my hopes, my dreams, my loves - anything under the moon

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Mr. Greece

Yesterday was a fun, fun day at my son's Halloween Party at his playschool. I was very late! I had to bring ice cream (it was a pot luck event) and cameras of course. I didn't get to see my son introduce himself boohoo! :-( He said his name and said he's Mr. Greece! It must've been a very adorable thing to see! The parents cheered him on as they know he doesn't speak in class very much (aside from his usual one-two word phrases when the teacher asks him for something). I so hate myself for missing that moment!

I don't have the pictures now but will post as soon as I've downloaded them to my cranky desktop at home.

Echolilia

I'm subscribed to Time Magazine's updates in Facebook. They have great articles - most are socially relevant and some are actually funny articles you'd read when you want to de-stress.

This particular one caught my attention yesterday. I think mainly because I've been more exposed and a lot more open to special needs children now that my son is doing therapy. To be honest, I actually cried and it's very embarrassing because I was reading this at the office after work. Maybe it was because I had a very long day at work or maybe because I could empathize with how the father felt while taking those photos.

The Time Photo article is Echolilia: A Father's Photographic Conversation with his Autistic Son. Aside from the photos being absolutely amazing, the pictures would actually speak to you as a parent. I don't know if it made me sad or if it made me a bit happy because somehow the father was able to reach out to his special needs son without the need for complicated conversation.

The photographer also has a blog which is an interesting read. You can also see more of his photos here.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Update: Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Plan

Unfortunately, I had to stop this plan. Why? I felt my teeth really hurting every time I would drink my apple cider vinegar-honey concoction. I think it has to do with the acid in the vinegar affecting my teeth enamel. Or maybe it's time to go to the dentist to have my teeth checked. So till I get that done, I'm putting this plan on hold. Booohooo to me :-(

Monday, October 11, 2010

Day 1: Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Plan - 141 lbs

Ok, this is not a strict, formal diet or weight loss plan. This is something my sister convinced me to do. And again, I'm a sucker for new things, so I'm trying this.

I must admit I'm the usual couch potato. No exercise. Just sit, eat, watch TV, eat, work in front of the laptop, eat, then surf the net, eat, then sleep. No physical activity whatsoever. Unless you count driving as a physical activity (I drive an automatic transmission car by the way, which makes driving a non-exercise).

Some go the slimming shake-pill-tea route, but I'm afraid to try all of those because I don't have a gall bladder anymore. Yup, had mine remove 3 years ago because of nasty gall stones. I'm afraid if I take those chemical-infused slimming stuff, I would torture my liver - yuck!

My sister recommended I try the Apple Cider Vinegar concoction to lose weight. She said to pour 1-2 tsp of ACV into a glass of water then add 1-2 tsp of raw honey. Drink before each meal, 3 times a day. That's it.

I actually bought the ACV even before reading up if this concoction of hers works LOL. I bought the Bragg organic ACV (available in Healthy Options). Then the raw honey from Landmark Supermarket. Bragg organic ACV at Php139 and Cem's honey at Php60.80.
I've started taking this drink 3 times today. Taste is not bad. If you're used to lemonade, then this is just okay. Shake or mix well so the honey does not stay at the bottom of the glass.

My weight today is 141 lbs. I'm 4'11" tall (or short!). This gives me a BMI of 28.5 (overweight!). I need to lose 20 lbs because the ideal weight for my height is 94-124 lbs. Aaarrrggghh!!!

I've read some of the literature of ACV benefits on weight loss and it sounds promising. Overall, the concoction, according to a study, will result to a long term weight loss of 15lbs per year even without a change in diet - nice! Read up on ACV benefits and other home remedies here: Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

Let's see how this turns out. I'm desperate for a weight loss plan but I don't want to go through the pill route - so help me God!

Product to Try: VMV Hypoallergenics Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-Boo Balm

My kids are the usual type who'd run around the house as if they bounce on walls. The usual outcome would then be the weekly bruises, cuts, and wounds. My daughter is the "suki" of our first aid kit. I would always have a box of band-aid, a bottle of Betadine, and cotton balls handy - even during family outings where we'd have to stay overnight.

Yesterday while out window-shopping with my mama and my sister, we went inside VMV Hypoallergenics in Trinoma to check VMV Armada Face Shield. My sister desperately needs a good sunblock for her diamond peel treatment next month.

I didn't expect to see a bunch of products for babies as I thought VMV only carries makeup and adult skincare products. One product that caught my eye is The Big, Brave Boo-Boo Balm. The label says:

Validated Hypoallergenic: VH-65 (Free of all known allergens)
100% All-Types-Of-Fragrance-Free
100% Paraben + Preservative-Free
Phthalate-Free
With antibacterial, antiviral, protective properties
Non-Comedogenic
Usage, Patch + Clinically Tested
Pediatrician-tested
For Infants, Babies, Newborns 0+, even those with very dry, sensitive, atopic skin ; for Pregnant or Lactating Moms ; for Men and Women with very atopic, sensitive, allergy-prone skin

Ok, I'm sold. The product is worth Php900+ plus got it for Php725 because they have 10% discount till next week. Actually, mama got it for me because I'm so poorita this week :-(

Once I got home, my daughter (as if by fate) had an accident which gave her a nasty knee-wound. After she took her night shower, we immediately applied the balm. Verdict: Not painful at all, no sting. We still have yet to see if the product works - which means if it heals the wound in a week's time.

Product details here: VMV Hypoallergenics Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-Boo Balm

Product to Try: Anion Love Moon Pads

I have not met any woman who does not have any urinary tract infection, bacterial infection, yeast infection and any-other-infection in the V area! Every girl I knew had a problem that needed antibiotic prescription. I am not spared from this agony! Ever since I was young, I had the occasional UTI. I would even have it when I'm pregnant. I know it is scary, that's why I'd always be in the doctor's office getting myself tested and waiting for my prescription. *sigh*

Imagine my disbelief when my friend told me her mom is looking at buying a box of Anion Love Moon pads to relieve her and her entire family (4 girls in the family + my friend's mom). My reaction was "Anion what???". My second reaction was "P3,500 for a set???!!!!". That was damn expensive!!!

I researched this Anion pads on the internet and found some pretty interesting stuff. It is made of super-absorbent layers but the most important part is the negative ion strip. This strip is said to reduce or prevent several infections and inflammations and promote overall health and well-being.

To read more about the benefits of Anion Love Moon pads, go to this site -> Anion

I ordered a trial pack which I expect to receive within the week. I'm excited to try this new product and will test the product claims (not sure I can test all but will try to check some of it)!

Under a Rock

So many things, so little time!!! Had no time to post anything the past month! I know...this is not good for a newbie blogger :-(