven alang-alang grass (elephant grass) as their roof. The floor is made from mixture of cow-dung, clay and padi husk which keep the house cool. The women are involved in weaving. The men work in padi fields.

Group photo at Kuta beach, Lombok.

Lombok is an interesting place to be.

My Little Sumo Wrestler

Fantastic burning sky at PD 241113

Gorgeous sunset at PD from my apt. 241113

24 November 2013, Izrin, Haidi, Gabe, Maz and I stayed at my apartment in PD for easy travel to Tampin the next day to settle our kebun issue. Ika and Rania had to go back to PJ as Ika and Justin got to work on Monday.

Gabe watching cat video on his tablet. 241113

Cucu nenek manja - my Gabe 241113

Gabe 241113

Gabe

That night Izrin and Haidi left Gabe to me for the first time. Gabe has been quite clingy to his parents and leaving him will result in non-stop wailing. Gabe is so different from Rania. He is a BOY!! He is so independent and doesn't like to be cuddled or held too much. I always have to sneak behind him to steal a kiss or two. He is not really close to me or to Maz or Ika. So his parents were quite apprehensive leaving him for an hour or so to me and Maz for fear he would cry non-stop as he usually did.

My little Sumo wrestler 241113

But surprise, surprise, Gabe was such a happy little boy with not even a squeak for his parents. He was happy rolling on the sofa or watching a cat video on his tablet. This little angel is so adorable especially when he laughs or smiles then his dimples on both cheeks deepen. When he is in diaper and shirtless, his tough body looks so cute and chubby and resembles a mini Sumo wrestler.
Maz was good with Gabe, playing and entertaining him and Gabe loved the attention.

Rania proudly shows off her favourite Ariel the Mermaid dress bought by Nenek. 281113