Happy Mother's Day with BRAND'S Bird's Nest

Time flies and it's already the end of April....... Come May and it will be Mother's Day once again for us to show our appreciation to our mother for all the love and sacrifice that they showered on us.

Sometimes when I hear friends or acquaintances complaining about their arguments with their parents, I will remind them to appreciate them while their parents are still alive. Thankfully, my parents are both still alive and healthy but I certainly start to appreciate them and more specifically my mother when I got married and had a house of my own. No longer are the days that I can come home from work and do nothing to help out in household chores and I really miss home-cooked food (especially my mum's cooking). I had my fair share of rebellion against my mum when I was young because she is extremely extremely strict with us, specifically me (since I am the eldest and she expects me to lead by good example to my 2 younger sisters). Now I am grateful that she was strict to me as it molded my character in a good way.

  

I have to say I am proud to inherit my interest in handicraft from my mum. Check out the zodiac animals my mum built every Chinese New Year. This Dragon was hand made by my mum and gifted to my sister during her shift to her own place last year.

Every CNY, I also have no lack of festive cookies as they are all HANDMADE by her. Yums!

I have one thing I wanna say to my mum: I LOVE YOU, MUM. Thanks for all that you have done for us and the family.

In celebration of  Mother’s Day, join BRAND'S^® in our quest to find 100 ways (or more!) to appreciate our mothers.From 28 April to 11 May 2014, take part in the BRAND'S^®  Mother’s Day Photo Contest by sharing your favourite photos of you with your mother, or anything that reminds you of her.

Submit entries through Instagram with the hashtag #100WaysToAppreciateMum or through the BRAND'S^® Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BrandsSG), and stand to win prizes including $100 worth of BRAND'S^® Bird’s Nest products and a photography package worth $500.

2 lucky readers will walk away with a pack of 6 bottles of BRAND'S^® Bird’s Nest each. All you need to do is to drop a comment on what you would do for your mum on this special day and the 2 best comments win. :) This giveaway is only open to readers residing in Singapore and the closing date is 1 May 2014 so keep your comments coming in!

BRAND’S® Honours Women this International Women’s Day

Most women would agree with me that it's getting tougher to a woman in modern society. Juggling between work, family and play time, sometimes we just wish that we are octopus with multiple hands to do what we need at the same time and not feel tired.

On this International Women's Day on 8 of March, BRAND’S® would like to recognize the contributions of women and honours the sacrifices that they make for the nourishment of others by gifting them with BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Tangkwei. Designed to aid in blood restoration and iron absorption, BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Tangkwei helps to ease menstrual pain and relieve fatigue. With regular consumption of BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Tangkwei, women can enjoy the reassurance of comfort and vitality.

From the beginning of March 2014, do keep a look out for BRAND’S® Pink Cabs plying the streets while you are trying to flag for a cab. Women who board the BRAND’S® Pink Cabs between 3pm to 8pm from 1st to 8th March 2014 will enjoy a complimentary bottle of BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken with Tangkwei.

In addition to giving women a power boost in the BRAND’S® Pink Cab to stay on top of their game, BRAND’S® encourages pledges of support for women during International Women’s Day through an Instagram contest. Participants just need to post a photo of how they themselves, or the women around them, celebrate being a woman on Instagram with the hashtag #brandswomensday. The most creative submissions submitted between 1st to 8th March will stand to win a BRAND’S® hamper worth SGD 150!

BRAND'S Essence of Chicken - Are Brains the New Beauty?

How many readers out there are being 'coaxed' or 'forced' to drink essence of chicken during an examination during your schooling days? I am, hahaha because my beloved mother believes that it will boost my brain power for the exam.

It has been years since I last drank essence of chicken and I am glady surprised with the variety of flavours BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken. Other than the classic flavour that I grew up with, BRAND'S has came up with flavours to include American Ginseng, Cordyceps and Tangkwei.

Today I am very privileged to blog about BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken and even had the opportunity to interview Dr. Philip Tsang, Chief Scientist of BRAND'S® Health Science Centre to find out more about our mysterious brain!

Miaka: When does a child’s brain get fully developed? 

Dr Tsang: Yes, it is true that some parts of our brain may not be fully developed till our early 20s. But until now, there is currently no definitive answer to how exactly our brain develops at different stages of development. Our brain grows to about the same size of an adult’s brain between the age of 2 to 5. Some parts of the brain (e.g. amygdale, which controls emotion and fear) may not be fully developed until the age of early 20s. More importantly, our brain undergoes a continuous process of fine-tuning that is influenced by many factors including nutrition, environment exposed, etc.

Miaka: How do we simulate ‘brain growth’ in a developing child?

Dr Tsang: It is important to keep the brain active of a growing child. Jigsaw puzzles and games crafted for kids should be given importance. Besides, maintaining a mentally active lifestyle is important as it engage the brain to actively acquire and integrate new information from our environment. This is the principle of “use it or lose it”. As the child learns, he not only increases his knowledge, but the brain is also changing its very structure and increasing its capacity to learn. Unlike the computer, the brain is constantly adapting itself. The more actively the child in engaged in various cognitive activities, the more efficient the brain will become so that the child can learn and perceive with greater precision, speed, and retention of information. 

Miaka: What are the types of food that you would recommend to enhance brain development in a growing child? Will your recommendation defer in an adult? 

Dr Tsang: Nutrition plays an important part in the healthy development of children. When a child reaches the age of 2 - 3 years old, this is the most crucial part of the brain development. The right nutrition and mental stimulation during this period can help boost the potential physical and mental development. For active and growing children, proteins help build muscle and provide energy. Good sources of proteins include meat, poultry, fish and eggs. Vitamin B rich food is the energy nutrients and that fuels the child to go about his daily activities. Iron is important for concentration and physical activity. Meat and green leafy vegetables are good sources of food rich in Vitamin B and Iron. DHA and Taurine are brain foods and are optimal growth and development of the brain. DHA and Taurine can be found in eggs and fish.  When the child is unable to intake all these nutrients as a part of the diet, it is important to start him on supplements. Certain supplements can be taken to also specifically promote a child's physical and mental well-being. One such supplement is BRAND’S® AlphaMynd Essence of Chicken with Vitamin B Complex.