4 Habits To Quit This Year For A Healthier Mind And Body

Over time, it’s easy to get into habits that are a little on the unhealthy side, such as having a takeaway every Friday night. However, if you’re conscious about your health and want to give your body a boost, it’s important to put a stop to those unhealthy habits. Don’t attempt to tackle all your ‘bad’ habits at once, focus on one at a time. Else, you may end up getting a little overwhelmed.

To help make it easier to choose which habits to quit first, here’s a list of four things to quit. (Many of us forget that our habits often affect our mental health as well as our physical health.)

1. Smoking

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Of all the nasty habits, smoking is by far the worst. Not only the worst in terms of how it damages your health, but also regarding the other effects that come with it. Think yellow, stained teeth, bad breath and skin that’s twice as prone to early aging.

If you’re someone who smokes, the best thing that you can do to become healthier is quit. It might not be easy, but if you want a healthier, happier body, the cigarettes have to go. To make the process easier for yourself, consider switching to vaping. This method has proved successful for thousands of ex-smokers, so it’s definitely worth a go.

2. Alcohol and drugs

If you’re someone who drinks a lot and often uses drugs, this is a habit that you have to kick. Alcohol can cause all sorts of health problems, as can drugs. If you’re serious about wanting to become healthier, you need to make an effort to stop drinking and using drugs.

It might be hard at first, but if you’re serious about wanting to be healthier, it’s a change you have to make. As well as affecting your physical health, excessive use of drugs and alcohol are linked to many mental health conditions. From anxiety to depression, alcohol and drugs significantly increase your risk of these conditions. If you want to be healthier, inside and out, book yourself into a treatment center and get off the drugs and alcohol.

3. Processed foods

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Every so often, we all fancy unhealthy foods. Be it a burger and chips or crisps and squirty cheese dip, processed foods aren’t good for you. Not only are they packed full of trans fats, but they’re also full of sugar, salt and all sorts of other nastiness.

Processed foods are the most common cause of weight gain because of how packed full of empty calories they are. If you want a healthier body, swapping the processed foods for healthy alternatives is a must. Make a conscious effort only to eat fresh foods, and you’ll soon feel healthier.

4. Failing to exercise

Putting off exercise is far too easy, but if you want a healthy body, keeping active is crucial. Did you know that not only does exercise help with weight and toning but also prevents many health conditions?

For instance, people who exercise regularly, are less prone to diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Make exercise a part of your day - walk to work and always take the stairs, and you’ll find staying in shape much easier.

For a healthier mind and body, it’s crucial that you make these changes, as soon as possible.

Awesome Baby Shower Gifts

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If you know someone who is expecting, you need to get them the perfect baby gift. Just think that the gift you present them at the baby shower could make their first days as a parent bearable. Wouldn’t that be something! All joking aside, it is always a nice gesture to give them a gift that they can use or cherish when the baby arrives. If you don’t know where to begin, the thought could fill you with dread. Luckily, there are a few ideas below that will help you in your time of need.

Baby Shoes

Baby shoes are great because every baby needs to protect their tiny feet no matter their age. Plus, tiny shoes are adorable! If they are expecting a boy, go for something a little more mannish. And, if they are expecting a girl, go for something pink and shiny. It is not rocket science, but it will make all of the difference in the long-run.

A Personalized T-shirt

You can put anything on a personalized t-shirt, which makes them a blank slate. An easy but effective message is something like ‘My Mom Is Awesome!’ or something along those lines. If that slogan doesn’t float your boat, visit Zoey's Attic for ideas and designs. A t-shirt is a nice idea because it is a constant reminder of your gift. Gifts should be something that is functional and fun, just like personalized clothing.

A Photo Album

With the new arrival on the way, the doting couple may lose sight of the past. Although no one wants to live in the past, it is always nice to remember the good times. Thanks to a photo album, they can always remember their life before the baby. And, you can leave space towards the end so that they can create new memories with the new arrival. All you have to do is get hold of a photo album and a collection of old pictures that you can put in the book. There is no better gift than a thoughtful one that doesn’t cost a fortune!

A BabyBjorn

Okay, what is a BabyBjorn? A BabyBjorn is a baby carrier that you see lots of parents wearing. They are an awesome piece of Swedish engineering that makes going out with a little one ten times easier. Instead of pushing a pram around all day, the mother can strap the BabyBjorn to the front and fit the child comfortably inside. The great thing is that it is also comfortable for the wearer. You can bet that almost every new mother will secretly wish that someone buys them one of these gifts. Go on, make their wish a reality.

A Baby Bag

Babies may only be small, but they need a lot of stuff. Instead of adding to their stuff, give them something that will help them carry it around. Without a baby bag, the mom won’t be able to leave the house without the fear of leaving something essential behind. Thanks to a bag, they can go about their normal lives with their young child in tow.

I am a Virtual Assistant: You Write, I Spread The Word

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Hiring a virtual assistant allows you more time to come up with creative content, product reviews and delicious recipe ideas or DIY crafts. In addition to that, you get to have more time with the people who matter the most - your family.

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Wave Bacteria Good-bye with IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield

We all know that staying healthy is a primary concern in every family. We eat a balanced diet, get enough rest, exercise, take vitamins supplements and have regular wellness check ups with doctors and dentists. We keep our homes clean and teach our kids proper hygiene.

When I was a kid, I often heard my mom say, "Don't put that in your mouth! Its dirty!" Now, as an adult, I realized that I have overlooked one "dirty" thing that I stick in my mouth everyday.

My toothbrush.

That thing that is supposed to keep my teeth and gums clean may actually even be the reason for me to get sick.

Did you know that toothbrushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses? Yes they do, and we must seriously consider keeping them clean.

My sister and her husband are both dentists, so I know a thing or two about oral and dental health. They recommend that we (1) replace our toothbrushes every two to three months or when the bristles start to get frayed; (2) rinse them out thoroughly in tap water after every use; (3) shake out excess water and store in upright toothbrush holders; (4) clean toothbrushes by soaking them in antibacterial mouthwash.

I have also read that we should, (1) replace our toothbrush when we get sick to avoid a repeat infection; (2) rinse our mouth with antibacterial mouthwash BEFORE we brush our teeth; and (3) we should keep our toothbrushes as far away from the toilet as possible. (We would not want to have that "mist" get into our toothbrush!)

I follow all these and yet, I still feel vulnerable and fearful of those unseen creatures that may be thriving in my toothbrush.

Fortunately, I was offered to do a review for IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield. It is an amazing product that ensures a 99.9% barrier protection against surface and airborne bacteria!

The package contains 10 disposable shields, each individually wrapped in cold seal wrapper. Each breathable, quick drying shield can be used up to 7 days, acting like a surgical mask to protect your toothbrush.

This toothbrush shield is so easy to use. Simply peel open a pack, slide the shield over your toothbrush and you're done! Your toothbrush is now safely covered and protected from bacteria and viruses!

This is the second day I have used it and I would say I am very impressed! Because it is made of breathable material, it allows my toothbrush to dry completely after every use thereby preventing bacterial growth. I can rest assured that I won't get any toilet "mist" in my toothbrush too!

I gave my sister and her husband one shield each for them to try and recommend to their patients. I strongly suggest you try them out too! Remember, as cliche as it may sound, "Health is Wealth."

I can now do away with plastic toothbrush caps and holders that trap moisture! My toothbrush is no longer a breeding ground for bacteria. I now keep it protected whether I am home or out traveling! My children can also keep their toothbrushes bacteria free when they travel to places doing thesis research. The other great feature I love is that each sleeve provides protection for up to 7 days!

IntelliDent®'s Toothbrush Shields are 100% made in the USA and available in Walmart stores around the country. You can also purchase them online through Drugstore.com, Walmart.com, Walgreens.com, Riteaid.com.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield. I have been compensated and received the samples for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Caterpillar and Me: An Inspiration to Dream and Move Forward

I was walking our dog Bitey Bear one morning when I saw a rather large caterpillar on the sidewalk. I run back to the house, grabbed my camera, focused and pressed on the shutter. What a beautiful creature it was! 

I took several shots while trying to keep our dog from gobbling up the caterpillar. Thankfully, one of the photos turned out fine. 

All of a sudden, it dawned upon me. I was not looking at a caterpillar. I was looking at a representation of ME! 

As I write this post, I am the lowly caterpillar. Crawling... feeling in all directions... tentative... vulnerable... moving in slow, coordinated movements. One step at a time. A continuous effort to move forward. To reach for something. TO FULFILL A DESTINY.

The time will come when I have to shut myself from the world... to build myself a safe haven... to allow change and to embrace that change. I will do this not because I am incapable of loving. I will do this BECAUSE I LOVE.

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It may take some time. I may be missed, or I may be forgotten. I will be patient and those who truly love me will likewise be patient enough to wait for me to come out of my cocoon. They will be there when I bask in the glorious brightness of the morning. They will welcome me and see a new ME.

I may not become the most beautiful butterfly. 

I may just turn out to be a moth. 

The important thing is I will grow my own wings and be strong enough to fly and reach greater heights. 

I will look back to my humble beginnings as a lowly caterpillar. My heart will be full of love and gratitude for those who are willing to wait for me. I will give them the honor of being the very first ones to witness the change. 

I will be blessed with the gift of flight. I will be a symbol of hope. 

I will reach my dreams.

I WILL SUCCEED.

Note: The caterpillar I photographed above is the larvae of the Daphnis nerii, or the Oleander Hawk Moth. 

"The strikingly colourful oleander hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii) is one of the most widely distributed Sphingidae species in the world. Adults of this large, attractive moth have intricately decorated forewings, displaying a mixture of olive greens, covered with small blotches of pink and white. They also have a pale streak on the tip of each forewing."(Source:http://www.arkive.org/oleander-hawk-moth/daphnis-nerii/)

Creating Music with High Technology Devices

There are a lot of talented youth trying to make their mark in the music industry. They form small bands, accept some gigs, and make every effort count to earn recognition and hopefully, get that much needed break.

Thankfully, technology has made revolutionary devices that help enhance original compositions. With the right software, you can make your own musical composition, and who knows, it might just be the song producers are looking for. 

The novation launchpad mini is a keyboardless MIDI controller, used in conjunction with the Ableton Live software. It contains a grid of 8x8 buttons, illuminated, to trigger sounds, effects and loops and other marvelous things. 

Its compact size enables you to carry it anywhere. Simply plug into your laptop or even your iPad (via the Camera Connection Kit) and create your music! No need for power cables or device drivers! This device is practically plug and play.

A shout out to parents supporting their child's dream to make it into the music industry, this is something that would help propel your child's dreams into reality! 

Lasting Friendships: 31 Years and Counting

Last week, I got a text message from an unknown number. I initially thought it would be one of those spam messages. To my surprise, it was a message from one of my college besties!

Oh.My.God. How did she find me? I have been wanting to find out how my best college buddies have been doing all these years, but for some reason, I lost contact with them.

Thirty-one long years! It was 1985 since we were last together. It was the day when we were given confirmation for graduation. 

Our class picture
(University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Zoology 4-C)

Initially, I was scared to meet up with them. I told my husband, "They might all be successful. They were filthy rich when we were in college. They might be even richer now. Look at me. What is there to be proud of in me? I'm nothing." Tears started to fall. I felt so insignificant. So small, so unsuccessful.

My husband said, "Stop thinking that way. You are successful. You raised your children. You sent them through college. That alone is a success. Go ahead and tell them you will meet up with them. Trust me, you will have a good time."

And so I went. We were to meet up for dinner at the Seven Corners Restaurant of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. On my way there, all sorts of thoughts were racing through my mind. I was both excited and shy. Excited to be with my friends whom I lost contact with for many many years, and shy because I felt I have not achieved much. 

And then it happened. We were all together once again and it just seemed like old times. There was a lot of catching up to do! The usual questions "How many kids do you have? How old are they now? Do you have pictures of them on your phone?" flooded our conversation.  

My fears flew out the window. This was nothing about achievements! This was not about how rich we became, or how many cars and houses we have amassed. It was about how we raised a family and what keeps us busy nowadays. We talked about how much fun we had in college, about trying to remember who our professors were and what we did after classes. We reminisced about our favorite hang outs and adventures. It was a fun, memorable evening. We all wished we could do this regularly, if our schedules would permit.

We talked about how each of us fell in love, got married, fell out of love, pulled through and stood tall. We found out about how two of us got seriously sick with cancer, courageously fought the disease and won the battle.

We exchanged email addresses, added each other on Facebook and Viber, and took pictures to remember this day. Lots and lots of pictures! Several pounds, grey hair and crow's feet after, here's what we look like now.

We used to be able to eat anything and everything, but now each one of us has a special dietary restriction.

Pose for posterity before we parted ways again.

Just like old times!

I got home at 11:00 pm that night. My husband asked how it went and I told him I had a good time and it was nice seeing my friends again.

However, the most important lesson I learned from this experience is this:

Success is only a perception of how people see the life you live. 

Having money and being rich is not success.

Holding an important position is not an effective measure of success.

It is how you stay strong despite the adversities 

It is how you manage to smile through the pain

It is how you have come out from your battles with your head held high.

Today, I achieved success.

I have reunited with long lost friends and kept that bond of friendship alive.