Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is a bunch of symptoms that even the strongest women would usually face several days before that time of the month. Feeling totally frazzled and waking up with a different kind of fatigue is a reality, a zit on the nose that wasn’t there a night before. And oh, those tender breasts plus the soreness and heaviness. Worst, you can’t stop thinking about that fudgy chocolate cake you saw on Instagram!

According to Anne Price, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, an average woman experiences PMS 450 times in her lifetime. While hormones play a part in these biological changes, there’s a way how to manage it by avoiding these foods that are likely to alleviate the symptoms.

1. Trans fats and hydrogenated fats 

These are the nutritional bad words everyone should be aware of. Trans fats and hydrogenated fats are unhealthy by-products of a chemical process called hydrogenation. Manufacturers alter the fats to solidify liquid oils and lengthen shelf life and flavor of oils and foods that contain them. So, the next time you’re going to pick up margarine, crackers, cookies, and snack foods from the grocery shelves, read the labels and drop everything that says hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated even if the nutritional profile says 0% trans-fat. Go for saturated fats found in coconut or the healthier monounsaturated fats like olive and avocado oil. 

2. Food allergens

Food allergies cause digestive issues and skin breakouts that are obvious signs of a possible hormonal imbalance. But what if you have no idea which food you are allergic to? Either you have yourself checked by a doctor or try an elimination diet. This diet is a three-to-six-week eating plan that eliminates potential food allergens and then reintroduces them one at a time to identify which ones your body does not tolerate well. Top eight foods that belong to the food allergen camp are milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. 

3. High fructose corn syrup and refined sugar

High fructose corn syrup is a chemically produced sugar found in sodas and fruit-flavored drinks, while refined sugar is the ones usually stored in your pantry. It comes from sugar cane, processed to extract sugar used to sweeten cakes, desserts, cookies, coffee, and cereals. The difference between these and the natural sugars found in fruits is that the former have empty calories with no nutritional value while the latter are loaded with fiber and other nutrients that your body needs especially right before the shark week. The absence of fibers makes you digest these artificial sugars rapidly resulting in insulin and blood sugar skyrocket. The result? It fuels mood swings and worsens headaches and difficulty concentrating. That’s the reason as well why you don’t feel full even after giving in to your sweet tooth. But of course, you don’t have to deprive yourself especially when you’re PMSing to the max. Just stick to dark chocolates, dates, raw honey, and reach for stevia or coconut sugar as healthier alternatives!

4. Salt

Ever wonder why you’re bloated or your hands and feet swell during PMS? These symptoms are caused by none other than hormonal changes that cause water retention. And loading up on sodium will just make it worse. Swapping salty food with nuts and loading up on fruits and veggies are good choices to reduce the accumulation of water weight because of a diet that’s high in sodium!

5. Caffeine

PMS is usually associated with fatigue, mental exhaustion, and depression. A lot of women try to counter these by increasing caffeine intake. But because caffeine is a stimulant chemical, it causes increased heart rate and blood pressure. This consequently leads to tension, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and greater exhaustion. Its diuretic nature also increases urine production and triggers dehydration that is home to dysmenorrhea. Try herbal teas and decaffeinated liquids instead while going through PMS. 

6. Alcohol

When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it alters the brain function that produces serotonin. Serotonin is called the “happy hormone” because it contributes to a person’s stability and well-being. It regulates mood, social behavior, appetite, sleep, memory, and sexual desire functions. It is also responsible in mood alterations and disorders. Now imagine, that PMS is at its peak and you decide to wreck them further by drinking your favorite bar drink. Not very helpful, right? And like the previous item, it is also diuretic. It will rob you of your much-needed bodily fluids that will lead to prolonged dysmenorrhea. That said, abstaining from drinking alcohol during this time is strongly encouraged. 

Remember that diet plays a key role in balancing the fluctuating hormones in a woman’s body. But aside from choosing the right food, picking the right sanitary pads will keep you centered. 

Wellgold International Inc. distributes Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and Liners and currently available at Watsons, selected Mercury Drug and South Star Drug outlets, SM department store’s health and beauty section, Robinson’s Supermarket and selected department stores, Shopwise, Rustan’s Supermarket, Waltermart, Landmark Department Store, PCX stores, selected Metro Gaisano outlets, plus other selected stores in Visayas and Mindanao. For more health tips, visit www.jeunesseanion.com and follow Facebook, YouTube and Instagram: Jeunesse Anion. For inquiries, email: wellgoldinternational@gmail.com or call (02) 4701294.

‘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.