Mornings are Never the Same Again

I discovered the joys of walking every morning.  My body feels more energized ever since I started this healthy exercise routine. I started with 30-minute walks but now I can easily walk for an hour.  I also do short runs in between. If I could bring back time, I would have done this a long time ago.

Walking around the village is great for the body and the spirit as well. I find myself reflecting about different things while I walk.

I bought this brightly colored Nike Free as my walking partner.  I love how lightweight and comfortable they are on my feet.

 

Fight stress and regain energy

We all wake up to a brand new day to face regular tasks and fresh challenges. We constantly deal with duties at home and at work. Multi-tasking has become a normal way of balancing the daily obligations given to us. There’s a limit to what the body is capable of accomplishing. It is important to maintain a balance between work and recreation. The body needs to rest and relax every now and then to rejuvenate.

Keep in mind that too much work can be stressful to both the body and the mind. A good way to fight stress is to ease the tension from the body through a relaxing massage. The massage therapy has been used by many generations to ease the tension and bring back the energy lost by the body.

Busy people who do not have time to go to the spa for a massage have the option of calling home massage services. Certified massage therapists are trained to conduct home spa services complete with massage tables, towels, creams, essential oils and aromatherapy oils. A good massage has many health benefits. It can help ease body aches and pains; relieve stress; and improve blood flow circulation. A relaxing massage can also help an individual sleep better.

Importance of Children's Vitamins

Good nutrition is vital to our children’s health. Teaching our children to eat a healthy and balanced meal can boost their physical and mental development. It’s important to teach kids to eat different kinds of fruits and vegetables at a young age. Vegetables and fruits have essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that can help the body become stronger. They also aid the body to build better resistance against diseases. Sometimes, kids especially picky eaters do not meet the daily nutritional requirements vital to growth and development. Deficiencies in nutrition can make a child susceptible to health problems. Parents can give their kids supplementary Children's Vitamins to support their children’s nutritional needs. Proper vitamins bought from a reputable company such as Invite Health can help kids develop better vision; stronger teeth and bones; and better immune system. Nowadays, kids are often exposed to unhealthy diet of junk food, processed food and fast food. Avoid giving your child junk food such as chips and soda especially as school snack. Refrain from buying processed foods like hotdogs, ham and bacon. There are many healthy school snack alternatives that children can enjoy such healthy sandwiches and natural fruit juices. A healthy diet supplemented with vitamins can help provide a healthy future for your child.

Thankful for Successful Surgery

I was jittery when I woke up Monday morning of last week. I knew it was the day of my minor surgery to remove the sebaceous cyst on my back. The surgeon suggested that I be sedated because it was too big for local anesthesia. The surgeon assured me that it was an easy procedure but deep inside I was still worried. I couldn't help but feel a little frightened. After all, I've never had an operation before.

I acted brave when hubby drove me to the hospital but deep inside I was trembling. I didn't know what to expect. We arrived at the hospital around 7:45 a.m. At the E.R. I was told that it was standard procedure for patients to ride the wheelchair going to the operating room (O.R.). It felt weird riding the wheelchair.

I had to say goodbye to hubby as I entered the O.R. Two young, friendly nurses greeted me. They helped prepare me for the operation. They also made it a point to check up on me every now and then while I waited for the surgeon and anesthesiologist to arrive. The latter arrived first. He asked me some questions like if I have any pre-existing conditions, drug allergy and food allergy. I must admit my ego was hurt when he said that I was probably not allergic to any food because I was fat. Ouch! He was trying to be funny but I didn't find it amusing at all. In fairness, despite that seemingly insensitive comment, he was kind to me during the whole procedure.

It was past 11 a.m. when the surgeon arrived, he apologized for letting me wait. He gave the nurse the go signal to bring me to the O.R. I felt even more scared when I saw another nurse lining up the operating tools. I just had to focus on something else. I said a silent prayer to God to keep me safe during the operation.

I was told to lie on my side. The anesthesiologist told me that my eyes were going to feel heavy. Then without realizing it, I was out cold.

When I woke up, I was a little disoriented. I thought it was already morning and it was time to wake up my son for school. After a few seconds, I realized I was in the O.R. The doctors were still there. I asked the surgeon if it was over. He smiled and said yes. I didn't feel a thing. I'm thankful that there was no pain at all. I thanked both doctors for taking care of me.

The doctors told me that I needed to rest for a few more hours before I could go home. My surgery was an out patient case. I looked at the wall clock and it was past 1 p.m. The doctors advised me to sleep for a while before they left. I tried but I couldn't sleep. 

Two other patients, a woman and a young boy were brought to the recovery room to join me.  The young boy was accompanied by his father. He was around 5 years old. I felt a pinch on my heart when I saw the little boy beside me. I remembered my son back home. I prayed that my son will always be blessed with good health.

I heard the boy beside me whimpering. His dad tried to comfort him. He told him not to cry anymore but the operation was over. When the boy heard his dad's soothing voice, he stopped crying.

It didn't take long before I was declared ready to go home. After putting on my clothes, I was wheeled outside where hubby was waiting. He kissed me and asked how I was feeling. I smiled and told him it didn't hurt at all. The doctor gave me prescription for antibiotic and pain reliever before leaving the hospital.

When I got home, I was so happy to see Yohan's face. He wanted to hug me but he knew he couldn't because of my operation. He told me that he prayed for me several times that day. I was really touched.

It has been more than a week now since the operation. I had to go back to the doctor several times during the past week for dressing change. I'm happy to say that my wound is healing well.

I'm very thankful that everything went smoothly. Thank you Lord for taking care of me.


 

Soccer Summer Fun

Kids nowadays prefer to stay at home.  Inactivity among kids is often fueled by television, game consoles and computer games.

My son used to be a homebody.  His activities were not limited to television and computer games because I made it a point to interject activities like drawing,  painting, educational games and fun crafts.  However, I realized that something was missing.  He lacked agility and flexibility.

This summer hubby and I enrolled Yohan in soccer.  I admit I wasn't keen about the idea at first. I was concerned that the summer heat would be a problem since soccer is an outdoor sport. However, Yohan was insistent and his dad backed him up. I knew Jules would support Yohan's choice because he is after all, a soccer player himself.

I gave in and bought him soccer shoes. That sealed the deal. It was my way of saying yes. Both boys were happy. :)

I'm happy that Yohan chose soccer for his summer activity.  I've seen him in the field and I'm so proud of his developments. Soccer has definitely improved his motor skills. He is more agile and flexible. I also noticed that he has more endurance for physical activity. The running and sprinting will surely help build his muscles and strengthen his bones. The best thing about soccer is that Yohan is enjoying himself. He also made a lot of new friends.

I talked to Yohan's coach and he said that soccer will help the kids learn about coordination, determination and self-discipline. It's also a good way to promote teamwork and camaraderie.

Sports like soccer can help encourage kids to turn off the television, set aside computer games and get some much needed exercise.

Find out what sport your child is interested in.  There are a lot of great choices like soccer, tennis, basketball, badminton, Taekwondo, swimming and more.  Summer is a perfect time to enroll your child in one.

POC Health Article: Rabies: the deadly bite

March is Rabies Awareness Month. I would like to share my health feature on Philippine Online Chronicles about rabies. Please do your share to fight this deadly disease. Be a responsible pet owner. You may click here to read the full length feature.

POC Health Article: Colorectal Cancer

I'm happy and proud to be part of the weekly online publication Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net). My first health feature about Colorectal Cancer is now up on the site. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Remember, awareness is the key. You may click here to read the full length feature.

Inspiring Health and Wellness Site

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm struggling to lose weight. It's not an easy task.  Recently, someone I know suffered from a stroke. He survived the stroke but he will be needing long term therapy.  I realized that it's about time that I take good care of my health.  I'm a mother to a young boy and he needs me to guide him in his growing up years. I don't want to suffer the same fate as my friend.  I want to be healthy and strong for my son.  I know I have failed in the past to maintain a healthy lifestyle but it's never too late.  Perhaps I just didn't have the proper tools and motivation to keep me on the right track.

I found out that www.wellnessdaily.com is a good source for people like me looking for a motivation to live a healthy life. Sometimes inspiration is needed to take that very first step.  The site is a new, online community where you can read latest news about health related topics. I have browsed through the site and I found several inspiring healthy living blogs.  I found an amusing blog post about chocolate confessions. I'm also a chocolate lover and I find it hard to resist the temptation of chocolates. The blog post highlights how the author learned to control her craving for chocolates without necessarily abstaining from it forever.  We don't have to deprive ourselves from something we love as long as we learn to eat food in healthy proportions.  The site shares various nutritious recipes to help you in your goal to live healthy. Another good thing about the site is access to expert opinions.  You can even check out health videos about various health topics such as proper weight loss, healthy eating, proper excercise and maintaining well-being.

Be inspired to live a healthy life and get a chance to win a great prize. Simply join wellnessdaily.com, sign up and enter the Twitter contest for a chance to win a WellnessDaily.com prize package which include coupons for a year-long supply of Jennie-O Turkey Store product and a one-year gym membership, valued at $1,250. Learn how to “Enter to win $ towards a gym membership & JENNIE-O turkey products by clicking here.  Just follow @wellness_daily & RT this! http://bit.ly/tbd123." Take note that Twitter promotion runs 2/24 through 3/10. I also have my own RT about it: http://bit.ly/tbd123."

Benefits of Eating Healthy Tuna

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of HealthyTuna.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

My family loves eating tuna sandwich. It is easy to prepare, light on the budget and most of all good for the body.  We prefer using hot pandesal buns. I would like to share this very simple tuna sandwich recipe that my family loves.

Ingredients:

pandesal buns
1 canned tuna
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
tomato and olives

Procedure:

1. Open a can of tuna and drain the liquid from the can.
2. Put the tuna in a bowl and break it into flakes.
3. Add finely chopped onions to the bowl.
4. Add 3/4 cup of mayonnaise.
5. Add 1 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Mix everything together.
8. Spread on pandesal buns.
9. Optional: Add slices of tomato and olive if desired.

Seafood and Pregnancy:  There are a lot of confusion about pregnancy and eating seafood. Due to this, some women totally abstain from eating seafood while they are pregnant. Well, it is true that pregnant women should avoid fish high in mercury such as shark, mackerel, swordfish and tilefish. But it is still actually SMART to eat seafood during pregnancy.

In fact, scientific studies point out that eating healthy tuna is good for pregnant women because of its benefits.  Eating seafood such as tuna during pregnancy and breastfeeding period can boost the baby's brain.  Studies show that eating healthy seafood can promote faster development among babies.  Eating seafood can also help fight heart disease.

Successful Cataract Removal

Thank you very much to family and friends for your prayers for my yaya. The operation took longer than expected because of yaya's abnormally high BP. She was very tense before the procedure. Despite that, the operation was a success. She had to stay longer in the recovery room so her BP could be monitored.

We are home now and yaya is already sleeping in her room. She needs to take it easy for at least three weeks. The doctor gave me a list of post operation instructions. Yaya is scheduled for a check up on Monday.

Cataract Removal

I'm off to the hospital in a while to accompany my yaya (nanny) for an eye operation. She will be having cataract removal in one eye. It is her first time to have an operation. She is putting a brave front but I know that she is scared. Jules and I will be there to give her moral support. The whole family is praying for a safe and successful surgery.

Not Feeling Well

It has been a fun weekend. There are a lot of things I'd love to share but sadly I'm not feeling well. It started with a sore throat and now I have lost my voice. I also have cough and colds. To make it worse, I have a terrible headache. Oh well, at least it's not the flu. I guess I just need some rest. I'll catch up with you soon. Take care.

Preparing Outer and Inner Self Before Giving Birth

Some factors may help contribute to an easy delivery. It is important to prepare both the outer and inner self. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually can help you prepare for an easy natural childbirth. Below are some suggestions that might be helpful.

Physical
It is essential for every pregnant woman to take prenatal vitamins, eat healthy foods and do some easy exercises. You can ask your doctor to suggest an exercise regime that will help strengthen your body and prepare you for labor. Your doctor may suggest stretching and walking.

Emotional
Some women especially first time mothers-to-be tend to be overcome with worries and fears. Too much worrying can build up tension and lead to stress. It would help if you focus on happy thoughts. Look on the brighter side of giving birth. Think about how wonderful it would be to feel your baby in your arms for the first time.

Be surrounded with people and things that make you happy. Read uplifting books, listen to soothing music, watch a movie with a happy ending or simply enjoy good and healthy food. Spend time with family and friends who can give you the moral support that you need.

Spiritual
Praying and meditating may help you prepare for labor. Prayer has the power to give us courage to face what the future may bring. Believing that God will help you in your time of labor can give you the will and strength you need at that moment. Praying for safe delivery can bring inner peace, put fears at bay and help calm the senses.

Opening Eyes To Natural Childbirth

Natural means it is not produced synthetically or changed artificially. Almost everything natural is good. Health conscious people choose natural foods because they are minimally processed and free from artificial ingredients. Food coloring, preservatives and artificial sweeteners are just some of the few ingredients found in a lot of food items nowadays. They enhance the flavor and extend shelf life of food but some of them can be quite harmful to the body. People also prefer skin care products that use natural ingredients because they are safer and kinder to the skin.

When it comes to giving birth, more and more people are realizing the advantages of going through natural childbirth. A woman’s body is naturally designed to carry and give birth to a child. Natural childbirth allows a woman to be in control of her body. Perhaps modern advancements in science have made childbirth easier and less painful, however, the medicated approach has its potential risks.

The process of childbirth is a conscious decision. Every woman should have the right to choose the kind of childbirth best for her and her child. It is normal for some women, especially first time mothers to be overly concerned before giving birth. Fears about childbirth can sometimes be blown out of proportion. Unwarranted fears can influence a woman to shy away from natural childbirth and choose an epidural or a C-section. Proper information can help women minimize and hopefully eliminate their fears of childbirth.

Here are some notable advantages of natural childbirth.

• Safer option - Natural childbirth offers minimal medical intervention. Since it discourages the use of sedatives or anaesthesia, there is a lesser chance of complications or side effects.
  

• Feeling of empowerment - Women who have undergone natural childbirth shares the wonderful feeling of being in control during labor.

• Inner Satisfaction - Mothers who experienced natural childbirth notes the ultimate sense of fulfillment.
  

• Partnership – Couples who choose natural childbirth often take classes together. These classes help and guide soon to be parents. Time spent together learning about breathing techniques, pain management and more can help strengthen the bond of a couple.
  

Cord Blood Banking

Planning a family and having a child is a big responsibility. There are many important things to consider when you're having a new baby. Good health is a top priority of parents all over the world. Cord blood service is a revolutionary health procedure that can save someone you love in the future. It is vital to take the initial step today in order to protect the future of the people you love and cherish. Cryo-Cell service can provide safe collection and preservation of your newborn's stem cells. It is amazing how this process can treat over 75 different diseases. In fact, records show that over 12,000 umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants have taken place in different parts of the globe.

If you are thinking of storing your baby's cord blood, you can take advantage of this limited offer. You have the option to enroll by midnight of June 28th, in order to enjoy a great special price for cryo-cell. This is a special offer for expectant families. Cryo-Cell is a leader in the industry of cord blood banking with an impressive record of over 175,000 clients. Clients can be assured of Cryo-Cell's dependability because it has more accreditations than any other private cord blood bank.

Public Health Forum

Public Health Forums can provide you with all kinds of information about different health issues. If you want to learn about the possible natural and herbal remedies for a certain ailment, you can find helpful facts on Public Health Forums. The information is shared by consumers themselves. The site is well organized by category. You can find various topics such as general health, colon cleansing, weight loss, stress relief, skin care, Toe Fungus, Nail Fungus Reviews and its remedy Zeta Clear.

Consequence of Asbestos Exposure

It is alarming that some jobs out there are highly dangerous to one’s health. Jobs that require constant exposure to harmful and toxic materials particularly asbestos pose great health risks. Sadly, some people blindly commit themselves to dangerous jobs because of the promise of better salary. Personally, I think that there is no amount of salary that can justify the deterioration of one's health. Some companies take advantage of workers by promising them good compensation without specifically divulging the possible health risks that they would be facing at work.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos can actually cause cancer. As a matter of fact, asbestos exposure is said to lead to a form of lung cancer called Mesothelioma. This particular type of lung cancer is common in workers who are in the shipbuilding industry, construction, auto mechanics, contractors, and demolition. Workers who develop this kind of cancer should be aware of the benefits they could claim from the company they work for. Mesothelioma victimes are entitled to compensation. Hiring a good Mesothelioma Lawyer can help Mesothelioma victims claim compensation and benefits that are rightfully theirs from difficult companies. These lawyears are dedicated to help Mesothelioma victims in their plight towards achieving justice.

My First Blood Donation Experience

Last September 2008, I was supposed to donate blood for my SIL but I was rejected as a donor on the first step (Interview Data Sheet) because I just had my period. That made me ineligible to donate blood at that time. My hubby donated blood instead.

Sad to say, my SIL had another medical emergency the other day. She needed blood again. This time I passed the screening and I was able to donate blood for her.

I was a little scared at first because I witnessed hubby's blood donation last year. The one who extracted his blood had a hard time finding the right vein. It was an unpleasant experience for him. I expected it to hurt but surprisingly my blood extraction was a breeze. The guy who took my blood was a 'sharp shooter". :)

When I saw hubby's old photos, I realized we used the same stress ball. What a coincidence. Every donor needs to press the stress ball repeatedly to help hasten the supply of blood.

My SIL is now doing better and has been discharged from the hospital.

If you're interested, I shared the step by step Blood Donation Procedure in an older post.



On our way home from the hospital, we stopped by Red Ribbon. Hubby bought me a Mango Cashew Roll ... a little prize for being brave. Ha ha! I like this "light angel food cake with fresh mango balls and cashew nuts".

Secure Future Health

Family medical history can have a great bearing on one's health. Whether you like it or not, you can be affected by certain ailments that run in your family. Sad to say, we have a family history of diabetes. My maternal grandmother had diabetes when she was still alive. I have several aunts and uncles who have developed diabetes at different points in their lives. I am happy that my mother did not get diabetes from her side of the family. However, it does not mean that I am totally safe from diabetes. I learned that Type 1 diabetes can be occur in people under age 40. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs later on in life. I'm more concerned about Type 2 diabetes because hereditary genes can make a person susceptible to this medical condition. The thought that there's a chance that I might develop diabetes, no matter how slim, scares me.

I value my health that's why I am open to procedures that could help improve my health and prevent onset of diseases. I read that C'elle can protect you from acquiring ailments that run in your family such as stroke, diabetes and breast cancer. I'm grateful that people like me can be shielded from ailments experienced by some members of the family. I'm fascinated that menstrual blood stem cells can help secure your future health. For a limited time, you can avail of the C'elle's $299 offer which is $400 off the regular price (Promo Code CN400). I think it's a gift because you now have a choice to change what you thought is inevitable. I believe that acting in the present can give you greater chances of protecting your future.

Gift of Good Health

When I see my son playing and having fun, I realize what a great blessing I have in life. I'm thankful to have a healthy child who has the chance to experience the wonderful things that life can offer. Good health is so precious and people should not take it for granted. One of the greatest fears I have in life is someone I love getting sick. I'll do everything I can to protect the people I love especially my family against sickness.

I'm fascinated by how science and technology have developed outstanding ways to safeguard people's health. I found out about the incredible advantages of Cryo-Cell for children. I think it will benefit children all around the world. I found out that this medical technology allows parents to cryogenically preserve their newborn's umbilical cord blood stem cells safely and securely. I realized how this medical advancement has the ability to protect the health and future of children around the world. I could only wish that I have known this while I was pregnant with my son. I'm not sure if my husband and I are still going to have another child but if we do, I believe that this medical procedure is worth taking because it will safeguard the health of my child.

Let me share an actual Cryo-Cell Customer Testimonial:

"My children are the most precious gifts that I will ever have and I want to do everything I can to make sure they are well. While I was pregnant with my first child, I would see articles and ads about cord blood and it bothered me that it was so expensive but what if I one day needed this blood. The reality of having only one chance or it really went in the garbage kept me wondering if I would regret not investing. What if he had cancer or his dad or I were sick, would that blood have been the cure? Through research, I came across Cryo-Cell International, Inc., a company with the most reasonable rates and the assurance of two holding facilities.

When I was pregnant with my second child, we wondered if one bank was enough? Finances were tighter and should we spend the money? Then we realized that his brothers blood might not match for the new baby. The next day, stories were breaking about how Cord blood had saved or changed the lives of children, one cancer, one cerebral palsy. Then we discovered that a friend was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. He didn't bank his daughters blood and wished he had. Three years prior, I lost a friend to renal cancer when she was 29. We felt like it was our answer.

We are just beginning to see miracles that this blood can bring. We have two "life insurance policies", that is how we look at it. If anyone in the family gets ill, there is a chance that the blood could save our lives. If we don't use it, then it is there for our son's children."

Sincerely,
mother of Parker and Davis

Cryo-Cell International Client

If you're interested, you may take advantage of free Baby Bjorn offer for enrolling by April 19, 2009.