Gardening : Pure Relaxation

Gardening has been a therapy for me; a way to release all the stresses and demands from office works.  Well, of course, aside from cuddling and kissing my little girl, gardening relaxes me and brightens my mood.

Ornamental plants in different colors...

I grow up seeing my parents' interest on gardening.  They used to tell me to help them maintain the garden or help in the gardening chores whenever there were new plants.   However, I used to tell them that I was not born to plant or rather I don't have a "green thumb", for that matter.   Haha!   It's just me being lazy.  I would rather sit or lie on the couch, watch a TV show or read a book.   (Imagine a middle child's life where the older siblings being so responsible in almost all the household chores including gardening.)   So to make the story short : I have now my own family with our own home.   It would be so dull and boring if I went out of our house or just peek out of our window and look at our yard that's so empty : no plants or flowers; no greens or yellows or reds growing in our yard.  

So I have to face a big challenge here : TO REALLY KNOW IF I HAVE THAT "GREEN THUMB".

KB Collagen Food Supplement

Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids that is found in the human body.   70% of our skin is composed of collagen.   Collagen is a substance that is naturally produced by the body.   However, the production of this substance diminishes as people grow older. The results of the low production include wrinkles, thinning skin and brittle hair and nails, among others. There are a number of collagen supplements available in the market that can restore the amount of collagen in the body. 

HOW THE COLLAGEN WORKS?

It provides a supportive structure for various body tissues such as muscles, bones and ligaments and prevents them from falling apart. It works with another compound called Elastin to provide strength and firmness to the tissues. Collagen also works to keep the skin looking firm, tight, flexible and youthful looking. Young people naturally produce more collagen than older people. With age, the collagen in the body breaks down leading to wrinkles and folds around the mouth. As such, collagen stimulation leads to a more youthful looking skin. The substance has been used for a long time in combating signs of aging. 

(Credits : http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-collagen.html)

My 3 sets of KB Collagen from Lazada..

After so many weeks and months of thinking and re-thinking, I decided to jump into the bandwagon.   I did not mean to use this product for too long, but I opted to take this for the purpose of restoring damaged body tissues.   I bought this through Lazada since I find it more convenient to just order online and TADA!, the item I purchased will be delivered right in front of my doorstep (or rather in front of my working desk inside the office).

Okay, so here it is.  I bought 3 boxes of the KB Collagen because Lazada has a promo of 3 sets for only PhP1, 237.00.   For its original price, one bottle of this costs PhP750.00.   I will give to you my review after a month of taking this.  For now, I will be sharing to you the background of this product.

A Letter to my Daughter : You Are Always LOVED!

How can I stop the clock?   It seems that my baby grows fast and I can't help but to enjoy every moment that I can still cuddle her, carry her in my arms and kiss her endlessly without her refusal or rejection.  

Now, I will take this moment to write this article for my baby (and hope she'll read this in due time).

To our little one,

I would forever call you baby.  I know there will come a time that hearing this from me would bring a frown on your face or you'll tell me that you are a big girl already.  (Actually, just a week ago, I was carrying you in my arms while kissing your neck that you blurted, "Mama, put me down because I am too heavy already.  I am already too big to be carried."  This made me sad... only for awhile..)   But I will never get tired calling you my baby. 

A real sweetheart...

Our journey together has been so overwhelming, rough, challenging, inspiring, beautiful and chaotic.  Actually, no adjective could best describe our journey together.   A journey of endless possibilities, of so many surprises, of so many emotions and learning.

Your first twelve months has been a discovery of firsts.  Not only your "firsts" but also mine as well.  Your first cry, your first yawn, first word, first solid food, first step and more.  My first breastfeeding journey, my first cradle with a super tiny creature, my very first significant accomplishment as a woman and so many firsts.   

As months became years, I discovered that  this little creature creates a big happiness in our hearts, in our home.   It is also a discovery that this little creature teaches me so many lessons in life and made me discover my potentials.   While teaching you how to talk and walk, the shapes and colors and the ABCs; you are also teaching me to become a better person worthy to be called as your ultimate role model.   While teaching you how to say your name; you are also teaching me to be patient and to be dedicated to my goals.   That while I teach you how to sing the Barney song, you are teaching me how to enjoy life in its simplest form through the simple things it offered.   While I teach you how to pray your first prayer, you are also teaching me how to pause for a moment despite the busyness of life and thank God for everything.  That while we watch your favorite movies like Dora, Barbie, Lorax, Despicable Me, Barney and so much much mooooore; you teach me the absolute value of quality time spent with our family.   That while you demand to eat pastries and other sweets that we bought in stores; you made me realize that I should learn how to cook and bake for my family.   That while your fascination on bows, hair clips, head bands and ribbons grows; you teach me to be creative so that I could personally make your own bows, head bands and hair accessories.   While you enjoy wearing my high-heeled shoes; you made me realize that material things does not last and what matters most is to enjoy every moment of our life.   That while I do my gardening and you do your "play-with-sand-and -stones gardening"; you teach me how to pause, breathe and get your hands dirty to enjoy life.   By teaching you the values needed to be a good Christian; you are also teaching me to be true to my words, to be more cautious on my actions and to set a good example to you.

Juice Recipes

So you know now that I am addicted to juiced fruits and vegetables.   While husband did not like the taste of combined fruits and vegetables in a form of juice, I already get used to its taste.   I've searched through the web for additional recipes that I could use and I would love to share these to you (of course, credits to the original sources of these recipes).

The Amazing Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar : The "Bragg" Way

Yehey!  After almost a month of searching this wonder vinegar, I got to hold a bottle of it.  Feeling excited?  Of course!

It tastes like any other vinegar but the health benefits it claim are endless.   Apple cider vinegar is a fermented vinegar made from apples.   I tried it myself for almost a month and I can attest that it proved what it claimed to do.   I bought this Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar for weight loss/management purposes.  To be honest, I am not overweight but I tend to fell short of breathe when walking too long that's why I chose to lose weight.  Also, summer is just a month away, so beach-ready body is a MUST!  

Sorry for the flash here...

After more than a month of taking this apple cider vinegar coupled with 1 hour walking/jogging everyday, I had a total weight loss of 6 kilos.   Sorry, I was not able to took a "before and after" picture of me.   From 58 kilos down to 52.   One good thing, this vinegar suppresses my appetite.

Juicing Fruits & Veggies : DeeWorkingMom's Newest Addiction

I have been so busy these past few months that I have neglected writing.  With all the activities in my work and at home, I could not allot extra time in writing.   My husband and I has been preoccupied with our house construction and moving in including activities of my kid, I set aside writing an article here.  Another thing is that I was hook in reading a new set of books from George Martin that I could not afford not to finish those books.  Anyways, enough of my blabbering talks.

I know everyone knows about this juicing fruits and vegetables craze now.   And guess what?  I'm also into it.  Well, I was inspired my our older brother's "eating-healthy, exercise-more lifestyle" for the past year.   Also, I feel bloated and I need to cleanse my physical body.

Here's some of my juiced fruits and vegetables :