Made by Maxi Almond Butter in Plain Roasted - "All-natural, pure and plain roasted almond butter. Created with 100% almonds; does not contain added oils and sugars; paleo-friendly, vegan-friendly, keto-friendly, and vegetarian-friendly. Created with 100% almonds; does not contain added oils and sugars; paleo-friendly, vegan-friendly, keto-friendly, and vegetarian-friendly." Net Wt. 240g | Php ₱370 via beautymnl.com

Next2Nature Warming Massage Oil - "An all-natural, rejuvenating massage oil. Formulated with ginger oil to soothe the skin and sore muscles; infused with chili extracts to relieve tight, achy muscles and ease joint pains; has a warming sensation to further reduce tension and stress. Perfect for a long, tiring day." Net Wt. 100ml | Php 195 via beautymnl.com

GreenLife 100% Organic Cider Vinegar - "100% coconut sap or tuba from the unopened flower of a coconut tree. Completely cholesterol & fat free; an abundant source of amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad spectrum B vitamins; appropriate for diabetic patients with its low glycemic index; has a nearly neutral pH; naturally fermented for almost 2 months with 4-5% acidity; does not contain any artificial preservatives." Net Wt. 150ml | ₱75.00 via beautymnl.com

Wild Products Essential Oil | Lavender True (Lavandula Angustifolia) and Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) - "A Singapore based company that was born to live a lifestyle that is natural, healthy, and kind to the environment. It offers a range of natural and organic body care and health care products carefully selected, to ensure they have qualities that benefit the skin and overall health." - via sephora.ph

Belo Nutraceuticals Collagen Powder Drink - "Provides remarkable anti-aging benefits that work from within. Every sachet is made with 5000mg of premium collagen that provides skin with an abundance of strength, elasticity and resilience. It is also infused with hyaluronic acid that replenishes essential nutrients inside our bodies to give us a healthy and youthful glow." Full size: 7000mg / box (14 sachets), Php 1,592.50 - via belonutraceuticals.com

Cucumber Mint Water. With the summer heat, there's nothing more refreshing than a pitcher full of homemade cucumber-mint water. This delightful drink cools and replenishes thirsty bodies. A glass of this easy to prepare super water helps reverse inflammation and reduce belly fat.

Wake up everyone, it's October! It's been a while since I've done an empties post mostly because I have not been diligent in keeping things in order. I just find it convenient toss any product I finish up straight to the waste basket. Less mess and clutter in my bedroom. *_*

Hey guys! It's TGIF, wohooo! I feel better today, not only because it's Friday but because I woke up feeling more energized after a 3-km walk last night. I really want to integrate more exercise into my daily routine so that I can get rid off all the Holiday weight I accumulated last month/year. Besides exercising and being more active, eating healthy is also important. For me, it's really the battle in the kitchen that's hard to overcome. I just love food!

We shed light on the need to add nutrient-rich, plant-based, whole foods to our daily diet, to supply our body with what it needs to thrive, to boost life, to heal and maintain itself, and to fight what we have accepted as “normal” -- low energy, difficulty sleeping, difficulty getting up in the morning, constant cravings, unmanageable weight gain, dull and aging skin, low immunity, depression, and eventual serious diseases pegged to "old age" (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, among others), which are actually more of the outcome of misinformed daily decisions on diet and lifestyle accumulated over time. (source)

Belo Nutraceuticals: Glutathione + Collagen provides the key benefits of whitening plus anti-ageing in one capsule. It is a breakthrough patented formulation that has gone through extensive testing and study to ensure its professional grade quality, safety and efficacy. The power of whitening and anti- ageing in one capsule. (source)

This is another smallish haul from my favorite organic store. I have been introduced to the company 4 years ago and has since then tried out most of their products. I love trying out their new products so when they release new ones, I buy them. This month's haul are all my staples. I use them pretty much everyday so I buy a months supply whenever I place an order to save on shipping costs. Here are my fave products from Milea:

L-Glutathione nutrionally supports immune function and is an effective anti-cancer supplement. It is also a highly potent free radical scavenger and enhances actions of Vitamin C. L- Glutathione also supports liver health. Continuous usage may make your skin smooth and fairer.

It's been centuries since British sailors discovered the key to avoiding scurvy: vitamin C. You probably grew up being told that getting enough vitamin C would ward off colds and other ailments, but now the word is out that vitamin C may not play a big part in staving off the sniffles. However, it does have a vital role in maintaining the health of your skin.

Those sailors and others who couldn't get fresh fruits and vegetables suffered bleeding under the skin, ulcers and joint weakness. That's because vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength [source: WebMD]. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself [source: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center].

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage -- free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage [source: University of Leicester].

Research suggests that vitamin C may also reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer [sources: University of Maryland Medical Center, Bouchez]. This doesn't mean you can take vitamins or apply topical vitamin C and then bake safely in the sun, but you can help keep your skin healthy and supple by making sure you get enough of this antioxidant vitamin [source: Bouchez].

The truth is that eating fruits and vegetables is good for you, plain and simple. And eating a variety is even better, so your body can get all of the nutrients and vitamins it needs to operate at its optimal level. The best part is that most foods offer a two-for-one deal, if you will. Carrots, for example, may help not only your eyes, but also your brain. And it turns out that if kale or kale chips have become recent staples in your kitchen, they might be doing more good for you than you think.

So, if there's a time when focusing on brain power or energy is a must, say while studying for the bar exam or the GMATs, it might not hurt to increase your intake of healthy foods that have been linked to improving brain productivity and function. Granted, some are meant for long-term health rather than short-term, but it really can't hurt to tackle both ends of the spectrum when it comes to health.

To find out more about the connection between our brains and food, we turned to nutritionist Kelly Aronica. Check out what she has to say and which foods you might want to start incorporating into your diet.
Carrots
Also found in spinach, red peppers, and summer squashes, B vitamins, according to Aronica, help manufacture and release chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. "The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, such as those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep."

Yogurt
Vitamin B12, often referred to as the "memory vitamin," is only found naturally in animal foods, so Aronica suggests vegans should be careful to use supplements. As she explains, its integrally involved in nerve function and found in yogurts, cheeses, salmon, shrimp, and beef.

Spinach or Kale
"I'd list dark leafy greens (spinach is probably my top choice, or kale) as one of the top foods for brain health," says Aronica. She explains that the huge antioxidant punch is the main benefit for the brain, but they are also powerhouses overall in terms of vitamin and mineral content.

Green Tea
Green tea is not only a great source of antioxidants, but it also provides a hefty amount of caffeine, which is good for coffee-turned-tea drinkers. Aronica adds that research has shown caffeine to improve cognitive function, focus, and concentration. Coffee and chocolate also have antioxidants, but probably aren't as strong of a source as green tea.

Eggs
With the conflicting evidence about egg yolks (Good for you? Bad for you?), Aronica says that for brain functions, they're not to be ignored. Choline, a building block from the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine, is involved in memory and is found in eggs, specifically the yolk.

Source: Yahoo (Yasmin Fahr, The Daily Meal)

There comes a point when you have to help your body recover from all your "health sins." Here are 10 moves that may help you get fit.

1. Have a fiber-rich breakfast
Fiber will help rid your digestive system and colon of any undigested foods. Try some oatmeal with nuts and flax seeds to get things, er, moving.

2. Go clean
Ditch processed foods, sugar and additives to help keep your body healthy.

3. Ditch alcohol
Give your liver a break. It'll also do wonders for your skin, and think of all the calories you'll save.

4. Add some fruits and veggies
Lots of lovely fresh leafy greens, whether in juice or food form, will give you a nutrient kick-start and help your body cleanse and repair. Broccoli, garlic, spinach, cabbage, sprouts, blueberries and ginger all have super detoxing powers.

5. Down some water
Make sure you drink plenty of water to help flush out the toxins and help you stay hydrated. After a weekend of kebabs and tequila – it's the least you could do.

6. Add a slice of lemon
Lemons have over 20 proven anti-cancer compounds and will help flush out any nasties.

7. Eat some organic apples
Rich in pectin, which binds to toxins in the intestines to march them out of the body.

8. Take a deep breath
Getting more oxygen in your system will help it work better and keep you energized.

9. Put on a smile
You may not feel like smiling, but forcing yourself to feel positive and crack a smile will help reduce stress levels and produces lots of good chemicals.

10. Sweat it out
30 minutes of exercise will get your heart pumping, your body working and help sweat out any badness.

Source: Handbag.com

Over the past century, average life expectancy has increased radically in the United States. With this increase, it has become more common for people to live to extremely old ages, even up to 100 years.

Many characteristics play into a person's life expectancy. However, diet seems to play a larger role than others in terms of increased longevity and decreased disability. If length of life has grown to be a measure of health, we might be able to learn a thing or two from the people who have been around the longest. The members of the "100 club" have nutrition secrets that could increase your quality and quantity of life.
Here are a few things you can do today to be more beautiful tomorrow:

1. Control Your Portions
Today's centenarians have been through many life events-from the Great Depression to the first landing on the moon-so you can bet they are quite adaptable. But how do portions today measure up to portions in 1960? It is safe to say individuals who once saw normal portions may be flabbergasted at today's mammoth-size meals. To be a centenarian, try eating like one: Smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day will keep blood sugar levels from going haywire. The key is to engage in mindful eating and only eat until you are three-quarters full. Heaping portions can distort your perception of your appetite versus actual hunger and lead to consuming unnecessary calories.

2. Eat Your Plants
While studying centenarians in mountain villages on the island of Sicily, researchers at the University of Palermo, Italy, found these individuals closely followed a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in red meat, refined carbohydrates and sweets. Plants are the secret there---they are our best sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals. Plant-based diets have been shown time and time again to slow the effects of aging by fighting free radicals and preventing cell damage. To get the best bang for your buck, grab green, leafy vegetables and other superfoods such as blueberries, nuts, broccoli and sweet potatoes.

3. Consume Breakfast Regularly
Known as the "most important meal of the day," it's no surprise that eating breakfast is a healthy lifestyle choice. All meals are important, but studies show that metabolism is impacted by the body's circadian rhythm (the biological process that the body follows over a 24-hour cycle), so the time of day we eat can have a big impact on the way our bodies process food. The results of regular breakfast include considerably lower levels of insulin, glucose and triglycerides throughout the day, and therefore, a lower risk of chronic disease including leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer and diabetes.



4. Keep Alcohol Use to a Minimum
A study published in the October 2013 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research indicated that individuals who drink heavily and smoke may show early aging of the brain. This was in part due to decreases in memory, the ability to think quickly and efficiently and problem-solving skills, compared to individuals who abstained from smoking and drinking. In addition, there is much evidence to show that healthy behaviors follow a cumulative pattern. That is, the greater number of healthy behaviors, the greater benefit. Engaging in a combination of healthy activities, such as exercising, eating well and limiting alcohol, can significantly increase the chances for a person to stay healthy as they age.

Successful aging is typically defined as maintaining the ability to function well with good mobility, cognitive skills and mental health without chronic diseases. What you eat is only one-albeit an important-factor that can affect your longevity. So remember to also keep your mind and body active throughout your life.

- (from Yahoo by Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D. *Hadley Hickner contributed to this column.)

This year, World Sight Day falls on October 10. It is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. The red-letter day is coordinated by the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) under the World Health Organization's VISION 2020 Global Initiative.

In line with the celebration, we have gathered some fun facts about our eyes from various sources.

1. The average eye blinks over 20,000 times a day, and the average blink lasts about 1/10th of a second. (Milwaukee Eye Care Associates)

2. The little lights you see with your eyes shut are phosphenes, which come about when you shut your eyes tight. This is because the retina is stimulated by pressure on your eyeball. (Matossian Eye Associates)

3. The pupil expands as much as 45% when a person looks at something pleasing. (Matossian Eye Associates)

4. Each of our eyelashes has a "life span" of approximately five months. (Glasses Direct)


5. Babies cry but don't produce tears until they're one to three months old. (Glasses Direct)

6. The average person blinks about 11,500 times per day and approximately 4.2 million times per year. (Zeal Optics)

7. About 80 % of what we perceive comes through the eyes. Our memories are made 80 % by images. The eye comes with information about the depth, distance, shape, color and movement of the objects. (Softpedia)

8. People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper. (Alterni)

9. The shark cornea has been used in eye surgery, since its cornea is similar to a human cornea. (Alterni)

10. The human eye can distinguish 500 shades of the gray. (Alterni)

Eat slowly
It turns out there is some truth in the old adage that your brain takes up to 20 minutes to actually register when your stomach is full. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island found that slower eaters are less likely to be overweight, and on average consume 10 per cent less calories than their speedy eating counterparts. This slower eating also brings with it the benefit of improved digestion. Simply apply your leisurely approach to life to your eating speed, and you’ll soon notice the pounds drop off as your portion sizes decrease.

Remove the junk
Junk food is the classic slacker fuel as it requires little to no effort to prepare. If you’re a self-professed lazy person and you’ve got junk food close to hand, it’s inevitable that you’ll choose it over cooking a nutritious meal. The solution is a simple one – remove all of the junk food from your house, and you’ll have no choice but to eat healthily. If you think you’ll be able to stay away from the rubbish food with will power alone, think again. Boston based scientist Dr David Ludwig discovered that people who regularly ate junk food displayed addiction-based brain patterns that matched those experienced by drug addicts.

Buy pre-chopped fruit and veg
One of the main slacker excuses for avoiding fruit and vegetables is the time it takes to chop, peel and prepare them. Say hello to your new best friend; pre-chopped fruit and veg. Whilst more expensive, these time saving marvels are a godsend for lazy cooks, and will have you eating healthily in no time. They also make for a great snack for in the office, with precisely zero preparation time required. Throw a tub of pre-chopped fruit or veg into your bag before you leave, and you’ll be able to munch on it throughout the day without paying a visit to the sugar-filled office vending machine.

Get a smaller plate
In 2011 the behavioural nutrition journal Appetite published the thrillingly titled article ‘The mathematical relationship between dishware size and portion size’. We won’t bore you with the maths, but suffice to say plates have gotten around 20 per cent bigger since the 1960s. That increase, according to the study, has meant bigger portions, which in turn has resulted in more calories consumed by the average person. The easiest effort free way of countering this is to buy a smaller plate. You’d be shocked at just how little food it actually takes to fill you up, and armed with your shrunken dishware you’ll gradually learn to control your portions without even trying.

Make your own ready meals
When you come home from work after a long day it’s tempting opt for a meal you can quickly throw in the microwave. But when you consider a University of Glasgow study concluded that ready meals are ‘nutritionally chaotic’, it becomes apparent that this is a lazy habit you need to get out of. Luckily, there is a way of enjoying ready meals when you’re on a diet. Making your own meals to freeze is a lot easier than you think, and you can easily make a week’s worth of food at the weekend. Make sure what you prepare is healthy and nutritious, and you’ll have a guilt free ready meal to come home to every day of the week.

Drink more water
Even the laziest amongst you will have no trouble preparing a glass of water, and that could be all you need to do to kick start your diet. Something as simple as drinking two glasses of water before every meal could lead to a staggering 50 per cent increase in weight loss, according to a study conducted at Virginia Tech University. It’s thought this is because drinking water helps to fill your stomach, meaning you are less hungry when it comes to eating your meal. Obesity expert Stephen Cook, M.D. also states that drinking plenty of water is one of the safest proven weight loss methods out there, and suggests everyone should have a refillable water bottle to drink from throughout the day.

Turn off the TV
The slackers amongst you are not going to like this, but it’s time to turn off the TV. At least while you’re eating that is. A study published in Psychological Science found that people who eat while mentally distracted are more likely to overeat. While your brain is distracted by watching television, your ability to taste will be dulled, which effectively means you’ll end up eating more food than you normally would. Instead of engaging your brain with TV, give your meal your full focus. This easy change will result in you eating less and losing weight.

Source: Realbuzz.com

Massage
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that mothers who attended massage classes with their baby had significantly less depression and felt closer to their baby than the women who attended support groups. Massage can be an important part of a baby routine, so if you can, try to attend a baby massage class when you’re feeling up to it. No rush though, you’re a busy woman.

No place for perfection
Becoming a new mum is hard. Full stop. Not only are you functioning on minimal sleep, you’ve been thrust into a completely new world and quite frankly, it’s a little bewildering. This is why you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes.  Learn to live with the fact that becoming a new mum is a learning curve and that perfection does not exist in motherhood.

Your breasts
According to the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, your breasts can become swollen during the first week as your milk changes into mature milk. A process referred to as colostrum. If you are in pain the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers suggest you ease this tension by feeding or expressing the milk. This should help to decrease the pressure and pain you felt in your breasts.

It’s a rollercoaster
It is perfectly normal to experience lots of different emotions after having a baby. If you’re feeling a little low try to eat some mood-boosting foods. Turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which according to the University of Maryland Medical Center helps to release serotonin (the happy hormone) in the brain and stabilise the mood. Other foods that contain tryptophan include milk, fish and sesame seeds. If you’re feeling a little up and down try snacking on some seeds.

Equally, taking time to nurture your physical and emotional health is vital. For instance, incorporating self-care practices, such as gentle exercise, practising mindfulness, or indulging in a Swedish Massage in Lake Mary, FL, can help you relax, reduce stress, and support your overall emotional well-being. Remember, prioritising your own well-being will help you feel stronger, more balanced, and better equipped to care for your baby.

Abs
If you’re ready to start exercising again, begin gently and ease your body in – after all, your body has been through a lot. You can target your abs though, but not by doing your regular routine. The NHS advises that your lower back and core abdominal muscles are weaker than they used to be so your old abs routine will need to be updated. Instead, do pelvic tilts, the bridge and a front lying abdominal raise. These exercises should be fine to do in the first six weeks after you’ve given birth.

Enjoy it
Motherhood is tough, but it can also be great fun. Experiment with new activities to discover what you enjoy doing best with your baby. Trips to the zoo, swimming, coffee mornings, walks on the beach, trips to the local art gallery or mother-baby fitness classes are some options you could try. Experiment to find what works best for you and your baby and try to avoid conforming to those activities you think you should be doing, instead do those things you and your baby love to do.

It took nine months
Once you’ve given birth you might want to get your pre-baby body back. Before you start your healthy eating and exercise regime though, remember that it took nine months for your body to change and adapt. Bearing that in mind helps you to remember how much change your body went through and will help you feel more positive about any progress made. Change won’t happen quickly.

Accept help
For some mums accepting help and letting other people get involved with looking after your baby is tricky. Yet accepting other people’s help makes those early years a lot easier. Plus, letting your partner or your mum take care of the baby helps your child to bond and develop close relationships with other important family members too; win win. What's more, this approach will allow you to feel at ease when your baby is older and you need to consider options for child care in Ashburn, VA, or a location relevant to you, to support their growth in a nurturing, social environment outside the home. This early exposure can foster independence, adaptability, and positive interactions with other children and caregivers.

It’s okay not to enjoy it
It’s okay to admit that you’re not particularly enjoying being a parent. A lot of women who feel like they’re not enjoying motherhood can feel really guilty, but they shouldn’t. At some stage everyone who has ever been a parent has felt this way, even if it is just for a day. Shed the guilt and discuss your feelings with a friend, your parents or your partner (who probably feels the same way sometimes). You’ll feel much better.

Advice
Lots of people will try to offer you advice, which is great, but at the end of the day your rules are the most important and just because something worked wonders for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you or your family. This is your baby and you can bring it up with your partner in your own way.

Source: realbuzz.com

The Link Between Drinking and Cheating. Does it not seem too convenient that someone got drunk and cheated on his beloved partner under the influence? But is she then overreacting when she starts looking into divorce and family law specialists like Peters And May law firms in mayfair with a view to ending the relationship? It seems that there are a few points to consider when it comes to the link between drinking and cheating.

1. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions. While it may seem convenient, alcohol has a scientifically proven capacity of lowering the inhibitions and affecting judgement of a person. A veritable link can be traced between drinking and cheating but whether it is causal or correlational is a matter of debate.

2. Alcohol causes confusion. As soon as you have a drink, alcohol enters your stomach and about 20% of it is readily absorbed, the rest is absorbed by the small intestines. Alcohol can easily diffuse into the tissues of the body and start showing its effects. The effects can range from distorted vision and hearing, euphoria, impaired judgement, confusion and much more. One is more likely to engage in sexual activity with bad judgement.

3. Alcohol makes you forget boundaries. It clouds the vision of a person and dissolves the line between moral and immoral. A person under influence cannot ably make a distinction between right or wrong. Alcohol can also induce a tumultuous emotional state causing a feeling of anger and distraught. People often try to compensate on these negative feelings by engaging in sexual activity.

The Link Between Drinking and Cheating

Bottom line: In most cases, alcohol only leads to sexual activity when consumed in large quantities and in short durations. Moderate drinking cannot mar the judgement of a person to the extent of causing him/her to engage in adultery. A person who genuinely has no intent of cheating on his/her partner may never indulge in binge drinking after one episode of inadvertent sexual intercourse.

4. Alcohol is often used as an excuse. Apparently, there is a psychological link between drinking and cheating. People often use alcohol for dealing with various issues such as fear, anxieties or tensions in a relationship. This triggers a capricious behavior which can easily get promiscuous. While alcohol cannot be a just excuse for adultery, it can be a reasonable cause. However, in many cases people also use alcohol as an excuse for their promiscuous behavior.

In conclusion, there is a link between drinking and cheating but there is more to it than just a link. Alcohol may dramatically increase the odds of engaging in adultery but it cannot alone do so. There is always a subconscious thought or repressed emotion which initiates the will to cheat. Cheating on partner often stems from relationship problems like distrust, anger, jealousy and resentment. If you are in a loving relationship, alcohol probably would not lead to cheating. Nevertheless, if it does it can very well be an honest mistake.   

Source: Yahoo.com