Happy 2021!  Wow I can’t believe that 2020 flew by so fast.  This year my ultimate priority is to ensure that my family and I have good health.  With all the health scare that’s happening around the globe, I realized that we only need the essentials in our lives, nothing more, nothing less.

What am I talking about?  I’m sure it’s the same with you all, first is to have a strong faith, maintain beautiful relationship with my family, and last but not least, family.  With this, I learned to live simply and be grateful for every little blessing that our family receives.

 

Made me think, wow, my priorities and what I perceived to be needs, adjusted to the changing times. Speaking of those perceived needs, they have something to do with luxuries which I really thought we needed.  I remember I was asking my husband to please buy espresso machine immediately, since we are both coffee lovers!  Every time there were sale activities via Lazada or Shopee or Amazon, and even other international e-commerce sites, I would excitedly let him take a look at those what I added to my cart.  I don’t know why it kept on delaying, then BOOM.  Towards the end of 2020, I was rushed to the emergency room of the hospital nearby.  It was my first time to palpitate due to too much caffeine in my system.  It was a life scare for me because it was a first for me.  So that espresso machine in my cart that kept on delaying, I let it go.  I was told to stop drinking coffee and other colored drinks for the time being while I was experiencing palpitations.

My husband also had a realization on his perceived needs and what truly are the essentials.  He actually wanted to purchase a new family vehicle after having been fully paid with our first family car.  But then 2020 happened and we all know what that meant.  It was as if the world took a pause for all of us to recalibrate, reset, and reflect on our lives.  Because of the pandemic, we set that plan aside, even if we were already set to purchase one complete with comprehensive insurance, and even found a really good motor deal here now, we didn’t press that plan.  We thought, there’s a right timing for everything, and besides, we still have a service we could use in case we need to go somewhere.  Funny thing, last year, the car wasn’t fully utilized because we didn’t go out unless really needed.

You see, even if we plan ahead, if God says it’s not what He wants for you, things will not go our way.  And that’s okay.  That made us consider to always have an analytical balance (if only that can be scientifically measured like how scientists do) on everything in our lives.  That balance applies to all our priorities, our needs, wants, the essentials, and also in human relationships we have with everyone we know.

How about you?  What were some of your realizations of priorities, needs, and wants?  Share them on the comments below.

Moms like us tend to do more for others and forget about rewarding ourselves.  We either lack time or we remember and actually go out, but feel guilty afterwards.  

Isn't that true for you?  If it is, you're not alone.  But mommas, we deserve a break and some pampering time - and we shouldn't feel any mom guilt for it.  Especially these past few months when we've been locked down at home.  Our skin have become drier, duller, and look more haggard than ever before.  I admit to having bad skin lately that's why I'm thankful for the break I took recently to have a Revitalight Facial at Skin Station PH.

What is Revitalight Facial?

It is the newest facial service of SkinStation that uses a combination of facial, diamond peel and Nd-Yag laser to refresh and rejuvenate tired, dull skin.  It revitalizes our skin in an instant to make it more youthful looking.  It also rejuvenates our skin to turn it from dull to glowing.  Since the laser's heat penetrates within, it promotes collagen formation.  Collagen is the one responsible for making our skin supple and having good elasticity.  Plus, for more mature individuals like me, it helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes pore size.

The Procedure.

Before visiting any SkinStation branch for the treatment, you have to first book your appointment.  You may contact Ms. Marga of SkinStation Marketing via their Instagram account.  Ms Marga is very responsive and also so nice to talk to.  Once you've booked an appointment, you'll receive an email confirmation/reminder of your schedule.  Be sure to reply with your health declaration form.  Be sure to also show up on your scheduled appointment day and time.

FACIAL - This is the very fist step of the Revitalight Facial treatment.  Every procedure should start with a clean face.  This is what facials do.  Cleansing is like how you do it when you apply facial soap or foam on your face, but in facials, of course a skin professional does it for you.   What I love about facials is the facial massage!  It relaxes my tensed facial muscles that usually are flexed during online learning and reviewing of the lessons or when you have to fix a messy room multiple times a day, like 100 times.  Pricking is part of facial.  I used to be traumatized just hearing that word because I had a bad experience in my 20s.  But I've come fat since, and now I know my acne, whiteheads, and blackheads are in good hands with SkinStation.  After extraction of the unwanted extras caused by our facial sebum seated in our pores, a procedure to close the pores will be done.

DIAMOND PEEL - Diamond peel works wonders for our skin especially when done regularly.  It is level up cleansing and clearing of our faces because it removes dead skin cells, deep-seated dirt, and also excess oil on our faces.  The motion I felt was like every centimeter of my face was being sucked by a small hole or pipe.  It felt good knowing that the other unwanted elements of my face are taken away.  This step is necessary before the laser treatment which is up next.

ND-YAG LASER - This is the last step of the whole Revitalight Facial treatment.  It uses a machine that has adjustable frequency or strength of the intense beam of light energy being emitted and directed at the skin. The laser beam heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates collagen production over time, resulting in better skin tone and texture.  This is the reason for glowing of the skin, tightening feeling, and minimized pores of the face after the treatment.

If you're new to laser facial treatment, you may feel a little shock but you'll get used to it. I've had more than five laser facial treatments before this, so my face quite knows what type of shock it should expect, so to speak.  But overall, the laser treatment went smoothly, no discomforts and no pain.

Instant Effects, after-treatment care, and Q/A

After the whole treatment, there was an instant lift or tightness of my skin.  It felt really clean and bright.  It's important not to wash the face for 6 hours after the treatment.  No application of make-up or creams after the treatment.  It's also important to apply sunblock every time you'd be going out.  As usual, do your skincare routine especially these three: Cleanse, Tone, and Moisturize.

I'll be answering some questions you may have: 

Overall, I had a pleasant experience during my very first visit at SkinStation.  I chose their Greenhills because it's one of the nearest branches to me.  The clinic was divinely clean.  The clinic practices strict health protocols to comply with the city's regulations. Ate Belle, my skin specialist was such an expert, she's so courteous, and you know she knows what she's doing.  Promos are available in the clinic as well as their website and social media accounts.  

So mommas, invest in yourselves.  Make sure you pamper yourselves and not feel any amount of guilt at all.  You deserve this!  For more information and inquiries, visit SkinStation's website: https://skinstation.ph/ or follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/skinstationph/and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/skinstationph

Needless to say, the pandemic and the consequent quarantines it has caused are nothing short of stressful. Aside from having to adjust to working from home, most moms also have to take on the responsibility of being their kids’ primary educator on top of being the main manager of their homes. All these, and more, make it incredibly important for moms to take the time to care for themselves. After all, self-care is a necessary practice that promises benefits -- not just to the person doing it but also for the people around him or her.

If you are a busy mom who is at a loss as to how she can start engaging in self-care activities, here are some ideas that can help you get started:

Regulating your news intake 

While staying on top of things and of current events is of utmost importance during these trying times, exposing yourself to an unhealthy amount of bad news on a daily basis can be detrimental to your mental health. This practice can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability, fear and danger. Furthermore, it can also generate a sense of hopelessness, helplessness and feelings of not being enough. To keep such unfavorable emotions at bay, learn how to filter what you read. As highlighted in our previous post ‘How to Stay Positive While in Quarantine’, it would also be in your best interest to subscribe to positive and inspiring content that will either make you laugh or encourage you to do good things. Besides unplugging, Medical News Today noted that you can also try shifting your focus to the things that you can solve. For instance, you can put up small food drives that can help your immediate community or offer additional support to frontliners.

Establishing a skincare routine

There are many reasons why skincare is among one of the most popular activities that encourage self-care. As explained in an article published by Everyday Health, a skincare routine can provide stability, inhibit intrusive thoughts, boost self-esteem and trigger the release of feel-good hormones. If you are new to this activity, the best option for you would be to build a basic routine that includes the most important products like a gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer with SPF, a serum and a toner. It would also be a good idea to not limit yourself to just products that improve skin health from just the outside. Try to invest in items that can improve your skin from within such as supplements. Case in point: the Frozen Collagen Supplements on PrettyMe are said to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, the size of your pores and the likelihood of acne breakouts.

Engaging your sense of smell while meditating

Meditating as a way of engaging in self-care offers a myriad of physiological and psychological advantages. Healthline mentioned how this tried and tested activity can aid in reducing stress and age-related memory loss, controlling anxiety, enhancing self-awareness and lengthening attention span. Moreover, meditation in whatever form can also help fight addiction, improve sleep, regulate pain and decrease blood pressure. To make meditative sessions even more relaxing, you can accompany it with aromatherapy. Depending on the kind you want to use, essential oils can induce calm and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. For instance, Plant Therapy's set of essential oils featured on Elle calm the mind and the body, reduce anxiety, fight seasonal allergies and boost energy.

Although it may seem like things are slowly turning out for the better and the fear that people have over the pandemic is finally subsiding, those are not enough reasons for busy moms like you to slack off on caring for themselves. Try out some of the ideas we presented and take the time to look for a self-care activity that works best for you.

When you order a kit, you'll receive the complete set of ingredients to be able to make Quaker Oats Cream Pie Recipe except butter and egg.  The recipe card is even easy to follow!  The result is even better!  Instructions said to use a mixer, but I don't have one so I mixed it by hand.   Make sure that while you're mixing all the ingredients, you're pre-heating the oven to get ready for baking.
Look at that!

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.