busy as a bee

     We're quiet busy nowadays for the painting and arrangement of the house for our baby's arrival, and the preparation for the upcoming baby shower. I'm on my 8th month of pregnancy now so only feweeks from now and we'll see our little princess.
     For now, this is what I'll share. Been really excited lately that I can't focus my thoughts yet. Soon, I'll write longer blogs again.  

Ligament tear, ouch! :(

   


    Hubby was not able to go to work yesterday due to his wrist injury. It happened last Thursday when they have dismantled our double size bunk bed which was for sale to a friend. He said that he didn't feel anything that night, but the following day when he woke up, he compalined of wrist pain. He thought that I slept over his hand but I know that I did not. I just put pain reliever gel on the affected site and a tube bandage to minimize the movement of the area. Few days passed and he's still complaining about his wrist and that the pain wasn't subsiding at all. So finally came the day when the movement of his right wrist was decreased and a little bit of movement caused him pain. I've told him that we need to go to an orthopedic doctor to have his wrist checked.
   Yesterday, we went to Welcare Gusais Clinic for an appointment. An xray was done and his wrist was assessed and the diagnosis is, ligament tear sprain of the right wrist. Good thing his bones wasn't affected and it is just a little tear. The doctor said that it will heal on its own but in time. So he's prescribed with pain reliever tablets and gel. His hand is bandaged as well and he needs to keep it for 2 days. Atleast now, we know what happened and an intervention is given to him to alleviate the pain. It's hard feeling pain and going to work at the same time,especially if we use our hands at work most. So let's all love and care for our hands because it is hard having an injured one.

Modern Housewives ;)

   

 Thanks to advanced technology, wifi, YM via cellphone and BB services...my super friend Nellers and I are now virtually connected everyday.  We used to text each other on a daily basis when I was in the Philippines before, just talking about school stuff, boys, NCPs, duties and the toxicity of our college lives. We just love talking,chatting,texting about anything under the sun...happy moments, and especially the sad ones. It's like having a sister, confidant, super friend in one.
    When I moved abroad to work, our communication became weekly basis since we only rely then on roaming texts which is little expensive, and yahoo mails. But never came a point that we stopped communicating. We talked about adjustments to her motherhood and family life, while I struggle from being away to my hubs (still boyfriend then) and applying for work with multi-cultural set-up. Though we are busy with our own lives, we still manage to have time for each other even in the simplest way possible of being connected.
    Now, that we have FB, wifi and mobile phone chats, we're able to do the same thing again though we're miles apart. As she said, we're like the modern housewives chatting while doing household chores, minus the hair rollers and dusters.Hehehe! Though the topics now are about fam life, kids, our parents and dreams for them, finances,our diet and work..it is always fun having conversation with her.
     As always, thank you again for the friendship and for helping me be sane during my crazy moods..iloveu Nellygood and looking forward to our dream of being neighbors some day. ;)

7 Everyday Products Linked to Cancer

This article kind of bothered me when I read it today. There are a lot of stuff we use at home that we think are safe and harmless to us that might contribute to having illness like the big C.
    I am particularly concerned about the long term effect of talcum powder to women. It's like a tradition to most mothers to put powder on their babies' bum and genital areas before putting on diapers, not thinking that to prevent nappy rash could lead to an illness in their children's adult lives. Though this claim still needs a thorough medical and scientific study to be proven, I think it is safer to stop doing the said routine. I am going to be a mom very soon so I am glad to have read this warning. Let's just use the traditional soap and water/baby wipes to clean our lil ones and then pat dry their bums with clean cloth. It's better to be safe than to be sorry,right. It's one step to minimizing the risk factors of cancer.
    The other products mentioned should be used in moderation. As they say, everything in excess is bad for us. So drinking coffee, eating salted fish can still be enjoyed but in moderation. Making yourself tan can also be done naturally and with better health benefits too, if you go out to the beach/pool during the day at the time when the sun's UV rays are still healthy to the skin, 6 am - 9am. You'll have the tan that you want plus the vitamin D provided by our great sun, and no expensive charge for you. =)
    Here's the article by Lisa Cool that caught my attention today. Hope this will help others as well.

• Coffee: There’s hot debate brewing about the health effects of coffee, since it lifts risk for some cancers and cuts risk for others. A 1991 IARC report linked drinking coffee to increased risk for bladder cancer, while a study released in May found that men who consumed six or more cups daily were 60 percent less likely to develop fatal prostate cancer. Quaffing two or more cups a day raises lung cancer risk by 14 percent, according to a 2010 review. Classification: Probable carcinogen.
• Flame retardant baby products: In the 1970s, the flame retardant Tris was removed from kids’ sleepwear as a suspected carcinogen. In May, a study found chlorinated Tris in more than one-third of the polyurethane foam baby products tested, including nursing pillows, car seats, baby carriers and high chairs. A program within the EPA not only has identified the chemical as a cancer hazard, but also reports that animal studies link it to developmental defects, anemia, liver failure and reproductive problems.  Classification: Probable carcinogen.

• Talcum powder: Widely used to keep skin dry and prevent rashes, talcum powder may cause ovarian cancer if applied to the female genitals. Particles from sanitary napkins, diaphragms, condoms and talcum power applications could travel through the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes to the ovaries. An analysis of data from 16 studies found a 30 percent rise in ovarian cancer risk among talcum users. A safe alternative is cornstarch powder, which is not linked to cancer. Classification: Possible carcinogen.

• Alcohol: Nearly 10 percent of cancers in men—and 3 percent in women—are sparked by drinking too much alcohol, German researchers reported in April. They calculate that in the eight European countries studied, about 54,500 cases of alcohol-related cancer, such as cancers of the upper digestive tract, colon, liver and breast (in women), would have been prevented in 2008 if women limited themselves to no more than one alcoholic drink a day and men to two drinks. Classification: Known carcinogen.

• Hormone replacement therapy: Used to relieve menopause symptoms and delivered as a pill, patch or vaginal ring, hormone replacement therapy may involve estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The Women’s Health Initiative study reports that daily use raised women’s risk for breast cancer by five to six percent for each year HRT was taken. Estrogen-only HRT more quintuples risk for uterine cancer. Doctors advise women who use HRT to take it for the shortest possible time. Classification: Known carcinogen.

• Salted fish. Eating salted fish, a popular food in Asian countries, raises risk for cancers of the nose, stomach and colon. Studies also link consumption of highly salty foods, including fish, to increased threat of ovarian and prostate cancer. Also be wary of caviar: A 2010 study of 77,500 Japanese men and women found that those who ate salted fish roe the most frequently had the highest overall rate of cancer. Classification: Known carcinogen.

• Tanning beds: There’s no such thing as a “healthy tan.” Some tanning beds emit 10 to 15 times more UV radiation than the midday sun. A 2010 study found that young people who have ever used a tanning bed are 1.41 times more likely to get melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, and those who have used them 10 or more times have double the risk. Melanoma rates in young women have tripled over the past 30 years, largely due to use of tanning beds. Classification: Known carcinogen.

Siging up!

You can not beat a good euphonious...

Yuanne's happy feet

  


Everytime my baby kicks or punches, I feel relieved and happy to know that she's doing well inside me. Since I can't see her yet, it's her way of letting mimi and didi know that she's active and fine. It's her reponse to her dad's voice, to my greetings, to the song I love to hear, or a response to the loud sound system whenever where inside a movie house, or a way of letting me know she's hungry as well (usually kicks whenever I am hungry but still not getting up to get our food..like saying, mimi come on! Can't wait for the food!), or whenever didi touches or puts his cheek near my abdomen (they have a bond already), and whenever I'm lying down and doing nothing. It's like our own private time together. I so love when she does that and makes me keep on imagining what she looks like, or if she got my legs too. A very overwhelming feeling to realize that you have a growing life inside you. One of the greatest miracle and gift from above. =)

   So to all the moms-to-be out there, here's an article from e-How Health on fetal kick and movement. Read away!

One of the most anticipated and exciting moments of pregnancy is when a mom-to-be first feels the baby kick and move inside of her. In the weeks leading up to that moment, all any mom can think of is: When will it happen? The fetus begins kicking and moving around the seventh week of pregnancy, but it is so small that the mother cannot feel it. Most moms won't begin to feel the fetus moving until 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, although some will feel it earlier and others later.

1. Early Fetal Movement (Weeks 7-12)

   • The fetus first begins to move around the seventh week of pregnancy, shortly after its heart begins to beat. While a mother cannot detect this movement---the fetus is technically still an embryo at this point, only measuring about a half-inch long---she will be able to see it waving its tiny arm buds and kicking its legs via ultrasound.

   Movement in Early Second Trimester (Weeks 13-20)

   • The first fetal movements the mother can feel are called "quickening." Many first-time mothers will not realize when quickening occurs, as early fetal movements often feel like the rumbling of gas. Different women describe the sensation of the baby's moving in different ways. According to Baby Center, some women say it feels like popcorn popping, fluttering butterfly wings or a goldfish swimming.

   Fetal Movement in Late Second Trimester (Weeks 21-27)

   • As the baby grows, its movement will becomes stronger and more definite. During the late second trimester, most women will feel kicks and punches, as well as squirming and rolling. The woman's partner may be able to feel some of this movement when touching the belly. In some cases, the movement may be so strong that it can be seen from the outside: The mom-to-be's belly will jump and roll as the baby does.

   Fetal Movement in the Early Third Trimester (Weeks 28-32)

   • By the start of the third trimester, most moms can feel their baby kicking regularly (although not necessarily frequently). At this time, a woman should begin to keep track of her baby's movements by counting the baby's kicks. This exercise can help the mother become aware of any unusual decrease in activity and identify a potential problem. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the mom should do "kick counts" at the same time every day, preferably at a time when the baby is typically active. The mother should count at least 10 kicks within two hours.

   Fetal Movement in Late Third Trimester (32-40 Weeks)

   • By around 32 weeks, the mother may start to feel fewer movements, because the baby has grown so much that it has less room to move in the uterus. She should continue doing her kick counts and report to her doctor any substantially decreased activity.

Read more: In What Stage of Pregnancy Does the Fetus Begin to Kick & Move? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5072485_stage-fetus-begin-kick-move.html#ixzz1ONlKoCSM

Food Plate Is In!

   A very fresh news from the US that concerns all of us. As I remember, the food pyramid has been taught to all of us starting grade school. It's like one of the fundamentals in your childhood...the go,glow and grow foods and of course the food pyramid. Now, it's being replaced  by the Food Plate.
    For me, this will be a better way to illustrate healthy eating to all starting from the young. All food groups are essential to us, it's just that sometimes it's hard to control the portion or amount of food that we eat.
    So, here's the good news everyone! We'll be able to practice portion eating today...


USDA Food Pyramid is Out, Food Plate is In
by Lisa Collier Cool

A two-decade old icon of healthy eating--the food pyramid—is now ancient history. In what the US Department of Agriculture calls a “monumental effort” to improve the nation’s diet amid the obesity epidemic, the government has dished up a new plate-shaped graphic, to debut on June 2 with massive fanfare from the Obama administration.
The new symbol, which will be accompanied by a new website, reportedly cost $2 million to develop. You’ll see the plate everywhere—restaurants, grocery stores, schools, workplaces and online— since the government hopes it will soon become as familiar as the pyramid, recognized by more than 80 percent of Americans. The White House will spearhead the launch of the icon, aimed at boosting awareness of new federal dietary guidelines issued in January. The easy-to-understand graphic augments Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move anti-obesity initiative.
Check out these seven healthy lunch ideas for kids.
What does the plate symbolize? The icon, which resembles a pie chart or pizza, is sliced into four colorful wedges to illustrate the amounts of each food group—fruits, vegetables, grains and protein--the USDA advises. Half of the plate is covered with fruits and vegetables, the cornerstones of a healthy diet. According to the NY Times, a smaller circle next to the plate represents dairy products, such as a glass of low-fat milk. The idea is to suggest that what we put on our plate makes a key difference to health.
What’s behind the symbol swap? Introduced in 1992, the food pyramid sparked controversy, with the meat and dairy industries contending that it stigmatized their products by placing them near the top (foods to eat in smaller portions). A 2005 update called MyPyramid, issued with the motto, “Steps to a Healthier You,” showed a stick figure climbing the pyramid, which was redesigned with a jumble of food images at the base. Nutritionists deemed the 2005 version confusing and all but useless since it didn’t provide visual guidance on how much of each food to eat.
What’s the government’s new dietary advice? The USDA has developed six steps to healthy eating to be released along with the food plate icon:
 Diet tips to help you manage type 2 diabetes.

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Eating more of these foods can save your life. A study of more that 313,000 men and women reported earlier this year that for each extra serving of these fruits and vegetables people ate daily, risk of fatal cardiovascular disease shrank by four percent. People who ate at least eight 2.8-ounce servings a day had a 25 percent lower risk than those who consumed fewer than three portions. Eating more fruits and vegetables helps you slim down, since these nutrient-rich, low-cal foods are filling.
• Avoid supersized portions. One simple trick that helps with portion control is to use smaller plates. 12-inch plates are now commonplace—and a factor in the obesity epidemic. Switching to an 8-inch plate could help shrink your waistline and risk for chronic diseases.
• Enjoy tasty meals, but eat less. An ongoing study of Okinawans, who have one of the world’s highest rates of people living to age 100 and beyond, reveals a key factor in why they live so long: the cultural practice of “hara hachi bu,” only eating until they feel 80 percent full.
• Switch to low-fat or fat-free dairy products. You’ll get the calcium and vitamin D (in fortified products) that you need to maintain strong bones with fewer calories.
• Read labels and pick foods with less sodium. While the government urges shaking the salt habit, there’s now medical debate about how helpful this is for people without high blood pressure—a disorder that affects one in three American adults. In May, a study published in Journal of the American Medical Association reported that healthy people who consume the least sodium don’t have any heart-health advantage over those who eat the most. However, the findings are controversial and some nutritionists question the methodology.
• Quench thirst with water instead of sweet drinks. Not only are sugary beverages fattening, but a recent study linked them to 14,000 new cases of heart disease, 75,000 new cases of type 2 diabetes, and 7,000 premature deaths over the past decade. What’s more, swigging just two sugary drinks a day hikes diabetes risk by 26 percent—an excellent reason to shun soda and wash down your next meal with a cool, refreshing glass of water.