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Thousands of years ago, Mesopotamians made the very first yogurt.  There are actually evidence that these people had domesticated goats and sheep, and the milk that they got from those animals were stored in gourds, then later on the milk became a curd.  This curd was the early form of yogurt.

Thousands of years later and a few days from now, a new variety of yogurt will be introduced to the public.  And this is not in Mesopotamia, but here in Cebu.  Frizberry Yogurt will have its opening this 8th of March, 2010 at SM City.  Every yogurt-lover will surely not miss this event.

Quick Facts:

Yoghurt is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.  It has nutritional benefits beyond those of milk. People who are moderately lactose-intolerant can enjoy yoghurt without ill effects, because much of the lactose in the milk precursor is converted to lactic acid by the bacterial culture. (Source: Answers.Com)

Photo by Leo Castillo

I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but I and my officemates were actually planning to enroll in a yoga class long before I was invited to a Yoga Workshop along with my CBS mate, Prince Ryan Gilig.  I’ve been planning to enroll in any health and fitness program, but my erratic work schedule became a big hindrance.  It was actually my pleasure to accept Edert’s invitation to attend and cover his friend’s Yoga Workshop (Intro to Ashtanga Yoga Principles) last 23rd of October at the 5th floor of AMSLAI building in Lahug, Cebu City.

The workshop was headed by Amitabha Ebj, an international Yoga Practitioner  of 37 years and the Managing Director of Body Mind Well Being Inc.. It focuses more on Ashtanga basics wherein the participants were being taught proper sun salutations, plus exploration of breathing and in deep of the unique principlye system of Ashtaga yoga breath movement.

Ashtanga Yoga according to Ashtanga Yoga Institute, is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi.  One of its main components is the Vinyasa, which means breathing and movement system.  It constitutes that for each movement, there is one breath.  Its main purpose is for internal cleansing.  During the workshop, the participants didn’t only experience the wellness of the body, but also of the soul.

The other important component is the Tristhana.  This describes the three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system, and looking place.  According to AYI, these three are very important for yoga practice, which also cover three levels of purification: the body, nervous system, and mind.  In the Ashtanga Vinsaya Yoga Workshop, Ebj properly emphasized all of these to the participants.

There are six poisons that are being burned when you practice Ashtanga Yoga.  These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy, and sloth.  It is said that when Yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth. (This forms the practical and philosophic basis of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.)

Ashtanga Mantra (Opening Prayer) and Mangala Mantra (Closing Prayer) were also performed during the workshop.  The participants were also able to performed the following various sets of Ashtanga Yoga postures and positions.

• Suryanamaskara A & B
• Standing Asanas
• Primary Series
• Back Bending
• Finishing Asanas

At the end of activity, the participants were being treated to a very healthy snacks of camote tops juice squeezed with lemons, empanada filled with vegetable fillings, and crackers topped with ground vegan meat.

If you are interested to practice Ashtanga Yoga, you can contact Body Mind Well Being Inc. at 032-5112342, 032-2323332, SMS 09228322500 or email at bodymindwellbeing@yahoo.com.

Reference: Ashtanga Yoga Institute

N.B.: Video documentation of this event is still being edited by Prince Ryan Gilig.

This is really not something to be proud about.  I don’t know if I’m already addicted, but I’ve been swallowing alcohol for over 30 hours now.  And while I’m writing this post I’m still drinking one.  This is definitely ridiculous.  I’ve been drinking tq the whole night last night, went drinking to a friend’s house just this afternoon, and now that I’m home, I’m still drinking.  And not to mention I went drinking with my girl friends last Saturday night.   Am I insane?  I know I’m not drunk either because I don’t feel any dizziness while composing this post.  My mind is actually very alert, and it seems like I got so many things to write.  I guess I need to read the following lines over and over to enlighten myself , and that I should stop  or minimize this vice as soonest as possible.

Alcohol Addiction - What are the causes and effects of alcoholism?

• Too much alcohol can destroy brain cells, possibly leading to brain damage.
• Alcohol greatly disturbs the structure and function of the central nervous system, hindering the ability to retrieve, consolidate, and process information.
• Moderate consumption of alcohol can affect cognitive abilities while large amounts interfere with the oxygen supply of the brain causing a blackout when totally drunk.
• Alcohol addiction may also inflame the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and could cause cancer in these areas, especially in drinkers who also smoke.
• Splurge drinking may produce irregular heartbeats, and abusers experience a higher risk of high-blood pressure, heart attacks, and other heart damage.
• Alcohol also can harm vision, damage sexual function, slow circulation, be the grounds for malnutrition, and water retention.
• It can also lead to skin and pancreatic disorders, weaken the bones and muscles, thus, decreasing immunity

I think I need to finish just this one last drink in front of me.  Hehehe.

credits: All About Life Changes

I’m so sleepy but I cannot sleep(toinx!). My tonsil hurts a lot and I feel sooo tired. I guess I ate a lot of fruit salad yesterday. That is the reason why my throat has been infected. I know I really can’t resist the temptation of overeating yummy foods. I’m such a sucker for sweets and well, my goal to lose weight was put aside for the sake of gluttony. What a shame!

My friends’ comment when they see me is always “You’re fat!” Grrrrr! WTF! I’ve been dieting for two weeks now and all I can hear is that friggin’ comment. Hukhukhuk! How I wish I can get back the body I had when I was working in Global Grant. Maybe I should practice the habit of eating oatmeal again during lunch. That way I can attain my goal of losing weight. Hahaist…

Irish’s Wedding

A wacky pose with the bride

Anyways, last Saturday was Irish’s Wedding. And as usual I overate and well, no dieting for that day. How can you diet when you are surrounded with yummy foods? I guess I should not attend occasions like that for I will definitely lose my cool. And I would definitely end up becoming an old fat hag. How pathetic. ):

I’m actually happy that she’s settling down and I guess she’s really into that kind of stuff. I mean some people are really into marriage and some like me are well, maybe destined to spinsterhood? Hehehe! I’m actually thinking how would I look like if that’s my predestined fate. Tsk…tsk…I guess there’s no such thing as predestined fate. I mean it’s all in your hands. You’re the one who’s in control of your life. And I guess those old maids I know don’t really want to marry because they are more in love with their single life. Am I right?

And so, and so, and so…Hehehe!

The urge to dodge is a little bit disturbing. The thought of not painting the scene seems regrettable. And to do it intentionally is out of question.

I went to Prime Care, SM this afternoon to have a physical check up. My sup urges me to have one because my right throat is not only unusually bigger than the left, but there’s a new small lump on my left neck. I had a thyroid panel test and I will go back tomorrow for the result. I hope it’s just benign. I can’t accommodate any bad news nowadays. I’m still in the process of fixing up emotional throes and it’s really a disadvantage to be a weakling physically. That’s the very last thing I wanted to happen to myself. Please God spare me from all diseases. *crossing fingers*

Bohol Trip

My trip to Bohol last Saturday went well. I never expected to travel to Panglao on Sunday. I thought I’ll be spending the whole Sunday roaming around Tagbilaran and watch movie at ICM. But it turned out the other way. I went to Panglao with my friend’s siblings and cousins. I spent the whole day swimming in the beach because it was a cloudy and rainy day(I wouldn’t have done it if it’s a sunny one because of my “skin color issue”…hihi). All in all it’s a great trip. (:

EOD

Wacky, intelligent, gorgeous, talented, boyish, sophisticated, and everything. That’s Kooki of multiply.com.   I won’t reveal here who she really is. You better check her link in this post so that you’ll know. Ahehehe. Anyways, I visit her site every now and then and I always see interesting and nice stuffs there. She’s…(I’m “speakless”). Ahehehe. I find her recent post very nice and helpful that’s why I decided to repost it here…I hope you can get some clues and maybe some help or tips or the likes…Jah bless…

Losing My Pollution

The 5 things we can do to clean up our act!

1. the guts to eat the right stuff. junk tastes gooood but try drinking as much water as you can. then watch what you take in cos it can make you or break you. an electric juicer is still the best tool for gulping up the desired, but often dreaded, greens

my cousin and i have detox dates, never complete without the cucumber-carrot-apple-honey shake! you can also try adding a few malunggay leaves. according to a nutritionist I know, malunggay supposedly has 3x more calcium than milk and 7x more vitamin C than orange juice

TIP: don’t make the mistake of trying to process fresh malunggay into a shot glass… malakas pala tama nun para kang nag tequila!!! you’ll be hit by a serious migraine, cold sweats and a possible fainting fit.

2. get out of your comfort zone… do something. do one thing every week that scares you. slap yourself when you get crazy lazy & it’s not an official holiday. shake your boo-tay when you like the music you hear, cos angels aside, you are down and depressed sometimes! think of what, in the 9 lives of a cat, you believe in… you have to believe in SOMETHING… make yourself useful. puwera plastikan.

3. compliment someone (and mean it). I read this somewhere before and it’s so great. there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell you wouldn’t get a kick out of it– it works with anyone cos everyone is somewhat vain and wants a compliment! how bout saying THANK YOU to someone… or making a peace offering… there has to be someone you haven’t talked to in a while?
make peace, not war. make loooove, not war.

4. find something to LIKE. a new film? song? out of the box idea? a new dream job? a new tambayan? something about your PAST? laugh. try it now, smile. makes you feel good already i’m sure. laugh cos something’s funny, laugh cos you find something ridiculous. laugh cos it’s good for you. laugh cos you can.

5. never allow anyone to say you don’t have a BACKBONE. take a break. know when & why you have to be fair to yourself. know how to cry whether out of relief or remorse. know when something is hurting you. know when something is an act of truth or just an act, period. know when something is, or isn’t, good for you. don’t stress yourself out about it all… rest, and try to see why you should be proud of your decisions.

check Kooki’s webby here…

What is HPV? It’s an incurable STD that infect about 40% of sexually active individuals in the county. HPV stands for Human Papilloma Viruses. I incidentally read about this in a mag somewhere in Ayala. The common symptom or sign that you are contaminated with this virus is the appearance of warts in your genitals. I googled and found this…

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are common viruses that can cause warts. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are harmless, but about 30 types put you at risk for cancer. These types affect the genitals and you get them through sexual contact with an infected partner. They are classified as either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus in women. In men, it can lead to cancers of the anus and penis.

Click here for more…