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Phase One-Day One 7/9

Tomorrow I will start on a brand new journey. I have talked about weight issues and my plans to lose weight countless times on this blog. I’ve already lost track of how many times I’ve started out on a diet and exercise plan only to see it fizzle out weeks, or days later (maybe even mere hours!).  I hope this is the last time I’ll ever have to say that I’m on a diet.

While I was out checking out ballpens and notebooks at the mall today, I received a call from The Sexy Chef confirming delivery of my Day 1 SouthBeach Diet Phase One meals tomorrow afternoon. I asked though if there was a possibility to squeeze me in today, not really expecting a yes. The lady called me back a few minutes later and said yes, they’d be able to schedule me for today after all. Just a little over an hour ago, I finally received a full day’s meals which I will actually consume tomorrow. That’s how the system goes: they deliver food scheduled to be enjoyed the day after.

Receiving the first delivery also means that I have given myself an (expensive) advanced happy birthday gift. I paid for two-weeks worth of SBD Phase One meals today. My bank account suffered a huge loss, but I hope that it means big gains for my health and well-being. 🙂

The photo doesn’t really give you an idea of how the food tastes. I’m sure it’s yummy. I don’t know yet, I’ll only start eating them tonight (breakfast at midnight). But it really is a complete set already: breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks and even gelato for dessert. I will probably swap lunch for breakfast though, I’m not comfortable bringing soup to work as baon. I hope that doesn’t mess things up for the diet. I’m sure it won’t. 🙂

They also handed me info on SBD and a list of foods to avoid, and a list of food to enjoy while on Phase One of the diet. It’s advised to eat only the food they supply, but they also gave a few suggestions on what to munch on or  take in case there are hunger pangs in between meals. It will probably be coffee with low-fat milk and sugar substitute for me.

Aside from buying ballpens and a notebook (to accompany me in my new journey) at the mall this afternoon, I was actually there to buy comfortable clothes to exercise in. I bought a few shirts and a couple of stretch pants.

You see, my dad has kindly volunteered to walk with me. He’s going to change his walking schedule just to make sure that I do have some exercise each day. He’s probably more determined than I am to make this work. I am thankful for that of course. 🙂 I haven’t decided yet what the best time for walking is, given my schedule. I’ll probably start with the Orbitrac the first few days and then go walking with that starting next week. We’ll see.

Perhaps now that I’ve put my money where my mouth is, now that I’m spending my own hard earned money, I will actually do what it takes to see the journey through. I’ve made an investment on my health. 🙂

I did sneak in some non-health related shopping today though. I bought this cute pair of Grendha Jelly Slips:

Believe me, the photo does not do it justice. This pair was just so cute. It comes in violet and red too, but I’m not too bold as to get those. I need this pair! All my kikay shoes have given up on me. I think I’m too much weight for them to carry for so long. Haha. 🙂

For those who read yesterday’s post and are thinking about helping out those babies, please go ahead and check out the links from the post. You may order your Breathe Hope bracelets directly from Mommy Tet, or the rosaries and bags from Hannah’s Multiply site. Speaking of bags, I was disappointed at not being allowed to use my own reusable shopping tote bag earlier. The bagger said that they are required to use the SM plastic bags. Not so bad I guess, since they are biodegradable. Still…

Oh, I stumbled on a site that sells portable oxygen concentrator, it got me wondering if those types will work for Baby Jon, or if they may be cheaper. They just look so portable and maybe with one like those on the site, they’d be able to take Jon for pasyal.

Shop for a Cause :)

Last night, in an interesting conversation with our HR manager, I had the chance to share a few things I was passionate about outside of work. Of course I had to mention my blogging, baking, eating, and (when I can) helping others.  I mentioned my NGO background too, and that got me missing my past life. Just a bit. 🙂

On our floor, we already have a box out for collecting PET bottles. We’ll have another box soon for scrap paper. It’s a simple fund drive we’re having for Baby Seth. Probably next week, I’ll arrange to meet with Baby Jon’s Mommy Tet again to order a few more Breathe Hope bracelets.

Another baby, Hannah Ysabelle also caught my attention. Hannah suffers from “CCHS or Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome. It is a rare and lifetime condition characterized by one’s brain failing to signal the body to breathe. In Hannah’s case, her brain fails to do so when she falls asleep. To keep her breathing, we need to hook her to a mechanical ventilator/respirator, which connects to her through a tracheostomy tube found in an opening in her neck.” Last year (or was it the year before?) I purchased a beautiful rosary from them, here’s a photo:

Hannah’s parents were kind enough to do a custom order for me. If you look at the rosaries in their collection, you won’t find a match for this one. So feel free to make a request and I’m sure they’ll let you know if they can make it for you. They’ve already been able to purchase their own ventilator for Hannah but they continue to raise funds for her continuous treatments and daily medicine.

Earlier this week, I confirmed an order for a tote bag from the Hannah & Me collection, which is another line of products for a fund-raiser for baby Hannah Ysabelle. It’s a good excuse to go shopping for a bag. Guilt-free shopping. 🙂 I always say, a girl can never have too many bags, be it big ones or foldable ones for shopping. 🙂

Speaking of shopping, why don’t you go book shopping over at my book review site: http://www.inbetweencovers.com

I’ve littered my posts with links to where you can buy the books. 🙂

A Coach Bag For Me!

As soon as I read about this wonderful giveaway, I immediately thought about my Coach bag fantasy.  Too bad the photo posted by the seller before is no longer available, but I can still see that bag in my mind. A friend even kindly checked it out at the Coach outlet store in the US for me, but it’s really way too expensive even with the discount. So, I kinda dropped my dreams of owning an all original Coach bag 🙁

But now, I may actually have a chance at owning one! If a Coach bag finds its way to my arms, it will be through this $300 Worth Brand New COACH Satchel Bag Contest!

Mom Conversations

Take a closer look at the bag here. As soon as I read about the giveaway, my heart pounded and I was excited! Sorry, I totally forgot from whose blog I learned of this yesterday. So sorry to deprive you, wonderful blogger, of the chance to get more points through this referral.

This the first ever contest being hosted at Mom Conversations, and so it deserves our support 🙂 The rules to enter are very simple and you can find them in the giveaway post. Check it out, and if you do decide to join in, don’t forget that Verabear referred you! 🙂

I can feel it, I will win this bag. It is already mine! Lol 🙂 I know I’ve said time and again that I have no luck in raffle draws, but maybe this time will be different. I will win this bag!

Thank you in advance to the amazing giveaway sponsors, I shall review your blogs in a few days 😉

Main Sponsors

College Grants for Women : Fun Family Vacations : Pontoon Boat Cover : Baby Shower Theme Idea

Level 1 Sponsors

Beauty Tips and Tricks : Get Smart Blog : Practical Beauty Tips : Spices of Life : Review My Opinions : New Haircuts and Hairstyles : Fabulously Frugal : Weight Loss the Healthy Way

(more…)

Human(Heart)Nature

Today I signed up to be a Dealer for Human Nature. (the editor keeps on removing the heart symbol!)

I heard about the company and their cause a few months ago. I’ve wanted to sign up since then, but the insane heat always kept me from going to checkout their main office and submit the sign up requirements. There was an option to register online, but I wanted to go there myself. Cousin Freedah was with me today, along with Esban. Freedah will be my partner in crime for spreading the word about this venture. 🙂

It doesn’t cost too much to be part of the company. What drew me in was the fair trade philosophy that Gandang Kalikasan, the company behind Human?Nature, embodies. Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment.

Checkout the website if you want to know more about Human?Nature, or drop me a message. 🙂

I took shots of the products we brought home with us but, as usual, I’m not ready to post them yet. 🙁

I did try two products tonight and love how cool my face felt afterwards. It was the Tomato and Lemongrass Facial Wash, and the Royal Jelly and Aloe Vera Night Mosturizer. Love love love them so far. Can’t wait to try out the other products!

Make a Choice

Lately, I have been making bad decisions. Decisions that aren’t in line with my two main goals: to lose weight and to save money.

I have not been making very good food choices lately, and I’ve even gone back to drinking soda (ugh). We were at the grand sale at the Mall of Asia on Sunday and I spent quite a sum. Yes sure, the shopping lifted my spirits up, haha. 🙂 I guess those that I got can be considered an investment on myself. 😉

This one probably wasn’t a bad decision: I’m not taking the plan that our family’s insurance consultant sent over. She sent me a packet of insurance quotes. Now that I’ve paid up for the first one I got from her, she suggests taking out another plan. It’s forced savings really. I’m not going for it though. The money will be tied up, for one, and I’m not so sure the returns are worth it. Specially since I’ll have to wait fifteen or so years before I even get any dividends or something from it. I’d rather put the money into business.

I’ve visited Starbucks more times than I care to admit in the last two weeks. The latest was Sunday morning. I had a Danish with a cup of Iced Hazelnut Mocha. I loved it. But it cost me money I could have set aside. I also picked up another tumbler.

Okay, that last one wasn’t such a bad decision. After all, using tumblers is good for Mother Earth, and you get five pesos off your coffee every time you take your tumbler. It’s better to use your own tumbler when you buy coffee, or drink it with their mugs (but you’d have to stay in the coffee til you drink it all up), than using the paper cups that add to the waste.

I can also use my new tumbler with any coffee. I can again buy the 3-in-1 mixes in the grocery, those are way cheaper, and I can have more than 1 cup per shift without thinking about costs.

Truth is, it was the half price off that convinced me to buy this tumbler. Yes. Starbucks Philippines slashed the price off this tumbler (it also comes in green) as a special Earth Day promo. It’s only going to last until end of the month, so if you don’t have a tumbler yet, check out your nearest Starbucks and grab one at 195 pesos (originally priced at 395, if I remember correctly).

Getting the tumbler also started me on another idea. An Earth Day giveaway. Yes, dear readers, I have decided to host another giveaway. I’ll be running back to Starbucks one of these days to pick up a tumbler, and you could be the lucky recipient. I haven’t finalized the details of the giveaway yet, but April 22 being Earth Day and the tumbler being on sale because of it, should already give you an idea that the theme of the giveaway is about making choices that will help take care of Mother Earth. I’ll set up the mechanics soon.

So what do you think? Will you join?

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