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5 Eco-Friendly Destinations for the Green Minded Traveler

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Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and definitely a luxury we should not take for granted. As we embark on our adventures around the world, we should make an effort to make responsible decisions that are sustainable to minimize our carbon footprint, and preserve our natural and cultural landscapes for many more years to come.

While it may be hard to cut down on our travels altogether, we can take the first step and practice being a more green, conscious traveler.

Here are some eco-friendly destinations and activities you can consider for your next trip! Not only do these locations offer initiatives for guests to actively take part in, but they also play a big role behind-the-scenes in contributing to a healthier, greener earth.

1. Take an eco-friendly bath at Hilton Lake Taupo, New Zealand

At Hilton Lake Taupo, one can experience nature at its best. Nestled amidst picturesque rolling mountains, the hotel not only boasts breathtaking views of New Zealand’s largest lake, but also keeps its carbon footprint low by leveraging natural resources around it.

Hilton Lake Taupo Pool View Eco Green Travel

The neighboring Onekenek Thermal Valley is an excellent source of natural gases, and is exactly what the property harnesses to heat up its pool, showers and spa in their Heritage Wing. Be sure to take a dip, and pamper yourself in this man-made hot spring!

2. Cut down on your food waste at Hilton Sydney, Australia

Located in the heart of the bustling metropolis, Hilton Sydney introduced biodegradable cutlery and the installation of LED lights in the lobby and ballroom to its establishment.

They are also a champion in food waste minimization – having partnered with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to track their food waste and adopt new methods to reduce it further. In addition, they regularly donate food surplus to charity organizations, so these high-nutrient, quality foods don’t go to waste.

Hilton Sydney Breakfast Spread Eco Green Travel Food

3. Keep the beaches clean with Conrad Bali Resort and Spa & Hilton Bali Resort, Indonesia

Honestly, who doesn’t love Bali? With its endless coasts, sunny weather and relaxed atmosphere, there’s no doubt it’s the perfect beach destination. However, even this paradise can get sullied, with tourists leaving behind plastic waste that ends up washed up on the beachfront.

To combat this and prevent further pollution, eco-friendly Conrad Bali Resort and Spa, alongside Hilton Bali Resort, took part in an island-wide clean up initiative which cleared over 30 tons of plastic waste!

Hilton Bali Resort Eco Green Travel

If you are lucky, you may be able to take part in one of these clean ups on your next trip, and play your part for the environment as well.  Of course, be sure not to leave your own trash behind!

4. Support sustainable dining at Hilton Singapore, Singapore

Foodies unite! We all know that food is a big part of the travel experience, but it can be difficult to find quality dishes that are sourced and produced sustainably. In the food haven of Singapore, head right on down to eco-friendly Verde Kitchen at Hilton Singapore for an authentic farm-to-table experience. All ingredients have been certified sustainable, and some are even grown at the property’s very own vertical garden!

Hilton Singapore Vertical Garden Eco Green Travel Food
Hilton Singapore’s very own vertical garden.

In conjunction with World Oceans Day, the Verde Kitchen is running a special “Pick the Right Catch” promotion from now till 30 September. It promotes sustainable seafood dining that is full of natural flavors – featuring refreshing options like sesame crusted, MSC-certified U.S. scallops, almond-crusted ASC-certified salmon, and MSC-certified nonya-style New Zealand rockling fish, among others.  You definitely won’t be disappointed.

5. Go #plasticfree at Hilton Manila, Philippines

The #nostraws movement is going strong, but Hilton Manila has taken it one step further with its mission to cut down on all plastic! Aside from eliminating all plastic straws, complimentary drinking water in guest rooms is packaged in reusable glass bottles, and there are no plastic wrappings on slippers and laundry, among others. It’s certainly a good step forward, and a sobering reminder that we really don’t need to use that much plastic in our daily lives.

Hilton Manila #nostraws

The next time you plan a trip, be sure to do your research and pick destinations that align with your values. You can definitely have the holiday of your dreams, while still being responsible and sustainable at the same time. Have a great, green trip!

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5 Stops for an Epic Road Trip to the Great South West Edge of Western Australia

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4WD Driving near Walpole.

Have you ever dreamed of going on a road trip but not sure where to go? Well, guess what – Western Australia‘s Great South West Edge offers a host of routes for a self-drive trip across its five main regions that are bound to be relaxing for a road trip for families, friends or couples.

With Perth only being a five-hour flight away from Malaysia, your adventure begins the moment you get past the arrival hall at the airport. With so many affordable car rental services available at Perth airport, you’ll be on your way to an epic road trip in no time!

Take a trip down to the Great South West Edge; the 11-day drive offers multiple scenic stops that begins and ends in Perth, with a great number of beautiful sights of nature that are sure to rejuvenate your spirits and give a memorable holiday experience.

Check out some of these must see-places on your epic road trip to the Great South West Edge.

1.Get up close and personal with friendly dolphins at Bunbury

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Group swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment in Koombana Bay. ‘Swim with the Dolphins’ tour is operated by the Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury.

We may have dugongs and Irrawaddy dolphins in Malaysia, but seeing a dolphin up close is still a pretty rare occurrence for us.

If you’re headed to Bunbury along your road trip, you are in luck. Bunbury, a city famed for its wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins, is located just a two-hour drive away from Perth and is the perfect spot where you can swim alongside these playful mammals, among other fun activities suitable for the whole family.

To meet with these friendly locals, head to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, where you can learn all about dolphins and other local marine life.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, then try heading to the shores of Koombana Bay, which has a dedicated interpretive centre and interaction zone that lets visitors get up close with the bottlenose dolphins that frequent its calm waters. Alternatively, if you want to swim with the dolphins, join a tour for a viewing and swimming activities for a completely out-of-this-world experience!

2. Drink in the best of what Margaret River has to offer

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Couple walking through the vines at Wills Domain, Margaret River

Located a little over an hour away from Bunbury is Margaret River that has evolved from a chilled-out surfer’s town to a popular spot that lets visitors enjoy the region’s spectacular sights and flavours. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, there is something for everyone to enjoy during your stop here.

For wine aficionados, you’ll be happy to know that Margaret River is the producer of over 15% of Australia’s premium wine and offers a whole array of wine-tasting experiences. With over 100 wineries, boutique breweries and produce such as exquisite cheeses, we can guarantee that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking for an adventure, it will be hard to miss the 40 top spots along the coast of Margaret River to catch the best big-wave surfing opportunity. These spots offer waves suitable for all levels, from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surfs. For an activity the whole family can enjoy, take a relaxing stroll along the sandy beaches and take in the remarkable view of the sunset.

After a stop at the beach, take a scenic 30-minute drive inland and surround yourself with the world’s tallest hardwood trees at Boranup Karri Forest. It is also the perfect spot for a romantic picnic under the canopy of majestic 60-metre timber giants. You can also explore one of the many captivating caves in the forest with a guided tour to Jewel Cave where you’ll find the world’s longest straw stalactite.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Margaret River also offers rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even want to try your hand at fishing at one the many designated fishing spots as well. Now that’s what we call an adventure.

3. Go on a Tree top walk at Walpole

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Valley of the Giants, Tree Top Walk

Walpole is a charming town located just three hours away from Margaret River and is a must-see stop for nature lovers. It is an adventure waiting to happen with its expansive national parks, state forests, wide sandy beaches, pretty picnic spots and tranquil rivers that offer more than a day’s worth of exciting activities. From bushwalking to white water rafting to four-wheel driving on the beach, there’s something for nature lovers of all ages.

The real beauty of Walpole lies when you take a gentle 600 metre stroll through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle tress on The Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. During the walk, take in the spectacular views of the tallest timber trees on Earth while having a relaxing lunch under the trees. 

4. Take a refreshing dip in Greens Pool

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Couple snorkelling at Greens Pool

Described as Mother Nature’s most inviting swimming pools, Greens Bay is located in William Bay National Park and is just under an hour’s drive away from Walpole. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a perfect view of clear emerald waters and pure white sand, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Once you’re out of the water, take a short stroll on foot to Elephant Rocks, where you can find natural elephant-like sculptures bathing in the clear waters. Take a peaceful walk along the stunning coastline to admire the breath-taking views of Madfish Bay, Waterfall Beach and if you are travelling during the spring, an abundance of beautiful wildflowers.

5. Enjoy Nature’s Best at Porongurup National Park

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Hikers on the Wansborough Walk and Bolganup Trail, located in the Porongurup National Park

Porongurup National Park is a haven for Australia’s most unique flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of birds and 750 varieties of plants. The park is located just over an hour away from Greens Pool and is home to the amazing Castle Rock Granite Skywalk – a walkway situated at the heart of Porongurup National Park that offer visitors affording breath taking views of the park below.

With over 1,100 million years in the making, it features a unique granite range of 12 peaks. For the more adventurous, there is also the option of scaling the last few metres via a short rock climb to reach the summit.

The park is also one of the best spots in the South West region to see wildflowers. Make sure to visit during spring or early summer to enjoy the colourful displays of Bluebells, Wattles, Hoveas, Banksia, Dryandras, Hakeas, Hrevilleas and Orchids.

With these top nature spots on your relaxing road trip, we’re sure you will be recharged and ready to come home rejuvenated and ready to face another day at work in the big city!

For a full itinerary of the Great South West Edge self-drive trip, head over to Tourism Western Australia’s website at https://www.westernaustralia.com.

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Alta Moda Sarawak brings high fashion to Sarawak’s doorstep this March

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KUCHING, Feb 7: Sarawak’s March calendar is set to start off with some glitz and glamour this year with the inaugural three-day fashion and lifestyle event, Alta Moda Sarawak (AMS).

Sher Lo Anannasa
Sher Lo Anannasa Tropical1
Asrul Asshadi
Asrul Asshadi 1
Diffison Tanjan Portrait 2
Diffison Tanjan 6

Designers Sher Lo (top left), Asrul Asshadi (bottom left) and Diffison Tanjan (bottom, second right) are among the 24 designers and brands that will be taking part in Alta Moda Sarawak 2019.

To be held from March 7-9 at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building in Kuching, 24 designers and brands will be taking part in this event which aims to highlight the many colours of Sarawak’s cultures and diversities into the streamline of the fashion industry, applying the subject matter of lifestyle while emphasizing fashion as its core.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to organize the inaugural fashion and lifestyle event of ALTA MODA SARAWAK 2019. This marks the first time an event of this kind will be held at the old DUN, an iconic landmark in Kuching.

“Our long term mission and vision are to hold the event on an annual basis as part of Sarawak Tourism calendar with Sarawak Tourism Board as the main supporter and partner,” stated AMS chairman Datin Esther Mujan Balan, who with Dato’ Raymond Valentine Jolly make up the AMS organizing committee.

‘Alta moda’ originates from the Italian language which means ‘high fashion’ where all the potential and leading couturiers, designers and labels will be looking forward to gathering under one roof similar to the likes of red carpet events featuring Hollywood A-listers.

In this spirit, AMS aims to serve as a brand platform for Sarawak designers to come together to showcase their talents and creations in the field of arts, culture and crafts as well as celebrate Sarawak’s diverse ethnic groups and cultures.

“We, therefore, see our role as one of the catalysts and key players in assisting in generating the traffic flow of tourists to Sarawak under the Sarawak Tourism umbrella. We are also excited to be holding this event in conjunction with Visit Sarawak Campaign with support and partnership from the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and Sarawak Tourism Board,” she said.

Another objective of the event is to provide up and rising Sarawakian designers the opportunity to make their mark in their own country rather than having to go abroad to make a name for themselves. It also aims to give local fashion followers the chance to have “high fashion at their doorstep.”

This year, AMS is confident that with the experience and background of the team of strong and dynamic professionals under this platform, Sarawak designers will be able to establish themselves as the fashion brand to be reckoned with and to enable the expansion of the Sarawak designers industry.

“We are determined and focused for ALTA MODA SARAWAK to be a successful yearly event to promote Sarawak as a leading fashion hub in Southeast Asia and attract potential tourism and merchandise buyers domestically and internationally for our Sarawakian designers and artists.

“Along with the teamwork support from various collaborating partners, AMS aims to work together with promising young designers, established designers and the Sarawakian designers association to make this a reality.”

AMS is hopeful through the support towards ALTA MODA SARAWAK 2019, this will be the next great Sarawak event to be reckoned with whilst promoting the region’s large multi-ethnic and multi-cultures and to provide a unique experience and enjoyment for tourists to look forward to and to continue to boost the sustainable future of Sarawak’s tourism.

The 3-day event is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg; Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib, wife of the Governor of Sarawak.

ALTA MODA SARAWAK 2019 Event Details:

DATE: 7th to 9th MARCH 2019

VENUE: OLD DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI (DUN) BUILDING, PETRA JAYA, KUCHING

DESIGNERS & BRANDS

  1. Anannasa By Sher Lo
  2. Anna Sue
  3. Ben Nazry
  4. Bianco Mimosa
  5. Bon Zainal
  6. Erwan Asbor Touch
  7. Gavroche by Arzmy Hargreaves
  8. Hafiz Carlson
  9. Kaftans by India
  10. Khalids
  11. Latip’s Collections
  12. Lentera Astana
  13. LIM KOK WING Institute of Technology
  14. Melor by Melinda Omar
  15. Najla
  16. N’Inspired
  17. Papier Mâchè
  18. Paul Carling
  19. Qeisha Qiani, Dubai
  20. SAB2 by Sabrina Bujang
  21. Sereni and Shentel
  22. Tom Abang Saufi
  23. UNIMAS Fashion Designers
  24. Von Jolly Couture, Paris

PARTNERS, COLLABORATORS & SPONSORS

  1. Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)
  2. Sarawak Arts Council
  3. Official Automobile : Mercedes Benz (Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd)
  4. Official Hotel : The Waterfront Hotel
  5. Official Travel Agent : Matahari Tours Sdn Bhd
  6. Official Photographer : Kelvin Chan
  7. Official Videographer : Tactickotor
  8. Media Support : The Borneo Post, Sarawak Tribune, Utusan Sarawak, See Hua Daily, Berita Harian, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Information Department Sarawak, Era FM,
  9. Lim Kok Wing Institute Of Creative University
  10. University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
  11. Bellasimo by Soul Vision
  12. Borneo Medispa
  13. Power Looks Global Image Consultant
  14. Borneo Talk
  15. KINO
  16. KAJOMAG
  17. Astro Radio Sdn Bhd
  18. Tabcreative Company
  19. Glacier

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Snapshots of the old Rumah Dayak in Kuching

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It was said that the original Rumah Dayak was going to be rebuilt as a bigger, better commercial project in 1996. Since it was demolished the following year, however, construction has been lagging and changing developers for the better part of 20 years.

Here’s a brief snapshot of what it was like hanging out at Rumah Dayak in it’s heyday.

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A Kumang Gawai from Gawai Dayak celebrations at Rumah Dayak in 1971. – Photo credit Penerangan.

Rumah Dayak at Jalan Satok was once a proud symbol of unity for the Dayak people. For those who have memories of the building, they would understand that it served more than just a function venue but a center of cohesiveness that brought the people together regardless of their backgrounds.

Opened by Sarawak’s second Chief Minister Dato Sri Penghulu Tawi Sli on 26 December 1969, Sarawak Dayak National Union’s Rumah Dayak was once a lively and vibrant gathering place for the Dayak communities before it was demolished in 1997.

Back then the double-storey, semi concrete wooden community centre was where people would come together for discussions and for any kind of celebration. It was also a learning center for people to learn and share traditional customs such as ngajat, bebiau and bejampi.

Rumah Dayak held such a place of prominence among the Dayak community at the time that it was also used for state level Gawai Dayak celebrations held every year on June 1-2.

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Gawai Dayak celebrations in 1971 which the second Sarawak Chief Minister attended. – Photo credit Penerangan.

Besides an events venue, it also served as a resting and lodging house for rural Dayak people who had to travel to Kuching for official matters.

After office hours, the place was usually packed with people who stopped by to meet their friends or to play sports as it had a badminton hall as well as billiards and ping pong.

It was such a popular hangout spot that even the likes of Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Tun Abang Haji Openg, and former deputy chief ministers Dato Daniel Tajem and Datuk Amar Dunstan Endawie Enchana used to go there.

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A dance performance during the 1971 Gawai Dayak celebrations at Rumah Dayak.

The current scenario for Rumah Dayak

During the 34th SDNU Triennial General Assembly at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in May 2015, Minister of Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom who also served as the president of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) announced that the SDNU Supreme Council had agreed to transform Rumah Dayak into a budget hotel.

Currently, SDNU is still waiting for the Land and Survey Department to approve the revised plans before the Kuching City North Commission can issue an occupation permit (OP) for the completed structure on Jalan Satok.

Although Rumah Dayak on Jalan Satok may remain plagued by red tape, hopefully SDNU Sibu’s plans to have its own Rumah Dayak as promised by the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in May this year during the union’s Pre Gawai Dayak Dinner won’t suffer the same fate.

Get animated with Cartoon Network in Singapore

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The Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Adventure Time and Ben 10 come to life with giant inflatables, carnival games and workshops

Animate Your Life @ Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

26 May – 10 June 2018; Prices start from RM37.50++

Animate your Life LogoLooking for something to do with the entire family? Cartoon Network invites you to enter a world of animation at the Animate Your Life festival in Singapore – a 16-day celebration of fans, fun and fans of fun!

From Saturday 26 May to Sunday 10 June, Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will transform Gardens by the Bay’s Bayfront Plaza into a thriving world of cartoons. Bringing characters from hit shows – The Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Adventure Time and Ben 10 to life – the festival will offer a fairground of fun inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games and creative workshops.

Guests can look forward to the following activities:

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Enter the famous city of Townsville and soar with Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup on a giant trampoline ride! Also make sure to check out the Cartoon Network art gallery, where a series of international artworks will be displayed in celebration of The Powerpuff Girls’ 20th anniversary.

Looking to get creative? Cartoon Network has also partnered with local artist group, Band of Doodlers to create a special Powerpuff Girls tribute. The live installation will be unveiled on Sunday, 27 May from 4pm; and everyone is invited to leave their mark!

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Take a trip to the Land of Ooo and get lost in a maze with best buds Finn and Jake! Then, step into a magical Candy Kingdom with your favourite Adventure Time characters; Marceline, Princess Bubblegum and Lumpy Space Princess!

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The bear bros are in the house and ready for fun! Splash-down the log-ride inflatable slide into a colourful ball-pit. Match-up and stack-up with a giant Bear Stack, or just snap a selfie in the cave that Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear call home.

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It’s Hero Time! Ben Tennyson has harnessed the power of the Omnitrix and wants to put it in your hands! Join the Ben 10 Boot Camp and navigate through a series of exciting obstacles courses. Then, get a group photo with Ben and his aliens in front of a cool trick-mirror.

If that isn’t enough to get you to make your way down to Singapore, Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will also offer a mix of fun activities including:

  1. An interactive Animate Yourself booth where you can create your own likeness as your favourite character and print it on a t-shirt.
  2. A mix of exciting carnival games testing your agility, accuracy and skill.
  3. A chance to learn more about Cartoon Network’s first branded cruise liner – Cartoon Network Wave. Designed for everyone who’s young at heart, Cartoon Network Wave presents an immersive fun zone, giving you a glimpse of adventures on-board the world’s first toon vacation at sea.
  4. A line-up of weekend workshops hosted by leading figures from the animation world primed to spark your creativity. Conducted every Saturday and Sunday at 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm; the workshops will teach you how to draw some of Cartoon Network’s most loved characters, offer voice-over challenges and give you a chance to participate in making a stop-animation video. [For more information about each workshop session, refer to Annex A below]

Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will open from Monday to Thursday 3-9pm and from Friday to Sunday from 3-11pm. Games, mascot appearances and show screenings are also scheduled throughout the day.

Visit Animate.CartoonNetworkAsia.com for more details and hashtag #CartoonNetwork and #CNAnimateYourLife to share the fun. 

Cartoon Network Animate Your Life is co-presented by Prudential Singapore and Cartoon Network Wave, the soon-to-launch, fully-branded cruise liner. The event is also supported by Singapore Tourism Board’s Leisure Events Fund, Official Radio Partner CLASS 95 and Supporting Radio Partner 987, and Official Multimedia Partner Singtel.

Admission details

Visitors can purchase same-day tickets at the site entrance, or pre-order online at http://www.apactix.com/events/detail/CN-animate-your-life. Ticket prices and special bundle prices as listed below:

Adult Ticket (Age 18+) RM 54 + GST
Child Ticket (Age 2-12) RM 37.50 + GST
Student Ticket (up to Tertiary with student card) RM 45 + GST
Family Pack (2 Adults + 2 Kids) RM 150 + GST (18% discount)
Friends Pack (4 Students up to Tertiary with student card) RM 144 + GST (20% discount)

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How your daily protein intake can help you lose weight

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Protein plays an important role in losing weight and maintaining a great figure.

Overall, having enough intake protein in your daily diet will increase your metabolism, reduce cravings and induce losing weight hormones in your body.

Here is how your daily protein intake will help you lose that extra weight:

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Red meat is a good source of protein. Credit: Pixabay.

1. Protein reduces loss of muscle mass

When you exercise, you tend to burn fat which subsequently reduces your muscle mass.

You need those muscles because they work like a ‘factory’ that burns your fat.

Protein intake is essential to repair and rebuild your muscle cells which you lose during exercise.

2. It induce hormones which helps you to lose weight.

Taking enough protein will increase levels of the satiety (appetite-reducing) hormones GLP-1, peptide YY and cholecystokinin, while reducing your levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin.

When you are feeling less hungry, you will automatically eat fewer calories.

3. Digesting protein helps in burning more calories

Some calories are utilised to digest your food and this is what they called the thermic effect of food.

Protein has higher thermic effect (20-30 per cent) compared to carbs (5 to 10 per cent) and fat (0-3 per cent).

Having a high protein diet will make you burn more calories compared to a lower protein diet.

In other words, high protein diets have more “metabolic advantage” than low protein diets.

The best part is your body will continue to burn those calories all day long even when you are sleeping as it continues to digest.

4. Your protein intake can help to reduce craving

Having breakfast with high protein can help you reduce your craving for the rest of the day.

Plenty of studies show that by increasing your protein intake, you will start to eat fewer calories.

So having a high protein diet instead will make it easier to cut your calorie intake in one day.

Why not have hard-boiled eggs for breakfast starting today?

Start your day with high protein diet and reduce your craving the rest of the day.
Start your day with a high protein diet and reduce your cravings for the rest of the day.

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3 things to cut out of your diet to lose weight

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To lose weight, watching what you eat is definitely a must.

However, there are so many things to watch out for like cutting down on carbs, adding more fibre in the form of vegetables and getting enough protein.

While doing that most people tend to overlook the little things they put in their mouths which at the end of the day might not help them lose weight after all.

According to nutritionist Nicholas Alvin George, here are three basic things you need to reduce in your daily meals to lose weight:

1. Fat

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Avoid fried food if you want to lose weight. Credit: Pixabay.

Eating a lot of fatty and oily food will increase the risk of obesity and other problems including heart disease and strokes.

Try to steam, grill or boil your food instead of frying to reduce fat content.

Even if you have to stir-fry your dishes, use oil sparingly in your cooking.

Remember to remove all the fat from your meat or chicken while preparing them.

2. Salt

Canned food usually has high salt content. Credit: Pixabay.
Canned food usually has high salt content. Credit: Pixabay.

Salt will stall weight loss because it makes your body retain more water.

When you reduce your salt intake, you’ll lose some water retention in your body.

Remember that just because it doesn’t taste salty doesn’t mean the salt content is low.

There are plenty of foods which are high in salt content such as ketchup, processed food such as sausages, nuggets as well as canned food.

Traditional Malaysian fermented food such as budu, belacan and kasam are also high in salt content.

Opt for natural flavouring such as herbs instead of seasoning powder which also has monosodium glutamate (MSG).

We only need less than 5 grams of salt everyday which equals to only one teaspoon.

3. Sugar

Satisfy your craving for sweet stuff with fruits. Credit: Pixabay.
Satisfy your craving for sweet stuff with fruit. Credit: Pixabay.

Cutting out sugar will decrease your risk of obesity and diabetes.

The best way to reduce sugar is to avoid all sugary and bicarbonate drinks.

A can of soda has an average of 8 teaspoons of sugar. A canned isotonic drink and a small packet drink (250ml) may contain 5 teaspoons of sugar each.

Your one cup of 3 in 1 coffee mix contains about 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Malaysians love their condensed milk in their drinks. But condensed milk is not ‘milk’, it is just sugar and fat.

So the best drink out there is just the most inexpensive one, which is a glass of plain water.

If you really need to satisfy your sweet tooth, have some fruit and vegetables instead of cakes and snacks.

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10 special needs cats that will warm your heart

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Special needs cats are often neglected, abandoned or even worse, euthanised.

Due to their conditions, they need special people to take care of them.

Only special people with great patience, dedication and love can these cats find their forever homes.

Meet some of these special needs cats and their amazing hooman parents.

We assure you that watching their videos will brighten your day.

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Watching these videos of special needs cats will brighten your day. Credit: Pixabay.

1. Maya the Cat

Maya is a tabby cat born with a chromosomal abnormality. When she was found behind a Chinese food restaurant, they brought her to a shelter to be euthanised.

Just because she looks a little different than other cats.

She has some problem with her eyesight and she sneezes a lot.

The Odd Cat Sanctuary then took her in and put her up for adoption.

That was how her hooman Lauren Beader in Massachusetts found her and she called her Maya.

2. Monty

Monty from Copenhagen, Denmark was born without a nose bone also due to chromosomal abnormality.

His hoomans Mikala Fuglesang and Michael Bjorn took him home from a shelter on August, 2013.

Bjorn told The Huffington Post, “I looked into his eyes and started stroking him gently on his head. I saw his personality and I’m sure he saw mine and liked what he saw. From that moment on, both Mikala and I started creating a very strong bond with Monty. We tend to think that we did not choose him but he chose us.”

Since then, Monty has been living happily with his hoomans and two siblings Malle and Mikkel.

3. Blossom and her family

In 2015, the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, New York rescued a cat with a severe eye infection.

The rescue and adoption centre made the decision to have Blossom’s eyes removed.

Radio personality and animal advocates Howard Stern and his wife Beth fostered her for a while until she recovered.

Then Blossom found her furrever home with Susan Smith who already had other special needs cats.

Her siblings include blind Donavan, as well as Donny and Ozzy who have cerebellar hypoplasia.

4. Smush official

Smush was born with genetic abnormalities causing her to have a cleft lip and facial deformities.

She was found abandoned during the summer in 2017 and was quickly taken to University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

The veterinarian students there took care of Smush, feeding her every four hours.

Now, Smush is living happily with her hoomans Florida resident Shannon Jackson and her wife Sarah.

5. Lil Bub

This American cat celebrity was born in July 21, 2011 in Indiana, US.

She was born with an extreme form of feline dwarfism causing her limbs to be quite small.

Her tongue always hangs out because of her short lower jaw.
If you think Lil Bub looks familiar, perhaps you have seen her in the 2016 film Nine Lives.

She even has her own documentary, Lil Bub & Friendz.

6. Lil Bunny Sue Roux

This little angel was born without her front legs.

That doesn’t stop her from jumping around and being active.

She was born in New Orleans and rescued from an animal shelter by Jackie Deak Akey in 2014.

With almost 60,000 followers on Facebook, this cat/bunny/kangaroo/T-rex really know hows to draw a crowd.

7. Helix

Helix was born with cerebellar hypoplasia which affects his motor skills.

The condition causes him to wobble in his movement.

He was rescued from the streets but now is living with his family in Austin, Texas.

Putting aside his imbalanced mobility and lack of coordination, Helix is as healthy and playful like any other cats.

8. Kanga Roo the Cat

She was brought to a vet clinic in Northern California for euthanasia because she was different from other cats.

She was born with a condition called radial agencies, a defect affecting the formation of the radius born in the arm.

Cats like Kanga have problems using their front legs to hold weight.

She was rescued by Saving Grace Rescue in San Francisco and later adopted into a family.

Her siblings include two canine brothers named Brandon and Brownie and two feline siblings named Skittles and Hector.

9. Ryder

Ryder looks a little different from other cats.

That is because he is suffering from a condition called eyelid agenesis causing him to have no eyelids.

He went to surgery to make his eyes better and now he lives a normal feline life in Raleigh, North Carolina.

10. Max and Grace

These two blind rescued felines were adopted from a shelter in San Francisco.

Max was adopted first before his sister Grace came into the picture.

They both quickly bonded and now they do everything together.

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Eating healthy according to Malaysia Healthy Plate

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If you haven’t heard of Malaysia Healthy Plate, you could be missing out on one of the easiest guidelines for healthy eating there is.

The #SukuSukuSeparuh or ‘Quarter-Quarter-Half’  campaign was introduced by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in late 2016 to promote healthy eating habits among Malaysians. It was reported that only 6 per cent of adult Malaysians consumed sufficient fruits and vegetables in 2015 compared to 7.5 per cent in 2011.

How does Malaysia Healthy Plate work?

Imagine your plate divided into two quarters and one half, and this is how much proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables you should be having with every meal. The recommended portions for a healthy meal are a quarter for grains like rice, another quarter for proteins like chicken, meat, seafood, bean products and half for fruits and vegetables.

This guideline comes in really handy for Malaysians especially when attending parties, functions and our favourite national activity – open house!

According to nutritionist Nicholas Alvin George, while it is important to have a balanced meal, it is equally important to eat on time.

Why? “Eating on time and not skipping meals can increase your metabolism.”

He gave an example of a regulated eating time: breakfast at 7am, brunch at 10am, lunch at 1pm, tea time at 4pm and dinner at 7pm.

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Stuck on what to have for your healthy meals? Here are some of Nicholas’ suggestions based on the Malaysia Healthy Plate portions:

  1. Breakfast
    Make oatmeal with 4 tablespoons of oats and 2 tablespoons of milk. Have 4 pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers.
  2. Brunch
    Take 2 pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers with a glass of milk.
  3. Lunch
    Have one small bowl of rice (the best is brown rice) with 3/4 bowl of vegetables. Add one piece of chicken drumstick or two matchbox sized chicken breast or one medium-sized mackerel.
  4. Tea time
    Take two pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers and with a glass of milk.
  5. Dinner
    Have one small bowl of rice (the best is brown rice) with 3/4 bowl of vegetables. Add one piece of chicken drumstick or two matchbox sized chicken breast or one medium-sized mackerel.

“This meal plan is just a basic suggestion. You can create your own variety and remember the ‘Quarter-Quarter-Half’ concept and don’t skip meals,” said Nicholas, who also advises to take your last meal at least four hours before bedtime.

Here is another suggestion of a meal plan according to Malaysian Ministry of Health:

 

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Pro tip for 2018: treat the ransomware threat like an imminent hard drive failure

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hard-drive

With the General Data Protection Regulation knocking on everyone’s door, breaches will have to be taken more seriously than ever. At the same time, new data indicates that ransomware attacks are rising steeply, which means neither organizations nor regular users can afford to sit around with their arms crossed.

Ransomware attacks doubled in 2017, and were the primary driver of an overall increase in total incidents, according to the latest Cyber Incident & Breach Trends Report from the Online Trust Alliance.

Reported cyber incidents targeting businesses also nearly doubled (from 82,000 in 2016 to 159,700 in 2017). However, since many cyberattacks are never reported, the alliance believes the actual number could be much higher.

Attacks seeking ransom accounted for half of all reported incidents. These included malware-laced phishing attacks, malvertising, drive-by malware, and even a new form of ransomware combined with denial of service (RDoS), where the attacker threatens to attack via denial-of-service if ransom is not paid.

In any case, ransomware has become a massive problem. From the massive WannaCry and Petya/GoldenEye contagions in 2017 to the more recent highly-targeted attacks hitting healthcare providers one after another, everyone is now a blip on cybercrooks’ radar.

Bitdefender predicts that ransomware will become more advanced and more sophisticated in 2018, potentially even using the GPU in your computer to speed up the encryption process. And ransomware-as-a-service platforms will make the threat even more accessible to one-off hackers, boosting the volume and complexity of ransomware samples to emerge this year.

But the real reason ransomware poses such a problem for everyone is its anatomy.

Why is ransomware so popular?

Ransomware is a highly efficient, highly lucrative form of malware. Three major drivers have propelled it to its sudden infamy:

Ransomware can infect a computer through an array of attack vectors – from social engineering and spam to drive-by attacks, rigged popular applications, vulnerabilities, and malvertising – and render all data on that machine unusable.

Until recently, you had to know code to hack someone; today, anyone can go to the Dark Web, buy the ransomware of their choosing, and attack.

The anatomy of ransomware ensures that the damage produced is substantial while the attacker can remain completely anonymous, whether you pay him or not.

How to mitigate risk?

According to the same report, some 93 percent of all breaches could have been avoided had simple steps been taken.

These can include:

  • regularly update software
  • block fake email messages using email authentication
  • train people to recognize phishing attacks
  • use browser-based scanning for malware
  • limit administrative access to data to contain the spread of an infection
  • use DDoS protection services to limit the impact of an attack

For large businesses, OTA makes the following recommendation:
“…since some organizations may determine that paying a ransom is the necessary course of action for a given incident, and Bitcoin is the most common form of payment request, it is recommended that organizations set up a Bitcoin wallet in advance. This type of proactive planning is not unlike establishing relationships in advance with crisis management firms, forensics specialists and law enforcement – it is easier to make logical, informed decisions during the calm than it is during the storm.”

However, most cybersecurity experts agree that victims should refrain from paying the ransom, as payment encourages criminals to strike again, and gives rise to new legions of hackers. Some law enforcement agencies advise the same.
At the same time, those same agencies (including the FBI) agree that sometimes the damage from lost data can be so large that it’s better to just pay and hope that the hackers stick to their end of the bargain – decrypt the data.

But…

What if I don’t want to pay the ransom?

Since your data is inaccessible and unusable, getting infected with ransomware is the same as having your hard drive fail on you. And, make no mistake, hard drives do fail eventually!

“Viewing ransomware as an imminent hard drive failure points toward the simplest measure you can take: keep regular, offline backups of your important data,” says Bogdan Botezatu, senior e-threat analyst, Bitdefender. “This way, even if you get infected, you can always recover your important data, whether it’s photos of your cat, or millions of dollars’ worth of intellectual property.”

For more peace of mind, use a trusted antivirus solution. Bitdefender offers ransomware protection that sniffs out suspicious behavior before you can make a mistake and get infected. It is particularly paranoid about the security of your Documents folder or any other folder you deem highly sensitive, but it also keeps a close check on all files on your system. For Mac users, Bitdefender offers Time Machine backup protection –  to make sure ransomware and attackers can’t touch your backups. Source: Hot for Security

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