My Current Beauty Routine

Many women experience skin changes during pregnancy.
Stretch marks, pigmentation, broken veins, sensitive skin and breakout are some of them.

However, those things don't happen to all pregnant women. 
The levels of hormones in your body, as well as your immune system, are the ones responsible for those changes.
The good news is.. most of the skin changes disappear after you give birth *fingers crossed*.

Let's move on to "hair"..

I've heard before that many pregnant women experience hair-loss.
But actually, researchers found out that your hair is actually thickens during pregnancy.
Not that you're growing more, but you're losing hair slower than usual, because of the higher level of estrogen.

But again, not all pregnant women experience this.

My Routines

During the early stage of pregnancy, I was quite worried that I would experience those things mentioned above. I gathered information from my friends and family regarding the skin products and/or routines that might be helpful for me.

Lucky me, so far I don't experience pigmentation, breakout and others.
Regarding stretch marks, I'm currently doing my best to prevent that to happen, or at least trying not to make it worse.

And hair.. I'm not sure whether they're thickens or not. I feel pretty much the same.

Maybe this (condition) is inherited from my mom, who also did not experience those skin problems.

But nevertheless,
I've always been the type that is pretty serious when it comes to skin care and hair care.
I don't necessarily use high-end / expensive products, just the ones that are suitable for me *and still affordable, off course*.

So pregnant or not, I think it's important for us to do the following routines.
To keep your skin healthy and prevent it from premature-aging.

These are my beauty routines:

Cleansing
I always do this after coming home from work, before going to bed.

It is important for you to cleanse your skin after a whole day of activities.
Never.. I repeat.. Never.. go to bed with your makeup (and any dirt) still on.

My "weapons of choice" when it comes to cleansing my face are:

L'oreal lip and eye makeup remover:

• Very gentle on the eyes and lips, including the sensitive ones
• Just soak it on a cotton pad, rest it a while on your eyes (to break up the mascara), and gently swipe to clean the eye makeup 
• Price: ranging between idr 70-90k (depends on the store)

Bioderma Sebium H2O

• Cleansing water for combination to oily skin, removes makeup and cleanse the face without drying out the skin
• Soak it on a cotton pad, and wipe it on your face. Repeat until the pad is clean
• Price: ranging between idr 220-250k (500 ml)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

• Suitable for all skin types and all age, non-alkaline / non-comedogenic / fragrance free / lanolin free
• Can be used with or without water
• Price: approximately idr 150k (473 ml)

Moisturizing
I do this after I cleanse my skin. 

Whatever your skin type is, moisturizing is also very important to keep it healthy, hydrated, and to prevent aging process.
Just find the right type of moisturizer for your skin type (dry-normal-oily-combination).

My current moisturizing products are as following:

dr. Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Instant Tightening Eye Serum

• An organic eye product what moisturizes the eye area and makes it feel softer (got this product from my brother who's currently in NL)
• Apply a small amount to the skin outside of the eye and gently pat it in towards the nose
• Price: approximately € 12 (30 ml)

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

• Moisturizer for all skin types and help protecting the skin from premature aging
• Apply on to face and neck area 
• Price: idr 179k (50 ml)

EOS Lip Balm

• 95% organic, 100% natural, paraben free, petrolatum free, packed with antioxidant rich vit E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil (currently using Strawberry Sorbet)
• Apply on lips before bed and throughout the day
• Price: idr 85k at lovetoshop-online

Hair Care
Other than using shampoo and conditioner, I also use hair oil and heat protectant on my hair. It's because I always blow-dry my hair after washing it, at least until 80% dry.

The hair products that I use:

Fructis Miraculous Oil

• Enriched with Argan oil, to restore softness and shine. Non-greasy and suitable for any hair types (got it the first time when I went to OZ)
• I apply it after washing my hair, or whenever needed
• Price: Aus$ 12 (50 ml)

Paul Mitchell Seal and Shine

• Thermal protection and condition spray to shields hair from damage caused by hot hair-tools
• I spray it on damp hair before drying it
• Price: idr 135k (250 ml) from Hair Pit Stop

Additional..
Stretch Make Prevention
Now that I'm pregnant, I have one more thing to 'worry' about, stretch mark!
People say it's unavoidable, but if I moisturize my skin well, at least (and hopefully) it wont be too visible.

My mom recommended this old-school olive oil in the green can to prevent stretch mark, but I refuse because I'm afraid that it might stain.
So I went to Mothercare and bought this:

Mothercare Its Your Body Stretch Mark Cream 

• Formulated with almond oil and shea butter to keep the skin moist and prevent stretch mark
• Apply generously on to skin after each shower, concentrated on the belly, thighs and breast areas 
• Price: idr 139k (200 ml)

There you go.. My beauty routine!

It maybe seems long for some of you (maybe not).

I personally enjoy and treasure every step, because I know it's an 'investment' for a healthy skin and hair.  

Because..

if I do good - I look good - I feel good - I send out positive vibe :)

Some pregnant selfies ;) without & with makeup *no filter/edit done*

So tell me, what's your routine? :)

Sources:
Skin changes during pregnancy
Skin changes during pregnancy
Hair and nail changes during pregnancy
Pregnancy hair care

Eating the Right Portion During Pregnancy

"Eat more.. You're eating for two! Double portion, if necessary!"

How many of you (especially pregnant women) have heard that kind of saying?
Me? Countless times!!

It's a common way of thinking that when someone's pregnant, she must eat more or double portion, if necessary, to fulfill the needs of two (mom and baby).

It is right, that you are eating for two.
But you don't have to eat double portion.

Because remember, the other one is still very tiny, especially during the early months. 
It is not necessary for you to eat more that you usually are, especially during the first trimester. Besides, sometimes it's even hard to eat, with the nausea and other pregnancy symptoms going on -some of you might experience this, some don't-.

And later on, you'll need to eat more calories than before. 
But keep in mind that you have to maintain a good pregnancy weight gain.
If the weight gain is too fast, it means that you're eating too much.
If it's too slow, means that you're eating less than you should.
Eating too much or too little can lead to pregnancy complications.
*Please also consult your doctor on how to eat right, especially if you have a special condition

Me, personally, I'm in my 22nd week now (or approximately 5 months), and my weight gain is pretty much normal (receive no complaint from my doctor :)).
Before I was pregnant, I was 47 kgs, with a pretty much healthy eating habit, exercising 4-5 times a week, and sleeping at least 6 hours per-night.
Now I'm in between 50-51 kgs, and even though I can no longer do exercises like I used to, I still do exercises such as prenatal yoga, walking and/or swimming.

My Transition

Some people think that I'm pretty slim/small for my pregnancy. I believe that my genes play a big part in it, because my mom said that when she was 5 months pregnant with me, she could still fit in her normal jeans (she must be very skinny!).
But I also believe that my lifestyle also plays a part in it.

This is how I eat during pregnancy, to ensure that I fulfill my daily nutrition needs but still maintain a good weight gain rate. So far so good ;)

Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Yes, I still believe in that (and have discussed about it here in my blog last May. 
My breakfast is including:

• a glass of milk (I drink nut-milk, because somehow I dislike cow-milk during pregnancy), or smoothies - my favorite is banana-soymilk-cacao
• a whole wheat or multi-grain sandwich or my mom's own made wheat bread, or a bowl of porridge.

In Between Breakfast and Lunch Snack
Usually the breakfast I had is already enough to keep me full until lunch. But in case I'm hungry, I keep a container of healthy nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) on my work-desk.
This way, I'm keeping myself from reaching for those unhealthy salty chips (that could cause bloating).

Lunch
Since I'm currently not cooking much (can't stand the smell of certain ingredients), I usually buy my lunch. 
Even though it's not that easy to buy clean-healthy food, I still try to eat as healthy as possible: not-too-much portion of carb (usually 1/2 portion of rice), a serving of meat and veggies.

In Between Lunch and Dinner Snack
Unlike in the morning, I always feel hungry in between lunch and dinner time.
My choice of snacks are usually:

• a bowl of fruits - whatever fruit I've bought during groceries, such as banana, dragon fruit, melon, etc.
• a glass juice
• or both ;)

Dinner
The advantage of having dinner at home is the ability to control my intake.
I usually asked the helper at home to cook brown rice, lean meats, and veggies.
But when I'm eating out, with my husband, family or friends, I eat just like how I eat during lunch, keeping it as balanced/healthy as possible.

Addition
In addition to the things I've mentioned above, I also drink at least 2 litres a day at the office, and a bit more at home. This is to keep myself hydrated at all times and to help my body flushes away the toxins.


Just this morning I read an interesting article about gaining too much from a very useful website, "What To Expect".
It is mentioned that gaining too much during pregnancy have serious consequences for both the mommy and the baby, including:

• Less accurate ultrasound results: being overweight with too much body fat will make it harder for your doctor to look at your baby (and diagnosing any possible problem) during your ultrasound exams
• Increased discomfort: with excess weight gain may result in even more pain, such as backaches, leg pain, overall exhaustion, varicose veins, calf cramps, heartburn, hemorrhoids and achy joints
• High blood pressure: having gestational hypertension, which is diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy, can lead to complications in delivery
• Preeclampsia: this can lead to liver and kidney problems for you, as well as increase your risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental abruption and other complications
• Gestational diabetes: gaining too much weight during pregnancy puts you at risk of gestational diabetes that could put you at higher risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes later in life
• A large baby: the heavier you are, the more likely your baby is to be larger (or macrosomic) at birth, increasing the odds that a normal delivery will require the use of forceps or vacuum, or the need of C-section (which means more difficult recovery)
• Premature labor: the higher the BMI, the more likely your baby is to be born prematurely, putting him or her at greater risk of a number of health issues
• Birth defects: babies born to overweight mothers are at higher risk of birth defects including heart issues and neural tube defects
• Obesity and ongoing health issues: gain too much weight during pregnancy and you’ll have a lot harder time losing it after giving birth. In addition, women who gain excessively and don't lose the extra weight within six months after birth are at a higher risk of being obese 10 years later. 

Scary huh?
That's why I'm sticking to my good habit and not to indulge in excessive eating.
I want to be healthy for my self, and most importantly, for my baby :)

I hope you'll find this useful and/or informative.
If you have any questions or anything, you could let me know, and I'll try my best to answer.

Have an awesome day :) 



Sources:
Gaining Too Much Weight
What To Expect
 

Pregnancy Diet - What to Eat and What Not To Eat

"Don't diet, eat everything, whenever you want to! You're not eating for yourself only!"

The sentence above is one of the most common things people said to me ever since I was pronounced pregnant.
 
Yes! I'm pregnant.. Praise God!
I'm in my 21th week now.

Positive Result on Week-6

Didn't announce it here earlier, because of two major factors.
 
Firstly because I was waiting for my first trimester to pass, as it is very commonly known that the first trimester is considered 'still very fragile'. 
I was feeling more secure announcing it after I've passed the 14th week.
 
The second and the biggest factor is because I was experiencing those "pregnancy symptoms".
The 'nausea and vomiting' part was not to bad actually. Only lasted for several days at the beginning of the pregnancy, and two weeks around the 14th week.
But the "lazy" part did take a quite significant part in the first trimester.
Hence, the absence in this blog ;p

Ok, back to the topic..

For those who've known me, or at least read my blog, know that I'm trying my best to eat healthily. 
And some of them told me not to continue my diet during pregnancy, and eat everything or anything. 

Well, I'm neither disagree nor agree with that.

It is common for pregnant women to develop 'pickiness' in eating. This is because of the raging pregnancy hormones. 
This cause us to be unable to eat certain food, and craving for certain food.

In my case, I became reluctant in eating some of my favorite healthy food, like oat, chiaseeds, and several others. 
But I realize that I have to maintain my health, not only for me, but for the sake of the bub growing in my belly (yes, at first I freaked out learning that my belly will no longer be flat and nice).

So.. I began my research, about pregnancy superfoods (and pray that I'll be able to consume them *hehe*)..

Here's what I've got from my research.. 

Some Pregnancy Superfoods

 Eggs

They contain lots of quality protein, and more than 12 vitamins and minerals, which is essential for pregnancy. They’re also rich in choline, which promotes your baby's overall growth and brain health, while helping prevent neural tube defects.  Note: look for eggs with omega-3 fats, as it is important for both brain and vision development.

Eating one to two eggs a day is good for pregnant women. From hard-boiled, scrambled, or make an omelet from them, your choice.

Salmon

It is rich in high-quality protein, and also a good source of omega-3 fats. It has low amount of methyl-mercury (a possibly harmful compound to your baby's developing nervous system), unlike swordfish, king mackerel, tile-fish, and shark.

Eat max of 12 ounces of salmon per week is good for you (this is also to avoid the possibility of consuming too much mercury).

Beans

Beans, such as lentils, black beans, chickpeas and others contain the most fiber and protein of all the vegetables.  Why fiber? Because it can help prevent and relieve problems such as constipation and hemorrhoids.

Sweet potatoes

Not only rich in Vitamin A, sweet potatoes are also a great source of vitamin C, folate, and fiber.

Whole grains

Whole grains are important in pregnancy because they're high in fiber and nutrients, including vitamin E, selenium, and phytonutrients (plant compounds that protect cells).

There are lots of other whole grains out there, from oatmeal to barley, and not to forget my personal favorite.. quinoa J

Walnuts

"Walnuts are one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3s," says dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Stay Lean.

So a handful of walnuts is a great choice for snack.

Dark green, leafy vegetables

This includes: spinach, kale, and other green leafy vegetables. They are loaded with vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as the all-important folate.

Lean meats

Lean, non-fat meat is an excellent source of high-quality protein.

It is also known that beef and pork stand out among meats because they contain choline in addition to protein.

Colorful fruits and veggies

Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure that you and your baby get a variety of nutrients, because each color group provides different vitamins and minerals.

An important note:

During the later stages of pregnancy (just like me, currently on second trimester), eating various fruits and veggies, as well as other healthy food, has another advantage. 

The baby, through the amniotic fluid, will also have a taste on the food you’re eating (being "introduced" to healthy food :)).

So, exposing your baby to healthy food will increase the chance of your baby to consume those food later on, as he/she’s already familiar with them.

 Other than pregnancy superfoods, I also did some research on the "what-not-to-eat" food during pregnancy, and here's what I've found so far.. 

Some "What-Not-To-Eat" Food

 Fish

• Raw or undercooked fish or shellfish (such as oysters and clams)
• Fish with high levels of mercury: including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish
• Refrigerated smoked or pickled fish that's unpasteurized, unless heated until steaming
• More than 6 ounces (1 serving) a week of canned "solid white" or albacore tuna

Meat & poultry

• Raw or undercooked meat or poultry
• Refrigerated meat of any kind (ham, turkey, roast beef, hot dogs, bologna, prosciutto, pâté, etc.), unless heated until steaming
• Dry, uncooked sausages, such as salami and pepperoni, unless heated until steaming hot

Eggs

• Runny or undercooked eggs
• Raw cookie dough or cake batter that contains raw eggs
• Homemade desserts or sauces that contain raw eggs (such as eggnog, ice cream, custard, chocolate mousse, hollandaise sauce, béarnaise sauce, mayonnaise, and Caesar salad dressing)

Cheese

Unpasteurized soft cheese (such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheese, queso fresco, queso blanco, and queso panela)

And other RAW food

Beverages

• Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or spirits) - there is no level of alcohol consumption that's known to be safe at any time during pregnancy, so it’s better to avoid them for a while
• Unpasteurized (raw) milk
• Unpasteurized or "fresh squeezed" juice, unless you prepare the juice yourself (controllable level of hygiene)
• Caffeine: from coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy beverages, and others. It is recommended to limit caffeine consumption to max of 200 milligrams a day / 12 ounces of coffee
• Herbal Teas and Supplements

 After reading them, I was a bit relieved, as I'm sure that I'll be able to 'comply' with the "Do's and Don'ts" mentioned above, although it means that I have to avoid drinking raw almond milk my fave milk!) as well as eating salads in restaurants (my-own-homemade only!).

But I guess I must not be selfish, and prioritize my baby's health (mommy will come back to her RAM and restaurants' salad later, hehe).

In addition, maintaining a stable mental condition is also important during pregancy.

I know this might be hard, especially for those working women, who have to deal with work-related stress, or even those who live in big cities with it's heavy traffic (like Jakarta).

But try your best to manage it. 

Prayers, meditation, morning walk, or prenatal yoga/exercises (when allowed by your doctor) are very helpful to manage your stress.

I hope you'll find this useful, 

especially for those who are also expecting (congrats!)

Sources, and for more readings:

10 Best Food for Pregancy 

Must Eat Pregnancy Food 

20 Superfood for Pregnancy

Foods to avoid when you're pregnant 

What not to eat when you're pregnant 

Food and Beverages to avoid during pregnancy 

Trying to Get Pregnant?

Good day!!

I feel like it's been a long time since the last time I posted something.

Yup! It was a month before my wedding,

and now it's been over a month since my wedding day :) :) :)

Our Wedding Day, October 12th 2014

Our wedding day was simply beautiful, thanks to God, our parents, families and everybody that helped us during the preparation and on the day.

After the wedding, we went straight to our 5 days honeymoon trip to Hong Kong.

It was a very fun trip! Went to Disneyland Hong Kong, Macau, Ngong Ping, etc. 

Us at: Disneyland - Macau - Causeway Bay - Avenue of the Stars - Ngong Ping - our hotel's rooftop

After that, reality begins..

What's next?

Before we got married, we had discussions about 'children'. 

Whether we're going to try right after 'I do' or going to wait for some time. 

And we decided not to hold back and to try straight away but let God do His miracles.  

One of the considerations is my age. I'm not old yet, but I'm already in my early 30's.

I want to see my kids grow up and don't want to be too old when they're in their 20's :)

So...

The attempt begins.

I started reading, doing research, on 'how to get pregnant'.

I found out that it is very important for us to be healthy.

I've seen many people trying to get pregnant for years.

Many of them are due to specific conditions they're experiencing.

In those specific cases, I think consultations and treatments with the experts are required.

But on our part,

at least we can try to be healthy, to prepare ourselves.

Do a medical check-up

Do a medical check-up to make sure that you're healthy or if specific treatment required before trying to get pregnant. 

Implement healthy lifestyle

It is very important for us to be healthy when trying to get pregnant (and at all times, actually). 

The healthier we are, the higher the possibility to get pregnant. 

• Stop smoking
• Stop consuming alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Balanced diet 

Know your fertile period

If you have regular menstrual cycle, your fertile period took place on day 13 to day 15 before the date of your next period.

If you have specific condition, it is best to consult with your doctor regarding this. 

Eat the right food to increase the probability of getting pregnant

There are certain food that could help increase the probability of getting pregnant. 

They are the following:

Fresh organic fruit and veggies 

Eat fresh and organic fruit and veggies, as they are healthy and contain no chemical substance that could be harmful for you.

Avoid eating canned or instant food as they have ingredients that are bad for you.

Food rich in fiber

Eating food rich in fiber will improve your digestion, and help you body to remove the toxins.

Food rich in fiber are including: seeds, melon, brown rice, whole wheat bread, nuts, and grains.

Greens

Green veggies such as spinach are rich in anti-oxidant, iron, and folic acid are very good especially to keep your reproduction organs in good condition. 

Food rich in folic acid

Folic acid, without a doubt, is very good for women who are trying to get pregnant, and also for woman in early pregnancy.

It improves the reproduction system within the woman.

Food rich in folic acid are including: soy products, eggs, potatoes, asparagus, beet, broccoli, banana, brussels sprout.

Vitamin C

Consuming sufficient vitamin C is very good, including: orange, strawberries, kiwi, guava, etc.

Milk and it's products

Milk is very important, as it is rich in calcium (very important to get pregnant and during pregnancy) and helps the production of fertility hormones.

Nuts

Nuts like almonds and walnuts are very good for you, because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Note: Please consult your doctor if you have allergies or specific conditions.

Other than that, I hope my post today is helpful, especially for those who are trying (like me!), hehe..

Last but not least..

Don't forget to pray, a lot!!

Have an awesome day!!

Sources:

• makanan penyubur kandungan agar cepat hamil
• tips agar cepat hamil
• 8 jenis makanan agar cepat hamil
• various websites

OVERCOMING GASTRIC PROBLEM

It's been a while since I posted my last writing..
I've been very busy lately..

Been swamped with work (recently moved to a new division), and with my wedding preparation (approximately a month to go!).

All the things I've been doing is actually exciting, but sometimes it makes me nervous too..
And sometimes, being (overly) nervous could cause excessive gastric acid.

I personally have quite a long history of gastric problems, ever since I was in elementary school.
I remember bringing biscuits or bread to school, just to keep my stomach from being empty.

Growing up, my tummy hurts and I feel nauseous every time I'm under a lot of stress, whether during exam days, or when meeting deadlines. 

I was once being brought to the emergency room because I felt heartburn and pain in my left chest. I knew I was too young to get a heart attack, but I guess being careful is way better than being ignorant.
Turned out, I was having a quite severe gastric problem, and was forced to bed-rest for a week.
At that time, I was working at one of the "big-four" accounting firms, and was having multiple deadlines from multiple projects.
I got better after a week of bed-rest, but the problem reoccur 6 months later. 

I took quite a lot of medications during those cases mentioned above. From the mild ones to the strong ones, because it got worse on each occurrence.

But now, I rarely experience gastric problems.
Not because I take medications, but because of consuming lemon regularly.

A lot of people were doubting me when I told them I take lemon daily.
"Isn't it acidic?" or "Won't it hurt your gastric?" are two of the most commonly asked questions.

Well, it is sour, but not acidic.
Lemon juice (not lemonade!) is actually alkalizing. 
Therefore it counters the acid in the gastric and neutralizing it. 

I personally drink lemon juice and apple cider vinegar every morning.
Not just to overcome my gastric problem, but also for detox.
Because sometimes we don't realize that the unbalanced diets, negative emotions, and others could cause our body to become acidic.
Consuming lemon juice and ACV alkalizing the body and rinse the toxins out.

Other benefits of lemon juice are including:

• To soothe sore throat: Mix lemon juice with honey to help relieve the discomfort that comes from sore throat
• To support weight loss: Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help weight loss
• It has anticancer properties

However, for you who have gastric problem, I think it is very important for you to control what you eat and drink. Some food/drinks you need to avoid are including:

• Soda
• Caffeine
• Spicy food
• Fast food

Please note that in some acute gastric problems, lemon is not allowed.

If you are experiencing acute gastric problem, better consult with a doctor :)

Sources:
How to cure gastric problems?
Lemon Juice
10-Reasons Why Lemons Are the Key