Get that Picture-Perfect Figure: No Gym Sessions Required

From the traditional town fiesta to the trending food trip, you can tell that Filipinos sure love to eat. Since our November double celebration, I’ve been digging into more than my usual diet.

Oh, I used to be a bit behind my ideal weight. But the way things are going, I think I’ll be achieving my ideal weight in no time. Let it pass that I may go overboard in a few weeks. It is part of the joys (and guilts) of the holiday season!

The last BER months are not only the season to shop ‘til you drop. It is also the season of get-togethers (friends and family reunions) and celebrations (weddings and thanksgiving). Aside from summer (when friends flaunt an enticing tan behind the revealing swimwear), December calls for our best appearances for the year – something like a culminating presentation.

While we were nibbling our way during meetings and luncheons, we’ve accumulated some nasty folds here and there. Let’s face it, the food is just great. It’s a shame to let it go to waste. But we’re just too occupied with To Do’s that we barely have time to go to the gym. Well, I’ve got great news for you!

 It’s now possible to get rid of those excesses, fast!

  

A breakthrough technology in slimming makes it possible to remove fat cells without surgery. Yep, no needles! I personally do not want to go under the knife – unless it is a matter of life and death. And I’m sure a lot of people would appreciate some help in keeping an awesome figure less the risks.

Allura introduces its slimming and body contouring programs. Ara Mina attests to the efficiency of the slimming capsule used in Thermo-lipolysis. The treatment reduces one’s water retention capacity and hastens one’s metabolic rate back to its state when we were younger, making fat reduction more manageable. It allows her to burn 900 calories in just one session (equivalent to 5-7km of jogging). She has gotten used to the session that she can even sleep during treatment. It’s like going to the gym less the hassle. 

Allura has an array of treatments to fit different slimming and shaping needs. From specific areas like bulging tummies, cellulite-ridden thighs to flabby arms, Allura has the right treatment for it. Another treatment, Lipo Cavitation, uses ultrasound technology to break down 10mm of fat in 10 minutes. I find it unbelievable but you can go and check out the testimonial of celebrities.

You oughta check their plans now as they are on sale this season – on all programs. That’d be 50-65% savings! With these treatments, you can go in and out for a week and get your full program done in no time. Recovery is immediate, so no worries of downtimes or missing important dates while recuperating.

Prior to each session, your personal consultant will assess your condition and recommend a comprehensive treatment program to address problem needs.

I have a moderately active lifestyle trying to engage in outdoor activities as much as time and circumstances permit. I regularly have long walks and consider cleaning the house and chasing my hyperactive toddler as part of my exercise program. Sure, I can workout at the gym but I don’t even have the chance to jog in the morning.

Thanks to Allura, I will get to try their Bio Ultra Tone treatment. This particular treatment was recommended by the consultant who attended to me. I have problem areas – tummy and thighs – which needed toning. I am scheduling my appointment first thing when we return to Manila in January. Actually, excited to try it out but have to wait ‘til the holiday rush is over and things slow down at work.

102 Richwell Bldg. Mezzanine Timog Avenue, Quezon Ciy Tel: +63.352.7876 / +63.352.7679 Mobile: +63.917.8ALLURA

Read More

Come Celebrate the Climate Consciousness Week

The Climate Change Commission of the Philippines is holding a two-day conference dubbed: Creating Convergence on Climate Change. 

This initiative, in fulfillment to Proclamation No. 1776 aims to promote collaboration and cooperation in devising adaptive and preventive mechanisms for climate change. The event highlights solutions from the government agencies and non-government organizations.

The participation of the youth is highly promoted with a Youth Forum (on November 22) hoping to involve 100 to 150 young individuals to be active agents of change. The event for the youth is supported by USAID Philippines, UNICEF Philippines, The Climate Reality Project, National Youth Commission, Council for the Welfare of Children and Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation.

Itchyworms, MYMP, The Bloomfields, Letterday Story and Joey Ayala will be among the performers at the free concert on the 22nd. Looking forward to catching up in the 2nd day. I hope you can also join the celebration via Facebook and Twitter.

More details at Climate Change Consciousness Week.

Read More

Guiltless Party and Snack with Soyami!

My mood sparks my cravings. And because I tend to splurge on food cravings, I try to stay away from snacks that have the least benefit. I am actually spending, so I might as well get something good from it. That's how I look at 85% of the food I stuff into our shopping cart. Yes, I am the captain of the Cart so I get a final say on what gets in and what goes back in the shelf :D

And having heard of the healthy snack, Soyami, I just had to see for myself.

Soyami Soya Chips in Original, White Cheddar and Pizza (not in photo)

We actually had a refresher on the food pyramid when my son and I reviewed their Science lesson. It's a good thing he appreciates the value of eating good food to keep fit and he agrees that nutrient-rich food should be prioritized. We both agreed we had to cut back on candies and chips high in sodium. I taught him where to look and he now checks the nutrition info on food labels.

With Soyami, giving in to snack-time cravings are guilt-free! Soyami Soya Chips are made from real soya, no MSG and no transfat. Eating Soyami supplements my daily protein and calcium needs. And I don't have to hide it from the kids! Y'know parenting is not 'all words'. Children need mentors and parents are their primary resource. I am just thankful Soyami is now available in supermarkets.

I don't want to shortchange my kids so I try to pick heathy snacks they can both enjoy and share with friends.No, I don't feel bad serving chips for our upcoming kiddie parties. We're having a small one really soon! They always get White Cheddar :) while I stock up on the Original and Pizza, alternately.

Here are some of the snacks I've tried with Soyami Soya Chips :) Snack and party without the guilt!

Soyami with Capers

Soyami Topping on Homemade Cake

Chips for our kiddie parties :D

Soyami with Dark Espresso Beans (yum!)

Go check out Soyami at Facebook and Twitter

Read More

Understanding How Climate Change Affects the Forests

Despite a global environmental treaty in 1992 to reduce man-made emissions of greenhouse gases, the world's remaining forests are burdened with the massive and explosive carbon emissions. Although data seems inconclusive in most parts of Asia, it looks as if the Philippines generally has a collection of fragmented forests.

Greg Asner, a scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, the new system ó known as AToMS, or the Airborne Taxonomic Mapping System ó has the potential to transform how tropical forest research is conducted.

AToMS helps scientists map and evaluate biodiversity covering hectares in a day. This, compared to groundwork, will increase scientists information and enable them to see more clearly the state of forests and predict what climate change will bring in the next few years as forests continue to die around the world. We are fortunate that our forests do not experience water stress and extreme heat unlike those in Western territories. When trees die, they release the carbon dioxide they absorbed back to the atmosphere.

Recently, scientists are actually worried that more forests are dying in a pace beyond normal.

Let me share with you what I have learned in the previous weeks. The impact of climate change will continue in the next decades. Planting 1 million hectares of trees will not stop the droughts, extreme weather conditions nor the flooding. But if we continue to ignore and let our forests die, we are bound to lose species that are critically endangered that these changes in temperature can actually make them extinct.

Am not a scientist or an ecologist. But I am an outdoor enthusiast. Bundokera, is a crude term, but yes, I love the mountains. It may seem creepy to some, but I love to hear the forest sounds and feel the earth on my palm. I long to quench my thirst on the springs flowing freely and endlessly. And I hope the younger generation will enjoy the mountains as much as I do.

We need a lot of ground work, on one hand to make sure biodiversity assessments are accurate and correct, and to ensure that the seedlings live long enough to be able to absorb more carbon emissions. This trend raises the need for more forest specialists and protectors. Looking at the global trend, I think conservation experts will soon be in demand and command higher wages with their specialized knowledge and trainings.

In the Philippines, where technology and even specialized research training lags, I am just crossing my fingers that we come up to our senses and become proactive instead of regret our inaction.

Read More

Impressca: Get More than a Healthy Cuisine

I have a problem with my spouse. He’s allergic to veggies. I've been wondering what's keeping him from eating healthy food.

I, on the other hand, was raised to enjoy chopseuy and pinakbet. I like eating veggies as much as buying them from the local market (no, not the supermarket). I prefer to buy from small rural farmers and it’s always a feast when we go to small town fairs. You’d be surprised how many baskets you can fill with Php500! Besides, it’s been hellish trying to find fresh veggie meals from restaurants these days. And with the accessibility of fastfood, it’s too tempting (just pretend you don't know the calories you'll be taking in) to get a bundled meal and go!

Throughout our married life, I have been encouraging hubby to try veggies. He’s allergies only exist in his mind, though. My sister-in-law attests he was always fed red meat when they were young so he hardly had the chance to enjoy vegetables. I have to admit that I tried preparing meaty meals for him before. But as years went on, I wanted my kids to get used to veggies. So he had to take the backseat and bare with the veggie meals I insisted on having :) Oh, we’re not totally vegetarian. I just try to give them a healthy balance of the different food types, minimizing our red meat consumption most of the time.

I can't say no to pasta :D

I’m not such a tyrant, really. After a week or so of fish meat and green leafy veggies, I’d let them have their not-for-everyday cravings, too. Sometimes, I’d be surprised when they’d rather have homemade (non-greasy) pizza than line-up at the nearest fastfood. If you happen to know a fastfood serving healthy food, let me know so we can give it a try :D

Yesterday, I joined a mini-event at Impressca, Mother Ignacia Avenue. We had the pleasure of meeting Impressca owner Beth Echano-Alfane who shared with us her business secrets. The name was inspired by an Italian priest Ms Beth met during an outreach program. The four branches of Impressca get their supply of herbs and veggies from their home-grown garden. Awesome, right? 

Here’s why:

If 1 million people started choosing local food sources for a year, we can eliminate up to 625,000 tons of CO2. Imagine each ingredient in your meal will have to undergo carbon emitting processes -to be produced (use of fertilizer), packed (paper, plastic, styro), transported (by land, sea or air), distributed (more packaging) and disposed as you store, cook and eat it. The more processes, the more non-eco-friendly our food becomes.

In as much as we don’t want to be bothered thinking about these, they DO MATTER now. Every small thing we have taken for granted (which has accumulated in the past years, multiplied by millions of I-couldn’t-care-less people) is now having its impact to our ecosystem. 

Another brilliant proposition from this inspiring entrepreneur is the Green Card. Every diner gets a free Green Card. Just present this to get 2% off your purchase (minimum 200) and in your behalf, Impressca will adopt a seedling to restore our forests. Now that'll change my hubby's heart :) I bet you he's going to start buying his lunch at Impressca!

I was, at first, surprised how proud Ms Beth was when she explained that Impressca strictly complies with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. I was brought back to reality by a dumpsite photo. Now I remember why I stopped patronizing some restaurants. Try to look at the perimeter of the restaurants you patronize. It is likely that they don’t care about the environment if they can not dispose their waste properly. Improper waste disposal will clog drains and sewers, and leave a nasty smell in the vicinity. Establishments should be aware of local laws because they go through it every year when they renew their business permits. Great job for Impressca management and staff!

It’s a good thing we had a hearty but light Load-All-You-Can Salad with Red Juice. I tried the mustard dressing and loved it. I get excited when I meet eco-advocates and learn how passionate they are about their business. Glad to meet new moms who also blog and watch out for healthy food for the family. My thanks to Carlo, an advocate of vegetarian cuisine, who continues to inspire me to go vegan (Still working on that though). It’s nice to have good company while dining at Impressca. I hardly noticed until it was time to go.

You don't have to spend so much to eat healthy food. Check out Impressca's Facebook Page and see how you can save, help support their "Live Green. Feel Green advocacy" and stay healthy :) 

 

Grab a Salad at:
SM City, San Lazaro, Sta Cruz (LGF)
SM Cubao, Araneta Center (LGF)
UP PGH Food Plaza, Medical Arts Bldg, Taft Ave
Mother Ignacia Place, Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City
SM North EDSA (The Block - 4/F) - Soon to open!

Read More

MORCON 2011: Working with Search Engines

With BPOs becoming the fastest growing industry in the Philippines, foreign-based countries have learned to entrust back-office and more business operations to Filipinos. As more Filipinos venture to find other sources of income, the internet comes handy in providing work opportunities for the internet savvy.

I was rather surprised to find that the participants of the MORCON 2011 come from diverse backgrounds: SEOs, online marketing professionals, web designers and a number of freelancers in their respective specializations. It was a pretty comprehensive learning event that levels up Filipinos' online expertise. I'd say the event could have been extended to 2 days to facilitate the sessions more efficiently.

Pioneers and experts in the fields of Search Engine Optimization, Pay-Per-Click, Link Building, Affiliate Marketing and Social Media shared their strategies and learning.

And as Marc Acsay has advised, keep experimenting and continue learning. Online activities and frameworks continue to evolve so there's no definite trick or tip. Even Google updates search algorithms more than a hundred times every year, according to Kim Tyrone Agapito, Search Strategist and SEO. Agapito's emphasized that webmasters have to be careful and follow the ultimate G book (Google's guidelines) or risk getting banned. And all our efforts would boil to nothing.

As the Pros say, site optimization can't be done overnight. I've been messing with some tools lately and I'm thankful to get this warning. Thats just not how organic SEO works. While some webmasters have attained rocket-high statistics in a short-time, there's no guarantee that these untargeted attempts will bring about conversions. While its best to keep 'learning by doing', perhaps, I will follow Acsay's advice to assess risk vs profit. It is after all, not worth it to work against search engines ;)

Mastering Online Ranking Conference, SEO Org Philippines

A critical element which changed so many things online is the integration of social media. For some, it may be likes and follows. But really, it requires more than tweaking sites to attract those valuable clicks. Social Media gives online efforts sugar n spice - something which makes working online less lonely.

Cheers to SEO Org Philippines!

Well, back to work! Enjoy experimenting, everyone!

Read More