My Top 12 Inexpensive Healthy Habits

I remember a famous song that goes, “The best things in life are free.”  And I say the things that help us stay happy and healthy in life are indeed free.  Isn’t that good news?  Thank God!

Here are the top 12 INEXPENSIVE (generally FREE) habits that I discovered to help us prevent sickness and stay healthy:

1.  Get enough sleep – Sleep plays an important role in promoting physical health, longevity, and emotional well-being.  This explains why, after a good night’s sleep, you feel better, your thoughts are clearer, and you feel more receptive.  Without adequate sleep, judgment, mood, and ability to absorb and retain information are weakened.  Sleep helps repair our body and strengthens our ability to fight infection.  Sleep helps keep our heart healthy.  It also helps improve our memory.  A good night’s sleep can also help lower blood pressure and elevated levels of stress hormones.  Sleep helps control body weight issues and helps reduce your chances of diabetes.

How much sleep do you need?  As indicated in the chart below, sleep requirements vary by age, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Sleep Requirements by Age

Newborns (0-2 months old)	12-18 hours
Infants (3-11 months old)	14-15 hours
Toddlers (1-3 years old)	12-14 hours
Preschoolers (3-5 years old)	11-13 hours
School-aged Children (5-10 years old)	10-11 hours
Teens (11-17 years old)	8-9 hours
Adults	7-9 hours

Sleep is free.  In order to have the energy to exercise, eat right, think clearly and simply be at your best, you need to be well rested.

My Heart Goes Out to Japan

My heart goes out to all the people living in Japan (and to those who have relatives there) in this time of devastating calamity in their country.  As I watch the news on t.v. and see the photos in the internet, I couldn’t help but imagine how difficult it must be for people loosing their properties and personal possessions, and how painful it must be for people loosing their loved ones and people finding loved ones who are still lost.

I personally admire how the Japanese people have shown incredible strength and solidarity through this very difficult time.  Despite of the tragedy that happened, their love and loyalty to their country remain.  Some nationals could have opted to leave their country and find a safer refuge with their families abroad, but they have made a great sacrifice to remain and help their country get up from this unexpected fall.  And they are optimistic that, as a nation with great confidence in their government, they will be able to surpass this great trial.  What a great time to teach our children about real heroes.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Looking at what happened to our children over the weekend in a different light, I realized how wonderfully God formed the human body.  Every internal and external organ and every body part, to the tiniest details, have all been carefully planned and thought of to function uniquely, cohesively and purposefully.  It is said that the human body is the greatest machine on earth.  Isn't that amazing? Nerve signals travel through muscles at speeds as fast as 200 miles per hour.  The brain puts out enough electric power to light a 20-watt light bulb.  If our leg muscles moved as fast as our eye muscles, we could walk over fifty miles in one day!  And according to scientists, bone is among the strongest building materials known to humankind.  In addition, God has given our body the ability to heal itself and defend itself from unwanted microorganisms, if only we respond with proper care and not abuse it.  He has also given us a wide variety of natural resources that our bodies can take, if only we utilize them wisely.

In Psalm 139:14 it says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  When God created us, He made us exactly the way He planned.  He planned who our parents will be.  He planned our size, the color of our eyes and skin, even how many hair strands we have on our head, everything about us!  Even before we were in our mother’s womb, His plans were all carefully laid out for us.

Mama, I Am Sick

Just an hour past midnight of Friday, I heard my 4-year old son crying and looking for me.  I thought he just had a bad dream, and so I just tried putting him back to sleep. While caressing him, I noticed that his forehead was a bit hot, and then when I touched his body, it was warm too.  I already hoped and prayed that he will not get sick.  But lo and behold, when we woke up Saturday morning, he was still hot and not in his usual active self.  Reality sank in that he was indeed sick when I checked his temperature in the thermometer.   And he told me, “Mama, sick si Gio” (“Gio is sick”).  I really cannot pin point what exactly may have caused his fever because there were no other symptoms except fever, but I hoped and prayed that it was just viral.

Nowadays, whenever my children get fever, the over-the-counter paracetamol is no longer the immediate solution for me.  If the fever is mild to moderate, I just let the fever run its course but I make sure to closely monitor my sick child for occurrence (or worsening) of other symptoms, if any, as well as checking the temperature of the fever (if it will go up very high) and the duration (if it will last for more than 3 days as it may not be a basic fever and a symptom for a more serious condition).  I learned, through personal research and from my children’s Natural Med Pediatrician, that it’s best to “support” the fever rather than going immediately to the medicine cabinet for a fever-reducing paracetamol (or acetaminophen) and administering it to the sick child.

Massage: Caring Touch for Children

Providing gentle massage to my children is one of the great joys I have ever experienced as a mother.  Ever since they were a baby, I try to give them short but gentle message, not only to relax their muscle, but as a great bonding moment with my baby as well.  I didn't take up any infant massage lessons, though.  It was just a simple gentle, soothing touch that maybe came out naturally as a "loving" mother.  Even until now that they are a little older, I still usually spend time giving them my T.L.C. or "tender loving caress", that's a soothing, sometimes tickling (according to them!), massage with lots of hugs and kisses and "I love yous",  at night before putting them to sleep.

As the long history of massage shows, there are many wonderful physical and emotional benefits an infant (and pediatric) massage can give to both child and parents.  Not only can a massage be a relaxing, bonding time for us (parents) and our little one, studies have shown that a nurturing touch also promotes physiological, neurological, and psychological development.   Even children with cerebral palsy, cancer and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can benefit from this "touch therapy".  According to "Gentle Hands: A Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Healthy Massage to Children", some of the many benefits of infant and baby massage include:

Why "Natural"?

I mentioned in my “About” page that I am into natural medicine for several years now.  Although more and more are turning to this kind of alternative medicine, majority, of course, are still into the traditional one.  And you may wonder why I took another (unconventional) “road less traveled”?

First, let me give you a little background about myself.

As far as I can remember, I was a sickly child.  I was born "post-mature".  A few days after my mother and I were discharged, I was already back in the hospital due to fever.  I grew up going in and out of the hospital due to various illnesses, mostly in the upper respiratory system.   When I was young, I was always excused from P.E. (physical education class) due to asthma and bronchitis.  I grew up being bombarded with a lot of antibiotics, antihistamines and other drugs, and I have undergone 2 surgeries (both general anesthesia) at a young age.  Like most people, my family and I relied on conventional health and medical  professionals.  I obediently take whatever drug or medication prescribed to me to "get me well".  And this practice just went on and on, and did the same to my own family now.   I thought maybe, with all the drugs that I have taken ever since I was a baby and with my toxic lifestyle, even my reproductive system got affected.  But God has been good to me and my husband, after five years of marriage, He has blessed us with two little "angels", though after I surpassed 1 myomectomy and 2 series of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

More Summer Activities for Kids

Although I noticed it's been drizzling most of the days this week, most schools are already finishing up with their lessons because summer break is almost near.  Ah summer!  I hope it will not be a "rainy" summer vacation for the kids.

Here's one more invitation I received for a cool summer fun activity for kids from ActiveFun (Fun Ranch).  For more information, you may visit any of the ActiveFun branches nearest you or you may email them at info@activefun.ph.

For a list of more summer activities for kids, you may want to visit Smart Parenting's website at http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/summer-activities/ and find out where you can enroll your kid(s) this coming summer.  Have a cool and fun-filled summer ahead!

Baking / Cooking Workshops for Adults & Kids

Here's another invitation I got from San Miguel Great Food Club, this time, where I am a member.

  

If your child is not the artistic type but is interested to learn how to cook or bake, the Kid's Kitchen Camp offered by San Miguel Purefoods Culinary Center might be for your little one.  And if you are on the same boat, who wants to cook or bake but does not know how, workshops for adult beginners are likewise being offered separately.  On the other hand, if you are simply looking for a business opportunity in the food industry, their B.O.S. (or Business Opportunity Series) might just be right for you.

A Summer Art Workshop

My little "Girl Angel" has always been fond of drawings and, recently, paintings.  Her favorite subject in her drawings is always a picture of a happy family.  Our family, actually.  Last Christmas, a friend of mine gave my "Girl Angel" a coloring book with paint and paintbrush attached on the book cover.  She enjoyed painting it, and has finished all the pages of the book, and felt very proud of her work.  Since then, she became inspired in developing more her painting skill.  Even though she's not that serious yet, I can see that the interest in her is there, and she's enjoying what she's doing.  And when asked what she wanted to take up this summer or what activity she would be interested to join, she told me that she wanted to join an art workshop.  And good thing, I found out about Hobbes and Landes' offering entitled "Around the World in 10 Days: 2011 Summer Art Workshop".  I became interested in it since it's the nearest one I could find, and the line up of activities sounds exciting and I thought perhaps something educational for the kids, as well.

This is happening at Hobbes and Landes Bonifacio High Street on April 4-25 (Session 1) and on May 2-23 (Session 2).  Thank you so much to Hobbes and Landes for answering my inquiry right away, and now I'm sharing to you the "frequently asked questions and answers" about the workshop.

1. What is TASK?

- TASK is an acronym for The Art School for Kids.

 2. What are the different activities of the workshop?

-Students can anticipate making crafts other countries are known for. Some of the activities that we will be doing include Indonesia's Batik Painting, America's Tie Dye, Japan's Origami and Italy's Glass Painting (please refer to the activity 

Line-up for more examples).

3. What kind of materials will be used?

- Basic art materials such as canvas, different types of art papers, blocks of clay, crayons, paint and glitters will be used for all the activities.  The teachers/moderators will ensure proper safety when children are handling the materials.

4. How will the workshop be conducted?

Each workshop session will focus on one country where the day’s activity will be based. Students will get to learn some interesting trivia and facts about the country being featured. In addition, students will also be taught of featured country’s geography. This is to make sure that the children do not only learn crafts but facts as well.

* Who will conduct the workshop? How many moderators are there?

- There are three (3) teachers/moderators per class.

-  The workshop moderators are all graduates of Art Courses from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City . (Anna Cristobal: Fine Arts; Bianca Esguerra: Art Studies and Maita Lupac: Film and Audio-Visual Communication)

5. How old is the minimum/maximum age of students that can enroll?

- The workshop will cater to children ages 4-10 years old.

6. Where will the workshop take place? Is it available in other branches as well? 

- The workshop will take place at Hobbes and Landes Bonifacio High Street and will not be available at any branch. 

7. What is the schedule of the workshop?

The workshop will be available from April 4 - 25 (1st batch) and May 2 - May 23 (2nd batch). To be held every Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 1:30pm - 3:30pm in Hobbes and Landes, Bonifacio High Street.

8. How many sessions does the workshop have?

- The workshop has a total of 10 sessions per class.

9. How much is the workshop fee?

- The workshop fee is P5,500 inclusive of all the materials and VAT. Pre-registration required for slot confirmation (limited slots available). Pay the registration fee at any of the following Hobbes & Landes branches: Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Rockwell Power Plant and Greenhills Promenade.

11. Why are there limited slots? (max of 15 students per class only)?

- Limited slots are available to ensure the right number of students. The teachers/moderators want to make sure that each child gets proper attention and guidance as they work on the activities.

12. What if I still want to enroll my child when the workshop has already started?

- Late enrollees will be entertained only if the number of students has not been reached. Considering the maximum number has not been reached, they will still pay in full if they had only missed the 1st-5th sessions, but if they enroll when the class is already at their 6th - 10th session, the tuition fee will be reduced by 50%.

13. What if I only want to enroll my child during some of the workshop days?

Walk-in participants are welcome as long as the maximum number of students has not been reached. Walk-in rate is Php 750.00 per class.

14. What don I need to bring on the first day of the workshop?

Please bring original receipt of workshop payment and get ready to interact with other children. Be friendly and have fun making arts and crafts!

15. In case the student can’t attend the class on a specified day

Please inform the teacher prior date of absence or call Hobbes and Landes, Bonifacio High Street at 8560935. Student can make-up for the missed class by making the craft on the day he/she goes back to class.

16. If you have further inquiries:

Please email us at mail@hobbesandlandes.com 

LIST OF ACTIVITIES

Session 1

DAY 1
Country:	PHILIPPINES
Art Activity:	Canvas Bag Painting and Paint your own flags
DAY 2
Country:	CHINA
Art Activity:	Paper Making and Chinese Dragon Magnets
DAY 3
Country:	INDIA
Art Activity:	Canvas Painting and Accessory Design
DAY 4
Country:	JAPAN
Art Activity:	Japanese wind sock and Origami Collage
DAY 5
Country:	INDONESIA
Art Activity:	Batik Shirt Making and Indonesian Puppet Making
DAY 6
Country:	CAMBODIA
Art Activity:	Weaving and Clay Sculpting
DAY 7
Country:	THAILAND
Art Activity:	Mask Painting and Sand Art
DAY 8
Country:	KOREA
Art Activity:	Korean Fans and Korean Lanterns Making
DAY 9
Country:	MALAYSIA
Art Activity:	Painting and Make your own Kite
DAY 10
Country:	SINGAPORE
Art Activity:	Design your own notebook covers and Photoframe

Session 2

DAY 1
Country:	ROME (Italy)
Art Activity:	Stained Glass Painting and Clay Scuplting
DAY 2
Country:	BRAZIL (Mardi Gras)
Art Activity:	Mask Painting and Bead/Bangle Painting
DAY 3
Country:	AUSTRALIA (Aboriginal Art)
Art Activity:	Aborginal Dot Art and Paperweight Painting
DAY 4
Country:	MEXICO
Art Activity:	Sombrero/Pot Painting and Make your own Maracas
DAY 5
Country:	RUSSIA
Art Activity:	Nesting dolls/owls and painting activity
DAY 6
Country:	USA
Art Activity:	Tie Dye Shirt and Bandana Painting
DAY 7
Country:	FRANCE
Art Activity:	Canvas Painting and French Braided Bracelets, Anklets and Zipper Pulls
DAY 8
Country:	AFRICA
Art Activity:	Pathwork Quilt Notebook Cover and African Drums
DAY 9
Country:	GREECE
Art Activity:	Mosaic Art in Cermaic cups and plates
DAY 10
Country:	OUR WORLD
Art Activity:	Decopatch Photoframe and Special Activity