Everything seems to be online these days diba? Online learning, online meetings, online events, online workshops and talks, and my favorite of all - ONLINE SHOPPING.  I love doing things online and to be honest, I am embracing this new normal with open arms because as I grow more mature, I enjoy the comforts of home and just being with my loved ones.  My favorite of all those online activities is: ONLINE SHOPPING!

Why?  First, it's convenient I don't need to go out, fall in line, brave the traffic or look for parking.  Second, it's practical for me because it saves time, effort, and even expense (no unnecessary spending on food kahit hindi naman ako gutom or impulse buying and no travel expense which is more expensive than courier fees.)  Lastly mommies like me na madiskarte, did you know that you can actually SAVE MONEY while you SPEND it for shopping?  Pwede yan with ShopBack!  

What is ShopBack?

Shopback is the #1 rewards and discovery platform in APAC. It's a platform that lets users earn up to 30% cashback when shopping online.  In short, you get cashback whenever you shop using your favorite shopping platforms.  Shopback has partnered kasi with 500+ merchants including our favorites like Shopee, Zalora, Nike, Aliexpress, Foodpanda, Booking.com, Lazada, etc.  Each time you make a transaction, you get a percentage of your money back. Aside from redeeming discounts and promo codes, cashback is another way of getting savings from online purchases.

How To Use ShopBack?

1. DOWNLOAD ShopBack APP for free via Play Store or Apple Store or you could also sign up via web.  SIGN UP for a free-to-use ShopBack account.  Signing up is easy peasy too!
   
   
2. BROWSE on the shops, explore categories (food, groceries, fashion, electronics, beauty, and more!), check exclusive voucher offerings. Click on your chosen online store and SHOP as usual.
   
   
3. GET CASHBACK in your ShopBack account in 72 hours!

Could there be anything cuter than these?  I've used Tiny Buds and purchased PatPat items for my little ones before and I guarantee that you'll be getting your money's worth for your purchases!

So mommies and soon to be moms, are you up for saving or earning while you spend for shopping?  Who isn't?  I AM! Basta don't forget to open ShopBack first when you're planning to do your online shopping (especially during the SALE periods), so you can maximize potential savings in every peso you spend.  Yan ang totoong practical right?  Hindi lang basta nagtitipid, kailangan nag-e-earn din kahit pa nag-sspend for shopping.  That's only possible through ShopBack!

Download the app today and sign-up easily!  Your cashbacks from Shopback, you can treat it as your secret mommy savings para guilt-free shopping ka na by the time you withdraw from ShopBack.  For more information, visit https://www.shopback.ph/ and follow them on their social media accounts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopbackph/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopBackPhilippines

Hello!  It's been a while since I've written something very personal on my first digital love - my blog.  I am glad I am typing away my vulnerability, openness, and honesty.  I may be someone you know or maybe not.  I maybe an inspiration to some, a source of strength and encouragement, but I am also human and just another regular mom - experiencing the same things that you do, day in and day out.

I recently experienced social media or digital anxiety - I'm not sure if there's such a thing.  But that's what I've been through these past couple of weeks.

To be exact, I felt overwhelmed, fearful, unsure, worried, insecure, and it seemed like all my efforts were not enough.  

I battled with all those feelings or mental state in the days and weeks that went by.  You may or may not notice it but if you know me well - you'd know that I took a break.

Yes, I was still present, but if you could read between the lines of some of my posts, you'd know there's something quite off.

View this post on Instagram

CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD? Mid-week thoughts from a busy, overwhelmed, peace-yearning, and tired momma. It's always the way we carry it, isn't it? These past few days, I've been quiet here and there. I'm carrying a load of all sorts. I've been re-chanelling my energies and attention to things that make me happy - my family, my plants, my small biz, my oils, my cooking, and also my Kdramas. I'm shying away from the noise, from the pressure some people put on another. I'm shying away maybe from you who's still reading this. It's not you, it's me. Haha. I know exactly why I'm doing this and my pausing and slowing down is intentional. It's the way I am carrying the load. It's the way I'm coping. I'll be back, stronger, happier, more energized, more focused, and more open. We all cope with what's going on in our lives in different ways. Let's cope and not give up. If you're tired, rest. If things are moving on a fast pace that you couldn't keep up, pause. If there's too much on your plate, select the healthy ones and save the others for later. Prioritize, delegate, you can even decline. The important thing is to cope. Lastly,never think you're all alone in carrying all the load, God's with you every step of the way. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT Have a great week ahead!

A post shared by LOUISE-Mom & Lifestyle Blogger (@mommypracticality) on Aug 12, 2020 at 1:04am PDT

I'm the person people come to for consultation, for encouragement, for good vibes, and inspiration.  I'm that person and yet, there I was needing those things I give to others.

No one really noticed, unless I kind of gave some clues through my posts.

View this post on Instagram

MENTAL HEALTH Do what makes you happy. Divert your attention elsewhere if you think where you are isn't working well for you or when what used to bring you joy now tires you. Step back. Pause. Detox. But don't quit. Don't lose hope. Just take a break. As shared in my last post on coping these days. I've been refocusing my energies on things that make me really happy. My family is already a given. Sharing with you what's keeping me busy these days in case you're wondering what I've been up to. I'm just here, just detoxing. There's too much noise, still getting used to it again. I am coping. I'm taking care of my mental health as well. So these past few weeks were spent most on learning new skills. I baked my first-ever choco cuppies, baked more chocolate chip cookies, tended to my lovely plants (to which I was baptized a new title by my husband at home - a budding botanist), my small retail biz (reselling trolleys and UV Care products), and my YL oils too How have you been loves? Hope all is well with you.

A post shared by LOUISE-Mom & Lifestyle Blogger (@mommypracticality) on Aug 12, 2020 at 9:43pm PDT

But that's okay, because I didn't battle this anxiety alone, I had an ally fighting with me - I have GOD.  I battled everything in prayer.  I wasn't really alone.  

The first practical thing I did to help me with my mental health was - Social Media Detox.  What is it?  My personal definitions are any of the following: 

• It's taking a conscious and intentional break from your regular social media groove to take care of your mental and emotional health.  
• It's a much-needed pause when you feel there's too much noise or things are going too fast that you can't live your real life.
• It's practically putting your depleting digital energies somewhere or to something else (before it becomes empty) so you could recharge.
• It's simply staying away from social media to be more busy with your offline life.

How Social Media Detox Can Save You From Anxiety And Depression

Sometimes in life, stepping back or seeing ourselves from a different perspective is healthy.  It will make you realize many things, assess where you are and where you want to go, it will let you discover that YOU ARE MORE THAN WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE, and that whatever happens, whether you decide that you want to exit from the digital limelight or press on, that YOU ARE ENOUGH and that you are where you are for a PURPOSE.  

So if you feel overwhelmed and exhausted, take a break and detox from what stresses you.  Don't quit, don't lose hope.  Breathe in deeply, breathe out.

Then carry on.

One of the amazing gifts this quarantine gave me is TIME. Time well-spent building or rebuilding relationships with my loved ones, improving my prayer life, doing what I love and lastly learning new skills. For me, it was baking.

I've always dreamed of baking my own cookies because I love cookies! Baking was an achievement unlocked for me and has taught me some of life's important lessons: To keep on trying; To be exact and consistent; and to be resourceful. After three tries, I was able to perfect my Chocolate Chip Cookies which I am now sharing with you.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup butter at room temperature (you may use a baking margarine)
- 1 cup brown or washed sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla flavor
- 1 cup chocolate chips

Procedure:

1. Mix Butter with sugar in a bowl until creamy.
2. Put egg and add vanilla. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, mix all the dry ingredients, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
4. Slowly pour dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Continue mixing.
5. Pour the chocolate chip cookies.
6. Cover with cling wrap then chill for 2 hours.
7. After chilling, scoop to the size you want and lay on cookie sheets.
8. Preheat oven to 175 degree Celsius.
9. Bake for 15 minutes.
10. Take out the cookies and let it cool.

Enjoy! I never thought that I would achieve this baking momma hat I proudly wore this quarantine. Just like you, I sometimes worry where to get baking ingredients especially if I don't really want to go out. Glad to let you know that you can purchase and pay for them online at these websites.

• Lazada - www.lazada.com.ph
• Landers - www.landers.ph
• Metromart - www.metromart.com
• MyKuya - www.mykuya.com
• Fresh Produce - www.freshproduce.com.ph
• Online Palengke - www.onlinepalengke.com

For my online purchases, I usually use my PayMaya account for safe and convenient cashless transactions. This way, I don’t have to worry about transmitting the virus through cash handling or long exposure to other people.

You can easily do use PayMaya too for your own transactions. Here’s how:

1. After adding items to your cart from your choice of shopping app, proceed to the checkout page.
2. Choose credit card as the payment option.
3. Open your PayMaya app and select ‘My Cards’ then note online payment card number.
4. Go back to the shopping app and choose Online Payment card number
5. Input your card details and confirm your payment
6. An SMS notification will be sent by PayMaya, confirming your transaction

Done! It's easy, convenient, and best of all, safe! All you have to do is wait for the delivery right at your doorstep.

As we smoothly adapt to the new normal, I'm glad PayMaya is here to help us transition to contactless, secure, and cashless payments. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.  To know more, visit: https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide. Download the app for free today, click this link: https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133 and use my referral code: Igs628.

Remember, don't pay cash, PayMaya!

These days, we’ve all become more careful when it comes to managing our household. At home, moms clean more often than before. We wash clothes almost every day, sanitize everything coming from outside, eat healthy and take our multivitamins to boost our immune system, and educate our kids how to wash hands properly. Most importantly, we stay home as much as possible. And in the instances that we have to go out, we equip ourselves with face masks and alcohol.

We do these things to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the spread of the coronavirus. This is the new normal and we’ve smoothly adapted to it.

Apart from these safety measures, there’s one area that is often neglected or not prioritized when it comes to safety – transactions and payments. I only have ONE SAFETY TIP – DO CASHLESS or CONTACTLESS transactions. Whether you’re settling bills online or paying for your groceries in supermarkets, don’t pay cash. PayMaya. 



Here are just some of the transactions you can settle safely and conveniently with PayMaya:

1. Pay for online purchases

Shopping online has become a part of the new norm, now that we are being asked to stay at home as much as possible. For online purchases, using cashless options like PayMaya is safer and more convenient than COD. With this, there is no need to scramble for cash when your order arrives. You’re also able to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus through cash-handling.

You can use your 16-digit virtual card number for this, but some merchants also accept payments using only the mobile number linked to your PayMaya account.

2. Pay for groceries or medicines



I still prefer the QR Scan to pay option when paying for my groceries at the supermarket. You don’t need to hand any cash nor card to anyone and returned to you unsure if it carries the uninvited virus we’re all scared about. On top of that, you can also get a cashback of 1%, 10%,  or 100% when you pay via PayMaya QR. Safe and sulit at the same time!  PayMaya QR is available at Landers, Robinsons Supermarket, Rustans Supermarket, Shopwise, Robinsons Easymart, Robinsons Selections, Shopwise, Super8, Wellcome, LCC Supermarket, Metro Gaisano, Citimart Supermarket, WalterMart Supermarket, Budget Mart, South Emerald Supermarket, Prince Hypermart, and many more.

3. Pay bills and other government -related dues.

You don’t have to brave the growing traffic or risk getting infected outside, just to pay for your bills or government dues. You can easily do it in the safety and comfort of your home with PayMaya. With just a few clicks, you are already able to settle your bills and not worry about incurring additional charges for late payment.


4. Buy load for yourself or others.

You can also purchase load for yourself or your friends and family with your PayMaya app.  These items are also discounted so you know you’re getting more sulit deals by simply staying at home.

5. Add money to your account

To do all these things, you would need to have enough funds in your account. Luckily, adding money to PayMaya is super easy. There are a lot of ways to do this. If you don’t want to go out, you can just transfer money from your bank account to PayMaya via Instapay. You can also add funds to your PayMaya using your credit and debit card. But if you don’t have a bank account or a credit card yet, you can simply head to the Smart Padala agent in your community and add money from there!

Even if the quarantine will be lifted in the future, I’ve well adjusted to this new normal. To be honest, I like it better because so many good things had happened to me. My husband and I are more appreciative of each other. My children are closer than ever. I learned many new things like baking and extending my patience. I’ve fortified my personal relationship with God too. Even if it’s declared safe to go out, I still won’t risk my family’s health and safety. I will still do cashless and contactless transactions like how I am doing now using PayMaya. It’s fast, it’s convenient, it’s practical, and lastly, it’s SAFE. 

To know more about PayMaya visit https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide. You may download

PayMaya for free on Play Store and Apple Store. Click HERE to download instantly. So remember, to stay safe and have contactless transactions, don’t pay cash. PayMaya! 

In my last blog post on things we do these days to ensure our family is kept safe and healthy these days, I invited you to tune in to PLDT Home's #StayHomeSeries Stay Healthy Program over at Mommy Mundo's Facebook Page.  The live talks they produced were relevant and timely because moms these days could get anxious about their children's health.

As a mom, have you asked these questions?

• Is it safe to bring my child out for a check up?

• My child has a slight fever and is coughing, should I bring him to ER?

• Is it safe to self-medicate my sick child?

• How do I know if my child is getting the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals he needs for his age?

It's normal for us moms to worry about our children's health especially this time of pandemic.  That's why I didn't miss the chance to watch the two LIVE talks on Mommy Mundo's Page about this popular topic.


Here were my key takeaways that will surely help many moms too:

• A child's FIRST 1000 DAYS nutrition is most crucial.  This starts from conception until the child reaches two yeas of age.  This is critical because nutritional damage that occurs during this time is irreversible.  So make sure that you eat well so your child will eat well too.
• Immunity is the capability of the body to resist harmful microorganisms from entering it.
• There are two types of NUTRIENTS:
• Essential are nutrients required that can't by synthesized by the body and must be obtained from a dietary source.
• Non-essential are nutrients synthesized by the human body so they need not be obtained directly from food.
• 5210 Every Day! - You heard this right!  This means 5 or more fruits and vegetables; 2 hous or less recreational screen time; 1 hour or more of physical activity; and 0 sugary drinks - moe of water and low fat milk.  Some more inputs, canned and frozen fruits/veggies are just as nutritious as fresh.  As parents we should walk the talk.
• Increase Immunity in 2 ways
• Natural - by eating and drinking healthy, sleeping smart, exercising, and laughing a lot.
• Supplements - by getting it from "food supplements" or what moms usually call multivitamins and minerals.  Important vitamins/minerals: Zink, DHA/AHA during first 1000 days, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, and Probiotics.
• Bacterial and Viral Infections are totally different
• Viruses are smaller than bacteria (smaller than our red blood cells)
• Bacteria has a cell wall Viruses has no cell wall  - both have genetic material
• Bacteria can reproduce itself (moisture and heat).  Viruses need a living organism o host cell.
• Antibiotics are made for bacterial infections.  This just simply means one cannot take just any antibiotics without checking if the illness is caused by bacteria or virus.
• Never self-medicate - there's a correct prescription of the medicines to take depending on the progression of the disease.  
• Strictly practice the following: 
• Proper hand washing - at all times.  This is the most effective way of sanitizing vs applying alcohol or alcogel
• Food safety - wash food for cooking, separate raw from cooked food, etc.
• Avoid close contact when you have cough
• Avoid spitting in public
• Seek medical attention immediately when symptoms show.
• Good nutrition, exercise and breastfeeding - all help in staying fit and healthy.
• Vaccination is the most important and effective weapon against bacterial and viral diseases
• Viral:
• Polio
• Measles
• Rotavirus
• Japanese encephalitis
• Mumps 
• Rubella
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A
• Bacterial
• Pneumococcal
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Tetanus
• Typhoid

It's been more than two months since we've been on quarantine and gladly forced to stay home because of the pandemic.  It's normal for many moms to prepare and get worried for the future, the safety and health of her loved ones, and how to keep everyone busy and adapt to the situation.

Since then I noticed that all of us have heavily relied on online learning, online gaming, online entertainment, online teaching, and even I upgrade my skills and do meetings online.  I guess this is the new normal for many - to do a lot of things virtually.  And not to my surprise, it's doable!  But we've got to have a faster and reliable internet connection right mommies?

There are two things that's on top of my worry list: my kids' health (vaccines, what if they get sick or had an accident, etc) and education.  Since we now get many information. entertainment, and inspiration from resources online, I get some peace of mind  knowing there are doctors doing online consultations whether on social media and even through Viber.

For my personal welfare, I do self-caring and I always encourage other moms to do so.  I wrote 100 Things To Do At Home on my blog for moms who get anxious thinking "oh my, what am I going to do next?" I personally also refer to that list, it's like a personal list which I made into a blog post.  I'm also happy I'm part of Mommy Mundo's community that helps me keep my sanity with their weekly themed mindfulness activities and live talks.  They also invite experts to talk about what moms like me worry mostly about, kids and health.  They are coming up with another one which will be helpful in answering most of medical related questions from worried moms.

Mommy Mundo will have an e-health consultation series powered by PLDT Home.  Join the #StayHealthy Moms! Facebook Live on their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/mommymundo.  Here's the schedule:

May 26, Tuesday (11 am - 12nn)
Natural Nutrition vs. Supplements in Boosting a Child's Immune System
Dr. Gellina Maala with Mikaela Lagdameo 

May 28, Thursday (11am - 12nn)
Decoding the Germ Code: Understanding the Difference between viral and bacterial diseases.
Dr. Andrea Carag with Riki Flo

I'm thankful that a lot of organizations, brands, and communities such as Mommy Mundo are offering free webinars, consultations, and talks that make mom lives a little bit easier.  Thanks also to PLDT Home's #StayHomeSeries for understanding us moms and answering to the call for trusted resources that we could all listen to and believe.  Spread the word momma! :)

The coronavirus pandemic is constantly reshaping the world as we know it. Many of us at home are practicing self-isolation and social distancing to flatten the curve; but we’re also looking for other ways to help out frontliners and those affected by the crisis.

With limitations brought about by the enhanced community quarantine, people have turned to social media to proactively look for organizations and support their causes. A group of volunteers saw the need to house all the information in one place and in response, created a microsite to readily connect people at home with those who are on the frontline.


Volunteers behind HFH have expertise in community organizing, operations, government relations, and communications, making the platform a reliable source of information to help mobilize resources in support of COVID19-related projects. To date, HFH has verified more than 100 initiatives since their launch last March 25, 2020. These organizations aim to provide frontliners and families at risk with all forms of support — protective gear, food, transportation, financial aid, and more.
More than just consolidating the efforts of various organizations, the HFH volunteers also employ an extensive verification process to validate and ensure that each organization is legitimate. Part of the requirements which they review include the institution's background, digital assets, fundraising history, and proof of delivery. These details are critical to help website visitors make informed and data-driven decisions about how and where to make donations.

But aside from presenting the supply side, the HFH website also features a real-time and needs-based list and map to showcase the demands needed nationwide.In collaboration with By Implication, Switchboard PH, and Vector, HFH developed a tool that presents hospital needs and how much of these needs have been fulfilled. The list uses color and progress bars, while the map uses both color and the size of the circle to denote quantity needed. This tool can be used by individuals and organizations alike to more strategically provide and distribute supplies. HFH is also currently working on featuring demands from vulnerable sectors, and identifying them by municipality and by barangay.
HFH continues to update its database and system to accommodate a growing list of partner organizations and monitor the status of donation drives as well. The group plans to reach out to more initiatives, communicate efforts being done in far-flung communities, and collaborate with like-minded brands and institutions with shared goals.

The call to help from home continues to inspire action. For more information on supporting frontliners and communities at risk, visit their website https://helpfromhome.ph/ 

Kamusta mga mommies?  What are you feeling right now?  Bored?  Worried?  Anxious?  Sad?  Confused?  Fearful?  Depressed?  Desperate?

Whatever you are feeling right now, let me assure you that all of your feelings are valid.  It's okay not to be okay.  We are human, we have feelings and we can be weak.  Take time to relax and recognize all your feelings, accept it, and feel it.  But tell yourself that you need to do something about it.

Source

With the global pandemic and extended enhance community quarantine we have all been either struggling or easing our ways to adapt to the new normal.  Not everyone welcomes this with open arms especially those who are on "No Work. No Pay" status.  It's a difficult time.  This is why we need to really try our best to stay positive during the quarantine period.

WHY?

They say, what we feel, think, affects how our body’s immune system.  Just like food is to the stomach, our thoughts and feelings are to the mind and heart.  You become what you eat, what you think, what you feel.  Feed it well, you’ll be well.  Feed it negatively, you get sick and that's the last thing we want these days right?  Ayaw natin magkasakit.

From the individual recovery sessions I attended in the past, I learned that out of everything that’s happening around us, 90% are uncontrollable (such as Covid-19 outbreak, loss of projects or jobs,  accidents, and even how other people relate to you or treat you).  You can only control 10% of your life which is basically the following:

• How you accept and feel about people and things.
• How you respond to what’s happening around you.

Given this, I believe that you are the master of your thoughts and emotions.  You have the power to succeed or fail, the power to be joyful or grumble, the power to be content or complain, and the power to feel at peace or worry.

Here are some proven and tested things you could do to stay positive during the quarantine

FEED YOURSELF WELL.
Choose healthy food to nourish yourself and help boost immune systems.  This also is applicable to the news and articles you read on your Facebook or IG or Twitter feed.  Learn how to FILTER what you absorb your minds and hearts.  Usually, these don’t help in keeping you calm or stay positive.  You may check in every now and then, but try not to overthink or over-analyze because you’ll only panic, worry, and be anxious.  Feed yourself with positive and inspiring content that will either make you laugh, inspire you to do good things or be busy, and move you care for yourself and your loved ones more.  It helps also if you have something daily to read such a devotion book or app.  I use YouVersion Bible App.

MAKE A THANK YOU LIST.

Source

Write down all things you are thankful for.  This ECQ made spending more time with our families possible and it’s healing our mother earth from all the pollution we give her.  More than what you wish you have, think about everything that you have right now and write them all down.  Write down what you’re thankful for each day.  Start and end your day with a grateful heart by creating this habit.

BE BUSY.
To keep your minds from wandering and getting too affected due to the number of rising positive COVID-19 cases in ou country and even globally or to simply kill boredom, look for things to do in the house.  This extended ECQ brought anxieties to many, that's why it's important to keep yourselves busy.  Apart from usual chores, you could do activities with kids, finish the scrapbook you started 5 years ago, make a new skincare routine, master the art of lining your eyebrows (because kilay is life!), learn something new, organize your closet, or you can binge watch KDramas.  Do something you love or at least something that interests you.  I’ve written about 100 Things To Do At Home during quarantine.  Check it out.

HELP OTHERS.

I had the opportunity to volunteer to cook for our frontliners through BrandbuzzPH

If you can and able or if you have extra funds or savings, support and help fundraising causes organized by different private sectors.  One example is Brandbuzz Helps.  it's a community of mommy bloggers and social media influencers headed by Gie Ramos, that pools funds and even donations in kinds from individual or group donors and brands, to support as many frontliners as it can.  I donated and also volunteered to cook breakfast for ou frontliners through this wonderful community.  It really felt good and fulfilling to be able to help others.  Science says, doing acts of kindness such as helping others in any way you can, produces Oxytocin.  It is also called the love hormone that helps lower blood pressure and improves heart-health.  Helping others also increases self-esteem and optimism, which are all extra helpful in managing anxiety.


PRAY.
Cast your burdens and worries to our waymaker, miracle worker, promise-keeper and our light in the darkness - our God Almighty!  Let’s recognize that God is in control and that He alone can heal and stop this pandemic.  Sharing with you my favorite Bible verses that comfort me in time of worry.  In Matthew 21: 22 it says “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”  Lastly, He said, “Fear not, I am with you, I am your GOD.  I will strengthen you, and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. 

Source

This ECQ has made me realize a lot of things such as what is really important in my life.  That not wealth (which I don't really have), fame (I also don't have), success, achievement, position or profession, and connections could save me should I be infected with the virus.  I will not call upon anything and anyone to protect me and my family or to heal me - but God's name alone.  I will only call upon the Lord to take my wheel and steer it according to His will.

We are not really sure when this will all end.  Not unless a proven and tested vaccine or medicine will be available to everyone globally that we could attain peace of mind that we could all be safe to go back to the "normal" we were used to.  But for now, let's do all we can to abide by our laws.  Let's stay home and pray for our government to make the right decisions for our country.  While our ECQ has been extended and I believe will still be extended until end of the year, let's do our best to stay positive as we all stay home.

I've been on and off social media these days which isn't the case for some moms I know. Why? Maybe because they think there's nothing else better to do.

Wrong.

Being on enhanced community quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic could really make anyone get bored easily.  If I still am an office kind of working mom, I would definitely feel the same way!  It's different when you're used to going out every day for work compared to someone (like me or most work at home moms and stay at home moms) who sees community quarantine quite similar to her daily life (except the freedom of going out anytime).

I've read so many rants or funny comments from moms not knowing what to do for the rest of the quarantine days.  That's why I came up with a list of 100 things you could do during this period.  You may be doing some already, but feel free to read the other things on the list in case you come to a point when you don't know what to do next. 

Here it goes:

1. Start a daily devotion.  I use Simple Joys App (free download on Play Store or App Store).
2. Set a weekly family meeting to ask how they are doing.  Ask the kids what they understand about what's happening to our country and the whole world due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is a teaching moment for parents.
3. Write in your journal daily. 
4. Start an "Answered Prayers" notebook to teach you to be more grateful each day.
5. Start a blog or a vlog sharing what you're passionate about.
6. Read blogs or watch vlogs that inspire you and bring value to your life.  
7. Finish that scrapbook you started 5 (or more) years ago.
8. Organize your family or children's photos on your phone, desktop computer, cloud storage, CDs.  
9. Layout these photos for a nice photo book or print them on large canvass materials (Photobook PH has these!) the printing you may do after the quarantine.
10. Organize your personal files on your laptop or desktop computer.  Want to purge files?  This is the best time.
11. Do some art projects you've been dying to do but have no time such as but not limited to macrame, cross-stitch, painting, and crochet.
12. Read books or finish books you've longed to finish.
13. Cover your books with the leftover plastic covers from last year.
14. Manicure/Pedicure at home.
15. Foot scrub/foot spa yourself.
16. Teach everyone at home how to wash hands properly and thoroughly.
17. Create a Spotify Playlist of all your favorite songs (songs from teenage years, songs that uplift you, Praise and Worship songs)
18. Netflix and chill - I started watching K-dramas/Series and I never went back.  Current loves: Crash Landing On you, Kingdom, Something In The Rain, and Itaewon Class.  Also watch Money Heist, Elite, and other Netflix original movies. :)
19. Edit the travel or milestone videos on your phone or computer.  I use InShot for Android phones.
20. Download educational and entertaining apps for your kids' tablets.  Check each app your child uses and discern if you should uninstall or retain on the gadget.
21. Defrost and clean your refrigerator.
22. Take out all the dinnerwares from your dish drainer and clean it as well.
23. Use those nice plates, and utensils you've kept for special occasions. They are not to be kept anyway.  Life is too short to reserve beautiful things for tomorrow.  
24. Remove the hiding accumulated dirt in your washing machine.  You have to check in between the silicones/rubbers to see the dirt.  Remove and disinfect as well.
25. Konmari your closet.
26. Organize your closet apart from folding your clothes nicely.  Segregate to keep, to give away/donate or for selling.
27. Organize your husband's and kids' closets and rooms too.
28. Revisit your makeup and skincare products' expiration dates and throw the expired.  If you have too much, give it away or use them.
29. Practice putting on make up especially your eyebrows, kilay is life!
30. Start a nightly skincare routine if you have none.  If you do, start using the face masks you got as gifts last Christmas.
31. Satisfy that #PlantTita spirit in you.  Start caring for existing plants at home.  Talk to them, water them, make sure they are given enough sunlight exposure.
32. Grow a sustainable garden.  Easy to plant and grow are: Eggplants, Okra and Saluyot.  You may also try ginger, tomatoes, kangkong, malunggay, and ampalaya.
33. Rewrite your mom's or grandmother's recipes.
34. Revisit your family's financial budget or plans and see if you're on track or deficit.
35. Start populating an expense sheet and a budget tracker.
36. Discuss financial planning with your husband.
37. List down accounts receivables and schedule of remittance or payment.
38. Hang your small children's artworks on a dedicated wall mural.
39. Re-arrange your living area or dining area.  This is applicable to your bedroom and kitchen too.
40. Create a TikTok account and start filming funny videos you, your family and friends could laugh about to take your minds off the pandemic.
41. Share your TikTok funny videos on social media. 
42. Redecorate your room.
43. Redecorate your children's room
44. Call your parents and siblings and ask how their families are doing.
45. Reconnect with old friends.
46. Make new ones.
47. Make amends to those whom you may have hurt in the past.
48. Forgive those who had hurt you even if they didn't ask for it.  You're setting yourself free.
49. Write your husband a love letter.  Rekindle your beautiful love story together.
50. Start a home workout to keep fit, try yoga, weight lifting, and cardio routines.
51. Spread COVID-19 news and words of encouragement.  Please validate and make sure it's not fake news or something that would spread fear, anxiety, and worries.
52. Donate to our frontliners (hospital workers, military and policemen) and the homeless through different and legitimate organizations.  One is Brand Buzz PH.
53. Share on your social media accounts donation or fundraising drives organized by different communities, groups, establishments, companies, etc.
54. Sanitize your house especially frequently held/touched surfaces like doorknobs, staircase railing, switches, ref handle, etc.  I used UV Care, alcohol, bleach, and sanitizer.
55. Change your bedsheets and pillowcases.
56. Change curtains in all rooms.
57. Try baking easy recipes.  You may use your oven toaster or turbo if you don't have an oven.
58. Get some morning sun with the kids, just step out of the house.  This does not necessarily mean you have to go out in your neighborhood.  
59. Prepare your family's Emergency GO Bags in case you haven't done this.
60. Charge all existing powerbanks in the house and all other rechargeable small appliances.  You'll never know when you'll need them.
61. Advance your weekly menu-planning.
62. Cook your husband's and children's favorite meal.
63. Teach your kids how to cook.  Pancakes for little ones and easy viand recipes for older kids.
64. Start using your expensive planner/s (you redeemed for buying all those cups of coffee!).  Sell or give away your extra planners.
65. Calendar all your billing due dates (teleco, electricity, water, internet, insurance, health cards, memorial plans, etc
66. Teach your children some physical games you used to play as a child (that most probably they have no idea how to play it today) such as piko, patintero, tumbang preso, pitik-bulag, luksong-tinik, Chinese garter, chinese jackstones, etc.)
67. Teach boardgames and also card games to your child (Snakes and Ladders, Connect 4, Sungka, Memory Game, Pekwa, Ungguy-Ungguyan, and many more).
68. Learn your kids' games too and even lingos (have you heard of Roblox, Minecraft, Subway Surfer, Uno, etc.?).
69. File your kids' artworks and put their age or date they were made.  Putting them on a clear book is a nice idea.
70. Teach your kids some easy household chores appropriate for their age.  My toddler could throw trash in the garbage and pack away his toys.  My school-aged son can wash the dishes, sweep the floor, and help me with laundry.  My eldest is the official dishwasher, clothes folder, can do the laundry, tidy up his rooms, and run errands for me.
71. Do arts and crafts with the kiddos. There are many free printouts you could find on the internet.
72. Polish your wooden floor and furniture.  This can also be considered a workout for us moms!
73. Polish your jewels.  I use and highly recommend Kurin Water.  
74. Revisit all your PIN numbers/codes of your different accounts.  You may be forgetting some or some of your accounts may be compromised, so for security, change your PIN codes or at least try to remember them.
75. Revisit all the policies you've bought.  Take note of documents needed for claims, write down due dates, list down policy summary, etc.
76. List down important details about yourself and all the important assets you have, should anything happen to you in the future.
77. Wash your make-up brushes and tools.
78. Clean all your bags.
79. Wash or polish all your shoes.
80. Stitch your children's names on their handkerchiefs or towels.
81. Support a friend's business or blog or vlog by visiting and liking their websites or pages.  
82. Take your support a notch higher by purchasing their goods or hiring them for their services.
83. Take your support another step higher by promoting them to your other networks too.
84. Write your own dreams.  It's never too late to dream big and make it happen.  That's what I learned from Robert Kiyosaki.
85. Update your resume or Linked In profile/info.  
86. If you're a blogger/content creator like me, create a media kit.  A media kit contains information about yourself, your brand/blog, your stats, past projects and brand partners, awards, recognitions, and features.  
87. You could also create a rate card.  For all design needs, I use Canva.
88. Enroll in an online course or join an online activity or webinar on topics that interest you.
89. Plot your loved ones' and friends' birthdays on calendar.
90. Create signage at home as visual reminders on the following: Sanitation, Conserving Water, Garbage Segregation, Kids' things to do, etc.
91. Answer fun surveys on IG and share them on your stories.
92. Watch and support live concerts or shows online.
93. If you have talent in singing or playing an instrument, why not perform live too?
94. While you're at it, you could start your own fundraising event online as well.
95. Get a complete 8-hour sleep.
96. Listen to Praise and Worship songs, especially when you feel sad, worried, anxious, uncertain, or confused.
97. Read the Bible and get to know more about Jesus.
98. Memorize some biblical verses.
99. Share inspirational verses to loved ones and friends.
100. PRAY.

The future of skincare is here!

Say hello to SkinWhite’s newest revolutionary product, the MoistureWhite body lotion. Unlike ordinary whitening lotions in the market, SkinWhite MoistureWhite lotion takes a massive leap towards beautiful skin because it combines a time-proven whitening formula with the breakthrough ingredient Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a moisture booster popularly found in Korean skincare products.
Don’t miss out on the following benefits your skin can gain by using SkinWhite MoistureWhite Lotion!

1. It will help you achieve whiter skin by lavishing it with much-needed moisturization through HA.  SkinWhite MoistureWhite is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid (HA)—a natural ingredient that’s clinically proven to deliver deep moisturization immediately, being able to retain its weight in water up to 1000x. So that when light hits moisturized skin, it will appear even and whiter. HA acts as a magnet that attracts and locks in moisture for a fair and glowing complexion. With HA in every bottle of MoistureWhite Lotion, you’re sure to get moisturized-white skin! 
2. It has the sun protection you need.  SkinWhite MoistureWhite is also equipped with SPF 16. This means aside from shielding your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, it also keeps your skin fairer as it successfully blocks out the darkening effects of sun exposure.
3. SkinWhite Moisture White doesn’t feel sticky on the skin. SkinWhite MoistureWhite lotion is made with a non-sticky formula so you can now have moisturized white skin every day without the sticky feeling you hate! 
4. Comes in soap format, too!  Your skin will feel and look even better when you also use SkinWhite MoistureWhite soap. That’s because HA will not dry out your skin every time you bathe. By using MoistureWhite soap and MoistureWhite lotion daily, your skin will be moisturized-white all day!

SkinWhite combines whitening with the power of HA so you can achieve the skin you so rightfully deserve. SkinWhite MoistureWhite—locks moisture in to get your best white out. Try it now!

Hello Loves!  Here's my very first blog entry for the year 2020.  It's a bit late compared to how I used to write my first entry of the year in the previous years though.  Medyo admittedly, I took slowing down a bit more seriously more than I should.  In short, ang tamad ko after the holiday break.  And. It. Is. Not. A. Good. Sign.

ANYWAY.

My 2019 had been a year of both ups and downs in my health, blog, and life in general.  I couldn't say it's been good o bad to me.  All I know is God has been faithful through last year and had been providing me and my family more than enough even though I don't bring as much bacon to the family's table as much as I did when I was still working.  So much have changed (this I will reserve for another blog post!), but it's all good.  I didn't feel the change that much because God's been so good to us, in good and bad times.  I pray that you also experience the same love, grace, and goodness of God just like how He manifested Himself to me.

So here's a quick review of my 2019's roller-coaster ride:

Duing the first week of February, my family and I took a 4-day trip to Baguio (which I haven't written about in my blog!) and it was definitely a family trip which I still remember so vividly.  This was one of the best highlights of my 2019 because it was spent with my whole family.  I promise to share experiences like budget, where to go, where to stay, where to eat, and many more! 
During this month, I availed of Adajar Dental Clinic's Laser Teeth Whitening Promo influenced by my good friend Jaya Gacia.  I also haven't written about my experience, but this post served as a reminder for me! :)  Look at my photo, it seemed like an alien's mini UFO is sucking something out of my system diba?
This was also the time when #BringMeMoms was institutionalized (Whoa, word!) during Mommy Mundo's Mommy Mundo World.  We set up a booth and also presented our group on stage.  It's a group formed among us friends which of course started with a game called BRING ME in one of the parties we all participated.  Follow us on Instagram
It went downhill when two of my kids had to be hospitalized.  The youngest was an emergency case and was due to seizure caused by high fever because of pneumonia.
While the other one was a scheduled operation.  This operation was God's revelation to us that nothing is impossible with HIM.  I cried buckets of tears when God showed His faithfulness when He said He is in control and that He will provide.  My son's HMO primarily said they will only cover Php10K worth.  I prayed hard and well and asked God to take care of this and help me find funds to complete the Php150K plus we need for his operation.  His response was quick, the Maxicare officer who told me of the coverage called right away and said she escalated my son's case to the doctors and gave us a GO that they will cover his operation 100%.  I asked many doctors who gave my son's medical clearance and said, it's rare that they cover cases such as my son's.  This is GOD's work and nothing else. 

This is one of my Christian life's breakthroughs and personal experience of God's greatness and love.  For anything no matter how big, worry not.  Just keep on praying and trusting in Him to do wonders and miracles, even if we don't deserve it. 

By the way, my eldest celebrated his 16th birthday in the hospital because his two brothers were hospitalized within the same week, one after the other, on his birthday week as well.  But even if we didn't have a grand celebration, what mattered was we were complete and the love for each other was deeply felt.