The Internet has made it possible once again for me to discover one of the things that I desperately need during this time of my life. After all the parties and the major shift to a domesticated lifestyle, I have to be honest in admitting that I haven't been able to take good care of myself lately. Because (hello?) adulthood is no walk in the park and in due time, stress can take its toll... and then combined with slower metabolism and a sedentary lifestyle, I am as unhealthy as I can get.

I tipped the scale at 125 lbs (56.69 kg) about a week ago and I knew then and there I needed to do something about this weight gain and overall lethargic feeling. I didn't want to go on a diet because I've been there and done that. But this time I wanted to actually do something bigger, more challenging... you know, an actual change for the better, maybe for good and for the rest of my life. And that's when the Internet showed me the way and I discovered Beachbody and Dr. Teri Fisher, a top Beachbody coach in Canada and founder of The Exercise Movement. I browsed his website endlessly and found exercises I feel like I could do to begin with.


You know, I was never big into the whole exercising or fitness deal even before because I am too vain for my own good. Meaning, the main reason I didn't want to go to a gym is because I don't like sweating which ends up erasing my eyebrows! HA! I know, it's shallow but hey, that's just me. It also doesn't make sense to wear makeup when you work out. But I know for a fact that exercising is good... well, everyone knows that! And just recently, during the PTA meeting at our son's school, at our own Alma Mater, we learned that exercise really fosters the growth of new brain cells, which is why the kids need to have some play time (more like functional movement exercises, gross and fine motor skills, and learning through play activities). Even the teachers do it!

Photo credits to St. Paul's School, that is constantly cultivating a culture of optimal health and wellness through a constant stream of teaching and learning outside the box.

So if the kids can do it and teachers participate in it, what's my excuse? Okay, so I was feeling pretty lame thinking about it and so I told myself, "This is it! It's now or never." During my chat with Teri, he suggested, "21 Day Fix,  P90, and Focus T25 are great programs for beginners. There is also CIZE if you enjoy dancing. There is something for everyone!" And he's right. Check out his Team Beachbody in Canada website. You'll find a lot of exercises you can just do at home, which are perfect for people like me who can't be bothered to go to a gym.

A friend of mine shared with me her Insanity experience and I think she did a wonderful job following the program to get these amazing results!

Photo belongs to the owner.

During my conversation with her, I gathered that the most important thing is to stay motivated when it comes to following the program and getting fit. Of course, it helps a lot to have someone to be there for you like a coach and that's what Teri does as a Beachbody coach in Canada. He offers FREE COACHING! Don't believe me? Visit his site at http://theexercisemovement.com and you'll see.

So anyway, last week I convinced my friend, Mary Anne, to join me in this fitness journey. Hey, even though I don't want to work out with people in the gym, it's still no fun to do it alone at home. So having a friend along on the journey makes the ride worthwhile! And here we go...

Strive for progress not perfection.

Her sisters joined in the fun, too!

Sweat it out with PiYo and Focus T25!

How did we do for the first week? Well, it was no easy task alright but we survived! It didn't kill us and now we look forward to completing this new challenge and can't wait to see results for ourselves. I learned the best type of exercise is something that doesn't make you feel like you're dying after you do it and actually makes you want to do it again. You know it's great and you'll stick to it when you actually look forward to the next time around. Plus the exercises vary per day! Always something new each day to get your entire body moving!

Slowly but surely.

So here's the fun part. After a week, I lost 3 lbs! Yes, it's not much, but great things start from small beginnings. I didn't even have to go on a strict diet but simply eliminated all the junk that I've been consuming. Best of all, I feel stronger and more flexible. I don't catch my breath when I climb up our flight of stairs anymore. Even though my body is a bit sore, I know that it will go away once my body is adjusted to the exercises. If slow movements/stretching/Yoga/Pilates bore you, there's always dancing with CIZE or the whole extreme P90 stuff you can do if that challenges you more. Again, it really depends on you. Just listen to your body and know what you're capable of. Then push yourself to the limit! Hmmm, I sound like a coach, maybe I should try coaching when I'm done with this. Tee hee!


Anyway, I won't try to persuade anybody else to work out because I think that should be a choice you have to make for yourself. But if you do decide to do something about it, find a coach to help you get started. Like I said, the Internet is wonderful place for resources. I'm not writing this post to advertise anything but just sharing my own experience and doing my part to show you that if you want to do something, then you have the power to do it. And if you want to live an active, fit, and healthy life, it's really up to you. Nevertheless, if you need a guide, then I recommend checking out The Exercise Movement to get you started on your journey and download their FREE 7-MINUTE WORKOUT!

Good luck and do wish me luck, too!

The more you give, the more you receive.

Yes, and it takes only one book to pay it forward when you join our book exchange. Right now we have so many people getting into this and spreading love and good vibes to all! It's based on a very simple idea. Give one book, find 6 friends to join you, and you get 36 books in return... and even more if you tell ALL your friends about it and let them join in the fun, too!



Curious? Leave your name and email and I'll tell you how it works and how to join. Okay? Trust me, it's very simple.




So if you're a mom, mom-to-be, or a dad or even a grandparent who wants to do something AMAZING for your kid(s), what have you got to lose? Even if you don't get a book back (which I doubt would ever happen!), the thought that you've given just one book to make one kid happy, then that's all that matters.


In this digital age, I think it is our responsibility to teach kids the value of books.


Stay happy!

#pHCareNaturals #NaturalCare

Just in time! This package couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. I've got these empties right now and something tells me I'm gonna love these latest variations of pH Care intimate wash. I've always picked Cool Wind and have been using it for years now.


However, I just couldn't wait to try the latest and all-new pH Care Naturals line! Check these out!



We all know how papaya is effective and pretty popular when it comes to whitening, and so here's pH Care Naturals Papaya to address that.




And in addition to that, we now have the pH Care Naturals Guava that's got great cleansing and anti-bacterial properties.




Now, you can be assured of natural care “down there”, para fresh and clean na, odor-free pa!



The NEW! pH Care Naturals Intimate Wash is available for P49.50 (50mL) and P104 (150mL) at leading supermarkets, drugstores, and beauty stores. For more information, check them out at http://facebook.com/pHCare.



So what are you waiting for? Check it out because not only do they smell so good, they also work wonders so you can keep feeling naturally fresh and clean! Go natural! Get the pH Care Naturals Papaya or Guava intimate wash!

I'm still on a self-imposed makeup ban but this is an exception! What is? Well, I saw this really nice vanity case by Suesh at http://beautymnl.com while window shopping, or should I say, monitor shopping.


With too much makeup on my table, I've honestly run out of places to stash them. Which I think very well justifies my need to get this... ASAP!!! Also it's very hard to find vanity kits and makeup cases locally, so my best option is to buy online. I know these things are limited in quantity and very much in demand, so I went ahead to order it before it got sold out. Note: That was 5 days ago (if you count the weekend).

Ordering is easy as 1, 2, 3!

You simply add the item in your cart and when you're ready to checkout, you can input your shipping details. They deliver NATIONWIDE. They also have this box that let's you put in an authorized recipient's name and phone number just in case you're not there to receive the package. Awesome added security!


Then you choose your payment method with whatever's convenient for you and there are 4 options. You know what? I've been doing online shopping for a decade now and I seem to have developed a radar to detect legit and scam sites. A lot of my friends come to me before they buy something online and they ask, "Hey, is this site for real?" Even since I got scammed some years ago, I'm always wary of sites that only allow online payment transfers (you know, LBC Pera Padala, Western Union, GCash, Smart Money and the likes). That's a big red flag there. If an online store, in this case BeautyMNL, offers CASH ON DELIVERY or BANK DEPOSIT payment methods, it's a green light for me. Moreover, I prefer paying via credit card or Paypal, so that's a plus for me, too!


Then you get a payment confirmation in your email once your transaction goes through. And you can also track your order under your account at BeautyMNL.


And because I'm geographically challenged, I was expecting my order to arrive sometime around October 1st because of the long weekend, but lo and behold, it's here!!! It arrived today, the 28th of September!


Well, that was fast and I am totally impressed! Great job, BeautyMNL! I think LBC also did a great job packing up my order, so *clap*clap*!


Wrapped like a boss and after inspection, item has no damage! First time buyer here and they definitely made a good first impression. BeautyMNL isn't just an online shop that sells a curated assortment of makeup and skincare products from the most basic beauty staples to the elusive Moroccan Argan oil and Korean snail cream. BeautyMNL has an online magazine called Bloom, that "provides fun and insightful articles tailor-fit to the Filipina’s lifestyle, whether it’s finding a good sunscreen for Philippine weather or the best shade of red lipstick to match your skin tone." With the help of known celebrity gurus, BeautyMNL brings you tips, easy how-tos, and great beauty trends you can actually rock in the tropics.

So yeah, back to my order. It's a Pink Quilted Vanity Case by Suesh. I didn't expect it to be this big actually, even though the website clearly specified the dimensions. I suck at Math... so there! Nevertheless, they actually do have full descriptions of the listed products on the website. Well, I'm very happy with this purchase and here are some photos I took to preserve this unboxing moment.




It's so nice!!! It's perfect for travelling and perhaps I can start doing freelance makeup artist gigs (when I have the time) now that I have this additional vanity case to stash all my beauty weapons. All in all, I'm definitely going back to shop some more at BeautyMNL (soon after my beauty ban is lifted!) and I highly recommend you guys check them out at http://beautymnl.com!

I wasn't always the most organized person in the world. In fact I was "The Greatest Slob of All". But all that has since changed... just like I predicted back when I was young and seventeen.



Eventually life takes you down a path where you have to stop and take a good look at your life and think about how you can make it better. You don't need to wait for life to throw lemons at you to make lemonade. Why? Because every day we have a choice to make one if we want to. So yes, life is what we make it. That's the real truth.

So the question that I am recently faced with is “What do you do 2x a week to keep you feeling clean and sexy?” That's a no-brainer. I'm vain and I know it and because of that I have a routine I'd like to share with you and this really helps me to boost confidence and even feel sexy. It's all about the attitude and discipline. Take a look at my weekly routine below and as you continue reading my blog, you'll see why #IDoItTwiceAWeek.


For me, the formation of habit is really important. Once I'm set on a routine, it's just automatic. You don't have to drag yourself once you get the whole thing dialed in. My weight gain/loss journey is something that's a rollercoaster ride but no matter how much I'm tipping the scale, I always feel sexy. How so? Because sexy is not your vital statistics. It is how you feel when you're comfortable and confident in your own skin. Here, let me explain it some more.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. 

While cleaning is still not my strongest suit, there really is a huge difference when everything is spic and span. There's just more positive energy flowing and you get to do things quicker and more efficiently because you don't waste time looking for stuff you've misplaced or forgotten. My husband's belief of a having "a place for everything" has rubbed off on me. So glad I married a neat freak. Although I don't have time to clean stuff up everyday, #IDoItTwiceAWeek.(Saturdays and Sundays)



Three decades and more of existence has taught me one very important thing -- the power of your mind. Remember that dude, Rene Descartes? I totally agree when he said, "I think, therefore, I am." Cogito ergo sum. This is open to many interpretations but it doesn't change the fact that when you stop and think, breathe and reflect, focus and concentrate... your purpose becomes clearer and life just gets better. Try it. #IDoItTwiceAWeek (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Everything starts from within, right? That's why I love my coffee with grass-fed butter and MCT oil because it just clears my head and lets me think straight. But we also need to take care of our body externally and we can do this by sweating the bad stuff out, ergo, exercising.

I'm no longer gym rat because honestly, I don't have time for that. But I am a fan of high intensity interval training and circuit training. You can do them without a gym membership, in your own time and place. (Wednesdays and Saturdays for me.) Another favorite of mine is a quick nature trip and ending with some earthing or grounding to neutralize all my energy and feel like new. And yeah, #IDoItTwiceAWeek. (Tuesdays and Thursdays)


As mentioned, vanity is my weakness and even though most people really can't be bothered with exfoliating their skin, I am one who actually does this... like religiously. If you don't do this, you're missing out a lot and if you've got skin problems like me, this is your golden ticket to achieving healthy and glowing skin. That's why #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Tuesdays and Fridays)

You are what you eat! So even if I cheat a lot, I am determined to eat clean and eat healthy as much as possible and if I can't because I'm only human and I get tempted to eat all those unhealthy food, I always make it a point that I get to eat my servings of fruits and veggies and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Tuesdays and Fridays)

Juicing has done me a lot of good and I'm always happy to share my juicing experience and recipes to anyone who wants to lose weight and just feel healthy overall. I mostly do it for cleansing nowadays and it's always effective and has nothing but good side effects. That's enough reason for me and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Mondays and Wednesdays)

As a woman who gets crazy periods and hormones enough to drive me to the brink of insanity, I am particularly interested in relieving every kind of feminine discomfort. I mean, who can stand irritations down there? Not to mention the possibilities of infection! And it's not very easy to hide this feeling of being self-conscious, distracted and simply un-sexy. You know, that's why prevention is always better than cure. Fortunately, BETADINE® Feminine Wash is here to help. That's why Clean is the new Sexy and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Mondays and Thursdays)

Join the #SexyCleanRevolution and use BETADINE® Feminine Wash TWICE A WEEK to stay clean down there and feel confident and sexy always.

No more worrying about odor for that extra confidence boost especially when Aunt Flo comes to visit during RED DAYS. BETADINE® Feminine Wash is a Povidone Iodine 7.5% antiseptic feminine wash that offers protection from common germs which is the cause of feminine discomfort. Mothers are often prescribed this product by medical doctors after giving birth. Do you know it ranks #3 in the Feminine Wash Category? Yup and it’s also #1 in Liquid Antiseptic Feminine Wash Category.


I believe that all of us women need to take care of ourselves and we can always start by staying clean in our intimate area to harness our inner sexiness. *wink* 

Remember, Clean Living... Clean Mind... Clean Body...

because CLEAN IS THE NEW SEXY!