It Comes With Age ;p

    When we talk of age, a lot comes to our mind... more freedom to party, more responsibilities & obligations, work, getting married, having kids, maturity, income and of course vanity. Most women and men become more conscious of their looks especially if the appearance of gray hair, bulging tummies/muffin tops, and wrinkles on faces are visible already. Some of us panic when our birthdays are near and the big 30s are here. So here are some tips to still look young and delay the visibility of aging.

The 10 Commandments of Anti-Aging: by Kristin Perrota

1. Wear sunscreen—and not just at the beach.

Rain or shine, "liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection every day is the single most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage and skin cancer," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day. We love Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunblock SPF 50 (for normal skin), Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen (for oily skin), and Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40 (for sensitive skin).

Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

2. Quit smoking.

In addition to causing cancer and bad breath, smoking cigarettes "destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm," says New York City dermatologist Fredric Brandt.

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

3. Use a retinoid.

It's the best way to slow down the clock with a cream. "Retinoids minimize the appearance of existing age spots and fine lines and prevent new ones from forming," says New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf. Try Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol.

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

4. Stay hydrated.

No, Diet Coke doesn't count. "The more hydrated your skin, the better your wrinkles will look," says Montclair, New Jersey, dermatologist Jeanine Downie. "Drink lots of water, cut back on coffee and soda, and moisturize regularly." Try L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Day/Night Cream (for normal to dry skin) or Philosophy On a Clear Day Oil-Free Moisturizer (for oily skin).

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

5. Sleep well.

The expression "beauty rest" actually has some science behind it. "Not only does your skin require downtime to repair itself, but sagging skin and puffiness around the eyes make wrinkles look much worse," says Great Neck, New York, dermatologist Jeanette Graf.

Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com

6. Maintain a healthy weight.

Not surprisingly, yo-yo dieting isn't great for your skin. "Skin loses elasticity over time," Waldorf says. "The more your weight fluctuates, the harder it is to snap back into shape."

Photo: Patrick Demarchelier

7. Eat right.

"Your skin receives nutrients not only from creams and treatments, but also from the food you eat," Waldorf says. "The more balanced your diet, the younger you'll look. And if you're not taking a multivitamin, start now." To keep skin happy, eat more fatty fish (such as salmon), dark green vegetables (like broccoli and spinach), almonds, and walnuts. Drink lots of antioxidant green tea. And lay off the refined sugar and booze—both cause aging inflammatory reactions in the skin.

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

8. Get moving.

"Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and promotes a glowing, healthy-looking complexion," Downie says. "Working out for just 30 minutes four or five days a week can make a huge difference."

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

9. Try to relax.

The mind-body connection is a powerful one. "Do whatever you need to do to decompress," Waldorf says. "Stress causes cells to age faster, which absolutely shows on the skin."

Photo: Condé Nast Digital Studio

10. Don't pick.

10. Don't pick. You got the same advice when you were a teenager. "Sun damage causes dark spots as you age, but so does picking at your blemishes," Waldorf says. "And since the skin takes a lot longer to repair itself as you age, the spots won't disappear right away." To clear up an outbreak, try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, which contains benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria, and lipo-hydroxy-acid to help keep pores clear. If—against doctors' advice—you did pop that zit, use Clean & Clear Advantage Popped Pimple Relief Drying Paste, an overnight treatment that will help it heal.

Top 10 Detox Foods

   Summer is here and it's time to flaunt those beautiful bods once again at the beach or pool side. After all the previous occasions from Christmas, New Year and Valentines dates..most of us piled up with some kilos again. So here are some detox foods which are affordable and easy to prepare for us to use. Once in a while detoxing is necessary since most of the food we eat are full of preservatives, saturated fats and artificial flavorings. We need it to remove excess toxins and wastes because if not this might lead to unwanted weight gain, depression, irritability and constant bloatedness.

CHEW SLOWLY: Take the time to enjoy your food. When we chew our food, we release enzymes that

The Detox Top 10 by: Editors of Real Age

1. Leafy green vegetables. Eat them raw in a salad, throw them into a broth, steam them and mix with rice or add to an omelet, or puree them into juices. The chlorophyll in greens helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides). It's also an all-around liver protector, which your liver needs since it's your major domo detoxifier.
2. Lemons. Fresh lemonade made with filtered water will keep you hydrated, and its vitamin C helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away. (Add some pureed greens -- see above -- to further bolster your C level.) Here's another cleanse that really works.
3. Watercress. Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps the flushing process. Plus cress is a mineral mine, rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
4. Garlic. Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the heart-friendly bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes. Research also indicates that garlic diminishes a process that creates cancer-causing compounds in your body.
5. Green tea. This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more water into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity. Learn more about how to love your liver.
6. Broccoli sprouts. They pack 20 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable. Research suggests that eating the sprouts (they have a radish-like taste) kills off H. Pylori bacteria that causes stomach irritation and ulcers.
7. Sesame seeds. They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Middle Eastern cooking.
8. Cabbage. There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver, and this potent veggie helps activate both of them. It's the largest member of the Brassica veggie family, all of which delivers colon-cancer fighting isothicyanates and vitamin C. Coleslaw, anyone?
9. Psyllium. This plant's bursting with soluble fiber, which mops up toxins (cholesterol, too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast. (Start with a small amount and gradually increase your dose as your GI tract becomes used to it.)
10.  Fruits, fruits, fruits. They're full of almost all the good things listed above -- vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and assorted antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, perfect pear, or fresh berries.

Birthday Blues

    Had a very bad case of birthday blues yesterday. Been crying the whole day..probably because I'm home alone while my family and friends are all at work, and the fact that we are living far away from home..Philippines. =(
    How I miss the simple gathering, simple food to serve during birthdays like mama's pansit and fried chicken. We are all happy eating together those all time fave food, and a bonus of ice cream of course. Probably just missing home so bad...
    Stayed in bed for the whole day watching desperate housewives series til my eyes got tired of crying and fell into sleep. When my husband came home, he brought me flowers, cheesecake and a mug from my fave cafe..without the coffee though.hehe! Then we went out for a dinner date. We were supposed to eat at pizza hut near our house but when we got there, it was moved to a different location. So we went to the nearest hotel bar that we could find. So we had a game of billiards while waiting for our ordered food, atleast i was able to do what I love doing before even if my tummy is bigger already.It's probably funny watching a preggy woman playing billiards in a bar, but who cares, it's my birthday!
     Thank you so much bie! You're one of the best gift I've received from Him...always grateful for you. =)

Mums the Word

    Yesterday, we celebrated Mother's Day! Now, it has greater meaning for me since I'll be one very soon. But I believe being a mom starts as soon as one knows that she is expecting. The joy and excitement is just overwhelming the first time you see the two lines in your pregnancy test, for most of the moms ( different case of course if it's unplanned or unexpected).
    Then you know that your life has to change and adapt to that growing baby inside you. Everything evolves around the little one, all decisions made, food to eat, places to go, liquids to drink, sex life&work related stuff. A woman takes extra precaution in everything she does, tries to ignore stress for baby's sake, eats vegetables that she doesn't usually like before for baby's health, drinks milk regularly, stops drinking coffee from fave cafe,  stops drinking any alcoholic beverages or going to the bar, or basically starts to have a healthier lifestyle to take into consideration the welfare of the little one. These all seems hard to do before, but knowing that someone's life depends on you..one will do everything in her power to protect that life.
     But again, pregnancy is just the first step..then comes the baby into the world and then the responsibility of providing and nurturing comes into place. The obligation of raising a future good citizen lies in the parents hand, primarily from the mother since she's going to be the most visible caregiver for the baby.
      I believe, being a mother never stops even when your baby becomes a mother/father already. It is continuous love for your child, guidance, protection and care. So I really salute all mothers out there, working or stay at homes.. I know that no one is perfect, even mothers do make mistakes but I still believe that each one will only wish the best for their children. I am excited to this new chapter of my life.. of our lives. Soon the house will be filled with more love and laughter.

Sweet as Candy ;p

    Woke up early today because I have an appointment at the hospital to check my blood sugar, a routine laboratory test for women 24 weeks and above of their pregnancy. But why do we have to check this? Here's a little bit of information for all expecting and for those who wants to be soon.

       =  macrosomic or large babies/caesarian delivery


The glucose challenge test measures your body's response to sugar (glucose). The glucose challenge test is done during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes — a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.
     The glucose challenge test is done in two steps. First you drink a sugary solution. One hour later, your blood sugar level is measured. The results of the glucose challenge test indicate whether you might have gestational diabetes. If the test is positive, additional testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
     Most women who have gestational diabetes deliver healthy babies. However, without careful management, gestational diabetes can lead to various pregnancy complications, such as excess fetal growth — which may increase the risk of birth injuries or prompt a C-section delivery.
     The glucose challenge test is done in two steps. When you arrive at your health care provider's office or lab, you'll drink about 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of a syrupy glucose solution that contains 1.8 ounces (50 grams) of sugar. Often, the glucose solution is cola- or orange-flavored. One hour later, a member of your health care team will take a sample of blood by pricking your fingertip or inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. This blood sample will be used to measure your blood sugar level.
   
Results of the glucose challenge test are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
One hour after drinking the glucose solution:

• A blood sugar level below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is usually considered normal
• A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) or higher may indicate gestational diabetes

Some clinics or labs use a lower threshold of 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) when screening for gestational diabetes.
If the results of your glucose challenge test indicate the possibility of gestational diabetes, your health care provider will do another blood test — typically the glucose tolerance test, which is done over the course of two to three hours — to confirm the diagnosis. ( BY: Mayo Clinic Staff )

       It is indeed very important for pregnant women to follow the laboratory tests, antenatal check ups and scheduled ultrasounds to ensure the safety and development of  their growing babies. As one, I feel very responsible for the welfare and health of the life growing inside me that is why both my husband and I make sure to follow all doctor's orders. As an expectant mom, the enlarging tummy, kicking and puching fetus make all the seem to be little sacrifices that I have to do for her safety.
   

A prayer for the lil one

   One of my super friends, Nellers, shared her prayer when she was pregnant four years ago. I'm on my 6th month of pregnancy and is very excited for the coming of our little one. I have keep on praying that she grows normally and develop completely inside me and that I may be able to provide her all the nutrients, proper environment that she needs and that my body sustain all the necessary changes that I have to face to support the best gift ever that my husband and I received. We are forever grateful for you my little one. We'll see you in August! Loving you every minute..everyday..

the gift

oh god, thank you for the gift that you gave me.. i am in love with it as i am in love with my life– and you.
i walk the world in wonder. I see it through new eyes. All is changed, subtly but singingly different.the beauty of earth is cradling me in tenderness..
i am a woman and child in one. new as a child my self, innocent, excited, amused, surprised…
i marvel at the sweet changes that are going on.. the signals of its secret are less of misery and fatigue. "see how important i am!" my spirit seems to claim.
God, i am happy. God, i am sad. but i feel vital and alive! life is moving me in an immutable direction that i don’t want to resist and wouldn’t if i could.
i am in for it now. and i rejoice though i am a little bit afraid.. but it is an exciting kind of anxiety because it is part of the privelege of being a woman…
oh god, bless me and guide me as the mystery of life works in me. bless this gift..your handiwork… let it be whole… beautiful.. and strong.

'Tsinelas" ( Slippers)

    Last night, one episode of a local TV series was featured in TFC ( The Filipino Channel ) entitled "Tsinelas". It's about the two brothers who journeyed back to their province when both of their parents died. At first, the eldest wanted his younger brother to stay with their aunt in Manila, but the younger one begged to join him in the trip and promised that he won't be a burden along the way. They've tried to solicit money from relatives but no one bothered to care or contribute any. And so the journey by foot begins...from Manila to Catbalogan, Samar ( 17090 km or 10620 miles in distance).
    To summarize the story, they travelled along the dangerous streets of Manila to the province only by walking. They've gathered trash, plastic bottles or tin cans to sell in junk shops so as to have money for food. They followed public transportation buses route and used as their guide on their way, slept on the street at night using carton boxes as their beds, most of the times they did get hungry, got sick and scared due to dangers of being exposed outside...no shelter,no money, no blanket or anything to protect them but plastics to cover themselves during the rain.
    The elder brother was grumpy and looked at his brother as an obligation at the first part of the story, but came all the obstacles and problems along the way and the younger one stayed strong and focused on their journey. He sees things in life through the eyes of a child...everything simple and sees the environment as a big playground, which made the trip easier. He sticked to his promise that he won't be a burden and never complained a bit despite the distance, fatigue and hunger. He stood by his brother because he's family and is very important to him. In the long run, the elder one realized this and had a soft heart and thought that indeed the younger one not needed a brother by its name only but a real family who cares and loves. 
    After almost 20 days of walking, they've finally reached their destination. Through all the hardships and obstacles encountered, both brothers stayed with each other no matter what happened. And their determination and belief that once they reach their destination will make their lives easier because they can start a new made their journey worthwhile. The learnings in life, of being a family despite the hardships, of being determined to achieve your goals despite the obstacles and never giving up are the best part of this very heart warming story.
    As the narrator told, everyone of us has our own journey in life. Own paths to travel, though some are easy road, few may be very rocky. It is up to us on how we see and conquer the obstacles coming our way, and how to make our trips worthwhile and easier to bear with the help of our family, friends and of course our faith to God.