Cardio exercise

I've doing some cardio exercises every week lately as I really want to lose weight and shed extra fats on my belly. I'm kind of conscious how my belly looks since I gave birth. I hope I would lose weight in two months. I really have to be dedicated to attain this goal. I think this can be very challenging. I noticed that I can easily lose weight if I jog, so I'm going to do that often. I have a gym membership, but I haven't started going to the gym yet. :-( I want to go to the gym very soon so I can do more cardio exercises, like swimming, treadmill, etc.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

October is almost over!

Today is Monday and it's October 24th. Wow, where did the time go? It seems this year is almost over. Well, I am really looking forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve. I don't know if I'm going to join the Halloween this year. I just had a baby. I really don't want anybody to be knocking on the door asking for candies while my baby is asleep at night. I think putting a sign "No candies" on our porch would be a good idea. Anyhow, I am going to bring my little guy to the Harvest Festival this Saturday. I think it'll be fun for him.

Happy and frustrated

I went to Seafood City on Saturday because I wanted to unwind and eat Filipino foods. I was very grumpy and frustrated with my husband on Saturday morning. I really hate it when he does nothing but watches tv for long hours. So, I ended up cleaning our bedroom because it was very dusty. I also cleaned his guitars (hanging on the wall), electronic drum set and long keyboard. I vacuumed and mopped the floor. After I did all these things, I wanted to treat myself with Filipino foods, so I went to the new location of Seafood City here in San Diego. I roamed around the grocery store and I found a few delicacies from my hometown, Cebu. I got so excited to see La Fortuna hopia ube, so I grabbed one pack to see if I still like it. Then, I went to the produce area and saw alugbati (which made my heartbeat so fast). I excitedly grabbed a pack of alugbati. It was my first time seeing alugbati here in San Diego. It made me think of cooking utan bisaya. I got kabocha, horseraddish leaves (malunggay), eggplant, and some other stuff. After the grocery, I went to get palitaw for snacks and went to one of the pinoy restaurants nearby and got chicken afritada and rice. Well, I got frustrated with palitaw, which was very saggy and the coconut stank. I wasn't happy with chicken afritada too because it was very bland. Overall, my day wasn't bad at all. I was very happy with the vegetables I got.

Holy Week

What do you normally do on Holy week? People go to the beach, hang out with friends, do nothing, take vacation or repent and pray. So, what do you do on Holy week? Holy week is the time of the year where Christians venerate and remember the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. Holy week ends on Easter Sunday. Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Typically, the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches. I noticed a lot of people at our church last year on Easter Sunday. All Jesus paid the penalty for sin all the way through His suffering, death and resurrection. He saved us all and gave us eternal life in Him.

Happy Valentines

Traditionally, every Feb. 14 we celebrate Valentine’s Day. We express our love and appreciation to our loved ones by giving candies, flowers and gifts. Many people have forgotten what this day is all about. They thought it is merely for lovers, couples, loved ones, crushes, friends, for romance etc. But today is St. Valentine’s Day. It is covered with mystery. Who is St. Valentine? Valentine was a priest who served for the period of the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II determined that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. He had forbidden young men to get married who were potentially to be good soldiers. St. Valentine realized the discrimination and unfairness of the decree. He challenged Claudius and sustained to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's dealings were revealed. Claudius ordered that Valentine be put to death. During the days that Valentine was in jailed, he fell in love with the blind daughter of his warden. He miraculously heal her from her blindness because of his love for her and great faith to God. Before his death, he sent her a letter saying, "From your Valentine." The phrase has been used on his day ever since.

There are many legends and stories about Valentine’s Day. But the most important is we remember St. Valentine, and we expressed our love and appreciation to our loved ones. It doesn’t need to be fancy. We don’t have to buy expensive flowers, gifts, and having a costly dinner, and after that we get broke. That’s not love but instead that’s showing off. Let’s enjoy this day with our loved ones. Happy Valentines to everyone!!

work out and exercise

I have been doing well at exercising and working out lately. I could consider myself not athletic since I was a kid. My mom would always tell and remind me not to get so animated when playing with friends on the playground. She feared that I might break my bones. Well, I can understand because we did not have any medical insurance. So, I never experienced any active stuff when I was a kid. I am not fat but I’m in shape. People think that I am skinny but I cannot run for a mile without stopping. That’s why I have been very diligent to exercise and work out at least 5 times a week. I noticed that I gained physical endurance. And I feel better! I still want to feel better. I consider health is wealth.

Happy Valentines

Why Valentines Day is symbolized or associated with Cupids? It is because the story of Cupid is one of love. Cupid was said to have fallen in love with Psyche, a mortal. He married her, but she was forbidden to look at him. One day she disobeyed these orders but Cupid ran away from her. In order to be reunited with Cupid, Psyche paid a visit to Venus, Cupid's mother. After making her undergo several tests, Venus reunited Psyche and Cupid. Eventually, according to the story, Cupid and Psyche gave birth to a child named pleasure (what a name!). Other legends about Cupid's arrows. It is said that whoever is struck or hit by Cupid's arrow immediately falls in love with the next person they see. Supposedly, this is how Venus came to fall in love with the god Adonis. Cupid's arrows are either golden or leaden. A golden arrow represents true love, while a leaden arrow represents lust. Sometimes, Cupid is even said to carry a torch. This torch is supposedly used to light passion between a man and a woman.

Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay is one of my favorite Christian bands. The band's name is derived from the New International Version's translation of 2 Corinthians 4:7:
“ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us"



Flood


Rain, rain on my face
It hasn't stopped raining for days
My world is a flood
Slowly I become one with the mud

[Chorus:]

But if I can't swim after forty days
and my mind is crushed by the thrashing waves
Lift me up so high that I cannot fall
Lift me up
Lift me up - when I'm falling
Lift me up - I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up - I need you to hold me
Lift me up - Keep me from drowning again

Downpour on my soul
Splashing in the ocean, I'm losing control
Dark sky all around
I can't feel my feet touching the ground

[Chorus]

Calm the storms that drench my eyes
Dry the streams still flowing
Cast down all the waves of sin
And guilt that overthrow me

[Chorus]

Lift me up - when I'm falling
Lift me up - I'm weak and I'm dying
Lift me up - I need you to hold me
Lift me up - Keep me from drowning again

Month of Hearts

February is the month of hearts.Many people have forgotten what this day is all about. They thought it is merely for lovers, couples, loved ones, crushes, friends, for romance etc. But today is St. Valentine’s Day. It is covered with mystery. Who is St. Valentine? Valentine was a priest who served for the period of the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II determined that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. He had forbidden young men to get married who were potentially to be good soldiers. St. Valentine realized the discrimination and unfairness of the decree. He challenged Claudius and sustained to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's dealings were revealed. Claudius ordered that Valentine be put to death. During the days that Valentine was in jailed, he fell in love with the blind daughter of his warden. He miraculously heal her from her blindness because of his love for her and great faith to God. Before his death, he sent her a letter saying, "From your Valentine." The phrase has been used on his day ever since.

There are many legends and stories about Valentine’s Day. But the most important is we remember St. Valentine, and we expressed our love and appreciation to our loved ones. It doesn’t need to be fancy. We don’t have to buy expensive flowers, gifts, and having a costly dinner, and after that we get broke. That’s not love but instead that’s showing off. Let’s enjoy this day with our loved ones. Happy Valentines to everyone!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

How did you welcome the new year 2010? In my case, I did not sleep on New Year's Eve. I waited until midnight strikes. In other words, I was exhausted the next day. But it was fun to wait. lol Anyhow, have you made a list for New Year's resolutions. Making a new year's resolution is such a good thing to do in order to guide us achieving our goals and plans for this year 2010. I hope you guys achieve your goals this year. Pray and trust God because He will guide us. Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas will be here soon. I can hardly believe that time went really fast. This year is almost over. Are you ready for Christmas time?

Are you self-conscious of your belly fat?

Are you self-conscious of your belly fat? Many women are so stressed about their extra belly fat after they have given birth. They want to get back to their original size. It is everybody’s dream to have a flat stomach, like models, celebrities, etc. We often think about losing belly fat is really hard. And we always imagine ourselves doing lots of abdominal exercises. Exercises are great for toning our muscles but for belly fat, exercises alone are not enough. Some people have tried doing a lot of exercises but no results. That’s why they are hopeless. Don’t be one of them. Don’t lose hope because there are some ways to flatten belly. And one of these is liposuction.

Liposuction is a surgery to remove excess fat from body parts. Usually, the fat is removed from abdomen, stomach, thighs, buttocks, and waist. So, if you are considering about getting liposuction, read and find information about liposuction. You can look up lookingyourbest.com for some useful tips and articles regarding liposuction.

Calories

Are you calorie-conscious? There are ways to reduce calories. I am not conscious of calories as I am not big. I tiny bulges in my abdomen; I just have to exercise so I can get rid of them. haha Anyway, as I said, there are ways to reduce calories in our diet. Take these steps to losing weight. First, include more vegetables in your diet. I really love vegetables and they more tasty than meat. Vegetables can be boring sometimes but you'll get used to it. When you eat more raw vegetables, the fewer calories you'll get. Second, avoid snacks in between meals, especially junk foods. When you eat junk foods be sure to read the Nutritional facts-- avoid high saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol. Those are bad for you. It is funny how my husband always says that those are "junk, crap and garbage". Third, dairy products-- always look for low fat and non-fat ones and as much as possible, get the organic kind. Those are my tips for today! Enjoy and good luck!

Carbohydrates

There are bad carbohydrates and good carbohydrates. Don't you know that? People who are into "diet" or "losing weight" tend to avoid carbs in general. But they don't know how to distinguish bad carbohydrates from good ones. Let us define Carbohydrates first. Carbs are combination of starches, sugar and fiber that provide the body with fuel it needs for physical activity by breaking down into glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that our cells use it as source for daily activities. People eat good carbohydrates are less likely to accumulate body fat. Now, what are bad carbs and good carbs?

Bad carbs are foods that have been processed such as flour, refined sugar, and white rice. You can digest these carbs faster but they can cause rise in sugar that cause to weight gain. Since this year started, I eat brown rice a lot. I have white rice in some occasions. White rice is not good for us.

Good carbs can be found whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, which also offer lots of additional health benefits, including heart disease and cancer prevention. They can’t be digested as easily. And it keeps your sugar and insulin levels on balance.

No One Knows My Heart

I was looking for Susan Ashton at Youtube but I could not find a perfect video. Yet I came across a video where it shows the lyrics of her song, “No one knows my heart”. I like really this Christian song. Susan Ashton is one of the great Christian singers, best-selling and award-winning American Contemporary Christian Music and country music artist. Watch the video and listen to the words.

I am vegetarian

As a vegetarian, eating healthy foods makes a really big difference. Before I came here in the U.S. I used to eat meat every day and I ate junk foods at lot. It was my husband who introduced and educated me about eating more healthy foods. Now, I see a big difference. The flab on my abs is getting smaller (I used to drink beer now I don’t), I don’t constipate that much (I constipate if I don’t drink a lot of water), my skin is more radiant than before and I feel great as a whole being. Actually, it takes sacrifice and time to be a vegetarian. Sometimes, I still miss yummy fried chicken. I have to resist. Once in a blue moon, I eat chicken but it is not as tasty as vegetables to me. It tastes bland and dry. If you want to be a vegetarian, just take your time and apply a little sacrifice. That’s all.

Planning a summer vacation trip?

Are you planning a summer vacation trip? Before doing that, consider the global warming. The Earth is getting hotter. Well, I have some tips for you. Don't go to places where it is really hot. You won't enjoy your trip or vacation. I went to Vegas last Summer and I did not enjoy my time there because it was really hot and low humid at that time. I had a tiny heat stroke. I thought I would end up in the hospital. So, plan it out carefully. Places like Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Tokyo, Japan, New York City, New Orleans, Red Sea Reefs in Egypt. These are the cities which you should avoid because of the global warming. The great places for vacation during summer are California, North Carolina, Philippines, Cancun in Mexico, Fiji, and Hawaii.

Bad carbohydrates and good carbohydrates

There are bad carbohydrates and good carbohydrates. Don't you know that? People who are into "diet" or "losing weight" tend to avoid carbs in general. But they don't know how to distinguish bad carbohydrates from good ones. Let us define Carbohydrates first. Carbs are combination of starches, sugar and fiber that provide the body with fuel it needs for physical activity by breaking down into glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that our cells use it as source for daily activities. People eat good carbohydrates are less likely to accumulate body fat. Now, what are bad carbs and good carbs?

Bad carbs are foods that have been processed such as flour, refined sugar, and white rice. You can digest these carbs faster but they can cause rise in sugar that cause to weight gain. Since this year started, I eat brown rice a lot. I have white rice in some occasions. White rice is not good for us.

Good carbs can be found whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, which also offer lots of additional health benefits, including heart disease and cancer prevention. They can’t be digested as easily. And it keeps your sugar and insulin levels on balance.

So, take note of those bad carbs.