tip

Oct

2020

Is Organic Food Really Worth the Expense?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Because of the pandemic, people realized how important health is. Aside from exercise, getting enough sleep and drinking lots of water; an integral part of a healthy lifestyle is eating the right kinds of food. Good nutrition means that your body is getting the right amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the body needs. Then, there is another consideration – to go organic or not? True, going organic has numerous health benefits but it is also more expensive. So, is organic food really worth the expense?

Organic Products

Organic pertains to the way the food was grown. Each country sets standards and regulations on organic farming. Organic farming uses natural pesticides. Organic products refer to the food produced without the use of synthetic fertilisers, harmful pesticides or bioengineered genes (GMOs).

While the use of chemicals increase the yields produced, they are also harmful not just to the environment but to the body as well. Numerous studies have linked the use of these chemicals to allergies, birth defects, infertility, liver and kidney damage and cancer. By eating organic foods, you will have a stronger and healthier body because you are freeing yourself from harmful chemicals. It also more nutritious and tastes better.

Organic products are different from locally-produced or home grown products. Organic food follows certain standards while locally-produced simply means it is produced in your country, province, or area. It may or may not be organic.

In the same way, organic livestock production takes into consideration the animal welfare. Organic animals are free to roam. They are not just confined in a cage but rather they have access to the outdoors. They eat organic food. In addition, they are free from antibiotics and other growth hormones.

Is it Worth It?

If you have money to spare, yes, it is worth it. Health is wealth. So, invest in your health by buying organic produce. Organic is still the best choice. It is good for your body and the environment as well.

Tips for Those Who are On a Budget

However, for those who are on a budget, going all organic might be far-fetched. But, there are still some things that you can to to lessen your exposure on harmful chemicals on food. Here are some tips for those who are on a budget:

1. Familiarize Yourself on the Pesticide Levels on Food

Not all food have the same pesticide levels. Some have higher pesticides than others. Buy organic only on those that use more pesticide.

2. Shop at Farmers or Organic Markets

Almost all cities host small or weekend markets that sell organic produced. They are the best places to buy organic produce at discounted prices.

3. Buy in Season

Buying fruits and vegetables in season is not only good for you but for your wallet as well. This means the food is harvested at the correct time when the quality is up. You get the best tasting and the most nutritious food and it is cheap too because there are more supplies in the market.

4. Wash the Food Thoroughly Before Eating

Although washing will not completely eliminate the pesticides, it will succeed in reducing it. Some argued that it is better to peel off the skin. While peeling the skin may remove the chemicals, unfortunately, it will also remove the vitamins, minerals, fibres and antioxidants found on the peels. That is why is best to eat your fruits and vegetables unpeeled.

5. Plant your Own

The best way to make sure that you are eating organic produce is to plant your own. Turn your backyard into your own organic garden.

Updated version. First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 11.11.2018.

Feature Image by Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

Jun

2020

5 Tips to Plan the Best Road Trip

Reading Time: 4 minutes

After being cooped up indoors, we all want to take a break and get away from it all. Traveling is a good way to get a break and recharge. Before you start planning for that quick getaway, here are some tips to keep in mind. These tips will ensure that you get the most fun, stay safe, and keep stress away during your road trip.

1. Plan Your Route and Stop Overs

The first part of a plan for any road trip is to pick a destination. Once you’ve made your choice, check the maps and research online for the quickest route to get there. Check what stop overs you will be making on your way there and on your way back home. Stop overs usually include any checkpoints, toll gates, food places and gas stations. You should be prepared with the necessary items you need to go through these locations more quickly.

Take into consideration who you will be bringing with you on your road trip. For example, if you will be traveling with older people or kids; plan a route along roads with several locations where you can take toilet breaks.

Make sure to allocate ample time for whatever you will be doing for each stop over. Check the weather and traffic situation on the days of your trip. This means that you will be able to enjoy each stop over as much as you want to.

2. Allow for Spontaneity

You need to plan your road trip carefully but still have fun during the journey. Make sure you have ample time for other interesting stop overs and activities that you might encounter along the way. You might find that the locals have a better suggestion for a stop over than the one you originally intended. It is better to have a plan before hand on how you will decide for these kinds of situations.

If your destination is not a popular travel spot, information about it might not be updated; so be prepared for surprises. For example, that tranquil beach you saw online might now be a resort where locals flock to. If this happens, try to look at the bright side of the situation instead of dwelling on your disappointment.

3. Allocate Your Budget

A solid budget plan is important for any road trip so think about your budget carefully. Calculate and write down the total budget for the entire trip and break down of where the budget will go. Budget for what food to bring with you and other extra items you need to buy during the trip. Do the same for your personal budget so you include items such as local delicacies and souvenirs, for example.

Be sure to include required personal safety items such as face masks and sanitizers. Have a budget for safety items too in case your car breaks down before you arrive at your destination.

Your budget should also include entrance fees, gas and other extra expenses that you might incur along the way. Don’t forget to prepare actual cash on hand. There might not be ATMs or debit and credit cards are not accepted as payments in your destination. This is especially true for most mom and pop food places and souvenir stores in the provinces.

4. Prepare Your Electronics and Entertainment

A plan is good but the actual road trip will take several hours. Ample entertainment is key to keeping the atmosphere fun and enjoyable all thru the trip. You might pass some areas with poor Internet connectivity. Be prepared by loading your mobile device or tablet with enough music and/or movies to entertain you along the way.

Charge your electronic gadgets to full and prepare extra batteries. Make sure your power banks and digital devices are fully charged so you won’t run low on entertainment and energy. Bring emergency power supplies too, like a fully charged flash light. Also prepare your IDs and travel documents if you need to go through check points.

5. Clean, Prep and Pack the Car Properly

Make sure that your car is in top shape when you plan for the road trip. Have your car thoroughly cleaned. Make sure that all the scheduled, preventive maintenance is completed so your car doesn’t break down during the trip. Ensure that safety precautions have also been installed properly. You don’t want to get flagged for failing to comply with personal safety and travel guidelines.

Don’t forget to bring a spare tire and some tools for any mishaps. You might need to troubleshoot along the way. If your engine is prone to over heating, bring water for the car as well.

Last but not the least, plan how to pack everything you need in the space that your car allows. Decide which items you need to bring with you and what you can just buy on the road. Try to pack only what you will need.

You will need to pack light if you have travel buddies and your car is smaller. Plan what you can put in the back of the car. Decide what each person can bring with them in their bags. This way you can all enjoy the trip comfortably and safely.

These are just some of the things you need to consider when planning your road trip. Be well prepared so you can stay comfortable and safe and have fun on the trip. Don’t forget to be open to new adventures along the way.

Got more tips for a road trip? We would love to hear them.

If you’re planning to go abroad, be sure to observe proper travel etiquette so you enjoy your trip. Of course, you should observe these during your local travels too. For first time travelers, here are some worthy travel goals to inspire you.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living 2019.07.19.
Feature Image: Original Photo by William Christen on Unsplash.

Mar

2020

Tips to Stop Procrastinating

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Many of us have had the experience of not being able to start on a task or project, or not wanting to. We find many excuses to delay doing what we need to do. Writers call this the “writer’s block”, others call this phase being “uninspired” or “unmotivated” and those who don’t understand may just attribute it to laziness. Whatever the reasons, here are some tips to unblock you from this unproductive phase and stop procrastinating.

Try out some of these strategies to combat procrastination or laziness whenever it hits you.

1. Make a List and Prioritize

If you can’t start doing what you need to do for a project or deliverable, get pen and paper and list down what it is you’re supposed to do. Keep in mind to just write the bare minimal; be short and concise. Number what needs to be done first so you can focus on finishing that task first. You can fill out the details once you start working on the task; and that’s the next thing you’re supposed to do after completing your list.

Sometimes, we just need to unclutter our brains to be able to focus on what we should be doing. Writing down what you want to do and sorting out what really needs to be done first helps us refocus our attention and prevents our brain from getting distracted with unnecessary worries.

2. Try New Things

A tried and tested method, such as writing your To Do’s, might not work. During these times, you can try out new methods to hep you cope. For example, instead of writing down your list, maybe doodle them or get a colleague and tell them about your tasks through a story. Give yourself a time frame though so you don’t spend all your time on your new method.

Similar to writing things down, your goal is to get your brain to focus on what needs to be done and trying out a new method will also help get your creativity flowing.

3. Teach Others

Some people learn best when they have to teach others. Of course, you already know what you’re supposed to do but if you can’t focus, then ask a colleague or friend to help you out by acting as your pupil or apprentice and learning something in return.

Teach them how they are supposed to do things if they were the one who needed to do what you should be doing. They don’t need to do what you teach, they just need to listen. The purpose of this method is to help you reframe your perspective on why you should be doing what you’re not doing yet.

By teaching others, you are able to form new ideas to help you do the task at hand. It also jumpstarts your creativity as you need to find a way to convey the information in a way that will be easy to understand.

4. Make Work Into Play

Make a game out of your To Do’s. Every time you accomplish a task, think of the rewards or benefits. Maybe getting off work on time and getting home early enough to watch a movie online. Or getting off from work early enough to get dinner at your favourite food joint.

You can also, reward yourself with small things like a piece of your favourite chocolate for each task completed, or promise yourself a more decadent slice of chocolate cake at your favourite cafe for completing everything on your To Do list.

We all know rewards are a great motivator but be sure to not ruin your budget just to curb your procrastination.

5. Do Something Else

There are tough times when procrastination hits us so hard that we can’t seem to do anything about it. During those times, don’t force yourself and do something else instead. Follow the tenet “Love what you do or leave.”

Get up and make yourself a cup of coffee or go out and order yourself that coffee. Do some stretching exercises while seated on your chair; walk around the block or start working on something else that you’ve put off for a while like a side project or something a colleague asked you for help with.

Walking away from a situation, or in this case a state of mind, helps you reframe the situation and see it with clearer eyes when you get back to it. It may also inspire some new ideas on how to tackle your To Do list more efficiently and effectively.

Remember, there are no short cuts to success. The key is to do the work consistently. But you should give yourself a break when your brain or mood is not cooperating. These tips should help you get back on track.

However, if you find yourself procrastinating more often than usual on a particular project or task, then you may need to examine why you always “feel not up to doing it” and end up procrastinating instead.

Always remember, your future begins today so stop procrastinating. Start acting now.

Updated Version. First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 01.25.2019
Original Photo by Pedro da Silva on Unsplash

Feb

2020

Life Rules

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Rules pertain to a set of guiding principles that tells or states the way things should be done. Without rules, there will be no order. Rules protect the status quo.

Social Rules

As social beings, we need to follow the rules of the community and the laws of the country. We, as people, choose the leaders who will make the rules for us. In return, we have the obligation to follow those rules. A nation’s progress is not just dependent on its laws and effective implementation but also adherence to the law by its people.

Personal Life Rules

As individuals, we also follow our own set of life rules. These rules differ from one person to another. It all depends on the person’s beliefs and values in life. The rules that you deemed important may not be as important to someone else. That’s why you see people who are very successful in their career while others put importance in their relationships more. Other people are so serious in taking care of their health while others focus simply on having a good time regardless of the consequences.

Now, look closely into your life. Are you happy with how things are? Are you contented with the following areas of your life?

Health and Beauty
Home and Living
Wealth
People and Relationships
Travel and Recreation
Work and Career
Spiritual

If you are not happy with one particular area of your life, ask yourself, what is your golden rule with regards to that specific area? In order to improve that aspect in your life, you may want to raise your standard and rethink your life rule in that particular area. The important thing is that you need to be very clear on what you want.

A bucket list can help you redesign your life. Once you have it all figured out, start accomplishing them one-by-one by following the 5/25 Rule Challenge introduced by one the richest man in the world, Warren Buffet. Through this challenge, you will be able to clearly identify what life rules you need to change.

Follow us this month as we tackle the different life rules that you can use as guide to live a happier, healthier and wealthier life.

If you are still confused on what you want, you may want to check out first the things that you can do if you don’t know what you want.

Feature Image by Valiphotos from Pixabay Images

Jan

2020

5 Tips on How to Get A New Wardrobe

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If your closet is crowded because of too many clothes and you’re not wearing most of them, then it’s time to clean out your closet and get a new wardrobe. If you’ve just graduated from college and need clothes to go to work, or you’ve lost weight and your old clothes don’t fit you anymore, or if you just want to look differently to align with your future goals, then a new wardrobe is a good idea.

Here are some tips to get you started on getting a new wardrobe.

1. Review Your Lifestyle

Take a look at your daily schedule and see what activities you often do. Do you exercise daily? Then you need some exercise clothes. Does your office require corporate attire?

Then to dress for success, you will need some tops, bottoms and a blazer or a suit for your daily work. Assess the kind of clothes that you need for daily activities as these will be the items that you will need to invest in first.

Of course, you will need to put in your list some clothes for activities like going out to dinner with friends or for swimming or clothes for the airport if you travel a lot. Consider the types of footwear that you will need to go with each clothing category too.

2. Declutter Your Closet

Now that you have an assessment of what clothes you need to for your lifestyle, it’s time to do the same for your closet. Sort them out according to the different activities that you use them for. Then for each category, decide which ones you can keep for your new wardrobe and which ones to toss, sell or give away.

You will need to be ruthless about deciding which clothes to actually keep and let go of because this is the only way you can make room for new items in your closet. If you want to achieve the lifestyle that you truly want, then you can start by dressing for success. Tailoring your closet staples to your goals is a good first step.

3. Create a Plan

Clearing out your close space should help you declutter your mind as well. Then it’s time to sit down with a pen, paper and a calculator and create a plan.

First, review the clothes you are keeping and list down what clothing items you need to buy in order to complete your ward robe. If you’re aiming for a promotion to girl boss, consider these tips on power dressing must-haves. If you’re just starting out to build your wardrobe, then check if you already have the basic pieces in your closet or check out the must have’s for a man’s wardrobe or a woman’s wardrobe.

Next, you will need to create a budget for the new clothes you will buy. Figure out what each item of clothing costs and how much you will need in total to buy them all. Remember to look for good quality items so that they will last for a long time. Your wardrobe is an investment after all. Then, see how much of your budget you can save for new clothes each month.

4. Go Shopping

Once you’ve figured out your shopping list and your budget, you can set your plan of attack. You can decide to save until you can buy all of the items you need in one go. Or you can buy one to two items each month.

A good tip is to shop in different stores instead of the ones you used to go to. This way, you can see different clothing styles and even sharpen your fashion sense as to what combinations of styles you can do for your own wardrobe. Consider these tips on how to look expensive on a budget.

Remember to buy the ones you need at the moment first and save up on buying the others items that you will need for a later season.

5. Organize Your New Wardrobe

Now that you have new clothes in your closet, it’s time to organize your closet again. This time, display all the clothing items that you will use daily. You can mix and match them or color coordinate them if you want. You can also start pairing them up with the accessories and shoes and bags that you have.

There will be clothes that you won’t use as yet so store them neatly so you that easily take them out when you’re ready to wear them for the next season.

Once you’ve completed your wardrobe staples, then go ahead and enjoy the experience. In the future, if you decide to change your style and create your own, then you will have an easier time in making the transition.

We hope these wardrobe tips help you get ready to work on your goals every day. We would love to hear about your wardrobe transformations too. If you already have a wardrobe , then check out these tips on how to organize your wardrobe.

First published on Pinoy Smart Living 07.27.2019.
Original photo by Alyssa Strohmann on Unsplash.

Jan

2020

Tips to Organize Your Wardrobe

Reading Time: 2 minutes

We all need our clothes, shoes and bags for our daily work but we don’t need all of them all the time. The changing seasons also means that we use a different set of our wardrobe for a different season. Here are 5 tips to organize your wardrobe. An organized wardrobe keep your stuffs in order and keep clutter at bay.

1. Store Off Season Clothes

If it’s summer don’t keep clothes for cold season on the rack or on your shelves. Store them away so you can keep them clean and not have to pick them up on the floor every time you’re choosing what to wear. This keeps them in good condition and saves space in your closet. You can then take them out when it’s the season to wear them and store the previous season’s clothes away.

2. Organize Your Closet

Sort your clothes and decide what organizers you need and what your closet or cabinet allows. For example, if your closet has a hanging rod but you want more shelving, then you can buy hanging shelving to store clothes you don’t want stretched out on hangers. You can do the same for bags and other accessories

3. Use a Garment Rack

To clear more space in your closet, use a garment rack to hang clothes you use most of the time such as your favorite jacket, blazer or shawl; your go-to jeans and blouse, etc. You can also hang your favorite accessories here such as your fave scarf, hat, sunglasses, handbag, etc. The floor space can be used to line up your shoes too.

4. Organize Your Accessories

Gather your accessories and sort them out. Do you have a lot of bracelets or watches? You can DIY an accessory organizer customized to your collection so you can easily display them on your dresser or DIY separators to organize them neatly in your drawers. You can also DIY or purchase a jewelry organizer that you can hang in your closet or on a wall to save more space. You can also hang your scarves and belts for easier access. This makes it easier to see what you have so you can easily decide what to use.

5. Display Your Shoes

If you have the wall space, use tension rods to display your shoes or get shoe organizers the you can hang on your door. This means you don’t have to go thru boxes each time you need to select what shoes to wear with your outfit.

These quick tips to organize your wardrobe might take some work but it’s all worth it. If you can see what clothes and accessories you have, you will be able to use all of them. Having them organized also lets you spend less effort trying to remember what you have and searching for what you want. Remember that you only need a few basic pieces in your closet to stay stylish and chic.

First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 04.20.2019
Feature Image: Original Photo by Yasmine Boheas on Unsplash