coffee with friends

My friends and I always find time to bond whenever we are free from work. Usually, we go for a coffee date and sometimes we eat dinner together and then have a cup of coffee afterwards. Our little gatherings help us to update each other about the latest happenings in our lives and even share our own perspectives on certain issues.
We first had our coffee date at Bo's Coffee and then it was followed with another one until Bo's became our meeting place. Our goal is to visit all the coffee shops here in Dumaguete City. So far, we have already tried:

                                                           BO'S COFFEE 

                                                        CAFE ANTONIO

                                                          LEE CIMBALI

                                       KOFFICCINO

                                      CAFE MAMIA

                           POPPY COFFEE & CUPCAKES

                                        SANS RIVAL 

                               THE BEAN CONNECTION 

                            CAFE ESPRESSO - QYOSKO

         GABBY'S BISTRO (RANA VERDE COFFEE SHOP)

           2 STORY KITCHEN COFFEE AND RESTAURANT

Due to our busy schedules this year though, we seldom go out and bond over coffee.  

powder power!

Chicken, egg, shrimp, crab, dried fish, chocolate... these are just a few of my favorite food and I can't even eat them because if I do so, rashes will start to show up on my skin especially on the neck area. Eat it and itch later or skip it and weep later? I'ts a matter of choice really. Which one would you choose?

My rashy situation occurred when I was already an adult. At first I thought it was just an irritation from a hair conditioner that I was using. But then I noticed it was more than that. I had been eating deep fried chicken during that week and the itchy rashes got even worse. It would attack during the early morning hours like a thief in the night the way it would creep through your skin that you wouldn't even know you were scratching it already - even, I think, when you were asleep. I'm not exaggerating here. It's really true!

Instinctively, I thought right away of going to the doctor. I went through the usual and painstaking process of waiting for my turn. When I was just one person away from my "journey," the doctor sort of took a long break and chatted with another doctor, unmindful of the clients who were waiting. Some started to get impatient and to mumble, while I was just sitting there, quietly observing them. At long last, it was my turn. The doctor asked me several questions like what products I was using for my hair, skin and etc... I also told her that the rash got aggravated when I ate fried chicken. She said, "do you really think that you are allergic to certain foods?" I said, "yes, because my allergy worsened when I ate chicken for almost a week." But she strongly believed it had something to do with the toiletries I had been using. So, she prescribed to me her product of lotion that was way out of my budget. A few instructions and done. I never came back. Hahaha!

I went my way to the grocery store and browsed the soap section thoroughly. I found this medicinal soap and read the descriptions. It says there, "useful for acne and other skin problems". Without any doubt, I bought it and used it, of course. After the bath, I poured some baby powder into the neck area where it was most affected. I also stopped eating food with common allergens. I did this kind of regimen for a week and voila, my allergy was gone! It was effective! At least for me hehehe..

I don't mind skipping my fave food and weep later rather than having to eat them and suffer itchiness later. Although sometimes, I crave but I always remind myself: mind over matter, my dear!

After the whole thing, I continued to use baby powder on my neck and other affected areas, even if my allergy had already long gone. Somehow it had become a part of my routine. I may forget to put on my lipstick but never the baby powder.

"regular" schedule

How's your bowel habits? Is it on a regular basis? how often do you go, is it everyday or every other day? Actually, it depends on the individual because we all have different lifestyles. Mine happens every morning after my breakfast. And it does not fail, everytime. That's why I call it my "regular schedule".


I am glad I do have them in the morning because it gives me a lighter feeling before I start my day and also because after doing so, I am ready to clean up myself by taking a bath so that, I would not only feel lighter but feel fresher as well. These are the advantages of having them in the morning.

Your lifestyle has a lot to say about this. If coffee is part of your morning meal, then you are likely to have them after drinking it because of the caffeine. Caffeine is a large bowel stimulant that increases the movement of your large bowel. This moves "poop" closer to the "hole in your bottom" which gives you the sensation that a bowel movement is coming on. You can also feel this kind of urgency in the morning after having breakfast. As we all know, eating is part of the digestion process... a process that starts in your mouth and stomach and ends with you going to the bathroom. That is why skipping breakfast is a big no-no for me.

Well, talking about breakfast, are you getting enough fibers in your menu like oatmeal, wheat crackers, whole-grain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruits? These may help you get your bowels back on a regular schedule. Avoid fatty and greasy foods and sugary foods like soda. Drink water instead.

Drinking one glass of water upon waking up is also a good idea. As what I have written in my past blog, water aids in detoxification. You see, while we are asleep, our bodies get a rest from digestion. So they go to work in other areas including eliminating toxins. Drinking water first thing in the morning helps our bodies finish the job and push the toxins out by urinating and helps to move the bowels easily.

Lastly, getting up a little earlier in the morning to get yourself some exercise can be of great help to keep your digestive system moving. Doing simple exercises like biking or even just walking will do a lot of wonders. Not to mention all the other benefits you get from doing it. So why not give it a try? (wink)

If you have all these morning habits I have mentioned, you can surely maintain "regularity".

wake up to water

As soon as I wake up, I go directly to my drinking station and have a fill of one glass to start my morning routine. This helps me regain my energy as I feel like dehydrated from my eight hours of sleep.

Now I am ready to do my morning routine: bladder break and then prepare to do my morning walk. After I get back from my exercise, I go boil some water for my coffee and get ready to have my breakfast by the window while watching my favorite news program.

I need that one or two glasses of water first thing in the morning to do all these activities or else, I might go back to sleep and not be progressive, or worse, be late for work!


It is ideal to drink water as you wake up because it directly hydrates the body. Why? Because the water is quickly transported to all parts of the body promoting good blood circulation. Thus, giving you energy right away. It also aids in detoxification. While we are asleep, our bodies get a rest from digestion, so they go to work in other areas including eliminating toxins. Drinking water first thing in the morning helps our bodies finish the job and push the toxins out by urinating. It even helps move the bowels easily, keeping me "regular".

So, make it a habit! Drink water first thing in the morning and experience the benefits it gives. It is inexpensive, widely available and naturally low in sodium and caffeine-free. Cheers to that!

a fruitful morning

What's for breakfast today? A ponkan, oatmeal, and coffee.. Yes! A ponkan or an apple is always present in my morning meal. And believe it or not, it satisfies my tummy. 


Here are some fruity facts my brother sent me through e-mail, which is now circulating in the net: We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat. 

What is the correct way of eating fruits? It means not eating fruits after your meals. Fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach. If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruit is the most important food. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so. In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil. So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! 

You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all these will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes.. all these will not happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

I strongly believe that a fruit a day keeps the doctor away!

early morning walk

It is been two years that I have not done my morning walks and I have already grown jelly belly and love handles. This is alarming already! I need to get back to my walking habit.

I love to do brisk walking in the morning because somehow it gives me a feeling of peace and makes me appreciate God's wonderful creations, like the magnificent sunrise, the fresh air, the singing birds and the nice greenery view around me. Most of all, it allows me to spend a quality time with the Creator, thanking Him for everything.

As a voice instructor, it is very helpful for me to have a physical exercise, such as brisk walking, because aside from it being simple and safe, it also helps me to stay strong and fit, which is beneficial in breathing exercises that can be applied in singing.

For me, walking is best to be done in the morning because it helps me get going and gives me the energy to get through the day. It refreshes my mind, body and soul before I go to work.

So, what are you waiting for? Get on with your walking attire and start walking!

daily dose of news

While I was having my breakfast by the window, I never miss to watch ABS-CBN's news program. It has become part of my morning routines as I don't buy newspapers at all.





I like the way ABS-CBN delivers news and information... natural, casual, fun and with style. Often times, I find myself smiling and laughing with the news team.

All segments are interesting like this one wherein the news team argue about some family matters. Despite their opposing opinions, they always end up with good points. What makes it more fun is when they put a comedic act on every situation. 

Then, when Punto Por Punto is on the air, I would really stop whatever I am doing just to watch Ka Tonying talk about political issues without fear.



Since I am a health conscious individual, I love to watch the health and fitness segment. I used to do brisk walking before; but not anymore now. I know I need to have the habit back for health's sake.

From weather forecast to police reports, from political issues to business matters, from show business to public service, from home and family matters to health and fitness programs, this early tv program called "Umagang Kay Ganda" is really worth watching.

by the window...

Rinnngggg... It was my alarm clock waking me up at six in the morning. So I got up on my feet and started my routine... bladder break, boil the water, prepare my breakfast by the window.

A very sunny day greeted me with mightiness. With a cup of coffee in my hand and the beautiful sight right before my eyes, it completed my breakfast setting.

The next day, it was not my alarm clock that woke me up. The chirping of the birds outside my room, making some sort of music that only nature can do, was trying to tell me, "wake up, you lazy bone or you won't catch any worms!"







What a morning to start off with a brain exercise activity. Look up the sky... What do you see? "It's an inverted tornado! No, it's a rabbit!" Whatever you think it is, creativity is working at its best!

There are days that are cloudy like this one picture I took. My mood seemed to match with the gloomy ambiance that day. I don't know why. But when I took another look at the sky, I have noticed that behind the dark clouds a bright light was hiding. Discouragement was suddenly replaced with hope. That was indeed an inspiring 
scene!

"Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.
For every drop of it gives pain.
Molding everything anew, 
And saying the past 'adieu'. 
It nourishes the flowers in the field. 
Wait til they bloom and be thrilled. 
So, wash away the sadness off the drain. 
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain."

There is always something to look forward to in the morning... the sunny greeting, the birds chirping, the clouds forming and the rain pouring... God's creations... all happening... by the window.

coffee and me

I've known coffee since I was 5 years old. Not that I was already drinking it at that time but because I was used to seeing my dad making his cup of coffee in the morning. He would tell everybody, "o, painit na!" which means "it's snack time!".

The black-colored liquid being stirred up visually attracted me.. the aroma that suddenly filled the atmosphere caught the attention of my young brain and processed the message: YUMMY.. tempting me to want to sip a little.

They used to tell me it's not good for kids for it could lead to bad performance in school. And not only that. They said it could make one a nervous freak! What else could a youngster feel after hearing those threats but be scared.

I took it seriously that even until I became an adult, coffee never became my favorite. Not until I have tried Starbucks coffee. It was a bitter sweet experience. I loved it! So, that's how it all got started and the rest is history.

I came to a point where I got hooked with coffee.. consuming 2 cups a day and sometimes even more, that my heart went crazy! Palpitation and hyper-acidity made me think twice. What is this, another threat?

That did not stop me from being a coffee enthusiast, though. This time, I am taking it slowly and minimally. For as the saying goes: "Too much of everything is not good".