Candles, Toddlers and Diaper Rash Creams

They really shouldn't go together. Last All Saints' Day, we visited our dearly departed ones at the cemetery, and Allie went with us. Sadly, a little accident happened. She was playing with flowers and tripped towards this candle holder with the metal cover. She burnt a part of her forearm. Yes, ouch. Yes, there were a couple of blisters. Yes, she cried. Yes, I felt so bad I wanted to cry too.

Photo credit to my father-in-law

I read somewhere that diaper rash cream can be used for minor burns, and being in a cemetery with no first aid in sight, I used my handy dandy diaper rash cream on her burn after we washed her arm with water. I know that it really helped soothe her because she stopped crying almost immediately.

I was so glad that I had the diaper rash cream in my bag then. I am forever grateful to Mustela because when I attended this Mustela launch event a few weeks ago, among the stuff they gave out was this tube of their Vitamin Barrier Cream. I started using it on Allie's behind everytime we change nappies, and I always carry it with me.

I am a convert now, just so you know. Not only does the Vitamin Barrier Cream work effectively on diaper rashes, but on burns too! It doesn't have that nasty fish smell. I love that it is very affordable and very available at local department stores.

So what happened to Allie's burn? When we left the cemetery, we went to the drugstore and bought silver sulfadiazine. It's an antibiotic, and because she had blisters, my doctor friend suggested to apply it thickly twice a day, after washing, and cover her burn with sterilized gauze. After about a week, her skin is completely healed. Now, I just apply some moisturizer and prevent sunburn on her arm to lessen the discoloration. A dermatologist told me it will take about six months for it to become less noticeable. But really, I barely notice it on her arm now.

My Top 10 Baby Must-Haves

I've been often asked what I bought for Allie when I had her. It was my first time being a mom and I must say I overbought. Whenever I found something adorable in the store, I bought it. But in the long-run, I learned that there's only a handful of items that I actually needed.

So here is my top 10 list with my trusted brands that I definitely recommend to all moms out there who are about to have a baby.

No. 1 Baby Must-Have: Diapers

Pampers, for me, is, by far, the best disposable diaper for babies. I've tried countless brands, and I still go back. It's a brand I trust, because it hasn't failed me yet. I always get the Active Baby kind (purple) or Swaddlers (US version). I found that they're more comfy for my baby. You can never have enough so make sure you add this to your gift registry, if ever you have one.

If you like the reusable diaper kind, I suggest you get the adjustable ones like BumGenius with washable cotton inserts. It's a one-size fits all type of cloth diapers. Before buying though, you have to be sure that you can go through washing them every time they're soiled. I would say at least 20 pieces would last you until your child is potty-trained.

No. 2 Baby Must-Have: Desitin

At some point, your baby might get diaper rash. The one I get is Desitin Maximum Strength. Anything with zinc oxide, really, but I tried a British brand, and that one did not stick to my baby's bum as well as Desitin. So whenever I go to the US, I make it a point to buy a couple. It lasts really long too.

No. 3 Baby Must-Have: Baby Bottles

I've been a fan of Life Factory glass bottles, and I always, always recommend these to my friends and family. They have cute silicone sleeves that help prevent breakage. They're easy to clean too. I really don't remove the sleeve when I clean them. 

No. 4 Baby Must-Have: Bottle Cleaner

I've tried all kinds of bottle cleaners, and the one problem that keeps on popping up is the bottle stand. Most bottle brushes don't have stands nor containers. Some have the stand, but it's a pain when traveling. When I discovered the Oxo Tot On-the-Go Drying Rack with Bottle Brush, I was so relieved. It not only solved my problem at home, but I can also easily pack it in my bag when we travel. I couldn't leave home without it. Dig this -- you can buy the brush separately too so when it's time to retire it, you can get a new brush easily without having to buy the drying rack again. I wish, though, that they sell it here because I'm sure a lot of moms will truly love this.

No. 5 Baby Must-Have: Baby Wash

The gentle kind is always the best. I've been a Johnson's Baby lover, and I use the Head-to-Toe wash for my baby. Sometimes I use the Shea scent because it's just so awesome. I also love the lavender scent or the milk one. I really don't have a favorite as long as it's from Johnson's Baby because of their no-tears formula.

No. 6 Baby Must-Have: Halo Sleepsack

Forget those adorable crib beddings and opt for the Halo Sleepsack. They do the same thing and they're safer for your baby. Halo Sleepsacks are wearable blankets that help prevent SIDS. 

No. 7 Baby Must-Have: Infant Car Seat

The car seat we got was from Baby Trend. We got hooked with the triangular handle and the easy snap on and off from the car base. The triangular handle made it easy to carry, and I know that you will do this pretty often, so might as well make it comfortable. 

No. 8 Baby Must-Have: Stroller

I have no regrets buying our Bumbleride Indie. It's an all-around stroller and very easy to maneuver on the streets. Even on uneven sidewalks. One thing to remember is that you got to make sure that your car seat is compatible with the stroller.

No. 9 Baby Must-Have: Baby Bag

My advice? Get a manly baby bag so your hubby can carry it without him being embarrassed. Haha. We got ours from Diaper Dude.

No. 10 Baby Must-Have: Crib or a Co-Sleeper

I love having the baby inside our room, but we didn't have enough room for a crib, so we got a play yard. If you have a nursery, get a crib that can transform into a toddler bed so you can use it way after.

The most important thing to check first is to see if there are product recalls on the product you wish to buy. Please check Consumer Safety Product Safety Commission first.

I guess you're wondering about baby clothes. I have a close-knit family, and I get tons of hand-me-downs and gifts from family. As for milk, try to feed your baby breast milk. If you do and find it easy, try to express milk using a pump. I suggest getting a Medela for this one. It's a brand I have no issues with. 

So that's my list. I hope this helps!

Body: Better Yoga at ECHOyoga Shala

Yoga has become very popular choice of fitness now more than ever. Sometimes, I feel it has this very commercial connotation to it already as tons of yoga places seem to have sprouted everywhere overnight. Even fitness gyms now have yoga sessions in their schedules.

My first experience in yoga was not that effective probably due to self-teaching and I used to do it with my husband using a fitness video that was too vigorous. My second was sadly one that I vowed never to do again because I got sick. But when Janice invited me to attend a beginner's session at ECHOyoga Shala, I decided to give it a final shot. I said to myself I might as well start at the very basic.

ECHOyoga is the wellness side of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle, the green retail store. ECHO means Empowerment Care Health and Oneness. Jeannie Javelosa, co-owner of ECHOstore, has been teaching yoga for close to 15 years, and with her co-teacher Marilen Elizalde, launched ECHOyoga five years back, offering weekly and corporate classes. Today, the two certified yoga teachers bring their passion for wholistic living through yoga in a new space called ECHOyoga Shala, located in Kalayaan Avenue, behind Rockwell in Makati.

The ECHOyoga Shala itself is what I thought yoga was all about -- pure, simple and open. 

Along with several mommy bloggers, I experienced the Gentle Flow session with Ms. Jeannie Javelosa, who has the calmest and most relaxing voice I tell you. It made me block out the noise coming from outside the shala. I almost fell asleep as we did the corpse pose. Hahaha. I came out feeling refreshed, strengthened and relaxed after the Gentle Flow session. 

We all sweated it out too. Muscles that I didn't know existed were stretched. My body felt sore the day after -- in a good kind of way.

“Yoga has always been my grounding that brings me to my center, especially with my life as a busy mother, homemaker and wife. Through teaching yoga, I expand my awareness and can share this beautiful practice with many.” -- Marilen Elizalde

“Launching ECHOyoga Shala in a new space is for me a natural extension and addition to support ECHOstore’s philosophy of a sustainable lifestyle. Yoga is my disciplined practice that wholistically connects the Body, Mind and Spirit.” -- Jeannie Javelosa

The one thing that Jeannie told us that stuck to me was to practice yoga in life away from the mat, and that there is no line between them. 

That certainly hit home because living in a concrete jungle called Metro Manila is no easy feat. Every day we get bombarded with nasty traffic and terrible surroundings that stress us out to the max. We need time to relax our mind and body too. I had lost my interest in yoga before, but I now know that this is the kind of yoga that fits me, and I will certainly do it again. 

Thank you so much ECHOyoga Shala for having us. I'm pretty sure we'll be back. 

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About the New ECHOyoga Shala

ECHOyoga Shala opens its new space with the objective to offer a wholistic approach to a sustainable lifestyle, strengthen community collaborations and bring a deeper understanding of yoga practice. It is open daily, from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm with five daily classes, weekend schedules and workshops plus a daily early morning Self Practice space.

Yoga in all its varied expressions will be offered to beginners, intermediate and advanced students classes like Gentle Flow, Restorative Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Power Yoga. ECHOyoga Shala’s thrust to go beyond just the physical practice of yoga as exercise includes sessions on Meditation, Breath Control (Pranayama) for distressing, and even “Off the Mat” community talks are led by certified and trained yoga teachers, with international experiences. Other offerings include counseling and life coaching sessions, and body-energy work therapies.

If yoga is to be embraced for a sustainable lifestyle, ECHOyoga Shala’s classes, sessions, workshop, community talks are sequenced and offered to guide the students in their yoga practice and discipline to develop a strong healthy Body, a steady focused Mind, a compassionate Heart. The ultimate goal is the development of a personal Self-Practice and tools that can be used for a deeper appreciation of life.

The Values: ECHO

Empowerment, Care, Health, Oneness

ECHOyoga takes the lead in bringing practitioners of yoga together in a community space to share practice and experience their lives through yoga. “Shala” is a sanskrit word that means “house”. ECHO means Empowerment Care Health and Oneness. Through one space, ECHOyoga hopes to further bring these core values forward through strengthening community collaborations and bringing a deeper understanding of yoga practice towards living a more sustainable lifestyle.

WORKSHOP PACKAGES COMING UP MAY

Kids Yoga (ages 6-10 years old) May 6 – 29

A fun way to spend summer afternoons of May /Tuesday & Thursdays, 3 – 4 pm

Package fee of Php 4,000

Early bird rate of Php 3,800 if signed in on or before April 15

Drop in rate: Php 500 per class

Eight sessions that will help kids ages 6-10 years old

* breathe - tune in a focus

* have fun - be creative and playful with friends

* balance - feel posed, composed and alive

* stand - become stable, strong and grounded

* forward bend - reach release and flex

* back bend - be supple, open and trustful

* partner - have fun working together

* time in - unwind, rest and revive

To be led by Teacher Marilen Elizalde: Marilen is first a mom with three children, then was a Middle School teacher and is now, a certified Yoga Instructor. Allow Marilen to transform an hour into a session of insight, loving action, playful stretches and spontaneous heartfelt joy.

PRE-NATAL YOGA

Package of Eight Classes being prepared for May

AWAKENING SUBTLE ENERGY BODIES (Friday Nights) –Package of Eight Classes being prepared for April and May

* Pranayama and Meditation

* Sound and Meditation

* Chakra Cleansing Meditation

* Manifesting through the Chakras

* Yin Rhythms and Meditation

 Here's how to get there:

 *All photos courtesy of ECHOyoga Shala

The Baby Project That's Project Mom

Motherhood, motherhood, motherhood. It is by far the most fun and scariest thing in the world. It changes your life. Completely.

The moment I first realized my husband and I were pregnant, we entered the world of paranoia. It was full of what-ifs. I knew that there is so much information out there especially online and reading them all will just boost my paranoia so I didn't. I resorted to a book that I think is very helpful during pregnancy. It was a book by an American author and it's probably the most popular one out there.

When I saw that a couple of celebrity moms here in the Philippines were launching a mommy book, I got so excited. I know it's going to be a great book for mommies and mommies-to-be out there because it is written from the perspective of two awesome Filipino ladies, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde and Amanda Griffin-Jacob, and the book is based on their experiences and some topics were medically-backed too.

Well, I've been a mom to a beautiful little girl for 32 months already, and it has been a roller coaster ride of sorts. I know I'm kinda lucky that my daughter's healthy when I gave birth to her. The only scare I got was right after, when I (yes, me and not the baby) had tons of blood clots that seemed to never stop. But I had the most amazing OB in the world - that's you, Dr. Williams of Piedmont Hospital, and I knew I would be okay. Home life was never the same after that. If you've watched the Coke Life commercial, you'll know what I'm talking about. It's all about the normal mess, the constant running, everything.

Don't get me wrong, I love everything about motherhood -- especially the normal mess. It reminds me of my daughter and how much fun she's having. Okay, fine, I'm probably just lazy to clean up after her only to find the house in the same condition five minutes after. Hahaha. Having this book by my side will definitely make my life a lot easier.

I went to the book launch of Project Mom last December. I saw a few mommy blogger friends there. It was a celebrity-filled event too, as you can imagine. I saw Tweetie De Leon-Gonzales and Christine Jacob among others. It was hosted by Marc Nelson (really drool-worthy by the way) and Lexi Schulze.

The book is all about how to make motherhood fun, easy and awesome. It covers everything you would like to know about being a mom - from pregnancy until after, even shedding the baby weight! The best part is, it is centered on the Filipino mom, so expect resources that can be found in the Philippines. So if you have a friend or relative who's about to give birth, this is the perfect gift for them.

Project Mom is available at all Fully Booked branches nationwide.

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Psst. Short stint on Fully Booked blog. Check it out: http://www.fullybookedonline.com/blog/view/4405