Thursday, March 28, 2019

Do you fall into #MalnutritionTraps?

"Ang payat ng mga anak mo Pearl!" 

(Your kids are thin, Pearl!)

I get this comment a lot about my kids, especially from my relatives. But, then usually it is followed by "sabagay, payat ka rin noong bata ka" (anyway, you were also thin when you were little).

Yes, I have always been slender. I guess I only gained weight after giving birth, but even until now, I am on the lighter side and I am not worried at all since my BMI is normal.

So, I don't worry that much about my children's physique. Even if they are thin, my 2 girls, Athena and Brianna's weight are normal. Tristan, however, is underweight. It could probably be because of his hyperactivity; he was diagnosed with ADHD.

It could also be because of the food we eat. I do the cooking at home and It is really a challenge to prepare a healthy balanced meal. That is why, somehow, I am worried that I am not providing my children with all the essential nutrients they need. I am also guilty of feeding them with fast food and instant foods, which I believe is also one of the struggles of most Filipino families. 

In fact, did you know that our country has been facing a rise in the number of underweight and overweight Filipinos for more than 20 years? The World Health Organization (WHO) defined this phenomenon as the “Double Burden of Malnutrition” or the “prevalence of both undernutrition and overweight in the same community, nation, or region.”


To address this problem, our government launched the Pinggang Pinoy® campaign in 2014. Pinggang Pinoy® is an easy-to-understand food guide showing proper food group portioning on a per-meal basis. This reflects the principles of MOderation, VAriety, and BAlance (MOVABA) to promote healthier eating habits. 

Solving the Philippines’ Double Burden of Malnutrition should be a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors as it is not an easy feat. With this, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation partnered with government agencies to conduct education programs to raise awareness and promote the practice of Pinggang Pinoy® in malnutrition hotspots, where incidences of Double Burden Malnutrition are high. This training was given to homemakers/mothers who have malnourished (underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight and obese) school-aged children.

The pilot run resulted in improvements in the knowledge & attitudes of households related to the practice of Pinggang Pinoy® within target areas. However, behavior changes towards healthier eating habits remain to be a challenge. The program uncovered a number #MalnutritionTraps that some Pinoy households easily fall into. 

The following #MalnutritionTraps provide a picture of how unhealthy eating habits may lead to Double Burden of Malnutrition: 

1. Overconsumption of carbohydrates: 

Voracious rice eaters can easily fill half of their plates with rice. Others have pandesal & noodles as regular meal deprived of other nutrients derived from a well-balanced meal. 


2. Under consumption of vegetables and/fruits: 

It is common for some to be content with rice & meat to satisfy their hunger and skip/take the insufficient amount of vegetables/fruits. Fact is, the variety of colors found in Glow foods are important sources of vitamins & minerals to sustain our energy & keep us from getting sick. 

3. Overconsumption of protein: 

Typical Filipino “SILOG” meals include a double serving of proteins (e.g. Tapa+Itlog, Tocino+Itlog, Longanisa+Itlog, Bangus+Itlog). Eating different kinds of protein is fine for as long as they are taken in moderation. We must also avoid protein dishes served high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. 

To help Filipinos break free from #MalnutritionTraps, Ajinomoto’s Culinary Nutrition Team prepared Healthy & Delicious Pinggang Pinoy® Recipes, downloadable through https://bit.ly/2HIsfkj. Busy and budget-restricted homemakers will also find these Pinggang Pinoy® recipes useful because all are easy-to-do and affordable (P250/day for a family of 5). 

For updates about Mag-Pinggang Pinoy® Tayo!, visit www.ajinomoto.com.ph and facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail March starts countdown for 77th Year of Bataan Death March Commemoration

In partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) kicks off the 77th year commemoration of the Bataan Death March with the Freedom Trail March that runs from March 2 to 3, 2019. 


The Freedom Trail March is a two-day event that traces the 140 kilometers actual route of the Bataan Death March. The event aims to instill the values of Bravery, Sacrifice, and Love for Country. The Freedom Trail March is expected to gather around participants from the Philippines and other countries. US and Filipino military and police units along with other civilians are among this year’s marchers. 

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail March honors Filipino World War II heroes and survivors by traversing the trails while retracing the steps of our fallen heroes during the Bataan Death March.

“It is our generation’s responsibility to continue remembering and honoring the bravery and heroism of our veterans during the war. It is our commitment to making sure that the next generations will never forget and always remember what our heroes endured during the Bataan Death March,” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Marketing Communications Division.

The Death March, considered as one of the darkest days in Philippine History, is the forcible transfer of 60,000–80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war (POW) from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The prisoners were loaded onto box cars in San Fernando, Pampanga. The transfer began on April 9, 1942, and left thousands dead and seriously wounded after enduring torture under the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army.

The Death March route stretches from Mariveles in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac via San Fernando, Pampanga. The total distance covered was from 96 to 112 kms.


The Freedom Trail March will commence midnight on March 1, 2019, at KM Zero in Mariveles Bataan and expected to end at 5:00 pm on March 3, 2019, at the Capas National Shrine in Capas Tarlac. There will be several stops along the route. Participants can join at any point of the trail. Special performances will be done by re-enactors at the San Fernando Train Station and Capas National Shrine on March 3.

This year’s event also includes a competitive bike tour dubbed as the“Ride for Valor,” which will be held on March 10 from Kilometer Zero in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. The Bataan Freedom Fun is the final event that concludes the commemoration activities. 

Bataan Freedom Run will be held on April 14, 2019. Running enthusiasts are invited to register for the event. The route will start at the Balanga Capitol up to Mt. Samat. The event includes a 21-kilometer half-marathon, 10 kilometers, five kilometers, and 1-kilometer courses, for all types of sports enthusiasts and runners from all ages as well as pets.

Since 2014, the Philippine Veterans Bank, with PVAO, the Provincial Government of Bataan, along with other partners, have held the Bataan Freedom Run in honor of WWII veterans who endured the death march in 1942.

Proceeds from the activities will be used for the restoration and maintenance of historical markers along the route of the Bataan Death March.

To register and find out more, visit the Facebook pages of the Bataan Freedom Run and the Veterans Bank Freedom Trail.

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Details on Email Marketing for Franchise Brands

There are a lot of business owners who are aware of how important email marketing is. They have made a lot of effort in order to become noticed. Even franchisers have started advertising online as well. Franchisers may be a bit hesitant to start email marketing because of various reasons. For example, there are various types of franchises available. If people are not familiar with these things, it will be harder for them to cope.



Different Types of Franchisees

The different types of franchisees are the following:
  • Single location
  • Multi-location
  • Partnership
  • Sole Ownership
How will a single franchisee make his particular branch stand out from the other franchisees of the same brand? It can be a complicated matter for sure. There are some details that you will learn about franchises in general when you check this. Who knows? You may get all of the information that you have always wanted to know.

You need to be clear about your branch and where you are located. The more that people see important details about your franchise, the more that they will trust you. The more customers that you get, the more that you will realize just how important email marketing is for your type of business.

These are some of the tips that you have to remember:
  • Do not forget to build your email list. You need a lot of subscribers that you will send your email to. You can get more subscribers when you create your own website or when you advertise through social media websites.
  • Create a campaign that people will not be able to resist. There are some franchise owners that will require you to seek permission before you can push through with the campaign that you are planning. If they approve, you can be specific about the marketing strategy that you can do.
  • Send triggered emails depending on the actions that people do when they are online. You may just send your email to people who want to know more about what you can offer.
These tips will hopefully help you promote your franchise business the best way possible. Are you ready to start getting more customers?

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

HyC 150: Your Health and Beauty Need in just One Supplement

Last 2018 marks my 30th year of existence. Gosh, I still can't believe it! So it's high time that I take even more care of myself because together with aging, comes a lot of changes in our body. And apparently, physical signs of aging are more evident on our skin. It is because, as we age our body produces less collagen. But never be too complacent, because skin aging isn't only caused by aging itself, other factors such as the sun, harsh weather and our lifestyle also have a great impact on our skin. 


This is where anti-aging supplements come in, which as we all know, "nagkalat" nowadays because people have become more physically conscious. So for this matter, I would always go to the one that is proven and tested.

I first knew about Premium HyC 150 when I attended one of their events in 2016, you can read about it here. Premium HyC 150 has Hyaluron, Collagen, plus Ubiquinol, Biotin, Elastin and Pearl Coix, which helps meet our daily health and beauty needs in just one supplemental drink.


No more hassle, just a 1-step beauty routine when you wake up in the morning. No need to pick your pocket and buy thousands worth of beauty products to help keep your body and skin healthy. No need to spend so much time and effort to be beautiful all over. Just drink one sachet of Premium HyC 150 every day for only P125 and you’re all set for the day ahead!


Premium HyC 150 is available at Watsons stores nationwide, online at www.lazada.com.ph and at the HyC 150 online store.

For more information, visit their website at www.HyC150.com; like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HyC150; follow them on Twitter #HyC150 or Instagram @HyC150; or call (02) 546-7297 or 0917-7750779.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Doe Deere: The Queen of Lime Crime, Momtrepreneur & a New Venture

Doe Deere welcomed her new daughter, Loreli Elita into the world 21st of September this year. The queen of makeup and founder of Lime Crime could not hide her joy on Instagram.


She expressed her joy and took that chance to shed light on her new prospects in the coming months.

Deere’s daughter was carried by a surrogate because of the medical complications that the pregnancy would have exposed her to. A few months ago she opened up on Instagram about her situation and decision to use a surrogate to carry her baby. Loreti is Deere’s first child.

It was also during that time that Deere made it public of her decision to step down from most of her roles at Lime Crime for the purposes of concentrating on a new venture. Indeed it’s a time of new beginnings for Deere and her family.

Deere has always been open about her life in public and she welcomes all of us into her new journey. Having welcomed a newborn and announced the launch of Poppy Angel off (A jewelry boutique line) sheds light on the experience of momtrepreneurs around the world.

The Poppy Angeloff Venture

The Lime Crime founder is on the new jewelry venture. Kat Day expressed her joy to work together with her sister in the jewelry business. “We all love jewelry in our family and when we were not able to get what we wanted, we took that opportunity to work out something”, said Kat Day.

Kat day is also a new mother meaning that all of them will be operating the business with babies tied around them. This is a similar trend across the globe. Most women have broken the glass ceiling of patriarchy in the business world. They have overcome barriers that always brought them down.

Deere has worked out her way through thick and thin and has managed to build an empire in the cosmetic world.

Entrepreneurship is part and parcel of my life . I always search on the needs of the market and think of a solution for it. Besides, find something that you are passionate about and follow through it. –Doe Deere

This is a marketing technique that has previously worked for Deere. Right now she is building a following on Instagram for the new brand’s Instagram page. She has also assured followers on her personal Instagram page that they will love the aesthetics of her jewelry.

Who is Doe Deere?

I've had posted about Deere several times before like on this article. But again, Deere surfaced into the cosmetic industry in 2008. She started small but her prowess in online marketing helped her to dominate the cosmetic world within a short time. Deere was a popular user of Myspace and LiveJournal at that time.

She took advantage of her social media popularity to build a community of followers who turned her into a household name. She shared some of her music and sold constructed clothing and vintage to her followers.

How Deere built Lime Crime

Lime Crime entered the cosmetic industry with pomp and color. In the early days, her products mainly attracted subcultures such as Dollies, the Goths, the Punks and such like stuff. However, within a short period of time, Lime Crime offered the Cosmetic industry what it needed (creativity).

Deere’s Transition

Having served in the top leadership of the company for several years now, Deere recently revealed that she will be stepping down from her position together with her husband.

She, however, assured her customers that the company’s goal of providing cruelty-free cosmetic products will continue. Deere will also remain on the board of Lime Crime even as she ventures on her new business.

Monday, November 5, 2018

5 Easy Ways to Make Family Travel More Affordable

Traveling with your family or a large group can be challenging for a number of reasons. First, you need to make sure you have time off of work or school and then you have to find transportation and accommodations that will be big enough for everyone. Once you find everything you need, then you have to decide how you're going to pay for it. Unfortunately, family travel can be expensive which is why many people don’t travel with their families. Here are some ways that you can make your next group vacation fun and affordable. 

1. Travel in the “Off” Season 

The truth is that most people can travel during a few times of the year. Summer holidays, school breaks, and the end of the year. Since so many people travel at the same times, airlines and hotels can charge more for flights and rooms because there is greater demand. If you decide to travel in times other than these you can often find savings of hundreds or more depending on where you are going to go. This might mean you have to sacrifice having nice weather and travel in the winter, but you will save money and avoid a lot of the large crowds that flock to tourist destinations during the peak travel months. 

2. Pack Light


This next step is part of saving money on flights. One way that you will save money is by packing lighter so you don’t pay for as many check bags. One way to avoid this is to fit everything into a carry on bag, or into a free check piece of luggage so you don’t have to pay extra. You might consider splitting a larger suitcase with a family member so you don’t have to each pack an additional suitcase. 

3. Use Flight Trackers


One way to save on flights is to set up a Google Alert in Google Flights that will notify you when the price for a certain flight reaches a certain point. Also, there are a number of 3rd party sites or newsletters you can find that will give you this information. You can even visit the websites of airlines and look at the different prices to learn when you should fly to get the most bang for your buck. 

4. Use a Credit Card that Has Travel Rewards

Some credit cards reward you with cash back on flights or hotels when you make purchases with them. These points will add up, and you will be able to save a lot of money on your next trip. This shouldn’t cost you much extra money since most of the items you buy on your credit cards like groceries or daily essentials need to be purchased regardless. If you are spending money on the necessities of life, at least you should be getting rewarded for it. However, be very careful not to let the balance you own grow too large. It would be smart to pay off your balance every week or every month so you don’t get trapped in debt. 

5. Go on a Cruise

A cruise is a great way to travel and can often be cheaper than traditional vacations because everything you need is included in the ticket price. When you pay for a cruise you get your lodging, food, and entertainment included. Plus, companies such as inCruises have made traveling even less expensive. Another good idea is to look at cruises during the off season to get the best price possible. 

Overview

Traveling with a family on a budget is possible! Don’t let the cost of taking a trip scare you off. If you plan ahead and use some creativity, you can save a lot of money and still have a very memorable trip.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Choosing A Jogger Stroller That Fits Your Needs!

Strollers are a must-have item for any parent of young kids, be it infants or toddlers. Choosing the right stroller is a process that can be challenging and confusing, with all the different options out there. 


Plus, choosing a specialty stroller can be even more difficult, as these represent an even bigger investment in your little one, so read on to find out how you can choose the best jogging stroller to fit your needs, even if you’re on a budget!

Jogging Strollers 101

A jogging stroller is durable and lightweight, much unlike a conventional stroller, which tends to be made of more rigid materials that make it more difficult to maneuver.

The biggest difference between jogging strollers and regular strollers are the wheels. These differ in both the materials and the size. The wheels on jogging strollers are light and durable, as they are made of rubber and inflated with air, much like the tires on a bicycle. 

Conventional strollers have hard plastic wheels that are smaller and tend to spin in all directions, so it’s more difficult to keep a straight path with this kind of stroller.

The construction and different wheels make taking a jogging stroller out on a run a breeze!

So why do I need one?

Great question! The answer here is multi-fold. One, if you’re an avid outdoor exerciser, and you just love to run the trails or jog in the park, a jogging stroller is a great tool to take your little ones with you and share in the joys of being outdoors.

This also offers you great bonding time with your kiddos! Fortunately, jogging strollers also have tons of really useful cargo space, so you can take along snacks and juice boxes (plus water and whatever else you need for yourself) to keep the little ones happy and enjoying the ride.

You’ll also benefit from a jogging stroller if you like taking your kids outside, minus the running or jogging. Thanks to the great maneuverability and light weight of jogging strollers, they’re great for general purpose strolling as well.

Jogging strollers are super easy to push – you can even do it with just one hand – making this an ideal tool for taking your kids grocery shopping, too. These strollers are true multitaskers and will turn you into a super-parent in no time!

If you’re concerned about the cost of one of these must-have jogging strollers, fear not, there are many options available for even the most budget conscious. Check out this link if you want to know more about these low-budget strollers

Another options is to buy a used stroller from a mom whose kids have outgrown their stroller. Generally, jogging strollers hold up really well thanks to their durable construction, so you’ll be sure to have a great stroller even if you decide to go this route.

So go on out there, find a great jogging stroller, and have fun with the kids!