Lose Weight 3x Faster With SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink Mix

"I am getting too fat. I need to lose weight."

How often do we hear this from friends, family members and colleagues? Almost everyday.

Part of the aging process is slowed metabolism which in part, causes weight gain. Most of us engage in some form of routine exercise, however, we find it frustrating to lose 2 pounds and gain 3 pounds back!

There are 6 main reasons why women have trouble losing weight. These 6 main reasons are hormones, slower metabolism, stress, low energy, appetite and water retention. 

Good thing we have SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink Mix is designed for women to help them lose 3 times the weight by addressing the 6 physical reasons women have trouble losing weight. It is formulated to help women to lose weight 3 times faster than any other supplement.

What makes SLIMQUICK® better than others out there in the market? Aside from being 0 calories, it contains all natural ingredients like antioxidants, calcium, vitamin D and BioPure Green Tea™.

BioPure Green Tea™ is exclusive to SLIMQUICK® Pure. The fat burning component of green tea has been isolated and added to increase your metabolism rate, therefore helping us lose weight in a faster, healthier and more effective way. Tastes great too! 

SLIMQUICK® wants to make sure that we reach our weight loss goals and they understand that it is difficult to do this without any support. This is the reason why they created the SLIMQUICK® Community where we can collaborate with other women also trying to lose weight. We can exchange recipes, view meal plans, and support from the SlimQuick coach and learn helpful tips for weight loss. Now, we don't have to feel left out and alone in this weight loss journey! How cool is that?

 

For those women who love to take on a challenge, SLIMQUICK® offers its customers to join a program to lose 25 pounds. We get full emotional support, weekly motivational tips, healthy recipes and exercise advice to get us through the journey.

Take the first step towards a slimmer, healthier figure. Grab your stash of SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink Mix in the following establishments:

But wait, this doesn't stop here! They are offering $5 off when you purchase SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink at any of the participating stores! Click HERE to print your discount coupon.

 
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post powered by Brandbacker for SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink. I have been compensated and received the samples for free.

5 Amazing Bodies of Water ~ My Beautiful Planet Earth!

Our planet is amazingly full of natural wonders. Hills, valleys, mountain ranges and bodies of water so beautiful you'd think you are in paradise.

Today, I am writing about some amazing bodies of water. Looking at their pictures alone leaves me awe-struck! So without much ado, here is my list of my planet earth's amazing bodies of water.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a large sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It is located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km (43 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300 meters (984 feet) wide across and 124 meters (407 feet) deep. It is a popular dive spot where scuba divers can marvel at the crystal clear waters, stalactites in submerged caves and rare species of fish.

Lake Hillier, Australia

Lake Hillier, also known as the "Pink Lake," is a salt water lake located in Middle Island, which is part of the Recherche Archipelago off the south coast of Western Australia. Its vibrant pink color is believed to be caused by the reaction of the salt with the organism Dunaliella salina, The pink hue is permanent, unaffected by temperature or weather changes. 

Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

Mosquito Bay is located in Vieques, Puerto Rico and is known to be the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. In the waters of Mosquito Bay, the organism Pyrodinium bahamense, which is classified as dinoflagellates, are abundantly thrive. The magical blue luminescence is produced when these organisms come into contact with another larger organism, or when they are agitated. 

  

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Jellyfish Lake is a marine or saltwater lake located in Eil Malk Island, Palau. History states that the lake was once connected to the ocean, however, geological changes occurred that caused salt water to be trapped in the lake basin, isolating it and the organisms that thrived in it. The jellyfish that are found in abundance in this lake is the Golden Jellyfish. Through years of evolution and little to no predators to disrupt them, these jellyfish lost their stingers. Humans can safely swim in the lake without fear of being stung. It is now a popular destination for swimmers, snorklers and divers from around the world. 

Taal Lake, Philippines

Taal Lake is one of a kind in the world. Located in the southern part of the main island of Luzon, this freshwater lake fills the Taal Caldera, which is a large caldera caused by a series of volcanic eruptions some 500.000 to 100,000 years ago. What makes this unique is that Taal Lake, according to folklore, is known to be a crater lake, and that the surrounding towns are part of a giant volcano. Why is this so? You would notice (as the photo shows), there is a landmass in the middle of Taal Lake. That is the "Volcano Island" In the middle of the volcano island is another lake, the main crater lake, and in it is another tiny island, called Vulcan Point. Therefore, this unique body of water and land formation is aptly described as "An island (Vulcan Point) within a lake (Main Crater Lake), within an island (Volcano Island), within a lake (Taal Lake), within an island (Luzon)." 

I hope you enjoyed reading through this post. What other bodies of water have amazed you? Feel free to share them in your comments. 

Violet's Smile: Defying the odds of Lissencephaly

Today I write about something you may have never heard of before. But for me and my husband's family, it is a word we have associated with other words like "hope," "love," "miracles," and "Violet."

This word is Lissencephaly.

What is Lissencephaly? It is a rare gene-linked brain malformation characterized by the absence of normal convolutions (folds) in the cerebral cortex. In layman's terms, it is called "smooth brain." Children with lissencephaly generally have significant developmental delays, but these vary greatly from child to child depending on the degree of brain malformation and seizure control. Life expectancy can be shortened, generally due to respiratory problems.

This is an MRI image comparing a normal brain with that of Lissencephaly.

Violet is my husband's great-niece. She was born on August 14, 2012. She was diagnosed with Lissencephaly shortly after birth. Her parents were devastated, but they did everything they can to help their daughter. The little fighter that she is, Violet proved to be a strong little girl, showing signs of improvement, defying all those senseless statistics.  

Despite her constant battle with seizures, and the long travel from their home to the hospital for medical appointments and therapies, Violet is a happy, pretty little girl. Her curly hair, expressive eyes, and radiant smile will surely melt your heart. She can sit up unassisted and is able to communicate through sign and body movement. Violet will be turning three on the 14th of this month. Another milestone achieved. Thanking the Goodness of the Lord for this blessing! 

 This is Violet. She'll be turning three on the 14th.

If you live in or around the area of Pittston, PA, we would like to invite you to attend a fundraising event for Violet, to help the family with the medical expenses. It will be on August 22, 2015. Tickets are $15/seat. 20% per ticket sold will go towards the therapy, travel and medical expenses of Violet. Below is the event banner where you can contact the organizers for tickets. 

If you would be unable to attend, or live too far away, and still want to help and show your love, please feel free to visit Violet's GoFundMe page. Any donation would be highly appreciated. You may also follow her on Facebook for updates and you may send her your birthday wishes too.

GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/teamultraviolet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004961055057&fref=ts 

Have a happy Sunday and may your kind heart be continuously blessed.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

It is the first Monday of August.

I sit here thinking about going back to work tonight. Lately, I seem to have fallen out of love with the work I have been doing for the past decade. Blame it on the lack of sleep, on the dwindling salary I receive, on the changes that have put so much pressure at work. For the past few weeks, I have been seriously considering quitting.

My dad once told me, "Before you make a major decision in life, get a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half. On the left side, label the heading with the word 'Pros' and on the right side, label it with 'Cons.' Write down all the positive things about your proposed decision on the left side, and all the possible negative things on the right side. When you are done, read through it and weigh out each and every entry before you finally decide what you want to do."

It was good advice back then. It still is today. And so I put it to a test today. Here is what I have written down:

So, as you can see, there are more positive things that can happen if I quit my current employment and concentrate on work-at-home jobs. But I still have to think long and hard about this.

Regular Income Jobs vs. Contract Based Jobs:

Employees get paid a daily rate for completing 40 work hours per week, regardless if you do your job or not. If you don't, then you still get paid. If you excel in your work, then you get paid extra bonuses. In contract based/work at home jobs, you get paid a flat rate for the entire workload which you are required to complete in a few days or weeks. They usually pay very well, however, the drawback would be stability. You cannot depend on being awarded contacts every time. There will be lulls and it may be a long one.

HMO Plans vs. Government Health Insurance:

One of the perks of being a regular employee is you are provided with health insurance by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) provider. The monthly dues are paid for by the company you work for. Some companies even provide HMO benefits for their employee plus three dependents. If I opt for being self-employed, I will have to pay out of pocket for my monthly fees and make do with the Government Health Insurance that can only be availed of if I will be confined in a hospital. I could buy up my own private health insurance, but that would be very expensive.

Social Security and Retirement Benefits

Regular employees have mandatory deductions in their paycheck which goes into their Social Security Fund. The company also contributes two to three times the amount the employee pays per month. So that's me and my employer saving for my retirement benefits. If I chose to be self employed, I will have to pay a lot per month to maintain my current rate for Social Security.

Family Time, Less Stress, Healthier Meals vs. Graveyard Shift and Fast Food

I have been wanting to stay home and be with my family more. It is so nice to be able to earn my keep while minding the needs of my family at the same time. I get to prepare healthier meals for myself and my family. I will get more rest, therefore less stress and less sick days. As an employee doing the graveyard shift for a decade and living on fast food has given me uncontrolled blood sugar levels, gastritis, and elevated blood cholesterol. I come home physically drained and irritable. This is not the mom I want my children to have.

Be my own Boss vs. Having a Boss

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do everything at your own pace without somebody breathing fire down your neck everyday? That would feel so much like heaven on earth. However, I would miss out on creating "code names" for people higher up the corporate ladder who do nothing but make others' lives miserable. Me and my friends have become so creative at this. We have "the Tele-tubbies," "the Whale Shark," "Shrek," "Princess Fiona," "King Albino," to name a few. LOL. That I would surely miss if I opt to stay at home to work.

So, have I decided to quit or to stay put? I still have two sons in college and losing a regular income might mean disaster. My hubby told me to wait until one of my children can take me in as their dependent for health insurance coverage. Little old pessimistic me was worried that I might be too old to qualify when that time comes. Haha.

And so, I will be patient and wait for the opportune time when I can go for my dreams and work at home. When that moment comes, I will then sit down and do what I love to do best - to write.

Pizza Party after the Monthly Team Update Meeting

Lighter moments with the team at the Videoke room at work

Breakfast at 4am with my fellow Quality Analysts

Early morning pig out at Pizza Hut

Wishing everyone a more productive and fun-filled week ahead!

#Motivation Mondays: Creating Tracks

Good morning, Monday! Its going to be another grueling week. As much as we want to avoid it, we have to get up, make breakfast, get dressed and rush off to work.

I whisper a prayer and with one foot out the door, I greet this brand new week with hope and thankfulness for the blessings of family, health, and an opportunity to earn my keep.

Angel of God, my guardian dear

To whom His Love commits me here.

Ever this day, be at my side

To light and guard,

To rule and guide,

Amen.

What Was The Biggest News In The World On The Day You Were Born?

The past few days has been dark, rainy and gloomy. When you live in the tropics, you expect to wake up bright and sunny day almost everyday. The rain is a welcome treat to farmers, and a much needed break from the heat for city dwellers, but to have rain for a whole week is not much fun at all.

And so, I sit here, thinking about things to write about. I wanted to write about something that would uplift my spirits, something to make me feel good about myself, or at least write about something I just found out about.

I chose the last option. I went to one of my favorite websites, www.history.com and checked on "This Day In History." I was just curious if there was any significant event in history that happened on November 13 (that's my birthday). Well, here's what I found out:

On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. It is a V-shaped wall made of black granite, inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in the conflict. It is such an inspiring monument to the honor the sacrifice of these young men and women.

I found out there are a lot other things that happened on November 13, some good, some bad. It was just nice to be able to learn more about history and of the things that happened on the same date as the day you were born.

Do you want to find out what significant event happened on the same day as your birthday? Click on the link below to find out. There's definitely a surprise for you. 

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Happy Monday, everyone!

Know Your Brass Instruments: The Euphonium

Today I write about another brass instrument that produces an extraordinary sound. It is a compensating euphonium.

What is a euphonium?

A euphonium is a valved brass musical instrument resembling a small tuba in appearance, produces a tenor pitch, and played mainly in military and brass bands. There are two kinds of  euphonium - compensating and non-compensating. There are two basic groups of euphoniums: compensating and non-compensating. A compensating euphonium includes extra tubing. This "compensates" for the tendency of the sharp low register. By depressing the fourth valve, air is redirected through an auxiliary set of slides on valves 1 through 3, when they're used. These slides lower the pitch even more, so the lower notes become closer in tune. Non-compensating euphoniums have a fourth valve that operates like any other valve. The pitch is lowered 2-1/2 steps in this case, and the player must make the necessary adjustments to bring the low range in tune.

So now we know that the compensating euphonium is a better choice, next time we are in market for one, it is best that we keep this information in mind.

Dysport for Botox

Today, we are no longer forced to live with wrinkles, folds and other facial imperfections. We are able to alter our appearance with numerous cosmetic procedures thus restoring our confidence and most importantly, our looks. Among many different treatments that are available to us, botox ranks as the most popular procedure in North America. As such, it is regarded as the core services provided by various aesthetic companies.

Given that this industry is constantly on the rise, stiff competition is expected. There are many companies which are offering drugs for botox. Standard choice for most cosmetic doctors is Botox, brand name that launched entire procedure. However, as of late, Botox is starting to fade and it gives room to a new and improved medicine called Dysport.

Like any other drug which is used for this procedure, Dysport has botulinum toxin type A as its main component. It is well known that this toxin is one of the strongest toxins in existence. It can cause various issues to our body and it is the main cause for botulism. Unfortunately, in some cases, patients reported symptoms of this disease after being administered with Dysport. This happens because the drug starts shifting within the skin and this spreading leads to vicious ailment. Before using Dysport or any other similar drug, it is necessary to test yourself and determine whether you are allergic to the drug. As it usually goes with medicines, even though they can help us in various ways, some of their components can be bad for our organism. It comes as a no shock that a drug which is based on strong toxin will possibly produce side effects.

There are some precautionary measures that you need to take before using Dysport. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not use this drug under any circumstances. It has been reported that Dysport can impact children in different, unforeseen ways. Besides this, people who are above 65 shouldn’t use it as well. Some diseases and conditions can prevent you from using the medicine such as diabetes, asthma, muscle weakness, skin issues, bleeding disorders, heart condition etc. Whatever may be the case, it is always best to consult with your doctor prior to treatment.

Drug is inserted into the skin by using thin needles. Process is painless and easy to recover from. In worst case scenario, if your skin is very sensitive, you will need to put an ice pack. However, you can expect swelling to pass after just a few days. 

Given popularity of this treatment, it is easy to understand how every pharmaceutical and cosmetic company wanted to have piece of the market. Nowadays, there are numerous online pharmacies that are offering this drug. But, have in mind that some drugstores don’t have valid certificates, so you need to be very careful when purchasing the drug online. If you decide to buy Dysport from Medica Depot or similar company, you can be certain that the product which you are receiving is of highest quality.

Shopping For The New Baby

I am so excited with the coming of my first grandchild in December. It will be my daughter's first born and we are really blessed!

Starting a family is both a joyful and stressful event in a young couple's life. I have been through that and all I thought about was "How is it to be a parent?" The worry of preparing for the baby's needs, moving into a new house, adjusting work schedules can be taxing. So, to help out a bit, I volunteered to help my daughter and her husband with some of the baby stuff.

They may be costly, but I am sure that they are a good investment because some of the things I intend to purchase may be passed on to the next grandchild.

Without much ado, here are the my gifts:

A Feeding Bottle Starter Set

I am a firm advocate of breastfeeding and there is no other substitute for breast milk. However, my daughter has to go back to work after 60 days of giving birth. When that day comes, I would advice her to use a breast pump and store enough milk for her baby's feeding schedules while she is away. Chicco - NaturalFit All you Need Starter Set - Multicolor - is a great product that can help the baby transition from breast feeding to bottle feeding. The set contains different sized bottles that perfectly adapt to the needs of the baby as he/she grows. This set also comes with two silicone pacifiers, a bottle brush, a microwave sterilizer and a teether. Everything in one set. Perfect!

A Crib

Looking for a perfect crib can be stressful. However, since I will be spending a handsome amount of money for a crib, I thought I might as well invest in a crib that could still be of use as my grandchild grows. I found this pretty Delta - Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Crib that converts from crib to toddler bed to toddler daybed to full size bed! It would help the new parents save money because they would be able to have their child use this piece of furniture for years to come. Another great find for me!

A Changing Table

A changing table with drawers will help keep all the baby stuff organized. Da Vinci Drinkware - Emily 3 Drawer Changer by Da Vinci - Espresso has just the right height, making diaper change a breeze. The best thing about this piece is that it can be used as a dresser when the baby grows into the toddler years. I love wood furniture and this changing table would suit any room motif with its elegant espresso finish.

A Stroller and Bassinet

You may have already  noticed that I love stuff that doubles up into something else. Well, I do want to get the best value for my money, so why not look for stuff that the baby can use from birth to their toddler years? I would love showing off my first grandchild so I opted for the BumbleRide - Bumbleride Indie 4 with bassinet in Lotus Pink. Safe, sturdy and very functional, this is a great item to have when traveling with the baby.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

A Mother's Thoughts on Same Sex Marriage

On my commute home from work, the bus driver and his friend were engaged in a lively chat. Since I was sitting behind the driver, I could not help but listen in to their conversation.

Photolink

They were talking about homosexuality. Here is what I remembered from their conversation:

Bus Driver: "Buddy, haven't you noticed that there are so many homosexuals nowadays?"

Friend: "You're right. When we were young, there were very few who were openly gay. Maybe there were a lot more, but they kept it to themselves."

Bus Driver: "They call themselves 'The Third Sex' and I don't understand that. So, is it now 'Male,' 'Female' and 'Undetermined?' Its confusing. Can you imagine babies being born labeled as 'Undetermined?'

(heads shaking)

Bus Driver: "Now, they are even getting married! I don't know about you, buddy, but, as far as I know, marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman, whether it is consecrated in a church or in a civil ceremony. How can a marriage be consummated if they are of the same sex?"

Friend: "I actually feel sorry for them. I mean, they usually get discriminated against. Sometimes people avoid them, thinking they have AIDS. But then, nobody was born to be homosexual. It was their choice, and their parents and society tolerated it. If you had a son who's gay, how would you deal with it?"

Bus Driver: "Well, here's the thing, buddy. If you spend enough time with your children, you would already notice it early on. Then we can correct the behavior. But of course, we cannot be with our children 24 hours. The wrong company of friends may have a big influence. If he does turn out gay, I will accept him. He is still my son. He can wiggle his hips all he wants, as long as he will not sleep with another man."

Friend: "You're right. Same with lesbians. As parents, we can guide them to do the right thing. Make them realize that marriage also entails procreation and responsibility. Homosexuals, in their old age, can be the loneliest people. They will have no children to raise and nurture. If they ever adopt, then what kind of role models will they be?"

Bus Driver: "Exactly. But who are we to judge, buddy? It all boils down to choices. They opted to live their lives that way. It is a sin, yes. Just like what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah in biblical times. But we are also with sin. We gamble, we do not help the needy, we lie, we cheat. We are sinners too. So which sin is worse? 

Friend: "I have no idea, buddy. I have no idea."

And so their conversation turns to talking about the traffic, the weather, and politics. I was about two blocks away from my bus stop. When I got off the bus, that conversation really hit me.

My faith has me going totally against this same sex marriage. Look, I am a Christian. I was born and raised a Catholic and educated in the best Catholic institutions. These are my beliefs and these are what I stand for: That marriage is between a man and a woman; and that there is no "third sex." Homosexuality is a choice. That God made Adam and Eve, not Adam, Eve and Steve.

Now that same sex marriage has been legalized in all the 50 states, the world rejoices with slogans such as "Love Wins," "Equality Wins," "Fight For Love" and others. The LGBT community is ecstatic about the legal rights that will be accorded to the couples who would seal their relationship in a civil ceremony. My opinion? If they really want legal rights, they can simply write down their every wish in a document, like a last will, have it notarized and kept in a safe place. They can name their beneficiaries, their legal executors, and divide their properties as they wish in the event that one would pass away.

Why am I so upset about this? I am upset because I am concerned about moral decadence. How are parents going to raise their children in a society that will openly accept same sex couples publicly showing signs of affection? The only option left is to strengthen the family, raise the children in a way that is morally right, and to turn to God when faced with temptation. I do not want to judge, because I have also sinned against God. 

However, I do have friends who are openly gay. I have a cousin who is also gay and he married his long time boyfriend. They have been together for several years, living a quiet life in Europe. I do not condemn them, because, again, it is their choice. They make sure that they are discreet in showing signs of affection and act like the best of friends just enjoying each others' company while traveling the world. That I can deal with. Not because he is my cousin, but because he and his partner both show moral responsibility not to offend others who are heterosexual.

As long as same sex marriages are kept as civil unions, maybe it is okay. (Although I cringe at pictures of same sex couples kissing) If these couples stay discreet so as not to corrupt the minds of the younger generation, then that would be even better. And as long as the state does not force the church to officiate a same sex wedding, that would be BEST. 

I can go on rambling about this issue for years and years, however, I know I have to stop somewhere. My apologies, I just really needed a channel to express my thoughts and feelings. 

For those whom I have offended, I am sorry. 

I believe that I too, am entitled to my own opinion.