With the rainy season setting in, moms are busy preparing little umbrellas, little plastic boots, and little raincoats to protect their little ones from the weather. But we all know children getting caught in the rain isn’t the only thing moms have to worry about during this time of the year. 

While it’s possible to catch Dengue fever all throughout the year, it’s more rampant during the rainy season because stagnant, collected rainwater can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. That’s why it’s important for moms to know how to tell a simple fever or viral infection from actual Dengue fever by taking a close look at its symptoms.

Dengue Fever Symptoms In Children

1. Fever

A child with Dengue usually suffers from a high fever that comes and goes every four to six hours, and does not respond to fever-inducing medication. It’s also important to note that Dengue fever is not caused by any type of infection. So if the fever is not accompanied by coughing or trouble urinating, it’s most probably Dengue.

2. Rashes

Dengue fever is often accompanied by prominent red rashes all over the patient’s body. They usually start sprouting in hidden parts of the body because that’s where the temperature is highest.

3. Body Pains

Pain in and behind the eyes, the throat, the joins, the muscles, and/or even in the bones are symptoms of Dengue as well. The degree of pain varies depending on just how severe the virus has become.

4. Headaches

Children don’t normally complain about headaches, so you should be alarmed when they do. But if the child feels nauseous and dizzy as well, it’s important to have him or her checked so Dengue can be either ruled out or immediately treated.

5. Bleeding

Children with a severe case of Dengue may even start bleeding in the nose and gums. Once this happens, a child may have already developed Dengue shock syndrome and/or Dengue hemorrhagic fever, and will need immediate care.

Remember, symptoms only paint part of the picture of your child’s health. That’s why if he or she is showing any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is to visit a physician so tests can be taken to find out the best course of action for the child’s recovery.

Remember to never wait for serious symptoms to appear. Visit a doctor as soon as you notice something unusual in your little ones, especially when it comes to their health.

While many people can imagine how difficult it must be to be afflicted with diabetes, most don’t consider that it’s a disease that doesn’t only affect the diagnosed individual, but their loved ones as well.

Diabetes is largely hereditary—meaning that it’s passed on from parent to child—but that only means children with diabetic relatives just have a larger predisposition of being diagnosed with the disease. Factors in your environment still need to be monitored and checked, and proper preparation can make a world of difference.

As parents, working together as a team and helping everyone in the family stay healthy and strong is critical.

It may be difficult for children to understand why they should be prepared for and protected against diabetes, but it could make a world of difference.

Encourage them to eat nutritious foods. One of the most crucial things to teach your kids is how to eat healthy. This means not just guiding them on how to eat right, but also making them understand why they need to do so.

Low-fat, nutritious food like fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, dairy products, and lean protein should be part of their daily meals. Explain to them the benefits of these food items and how it can help them become strong and healthy.

Make them recognize the symptoms. Teach children to keep a sharp eye out for early symptoms of diabetes, like extreme hunger, fatigue, irritability, blurred vision, fruity-smelling breath, increased thirst, and frequent urination. If they know what to look out for, they can report it back to you. In turn, you have another ally on your side helping you look out for red flags. This can also prove especially helpful when you have older children who can help you monitor your younger ones.

Teach them to be supportive. For those who might be afflicted with the disease, the family is the best cheerleader. Eating healthy together, going outside to play and exercise—these are all fun ways to stay healthy and bond as well.

Remember, it’s all about keeping a positive attitude and making sure everyone in the family is well educated on diabetes. It can definitely be a challenge, but it’s a challenge easier conquered when you do it as a whole family.

Let us know if any of our tips helped you, or if you have any of your own experiences and stories that you want to share with us. Just like us on Facebook and send us a message! Let’s all keep doing our part to battle diabetes.

The contents of your bag says a lot about you. Is it like your Tita’s purse? Filled with pain reliever essentials? Or is it cluttered with your everyday things? Receipts, documents, coins and whatnot?

Whatever it is like, the ideal contents of your bag should contain everything you would need in case something comes up. Take having a bad stomach for example. Are you ready to take a number 2 in a grungy, swampy tiled floor, no ventilation, graffiti scrawled, dimly lit public bathroom with only your bag in hand? Point is, you must always be ready for you’ll never know when an inconvenience will strike!

So, let’s start with the basics!

1. The Go Bag - A compact purse with lots of compartments where you store your essentials.

2. Pharma Paraphernalia - Ibuprofen, loperamide, essential oils, and vapor rub to cover all your bodily sakit bases!

3. Paper Hygiene - Tissue & wet wipes for wiping, and a piece of scratch paper to enclose your used napkin. Oh and alcohol too to kill 99.9% of germs on your hands! 

4. Cosmetics - You don’t have to stash all your make up in your go bag—just some that you can use to refresh after a long, hot commute!

5. Wires & Banks - Your phone is an important tool too, so make sure that you have your wires intact and powerbank fully charged!

6. Jug of Water- Lastly, a jug of water! Why buy when you can bring?! Not to mention, you’re helping the environment too by not purchasing a single-use plastic bottle!

And now, you’re ready to go! Make sure you have these in your bag so you’re always prepared wherever you go! Oh, and before you go, make sure to drop by Southstar Drug first for your Pharma Paraphernalia and Paper Hygiene needs!

It’s no doubt that moms have one of the toughest jobs in the world — you’re on call 24-hours, seven days a week, you need to wear all kinds of different hats from chef to nurse to teacher, plus you do all of this on top of needing to take care of yourselves! That’s some serious stress, so that’s why we think that moms more than deserve some me-time — but with all the things on your plate, getting out of the house and scheduling some relaxation can be tough. Fret not however, because we have a guide on how to sneak in a relaxing, pampering staycation when you happen to find some alone time at home by yourself.

1. Prepare A Relaxing Footbath

Moms are always on their feet, so what better remedy to this than a pampering footbath? All you need is to fill a small basin big enough for you to put your feet into with warm water. Then, take half a cup of Epsom salt and a few drops of your favorite essential oils and mix it all in! Soak your feet for 15 minutes to an hour for to help treat dry skin, ease sore and stressed muscles, and relieve inflammation.

2. A Soothing DIY Facial

Who says that you need to go to a salon to get a luxurious facial? You can do that all by yourself from the comfort of your home!

First, clean your skin properly with your favorite cleanser. Any make-up residue can be stuck in your skin and clogging your pores!

Second, exfoliate your face with any on-hand exfoliator or you can opt to make your own! All you need is to mix 2 parts sugar to 1 part oil  — this can be extra virgin coconut oil, olive oil, or even vegetable oil! Optionally, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, honey, lemon zest, or even coffee grounds!

Third, steam your face! This step is simple, as all you need to do is soak a washcloth in warm water and pressing it against your face for a 3-5 minutes.

Fourth, put a mask on! A great DIY mask involves mixing 1 cup of natural yogurt, ½ cup of uncooked oatmeal and a few drops of honey. Cover your entire face (avoiding your eyes) and leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. For the full relaxing experience, throw some cucumber slices over your eyes to relieve tiredness!

Lastly, make sure you sit back and relax. Light some candles and put on some soothing music. When time is up, ensure that you wash the mask off completely with warm water.

3. Call A Home-Service Massage

A great way to de-stress without leaving home is to dial up a great home-service massage place. There are plenty of choices all around Metro Manila, and they can go as low as p350 an hour! Often times, you can call on the day of your staycation and they can be at your doorstep within a few hours.

4. Get Creative And Create DIY Beauty Products

When we think of de-stressing, a lot of people think of just relaxing their bodies — but doing something to relieve your mind of stress can do wonders as well! A great activity to add to your staycation relaxation is to create your own make-up products.

For an easy and fun lip balm, melt beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in a small bowl over boiling water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and a few scrapes of some leftover lipstick! Stir it all in and allow to cool in a small pot. Voila! A fun, moisturizing lip balm that took you less time to make than to go out and actually buy one.

Let us know if any of our relaxation tips helped you, or if you have any of your own staycation tips you want to share with us. Just like us on Facebook and send us a message! Have a relaxing day, mom!

Listen to your Body!

 “Behind every successful woman is herself”. Indeed. Women's role has changed tremendously and is making its greatest impact in our society today. In the last century, women are expected to stay at home and take care of the household and other domestic things, however, as the society started to modernize, it began to recognize and acknowledge the individual identity and capabilities of women.

Women today are expected to accomplish a lot of things whether it is at home, in work or in life. They have proven that they’re not merely housewives or a tool for bringing up children, but they can also succeed in other areas such as politics, business, medicine, law and many others making them a vital element of the society.

In comparison with men, women are faced with a lot more responsibilities - from taking good care of themselves and making a living to being a wife and a mother. Therefore, having a healthy mind and body is very important for a woman to function and fulfill all her responsibilities in life.

Here are some healthy-living tips for a more productive mind and body:

• Having a healthy daily diet that includes eating whole grains (whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, brown rice or oats), low-fat or fat-free dairy products (low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt or cheese), protein food (meat, chicken, eggs, beans, nuts), fruits and veggies.
• Exercise everyday because it boosts your heart health, increases muscle and bone strength, and prevents health problems.
• Visit a doctor for regular check-up to keep updated of your medical history and help you stay healthy.
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
• Reduce the stress. Practice the deep conscious breathing by holding your breath for a count of 3, then exhale releasing every bit of tension.

Practicing a healthy lifestyle can be tough, but being healthy can bring you a long way. Prioritize your health because it is the key to a happy and fulfilling life. As we celebrate the International Women’s Day, we say our sincerest “Thank You” to all women out there. You are beautiful, strong and brave. Thank you for making this world a whole lot better.

REFERENCES:

https://women-s.net/importance-of-women-in-the-society/long

https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/dietary-guidelines-and-myplate/healthy-eating-for-women

https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/health-tips-heart-mind-body#1

Hundreds and thousands of dust and particles settle in different parts of your home everyday, but don’t worry, it’s not negligence on your part! They actually come from a lot of different things like the clothing and footwear you wore outside, dust carried by air, and even the dead skin that you shed every hour! So, how do you keep your space safe and clean from the potential harm that the accumulated dirt can bring?

Here are 5 easy ways on how you can keep your surroundings spotless! 

1. INVEST ON CLEANING SUPPLIES 

What’s a well-ordered room if it’s not well-sanitised? Be sure to stock up on the basic cleaning supplies that you can use everyday to keep your surroundings spotless clean! 

2. TIDY UP EVERYDAY 

Make it a habit to clean and tidy up your place everyday. Clear your desk after work, sort your soiled clothes, wipe your surroundings with a cleanser followed by a dry one. After all, doing it little by little each day is way better than doing it one time big time!

3. LOAD YOUR LAUNDRY EVERYDAY

It’s actually more cost-efficient to wash your soiled clothes everyday than to wait for a week or two before washing it all. And to add to that, you’ll have more time to spend on much more important tasks! 

4. DECLUTTER 

Have something that you haven’t used in the past year or so? Maybe it’s time you gave that up! Put everything in a box and donate it to families in need. As the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, they’re not really trash, but you get the point!

5. PEST CONTROL APPOINTMENT

Yes, your place may already be ultra duper clean, but there are some things that aren’t out in the open. Schedule a pest control appointment to make sure that our little mite friends don’t feed on some parts of the house. 

These are just some ways on how you can improve your living lifestyle—not a sure list of things that will protect you from illnesses. A bonus tip, don’t forget to clean your inside too! For your immune system protection, you can rely on Southstar Drug to supply you with the vitamins and medicine that you need.

Why does it seem like it was so much easier to stay in shape when we were kids? Could it be that we just had more energy? Or is it possible that the things we did to stay active were a lot more fun than all the machines we use at the gym?

The Hula-Hoop, a large ring that can be spun around the waist, gained intense popularity in the 1950s but is now re-emerging as a hot trend in weight loss. Most of us know that hooping is a great calorie burner. A study by the American Council on Exercise at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse confirmed this when it found that hooping was comparable to a work out you’d get from boot-camp, step aerobics and even cardio kickboxing classes. Based on this study, the exact calorie count they came up with was that hooping burns approximately 210 calories per 30-minute session—which falls within the AVE’s accepted guidelines for exercise that can contribute to weight management.

Twirling the hula hoop around in short bursts of energy provides a fun, low-impact workout that improves flexibility, balance, and muscle tone. The body bumps that make hula-hooping fun also force the mind and torso to work together in a set space, which improves flexibility and balance. This exercise works the deep layers of the abdominal muscles and the obliques. The wide leg stance and slightly bent knees required to keep the hula-hoop afloat also works your quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals. Hooping can also act as a form of medication, which can have a calming and mood-boosting effect.

There are two different types of hula-hoops: weighted and unweighted. An un-weighted hula-hoop is similar to the hoops used on school playgrounds and are usually plastic and child-sized. If you’re trying to get fit, an un-weighted child’s hoop isn’t the way to go unless you are petite or you’re able to move your hips quickly to keep up the hoop spinning. Weighted hula-hoops, on the other hand, are available in weights between 1-5 pounds. Some are made of plastic and others are made of metal covered in plastic or foam to provide the weight. These adult-sized hoops measure between 37 and 45 inches and should vertically stand at a height between your navel and breastbone. While a light-weighted hoop requires more energy to keep spinning, a heavier hoop is easier to spin, allowing you to hoop for a longer duration (either way you burn calories so yay!)

Are you ready to test the hula-hoop craze? Here are a few helpful tips from Ivy Larson’s book Clean Cuisine:  “Stand up straight, and keep your feet slightly apart. Depending on your skill level, it may be helpful to place one of your feet faintly in front of the other. Hold the hula hoop with both hands and place it around your waist and against the small of your back. Lightly twirl the hula-hoop in a counterclockwise motion with your hands and then let go. To keep the hoop going, move your body forward and back with the hoop’s rotation. If you keep your swinging steady, the hula-hoop should spin around just above your hips.”

Honestly, the thought of spinning a hula-hoop around my waist for 30 minutes to a 90’s top hits playlist sounds way more fun than hopping on the treadmill for the same amount of time. So whether you pick up a hula-hoop to improve your flexibility and balance or simply to manage your weight, hooping is definitely an engaging and fun way to a better you.

Holiday Season is already approaching. Have you written down the things you have to do?

Left and right parties, reunions and other gatherings and the exhausting traffic in Manila are the perks and loss that come with the holidays. All these can stress out our skin. It can lead to dull skin, puffy eyes and breakouts—which is a no no! Even the holiday season brings you that, fear nothing. We have some tips in order to help you.

When the sun is shining brightly that it hurts your eyes and skin, the first thing that you usually do is to check it out and do something to freshen up. Going out in this kind of weather can irritate our skin. Sunblock, tissue and water should always be with you wherever you go somewhere.

For facial daily routines, here are the tips you need to do to defy aging:

1. Remove Makeup

   • Oil-based cleanser for eye makeup should be used.

   • For your face, you need to use cleansing water or makeup wipes.       

   • For your lipstick removal petroleum jelly should be used.

2. Cleanse

   • Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water in washing your face.

   • Use a clean towel to pat dry skin .

3. Exfoliate

   • Use an exfoliating scrub/cleanser 1-2x a week .

   • Rubbing or tugging the skin should be avoided. 

4. Tone

   • Use an alcohol-free toner.

   • You should not rub vigorously.

5. Apply Cream

   • Pat a pea-sized amount on the under eye with your ring finger gently. Start it below the inner corners moving outward to your temple. 

6. Moisturize

   • Apply a small amount of moisturizer to each cheek. Massage it gently into your face, neck and chest.

When it's rainy on the other part of the world, there is a high risk of infections such as dermatitis. We got these tips to enjoy the holidays without worrying about your skin.

1. Cleanse frequently
   The high level of humidity can lead to clogged pores which causes an increase in sebum production. There are excess oil on the skin’s surface that traps dirts and dust cleansing skin with a gentle oil-free cleanser for yourself and baby wash for your kids twice a day to get rid of unwanted sebum build-up on your skin’s surface which breeds bacteria. Who wants to have that? So, you need to cleanse your skin with a gentle oil-free cleanser to get rid of the unwanted sebum that's building up.

2. Keep skin dry
   Dry off as soon as you got home if you got caught on a storm for it may cause fungal infections onto wet skin folds. If possible, take a hot shower and wash off the residual rainwater with anti-fungal soap.

3. Eat anti-inflammatory foods
   To strengthen your body against skin infection, eating anti-inflammatory foods— tomatoes, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collards, olive oil, nuts like walnuts and almonds, fatty fish and fruits are recommended.

   Worry no more this holiday season. All you got is to follow the daily routines, always check your skin care kit and be always on the go! Be at your best this holiday and check out South Star Drugs' skin care products for a healthy, glowing skin.

With the holiday being just around the corner, it’s inevitable to be trapped on so many festivities and celebrations here and there. Since it’s holidays, self-deprivation from these once a year merry gatherings falls on the KJ area. But then again, your health shouldn’t be compromised! So friend, you have a choice and with every choice you make, you can refer this tricks for a clean chit card. Feel free!

Tricks to Try

Sip that soup! ​ Hot soup as a first course―especially when it's broth-based, not cream-based―can help you avoid eating too much during the main course.

Go natural while chit-chatting! ​Sweets can be tempting, but for the extra energy you need; you can trade the sweets to a bowl of nuts or chips, while you chat so you're not tempted to raise your hand to your mouth every few seconds.

Chew, chew and chew!​  Research shows that ​chewing your food for longer may help you ​lose weight​, scientists have suggested. Munching on each mouthful for longer significantly reduces the amount of calories consumed during a meal. ​Focus on chewing your food well and enjoying the smell, taste, and texture of each item.

Stay wholesome! ​Loud sounds and distractions cause cause you to eat more. According to some sources, the bright lights and noisy hard surfaces can speed up the rate at which you eat and lead to overeating. (No to overeating)

Be conscious. Weigh yourself daily​ and use that number to guide your actions. Research has shown that when you step on the scale every day and then act accordingly, 82 percent likely to regain lost weight than those who don’t weigh in as often.

Try your skinny jeans! ​Zip yourself into your favorite pair of skinny jeans once a week  and take not on how they fit so far. Too tight? Time to do the math.  Just right? Then let’s give a round of applause!

Eat breakfast.​ Aside from being viewed as the most important meal of the day, it also reduce the chance of you sneaking some food on the most inappropriate time of the day.

Practice plate proportion. ​Your plate should have leafy green salads, vegetable dishes, and lean proteins, and taking smaller portions of the high caloric ones. That way, you can eat a larger amount of food for fewer calories and not feel deprived.

Sugar free mint saves! ​When you already feel full but can’t really figure out if you really do, pop a fresh sugar free mint that is known to curb additional noshing.

Smaller plates and serving utensils do the trick.​  In one study conducted at the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University, even nutrition experts served themselves 31 percent more ice cream when using oversize bowls compared with smaller bowls. The size of the serving utensil mattered, too: Subjects served themselves 57 percent more when they used a three-ounce scoop versus a smaller scoop.

Let us know if this healthy holiday tricks work for you! Like us on Facebook and send us a message! Happy Holidays!

Want your face to go back to its naturally contoured state? A little discipline won’t hurt you.

You can’t go wrong with protein, nuts, and fruits.

In small portions, these foods improve your insulin metabolism and satisfy your appetite. Together, they lower your blood pressure and feed your brain.

Eat starch with reservation.

Your body is weighed down with too much starch. Bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice should make up only a third of the food you eat.

Is it worth its salt?

Processed foods have the amount of sodium that makes you feel bloated. Cut down on all the good stuff, like pizza, bread, cured meats, soups, burritos and tacos, savory snacks, and cheese.

You don’t need sugar in your life.

Limit your (added) sugar intake to two packets per day. Put only two in your wallet and once you adapt, you’ll find yourself reaching for less.

It pays to count.

What you don’t know can hurt you. Make a habit of checking out each food’s calorie count and know what it takes to burn it off.

Photo from: https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/24/2000322279/670/394/0/100924-F-3521M-001.JPG