WELCOME TO THE MAPLE LEAF TIMES BLOG

A couple of articles are added each month with many more articles provided in the CAS's Maple Leaf Times (eMLT) magazine. To receive your eMLT magazine sent directly to your inbox (8 issues per year), become a member of the Canadian Association of Singapore. Visit the CAS website to register -- www.canadians.org.sg

Monday, August 27, 2018

Recipe: Chicken and Sundried Tomato Meatballs with Mustard Sauce


Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 60g butter
  • 500g minced chicken
  • ¼ cup sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely  chopped
  • 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  • ½ cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon plain flour
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper 

 

Here’s what to do:

  1. Combine mince, sundried tomatoes, ¼ cup parsley, pine nuts, parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg and1 clove garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Knead the mixture with clean hands, slowly adding water and kneading between additions until incorporated. Form mixture into small balls.
  2. Heat 40g butter and oil in a large non-stick frypan, panfry meatballs until browned and cooked through. Keep warm.
  3. Wipe excess fat from pan, add remaining butter and garlic, fry for 30 seconds, add flour and cook for another minute, add white wine and mustard, bring to the boil for 1 minute until thickened slightly then stir through remaining parsley.
  4. Serve meatballs with steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes, drizzled with the mustard sauce. 
 


10% off Basic, Intermediate and Baking Helper Cooking Courses & Focus Classes. Quote CAS10 when booking.

FitBit: Weight training vs weight-free training

In our fast paced society with a lack of time to hit the gym, do you often wonder what programs can help achieve optimal results? The last thing we want is suffer a negative effect from workout plans that do not complement. On the topic of weights vs weight-free training, for instance, gym heavy lifting vs yoga pilates mat workout, what can be an optimal plan? 

A ratio of 2:1can be a possible option, with 4 gym sessions vs 2 mat classes per week.

Example of pilates core strengthening exercise to complement a dead-lift rep at the gym:

A. Hold the circle for awareness
B. Activate your core
C. Retract and pack your shoulders
D. Exhale to lean back 
E. Stop when your back starts to curve. Always keep a neutral spine or flat back
F. Imagine a string being pulled from your belly and come back up to starting position. 

In this example, the benefits that can compliment your deadlift rep:
  • More focus on breath as you will pay more attention on diaphragmatic breathing and apply it to intra abdominal pressure for the heavy lifts;
  • Increases mobility and flexibility as you learn to lean back without curving the spine. This gives you more ROM (range of motion) which benefits your deadlift reps too.
Although both workouts appear to be on different end of the spectrum, when combined properly, it can achieve so much for your mind and body. Enjoy!

More tips email:  jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca

Note: A shorter version appears in the MLT September issue due to the lack of space provided on the page.

Root Canal Treatment

Q: How do I know if my root canal treatment has failed?

A: Signs and symptoms of a failed root canal treatment (RCT) are usually what prompted you to seek treatment in the first place. They include tenderness or swelling of the gums surrounding the tooth, pain when biting, pus or abscess near the tooth and/or a shaky tooth.

Immediately after a root canal treatment, it is normal for the surrounding area to be tender or sore. Hence, there is no cause for alarm during this period. The discomfort should go away eventually. However, if the discomfort persists or the pain returns after the tooth had recovered previously, you are advised to visit your dentist/endodontist so that they can carry out a thorough check for you.

Causes of a failed root canal treatment

A treated tooth may fail due to bacteria remaining in the root canal or bacteria re-entering the tooth after treatment. These can be caused by:
  • A filling that is defective and leaking or a crown that has dislodged
  • A cracked tooth
  • Gum disease or tooth decay
  • Presence of persistent bacteria remaining in the root canal which may be impossible to eradicate due to the complexity of the root canal system
Therefore, it is important to take good care of your treated tooth. Patients are encouraged to brush at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each. It is also advisable to visit your dentist two times a year and floss daily.

 

Dr Irene Sim is a Dental Specialist in Endodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularisation, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management. (65) 6734 9393 | www.specialistdentalgroup.com




Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.

French-English bilingual programme

CIS is delighted to announce the opening of a new French-English bilingual programme in August 2018, to children in grades 1 and 2. Available at our Lakeside campus, The programme is perfect for families who want their children to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural in both English and French.

Key features of the programme include inquiry based instruction fully aligned to the international Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ( IB PYP), two qualified teachers per class (one English speaker and one French speaker) and equal exposure to both languages (classes are in English one day and French the next). Teachers will also be utilizing authentic materials (storybooks, songs, TV, websites), placing a strong focus on creating experiences where learning mirrors real life activities, and engaging students in active, hands-on activities like acting out plays, cooking and participating in quizzes.

The decision to launch the new programme follows the successful opening of our pioneering Chinese-English bilingual programme five years ago. Originally launched only for kindergarten students, today the programme includes students up to grade 6 and has expanded from 13 classes to over 30 classes.



For more information about CIS’ French-English bilingual programme visit www.cis.edu.sg/learning/french-english-programme or contact their admissions team on +65 6734 8088