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.

The Luxury that is Brunch

Brunch, to me, is such a luxury. My normal breakfast is a cup of oatmeal on the drive to work, and (on most days) a tall cup of coffee to tide me over till lunchtime. On good days, I'll have a small pastry along with it. When I was pregnant, and while I was nursing - I would pass by McDonald's for pancakes... For the extra calories! For lunch, I would usually eat at my table while going through email, or paying bills online, or just catching up on "mindless" tasks (i.e. tasks that do not require my brain to fully function while I chew....) 

Brunch, to me, is a luxury. 

1. Brunch means I got to wake up later than usual that day. Brunch usually starts at around 10 o'clock right? That means no work!!!

2. Brunch means I get to eat fancy food, freshly brewed coffee, and someone will serve me my food. It means I will get a proper table setting, and a napkin for my lap too!

3. Brunch means I can dawdle over my food... I can sit, look at it, take pictures of it, Instagram it, talk about it, take small bites.... I don't have to scarf it down in 2 seconds because I am rushing to a meeting.

4. Brunch means there's someone beside me who I can share this beautiful, fanciful food with! I get a proper human being rather than a square screen. I get a proper reply, rather than a pop up message. I say what I want to talk about, and not have to type it out.

5. Brunch brings me back to good times. It reminds me of the year spent in grad school. It reminds me of the Easter Sunday brunch somewhere in the forests of Fontainebleau - that stretched to 4pm in the afternoon. It brings me back to carefree days.

Hence, I welcomed brunch with the SoMoms at Cafe 1771 in Ortigas with a lot of gusto. It was going to be all the good things I mentioned above... Plus SHOPPING! Before the shopping though... Let me show you the spread.

Our brunch menu.

The vegetable fritata, which i absolutely loved. It's actually a great idea to do this for leftover veggies too.

A favorite among the SoMoms, the salmon lasagna.

Thin, juicy slices of chicken picata.

Mini (and cheesy) croque monsieurs.

These pancakes were served with bananas and caramelized walnuts. Simple but super yummy!

It was an engaging morning, meeting and socializing with these group of moms (and dad) who are all so engaged in raising their kids and being better versions of themselves.  Now, that was indeed a perfect brunch - good food, good company and good conversation.

For your own mini event needs (not just brunch), check out Cafe 1771. In the El Pueblo branch where we went, there are areas at the second floor (this is actually the Wine Bar section) that can be converted into small private rooms. They are perfect for intimate get togethers. I honestly have not had lunch or dinner at Cafe 1771 recently... But if brunch is an indication, I am sure they will not disappoint. Now, this would be a little telling of my age... Cafe 1771 used to be a "dating place" back in the late 90's. It was Chateau 1771 then. This was the heyday of St. Francis Square, and The Podium did not exist yet. I was early 20's then and it sure felt very posh to go there. 

Now, didn't I promise some shopping? Watch out for my next post on mompreneurs and shopping! See you soon! In the meantime, why don't you go and try the luxury of Cafe 1771?

Manic Monday Quotes: A Prayer, on this Accidental Holiday

Today is Quezon City day and I was going to be a mom for a day. Due to the monsoon rains and flooding, classes have been called off and I now get to spend an extended weekend with my girls. What a blessing. To all the working moms who did not have to go to work, whose kids are at home with them... May you keep this prayer in your hearts always. Keep safe and stay dry everyone! 

Credit goes to whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com for this printable.

Reaching Out to a Better Me #SoMoms #BetterMe

I've had a Facebook account since 2003 when I left for a year to go to grad school. At that time, It was mainly to be in touch with friends and family in Manila, and see what was going on in their lives. Of course, Facebook then was a lot less complicated than it is now. It wasn't something that was alive 24/7 - where every other minute you log on, something was going on. These days, I know a lot of people would say, it almost has too much information. But that is essentially what social media is all about... Information. It is amazing how the world has gotten so small with social media around. The amount and type of information you can get is limitless, infinite even.

After a few years on FB, I discovered Twitter and was a silent follower for a long time - using it literally as a newsfeed. Then I gave birth and started breastfeeding - I needed resources, I needed someone to talk to --- and my days were all topsy turvy. I was awake in the wee hours of the morning - and while my baby was nursing away to her heart's content, I was going through my twitter timeline. I started asking questions, sharing articles I had read, and making friends online. As my daughter grew (and I got pregnant again with my second child), my network kept growing. As I said, the topics are limitless - cloth diapering, babywearing, co-sleeping, post partum depression, progressive schools, child friendly products, home schooling.... Just name it, twitter has probably got it.

When I went back to work, my mommy Twitter community was like my virtual support group. Between my work schedule and my kids, I hardly had time to interact in person with my real (as in breathing and walking) mommy friends... So I kept up with my virtual mommy friends (and yes, they breathe and walk too, except not where I can see them). It was amazing... Now, I had someone to talk to, rant with and consult with, at almost any time of the day. How powerful is that?

Over the past four years... I've grown to be the mom that I am now. Not perfect, but learning, growing, and sharing continuously with other moms. As I interacted with this virtual community, I started forming opinions of my own, believing in certain things as a mom (and a human being), and advocating beliefs that I hope will make the world a better place for our children, and their children too. This, I believe, is my own personal growth towards a better me - not only for myself, but also for my children. This is why I am proud to be a SoMom.

The SoMoms are a collective of moms who are active on social media, and have independent beliefs and advocacies common to most mothers out there. It is humbling and at the same time so empowering to be part of this group of women. It brings to life the true meaning of what social media should be all about - an active, purposeful interaction of people, to put forward a better way of life for everyone.
I'm a SoMom. I enjoy being on social media, and I'm happy to share my learnings, as I navigate my way though life, and motherhood.