Grabbed from Shutterstock.

Last year, I tried a new form of cardio exercise and that is: Spinning or Indoor Cycling. I was a bit hesitant to try it because I don't know how to bike. My parents did not buy us a bicycle when we were kids because they don't like the idea of us using bikes on the streets as it might bring us into an accident. But I reaaaalllyyy need a workout so I guess there's no harm in trying.

Squad goals!

Newly found friends who also prioritize health!

Uniform for our squad!

Being dedicated to my fitness journey does not only require enrolling in a gym and moving all the time. It also has a lot to do with what I am eating. As a working mom, I literally have little to no time preparing a grand meal for my family (plus the fact that I think cooking is not my forte) but I make sure my family eats on time and they eat healthy homemade meals.

So, enough of the drama. Here are some recipes I came upon researching for some quick, easy and healthy meals on the web, that I've prepared during the Holy Week. Hope you'll enjoy them as well!

Spinach and Tomatoes Omelette

3 Eggs
1 Tomato (cut into small pieces)
Spinach


Scramble the eggs and then mix in the spinach and tomatoes. A pinch of salt and pepper. Fry and that's it!

Finish! dyaraaan!!!

Spinach and Tomatoes Omelette

Tip: You can replace the tomatoes with mushrooms.



Potato Salad

A pack of baby potatoes
A pack of grapes
Cheese
Honey Mustard Dressing
Boiled Egg


Boil the baby potatoes then fry a little. Put in plate, top with grapes and boiled egg, mustard, cheese, salt and pepper. You can squeeze in some lemon juice if you want.

This is what I used for the dressing.

Sorry for the not-so-enticing finish product. I am not really into anything artsy. But this one tastes really good!

Potato Salad with a twist.

Tip again: Instead of boiled eggs, put in bacon! Yum!


Goodluck to all those who will give these recipes a try. I hope you will like it! Lets move forward to our journey of fitness through exercise and proper diet!

Stay positive and pass it on!

Last year, I was not able to reach my goal of reading at least 20 books for the year and I hate myself for that. I am not much of a bookworm but I love reading. And not just books, I read blogs(of course!), newspapers (love the knowing about the current events), magazines (fashion, housekeeping, travel, parenthood), and everything else interesting for me. So to start the year right, I chose one book that really interests me. And that is:




Let me get the description from the site regarding what the book is all about:



I love this book! Why? Because although its mostly one-paragraph stories, all of it are true, genuine and the author a wonderful way of getting across the message each of the Humans of New York want to communicate to whoever would read their stories. You would never get bored because each page tells a new story, some of it, you surely could relate. The only thing I would like to add to this book is to please be fast in releasing the next series. I am also looking forward to a book tackling the immigrants from Syria, wherethere is currently an outbreak of war. Some of these stories are already told in HONY's Facebook page.

Some more feedback for the book would be about the clarity of the photos and the emotions where caught candidly. Brandon Stuart really knows how to capture human portraits in a way that their picture transcends the emotions of a person. And that's what real talent in photography is.


By the way, I always prefer the physical book than the e-book. I just love the smell of paper of a new book!

Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton
Price at Full Booked: P 1,470.00

For my first post for 2016, I dedicate this for my number 1 goal this year and that is: be healthy! Of course I also want to shed off my excess lbs! But I think if I set my goal to being healthy, reaching my target weight would also follow. And because its a goal, it means I need to do something to be able to reach it. So here it is:

My Pink Gloves!

Yup! This time I am trying boxing. And I'm really getting serious about this because of my uncontrolled sugar. Ugh! Signs of Aging hahahah!

The very first time I went to Elorde Fight Camp-Bulacan, I wasn't really expecting anything. I thought I'll just do some light exercises and get myself ready for boxing for the first three sessions. But I was wrong. Being a couch potato that I am (IT people can relate), the first session was really a challenge. My trainer made me do stretching at first and some strength exercise. After that, he made me hit the speed bag. And I swear, it was really frustrating because I can not hit the bag! Seeing boxers do it, I thought it was just easy, you just have to punch the bag anyway. But it wasn't just like that. Hitting the bag requires you've got to have rhythm. And so I needed some help from YouTube and found this video:




I really hope this could help me next time. By the way, as of this current writing, I just had my third boxing session and still haven't gotten the hang of it. Damn speed bag! But I think I'm progressing because I got to hit the bag 7 times continuously. It made me smile after that hahaha! I'm gonna use this guy's technique next time.

Next, he challenged me for punch mitts. Like whuutt! I never boxed my whole life and here you go, a challenge on mitts the very first day of my boxing session workout. Good thing, my trainer taught me first the correct way of punching, boxing, standing. The footwork comes next too. I was delighted to get to know new terms and of course the basics of boxing. I am beginning to love boxing. Except that I almost fainted after the sparring part hahahah! And I am not exaggerating... I really got dizzy so I asked my coach if I could take a little break first and drink some water. Coach let me rest for 5 minutes the most.

After that, I tried on the punching bag. As expected, punching bags are very heavy and it almost didn't move at all when I hit it. The challenge next time is to hit it harder so it would literally move even a little.

Next would be another mitts session with the coach. For the one and a half hour of boxing workout, I had three sparring moments. Lastly, my coach gave me a soft massage at the back (which is the best part for me hahaha!).

All in all, I gave Elorde a two thumbs up for my boxing experience. I am really beginning to love this sport. Plus the fact that Manny Pacquiao is my idol. Now I can really say that Manny's discipline put him where he is right now and he deserved every inch of it because boxing is not an easy-breezy sport. It requires great strength, a whole lot of stamina and of course, the most important, discipline. Because if you don't have it, nothing will ever be achieved.

And so I conclude this first post for 2016 is dedicated to my new number one goal this year, BE DISCIPLINED. Not just on being healthy but in everything we ever want to achieve.

By the way, here are some pics I grabbed from Elorde Fight Camp Bulacan's FB page:





And here's my encouraging words if you want to try boxing -- my after workout feelings:

grabbed from Popsugar.com

Just kidding! Give me that power punch! Stay positive and pass it on!!!

For Elorde Boxing Gym Rates and Membership, you may ask your preferred branch because I think they have different rates especially in Manila area.

Thanks for this fitspiration!

Keep inspiring others!

I admit that I am not really a good cook and the only people who genuinely thinks that my cooking is comparable to a chef's, are my husband and son. Isn't a family the greatest gift in the world?! :)

But being a wife and a mother, its a must to know how to cook. So little by little I'm starting to learn a few dishes I find online. Browsing through this forum for girls, I found this easy to cook dish that I think is everyone would appreciate especially for people like me who wants to lessen meat intake. Here's the recipe:

2 large piece tofu (I found a tofu like this in the supermarket)

2 onions, chopped
5 siling pang-sigang
2 sachets of oyster sauce
5 tbsp mayonnaise
5 tbsp water
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp soy sauce
salt and pepper

1. Fry the tofu until light brown. After frying, slice the tofu thinly making small cubes.
2. Mix the mayo, oyster sauce, water, sugar, soy sauce in a bowl.
3. In a pan, saute onion and siling pang sigang. Add the tofu.
4. Pour in the mixed sauce and let it simmer. Add salt and pepper to adjust taste.
 * If you want more spice, just add more chili.

Easy, breezy! Not a lot of preparations and not a lot of time to do it. Best of all, everybody loves it. Even my baby! No wonder its very popular and recommended by many in the forum where it was posted. Thank you to whoever have posted this recipe, I really appreciate it! Here's the finish product by the way:


Stay positive my friends... and past it on!

Ask me what I hate most in the world, my answer would be Cancer. This disease took my mom away from us just when she was starting to enjoy the fruit of her labor in life. This disease has some form of a betrayal on it, just when you thought you are as healthy as can be, cancer cells suddenly produces themselves inside your body and before you could even notice it, they've invaded your entire anatomy.

I know how hard the battle is. I've seen and felt it with my mom. The video below was filmed in Seattle Children's Hospital. Watching this, I can almost feel how strong they are facing their tough battle. What are my problems compared to these children? Such an uplifting video for those whose battle are the same as theirs. Yes, they know it in their hearts, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.



Some scenes during the making of this video:



Stay positive and pass it on.

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?

A lot of ideas has been said about happiness. But I think the truest of them all is that "Happiness is a Choice." Do you agree? For me, its a solid YES. While it is a fact of life that bad things can  and do happen even to good people, most of the time due to misfortunes they have no control of,  we must always remember that there's always someone who would want to be where we are right now. Think of the people who have heavier burdens than you do. And then be thankful you are not on their shoes. Do you feel a little lighter? A little happier now?

For a happier mindset, I have some tips to share. When you are feeling blue, I hope these things would somehow give a you a boost of some bliss:

1. Discipline your thoughts. Always think positively. Pass on positive energy. When you feel down, think happy thoughts instead of focusing on the annoying circumstance you are into. After all, it will not stay that way forever. So focus on the things that would make you feel bright and light and soon enough you'll have a solution to the problem you are facing without even you knowing it.

2. Do good, feel good. When was the last time you actually helped out others? Doing good not only makes you feel good about yourself but also makes other people think good about you. Nothing is more joyous than being able to help people in need.

3. Release that energy. Do some physical activities that would require you to sweat. Do you know that exercise lets our body produce endorphins? Endorphins also called "happy cells",  has been explained by wikipedia as cells "produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being." So go ahead and move that body!

4. Get out of that comfort zone. Do something that you've always wanted to do but had always been delaying to do because of too much excuses you've been reasoning out but the truth is you're just too lazy to make it happen. Why? Because you don't want to get out of your comfort zone and face that challenge. Why not start by devoting a day or two in a month to do something you've never done before. You will be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.

5. If you can't adjust the wind, adjust your sails. As I have said, not all the time you can get your luck. Unfortunate things may happen but there will always be ways to change how things can go around you. The external factors that affects our life are just little compared to what we can actually do to get out of that detour. You completely have the power to make changes in your life and make things really happen.

6. Be thankful. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for it everyday. Enough said.

I can enumerate hundreds of ways to improve our perspective about happiness but at the end of the day, the only way to make one happy depends on ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we feel is our free choice. So if you want to be happy , think, act, and feel happy. Aren't you glad you have that choice?