My Mid-life Motherhood Crisis

It has been so long since I wrote about matters of the heart. Lately, my mind has been so full of things I think that I have been thrown into the depression pit. I want to jump, scream, pull my hair out and run like crazy. It is a very stressful time for me. Writing is my therapy and this is exactly what I will do. Releasing all these pent up emotions will probably do me some good. I hope.

My son quit school. After six years in college and two different majors, he opted out and found himself a job. He took the initiative to take a break from school, earn and save some money and then go back and finish his college course. It guess it is good, in a way, because he did not end up a bum. However, I feel that I have failed. I fear that once he enjoyed earning his own keep, he won't go back to college anymore. What future does he have without a college degree? In my country, a college degree IS everything. It is a ticket to a better future, more opportunities, more chances to succeed. It is a guarantee that my grandchildren will have a good life. He now works in a call center. Of all places. I did not dream of any of my children working the same job as me. I do not want to see them get sick, put up with poor dietary choices, and miss out on sleep. That is not what I want them to be.

Is my son happy? I guess he is. He is now calmer, more responsible and has been receiving awards and incentives left and right. He's been employed for two months and he seems to be enjoying it. Why can't I be happy for him? Why can't I be thankful that he is gainfully employed while there are others who patiently go out everyday seeking employment only to come home unsuccessful? Why am I so sad over his decision? He is 23 years old. After all, he has all the right to choose what he wants to do in life. But why does my heart bleed every night he leaves the house to go to work?

I refuse to accept that the reason I may be feeling this way is because of all the time and money that was wasted. Was it really wasted? My son had a scholarship he earned through engaging in athletics. I was not paying much tuition. Was it the allowance I gave him that I feel was wasted for nothing? Years ago, he pleaded to stay in a dorm. The university he attends is not that far, maybe a half hour commute if he takes the train. He said he needed time to rest after his classes and team practice, and that the long commute would take up time that he could spend studying instead. So I gave in. Result? He incurred failures in his academic subjects, causing him to shift to a different major. Was I too lenient? Did I give in to something that did not serve him well?

And so I think he learned his lesson. He still stayed in a dorm, however, this time, he was sharing it with a group of friends who "supported" each other. The next three years was okay. Suddenly, another major roadblock. My son told me I had to go meet up with the Dean. "Why?" I asked. "You have to sign some papers," is all he said. To my surprise, I found out that the papers I had to sign was an agreement for "conditional enrolment." My boy had incurred failures, and that meant disqualification from receiving his scholarship grant for the semester. I was so heartbroken. Not because I was going to pay out of pocket for the coming semester, but because I felt betrayed.

Eventually, my son decided to drop out of school. The university that he loved and served so much could not do anything to keep him in. The only option for him would be to transfer to a different major (again). That was what he did not like, so he chose the fastest way out.

Should I have been angry? Was I a failure? Am I to blame? All I want is to see all of my children finish school. Is that too much to ask? Or am I just expecting too much? I love all my children and I do not want to hurt their feelings even if I am now so sad and hurt over all of these things.  

I am hoping and praying that in God's time, all of these will pass. I surrender everything to Him who is the God of all creations. It is only Him who knows what the future will bring. I pray that I be a better shepherd to my children. I pray that all of them will have a better life than what I have. I will continue to strive until there is strength left in me. My mission in life has not yet been accomplished, I am not even halfway done.

My heart is bleeding, my body is so tired, and my soul cries out to God to guide me to be the best mother and raise my children the way He wants them to be.

Jumping for Dumplings

Dumplings are a great meat and shrimp dish and can be easily prepared at home. It is a traditional food for the Chinese, however, there have been many variations in the recipe, depending on where in Asia they are prepared.

In the Philippines, dumplings are locally called "Siomai." It is made of ground pork, shrimp, onions, garlic, and grated carrots and seasoned with salt and freshly ground pepper. Some homemakers add finely chopped winter onions or leeks in the mix. A small portion of the mix is wrapped in a small thin dough and steamed until cooked. It is served with a dipping sauce made with a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon (or kumquats) and chili paste.

Below is a recipe of this very delicious and filling dish which can be served with hot, steamed rice or just enjoyed as it is. Approximate yield is 25 medium sized dumplings.

Meat mixture Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground pork
1/2 pound shrimps (shelled, washed and finely chopped)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, grated
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of freshly ground pepper
Procedure:
Mix together above ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
Dumpling wrappers can be purchased from the supermarket or Asian specialty stores, however, if unavailable, you can prepare your own by following this simple recipe:
Dumpling wrapper Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
Procedure:

Beat the egg and mix with the flour. Blend until mixture is free of lumps. In a pan, combine water, salt and oil and bring to a boil. Pour in the flour and egg mixture and remove from heat. Beat until the mixture forms a ball. Divide the dough into 1 inch balls and roll on a floured board until it gets to be paper thin. Set aside.

Now you are ready to make your dumplings.

Get a tablespoonful of the meat and shrimp mixture and place it on the center of the dumpling wrapper or dough. Gather the sides together and lightly pinch the top to seal. Arrange them in a steamer, leaving 1/4 inch between each dumpling and cook for 20 minutes.

While waiting for the dumplings to be done, prepare the dipping sauce by following this simple procedure - Mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, a little lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon chili paste and 2 tablespoons sesame oil.

When the dumplings are done, arrange in a platter, serve hot and enjoy!

Worried about what to do with leftovers? If there are any left (which I doubt), you can deep fry them for a crunchy treat or drop them in hot noodle soup for a hearty meal on a cold night.

Tips on using a steamer:
1. If you have not purchased a steamer yet, choose one that has multiple tiers and made of transparent plastic. This would enable you to watch what you are cooking without having to open the lid. A multiple tier steamer can also help you save on electricity by cooking several batches or different kinds of food and vegetables at the same time.
2. Ensure that you have enough water in the base to allow your food to cook thoroughly.
3. Avoid frequent opening of the top cover. Doing so would make the heat escape, therefore prolonging the cooking time.
4. Practice caution when opening the top lid once the food is cooked. Hot steam may cause burns.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Spandex Table Covers: What Every Hostess and Party Organizer Needs

Easter is coming soon and children are all excited with the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Some communities would organize a big activity like this for the children and their parents to enjoy. 

Having fun outdoors is always a fun activity. Setting up the venue, most especially the tables and chairs can be a challenge with all those little children running around. Flat sheet table linens are pretty however, it does take some time to decorate them with ribbons or use pins to create raffle patterns. The main concern would be children (or the elderly) tripping over the loose and flowing ends. We would not want that to ruin a happy time with the family, would we?

To provide a solution to this dilemma, I invite you to check out some premier table linens made from 100% spandex material. These table linens fit snugly and eliminate the risk of children pulling on the linens' lose ends or tripping over them. Perfect for an Easter egg hunt! The children can be sure that there are no Easter eggs under the table.

These table linens come in 20 beautiful colors. They are also available in a wide variety of sizes, suited for every kind of table you might have. Another great feature is that these table linens are made of spandex-nylon which is always easy to care for and wrinkle free every time! If you will be hosting a big event and thinking of having a customized spandex table cover, you've come to the right place. You can have a customized logo or design printed on your table cover. Really cool, right?

Plan ahead and enjoy your next family gathering, community picnic, or any event and holiday. Have fun without the worry. After all, you deserve it.

#600%MuscleGrowth With Exercise And Maximum Shred

Losing weight and getting that toned body is such a dream for most of us. It entails a lot of hard work and discipline. It is a fact that many of us get discouraged when progress is slow and visible results take a long period of time.

Many working moms and dads try their best to keep fit and squeeze in a few hours a week to exercise. After all, the big responsibility of raising a family also entails being fit to work and earn a living. Personally, I do a bit of exercise, however, I don't do it regularly. I tend to fall off my diet plan and when I do get the chance to exercise, I get tired easily.

 I am an avid reader and I read almost anything I can get my hands on. One day when I was starting to drum up a new diet and exercise plan, I read up about muscle building and exercise. I found out the sometimes, the reason I get tired easily when I exercise, is that there is less oxygenation in my muscles. Everyone knows that oxygen is an integral part of our bodily functions and that we should maintain a certain level to be at our peak. 

Browsing the web for supplements I could take to help me on my path back to health and fitness, I came across Maximum Shred. It is a muscle building supplement, whose two main ingredients are naturally found in whole foods and processed in our bodies to help build protein and increase muscle mass. Arginine Ketoglutarate and Taurine are amino acids whose function is to increase the delivery of blood and oxygen in the muscles. It helps us to feel energized, therefore making our exercise routine more efficient. I love anything that would help me stay longer than 10 minutes on the treadmill! Add that to the fact that I have to really keep my weight down, get rid of my stubborn body fat, and convert it into #600%MuscleGrowth!

I am not dreaming of getting a perfectly toned "Mrs. Fitness Universe" body, not at my age, haha. I just want to get back in the peak of health and I can do that by doing more exercise. Maximum Shred will definitely give me that extra boost, extra explosive power, extra endurance to complete a whole exercise routine. It would allow me to adhere to a regular exercise schedule without feeling worn out and winded. If patience and consistency is the key, Maximum Shred is that push on the door that will take you into the world of health and fitness.

I Will Press The Start Button - NOW

It was a depressing week for me. Last weekend, two of my friends passed away. 

On March 14, a schoolmate, Liezl, passed away after an 8-year long battle with cancer. Although she was not a close friend, the students in my high school treated each other as sisters (it was an exclusive girls' Catholic school). I could only imagine the pain her children were going through. Her passing was not sudden, and there was time for the family to accept her illness, however I know it would still be painful. Memories of me beside my dad's hospital bed, watching him convulse and die came alive in my mind. It was a memory I try so hard to forget. Liezl was 47 when she died. She is survived by her husband, her two daughters and her son.

The following day, March 15, I was alerted by my husband's "Oh no!!!" while he was reading his Facebook feed. I checked on what was going on and he pointed to the computer monitor. My husband told me, "I may be wrong but I think Lloyd died. Can you please read this and tell me it is not what I think it is?" But it WAS true. My good friend Lloyd, a former workmate, passed away. Now that hit me. He was just recently posting pictures. He just celebrated his 46th birthday last January. How can he be dead?

I paid my last respects to Lloyd last Thursday morning. I was walking towards the viewing chapel to attend the wake and I felt like I was in a different space and time. There was a sign on the door that bore his name, hitting me with the harsh reality that he has indeed passed. I spoke with the family, his wife and son. I told them how much I appreciate having him as a friend - always funny, with a positive work attitude, and a happy disposition in life.  They told me that Lloyd had a failing heart, and the doctors told them that his chances of survival were slim if he had a heart attack. That was March 14. The following day, he suffered a heart attack and that was it. 

I will always remember him as the funny guy in the Quality Hub of NCO-Sprint. He is the person who always introduces himself using weird names when ordering coffee at Starbucks. He'd say his name is "Fremont" and his nickname is "Free." We'd anxiously wait for the barista to announce that his drink was ready, "Cafe Americano for Free," and then we'd all rush towards the counter and ask for the "free" Cafe Americano. Then we'd all laugh our hearts out. He loves having his picture taken, sometimes in funny poses (like the one below where he uses our friend's long curly hair to make it look like it was his own). That is how I will always remember him.

Life is too short. I was walking around with the thought of, "what if it was me?" Are my children prepared? How will my husband take it? Have my friends accomplished their mission on earth that it was okay for them to part? 

This is a wake up call for me. I will be thankful for each day I am alive. More smiles, more hugs, more time with family, the people who matter most in my life. I will be closer to my God and thank Him for his Providence.

My only wish... is that I could be more than a woman slaving to earn a living, stressing out over the budget, holding a mop and doing the laundry. I have to make time to love and be loved. I have to set aside a time for prayer. I have to do the things I love to do, to pause, to appreciate, to reach out and help.

With God's help, I will live life to the fullest, and I will press the start button NOW. 

 Rest in Peace, my friends.

My Husband's Encounter With Atrial Fibrillation

Late in the afternoon last February 28th, I was relaxing on the couch watching a championship volleyball match on t.v. My husband was on the computer, just browsing stuff when he suddenly said, "My heart is racing." I thought it was just excitement over the volleyball game we were watching. I saw him hold on to his chest and that was when I noticed that I could actually see his chest pounding heavily.

I rushed him to the emergency room of the hospital. My husband was immediately wheeled into the Emergent Section and was hooked up to several monitors. He diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. In layman's terms, the upper two chambers of his heart, called the atria was beating three times its normal rate and was out of sync with the rest of the heart chambers. After the doctors were able to stabilize his heart rhythm, my husband was transferred to a Telemetry room. Although he was feeling better, my husband hated all the gadgets hooked up to both his arms, the remotely controlled ECG device, the IV lines, the oxymeter on his forefinger. He spent five days in the hospital. His cardiologist gave us instructions on his new medications and "symptoms to watch out for."

These symptoms are the feeling of heaviness in the chest, pain in the left arm radiating to the left jaw, numbness and weakness. There are many factors that may cause atrial fibrillation, and one particular factor that caused my husband's condition is his congenital heart defect. Other common causes which may cause transient palpitations are stress, lack of sleep, and too much caffeine. Atrial fibrillation in itself may not be life threatening, however, it may give rise to other serious conditions. It may lead to clot formation thereby increasing the risk of strokes.

Just like any other disease, the best home care is diet modification and exercise. Have a regular check up with the doctor and adhere to the medication plan. My husband and I are not exactly "young" so I deemed it necessary to have blood pressure and heart rate monitors at home. I am diabetic and I have a Glucometer with me wherever I go. My husband should have something we can use to keep track of his blood pressure and heart rate. I looked around for portable device that could record readings so that we could present them to the cardiologist at my husband's next appointment.

There are so many brands in the market and of course, I chose the brand that is FDA approved, can store up to 90 readings in its internal memory, large display with an option for voiced readouts. The AccuMed ABP802 Portable Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with One-Touch Intelligent Automatic Measurement meets all my needs. I keep it on our bedside table at night and within arm's reach during the day. For a small investment, it gives both me and my husband peace of mind.

There are so many brands in the market and of course, I chose the brand that is FDA approved, can store up to 90 readings in its internal memory, large display with an option for voiced readouts. The AccuMed ABP802 Portable Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with One-Touch Intelligent Automatic Measurement meets all my needs. I keep it on our bedside table at night and within arm's reach during the day. For a small investment, it gives both me and my husband peace of mind. I will be taking my husband for his cardio appointment next week and I am happy that he is feeling a whole lot better. I must admit, a blood pressure monitor is one purchase I would never regret. I will get one more for my mother too.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Get Your Pre-Pregnancy Body Back with FitTea #PostNatalFatBurner

Of all the titles I have earned in my life, the one that I like best is the title of "Mother."

It was such a blessing to be strong enough to nurture a life within my body for nine months. I have three children; a beautiful daughter and two handsome, robust sons. I did not have a difficult pregnancy with any of them, although all three were seven pounders and born two-three weeks early. 

In all my pregnancies, I ate what I wanted to eat, always giving my doctors the excuse, "The baby wanted me to eat ice cream and a whole pepperoni pizza." In my small 5 feet 2 inch frame, I weighed as much as 160 pounds at my heaviest. My weight gain with every pregnancy was in the range of 40-50 pounds. I was made aware that the "acceptable" weight gain during pregnancy is about 24 pounds (that includes the baby) which means I was eating way too much and as a consequence, I ended up with lots and lots of pounds to shed after delivering my babies.

For the first few months after giving birth, I breastfed all three of my children. Breastfeeding is physiologically stressful, making the body work overtime to produce milk for the baby. I lost some of the pregnancy weight gain because of that, but I still had a long, long way to go to get back to my original weight of 110 pounds. Diet and exercise did the trick, however, the best I could do was to go down to 130 pounds. I am diabetic and I am required to have 6 small meals per day to keep my blood sugar levels stable. The only good thing that was going for me was that I never had to go through post partum depression. The stretch marks, the disheveled hair and the eye bags were my trophies in the career of motherhood. 

When I finally decided to stop having babies, I knew it was time for me to love myself. I took better care of my skin and hair, I watched what I ate and made sure that every meal was well balanced. I joined exercise groups and read a lot about herbal supplements. I am now at 120 pounds, close to my ideal weight and feeling a whole lot better. However, as most mothers agree, diet and exercise alone will not keep the weight off.

Nowadays, the market is flooded with diet pills and what-nots, all promising dramatic weight loss. But for post-natal weight loss, the best product we can purchase is FitTea PostNatal Fatburner. It is a dietary supplement safe to use by lactating mothers. It contains ingredients that help increase the production of healthy antibodies, increases lactation and burns more fat. Made of 100% herbal ingredients, FitTea Post Natal Fatburner is an incredible product that benefits both mommy and baby at the same time.

What makes FitTea PostNatal Fatburner more effective that others in the market? Well, it is all natural and does not contain stimulants like caffeine. Every capsule contains the B-complex vitamins Pyridoxine and Biotin, Green Tea leaf extract, White Kidney Bean extract, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Glucomannan root powder, L-Carnitine, Fenugreek seed powder and Marshmallow root powder, all of which help in better nutrient absorption, converting fat into energy and healthy weight loss.

After a successful pregnancy and delivery, we should not think twice about losing the unwanted bumps and lumps we gained after pregnancy. It would not only make us feel good about ourselves, it would also give us more energy to keep up with the demands of raising children. FitTea PostNatal Fatburner is the supplement we need to jump start our journey back to our pre-pregnancy figure.

As with all supplements, it would always be wise to consult our doctor first. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Markerly for FitTea PostNatal Fatburner.

STEM-Based DIY Courses for Kids by #KidStarter

Have you asked your child what they want to be when they grow up? Have you listened... really listened to their dreams?

Every parent wants nothing more but the best for their child. At an early age, children should be encouraged to explore, to feel, to learn about themselves and their environment. During the child's stage of endless whys and what's that, we, as parents should be ready to encourage the child's curiosity as a way to better learning. In the present time, more kids are interested in technology. The bright graphics of a computer game, the catchy tunes and canned praises for a job well done is really enticing to a child.

Instead of taking away the privilege of the child to a handheld computer, wouldn't it be better to involve them in a program to let the know how such things work? #KidStarter does exactly that. They foster learning through DIY projects focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). They provide interactive instructor-led workshops for children to bring out their inner geek. The learning environment is fun and safe and enables the children give life to their imagination, boosting their confidence and increasing their hunger for learning. Most schools do not offer such courses to their students, which may suppress a child's talent in STEM. 

 #KidStarter offers more than 30 courses for children. The most popular courses are Insect Bot, Squishy Circuit and Air Piano. Kids of all ages will definitely enjoy the challenge and be very proud of the end product. Each workshop is for two hours, with a 30 minute instruction on science and safety. The workshops are available in certain areas at the moment and they are currently expanding their reach. The organization's dream is to have more workshops in more areas and to be able to have online courses to reach children all over the world. 

Personally, I think investing in the youth is money well spent. Not every parent has the capacity to leave behind riches and vast tracts of land for their children. I do not have that. All I can leave my children is a good moral upbringing and the best education I can afford. Some children are not that fortunate. These are those who have dreams that are not going to be anything else but dreams. If we can, wouldn't it be nice to give to a noble cause to fund children's education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics? Wouldn't it be better to equip them with skills that would guarantee them a better world than the one that we have today? Think about it.

Head on over to #KidStarter and pledge your support. This may be the best investment you will make in your life. Click here to get started.

 

Life Quotes and Good Reads - A Time to Reflect

I have come across a writer and life coach whose name is Jose Micard Teixeira. I have started reading some of his writings and indeed, they are relevant to today's lifestyle. Lately, I have had some frustrations and disappointments at work and at home. To some, I have been short tempered, and to others, I have opted to keep mum. The stress took a toll on me and I am now nursing a bad cold. 

On my sick days off from work, I did a lot of reading. That is how I came across the works of Mr. Teixeira. He is a Life e Executive Coach, Author and Motivational Speaker. He has published 4 books, "Learn to Live without Stress," "Learn to Live without Fear," "Know How to Change your Life," and "Give a New Meaning to your Life." I enjoyed reading excerpts of his work. His quotes had so much truth in them and could be very well applied in real day to day living.

I must admit, that I am very impatient at times. I hate waiting in line and I am absolutely annoyed when people do not arrive on an agreed time. I have thoughts of being just "unlucky" and "unsuccessful" compared to my siblings who live a financially stable (or should I say, "well-off") life than me. No matter how hard I tried, I was still unable to attain the success they have. Sad to admit, but, I have come to that point that I just try to keep my head above water and be content with what I have. The desire to excel has started to wane. And so, in one of those "blah" moments in life, sitting in front of a computer monitor, with watery eyes, a running nose and a throbbing headache, I came across this passage:

“In my life, with a few exceptions, nothing happened out of the blue or in a moment’s notice. Everything always took some time to reveal itself as what I believe it was a test to my ability to know how to wait. In the past, I was very anxious. The slow realization of my wishes would leave me frustrated and in angst. I believed that there were other people who were luckier than me. For years, I lived convinced that the problem was just mine and that life had different preferences from mine. Today, I understand that nothing happens this way. I realized that difficulties generate strengths and that waiting is also a way of learning. I understood that each one gets his own as long as they want it greatly and don’t change their minds. I understood that resilience is only a virtue of those who don’t give up on their dreams. I learned that wanting is no longer getting, instead it’s never giving up.”  - Jose Micard Teixeira

We go back to that old cliche - "Patience is a virtue." Indeed it is. I am guilty of being impatient waiting for my children to be done with college. I feel that I am losing precious time trying to make a living to support their education. I failed to realize that I am more blessed than a lot of other people who do not even have the means to send their kids through grade school. I am still strong, although not young, but still able to do a nine hour job. I may not have the best of health, but I am not tied down to a wheelchair. For that, I am thankful. And for that, I will be more patient. Each waking day is a blessing and each sunset is a chance to say a prayer of thanks.  

It is time to start living and stop complaining. I will learn to love me so that I can love others even more. Give more. Expect less. 

Read more beautiful quotes and passages of Jose Micard Teixeira on his Facebook page. Click here to get started. I just did.

How To Beat That Nasty Cold

A scratchy throat, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion - these are the symptoms of the common cold. The common cold is a contagious, self-limiting infection commonly caused by the Rhinovirus. Transmission of the virus is through direct contact with an object or surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your nose or mouth. Another method of transmission is through inhaling droplets or secretions in the air around an infected person who has just sneezed.

Contrary to popular belief, a person does not catch a cold by getting wet or chilled. Low humidity enhances the growth of the virus and therefore, more cases of colds are reported during colder months. Another factor is that during colder climates, the lining around our nose gets too dry which makes it easier for the virus to penetrate. Excessive fatigue, emotional distress, allergies are also factors that affect the body's ability to effectively fight off the virus.

There are many over the counter remedies, however, since the common cold is a virus infection and is self-limiting, it is the symptoms that we seek relief from. It is difficult to deal with our daily work and household responsibilities if we are suffering from a runny nose. In addition to that, we feel exhausted because our body is directing all its energy towards fighting off the infection.

What are some home remedies that we can use to alleviate the symptoms and recover quickly? Here are some suggestions you may want to consider:

1. Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that is believed to boost the immune system. It does not prevent a cold, but it reduces the duration of the infection by a few days. The Native Americans used Echinacea for a variety of healing purposes for hundreds of years.

2. Zinc

The mineral Zinc is beneficial in helping our bodies combat infections like the common cold. Zinc is believed to prevent the formation of certain proteins that viruses use to reproduce. With this action, the severity and duration of the common cold is reduced. There are many preparations of zinc available, usually in combination with other minerals, in syrup or film tabs. I would prefer zinc lozenges at the first sign of a scratchy throat.

3. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has always been given to someone with a nasty cold. It has been a tradition for hundreds of years, although there has no definite reason why chicken soup helps to relieve a person of the cold symptoms. Some believe that drinking the hot soup relieves the congestion and reduces inflammation. Others believe the effect is psychosomatic ("its all in the mind"). Regardless of the reason, sipping a bowl of hot, delicious soup keeps us hydrated and it really does warm the heart.

4. Hot Tea

Just like chicken soup, sipping hot tea relieves congestion. There are many different teas in the market - green, white, black, oolong, pu-erh, all of which contain anti-oxidant properties. A cup of hot tea therefore gives us antioxidants, relieves congestion and keeps us hydrated. A most welcome beverage to have whether we have a cold or not.

5. Humidifiers

As I have mentioned earlier, studies show that viruses can easily penetrate the mucous membranes of our nose and throat when it is dry. During colder months when the humidity is low, we become prone to catching a cold. One effective way to keep viruses at bay is to use a humidifier at home. Adding moisture to the air keeps our sinuses open and makes us breathe and sleep better. Some people even love the low whirring sound of a humidifier at night because it has a calming effect.

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been widely known to cure scurvy. It works as an anti-oxidant to help the body tissues grow and promote healing. There are been many studies conducted to explain the efficiency of Vitamin C as a treatment for the common cold, and the results vary. There are many natural sources of Vitamin C - citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, kiwi fruit, strawberries, etc. Whether or not Vitamin C helps in the prevention of catching a cold, it is always best to include this in our daily diet for total and complete nutrition.

7. Bed Rest

As with all other ailments, bed rest is recommended to help our bodies heal itself. Plenty of fluids and sleep will enable our natural body processes to rid itself of the invading virus. When a person is sick, his/her body is undergoing a stressful situation. It is therefore recommended to allow our bodies to rest and mobilize vital processes to fight off the infection.

I am currently suffering from a nasty cold. I am about 70% recovered at this time as I write. As much as I would want to stay home until I am 100% well, I have to report back to work tonight. Oh well, I will probably be missing #5 and #7 (the humidifier and bed rest), but I will make sure that I have my supplements, a stash of tea bags, and a can of soup that I can have at work.

Happy Monday, everyone! :)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Working for CSAT, Getting Nothing but DISSAT

Tonight I start work in a new site - same company, different location. I should be excited. Its a new building, a bigger monitor, a new room, new equipment, and the site is only two kilometers away from home. But guess what? I am not excited at all.

I was thrilled to learn of the transfer months back. However, a lot of changes had to happen which created a impact on me that made me lose interest in this move. There were things that I had to give up, things that made me happy at work, things that helped me provide for my family's needs.

First, we were "ordered" to go on a graveyard shift. Fine. I have no issues with that. Its just a matter of tweaking my sleeping schedules and household routines. However, here's the thing - moving to a graveyard shift will cut down my transportation incentive to half. That means, I will be losing two thousand pesos a month. Management said that despite the cut, we would be earning a whole lot more for the night differential pay. Really???!!! The night differential pay is only 15% of the hourly rate and it is taxable income. I guess these people did not do well in grade school mathematics.

Second, we were not informed of their plan to change our work schedules. We were not even asked how such change would affect us. Let me give some clarification. I provide quality assurance support to businesses based in the United States, therefore, I do not have agents taking calls locally. My US counterparts do not have any issue with me working the 2pm-11pm Eastern Standard Time shift. So why the change? We asked management for the reason. The answer we got? "I will be working midshift, 4pm-1am Manila time. I want to see you guys." Lame lame lame. Another response we got - "I can't tell you."  There goes transparency and visibility. Sure, great job! Keep secrets from your front-liners! 

Third, we are not allowed to have anything on our desks other than the computer monitor, the mouse and the keyboard. I have never, as in NEVER, worked in such an environment that we are not allowed to "personalize" our work space. It is hell enough to work nights, but to work in an environment that controls everything is not just right. Show me a person who can stare at a computer monitor for 8 hours straight and I will recommend that person to be given an award for being a seaweed. It is those little bits and pieces of home away from home that takes away the stress. I guess there are just some people (I am not even sure if they are even worth being called that) who find gratification in power-tripping.

Fourth, I loved working in Eastwood City. It is maybe three and a half kilometers from home, still close and accessible. Eastwood City used to be General Textile Mills, Inc. It is where my parents used to work. My dad was the company physician, my mom worked in the Finance Department, and we were a canteen concessionaire in the textile mill. I practically grew up spending after school hours in that place. I could still remember where the company clinic was, where the motor pool and boiler room was located. Working in Eastwood made me feel like I was back in that time, that happy time where my parents were still young and healthy. The only original structure within the General Textiles compound that was not demolished was the church. It was originally called "Holy Family Church," and has now been renamed "St. John Paul II Parish." Spending a few minutes in that church everyday made me remember the masses we attended there as a family. With the transfer to the new site, I would be missing my daily quiet time inside a church. I will be missing watching the sunrise. I will be missing the occasional breakfast breaks with my eldest son who is now working in Eastwood.

Now, I would probably be getting reactions like - "just resign if you don't like to comply with the changes." This is not about an issue with compliance. This is an issue about honesty, about being sensitive to the feelings of others. It is about being a true leader. 

What do I plan to do now? I plan to blog like crazy, to grab every opportunity that comes my way. To "sell myself" to advertisers, to be more active in social media sharing - anything to earn back what I will be losing in my bi-monthly paycheck. I will pray harder. I will do it and I will succeed.

And for those who have impacted me and my workmates in such a negative, deceitful manner, I pray that they won't experience having to deal with a boss just like themselves. If they do, maybe that will be the time that we will be vindicated. 

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Investing In Your Family's Safety

It is alarming that the crime rate has just skyrocketed. When I was growing up, I could just play outside with my friends without my parents worrying about me. We could go to a park and be meters away from our picnic space and still feel safe. 

I feel sorry for the children of this generation. They have missed out on the joys of playing safe and free. It does seem that the only safe place after dark is the home. Although sometimes, being home is not even a guarantee that we will be safe. We would be tucked in bed, asleep and for all we know, robbers have ransacked the house. 

I have heard that there is some kind of spray that robbers use to cause deep sleep for the people inside the house they intend to break into. Whatever it is, I have no idea. How can we then protect ourselves and our children?

There are certain devices out in the market that we can purchase to help us keep our homes safe and our children safer. There are spy cameras that look like a clock radio, security cameras, and motion-activated outdoor lights. For self defense, it would be wise to always carry with us something to deter evil-doers. A small can of pepper spray or a stun gun would ward them them away. Lastly for our own peace of mind, we can make our children wear a child-tracker watch. All these, together with being more aware and street-smart can help us stay away from being victims of crime.

Check out these products below and maybe they would work for you too.

A Hidden Spy Camera Radio Clock

The Jumbl Mini Hidden Spy Camera Radio Clock is great thing to have on your night table as well as in your child's bedroom too. It seemingly looks like a digital clock, but it records video and still images. It can be set to record only when motion is detected. Supports up to 32 GB Micro SD card (sold separately). No need to hook up to your computer because you can view footage in the built-in 2 inch screen.

Security Cameras

To add to our peace of mind, outdoor security cameras can give us just that. Strategically placed, these devices can work well both during the day and night. Just because you'll never know when intruders attack, this VideoSecu cctv camera comes equipped with a mini hidden microphone.

Solar Powered Motion Sensor Lighting Fixtures

Reinforce the efficiency of a cctv by installing a motion sensor LED light. This motion sensor light has a 0.55 watt solar panel that converts sunlight to reusable electricity. Lightweight and easy to install, Sunnytech's Outdoor Lamp does a good job for a very affordable price. 

Personal Protection # 1 - Pepper Spray

My work shift starts at 2am and it causes my family so much worry when I leave for work. Although I live in a relatively safe neighborhood, I can never be sure that there is no one lurking in the darkness. To protect myself, I have a can of pepper spray in my purse. I hold it in my hand while I am walking, ready to use at the slightest provocation. Better safe than sorry. 

Personal Protection # 2 - Stun Gun

A stun gun will be my next purchase. Lately, there have been motorcycle-riding hoodlums who would try to snatch your bag. My mom was once a victim of this kind of robbery. My mom fell to the ground after the rider snatched her purse. Good thing she was not seriously hurt. A device like this would be more effective when walking near a busy street where motorcycles can come so close to a sidewalk. A stun gun like this can fire 500,000 volts into an attacker and make a very clear statement to stay away.

Child-Tracker Watches

Do you have a toddler who loves to run around? Most toddlers do! When my sons were like 4 and 2 years old, they were a handful to watch over when we would go to the grocery store or the mall. During that time, child harnesses were the "in" thing to keep a child in check and within arms' reach. Nowadays, technology has given us an innovative way to give the children some "freedom" and still offer parents peace of mind. A child tracker watch in fun designs, easy to use and with no monthly service fees is a cool device to have on your child. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Top 5 Countries That Consume The World's Most Common Beverages

I just got a light bulb moment while having my morning cup of coffee. I just wanted to know about which country consumes the most of everyday beverages. I collated the information and I had such a fun time so I am sharing it with you. The figures below are usually described as "per capita," meaning "the average consumption of the total population," therefore, it is an average count of the people who consume it and those who don't.

The Top 5 Countries That Consume The Most Coffee

Before I searched for the information, I thought it was hands-down the United States. I thought the Philippines would be second (with all the night shift workers trying to stay awake). I guessed it wrong! The United States is not even in the Top 10, and the Philippines is not even on the list! Based on the per capita consumption of the dry weight of coffee, the top 5 are:

1. Finland - 9.6 kg per capita

2. Norway - 7.2 kg per capita

3. Netherlands - 6.7 kg per capita

4. Slovenia - 6.1 kg per capita

5. Austria - 5.5 kg per capita

The Top 5 Countries That Consume The Most Milk

Again, my top guess was the United States. Wrong again. The United States ranked 16th in a study conducted in 2008. The four of the Top 5 countries that consume the most milk (liquid and dry) are in Northern  Europe, and the country holding the 5th rank is in the Mediterranean. Without much ado, here are the Top 5 milk consuming countries:

1. Finland - 361.19 kg per capita

2. Sweden - 355.86 kg per capita

3. Netherlands - 320.15 kg per capita

4. Switzerland - 315.78 kg per capita

5. Greece - 314.79 kg per capita

The Top 5 Countries That Consume The Most Tea

Now this will be a difficult list. The manner  by which tea is consumed are different in every country in the world. Some may drink tea as part of a ceremony, others may drink tea because of it healing properties. There are still others who have tea as a regular after-meal beverage, while others drink tea as their source of caffeine. Therefore creating a list of the top consumers of tea would vary. Let us make do with a generalized list for tea consumption. So, who do you think landed the top spot? Let me take a guess. The top spot should be some country from Asia. China? Japan? India? Let's find out!

1. Turkey

2. Morocco

3. Ireland

4. Mauritania

5. United Kingdom

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The Top 5 Countries That Consume The Most Beer 

Now we come to a favorite of mine... Beer! It is always something I look forward to having on the weekends. I love strong beer, Red Horse beer, particularly. Beer is the drink of friendship, of little glories and family time. Bottled beer, homemade beer, dark beer, beer in cans, draft beer, any beer! Which country would you think consumes the most beer? My wild guess was Germany, because of the Oktoberfest. Another guess would be the United States, because of all the sporting events they have, and beer is always part of each and every game. I was amazed to find out who the Top 5 really were.

1. France

2. Austria

3. Estonia

4. Germany

5. Ireland

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I raise my mug, cup, glass, or bottle and greet everyone a Happy First Monday of February!

2015 Is The Year To Shape Up Or Ship Out

A nine hour desk job can wreck havoc on a person's health and well-being. Musculo-skeletal disorders, weight problems, digestive tract ailments and decreased visual acuity are just some symptoms of deteriorating health. Shift workers usually lack sleep which makes these symptoms seem worse for them.

How can we squeeze in a little bit of exercise in our day? It is recommended that we stand and walk around once for a few minutes during our shift. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when going up and down a few floors. Walk a few blocks to the bus stop, or get off two blocks and walk the rest of the way.

We can also do isotonic exercises while sitting by flexing certain muscle groups. Stretch our arms and legs, rotate our shoulders, wrists and ankles. Just keep moving!

Eating healthy, doing exercise, and getting enough sleep can jump start our journey to gain fitness and better health. Thanks to technology, we can now better track the number of calories we burned, the distance we have walked, and the number of hours we have slept. 

Check out these gadgets. It will definitely motivate us to push ourselves to the limit and achieve our goals. 2015 is indeed the year to shape up or ship out!

A Fitness and Sleep Tracker Watch

Start getting credit for your daily activity with the Timex IRONMAN Move x20 Mid-Size fitness tracker. It works seamlessly with your iOS or Android smartphone to provide an incredibly convenient way for you to track your steps, distance and calories. There’s also a workout mode that displays your elapsed time and pace. It holds 30 days of daily data, 30 workout files and 10 days of sleep data. With easy-to-read, illuminated characters, you’ll always be able to check your progress.
Timex - Women's Timex 'Ironman - Move x20' Wireless Fitness & Sleep Tracker Watch (Small) - $99.95, Free shipping - Available at Holabird Sports

A Scale To Keep Track Of Your Progress

What more could be more essential in keeping track of your progress than a scale that not only tells you how much you weigh, but also gives you other health-related metrics? Step on the Vivitar platform and, like other scales or a freelance carnival guesser, it will tell you how much you weigh. But, as its name implies, the scale also determines other key health-related metrics, such as body fat, hydration levels, muscle mass, and bone density. Up to 10 people can put their basic personal information—age, gender, and height—into the system. Next, the scale uses this info and bioelectrical impedance analysis, a technology that sends a low-level electrical signal through the feet, to take its readings.

Replenish From Start To Finish

Replenish your body reserves with a healthy snack. Each 86 gram bar of TigerBillsBest High Protein Energy Bar is gluten and soy free, contains 21 grams of whey protein, and 22 grams of fiber. Its natural sugars provide quick energy while the complex carbs in the snack provide lasting energy. What could be more satisfying than a treat that not only tastes good, it also feels good inside. 

Let's move that body! It is never to late to start. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Changes And The Corporate Slave

Organizational change. Big words. Huge impact.

In business, it is so true that "the only thing constant is change." Changes are being made to improve the business process, to increase the company's financial gain and to be able to serve the customers better. Careful planning must be done to avoid a negative impact on the company's front-liners. These people are the ones working to keep the business afloat, therefore, implementing poorly thought of changes will cause employee unrest - and the business suffers.

What should be done to effect change and yet keep the employees happy? Here are some of the factors that should be taken into consideration:

Financial Impact:

What motivates your employees to go to work everyday? The number one reason is compensation. A rank and file employee knows that as long as they work 40 hours a week,  they will get paid. Should they exceed their targets, they know they will be receiving incentives for exemplary work. They know how much they expect to receive and they have carefully planned out the family budget until the next payday comes.

If the proposed change will affect their finances, think twice before you initiate your plan. If you ignore this, then you will be looking at dissatisfaction at work, increased number of absences, and worst, attrition. Organizational change with salary cuts is not good at all.

"If you pick the right people and give them the opportunity to spread their wings—and put compensation as a carrier behind it—you almost don't have to manage them."

— Jack Welch

Transparency:

The best way to reduce the negative impact of organizational change is to be honest. Talk to your employees. Inform them of the changes that management is planning to implement. Changes should NOT be kept secret until the day of implementation. Your front liners are the ones who have put money in your fat bank account. Why should they be left out in the planning? The key point here is to involve them in the decision making process.

"Leaders who make it a practice to draw out the thoughts and ideas of their subordinates and who are receptive even to bad news will be properly informed. Communicate downward to subordinates with at least the same care and attention as you communicate upward to superiors."

— L. B. Belker

Mental Stress and Demotivation:

This is to be expected in any organizational change, especially if an employees' finances are affected and their life-work balance is disrupted. When this happens, the first thing that management will notice is a decrease in productivity. Employees may then start coming in late, taking longer than usual lunch breaks, or even skip work. The "devil may care" attitude hovers over the work place like an ugly dark cloud. Employee morale is a very fragile component of the work environment and this should always be taken into consideration. Managers should put themselves in the shoes of the front-liners. Work to create a win-win situation in every proposed organizational change. 

“If you slave away every day at a job you hate and come home drained and frustrated, what is that teaching your kids?” 

― Alexander Kjerulf, Happy Hour is 9 to 5

Situation in the Home:

Are your frontliners the breadwinners in the family? Do they have to attend to the care of a child, or an aging parent after work hours? Are their working hours beneficial for them to maintain efficiency at work, attend to family responsibilities and still get enough rest? Will the proposed organizational change significantly alter their life outside of work? It is true that there is no single formula that would work for everyone, however, constant communication and feedback from the employees will provide valuable information to arrive at a decision where everyone will be happy.

"A company that pays attention to the family unit is a successful company. We don't isolate the family. We don't make rides that say, 'Hey mom, dad, you go sit on the bench.'"

- Michael Eisner

I am but one of the millions of corporate slaves working in a call center. I have hungered to find contentment in my job. I thirst for acknowledgment of my sacrifice. I do not need certificates, gift checks or what-nots. I need to feel satisfied in what I do, get paid for my efforts, come home happy and stay healthy. I know it is only a dream and a that there is no perfect job that ever existed, and will never exist.

An upcoming change will be rolled out at work. The reasons are unbelievably shallow and has no business impact. I may be wrong, who knows? Everything is kept secret. "This is all I can tell you," is the trending sentence. As much as I voice out my opinions (or protest), I know I will never be heard. If I push my concerns, I would be at risk of losing my job. I could get a memo for insubordination. It is a death trap. Take it or leave it - that's the rule.

What do you think I would do? As always, I'd take everything with a grain of salt.

Why? Because that's just the way it is. I am a corporate slave.