Tikki is one of those snacks that’s hard to say no to. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just one bite is enough to make us crave more. Wouldn’t you agree? With so many tikki recipes to choose from, it can be difficult to resist these cravings. However, tikki is usually deep-fried, making it an unhealthy choice for those trying to lose weight or eat healthily. But don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your tikki cravings. Instead, you can modify the recipe to make it healthier and weight-loss-friendly. One such gem that deserves your attention is this Rajma and Matar Ki Tikki. Also Read:Weight Loss: Nutritionist Shares High Protein, High Fibre Tikkis You Can Enjoy Guilt-Free
What Makes Rajma And Matar Ki Tikki A Must-Try?
This tikki is perfect for those who want to enjoy a snack without worrying about extra calories. Made with ingredients like rajma, matar, and vegetables, it’s packed with nutrition. It’s a tikki that’s not only healthy but also offers the best flavour. Whether as an evening snack or a starter for a dinner party, it’s sure to delight your taste buds.
Can You Have Rajma And Matar Ki Tikki On A Weight Loss Diet?
Absolutely! Both rajma and matar are excellent sources of protein, making this tikki ideal for weight loss. Not only that, but they are also rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. The fact that this tikki is pan-fried adds to its nutritional value. You can also air-fry it to make it even healthier.
What Can You Serve With Rajma And Matar Ki Tikki?
Pair this delicious tikki with any chutney of your choice. Whether it’s spicy pudina chutney, tangy tamarind chutney, or a sweet version, it’ll taste amazing with them all. If chutneys aren’t your thing, enjoy the tikki with some tomato ketchup.
How To Make Rajma And Matar Tikki | Rajma And Matar Tikki Recipe
This recipe was shared by the Instagram page @thespicystory. To begin, add boiled rajma and matar to a large bowl. Mash them well using a masher. Add grated carrots, onions, ginger, green chillies, green onions, and boiled potatoes. Next, add roasted besan, chaat masala, salt, pepper, garam masala, and coriander powder. Mix everything together. Now, take a small portion of the mixture and form a tikki using your hands. Repeat the process with the remaining mixture. Place the tikkis on a non-stick tawa over a low-medium flame. Drizzle some oil over them as they cook. Flip and cook on the other side. Serve hot and enjoy!
Watch the complete video below:
Also Read: Can’t Get Over Crispy Aloo Tikkis? Try These 5 Easy Ways To Make Them Healthier Looks delicious, doesn’t it? Make this tasty tikki for your next snacking session and enjoy it completely guilt-free!
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — In a two-for-one moonshot, SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers Wednesday for U.S. and Japanese companies looking to jumpstart business on Earth’s dusty sidekick.
The two landers rocketed away in the middle of the night from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the latest in a stream of private spacecraft aiming for the moon. They shared the ride to save money but parted company an hour into the flight exactly as planned, taking separate roundabout routes for the monthslong journey.
It’s take 2 for the Tokyo-based ispace, whose first lander crashed into the moon two years ago. This time, it has a rover on board with a scoop to gather up lunar dirt for study and plans to test potential food and water sources for future explorers.
Lunar newcomer Texas-based Firefly Aerospace is flying 10 experiments for NASA, including a vacuum to gather dirt, a drill to measure the temperature below the surface and a device that could be used by future moonwalkers to keep the sharp, abrasive particles off their spacesuits and equipment.
Firefly’s Blue Ghost — named after a species of U.S. Southeastern fireflies — should reach the moon first. The 6-foot-6-inches-tall (2-meter-tall) lander will attempt a touchdown in early March at Mare Crisium, a volcanic plain in the northern latitudes.
The slightly bigger ispace lander named Resilience will take four to five months to get there, targeting a touchdown in late May or early June at Mare Frigoris, even farther north on the moon’s near side.
“We don’t think this is a race. Some people say ‘race to the moon,’ but it’s not about the speed,” ispace’s founder CEO Takeshi Hakamada said this week from Cape Canaveral.
Both Hakamada and Firefly CEO Jason Kim acknowledge the challenges still ahead, given the wreckage littering the lunar landscape. Only five countries have successfully placed spacecraft on the moon since the 1960s: the former Soviet Union, the U.S., China, India and Japan.
“We’ve done everything we can on the design and the engineering,” Kim said. Even so, he pinned an Irish shamrock to his jacket lapel Tuesday night for good luck.
The U.S. remains the only one to have landed astronauts. NASA’s Artemis program, the successor to Apollo, aims to get astronauts back on the moon by the end of the decade.
Before that can happen, “we’re sending a lot of science and a lot of technology ahead of time to prepare for that,” NASA’s science mission chief Nicky Fox said on the eve of launch.
If acing their respective touchdowns, both spacecraft will spend two weeks operating in constant daylight, shutting down once darkness hits.
Once lowered onto the lunar surface, ispace’s 11-pound (5-kilogram) rover will stay near the lander, traveling up to hundreds of yards (meters) in circles at a speed of less than one inch (a couple centimeters) per second. The rover has its own special delivery to drop off on the lunar dust: a toy-size red house designed by a Swedish artist.
NASA is paying $101 million to Firefly for the mission and another $44 million for the experiments. Hakamada declined to divulge the cost of ispace’s rebooted mission with six experiments, saying it’s less than the first mission that topped $100 million.
Coming up by the end of February is the second moonshot for NASA by Houston-based Intuitive Machines. Last year, the company achieved the first U.S. lunar touchdown in more than a half-century, landing sideways near the south pole but still managing to operate.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
One person desperate to declutter their life took to Reddit to plead for advice.
“I know I need to get rid of like, at least 60% of what I own,” they said. “I have so much junk laying around. I’m getting better at letting go, but it’s not enough. I need to speed it up.”
The r/minimalism community came forward to offer advice and support, with many noting that while the process isn’t always easy, clearing out your home can be rewarding.
“I would ask yourself if the item was something you would re-buy if you lost it,” one wise user replied. “If not, it’s likely not something that’s adding anything to your life.”
“It takes practice and nerves of steel,” another added. “I suggest you go slowly. You are pressuring yourself too much to speed it up. Most people do not understand that to do an entire house and garage declutter can take months or even years.”
Someone else suggested: “First, take a deep breath. This process is overwhelming by design, the clutter we have all lived with for years is exhausting and breaking down that clutter is doubly so. It’s a massive overhaul! But the results are worth the journey.”
Also, having fewer items means fewer things to clean and store, which can save you time and energy that you can put toward other projects.
What’s more, a decluttered space will make you less likely to buy new things. This will save you money, stop overconsumption, and reduce waste. The latter point is extremely important, as the world’s landfills are already overflowing and producing copious amounts of planet-warming pollution.
🗣️ What’s your primary motivation in shopping at thrift stores?
🗳️ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind
It can be difficult to let go sometimes, but material possessions can often get in the way of what really matters. When clearing out your space, make sure to donate anything that could still be used by someone else. You can even use services such as Trashie that will pay you for used clothing and textiles.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Belly fat plays a significant role in motivating weight loss efforts. Did you know that the morning is the optimal time to focus on fitness and weight loss goals? Our metabolism is at its peak during this time, maximising the benefits of our efforts. As the day progresses, our metabolism gradually slows down. Therefore, what we consume in the morning is swiftly converted into energy with minimal fat storage. This highlights the importance of following a nourishing and healthy diet during breakfast. By embracing the right morning dietary rituals, we can harness our body’s natural processes to effectively reduce belly fat.
Experts suggest some common and effective tips for building a good morning ritual to get rid of belly fat fast.
Also Read: Drink This Vegetable Juice Every Morning To Lose Belly Fat Faster
Start your weight loss journey right in the morning. Image Credit: iStock
Here’re 5 Diet Rituals You Must Follow In The Morning To Lose Belly Fat:
1. Start With Lemon Water And Honey
As soon as you get off your bed, make a refreshing drink of lemon water and honey instead of tea or coffee. The hydrating beverage of lukewarm water infused with lemon and honey provides an antioxidant boost and speeds up your metabolism. Lukewarm water also helps with cleansing your system to digest foods and lose weight.
Also Read: Honey And Cinnamon Water – How This Home Remedy May Help Cut Belly Fat
2. Consume Lots Of Proteins For Breakfast
Protein is a very important nutrient for weight loss. It increases the levels of appetite-reducing hormones while simultaneously decreasing levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. That’s why protein is known to induce satiety. Plus it fuels up the body with a kick of energy. Try these recipes for a protein-rich breakfast for your weight loss diet.
3. Aim To Consume Fibre
Fibre also gives us the feeling of fullness as it takes longer to break down and digest. So we crave less and eat less between our breakfast and lunch. Eat fibre-rich foods like oats, daliya, moong dal chilla and oats pancakes. Check out some fibre-rich recipes for breakfast here.
4. Keep Drinking Water
Keep sipping water all morning and continue doing so throughout the day. Besides keeping you hydrated, water keeps your mind distracted from other high-sugar drinks. Also, it fills up your tummy to prevent junk food before the next meal. Make it a point to carry a water bottle with you, whether you go for a morning run or to the office. You can also make infused waters with fruits or herbs.
5. Opt For Healthier Sugar Alternatives
It is a common fact that excessive sugars get stored as fats around the tummy. So, get rid of the arch-enemy and choose healthier alternatives instead. Morning and mid-morning is the time to gorge on naturally sweet fruits. You can sweeten your smoothies and cereals with jaggery, dates and maple syrups.
Kick-start your weight loss journey the moment you wake up and see your stubborn belly fat finally giving in.
[Looking for a customized diet plan for healthy and effective weight loss? Click here for a tailor-made weight loss diet plan and recipes curated by a certified nutritionist.]
Disclaimer: This article may contain links to third-party websites or resources. However, this does not affect the integrity of the content, and all recommendations and views are based on our independent research and judgment.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) – Valdosta State football lost the 2021 national championship 58-17 and which left the program wondering; what was next and how they could get back on top. The Blazers last won a NCAA title in 2018, while averaging a whopping and unsustainable 52 points per game. Defense was another story.
“We couldn’t stop anybody,” said current Blazers head coach Tremaine Jackson.
Aside from 2019, Valdosta State had given up at least 20 points a game, on average, dating back six seasons. Enter Coach Jackson.
“We hadn’t played great defense a lot, we’ve always been known for our offense,” said Jackson. “But when we got here we felt like we could be good at both.”
That’s what Jackson had done during two seasons at Colorado Mesa and that’s what he was hired to do at Valdosta State.
“We brought a mission and a vision on what we wanted this to look like. It’s starting to look like that more and more,” he said. “But there [were] a lot of nights when we sat in the office trying to get this thing figured out.”
After a rocky first season and a solid sophomore campaign, everything has clicked in 2024. The Blazers have 19 defenders who are of senior senior status or older, powering the team to hold the opposition to just over nine points per game.
“We just love playing defense,” said Larry Elder, a defensive back. “They’ve always said that Valdosta State is not known for their defense and I kind of feel like we all took that and put it on our shoulder and go to work everyday.”
The Blazers’ offense has been happy to compliment. Quarterback Sammy Edwards, one of just six players left from 2021, set the Gulf South Conference (GSC) record for most pass attempts without an interception this season; he only threw two total. The senior helped the Blazers average 43 points a game on offense.
But stats don’t tell the whole story.
“I’ve never been a part of a team that loves each other so much,” said Edwards, who was named the Offensive Player of the Year for the GSC.
“Anytime you have guys that are executing for one another and play for one another, then I think you have a pretty good recipe for a good football team,” said Jackson, the conference’s co-Coach of the Year.
Good may be an understatement. Valdosta State enters the NCAA tournament with an unblemished 10-0 record. The team is confident 2024 is the year they will hoist their fifth national championship trophy.
“I think going into the year, that was the plan,” said Edwards. “That’s why me and a lot of other guys came back.”
“We haven’t played our full game yet,” said Elder, who was named the GSC co-Defensive Player of the Year. “When you see us play a full game, it’s going to be really, really dangerous.”
Reflecting back on the long process to get to this point, Jackson said, “What started out as an idea, is now a collective and our collective’s time as come.”
Valdosta State kicks off their NCAA tournament run at home on Saturday at 1pm against four-seeded Miles.
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Alison Paul is a reporter for NBN Channel 9 news based in Coffs Harbour. She is sharing her story in the hope to encourage women over the age of 40 to book in for their free mammogram screening.
Alison Paul is a reporter for NBN Channel 9 news based in Coffs Harbour. (Supplied)
The operation removed the lump and confirmed the cancer hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes. I did, however, pay $5000 for a sample of my tissue to be sent to America to be tested to determine whether chemo was necessary or not.
This is where my life intersected with Samuel Johnson, the co-founder of Love Your Sister.
“What are we doing? It’s $5k to get your sample to America, I’m sick of hearing that!” he told me.
The award-winning actor argues that this test, called Precision Medicine, or genomic testing, should be offered as standard of care to every Australian patient.
“Precision medicine is basically where we test the cancer not the patient, and by doing that genomic screening, as soon as the cancer patient is diagnosed, we can increase their outcomes by stupendous amounts,” Johnson explains.
Paul and her youngest son Lenny. (Supplied)
While the technology exists, Australia hasn’t quite caught up, so now Johnson says he’s “rallying the troops” ahead of next year’s federal election with the hope to get Precision Medicine rolled out here.
As it turns out, the $5000 was probably the best money I’ve ever spent because the results revealed undergoing chemotherapy would only give me an extra 1.5 per cent chance of preventing the cancer from returning.
I’m lucky I was in a position where I could raise that amount of money. Sadly, many people can’t and have no choice but to undergo chemotherapy.
‘Don’t put it off – whether it’s a mammogram, a bowel test, skin or prostrate, just get that test’ (Supplied)
After my radiation finishes, I’ll undergo hormone therapy. While all of this isn’t exactly a walk in the park, it’s a much better treatment plan than chemo!
While we wait for a vaccine for cancer, or even a cure, we need to do what we can to minimise the impact of cancer. And the number one thing to do is to get screened. Don’t put it off – whether it’s a mammogram, a bowel test, skin or prostrate, just get that test done!
As my surgeon, Dr Salindera, said: “Cancer is common and especially breast cancer and that’s why early detection is the best thing that you can do.”
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Dr Avin Thaliath’s A Baker’s Journey- Science in the Art of Baking is an eloquent blend of culinary science, historical anecdotes, and practical artistry. This book explores the intricate processes that define the craft of baking while celebrating the transformative power of bread-making as both an art and a science. Thaliath, a seasoned pastry chef and educator, has penned a resource that caters to novices, home bakers, and professionals alike.
Content Overview
The book is thoughtfully divided into chapters, each unravelling the mysteries of core ingredients like flour, sugar, and yeast, and their chemical interplay in baking. Starting from fundamental insights such as the anatomy of a wheat kernel to advanced topics like dough dynamics and gluten structure, Thaliath systematically builds the reader’s understanding. Particularly engaging are the sections on “Magic Within” and “Heat’s Serenade,” where he marries chemistry with culinary techniques. Recipes sprinkled throughout the chapters offer practical applications of the scientific principles discussed. From classic baguettes to quinoa bread and rye loaves, these are crafted with precision and clarity, making them approachable yet rewarding for all skill levels.
Strengths
Scientific Depth: Thaliath excels in making the science of baking accessible. Concepts such as the interaction between protein and water in gluten formation are presented with clarity, ensuring readers grasp the “why” behind techniques.
Cultural and Historical Insights: Stories like the origin of the baguette or the evolution of focaccia root the book in cultural richness, offering a narrative that’s as delightful as the recipes themselves.
Professional Expertise: With years of teaching and baking experience, Thaliath’s passion and depth of knowledge shine through. The book is a testament to his belief in blending tradition with modern techniques.
User-Friendly Format: The structured layout, complete with tables, illustrations, and easy-to-follow recipes, enhances usability.
Areas for Improvement
The book, while comprehensive, is primarily ingredient-focused. Expanding on presentation and plating techniques, especially for aesthetic-driven bakes like pastries, would enrich the reader’s journey further. Additionally, more visual aids, such as step-by-step photos for complex techniques, could enhance its appeal to visual learners.
Conclusion
A Baker’s Journey – Science in the Art of Baking is not just a cookbook; it’s an educational odyssey. Dr Avin Thaliath has successfully bridged the gap between scientific precision and culinary passion, creating a resource that will undoubtedly inspire bakers to innovate and perfect their craft. This book is a must-have for anyone passionate about understanding the science behind their bakes and elevating their skills to professional levels.
Rating: 4.5/5
I recommend this book for culinary enthusiasts, aspiring bakers, and seasoned professionals seeking to deepen their baking knowledge.
Courtney Williams dedicates her blog and social media content to positive images of Black blended families and motherhood. Credit: Courtney Williams
Courtney N. Williams wears many hats with grace and purpose – a devoted wife, loving mother, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for blended families. Known for her influential presence in the marketing industry for almost nine years, Williams shares her journey from single motherhood to building a massive following on Instagram centered around motherhood, blended families, marriage, faith, and fashion.
Courtney didn’t set out to become a lifestyle influencer; it happened due to a genuine desire to connect. And so, an accidental platform was born, a space where women found solace, inspiration, and a sense of community.
Williams talks to the Defender about her life, love, and dedication to empowering women through her platform.
Defender: Can you tell us about how you became a lifestyle influencer?
Courtney Williams: Absolutely! I was intentional and strategic in sharing content on Instagram. One day, after I got engaged, I decided to share more about myself and my story. I had never done that. I shared how I went from being a single mom to now being engaged and planning a wedding and how I was about to venture into blended family life. It went viral from there. I wasn’t expecting that. I saw that there was a need. Many women related to my journey, so I thought I might start sharing this part of my life more. That’s how my niche grew. I was sharing my family life and marriage and navigating a blended family life.
Defender: Is there a perception you think people have of those with blended families?
Williams: Blended families get a negative rap. When you read statistics, it doesn’t show them working out or being successful. So, my family is giving it our all. We aren’t perfect, but we’re changing the narrative. We’ve intentionally shown the positive side of blended families and parenting. We are showing that we can work together, keep God at the center, and put the needs of our children first.
The Williams family. Credit: Courtney Williams
Defender: How do you balance being an influencer and a devoted wife and mother?
Williams: Being disciplined, organizing my priorities, and making sacrifices regarding my schedule have helped me in the past. This season, it’s all about delegation, bringing people to help me. At one point, I wasn’t in the position. I can’t be everywhere doing everything.
Defender: What qualities were you looking for in a partner the second time?
Williams: I was in a different predicament in the dating world. I was a single mom, and I did have a child. I wasn’t looking to settle, and I knew what I wanted. I had to be very upfront with my needs, wants, and what I was looking for at that stage of life, especially since having a child. And then, most importantly for me, of course, was having someone who was on the same path spiritually. I wanted to make sure our goals aligned.
Defender: Your platform covers various aspects of life. How do faith and fashion influence your message to women?
Williams: Faith is the anchor of my life. It’s the foundation that grounds me, especially in challenging times. Fashion is a form of self-expression, and I believe in embracing every facet of womanhood. Through my content, I want to inspire women to feel confident, empowered, and connected – spiritually and stylistically.
The Williams family. Credit: Courtney Williams
Defender: What are some significant goals you hope to accomplish with your platform?
Williams: We want to take this further than social media. It could be a foundation for other things for us, whether it’s conferences or books. We’ve even discussed potentially getting into the entertainment space regarding TV or launching a product line. We want to explore other avenues and streams of income. We are excited to expand.
Defender: What resources helped you elevate your platform over time?
Williams: One thing that helped a lot is that an agency represents me. When I first started. I didn’t even know that was a thing. It would have prevented a lot of learning curves. It’s super helpful to have someone who can help you with contracting, negotiating, and ensuring I’m not being taken advantage of by brands or getting lowballed.
Defender: What message do you hope women take away from your platform, especially in the context of Black love and empowerment?
Williams: I always hope that people across our page will see that although your journey didn’t go according to plan or exactly how you wanted it to, your dream life is still attainable. We constantly receive testimonials from people who are inspired by our content. Black love exists.
There are a few things as anxiety-inducing as waiting for the outcome of a health screening.
For Mr Chong, that moment arrived after years of ignoring warning signs. Heavy snoring, sudden breathlessness, waking up in the middle of the night, and blurry vision had become his norm over the years, but it was the alarming loss of seven kilograms in just a week that finally pushed him to seek help.
Years of unhealthy habits have taken their toll
Sitting across from his doctor Daryl Yeo Li Tian , a general practitioner, Chong, now in his early fifties, felt the weight of his neglected health.
As an outdoor sales rep for over 30 years, he had fallen into a pattern of irregular hours and unhealthy eating, and exercise was a foreign concept.
Yeo’s expression shifted as he reviewed the test results, and Chong knew that something was probably not right.
The test had returned a worrying result, revealing that Chong had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease.
This was a combination of many of Chong’s fears.
His family members have been diagnosed with similar diseases before, and he believed that it was only a matter of time before he too would be eventually diagnosed.
But for him, the diseases had hit sooner than expected , and he was at a loss as to what to do.
In sickness and in health
The feeling of disbelief took days to settle before he accepted that this was his reality. What he didn’t realise was that this diagnosis, and the meticulous care of Yeo, would become his first steps on an unexpected journey towards better health.
Chong’s health was at a crucial turning point. He knew that the best bet to improve his health outlook was to get the right care and make lifestyle changes now, but he was unsure where to begin.
For a start, Yeo advised Chong on the medication and follow-ups needed for him to manage his health conditions in the immediate term. He then enrolled Chong into Healthier SG and provided Chong with a personalised, comprehensive Health Plan, including guidance on lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes and an exercise regimen that Chong could realistically implement. The goal is to help Chong manage his conditions and improve his health in the long-term.
For instance, recognising Chong’s sedentary lifestyle, Yeo suggested a gradual approach to exercise. He recommended starting with extended walks, aiming for over an hour of this low-impact cardio activity.
This personalised advice proved crucial; left to his own devices, Chong might have gravitated towards more intense workouts like weightlifting which he would be unlikely to keep at. Yeo foresaw that this was a common mistake and had therefore set manageable goals to help Chong build sustainable habits.
The ongoing partnership between Yeo and Chong transformed Chong’s approach to health. Their regular check-ins allowed them to discuss his challenges and successes, with Yeo offering encouragement and adjusting the plan as needed.
Building familiarity, visit by visit
Chong appreciated the continuity of care provided under Healthier SG. He found comfort in knowing he could consistently consult with Yeo, who was familiar with his medical history and personal health journey.
This ongoing relationship simplified his healthcare experience, making it easier for Chong to manage his condition and ad ess any concerns as they arose. As his regular doctor, Yeo was able to provide clear explanations of what stage Chong’s condition was at, and how to ad ess it, as he was already very familiar with Chong’s case.
While Yeo served as Chong’s primary point of contact, he was not the only one involved in Chong’s care – Yeo referred Chong to specialists where necessary and provided support in explaining the results of his health results where needed.
Small steps, big changes
Critical to this relationship was that Chong was able to see results.
As Chong implemented these lifestyle changes and followed Yeo’s personalised advice, he saw remarkable improvements.
When he was initially diagnosed with several conditions, Chong recalled having to bring back “a bag full of medicines”.
This included insulin injections, as well as other regular medications.
However, with Yeo’s help in adjusting Chong’s medications, Chong was able to gradually reduce the amount of medication that he was taking.
When Mothership spoke to him, he said that he had gone from four types of medications, including insulin injections, to three oral medications. He was hopeful about further reducing his medications in the near future.
Chong credited this to Yeo’s personalised and attentive care, in addition to his wife and his family for being very supportive.
The Healthier SG journey
Through Healthier SG, Chong found himself under the care of Yeo, a family doctor he knew and trusted. As part of the programme, Chong received a personalised Health Plan that he saw as his starting point towards better health. For Chong, this plan wasn’t just a set of instructions; it was an eye-opener that helped him become more aware of his overall health. He felt it gave him a clear path to follow, making the idea of improving his health less daunting and more achievable.
It also allowed him to access more affordable medications, as CHAS cardholders with higher chronic medication needs are able to access enhanced subsidies for selected chronic medications at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic, at prices comparable to polyclinics.
It also allowed him to use his MediSave to pay his bills in full, without the need for co-payment (up to the Medisave 500/700 withdrawal limit).
Chong was also told that Healthier SG clinics, which are also CHAS clinics, offer additional benefits. These include subsidised referrals to public specialist outpatient clinics for CHAS/Pioneer Generation/Merdeka Generation cardholders. Enrolees who are Singapore Citizens can also receive fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at their enrolled clinics.
Note: Enhanced subsidises for selected Chronic Tier medications, and fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at Healthier SG clinics, are also available to Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic.
Stepping into a healthier future
Chong is now feeling healthier, having made significant changes to his diet and lifestyle.
Image courtesy of Chong
Over time, these changes have gradually become part of his daily routine. While not always easy, his regular walks have become a habit he’s grown accustomed to. He’s more mindful of his food choices, often opting for healthier options.
Image courtesy of Chong
What’s more, Chong’s journey to better health has become a shared adventure with his wife. Inspired by his progress, the pair now enjoy exercising together.
Chong feels better than he has in years, crediting much of his progress to Yeo’s guidance and support through Healthier SG.
Ready to start your own health journey? Enrol in Healthier SG today. Visit healthiersg.gov.sg or speak to your GP to learn more and take the first step towards a healthier you.
Top image via FreePik
This sponsored article by MOH convinced the writer to sign up for Healthier SG.
There are a few things as anxiety-inducing as waiting for the outcome of a health screening.
For Mr Chong, that moment arrived after years of ignoring warning signs. Heavy snoring, sudden breathlessness, waking up in the middle of the night, and blurry vision had become his norm over the years, but it was the alarming loss of seven kilograms in just a week that finally pushed him to seek help.
Years of unhealthy habits have taken their toll
Sitting across from his doctor Daryl Yeo Li Tian , a general practitioner, Chong, now in his early fifties, felt the weight of his neglected health.
As an outdoor sales rep for over 30 years, he had fallen into a pattern of irregular hours and unhealthy eating, and exercise was a foreign concept.
Yeo’s expression shifted as he reviewed the test results, and Chong knew that something was probably not right.
The test had returned a worrying result, revealing that Chong had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease.
This was a combination of many of Chong’s fears.
His family members have been diagnosed with similar diseases before, and he believed that it was only a matter of time before he too would be eventually diagnosed.
But for him, the diseases had hit sooner than expected , and he was at a loss as to what to do.
In sickness and in health
The feeling of disbelief took days to settle before he accepted that this was his reality. What he didn’t realise was that this diagnosis, and the meticulous care of Yeo, would become his first steps on an unexpected journey towards better health.
Chong’s health was at a crucial turning point. He knew that the best bet to improve his health outlook was to get the right care and make lifestyle changes now, but he was unsure where to begin.
For a start, Yeo advised Chong on the medication and follow-ups needed for him to manage his health conditions in the immediate term. He then enrolled Chong into Healthier SG and provided Chong with a personalised, comprehensive Health Plan, including guidance on lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes and an exercise regimen that Chong could realistically implement. The goal is to help Chong manage his conditions and improve his health in the long-term.
For instance, recognising Chong’s sedentary lifestyle, Yeo suggested a gradual approach to exercise. He recommended starting with extended walks, aiming for over an hour of this low-impact cardio activity.
This personalised advice proved crucial; left to his own devices, Chong might have gravitated towards more intense workouts like weightlifting which he would be unlikely to keep at. Yeo foresaw that this was a common mistake and had therefore set manageable goals to help Chong build sustainable habits.
The ongoing partnership between Yeo and Chong transformed Chong’s approach to health. Their regular check-ins allowed them to discuss his challenges and successes, with Yeo offering encouragement and adjusting the plan as needed.
Building familiarity, visit by visit
Chong appreciated the continuity of care provided under Healthier SG. He found comfort in knowing he could consistently consult with Yeo, who was familiar with his medical history and personal health journey.
This ongoing relationship simplified his healthcare experience, making it easier for Chong to manage his condition and ad ess any concerns as they arose. As his regular doctor, Yeo was able to provide clear explanations of what stage Chong’s condition was at, and how to ad ess it, as he was already very familiar with Chong’s case.
While Yeo served as Chong’s primary point of contact, he was not the only one involved in Chong’s care – Yeo referred Chong to specialists where necessary and provided support in explaining the results of his health results where needed.
Small steps, big changes
Critical to this relationship was that Chong was able to see results.
As Chong implemented these lifestyle changes and followed Yeo’s personalised advice, he saw remarkable improvements.
When he was initially diagnosed with several conditions, Chong recalled having to bring back “a bag full of medicines”.
This included insulin injections, as well as other regular medications.
However, with Yeo’s help in adjusting Chong’s medications, Chong was able to gradually reduce the amount of medication that he was taking.
When Mothership spoke to him, he said that he had gone from four types of medications, including insulin injections, to three oral medications. He was hopeful about further reducing his medications in the near future.
Chong credited this to Yeo’s personalised and attentive care, in addition to his wife and his family for being very supportive.
The Healthier SG journey
Through Healthier SG, Chong found himself under the care of Yeo, a family doctor he knew and trusted. As part of the programme, Chong received a personalised Health Plan that he saw as his starting point towards better health. For Chong, this plan wasn’t just a set of instructions; it was an eye-opener that helped him become more aware of his overall health. He felt it gave him a clear path to follow, making the idea of improving his health less daunting and more achievable.
It also allowed him to access more affordable medications, as CHAS cardholders with higher chronic medication needs are able to access enhanced subsidies for selected chronic medications at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic, at prices comparable to polyclinics.
It also allowed him to use his MediSave to pay his bills in full, without the need for co-payment (up to the Medisave 500/700 withdrawal limit).
Chong was also told that Healthier SG clinics, which are also CHAS clinics, offer additional benefits. These include subsidised referrals to public specialist outpatient clinics for CHAS/Pioneer Generation/Merdeka Generation cardholders. Enrolees who are Singapore Citizens can also receive fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at their enrolled clinics.
Note: Enhanced subsidises for selected Chronic Tier medications, and fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at Healthier SG clinics, are also available to Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic.
Stepping into a healthier future
Chong is now feeling healthier, having made significant changes to his diet and lifestyle.
Image courtesy of Chong
Over time, these changes have gradually become part of his daily routine. While not always easy, his regular walks have become a habit he’s grown accustomed to. He’s more mindful of his food choices, often opting for healthier options.
Image courtesy of Chong
What’s more, Chong’s journey to better health has become a shared adventure with his wife. Inspired by his progress, the pair now enjoy exercising together.
Chong feels better than he has in years, crediting much of his progress to Yeo’s guidance and support through Healthier SG.
Ready to start your own health journey? Enrol in Healthier SG today. Visit healthiersg.gov.sg or speak to your GP to learn more and take the first step towards a healthier you.
Top image via FreePik
This sponsored article by MOH convinced the writer to sign up for Healthier SG.
Image courtesy of Chong
Image courtesy of Chong
Image courtesy of Chong
Image courtesy of Chong