Meditation and Mindfulness Can Literally Turn You Into a New Person

Long the province of, shall we say, “fringe” types, mindful meditation is now a well-regarded, mainstream practice that’s just as likely to attract buttoned-up business types as long-haired wannabe yogis. Studies show that people who regularly practice mindfulness enjoy several meditation benefits: healthier, more balanced lives, less stress, better performance on reasoning tests.

But that may only be the tip of the iceberg. What if mindful meditation could literally change the structure of your cells — or at least the genetic code that governs their activities? A new study suggests that this may be the case.

Longer Telomeres?

According to a just-released study published in Scientific American, mindful meditation may produce changes in telomeres, which are the “endcap” segments that adorn each of our chromosomes. Specifically, they slow telomeres’ shortening, a natural process that occurs over years or decades and has been linked to health problems like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Overall, longer telomeres are associated with longer lifespans. The study unambiguously showed that breast cancer survivors who practiced mindfulness had longer telomeres than peer groups who received other forms of counseling.

Other Genetic Benefits

Meanwhile, a 2013 study from the University of Wisconsin found even that mindfulness had even farther-reaching genetic benefits. Individuals who practiced intense mindfulness over the course of several hours were found to have lower levels of inflammation-inducing genes and higher levels of the gene-regulating “machinery” (proteins) responsible for limiting the negative effects of inflammation. This resulted in lower levels of damaging inflammation in mindful participants’ bodies, reducing long-term risks for related conditions like heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Meditation

Of course, mindful meditation has a range of mental and emotional benefits as well. People who regularly practice mindfulness forge new neural connections at higher rates than their non-meditating peers, promoting problem-solving and reducing the incidence of emotional problems. Simply put, mindful meditation is a holistic approach to healthier, happier, smarter living.

More to Come

Can mindful meditation really change your body? The jury will be out until more studies have been completed, but the science looks promising so far. And given all the well-documented meditation benefits that we’re already sure about, it seems silly not to give it a try and see for yourself. What do you have to lose?

US-RN

At long last, my RN license was finally issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, it seemed like I waited forever for it. But I still thank God for however difficult and long the process might have been, in the end it's all gonna be worth it.

Now the other half of the challenge would be finding a job and practicing nursing for the first time here in the United States. Even though I've been an RN in the Philippines for almost 8 years, and even though Nursing is Universal, there are still differences which I have to overcome and adapt to.

I'm so excited to finally start my nursing career here, I just hope it's going to be soon! Have a nice day guys and happy blogging...

Need better balance in body, mind and spirit? Try Ayurvedic cooking

Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems for promoting health and well-being on the planet. Most closely associated with Indian food, Ayurvedic methods are easily adaptable to any cuisine. While the overall philosophy is both intricate and elegant, the dietary principles can be broken down into several very simple concepts.

Those who follow the first and most basic guideline of an Ayurvedic way of eating now have a trendy name: Locavore. Ayurveda has, for centuries, been based upon the idea that all of the foods you eat should be natural, containing no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and that a healthy, balanced diet is made up of local foods purchased and prepared only when they are in season in your area. Eating natural foods from the area in which you live and work is believed to bring you into harmony with your environment. Because Ayurveda is a holistic discipline, meaning that it is designed to enhance every aspect of your life, this environmental balance is important.

Second, becoming familiar with the six tastes of Ayurveda—sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent—is essential to helping you understand and master the basics of planning and preparing meals according to Ayurvedic principles. These flavors are generally listed in the order in which Ayurveda tells us they are digested, so plan your meals accordingly. Start a meal with something light and sweet, such as a fruit salad drizzled with honey. Or combine sweet and sour with fruit and yogurt or hard cheese and lemon chutney. Use the pungency of chili peppers or ginger to balance and bring out the bitter flavor of leafy greens seasoned with the astringent kick of pomegranate. Eating the six flavors in the order in which they are most effectively digested helps promote gastric health and curb cravings to contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Cooking methods are the third key to the Ayurvedic approach. Science tells us that cooking tomatoes releases the lycopene that your body cannot extract efficiently when they are eaten raw—a truth known to Ayurveda for 5,000 years. This is also why carrots are most often served raw, because cooking destroys their beta carotene.

 

Spices are the fourth building block in constructing healthy, balanced and delicious Ayurvedic meals. Turmeric, ginger, cumin and coriander are the bases of most Ayurvedic recipes. Turmeric is believed to aid digestion, as is ginger. Tamarind, honey, lemon and spicy chilies also bring flavor to Ayurvedic meals. A mixture of caraway seeds and fennel seeds is often put out in dishes to sweeten and freshen the breath after dining.

While a belief in vegetarianism is at the heart of the Ayurvedic way of eating, if you are not willing to give up meats, poultry and fish, you can apply the Ayurvedic way of thinking to how you incorporate them into your daily menus. Choose organic products made from animals that have been gently and freely raised and humanely dispatched. Use meats as flavoring rather than as the main part of each dish, and be especially sure to balance all six flavors in meals containing meat.

 

First time on ICE...

I was good at roller skating way back in high school, but there's a really big difference being on ice for the first time. Aside from feeling like your toes are frozen, it's very slippery I could almost feel my butt on the icy ground as soon as I let go of the railings. My butt did meet the chilly ground two times LOL, but it was such an exciting and exhilarating experience, especially if you're homebound for weeks with nothing to do but wait for your RN license to finally be issued.

 

A lot of thanks to my good friend, Joy Barrete (who never let go of the railings for more than a second hahaha), for making this experience a very unforgettable one. Next time, we'll skate like a PRO!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Madeline!

Kids grow up in a blink of an eye nowadays! One moment they're in your arms, the next they're climbing up whatever it is they can climb on! But I'm not complaining, coz they might grow up fast but we raised them as great kids. Kids who have deep family values which would guide them to become better individuals in the future.

 

Keep safe and healthy Madeline, Tita Bing is always right here for you! We love you so much!

Fingerprinting done, finally!

All I needed to have my RN license here in New Jersey is to be fingerprinted by Identogo to complete the Criminal History Background check. But that wasn't an easy task. Because of the USCIS error in my name, I couldn't get one decent and valid identification issued by a U.S. federal, state, or county to present to any Identogo facility.

 

But we went to DMV anyway and get an I.D. with my wrong name, and presented it to the Identogo clerk. I was so nervous she'd turn me away, but all she did was scan the barcode at the back of my DMV I.D. and fingerprinted me. My fingers were cold and shaking (didn't know if she noticed it), I'm afraid she'd stop anytime and tell me "Oh, your name in your ID doesn't match the one written in the Universal Fingerprinting Form". Fortunately, the whole ordeal went quickly, and I expelled the breath I was holding on as soon as I got out of the facility.

 

I just hope the FBI or the NJ State Police will look into USCIS system and find out it was just a mere typographical error. Until then, I'll just keep on praying that everything will finally fall in its right place.

USCIS Biometrics

Just finished my biometrics at USCIS Application Support Center, Philadelphia today. It was real quick, less than 10 minutes and we're on our way back home to New Jersey. I just hope that they will also process my replacement green card just as quick (fingers crossed). I heard that the wait time from biometrics to receiving the new green card is around 2 to 3 months.

 

Just so frustrating that they made an error in your card, but you will be the one to suffer the consequences of their incompetence. So damn waste of precious time.

Happy 2nd Birthday, my baby Judd!

2 years ago God has gifted me the reason to believe again that happiness isn't just a word or a state of emotion. It's a place where hearts meet and be bound forever with the love that could last a lifetime, and even way after forever.

 

Happy 2nd birthday my baby Judd Grey! Though distance may have separated us physically, our hearts will always be in that happy place waiting patiently until we can be together again.

I love and miss you so much baby!!!

Welcome 2015!

This blog needs some CPR, and since it's the New Year I think now is the best time to do just that.

May 2015 brings us prosperity and success in whatever endeavors we have. Let us list down all the New Year's resolutions we've been dying to do and give our very best to make them into reality. Plans and ideas are great, but making it an action verb is far greater.

Let us welcome 2015 by being pro-active and productive. God bless us all! Happy blogging and Happy New Year...

Total Pharmacy Supply

The evolution of medicine has made a very significant impact to mankind. Now we are reaping the fruits of hard labour done by the greatest scientists and researchers from history up to present. We enjoy better health and longevity nowadays, and we owe it all to them. The medicines and machines that they have invented and built help us combat the adverse effects of this ever-changing world. From shielding or preventing us from diseases, to curing the illnesses that has been causing us pain and discomfort. 

But have you ever wonder how these medicines are made, or who supplies them? There are lots of fake medicines circulating in the pharmaceutical world today. So the burden of buying drugs that are really worth our money lies upon us. In short we should be smart buyers, and not just trust what the manufacturers are advertising. But being smart may not be enough, we need pharmaceutical companies which we can trust and rely on 24/7. And for these pharmaceutical companies to provide the best quality medicines, they must be equipped with high quality supplies and materials. 

This is where Total Pharmacy Supply comes in. This great company has been supplying and serving the pharmaceutical and allied health markets for more than two decades. Ensuring high quality and effective medicines and medical devices at affordable and reasonable prices had been their mission ever since. You can find helpful information at shop.tps-online.com/. They not only deliver pharmaceutical supplies, they have also been providing home health care and hospital equipments to boost! So a company this big and diverse can be totally trusted and is tested by millions of consumers worldwide.

So whenever you buy over-the-counter or prescription medicines, or choose which hospital to be admitted in, make sure they are affiliated with Total Pharmacy Supply. Because only then can you truly have a peace of mind.

Thank you readers and happy blogging!

Happy 60th Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday Mama Angel... 

Thank you for all your love and sacrifices. We may seem ungrateful, but deep inside our hearts, we owe you BIG TIME. I am not half a great mother as you are, not even close, and yet you guided me and inspired me to be one. For all our ups & downs, you're still our one great Super Mom, and we love you so much!

Cheers to many more healthy years to come...

Jam's 12th Birthday

12 years ago, God blessed me with the most precious gift a woman could ever hope for. Now that gift has grown into a very beautiful and talented young woman with a big and humble heart. 

Thank you for giving meaning to my life Jasmeen Rachelle Beltran. Happy 12th birthday... you will ALWAYS be my BABY girl!

Jam's Graduation Day

Congratulations Ate Jam!!! You made it. This is not the end though. Instead, this marks the beginning of a new adventure. A future full of promise, but be ready to face challenges and obstacles along the way. Enjoy the journey. Know that I'll always be a step behind, ready to catch your every fall and cheer each of your accomplishment, however small it may seem to you and to the people around us. I love you so much, and I'm very proud of you.

The Abreeza Experience

@children's playground

Yesterday we went to the new Robinson's Mall called Abreeza, and I felt "Dubai Sick". The mall was patterned like the ones in Dubai, down to the parking lots, restaurants, cinemas, and designer stores. I never thought I'd miss Dubai this much, the places I went and the people I've known and came to love. Anyway we had such fabulous time, though it's kinda tiring because the mall is so huge. It's just so sad that almost everything is a whole lot more expensive! We dined at Hukad, and the food was superb! They serve old fashion Filipino cuisine, with unlimited rice (this is the best part LOL). Later we watched "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and we all loved it, it was so funny and so filled with adventure and action.

pwedeng pang billboard? hehehe

We didn't go home last night. Instead, we spent the night with my good friend Agirl coz she's home alone. Jam and arena were so hyperactive, they just love it when their boring routine get some flavor.

Well we're home now, thank God we're safe. Gotta get some sleep though, I'm on PM shift today. Have a great day guys!

Thirty & One

Thirty one tsk tsk tk... and the fine lines are becoming more prominent, I really need to start using anti-aging products :-). But each year in my life have molded me to become who I am right now, so I feel no regrets whatsoever. I thank God endlessly for blessing me with such wonderful family and friends, for without them life won't be as exciting and meaningful.

I wish myself good health, safety, and the opportunity to be a blessing to my family and to other people. I also wish for a safe world, both from terrorism and natural catastrophe, for our children's future.

Happy blogging...

Quite some time...

For so long I wasn't able to visit my own blog, much less write an entry. More than a year is quite long to be quiet, so I decided to be proactive again. This blog of mine is a personal diary, something I can look back and review some salient events that happened in my life. I made the wrong decision when I stopped updating it, and now I'm going to correct that mistake.

To summarize what happened in almost two years... I wasn't able to go back to Dubai, as originally planned, because of familial and financial reasons. I won't pout about it any longer, I've moved on. I still work as a pediatric nurse in a local hospital here in Davao, and is quite happy and contented, at the moment. I guess you'll just have to make the most out of life, whichever way the wind takes you. Anyway I'm with my family, and loving every moment of it, so I didn't really feel like so much have been lost to me. They haven't given me a chance to feel that way ;-P

Now I'm back to blogging and business. I just hope my blogger friends still recognize me. See you around friends, and have a great day!

Rainy Days

Got nothing to do, and the rain was pouring hard outside. So I went out, just to feel and smell the soothing scent of the rain. Then I noticed this fly, soaking wet, and probably enjoying every drop just as I do.

I really thank God for the rain, coz after the long heat, it's very relaxing to bask in its freshness. And of course I'm very grateful for the gift of water, even though it's very muddy outside.

This is a very lovely picture of the flower, minus the fly LOL...

You Gotta See This

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

Some people would say that if you have a clear vision, you have a clear future ahead of you. Somehow I believe it is true. When I was still using eyeglasses, the advent of contact lenses felt so liberating. But as we get busier and busier nowadays, maintaining proper usage of contact lenses become quite a nuisance.

But as the popularity of iLASIK technology surge in the market, everybody seemed to be talking about it. May it be on the internet, radio, magazines, TV commercials, everywhere. They even produced this must seen iLASIK Video Contest which aims to spread the word about the wonders of iLASIK technology. The mechanics of this particular contest include submitting a video in one of the following categories:

• “My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
• “My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
• “You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”

Then ask all your friends to check out your video and vote for it. All of your efforts will be rewarded with exciting prizes including the grand prize of $5,000! You can submit your videos, view and vote on all entries at www.GottaSeeThisNow.com.

So hurry and don't miss this rare opportunity to get the best vision and a brighter future.

New Moon

After two years of going on our separate ways, trying to reach for our dreams in our own little ways, Myself, Liza, Xenia, and Gemma "most popularly known as Madam" finally got together to watch the sequel of the sensational hit movie "Twilight". The movie "New Moon" served as a means for us to reconnect with one another. For us to remember the great friendship we had and always have. To reminisce the fun and laughter amidst our struggles and trials as nursing students.

New Moon is a great movie, and as for me it's much better than Twilight, although the three of them all disgreed LOL. That's how I saw it anyway. The most important part is that we've enjoyed the moment and proved that distance and time just can't take away a friendship with very tough foundation.

The Queen Of Torrents

I remembered clearly my first encounter of bit torrents. I was in dire need to download a Charmed episode, and it was not available in You Tube. So I researched the whole world wide web for any possibilities, just to watch the said episode. And that's when the whole new world of bit torrent opened up to me. It's very useful and very convenient to use. Rather than watch clips or movies in You Tube, watch in clear and precise definition in your PC or DVD.

Quickly download software and you are on your way in exploring and enjoying the world right in the comfort of your own couch. Queen Torrent offer a wide range of free torrents you'll surely love to download. You will never miss an episode of your favorite series, no need to go to the movies to watch the latest films, or you'll never have to buy expensive applications or softwares. The world is in the tips of your fingertips.