I’ve found a better way to exercise. They say walking is a good form of exercise. Then walking is what I do at least twice a day. I’m walking with a buddy, the best companion yet. He is our dog Oreo. I started walking with Oreo since he learned to do his regular ritual outside our gate. I’m the (only) one who takes him out when his Dad (my hubby ) is not around. Oreo walks as far as he goes to look for his perfect spot. I really don’t know if walking with Oreo will help me shed a pound or two, but one thing is sure, I have the perfect excuse to stand from my computer chair and stretch even for half an hour. I don’t say it’s better than doing stationary exercises using yoga zafu, but at least, walking the dog is just the beginning of having a serious routine exercise.

A lot of good and not-so worthwhile things happened to my family this year.

In February, my kids were hospitalized for dengue fever. The only fund we have during that time was the 13th month pay that my husband received from his company. We were saving up that money to pay for the tuition fee when the problem happened.

But God is so good He never let anything bad to happen to my kids. While we were at the hospital, blessings came pouring in. Friends gave us some financial help to which I’m thankful for. I got a lot of assignments from a paid post company and direct earnings from an advertiser who paid a hefty sum for the ad links on my blogs. I’m most thankful for my dearest friend for the DA referral for without it we may not be able to pay some obligations and secure a part for the tuition.

Because of what happened to my kids, I realized that I need to get a health card for my family. Instead of paying cash, I can use the health card to pay for medical expenses. Now I’m thinking of securing a health card or avail cheap term life insurance next year. Like what elders always say, it pays to be ready all the time.

I found an interesting entry for Green Monday here. An old magazine clipping of mine.

Carpets and rugs harbor 100 time more disease-causing germs like dust mites, mold spores and dander. Not even your best vacuum cleaner can take deeply-seated dirt away in an instant. Sometimes you wish for a carpet and rug cleaner with rzr power steering capability to clean the stubborn dirt with ease.

Now, if you want to have a cleaner home and make your daily chores easier, you can replace your carpets or rugs with hardwood, linoleum or tile. Wood and tile are easy to clean and don’t cause as much allergies that causes congestion, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes.

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The manufacturers of medicine that used to treat seizures and migraines are facing legal issues in the United States. The medicine called Topamax was found to cause serious birth defects in unborn child such as oral cleft defects when expectant mommies take the medicine during the first three months of pregnancy. Topamax was once approved to treat seizures due to epilepsy and prevent migraine headaches. The topamax lawsuit arises from the increasing number of patients who suffered various health complications due to topamax intake.

A former officemate needs my help badly. She needs to find the list of Diet pills that work fast not for herself to take but as part of research she is doing at the moment. She wants to know the effect of diet pills as against natural method of losing weight. My friend is just a step away from finishing her masteral research paper. I promise to help her as soon as I finish my online assignments.

My kids and even hubby is persistent in telling me to find time to exercise because they can’t stand seeing me moving too slowly or panting at the slightest movement that I make inside our home. Hubby is not in favor of diet pills even if the best diet pills around because he doesn’t want me to take anything artificial in order to lose weight. He said that if walking fits my schedule, then walking it is. He said I can do walking every morning when the kids are already in school. Thank you, Daddy for being so supportive of me in my weight loss journey.

The kids will be going home today after five days of confinement. They are on their way to full recovery from dengue infection. My son and daughter’s platelet count as of this morning (Feb. 23) has increased to 220, a good sign that both are recovering well and have passed the critical stage of dengue fever. The doctor has given them a clean bill of health and are allowed to go home today. But she still warns the kids not to engage in stressful activities like playing (and bickering!). They need a few more days of rest before they can go back to school. They have a lot of catching up to do with their school lessons so they need to save their energy.

My kids have surpassed another sickness and we are grateful that they did not reach that life-threatening stage of dengue fever. Although, their hospitalization has exhausted our meager resources, I believe there are more reasons to be thankful for and I know things will be much better for us in the days to come.

My kids might be confined anytime today (depending on the result of another blood test at the FEU hospital) due to the possibility that they may have dengue fever.

Last night, I called up their pedia and read to her the initial result of their complete blood count and actual platelet count (cbc and apc). Their first blood test was taken after their initial check up at the East Avenue Medical Center yesterday afternoon. The range of their cbc and apc were still within the borderline but enough basis for the pediatrician to declare it’s dengue fever. However, she said the next 12 hours is crucial for the kids if their platelet will improve. Only oresol intake and colorless beverages will keep them from suffering dehydration. Dehydration is usually caused by high grade fever and vomiting. If their condition improves this morning there is no need for confinement.

While I was about to post this, I received a call from hubby that their cbc and apc went down from 158 last night to just 137 for Khalil and 106 for Naomi. Am now waiting for the doctor’s instruction where my kids will be taken. There are two options, FEU and Fairview Gen. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I’m requesting you all, to please pray from my children…thank you…

Are you a new mom? Do you know the importance of nursing your young?

Here are the basic advantages of breastfeeding to nursing moms:

1. Gives a kind of natural immunization against several diseases.
2. Baby will have less stomach trouble since mother’s milk is easy to digest and absorb.
3. No problem in preparing breast milk. It is always at the right temperature and free.
4. Helps you avoid certain risks to your own health like bleeding after birth and breast and ovarian cancer.
5. Makes it less likely that you will become pregnant too soon.

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What you should do:

1. Breast-feed you child exclusively from birth to six months of age. This means you should give your child no other drink or food, and you should let the child feed frequently and for unrestricted periods.
2. You can continue breast-feeding for as long as your baby wants to, that is, well into the second year of life.
3. To increase breast milk, feed your baby often. For your own nutrition, eat a variety of foods every day. Eat more meat, fish, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruit.
4. Start giving other foods when the baby is four to six months. The baby needs additional foods for rapid growth and development.

Source: WHO