‘YOLO’ – you have certainly heard it several times or even came across this acronym as a hashtag on a friend’s post on social media. A tickle in your curiosity, have you ever asked yourself what YOLO really means? YOLO is the acronym of ‘You Only Live Once’ which was popularized by a renowned rapper in one of his songs. But there is certainly a more profound meaning in ‘YOLO’.

Given the frailty and brevity of human life, anything can happen to you at any point in your life. Set your mind that every day is a miracle and that you only live once so why not make the most out of it? It is always yes to do the things you most loved and savor each moment like it is the last. Regardless of your age, social status, condition, and circumstances, it is never too late to prepare yourself to live your life only once. To start, you can create your own Bucket List.

Have you ever watched the movie ‘The Bucket List’? Played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, it is about two strangers, one a billionaire and one a mechanic, who were brought with the news that they already reached the terminal stage of their life. Realizing that they had little time left to complete the things they had to do and to be reconciled to the ones they love, they decided to make a Bucket List – it is a list of things that they wanted to do before they die. They eventually set out into the world against their doctor’s medical advice and took on their adventure of a lifetime. This movie provided an accurate mental picture of how short human life could be regardless of your social standing and how you could never be able to turn back the time to change the past.

Since the release of this movie, the term 'Bucket List' is now being generally used by people from all around the world to mean that you only live once so do everything you can possibly do given a limited amount of time. Many people have seriously considered YOLO as a way of living and they even created their own Bucket List. Some have set out for the thrill of an adventure, some have traveled to their dream destination, some have still started school at a later age, some have preferred doing things right the first time every time, some have always chosen to do what they always wanted to regardless of the social stigma and taboos.

Isn't it fulfilling to create a Bucket List and see how each item on your list is progressively being achieved? Have you ever considered creating your own Bucket List because ‘YOLO’? Join the Bucket List Summit, a platform that brings together leaders, speakers, thinkers, and experts who can help you be prepared emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially towards a life well-lived. The summit will be held on October 19 to 20, 2019 at the SMX Aura where renowned speakers will talk about the value and appreciation of life, financial wellness, spiritual enlightenment, physical challenges and its related solutions, psychological interventions, death and life, and more. Everybody deserves a quality life. Participate in this event now and know more about how you can live your life only once but to the fullest. 

For more information, please call Happy Events at (02) 637-9084 or send an email at happyeventsbydeegee@gmail.com.

Bunso has been dealing with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder for the last four years. Having habits that linger or recurrent is part of his condition. We have already accepted that. What Paps and I hope and pray is that he may continue to improve as he enjoys his life every day. 

As days pass, we discover little by little his love for cooking. I know that it is an answered prayer. Paps and I would always say when we converse about Bunso, "We hope that he continues to be functional. We hope that one day, he can discover the passion that he wants to focus on, something that he can do for a living. So that when the day comes that we are no longer here in this world, he will not be a burden to his brother and he will live independently and happily."

Cooking particularly making desserts is what Bunso likes to do best. He feels giddy whenever we give him a chance to watch his favorite YouTuber, Kusina Chef. He would imitate her as she talks while imagining himself making desserts on his own. He would tell us that he is going to crack and beat the eggs, mix the ingredients, or assemble them all by himself whenever Paps or I cook. 

He couldn't contain himself when I told him that he would be making his own desserts using Mr. Hat Gulaman. He was so excited doing all the processes--- from buying ingredients up to the taste test with a little assistance from me, of course, especially in the steps where using sharp objects were required. I asked him what desserts he would like to prepare. He told me that he would love to do Mango Float and Strawberry Ice Cream. I requested him to prepare Peach-Mango Float.

Here are the recipes.

Additional Ingredient:

Mr. Hat Gulaman Mango Jelly Powder

This ingredient made the Mango Float more sturdy. The cream won't run easily too.

Procedure:

1. In a bowl combine cream, condensed milk, and about three tablespoons of jelly powder dissolved in a little cream; mix until well incorporated. 

4. Decorate it, cover with plastic wrapper, and chill overnight.

When I discovered Bubble Man a few years ago, hindi na siya nawala sa list ng top dishwashing brands na paborito ko. Kasi naman, first time kong na-experience na maghugas ng pinggan na hindi sumakit ang kamay ko at ang bilis kong natapos.

Using a cloth diaper during the '70s and '80s was the least expensive option although very inconvenient unless the house had easy access to a washer and dryer or if the home care provider had ample time washing it by hand and drying it outdoors immediately. A cloth diaper that time also required the use of safety pins or soft plastic snaps to hold the edges together which would be very irritating or unsafe for the baby. For a family on a budget like we were when I was still a baby,  my mom had to think of its benefits rather than the inconvenience that using it might bring. A cloth diaper might not be as airtight like the disposable one but it could cause less irritation or rash build upon a baby's skin because it would allow moisture to evaporate immediately and it was made to be replaced often aside from using it could save a lot of money and could help save the environment.

Fast forward, the advent of the availability of a wide array of disposable diapers in the market today makes consumers open to better choices. It also leads to promoting convenience for moms. We have to admit that using cloth diapers doesn't work for everyone.

I am a mom myself and as I speak with my mom friends, the following are the things that make them stick with a disposable diaper brand: affordability, availability, cost-efficiency, and quality. They want their babies' disposable diaper easy to use and dispose of, leak-free especially during baby's active moments and while sleeping, doesn't easily sag, super absorbent, doesn't irritate baby's skin, and doesn't require to be changed often. 

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.

The admiration that I have right now for Dr. Michele Alignay has started when I've read her book award-winning book, "Family Goals, Embracing the Imperfections of Family Life". She is the kind of writer whom I can relate with kasi sakto lahat ng sinasabi niya sa book niya, tipong para siyang kapatid mo or BFF mo na nakikinig sa'yo at sasabihan ka ng mga words na kailangan mong marinig. Kahit gaano kasakit ang katotohanan, she is going to make you feel better after pero naliwanagan ka ng bongga!

That's why when I was invited by her personally to attend her latest book launching, ayayay, may kilig factor talaga, I swear. Saying yes to that invite was one of the best decisions that I made this month and probably for my entire lifetime. 

In the 11th of May this year, the intimate launch of her new book, "The Beauty of 40, Unwrapping the Gift of Midlife" was held in Miriam College. The book would be tackling about clarity, reflection, and sensible response to what is happening within us, tayong mga nasa midlife na (Yes, I am 40 and I am proud of it!) and beyond. The two-hour event was filled with an atmosphere of love, sincerity, friendship, and learning. You may watch the video by Kerygma Books through the link below to know more about the launch and the book itself HERE.

I am currently reading it and soon, I will review it. While waiting for it, you may read first my review about "Family Goals" on this link: Family Goals Embracing the Imperfections of Family by Michele S. Alignay. This book is available in religious and some parish stores nationwide and online at www.kerygmabooks.com for only Php320. Whenever I see this book in book stores, I tell the staff to recommend it.

By the way, Dr. Ichel will be launching her "The Beauty of 40..." book again on Sunday, May 26, at "Infini7e: Feast Marikina Bluewave's 7th Anniversary in Marikina Convention Center from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN. Don't miss it! If you will not be able to make it, you may purchase the book at www.kerygmabooks.com for Php380 only. Midway pa lang ako pero ang dami ko nang napulot o natutuhan.