BLISS BOWLS, Deliciously Healthy Smoothie Bowls

First Friday of the month: Foodie Finds / Healthy Food

I love fruit smoothies. My favorites are blended frozen strawberry-banana, ripe mango, and mango-banana combos. Sometimes, I add chia seeds and honey in the mix. When juicing and green smoothies became a fad, I never got into it mainly because I didn't like the idea of drinking and mixing raw veggies in my fruit shakes. Hindi lang ako sanay na iniinom ang gulay unless it's in soup form. But I know they're healthy. Then came these power breakfast smoothie bowls that I see posted on Instagram. It got me curious but have never tried one before until BLISS BOWLS opened.

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My Breakfast and Morning Routine

I am not a morning person. Even if I try, I am simply not as productive in the early hours of the day compared to working mid-morning and late evening. That said, I still maintain my morning rituals and try not to skip breakfast 'coz I might faint. I'm not kidding. So how do I start my day?

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Drink Milk and Run...for Fun and Fitness

It's every parent's desire for their children to be fit and healthy, in mind and body. And while we take care of our family's wellness, we also need to be conscious of our own health. We try to find opportunities to have an active lifestyle, and prepare nutritious meals at the same time. One of the more exciting family activities to participate in is the annual Alaska Milk Day, which recently hosted a simultaneous four-city fun run across the country last June 11.

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Commit To Be Fit on Alaska Milk Day 2016

Tomorrow, June 11, the country celebrates World Milk Day and Alaska Milk Corporation will once again host one of the biggest family run with Alaska Milk Day, which was launched four years ago. While I won't be able to participate in this huge health and lifestyle celebration, I am honored to be a part of this worthy endeavor to promote family health and fitness, and sharing the highlights of what participants can expect at this nationwide fun run.

This year's Alaska Milk Day Family Run happening at McKinley West in BGC, promises to be even bigger than the last, with more participants from all over Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu and the newest venue, Naga.

Alaska Milk Day activities will include:

• Individual (3km and 5km) races
• 3 km family run race categories
• 1km Disney’s Frozen and Marvel themed fun run event for children ages 4-7 years old 
• Individual (3km and 5km) race category in the provincial areas
• Alaska Milk Hour = a nationwide Milk Toast at 6:00 a.m. will culminate the celebration
• All participants will simultaneously drink milk and make a pledge to a healthy and active lifestyle

The themed runs will motivate kids to live a healthy and active lifestyle while still having fun. And to make the gathering more exciting, a Zumba event will also be conducted in all areas to encourage individuals and families to start a morning health and fitness regimen.

Race Kit for Alaska Milk Day

These concerted efforts are Alaska’s way of helping the government address the increasing number of obese children and adults in the country through the combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

The 8th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute reveals that 2 out of 10 children among 0-5 years old were underweight, and 5 out of 100 children among 0-5 years old were overweight.  Also, 3 in every 10 adults are overweight and obese.  Prevalence of overweight and obesity among the 0-5 year-old is increasing at an average of 0.17%-points per year for the past 24 years. With this alarming rate, Alaska Milk is committed to support the yearly celebration of World Milk Day through Alaska Milk Day with the goal to help reverse this prevailing nutritional problem.

While families join the fun run, they are also contributing for a worthy cause as Alaska Milk Day Family Run chose a beneficiary, the Children’s Hour, wherein Alaska Milk Corporation will donate the same quantity of milk bags as the participants to their chosen recipient. Nag-enjoy ka na, nakatulong ka pa! =)

Join us in spreading the milk-drinking habit and active lifestyle. Take part in Alaska’s “Nutrition. Action. Champion.” program for a chance to become a real life health advocate!

Let's raise our milk glasses on June 11 and join the nationwide toast to a healthier future for our families. =)

For more information, visit www.alaskaworldmilkday.com and Facebook.com/WorldMilkDayPH.

Good luck to everyone joining the Alaska Milk Day Family Run tomorrow!

Note:
All images are from Alaska and www.facebook.com/WorldMilkDayPH


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Family Friday: Diet and Food Intolerance Testing

Second Friday of the month:  Family  / Health / Nutrition

“What is food to one man may be fierce poison to another.” - Titus Lucretius Carus

That quote was from the presentation during the Hi-Precision Diagnostics luncheon which I attended recently. There, I discovered I'm intolerant to many types of food that I regularly consume, thanks to the Food Intolerance Test I took last month. Time for some major adjustments in my food choices.  It's not gonna be easy. So, what is this test all about?

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When Eating for Two

I AM NOT PREGNANT.

I have to make that clear from the beginning so no one will ask me just by reading the title. =) Mother's Day fever is still in the air and there is so much to share and be thankful for.  I'm sure my new mom friends out there enjoyed their first celebration.  I also know a few expectant moms who can't wait to pop and embrace motherhood.  

One thing I really enjoyed about being pregnant is eating - eating a lot.  Eating whatever I feel like it.  Eating for me and for the baby.  Yes, I was literally eating for two, sometimes for three! Heeheeh...

This was my preggy self during my first time... I look dreadful! I think I was almost 8 months here.  I got all the pimples in the world, bloated from face to toes in my last trimester, gained over 50 pounds, and feeling itchy all over.  It did not help that my mother keeps saying I'll be having a boy (kasi pag pangit ka magbuntis, lalaki ang anak). 

The second time around was a breeze, and I felt and looked waaaay better (I had a girl)!  This was a few weeks before I gave birth.

Despite having no control of what I was eating then, I made sure I ate what I needed to eat, and avoided what I had to.  Experts say, "What you eat and drink is the main source of nourishment for your child.  You’ll need about 300 extra calories per day, especially in the latter stages when your child grows quickly."

If you are expecting, make sure to include the following in your diet:

• Protein and Iron : lean meat and chicken, fish, eggs, and beans/lentils
• Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6 : fruits and vegetables, can be fresh, frozen, driedm or a glass of juice
• Starchy foods : bread, pasta, rice and potatoes
• Fibre : wholegrain breads, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables, to prevent constipation
• Dairy : milk (like Anmum Materna), cheese, yoghurt, which contain calcium
• Foods high in folate : green vegetables, brown rice, fortified bread and breakfast cereals
• Other minerals like : Calcium, Iodine, Zinc and Selenium

I also learned from a nutritionist that pregnant women require these specific nutrients to meet the needs of the growing fetus, and help build reserves to prepare the mother for delivery and lactation.

What food to avoid when preggy:

• Raw meat, eggs, and seafoods - risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, salmonella, and other bacteria
• Fish with mercury - swordfish, king mackerel, shark, tuna (canned tuna should be eaten in moderation) - high levels of mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage
• Soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk - may contain bacteria called Listeria which can infect baby and cause blood poisoning
• Caffeine - this is a diuretic and can result in water and calcium loss; avoid especially during first trimester to reduce chances of miscarriage; take in moderation, limit to less than 200mg per day during pregnancy
• Alcohol - can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders

In both my pregnancies,  I was craving for pizza, pasta, and steak.  I remember drinking more water than usual, and and having my nightly glass of cold Anmum chocolate milk.  I get hungry every night, so instead of eating before bedtime, I just drink my milk.  My OB was happy with my diet since I did not experience any pregnancy-related health issues like gestational diabetes, constipation, and U.T.I.  I just went overboard with the calories during my first pregnancy! =)

The average weight gain per trimester is 10 pounds, for a total of 30 pounds for the full term. Obviously, I went over the first time.  And with my second, I think I gained a modest 35 pounds, just right for my height and built.  This post is dedicated to my cousin and friends who are waiting for the stork to arrive.  Take care and eat well!

If you are eating for two, remember the "what and what not to eat" lists above, and enjoy the journey!
Learn from other moms and soon-to-be-moms, join Anmum Mommy Circle on Facebook and share your questions and experiences.
Follow @AnmumPH on Twitter for news and updates
Take the Folate Test here.

Anmum Materna is high in Folate, which is important to maintain the growth and development of the foetus. Delicious tasting Anmum Materna also contains Folic Acid, GA, EFA, FOS, Calcium, Iron & other essential nutrients. Just two glasses of Anmum Materna a day can give you 100% of your daily folic acid and 50% of your iron needs.

References:
Talks on Wellness and Nutrition
Food to Avoid during Pregnancy
Eat Well When You're Pregnant

Note:
Top image from Anmum.com.ph

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Baby Steps: Journey to Mommyhood

In less than two weeks, I'd be forty.  I'm still in denial, okay?  Despite the age, I still get asked if I want another baby.  NO. =)

Looking back at the past decade, some of the most significant moments in my life happened - getting pregnant twice, and giving birth to the boy and the girl.  I was blessed to have a healthy and easy pregnancy with both babies.  Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like if there was a third.

Coordinating a wedding at 35 weeks w/ baby #2

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I Am a Proud Anmum Mommy

Let me just say I am thrilled to have Anmum as a blog sponsor! Yey!!! =) If you subscribe to this blog, you'd have noticed the Anmum leaderboard/ad up on the homepage displayed since July.  I'm just proud to be a part of the Anmum Mommy Circle because the brand is really close to my heart.  Why?

Well, if you must know...

• It's the only milk I took while I was pregnant (twice) and breastfeeding
• During my stint in advertising, Anmum was one of my key accounts (client) ever since it was launched in the local market in the late 90s (as with the rest of the New Zealand-made milk brands, Anchor and Anlene)
• My first blog post featured the Anmum material I made for their Mother's Day print ad

So you see, it was an easy decision for me to have Anmum as a blog partner.  I believe in the brand, I loved drinking it, I reaped the benefits, I recommend it to my friends, and I know the product very well.  At the Anmum blogger partners' luncheon over a month ago, the brand managers even teased me to do the presentation after learning about my history with Anmum! =)

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Dirty Dozen and Clean 15: Pesticides in Produce 2011

I regularly receive newsletters from Environmental Working Group.  A few months back, they sent this updated list and since July is Nutrition Month, I thought I'd share this very useful guide to all of you, which I'm sure many of you already know by now --  EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

The Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce. - EWG

Since I'm the one who's doing the grocery shopping, this guide is something I look back to and help me choose what foods to buy.  But the reality is, I don't always have access to organic produce so I seldom buy produce like apples and celery.

Feel free to print and clip this pocket guide, and share to family and friends!

Learn more about EWG and their many causes to help promote a better environment.
Environmental Working Group
EWG Food News


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
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Begin, The Rest is Easy

Happy New Year everyone!

It's the start of a new year and I would like to thank you all once again for following me on my online journal for the past year and a half. I borrowed the title above from a framed quote at my old office, and I thought it encapsulates my mindset at this moment. So where do I begin?

It took some time for me to write this first post for 2011 as I'm in the middle of sorting through more than 3,000 files (yikes!!!) for the past week now since most of my 2010 files got lost somewhere between transferring to and retrieving from an external hard drive. You could say I was in a state of shock for a day or two. Thankfully, my techie-hubby was able to find a way to recover them, even the super old deleted files! Suffice it to say, I'm still working on getting back to my 'regular programming'. Please bear with me. :)

Moving on, I'm sure I am not alone with the uncontrolled eating, drinking and merry-making in the past few weeks. Who can resist the abundance of food everywhere?!? And as we begin 2011, it may take a while to get back to our normal routine and start the year with a healthier, "greener" lifestyle for ourselves and for our families.

While I was sorting out my files and browsing through my old entries, I found myself reading my Health/Wellness posts which prompted me to share these with you, especially to those who just recently followed this blog. This 4-part series were based from the parenting seminar I've attended last year, conducted by health and nutrition experts. I guarantee you'll be enlightened and will surely learn something new especially about healthy eating.
Click on the titles to read each post in full.

I.
Wellness in our family

Learn to read labels and promote a balanced diet

II.
Nutrition in life cycles

Infants and young children clearly have different nutritional needs

III.
Healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition

Do a self-assessment and plan a diet that suits your needs

IV.
About Antioxidants and Tips to healthy eating

Use your fist to measure serving sizes of the food we eat

This special series on wellness and nutrition are really worth the read and I hope we could all begin the year right with a positive outlook and better health for the rest of the year.


Note:
Top photo from 123rf.com

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