Top 10 Foods for Better skin for Moms

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Jeannine

Let’s face it, there’s only a handful of those who are able to inherit good genes and never need to worry much about their appearance and body after becoming a mom. Then there are also those who resort to relying on cosmetic surgery and technology to keep and bring back their youthful looks.

Then there’s the majority of us. A collective of those who resort to doing things the natural way by exercising to keep ourselves fit, mindfully eating, and simply trying our best to live our lives the best way possible, and of course, some others who have given up and don’t care much. I hope you aren’t one of those. Always have the spirit to be your best. We only have one life, they say, so live it the best as you can!

There are so many kinds of diets nowadays to choose from but being a Filipina, who was brought up loving rice and meat, I choose to eat mindfully instead of restricting myself in eating different kinds of food to follow a specific diet. This way, I still get to enjoy the food I love eating without compromising my health.

That being said, I always resort to choosing the right kinds of food for my body to be able to use to rejuvenate my body and be what it is today, especially after being a mother. Trust me, a lot has changed!

From my hips not going back to what they used to look at, to my pregnancy appetite which doesn’t seem to wear off even if the last time I’ve given birth was 8 years ago, and let’s not forget, perhaps, also a sign of aging, my metabolism has drastically slowed down!

Anyways, not here to complain. Just stating the facts which I know most of you can relate to. So here is the list of food I try to consume and include in each meal I make at home.

Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation and keep skin moisturized.
Avocado is a great source of healthy fats and vitamin E, which helps protect skin from oxidative damage.
Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds, are rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants that can help protect and nourish the skin. My youngest is allergic to nuts, hence, our home has always been nut free since she had the prick test. I resort to having sunflower seeds instead!
Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body and is important for skin health. I’ve always loved sweet potatoes! Eating them as an unhealthy snack deep fried with coconut sugar in a skewer, or simply boiling/ baking them always makes my day!
Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help support overall skin health. Not much of a green-leafy person growing up but I’ve totally stepped up my game on this!
Berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, are high in antioxidants that can help protect the skin from damage and aging. Strawberries may be quite pricey here in Singapore so when we often resort to buying blueberries. I love putting them on smoothies!
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect the skin from sun damage. I’ve always loved tomatoes but since having Urticaria 3 years ago, I try not to consume tomatoes.
Green tea is high in polyphenols, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can benefit the skin. I used to be a coffee addict but due to its high histamine content, I needed to give that up. Tea has been my go-to nowadays!
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and flavanols, which can help protect skin from damage and improve skin hydration and texture.
Water is essential for healthy skin, as it helps to hydrate and flush out toxins from the body. Drinking plenty of water can help keep skin looking healthy and radiant.

Our skin is the largest organ in our body. Being human, we often include defining ourselves through our appearance. Taking care of our skin shouldn’t only be done by applying different creams on the outside. It’s always how we nourish it from the inside that we’ll be able to have that glowing skin we all want to achieve.

Reap the great benefits of meditation

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Jeannine

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the word, MEDITATION.

Unfortunately, despite all the great benefits we can get from this technique such as focusing your attention on a specific object, sound, or thought to help you achieve a state of relaxation and clarity of mind, only a few really practice it.

WHY?

Maybe it’s because what we only knew about meditation is sitting still while closing our eyes and trying not to sleep. Trust me, I’m also one of those who’ve got great misconceptions about meditation as well. Nowadays though, I’ve been reaping the fruits of what I’ve learned about how meditation is done and enjoying the great benefits of it which I love, specifically, the clarity of mind.

Let me share with you how meditation is done and how you can do this practice yourself and reap the fruits as well as I do!

Find a quiet and comfortable place: Choose a quiet and comfortable space where you can sit or lie down without being disturbed.

Get into a comfortable position: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position with your back straight and your hands resting on your lap or on your knees.

Set a timer: Set a timer for the amount of time you want to meditate, such as 5, 10, or 20 minutes.

Focus on your breath: Focus your attention on your breath as you inhale and exhale. You can count your breaths or simply observe them.

Notice when your mind wanders: When your mind starts to wander, simply notice it and gently bring your attention back to your breath.

Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to developing a regular meditation practice. Try to meditate for a few minutes every day, gradually increasing the amount of time you spend meditating.

And like every skill you want to hone, meditation takes time and practice to develop. Be patient with yourself and try not to judge your experience. Over time, you may find that meditation helps you feel more relaxed, focused, and centered.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.

Reasons why Financial Literacy is important

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Jeannine

My only memory of learning something about finances in school is about learning about money. It is more on the Philippine Peso denominations and simply how it could be used to buy.

Jumping into today, I’m happy to know that my daughter’s school includes financial literacy in its syllabus. Finally, the importance of why learning more about finances has been highlighted and included in the educational system. Unfortunately, this isn’t available in all schools yet, hence, if you’re keen on paving a better financial future for your children, I tell you, it takes more than paying tuition for a prestigious school for them to learn from the books.

The first teachers of children anyways are the parents, so why not extend those teachings to basic financial terms and money handling as well and not stop with values, manners, ABCs, and counting numbers?

Teaching children about financial literacy from a young age is crucial because it can help set them up for long-term financial success. Here are some reasons why:

Establishing good money habits early: By teaching children about the importance of budgeting, saving, and investing, they will be more likely to develop good financial habits early on. This can help them avoid common financial pitfalls later in life.
Building financial confidence: Understanding how money works and how to manage it can help children feel more confident and empowered in their financial decision-making. This can lead to a greater sense of independence and control over their financial future.
Avoiding debt: Children who understand the value of money and the importance of saving are less likely to fall into debt in the future. They will also be better equipped to manage debt if they do encounter it.
Planning for the future: Teaching children about financial planning and the importance of setting goals can help them prepare for their future. This includes understanding how to budget for future expenses such as college, buying a house, and retirement.

Overall, teaching children about financial literacy is important because it helps them develop healthy financial habits and prepares them for a financially stable future.

Do you agree that teaching financial literacy to children could help them improve how they value their earnings when they reach adulthood?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

Important Financial terms children need to learn made easy for

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Jeannine

Do you know that handling your finances is considered a form of self-care? We all know that Self-care involves taking deliberate actions to improve your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and managing your finances is an important aspect of this as well.

Good financial management can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. It can also help you feel more in control of your life and enable you to make better financial decisions that support your long-term goals.

Some examples of financial self-care include creating and sticking to a budget, saving for the future, paying off debt, and regularly reviewing your financial goals and progress. Additionally, seeking the advice of a financial professional can also be a form of self-care, as it can help you make informed decisions about your finances and reduce financial stress.

With all these things, don’t you think it’s important as a parent to start teaching your children early as well about financial literacy?

Teaching children about financial literacy from a young age is crucial because it can help set them up for long-term financial success. And as parents, that’s one of the many things we wish our children would be successful in the future as well.

Here are some basic terminology and examples that kids can understand.

1. Accounting
This is what you call when you keep track of where your money came from and where it goes, regardless if it’s a company/ business/ your own.

2. Accrual Accounting
It is the method of accounting that records transactions when they happen, not when the money is received or paid.

3. Cash Basis Accounting
It is the method of accounting that records transactions when the money is received or paid, not when they happen.

4. Income
This is the money you earn from doing work or selling something.

5. Expenses
This is the money you spend on things you need to run your company/business/finances.

6. Profit
This is the money you have left over after you subtract your expenses from your income.

7. Loss
This is when your expenses are more than your income.

8. Assets
These are the things you own that have value.

9. Liabilities
This is the money you owe to others.

10. Equity
This is the difference between your assets and liabilities.

11. Revenue
This is the total amount of money coming into your business.

12. Accounts payable
This is the money you owe to others for goods or services you’ve received but hasn’t paid for yet.

13. Accounts receivable
This is the money others owe you for goods or services you’ve provided but hasn’t been paid for yet.

14. Debits and Credits
This helps a company/ business/ individual make sure it has the right amount of money and things. These are also commonly called the two marks.

15. Income Statement
A financial statement that shows your revenue, expenses, and net income over a period of time.

16. Statement of Cash Flows
A financial statement that shows your revenue, expenses, and net income over a period of time.

17. General Ledger
When the company/ business/ individual buys or sells something, or pays or gets paid, it has to make two marks in its special book called the general ledger.

18. Balance Sheet
This is where you’ll see how much a company has, how much it owes, and how much is left for the company/ business/ yourself.

19. Charts of Accounts
This is the list of all the things it can put in its special book, and each thing has its own special number.

20. Cost Of Goods Sold
This is the cost of the materials used to make what you’re selling.

21. Operating Expenses
These are the costs of running your business, not including the cost of goods sold.

22. Gross Profit
This is the amount of money you have left over after subtracting the cost of goods sold from revenue.

23. Net Income
This is the amount of money you have left over after subtracting operating expenses from gross profit.

24. Depreciation
This is the decrease in the value of an asset over time.

25. Tax
Tax is money you pay to help the government do things like build roads, and schools to keep people safe.

Overall, teaching children about financial literacy is important because it helps them develop healthy financial habits and prepares them for a financially stable future.

How about you? When were you first educated about financial literacy? Do you agree that children should learn them as well while they are young?

Amazing reasons why journalling helps improve your mental health

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Jeannine

There’s much hype about journalling nowadays but do you know that you might be journalling way back without you knowing? Remember when you were little and were gifted a diary or urged your parents to buy you one? Yes! I’m talking about that notebook where you would write your crushes! Well, that’s basically journalling.

Journalling is simply a way of writing your thoughts. So whenever you find yourself writing around whatever you feel, no matter what paper that is, that’s journalling! People nowadays just want to call it a bit fancier, well, perhaps, journalling notebooks would exist?! They’re cute though, and I admit to having a couple for myself too! Why not, if it inspires you more to write your thoughts, right?!

With all the adulting responsibilities though, spending time to sit down and write our thoughts can sometimes feel like an added burden to many. That’s why it is important to know the benefits it can give you so you’ll know how much those few minutes you’re using (not wasting) can actually turn out to be an investment for your mental health and well-being in general.

Here are some ways that journaling can help:

Reduces stress: Journaling can help you release pent-up feelings and emotions, which can reduce stress and anxiety.
Helps you process your thoughts and emotions: Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you understand them better and process them in a healthy way.
Provides perspective: Journaling can help you gain a new perspective on a situation or problem, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Boosts creativity: Writing can be a creative outlet, and journaling can help you tap into your creative side and explore new ideas and thoughts.
Tracks progress: By keeping a journal, you can track your progress in different areas of your life, which can help you see how far you’ve come and motivate you to keep going.
Improves mood: Journaling can help you express gratitude, focus on positive experiences, and gain a sense of accomplishment, all of which can improve your overall mood.

Overall, journaling can be a helpful tool for managing stress, improving mood, and processing emotions in a healthy way.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with
Mads’ Cookhouse