Health & Fitness
Kuya Andre
Time really flies fast! Andre is turning 6 next year and will be on the first grade. Though he lost some weight, he has grown 2 inches taller this year. We’re so happy that he’s performing well in school and has improved his reading skill. He still loves Disney Pixar’s Cars and is now collecting the characters from the Cars 2 movie. He’s still used to playing alone with his cars.
But soon, he will have someone to play with.
Andre will be a “kuya” soon.
After 2 yrs of waiting and trying, I am now pregnant.
My OB-GYNE helped me to treat my PCOS by, first, regulating my menstrual cycle. It took me more than a year to achieve a regular menstrual cycle. Ideally, it should only take 6 months of continuous treatment using Provera. But on the first “supposedly” 6 months of continuous medication, I missed the medication on the 5th month. My OB-GYNE told me that I have to start again to complete the 6-month continuous treatment before she can start prescribing the ovulation pill Clomid and Metformin.
Come August 2011, my 6th month under Provera, my OB-Gyne instructed me to await my menstrual cycle in September and prescribed Clomid to be taken 3 days after my first period and see her on my 7th day to perform a pelvic ultrasound. It was our first attempt to try Clomid. Initial ultrasound results showed that a small egg was formed and my OB-Gyne asked me to return after 2 days for another ultrasound test. On my second ultrasound test, the egg increased its size a bit. It means that Clomid worked for me, though the size of the egg is not that large. She asked me to await my ‘mens’ in October and pay her a visit. But I missed my period. So, I presume that my menstrual cycle is delayed again because I am not taking Provera anymore.
On November 13, I had nausea. My husband bought a pregnancy test kit just to check if I’m pregnant. When we got home, without expecting for a positive result, I checked right away and found out that it is NEGATIVE. So we thought that we did not make it.
Three days ago, I texted my OB-Gyne to inform her that I still don’t have my period till that moment and asked me to see her. So, I went to her clinic yesterday and she performed a pelvic ultrasound again. As she started checking my uterus, she told me that I am pregnant. And my first reaction was: “NYE?? (with an unconvinced tone) .” She repeatedly told me, I think thrice, that I am pregnant and even told me na: “ANO BA! IT’S NOT A JOKE! I AM NOT JOKING NOH!”. Then I said, “E how could that happen? E diba nga we had a test recently and it was negative. So pano mangyayari yun?” She told me to go to the hospital laboratory and have a pregnancy test just to make sure. Pero sabi nga niya, mas reliable tong ultrasound noh! So, I brought my ruine sample to the laboratory and waited for the result without really expecting that it will be a positive result. I also joked at the Med-Tech to make the result positive. So after about 10 minutes, the result came out. The print out says that it is POSITIVE. I asked again the MED-TECH if it’s true. He gave me the test kit and saw two lines. There, me being teary-eyed and with a sweet smile on my face, I finally believe that I am pregnant. Natataranta pa nga ako sa pagbabayad kasi ilan beses ko nahulog yung mga gamit ko.
I immediately went back to my OB-Gyne’s room to show her the result and hugged her. I immediately called hubby to fetch me at the hospital because I told him that I could not drive. I didn’t tell him yet the good news. I want him to see the results. My OB-Gyne and I waited for my husband to disclose the good news. He could not believe it too because of the very recent test we had. We are sooo happy. It’s hard to explain the happiness we feel that time. However, my doctor told me that I need to revisit her after 2 weeks to recheck the growth of the sac and the fetus. We’re praying that this is really it. We have waited for this and believes that God gave us this wonderful gift at the right time.
Since yesterday, Andre keeps on telling me na, “Mommy, buntis kana. I’m soo happy”. He’s an excited KUYA and we are sure that he’ll be a good kuya to his sibling. Most importantly, he will soon have a playmate. 
Beauty find: Human Heart Nature Products
A few months ago, I was able to finally try Human Heart Nature Products when they opened a new branch here in Bulacan. I have heard and read good reviews about their products because they contain no harmful chemicals that are usually found in beauty care products commonly available in the market. Their pocket-friendly products contain natural and organic products that are 100% Philippine-made. One good thing about these products from Gandang Kalikasan Inc. is its three core principles, i.e., PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR, and PRO-ENVIRONMENT. The company’s goal is to provide more livelihood to Gawad Kalinga residents and communities. Gawad Kalinga is a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement that aims to end poverty for 5 million families by 2024 by building homes for poor Filipinos. In every Human Heart Nature product you purchase, you will be able to help GK residents.
Here are some ofmy favorite HHN products:
Natural Feminine Wash (available in 50 and 200 ml bottles at P59.75 and P159.75, respectively)
I have switched to this natural, pH-balanced, clinically tested feminine wash because, aside from its natural ingredients from aloe vera and chamomile, it smells good and very refreshing. It contains natural cleansing agents from coconut and sunflower and natural preservatives from rice and anise to make this the safest and gentles way to care for your vajayjay 
HHN Balancing Facial Wash ((available in 50 and 200 ml bottles at P79.75 and P194.75, respectively)
This is our most favorite. We use them twice daily to wash our face. It is very refreshing and it leaves a very smooth feeling in the face after every wash. I love the way it exfoliates and cleanses my face with the bamboo scrubs.
HHN Natural Hair Mask (available in 50 and 200g packaging at P99.75 and P299.75, respectively)
This is one of their bestsellers. It treats and restore stressed-out hair strands. We use it weekly after shampoo and it really softens the hair. Love the Jasmine scent because of the minty feeling upon application. It is a natural alternative to a salon hot oil treatment.
HHN Moisturizing Shampoo ( available in 20, 200, and 500 ml bottles at P44.75, P139.75, and P289.75, respectively)
The first time my husband used it, he fell in love with it together with the conditioner. He got rid of his dandruff right after he used it. We love its refreshing smell and makes our hair soft. We also use it as a body wash.
HHN Moisturizing Conditioner ( available in 20, 200, and 500 ml bottles at P49.75, P144.75, and P289.75, respectively)
After every bath, our hair feels so refreshed and moisturized. We love its citrus scent that we smell upon going out of the shower.
We have also tried their Hand & Foot Salve and apply it every night. It helped to soften my cracked heel. They also have other beauty products like lip balms, their new & improved lightweight mineral foundation with 4 shades that matches different skin tones, hydrating mineral lipstick, and their new mineral lip gloss.
We started switching to Human Heart Nature’s products with 100% no harmful chemicals. We also believe and want to support their advocacy in helping the poor and taking care of the environment as well. Their products are affordable compared to imported organic beauty products. Since we started switching to their products, I decided to become a dealer. 
So if you want to try these HHN products, just send me a message.
Let’s do the SWITCH and make our skin healthy.
Is your purified water really safe?
Owners of purified water refilling station are enjoying their booming business. This business has been around for years. We used to drink water directly from the faucet in the past. But, things have changed; most of us do not get drinking water from the faucet anymore because tap water is not safe to drink. With a history of amoebiasis, tap water is a NO NO because the amoeba in my stomach might be awaken .
But, are we really sure that the water being delivered by these water refilling stations is really purified? These water refilling stations produce purified water using reverse osmosis, the most common treatment technology used by bottled water companies. I have seen some disgusting water refilling stations with unhygienic practices like employees with no hair cap and laboratory gowns and dirty and dented water containers.
Have you ever checked or inquired from your water refilling station about their latest maintenance and cleaning? I haven’t. But, I believe they should perform regular maintenance, cleaning, and regular filter changes. They should also dispose their dented and dirty containers, which bother me the most.
How about you? Is your purified water really safe?
*Photo: Grabbed from ehow.com
A visit to my OB-GYNE
After 6 months of taking Provera, I went to my OB-Gyne last Saturday to check the current condition of my PCOS. I was in Provera for 6 months to normalize my monthly period. But, on my fifth month, my menstruation was delayed for 2 weeks, which means that my menstruation is not yet normal. Thus, my OG-GYNE can’t prescribe the ovulation pill yet. She told me that it might be due to my weight loss and weight gain. So she told me that I really need to lose weight because it will help to normalize my menstruation.
I started counting calories on August 1 and I am trying very hard to consume about 1200 calories per day. I’m also planning to run at least three times a week to burn more calories. I also wish I could join the aerodancing group here in our community but my morning schedule won’t fit with the aerodancing class schedule because I have to prepare Andre for school. A friend also suggested me to try fitness wii game like wii fit Plus so that I could work out indoors. Sigh. There are various options to lose weight. All I need is the will power, motivation, and self-discipline. I hope this time my greatest struggle to weight loss would be a success. We really want to have another baby because Andre is already turning 6 next year. I thank my husband for supporting me with my weight loss goal. We are avoiding heavy dinner and are starting to eat less at night.
Wish me luck.
Health awareness
More people are becoming health conscious these days. I have friends getting involved in fun runs. Some of them, including my eldest sister, are into zumba workouts. I even got into aerodancing but stopped for a while because my summer has been so busy. I’ve been Andre’s driver and “alalay” during his summer activities, like summer swim lesson and the McDonalds summer Kiddie crew program. Now that the classes will start tomorrow, I hope I could go back to aerodancing. I can now attend the workout after Andre left for school at 7AM. I’m glad that they have re-scheduled the workout to 7AM from the previous 6AM schedule because most of the members are stay-at-home moms.
