6 Anti-aging tips from Dr. Pao Bellosillo

Dr. Juan Paolo Bellosillo, International Fellow of Integrative Medicine and American Association of Integrative Medicine, sat down with us one rainy afternoon to discuss and talk about one of the biggest concerns of beauty lovers: AGING.

Doc Pao, as he is fondly called, was kind enough to give us 6 tips on how we can age gracefully or if possible, stop time from showing on our skin.

1. LIFESTYLE CHECK. Since aging is a process we all have to face as we grow old, we must ensure that we start from within: our being. Beauty is definitely not just skin deep. It emanates from within. The stress we encounter daily will show up in the form of eye bags, dark spots, wrinkles, and what not. To ensure that this can be avoided, do a lifestyle check. Your lifestyle choices will reflect on your wellness. No amount of moisturizer can ever beat clean living and a peaceful mind. Anti-aging should start at the biological unit, our cells.
2. BE REALISTIC. There is nothing in this world that can really stop your skin from aging. It will happen. However, you can delay it with the right skin care and the right ways of living.
3. YOUR HEART. The one thing a lot of people overlook when they yearn for anti-aging is their heart. Your heart is the one solely responsible for pumping blood into your body and if it’s not healthy, you will definitely see the results on your skin. We only have one heart. Once it stops beating, we are gone. This is a saying that I often remember and it reminds me that on top of everything, my heart is the first one I need to take care of the most.
4. STRESS. Every time you allow stress to impact you, it actually becomes a threat to your life and this could even lead to death. When someone is stressed, it shows on their skin. When someone is stressed, it will show on their hair, eyes, lips, everything. Never allow stress to make an impact on you. Learn to control and let go.
5. NON INVASIVE TREATMENT. With Doc Pao, you can get photoplethysmography, a method that determines the age of the artery which has been impacted by lifestyle and exposed to many stressors. This will allow you to truly gauge what changes you need to make and what maintenance you need to follow.
6. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND WHAT YOU DRINK. The food and drinks we take in affect our body. There are many foods that yield good vitamins and these are the things we should eat more of. Berries, salmon, almond, walnuts, spirulina, and green leafy veggies are a must if you want to achieve that youthful glow. All the food mentioned here also have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reverse the ageing of the artery. Acai drinks that come with banana and spirulina have high anti-oxidant and free radical battling properties that can actually reduce the inflammation or stiffening causing factors or thrombus formation in arteries.

In this day and age where everyone is obsessed with looking young, always remember that to look young on the outside, one must feel young on the inside. Be wise. Live a legacy before you leave a legacy. When you take care of your heart, you take care of everything else from within and this will always give you the youthful glow you desire.  

Today

... I noticed how enthusiastic my sister was when we talked about this business we want to put up together. She'll make the products, and I'll take care of branding and marketing. She was so eager. I was so excited. I wanted to make this work because I've never seen her this confident in something.

She would always rant about how being a financial adviser saps all her optimism away. I knew it wasn't for her, but my parents needed someone, one of us, to kind of inherit the business. That or they were just giving her a chance to discover what suits her best. I don't think my sister is happy though.

... I checked a couple of my drafts, and added some more details into them. Somehow I couldn't get myself to publish them even though it's more or less complete. Maybe it's my confidence about them that's hindering me from sharing. Hm.

... My diet is surprisingly working for me. It's been 2 months and I lost around 10 lbs already. Pretty slow, I know. But 1 lb per week is good enough. The goal is to reach 141, which was my weight before I went to the US, then take it easy until 120.

In fairness, I've noticed my portions are getting smaller and I get full easier too. I want to be able to hold on when I take out all my slimming aids (pills and tea). I remember getting some kind of withdrawal when I finished my bottle of Herbalife Total Control. It's not available in the Philippines so I got worried. Then I recalled I still have a bottle of Hydroxycut hiding somewhere. I'm using that right now. Hehe.

... I'm praying that my US Visa application won't be denied. I'm scheduled for interview next week and even though I'm less scared compared to my first time applying, I'm still scared nonetheless. There are just so many red flags with my application. Hay Lord. I wasn't really excited at first, but when I got my interview packet I saw that my dummy booking has a layover at KOREA. WAAAAAAHH!!! As if naman makakalabas ako ng airport no pero juskolooooord KOREAAAAA!

... I'm watching a new KDrama series. It's called "On the way to the airport" and it promotes infidelity in marriage. Err not exactly cos I see the characters are struggling naman haha but gosh the chemistry is just so over the top. I'm questioning my morals right now. Is it even an excuse that both of them are seemingly married to the wrong people? I don't want to think of marriage as something disposable but the dilemma posed in this series is as real as it gets. It's scaring me that a lot would find this relatable.

... I'm taking the regular shift right now. Yey? I was supposed to work midshift but I couldn't sleep so I decided to come early instead. We have a midnight test (that's noon here) so that means no sleep for me cos I just came from the nightshift. On the other hand that means I'm getting more sleep later cos I'm already antok na now na aaarg.

... I want a full body massage.

How are you doing?

Kick-start your Freelancing Career: Learn how to become a VApreneur

If you're always wondering about how online freelancing works, here's the right venue to learn about it!

This October 22, 2016, join us in a day of learning and discovery by attending #VApreneur: One Day To FREEdom! Workshop. This event aims to help aspiring and existing virtual assistants to develop their business, identify their core skills, meet more clients, and charge competitively for their services.

What is a virtual assistant and what does it have to do with freelancing? 

A virtual assistant or a VA is a person who provides services to a client remotely from home, may it be technical, creative, or administrative, it depends on what skills the VA has to offer. That said, VAs are freelancers too, offering services online and remotely to clients that are mostly overseas.

VA vs. VApreneur: the difference

The term VApreneur is a play between VA and entrepreneur, and was coined by Ms. Rochefel Rivera, one of the organizers and speakers of the event.

As a VA, you work as an independent contractor, providing services to your client, and is being paid a fixed rate or an hourly rate, depends on what is agreed upon. A VApreneur is more than that, your mindset is not just confined to a remote employee but a business owner, a service provider offering intangible products of high value to the clients. This shift from employee to entrepreneur mentality is what sets them apart, and is going to be tackled further during the event.

A lot of freelancers pride themselves as being their own bosses, but behind their desks they're slaves to their clients, overworked and underpaid. It's time to put more value to your work and package your services in a competitive manner, making your client see you as a partner and not just a cheaper alternative to a regular employee.

#VApreneur: One Day To FREEdom! Workshop

In this workshop, you will learn:

1. How to transition from employee to VApreneur
2. How to capitalize on your passion and existing skills while using the business model suited for your lifestyle
3. Possible opportunities behind online entrepreneurship
4. How to find clients that pay and appreciate the value of your work
5. How to take advantage of technology and build your dream business from home

When: October 22, 2016 9:00AM
Where: Bluefin Grill, GF, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Ugong, Pasig City
Ticket prices (snacks and lunch included): 

• Early bird rate until October 8: ₱888
• Regular rate: ₱1,498
• BFF rate: Learn with your BFF and get the 2nd ticket 50% off - ₱1,332
• Gang rate: Gather a group of 4 and your pass is FREE - ₱2,664

For more information and ticket payments, head over to:
www.professionalvas-academy.com/vapreneur-road-tour-project/

:D

Manage your life with Taiwan Excellence Products

Nowadays, a lot of people find themselves searching for work-life balance. With demands from work, work-life balance appears to be an impossible feat, especially in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

Stop stressing and start achieving work-life balance with Taiwan’s best brands that bear the Taiwan Excellence seal, assuring customers of the products’ superior quality. A perfect slice of work-life balance can be possible with the following tips and Taiwan Excellence’s sports and leisure products.

Develop daily positive habits 

Commuting consumes a large chunk of one’s daily life. Why not schedule a “bike day” going to work? Take the versatile Link B7 from Tern for a fun and different urban transport. It would cut commute time while simultaneously adding minutes to one’s daily workout. The Link B7 can make your travel more convenient as it folds compactly in 10 seconds and has adjustable handlepost to find the right height ride.

Breathe 

It's difficult to navigate the high demands of one’s career. Work can get so challenging and may lead to anxiety and stress. Avoid this by finding an alone time to regroup one’s thoughts and reenergize for the next tasks. Reflecting, however, is not limited to finding a quiet room. Try clearing one’s mind using Johnson’s Adventure 5 treadmill. A good reflection over a productive work-out session can be a rewarding treat after a long day.

Try new leisure activities 

It’s no fun being stuck in a routine of work-sleep-eat-work. Start simple and try to look for new leisure activities. People who prefer more outdoor activities can commit to swimming classes during the weekends. Before diving into this new activity, make sure to get the must-have items, such as sunblock, comfortable swimwear, and goggles like the waterproof Vision & Vision Jr. goggles that have quality optic lens and multi-colored frame.

Get Moving 

Being static makes the body accumulate pent up energy. Let that energy loose by working out. With many available work-out equipment in the market, one can easily perform a do-it-yourself work-out at home. For instance, Ucheer offers compact and portable kinetic energy dumbbell that combines muscle training and body kinetic energy. Those interested in weightlifting can check Victory’s 5-kilogram bumper plate, which combines durable rubber and plastic in its design for a quality and convenient work-out. Products like these can help maintaining personal health, which should be the priority to the modern generation.

Take responsibility for your own decisions 

You are responsible for your own self. So when it comes to making smart decisions, remember to be always guided. Like a trusted friend, Taiwan Excellence-accredited products aim to enhance the quality of living. Choosing from its variety of sport and leisure products can help in being a step closer to getting a work-life balance.

For more information on Taiwan Excellence accredited products, you can visit www.taitra.org.tw or like Taiwan Excellence on Facebook.

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About Taiwan Excellence
The symbol of Taiwan Excellence honors Taiwan’s most innovative products that provide tremendous value to users worldwide. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in design, quality, marketing, Taiwanese R&D and manufacturing. Initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is recognized by 100 countries.


Organized by Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA
The Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. is responsible for implementing policies and regulations governing foreign trade and economic cooperation. Established in January 1969, the BOFT's role and position have been adjusted regularly to meet the needs of the ever changing international economic and trade environments. The BOFT has been guiding and working with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in numerous promotional trade projects and activities both internationally and domestically. Having worked closely with TAITRA for many decades, the BOFT continues to commission TAITRA for various critical government projects relating to business, trade and investment, while promoting Taiwan internationally.


Implemented by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the foremost non-profit, semi-governmental trade promotion organization in Taiwan. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations, TAITRA assists Taiwanese businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets. TAITRA boasts a well-coordinated trade promotion and information network of over 1,200 international marketing specialists stationed throughout its Taipei headquarters and 50 overseas offices worldwide. Together with its sister organizations, the Taiwan Trade Center (TTC) and the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), TAITRA has created a wealth of trade opportunities through effective promotion strategies.

Life lately and I'm doing the Master Cleanse again! Char

I told myself I'd go undertime (again) today because I've been wheezing like crazy (allergies) and my eyes can't take it anymore, but oh well, BUGS!

So while waiting for my scenario to run until the 10 minute mark, let me blab about random things that's been happening lately.

I'm doing the Master Cleanse again

Haha, after swearing I won't be doing it anymore because it's not for me, here I am enduring an 80% (cos I still snack) liquid fast for the sake of losing weight. And in fairness, it's kindof working. I started Monday night during work, and when I woke up Tuesday evening, I'm down by 2 lbs can you believe it. I don't, but it's nice to see the scale budge below 150lbs! My second day was not as good, cos I ate more and even had rice, but heyyy I still woke up a pound lighter. I almost didn't want to eat anything after seeing this much progress, but anyway, as if I could.

I'll try to keep my weight below 150 this week. TRY.

Wish me luck! And oh, I'm not doing a hundred percent master cleanse actually. I drink Herbalife shake (with oats, frozen banana, and yogurt) for breakfast and dinner, and master cleanse in between. :D I'm also too lazy to workout this week, so this is purely diet. Lord help me!

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo Episode 11 - the turning point

This is probably my favorite episode of SHR because so many things happened:

• Hae Soo was accused of assassinating the prince and was put on a death row
• Everybody knows she's innocent and that the evil Queen Yoo is the real culprit, however, nobody has evidence pointing to her, so the bitch continues to live
• Sexy prince Wang So shows his unwavering devotion to Hae Soo by protecting her in ways he can, defying every royal order there is because he's that badass. And sexy. For some reason his scar remained concealed despite not having Hae Soo to do his makeup. Perhaps he's finally learned to do it on his own!
• Poor prince Wang Wook was torn between protecting Hae Soo and losing his family or the other way around, but in the end chose the latter because he was pretty much manipulated into it by his scheming sister princess Yeon Hwa.
• Court Lady Oh died in Hae Soo's stead after admitting that she was actually behind the assassination. Again everybody knows they're both innocent but the bitch Queen is unbelievably crafty in hiding her trails.
• The King has lost his one true love (Court Lady Oh) ang everybody knows it. Serves him right.
• Hopefully, Hae Soo should come to her senses that Wang Wook is not his prince charming anymore and that she better accept Wang So's feelings and live happily ever after with the prince that would fight for her.

It was a totally devastating episode for me. I cried so frkn hard when the bell tolled signaling Court Lady Oh's death (by hanging). I'm also so anxious for the next episode but that's a week from now pa so, aaaargghh.

Effin curious about Stranger Things

I'm a big scaredy cat, I can't handle horror movies so I guess a series would do me worse. Is it really as scary as the reviews say? I think what I'm really afraid of are jump scares and ghosts, but oddly Stranger Things seem more sci-fi than horror. Is it? I want to watch it (but preferably in the daylight and with someone)!

On another note, I was able to survive watching Train to Busan. Yey. I must've been spoiled too much or I'm getting better at watching scary movies.

Airbnb stay: The Infinity at BGC

My parents had an event at BGC last week and it was scheduled right smack in the middle of rush hour. Since we're coming as a family, I figured it's a chance to book for a short staycation. Good call too 'cos I drove us that day and it frkn took us 3 hours to reach BGC huhu. Imagine if we didn't book, I'd be stressing along the way and all our makeup would've melted and our getups super gusot gusot na.

Congratulations to my mom and dad for getting their service awards that night! They've been with Philamlife for 25 and 30 years respectively, wow. I didn't even realize they've been in the financial business for so long. :D

Anyway, I already have a BGC/Taguig Wishlist at Airbnb but I had to find a place which has free parking and is close to Ascott Hotel where the event is going to be.

My requirements: Cheap, has free parking, close to Ascott, nice interiors, and a lap pool.

And so I'm happy we found Miguel's place at The Infinity. The unit we rented sits on the 44th floor, has 2 bedrooms, and is fully equipped, as in it's livable long-term. And we only got it for ₱2,750 for that day. Subtracting the discount I got for registering with Nuffnang and thank you Lord for the savings!

The best part of our stay is really the view from the master's bedroom because it has panoramic windows huhu I love iiiit. When I saw the photos on Airbnb, I had high expectations with the view. Thankfully I was not disappointed.

It overlooks a large green patch of land that is actually a cemetery. Since we figured that's as much greenery as you can get in BGC, we just shrugged it off, either way it provides a really great view. During the night it looks like a black hole sucking in all the lights from the city lelz.

Parking was a bitch at first 'cos the guards weren't clear with their parking instructions. Do we park first of sign up at reception? It's our first time there, and we didn't know their parking rules. In the end they gave us specific slots to choose from 'cos we couldn't navigate ourselves in the lot. We even had a hard time looking for our slot cos we didn't know where to look. There were labels on the floor and on the walls. It was so confusing. When we finally found where to park, we realized it would be super hassle cos the slots are in front of each other, as in if we go in, we have to call the car owner behind us to move out saglit. Kainis diba. So I did this stupid thing of parking between the two slots para wala na maka-park sa likod. Haha. Well, the guard called us out for it and I had to adjust the car. Bummer. Buti na lang walang ibang nagpark sa likod namin. :P

So yeah, back to the unit.

Interiors? I'm not really a fan of their interiors but it does look clean and the linens are all fresh and comfy. At least there were no unsightly furniture. And in fairness to most of their wood furnishings, they're all quality timber.

Kitchen? Fully stocked and loaded with everything you need to prepare a meal except for a rice cooker haha. They have an electric stove with oven, refrigerator, hot and cold water dispenser, pots and pans, tons of glasses and mugs, plates, cutlery, and even a strainer! I mean we were planning to cook pasta so it was a pleasant surprise to see a big strainer haha.

Living? Cabled TV, Wifi, phone - check check check. In the future I want to make sure the TV is either Samsung or Sony (arte!) so that I wouldn't have to bring my laptop and HDMI cable. You know how some TVs don't play mkv or mp4 or doesn't read subtitles? Yeah.

There's also a separate phone for when you want to call the guard or something. Sosyal no, very hotel like.

Amenities? There's a gym and lap pool so I was happy but I wasn't able to try it cos my monthly visitor came huhu.

Bedrooms? I told you, the master's view is to die for. The smaller room is okay too. Each of them has their own aircon. The common areas has a split type aircon. I just realized how gastos it seems to maintain this kind of life. Daming aircon lol.

Bonus! Laundry room -- which could pass as a third bedroom or maid's quarter 'cos it has its own bathroom. But still, I was amazed at this room. All the cleaning stuff are there: mops and brooms, washer and dryer atop each other, ironing board and a portable sampayan, etc.

Looking at fully furnished condos like this is really a treat for me 'cos I'm already dreaming of my own home too in the future. <3

Yam lol

Thanks for warm welcome!

Isn't it nice to condo hop. haha I've been wondering for a long time why travelling doesn't appeal much to me, then I realized I'm more of a city hopper than a nature tripper.

Related: Our first Airbnb experience: Citiland Tagaytay Prime Residences

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If you're new to Airbnb, sign up using the link below to get free travel credits from me. Sign up here www.airbnb.com/c/ybirog and get ₱850 off when you take your first trip worth ₱3,500 or more! :)

Froyo Wars: BLK 513 vs Llaollao

Froyos are back! And so is the food category of this blog lol. You might have heard of both BLK 513 and Llaollao (on Instagram, I bet) because right now they're taking the dessert world by storm because of their interesting menu and really, who doesn't miss froyos?!

K. Let's start comparing the two haha

BLK 513

Famed for its color which is due to activated charcoal, BLK 513 definitely piqued my curiosity. So this weekend, I was welcomed to the dark side.

The place: I don't know about the Megamall branch but the SM North EDSA branch was small and mejo crowded, and guess what, with millennials snapping here and there (guilty as charged though I'm more of a tita)! I wouldn't blame them. The Dark Skim Cup looks good on photo, especially if you picked the right colors for your toppings and fruits and snap immediately before it melts haha. The place also offers a very nice background for your photos. Too bad there's not much seating available.

The menu: Very limited. They only serve Dark Skim Cup (1 crunch, 2 fruits, 1 sauce), Dark Skim Cone (2 toppings). and Matcha/Cacao Skim drinks. At SM North EDSA though they sell Super Skim Cup, which is pretty much just a Dark Skim Cup swirled in a razzle machine (think McFlurry).

I asked if they sell plain black yogurt and sadly they don't, you have to pay what's on the menu and opt out of toppings if you really want plain. Too bad.

The price: Just about right for a fad food trying to make its way into millennials' pockets. Prepare ₱185 per cup. Even the cone will set you aback ₱170. Okay lang haha.

The taste: Is great! I love what I had so far but it came off too sweet and too much for my own liking, or for my own standard of Greek yogurt. They did claim it was Greek so I was expecting a creamier and tangier yogurt (like White Hat's), but it was mostly like a plain tart yogurt, just dark. You can't really taste activated charcoal so there's no other flavor to expect.

They have a wide selection of toppings: caramelized cookies (which I'm guessing is crushed Lotus Biscoff but they wouldn't disclose haha), crushed oreos, crushed choco chip cookies, white chocolate, granola, brownies, some kind of a trail mix, etc.

Fruits: Strawberry, kiwi, mango, lychee, melon, grapes, peaches, etc.

Sauces: There's ube, chocolate, hazelnut, matcha, espresso, milk, etc.

Is it really healthy? So far I haven't seen any effects of this so called activated charcoal they added on the yogurt. It's supposed to help absorb harmful chemicals in the body, then what? Are we gonna poop it out? In my experience of taking activated charcoal capsules when I was a kid, it was always followed by a serious case in the bathroom. That hasn't happened so far. Hmm.

Accessibility: BLK 513 has branches in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA (yey), and SM MoA.

Next up,

Llaollao

I first saw it on Instagram and a couple of weeks ago chanced upon it when I went to Glorietta.

The Place: Is bigger and there's adequate seating outside. Just like BLK 513, it's pretty crowded (but with families and kids this time), and there was a long line when we got there.

The Menu: Similar to BLK 513, they also have the crunch + fruits + sauce combo and many other combinations. They also have smoothies with frozen yogurt. They have a lot on their menu but since I'm just mildly curious, I only got the small cup (1 topping). Next time though, I will get that Sanum cup for sure!

The Price: I guess it's fair enough. Range is from ₱39 to ₱199. Not bad. :)

The Taste: Is awesome! This is my kind of yogurt, very tangy. You'll appreciate all the crunches and fruits you put in because it complements the tanginess of the yogurt.

Just like BLK 513, they have a wide selection of fruits and toppings. Just look at these,

Lotus Biscoff cookies, Crunch, Oreos, and Smarties to name a few 

Kiwi, banana, watermelon, melon, mangoes, pineapples, grapes, etc.

And the sauces: passion fruit, raffallao (curious!), white and dark chocolate sauce, and even Lotus Biscoff too! I personally prefer the choices at BLK 'cos they sound familiar and tasty, especially the Matcha Milk and Esspresso latte. :D

Accessibility: Right now they have branches at SM MoA and Glorietta. Hoping for a branch in the North please!

Overall

I like BLK 513's vibe, the store feels up to date, the menu is creative, and it brings something new to the table in terms of how frozen yogurt is prepared. I hope they increase their menu offerings and put up more seating space. Right now I think its target market is the younger crowd, the way the store and the food is designed.

I love how straightforward Llaollao is, it offers the classic froyo with added toppings, and setup a place that is very familiar for a dessert store. BLK looks like a boutique in comparison. The have a lot on their menu too which is a plus, and there are more seating space. It's family friendly. :)

The two pretty much goes head to head, I love them both, so I'm going to pick the one I felt more, uhm, at home with?

So who's the winner?

From the menu, place, price point, and taste, Llaollao wins for me, and that's despite the fact I had BLK twice this week haha ang gastos. If only they would branch out in the north, araw araw na to! Char. What I really liked about Llaollao is the quality of the yogurt, plus it brings me back to the days I got so addicted to froyos I would eat it everyday and would even bring my own toppings (Nips represent!) para tipid. Llallao feels nostalgic.

BLK wins in the innovation and retail store design category though! You can snap a blurred photo of their wall and it will still come out Instagram worthy. And you know, it's a close fight for me. See, I love Llallao but I would eat BLK because it's nearer and they're nearly as good.

How about you, which do you prefer? :D