Housekeeping: A Clean Home Is a Healthy Home

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”

“Health is wealth.”

What have these two popular sayings got to do with housekeeping? A lot! Well, let’s take a look at what Google says about good housekeeping so you’ll understand why. 

Housekeeping is not just about cleanliness. More than that, it likewise refers to maintaining the office or your workplace, keeping it tidy, neat and orderly, where halls and floors are free from slip and trip hazards, waste matters disposed of properly, and most importantly, fire hazards are removed as well. Hence, when you work and live in a fresh and clean surrounding, there will always be the feeling that God is just close by, inside your heart, your mind, all over your abode.

Just imagine how great your life would be even if you’re not rich i.e., when your home is in proper order – aah the peace and harmony you’ve been longing for. Further, when your workplace and home are clean, illness is at bay.  Truth be told, being clean is being healthy. That being said, every household member or office worker becomes a happy soul.

The Importance of Keeping Your Home Clean

Whoever wants to come home to a dirty, messy place? For sure, no one! And that is why it is very important to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of your dwelling place. Health is the primary consideration why dwelling places must be sanitized.

Maintaining good housekeeping is extremely important for the following reasons:

• the risk of illness, allergies and breathing problems is lowered
• bacteria, contaminants, allergens along with dust and dirt are eliminated
• growth and spread of disease-causing microbes is stopped
• feelings of anxiety due to the clutter and mess is reduced

So, what do you get in return? You reap these benefits of good housekeeping:

• improved sleep
• increased productivity
• better environment to live in
• peace of mind
• total wellbeing

Remember, a clean, healthy home makes you happier. Come home to happiness; it is just at your fingertips. Call Metro Housekeeper, your cleaning BFF. And, get a free estimate.

Bohol And Its Beguiling Attractions

September of 2019 when I set foot upon beautiful Bohol for the first time along with my son, James. Long have I wished to see the renowned Visayan destination since it happened to be in my bucket list. Words alone are not enough to describe the charm and allure of Bohol, so I will just be sharing with you some mesmerising photos of my escapade.

The Spellbinding Churches

The belfry of Panglao parish church

The Captivating Animals And Shell Collections

The pythons

The tarsier

These shells are said to be found at the seabeds of Bohol

The Loboc River Cruise

River cruise starts here at the floating restaurants

One of the pleasing sights cruisers enjoy. The dancers sing at the same time to the delight of guests on board the cruiser. Tourists may also opt to join the locals if they wish to.

James and me; at our back is another river boat ahead of us

Just a sample of the food at the cruise's buffet lunch. Other choices are pancit, chopsuey, more veggies, beef, chicken and pork dishes along with fruits and juices.

Blood compact monument

Hinagdanan Cave- an underground natural pool with icy cold waters


They say this is a man-made forest. In truth, people planted these trees long ago to preserve nature.



The most iconic feature of Bohol - the Chocolate Hills










Complimentary organic food at the bee farm...so yummy


An exciting attraction on the way to Chocolate Hills


A stretch of hanging bridge where I dared not go




ALONA BEACH, PANGLAO

Tagbilaran and Panglao have shopping centers where tourists can buy sovenir items at reasonable prices aside from malls, restaurants and wet markets. Both also have their respective airports. Oh by the way, from Cebu we took a fast craft for Tagbilaran and same in getting back. Two hours of sea crossing is all it takes to get to this enthralling Visayan destination.

Cebu Ocean Park: Surprisingly An Exhilarating Experience

I have been to Hong Kong some years back (2017) and of course no tourist would ever want to miss a visit to HK Ocean Park. This time, I had the chance to go see one of Cebu City's newest pride - its own Ocean Park. Though it's a little bit not as luxurious as the one in HK yet, the experience in September 2019 was surprisingly equally exhilarating.

Below are glimpses of such an unforgettable experience. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will just have to post more and say less, okay?

My son James and daughter Ezra at the entrance

Hello there.. let's take a look inside

One of the many initial attractions once you get inside

Hello red birdie...forgot to note your name

Slimy snakes

Hi there Smiley!!!

Colorful collection

Another color of the underwater

At the main attraction

Shark?

Stingray

Giant aquarium

Here are some of the wonderful videos I took

Feeding time for the stings

Can't figure out what these creatures are but they're shockingly cute

Since it was on a weekday when we got there, the rate was Php 600 per guest with 20% discount for senior citizens. Of course, kids had a much more lower rates but charges are higher during weekends. Oh, by the way, the Cebu Ocean Park is just behind SM Seaside Mall so you see, it's just very accessible anywhere you're located in downtown Cebu.

Bodybuilding Or Not?

Sports experts and advocates claim that bodybuilding produces a sound mind and body. Might you know if you’re fit to engage in it? Some sectors say that anyone can join while others say it isn’t meant for all. Before you even ask if you’re qualified for this, here are some things you need to know.

What Is Bodybuilding?

Clearly, it’s a sport involving backbreaking physical exercises to strengthen the muscles of the body and make them bigger. Strictly speaking, progressive resistance exercises are used in this discipline. Bodybuilders may use anabolic steroids to make their bodies fit and well-balanced in all aspects.

Some of the most popular celebrities with magnificent bodies are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, Dolph Lundgreen, among others. They are the epitome of success in the sphere of bodybuilding.

Weight training, aerobic exercise, are just of the activities in such sport. Interestingly, both men and women these days are now getting addicted to it, thanks to the international competitions that duly recognize individuals who excel and succeed in this field.

Further, people are today getting health-conscious, practicing healthy living, which corroborate the findings of one study that women and men of this generation live longer lives.

Who Are The Bodybuilders?

In a wider sense, anybody can become a bodybuilder. Yet, it all depends on your definition of success. Now, if you're seeing a six-pack abs or larger and stronger arm muscles and leg muscles, then perhaps, that's success for you!

There are the ones whose purpose is to grow ‘much bigger’ than they once used to be, with body fats lessened or totally gone. Hence, whatever your objective, there should be no reason to fail as long as you have the interest and will-power.

Remember, this entails so much hard work and discipline. So, to ‘get there’, you need to reflect and ask yourself, “Is bodybuilding for me?” If you’re determined to make yourself physically and mentally fit, do your due diligence. To experience the health benefits of strenuous exercise, research more.

Health Benefits From Bodybuilding

Its a fact that the vigorous exercises in bodybuilding lower the risk of plaque build-up inside the arteries popularly known as coronary heart disease. The arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles, so when exercising, these parts are stimulated. There can be no build-up of the waxy substance called plaque if you exercise regularly.

Lastly, doing the strenuous workouts will make the body stronger and more flexible; will keep osteoporosis and arthritis at bay, too. 

Now that you know the basics, here’s hoping that you’ve finally decided about bodybuilding.

Menopausal Relief: All-Natural Remedies

Menopause is a natural phenomenon in a woman’s life when her menstrual period ceases for good. Periods may become on and off, so a woman is considered to have undergone menopause only after twelve consecutive months without periods. Menopause is not an illness as some might presume.

In the years surrounding menopause, a woman’s body undergoes various physical and psychological changes as well, oftentimes aren’t understood enough, or just neglected and taken for granted. These symptoms affect a woman’s everyday activities and quite a lot of them simply don’t know how to manage. However, most symptoms are not serious that they may just vanish even without medication or treated with all-natural remedies. 

Yet, for more severe symptoms, it is highly recommended that you see your doctor. Women should try to understand this phenomenon to be able to discover the solutions for relieving the symptoms and eventually ease their suffering.

The symptoms vary from person to person, making the experience unique with every woman. They may appear one at a time or altogether at the same time. Research reveals that menopausal symptoms for instance, sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, migraine headaches, vaginal dryness and itching can influence mood and well-being. The reduction in the levels of the hormone estrogen during peri-menopause and menopause might also affect mood. 

Or else, it could be a mixture of hormonal changes and menopausal symptoms. So, what are some of the remedies available to get rid of the symptoms? Here is a solution being offered and it’s up to you to decide whether it suits your particular condition. Read more.

Herbal Relief

Some women try plant-based cures to help relieve hot flashes. Sadly, being “natural” doesn't always mean “safe”. If you are unsure about a natural product being launched in the market, you should always consult your MD before you buy to reduce the risk of negative consequences. One good thing, you can now use all-natural remedies for hot flashes, insomnia, heart disease, osteoporosis, low libido, and vaginal dryness without risking serious side effects. 

Black cohosh root...Ginseng...Chasteberry tree...Red raspberry leaf...Red clover...Dong quai...Valerian...Licorice- these are just some teas for menopausal relief.

Many research have disclosed the truths and fallacies about nature’s remedies, including food, herbs, supplements, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies. Based on evidences drawn from them, natural remedies do work. How they work, and how to use them – are now written in the books. With such information, a woman may implement a customized plan for her own symptoms.

So, don’t let those symptoms get the best of you. Treat them using all-natural remedies. Go ahead and discover a whole new way to live healthy and happily during your menopause years.

In Absencia For 2 Years...No Posts...Nothing

Been blogging for so long yet when I visited this spot just recently I was shocked to find out that my last post was still from December 2017! What kept me busy for the last two years I was absent on the blogosphere? Let me recall. 

2018 - PART 1 

Loss of a Loved One

Little did we know that January 2018 would be the last moments to share with our family head. While the entire family was enjoying the usual New Year's eve frolic, we haven't had the slightest hint that my husband was so sick inside. He just complained of some bloatedness coz he said he left his jacket back in Cebu and that inside the Mactan International Airport it was so cold and even inside the plane.

Once he boarded the car when we fetched him up at Davao International Airport just before midnight of Dec. 31st, he asked for some liniment. And good we had it in the car. Later during the party he asked for some tummy pain reliever and then again we had one in the medicine kit. He was feeling okay for the first two weeks of January but on the third week he had to be hospitalized as his condition started to get bad. He was diagnosed to have liver cirrhosis. He was released after 3 days but continued medication at home and on the second time he was admitted for a much more worsening case, he finally succumbed. He left us on February 1st.

May the soul of this faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace...

Members of my family from Cebu City came for the interment. Before leaving for home we showed them around town.

Side trip to Eden Nature Park before family left for Cebu.

Some family members came all the way from Adelaide, SA in September to visit the grave.

We welcomed them with these, among others

Alex & Zephora Blanke (big guy and his lady beside) and Manang Teresita (next to the lady in blue) from Adelaide are first-timers to Davao City. Far right, Manang Estrella Macachor and her husband Manong Mario (far back in blue), Tata Ogario (guy in white, standing). These are all my husband's brothers and sisters.

Some of My Trips

With my aunt and cousins from Sta Cruz, Dava del Sur

This one is from Passig Eco-Park in Sta. Cruz

In my brother's home, Iligan City

Suddenly Jobless
In August, I was all of a sudden out of work (my home-based job I mean) coz my employer of 5 years just messaged me I was out. And that was that. No if's no but's. Nevertheless I managed to find some writing jobs that somehow afforded me food on the table and let me pay the bills and tuition/other school fees in return. Yes, to me those were blessings from the Almighty who didn't want me to go hungry! And there were lots of memorable trips and occasions I had with my highschool batch. That year was still more of good memories although I had less financially (sigh).


After The Grief...Joy

Most of the good memories from 2018 were those spent with my highschool friends from batch 76. Glimpses of our activities below.

Our school's grand alumni homecoming

At the birthday celebration of a dear highschool teacher

My classmate Elena Palanca, (L in red) died the following year from heart ailment. Ms. Pinky Villanaba (R) our beloved physics teacher in highschool.

All those lovely pics above were shot at the beautiful beaches of Samal Island.

Aliwagwag Falls, Davao Oriental

Peoples' Park, Davao City

Baganga, Davao Oriental

When a Dear Friend Turned 60

It was so exciting because Cecille Ledesma was one of my closest among the batch who received her dual citizenship. Pics below.

Cecille is flanked by her November co-celebrators: L-R Mena Rollen- 60, Nida Medenilla- 59, the main celebrant, Alden Melgarejo- 58 

2019

So, what happened to me in 2019? Why not a single post? Let's try to find out in part 2 of this series...Watch out. As for now it's au revoir! Adios. Adieu. See you next time!!! Mwaahh!!