What are you #reading?

I love books, and I grew up loving them. My dad used to tell me that he plans to open up a neighborhood library, to put all my books to good use. I still love books, and I continue to buy them, even if I actually do not have time to read them. I just love the idea that I have them on hand, when I do finally get time to read. 

The only time in the day when I actually get to read books is when I read them to my kids at bedtime. So, I thought I'd do a regular post on what we are reading now. I hope it inspires you to read to your kids, too. I speak from personal experience that the more you read to your children, the more you bring them into the fold of bookreaders. They will grow to love books too, and you would have given them the gift of the world!

As you can see, the princess stories will always make their way into our repertoire. I don't really try to discourage my girls from the princesses. What I do is introduce new genres to them... like Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway tree, which is an adventure fantasy book.

As for me, I always make sure I have books on my ipad Kindle, for days when I suddenly have time. Here's what I am reading now.

What are you and your kids reading? I'd love to hear from you! Do post your recommendations here!

Beyond the Physical #LIFE

It could be an aunt, a cousin, your colleague's mother-in-law, someone's dad... How many times have you heard of the story of someone who found out they were sick, but it's gone beyond the stage of prevention. Instead, drastic measures have to be taken. It's happened to people very close to me, too. What would we give for that ounce of prevention? Often, the manifestations of a sickness come out only in actual physical onservations. A lesion, a lump, a painful part... but it really started somewhere deep down inside of you, way before it came out physically.

Our bodies are intercomnected with nerve bundles that link to our vital organs. 

Two weeks ago, The ONE Core group (Thanks Coach Pia!) gave me a meaningful Mother's Day gift - the gift of LIFE. It's a preventive health management system from Europe that checks seven areas of our bodies. It goes from our vital organs, to our nerves, bones and blood, to our energy and mental state. All in all, it tests seven areas of our bodies, using non invasive and painless technology. It does all of that in 10 minutes. The theory behind LIFE is that way before our illnesses becomes physical manifestations, they first come out at the nerve level. After the nerve level, it manifests in the blood and hormones; then finally, at the physical level. LIFE scans your nerve bundles and comes up with readings of your nerves, blood, hormones and vital organs to detect areas of concern. 

The great thing about LIFE is it identifies not only where potential sicknesses might come out, but it also identified stressors. It makes recommendation based on a holistic approach, integrating lifestyle and medical advice that would best suit your condition. I think it's great that way because you can then adjust your day to day lifestyle to what your body needs.

My results came out quite interesting. Now the background is - I took the LIFE test right after a week long family vacation. No yaya. Enough said :). It also came at a time when I am at the end of a very long project at work that has literally taken over me... body and soul. Now without further excuses... here are my results.

I found it absolutely amazing that the 10minute assessment detected the over exhaustion in my body. It has been what I've been feeling since the beginning of the year- absolute, physical exhaustion. My job is not actually physically tiring per se, it's a lot more brain activity over physical activity. But the constant thinking and worrying do take a toll on you physically.

The second thing I loved about the assessment is the comment on being in a good mental state. I take pride in being an optimist, being generally happy... it really helps balance the daily stress I absorb. I loved that, despite everything, I still am in good harmony, and won't need my straightjacket yet. As a parent, I think it's most important for me to be in a good state of mental harmony to be able to raise my children well. Despite the fatigue, the physical toll... I'm happy to report that I'm safe hang around with!

Whatever your results may be, LIFE gives you a multipage report that talks about the different points of your body that was analyzed, as well as suggestions on how to address them. I was told that if I brought my report to an acupuncturist, they would be able to interpret the results and use acupuncture to restore the balance. I personally am looking forward to that.

If you know anyone who you think will benefit from LIFE, they may get in touch with our office and get 50% off the regular rate. Promo period is until June 30, 2014 only. For more details, please visit www.theonecoreblog.com/life.

Yummy-ly Yours

I love Summit Media's Yummy Magazine. I used to buy them from the newsstand, I would leaf through them, almost as if I were already tasting and enjoying the food itself. I started buying the small Yummy books where special recipes are collected. But i still did not part with my Yummy issues. I liked reading not only recipes, but also articles about restaurants, cooking tips and gadgets. Then... Last year, I discovered Zinio! I can read Yummy via an app that downloads the new issues every month. Now, I can breeze through all the magazines on my IPad. No more clutter! Hubby sure was thankful about that :)

Yummy is having another 50% off sale on it's annual subscription, including past issues. You can get it via the Appstore or via Zinio and Buqo. It costs less than $13 for 12 issues, and you don't need to drive to the newsstand to get it.

Go to this link to access the Summit website and get your own Yummy subscription. The sale is only until June 1 so hurry and subscribe now.

Raising the Bar #YouTheMom

My mom raised four children... while also earning her share to put food on the table. She knew how to do all kinds of household work... From cooking to cleaning to doing the laundry. There were many things that she was not - she was not at my high school graduation, nor did she cheer me on during math competitions - but I remember that I always had pristine white socks and uniforms, and a delicious snack when I came home from school. She probably never sang a single song for me, but she sat with me all night as I finished a Turbo Pascal project. Even today, she is the epitome of a grandmother for my kids. When she's a around, it's possible for me to not lift a single finger (except what good would that do me?) My mom has sure raised the bar on motherhood, not only during her time, but in my time too. Every move I make as a mother is a reflection of what I've seen from my own mother. Whether I am copying her, or trying to outdo her (hehe) - my mother is the model of my own motherhood. I don't know how many of us would dare admit it... Our mothers are models of what we are (and what we are not ) as mothers. 

BUT.... This does not mean we BECOME our mothers. From the day we saw those two lines on the pregnancy test, we have all been evolving to be the unique mothers that we are right now. We will continue to evolve as our kids grow up... And we will continue to raise the bar of motherhood. There is no cookie cutter out there to model out the perfect mother... you are perfect on your own, especially to your children.

So what else can I say, except... You The Mom!

This year's Expo Mom by Mommy Mundo is all about you superhero moms... It's a shoutout to all moms. You The Mom! Mommy Mundo Founder Janice Villanueva says, "We admire moms for their almost superhuman qualities, their powers in time management and multitasking alongside their ability to do anything and everything for their loved ones, and they all do these things woleheartedly and passionately at that! And because most moms do all these tasks with grace and usually with flair, even we may sometimes forget to show her some appreciation and affirmation." 

A belated happy mother's day to all you moms out there. Why don't you extend your celebration by joining Expo Mom 2014 this weekend? For more information and event updates, visit www.expomom.com. Download coupons and the event map from the website and be prepared for a grand time. To be part of the You The Mom! campaign, check out www.expomom.com/youthemom.