Powering up essential workers with Sting Energy Drink.

The pandemic clearly showed us that not all heroes wear capes. We have our economic frontliners who make our lives easier and safer. They are the delivery riders, construction workers, and market vendors, among others.

As the most festive season of the year nears, essential workers prepare for busier days ahead. They expect larger volumes of delivery, more traffic in grocery stores, and higher demand for their services. To get them going through their day, they need a little boost from energy drinks.

Sting Lemon.

Sting is one of the energy drinks known and well-loved among Filipino essential workers. It is a product of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. Sting helps build stamina needed to last a long and tough day. It sharpens the mind and body to endure taxing situations.

“As we enter the last quarter of the year, we hope to power up our economic frontliners through Sting. Their commitment to their jobs, despite the threat of the pandemic, is commendable. PCPPI, for its part, continues to produce beverages that are not only refreshing, but energizing as well,” said PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong.

Sting Strawberry.

Sting is a refreshing energy drink that gives one a positive kick. It comes in strawberry flavor in 300ml and 330ml bottles. It is available in supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, and sari-sari stores nationwide.

PCPPI is also the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines including Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Mug, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

Up Your Family’s Blood Health and Immunity with These 3 Summertime Activities

The sun is out, and the school break is here, which means that it’s finally the season for family vacations and beach trips. But since the current situation calls for more family time spent at home, the young and active kids might have to spend their extra time getting busy on activities within the confines of your household. And while this calls for activities that require participation and creativity of the adults, the scorching heat presents a significant barrier to stay active.

Low intensity physical activities like long walks are much more convenient but having to spend hours outside these days isn’t the most ideal either. However, physical activity is an important part of building up one’s health, as it can help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, strengthen immunity, and improve blood health. It’s never too late to keep your family moving. Here are 3 fun activities you and your family can bond over at home despite the dry season.

1. Explore Virtual Fun Run Events

Running and building up your cardio doesn’t always require exploration of the outside world. Since the shift to a new normal lifestyle, brands and events that previously held fun run events have adapted to a safer alternative of previous marathons that were held outside. Now, you can register your whole family for virtual races, choose an appropriate distance everyone is able to accomplish, and flash a video on screen while running in place or around your home. Not only is this exciting but it also helps keep everyone in the family active. And the best part is everyone gets rewarded with a medal for finishing the race!

2. Groove and Move with a Dance Party

Running around in one place might not be as enjoyable for everyone in the family. If that’s the case, a dance party is also a great way to have the family bond in movement, learning, and connection, while doing physical activity. Music can make any age naturally move and groove to the beat. Just set a playlist of at least an hour with different genres of music that all ages of the family can enjoy, set the lighting according to the mood and get the dance party started, any time of the day! You can also upgrade the dance party by incorporating a theme where you dress up, use props like glowsticks, ribbons, face paint, and color-changing LED lights. The creative possibilities are endless to keep your loved ones active for a boosted immunity and healthy blood.

Staycation at home.

3. Peaceful Staycation at Home

Relaxation also strengthens our health just as much as rigorous physical activity. Stress can weaken the body’s immune system leading to people getting sick at stressful and unsure times. While a dance party and an at-home marathon might seem enjoyable to some, for families who prefer activities that don’t require feeling exhausted, or loved ones who have conditions that prevent them to dance or run; a peaceful staycation at home can still help boost their immunity and keep their blood healthy.

A staycation at home can start off with a nutritious breakfast meal with fruits and vegetables, and relaxing music playing in the background. While others prepare for the next meal, the children can be entertained with a short animation film or through a book reading session. Lunch can be setup as a picnic on your backyard, veranda, or terrace. Taking a siesta can help refresh the mind as well. After dinner, a soothing bath can cap off the whole day of relaxation at home.

These 3 summertime activities may help your family moving while reducing stress and building their immunity during the dry season. Yet with age and lifestyle differences of your loved ones, some may need external help to keep their blood healthy that physical activities and relaxation may not be able to provide sufficiently.

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is Your Family’s Blood Health Ally

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps to replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt which allows better absorption of iron in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are vital for production of red blood cells and during pregnancy. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and Copper sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.

Recommended intake is one to two capsules daily, during or after meals, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) helps to treat iron deficiency anemia that can lead to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infection. Iron deficiency anemia happens when the blood has a lower amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin than normal. This can cause the body to feel weak, tired, dizzy, look pale, and experience headaches.

This year’s summertime activities with the family may be spent at home but the situation can’t stop the fun and relaxation. With a nutritious diet, physical activity, proper sleep, and by taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+), you and your family can stay blood healthy all throughout the different Philippine seasons. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.

4 Creative Ways to Strengthen Your Loved Ones’ Immunity & Blood Health

The past year has been tough for many — all the while adapting to the new routines to stay healthy and safe, relationships were altered in unimaginable ways. Being around your loved ones 24/7 can cause a strain in the relationship. The idea of being under one roof with them might seem enjoyable but not until the boredom sets in, followed by conflict. Meanwhile, those who are in an LDR situation have limited to no assurance of being able to visit each other. These situations can lead to stress which then affects your immune system and blood health.

But all hope is not lost. Whether you spend most of your time with your loved ones or are miles apart, here are four ideas on how to express TLC — because they deserve to feel cared for, especially for their well-being.

Jun Ji Hyun in Legend of the Blue Sea (2016).

1. For those who appreciate words than actions

This gift is maybe for that friend who saves your most meaningful conversations or your parent whose face brightens up when you send them a thank you message. This is for those who think that words speak louder than actions. Writing a heartfelt letter to a loved one who’s fond of affirmation, is already enough for them. But you can always go beyond. Include friends, family, and loved ones to write a short letter for them and compile it as a notecard or as notes in a bottle. This way they are reminded that they are loved even at times that they feel the most need to.

2. When they would rather spend time with you

Not everyone is able to appreciate the usual V-day staple gifts. Sometimes, material things aren’t always ideal for those who just want to spend time with you — all they need is time with you. Your full presence and attention are greatly appreciated by people who enjoy spending quality time. Also, being with your loved one knows no distance. A video call for them matters so much more than you may imagine, especially when you’re miles apart. So, whether if it’s just a movie marathon night, a virtual game night, or a weekend spa day at home, they’ll definitely feel cared for and grateful for your time and attention.

Vincenzo's squad aka Cassano Family, Vincenzo (2021).

3. Be there when they need your help

Helping your loved ones in need of extra help is also another way of making them feel loved through actions. This is for those who are always swamped with work, chores, and daily tasks that they would feel most taken care of when others are able to notice that they also need help. This can be expressed through doing their chores for them, serving them breakfast in bed in the morning, or running an errand that they may have mentioned before. Doing deeds is how they may show their affection and that’s how they best receive it too.

4. Gift them a healthy blood for strong immunity when they most need it

Attentiveness to your loved ones’ needs is one of the many ways to make them feel special and appreciated. Paying attention to their lifestyle, and health condition should be of top priority given the current situation. When you notice and feel that they’re having little to no sleep, looking paler, and easily gets tired — they might be experiencing Iron deficiency anemia. This occurs when the blood has a lower amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin than normal. Iron deficiency anemia can cause the body to feel weak, tired, dizzy, look pale, and experience headaches. 

Offer your loved ones the help they need by cooking them nutritious meals, encouraging regular exercise, getting proper sleep, and taking Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) to help maintain their blood health.

Give your loved ones the gift of health with Sangobion IRON+.

Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) is an iron supplement with vitamins and minerals that helps to replenish iron stores and increases red blood cell levels in the body. It has ferrous gluconate, a type of iron salt which allows better absorption of iron in the body, Folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are vital for production of red blood cells and during pregnancy. It also contains Vitamin C which helps improve iron absorption, and Copper sulphate and manganese sulphate that helps in the metabolic processes of blood cell production.

Recommended intake is one to two capsules daily, during or after meals, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Love knows no bounds, just as much as stress knows no limits. Keep your loved one’s blood healthy through maintaining a healthy diet, encouraging physical activity, and taking with Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+) that treats iron deficiency anemia that can lead to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infection.

When you feel like you’ve ran out of ideas on how to express your affection to someone, you can always try these four recommendations. In these times, grand or not, what matters most is your loved ones maintain strengthened immunity and a heathy blood with the help of Multivitamins + Minerals (Sangobion IRON+).

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

5 Tips for Setting Effective Fitness Goals.

So you want to get in shape. Congratulations! The first step towards a healthier lifestyle is deciding to make a change.

However, as you likely know from experience, it can be hard to stick to your decision. With constant temptation from Netflix and Reese’s, not to mention the countless tasks of modern life, it’s easy to get derailed.

Worry not! Even if your fitness goals have floundered in the past, there’s still hope. Follow our 5 tips for setting effective fitness goals to keep moving forward. 

Park Seo Joon in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018)

#1: Be Specific

If your goal is simply to “get fit,” you may not be sure where to start. Should you start prepping for a 5k, or train for a marathon? Should you be doing yoga for strength and flexibility? Should you eat keto or restrict your calories?

This is why you need to get specific. Which is closest to your actual goal? 

● Experience less pain in a specific body part (lower back, shoulders)

● Feel stronger

● Improve balance, stability, and coordination

● Build endurance and stamina

● Change a “problem area”

● Lose weight

● Complete a race

Your specific goal will influence your choices. For example, if you want to improve balance, you’ll start with leg and core strengthening routines. To lose weight, you might up your cardio game. Have several goals? Figure out a way to address each one—but don’t overwhelm yourself right out of the gate.

Choi Siwon of Super Junior.

#2: Start Small

If you envision getting shredded from head to toe, remember that that will take months of consistent effort, and changes in just about every area of your life. It can get discouraging when your goal is still far off in the distance after weeks of effort.

How can you avoid getting overwhelmed? Set achievable short-term goals. 

Examples include: 

● Complete 10 Pilates classes in a month

● Lose 5 lbs.

● Run 1 mile

● Bench 10 more pounds than last month

Once you’ve checked this small goal off your to-do list, enjoy your achievement! Then, set a bigger goal for the next month. 

Lee Joon Gi's sculpted abs.

#3: Make a Plan for Muscle Recovery

If your quads burn for a week after your first trip to the gym, you probably won’t be heading back anytime soon. Remember, we advised you to start small—try not to overdo it right away!

However, you can also take concrete steps to recover from post-exercise inflammation.

These include:

● Taking CBD drops after your workout

● Drinking plenty of water

● Getting adequate vitamins and minerals

Eat healthy like Kim Seok Jin!

#4 Eat to Support Your New Habits

Speaking of those adequate vitamins… remember that a supplement can only go so far. In order to find the energy for your next workout (and the next, and the next), you need to eat a healthy diet. That means:

● Whole grains

● Lean proteins (fish, eggs, nuts, beans)

● Leafy greens

● Vegetables

● Fruits

● Adequate healthy fat (coconut oil, avocado oil)

Interested in the Mediterranean diet or Whole 30? Don’t let us stop you. The most important thing is sticking to a realistic diet rather than ping-ponging between healthy eating and trips to McDonalds.

Starting small? Try to eat at least one fresh meal a day. Once you see the benefits, you may be inspired to up your cooking game! Just remember to put jam on your toast every now and then (you deserve it).

BTS exercising together in Burn the Stage.

#5: Create Support Systems

It’s easier to stick to goals when you create some accountability. You could:

● Form an accountability group with friends. Check in weekly or create a group chat and stay in constant contact!

● Ask your family members to support your goal. Some may even want to follow your new diet or join you on runs.

● Download a planning app to keep track of your goals. When you meet one, reward yourself with a massage or spa trip.

You may slip up from time to time. Having a support system in place helps you forgive yourself and move on. The sooner you get back to work on your goal, the sooner you can enjoy the rewards—emotional and otherwise!

Consistency is Key

Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was Kim Kardashian’s body built overnight. When it comes to major changes in appearance, endurance, and overall health, there are no quick fixes or shortcuts. (At least none available through natural methods.)

When you set achievable fitness goals, you’ll see and feel incremental change. Once you pass a milestone, keep on going! Your effort is already paying off, and by keeping consistent, you’ll create new habits that become easier and easier to sustain.

Spotlight | Puritan's Pride Vitamin C 500 mg + L-Carnitine 500 mg.

Times sure have changed since the outbreak of COVID-19. Gone are the days when we could all travel freely and leave our houses without having to worry about getting sick or being infected with a life-threatening disease. In this day and age of the pandemic, our home has - literally and figuratively - become our haven, and my family's health and well-being has become my top priority. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to safeguard our health and have a strong immune system. This is where Puritan's Pride comes into play.

Originating from the USA, Puritan's Pride is a trusted brand of vitamins and supplements with an almost 50-year history in the industry. The company manufactures their products in the United States and carefully sources out ingredients from over 100 different countries around the world. The brand is also known for their commitment to quality, which is why they take pride in the rigorous testing during the process of making their products and before releasing them in the market.

Here in the Philippines, Puritan's Pride products are exclusively distributed by no other than Puritan's Pride Philippines. They offer a wide and complete range of products - from multivitamins to health supplements (skin care, anti-aging, weight management, among many others) at very competitive prices. Puritan's Pride Philippines recently sent me these gifts of health and wellness, which I'm all too happy to receive. Health is definitely the greatest wealth in the 'new' normal, you know. :)

Puritan's Pride Vitamin C 500 mg +
Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg.

With all the quarantine cooking and eating that I've been doing lately, Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine surely comes in handy. Dubbed as one of the best weight loss supplements in the market, Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine promotes a faster metabolism to help you shave off some pounds and allows you to burn more calories as it supports your body's fat-burning functions. Not only does this product enhance the effectiveness of your workouts, it also helps your muscles recover after a high-intensity exercise.

Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg,
1 caplet a day, preferably after a meal.

Each bottle of Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg comes with 60 coated caplets. Serving size is 1 caplet per day, to be taken preferably after a meal. I take mine after lunch since I usually skip breakfast because of intermittent fasting. Each caplet contains 500 mg of L-Carnitine and is made with vegetable cellulose, food glaze, vegetable stearic acid, and silica. 

Nutrition facts (click on photo to zoom).

I've tried Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine before, and I can vouch for its effectiveness in terms of metabolism and calorie burn. No other product has made me sweat buckets like this weight loss supplement. I sweat profusely even inside an air conditioned room! I also like how this product has made me feel more active and energetic - no feeling of sluggishness even if I had less than ten hours of sleep. Looks like my weight loss journey will finally get back on track now that I have a two-month supply of L-Carnitine.  

When it comes to health supplements, perhaps the most well-known is Vitamin C. It is one of the most widely-consumed supplements in the world, all because of its reliability and wide range of benefits such as a stronger immune system and clear, healthy skin.

Puritan's Pride Vitamin C 500 mg,
1 caplet a day, preferably after a meal.

A bottle of Puritan's Pride Vitamin C contains 100 coated caplets. Each caplet contains 500 mg of ascorbic acid which is vital to immune function and necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. It also contains 14 mg of Rose Hips that boost Vitamin C absorption. In addition, each caplet is also fortified with Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex, a potent antioxidant that protects the body against free radicals and helps prevent premature aging.

Suggested intake of Puritan's Pride Vitamin C is one or two caplets daily, preferably after a meal. I usually take one caplet after lunch, along with the other supplements that I take daily. The caplets may look a tad bigger than the usual ascorbic acid, but they're easy to swallow and they don't leave a burning sensation in the stomach when ingested.

Both products are available on Puritan Pride's official website.
Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg (60 caplets) retails for Php 799 per bottle, while Puritan's Pride Vitamin C 500 mg (100 caplets) retails for Php 549 per bottle. Be wary of fake Puritan's Pride products proliferating online. Make sure to purchase only from their official website or their Lazada flagship store.

Effective Ways To Lose Weight.

Losing weight can make you feel great, both physically and emotionally. Not only can it be a good way to feel better as you move through everyday life, but it can give you a confidence boost, too. However, losing weight can often feel challenging, and it can be easy to get discouraged, especially early on in the weight loss process. If you're looking for some ways to lose weight effectively, here are a few things to try.

Shin Min Ah in Oh My Venus, 2015.

Try a Diet Plan
Even for those that may not think a diet will work for them, a diet plan can be a simple way to help develop healthier eating habits. Not only can a diet plan be helpful because you will be tracking your eating, and usually eating healthier foods, but also because it can help to make you aware of just how harmful some of your previous habits may have been. It can also make you better able to recognize the things that were causing you to gain or hold on to weight, too. Additionally, whether you're interested in the hcg diet plan or another kind of plan, doing research before you begin is often a good idea.

Drink your water - a reminder from Nam Joo Hyuk. :)

Stay Hydrated
Although many may think about how the foods they eat and how they impact their waistline, what they may not realize is that what they drink, or don't drink, throughout the day can have an impact on their waistline, too. This is due partially to the fact that when you are dehydrated, your body will cling to excess water weight, resulting in a higher number on the scale, as well as bloating. By aiming to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, you can help to avoid this.

Work It Out
Working out is another key component of losing weight. Not only does working out help to burn calories, but it can also help to regulate your body's metabolism and other weight control mechanisms, as well, like your hormone balance. It should be noted, though, that working out too much may prove to be just as harmful as not working out enough, so listening to your body and finding a balance that works for you can be important.

Kdrama > Sleep.
Flower Boy Next Door, 2013.

Get Plenty of Sleep
While many may know that sleep can help you to feel more relaxed and mentally alert, they may not realize that it can help reduce their waistline, too. This is because when you sleep, your body often does work to regulate many hormones related to weight control. When you don't get enough sleep, your body may not be able to regulate these hormones, which could lead to weight retention or gain.

Screencapped from My ID is Gangnam Beauty, 2018.

The Bottom Line 
Losing weight can have many benefits, from improving how you feel physically, to giving your confidence a boost. However, it may not always feel easy to get started. That doesn't mean, though, that you should necessarily feel worried. With some lifestyle tweaks, it can be possible to see positive changes in your weight and overall health.

My First 'Official' BeautyMNL Haul!

Just recently, I had the honor of being named as one of BeautyMNL's brand ambassadors. (Yay!) I was super psyched upon hearing the news, not only because BeautyMNL happens to be one of the leading homegrown e-commerce platforms in the Philippines, but also because I've been a silent reader of Bloom, BeautyMNL's online magazine, for the longest time.

To celebrate this 'milestone', BeautyMNL awarded me with shopping credits, which I then used to  pay for my latest purchase at the the BeautyMNL app. Although this was not my first time to shop at BeautyMNL, I consider this my first 'official' haul since becoming an ambassador for the brand. And with that, here's a sneak peek of my first 'official' BeautyMNL haul. :)

My first 'official' BeautyMNL haul.

W. Dressroom Dress & Living Clear Perfume No. 97 (April Cotton).
A fragrance brand from South Korea, W. Dressroom was created by designer Choi Bum Suk who believes that your scent 'is the most powerful way to symbolize who you are'. The brand was made popular by Korean celebrities and idol stars who personally use and endorse W. Dressroom products. Case in point, BTS' Jungkook who wears this particular scent.

W. Dressroom Dress & Living Clear Perfume No. 97 (April Cotton), Php 595.

W. Dressroom describes April Cotton as a 'gender-neutral, clean, and crisp scent reminiscent of fresh, silky-soft linens'. True enough, April Cotton did remind me of our cozy little neighborhood in Seongsu-dong, and how the entire block reeks of that soft, powdery scent on weekends when most of the ahjummas do their laundry. I nearly cried out of homesickness when I first took a whiff of this perfume.

Biore Cleansing Oil.
A favorite among beauty/skincare enthusiasts, Biore Cleansing Oil effectively dissolves and removes stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, while lifting away dirt and impurities.
Unlike other cleansing oils, this one doesn't leave a greasy film on the face and maintains the skin's natural moisture balance. The Biore Cleansing Oil is great for everyday use, especially if you use makeup on a daily basis, and the perfect first step in your double-cleansing routine.

Biore Cleansing Oil, Php 349.

COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.
Speaking of double cleansing, you all know I swear by the COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This has been my morning cleanser for more than two years now, and I've emptied more or less half a dozen tubes of this product since then. It's still my HG cleanser to date. :)

COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Php 540.

You can read my full review of the COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser here.

Innisfree My Real Squeeze Sheet Mask (Fig & Lime).
Skincare shopping ain't complete without adding a sheet mask or two to my cart! These Innisfree My Real Squeeze sheet masks were on sale at Php 55 each and I got the Fig and the Lime variants. The former is a moisturizing essence-type mask that leaves your complexion smooth and radiant, while the latter is a refreshing water-type mask that brightens the skin and makes your complexion glow.

Innisfree My Real Squeeze Sheet Masks, Php 55 each.

Puritan's Pride L- Carnitine 500 mg (60 caplets).
I bought this bottle of L-Carnitine caplets mostly out of curiosity (Does this work? Will I sweat buckets? Will I lose weight?), aside from the fact that this was on sale at almost half the original price (Php 729). This product claims to be one of the best weight loss supplements as it enhances the body's fat-burning functions and supports heart health and cardiovascular wellness. This bottle will definitely come in handy with all that feasting and partying that we'll be doing during the holidays. Will keep you posted if this product works. ;)

Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg (60 caplets), Php 377.

What beauty/skincare products have you bought lately? Did you hoard stuff during the 11.11 sale?
Don't forget to use my discount code when you shop at BeautyMNL! First-time buyers get Php 100 off on purchases worth Php 1000 and up!

Use my discount code 'CZJAI' when you shop at BeautyMNL!

No More Rumbly in the Tumbly with Erceflora ProbiBears!

My son turns ten in a little over a week, and he's at that stage in life where he'd eat just about anything save for ampalaya (bitter gourd), okra, and liver. (I don't eat this stuff either, just so you guys know, lol.) He is quite a voracious eater despite his lanky frame, and it's his insatiable appetite that almost got us into trouble while we were vacationing in Korea last spring.

Yue had stomach flu on our final week in Seoul, which he probably got from all that eating that he (we) did during Father's Day. The next 36 hours had been very stressful for all of us, especially for Yue, who made frequent trips to the bathroom, had very little appetite, and threw up after a few spoonfuls of food. We were on the verge of bringing him to the hospital (it's like deja vu all over again), but thankfully, he got better after several doses of Loperamide and rehydrating him with water, sports drinks, and yogurt drinks.

Had I known early on about Erceflora ProbiBears, I would have packed them in my medical travel kit and brought them all the way to Korea. That way, I could have prevented Yue's nasty bout with stomach flu.

Erceflora Probi Bears.

Erceflora ProbiBears is a trans-free, gluten-free, kid-friendly food supplement that helps improve digestion. It comes in a vanilla-flavored, bear-shaped, chewable tablet, making it easy for even young kids to ingest.

Comes in a foil pack...

These cute, edible bears contain two strains of 'good bacteria' - Bifidobacterium lactis which helps boost your child's immune system and prevent gut problems, and Lactobacillus acidophilus which effectively improves your child's digestive health.

With four bears each.

Although the yogurt drinks that we know and love also contain good bacteria to aid in digestion, the amount of probiotics in them may not be not high enough to treat or prevent stomach problems such as diarrhea. And this is why the use of probiotics supplements such as the Erceflora ProbiBears is essential when the intestinal flora is out of balance. It can help regain that flora balance by fighting bad bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

Nutritional value of Erceflora Probi Bears.

These chewable tablets are suitable for kids 3 years old and above. The recommended dose is one tablet a day, but the bears taste so good that your kids might ask for more, lol. Yue says they taste like Oreo cookies, but to me they taste more like the classic Nestle White Chocolate. (I had to try it for myself, of course!)

I deformed my bear, sorry! Apparently, they have to be stored in the freezer prior to consumption.

Erceflora ProbiBears are available at Mercury Drug and South Star Drug branches nationwide, and retail for Php 540 (around $10) per box of 20s - that's like Php 27 ($0.50) per bear. A bit pricey compared to a bottle of yogurt drink, but at least you're getting a chock-full of probiotics with just one dose.

Thank you, Erceflora and First Tier Brands!

Many thanks to our friends at Erceflora and First Tier Brands for sending these over! Yue's tummy has been responding positively since he started taking them. He has been pooping regularly, with no complaints of flatulence and constipation. He says he doesn't feel bloated either, even after a heavy meal - and believe me, this kid always eats a lot!

No more rumbly in the tumbly!

Popping one bear after breakfast is now part of his morning routine, and we'll make sure to bring these along whenever we travel. :)

Health Benefits of Fulvic Acid Minerals.

Through modern agricultural methods, we have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil in which the food we eat grows, and eventually prevents truly rich Fulvic Acid from ever forming. In addition, high-power industrial washing of fruits and vegetables strips away any Fulvic minerals that might be clinging to that produce from where it was grown.

Photo credit: Onnit.

Why do Fulvic Acid Minerals matter?
As you know, there are many key minerals that are essential for good health. Unfortunately, the typical food and supplements in most supermarkets simply can’t provide the quantity and quality of minerals our bodies need to be strong and healthy. The epidemic of osteoporosis and osteopenia in America —even among women who religiously take bone-building supplements— is a perfect example.

However, this issue goes way beyond bone health. Minerals are vital for literally every biochemical function in every organ system in the human body — from transmitting a nerve impulse to making a muscle fiber twitch, neutralizing a toxic free radical, regulating thyroid hormones, and recharging a red blood cell with oxygen.There is also a growing body of evidence to suggest that deficiencies of minerals are at the root of many major health problems, including thyroid disease, cancers, neuropathies, immune deficiencies, and fatigue disorders.

Fulvic Acid is naturally high in electrolytes and antioxidants
The other key health benefit of Fulvic Acid is its ability to help the body assimilate nutrients, it can help transport nutrients throughout the body and across cell walls and increases your body’s ability to actually absorb them as well.

Fulvic Acid help boost energy, promote cell life, improve circulation, enhance endurance and stimulate metabolism. Additionally, the compound helps remineralize the body, control inflammation, regulate hormone production, boost the immune system and promote brain function. Fulvic Acid also serves as a natural libido stimulator, as well as a cleansing and detoxing agent.

Fulvic Acid for Brain Health
It turns out fulvic acid may be good for your brain health as well! A study looking into the benefits of fulvic acid and Alzheimer's disease found that the compound has several nutraceutical properties with potential activity to protect cognitive impairment. More research is being done on the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease using fulvic acid.

Photo credit: Best Health Magazine.

In addition to the above benefits, Fulvic Acid may also:

• Control inflammation
• Stimulate metabolism
• Regulate the thyroid and thymus glands
• Oxygenate the blood
• Maintain optimum alkalinity
• Increase energy
• Rid the body of oxidants and free radicals
• Extend the time nutrients remain active
• Restore electrochemical balance
• Help rebuild the immune system

How to Take Fulvic Acid
The most common way of taking fulvic acid is as a liquid supplement, sometimes referred to as “water fulvic acid.” It’s important to read and follow the dosage amounts carefully as taking too much can alter the mineral levels in your body. You can also find fulvic acid in powdered form, however, due to its taste you may want to mix it in a smoothie or juice blend.

Everyday is D-Day with Forti-D!

My son isn't the most outdoors-y kid, which comes as no surprise since I'm not a very outdoors-y person either. Sure, he likes going to parks and playgrounds and looks forward to our occasional beach trips, but for the most part, he prefers playing indoors.

Playing with his Legos.

Unlike other kids who like playing basketball or riding their bikes while basking in the sunshine, Yue would rather spend hours tinkering with his Lego sets and action figures within the comforts of our bedroom, or watch YouTube videos and play games with his cellphone while curled up on the couch.

Looks like he's downloading something... again.

I have no qualms with him staying indoors most of the time with the perennial dengue scare and all (plus he still gets enough exercise with his karate training anyway). However, at the back of my mind, there's always this fear that we're not getting enough Vitamin D since we pretty much have an 'indoor lifestyle'. Same goes for my husband, who hardly sees the sun since he works the night shift.

Watching videos on YouTube.

Unbeknownst to many, Vitamin D deficiency is strongly linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart failure, and diabetes. Studies show that 36 of our organs and tissues are regulated by Vitamin D, including our heart, lungs, brains, and bones.

However, not everyone gets the sufficient Vitamin D requirement to stay healthy. In fact, 7 out of 10 Filipinos are Vitamin D deficient (based on a study conducted with Hi-Precision Diagnostics, where 8200 Filipinos from key cities in the Philippines were tested for Vitamin D Deficiency). This could stem from the following reasons:

1. It’s hard to get enough Vitamin D from the sun (indoor lifestyle, clothing, skin color, aging, and use of umbrellas or sunscreen limit Vitamin D absorption).

2. It’s difficult to obtain from food (RDA of Vitamin D is equivalent to 40 eggs / 8 glasses of milk / 800g of salmon / 2 cans of tuna flakes every day).

Forti-D, for your daily dose of vitamin D.

Now this is where Forti-D comes into play. One capsule a day gives you your daily requirement of Vitamin D (800 IU) safe for daily intake. It also gives protective effects against serious diseases by keeping vital organs (heart, bones, muscles, and the brain) functioning healthily. Forti-D comes in an easy-to-swallow, small gel capsule and costs only Php 6.50 each - a very small price to pay to give my bones and body organs some serious protection.

For my husband and I, everyday is now D-day with Forti-D. We'd like to be in the pink of health in the longest time possible for our one and only. Because you know, parenting is some serious business. :)