Alaska Run Fest 2011

Running is an activity you can spend with your kids. Because the family that runs together stays forever.
Alaska is giving you and your kids the chance to run together this coming May.

How to Loose Weight this Holy Week

1. Biking

Biking is a good exercise. A few days ago I joined the massive bike ride of the 13th tour of the fireflies. I lost 2 lbs. after biking for almost 5 hours. Medyo masakit sa puwet pero I am happy because we also did it for clean air.




2. Running

Yes it's true that running can help you loose weight. I lost 1 lb. during the Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2011 last April 10, 2011 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig



3. Playing Ultimate Frisbee

When I have free time I go to UP Sunken Garden to play Ultimate Frisbee, it's an effective way to loose weight because it involves a lot of running, so you really sweat a lot when you play this.



4. Swimming

And of course, swimming. Nothing beats a natural way of loosing weight with swimming. My friend Jayson Biadog swims and this is his way of loosing weight.



How about you what do you do to loose weight?

Coughing myths and cures

[caption id="attachment_1476" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The best home remedies are 1) increased fluid intake, 2) eating healthy, and 3) getting lots of rest."][/caption]
Coughing is one health condition we have encountered at least a dozen times in our lives. Some people even go to the extent of using various remedies and treatments available in their quest to relieve their cough.

However, there are many misconceptions and non-scientific practices in the treatment of cough, which may even prove detrimental to our health in the long run.


One popular practice is eating hot soup to help cure coughs and colds. While this practice does help soothe an irritated throat, it does not, unfortunately, help cure one’s cough.

Reliance on chemical medications may be second-nature to most people, but there are hidden hazards to such a practice. Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com), a respected medical research organization of around 2,500 physicians, warns against giving children “two medicines with the same active ingredients, such as an antihistamine, decongestant, or pain reliever.” “Too much of a single ingredient could lead to an accidental overdose,” it says.

There are likewise certain ingredients in some chemical-based cough medications that may cause serious and even life-threatening effects in children.

Codeine, which is found in cough suppressants, for example, may have adverse effects on the central nervous system. Dextromethorpan (DXM), meanwhile, may lead to serious side effects such as brain damage, seizure, loss of consciousness and irregular heartbeat if not formulated properly.

Cough preparations such as Carbocisteine have valid use only in persons suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).


The Philippine College of Chest Physicians recommends and advocates the following as best home remedies against cough : 1) Increased fluid intake; 2) lots of rest and 3) good nutrition. However, there may be times when you need added help to reduce the severity and duration of your cough, without necessarily resorting to chemical-based medicines that may have side effects. Your natural remedy? Take Lagundi.

Philippine traditional medicine have long proven the efficacy of the Lagundi plant in treating cough, as well as other common ailments such as fever, headache, toothache, asthma, and even superficial bleeding. Through the years, modern science has also validated Lagundi’s power as an effective and safe cough and asthma remedy, through various clinical studies.

So what’s your best solution against cough? It’s the proven combination of nature and science— made from 100-percent Lagundi leaves, like ASCOF Lagundi.
Clinical trials show that Lagundi is much safer because it does not have the harmful side effects usually associated with chemical cough medicines. It works in three ways : one, it opens up the bronchial tubes to facilitate airflow, therefore making it easier to breathe; two, it dissolves mucus so it’s easier to expel; and three, it reduces the inflammation in the respiratory passages due to its anti-histaminic action.
ASCOF’s efficacy and safety as a cough remedy is backed by two decades of research and analysis conducted by the National Integrated Research Program of Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP), a consortium of top medical and academic institutions and scientists in the country.

What’s more, ASCOF Lagundi, a product of Pascual Laboratories, Inc., is a convenient remedy for cough. It is available in tablet, capsule and syrup formats, and are available at leading drugstores nationwide.

So the next time you treat your cough, separate the myths from the true cure – reach for the natural and safe remedy that will effectively relieve you without any worries.

Are you Broken Hearted?

It takes long to heal a broken heart, but there are studies that art can be an outlet or tool for fixing it. It's hard when your heart is aching, you job, your hobbies or even your friends doesn't give you joy anymore.

I noticed that some of the great songs of famous artists were inspired by their love stories, and most them were about heartaches, yes it's true that great love songs came from an idea of an artist's broken heart.

I think this also applies to art. When your heart is aching and you feel like drawing, then by all means go ahead. You can have your pen and paper and express what you feel into it.

You can easily move on when you divert things you can't accept into something that you do appreciate. Because you know that when you give your best to it you'll learn to see things you love. And that is something that will never break your heart anymore.

So Love your Art and Learn to Move On.

easy and effective arthritis pain relief tips

Think you can't stop that arthritis pain? Great news! You can act now. Get super easy and effective arthritis pain relief tips from arthritis experts and make your life with arthritis a little easier now.

Protect your joints. Don't keep your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Balance your rest and work throughout the day. Use the strongest joints available for the job.

Stretch it. Stretching should be part of every arthritis patient's daily routine. A good stretch helps prevent injuries by warming up muscles and tendons which are more limber and less likely to tear. Spend at least 10 minutes each day stretching, and work each major muscle group.

Cool it down. Stop physical activity. Rest in a cool/shaded environment. Spray with a mist of cool water or wrap an ice pack or cold compress in a towel and apply it to reduce arthritis pain and swelling.

Get moving. Exercise can help reduce joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility and muscle strength. It can also help with weight control, stress management, and make you feel better overall. The Arthritis Foundation also offers water exercise and other classes.

Get a massage. Massage therapy can relieve your pain, soothe stiff sore muscles, reduce inflammation and swelling. Make sure you use oil or cream on your fingers to make it mroe gentle. Work the area for five to ten minutes a day if possible.

Keep your weight in balance. Being overweight, even just moderately, impacts weightbearing joints and can increase the pain of arthritis. Studies have indicated that losing extra weight lowers the risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee. Losing weight can help slow the progression of arthritis too.

Get a diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling for more than 1 weeks, you should consider seeing your doctor and getting a diagnosis. Remember that there are more than 100 types of arthritis. It is important to get the specific diagnosis for the type of arthritis you have.

Take your medication the right way. Don't stop taking your medication just because you feel it is not working. Check with your doctor first. You need to understand that it may take several days to several months for a medication to become effective.

Look out for new options. Recently FDA has approved some new drugs for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritis diseases. If feel that the current medication doesn't work well, check with your doctor about possible new options.

Keep educating yourself. It is important to learn something new about arthritis. Find some good websites online and subscribe to their newsletter if they have it. Join one of two active online arthritis communities like forums or bulletin board. Never hesitate to see your doctors and ask questions.

Ways to Boost Your Energy

It's everyones goal - to be more energetic during the day. By nature you go through periods of higher activity which contrasts with times of relaxation. The problem occurs when more energy and concentration is required more than we can give. Or when we try to sleep and can’t.

Ways to Boost Your Energy

1) Stay on a regular sleep schedule. You can’t stay up late during the week-end and suddenly on Monday morning wake up refreshed. If you do enjoy later nights on Friday and Saturday vow to get to bed early on Sunday to wake up rested.

2) Avoid sugar and caffeine. Eat some protein and foods with a bit of fat in the morning. The brain needs protein and the body does not store it. You don’t have to eat very much- a glass of low fat milk, a piece of cheese, or a handful of nuts will get you going instead of pure carbohydrates like a plain bagel.

3) Take a 5-10 minute power nap around lunch. Even if you just close your eyes and let your mind drift you will be refreshed for the afternoon. This is also effective anytime you feel yourself not concentrating, reading the same material over and over. Give in to the urge and completely relax for a few moments.

 

4) Drink more water and liquids. I know, everyone says to drink more fluids. But most Americans are in a constant state of dehydration from filling up on coffee, tea, and sodas with caffeine. This is very stressful to the kidneys and can cause irritation to the bladder. Keep a sports bottle filled with your favorite flavored water or just plain and keep it with you at all times. Set a goal- empty by lunch, refill, empty again by the time work is over. Carry plenty of water in the car too for you and your family.

5) Live Positively, Exercise regularly. This is easier said than done with a busy schedule. A poor conditioning level causes you to be short-of-breath and your heart to race when just doing simple things like climbing a flight of steps or doing household chores. Park farther away when shopping and walk Dust off that exercise machine or get an exercise tape to play when weather is bad. Set an example for the rest of your family and maybe they will join in too!



6) A joke a day keeps the doctor away. Laughter has many beneficial effects on the body. The brain chemicals for experiencing pleasure, happiness, and peace increase with good, hearty laughs. Live alone? Get a funny movie or watch a light-hearted comedy on tv. Nothing sarcastic or put-down, however.

7) Avoid confrontations and situations with negative people.

You know who they are. They are not going to change but they will bring you and your mood down. The complainers, gossipers, and generally unhappy souls we all have to deal with on a day-to-day basis drain our energy if we allow them. Be polite but avoid arguing or getting hooked into listening to their constant problems.

8) Take regular, daily supplements of the highest quality.

Our food and diets simply do not meet the amounts needed for maximum health. There is a difference between avoiding nutritional deficiencies and optimum performance.

 

 

 

AVIDA Land Corp. breaks ground at Bonifacio Global City, moves in at the home of passionate minds

[caption id="attachment_1457" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="(L-R) Dez Cruz, Residential Buildings Head; Divine Lopez, Chief Finance Officer; Leo Montenegro, President; Bong Filart, Construction Management Group Head; Bobby Dy, Ayala Land Senior Vice President and Residential Business Group Head; Chris Maglanoc, Vice President and Project Strategic Management Group Head; and Mr. Ferdie Mangali, Human Resources and Customer Care Group Head. "][/caption]

Amidst the recognition it earned as it marked its 20th anniversary last year, Avida Land Corp. still won’t rest on its laurels. The company is in fact looking towards expanding its territory even further and breaking new grounds with new developments, as well as a new headquarters in its lineup.

As of 2010, Avida has produced around 40,000 fully constructed house and lot and condominium units, transformed close to 800 hectares of idle land into idyllic communities, and launched an impressive 38 projects in 16 locations across the country.

Good turnout in 2010
“There was a tremendous market turnout last year across the board that we have decided to revise our original plans to accommodate growing demands,” says Rex Mendoza, senior vice president of Ayala Land, Inc., the mother company of Avida.

Last year alone, it made around 10,000 units available to the market and added 102 hectares to its total land development.

Avida president Leo Montenegro agrees that the past year had been a good one for the property market as a whole.

“There were more launches from different companies, ergo more buyers. It also became more challenging to sell because of the competition,” he says.

Avida successfully overcame that challenge, banking on the talent and skills able group of men and women who have tirelessly worked towards making Avida what it is today.

And as a testimony to its faith to its products and people, Avida will soon relocate its headquarters in one of the most coveted addresses in the country—Bonifacio Global City.



[caption id="attachment_1459" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Avida employees proudly pose beside the scale model of Avida Towers Global City"][/caption]

Aiming higher
Dubbed as “the home of passionate minds”, Bonifacio Global City will serve as the perfect venue for Avida employees to hone their skills and passion in delivering quality and affordable homes to the country’s hardworking middle class.

Avida, in fact, is likewise introducing a community at the very sought-after location—Avida Towers Global City. Here, one will find quality condominium units amidst an exciting and pulsating environment surrounded by posh lifestyle establishments and dining destinations. It is an address, too, that is quite accessible through public transport and just a few minutes’ drive away from the Makati Central Business District.

Avida’s new headquarters will occupy two floors of Avida Towers Global City’s podium. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2012.

And as it continues to expand its territory and break new ground, expect more idyllic homes and communities for generations of Filipinos to enjoy.

[caption id="attachment_1461" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The soon-to-rise Avida Towers Global City offers affordable living in one of the most sought-after addresses in the country. "][/caption]