NASOCLEAR: Breaking away with Allergic Rhinitis in 1-2-3

My family had always been dealing with allergic rhinitis and we all know that summer time is not a nice time for people with allergic rhinitis.  In as much as we want to go out and smell the flowers per se, we just couldn't, since it triggers our allergies.  Not to mention that it is during the dry season that air pollutants are also in abundance.  Good thing that Unilab already came out with Nasoclear.

Nasoclear is made of 0.65% Saline solution and 0.02% Benzalkonium chloride that goes by the generic name Sodium Chloride.  We have always been told by ENT doctors that saline solution works better in declogging runny nose due to allergic rhinitis than taking antihistamines.  According to them, nasal spray are the first line of defense against allergic rhinitis.  It's even better than taking medicines since it is just like irrigating your nasal cavities with saline solution. It helps in moisturizing the nasal cavity thus relieving nasal congestion.  

Nasoclear comes in a pump spray mist that is not just easy to use but also very handy.  What I like most about this is that it comes with its own safety clip and cap.  This will ensure that the product wont get sprayed on unless you remove the clip and cap.  My son has shown really good improvement since he has been using this daily.  I bet this will be a staple item in our first aid kit box.

Do not be intimidated by the look of NasoClear.  Using it is as easy as 1-2-3. 

1. After removing the safety clip and cap,tilt your head forward and breathe out. Hold the nozzle between your fingers and squeeze.
2. Spray the solution into one nostril while covering the other nostril.
3. Spray 2 times in each nostril in the morning and at night.

We are no first timers in using nasal sprays but my son swears that just after 2 days of using Nasoclear, he noticed the improvement unlike with others wherein he needs to finish the 5 day usage term that is allowed by ENTs.  I would suggest you ask a doctor, an ENT specialist, if you feel that the product is not helping you in such a way it is supposed to do. 

Nasoclear is distributed by UNILAB.  To know more about Nasoclear and other health products from UNILAB, follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook.

Let Naturhouse help you lose two pounds healthily in one week

Summertime has always been associated with swimwears, beach parties and sexy bodies. If you are like me who just gave birth a few months ago, chances are you are looking for a healthy way to shed off fats.  Fret not then, Spanish dietetics specialist Naturhouse is looking to expand its presence in Asia, with its first shop scheduled to be inaugurated on 6 April this year, here in the Philippines.

Naturhouse has expressed bullishness on the Philippine market citing that Filipinos are now ready for the type of unique health and wellness service that it provides. “Filipinos have been very health conscious the past few years and we took note of this in our preparations.” according to Naturhouse Philippines President Jon Rocha. It speaks volumes about Filipinos' increased awareness and desire towards living a healthy lifestyle, which is what Naturhouse is really all about and offers.

Naturhouse expects potential business in the Philippines to reach more than € 2 million in the coming years as it slowly expands northward and southward to other urban centers. “ We will not only introduce a way of living healthy to the Philippine  market, but also create jobs in the process” according to Rocha.

Dietetics defined as the science of applying nutritional principles to the planning and preparation of foods and regulation of the diet in relation to both health and disease, is what Naturhouse offers the Filipino.

Over the years, a marked increase in cases of non-communicable/chronic/lifestyle diseases has been observed not only globally, but also in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health (DOH), more than 44 million Filipinos either suffer from obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Because of this, the World Health Organization, through the DOH, commissioned the Nutritionist-Dietitian's Association of the Philippines to establish a set of guidelines on healthy eating which will serve as a basis for a certification program for food manufacturers and establishments.

You might be wondering how Naturhouse differs from other businesses that promises weight loss. At Naturhouse, programs are geared toward the promotion of healthy living among Filipinos. A nutritionist will guide every client to reach their desired weight goals. There will be no crash diets or hit-miss diets said Melody Melo, Head Nutritionist for Naturhouse.

Naturhouse will provide specific nutritional guidelines that have been developed by dietary professionals who provide advice along with details on how to lose weight and address issues like stress, cellulite, among others. Each solution is designed with specific nutritional characteristics to speed up the required results in each case.

"It is our mission to educate people how to eat properly and how to retain their ideal weight," said Rick Cabanban, Lead project manager who trained in offices in Spain and France for the operations of Naturhouse Philippines.

Currently there are 2,000 Naturhouse establishments around the world. Nearly 900 of these establishments are located outside of Spain. In 2011 alone, over 240 shops have been opened abroad. 4 million satisfied clients from around the globe have lost weight with the Naturhouse method.

Naturhouse is owned by the Kiluva Group of Spain, the leading Spanish corporation in dietetics and nutrition sector. It provides specialized services and exclusive products of the highest quality for the health conscious markets such as Naturhouse. C.F. Sharp Trading, Inc. is the Master Franchise holder of Naturhouse for the Philippines.

Aside from the Philippines, Naturhouse is also expanding in other Asian markets such as China, Malaysia and Singapore.

If you want to be one of the very first to try out Naturhouse, please head on to their first branch on April 6, 2014 at 10am, located at SM City North Edsa lower ground floor main building.

Wondering if its possible?
Head on to their website to know more!

For more information, you may visit and like their facebook page: Natur House Philippines

The rose that made me cry

My eldest child graduated from Elementary two days ago.  A part of me is wishing that I could brag about him getting medal for academic excellence but he did not have that kind of award.  Despite of that I am still beaming with pride not only because he will soon be in grade 7 but because he was awarded for being the most helpful in class.  He was given the award because after typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas region, he suggested to his teachers that instead of buying prizes and candies from their Christmas savings perhaps they could just send the full amount to the Yolanda victims.  He even asked the teacher to ask the class if they are willing to give every cent to the victims.  What makes me more proud is that he asked the teacher not to drop his name when the suggestion is blurted out to the class.  The whole school took the cue from that generous act.  All the classes decided to offer their class' christmas savings to the typhoon victims.  He was beaming with pride when he told me about this but he kept quiet whenever talks about the mystery person who suggested about the project to the school.

I was teary eyed when the program ended but it was not because of him moving up to high school.  It was because he took an effort to pick the only pink flower among all the white ones that decorated the stage.  She gave it to me and kissed me after saying his gratitude.  Unlike his classmates who no longer wants hugs and kisses from their parents, my soon-to-be-12-year-old-boy still kisses me in public.  A lot of parents raised an eyebrow when my son kissed me but to us it's not something to be ashamed of.  I always tell him to take pride he has a family and to not be afraid and shy to show affection whenever he feels like.  Please do not think that we don't have rough days in our house because we do have, and we have a bunch.  There are a lot of instances when my son would tell me I'm too bossy and I'm such a nagging mom.  But I guess in the end, he still loves me wholeheartedly and that really made my day.  

In the end, it's really not about the medals or trophies that matter during recognition day/ graduation day.  At least for me, it's more of the knowledge and the attitude that has been embedded on the next generation. 

What to do if your Child has Chicken Pox

According to webMd, Chicken Pox is caused by varicella zoster virus.  It normally starts with flu-like symptoms (headache, decreased appetite, colds, sore throat and fever). It is highly contagious and most common in school children.  An infected person shoud stay home until the rash is completely healed.

My eldest went home two weeks ago looking pale and tired than usual.  He told me he was not feeling well and even asked if I could check his temperature since he seems feverish.  I obliged and found some blisters that looks like peck marks of chicken on his torso.  I immediately asked him to go far from his sister.  We went to see a doctor and ask for treatment.  Doctor said that the chicken pox itself will heal on its own and no medicine can make it go away faster.  Like all viral infection, it will heal all by itself.  He was only prescribed antihistamines for the itching and paracetamol for the fever.  He was also advised to continue to drink his Vitamin C to boost his immune system and to drink more fluids especially water to keep himself hydrated.

So what do you do when your kids is downed with Chicken Pox (I hope not!)? But if ever, you may find the following handy.

• Contrary to what our Lolas do in the past, doctors instructs patients to take a bath, and it could be numerous baths in a day because it helps tone down the itch.  Addition of finely ground oatmeal in your bath water can also help a lot.
• After taking a bath, pat dry the skin but DO NOT rub.
• To help relieve pain (from some of the blisters, especially those at the mouth are), you may take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Doctors can also prescribe antihistamines for the itchiness.
• Take your Vitamin C supplement to boost your immune system.
• No matter how hard it is, try not to scratch.  Scratching can cause skin cuts and you might develop bacterial infections from them.
• If you have other kids at home, isolate the infected kid or adult to avoid exposing the other kids to the virus.
• Antibiotics won't help so do not try to drink any.
• Since I am breastfeeding and had been able to see the wonders of breastmilk over skin rashes, I put on breastmilk on my son's scars, hoping it would easily lighten them.

A child can be vaccinated at the 12-15 months of age but for the vaccine to work they need to get a booster at age 4-6.  My son had been vaccinated but we forgot to have him injected with the booster hence he still contacted the virus.  To our dismay, even if he has been isolated, our daughter was still infected with it 2 weeks after our eldest does.  I might need to pump more breastmilk so that I can constantly put some on my kids scars.

A Dose of Sunshine

"Always smile back at little children.  To ignore them is to destroy their belief that the world is good." 

Seeing her flash a smile is my daily dose of sunshine.  It always brighten my days no matter how gloomy I feel.  When I see her smile like this, I just wanna stop and linger at the moment.  I wanna capture my children's every smile because I know that when they grow up they will smile differently.  If only I can!


This photo is submitted to the I Heart Photo Challenge | Smile.  Do you to see more smiling faces?  Just drop over there and see some smiling actions captured on photos.