Three years ago, our family decided not to avail the services of any health maintenance organization (HMO) because we were so confident that we would not get sick. Well maybe, subconsciously, one of the main reasons of doing that was because the year after that, we got the services of a very unreliable health insurance provider that we ended up paying for our check-ups and hospital laboratory tests while also paying for the insurance premium for the four of us. It was obviously a waste of hard-earned money. Unfortunately, on the year that we didn't have an HMO, the four of us got hospitalized all at the same time for almost a month. It was a chain reaction. Paps and the kids were absent at work and school respectively. I had backlogs on my freelancing gigs. I neglected my duties as a mompreneur. I had to cancel so many work-related opportunities. I wasn't able to manage and update my blog and social media sites under my care. Paps' absence at work affected his performance and salary. Most of all, our savings and earnings that were intended for other things were put on the drain. Paps and I were emotionally and physically exhausted but we couldn't do anything but learn from our mistake. After that dreadful family experience, we never thought twice of getting a reliable health insurance provider.

Well, you have to learn from our experience. Never commit the same mistake that we did. Aside from health insurance, there are also other kinds of common non-life insurance (covers people, liabilities, and property) that we should prioritize. Here they are:

(Source: www.lifeinsurance.org/blog/what-is-non-life-insurance)

Why do we prioritize non-life insurance?

Non-life insurance gives us peace of mind. Literally, when you get any type of insurance, you are paying for your peace of mind, first and foremost. It is our only shield when the worst case scenario happens to our health or property. Then health problems, accidents, and damage or a loss of property are not going to give us any burden because the insurance almost keeps everything covered like medical expenses,  hospital bills, or repairs. It unloads our burden and lessens our worries. 

In order to have genuine peace of mind and confidence regarding insurance, it is very important to be choosy, vigilant, and meticulous in getting the services of a non-life insurance provider.

In our case, one of the trusted non-life insurance companies that I know in the Philippines is Ever Ready Insurance Agency, Inc. If you are looking for an insurance company to deal with when it comes to insuring your home and vehicles, the said company is trustworthy. It's highly recommended by yours truly! 

With Ever Ready Insurance Agency, Inc., you can go places and insure things! See the posters below for more details.

I know that most of my contemporaries can relate when I say this. Our grandparents would tell us stuff that we found unreasonable like... 

" Dapat huwag kang maliligo ng malamig sa gabi kasi mapapasma ka."

"Huwag kaagad magbabasa ng paa pagkaalis ng sapatos kasi darami ang ugat mo sa paa at binti at mapapasma ka."

"Magsapin sa likod baka pasukin ka ng lamig."

"Matulog ka parati sa tanghali para tumangkad ka."

"Huwag matulog ng basa ang buhok kasi mabubulag ka o sasakit ang ulo mo."

I guess as we grew older and wiser, we started to realize that what they wanted us to do really made sense at all. "Huwag mong abusuhin ang katawan mo. Babawian ka niyan," in my case is happening right now. When I reached the age of 40, the consequences of all the bad habits and practices that I made when I was younger were all daunting, but of course, I could not turn back time. If only I remembered and followed the wisdom of my grandparents earlier, I would not be bombarded with so many health concerns that were haunting me one by one starting mid-2018.

"Kumain ng tama at matulog ng maaga para mamakuha ng lakas." - I love fruits and vegetables but I also love sweets so much. I don't have any vice except stress eating and sleeping late to compensate the "me time" that I feel I deserved well due to wearing different hats. Working continuously at home and running errands while Bunso is in school to maximize my time makes me forget drinking water often or taking a break. I am not a masochist. I just want to do and balance everything. Unfortunately, my health is always at stake.

Experiencing pain in the right portion of my abdomen prompted me to visit my doctor because I knew that there was something wrong with me. Then I was right. I was diagnosed with moderate fatty liver disease (Take note I don't drink alcohol, I drink soda occasionally, and I don't like fatty food. Probably, my being "sweet tooth" was the main reason.). The ultrasound also detected a myoma in my uterus and small stone in my left kidney. A few months later, I experienced pain in my left breast. I endured it for almost a month until finally, I decided to visit my OB Gynecologist. This gave me too much stress because my aunts and cousin on the paternal side were afflicted with breast cancer and the latter died because of it. I was subjected to a series of tests. Cysts were present. I thought it was just one but there were four, one in my left breast and three in the right. Fortunately, they were benign. The next step would be undergoing management the soonest so that they would shrink.

I promised myself that I should live for a hundred years. Why? Because my sons need me. I want to see them grow until they can live independently and soar high to reach their dreams. It boils down to one thing. I should have listened to my grandparents and make healthier choices and do healthier practices CONSISTENTLY without sacrificing the comfort and joy in doing them. I do an easy exercise regimen, force myself to have a complete number of sleeping hours (Even though it's not that consistent yet but little by little I learn to drop everything and do it because it's necessary. I am going there, promise!), take or drink high quality supplements without breaking the bank aside from eating the right food. In line with this, I would like to share with you that it is such a blessing that I have been introduced to an award-winning herbal drink powder that is so nutritious and tastes really, really good. I am taking this for a month and I believe that somehow this helps alleviate my current health problems. The product that I am talking about is Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass Honey. What makes me motivated to drink it is that one tablespoon of this in 200 ml of cold water, although I prefer to dilute it more, is equivalent to one pound of fresh wheatgrass or 10 kilos of fresh fruits and vegetables combined.

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According to Medical News Today, wheatgrass in its processed form has a lot of health benefits. It can be a good source of antioxidants and protein, can prevent and treat cancer and diabetes, fight infections, and treat gastrointestinal distress. Gaya ko na nagkakaedad na, its about time to focus on practicing a healthy lifestyle seriously and consistently para mas maging malakas at mahaba ang buhay para sa pamilya! . Thank you so much, @wheatgrasscan and @fruitsinbloom, for sending these herbal drink powder and fruits over! Ang gandang combination nito kasi pala a beautiful fruit arrangement with wheatgrass is equivalent na to 10 kilos of vegetables! Wow! Moreover, to enjoy the award-winning Easy Pha-max Wheatgrass Herbal Drink Powder, stir it with 200 ml of cold water and enjoy like iced tea at maa-achieve na ang health benefits nito! Great! 😍 . . . . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmreviews #aapmhealthandwellness #naturalwheatgrass #easyphamax #wheatgrasscan #organic #healthy #healthdrink #herbaldrink #lovemail #bloggermail #mommybloggersph #bksmoms

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It is the first wheatgrass-based supplement that uses the roots and leaves of wheatgrass which contains abscisic acid, the most-coveted plant hormone for cancer prevention and promotion of a healthy cell function. It contains seven amino acids, 13 vitamins, 10 alkaline minerals, trace minerals, fiber, chlorophyll and over 100 types of enzymes. It is rich in fiber for good digestion and certified organic. I enjoy drinking it because it's like drinking any of my favorite beverages because it tastes really, really good and the benefits are tremendous.

By the way, we can purchase Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass in Mercury Drug Stores nationwide, Lazada PH, and www.wheatgrasscan.com.

Super sarap and refreshing itong Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass Honey! I like it ice-cold at mas masarap pa siya sa iced tea. Taking one to two servings per day is encouraged. Wheatgrass Honey (650g Canister) costs Php1,190 in www.wheatgrasscan.com. Matipid naman siyang gamitin so one canister goes a long way.

There is also Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass Pure (30 sachets per boxPhp990, see the upper portion of the photo for reference) which I haven't tested yet but I am sure it also tastes really good. By the way, each sachet contains 2 grams of wheatgrass powder that is equivalent to 10 kilos of fruits and vegetables in health benefits.

It's inevitable that people get sick but it can be prevented, right? There is no harm if we listen to old people especially when it comes to our health because their wisdom is based on experience. They are there to guide us to live a better and healthier life. Admit it, we also do the same with our kids or the youngsters that we know and we teach them the improved version of what the elders have taught us because at present we already have a concrete basis for those pearls of wisdom and better alternatives to implement them. Always remember, health is wealth.

According to Healthline, the following are the benefits of Kojic Acid:

- It lightens visible sun damage, age spots, or scars.

- It has an anti-aging effect on the skin.

- It contains antimicrobial properties that help fight off common types of bacteria even in small amounts or dilutions. 

- It can also treat bacterial acne.

- It may lighten acne scars that haven't faded yet.

- It has antifungal properties that may help in treating athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, and yeast infections.

Since it has a lot of health benefits primarily in preventing both bacterial and fungal infections and has proven to be safe in a small concentration of 1%, it is widely used in cosmetics or personal care products like soaps, lotions, and other beauty products. However, there are reports that it may cause skin irritations and discomforts like contact dermatitis which can be seen and felt as itchiness, rashes, swelling on the skin, and pain. It was reported that contact dermatitis and other skin irritations would occur if a person has used a product with more than 1% of Kojic Acid content.

With all honesty, the tingling sensation, dryness, and itchiness that I felt while using some brands of  Kojic Acid beauty products prompted me to stop. I love the benefits of Kojic Acid but the cons outweigh the pros.

In December 2018, I had a chance to get two bars of  Marvella Piel Kojic Acid Soap because the brand was one of the sponsors of #BKSMomsPasko2018. At first, I was hesitant to use it due to my unpleasant experiences with some Kojic Acid soaps that I tried before. Then one day, I had no soap to use so I had no choice but to cut a small portion of Marvella Piel Kojic Acid Soap (I didn't want to put the whole bar into waste just in case it won't suit me.), and used it as a body soap. What I would usually do was to soap my body then let the suds stay on it for a while before rinsing it off. To my surprise, I didn't feel any irritation or itchiness! Awesome! Then when I rinsed it off already, my skin was soft, smooth, and not dry at all. Due to that amazing feeling, I was never afraid to use it on my face. There was no tingling sensation, pain, or discomfort. I saw a difference in my skin tone just after initial use.  Lumiit din ang pores ko. I felt that my skin was super clean but silky. Since the soap was creamy, it was a wise decision that I cut a small portion so that the whole soap would not melt right away. Although its consistency was quite soft, hindi siya sobrang mabilis maubos. I used it for the whole week then and saw a huge difference in my skin. 

I really enjoy using it until now although I admit that I use it two to three times a week only on my face and body as an alternative to the soap that I use regularly because I am not after its fast whitening effect. When I feel that my skin is dull, then I use it again consistently for a week.

I highly recommend Marvella Piel Kojic Acid Soap. It's available on the following sites:

Marvella Piel Main Page on Facebook

Marvella Piel Online Shop on Shopee

Due to my best experience in using this soap, I am now interested to try Marvella Piel's other products like the Korean Glass Skin Set, 24K Gold Serum with Gold Dust, and Tomato Skin Care Line.

I am not a panicky type of person. I always keep calm and cool whenever being subjected to an unpleasant situation and unforeseen circumstance. I believe that in order for me to think properly and find the right solution to a problem, I should keep my composure and believe that every unpleasant situation shall pass.

However, I remember a few years ago when there was an instance that Kuya would religiously go back to the emergency room or being admitted in the hospital twice or thrice a month due to his very sensitive tummy. It was not an exaggeration. If that was not the case, he would still have a visit to his pediatrician for a check-up to get a prescription medication or sadly, being admitted again until he would recover in his acute gastroenteritis.

Until now, when I hear him say that he has a headache and a bad tummy, I have the tendency to worry too much. It is very hard for me to see Kuya suffer due to unbearable tummy pain. Him being sick can disrupt the family routines and my husband's work schedule. We have no one outside of the family to look after our sick member except any of us. We don't have a helper. Sickness, therefore, builds a chain of consequences--- emotional stress and physical strain due to taking care of the sick family member, disruption of the usual family mechanics, financial instability due to buying medicines and other hospital needs, unreliability in performing our work-related tasks, and a lot more.

At this point, Kuya's immune system is stronger but it doesn't mean that he can stay at ease. Acute Gastroenteritis comes unexpectedly most of the time. As a mom, guiding Kuya in making the right food and drink choices, changing his sedentary lifestyle by encouraging him to be active in a sport that he likes best, and taking the best supplements can keep himself from having frequent Gastroenteritis attacks and hopefully, none at all.

In line with this, I am very excited to hear the news that Erceflora, the reputable brand that helped Kuya improve his digestion and other gastrointestinal integrity while he was ill, has now a food supplement version in tablet form called PROBI BEAR.


By just eating one tablet a day, this easy to eat vanilla-flavored probiotic bear-shaped tablet helps in the enhancement of intestinal ecology and lactose malabsorption, improve digestion, and aid to the enhancement of natural resistance to intestinal infections. What makes this tablet safer is the absence of preservatives, gluten, trans fat, and nuts. Of course, this Kosher and Halal Certified brand is a product of Sanofi-Aventis, one of the world's pharmaceutical leaders. I am sure that Kuya and even us adults (My mom had an Acute Gastritis last week. Probi Bears are now part of her daily diet.) can depend on Probi Bears to have a healthier tummy and intestines every day! Iwas sakit, gastos, at alalahanin. Ang galing!

Erceflora Probi Bears are available in all leading drugstores nationwide. Just a tip from Mom, keep the Probi Bear pack refrigerated to make it easier for you to take out the bear tablet quickly from the foil pack.

Our family seldom goes to the mall or dines out in a restaurant. We are homebodies and enjoy one another's company by chatting, having a movie or Koreanovela marathon, and indulging in home-cooked meals. Aside from being frugal, the reason why dining out or going to a crowded place is the least priority and most of the time, not an option is that Bunso, aside from being autistic, has also sensory perception disorder. He tends to feel stressed when exposed to load sounds. He is very particular with certain food textures that makes him a picky eater. He feels uneasy while staying in a place unfamiliar to him. He is oversensitive with his surroundings. At this point, we are still in a process of waiting. We are waiting patiently for his readiness to be tolerant of his stressors and possess a longer attention span.

Last Saturday, before Paps and our two boys went out they decided to meet me at Bonchon Chicken in the afternoon. Kuya was telling me constantly for the entire week that he was craving for Bonchon Chicken.

It has been a while since we went out so I gave in. That day was also a chance for me to check if Bunso's behavior in a crowded place has already improved. His love for fried, barbecue, or grilled chicken was already an advantage but I wasn't sure whether he would love Bonchon or not.

To cut the story short, I was very happy because Bunso was able to appreciate Bonchon's ambience and its Kiddie Adventure Meal that was a FREEBIE when we ordered two boxed meals for only Php344 pesos. The serving of that kiddie meal was so huge and perfect for sharing. The juicy and flavorful chicken fillet was cut into bite-size cubes making them easy to eat by kids. It served as a scrumptious topping on the bed of hot steamed rice. Sobrang sarap niya, promise! It so happened that it became our instant favorite. Nasarapan din sina Kuya and Paps nang tikman nila ito.
  

Moreover, this promo by Bonchon comes with a free activity sheet and crayon to keep the young ones busy while waiting for their food. For the first time, Bunso stayed calm and quiet while patiently and diligently answering the activity sheet. The set of activities there was just enough to keep Bunso busy until our food was completely served. Answering and coloring it kept him calm and felt at ease with his environment. For the very first time, he didn't insist to go out of the restaurant immediately. It was also an opportunity for him and his Kuya to bond. Enjoying good food while building a strong family relationship and developing Bunso's fine motor skills, 'yan ang resulta ng pagkain namin sa Bonchon!

Kung ganito kasaya at kasarap ang pakiramdam ng mabusog at maging perfect ang moments with the family without breaking the bank, mauulit lagi ang pagbisita namin sa Bonchon Philippines especially that the promo is extended until November 30, 2018. We were able to witness Bunso's milestones by just availing the promo. We discovered a new delicious meal that both kids and adults could enjoy, learned that by doing a kiddie activity sheet while waiting for our food could calm Bunso down, and of course, Bonchon's great service and ambience could cater to a kid with special needs pala. 

Friends, I invite you to try Bonchon's KIDS EAT FOR FREE Promo. It runs until November 30, 2018 ha? Watch the video below to learn more about the promo.

Kayo, what is your memorable Bonchon moments with your family?

I became an active blogger in 2013. My sole purpose then was to write as a diversionary activity to survive the ups and downs of motherhood and anything in between. Aside from coherence and grammar, I was also very particular with photos that I would use for every blog post.

As a visual learner, I always believe that photographs speak more than words can express. They justify what the writer wants to imply without the use of explicit words that's why picture books not only cater to very young kids and the young at heart but to adults as well.

As always, I want my readers to read my blog post like they are reading their old picture books when they were still young. I want every word that I write to go hand-in-hand with the photographs that I provide. With the limited time and no patience in reading thick manuals and tinkering the features of my mobile phone and digital camera, I always opt to use them as point and shoot cameras. I always use their default features. Obviously, I love photography, but honestly, I want to do the endeavor as easy as possible. I am so lazy, am I not?

Well, before I learned the basic food photography workshop from Miss Joy Gurtiza of Joy Bites Blog, I wasn't satisfied with how I took photographs and how the output turned out. My friends would say that I could be very good in executing flat-lays and right angles. However, I felt the need to learn from an expert that's why I joined the workshop. After attending Joy's workshop, I was able to improve my photography skills even just a little because I learned that "Good lighting is needed to have the best results when you do photography." In that workshop, we were also taught about making our own diffuser and reflector, and of course, food styling.  After that workshop, I learned how to appreciate photography more.

Photo Credit: Manila Workshops

The eye should learn to listen before it looks.” - Robert Frank

The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years,regardless of the number of times they are viewed.” - Anne Geddes

Wherever there is light, one can photograph." - Alfred Stieglitz

In photography, there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated." - August Sander

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Who says that #Nutralac Moringa Oleifera (Malunggay) Leaf Food Supplement is only good for lactating moms? It's one of the best food supplements for adults to boost their immune system. Each 350 mg capsule is made with 100% Moringa Oleifera leaves and seeds, a very nutrient-rich vegetable that has been traditionally used for its therapeutic and health benefits due to its Vitamin A, Calcium, Protein, Essential Amino Acid and Phytonutrients content that aids in boosting the immune system. Nutralac is a whole food vegetable powder with no additives and preservatives. 😍 . Nutralac is proudly processed here in Philippines, manufactured by Northfield Laboratories, Inc. in Malolos, Bulacan. . Thanks, @uberliciousph and @launch_verbatim of #TrendspottingPH for sending these over! This sickly mama needs them now! 😍 . You too can have a chance to get a box of Nutralac Food Supplement with 30 capsules inside. It's one of the items added in the curry gift pack that I will be giving away to one lucky #AAPMReaderoftheMonth of #March. Haven't you joined yet? You may go to this link and follow the simple mechanics to gain entries. Thank you! 💚💚💚 . http://www.allaroundpinaymama.com/2018/03/vermont-java-kokumaro-curry.html?m=1 . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmrecommends #health #wellness #allnatural #momblogger #mommybloggersph

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez | AAPM (@allaroundpinaymama) on Mar 23, 2018 at 2:09am PDT

No matter how sophisticated the camera, the photographer is still the one that makes the picture." - Doug Bartlow

Courtesy: Manila Workshops