mom, artist by heart, baker, and a chocolate connoisseur. Founded the company - Chocolate Chimney Bakeshop year 2009 that made artisanal and decorated cakes and cookies known in the Philippines. She is also passionate about Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Family and Mental Health.
For further studies, she is taking up Qualified Nutrition at Stanford University and finished Nutrition and Health by Wageningen University EdX.
For those who have been following me since day 1, I have talked about endometriosis a couple of times in the blog. A topic so personal and is never easy for me to open up. After my laparoscopy which was both a diagnostic procedure and an excision, I was told that I have endometriosis 😦
Since then I have been in endless hunt for herbal medicines, homeopathic and natural supplements. Supplement meaning not to replace any prescribed medicine or therapy.
Two distinct ingredients came up – turmeric and ginger.
Interestingly, both have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from migraines to chronic inflammation and fatigue.
From an article by PubMed, turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. Native to Southeast Asia primarily in India. Historically, turmeric was used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems, as well as Eastern Asian medical systems such as traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it was traditionally used for disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system.
It is believed that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, promoted to be a dietary supplement for various conditions listed below;
arthritis
chronic inflammation
digestive disorders
respiratory infections
allergies
liver disease
depression
and even with corona virus, we have heard turmeric’s benefits resurfacing and becoming popular.
The use of natural or alternative medicines has increased rapidly over the years. Here in Cebu particularly, we have a variety of herbal supplements in the local market. Mostly in capsule or tea formula. I have taken quite a few but in my opinion, simple ingredients from our pantry like turmeric and ginger is the most underrated, cheap and readily available ingredients we can start consuming for better health.
Ginger contains many bioactive nutrients from its pungent and spicy property. The primary pungent ingredient that is believed to exert a variety of remarkable pharmacological and physiological activities.
Like turmeric, ginger has several health benefits as follows;
When your day is overwhelming, troubled, exhausting and nearly lost for words…
Here are some inspiring, motivating quotes to lift your spirits up.
A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.You can’t change the past nor predict the future. So it’s better to focus on today.You always pass failure on your way to success.
My creative juices are flowing so I made a few digi art using some useful apps. And down below are 10 inspiring and artsy phone wallpapers that you can download and use – for free!
Vitamin C, or technically L-ascorbic acid, is an essential water soluble vitamin known to exhibit antioxidant properties.
It is the most famous of all vitamins and was discovered in 1932 when scurvy killed 2 million sailors between year 1500-1800. Unlike most animals, humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C so it is considered to be an essential nutrient.
Due to its function as an antioxidant and its role in immune function, vitamin C has been promoted as a means to help prevent and/or treat numerous health conditions. Supplements are most common in the form of ascorbic acid. which has equivalent bioavailability to that of naturally occurring ascorbic acid in foods, such as orange juice and broccoli. Other forms of vitamin C supplements include sodium ascorbate; calcium ascorbate; other mineral ascorbates; ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids.
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a well balanced diet. But due to lifestyle and busy schedule and vitamin c being water soluble meaning heat sensitive -you may not meet the daily requirement and opt for supplements. Please keep in mind the dosage and talk to a health professional for further advice.
B-Vitamins or B Complex are essential vitamins that contribute to your overall health and well-being. There are eight B Vitamins – B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyroxidine), B9 (Folate), B12 (cobalamin).
These eight micronutrients play vital roles in many organs and bodily systems. They have dual functions – work together and/or carry out individual works in the body.
essential in synthesis of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin & dopamine
cellular health
blood cell formation
converts fats to glucose
promote energy levels
good eyesight
brain function
nerve conduction
fats and hormone synthesis
cardiovascular health
muscle tone
In women
B vitamins are essentially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Particularly Folic Acid – that aids in fetal development and prevent birth defects.
Folic acid fortification is one of the most successful public health initiatives. With 19-55% decreased in neural tube defects.
And for expectant mothers, B vitamins may boost energy levels, ease nausea, and lower the risk of developing preeclampsia.
In men
B vitamins help in testosterone levels in men that decrease with age. Helps in muscles and overall energy level.
In vegetarians/vegans
American Dietetic Association recommends Vitamin B12 in particular. Since Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products, fish, meat and poultry.
One cannot single out which B vitamin is the best because each has its own unique function and purpose. Depending on our body condition and pre-existing illness or nutritional levels, we may or may not be able to meet the daily requirements of B vitamins.
Best to talk to your trusted doctor, dietitian or health care provider.
The crisis we are facing right now could mean sudden changes, lockdown, restricted socialization, halt in regular activities like sports & recreation, unemployment, a shift to to what they call the “New Normal”. These changes coupled with fear of contracting the disease can lead to pressure and anxiety to some.
Theory of Needs according to Maslow
Abraham Maslow developed a theory of needs. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. This theory is relevant in today’s covid-19 pandemic.
Let’s make this as simple as possible… In order to attend the higher needs in the pyramid, the individual must meet the lower basic needs. Like climbing a ladder or mountain.
Our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs. Understanding this theory can help us deal with today’s endless dilemmas and support other family or friends who may have a difficult time coping.
Grouped into three; Basic, Psychological and Self-fulfillment needs.
Basic Needs which lies in the bottom of the pyramid – as name suggests, relates to Physiological and Safety needs. Like food, water, shelter, clothing, security and safety.
Physiological Needs
This pandemic has caused a lot of problems for our Basic Needs. With millions acquiring the disease, people getting hungry and homeless, unemployed, etc.
One particular example of Basic Need – when people hoarded toilet paper, sanitizer and alcohol. Many were anxious about the uncertainties of pandemic and so in order to reassure their needs, they piled up as much stocks as they can.
Under Psychological Needs is Social and Esteem.
Social Needs – include love, acceptance and belongingness.
At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior. Some of the things that satisfy this need include:
Friendships
Romantic attachments
Family
Social groups
Community groups
Churches and religious organizations
We are greatly affected in this level of hierarchical needs. As government restricts social movement like gatherings. We are confined to our houses and rooms while others isolated due to monitoring and precautionary procedures.
Having social connections online can help in meeting this need. Keep in regular contact with people close to you.
Since Maslow’s time, researchers have continued to explore how love and belonging needs impact well-being. For example, having social connections is related to better physical health and, conversely, feeling isolated (i.e. having unmet belonging needs) has negative consequences for health and well-being.
2. Esteem Needs – our need for appreciation and respect. People need to sense that they are valued and by others and feel that they are making a contribution to the world.
Participation in activities, academic accomplishments and hobbies can all play a role in fulfilling the esteem needs. Join Social Media communities where you can share hobbies or interests with each other. There are pages offering free online classes from photography, baking and cooking.
At the very peak of Maslow’s hierarchy are the self-actualization needs. “What a man can be, he must be,” Maslow explained, referring to the need people have to achieve their full potential as human beings.
According to Maslow’s definition of self-actualization, “It may be loosely described as the full use and exploitation of talents, capabilities, potentialities, etc. Such people seem to be fulfilling themselves and to be doing the best that they are capable of doing. They are people who have developed or are developing to the full stature of which they capable.”
These needs can be powerful motivators and differ in every individual.
As each individual is unique, the motivation for self-actualization leads people in different directions. For some people self-actualization can be achieved through creating works of art or literature, for others through sport, in the classroom, or within a corporate setting.
Maslow (1962) believed self-actualization could be measured through the concept of peak experiences. This occurs when a person experiences the world totally for what it is. Experiencing peace, joy or bliss.
The urge to help the community by services of our frontliners, risking their lives to support and help fight this battle – an example of Self-Actualization
In a span of few weeks, the world went from top level to the bottom of the pyramid. We are now focused on our Basic Requirements for survival.
Manila Jeepney drivers begging for help
Everything will be alright
It’s a frightening time indeed and we don’t know when this will end. But this is the perfect time to reflect and reevaluate our lives. According to Maslow’s biographer Edward Hoffman, Maslow spoke unequivocally about the importance of dealing with life’s uncertainties. That is, regarding stressful or challenging situations as opportunities for growth rather than retreating into passivity or pessimism.
we must stay optimistic and not let negativity rule our lockdown lives. A positive mindset can make us believe that everything will be alright, hoping for better days and encourage us to get up.
Let us be kind to one another and not discriminate the ones afflicted by the virus. They need more love and understandingespecially in this trying times.
As World Health Organization suggests;
Be kind. Don’t discriminate against people because of your fears of the spread of COVID-19.
Don’t discriminate against people who you think may have coronavirus.
Don’t discriminate against health workers. Health workers deserve our respect and gratitude.
COVID-19 has affected people from many countries. Don’t attribute it to any specific group.
References
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological review,50(4), 370.
Maslow, A. H., Frager, R., & Cox, R. (1970). Motivation and personality (Vol. 2, pp. 1887-1904). J. Fadiman, & C. McReynolds (Eds.). New York: Harper & Row.
Maslow, A. H. (2013). Toward a psychology of being. Start Publishing LLC.
Dedicated to all germaphobes and to make our Covid19-War strong!
Here are the worst and dirtiest things you touch everyday.
Cellphone
It goes with you everywhere – even in the bathroom. It can be 10x dirtier than your toilet seat. In fact, it can be contaminated with fecal matter. Gross! So please use disinfecting wipes or spray alcohol in a clean towel and wipe it!
Remote Control
Obvious, remote control is being touched more than 3x a day. And when not in used it’s either on the floor or stuck in between the sofa cushions – a perfect home for bacteria and viruses to grow.
Purse / Money
Just like cellphone, our purse is a harbor for very tiny microbes. That includes our credit cards, money and coins.
Face Mask
There’s a valid reason why mask is supposedly disposable. But due to scarcity and high demand, we need to use it over and over again. Pathogens like bacteria and viruses can live on cloth fabric for longer than one may think — up to 8-12 hours. So part of wearing a mask is washing and using it properly.
ATM
People from everywhere and anywhere touch the buttons on the cash machine. It would be wise to wash your hands or sanitize after touching one.
Towel & Dish Sponge
It’s self explanatory. From towels to dish sponge, it might be the dirtiest thing in the house. It is constantly wet and absorbent.
Door Handles
When we open the door, we turn the handle with dirty hands.
Buttons & Counter
Including kitchen sinks, counter, refrigerator doors and buttons, they are all covered with bacteria.
More nasty areas or things are enlisted in the pictograph below. Make sure to clean them more than once daily. During these pandemic days, we are more obsessed in staying away from dangerous germs. Hope this helps…
Business Resiliency is being tested in the most extreme ways. The impact of this pandemic particularly here in the Philippines is so great that it continues to pull down the economy and left many unemployed.
For the first time in 22 years, the Philippine economy slowed down and contracted 0.6% in Gross Domestic Product.
Listed below is the added operational expense on every establishment following mandatory requirements to flatten the curve of Corona Virus. Figures are inconsistent and depends on each store.
Hand Sanitizer / Alcohol – P520 per gallon. Consuming 2 gallons per week = P1040
UV lamp / Air Sanitizer – P3000 minimum market value
Basic Face Mask & Face Shield – P170/set. Multiply to the number of employees e.g x 10 = 1700
Disinfectant / bleach – P 450/gallon. Using almost 3 in a week = P1350
Shuttle/Delivery Service
Lodging for Employees
Non-Contact Thermometer – P1200
Test Kits
Operational cost of P8290 which does not include the variable expenses of shuttle, board and lodging, test kits, rental, manpower expense like hazard pay, and so on.
Weekly basis may reach upto P5000 and an average of P20,000 per month. That brings the operational cost to P80,000 since March.
This article is not to discourage start-up entrepreneurs rather help by giving a glimpse on what to expect on surviving a pandemic.
Entrepreneurship is about survival, which nurtures creative thinking. Business is not financial science, it’s about trading – buying and selling. – Anita Roddick (UK entrepreneur)
Confused about these quarantine levels? You’re not alone!
Here’s an easy-to-understand chart to compare the four levels.
TERMS
ECQ – Enhanced Community Quarantine
MECQ – Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine
GCQ – General Community Quarantine
MGCQ – Modified General Community Quarantine
More to remember;
ECQ is the highest level so it means it has the most strict regulations. No movement regardless of age and health status. While in MECQ and GCQ, there’s limited movement within the containment area or buffer zone you are located and in obtaining essential needs.
Essential workers (doctors, nurses, grocery personnel, etc.) are allowed to go out. Non-essential workers will only be allowed to go out of their homes if they have to purchase groceries and other necessities.
In MGCQ, the period is a transition or preparation for the “New Normal”. Socio-economic activities are permitted with certain Health guidelines.
Still puzzled? Just remember the two main categories – ECQ and GCQ. All these levels are focused to help flatten the curve of the pandemic. Following above guidelines will help us stay safe from Corona Virus and help our frontliners as they are getting overwhelmed.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/4136760-article-what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-5a97179aeb97de003668392e.png)
