life rings... and all. on to the new year

 I have come to terms with my LIFE RING just recently, following the death of my mother. I reviewed and realized there are changes that I have to make and some rethinking of how things are done...

1st - MY HEALTH ... Mom died of ovarian cancer and we only knew it recently following what we thought was just anemia. I know I have to be very careful and have to keep myself healthy now in order for me to achieve whatever plans and goals I still have left.

2nd - MY FAMILY ... I have a very small family and as I keep myself healthy I have to keep them that way too. This will happen by providing them with enough vitamins and needed vaccines and remind them to do their exercises at least 3x a week. I also have to follow up on their mental health by providing time for some chitchat over snack or meal, or during family day trips.

3rd - MY EXTENDED FAMILY... When we were battling my mom's condition for 560 days in the hospital I had the chance to talk with my siblings. It was then that I realized they're having hard time making ends meet. I am not rich but I think I can provide for some of their needs especially now that my mother is not around anymore and that they are trying to build their family, having newborns. It is my goal to provide them too with vitamins and supplements and ask them every now and then what I can do to help. The creation of a group chat exclusively for siblings make it easier for us to connect and support each other.

4th - MY CAREER... As I thought of early retiring, I would like to explore more on other opportunities (academe, research, consultancy) to earn so I could finance whatever travel/trips I have in my mind for my family and extended family. I also would need such if I am to support my brother in finishing college even if he has a family now.

5th - THE COMMUNITY ... I am a member of a group (KaEskwela) that supports public school kids. I intend to continue doing so. My advocacy in supporting local businesses and Filipino farmers is also ongoing. With this is my support too for calling for GOOD GOVERNANCE, hence wise voting for next years national elections.

6th - CONTINUOUS EDUCATION ... I should not stop learning, hence this MOOC. I have yet to read a lot of books and hopefully self-publish a book of poems and flash fiction.

7th - HOBBIES AND SELF-CARE... I always seem to forget about myself, so even if it is the last on this ring, I intend to also give focus on it. I plan to get a body massage once in a while or buy myself some cream for my hair and body for pampering. Maybe I can go on solo trips too :) 

Rx food for 2019

-------------------------------------------------------------

1. Dark Leafy Greens:

A Nutrient-Dense Inflammation Fighter

2. Walnuts:

Rich in Mood-Boosting Omega-3 Fatty Acids

3. Avocado:

Its Oleic Acid Gives You Brainpower

4. Berries:

Full of Cell-Repairing Antioxidants

5. Mushrooms:

Helpful Tools to Lower Blood Sugar

6. Onions:

Layered With Cancer-Fighting Allium

7. Tomatoes:

Packed With Depression Fighters

8. Beans:

Satisfyingly High in Mood-Stabilizing Fiber

9. Seeds:

Small but Mighty Sources of Omega-3s

10. Apples: 

Ripe With Antioxidants and Fiber

---------------------------------------------------------------

from the article
10 Foods I Eat Every Day to Beat Depression
https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/therese-borchard-sanity-break/foods-eat-every-day-beat-depression/?fbclid=IwAR2KVek6SpxXMd9YTaECy77pEf9knk23LUcZGP_ugO7pENj4b9Cu0jRFPtc

causes of morbidity

In the recent decades, 

the leading causes of 

morbidity (in Pinas) were 

diarrhea, 

bronchitis, 

pneumonia, 

influenza, 

hypertension, 

tuberculosis, 

heart disease, 

malaria, 

chickenpox, 

and 

measles. 

Have we won the war against these? 

Let's also use some of our socmed time 

in (info campaign or) fighting these off . 

Thanks.

happy new year!

good morning ...
 too much to do yet too little time?
whats new? check it. sort it. tag it.
move and work on it
but not at the expense of your health okay?
heavens wouldn't like it if you take your body for granted,
it's the temple of your soul. 

everything in moderation please. 

a friendly reminder 

from one who most need to learn that 

haha :D
god bless this day. god bless us.
lets be kind... to others
and to ourselves.

aja!

10 things about gout - my health concern these days

all i got was a reminder from the doctor that my uric acid level is beyond normal...and that i have to be careful/choosy with what i eat. i never thought id have something like that coz i am not a meat-eater, sadly, i wasnt spared. surfing the net, keywords i used (high level of uric acid) always lead me to articles about gout (scared me more). here's the latest i got- from http://arthritis.about.com/od/gout/a/10_gout_facts.htm ...the article says that gout is considered one of the most painful types of arthritis. along with pain, gout can cause swelling, redness, heat and stiffness in joints. there are other types of arthritis which can mimic gout symptoms, making it very important to get an accurate diagnosis so that proper treatment can begin.


HERE ARE 10 THINGS ONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GOUT
1 - Gout is accurately diagnosed through the identification of characteristic crystals. (that's how i got my diagnosis - gave me the other side of the word 'crystal') 
2 - Blood uric acid levels can be misleading. (i hope teeheehee)
3 - Though the big toe is the most common joint affected by gout, ankles, heels, insteps, wrists, and knees can also be affected. (i can feel it often in my hands, between my palm and fingers and i know its not just my mind playing tricks on me)
4 - Uric acid results from the breakdown of purines. Purines are part of all human tissue and found in many foods. (thats what i learned lately, hence, i should moderate intake of purine-rich foods such as seafoods and animal internal organs- goodbye sisig!)
5 - There are certain triggers which can cause a gout attack. (alcohol is named one! chocolates, coffee and tea are still a-okay)


6 - For gout to be treated successfully, there are four goals of treatment.
•acute attacks must be stopped
•pain and inflammation must be relieved quickly
•future attacks must be prevented
•tophi, kidney stones, and renal disease must be prevented
7 - Treating an acute gout attack can involve resting the affected joint and taking prescribed medications. (that would be sad if attacks are on your hands and youre an online data-miner- oh so me)
8 - To prevent future attacks, diet and lifestyle changes, along with urate-lowering medications, can be helpful. (i have to loose some weight, obesity or weighing more than the ideal as in my case- leads to high uric acid levels)
9 - Prevalence statistics from the Arthritis Foundation indicate that 2.1 million Americans are affected by gout. (i wonder what are the stats for ph)
10 - Unless gout is properly managed it can affect the patient's life and work productivity. (waaah!)


im still learning and trying to know more about this. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

some citrus burst when needed

see? i love big bags, it allows me to carry a lot of things (papers, pens, laptop and more). it even allows me to carry to-go personals like two of my favorites - wet tissues and hand spray... yes, now i'm finding time to share a bit of my 'human nature' story... :)

i usually have hand sanitizer in my bag, but I don't like using it so much until my friend kate gifted me with Human Nature's All Natural Spray Sanitizer... that was the first first Human Nature product I owned. then i started reading about it and 'human nature' (gandang kalikasan)  and its advocacy: pro-Philippines, pro-poor, and pro-environment. like the local version of The Body Shop but with the price and direct selling strategy of saralee.  

 

another friend, dyali brought me to visit their posh-lookin' outlet in Commonwealth. i signed up...fastforward to now, even as i am staying in general santos city, i get my monthly human nature products from davao city via the bus (very minimal fee)... and yes, i carry the hand spray all the time (there's 2 variants and another 2 variants for kids). got me among others some citrus burst within reach when needed :)

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ---------- [wisdom from spam :)]

i usually get spam emails. sometimes, i bother read them...and each time i do, i find one more reason to 'not regret' having read them at all...and oh, today is my younger sister's birthday. it's been 23 years since anna marion died of leukemia. i still miss her. i guess, the only thing i could do for her memory is TO LIVE' and try stay young...

here's how, says the spam mail :

1. Throw out nonessential numbers.
This includes age, weight and height.
Let the doctors worry about them.
That is why you pay 'them' .

2. Keep only cheerful friends.

The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen.

Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love,
whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music,
plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county;
to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them,

at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.