Tingkat Meal Review

November 25, 2023 Cherish Motherhood 0 Comments

Since the arrival of my bundle of joy, dedicating time to myself, let alone cooking, has become quite challenging. The daily dilemma of deciding on dinner has been a constant headache. Consequently, I've ventured into exploring various tingkat meal services to ease this burden.

1) Kim Paradise / Neo Garden / Best Catering


 Meal Plan  20 days (5 days/week)
 Meal Type  3 dishes + 1 soup
 Meal Plan Cost (1 pax)  $248.40 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax  $12.42 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️🖤🖤🖤🖤


In August 2023, I eagerly subscribed to their tingkat meal service, opting for both lunch and dinner. To my surprise, I discovered that both meal plans were provided by the same parent company, offering identical dishes for lunch and dinner. Hence, subscribing to both plans turned out to be redundant. 😅 It's worth noting that they do not include pork in their menu offerings.

During my trial of their East menu for a span of 20 days, I found the meals to be a healthier choice. They leaned towards being less salty, less oily, and devoid of added MSG, primarily using 100% vegetable oil. However, this healthier approach led to the meals being somewhat bland. Unfortunately, a notable downside was their tendency to overcook vegetable dishes, resulting in an unappealing appearance. Perhaps the reason for the overcooked vegetables could be attributed to the method of packing hot dishes into the containers. This could potentially cause the vegetables to continue cooking within the container, resulting in an overcooked state.

2) Relacto


 Meal Plan Trial Single Dinner
 Meal Type 8 dishes + 1 soup + 1 dessert + 1 lactation drink
 Meal Plan Cost (2 pax) $35 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax $17.50 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤


Despite the anticipation spurred by the price I paid, the quality of the cuisine has left me somewhat underwhelmed. The Black Pepper Wagyu Beef, though promising, fell short due to its excessive saltiness, while the Mint and Lemon Marinated Alaskan Cod lacked the expected flavour profile, appearing rather bland. Additionally, the Osmanthus Coral Seaweed with Chia Seed was a disappointment, resembling more of a sugary solution than a nuanced dessert offering. None of the dishes exhibited an exceptional taste that justified the value of the investment made. Unsurprisingly, none emerged as my personal favourite. 

Opted for a meal designed to support lactation, I wonder if the inclusion of lactogenic ingredients might have inadvertently contributed to the overall subdued and unremarkable taste of the dishes. It's disheartening to find that none of the delicacies stood out as a memorable or worthwhile culinary experience, especially given the expectations associated with the price point.

Source: Relacto

3) Tingkat Delivery by Richfood


 Meal Plan 5 Days Trial Meal
 Meal Type 4 dishes
 Meal Plan Cost (2 pax) $129.60 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax $12.96 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤


The cuisine provided is reasonably satisfactory. Having sampled it for 5 days, I've observed that the dishes bear a striking resemblance to the offerings commonly found at local "cai fan" stalls. While the food is palatable, it doesn't boast any extraordinary flavours, presenting a rather ordinary taste profile. The portion sizes are adequate, striking a good balance. 

Notably, these meals exhibit a commendable quality in that they are notably less salty and oily in comparison to the typical "cai fan" available in my neighbourhood. However, considering the comparable quality to local options, I find the pricing to be relatively high for what essentially mirrors the standard "cai fan" food.

4) Mom's Cooking


 Meal Plan 5 days
 Meal Type 3 dishes + 1 soup
 Meal Plan Cost (2 pax) $148.50 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax $14.85 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️❤️❤️❤️🖤


The culinary experience offered is a symphony of flavours, evoking the comforting essence of homemade cooking. Each day's menu presents a delightful array of dishes, with particular standouts like the aromatic curry chicken with potatoes, the tantalising stir-fried ladyfingers complemented by sambal dry shrimp, the impeccably steamed fish featuring Nyonya asam sauce, and the indulgent Indonesian-style curry prawn. 

Each day holds a treasure of at least one dish that resonates with my palate. Regrettably, the soups offered fall short of expectations, lacking the robustness and depth of flavour found in the other offerings. Additionally, the deep-fried pork chop with Maggie soya sauce disappoints, overwhelmed by an excessive saltiness that masks its potential flavours. If you're a fan of spice or crave the numbing sensation of mala, their tingkat meal is a must-try. Though, I must admit, their mala and curry dishes tend to be a tad heavy on the oil.

If I were to engage with their meal plan anew, I would opt for either the 3 or 4 dish selections, foregoing the soup entirely. In essence, while the majority of the menu excels in delivering a satisfying home-cooked experience bursting with diverse and enticing flavours, certain areas such as the soups and the overpowering saltiness of the pork chop with Maggie soya sauce leave room for improvement.

Source: Mom's Cooking

5) Fatty Daddy Fatty Mummy


 Meal Plan 5 days
 Meal Type 3 dishes + 1 soup
 Meal Plan Cost (2 pax) $170.64 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax $17.06 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤


I've opted to explore their endorsed healthier meal plan, and it notably boasts reduced oil and salt content. Comparing it to Mom's Cooking, their soup stands out for its superior taste. However, their three main dishes don't quite match up. If you're seeking a health-conscious tingkat meal option where cost isn't a constraint, then their tingkat plan might suit your needs.

6) Ronnie Kitchen


 Meal Plan 5 days trial
 Meal Type 3 dishes + 1 soup
 Meal Plan Cost (2 pax) 92.65 (Inc. GST)
 Price per meal per pax $9.27 (Inc. GST)


Verdict: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️


Among all the tingkat meals I've sampled, this one truly resonates with my taste buds. The vegetable dishes maintain a perfect balance, never overcooked, while the soups are simply delectable. Overall, their offerings boast a refreshing simplicity and are notably lighter on the oil. What's more, the variety of dishes is impressive. Unlike with other tingkat meals, I don't experience any sense of culinary fatigue after a few days; this one keeps me eagerly anticipating each meal.

0 comments:

How to Get Rid of Cradle Cap?

November 13, 2023 Cherish Motherhood 0 Comments

My baby had cradle cap on her scalp and eyebrow when she was about 2 months old. Cradle cap is the infant form of dandruff which causes rough, scaly patches on baby's skin. Cradle cap is a type of seborrheic dermatitis found on baby's head. It is a common condition that affects approximately 70% of 3 months old  babies. It is rarely itchy or uncomfortable and it is not contagious.

Treatment


1) Moisturise and gently massage affected areas


Sebclair Cream was prescribed by my PD and I apply twice a day with gentle massages on my baby's scalp and eyebrow. I'll apply once after morning wipe and once after shower in the late afternoon. You can continue using this cream even after your baby's cradle cap has resolved and it can be used on other body parts too (eg. face).

Source: Instagram

On top of that, I also apply Mustela Cradle Cap Cream daily on my baby's scalp and eyebrow before her sleep time. The texture is a bit watery, so be careful when you press the tube to prevent over-squeezing it.

Source: Shopee

Alternatively, you can massage Tropicana Virgin Coconut Oil for Baby into affected areas and leave it on for 10 - 15 mins before baby's bath. I can see improvement on my baby's scalp and eyebrow within a day or two. However, I dislike using it because it literally makes everything oily and I personally dislike the strong coconut smell on my baby. If you don't mind it, then you may give it a try.

Source: Lazada

2) Use the right shampoo and gently massage when shampooing


I was using the usual head-to-toe baby shampoo and my baby's condition didn't improve. Hence, I have decided to try Mustela Foam Shampoo specifically for cradle cap. I love this shampoo because it lathers well which makes it easy to massage my baby's scalp. It has no fragrance and uses tear-free formula. 

Source: Shopee

3) Use baby hair brush 


I use Dr. Brown's Brush + Comb to brush my baby's hair. It effectively removes the cradle cap flakes and its soft soothing bristles makes it suitable for baby head massage. Remember to NOT forcefully peel the flakes as it may bleed.

Source: Shopee

⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫⧫

Depending on the severity of your baby's condition, your baby may require a longer recovery period. Be patient and don't be too hard on yourself. Always consult your PD when you're in doubt.

0 comments: