#GivingIsBeautiful with NeoCell.

NeoCell has launched its annual fall campaign to raise money for Vitamin Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lifesaving and life-changing vitamins to children and mothers in need. From October 1 through December 31, NeoCell will donate 25 cents to Vitamin Angels for every product that it ships.

Last year, the same campaign raised $192,000 for Vitamin Angels - that's enough money to help more than 770,000 children. Over the past three years, NeoCell has collectively helped more than a million children through its partnership with Vitamin Angels.

Helping children in need.

"Partnering with Vitamin Angels has become a very important part of what we do as a company," said Jessica Mulligan, NeoCell Vice-President of Sales & Marketing. "Seeing the very real difference that NeoCell's contributions are making in the lives of children in need was one of the best experiences of my life."

 Mulligan met some of the children helped by Vitamin Angels by going with the group to observe vitamin distributions in Peru. They provided life-changing multivitamins to children living in villages as high as 14,000 feet, where little food can be grown.

According to Vitamin Angels, 45% of all child deaths worldwide are caused by undernutrition; that's more than a million innocent lives lost. Millions more will never reach their full physical or mental potential. Many of these children can be saved or their lives dramatically changed through improved nutrition. For just a quarter, Vitamin Angels can provide a young child with two doses of vitamin A - all a growing child needs for an entire year.

#GivingisBeautiful.

"Our friends at NeoCell know the true meaning of beauty," said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels founder and president. "Their wholehearted commitment to our cause is helping those children and moms who are most in need to shine."

During the fall campaign, NeoCell products will have special Vitamin Angels neck tags, and display materials are being made available to retailers. People are urged to help spread the word about the campaign through social media by using the hashtags #GivingIsBeautiful and #NeoCellGiving.

NeoCell is a leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements and the #1 collagen brand. The company's Beauty Bursts, Biotin Bursts, Beauty Infusion, Collagen+C Tablets, Super Collagen Powder, Collagen+C Pomegranate Liquid, Collagen Beauty Builder, Keratin Hair Volumizer, Collagen Sport, Resveratrol Antioxidant and other products are designed to improve health, beauty and wellness - naturally. 

Foodie Goodie | Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly).

I'm glad that the SM Supermall here in my area is included in this year's Korean Festival. It's a week-long celebration that runs from October 1 until October 7, where they showcase all things Korean - from music, to food, to makeup, and even movies.

Li'l Min Ho. :)

Speaking of Korean food, let me share with one of my favorite Korean food. It's called 'Samgyeopsal' 삼겹살 - a dish you'd see very often in Korean dramas. Samgyeopsal is nothing more than uncured pork belly, sliced thin like bacon but with the rind removed. The name, which literally translates to “three layered meat”, is a description of the strata of meat and fat that invariably makes up this cut.

Samgyeopsal.

The strips of meat are grilled with slices of onion and garlic, sometimes with pieces of mushroom or even strips of kimchi.

Grill 'em up!

To eat samgyeopsal, take a piece of well-cooked pork belly meat and place it on a lettuce leaf. Add some dressing and vegetables, a spoonful of rice even, and wrap it up.  Try not to put too much in the lettuce so you can eat the 'ssam' (Korean word for wrap) in one bite.

It's a wrap!

Such a simple dish right? It's simple and easy to prepare, and creating your own ssam is really fun! :)

Child Welfare and Parenting Plans.

Not all the parents who lose touch with their children have chosen to do so — sometimes, it is the system in place creates unnecessary conflict.

We support the Government’s commitment to family values and the call for parents to recognize their responsibilities. It is a very depressing fact that 30 per cent of all children in the UK (almost 3 million) have lost touch with one of their parents. This affects not just the parents and children, but also the grandparents and other family members with whom the children are denied contact. It is of little surprise that those children tend to go on to perform less well at school and are more likely to become victims of crime, drink and drug habits.

Photo credit; Not Just Cute.

However, it is a mistake to assume that all these parents have chosen to lose touch with their children. Many are driven away by a system that creates unnecessary conflict during separation. (Reference: boutiko.co.uk)

We believe that the answer is to adopt arrangements which are less adversarial and improve the child’s welfare by presuming that, unless otherwise shown, children are best brought up with the love and guidance of both their parents. We urge the Government to include provision for mandatory Parenting Plans in the Family Justice Bill. Written clearly and without needless bureaucracy, these plans require parents to agree on how to manage their children’s lives, covering everything from holidays to homework; thereby building confidence and reducing the risk of major disputes later. With almost as many parents now separated as are together it is imperative that we get this right for children and families.

This post was contributed by the Wedding Folio Website.

Happy Teachers' Day!

This morning, my little man hurriedly finished his breakfast, saying that he has a project to do.

"What project? And why are you telling me that just now?" I asked, thinking that it'd be another one of those Food Pyramid-esque projects where I had to cut-out pictures of food and stuff.

"Oh, this is simple," he said, while laying out crayons and colored paper on his table. "I just need to make a card for my teacher. It's Teacher Day, Mom!"

Oh right. I almost forgot. World Teachers' Day, which actually falls on October 5th, is being celebrated today (and I reckon until tomorrow) in their school.

Happy Teachers' Day!

Here in the Philippines, National Teachers' Month kicks off in September with month-long activities to honor the teachers and their profession. The event culminates on October 4, a day before the World Teachers Day.

Globe Telecom joins the academic community with the celebration of the National Teachers’ Month, recognizing the exemplary contributions of teachers to nation-building and development. The leading telecommunications network partnered with Teach for the Philippines, a for-purpose, non-stock, non-profit organization that works to provide Filipino children with an inclusive, relevant, and excellent education.

With the partnership, Globe, through its digital brand for the youth Globe Prepaid, engaged one of its key leaders to become a guest teacher in the organization’s partner school in Mandaluyong City. Taking the role of a teacher, Globe Vice President and Head of Prepaid Business Issa Cabreira taught English to the Grade 3 students of Highway Hills Integrated School. Cabreira also shared with the students her work experiences to emphasize the value of education and to inspire the students to strive for success.

Globe VP for Business Issa Cabreira taught the importance of time to the Grade 3 students
of Highway Hills Integrated School in support of  National Teachers' Month.

Globe also launched the #GlobeWonderfulTeacher program, where 21 teachers will be selected as recipients of the “Globe Wonderful Teachers Awards”, a tribute to mentors who have shown great dedication to their craft.

All students can participate in the campaign by posting selfies on their Facebook and Twitter accounts with the hashtag #GlobeWonderfulTeacher.  Each entry should include a short description on why they consider their nominated teachers wonderful. Prepaid load credits will be awarded to the student and teacher chosen for the winning daily entry.

The National Teachers’ Month is celebrated from September 5 to October 5 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 242 which recognizes the need to “celebrate the unique role and service that teachers play in guiding families, strengthening communities, and building the nation.” This year, it is anchored on the theme, "My Teacher, My Hero" to acknowledge the teachers.

Holiday Shopping at Nordstrom.

As we enter October, I begin working on my holiday shopping list and jot down all the things I need to buy for Christmas - new clothes for my little man, new shoes for my husband, toys for my nieces and nephews, gifts for family and friends, and of course, a little something for myself, in the form of a new purse, new makeup items, or perhaps a new pair of Onitsuka Tiger.

I usually start my Christmas shopping as early as the second week of October, because I hate being in the middle of the holiday rush. I try to avoid it as much as I can. By the time people flock to the malls to do their Christmas shopping, I'd be crossing off the last item on my list, and most of my gifts would be sitting pretty underneath the Christmas tree.

October is actually a good month for bargains, and early-bird shoppers like me often find good deals on gift items and home decorations. If you're lucky, you'll even chance upon Nordstrom coupons for an even sweeter shopping experience. Often found online, these Nordstrom promo codes offer free shipping on items, huge discounts, freebies, and much, much more.

Take for instance this Michael Kors Colorblock Herringbone Print Dress, which originally retails for around Php 7200. With a Nordstrom promo code, you get 60% off the original price. That's around Php 4000 off the price tag!

Michael Kors Colorblock Herringbone Print Dress.

If designer bags are your thing, you'd be glad to know that there's also a great deal waiting for you. This Jimmy Choo Becka Biker leather shoulder bag comes with a 40% discount when used with Nordstrom discount code.

Jimmy Choo Becka Biker-Large.

While this Kate Spade Grove Court - Fabric Maise Satchel, a personal favorite, sells at 33% off the original price. From Php 15,000, you can get this highly-coveted satchel for just a little over Php 10,000. That's a whopping Php 5000 off!

Kate Spade Grove Court - Fabric Maise Satchel. 

Nordstrom also has something for the men, with clothing brands such as Armani, Burberry London, Just Cavalli, and Jack Spade - to name a few. By using a Nordstrom coupon code, you can enjoy up to 30% discount on men's designer clothing and accessories.

Burberry London Dress Shirt.

Children's items are marked down, too. From shirts to shoes, to bags, socks, and watches, and even pullovers and sleepwear, you can get up to 60% off, plus enjoy free shipping on selected items.

Mighty Fine 'Turtley Awesome' Graphic Tee.

Beauty junkies like me are also in for a treat as makeup and grooming purchases entitle you to three free samples. Some of these samples include the Estee Lauder 'Perfectionist' Youth Infusing Makeup Broad Spectrum, Smashbox Photo Finish Foudation Primer, Yves Saint Laurent Y-Shape Cream, and Versace Bright Crystal Absolu Eau de Parfum.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup. 

Finally, we have the gift items. Nordstrom has an array of bed and bath products that would make great gifts for friends and relatives. With their eye-catching colors and stylish designs, not to mention the marked-down prices, you'd want to purchase an item or two for your own home. I know I would!

Levtex Cray Cray Pillow.

Clean Linen Mason Jar Candle.

They say the early bird catches the worm, I'd say the early shopper gets the best deals online.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.