How To Manage Stress with Food - The Healthy Way

Brows furrowed? Barely able to breathe and can't sleep? It's time to relax and de-stress.

Image by: www.ehow.com

There are a lot of ways to cope with stress that life throws at us. One of which is through meditation that requires determination and patience to stop the momentum of anxiety and nervousness. Others relieve stress through yoga or pilates, which combine healthy exercise with breathing and meditative movements.

Image by: Yoga Therapy Program at TK

We all have the capabilities to de-stress. In fact, we don't even need to go out of our comfort zones to relieve stress. Watch your favorite DVD collection, open a window to let the air in, reread your favorite book, dress up, play a video game or drop the F-bomb about your boss or colleague.

Those, as mentioned above, are just a few of many strategies that we can all do to de-stress. Now add to that list: eating the right food.

The first thing that comes to mind to de-stress is comfort foods like a bag of chips, ice cream or a candy bar. Eating these types of food in large quantities and frequently is a bad habit that should be avoided because they are, generally, not good for the health and do not help in relieving stress. These foods may comfort you but it is for awhile only, thus the effect doesn't last long.

Here are the list of Healthy Foods that Can Help Manage Stress:

Image by: jdemirdjian.com

* Wholewheat oatmeal or cereals - Start your day right with healthy breakfast like any complex carbohydrate-rich foods because they prompt brains to make more serotonin which is feel-good chemical and can also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar levels.

* Fruits that are rich in Vitamin C like oranges - can curb levels of stress hormones.

* A Handful of Nuts like pistachios, walnuts and almonds - they help keep stress hormone levels low.

* Dark Green Leafy Vegetables like spinach and kale - these veggies contain B-complex vitamins that help calm the nerves and magnesium which help keep headaches and fatigue at bay

* Fatty fish like salmon and tuna - has Omega3 fatty acids which can prevent surges in stress hormones

* Banana and Avocado - high in potassium which aids in regulation of blood pressure and can also relieve heartburn

* Black Tea - helps reduce the amount of high stress levels (cortisol).

* Green Tea - reduces the output of tension-making beta waves.

* A Glass of Cold Water - drink this before going out for a walk to get your blood moving and the air invigorates by stimulating the endorphins that help de-stress.

* Dark Chocolate (with cocoa content of 70% more) - most potent endorphin-producing food.

Image by: tendertips.co.nz

* Asparagus - rich in folic acid that prevent irritability and fatigue.

* A Glass of Milk - contains calcium, magnesium and potassium.

* Raw Celery or Carrots - munching veggie sticks helps release a clenched jaw, therefore they can ward off tension.

Please Note:

This is intended for general informational purposes only. Consult professional medical advice in seeking treatment.

Visit the references for more information.

References:

How To De-Stress in 1 Minute

Managing Stress Through Regular Exercise

Pilates and Yoga Techniques to De-Stress

16 Ways to De-stress

Diet for Stress Management

11 Healthy Ways to De-Stress with Food

Have a stress-free holiday!



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How To Manage Unwanted / Dumb Posts On Your Facebook News Feed

Sometimes it's hilariously entertaining but mostly pathetic that social networking sites have become the mecca for dim-witted to show off how proud they are about their wee-brains, which they have no clue. These people must have desperate need for sympathy from online community, which they don't get from their own family.

Image courtesy of Taoty
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You know, other people don't need to know if you are on your first day menstrual period or if you are having diarrhea. Goodness sake!

Some would even post photos of their dead toes or of some phrases that they don't have a clue what it meant. If you can't get out of the countryside, let your finger tips do the traveling through Google search, especially if you only know or can only fit one language in your wee brain. So you know what to post or how to respond instead of making fun of or ridiculing something that you are clueless about.

I know it's harsh. Sometimes you just got to be harsh to get through.

Now then, I don't claim to be the smartest of my bunch but it only takes common sense. And I never see the need to respond to hate messages, especially if it's coming from people who are either ridiculously jealous or just hateful about everything or everyone else who did better than them. Worst is hate messages coming from those who owe me and those who stole from me.

Sigh. I just let go of this negativity because I believe in karma.

If not for my blogging, I'd deactivate my social networking accounts, not just for awhile. Thank goodness, I figured it out how not to see on my Facebook News Feed the posts that I do not particularly want to see without the need of unfriending or blocking the poster (and that's if I can help it). Now I can freely browse and interact with people who share on News Feed the updates that bring happiness, positive thoughts, inspirational messages and blogger giveaways too!

Here's how to manage unwanted posts from your Facebook News Feed:

• Hover over your Facebook friend's profile name or picture, don't click either.
• Move the cursor over the Friends as shown below.
• Uncheck the "Show in News Feed" by clicking it.

 

This is not a hate message towards haters. I'm just stating a matter of fact.

Hateful or jealous messages, stupid photos, whining about random craps doesn't deserve to get attention. I just don't have the time to those whiny posts and I don't get it either why people have to show or share their stupidity. Some beg for attention and expose themselves by showing off distasteful half-naked self-portraits. It's a pity, really. Worst, recently I noticed that online bullying is the new entertainment for others. Sigh. I think I have unfriended most of these types.

My little boy is precious to me so I don't want him to accidentally see / read these types of messages so he is never allowed to get on Facebook.

But oh well. Live and let live! They are happy doing such things so let them as long as they don't attack nor harass you deliberately. My easy solution is I just remove them from my News Feed.

So my dear spammers, pardon me.

All I want is positive harmony!

Don't you?




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How Soon Should You Start Using Anti-Ageing Solutions?

I received an e-mail from BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) Marketing last week regarding their Exclusive One-time Welcome Gift. To claim this welcome gift, simply use the BPI atm card to purchase anywhere through EPS (express payment system) and it must worth at least P1,500. Then confirm the transaction by texting them your full name, mailing address, transaction date and transaction amount.

The welcome gift was Olay Anti-Ageing Solutions kit. Isn't that awesome?

Great timing that 3 days before this e-mail, I paid my grocery items at Robinson's Galleria using my BPI atm card. So as soon as I finished reading the e-mail, I texted them the required details. I received response right away saying that once transaction was validated, I will receive my Olay gift pack in 15 days.

To my amazement though, the gift pack arrived just 4 days later! Here's what's inside the gift pack:

* Olay Total Effects 7-in-one day cream with SPF 15
* Olay Age Defying Moisturizing Soap Bar

Thank you BPI for my Olay gift pack!

To be honest though, I haven't considered using anti-ageing solutions religiously yet. All I use everyday is sunblock cream/lotion on my face, neck, arms and legs. And hardly go out without it. I'm too lazy to do other skin care rituals, morning or evening. For me, the less the better and keeping skin clean is more beneficial than slapping on too much products. However, maybe it's time for me to start using anti-ageing solutions. After all, I'm not getting any younger.

I read a post from Daily Mail UK, a person could get old before their time and that's because of using anti-ageing products.

Experts say that women could be wasting money on products they don't actually need and more worryingly, they could be damaging their skin permanently.
Ref: Old Before Your Time

On the contrary, and as I have mentioned, I'm not getting any younger so I guess it's about

All opinions are 100% mine.


- Geca

time that I use anti-ageing products religiously. So I did try to look for the skin care regimen appropriate for me. Find your perfect skin care regimen here from Olay experts.

What age do (did) you consider to use anti-ageing solutions?





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Proud Volunteers at Recycle Feed Run Event!

Out of excitement to volunteer and be part of a great cause to 'Help Make a Difference', I was wide awake the night before of 'Recycle Feed Run' event that was hosted by HyperSports Philippines. A mug of hot coffee and a quick shower at half past midnight made me more alert. Then I phoned the most trusted taxi company, Basic, to drive me to Bonifacio Global City. 10 minutes later, taxi arrived so off I went.

I arrived at the venue a few minutes after 2 in the morning. There were already a few people at the venue when I got there but I don't know what my team members look like so I started texting them to let them know where I am. Some of them were there much earlier than I was, so soon enough my entire team was complete.

As we waited for our turn to register and for our shirts and I.D.s, I briefly told them what we were going to do:

Okay team, we are going to give away water, coco quench, banana and ice-cold sponges to the runners. Which means, later we will be shouting: "Water!" "Coco Quench!" "Banana!" and "Sponge!" so that they know what we got for them.
We will be divided into two stations, and that's Aid station 3 and 4. 

Then I picked who are going with me and assigned Freddie to lead the other station. It was taking ages queueing for the shirt and I.D. so I went to get the meal for the group. After getting the Hungarian sausage sandwiches for the team, I ran to get the team's shirts, holding on to the list of names and their shirt sizes. Thanks to Mr. Jobert dela Victoria who assisted me in getting the shirts for my team.

Unexpectedly, our ride to the stations was a delivery truck!


 My first thought was:

Is this a safe ride for me and my team, especially the girls?

Nonetheless, I hopped in without a hint of hesitation. As a matter of fact, I ended up enjoying the ride and we even took photos (which can be viewed here) of ourselves!

A few minutes drive later, I faced another surprise that morning. They were dropping us off at station 2 because there were no one to man that station. So I quickly decided who to assign there. I sent Ron, his wife and Floro.

At station 3, I decided to send Freddie, Arlyn and Patrick. With me at station 4 are Dentist Amy, Glads and Arnold.

There were no marshalls to show where to U-turn so Doc Amy volunteered herself to marshall. And so she stood next to the Tropicana Coco Quench banner/marker, cheering and showing the way to the runners. Glads was there also  too eager to cheer and marshall with Doc Amy. Arnold stationed himself next to the ice-cold sponges and drinking water, while I stood next to Coco Quench and bananas.

I should mention as well the kind help of gentlemen who delivered the goods. Thanks to them, whose names I forgot.

The first few runners that reached our station were Kenyans who mostly ignored our offers of water, coconut juice, banana or sponges. Most of them just kept running in long strides. Some have asked nothing but water.

I took photos with my dslr whenever my hands are free. I'm glad that some runners would stop to strike a happy or wacky pose so I did take their photos (viewable here). To my dismay though, my hands went sticky from bananas so I wasn't able to take photos as much as I wanted to.

On the contrary, I'm proud of my team who cheered the runners as they reach our station. Well, we were all cheering them on non-stop, down to the last runner:

Good morning runners!
Go, go runners! You can do it!

Whenever I saw runners throwing the empty cups to the garbage bin, I shout:

I love you, responsible runner!

At the end of the day, us volunteers were overwhelmingly joyous for being a part of a great cause and for serving runners. Most of us are runners too so we know what runners want. Cheering them on and greeting them wholeheartedly was our way of saying "We care!". I hope we made all runners of "Recycle Feed Run" happy.

Thank you HyperSports Philippines for letting us be a part of this advocacy. See you again next time!

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Siamese Cats Bring Good Luck

Surprisingly, having Siamese cats brought additional happiness to the family and they are great companions at home too.

If you do not own a Siamese Cat, maybe it's time for you to get one.

You know why?

According to Siam (Thailand) legend, Siamese Cats bring Good Luck to their owners and they keep evil spirits away.

I recently spent a couple of days in a house full of Siamese Cats. And I can tell you that they are very outgoing, social and affectionate.

They are also very vocal when they want something but their voices are easy on the ears, unlike other breeds.

I noticed too that while they are very playful, they catch insects and lizards too. I even witnessed one to be meowing at a queue of ants!

They are curious about almost everything around them and seem to be intelligent pets.

Siamese Cats only require to be bathed once a month and their coats need to be brushed once in awhile.

And, if they are well taken care of, they can live up to fifteen or twenty years old.

A Siamese Cat / Kitten can be delivered FREE in San Pedro, Laguna or nearby towns and in Ortigas Center, Pasig or nearby. 

For more details, please contact this number: 63 999 4053730  and mention that you read and commented on this blog post to get a 10% discount.

http://www.ayosdito.ph/Siamese+-3523667.htm