I Need To Sweat

I’ve been having stressful days lately that I so wish I could hit the gym for once this week. Or jog around our neighborhood until my leg or feet aches from running. I guess I badly need some good anaerobic exercise to sweat out the stress from the previous days and to vent my frustrations.

Exercise, especially anaerobic exercises, has been proven to improve mental health and reduce stress levels (hence, decreasing incidence of depression, too). So I'm really wanting some time off for this. :-)

2/3 Acne Tips From A Reader

So here's another part of the comment I received.

Don't Overwash:
Wash your face only 2 times a day (at maximum) and gently pat dry with a towel.

Moisturize:
Use a gentle face moisturizer if the glycerin-based face wash dries you out too much.

Change Your Diet:
Eat almonds, fiber, drink lots of water and avoid excess sugar intake. Food really does make a difference. This is because the food you put into your body has a direct effect on your Sebum (oil) production. By eating the right food, you'll minimize oily skin, thereby preventing breakouts.

About overwashing: I agree that washing the face more often than needed can cause more harm than good as it would only dry up the skin.

Moisturize: Moisturizing is essential and finding the right moisturizer is equally important, if not crucial. Most moisturizers available in the market are greasy. There are some that are not but nevertheless, they are not olfactory-friendly (of course, this depend on who uses what). But to people like me, who are sensitive to fragrance, this (fragrance or the lack of it) matters a lot. I do not want to get headaches just because I want my skin to be beautiful. So my word is to find the right product not only for your skin type but one that will not "hurt" your nose.

Diet: Although some think there is no relation to eating nuts and chocs to getting acnes and pimples, it pays to be cautious. I believe too much about the benefits of drinking lots of water.

Hair Woe

It is already the time of the year when I needed to have my hair redone. I am actually looking every bit like Fido Dido now (y'know him?).

You see, I have naturally curly hair but thanks to modern technology (?), my otherwise curly and buhaghag hair's turned into a semblance of neatness. But well, not these days - because lately, I've been struggling with the curly regrowth. A part of me wants to see my hair in its rebonded glory but the other part would want to see it grow long, curly and strong. Still undecided for now.

Anyway, have you heard that unwashed hair is the easiest to style? It is said that unwashed hair (not uncombed..heheh) provides a perfect texture for an updo.

1/3 Acne Tips From A Reader

Someone left a comment in one of my posts about acne and its treatment. Because I'm still deciding whether to consider it as spam or not, I would have left it at that but on second thought, he (or she) left good tips I might as well acknowledge and publish them (of course, at the end of this series I'm going to give credit/link which the commenter has provided).

Of course, I've edited the comment (very minor stuff i.e. spelling, verbs..) but it's 98% unrevised. I'll also leave my comments about his comment in italics.

So here goes the commenter's message:

The tricky part about acne is that the problem can actually become worse if you overmedicate. That's because acne medication can overdry the skin, causing a boost in your skin's Sebum (oil) production. This results in...you guessed it - more acne.

So what's the long term solution? Find gentler solutions or even natural acne cures that won't shock your body into more breakouts.

Here's what I recommend...

Glycerin based facewash:
Glycerin is gentler and will balance the pH levels in your skin.

Antibacterial Soap:
For body acne, try using an antibacterial soap to slowly dry out the skin. If your skin gets too dry, switch to a moisturizing soap like Dove to counterbalance the effect.

My experience with antibacterial soaps - he's right, of course- is that they leave my skin dry. Sometimes with the dryness, they make my skin itch. So I really do away from antibacterial wash or soap despite manufacturers' claims that they put "extra moisturizers" in it.

It's Now A Party Dress

This was the dress my sister wore to the Oscar's.

Okay, the Oscar's part is not true but truthfully, my sister did wear this to a party. An important company party.

But can you tell that this used to be a knitted sleeveless shirt - and one that is too large for me to wear?

Yes it is. I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of it before it was sent to the seamstress and we had it modified, but you've got to take my word that this used to be something other than what it is now. Actually, my sister bought it from a second-hand stall for...guess how much... less than a dollar!

When she paid for the shirt, my sister (with her keen fashion sense has always been creative with her clothings) already had the design in her mind but I helped her with the the concept and the materials to be used for it to look like it does now.

With the help of a sastre neighbor, we had the bodice modified to fit her and then a creamy off-white satin was sewn in for its lining.

We then had few meters of sequined laces to accentuate the neck and the hemlines.

And do you know that with all the reinvention made on the shirt, the total cost of modification plus the fee we paid the seamstress was still so minimal compared to buying a new party dress? Uh-oh. BTW, if I get my sister's permission, I might post her party pic in my next post.

Smile!

I was playing around in the kitchen one day. Actually, I wanted to introduce some kitchen stuff to my son. And I came up with this. If it's not pretty obvious, the (body) parts are: Eyes = halved orange; Nose = black pepper dispenser; Dimples = halved lemon and lips = sliced onions

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Loving Mother Nature Back

Mother nature has been so good to us. She’s been a generous Mother who keeps on providing us with almost everything we need to survive in this world.

With this, isn’t it our responsibility to give back this love to Mother Nature. Let’s be kind and take care of our environment. Not only is this a kind gesture to Someone who’s lovingly provided for us, it is our gift and legacy that we leave to our children’s children.

Save. Save. Save. Save gas. Save water. Save electricity. Save resources.

Reuse. Recycle. Re-invent.

We always hear of these Rs. But nowadays, it also pays to be careful with what things we are using at home, what gadget and tools we have. Are they eco-friendly? Are they energy efficent products? Think about it this. It might just make a big difference.

Water-Saving Tip (Again?)

This would sound silly. I honestly am having second thoughts about posting this one.

And I know after reading, people would think I'm a loony. But crazy or not, this is me. And then I am not saying that you will have to do this, too.

Here I mentioned about re-using the water (used in washing clothes) to clean our bathroom. But that's not all the re-using I do.

*throat clearing*

There are times that I also re-use the water I used to bathe with to clean our bathroom. Yes, I do. I collect the water I used to rinse my hair (and more) in a bucket and re-use this.

There I said it -now, don't be too harsh. :-)

Detox Now For A Healthy You

Detoxification, which is a process of eliminating toxins from our body, is important in maintaining a healthy balance in our body. In fact, some doctors believe that it is a key to personal wellness.

Do you know that detoxifying our body can help make our skin and hair radiant and beautiful? Among other benefits, many believe this to be true ( I- for one believes this). Another benefit of the detox process includes a decrease in gas and bloating. Most importantly, eliminating toxins from our body also helps our organs to function well. As a result, we can expect an increased energy and vitality.

With this, I try to detox regularly. I do not take supplements to help me do it but just get an overload of water every morning. Water is actually a good colon cleanser. But if you opt for a supplement for detoxifying, check with your doctor. There are a lot of detox products available in the market today -and one is the all-natural Dual Action Cleanse.

Weight Loss: Oral Medication

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned about common weight loss methods used and tackled lightly the things to consider before deciding which method suits you best.

Now if you have decided to go for oral medication a.k.a. diet pills, here are things to keep tabs on:

- The medical condition you may have
- Other medications that you are currently taking
- The contraindication and side effects (if there is) of the specific drug product you are using
- Your response to the drug or diet pill you are using (carefully observe its effects , bothersome or not, on you)

Because I Keep Even 5-centavo Coins

I dropped by the mall the other day to run some errands. As I had few minutes to spare, I dropped by a toy shop and ended up picking few things for my son.

As I had brought some loose coins with me, when it was time to pay, I asked the cashier whether it would be alright to pay using these (along with the paper bill which I handed her).

With her very positive reply, * bulb lights in my head* I was encouraged to go to the next level and inquire if they would exchange coins to bills. She said they'd be happy to -since they would be needing some to tender some change to customers. Oh, sweet music to my ears. Perfect!

Now, maybe by now you're wondering why we do not go to the bank to have our coins exchanged. Yes, we could always go to the bank but the exchange would take a longer time there. Read: queues and paper works. I reckon it will be much easier if we transact with a store. That is the case here.

So you bet that in my next trip to the mall, I sure will bring a heavy loot of centavo coins (which we have accumulated over time). It wouldn't amount to millions but it would be enough to buy few wants.

Fruit Of The Day: Sili

I believe peppers are fruit.

Wild

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Baby Strollers: Practicality Vs Convenience

While I think that baby prams or strollers are a parent’s must-have, would you believe that I survived (as a parent) without one?

I had actually wanted to buy one like this Bob stroller right after my son was born but after having more than a couple of discussions with my husband, I finally settled without one. Although the decision worked fine for us – it did save us some good money and dear son has learned to walk before we knew it, I still believe now that our trips to the mall in the past would have been more convenient had we gotten one for dear son.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs. They are annoying nocturnal little things that usually live on mattresses and feed off human blood.

I have been a victim to bedbugs in the past and I totally abhor them. They cause skin irritations and rashes. Don’t you just hate them?

Do you know that bed bugs come out just before dawn and bite you, sucking out blood for about five minutes? Learn more about bedbugs by clicking the link. More importantly, there are tips and tricks on how to get rid of them at that site.

Not As Effective As Ice

In one of my posts, where I wrote about tips and tricks to remedy a pimple, I mentioned about putting eye drops on a swollen zit. I had not tested it then (I mentioned it too).

But as luck would have it, about a week or so later from posting it, an angry zit found its way on my left cheek (right below my eye). It was so swollen, so red and so visible one could see it from a mile distance.

So there presented the opportunity of testing the eye drop thing. And I'm so happy to announce that I found out it's not so effective to me. Why, oh, why...I exactly have no idea. But it is not nearly as effective ice although others whom I have known were lucky enough to achieve its desired effect. So it's still Dear Ice to me.

Things To Consider Before Deciding For A Weight-loss Method

Losing weight is a rather common concern of women and there are already a lot of methods to lose weight these days. One is through oral medication i.e. Sibutramine, Phentermine, Orlistat, etc... Another is through surgical procedures. And a more natural method is through rigid exercise and proper diet –which I personally consider the safest.

Now, before you decide which method is best for you, it is always practical to assess your emotional and mental/psychological readiness. Another is one’s financial capability – if you can afford to have surgery (granting you are ready in all aspect), then go! And last but not the least, taking one’s physical readiness into consideration is very essential (the medical condition or medication you may be taking is a very crucial lead to which method is ideal for you). It is always best to consult your doctor before making a decision.

Water-saving Tips

Because I was washing (handwashing, to be specific) my son's clothes early this morning, my entry today will be about water saving. Now, I don't need to stress its importance because I'm fairly sure we're all aware of this anyway. I also will not enumerate a long list of tips -as there are always many ways to save water.

In my own little way, I just re-use water - like the water I used to rinse my son's clothes this morning. Borne out of habit, after washing clothes, I also like to clean the bathroom. Okay, you can follow where I'm going now and you're right, I save the water I used during rinsing and use this to clean the bathroom. I usually rinse the clothes 3 to 5 times with approx 10 li per rinsing, so this means (even if I have spill some) I still have enough to clean the bathroom. And you bet that's what I did this morning.

My parents, on the other hand, have their own way to save commercial water consumption. Apart from maintaining an ancient well *wink*, when it's raining, they collect rainwater by putting buckets (more than 5 buckets; and 2 of which are recycled containers that used to hold 20 li of Manual Transmission Gear Oil) around the yard. My father uses this to clean our car or wash the garage.

Fruit Of The Day: Atis

Annona squamosa or Sugar Apple


Do you know that its seeds can be processed and used as lice treatment?

13 Things In My Purse Now

This Thursday, I'm going on the easy route. *lazy smile* I'll just do a quick inventory of my bag. *yawn, yawn*

So here goes:

1) Sunglasses

2) iPod Touch

3) A packet of wet tissue

4) Phone

5) Baby Cologne

6) Hairbrush

7) Coin purse

8) A box of Clorets

9) Flash drive

10) Burt's Bees Carrot Night creme

11) Nesvita Cereal Milk Drink

12) A packet of Graham crackers

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Blogging Tips

A friend of mine, who is interested to try out the new media revolution, otherwise known as blogging, asked me about the things one need to know before getting himself in “blogging waters.”

My quick reply was “nothing.” Blogging is relatively easy that anyone can do it ( come to think of it, I’ve even heard of elementary students who are already into blogging!). On the second thought, I had to tell him to be ready that he’ll eventually get addicted to it. But seriously, I told him that it would practical to get his own domain name if he has plans to monetize a blog. I think it will save him the nitty-gritty stuff of transferring and building PR again. Lastly, he could opt to host on his own but forewarned him that choosing a webhost should be carefully decided to avoid blogging catastrophes like unexpected downtimes, etc... It's really ideal to look around first, read reviews and check services offered before deciding which best web hosting provider is good for you.

Green

Green is so commonplace.
Green is boring.
It is the color I see when I peek outside our windows.
It is the color of our curtains at the moments.

Yes, green is so boring.
It is all around me.
But green means life.
Abundance. Productivity. Growth.

Green is clean.

It reminds me that I need not think green (*smirk*)
Or feel green all the time (*grin*).

I love green.

Caring Tips For Pearls

If you're looking for "safe" jewelries, go for pearls. On a job interview or when working, you might not be taken seriously if you bedazzle your employer or client with glittering and imposing jewelry pieces. Pearls to me speaks of class and simplicity.

I heard someone say that if diamonds are forever then pearls are a timeless fashion statement. I agree -pearls never goes out of style. That's why caring for these timeless jewelry pieces (not to mention delicate) are important and careful handling is a must (avoid dropping them please).

When using pearl jewelries, it is best to put them on AFTER you are done applying lotion, spraying perfume/cologne and even putting on make-up.

Clean them after use to keep perspiration salt and body oil from ruining them.

To clean, wipe them with soft cotton cloth or scratch-free cloths. Never brush or use metal picks to remove dirt lodged in between the gap of the metal base and the stone.

You could use water but never with any other cleanser such as detergents, shampoos, toothpaste, lemon juice, vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, chlorine as the harsh chemicals may damage the pearl.

After cleaning, let the pearls dry before stowing them away. Do not use artificial heat for this.

To keep their surface from getting rubbed and scratched, it it best to store each pieces separately in a pouch (cloth or ziploc plastic). And do not just them inside the pouch - for earrings, pin them on a lint-free non abrasive cloth. For a bracelet, to keep its parts touching each other, one can make a homemade shaper out of a styro -put this in between.

- These tips and tricks may also be applicable for other gemstones-

I'm Going To Go Bankrupt Because Of These Diamond Jewelries

I’ve always been amazed at how things have changed with the advent of internet. When before I’d spend much time just to pay bills, now I can do it online. Booking, banking, shopping or whatnot –with just few taps on the keyboard and mouse clicks, one could do and accomplish things so easily at this time and age.

And I think, it is easier to spend your money and go bankrupt too.

I actually thought of that while looking at the various styles of diamond rings displayed in one of the jewelry stores online, which is dedicated to help anyone find the jewelry of their dreams and choice. Ah, oh how I salivate at these jewelry pieces. Okay, I’ve always been practical and simple but who can resist a diamond? Didn’t someone say that diamonds are a girl’s bestfriend? Diamond rings. Diamond studs. Diamond earrings. Diamond, diamond, diamond everywhere! But not only diamonds, there are other equally enticing gemstones available too - from like Ruby, Pearl, Sapphire, Garnet, Topaz and so much more. Didn’t I just tell you about going bankrupt?

But for your jewelry needs, you could try searching there. For everyone’s online shopping convenience, they have devised a way to simplify everything so that one can shop by product, material and price. It's really so easy and the products are extensive. There really are a wide variety of jewelry pieces to choose from – necklaces, rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc…You just click, click and I’m sure they will have something to suit your jewelry needs.

Happy Me

Apart from brushing the teeth, most of us use a mouthwash to control plaque build-up and keep our breath fresh.
But for quite a long time, I felt a little uneasy washing my mouth. They all sting! There's even a particular brand which I've tried before that I think only masochists patronize. It is so strong and stings so bad that even if you dilute it 1:1, it still have a "bite." BTW, the 1:1 there means 1 drop of mouthwash is to 1 gallon of water! Sad, huh?

But now, there's a product that is making me happy. As in happy. It contains no alcohol and doesn't sting one bit. It's just a little more than water -oh but I guess it's more effective than water. :-) But it's so neutral to the taste, I could use it undiluted. I'll not say the brand but it's from Pascual Laboratories (that should be enough clue.)

Anyway, are you looking for a natural breath freshener? Chew on parsley. Uh-oh, if you thought you have no use of the garnished parsley on your plate, you have another thought coming. I have tried it - many times (I'm so forgetful I always fail to bring my toothbrush or breath mints when dining out). Good thing most of the time, I always find chopped parsley on the served dishes. Indeed, parsley has saved me many times.

Oh lastly, these mouths are not part of me.

Organic Skin Care Ingredients

I really have a soft spot for anything organic and natural- from food to products I and my family use. I think I have been pretty obvious about it from the start. In fact a number of posts about natural skin care can be found on this blog. For me, the more natural a product, the better. And it also goes without saying that to me, the lesser chemical we can get contact with, the better *paranoid mom mode*

But seriously, I believe that Mother Nature has abundantly blessed us with bits and pieces we can use to heal, soothe, refresh and cleanse us everyday. It’s around us, we only need to look. And in my looking, I discovered one ingredient that I now love: Carrot Oil. I mentioned it before and in fact I made a T13 post about carrots because I am amazed at the benefit one could get from carrot oil.

Do you know that carrot oil offers better skin protection than a sunscreen? Because it contains carotenoids (Beta-carotene is a single carotenoid), which are antioxidants that are found to reduce damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. It helps the skin combat the damaging effect of UVR by improving the skin’s immunity. I even found an article about saying that carrots is an unparalleled source of antioxidants (with its hundreds of carotenoids). Moreover, carrot oil contains Vitamin E.

Another favorite organic skin care ingredient I so love is lemon (uh-oh, I also dedicated a T13 post for this *smile*) . Lemon oil is an antiseptic thus, it is commonly added in astringents. It also contains clarifying agents that help removes dead cells and reduces freckles for a clearer brighter skin. At present, there are a lot of beauty products such as Dr. Hauschka products that already use lemon oil as 100% natural ingredient. Personally I prefer products that are fragrance free but even if lemon-based products are not, the refreshing and stimulating scent of lemon is well-received by my olfactory gland. But then lemon is not an aromatherapy ingredient for nothing.

Having Fun Online

When I first started blogging my only intention was just to blog and to write about our life and what’s going on in it (not that mine is super exciting like that of the Hollywood stars). I’ve gotten quite so hooked with it.

But anyway, when I first started, I had no idea about blog ads or that it is possible to make money online. I never really know that eventually, I’d venture into writing paid posts.

But I have. And for almost a year now. I have started first with only one paid blogging site. This one is the PayPerPost, the paid blogging site of IZEA – an innovative web-based company that has become a leader in social media marketing and has lately introduced a blog marketing site SocialSpark –a site that offers paid post, sponsorship, and even product sampling (I am not doing work for it here but I have this in my other blog). And as I’ve said in my other blog, it has been a rollercoaster ride for me. And one that needed extreme balancing act – what with the paid blogging sites that I have become connected with. Also, since I have a family to take care of and then I have a regular job, too! But so far, the experience is a good one. I’m truly blessed -although I still don't have millions from blogging.

More About Exercise

Exercise is good for everyone. Apart for the fact that we need to sweat since perspiration acts as our body's temperature regulator, sweating also helps to get rid of toxins from our body.

Among other benefits, exercise improves blood circulation and reduces stress. But when engaging in an exercise, make sure to listen to what your body say. Do you feel dizzy? Are you short of breath? Is your muscles swollen? Is there pain, numbness or uneven heart rate?

It is important to talk and consult your doctor about the proper exercise regimen for you.

Sweat It!

Aerobic exercise is good for our cardiovascular system. It strengthens the heart muscle and other muscles involved in breathing. It also improves blood circulation, reduces blood pressure and increases the red blood cells in our bodies.

Examples of aerobic exercise are bicycling, running, walking (brisk walking) and swimming. Using the treadmills and ellipticals at home or in the gym are alternative to running and bicycling. All of these can be done by anyone anytime but ideally, a certain exercise may be done 3 times a week a day apart. As with other exercises, an aerobic exercise requires a warm-up and a cool-down sessions before and after its performance.

You Just Wait...

In one of my TT visits, I saw that one Thirteeners made a summary of the 57 reviews she made on books. I was so amazed. Imagine to have made 57 reviews, that’s something. It’s really awesome!

It certainly reminded me of the books I have in the office and at home that sorely needs my attention. I love to read and I painfully miss reading but this has got to wait until my language exam is over.

13 Things You Can Find In My Room

Interior designers, beware! What you will see next won't be fitting to your aesthetic senses. Really, I think 13 Tips And Tricks To Make Your Room Stressful would make a very fitting title instead.

1. Okay, our Q-sized bed is not a stressful fixture. On the contrary, I think - with eyes shut- it is the most comforting piece we have in our room. But with eyes wide open, from this soft bed, one can see everything that is stressful and NOT RIGHT around... such as...

2. My PC from the Jurassic Age. (My husband does but) I. do. not. own. a. laptop. yet! *shocking*

3. A lavender ribbon tied on one of the handles of our wardrobe cabinet. *head shaking* It's either someone - whoever it was- must be frustrated with his/her hair. Or someone so drunk got in the room and mistook a door handle for her hair! I refuse to accept the possibility that someone very normal thought that like the hair, prettifying a door handle with a ribbon is cool....

4. Pandora's Box? What secrets could be locked in there.

5. Mickey Mouse just committed suicide by the curtain handle and...

6. ...of course, Minnie Mouse has to join Mickey's suicide! Que horror!

7. From #6, notice the open-ended curtain rod. One can always torture entertain himself with deducting when that rod is going to fall -it's a great thought before going to sleep.

8. Spiderman lives in our house! Do spiders dwell in the corners of this room too? Such a comforting question!

9. The Solar System to free the imagination. It's a good mind exercise to calculate for the probability that planets will collide. It ensures that one is wide awake when the baby asks for milk.

10. And here's the counting chart to remind you, just in case, to count the moons or stars or money in your sleep.

11. Toys fighting for a space in the laundry basket. (I'm sharing the room with my son). Does this imply that soiled clothes are piled under the bed?

12. But for once let's forget about the laundry because I'm grooming a basketball star! Grant Hill here we come.

13. The Holy Family to help ward off negative thoughts (because I am sure there will be lots!)

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