You Stop Knocking

Some lessons you hear when you're younger don't land until life catches up. The words stay, but you still haven't lived enough to feel them. Then years pass, and one day everything finally makes sense. I had a moment like that recently. My mind keeps going back to an afternoon in Ustadha Amina's class years ago. She read us a piece of wisdom from Kitab Al-Hikam by Ibn Ata'illah and told us we probably wouldn't understand it yet. But she said we would, when the time was right.

The wisdom reads:

مَتى أَوْحَشَكَ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ . . فَاعْلَمْ : أَنَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَفْتَحَ لَكَ بَابَ الْأُنْسِ بِهِ

"When Allah makes you feel distant or alienated from His creation, know that He actually wants to open for you the door of intimacy with Him."

Ustadha explained that when someone feels alone, or like a stranger even among our own friends, it's not a sign that something is wrong with us. Allah is the One who placed that feeling there to pull us back to Him. This kind of loneliness isn't there to break us from the inside. It's an invitation to turn toward Him instead of wasting it by drowning everything out. "Don't run to people first," she said. "Run to Allah first. Be happy with Allah. Truly."

I thought about her words again the other day while scrolling through my phone. We stay online all day now, but somehow we still feel unseen. All these group chats and notifications are going off, but we can sit there and feel completely empty. You know that feeling of standing at a packed train station. Surrounded by a sea of people, rushing past you, yet you remain almost invisible. Socializing starts taking up so much energy, and conversations that used to feel warm suddenly lose their life. Dealing with people becomes exhausting even when you don't hate anyone. We end up drained from pretending like everything is okay.

We often treat this restlessness with people like a problem that needs to be solved by finding better company. In Al-Hikam, this restlessness is understood as a signal. Scholars call this al-wahshi, a kind of wildness that makes a person feel like they don't belong. It's the opposite of uns, that deep sense of intimacy and belonging. Sometimes Allah uses al-wahshi to quiet things down so He can open bāb al-uns for us, the door of intimacy with Him. The word for human being, insān, shares its root with uns. Maybe that's why no amount of attention from other people ever fully settles us. If we try to satisfy that need entirely through other flawed humans, we end up feeling homeless. Allah pulls us back from the crowd through moments of rejection or sudden emptiness. He's clearing away expectations that were never meant to hold us. He wants us to stop chasing approval from faces that are as tired and lost as we are.

This isolation is a necessary stage for the heart to grow. I remember Ustadha describing how faith starts out like a small flame. When a fire is new and fragile, you have to shield it from the wind. You cup your hands around it, maybe even take it to a quiet corner, because a strong gust will kill it. That's what solitude sometimes is. Allah shielding a heart that's still too easy to put out. You're not supposed to hide forever. Once the fire gets big enough, the wind won't kill it anymore. It'll only make the fire grow. But you need that first bit of shelter.

And then, you go back.

You go back to people, but you carry a different kind of presence. You don't do good things because you're scared they'll leave, or because you're chasing a thank you. You do it like a mother who gets up early to make steamed bread for her kid. She's not even hungry for that food herself. She just knows her kid loves it. She might not have slept well, but she prepares it with care because the love she has for the child simply flows through her hands. That's how relationships change when the heart is full of Allah. You don't show up to take because you're already filled.

So when the people around you start feeling distant and nothing really lands the way it used to, it might not be something you have to fight. Let the silence hang there. Just sit for a moment instead of reaching for something to cover it up. That feeling of isolation isn't an empty hole you need to cram something into. It's more like a door that's been waiting for you to open it. And afterwards, you walk back into the world without needing to knock on every door, begging to be let in.

Continue Reading

What Is Sufism? by Martin Lings

I started reading the Indonesian translation of this book, Apa Itu Tasawuf?, expecting it to be fairly approachable. The title made me think I was getting an introduction, something that would lay out the basic ideas and give me a clearer picture of what Sufism is. I thought I'd get an easy overview I could read with my afternoon tea.

Boy, was I wrong.

From the first chapter, I realized this wasn't going to be that kind of book. One reviewer said it wasn't exactly light reading for a coffee shop, and honestly, I can't disagree. You have to pay attention. There were times I read a paragraph and then went back to the beginning because somehow I'd understood every sentence without quite getting the whole thing. It made me feel dumb sometimes, which I suppose is not the worst thing a book can do to you.

I love that Lings doesn't write about tasawwuf like someone standing outside of it. He was a scholar, but also a practicing Sufi and a student of Frithjof Schuon. You can feel that background in the way he writes. When he describes Sufism as the inward dimension of Islam, rooted in the Qur'an and Sunnah and concerned with the purification of the soul, he's not just giving you a definition. He's talking about something he considers a living tradition.

He starts with this striking image of a tidal wave coming from the Ocean of Infinitude. The wave reaches the shores of our finite world, leaving water in what Lings calls the “consecrated hollows.” Lings uses that water to represent the formal aspect of religion, while the ebbing wave represents the movement of the mystic back towards the Source. I like that the water left behind still has a place in the image. The outward forms of religion still matter. The interesting question is what happens inside the person who practices them, and whether there is an inward movement towards the Source as well.

A lot of what he discusses wasn't new to me. I'd come across many of these ideas before, especially the relationship between outward practice and inward reality. But Lings puts them together in his own way, moving between doctrine, symbolism, spiritual practice, and metaphysics. He doesn't always stop to explain every connection. You have to keep up with him.

That was probably the part I found most interesting. Lings talks about the inward dimension of religion, but I don't think "inward" should mean separate from the outward. Prayer is outward, but it is also supposed to change something in you. Fasting is outward. Dhikr can be something you do with the tongue, but that's not where it ends. You can know the rules, do the practices, and still have a heart that hasn't caught up with any of it. It's not a new idea, but it's an uncomfortable one, and Lings takes it seriously.

Later in the book, Lings takes this further with 'Abd al-Karim al-Jili's image of ice and water. The "eye of ice" sees only ice, while the "Eye of Water" sees water. But the image isn't just about looking beyond appearances. Lings connects the melting of the ice with letting go of our claim to an existence separate from God. I had to read that part slowly.

This is where “heart-wakefulness” comes in. Lings uses it to describe Sufism from the point of view of the person practicing it. The outward practices aren't being thrown away. You can pray, study, make dhikr, work on your character, and do everything you're supposed to do, but are you actually awake to what you're doing? Or have the practices become things you're good at performing? That's a much less comfortable question.

There were also moments when his metaphysical framework was hard to miss, and I wasn't always sure how far I was willing to follow it. I wasn't sure I agreed with everything that followed from it. I wanted to think about some of those ideas a little longer before deciding what I made of them.

I can understand why some readers find his writing too flowery or philosophical. He expects a lot from the reader, and there are passages where his language gets dense enough that I had to reread a sentence just to make sure I'd understood it. I wouldn't recommend this as someone's first introduction to Islam or tasawwuf. It helps to have some familiarity with the ideas he's talking about.

As for the Indonesian translation, I found it clear enough overall, but some of the wording felt a little too literal. There were times when I wasn't sure whether I was struggling with Lings's writing or with the translation. Maybe that's part of why I kept wishing I could check the original English. If I read the book again, I'd probably go with the English version.

But I also wouldn't want him to simplify it too much. I appreciate that Lings takes tasawwuf seriously. He doesn't turn it into a collection of inspirational quotes or a kind of Islamic self-help. He expects you to think, and sometimes to struggle a little. I certainly did.

For all that, I enjoyed the book. Not because it was easy or particularly comforting. There were parts I had to work through, and there were probably things I understood only halfway. But I was glad I read it.

If you're looking for a quick introduction to Sufism, there are probably easier places to start. But if you already have some familiarity with Islam and want to read Lings's take on its spiritual dimension, What Is Sufism? is worth the effort.

4.5/5. Just don't bring it to your coffee break expecting an easy read. I tried that already.

Continue Reading

Review Wardah Perfect Bright Tone Up Cream: Cerah Instan Tanpa Ribet

Beberapa bulan terakhir, saya lagi senang pakai tone up cream, terutama kalau lagi pengin wajah kelihatan segar dengan praktis. Kalau kamu penggemar K-Beauty, pasti sudah akrab deh dengan produk satu ini. Dengan fungsi cukup lengkap, tone up cream mampu membantu meratakan warna kulit, menyamarkan noda hitam, sekaligus memberikan efek cerah seketika. Cocok dipakai sebagai pelembap maupun dasar mekap.

Awalnya krim pencerah instan memang populer berkat merek kosmetik Korea, tapi sekarang merek lokal pun nggak mau kalah. Salah satu yang paling menarik perhatian saya adalah Wardah Perfect Bright Tone Up Cream.

Kemasan dan Kandungan

Ini tone up cream lokal pertama yang saya coba. Kemasannya tube mungil 20 ml, ringkas dan sangat travel-friendly.

Wardah mengklaim produk ini bisa membuat wajah segar seketika layaknya pakai mekap. Rahasianya ada pada kandungan 7 White Actives, Pinkish Bright Powder, dan Vitamin B3. Plus, sudah ada SPF 25 di dalamnya. Meski begitu, saran saya tetap wajib lapisi dengan tabir surya ya untuk perlindungan maksimal.

Tekstur dan Aroma

Krimnya berwarna merah muda dan punya tekstur yang cukup pekat. Jujur saja, butuh sedikit usaha ekstra saat membaurkannya ke kulit. Wanginya lembut khas floral, tapi cepat hilang kok setelah diaplikasikan.

Performa di Kulit

Karena teksturnya yang pekat, saya biasanya pakai ini di tahap terakhir skincare, tepat setelah tabir surya. Saat pertama dioles, wajah memang akan terlihat lebih putih. Tapi tenang saja, setelah beberapa saat krimnya bakal menyatu dengan warna kulit asli.

Tips penting: Pakai sedikit-sedikit saja. Kalau terlalu banyak, hasilnya malah jadi abu-abu dan nggak natural di wajah.

Hasil akhirnya matte dan halus, rasanya mirip seperti pakai bedak gitu. Produk ini lumayan efektif menyamarkan kemerahan dan membuat warna kulit jadi lebih merata. Kamu bisa lanjut pakai bedak atau biarkan polos saja untuk tampilan bare face yang segar. Produk ini sebenarnya cocok untuk siapa saja, baik wanita maupun pria.

Catatan untuk Pemilik Kulit Kering

Satu hal yang perlu diingat: pastikan kulit sudah terhidrasi dengan baik sebelum memakai produk ini. Kalau kulit sedang kering, hasilnya cenderung patchy atau belang karena tekstur pekatnya tadi. 

Untuk kulit kombinasi cenderung kering seperti saya, oil control-nya tergolong biasa saja. Tapi sebagai solusi praktis saat malas dandan atau saat kulit terlihat kusam, produk ini bisa diandalkan.

Dengan harga cuma sekitar Rp23.000, produk ini juga mudah ditemukan di minimarket terdekat. Memang belum jadi favorit saya, tapi untuk kamu yang mencari pencerah instan dengan harga yang ramah di kantong, Wardah Perfect Bright Tone Up Cream ini cukup layak untuk dicoba!

Continue Reading

The Coffee Ghost

It's 2019 and everyone is holding a plastic cup. Brown sugar boba, Thai tea, or those iced coffee cups with palm sugar at the bottom. The matcha lattes I adore? Sadly, not for me anymore.

I’m just here with my mineral water. Again.

It’s been a couple of years since I stopped. No more cappuccinos or lattes. Basically, anything with coffee, tea, or milk is off-limits now. I miss the ritual more than the caffeine, I think. But I remember 2017 too well. The panic, the ER, the realization that it was GERD all along.. and that my chest was on fire. I'm not ready to die for a drink just yet.

So I sit in these "aesthetic" cafes and I just watch. I smell the beans from across the room, it hits me how much I miss it.. and I keep my distance. It’s a bit lonely, being the only one not actually drinking the menu. I’m just the person in the corner, nursing a bottle of water and a plain croissant. Maybe a piece of dry toast if I'm lucky.

Maybe later. Maybe when I’m finally, fully okay, I’ll take one sip. Just one tiny, stupid sip to remember what it feels like to be normal.

But for now, I’m just staying safe. That’s all.

Continue Reading

Our Souls at Night (2017): A Place for the Silence

I read Kent Haruf’s last novel late in 2017. It didn’t feel like a story meant to be finished quickly. The pages moved quietly, like someone choosing their words because they knew there wouldn’t be time to take them back. Haruf died shortly after finishing the book. I watched the Netflix adaptation later. Ritesh Batra kept the film close to the plot, but seeing it on screen changes the perspective. In the book, the loneliness is something you just read about. In the film, you have to sit there and watch it happen in real-time. It’s a lot less private.

People might call this a romance because of the trailer, but it isn't. It’s just Addie and Louis being sick of the silence in their own houses. She asks him to sleep over just to talk. "It’s not about sex, it’s about getting through the night." That's the entire deal. Loneliness isn’t something you outgrow. You learn to keep it to yourself.

Haruf’s prose is famously spare. There are no quotation marks, no excess explanation. The book moves like a single, unbroken thought. The film tries to honor that restraint by slowing everything down. Jane Fonda and Robert Redford aren't trying to look younger or act nostalgic. They look tired, like people who are done pretending. Most of the film is just them sitting in the dark, talking about their dead spouses, and the children they failed in ways that still hurt. In the book, these conversations feel almost unbearable. In the film, they feel like two people trying to stay warm, without the promise of comfort.

The town of Holt is where the difference between page and screen becomes clear. In the novel, Holt feels like a cage. You can sense the neighbors watching, measuring, waiting. It isn’t cruelty that defines the town, but regulation. Everyone is making sure loneliness is performed correctly. The film softens this pressure. Holt looks almost too beautiful, with its open landscapes and warm, golden lighting. It makes their choice feel like a personal habit rather than something the whole town is judging. Most of the friction in the film comes from family dynamics anyway. It’s more about the kids and grandkids than the town itself.

If Addie and Louis are about finding some peace at night, her son Gene is the harsh reality that hits the next morning. He brings the outside world with him. In the book, Gene is aggressive. He’s loud, manipulative, and a direct threat to the room. The film softens him into a lingering shadow. He just stares, but the pressure remains. The book makes you want to hit something, but the film drains you. It’s family guilt. You can’t really explain it, and you definitely can’t get away from it.

The trailer looks like a story about companionship, but it’s actually much colder. There’s no void being filled here. Only two people sitting in their own emptiness, side by side, finding that the dark is slightly less terrifying when you aren't alone. This story doesn't care about "the one" or big sparks. Real intimacy starts when you finally admit you're lonely. The rest can wait.

Batra and cinematographer John Toll don't need much to show this world. The camera stays still, observing Addie and Louis from a distance like a neighbor watching through a window. It makes their intimacy feel fragile, almost ordinary. The lighting tells the whole story; the cold blue of their lonely evenings slowly shifting into the warm amber of a shared bedside lamp. The warm light from the lamp isn't there to be romantic. It’s there so they aren't sitting in the dark. With nothing to drown it out, every sound comes through. The sheets, the bed creaking, and their voices. The clock keeps ticking in the background as a way of saying that this isn’t going to last. 

The ending isn't a warm hug. It simply stops where it has to. Both versions show that liking someone doesn’t undo a life already lived. The book is rough and cold. The film is softer, but the ending doesn’t change. Love doesn’t win here. It runs into family obligations, into age, into habits that can’t be rearranged this late. It’s a familiar kind of sadness. Not dramatic. Just quiet. They don’t stop because they want to. They stop because there’s nowhere left to push.

Continue Reading

Friday, October 18, 2019

“Life's greatest gift is the freedom it leaves you to step out of it whenever you choose.”

– Andrè Breton (Anthology of Black Humor) 

Continue Reading

Beauty Thursday: P.O. POWDER M.B.K.

Hari gini masih pakai bedak ketiak? Hehe.. tentu, dong! Seperti banyak orang pada umumnya, sejak remaja hingga sekarang saya juga bergelut dengan masalah bau badan akibat keringat berlebih, terutama di area ketiak. Namanya juga manusia, wajar banget kan kalau mengalami hal kayak gini?

Entah sudah berapa banyak jenis deodoran dan anti-perspirant yang pernah saya coba, tapi sering kali hasilnya justru mengecewakan. Bau ketiak malah makin terasa, noda kuning di bagian ketiak baju pun muncul, belum lagi wangi parfum deodoran yang terlalu menyengat. Dari pengalaman itu, akhirnya saya memutuskan untuk kembali ke pilihan yang lebih sederhana dan klasik: bedak ketiak tradisional. Produk jadul ini bahkan sudah populer jauh sebelum saya lahir, dan menariknya, masih tetap relevan sampai sekarang.

Jujur aja, awalnya saya agak skeptis. Masa sih bisa pakai bedak buat menghilangkan bau ketiak? Karena penasaran, akhirnya saya coba juga P.O POWDER M.B.K. ini dan ternyata nggak mengecewakan sama sekali, kok!

Bedak MBK ini sudah diproduksi sejak tahun 1970 dan sampai sekarang masih tetap eksis. Ada dua varian yang bisa dipilih, kemasan putih (versi lama) dan kemasan perak (versi baru). Dari segi isi, hampir sama saja. Produk ini hadir dalam kemasan sachet berisi bubuk putih yang sekilas mirip dengan bedak tabur biasa. Keduanya sama-sama punya aroma klasik yang segar dan lembut, tapi menurut saya, parfum pada varian perak aromanya sedikit lebih kuat dibanding yang putih.

Komposisinya juga sangat sederhana, hanya terdiri dari tiga bahan utama: tawas, talk, dan parfum. Bedak ketiak ini dapat digunakan baik oleh pria maupun wanita.

Sesuai petunjuk penggunaan, bedak MBK sebaiknya dipakai setelah mandi pada kulit ketiak yang bersih agar hasilnya lebih maksimal. Buat saya pribadi, performanya malah lebih jempolan dibanding roll-on atau semprot. Hasilnya? Bau ketiak jadi netral, jadi nggak perlu panik wangi parfummu bakal “tabrakan” sama aroma deodoran.

Teksturnya pun nyaman, nggak lengket, dan cukup membantu mengurangi keringat berlebih. Nggak ada lagi tuh drama “basket” atau “burket”. Plus, produk ini juga nggak meninggalkan noda gelap di baju maupun membuat kulit ketiak menghitam, yang biasanya jadi masalah besar saat pakai deodoran biasa.

Uniknya, sebagian orang bahkan memakai bedak MBK di area lipatan tubuh lain yang gampang berkeringat. Ada juga yang menggunakannya untuk mencegah bau kaki dengan cara ditaburkan ke telapak dan sela-sela jari kaki. Multifungsi banget, ya?  Tapi kalau saya tetap setia pakai di area ketiak saja, sesuai fungsinya.

Nah, sayangnya, bedak ini nggak sepenuhnya cocok di kulit saya yg cukup sensitif. Pemakaian rutin justru membuat kulit ketiak saya terasa sangat kering. Jadi, meski performanya oke, tetap harus diperhatikan reaksi kulit masing-masing, ya.

Oh, ada catatan penting! Hindari langsung menggunakan bedak ini sesaat setelah waxing atau mencukur bulu ketiak. Kandungan tawas di dalamnya dapat menimbulkan rasa perih atau iritasi pada kulit yang masih sensitif. Beri jeda beberapa jam hingga satu hari agar kulit sempat beristirahat.

Kalau bicara soal kemasan, di sinilah saya agak merasa kurang nyaman. Karena dikemas dalam plastik biasa, bubuknya mudah berhamburan kalau nggak diletakkan dengan benar. Supaya lebih praktis, saya memilih menuangkan isi bedak ke botol talk kecil agar lebih aman, praktis, dan higienis, terutama saat bepergian. Tapi tenang saja, buat yang malas repot, MBK juga menyediakan varian pot plastik dengan isi lebih banyak sehingga lebih awet dan mudah digunakan. Bahkan sekarang MBK punya versi roll-on, lo. Jadi makin penasaran, kan?

Bedak MBK jelas bukan jimat anti-bau ketiak permanen. Buat sehari-hari, menurut saya produk ini lumayan banget bikin ketiak aman terkendali. Apalagi harganya cuma sekitar Rp2.500,00 per bungkus, murah meriah terjangkau semua kalangan dan mudah ditemukan di warung, apotek, swalayan, hingga toko daring.

Dengan pemakaian rutin dua kali sehari, satu bungkus bisa awet dua sampai tiga minggu. Hemat, praktis, dan nggak ribet. Jadi, nggak ada lagi deh alasan buat drama bau badan yang bikin nggak pede!

Continue Reading

Fangirl Friday: The King of the Seven Seas

Eighty years of being the punchline. The guy who talks to fish. Then James Wan and Jason Momoa showed up and turned the tide.

I’ve waited years for this. Opening day. I remember the lights dimming and that first heavy bass note hitting my chest. My palms were actually sweating. Call me biased, I don’t care. It’s Fangirl Friday.

Two Worlds, One Blood

Arthur Curry is a child of the lighthouse and the deep. A half-breed who fits nowhere. He has the strength of a god but the heart of a drifter. He didn't want a crown, but his half-brother, Orm, gave him no choice.

Atlantis, imagined as a living myth.

Orm is tired of our trash. Tired of the surface world choking the sea. Honestly? It's hard to hate a villain who has a point.

The Magic of the Deep

Atlantis is a neon fever dream. It’s vibrant and terrifying. Wan lets his horror roots show with the Trench, but he keeps the soul of the story focused on a son looking for a mother who never came home.

And then there’s Momoa. When he finally walked out of that waterfall in the gold and green suit, I think I actually stopped breathing for a second. The tattoos, the raw, heavy presence. He didn't just play Aquaman; he reclaimed him. No one is laughing now.

The Sound of Salt

The music hits where it hurts. When Sigur Rós started playing against the sound of crashing waves, I felt a lump in my throat that wouldn't go away. Then Skylar Grey’s voice in the credits.. it’s a love letter from the ocean floor.

This song still feels like a love letter from Mera to Arthur.

It’s a fun ride, but it leaves you with a sting. If the ocean could talk back to us, it wouldn't be a conversation. It would be a scream. We need to do better.

Aquaman is the breath of sea air DC desperately needed.

The King is home, and honestly? The land can keep its dust.

Hail the King. Long may he reign!

Continue Reading

Beauty Thursday: The Saem 99% Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel

It is the dry season here, and the weather has been unbearably hot for the past couple of months. The sunlight is so intense that even high-SPF sunscreen offers little protection. As a result, I often end up with severe sunburns just from walking outdoors or during longer rides. My skin becomes red, sore, and eventually begins to crack and peel—an extremely uncomfortable experience.

Unable to tolerate the persistent itchiness any longer, about four months ago I decided to give aloe gel another chance. My last experience with another brand was a total disaster, but that was years back, and I wondered if there might be better options available now. After looking through various products on the market, I landed on The Saem 99% Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel, and hoped it would treat me better this time.

This product is essentially an all-purpose gel that can be used on the face, hair, and body in various ways. Once it touches the skin, it delivers an instant cooling sensation and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any sticky residue. The fragrance is refreshing, pleasant, and never overwhelming.

For me, it has been nothing short of a lifesaver—it does exactly what it promises. It soothes the pain of sunburn better than anything else I have tried, calming both redness and itchiness.

Unlike the aloe gel I previously used, this one does not sting or leave my skin feeling dry. I often apply a thin layer as a light moisturizer before sunscreen and makeup, or a thicker layer overnight as a sleeping mask. Beyond after-sun care, it also helps with other types of burns. I have used it to calm chemical burns from skincare products containing acids, and it worked remarkably well. I also find it effective after waxing or shaving, as it helps to reduce razor burn and irritation. Packed with natural extract ingredients and free from harmful chemicals, this aloe gel provides safe and reliable care for the skin.

While it’s excellent for calming and relaxing the skin, it doesn’t do much in terms of acne care—it’s simply not made for that. It also works better as a complement to your routine rather than as your only moisturizer. Still, for daily use, it’s a wonderful product. I haven’t experienced any breakouts or dryness while using it. I’m already on my second jar and plan to keep repurchasing. It also comes in a tube version, which is more hygienic and convenient for travel. Overall, I truly believe this is a must-have item and would recommend it for all skin types.

Note: Always ensure that you’re purchasing authentic Korean beauty products from official stores or authorized distributors. Be cautious when buying from unauthorized sellers online—if the price seems too good to be true (and it’s not on sale), it may be a counterfeit product.

Continue Reading

Friday, November 2, 2018

I have been questioning my life for such a very long time.. The question I have is not if life is worth living, because it is, but am I worth living?

Continue Reading

Mudahnya Menanam Cabai Pelangi Razzamatazz

Hai, semua!

Kebetulan beberapa hari yang lalu ada yang bertanya apakah saya masih memiliki bibit cabai pelangi atau tidak. Sayang sekali, tapi sudah satu tahun belakangan ini saya tidak menanam cabai lagi. Bicara soal cabai pelangi, saya pun jadi teringat dengan artikel ini deh, sayang kalau hanya bertahun-tahun teronggok dalam draf. Jadi, tahun 2015 silam, penjualan benih cabai unik dan hias secara online benar-benar marak dan menjamur di tengah masyarakat. Mulai dari cabai berwarna pelangi, hitam, dan cabai dengan bentuk-bentuk aneh lainnya. Penasaran akut dengan bagaimana rupanya, saya tak mau ketinggalan dong untuk ikutan menanam cabai hias di rumah. Akhirnya saya pun memesan berbagai jenis benih cabai unik dari beberapa penjual. Dari sekian banyak cabai yang dicoba untuk ditanam, salah satu yang berhasil tumbuh besar adalah cabai razzamatazz.

Sekilas mengenai cabai ini, razzamatazz adalah varietas cabai dalam genus Capsicum dengan nama ilmiah Capsicum annuum longum group. Sebagai tanaman menahun (perennial plant), varietas ini dapat bertahan hingga lebih dari dua tahun. Razzamatazz memiliki tipe pertumbuhan pendek (dwarf) dengan tinggi sekitar 30-50 cm sehingga ideal untuk ditanam dalam pot atau polybag. Tanaman ini menghasilkan buah yang produktif, cabainya tumbuh menjulang menghadap langit dan berdiri tegak pada tangkainya. Buahnya berwarna-warni dengan warna menyesuaikan tingkat kematangan dari cabai tersebut. Warnanya akan berubah dari ungu tua saat muda lalu menjadi merah menyala ketika masak. Begitu pula dengan tingkat kepedasannya yang  akan semakin meningkat.

Bagi saya, cara menanam cabai razzamatazz sama saja seperti menanam cabai pada umumnya. Mengikuti beberapa saran agar benih direndam dulu sebelum disemai, maka saya rendam benih cabai tersebut selama dua belas jam dalam air irisan bawang merah. Untuk penyemaian, saya hanya menggunakan media tanam siap pakai agar tidak repot dipindah saat sudah berkecambah, lalu pesemaian tersebut langsung diletakkan di tempat yang terkena sinar matahari penuh. Boleh juga menggunakan metode penyemaian dengan media rockwool dan tissue atau kain yang dibasahi. Tidak masalah, kok. Dalam kurun tiga hari (biasanya lima hari hingga dua minggu), benih yang ditanam sudah berkecambah. Bibit cabai siap pindah tanam dari pesemaian ke pot atau tanah pada usia 14 hari atau bila tanaman telah berdaun 2-4 helai dengan tinggi 10 cm. Jangan sampai terlambat dipindah tanamkan karena dapat menghambat pertumbuhan dan produktivitas tanaman cabai itu sendiri. Persiapan media tanam sangat penting sekali terhadap pertumbuhan tanaman cabai. Media tanam yang saya pakai adalah campuran tanah gembur, sekam, dan pupuk kandang. Diameter pot yang digunakan sebesar 30 cm untuk satu tanaman cabai. Hingga tahap ini, saya belum menggunakan pupuk kimia.

Bibit usia tiga hari: batang dan daun tanaman razzamataz terlihat lebih gelap cenderung ungu dibandingkan dengan tanaman cabai lainnya 

Memasuki usia satu bulan, baik pupuk organik maupun kimia dapat mulai diberikan. Bila boleh jujur, saya sendiri kurang menyukai penggunaan NPK dan lebih memilih menggunakan pupuk guano sebagai pupuk lepas lambat setiap dua minggu sekali. Kompos dan pupuk kandang dapat ditambahkan setiap satu bulan sekali. Untuk pupuk kimia, saya mengaplikasikan pupuk daun setiap dua minggu sekali. Pemberian zat pengatur tumbuh juga dapat diberikan setiap dua minggu sekali untuk merangsang munculnya bunga dan buah. Tentu saja, semua pupuk harus diberikan secukupnya dan sesuai dosis yang dianjurkan karena jika tidak, tanaman cabai akan layu dan kemudian mati.

Kelopak bunga razzamatazz berwarna ungu

Saat usia dua bulan, tanaman cabai razzamatazz akan mulai berbunga, meski awalnya akan lebih sering rontok dengan sendirinya. Seperti kebanyakan cabai pelangi, razzamatazz juga memiliki bunga berwarna ungu muda. Unik, ya? Kalau cabai sudah siap berbuah, jangan lupa untuk pasang ajir yang kecil saja supaya membantu menopang tegaknya tanaman. Biasanya tanaman cabai akan berbuah pada usia tiga bulan. Buah cabai razzamatazz akan mengalami perubahan warna, yakni ungu tua-ungu muda-kuning-jingga-merah. Lantas bila cabai sudah berubah merah dan matang, apakah razzamatazz bisa dikonsumsi selayaknya cabai biasa? Tentu bisa dong, baik dalam kondisi mentah maupun dimasak. Menurut laman web salah satu produsen benih razzamatazz di Inggris, Mr. Fothergill's, cabai ini merupakan sumber vitamin C, antioksidan dan serat yang sangat baik. Dengan tingkat kepedasan menengah, kita dapat menambahkan razzamatazz ke dalam masakan untuk menambah cita rasa pedas dan warna pada salad, misalnya. Konsumsilah secara bijak, jangan berlebihan. Namun, saya pribadi kurang menyukai tekstur dan rasa dari razzamatazz ini. Sebagai seorang penikmat cabai, saya rasa razzamatazz lebih baik dijadikan sebagai cabai ornamental saja deh ketimbang untuk dikonsumsi bersama gorengan atau dibuat sambal. Haha.

Cabai-cabai bermunculan!

Razzamatazz mampu bertahan dalam kondisi  cuaca buruk. Cabai ini sangat menyenangi sinar matahari penuh dan tidak pernah berhenti berbuah sepanjang musim panas. Pemangkasan tidak begitu diperlukan karena cabai ini termasuk tipe pendek dan rimbun. Boleh saja dilakukan pangkas tunas agar tanaman cabai tumbuh dan berbuah lebih lebat. Sama seperti tanaman cabai lainnya, razzamatazz juga banyak membutuhkan air, tapi tidak boleh berlebihan. Terlebih lagi, media tanam cabai sangat mudah sekali kering pada musim panas sehingga dapat menyebabkan daun layu dan rontok. Oleh karena itu, penyiraman dapat dilakukan sebanyak dua kali sehari (pagi dan sore hari), kecuali saat hujan. Bila musim hujan datang (off season), produksi razzamatazz akan mengalami penurunan.

Beryukurlah kita hidup di negara beriklim tropis, menanam cabai pun menjadi lebih mudah dibanding negara empat musim sehingga tanaman cabai tidak perlu melewati fase dorman. Cabai pun dapat dipanen dan dinikmati kecantikannya sepanjang tahun. Razzamatazz dapat hidup menahun sehingga perakarannya pun berkembang dan menjadi semakin kuat. Kadang hingga tidak ada ruang tersisa lagi bagi media tanam dalam pot. Pada saat inilah, mengganti pot dengan ukuran yang lebih besar dan penambahan media tanam sangat dianjurkan.

Usia enam bulan

Yang paling menyebalkan dari menanam cabai tentu saja serangan hama! Kutu kebul dan tanaman cabai sepertinya adalah dua hal yang tidak dapat terpisahkan deh. Namun, menurut saya razzamatazz ini patut diacungi jempol loh, sebab cukup tahan dari serangan kutu kebul yang menyerang tanaman cabai lain di sekitarnya. Penggunaan insektisida pun jarang sekali, sedangkan fungisida dapat dikocor di sekitar perakaran setiap satu bulan sekali. Tidak banyak masalah yang ditemukan selama menanam razzamatazz, kecuali pasukan semut yang bersarang dan bertelur di dalam media tanam. Biasa deh, problematika tabulampot.

Cukup berwarna, ya!

Dalam pot, tanaman razzamatazz dapat bertahan hingga dua tahun lebih sebelum akhirnya terbengkalai dan produktivitasnya ikut menurun drastis. Razzamatazz adalah cabai pelangi yang saya rekomendasikan untuk ditanam oleh pemula karena perawatannya yang mudah dan tidak rewel. Tanaman cabai pelangi berbagai varietas umumnya dijual dengan kisaran harga 30.000 hingga 80.000 rupiah. Biasanya di pameran flona yang digelar tiap tahun, cabai hias dan unik banyak diminati dan dicari kaum ibu rumah tangga. Memang sangat cantik untuk ditaruh di pelataran rumah. Akan membuat setiap orang yang melihatnya berdecak kagum dan memuji keindahannya.

Sebenarnya, razzamatazz bukanlah cabai hias pertama yang saya tanam. Saya  lebih dulu mencoba menanam Bolivian rainbow, hanya saja hasilnya tidak sesuai seperti yang dibayangkan. Cabai yang muncul ternyata berbentuk bulat menyerupai cherry bomb pepper dan sama sekali tidak berwarna pelangi. Entahlah, bisa saja benihnya tertukar saat pengemasan atau mungkin yang dikirimkan memang benih F2 (ih, su'udzon saja). Meskipun begitu, cabai tersebut sangat cantik dan layak dipajang sebagai pemanis pekarangan rumah, serta dapat dikonsumsi dengan tingkat kepedasan yang cukup rendah. Namun berbeda dengan razzamatazz, cabai satu ini sangat disukai oleh hama terutama kutu kebul. Karena sulit ditanggulangi, maka bolivian rainbow hanya dapat bertahan selama satu tahun dan kemudian mati.

Katanya sih bolivian rainbow sayy

Oiya, postingan ini dibuat hanya sekadar untuk berbagi pengalaman menanam cabai razzamatazz, ya. Barangkali bermanfaat bagi yang membacanya. Senang  deh rasanya bisa berbagi, walaupun saya sendiri masih harus banyak belajar lagi. Baiklah, selamat berkebun semuanya!

Continue Reading

Kedatangan Para Bayi Mungil

Pagi ini, kami dikejutkan dengan munculnya sekumpulan "bayi mungil" yang sedang berbaris manis di atas daun-daun tanaman kami. 

Inilah mereka. Imut, kan?

Continue Reading

The Well Ran Dry

I logged into Path last night. A ghost town. I scrolled back until I found them.. the portraits I used to draw.

Looking at potential I decided not to keep.

They aren't perfect, but they’re proof. Proof that I used to be someone who could create things. Looking at them now feels like looking at a stranger’s life.

Somewhere after 2014, I just.. stopped. I let it go. Now, the skill is gone. The muscle memory is dead. It’s a strange kind of grief, realizing you’ve lost the only thing that made you feel like you were "good" at something.

I want to blame life or timing, but I can’t. This was on me. I had a spark and I let it go cold. Now I’m just left with the noise of daily life and the realization that I traded a talent for a void.

The ink dried up. The hand stayed.

Continue Reading

It's not goodbye, only see you later..

August 16.

I turned a year older today. A normal day, but everything is different. This is my first birthday without my dad. Baba passed away a month ago, July 16, after a long struggle with diabetes, dementia, and a massive stroke. I’ve wanted to write this for a long time. I couldn't. I thought it was better to keep it inside. But today, I’m publishing it. This is for my Baba in heaven.

My Baba, posing on a camel during Hajj 1992

Eight years ago, Baba was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at 62. Monthly check-ups. Regular drugs. He had a hard time accepting it. He lost weight. His legs swelled. Hypertension made it worse. Sometimes his sugar was too high for weeks; then it would crash.

Severe Hypoglycemia. Dangerous. Life-threatening. We can never forget how scary it was. It happened most often in the early hours, before dawn. During those episodes, his glucose dropped so low he couldn't move. He was delirious. Hallucinating. It felt like Baba was in the gray zone between life and death. We nearly lost him so many times. Close calls. They haunted us every day.

Over time, we got used to it. We checked his glucose before and after meals, and again at 3 AM. He was always weak. Tired. The doctor said elderly diabetics fall. Baba fell several times—in public, at the masjid during Friday and Tarawih prayers. He hit his back on the floor. To keep him safe, we asked him not to go far. To stay close to home.

Surprisingly, his labs—cholesterol, uric acid—were normal. His heart, kidneys, brain, lungs, and eyes functioned. It made us feel a little better. But his hearing worsened. We had to speak loudly.

August 2014. Five years had passed. Diabetes stole the man we loved. We missed our fit, strong, energetic Baba.

Early September 2014, a week after my graduation. Something was wrong with his stomach. He wouldn't stop throwing up. We took him to the hospital. An endoscopy showed small erosions. Nothing to fear. He came home after a few days. We modified his diet. It took three months to recover. Amazingly, his sugar levels became stable. No more hypoglycemia.

Everything was fine until February 2015. After Zuhr prayer, Baba looked confused. Anxious. He didn't know who he was, where he was, or what day it was. He couldn't remember us. He lost his memories. It was heartbreaking. It was a minor stroke. It attacked his brain. It wiped out his life.

Dementia followed.

At first, he talked non-stop about his relatives and friends who were already dead. Then, he became quiet. Withdrawn. Silent. He spent his days staring blankly into the distance. Aphasia. He couldn't find the right words. They were mispronounced. Misspelled. He couldn't follow conversations. His garbled speech made no sense. We didn't understand him.

When he tried to remember a name, he would knock his own head with his hand. Repeatedly. He’d ask to go home. He’d talk alone in his room. He’d repeat a word or an action over and over. He didn't understand he was ill.

He had no sense of time. No difference between day and night. He’d wake up at midnight asking for breakfast. He couldn't read the clock or the calendar. He couldn't distinguish the prayers. When Maghrib played on TV, he’d make wudu for Fajr. We had to remind him five times a day because he couldn't hear the Adhan from the mosque. After every salat, he’d say he forgot the words. He lost count of the rakat. Wallahu A’lam.

Baba forgot how to live.

He had to be bathed, dressed, and fed by Mama. I took him to the toilet so he wouldn't slip. He was unsteady but could walk short distances. He needed 24-hour care. Supervision. His personality changed. He became the most stubborn person in the world. He got upset for no reason. It was hard to watch him change before our eyes.

The disease took over. The doctor warned us:

 * Even a short fall could be fatal.

 * A minor stroke could lead to a major one.

I’ll admit—that first year was hard. It was like having a child. Talking about the past brought him happy memories. Every day, he tried to remember our names. Mama took him for 30-minute walks. We tried alternative treatments alongside medicine.

Nothing is easy with dementia. Even a haircut was frustrating. He didn't like the barbers; he said they had bad attitudes toward the elderly. We finally found a senior-friendly barber to come to the house. Baba became a picky eater. He’d eat the same thing for months until he was tired of it. We let him. He’d ask for a meal again, forgetting he had just eaten. Day and night, I had to stop him from trying to leave because he didn't recognize his home. Sometimes he forgot to pull his pants down before using the toilet. A big clean-up job for us.

Dementia caused unending heartbreak, but there were funny moments, too. I don’t mean dementia itself is funny. It’s a life-limiting illness. But there is another side. It would be funny if it weren't so sad. We found humor in the crazy situations. Baba said hilarious things. Sometimes we laughed; sometimes we cried. Sweet and sad at the same time. People think it’s just memory loss, but it’s so much more. There is a lack of awareness here. Some people find it shameful. Embarrassing. They show poor judgment. No one chooses this. It is Allah’s decree.

*

*

Baba needed two years to rebuild his brain. We were so happy. He could hold small conversations. He used the bathroom himself. He read the Quran and the news on TV. His speech improved.

He called me by my nickname again. He was the only one allowed to use it. It was super weird. He would use it just to tease me. It always brought a smile to his lips. He could joke and argue again. With faith, nothing is impossible.

Before we could breathe a sigh of relief, this past February—exactly two years after the first stroke—Baba collapsed. Right after lunch. His glucose dropped too low. Panic. Cries. We did everything, but his sugar wouldn't rise. He refused the hospital. He hated hospitals. He said he didn't want to end up in one.

The doctor said it was severe hypoglycemia. In his delirium, Baba tried to say everything would be fine. It was not his "time" yet. By the next evening, his sugar rose slightly. He tried to eat but had trouble swallowing. He was weak. Stiff as a board. He refused "protective underwear." He wanted to make it to the bathroom, but his legs were shaking. I carried him there. I helped him squat over the toilet. Mama and I stayed up until 4 AM for a month. We kept the faith that Allah would heal him.

It took a month, but Baba regained his strength. By the grace of Allah. His sugar remained constant. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.

Every day was a gift. Every breath, every smile. Ramadan was his favorite time. He used to lead Tarawih. The first year after his stroke, he fasted the whole month. The next year, he missed the last ten days. This year, he only fasted one day. He joined us for sahur and iftar, but he didn't understand the time. We didn't force him. But we were grateful for another chance to spend the holy month together. Alhamdulillah.

In Betawi culture, Lebaran lasts a week. We dressed him in his best peci, koko, and sarung. We went to grandma’s house. He was so happy to visit his childhood home. He was excited but couldn't find the words—just a wide, vibrant smile. He had never looked healthier. As a senior in the kampung, people came to see him for five days straight. He tried to speak clearly. Everyone enjoyed talking to him.

It was the week after Lebaran. Life seemed good.

Baba woke at 5 AM. Hungry. Mama made him breakfast. She bathed and dressed him. I made him milk. He saw me and gave me a big smile. He wanted to watch TV. He flipped through the channels. He looked healthy. He finished his milk.

8 AM.

He got out of his chair. He walked unsteadily toward Mama. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. He didn't lose consciousness, but he couldn't speak. He couldn't move his left arm or leg. A massive stroke.

At the ER, before the MRI, tears rolled down his face. He was silently crying. He had never cried in front of us before. We tried to be strong, but we couldn't help it. They inserted an NG tube. He lost the ability to swallow. Dysphagia. That first day was filled with his frustration and anger. Shock. Disbelief. Fear. He pulled at the tube. He took off his diaper. It was so sad to watch.

The next day, the young doctor told me the truth. A huge blood clot on the right side of his brain. Left-side paralysis. Swallowing problems. Hard to breathe. His kidneys were affected. The doctor painted a bleak picture. No hope. Too much damage. He said if there was no recovery in a week, there wouldn't be any.

We were told to pray, make dua, recite Quran, and be ikhlas. I tried to choke back my tears. I failed. That was the day I wished had never happened. It felt too soon to give up.

For the first few days, Baba was responsive. He nodded or shook his head. He recognized Mama. I felt optimistic. But he complained of headaches. He wanted to go home. He wanted rice. He hated the tube. I will never forget the look in his eyes.

On Day 5, his sugar fluctuated. He needed insulin twice a day. He stayed in the hospital for seven days. All the relatives visited. It wasn't a pleasant memory. We bought home care equipment. A registered nurse on call. He was glad to be home.

We prayed for a miracle. Like Mama, I remained optimistic. But Baba grew weak. It crushed me. I felt horrible leaving him when he was wide awake, just staring at the ceiling. We sat by his bedside day and night. We never knew when it would be the last time. We recited Surah Yaseen, Ra’d, and Ad-Dukhan all day long to comfort him.

01:30 AM, Sunday morning. Exactly two weeks after the stroke. I woke up to relieve Mama. I checked his pressure and sugar. Normal. But he was restless.

02:00 AM. His breathing deepened. Sped up. Irregular. His hands and feet got cold. His lips and nails turned pale. He stared straight ahead. He didn't respond. I knew it was coming. Was it even real?

I woke Mama. She contacted my siblings. Tears seeped down her cheeks. I kept Baba’s lips moist with water and honey. I prayed for Allah to ease the pain. My siblings came. We hovered over him.

My brother recited the Shahada in his ear.

Allahu Akbar. Baba moved his paralyzed hand for the first and last time. He laid it on his chest. My brother put the right hand on top of it.

Baba breathed his last breath. He closed his eyes. No heartbeat. No rise of the chest. My life felt like it was falling apart. Sad. Angry. The doctor confirmed it. A straight line on the ECG. He removed the NG tube. Baba was no longer there.

So calm. Peaceful. Beautiful. Baba.

I can't believe the Ghusl was the last bath we gave him. Before they covered his face with the Kafan, we told him how thankful we were. He looked angelic. Handsome. We kissed him goodbye. Our final farewell. Baba, please forgive me.

Our Baba was a fighter. He had a strong will to live. He never gave in during those years, but this time, he decided to stop. He fought an amazing fight. He is pain-free now.

I never thought of myself as a caregiver. I was a teen when this started. These past years were physically and emotionally draining. Every day was hard. We often forgot to take care of ourselves. But I treasured every second. It wasn't wasted time. I was glad to do it.

Mama never left him for a second. I am glad he is at peace. I am grateful I was there when he left this earth. Now it’s just Mama and me in the house. My journey as a caregiver is over.

I’ve learned so much. Immense sadness, but valuable lessons. Baba taught me that even in the worst times, we find things to be grateful for. Thank you, Baba, for making me a stronger person.

He was a hardworking, funny man. His Adhan was my favorite sound. I kissed his hand after every Friday prayer. He hated me in skinny jeans. Even if he didn't know how to express love, we knew he loved us unconditionally. I was always his "little one." I am proud of him. He is with me in spirit. In my memories. In my prayers.

On this birthday, I am grateful for every breath. Thank you, Allah, for the best parents. May Allah grant my family health, happiness, imaan, and taqwa. Keep me firm on the right path. Ameen.

I wrote this for others on a similar journey. You are not alone. It is depressing. Tiring. Exhausting. But you are strong. Be grateful you can care for them. You will have no regrets. Don't listen to those who try to tear you down. People who haven't done it don't understand the mental toll. Take care of yourself. Eat well. If your parents are still here, cherish every moment.

“And among you is he who is taken in (early) death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows nothing after once having knowledge” — Al-Haj [22:5]

Please pray for my Baba. May Allah shower him with mercy and grant him Jannah.

Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa ‘afihi wa’fu ‘anhu.

I miss you, Baba.

Continue Reading

Oatmeal Buah Praktis dan Aman bagi Pejuang GERD

Dua minggu sebelum puasa Ramadhan tahun ini, saya didiagnosa terkena GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) alias penyakit asam lambung. Harus pantang segala jenis makanan dan jadi bingung makan apa saat berbuka dan sahur. Bosan dengan bubur oat + sayur/sop bening, akhirnya diputuskan untuk buat bubur oat manis saja dengan buah-buahan yang aman untuk asam lambung. Selain mudah dibuat, bubur oat juga mengenyangkan dan gak bikin begah apalagi heartburn. Resep ini juga bisa dibuat smoothie lho, tanpa penambahan susu, yogurt dan es krim tentunya.

Bahan:

- 1 porsi quick oats (4 sendok makan atau sesuai selera)

- 210 ml air

Topping:

*Buah segar:
- 150 gram pepaya (kupas, potong dadu)

- 80 gram pir xiang lie (tidak perlu dikupas, potong dadu)

*Buah kering:

- 3 butir kurma (buang bijinya, iris)

Cara membuat:

Masak oats selama 3-4 menit di atas api. Angkat. Sajikan di mangkuk dan beri topping.

Buah untuk topping:

• Pepaya

Pepaya dikenal sebagai buah dengan sejuta manfaat. Buah tropis yang sangat mudah dijumpai di negara kita ini sangat direkomendasikan oleh para dokter karena mengandung enzim papain yang berfungsi memperbaiki pencernaan, mengurangi asam lambung, membantu mencerna dan menyerap protein dalam tubuh, serta mampu menenangkan perut. Selain itu, buah pepaya digadang dapat mengurangi kondisi heartburn (rasa sesak dan sensasi terbakar seperti terkena serangan jantung di sekitar dada) pada penderita GERD dan ibu hamil. Jadi, masihkah ragu mengonsumsi pepaya?

• Pir Xiang Lie

Berbeda dengan pir eropa, pir asia memiliki kandungan air yang tinggi dan tekstur yang renyah sehingga kulitnya pun tidak perlu dikupas sebelum dimakan. Nah, ternyata kulit pir tersebut kaya akan serat yang sangat baik untuk membantu memperbaiki kondisi pencernaan dan dapat menjaga kesehatan usus. Pir juga dikenal memiliki efek antiperadangan dan menurunkan gula darah. Di antara semua jenis pir asia, seperti nashi, ya lie/shandong (kuning), dan xiang lie (hijau), menurut saya yang paling manis dan bertekstur lembut adalah pir xiang lie. Kulitnya pun tidak keras, sehingga cocok sebagai topping bubur oat. Buah ini lebih baik dikonsumsi dalam kondisi mentah (tidak direbus/dikukus).

• Kurma

Untuk menyiasati rasa hambar pada oatmeal, kurma bisa menjadi pengganti pemanis yang tepat untuk penderita gerd seperti kita. Kandungan nutrisi dalam buah ini tentunya tidak perlu diragukan lagi, sebab kurma merupakan sumber energi yang kaya akan mineral, vitamin, protein dan serat penting bagi tubuh. Buah ini dapat meningkatkan kebasaan lambung yang terlalu asam, sehingga sangat baik untuk kesehatan pencernaan. Selain kurma, dried fruit lain yang bisa digunakan antara lain kismis, sultana, buah ara (tin), dan aprikot karena buah tersebut aman untuk asam lambung.

Catatan untuk penderita GERD:

1. Hindari penambahan gula putih dan sirup karena dapat menyebabkan produksi asam lambung meningkat, sebaiknya hanya gunakan air saja. Untuk sedikit pemanis, dapat ditambahkan madu atau gula aren asli.
2. Jangan menggunakan susu sapi (terutama susu kental manis) sebab mengandung lemak yang dapat memperburuk asam lambung dan heartburn; dapat diganti dengan susu kambing karena kadar lemaknya yang lebih rendah.
3. Jangan menambahkan berbagai hasil olahan susu sapi (dairy products), seperti mentega, keju, yogurt, es krim dan whipped cream.
4. Jangan menambahkan coklat, meises, biskuit susu, bubuk green tea, selai, jelly, apalagi santan ke dalam bubur oat.
5. Selain pepaya dan pir sebagai topping, kita bisa menambahkan buah dengan kandungan asam rendah lainnya.

Aman untuk dikonsumsi:

- daging lidah buaya
- pisang (saya rekomendasikan pisang raja, bukan pisang ambon atau cavendish karena menimbulkan perut kembung pada sebagian orang)

- buah naga

- buah ara/tin

- daging kelapa muda

- blewah

- timun suri
- apel (fuji, gala, dan red delicious; jangan granny smith dan braeburn karena rasanya lebih asam)

Hindari dalam jumlah banyak (tidak lebih dari satu potong/slice dan tiga butir):

- melon dan semangka (keduanya menyebabkan perut kembung pada sebagian orang)

- mangga 

- kiwi

- beberapa jenis berry: strawberry, blueberry, blackberry

- alpukat
- lengkeng
- leci
- anggur
- ceri tart

Dilarang (kandungan asam tinggi dan bergas):
- buah kaleng (canned fruit)
- buah-buahan sitrus (jeruk; terutama mandarin, jeruk nipis, lemon)

- tomat
- nanas
- rambutan
- nangka
- durian

6. Boleh tambahkan biji-bijian seperti flaxseed, pumpkin seed, dan chia seed; secukupnya saja dan jangan berlebihan.

7. Yang paling penting adalah hindari makan dalam jumlah besar dalam sekali makan. Kunyah makanan secara perlahan agar mudah dicerna oleh lambung dan tidak menyebabkan perut menjadi kembung.

Semoga bermanfaat, ya!

Continue Reading

Makanan Kucing: Purrfect meal for cats

Hai, cat lovers!

Masih sama seperti postingan sebelumnya, hingga Oktober tahun lalu saya masih kesulitan menemukan makanan basah favorit Ken di petshop mana pun. Alhasil, saya memutuskan untuk membeli merek makanan lain yang memang tersedia saja deh. Ada banyak sekali pilihan makanan basah rasa tuna, namun untuk kali ini saya akhirnya membawa pulang Purrfect meal for cats ke rumah.

Kemasan

Dengan tampilan yang cukup sederhana, Purrfect meal for cats hadir dalam kemasan kaleng berlatar biru berukuran 85 gram dan 400 gram. Di bagian depan kemasan terpampang merek, gambar kucing dan rasa makanan. Kita akan menemukan informasi mengenai komposisi, jaminan analisis produk, cara penyajian dan produsen makanan kucing di salah satu sisi kemasan. Uniknya, di sisi yang lain disajikan tips dalam bahasa Inggris untuk mengenali bahasa tubuh kucing melalui ekor mereka. Lumayan sekali bisa menambah pengetahuan yang mungkin kita belum tahu, kan? Sementara itu, tanggal produksi dan kadaluarsa makanan berada di bawah kaleng.

Tentang perusahaan

Di salah satu sisi kemasan, kita mendapati bahwa Purrfect meal for cats diproduksi oleh Thai Union Manufacturing Co.,Ltd. Perusahaan asal Thailand ini adalah penghasil dan pengekspor berbagai produk makanan laut, seperti  makanan beku, makanan kaleng, makanan siap saji dan makanan hewan (kucing dan anjing). Situs webnya beralamat di http://www.thaiunion.com/en, di sana kita akan disuguhkan tampilan web yang rapi dan informasi yang sangat lengkap mengenai perusahaan tersebut. Sayangnya, Purrfect meal for cats sendiri belum tercantum dalam daftar produk makanan hewan mereka. Hal tersebut menyulitkan kita untuk menggali penjelasan lebih lanjut mengenai produk ini. Selain itu, rupanya tidak ada informasi lagi yang bisa didapatkan di internet. Namun, jangan khawatir. Bila kita punya pertanyaan, kritik, dan saran, produsen telah mencantumkan surel mereka di bawah sisi kemasan. Silahkan hubungi mereka di purrfect.food[at]yahoo.com ya, teman-teman. Saya sendiri sih belum pernah mengirim surel, entah akan ditanggapi atau tidak oleh mereka, haha.

Harga

Sekaleng Purrfect meal for cats ukuran 400 gram dibanderol dengan harga mulai dari 17.000 rupiah. Untuk kategori makanan kucing premium (kualitas standar), sepertinya harga tersebut relatif terjangkau dan ekonomis.

Rasa yang tersedia

Saat itu, ada tiga rasa yang beredar di pasaran:

- Tuna Red Meat in Gravy with Chicken and Tuna Liver (Ikan tuna hati dan ayam)

- Tuna Red Meat Mixed Mackerel in Jelly with Shrimp (Ikan tuna, ikan makarel dan udang)

- Tuna Red Meat in Gravy with Shirasu and Salmon (Ikan tuna, ikan teri dan ikan salmon)

Wah, ternyata variannya rasa tuna semua. Yang membedakan satu sama lain hanya campuran dan bahan tambahan (topping). Saya memilih rasa ikan tuna hati dan ayam, sebab Ken kurang suka dengan campuran dari makanan laut selain tuna itu sendiri.

Bahan penyusun, analisis produk dan panduan pemberian makanan

Komposisi Purrfect meal for cats (Tuna Red Meat in Gravy with Chicken and Tuna Liver):
Ikan tuna, ayam, hati tuna, perisa alami dan buatan, sari ikan, vitamin dan mineral, bahan pengental, minyak kacang kedelai, air.

Di kaleng juga tertulis bahwa produk ini mengandung nutrisi lengkap dan seimbang, terbuat dari ikan segar dan tanpa bahan pengawet.

Analisis produk:

Protein (min) 14,0%; lemak (min) 1,2%; serat (maks) 1,0%; kelembapan (maks) 83,0%, abu (maks) 3,0%

Panduan pemberian:

Dewasa per 2,5 kg sebanyak satu kaleng per hari

Tekstur dan aroma

Tidak dijumpai lapisan jelly atau agar-agar yang biasa ada di bagian permukaan makanan basah kucing pada umumnya. Namun sesuai rasanya, Purrfect meal for cats (Tuna Red Meat in Gravy with Chicken and Tuna Liver) dilengkapi  dengan suwiran tipis daging ayam yang terlihat saat pertama kali kaleng dibuka. Tekstur makanannya lembek dan tidak padat, seperti bubur kasar dengan potongan tuna yang tidak begitu halus. Selain itu, mengandung banyak air (lebih tepatnya berminyak) dan berwarna coklat kegelapan. Aromanya sendiri kurang menarik dan tidak menggugah selera kucing di rumah. Wangi khas tuna tidak begitu tercium dan kurang menyengat.

Menurut Ken dan kawan kucing lainnya

Seperti yang sudah saya sebutkan sebelumnya, aroma makanan basah ini kurang memikat kucing-kucing  mak saya. Namun, namanya juga kucing kampung begitu disuguhkan makanan basah pasti langsung dilahap. Meskipun begitu, kelihatannya mereka kurang menikmati makanan ini. Mungkin karena teksturnya yang agak berbeda dari tuna merek lain yang pernah dicoba (biasanya teksturnya padat dan penuh jelly). Jangan tanya Ken suka atau tidak, sebab dia pergi melengos begitu saja sejak endusan pertama. Oh iya, selama tiga hari mengonsumsi makanan ini kucing mak saya jadi menceret, fesesnya coklat dan berminyak. Entah makanan ini menjadi salah satu faktor penyebab atau bukan, yang pasti pemberian dihentikan dan feses pun kembali normal. Produk ini tidak diberikan ke anak kucing karena sesuai panduan pemberian makanan hanya untuk kucing dewasa.

Kesimpulan

Purrfect meal for cats ini diproduksi oleh perusahaan besar asal Thailand yang namanya cukup bergaung di dunia internasional, terutama dalam bidang makanan laut dan makanan hewan. Selain produsennya jelas dan kredibel, harganya juga terjangkau untuk makanan kucing premium dan mudah ditemui di berbagai petshop. Hanya saja, tekstur dan aromanya kurang diminati kucing mak saya. Produk ini juga tidak menjanjikan keunggulan seperti makanan yang lain karena tujuannya untuk menyeimbangkan dan melengkapi nutrisi pertumbuhan kucing. Apa yang dialami oleh kucing mak saya, belum tentu berdampak sama terhadap kucing teman-teman. Tidak ada salahnya untuk dicoba, siapa tahu produk ini cocok dan menjadi favorit kucing kalian.

Continue Reading