OMG! I thought I've posted this already! lol!
I'm here for Girl's Talk topic this week: New Year's Resolution on Love Life.
For 2011, I resolve to give my hubby more time and attention. I had quite a difficulty in juggling my time between our children, my work, our-time with the hubby and household stuff. Most of the time it's the our-time with the hubby that gets bumped off.
Before 2010 ended, we sat down and talked about us. Now too much on family matters, more on our relationship as a couple. We've decided that we be involved in activities where both of us can participate. One of which is our regular Sunday jog, not just to keep us healthy but giving each other a time together...I just hope I can cope up with his pace :D
We've also talked about a once-in-a-while date...as in "date" date, maybe a dinner or watching a movie.
I likewise resolve to be more sensitive with his needs, not just on physical aspect but also on his emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs.
It's 2011 and one of the best way to start the new year is to look back on how we lived our lives the past year/s, do some reflections and decide how to go about our lives this year.
This month's topic on Girl's Talk is on Resolutions and for this week is on our Health. Very timely coming from a period of festivities and lots of eating.
Just last night, I paid respect to my college friend who passed away because of health issues. Goodness gracious, he passed away at the age of 38!!! He died of stroke - was in coma for more than two years. I can't believe this disease is hitting more people in a younger age range as compared to records from 8 - 10 years ago. This is really a wake-up call not just for me but for all of us. For this year I resolve to be able to make myself more fit and healthy. I'm thankful that 2010 did not give us trouble in terms of our health, although the occasional colds were present, not me or any member of my family succumbed to serious health problems. Although I've been hospitalized but it was because I gave birth.
We'll continue with what we're currently practicing such as the food we eat, making sure there's veggies all the time - preparing a balanced meal. Strive to lessen (more than last year's) the intake of unhealthy food, less sodas as well. I will not say that we'll stop taking alcoholic drinks because some are also beneficial to our health when taken moderately, just the occasional drink is still fine for us. We've been doing less sweets in the house the past few years and so far it's working well especially with the kids.
My personal goal - to loose at least 15 lbs off my current weight. That will keep me just within the allowable weight range for my height and age. If I can do more that will be so much of an achievement. Lessen or if possible, get rid of the love handles around my waist (due to pregnancy) and to trim down the circumference of my thighs. Thus, I'm looking at less rice, more veggies and and hour or so doing some exercises, to which I've already started and God willing will be able to maintain the practice. My husband and I have decided to make Sunday our jogging day, he too is targeting to loose a little of his weight and maintain a non-bulging tummy that's usual with guys his age.
My husband and I resolves to give more emphasis on pampering ourselves to lessen the stress and maintain balance in our health. The occasional travel out-of-town to be able to experience nature at its best - the calming effects of the beach or countryside and/or an hour or two at the massage parlor together de-stressing while spending "our" time. We're also looking at joining at least 2 races this year. And for us to prepare for that, a regular run and exercise is needed. I've ran 3k last year with a shy 30 minutes (I was slow because Leon was running along with me so I have to run his pace). For this year, I would want to post my real time 3K run and hopefully post an improved time on the 2nd or 3rd run.
We're looking at 2011 as a challenging year for us because we are not only taking care of our family's health but also that of our mothers (his and mine).
my share to this week's:
how about you, join us now...click on the badge for more of the healthy resolutions of other fabulous ladies.
Here's to a more healthy lifestyle this 2011!
I've been too busy lately that I'm not able to attend to my blogs...I've checked out BeautyQueenGene's blog to see what's this week's topic is, gladly, I'll be sharing my piece because I really need one today.
Here in Manila where's time is so fast especially now that it's Christmas season and people are awake almost 24/7, we definitely need to de-stress once in a while.
Where do we go to unwind? There are a few places where me, my hubby and the whole family goes to just relax and spend a good time with each other and the kids as well. We normally go to UP Diliman to jog around the Acad Oval, our "cheap" version of de-stressing. Just armed with our running apparel, off we go. Even little Leon join in once in a while. Aside from doing our regular run at UP Diliman, it's also a nice place to just sit around, watch over the kids or read a book under the canopy of acacia trees. This is one of the few places in Manila with air pollution.
Another option for relaxation with my husband, also our bonding moment, is going to a spa. Pampering ourselves with an hour or so full body massage. M likes the Thai technique of massage while I like the Swedish-Shiatsu type. But since we opt for different types of massages, we normally alternate each type to give each one a chance of our choice. It's either at Ton Ton's Massage or at the Family Spa.
Once in a while, we go out of town to get away from the busy Manila - it's usually Tagaytay or Subic. Although driving a long distance is quite stressful but for my husband M who loves driving, he's already de-stressing himself doing it.
how about you, how do you relax?
Here in Manila, it's quite difficult to find a good restaurant that serves authentic dishes. Most serves specialty dishes with a twist adding the Filipino style in whatever they serve. And if you get into a restaurant that really serves authentic food, most probably it's quite expensive.
My husband and I are pasta and pizza lovers. We've been to a few restaurants that serves authentic Italian dishes but can't frequent the place because they're too pricey.Sbarro has been our favorite since we started going out together. 
At Sbarro's you get the authentic Italian taste of pasta and pizza with price reasonable on the pocket. There's a number of dishes to choose from, be it pasta or pizza. They even serve fresh veggie salad and fresh fruits as well as pastries. What's good with Sbarro, they don't skimp on their recipe despite the inflation in the economy, and I can say, through the years, their taste didn't change.
Aside from its authentic taste, the serving is proportion to the price. You can also request for a half serving of the pasta dishes, of course with price commensurate to the serving portion.
I'm more of a pasta lover but when we started frequenting Sbarro, I've began to
love pizza as well, the big slice they serve is just enough for me...although I can consume a slice of the Chicago deep dish, I settle for the white pizza or the cheese pizza to maintain the weight that I have right now, although every now and then, I allow myself to indulge in these deliciously baked pizza. Even our dear Leon loves it at Sbarro's but he's more into the fresh veggie salad and just asks from me or his Dad for some pasta or pizza that we've ordered for ourselves. I love the Chicken 
Romano in spaghetti sauce while my husband M loves the Eggplant Parmigiana. On pizza, we both like, as mentioned the Chicago Deep Dish, I also love the White Pizza. Whatever we eat, we match with their tangy Lemonade drink.
hmmm...this blog just gave me the drool for Sbarro...
I love doing household chores. I'm fond of decorating and re-arranging the house. So whenever we go strolling in malls, I can normally be found in the home section area.
I'm into linens, curtains and drapes. Even when I was still single, this is where I linger too long. Whenever I get the chance and extra cash to go shopping for the house, I'd buy a pair of curtains for the living room. Together with this, I'd find a few matching throw pillow cases. Same principle goes with our bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, curtains, linens and bedding that are color coordinated. I'm for earth tones for easy mix and matching.
And since it's the yuletide season, I'm looking into buying curtains for the season's theme as well as do some minor repairs on the cushion cover of our sala set to somehow blend in with the season.
With all this in mind, I can't help but to get excited on having our own house for me to play my tricks on home decorating.
ooppss...running late here but I hope this post will still find its way to Girl's Talk: Shopping at the Health and Beauty Section.
These are the items we usually toss in the basket not regularly though, only during times of replenishment.
For Me: Pond's Pure White Deep Cleansing foam works well on my face, Skin White Deodorant, Clear Shampoo and Conditioner or L'Oreal Total Repair Shampoo & Conditioner, these I use alternately and which I share with M and the Olay Age defying bar soap.
For M: Green Cross Soap, Degree deodorant and disposable razors
For Leon: Tender Care Soap, Tender Care Powder which sometimes Maia uses as well, Johnson's Baby Shampoo
For Maia: Lactacyd Baby Bath 
For the whole family: Alcohol, insect repellant, lotion, cotton buds and toothpaste
Items such as moisturizers, toners, and feminine wash are of particular brands and can only be purchased via direct selling thus are not part of the shopping list. While the lotion that I use are more of gifts from abroad, thus not part of the shopping budget as well.
