It’s been a crazy few months of uncertainty as we stay home for more than 100 days now trying to keep ourselves healthy & at the same time help our frontliners fight the virus. Though we’re still in quarantine, I look forward to the coming weeks when our new reality slowly unfolds. While it is still better to stay home, I know once in a while we have to go out and run errands. So instead of living in fear and worrying about contracting the virus (this is sorta a pep talk to myself) it’s better to be equipped and prepared. So here I am sharing some of the essentials I have been doing/using since the pandemic happened.
WHAT I ESSENTIALLY USE DAILY
I’m all for clean air.
Discovered Kalyana MNL last year months before the discovery of Covid 19. They offer CoClean, a solo air ionizer and portable air purifier. The solo air ionizer has negative ions that help purify air within an estimated 1m3 of the wearer. Though there are not enough studies to prove its effectiveness, I wouldn’t mind wearing it as added protection when I’m out and about. It has adjustable strap and is safe even for kids to use. One cycle of charge lasts me one whole day out (back when I used to drive my kids to and from school). Now that I’m just home, I’ve been using the Portable Air Ionizer more. Its a purifier, odor cleanser and ionizer in one, just plug and turn on power. It purifies the air within an estimated 50 m3 space and you don’t need to replace any parts of it. You can also set timer so it automatically turns on. It’s safe for children too so you can use it on your child’s room. I’ve been using it everyday since I got it. You can check out their products over at www.kalyanamnl.com. Follow them on Instagram at @kalyanamnl
I’m masked out.
I love how the human race is able to adapt to the current situation. In just a few weeks into quarantine, there’s already been a lot options for reusable masks. Here I am wearing two of my faves from Plains & Prints. These come in a set of 3 and has different designs sets to choose from. It’s adjustable too!
Another Plains & Prints is this protective jacket that comes with a matching mask.
I also got a similar protective outwear from Seek The Uniq. I love that its velcro so its easy to wear and remove. It also comes with a matching mask.
I’m OC when it comes to disinfecting & sanitizing
One of the habits I’ve picked up during this pandemic is to sanitize & disinfect. I’ve been all the more meticulous and have been into products that can make it easier for me to do so. Discovered this Portable UVC Wand from UV Kleene. The 3 UVC LED bulbs offers 99.9% sterilization and can be operated intuitively. I love how handy this device is–fits on the palm of my hand. It can easily fit my bag–ideal for when you want to sanitize bills, phone, car keys (basically anything you want really) while you’re out or even when you’re just at home. It takes 1 hour to charge with 120 minutes usage (fully charged). Just press the on button and carefully aim the device to the item you want to disinfect at least 5 seconds (slowly move it around to cover the entire surface of the item). This product is a must have especially if you’re back to work. You can check out their products on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/uvkleene and follow them on Instagram @uvkleene
Got one too many small items you want to sterilize? This TintZone UVC Sterlizer Bag is for you! It’s USB connected so you can plug it on an outlet, use a power bank or a car charger for it. It can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses from phones, jewelry, makeup, other small items (as long as it fits in the box) and even your undergarment. Yes! It’s compact and portable design makes it perfect to lug around while you’re out or in transit. If you’re on the go and want to disinfect say some of your office items–key card, wallet, phone, pen, headphone, hanky, small water bottle. You can conveniently do so while you’re on your way home (whether you’re driving or you’re on commute). It disinfects in 3 minutes/180 seconds and will automatically shut down after. No worries that light might leak because the box prevents it from doing so. You can order through their Facebook page www.facebook.com/TintZonePH and get update on their Instagram @tintzoneph
Here’s another nice portable UV from Urvo. Charge it via outlet with the USB wire and use it for 5-6 cycles of sterilization. I’ve been using this every night on different parts of our home. Just press the on button on the bottom of the device, press it again for 3 seconds and wait for the beeping sound–it’s actually a 10-second timer that prompts you to leave the area as sanitation will begin shortly. It can destroy 99% of harmful virus and bacteria exposed to its light in 10 minutes and will atomically shut down after. Check their website https://urvo.site to see their other products suited for bigger spaces like home & offices. Follow them on Facebook & Instagram @urvo__. They’re also available on Beauty MNL and Lazada.
I’m a mother packer
The Virgo in me likes repacking and storing things as neatly as possible. And with what’s happening around the world, all the more I try my best to be conscious when it comes to my carbon footprint. Eliminating single-use plastic as much as I can is always a good start. So glad one of my fave reusable bags, Zippies launched their colored version. It’s easier to know what’s inside the bags especially if they’re stored in the fridge or refrigerator. Yes, they’re food grade & freezer safe. I have some use for personal items to organize my bag. I think having your own reusable bags is an essential all the more now. You eliminate contact with other people if you pack your own things (bigger eco bags for the grocery) and you can easily sanitize/disinfect them if you need to– keep all things you used outside in one of these Zippies bag (so its isolated) and then disinfect them when you get home. Zippies also has other reusable items like silicone lids, earth sponge (I need these!) and mesh bags. Shop Zippies on Facebook and follow them on Instagram @zippiesph.
WHAT I ESSENTIAL DO EVERY DAY
Now that I’ve shared some of the essential things I use for this new reality we’re in, here are some essential habits I do daily. Having a structured day works for me. I shared how I adjusted during the first few weeks of quarantine here. As the weeks go by, I finally got the hang of it and have been doing things to protect my energy and to keep me grounded and more accepting of our new reality.
I meditate so I don’t hate.
I always start my day meditating. I started last year when I attended Sara Black’s retreat at The Farm (I haven’t written about this pa pala!). Hopefully when things are a little less busy at home (sharing more about this on another post as well) I’ll be able to find time to write more. Meditating has done wonders to me, mentally & spiritually I’m more calm & centered. It has dramatically shifted my mindset to let go and to be present. Though I’m still not a pro at it as each day brings a set of new challenges, I’m truly enjoying the process.
I workout to feel good.
If you watch my Instagram stories, you know by now that I like working out daily. I usually take the weekends as my rest days but I never miss a weekday to stay active or at least keep moving. I’ve developed this habit for a few years now. While there are still some days I am not motivated, I still dress up & show up. Like what I always say if you can’t perform, japorm hahaha. Wear your favorite workout attire to serve as your motivation to workout. Make this your action & reaction every time you feel like NOT working out and soon you’ll find it second nature to incorporate exercise as part of your daily essential activity. I workout early in the morning as soon as I’m done meditating so I get the endorphins I need for the day.
I nourish my body.
If you know me in my teens, you’d know that I eat like a kargador (market porter). I eat a lot and I eat everything (except okra & lengua). I mostly eat junk and processed food and though I don’t gain weight fast, I can’t say I was healthy. Fast forward to last year when I became serious about my nutrition. All the more now while I was in quarantine. I ate clean & healthy 90 percent and the remaining 10% I would indulge in junk food. I learned to listen to my body and have made it a habit to eat food my body can break down. I’ve avoided food I’m intolerant to (mostly gluten & dairy) and have truly enjoyed eating vegetables & other fresh produce. It didn’t happen overnight, I gradually transitioned and introduced better food to my system until it’s the only thing I crave for. It’s essential for me to nourish my body so I can be healthy not just for myself but for my family as well.
I supplement so I can boost my immunity
I’ve been asked many times on my Instagram what I eat and if I take pre-workout and other fitness supplements. Like I said, I eat right 80 percent of the time and would indulge the remain 20% on food I want to eat (gluten-free & dairy-free cookies, chips & “fast food”). I don’t take pre-workout drinks but I take my supplements religiously. Over the years I’ve learned no matter how eat healthy or right, it won’t be enough to fill my daily nutritional needs. So I make sure I take the right supplements based on what my body needs. Currently I take the following:
probiotics and digestive enzymes: to keep my gut healthy
super antioxidants, turmeric, green tea extract: for anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant
calcium & magnesium and vitamin D: joint and bone support
Omega 3: heart health
vitamin C: reduces chronic disease & boost immunity
vitamin B: helps supports normal nervous system function
apple cider vinegar: helps reduce cholesterol & lower blood sugar levels
They may be a handful but this is what my doctor ordered. Aside from knowing what vitamins & minerals to take, I also make sure that the supplements I take are free of any gluten, dairy and soy (since my gut reacts badly to them) which is why NOW is one of my favorite brands. It’s a family-owned company–this says a lot about how they make sure their products are of good quality. I’m hiyang (my body reacts well to it) with Now and have not experienced any side effects. Shop for Now supplements online through www.watsons.com.ph. For updates follow Now on Instagram @nowfoods.ph
I take time to get to know my kids
More often than not, my kids would always catch me doing something– mostly chores other times work. Since we have no helper no Yaya to assist me, I’m all around the house being well a homemaker. So whenever I get pockets of time to stay still and keep it slow, I catch up with my kids. They’ve developed a few interests over summer and have slowly shown more of their character. They’re very different yet they remind me so much of myself. While they understand how I don’t get to play and do nothing with them (as much as we used to), I make sure I listen and take time to know their interests (one of which is making TikTok videos which I have yet to learn hahaha). Some days its just a few minutes of hanging out before bed time, other days its a full afternoon of watching and eating. Taking tons of photos on my phone to serve as a reminder of this season in our lives. Though uncertain, I’m just thankful that we’re healthy & together.
The reason I meditate, workout and nourish my body day in a day out is because of my family. The goal is to live happy, live healthy & live now. Life during quarantine brought about by the pandemic has stripped us down to living with the essentials. What’s essential is the same for all– to have love and to have health. Here’s to wishing you more love & health as we navigate through the new reality we’re in. Here’s to hoping this will soon be over and a better future lies ahead.
Hi jackie! Please make a review of this fitness watch and the huawei that you wore before.
Hi Jane!
Okay will do a roundup of the fitness watches I have been wearing