I was interviewed for a article on The Star recently. It was actually for a campaign by Jacob’s called Jacob’s Mothers’ Little Secret. The article was published on Friday 20th September 2013.
Earlier in August, I was actually interviewed on MIX FM radio for similar campaign, where I shared some secrets or petua that I know and use at home as a mom and around the kitchen. I have the audio clip. Will share that later kalau tak lupa. hehe…
Below is the full article. Saja lah… untuk kenang-kenangan… :p
Sharing their mothers’ secrets are (from left) Diyana Yang, Shamala Devi and Maimoon Mohd.
Share your secrets or the ones your mum gave you to stay on top of things, and win prizes.
WHETHER it had to do with cleaning the house, preparing quick and tasty meals, soothing us during times we were sick or keeping creepy crawlies away, there was always a ‘little secret’ mum knew that kept things running smoothly. Some of these secrets have been passed down from one generation to another. “To me, little secrets are basically sayings or pointers women have passed down to one another regarding family up-keeping, health and some popular ones related to pregnancy and cooking,” said parenting blogger and mother of two, Diyana Yang.
Mother of four Maimoon Mohd is happy to inherit her mother’s remedies.
“When our grandmothers, great-grandmothers needed to attend to the bumps, bruises, fevers and other illnesses their family suffered, they didn’t have easy access to clinics like we do now. They relied on simple wisdom, common sense, and pantries well stocked with herbal remedies. And this is what I understand little secrets are all about.”
Maternal instinct is usually the key, said mother of three, Shamala Devi. She has brought up three children – two now grown-ups and a teenager – with her mother’s tips to help her get through the various daily encounters.
“When it comes to colds, flu, stomach bugs, and ear infections, everyone has a remedy. Some have been passed down through generations, or are based on old sciences. Nonetheless, a lot of it is based on our maternal instincts,” she said.
“My favourite secret is something I practise in the kitchen and learned from my grandmother,” said Diyana.
“In order to prevent garlic from sticking to the knife, she thought me to sprinkle a little salt on the cutting board and knife when you’re chopping it,” she shared.
“Another little secret I learned from my own mother is how to clean a kettle.
“After several uses, the kettle can get slimy and leave water stains around the insides. So here’s what you do, while boiling water throw in a chunk of “assam jawa” (tamarind paste), then pour away the hot water and wash the kettle with a sponge. The stains will then come off easily.
“For me it has to be the ‘hiccup remedy’” said Maimoon.
“My mom used to do this when I was little and I did the same for my children. When your baby has hiccups, tear a small piece of paper, dip it in water and stick it on his/her forehead, you will notice the hiccups stop almost instantly!” she said.
With such wisdom passed through several generations, are these little secrets still relevant in families considering how times have evolved?
The mothers offer their thoughts.
“There are many secrets that I’ve learned from my mother and grandmothers which are now passed on to my children. They may not necessarily be relevant but they seem to work with some give and take,” said Maimoon
“For example I see my daughter taking after me when she encourages her nephews, nieces and cousins to eat their long beans and carrots so they have perfect eye sights and grow tall.
“These secrets are not proven medically but they are fun and light-hearted and surprisingly do the trick,” Maimoon concluded.
“With the changes happening rapidly with the current generation – I feel it’s important to capture and preserve some of this methods for the benefit of our future children,” said Diyana.
Jacob’s Mum’s Little Secrets
Jacob’s Malaysia recently set out to compile mum’s precious tips in a campaign called Jacob’s Mum’s Little Secrets.
In a nationwide initiative, Malaysians were invited to share little secrets their mums, other family members or they themselves practise within their homes.
A total of 150 treasured tips were selected out of the many entries to be included in the first ever Jacob’s Mum’s Little Secrets book.
Mum’s Little Secrets is available now until Sept 30. Spend RM15 and above on any Jacob’s product and fill in a form to redeem a copy of the book. For more information, log on to www.facebook.com/JacobsMalaysia.
What are the secrets you have inherited, or are passing on to your children?
Be the first five to share your secrets with us on the Parenthots Facebook, and win RM100 worth of Jacob’s biscuits.
