Rochelle Rivera

Keeping a healthy lifestyle is one of my goals I really want to achieve this year. Although, my schedule is so tight I can only fit so much physical activities. And when I do, I make the most of it. More so, when it’s a run with Nike, the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories, I make sure I participate.

Have you seen the video “Unlimited You” yet? It’s part of Nike’s Unlimited campaign to push us more to our limit, which apparently does not exist as per the video. Well, the Unlimited Stadium, Metro Manila’s iconic running hub, will prove it.

The Unlimited Stadium features a digitally-enabled running track and challenges Filipinos to unlock their potential through running events and services. Nike reimagined the running track and created the Unlimited Stadium, a space in the shape of a 100-foot sole print of the Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit, one of Nike Running’s latest footwear innovations. It is a digital and physical experience, featuring a 200-meter running track lined with LED screens, and bringing Nike experiences, products and services together to inspire and enable runners to go beyond their limits.

The infinity symbol signifies it.

During the event on August 4, I and other guests were invited at the Whitespace Manila for the launch of Nike’s newest offering.

The Unlimited Colorway collection, with selected styles available here in the Philippines, represents not only the unlimited athletic abilities of each one of us, but also the way Nike views the world as bursting with unlimited inspiration and design possibilities.

Here are the styles from the Unlimited Colorway collection is available at the Nike Park BGC and Nike Stadium Glorietta 2:

Running

Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit (P8,095)

Nike LunarGlide 8 (P6,295)

Nike Free RN (P5,295)

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 (P6,295)

Nike Zoom Streak 6 (P5,795)

Basketball
 Nike Air Zoom KD9 (P7,645)
 Nike Hyperdunk Flyknit 2016 (P9,895)

Women’s Training
 Nike Metcon 2 (P6,745)

Nike Sportswear
 Nike Air Max 1 Ultra Flyknit (P8,995)

Bulbul Khera, Nike Southeast Asia's Senior Director for Marketing, talks about Nike's Unlimited Manila

The Unlimited Stadium is designed to encourage people to push beyond their limits, and to celebrate the spirit of doing more than what you thought was ever possible. Especially in the next 17 days when the world watches the best athletes on the planet defy expectations, Nike enables Filipinos with the opportunity to do the same through the Unlimited Stadium, innovations and the Nike+ community, said Bulbul Khera, Senior Director for Marketing, Nike Southeast Asia.

Therese Saavedera-Crow, Nike Southeast Asia's Senior Director for Merchandising, talks about Nike's footwear innovation

After the introduction, we then registered at the Unlimited Stadium. The track is like every runner’s dream footpath. It was definitely a different experience because we got to run with our digital counterparts. I chose the color that I like and personalized my avatar with my name.

To track my progress, these little devices were attached to my shoes.

Consumers can trial Nikes latest footwear innovations at the Unlimited Stadium

The avatars grow in size based on the speed and distance covered, motivating runners to push and do more than they thought possible. I just wish I had more extensive training and practice to beat my avatar. I’m just thankful to be rewarded for every challenge I completed, it was indeed an epic run experience.

Nike Run Club Coach Ian Banzon outpacing his avatar at the Unlimited Stadium

Good news! Unlimited Stadium is FREE for everyone. Yes, that’s right. And I hope I will see you the next time I make another attempt to win versus my avatar.

Nike Run Club Coach Rio dela Cruz outpacing his avatar at the Unlimited Stadium

I recommend that you give it a try, all that’s there to loose are your flabs. I mean, yes, more than half of the year is already gone, but it’s never too late to accomplish that New Year’s resolution of yours to get fit.

The Nike Unlimited Stadium runs from Aug 5-21, 2016. Open for everyone from 4 PM to 10 PM, daily. Located at 9th Ave. 32nd street BGC.

Join and discover your unlimited potential through Nike+ challenges, powered by the Nike+ Running and Training Club apps, available for download at the Apple and Android store.

Registration and footwear trialing area at the Unlimited Stadium

For more information on the challenges and schedule of events at the Unlimited Stadium, visit www.nike.com/manila or call the hotline at 02- 463-4814.

Moms love to keep a lot of stuff. Don’t get me wrong. I said it on a positive note, believe me. I know because if you scavenge my kitchen, aside from food and kitchen wares, I also keep food containers and plastic zip-lock storage as much as possible. If you have three children, a big family extension and friends who drop by often, you’ll understand. You’ll be grateful once you’re caught in the situation when you get after-party take-home requests from guests or unexpected “baon” demands from your kids.

For a reliable companion in the kitchen, there’s nothing that compares to GLAD, the leading brand of kitchen aids.

In the recently concluded World Street Food Congress held at the Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City, GLAD provided “an extra pair of hands” and helped food hawkers face the foodie rush where thousands of diners attended.

Prior to the event, GLAD, the homemakers’ partner in food protection and kitchen management, has provided participants with plastic food storage with tight sealing lids, allowing them to keep the food’s freshness last longer and also to prevent leaks.

It's very reliable,said Isabel Sanchez-Huerta who manned the US booth that served Mexican dessert Churros Locos.

GladWare Entree Containers enabled Sanchez-Huerta of Portland, Oregon to score a sellout for her Churros Locos -- a fried dough pastry with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, strawberry and caramel sauce topped with nuts and sprinkles.

Just knowing it was easy to open and close so you don’t make up a mess helped us with the process. It also enabled us to lessen the number of clean ups, which sure helped us in not breaking up or clogging up the whole line of production,Sanchez-Huerta added.

GLAD-provided products like the Storage Zipper Bag, Freezer Zipper Bag, ClingWrap, Press 'N Seal and GladWare containers were also helpful to the Mindanao street food booth, one of the five Philippine booths that participated in the event. Chef Clinton Gregorio, head of the Mindanao booth that offered the southern delicacies durian-biagsong pannacota and sinuglaw, shared how GladWare containers helped speed up their work.

Being transparent, you can see the contents right away even while they are still inside the freezer.

Both the US and the Mindanao booths were thus able to efficiently serve endless orders of eats from customers who mobbed them during the 5-day event which also offered free cooking demonstrations and live band entertainment. Another booth, Malaysia’s Donald & Lily, also used GladWare containers which helped them sell all of their ‘Mee Siam’.

Mee Siam is a bowl of thin rice noodles served with a tangy sweet and spicy gravy embellished with sambal and topped with seafood, egg and fish cakes.

Paulo Lao, Sales and Marketing Director for GLAD Philippines which is one of the event’s sponsors, said that their participation in the event forms part of their desire to teach more Filipinos the importance of proper food storage and protection.

Aside from the practical uses of GLAD products like GladWare which were made more evident during the World Street Food Congress, we also want Filipinos to know that proper food handling is vital in keeping their food safer and fresher longer.

According to Javier Hernandez, assistant vice president of Ayala Land Inc. which organized the event, one of the objectives of the congress is to inspire Filipinos to start a small food business, just like this year’s participants who started as street food hawkers then later on became restaurant operators.

Starting a food business does not necessarily mean putting up a restaurant right away. You can start with a dish that your lola told you, or a specialty of your family. You can start with one or two products and sell them in a little weekend market, in a cart or in a kiosk, he ends with a smile.

Aside from bringing popular foreign street foods to the country, this year’s event also featured food preparation demonstrations from world renowned chefs like Malcom Lee of Candlenut Restaurant in Singapore, Peter Lloyd of Spice Market London, William Wongso of Indonesia, Claude Tayag of Bale Dutung, JP Anglo of Sarsa Restaurant and French-trained Filipino Chef Sau Del Rosario.

It’s been proven and tested by local and international food enthusiasts. It is not only ideal for storing leftover food in the fridge, for packing school lunches or transporting picnic food like sandwiches. The lids that seal tightly also prevent leaks and are interlocking to prevent from getting misplaced.

The containers are sturdy, reusable and safe to use in microwave, freezer and dishwasher. It is the perfect choice of street food hawkers who aim to make it big in the food industry one day. Business-minded or not, GLAD is a must-have in our homes.

My youngest son, Elijah, has been suffering from a skin condition since he was two years old. Well, I didn’t know it was called “eczema” at first. I thought it was just some usual rashes he got from outside or from products that didn’t go very well with his sensitive skin, or some allergic reaction from what he ate. He started complaining about it, scratching his legs until it was awful red. After a while, the inflamed portion became dry, scaly, and rough. And it kept coming back even up to now.

Eczema is a general term for these skin conditions. It can be characterized by a defect in skin barrier function leading to loss of moisture and increased exposure to irritants and germs. It can appear anywhere on the body of most people who have inherited such tendency to develop allergic diseases or have a hyper responsive immune system, although the exact cause is still unknown. During my pregnancy to Elijah, I had allergic rhinitis. That was not easy, too. Thinking it might have some negative effects on my baby, I didn’t want to take any medicine to halt the attacks.

I know you have questions and concerns at this point. I’m no doctor, but I’ll share some of the things I learned in this personal experience.

How did we confirm he has eczema?

After researching and observing the symptoms, I decided to consult his pediatrician and a dermatologist. His skin was evaluated and we were given the diagnosis. Sometimes, a series of allergy tests may be performed to rule out accompanying aversions to a number of triggers. Well, true enough. It turned out that it could be any of those I have suspected in the earlier stage.

What were the problems related to eczema?

Because of the constant discomfort, daytime sleepiness and poor concentration may be observed. These effects got me worried even more. Worse, kids may experience name-calling, teasing and bullying. A person who has eczema may go through a deterioration in his/her confidence level and self-worth.

How to treat it?

ELICA is the answer. Its generic name is mometasone furoate, a corticosteroid used to treat the symptoms of eczema.

First objective is to relieve the itching, which may result to swelling and inflammation. Scratching will be what most kids would do as their initial reaction to itchiness. I have seen my son really tried his best not to do it when tingling attacks. Elica is a topical corticosteroid that helps decrease the redness and itchiness and ease the swelling.

When the skin already turned dry, make sure to moisturize it during the day. It is as effective as a potent steroid but as safe as a mild steroid.

Other helpful tips, which I have been doing, to prevent flare ups are:

• I make sure that my son’s fingernails are kept short and clean.

• I always remind them to avoid heat and sweating, and to get a cold instead of hot bath.

• Perfumes, air fresheners and harsh detergents are a “NO”. Also, I only choose soft and natural fabrics and not synthetic materials for his things.

• If at all possible, I ensure that the affected parts are covered, and I do my best to distract him whenever it starts getting itchy.

ELICA is available in cream and ointment form, both can be purchased over-the-counter.

• Cream – for wet, oozing lesions and areas of the body where skin is thinner such as the face and body folds

• Ointment – for dry, thick lesions and areas of the body where skin is generally thicker such as the palms or soles.

I have both in my medicine kit at home. It is really effective and my Elijah’s situation improved. Although ELICA can address other skin conditions, it is still recommended to consult a dermatologist and pediatrician first.

For more information, click this link www.treateczema.ph and LIKE Elica on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElicaPH/

I collaborated with 5 other bloggers to give you all the chance to win $100 Sephora Gift Card

Check out their blogs:

1. LipstickandChopsticks.com

2. ronnabonifacio.com

3. Krissyfied.com

4. MrsMommyholic.com

5. Tauyanm.com

To join, do all the mandatory steps on rafflecopter below (loading my take a while).

This giveaway is sponsored by dealspotr.

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If you like online shopping like most of us do, well then let me share with you three valuable tips on how you can save and where to score the best deals.

3 valuable tips on how you can save when online shipping:

1. The cardinal rule in smart shopping is to avoid paying in retail. Hunt for coupons before making a purchase. Couponing is the best way to save when shopping either in-store or online, and luckily, there are now sites that are solely dedicated for coupons. There are actually quite a few sites but the best one out there is dealspotr.

2. Stack coupons whenever possible. Some retailers, allow you to use multiple coupons per transaction so maximize your savings by entering the codes strategically. So for example you have a coupon code for a $10 off purchase and another for a 15 percent discount off— enter the 15 percent discount code first, then the $10 code so you’ll get 15 percent off the full price of the item, before the $10 discount.

3. Lastly, avoid shipping fees. Most online stores offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount so take advantage of that. But in case you’re falling short of that minimum, search DEALSPOTR and more often than not, you’ll find a free shipping coupon on your favorite store.

Anyway now that you know these handy tips, it's time for you to experience a shopping spree!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends on August 15, 2016.  

One lucky winner will win $100 Sephora Gift Card
Open to International

The winner will be notified via email. Failure to respond to the email notification within 3 days will invalidate the win.

Good luck everyone!   

Remember how you associate scent to a certain feeling or experience? That happens to me a lot. It happens when I smell the food in the kitchen, in the streets, or in a restaurant. It almost feels (should I say “taste”?) like the aroma picks a certain memory from the deepest part of my brain, and brings it anew. There are even times when I whiff a specific and pronounced tang of a place I seem to suddenly get transported. Imagine taking a deep breath, eyes closed, smile on the face while you are in your favorite place. A really good scent uplifts my feelings and bring a positive aura to my overall being. Indeed, scent has an effect to one’s mood and emotion. This is the idea behind FAVORI.

FAVORI, French for “favorite”, is handcrafted with passion. Each bottle of FAVORI Aroma Oil underwent careful research and testing to come up with transcendent formulations that can capture one’s unique scent preference. Every creation is a scent for the soul. FAVORI believes in the power of our sense of smell, and how it can take our experiences to a whole new level. As I mentioned above, our sensory experience can take us beyond time and space.

FAVORI aims to bring positive memories back to life and inspire feelings of relaxation. The aromas for living well can be used not only in the bedroom or living room. It can also be used in the kitchen, office areas, and the like as the anti-bacterial agent helps eliminate unwanted odors. What a better way to live, work and enjoy fresh-smelling environment.

I am so lucky to receive an Aerator from FAVORI! It’s very easy to setup. Aerators work with aroma oils. It sucks in unwanted particles and stench, even bacteria, then releases clean and fresh air through the process of ultrasonic atomization. This is perfect for our home. There are cute and adorable designs to choose from depending on where you want to put it.

Unlike burners which create smoke and strong scent, Aerators uses water. I’m so glad that I get could control how strong the fragrance could get depending on the number of oil drops I put into the water. Ideally, the minimum level of water can take 5-10 drops of oil (there’s a mark on the vessel for you to know the minimum and maximum water level it can contain).

The aroma oils break down with water to, not only make the room smell really good, also humidify the area. Make sure to select the blue bottles, the other set is for burners.

I love the stimulating and relaxing scent of lavender because it helps me sleep better after a long day. There’s a bunch of fragrances to choose from, I feel like I gotta ‘em all!

FAVORI also encourages customers to return empty FAVORI bottles as part of its advocacy to recycle. Starting July 15, 2016 you may enjoy discounts on your next purchase when you return your bottles.

If you have FAVORI Rewards promo card, make sure to collect 10 stamps to get FREE Leaf Aerators. Every Php 1000-worth of purchase entitles you one stamp. Promo runs until October 15, 2016 and redemption of the FREE Leaf Aerators is up until December 15, 2016.

For more information on FAVORI products,

FOLLOW @favoriscents on Instagram

LIKE @favori.scents on Facebook and VISIT their website at WWW.FAVORI.PH.

FAVORI scents are available at Robinson’s Place Manila, SM Megamall, SM City Marikina, SM Southmall and Market! Market!

UPDATE: The winner will be announced on my Facebook Page. Currently, checking all the entries. Stay tuned!

Good Luck and Have a wonderful day!

Discover the Unlimited You at the Nike Unlimited Stadium

GLAD helps hawkers face foodie rush at World Street Food Congress 2016

Say Goodbye to Eczema with Elica!

BLOG GIVEAWAY: Win $100 Gift Card From Sephora

#CREATEYOURFAVORITEFEELING WITH FAVORI

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