God is Full of Compassion yet His Wrath is Disastrous (Psalm 78)

v. 38 But He being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; yea, many a time turned He His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath.

v. 39 For He remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

The Lord our Heavenly Father is merciful, full of compassion, forgives iniquities, though many times we commit sins He turned away His anger because He knows that we are flesh and so weak, come and pass thru this life only once.

God is full of compassion and merciful knowing that human are but flesh.

God chooses to turn away His wrath and forgave their iniquity, destroyed not the Israelites despite of their sin of unbelief, murmuring and other sinful act against God while in their journey to get out from bondage in Egypt.

God's chosen people provoked Him.

In Psalm 78, His chosen nation, the Israelites turned away God for so many times, provoked Him, doing what He hated most- worshipping idols, murmuring and always seeking their small pleasure in Egypt not minding how God will bless them out of Egypt. They never think much about how blessed they are being chosen people by the powerful God despite of His many miracles and His will to take them away from bondage in the land of Egypt.

Christians today commit same sin against God.

This scenario is also applied to us a Christians nowadays. Despite that immeasurable love for us by the Heavenly Father and Loving God, when He gave His only begotten Son for the emancipation of our sin and save us from the eternal damnation, we are still murmuring how difficult our lives are, worrying too much about the things on this earth, thinking and acting like God never know what we need in our life.

God loves His children and able to provide all their needs.

Come to think of it, if God the Father can give His Only Begotten Son to die for our sin, can’t He give us what we really need? God attribute is love. And as a Father in Heaver, He cares much about His children. If we, human knows how to love much our children how much our Father in Heaven!  Can’t He not help us and provide our needs? He is sovereign and nothing impossible to Him. His help is on time; He is still sitting on the throne at still at work.

Christians must know very well the result and consequence of the sin of unbelief.

We should be very careful to be unbelieving, murmuring and always comparing little things to what God will give us when He brought us to the place that He wants us to be, a place where we can worship Him. God hates the unbelieving heart. And when He hates, He forsakes. Much more of this sin of unbelief, God can forsake and destroy us just like what He did to His chosen people, the Israelites.

Christians must be wise to choose God's will over permissive will.

With all of these things, having free will, we can choose between God’s will and permissive will. At the end of the day, what prevailed was a result of our choice. 

THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING FROM HOME FULL TIME.

Work at the comfort of your home carries with it the thought of staying at home during your whole working hours and seems more convenient and enticing as you first look at it. If you are working 8 to 5 during weekdays since you left your alma mater and you’ve been doing it for more than a decade, chances are you are looking for something that is more convenient, more comfortable in terms of your time and travel management.

You may even think that it is too tiresome and boring spending 5 to 6 hours by just preparation and travel time to and from work. If we add all these 5 hours for 5 days, you will have a total of 25 hours in a week spending for preparation and travel time alone. It’s one hour more than one day and one night. So, you have a total of 4 days, 4 nights and 4 hours in a month of 4 weeks and more than if the month has 5 weeks. If we compute it in a year, 49 days, 48 nights and 4 hours. That’s equivalent to one and half month! Imagine the number of hours spending every single day to prepare for the job! Enough to finish one or two modules in online courses!

Though, working from home is effective and more productive for others, reality is, you need to strictly balance and manage your time and observe it so well. Otherwise, you may find it so unproductive and too tiresome!

Things to consider to avoid eating up your scheduled time allocated for your work.

• Conversion of your home to an office workplace mode. where you can entertain and receive work related visitors; where you can’t be disturbed by unnecessary noise or unnecessary activities so you can focus at your deliverables.
• Time management. When you are at home, time seems flies so fast and even before you know it, your eight hours were already gone. Worst, if you are not careful and not strictly observing time management, you will end the day without any accomplishment.
• Focus. If you are working in a place at home which are not secluded or you are working in a place which is accessible by everyone, you can easily get distracted by everything around you, the irresistible movement of your favorite dog or cat, and most of the times, everyone in the family thinks you are free to talk to them or attend to any query or doing things for them because you are just at home. And sometimes, they will not understand that you are actually working even you are staying at home. Worse, they will easily engage you in a discussion! If you are not conscious enough, you will be definitely out of focus!
• Errands.  In a workplace (at the office), you will not be bothered in every errand at home because of your absence physically. Or maybe, it is easy to program your mind that you will do all home errands before or after work. On the other hand, working at home, there is a temptation to procrastinate having in mind that, ‘anyway, I will just be at home, I can do it as soon as I finished my deliverables ‘or ‘I can do it while I am taking my short break’. When not properly scheduled or not observing the schedule, you will end up spending your times doing petty things and neglecting the most important one – missing the deadlines.
• Meal time. If you do cooking for the family’s meal, you will spend much of your time in the preparation and dining with the family. Regularly, dining table talks take much longer than expected. And if you will not properly observe the time allocated for this activities, you will be surprised that your time already elapsed without accomplishing the scheduled output.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NATURACENTIALS HERBAL TOOTHPASTE

Since we first used this herbal toothpaste, me and my family became an instant avid fan of this and because I highly recommend this product, i wrote this article to let everybody knows how INTERESTING  and BENEFICIAL NATURACENTIALS HERBAL TOOTHPASTE Complete Cavity Protection is all about.

NATURACENTIALS HERBAL TOOTHPASTE 100ml(130g) AED 25 (Php175)

Active Ingredient:            

Sodium Fluoride 0.32%(w/w)

Components:

Bee Propolis

Tea Tree Oil

Myrrh Extract

Piper Betel Extract

Aloe Vera Extract

Sorbitol Solution

Silica

Purified Water

Glycerin

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Flavor Cellulose Gum

PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Ethyl Alcohol

Saccharin Sodium

Sodium fluoride

Menthol

Methyl Paraben

Triclosan

Propyl Paraben

Enriched with 16,000 Phytonutrients from Complete phyto-energizer

BENEFITS:

• Helps protect against cavities and deeply cleans teeth along the gum line to prevent plaque build-up making your teeth smooth after brushing.
• Gets rid of bad bacteria that causes bad breath and keeps your mouth feeling clean and fresher longer.
• Makes brushing a healthier routine with the help of 16,000 phytonutrients from Complete Phyto-Energizer.
• Bee Propolis – inhibits oral bacteria and fungal infections like candidiasis, removes inflammation, associated with periodontitis and prevents plaque formation, prevents infections, healing of minor burns, being use as natural fluoride replacement.
• Tea Tree Oil – has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in the oral cavity. Because of its ability to kill off bad bacteria and at the same time soothe inflamed skin, it is a perfect ingredient in homemade toothpaste and mouthwash. It will reduce the bleeding of gums and tooth decay.

DIY homemade toothpaste: mix altogether all the ingredients - 1 teaspoon tea tree oil, 1 teaspoon coconut oil and 2 teaspoon baking soda

• Myrrh Extract – has natural antiseptic properties and has great benefits for gums and mouth disorders. Helps treat gingivitis and sore throat. Promotes fresh breath. As an astringent, it strengthens the hold of gums on teeth and keep gums healthier. Stops hemorrhaging on wounds and makes wounds heal quicker. Source: https://organicfacts.net
• Piper Betel Extract – it has anti-bacterial properties that are helpful to prevents the development of plaque formation and eliminates bacteria causing bad breath. It is also helpful to control the acid level in mouth, thus preventing the formation of cavity.
• Aloe Vera Extract – helps clean teeth and fight cavities. Reduces dental plaques. Helps treat mouth ulcers (canker sores). Helps fight bad breath because of its cleansing properties and it also contains an anti-inflammatory compound called B-sitosterol that soothes acid indigestion, a common cause of bad breath. It is also safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes. The plant’s natural ingredients, which include a healthy dose of vitamin C, will block plaque and provides relief for bleeding or swelling gums. This amazing plant is disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-microbial, germicidal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-viral. Source: http://happyandraw.com  it is amazing and we can’t ask for more.

Direction for use:

• Brush teeth thoroughly after meals or at least twice a day or use as directed by the dentist.
• Do not swallow. Rinse after use.
• For children 2-6 years old, use a pea-sized amount under supervised brushing to minimize swallowing.
• Children under 2 years old, consult your dentist before using this product.
• In case of intake of fluoride from other sources, consult a dentist or doctor.

With all the ingredients as mentioned and described above, there are other benefits that are actually experienced by satisfied users. Me and my family actually experienced and enjoying the following health benefits:

• Pimple/acne overnight treatment – put small amount as topical and leave it overnight. This is to prevent infection and the pimple may heal overnight. If symptoms, persist consult dermatologist.
• Facial wash. Use like a liquid facial wash. Massage face on a circular motion for at least 2-3 minutes. Rinse. Leaves your skin cleaner, moisturized, smooth and fresher because of its mint effect.
• Feminine wash. Use a pea-sized amount, lather with water, leave for at least 2-3 minutes. Rinse. Just like what you feel when use as facial wash. So fresh and clean!!
• Underarm wash. There are times, it is so impossible to take a bath due for some reasons. To get rid of body odor, wash underarms using NATURACENTIALS HERBAL TOOTHPASTE. It has same effects as facial and feminine wash.

There is always a better way! 

BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA

With all those reviews and research about the wonders of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR(ACV) and BAKING SODA, I have my own personal testimonies and great experience about the goodness of these two products in our health. I recommend this product for their benefits and cost savings.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

• Protects me from acid build up which keeps me from arthritis and acidity, keeps my body’s ph level.
• It helps lower blood pressure. My husband has high blood pressure and he is taking maintenance medicine for it. But I should say, ACV helps him to maintain his normal BP along with his medication.
• Keeps me energize and alive the whole day.
• Keeps maintaining my ideal body weight because it helps burn more calories and lower my eating appetite.
• Great facial toner and does wonder with my skin by minimizing wrinkles and pores.
• Helps dandruff treatment, making my hair shinier and softer. I just make sure to rinse very well because smell is not so good.
• Sore throat treatment.
• Treat yeast infection.

My morning elixir to drink first thing in the morning with an empty stomach.

250 ml drinking water

1 teaspoon raw honey

2 tablespoon ACV

Unfortunately, BRAGG ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR in Dubai is only available and being sold online 32 fl (946 ml) for 248 Dhs   http://www.dubaisupplements1.com/en/1427-organic-apple-cider-vinegar-32-fl-oz-liquid-by-bragg.html  

In the Philippines, 16 fl is being sold for less than Php 200.00 available mostly only in big supermarkets. It is out of stock most of the time. No doubt, users are continually growing and people keep on using and recommend to their families, relatives and friends because of its great quality, which results to many good reviews and research about the good effect in the human body.  BRAGG ACV is 100% organic and clean because it has KOSHER approval.

As an alternative, I use EDEN ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR here in Dubai. It can be bought here in Spinneys Dhs 14.50, Carrefour, Dhs 13.75, Baqer Mohebi, Dhs 13.75. Most of the time it is also out of stock.  I find this brand nearly equally good as Bragg ACV. Although, this brand has no KOSHER approval.

BAKING SODA

I love this product because of the following benefits it gives me:

• Hair care. Great for cleaning the hair and remove hair styling products residue when combined with my favorite shampoo.
• Facial care. Excellent in exfoliation, and can be used as facial wash just like a soap. Keeps my face so smooth, fresh and clean. It is great even for the most sensitive skin because it is so mild and non-soapy. Won’t clog pores and also great pores minimizer.
• Body care. Excellent in fighting body odor. Just dissolve 1 tablespoon into 1 gallon of water and use it for rinse. A very effective in yeast infection treatment.
• Foot care. Great for foot soak. Dissolve 2 tablespoon baking soda in a basin of water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes and gently scrub before rinse. The result is smoother and non-smelly feet.
• Hand care. Excellent in hand wash to keep it smooth and eliminate stubborn odor specially every after cooking session.
• Oral hygiene. Mouth wash to fight bad breath and teeth whitener when use as toothpaste.
• Laundry. Combine with the powder soap to keep the clothes smell fresh.
• Odor eliminator. In fridge, shoes, shoe cabinet and house corners. It can also be used as air freshener without the harmful effect in our lungs.
• Excellent in fruit and vegetable wash to remove traces of chemicals and pesticides. Ideally, if you want to eat your fruits and vegies fresh and peel on it.
• Kitchen. Use as cleanser to fight harmful bacteria. Sponge and kitchen wipes soak.

Good thing, ARM & HAMMER baking soda is also available here in Dubai. It can be bought in most of the supermarkets here for less than 20Dhs, 340g. In the Philippines, it is available even in small supermarkets for less than Php100, 340g.

ON BEING RESILIENT

To live in this world full of uncertainties and insecurities, it is very important to cope up with all the challenges that come along the way. And for every hardships and difficulties, it is always a wise choice to bounced back after every encounter.

Whenever persons came to us and share their afflictions, a family members, relatives, friends, colleagues or maybe an acquaintance  it is very easy for us to give either solicited or unsolicited advice such as: ‘they must keep going even how bad the situation is’, ‘everything will just come to pass’, ‘those bad circumstances are being used to make them strong’, ‘they can surely handle it because a person will not be given a problem that he cannot handle’ and other advices that will somehow rekindle them.

But things are different and is always easier said than done if we are the one passing through the hardships and difficulties in life. During those situations, we may feel we are left behind, helpless, forsaken, worthless, and every negative words that will keep us down and so powerless more than we could imagine.

There are five important things I keep on thinking and doing whenever the situations call me to be RESILIENT.

• ACCEPTANCE. I accept that I am not alone to experience this kind of situation and I am not exempted for those anxieties in life.
• SORT THINGS OUT. As the situation is not going the way they should be or what happening is totally different from my expectations, it is my best time to pause for a while and do some personal assessments. Review what are the contributory factors and know what are those controllable and non-controllable. These things are one of the most important in making final decision and how to proceed.
• FAMILY SUPPORT. Being open to the family members is crucial. It is where I can get moral and intellectual support. It is also very important that everyone in the family knows what I am going through so they will understand and never be cruel and at lost because I may behave strangely at times. It is always great comfort and source of strength to know I have a family who is there to support me even in most difficult situations.
•  FRIENDS AND RELATIVES SUPPORT. I have many relatives and friends for sure. But being a reserved and private type of person, I seldom share to my relatives and friends about my personal problems. Although, there are instances that I can’t avoid to let them know, I limit my communication with them specially if they can do nothing about the situation. I just ask from them to include me in their prayers and assure them that it is really a big help for me.
• LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS. It is true that worrying won’t do anything good to the problem. Whenever I am worried, I always keep in mind that if there’s a problem there is always a solution. I just need to formulate what are the best solutions. It is very important that solutions to the problem must not create other problem in the long run.
• KEEP GOING WHILE WAITING. When hardship and difficulties seems so unbearable, part of my mind says, it is better for me to evaporate and get lost in this world so that I can no longer feel the pain, while other part of my mind says, life is not that bad at all, it has in store something better for me and I should never give up knowing very well that patience is a virtue because, really, good thing happens to those who patiently waits and persevere.

On top of these points, I would say, PRAYER is my most powerful source of strength and wisdom to COPE UP AND NOT LOSING HOPE.

Thank you so much for reading this. I hope I helped in one way or another. 

Tips on How To Start A Blog

My heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Anne V., Founder/Writer of http://www.stretchyourpeso.com who is able and willing to share with us her knowledge in blogging. She is very generous and joyful in teaching us all she knew about the topic which she share with her beloved husband's advocacy.

Below are the important points to do’s for the newbies and wannabe bloggers:

There are three platforms that can host your blog/website for free perfectly for beginners.

• Blogpost (www.blogger.com) – this is more user-friendly specially to those who are not computer programmer or has limited knowledge in the computer. This website is highly recommended. It is free and I find it very user friendly.
• Wordpress (www.wordpress.com) – this website is so slow in uploading even if the article is just very simple. Hence, not recommended.
• Weebly (www.weebly.com) – this website is just new and you can expect lots of bugs.

How to create your own blog/website.

1. Gmail Account for your blog. All you need is an existing gmail email address/account. If you don’t have, you should create one at no cost. This will be used to sign up to a Blogger account. Use Google+ profile to make your blog connected with your Google+ account. When you have already google+ account, in your browser, type www.blogger.com ,Voila, your blogsite will be automatically created.
2.  Blog Name and Suggested Topics. Once you have created your blog, you will just choose a name for your blog. Blog name should be catchy, and represent something the owner stands for. Pray and think for a perfect blog name and make sure that no dot com already registered in your chosen name. It should be unique. Upon choosing the name, you have to figure out what your blog’s niche is. Niche means job, purpose, category. Example: Stretch Your Peso – lifestyle blog (tackles health, life hacks, savings, parenting, homeschool, products/service reviews, etc) It could be just health blog only, entertainment blog, trend blog- concentrating on one niche only. You may need to change the name as you just found the perfect name for your blog, you can edit and change in settings anytime. For the first timer, try test blog, say personal blog. For me, my trial blog is AlmaRabino.blogspot.com, there I am sharing everything about my personal observation, journey, etc. Then, if you are very confident in blogging, you can change the name to a professional blog name. You need to start simple and personal first. Then tell your family and friends about your blog, they are your first readers/viewers. You should be passionate in what you are writing so it just flows. It is easy to write if you like the topics. I suggest making a mom blog. Then focus on product/service reviews, just insert other articles like tips from a mom so you have fillers. If you go out, eat at a restaurant, it is an opportunity to rate/review the food/service. There are so many viewers of product/services reviews. People nowadays check blog reviews of restaurants before going there to save time, money and effort. Blog reviews saves our readers from wasting time and money on products/services that aren’t good. But blog should not only reviews, it should have other topics as well. Just be careful in writing reviews for big brands, they might sue. It is best practice or make a policy that if we did’nt like product/services, we won’t write about it. It’s just a waste of our web space and time.
3. Blog Dashboard. If the chosen blog name is available, just click create blog and presto, you have now your blog. The face of your blog is called the dashboard - virtual office of your blog. Here, you can find Earnings where the Google Adsense linked if you can aready have ads in your website. You have to apply for the Google Adsense and sometimes they will be denied just like visa application. In order for you not to deny, there should have no deadlinks in the blog so when Google scanned the website, it will not be look like under construction. You have at least 30 quality published original - content - articles with minimum of 600 words per article and all button or menu in the blog is working.
4. Blog/Website should have active social media like facebook page, Instagram, twitter. Active meaning there should have post of more than once a week. Specially if its just started.
5. For more details and step by step blogging guide, you may refer to this link. https://support.google.com/blogger

Thank you for reading. I hope it will help those who wants to blog but don't know how to start. Happy blogging! 

A Leader with a Good Heart

Just like this Abu Dhabi flagpole which bears record (as per google) as the current highest flagpole in the world, Great Leaders will also bear record in their entire history.

We all know that leadership is directing people do what you want them to do without forcing them, good leader is a good follower, lead not only with great mind but also with great heart and so many other qualities a good leader must possess.

In my eighteen years working as an accountant, I have worked either directly and indirectly with different leaders and I was able to compile qualities of a great leader and their impact both to an individual and to an organization.

Great leader must have the following abilities:

• Courage to carry on and implement the policy for the common good both for an organization and an individuals and not only for the good of the few.

• Courage to face difficulties with the mind of not only getting through with it but with integrity of not stepping other's right.

• See positive and good things out of difficulties and hardships. Able to quantify the good things in all circumstances. Not easily get discourage when everything seems getting worse.

• He or She must be the CEO as in Chief Encouragement Officer in the workplace (by Ms. Maloi M. Salumbides). He or she must be the source of encouragement of the team. Specially, when there are difficulties which result to quitting or losing hope.

• Bringing out the best in the team. Able to push the team to persevere in providing the best results no matter how impossible the situations will be. 

• The welfare of the team/organization is always top of the line. Ready to sacrifice personal interest if the interest of the team/organization is at stake.

• Keeps great people and empower them to be able to function independently and achieved the desired results.

• Helps team and individual reach their goals without the need to closely monitor every single move they are doing.

• Decide spontaneously as the need arises and has the ability to stand firmly in his decision. 

• A people-magnet because of his/her charm. People are attracted to him/ her because he/she knows what are the common needs of each individual.

Individual members who are being influenced by great leaders becomes most likely:

• They give full respect to their leaders, give their loyalty and go the extra miles in their given functions.

• They will have high integrity and are very careful to the trust given to them wanting it will not be lost because of the mistake committed either intentional or unintentional.

• They will be greatly motivated for the pursuit in reaching their goals as an individual and never easily quit until they reached their desired results.

• They are also an encouragement to the people around them. Because they are not dwell in every untoward circumstances coming in their way instead they see the beauty in every situations and their mind is full of positive thoughts.

• They also lead their own family and relatives in like manner making them more responsible of taking care for the welfare of their family not only in terms of materials but also lead them how to be a good person as a whole.

The organization leads by this kind of leaders will have results more likely as follows:

• Members are being united in pursuing the mission and vision of the team.

• Poster camaraderie, transparency and openness.

• Poster balance lifestyle for each member.

• Nobody in the organization will left behind because of unresolved issues.

• Organization will be resilient and can survive even the hardest battle to win.

• Organization will be more open for change to the betterment.

• Organization will serve its purpose either for profit or for public service leaving legacy to the community.

This kind of leader is really inevitable to the organization.
There's a lot of other qualities a good leader must possess. But out of those good qualities, good leader with a good HEART stands our and can bring the team/organization to the top deeply rooted with values and passion to achieve its goals.

Things That Caught My Attention While Living in Dubai

Since my day one here in Dubai, I was amazed and overwhelmed how life goes on here. I just wish I can also experience those amazing things back in the Philippines.

Below are few things that really caught my attention:

Garbage bin. Big garbage bins are neatly stationed all over the place. This keeps the surroundings free of loitering because everyone has the discipline and properly throw their trash at the designated bins anytime they want. The collection of garbage is daily to avoid overflowing and stinking.

Garbage bins

Traffic/Signal Lights and Pedestrian Crossings. These are strategically located specifically in those high-density area. Pedestrian Crossing is available in those area that people can cross the street without waiting the signal light because traffic rules implicate that pedestrian first. Motorists respect pedestrian while pedestrian observe and cross the street responsibly.

Pedestrian Crossing

Transportation System.

1. Dubai Metro/Stations.  High technology metro stations are like lobby of  a 5-star hotel with its spacious, clean and air-conditioned area. I never experience any metro station in Dubai so crowded and so hot! Aside from lift, there are also walkalators or moving walkways to avoid long walk specially if there is mall connected to the metro stations. Train arrival and departure is every after 4 minutes’ interval and guaranteed no delays! You will not get lost because aside from voice, there are monitors inside the train telling where is the current location and where is the next stop station. Each station has four exit. Just familiarised where to exit so you will not consume much of your time going to and from each exit to arrive at your destination.

Nol Card

Nol card reader at Dubai Metro Station

Dubai Metro inside

Monitor of Bus schedule inside the Al Jafiliya Metro Station

Dubai Metro Platform- Burjuman Station

Walkalator or Moving Walkways in Dubai Internet City

2. Dubai Bus. All buses are air-conditioned and has clear rules and regulations for the convenience of each commuter such as not allowed inside the bus: playing loud music, chewing gums, eating and drinking, staying on the restricted area and others. Just like in Dubai Metro, there are voice and monitors telling current location and where is the next stop. Arrival intervals are different according to each bus route but there are many choices what bus to ride for your planned destinations. Fare is being paid thru prepaid Nol Card both metro and bus. So, no inter-action with the bus driver except if there is a need to ask about the specific route the bus is going. Unlike in Dubai Metro, upon entering to the bus, the Nol Card should be tap on the card reader to register where station you came from and before getting off the bus, tap again the Nol Card to deduct payment for the fare. As of this writing, minimum fare is 3Dhs both metro and bus.

inside Dubai Bus

"Stop" Push button inside Dubai Bus

Clean Public Beaches. As of this writing, we have just explored Jumeirah Open Beach and yet I am so amazed how the locality maintains its cleanliness despite that it is open for public use. All amenities such as shower, dressing room, toilet, jogging area with some exercise equipment are all available for free! The white sand at the shore and underwater is clearly seen, inviting everyone to go excitingly splurge the water!

Jumeirah Beach 

Jumeirah Beach at night

Year - round grocery items on sale!  If you are making budget and strictly observing it to attain some financial goals, just watch for some supermarkets when they offer sales promotion and definitely, shopping won’t harm your financial goals. Depends upon each schedule, supermarkets go on sale for selected grocery items, either food and non-food items.

In Carrefour, during their sales promotion, you can buy double size blanket, queen size fitted bed sheet with 2 pillows for 10Dhs only each and I assure you the fabric quality is good! Tide/Ariel laundry powder 4kgs for 20Dhs only, Kiwi fruits for 6Dhs per kg, cucumber and carrots for 2.95Dhs per kg, onion and potato - 5kgs in one bag for only 5Dhs per bag. Those are some of the daily necessities that are a-must-to-buy but you will not feel guilty even if you buy in bulk. And usually, they offer sales promotion every month.

During Sales promotion in Carrefour

In Baqer Mohebi, there is 1dirham items’ section. Items in that section are different each day. Sometimes, there are chocolates, mayonnaise, biscuits, noodles, pasta, juice drinks, toiletries, canned goods and others. As I observed, items are two or more months before expiration.

Baqer Mohebi in Al Jafiliya

1Dirham section in Baqer Mohebi

Salsa Aloe Vera is one of the items of the day

Items of the day for 1 dirham only

These are the only two supermarkets i have mentioned here but other supermarkets have their own sales promotions too.

I am just looking forward to see these conveniences in my own beloved country, the Philippines! If they can do these here in Dubai, why can’t we do there?

How I Stay Fit, Healthy and Keeping My Ideal Body Mass Index(BMI)

While being fit and healthy is subjective and depends upon how each people look at it.

To some, you are healthy if you are strong and not easily affected by any bacteria nor viruses regardless of how your weight proportionate with your height, or you are considered healthy and fit if you are energetic and very active, not easily getting tired nor becoming sleepy during daytime, or if you have such body with proper posture, curves in proper places and having diet of fresh and organic food.

I have my own version of being healthy and maintaining my weight exactly the same as when I was in my early 20’s which I used to weigh 50kgs (110lbs), stand 5ft and 2 inches.

This makes me healthy and fit (very seldom to get sick), energetic, can easily cope up during depressing moments, with normal blood sugar and blood pressure and specially, I can wear the same size of clothes I used before.

These are what I religiously observed/practiced at all times:

·        Drink mixtures of apple cider vinegar, honey and water first thing in the morning. If I run out of apple cider vinegar, plain drinking water will always be a good replacement.

·        Never overeat. I trained my stomach to eat in moderation at all times.

·        Never sit immediately right after each meal.

·        Eat fruits first before taking the main dish.

·        Always sit or stand straight. Good posture helps flatten the belly, looking neck elongated.

·        Minimize, if cannot be completely avoided sodas and sugary juice drinks.

·        Easy on cakes, ice cream, donuts, chocolates and all other food that are full packed with sugar.

Whenever I have the opportunities, I always do the following:

Physical activities

• Body stretching every after two hours of sitting (I usually do it during office works). This is not only good for our joints but also good for proper blood circulations, brain functions and making us alert and active. A very good alternative to higher caffeine intake to avoid getting sleepy during wee hours.
• Jogging at least 30 minutes per session or at least jog until I got sweat. Getting sweat has many benefits to our body. One of great benefits is the release of the serotonin also known as happy hormone. So to keep us happy, let us keep on sweating thru exercise, jogging, running or any physical activities which keep you sweat.
• Do some crunches. This will help tone muscles and keep our belly flat.
• Choose to walk instead of riding for short distance travel. There are lots of benefits in walking.
• Choose to take stairs instead of using lift or elevator. This is also good for our cardiovascular health.

 Food intake

• Always choose fresh fruits and vegetables over processed foods. But whenever I can’t avoid eating processed foods, I just eat in a small amount, just enough to put some stuff to my belly to keep me going for the day.
• Always choose fish over meat. Fish is also a very good source of protein which we can get from meat. It is also great source of omega 3 fatty acid, a well-known supplement which is beneficial for our heart. Reference: www.webmd.com

Salmon is one of the best fish oil source. AED50 per kg

• No midnight snacks. I trained my stomach not to put stuff at night. This is the time where our organs are very active in digesting, detoxifying, etc. So putting food in our stomach at night time makes our organs double their effort in what they are normally doing.
• Easy on salad dressings that loaded with so many unwanted cholesterols.
• Easy on rich salty and sweet sauce. Too much salt is not good for our kidney nor too much sugar can make us diabetic.
• Choose brown rice instead of white rice – I found out that putting small amount of coconut oil while cooking brown rice makes it so smells and tastes deliciously and nutty. Study shows that putting coconut oil while cooking rice will reduce unwanted cholesterol by almost 50%. Reference: www.doctoroz.com 

Dona Maria Jasponica Brown Rice from the Philippines AED12.50 for 2kg - it is so delicious and nutty

• Juicing fruits and vegetables or making smoothies – this is my current health and beauty secret. I used to take smoothies one or two hours before dinner. I prefer smoothies over juicing because I want to take all the fiber from the vegetables and fruits to keep me feeling full. It is really great help in my waste elimination and giving my skin youthful glow!

  

  apple and cucumber are best combination for smoothies, great refreshment specially during this summertime here in Dubai.

Waste elimination

• Whenever I feel the urge to do waste elimination, I do it without any further delay.
• When I am doing it, I  am focus. I should avoid any activities like reading, facebook, etc. these things will make my elimination a little bit harder and longer. I can't afford to stay longer in the bathroom!
• Study shows that a healthy person will eliminate waste two to three times within 24 hours and with the same length of her or his arms – from elbow to the tip to middle finger!

This is how I take care of my body to keep me healthy, fit and maintain my ideal weight.

Thank you for reading. You may also share your beauty and health routine to us. Let us keep healthy and fit always!

Our 2016 Eid Holidays in UAE

EID 2016 is our second year Eid holidays in Dubai as a family. And we were so blessed to spend these holidays with my loveable and ever supportive niece, a CPA based in Bahrain, Jeune. She loves to spend this lovely seasons here in Dubai since our first year!

We are all fall in love spending holidays in Dubai! Where we enjoy every convenience during our most precious short vacation.

I am talking about convenience of the following:

Transportations - Public transportation is available wherever you want to go. It's cozy places of Metro stations, air-conditioned bus stops waiting area and hassle-free Nol card for Metro and Bus ride.

  

Deira City Centre Metro Station. Photo by Jeune

Shopping! You cannot resist to shop for high quality gadgets most specially during sale seasons! If you are in the right timing, you can buy as low as 50% of the original price. You will know that you are in UAE if you can see almost everyone uses high-end gadgets like an ordinary thing for everybody!

Fujifilm camera being sold by authorized dealer at 30% discounted price in Deira City Centre

Dining Out. Classy restaurants serving delicious foods are found in every location. Of course, courteous and customer-oriented ‘kabayan’ crews cannot be discounted. You feel like you are in the Philippines with the taste of the Pinoy-dish they are serving. And if you are seafood - lover, you will never forget that mouth-watering, one of best sellers, signature meals in Dampa Seafood Grill Deira City Centre.

Dampa Seafood Grill - Deira City Centre. Photo by Jeune

Dampa Seafood Grill - Deira City Centre. Photo by Jeune

Dampa Seafood Grill - Best Seller. Photo by Jeune

Dampa Seafood Grill - Best Seller. Photo by Jeune

P F Chang's Deira City Centre

Places.  Holidays are not complete without ‘gala’ mode. Places we have been visited inludes: 
Dubai -  Deira City Centre, City Walk in Al Safah, Al Qouz, Jumeirah Beach. 
Abu Dhabi - Al Wahda Mall, Grand Mosque, Corniche Beach, The Emirates Palace and Marina Mall.

Night view of Al Safah Road in front of City Walk

City Walk

Dubai Bus going to Abu Dhabi

Inside view in going to Abu Dhabi

Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  Photo by: Jeune

  

Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi

When visiting the Grand Mosque (one of famous tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi), do not forget to bring your any valid ID such as PRC, Driving License, or any ID issued by the government except passport and Emirates ID (it is against the UAE law for someone to take this away from the owner). They required one of these IDs before you enter the Mosque. And if you are not comfortable in wearing the Abaya (long black dress for women), better to wrap yourself with long sleeves, long pants and big scarf. The rule is that no skin must be seen in you except your face. You can also enter their prayer room by removing your shoes. The place is absolutely for free entrance all year round.

Abu Dhabi Flagpole According to Google, currently, this is the world's tallest flagpole, 122 metre(400ft) located along Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

  

Abu Dhabi Breakwater

The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi

This is also one of highlighted tourist spots in Abu Dhabi. Anyone can visit for free whenever there is no function or event inside the palace. However, we were not allowed to enter the place because they hold an event during our visit.

Jumeirah Open Beach Photo by Jeune Jumeirah Open Beach was our last visited place during that three–day holiday vacation. The clear beach water with its fine sand and captivating sunset scenery are really heartwarming making everyone wants to go back again and again. To sum it up, we were happy to end our holidays though only few places visited because of limited time. And we are looking forward to visit more of the famous places in these Seven Emirates composing UAE should we are able and if time permits us.