Friday, October 31, 2008
As I am about to go back tow ork 4 weeks from now, I have already psyched myself that I will get into a lot of stress (again). Before checking my yahoo mail, I came across this article from yahoo health. So I want to share this with all of you.

Chronic stress seems to be our national disease, especially these days. Millions suffer from symptoms of stress: nervous tension, restless sleep, difficulty focusing and remembering, irritability, and health complications. Generally speaking, stress speeds up aging. Learn the ways to manage stress, and you will look and feel younger.

1. Start your day with meditation
Spend time every day in meditative relaxation, with calming music if you desire. Start with five minutes and work your way to 15 or 20 minutes each day. Meditation is your number one way to reduce the output of stress hormones and avoid adrenal exhaustion, serious threats to your health.

Try this Stress Release Meditation: Breathe consciously, relax, and with each exhale focus on relaxing each area of your body in sequence, starting from the top of your head and moving all the way down to your toes.

2. Manage your mood with diet and herbs
Chinese Medicine considers the liver to be the center of your emotions. To allay stress and balance your emotions, keep your liver healthy and happy:

• Every day, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, barley grass, seaweed - anything high in chlorophyll - to keep the liver in good health.

• Take 500 mg dandelion daily for a month or longer to cleanse the liver and help release built-up anger.

• Take 400 mg white peony root daily for 1 to 3 months to soothe the liver and balance your mood.

• Schisandra berry protects the liver from chemicals and calms the spirit. For emotional anxiety, take 200 mg daily for a month.

Take these herbs anytime during the day and before bed in tea or capsule form. All the herbs are available from health food stores and Eastern medicine practitioners. Many of my patients have had remarkable results with Calm-Fort Elixir, an all-natural formulation of herbs to calm your spirit. For more information, click here.

3. Suppress stress with positive thinking
Instead of letting your thoughts run wild with anxiety, say affirmations to yourself, such as "I can handle the tasks I have ahead of me. I enjoy my responsibilities and fulfill them well." In fact, repeating positive affirmations can actually suppress the cortisol that the adrenal gland releases in times of stress - leaving you peaceful and calm.

4. Get stress out of your head and on paper
Writing in a journal every day can help you release thoughts and emotions that are causing you stress. Write from the position of an observer, recording your thoughts without any judgments. Just write it down so that you can see clearly what is going on inside. The next step is to identify the source of any anger or stress so you can begin to make changes. Looking into your thoughts give you the opportunity to gain insight into your feelings and reflect the underlying issues.

5. Unblock tension with exercise
The constant pressures of your job and family can lead to chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is a direct cause of muscle and joint pain. Clenched jaw? Lump in your throat? Chronic back and neck pain? These can all be manifestations of stress in your body. Release physical tension and clear these emotional blockages by using massage therapy, exercise, yoga, tai chi, or qi gong to get the circuits moving.

6. A Retreat to Avoid Burnout
Overloading your brain is a recipe for stress and health problems. Information overload is particularly harmful at midlife because we have less tolerance for stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Press the "reset" button on yourself. Give yourself a retreat from the stresses of modern life. Take one day out of the seven-day week to minimize "screen" time. Don't watch TV, don't check email, and don't look at the news - it will be there tomorrow, and after a day of rest, you will be refreshed and ready to look at them.

7. Perspective from the Natural World
Use nature to reduce stress. Go outside, hike in the woods, walk on the beach, anything that puts you in contact with the natural world. It is difficult to feel stressed when you are surrounded by nature's abundance of vitality and wonder.

I hope you find the ways to have less stress! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

-Dr. Mao

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posted by russtot at 3:21 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Monday, October 27, 2008
Big Boy TJ!
It's been a month since my big boy popped out from my Wife's belly. And yes today is his 1st month birthday. My wife prepared a tiny celebration with some food to share with my sisters and our maids in my parent's house in Cavite. Here are the little moment that my little boy will remember forever:








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posted by russtot at 2:57 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
What to give this Christmas
It's only 64 days before Christmas. Holiday season is really fast approaching and I have to schedule Terrence's christening before Christmas. Too bad though that his Dad won't be here with us to celebrate his christening and Christmas. Our wedding anniversary is close to Christmas too (December 22). I don't know yet what to give hubby for his birthday and Christmas but for sure, I'm gonna give him one of those photo holiday cards just to make a difference from the usual greeting cards.

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posted by russtot at 8:09 AM | Permalink | 1 comments
More on my Online Store
Just in case I haven't posted about this yet, I have just set up an online store through my multiply account. I am selling Victoria's Secret, Old Navy and branded perfumes items just to name a few. Just because a lot of mommies in the yahoo support group for moms have thought of "inventing" their own products, I am now thinking of creating affordable gift baskets for baby showers. I just have to figure out the (cheap) essentials I have to include in the basket.

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posted by russtot at 7:46 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A Long Repertoire
Terrence just had a "concert" last night. His repertoire was so long. He finsihed his singing stint only at 6am. I admit, I became impatient last night for I didn't know how to pacify my little peanut. It's just too frustrating. he's just been fed, his diaper has just been changed. I even satisfied his bisyo (karga) but to no avail. Then I remember the pacifier thermometer that hubby sent me.


Oh good Lord! The pacifier was a great relief. And I also figured out that he doesn't like the AC system running. Hindi sya comfortable sa cold weather. So I had to turn it off. Naka electric fan lang kami. Good boy! Tipid sa kuryente. Hehehehe! Despite of all teh hassles, this picture put a smile on my face.

Ako si Superman!!!

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posted by russtot at 10:30 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Diamond Peel
The aftermath of my pregnancy gave me some skin problems. No, I don't need an acne treatment but I need to have a diamond peel treatment. I noticed that I have too many dead skin cells and I need to get rid of it. Since Terrence's christening will be in 2 months, I need to be very keen on my expenses. I need to get the best deal I could get from my limited budget. I need to buy make ups, some nice office and casual clothes. I need to bring back my old self. Or should I say I need to 'beautify' myself again. LOL In any case, I'll make sure that I am going to be a wise spender- really.

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posted by russtot at 10:26 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
More on Phones
The news of smuggled items that was raid by NTC in Baclaran really got my attention. A couple of months back, I purchased a cell phone in St. Francis Square. At that time, I wasn't really aware of how clone/china phones look liked. I was conned. After 3 days of enjoying my new phone, it broke down so I had to return it to the store.

On the other hand. my brother has asked me how much does iPhone costs in US. I told him that he can purchase the 3G iPhone in ebay for $700 (around P30,000). It's still cheaper compared to Globe's promotion of P42,000. Though most iPhones that are being sold are locked to its respective network providers, there lots of unlocked cell phones being sold in ebay and that includes the very much in-demand 3G iPhone. I know that hubby is drolling over this gadget. I am still figuring out whether I should buy a DSLR or an iPhone for him.

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posted by russtot at 10:10 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Mommy and Baby Time
I am really enjoying the "mommy/baby" time that I get to spend with my little bundle of joy, every each day. This also means that I get to watch prime time soap operas- something I have never done in 5 years(?) time. I love Dyosa. I love "I love Betty" even more. Though "Kahit Isang Saglit" looks pretty interesting, the plot of the story gets me bored. I even wonder on whether PDEA uses micro sd just like what the FBI and CIA of USA do.

I am now back in Cavite. I brought along the DVDs that I bought in St. Francis Square. I am now back to my court room drama series addiction. :)

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posted by russtot at 9:50 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Friday, October 10, 2008
Top 10 Scariest New Car Features

I got to read this very interesting article right before I signed in on my yahoo email. You might find this interesting and helpful too.

10. Rain-Sensing Wipers

Rain-sensing windshield wipers have crept from high-end luxury cars to everyday models like the Toyota Avalon. They generally use infrared sensors to monitor a certain section of the windshield for moisture or dirt, then trigger the wipers to respond according to a threshold the driver sets. They usually work OK — until, invariably, they don't. When one editor's Volkswagen Jetta tester had its rain-sensing wipers suddenly spring to action one cloudless night, it was mildly frightening, to say the least.


9. Soda Can Cool Zone

Various automakers offer air-conditioned compartments to keep sodas and other sundries cool. Problem is, those cool zones get hot in the summer when the car is off; we had a couple sodas explode in a certain Dodge after a 90-degree weekend. A spokeswoman told us the car's so-called Chill Zone is not intended to be used as a refrigerator. All the same, we came away a bit steamed. And sticky.


8. Smart Transmission

The Smart ForTwo deserves its own category. The minicar's automated-manual transmission shifts gears with its own electronic clutch while the driver sees a traditional automatic setup. Drive the thing and you feel like you're on a bucking bronco. Once you're through first gear, the transmission stutters, shudders and very nearly takes a personal day before engaging second. The same thing happens on the way to third, and fourth, and fifth. Sorry, Smart, but this gearbox is anything but.


7. Power-Sliding Doors

Parents, rest assured the power-sliding doors on upscale minivans employ all sorts of electronic cutoffs to ensure they won't eat your Brownie troop. But we'll admit the prospect of power doors that can do their thing by remote 20 or 30 feet away can be a bit, um, dicey. They can also add hundreds of dollars to a car's out-the-door sticker. If you're feeling the pinch, go with manual sliders and open 'em yourself.


6. Multi-Manual Owner's Booklets

The thought of wading through an owner's manual to figure out how something works is daunting enough. Try wading through 10 of them or more; that's the number of pamphlets, manuals and quick-start guides included in some cars' libraries. With online directories only a click away, do you really need a state-by-state list of dealerships? Memo to carmakers: Just because it goes in the glove box doesn't mean it needs to be a box set.


5. Self-Parking Cars

 Ian Merritt, Cars.com
Ian Merritt, Cars.com

Lexus' self-parking feature is optional on the LS sedan. Line up the superimposed square in the backup camera with your intended parking spot, gently let off the brakes and the LS will slowly steer around adjacent cars as it backs into the spot. You have to press the brakes to bring the car to a stop at the end. We didn't know Big Brother had a valet job, either.


4. iDrive

Even among the trio of similar dashboard interfaces from Audi and Mercedes, BMW's iDrive is utter knobsense. Directional inputs send you to various submenus, but in most models there are no shortcut or previous-screen buttons around the knob. In many models, street labels sit on a horizontal plane no matter the direction of the street, and if you need to scroll along the map you have to spin the knob to move east/west, then click it down and spin it again to move north/south. If you get the hang of it, you'll be ready for "Survivor" tryouts.


3. Voice Turn-by-Turn Navigation

Navigation systems have been barking out orders for years. With the exception of Land Rover's charming Brit, most of them employ a female American voice whose intonations range from casually disinterested to downright annoyed. Some systems try gamely to pronounce street names, but the result is usually anything but clear: You're cruising along, and she suddenly directs you to turn left on ... what was that? Ah, Fockner Ave.


2. Heart-Rate Monitor

You read correctly. Volvo's Personal Car Communicator monitors the cabin and pulses a light on your keyfob if your car has an unexpected visitor inside. TV ads show a woman approaching her S80 in a deserted parking garage, seeing the warning and hightailing it away. The thought of having this feature is scary in and of itself — not for fear of being carjacked, but because we wonder what sort of paranoia would drive you to want it.


1. Overly Aggressive Seats

Driver's seats run the gamut, from flat benches to the sort of hip-huggers you'd get in an F-15, and some of the more extravagant ones don't sit so well with us. The BMW 7 Series offers a massaging driver's seat, but its throbbing motions feel downright Frankensteinian compared to a real massage. In some of Mercedes-Benz's pricier models, active side bolsters automatically inflate to hold you in as you take a corner. They're convenient on highway offramps and winding roads, but 90-degree city turns can result in sudden rib pinching as the seats go hog-wild to keep up. Avoid large spicy meals beforehand — or wade through the Benz's onboard computer menus to turn the feature off.

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posted by russtot at 4:26 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Thursday, October 2, 2008
More Stories Soon
I am still on the process of composing my birthing stories. Even hubby doesn't know yet the details of my journey towards motherhood. As much as I want to finish my story, I just don't have enough energy to do so. I was in the hospital, my blood pressure would erratically go down from 80/60 from the normal 120/80. Now that I am already home here in Cavite, I would sometimes feel dizzy. How I wish we have a portable blood pressure monitor so that I can consistently keep track of my BP.

I promise to share you my birthing stories real soon...

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posted by russtot at 4:27 AM | Permalink | 0 comments
On Real Property Investment
While I am reading Francis Magalona's blog, my sister in law asked my opinion on whether its more practical to buy a lot in Cavite or in Navotas. Getting real property investment surely takes a lot of consideration. Their fish broker business is in Navotas while their family ties are in Cavite. Aside from that, they also have to consider the location of the lot itself. It would be nice if the'll get a lot that has the same amenities as the Wilmington NC real estate lots.

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posted by russtot at 3:59 AM | Permalink | 0 comments