Marriage and Beyond

Okay, so I tried and tried, but the hubby just have so many excuses not to drink my sweet potato tops iced tea/juice, at least not more than half of a glass a day. I figured I should be calling it iced tea, because the procedure in doing the concoction is really more of making tea. But then again, I also poured in calamansi juice, so maybe I could call it either.

With the sweet potato tops juice, it always ends up getting consumed by me and my sis. But with this lemongrass concoction that I made yesterday, it was a different story. The hubby actually asked for a second glass and kind of complained when our little guy drank up the last glass of the batch. I failed to take a picture of the actual juice. It definitely was hotter than pancakes (although it’s actually ice cold). They drank it all up before I was able to grab the cam.

Here’s how I found out about this refreshing drink. Continue Reading »

While we are at it, allow me to just share with you how our living “naturally” came about. Okay, if truth be told, it is actually “semi-natural” because natural alternatives aren’t the easiest to avail of. But as much as we can, we really do away with those toxic ingredients.

It all started when we were prego with our kiddo. I started juicing from scratch. No powdered artificial juices for us - for me especially.  Then came my nesting stage wherein I checked every label of every single item in the layette to make sure that no synthetic stuffs touches my baby’s skin.

Although my juggling prowess was practiced with the challenges of motherhood, I made sure I did not look it by looking into natural skin care products. Continue Reading »

If there is one unspoken rule in our family it is this: the more natural, the better. I know how majority of things that are commercialized are synthetic and unnatural. This is one of the reasons why when anything “natural” comes along, I cannot help but stop and read on. I am not sure if you have heard about Dr. Suzanne Gudakunst’s revelation of the most effective Weight Loss secret that is natural. I am blessed not to be one of those who struggle with weight issues but I do have friends and loved ones who do. Continue Reading »

Watch this sproutwells video and you will see how it’s almost like inside our home – almost! We have turned into fruit and vegetable loving family in the last few months and I could attest that it has done us good. No, we’re no vegetarians. But I do hope to convert our family into one – someday. For now, I’m having them get used to fruits and veggies and I can say I am slowly getting there.

If I were a veggie, I would say that I would be a sweet potato top. I regularly prepare sweet potato tops juice around our home and even though it is not the hubby’s most favorite thing, he is actually getting used to it.

The very first time the hubby and I heard about the stem cell research was when we were attending classes in preparation for child birth. We were given quite a number of readings about it but since we were first time parents, our attention was diverted to getting ready for the big event.

Another interesting branch About the Science that is revolutionary is the C’elle exclusive that allows women to safely collect non-controversial, potential life-saving stem cells found in menstrual blood. It was hard to believe at first until I read a C’elle Client Testimonial. Who would have thought that menstrual blood would be of any use. Menstrual stem cell is currently being developed to formulate a breakthrough for future medical purposes possibly treat major diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s; as well as possible cosmetic applications like anti-aging and wound-healing.  Ths really something I am going to read more on.

Last night, the hubby and I remembered that our son is already due to see his Pedia. He should have gone earlier, but figured it was okay to schedule the visit just in time for his last dose of his primary complex medications. I am so relieved that he will soon be done with his last two bottles of meds.

On his next doctor’s visit, the Pedia would probably request to have a repeat of chest x-ray done on our son. It is a great blessing that Dra. Reyes is so generous with her time and support that she never bills us on every single visit since day one. She and the rest of her family are church members of our mother church. This is a biggie for us because the hubby’s health insurance coverage does not cover our son’s. It’s really kind of weird, actually one of its kind. We have followed it up with the office, we have given the necessary papers right from our son was just newborn. He’s three now, so we figured we probably should just get one for him independently.

I recently stumbled upon an affordable Health Insurance online. It is interesting to note that this particular company prioritizes in giving no less than high quality health insurance with premium rates that are affordable compared to most health insurance companies I have encountered. They also do free online insurance quotation so you get to really compare coverages and premiums.

We could really use this kind of insurance company in our side of the world. I am really hoping to be able to get our son covered soon.

It is the time of the month for me and these last few days I have been having intermittent migraine attacks. It just occurred to me now that what might have intensified the pain was the macaroni and cheese dinner I had prepared for our family last night. Cheese is the utter culprit to my usual attacks. I love all kinds of cheeses. It is just the weirdest though that while other migraine sufferers point to chocolate as the culprit. For me it’s just different, chocolates just give me a natural high and  has never caused my migraine to worsen ever. I even ate a spoonful of Nutella last night and I swear it eased the pain!

Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

The world loves beautiful people and many people would do anything to become one of them. In Asia, our country, the Philippines, is the number one market for whitening creams according to some report I saw on the television a few weeks ago. The rise of many beauty clinics that offer whitening services, cosmetic surgery, warts removal and facial services show the great demand for beauty services. More and more people are finding ways to improve their looks and their self esteem as well through these methods.

Not to say that wanting to look better is wrong, but too much of anything can be dangerous. My wife uses products that make her more beautiful and I appreciate her knowledge in that (she even has a blog about it) and I myself use some products that my wife introduced to me. So there is nothing wrong with desiring beauty.

However, there is something more important than outer beauty. I believe that every person, not only women, should focus first on the inner beauty or what is in our hearts. In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says that “the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” More important than getting the approval of the people around us is the approval of our Master. Having a mindset that we live for the audience of one can radically change the way we interact with people and the way we look at ourselves. Just some thoughts to ponder on.

In my most recent doctor’s visit, I was given a heads up by my insurance provider that I am almost at the maximum amount of my insurance coverage limit/illness. This means that when I have consumed my covered amount, I would have to pay the doctor’s fee, laboratories and everything else right from my own pocket. Ouch!

My doctor requests lab work on me done at least once a week, and given that the tests are done in one of the cities most expensive hospitals, the cost is really higher than the usual. I guess with all other insured people, it’s not really normal to total in everything and watch if he or she is anywhere close to reaching the limit. You see it was the same hospital I got confined in, so the most convenient is to follow up with the same doctors, given that the facility has all my needed records, the default really was for me stick with the facility.

At the end of my health contract, which would be December of this year, e Health Help will become very handy. This team will assist me in picking out the best health care plan that will work for me. With over 25 years working with health insurance and provider organizations, they provide a non-biased consumer education, paving the way to coming up with the health care that best suit your needs. Now, this is just what I need.

My nagging health issues have pushed me to read on alternative medications and medical advances. One of the more surprising medical facts that I have encountered is the Benefits of coffee drinking to our body. The only times I consumed coffee was when I worked in a call center on graveyard shifts. Now with the proven data that it actually lowers the risk of heart diseases, I figured I have got to learn to love drinking coffee. I never quite understood the passion people have over coffee and since I am adaptable, I believe the love for it can be acquired. This following video reports from Rob Van Dam, PhD, of the Harvard Medical School on the benefits of coffee.

I went to the hospital to see my doctor, once two weeks ago and twice this previous week.  Yes, I practically did a marathon to take advantage of my folks still being here at that time to look after our little guy.  Anyway, aside from the blood lab work up to check my uric acid level, I also had my thoraco lumbar, chest PA and lateral x-ray done.  Praise God that each and every result that came back made both me and the hubby smile! Answered prayer talaga, I am as good as new! Goodbye scoliosis!  But I do have tensed back muscles.  I was given prescription for the pain and the swelling and I also have to apply warm compress on my back every so often, which I still have not started with yet.

Just when everything looks bright and shiny after my doctor’s visit last Tuesday, I felt so sluggish and out that I knew I could not make it to my next appointment.  That is to see one of the girls who attends our church in Makati.  No wonder a few hours after we got home, I started running with a fever and aching joints.  Argh!  You could just imagine my frustration.  All the sweet potato tops juicing is coming to this!  Okay, so I have not really tried any of those colon cleanse procedures yet.  Maybe I should, to get rid of all the remaining toxins in my body through that.  One of the more interesting discoveries is that of one scanning procedure done by Life Force in Makati Medical Center.  Here’s a description of that particular Laser Scan, which was sent to me via email: Continue Reading »

My current eye condition has got me into considering ways and technology that would keep me away from having to wear eyeglasses. I have found some LASIK information that made me hopeful that I might not have the need to wear glasses after all. This milestone technology in Ophthalmology has been around for sometime now, but I never got to really research about it. Now that the strange possibility of me going back to wearing glasses after more than twenty years scared the wits out of me, I got myself to read more on it.

Lasik is currently the world’s most popular elective vision procedure and is proven from the procedures that were performed for over ten years. Most patients can actually expect to get back their 20/20 vision. Now, that’s good news for me.

I have seriously hoped that I would always sport the same 20/20 vision until I get old. I am even willing to cut down my time in front of the computer, if this is the culprit. But then again, not! So if ever I would be advised to wear spectacles the next time I go visit my doctor, then I know I can always consider this alternative.

It has been almost a month now since I noticed my vision getting blurry, especially whenever I spend more than two hours in front of my laptop. That explains the less than my usual posts every day since.

I used to wear spectacles back in my grade school days with 700+ (left eye) and 150 (right eye), and I really never got used to it. For some reason, I completely got my 20/20 vision back, that is, until a month ago. I seriously hope that it is just stress. But as I checked the Variable Dimension Frames From Zenni, I figured it might not be all that bad. Continue Reading »

My Sunday was tiring but a blessed wonderful day for me. All the issues that came my way could really sap my energies off me. In the morning I got to talk to one of our elder members who recently found out she has cancer. Afterwhich, issues with some of my girls that got me stunned. I love them dearly. I rejoice as well even as we all together claim John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

The Lord alone helps us through the ministry He has put us in and I also hope to make myself more available that’s why I have been religiously taking in my medications and multivitamins, but for some reason I forgot to take them before we left the house yesterday morning. Recently I have been into Supplement Reviews, looking for the best one to complement my cause towards a healthful lifestyle. I am currently trying out two good ones, plus regularly juicing both fruits and veggies. We are also taking out most of the preserved stuff off our weekly roster of meal schedule.

For the cause of me and my family getting healthier, I have been doing a lot of juicing these past few days. I have always believed in going natural for as long as I can remember. I drink no less than 10 glasses a day and on extremely hot days, I swear I could drink a quarter of our 5 gallon supply of water that’s upside down the dispenser. I am not exaggerating. I have been a “water person” in this sense. But for some reason, during the years that passed, I practically selected on the “naturals” that I have been doing.

Let’s face it, it can be a task to go natural. One major non-negotiable was sticking on my little guy’s brown rice staple. He has been consuming brown rice right from when he started learning how to take in solids, or should I say, semi-solids. During that time, I process his ration in a grinding machine before I have it cooked. It worked for him and his growth and development has been above average since. We are glad to have leered away from those usual commercial baby food products. Although I had him on cerelac for a while, I soon got to my senses when I investigated on what I was giving my child.

Okay, so you may ask, why Sweet Potato Tops Juice (Camote Juice) of all the hundreds of different vegetable sheaves on earth, aside from being the most refreshing and easy to prepare. Here’s why, as I go through from one forum to another, I have been getting the same kind of buzz over Camote juice, its ability to cure the deadly Dengue, boost immunity and all. After you get to read the item below, I know I need not say more. Continue Reading »

I had my first arthritis attack at nineteen. It was chronic and would not really bother me so much but in the last three weeks it was more like a nagging ailment. I was told by my doctor in my recent visit that my medication is the culprit. My uric acid level is hyped up because of my medicines. It can be frustrating feeling so old in a relatively young body. Yes, I happen to still consider myself young to actually suffer arthritis. I and the hubby are trying to humor ourselves with my predicament and it helps me out of being down sometimes.

A couple of years ago, a church member suggested herbal colon cleanser treatment. I have heard about it in documentaries and learned that it could actually be an effective way of flushing out toxins. The cleansing process actually made sense, it is the procedure that I am apprehensive about. But if this is something that will help me a great deal health wise, then I might just consider it.

Having said that, for everyone’s information, I only have one sister. I still call her favorite even though she practically has no competition. I just love saying it. She should have known by then that I am not a very good company when it comes to working out. This was right inside Fitness First in Robinson’s Metro East. She got me another pass. Sweet. And I just wasted it on sitting around eating my heart out. Argh! I wasn’t even able to tolerate the steam bath and sauna. A real waste, I should say.

The problem was we came to the club famished so I had to go grab some pizza burst and were they yummy and instead of thinking to get a decent workout in a plush workout place, I was actually wondering how much would a pizza burst franchise cost . The day before that I shared with the hubby the idea in my head about getting a cotton candy cart. I am nuts about cotton candy and I thought it would just be fun to have a machine available to our liking, plus the fact that we can use it for business. Why not. Starting small isn’t so bad anyway. All of these are just ideas popping up our minds. We never know, we might just get what we ask for. It does happen. I should know.

This shot was taken last week of May. A rather late post, I must say. I just saw this photo as I was browsing through my folders and I just realize how fun it is to be with my sister. I shouldn’t be surprised why she’s got tons of friends. She even got sweeter when she got married. I so love her. She never fails to count us in whenever she is blessed with anything and that’s what I also do. I guess that’s what sisters should do in the first place.

Yes, I have been religiously going to my scheduled appointments, despite the many reasons that I can pull out of my sleeves not to. The most recent visit was Wednesday this week. I would say it was pretty good. For the first time in on hundred doctor’s visit, I did not wait for over an hour until I my name got called. It is interesting to note as well that I tipped the scale more than a hundred pounds now. That figures why I feel heavier than usual. Yes, I know that weight does not yet scream for me to go try the latest weight loss cream, but I am honestly bothered how heavy I have been feeling lately. It is probably that my five foot frame is not comfortable with those extra poundage, but it could also be because of my not having a regular exercise routine.

I have attempted to do Tae-bo’s early this year, but only got to do it thrice and then I got busy blogging. Exercise is a part of a healthy lifestyle and I seriously have to consider getting into one regular routine.

Thanks Mariz for the tag, it’s purpose is to help spread the information about the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ month of June. Having had undergone fibroadenoma excision myself back in my teenage years and my mother getting orphaned by her mother before she turned thirty, this issue hits close to home and I am making my voice heard as I support this campaign.

Facts you need to know about Breast Cancer:

• The first sign of breast cancer usually shows up on a woman’s mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present.

• Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

• Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.

• Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years.

• Over eighty percent of breast lumps are not cancerous, but benign such as fibrocystic breast disease.

• You are never too young to develop breast cancer! Breast Self-Exam should begin by the age of twenty.

(Resources: American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute Komen Foundation)

You can help save lives of many women by spreading the word about The Breast Cancer Site and clicking on the pink button many times as you can. If The Breast Cancer Site receives 8 million clicks on the pink button in June, their premier sponsor -Bare Necessities- will donate $10,000 for more free mammograms. CLICK the pink button today!

Continue Reading »

These are a couple of preggy shots when I was heavy with our little guy in my maternity clothes. The first shot I was more than four months in the family way and the other one was seven months. If there was anything, I made sure we got everything recorded, from the belly shots to the sonogram and everything in between. It was fun anticipating the arrival of our son. Aside from the morning sickness-free pregnancy I had, I consider that phase in our lives as very timely, we were blessed. We actually thought kids are not for us because we were over two years in our marriage with no sign of ever getting pregnant but have immensely enjoyed each other, gliding and struggling through the joys and challenges of marriage. Continue Reading »