Random Thoughts

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
- A Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
- The Stranger by Harlan Coben
- Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber
- The Things you Kissed Goodbye by Leslie Conor
- Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
- Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Currently Reading: You are Here by Jennifer E. Smith

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
- The 100 Series in Netflix
- XMen Movies

What special days did I celebrate and how?
- My birthday!
- BIL's birthday

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
-

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
- Celebrated by birthday at Regina Rica in Tanay, Rizal!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
- Nikuya Japanese Restaurant
- Abe Restaurant for BIL's birthday
- Regina Rica

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
- Bought a Wrap Top for myself

What have you learned this month?
-

A Four-step Beauty Routine Even Busy Moms Can Do By: Trisha Bautista

Once you’re a mom, life can get pretty hectic. Especially when you’re taking care of your child/ren yourself, without an extra hand. Often, things like skincare and makeup routines get pushed to the backseat because you simply don’t have time to do it.

However, if you’re feeling extra un-fab, it might be a good idea to take the time to do things for yourself, even if it’s just putting on a bit of makeup, fixing your kilay, or putting on a red lipstick.

Here’s a five-minute beauty routine you can squeeze into your day—especially because you can spread it out over your morning errands!

1. The base

Apply a light base all over after you apply your usual sun screen and moisturizer. To keep your look light and natural, a BB or CC cream in a sponge compact is a good alternative to foundation. A good BB or CC cream evens out your skin tone and any red areas without being too heavy on the skin. Application’s a breeze, too.

2. The brows

Brows play a big role in your makeup look—it defines your eyes and your face, while making you look a little more polished. This can take a little longer to apply, but if you practice, you’ll be an expert in no time. A brow pen like K-Pallete’s 24-hour Tattoo eyebrow pen is perfect for on-the-go moms, because you don’t have to be as meticulous as when you’re applying brows using a powder. Fill in eyebrows with short, feathery strokes for a natural effect. No need to worry about re-touching throughout the day, because it really does stay on for 24 hours.

3. The glow

We all know blush is used to highlight cheekbones, but with the new trend of Korean beauty that advocates a fresh, dewy look, highlighter has gotten more popular, too. Highlighter is basically a shimmery powder that you add over your blush, on your parts that catch the light. Add a peachy blush to the fleshy part of your cheeks. Dust a highlighter like MAC’s Soft + Strobe on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow (that line between your nose and upper lip) to finish off. You will be getting lots of compliments for glowing skin!

4. The lip

Skip the eyeliner if you’re in a rush, or if you don’t have much time at the end of the day. Opt for a nice lipstick instead. A nice peachy one a few shades darker than your skin tone is a nice go-to, or if you want a bit of a pop, go for a burgundy or wine colored lipstick. Check out Maybelline’s line of natural tones, or Happy Skin’s line of nude and pink lippies.

SOURCE.

A couple of weeks ago, Hubby and I went to this beautiful place in Anilao, Batangas to spend our anniversary. Here's a preview.

A beautiful lobby. Yes, WOW!


So watch out for the posts and photos soon! (*wink*)(*wink*)

Look, another package arrived a couple of months ago and look at what the happy kiddoes got from Grandma Yolly...

Oh these trader joe's are just the B.E.S.T.!

So, yes kiddoes and adults were happy after getting Grandma's packages! ♥♥♥

Happiness is...

1. Happy and Relaxing Weekend
2. Bonding with Kids
3. Movie Night
4. Grocery Time
5. Minimalism
6. Simplying Life by Bo Sanchez
7. New and Unexpected Blessings!
8. More travels soon!
9. Long weekends
10. Working out

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Anyone has tried this already?

I asked my kids if I can have this. HA! Have you tried this? I hope it's good!

Here's another very nice article I came across the other day... Enjoy!

7 Habits of Highly Effective Moms from MomCenter.com.ph

The first version of the 7 habits of highly effective people that I read was the one for teens, written by Sean Covey’s son, Stephen. While I may not have been mature enough the absorb the entire book at the time, there were concepts that stuck with me until adulthood. As a woman juggling numerous roles as a wife, mother, editor, and entrepreneur, I am now constantly on the search for tools that will help me to be the best version of myself for the people I care about, and for the work that I do.

Here is how I believe I can apply the principles of Sean Covey for highly effective people on my life now as a mom.

1. Be Proactive

“We’re in charge. We choose the scripts by which to live our lives. Use this self-awareness to be proactive and take responsibility for your choices”

In this chapter, Covey makes the distinction between individuals who are reactive and those who are proactive. Reactive people have a passive stance on life. They believe that ultimately things happen to them and that there isn’t anything they can do about it. They believe the problem is out there, that they are victimized and out of control.

A reactive mom might say, “there’s nothing I can do about my inability to manage our household budget. I am bad with money, and that is just the way I am.”

A proactive mom might say, “I might be bad at managing money, but I can improve on this by getting advice from financial experts, reading books on financial literacy, and on using tools (apps, etc.) to help me with track expenses and create realistic budgets for our family.

A proactive mom will realize that while life is full of experiences with elements we cannot control, the way we will react to it is within our control. This is what Sean Covey calls “response-ability.”

“It is our willing permission, our consent to what happens to us, that hurts us far more than what happened to us in the first place.” -Stephen Covey


2. Begin with the end in mind.

“Start with a clear destination in mind. Covey says we can use our imagination to develop a vision of what we want to become and use our conscience to decide what values will guide us.”

“Habit 2 suggests that, in everything we do, we should begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear destination. That way, we can make sure the steps we’re taking are in the right direction.”

As moms, our days are full of household tasks, child care, work, and a seemingly endless list of errands. It would be easy for us to get overwhelmed, impatient, and desperate. But if at the beginning and at the end of each day, we remind ourselves about the kind of mothers we truly want to be, this will help us to deal with the small stresses we experience everyday, giving all that we do a higher purpose.

3. Put First Things First

“In order to manage ourselves effectively, we must put first things first. We must have the discipline to prioritize our day-to-day actions based on what is most important, not what is most urgent.”

As moms juggling many roles, our days may change on a regular basis. Thus it is so important for us to learn how to prioritize in such a way that we are not doing through our days responding to every single need the crops up.

Given, if we are the sole caregivers of our children, we cannot necessarily ask a baby to wait if she is hungry or her diapers need to be changed. But we can plan efficiently for the moments our hands are free–such as when our babies are sleeping, or when or when we know a trusted babysitter will be available. By being wise about our free time and knowing exactly what to do during those precious hours.

Covey goes further and provides a quadrant that makes distinctions about time, suggesting that we should dedicate our free time on two types of tasks: those that are 1) urgent and important, and 2) important but not urgent.

As moms, the needs of our children all under the items that are urgent and important, while planning one’s day, organizing our households, and other tasks of similar nature fall under the “important but not urgent” category.

4. Think Win-Win

“In order to establish effective interdependent relationships, we must commit to creating Win-Win situations that are mutually beneficial and satisfying to each party.”

Women are relational beings, and a huge aspect of our overall happiness is the status of our relationships, and Covey believes that in order to take care of them we should always try to strive towards creating mutually beneficial relationships.

We can apply this principle when we are speaking with our spouses, colleagues, household help, and even our children. The challenge here would be to be discerning about when to apply the principle of win-win to our children, because we are also meant to discipline our children…and often this may mean they do not understand that you have their best interests in mind when you reprimand them.

5. Seek first to understand, and then be understood.

“Before we can offer advice, suggest solutions, or effectively interact with another person in any way, we must seek to deeply understand them and their perspective through empathic listening.”

As women with good intentions, it is often difficult for us to hear a person out before offering advice. But we must remind ourselves that we cannot offer genuine help if we don’t know what the person really needs. As moms, this is just as crucial to all of our relationships, especially the most important ones–with our spouses and children.

6. Synergize.

“By understanding and valuing the differences in another person’s perspective, we have the opportunity to create synergy, which allows us to uncover new possibilities through openness and creativity.”

For moms, synergizing can simply mean teamwork. By working as a team, we are able to harness the different talents and perspectives of the different members of our household, and of our colleagues at work.

Synergizing teaches us, as moms, to value differences (because not all of our family members think the same way we do), encourage openness, and catalyze creativity when it comes to solving problems that affect our family.

7. Sharpen the saw.

“To be effective, we must devote the time to renewing ourselves physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially. Continuous renewal allows us to synergistically increase our ability to practice each habit.”

Just because we are moms, it doesn’t mean that is all that we are. We cannot allow ourselves to become stagnant in our personal growth. While becoming a mother does make all these challenging in terms of finding the energy and time, becoming a mother also does give us an extra motivation to become excellent in every aspect of our lives–simply because we want to set a good example to our own children.

SOURCE.

A couple of months ago I took an opportunity to go out on a date wih my kiddo. I've been craving for grilled cheese for quite sometime now so we decided to try UCC clockwork.

It's been months since I wanted to try UCC's grilled cheese so finally, I was able to!

We stayed for a couple of minutes just bonding and talking. And look at the photos that my kid took.





She has a future with photography, don't you think? (*grin*)

I had an opportunity to spend a quick me time a couple of months ago and I decided to have dinner at Mary Grace Cafe. I had this great pasta and hot chocolate (of course!).

I'm just disapointed that this one was not that good like I remember it. Too bad! Even the hot chocolate was not that special anymore.

Hmm, I wonder why!?

But I enjoyed my me time immensely and was able to catch up on my reading. ♥

Happiness is...

1. Happy Weekend!
2. Long Naps
3. Outdoor Activities
4. Family
5. Movie Nights
6. Freshly Brewed Coffee from Starbucks
7. Photos
8. Packages
9. Minimalism Articles ♥
10. New eBooks

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Thank you to our dear kids for this awesome letter! ♥♥♥

Here's another wonderful article for us parents...

Raising Compassionate Kids in a Modern World by Nina Malanay of MomCenter.com.ph

Raising compassionate children in this fast-paced, competitive, and indifferent world is by no means a small feat. In this age of entitlement when children are unconsciously led to believe that they are special and deserving of every privilege, it is easy for children to grow up selfish and narcissistic. It is becoming increasingly rare to see children who have the ability to look beyond oneself, think about others, and empathize with others.

But in a world with so much hatred and turmoil, where it is more convenient to look the other way and be apathetic to what is going on around us, it is more important now, more than ever, to raise children who are kind and compassionate.

Children have a natural, inborn capacity for compassion. But because their empathy must compete with limited impulse control and the egocentrism that all young children go through, combined with widely accepted messages of indifference and self-centeredness that society conveys to them, children are not likely to learn compassion on their own. This means that you, as parent, have to make an extra effort to instill this value in your child. Here are some ways to foster compassion among children in this crazy world.

Recognize kindness.

When you see your child doing small acts of kindness, call attention to it by saying something like, “That was very kind of you to share the cupcake you got from your classmate’s party with your brother.” Teach him to empathize by making him think about how the other person feels. Say something like, “How do you think it made your brother feel when you brought home a cupcake from school and he didn’t have any? How did sharing it with him make him feel?” Make your child realize that being kind to others makes other people happy, while bringing joy to oneself too.

Be careful not to praise your child too much though, especially for ordinary things that are actually expected of him like thanking the waiter who served your food, or the greeting the guard who opens the door for you. Overpraising can distract kids from thinking about others because it brings the attention back to themselves.

Live compassionately.

Kids see it all. Even if you think they are not paying attention, they easily catch what you do and say. Make sure your actions and behaviors are in line with what you are preaching. Your child’s ability to care about others must be cultivated in their early years and be a part of your day to day family life. It’s not enough that you distribute food packs to street children one day and ignore them the rest of the year. Kindness and compassion must be ingrained into their lives so it becomes part of their character. By living compassionately yourself, you are sending a powerful message to your children, a message of kindness and empathy that your children will internalize in their own lives.

Talk about compassion in action.

Children learn about compassion by seeing it in action, but when parents talk about acts of compassion purposefully, children get the message that it is a valued trait in the family. Search for examples of compassion in action as you watch TV or movies. Point out compassionate acts depicted in news articles, stories, in social media, or even in your day to day experiences. Take every opportunity to have a dialogue about instances where compassion was shown – or should have been shown. Doing so will affirm the importance of living compassionately and its impact on one’s experiences and on others.

Start with small compassionate acts and make kindness a habit.

It’s easy to feel that nothing we do will make a difference in this deeply troubled world. The key is to start small. Encourage acts of compassion in your family. Get a family pet for your children to care for – or better yet, adopt one that has been abused or neglected. Console a sibling who is upset. Practice good manners. Do not tolerate rude behavior (even if you think it’s cute when your 18-month old throws shoes at you). Share a sandwich with a classmate who forgot her baon. Ban name-calling. Encourage your child to play with your new neighbor who has no playmates. Let your child come with you when you visit a friend whose loved one just died. Hold on to the thought that “no kindness no matter how small goes unnoticed”.

Develop a helping mindset.

Compassion starts with empathy and a strong desire to help. In separate studies by Dr. David Schonfeld of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Dr. Michael Tomasello of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, both concluded that children are naturally inclined to be altruistic – the desire to help is innate. As parents, therefore, it is our job to nurture this altruistic nature of children so that it becomes a lifelong habit.

For most children, the habit of helping starts with doing chores at home. Kids should understand early on that helping out is expected of them simply because it is the right thing to do. As children grow older and become more attuned to the world around them, encourage them to help other people too. Encourage them to help your neighbor carry her stuff, or open the door for his teacher at school. Buy cookies or biscuits to keep in the car for them to give to street children. Take every opportunity to point out people in need and ask “How can we help?”

Monitor media.

Mainstream and social media are corrupted with violence, hatred and self-centeredness. Try as we may, it is simply not possible to filter everything out. It can, however, be a powerful tool for teaching compassion, so use it to your advantage. Watch TV with your kids and monitor the websites they visit on the Internet. If the characters on TV are hitting each other or calling each other names, point it out and talk about why it isn’t showing a good example of kindness and compassion. Children don’t just watch TV; they internalize it, so be aware of what values and attitudes they are acquiring.

Provide opportunities to practice compassion.

Some parents worry that introducing children to life’s harsh realities might be too upsetting for them. But the reverse is actually true. When children are made aware of others’ hardships, they come to appreciate what they have and develop feelings of pride about being able to help someone.

Compassion cannot be learned by simply talking about it, children need to see it in action.

They learn compassion when they experience giving without gaining anything in return, when they get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in the shoes of those who are in need, when they comfort someone who is suffering, when they are able to do something tangible to help alleviate the burden of others.

As a family, engage in activities that encourage compassion. Join fun-runs to support charity. Volunteer your time in charitable institutions like orphanages or homes for the aged. Hold a garage sale and use the proceeds to buy something for a family in need.

Having them experience compassion first-hand also allows them to see the impact of their action on those they are helping. They also get to experience the emotions associated with compassion such as caring, empathy, joy and satisfaction, which further reinforces the value.

Celebrate each person’s uniqueness.

Exposing children to the real world while they are still young opens up not only their world, but also their understanding of each person’s uniqueness and individuality. This gives them the tools they need to be comfortable around people who are different from them – people of different race and skin color, people of a different religion, children with special needs, and individuals with unconventional sexual orientation.

Cultivate a culture of acceptance, tolerance and love for all of God’s creations. When your child asks questions, for example, about why the child sitting across your table in the restaurant is in a wheelchair, don’t be dismissive or shush them out of fear that the child’s family can hear you and might be offended. Instead, answer her question honestly and encourage her to approach the child to say hi. Continuously nurturing this outlook will help them grow up with the mindset that celebrates people’s differences.

These are crazy times we are living in. As parents, it is easy to feel that our efforts to teach our child kindness and compassion are trumped each and every day by forces bigger than us – TV, social media and the world in general. But the fact that we live in these times, in this hostile and troubled world, is all the more reason for us to remain steadfast in the values we uphold – the values we want our children to live by, the values this broken world needs more of.

“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” – L.R. Knost

SOURCE.

ATTENTION everyone!

LOL!

I know! That's my little girl trying to find her toy which has been missing for days (but it looks like she feels like it is missing for a year now!). Makes me want to laugh out loud just by seeing this photo.

Our little girl, never fails to make us smile and she definitely brightens up our day! ♥♥♥

If you have small kids I'm sure you are familiar with these candies...

Sooo, I've tried the grass and surprisingly it was gooood! LOL!

How about you? Have you tried anything from this selection? (*grin*)

Happiness is...

1. Relaxing Weekend
2. Bonding with Family over Lunch
3. Abe Restaurant and Yummy foooood!
4. Movie Night is back!
5. Unexpected laugnters
6. Hugs and Kisses
7. Freshly Brewed Coffee
8. Family ♥
9. Music and Photos
10. Exercise

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Yes, it's been awhile since I had a new loot. This one is a gift from my sister...

Look!

Isn't it a cutie? A smiggle watch! Thank you, thank you for my sister for bringing it from Sydney. Definitely LOVE! ♥♥♥

We have a beautiful day isn't it?

Lets dance this day away...

Feel Your Most Beautiful—Without Makeup! by Mich Lagdameo

For a lot of moms, putting on a face for the day is a daily ritual—me time and a confidence booster in one! Every mama has her hacks and go-to’s for products and techniques, honed by years of experimenting and practice. Truly, makeup recommendations and routines are favorite topics when moms get together and talk turns to all things kikay.

Now, far be it from us to tell you to stop wearing makeup, especially since we know its benefits are beyond skin-deep. But there are also ways to feel radiantly beautiful without relying on your usual foundations and lipsticks! Some mamas might not have the time or inclination to stick to a makeup routine, or maybe others want to shake things up a little by trying something new. Either way, these makeup-free tips can supplement your existing beauty regimen (or help you start a new, low-commitment one).

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

More than moisturizer, you need to quench your skin’s thirst from the inside! Make sure you load up on water and healthy juices daily. Keep a bottle of water close by and keep chugging, especially if you’re still breastfeeding. Dehydration definitely shows on your face: fine lines seem deeper, eye bags are darker, and skin is duller. Drinking enough water keeps skin cells healthy—which means glowing, more radiant skin sans makeup!

Frame your face right.

It’s a common beauty tip: the eyes are the windows to the soul, so it is important to have amazing eyebrows! As beauty junkies love to say, “Kilay is life!” Even before you subscribe to liners, powders, and pencils, make sure your eyebrows are expertly shaped. Invest in a professional waxing or threading session you can maintain yourself later on. If you feel you need to, research on micro-blading or other eyebrow enhancing services. Perfectly-shaped arches make your face look more “done” even if you don’t have a spot of makeup on.

Keep lips healthy.

Dry and chapped lips are never attractive, and lipstick won’t help if your blank canvas isn’t 100 percent. Always buff and scrub lips with a wet toothbrush and apply a hydrating lip balm or moisturizer before sleeping. Lighter lip balms during the day keep your lips plump and kissable too.

De-fuzz regularly.

Facial hair is a definite no-no if you want to try the natural, no-makeup look. Having a baby affects your hormones, and some moms notice an increase in unwanted facial hair once they’ve given birth. Look into safe and easy ways of removing facial fuzz, whether professionally or at home. Ridding yourself of excess facial hair exposes your clear and beautiful natural skin!

Keep blood flowing.

Even ancient cultures believed in regular massages to keep healthy blood flow. Look up ways you can massage your face yourself post-shower to maintain good circulation, which will be noticeable as a healthy flush and a less-tired look. Some rely on facial rollers or massagers to stimulate blood flow to the face.

Makeup is never a bad thing, but there’s no harm in trying ways to feel extra pretty without layering some on! These tips are natural, simple ways you can feel confident and ready to face the world, so why not give them a try?

SOURCE.

Last January, we had a quick road trip / getaway in Tagaytay. We were invited for lunch by our good friends from CFC so we happily braved the traffic and enjoyed the fresh Tagaytay breeze.

We love, love this home so much. We just feel very at home whenever we are in this house.

Homey? Isn't it?

And look at the garden!


This is definitely my dream home.

We were so, so happy to see our good friends again and happy to be able to spend time with them again. ♥♥♥

Our now favorite ramen of all time would be - Ramen Nagi!!!

Yes, we've been eating at Ramen Nagi for several times now. We just love, love the ramen here!


Of course, my little brother who loves it too decided to spend his birthday dinner here too.


So, we were ecstatic! Just look at our excited and happy faces. (*grin*)


Fun night, good food and bonding with family. These are the days that I look forward to everyday! ♥♥♥

Happiness is...

1. Another Fun Long Weekend! ♥♥♥
2. Movie Nights with Netflix
3. Wine and Popcorn
4. Another year for me. Soooo thankful!
5. Good Friends
6. Memories with the Family
7. Minimalism Film
8. New eBooks
9. Long Naps
10. Freshly Baked Brownies. Yum!

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

A couple of months ago we explored the newest mall in BGC - it's the Venice Grand Canal Mall at McKinley.

It's a pretty huge mall and I can say that I missed Macau after being in this mall!


It exactly looks like the Venetian Hotel!


We had a pretty good lunch but it was kind of hot outside so we just decided to go home right after lunch.

How to get to McKinley and Venice Grand Canal Mall?

From the North:

Option 1. From EDSA, ride a bus southbound to Baclaran or Ayala or take an MRT and go down at Ayala and look for the jeepney terminal (under MRT station) and ride those that are bound for Market Market. Get down at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKinley Road and look for jeepneys bound for FTI Gate 3. This will pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 2. From EDSA, ride a bus southbound to Baclaran or Ayala or take an MRT and go down at Ayala and look for the bus terminal of TheFort buses (at the gate of Forbes across Shell Station) bound for Fort Bonifacio. These are air-conditioned buses that go around Fort Bonifacio. Get down at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKinley Road and look for jeepneys bound for FTI Gate 3. This will pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 3. From EDSA, ride a bus southbound to Baclaran or Ayala or take an MRT and go down at Guadalupe. There are jeepneys in Gaudalupe that are bound for AFP Housing and Fort Bonifacio. You can ride either of the two, both of those routes pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 4. From the C5 area, ride an FX or jeepney going to Kalayaan Avenue and go down at the intersection of Kalayaan and C5 (this is called "Buting"). There are jeepneys bound for Market Market from that corner. From Market Market, ride the jeepney that is bound for FTI/Gate 3, these jeepneys pass by McKinley Hill.


From the South:

Option 1. From EDSA, ride a bus northbound to Fairview or Monumento or take an MRT and go down at Ayala and look for the jeepney terminal (under MRT station) and ride those with signboard McKinley-Fort-Bonifacio-Gate 2 that are bound for Market Market. Get down at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKinley Road and look for jeepneys bound for FTI Gate 3. This will pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 2. From EDSA, ride a bus northbound to Fairview or Monumento or take an MRT and go down at Ayala and look for the bus terminal of TheFort buses (at the gate of Forbes across Shell Station) bound for Fort Bonifacio. These are air-conditioned buses that go around Fort Bonifacio. Get down at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKinley Road and look for jeepneys bound for FTI Gate 3. This will pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 3. From EDSA, ride a bus northbound to Fairview or Monumento or take an MRT and go down at Guadalupe. There are jeepneys in Gaudalupe that are bound for AFP Housing and Fort Bonifacio. You can ride either of the two, both of those routes pass by McKinley Hill.

Option 4. From EDSA, ride a bus northbound to Fairview or Monumento or take an MRT and go down at Magallanes. Walk towards the San Lorenzo Place Showroom at the corner of Pasong Tamo. Look for the bus/FX terminal which are bound for McKinley Hill.

Venice Grand Canal Mall at McKinley
Address: Cluster B, McKinley Hill Garden Villas, Upper McKinley Rd, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila, Philippines
Hours: Open today · 11AM–11PM
Phone: +63 915 848 5447

Do you feel young today? Let's dance!

♪♪ We are young, let the LOVE free your mind... ♪♪
♪♪ And I wanna wake up where you are... ♪♪

9 Small Changes You Can Make to Be A Healthier Mama by Trisha Bautista of Mumcenter.com


Sometimes, being a mom, taking care of your kids and home full time, working full time, juggling QT with your partner, all while also giving yourself some me-time, just seems impossible to balance. Often, setting aside time to exercise or eat healthier is something that’s even harder to commit to. However, aiming to get healthier doesn’t always have to involve quick fixes, putting in hours at the gym, or going on a strict diet. Doing these little tweaks can go a long way for your health—physically and mentally.

1. Wake up early.

Various studies show that waking up has many benefits, and allow you to practice other things that add to your well being. For starters, waking up early allows you to have a slower morning, avoiding stress and the mad dash that happens when you wake up with little time to prepare for your day. A rushed morning often leaves more room for forgetting things, skipping a meal, and even missing meetings at work, making the rest of your day stressful, too. Waking up early allows you more time to take a leisurely bath, a morning cup of coffee, and even some time for exercise.

2. Have a daily dose of morning sunshine.

Vitamin D is essential for us, because it gives us much of the calcium we need. Getting enough vitamin D means we get a lot of calcium, which strengthens our bones. It also helps protect us against chronic diseases later in life such as osteoporosis, Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis and many common cancers. It also boosts our serotonin, otherwise known as our happy hormone. Wake up earlier and have your morning cup of coffee under the sun and fresh air for 15 minutes to boost your mood and energy levels throughout the day.

3. Eat breakfast!

Even if you’re not used to having breakfast in the morning, get into the habit of eating something at the start of the day. It doesn’t have to mean a full rice meal—a healthy smoothie will do. It will power you throughout the day, manage your sugar levels, and prevent a heavy lunch, which can actually do more harm than good. Plus, making breakfast a regular thing also lets you squeeze in some family time before everyone goes off to work or school.

4. Eat protein for lunch.

According to studies, a protein-rich lunch will give you enough energy to power through the rest of the day sans the sugar crash brought on by a carb-rich meal. Protein will give you energy without causing your sugar levels to soar and then crash (the way carbs do, which is why we often feel sluggish after a carb fest), so ditch the instant noodles or pasta when you want to avoid a sluggish afternoon. Stick to chicken, beef, or pork viands, and pair it with a simple salad or brown rice.

5. Take the stairs.

Lets face it—it’s not easy to find time to get moving when you’re a mom. Give your body regular physical activity by simply taking the stairs wherever you go—if you live in a condo, take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you live on a high floor, then take the elevator three to four flights of stairs below wherever you need to go. You can do the same at work—you’ll be surprised at how good physical activity feels first thing in the morning!

6. Ditch the sugary drinks.

Sugary drinks are just not doing you any good. Ditch the soda (they’re loaded with sugar and deteriorate your teeth), the powdered juices (they’re basically colored sugar), and creamy, sweet shakes and coffee drinks. Wean yourself from your sweet tooth by cutting out anything other than water, black coffee, or tea as a beverage for two weeks. Your tongue and your taste buds will adjust easier than you think!

7. Go on a social media detox

Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to other people’s lives? In the age of social media, we’re bombarded with glimpses of other people’s lives, often leaving us a little jealous or feeling like their lives are better than yours. Have a regular social media detox to prevent negativity, and allow yourself to live in the moment! Go on a social media detox on the weekends to maximize family time.

8. Put on some makeup…for no reason.

Feeling extra haggard, stressed, and unglamorous? Put on some makeup (or extra makeup) to give yourself a little boost. Many women feel prettier and more confident with their makeup of choice, so treat yourself to at least some kilay and a pretty lippie—even if you’re just going to be sitting at your desk all day. Actually, even if you’re just staying home all day.

9. Take some time off.

Take advantage of your vacation leaves! Most of us like to save them for a long holiday, but give yourself one “free” vacation day, even if you aren’t going anywhere. Just take a day off to go to the salon, go shopping, or even just stay home for Netflix and chill.

SOURCE.

Well, we had a long night for the NYE celebration but the kids were still excited so we all woke up early for a quick swim.

Yes, we just couldn't get enough of the water! HA!



And look my breakfast for the first day of 2017!


Now, it is time to say goodbye to this beautiful place. Beautiful and fond memories that we will add with the kids. I'm so glad we chose this place to spend a couple of days of our vacation.

Will we go back? Definitely!