Your mind is indeed powerful, and whatever thoughts you have manifest in your reality. As they always say, what your mind conceive, your body can achieve. 

I never did a vision board until 2019, when I attended a workshop for my former client. We started with meditation, visualizing how our 2020 will end. After that, we were given art materials and old magazines and started ripping off our vision photos. 

Since it was a workshop, I did it out of compliance. 

Vision Boards and the Law of Attraction

Months after I decided to create the actual vision board for my husband and me. Instead of ripping pages from the magazine, we scoured the internet for photos and printed ourselves. 

We placed it across our bedroom wall so that every morning we’ll see it. There are days that I can see my husband say hi to the photos we had in our vision. 

As for myself, it became a comforting space where whenever I wanted to change my mind and give up, it clears my mind knowing that those photos are the reason why I work hard every day. 

We’ve added around six goals to that vision board until the pandemic happens. Could you slow down, we thought? The only thing we had in mind was to survive – keep our jobs and pay our bills. 

In the most unexpected events, in July of 2020, my father-in-law gave his old car to us – one image we had in the center. We wanted to have our vehicle because of my event planning. Renting a van hurts each event’s profit, and if we have our own, I can drive, or he can drive for us. 

With the pandemic restrictions, we cannot travel to visit our families nor take our pets to the vet because TNVS does not allow pets most of the time. 

Come August 2020, and I found out I was pregnant. The image we both glued together. It must have been a miracle and perfect timing for us. If I remember vividly, I was looking at our vision board and asking about my career, “Is this what I am meant to do?” 

It was a 180-degree change of perspective and priorities for ourselves. 

Our 2021 – 2025 Vision Board

2020 soon came to an end, and I made sure I will have my vision board once again. This time no pressure. Instead of creating many goals for this year alone, I have mapped out a game plan. 

A plan that I believe doable. For the next five years, I have scattered goals that will help achieve the other. It is a hope of abundance and perseverance. 

We wanted to be stable before our little one starts schooling. Our strengths play a vital role in these goals that if we manifest in 2025, we will have them tangible our retiring years would be fruitful. 

Our goals revolve around family, pets, business, and career. 

Writing this now is part of my vision – inspiration. 

There are more unexpected things that will happen in the future, but we can always alter the roads we will take to reach our ultimate destination. 

A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.
 – Gandhi

I am still hopeful for 2021, I do not know, but it excites me; hence I even got myself planners, because I love them. 

Next year, I will be using three planners – BDJ Power Planner, BDJ Essential Planner, and the first time the one-liner journal. 

BDJ Power Planner

I started using the BDJ Power Planner in 2014. I like it because it has the layout and unique pages you need. You can touch base with the other Bellas and enjoy perks.

I skipped a year when I started bullet journaling, but one planner isn’t enough, right? 

For the 2021 edition, I love this particular page. It’s a fixer-upper and perfect for a year-end summary. You will still find the OG pages like the menstrual tracker, IKIGAI, 2021 Goals, and Dream Board. 

To be honest, I have not really maximized the pages because I am embarrassed about what I will write. This time around, I filled it in. 

No what-ifs, no buts. 

I am planning to use the BDJ Power Planner for my personal growth and reflection. I have used it as a master planner before, but design-wise, it is best to use it as a journal slash goal-setting slack raincheck kind of planner. 

BDJ Essential Planner

This will be my master to-do planner, as you can use it for Bullet Journaling. I usually get a plain dotted notebook, but I cannot calculate how many sheets I need for the year. I cannot create a monthly overview correctly. 

With the essentials planner, you can still get the flexibility and creativity of a Bullet Journal. You can customize your week and use the prompts you have been using from your old bujo. 

The dotted sheets make it easier to draw borders and boxes; use keys, and doodle cute stuff that you like. 

Passion 1 Line Journal

This planner is one of the exciting planners I am gonna try for next year. It is called 1 line, 365 days, 5 years. For the next five years, you will be documenting your days in one line. 

I want to use it to document my motherhood journey and see how I will grow as a person while nurturing a human being. 

I also want to witness how the world will evolve in the next five years as we shifted to the “new normal” and pregnancy wave for next year. 

The new generation and the future

We may never know what will happen this year, but I encourage everyone to still look forward to new beginnings as it will surprise us one way the other. 

Planners seem to be superficial in keeping our shit together. Still, it documents our growth, aspirations, and dreams that we unhurriedly turning into reality. 

What’re your planners for 2021? 

If you remember the Prenatal labs you need to have in your early weeks, I have mentioned that you will be tested for Gestational Diabetes around week 20. 

What is Gestational Diabetes? 

GDM is when your blood sugar level goes up as the placenta makes hormones that increase your blood glucose. 

It usually goes away after birth, but this should be taken seriously as it may affect your baby’s health, and you can develop Type 2 Diabetes later in life.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Your Oral Glucose Tolerance Test will tell if you have GDM as well as symptoms like: 

• Excessive thirst
• Hungrier than usual
• Peeing than usual 

You are most likely to get Gestational Diabetes if you were/have: 

• Diabetes history in the family 
• Overweight before pregnancy 
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Diagnosed with Prediabetes

And other medical conditions that could complicate your overall health.  

So what happened to me? 

I got my OGTT result around 12 weeks as it was included in the package I took for prenatal labs.  

The result is already high – if not alarming. But since it was still early, my OB decided to repeat the test on my 22nd week. We disregarded the factors that I have PCOS and was already prediabetic. 

Come 22nd week, I repeated the test, and it becomes higher than the previous test. I was advised to see an endocrinologist on the same day. 

When the doctor saw my result, he asked me to check my glucose levels and come back the next day for recommendations.  

You guessed it right.

The results were not even GDM but a pregnant diabetic, meaning I have Type 2 diabetes even before I got pregnant. 

I was asked to take long-acting insulin to control glucose twice a day with “hopes” to maintain my sugar levels. 

A weekly check-up is required, plus daily monitoring of glucose levels. I am testing my glucose during the following times: 

• Before Breakfast
• Before Lunch
• Two hours after lunch 
• Before Dinner
• Two hours after dinner

Imagine how many needles and blood I have to go through each day. The goal is to have 80 mg/dL before meals; 120 mg/dL or less two hours after meals. 

IT WAS CRAZY

Mine spikes at 345 mg/dL two hours after dinner, and I tell you, it is depressing. But I am also guilty because I do not have to control my food as much as I want to. I let the hunger and cravings take over. 

I was eating spaghetti and rice. Eating on time is also my problem as I eat at the earliest 10 am or worst at 2 pm. 

How to manage Gestational Diabetes 

As simple as it sounds (but extremely hard), here are some tips that will help you (us) manage your glucose levels. 

• Trade refined sugar and carbohydrates to a more complex one. NO WHITE RICE/PASTA/BREAD and DESSERTS. 
• Eat at least 6x per day – three main meals and two snacks.
• Choose high-fiber carbs like Quinoa, Red Rice, Adlai Rice, even cauliflower rice.
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. The more colorful it is, the better.
• Exercise to use the “sugar” energy for at least 30 minutes a day 

If you are not yet pregnant and is trying to stay active and watch out for your glucose levels, GDM is no joke, as it can lead to preeclampsia and other dangerous pregnancy complications. 

I am scared and stressed about managing it, but shall I update you on my journey? 

Have a safe pregnancy, momma! 

Get to know my cats here.

One reason we never had cats is that their poop stinks. It was my main since we are living in a condominium. But the original owner of the cats was generous to give me tips on how to take of cats. 

Before I adopted them, I researched the cat and found out the feline are clean animals. 

They are low maintenance, too; they mind their own business and give you 30 – 60 seconds of affection. 

Litter Box is a MUST

Since we said that cats are clean animals, the litter box is a big deal. It is something you may want to invest in as it will make your life so much easier. 

One, you must get the right litter box. I first got a small open one, but I found out that my cats have a mix of a Maine Coon, which will make them huge in 52 weeks. 

The second is that the covered litter box is necessary too to prevent the smell from spreading out. 

The third is to get good sand that can absorb odor and clump liquid for easy cleaning. 

A bonus is to get an odor neutralizing agent that will help control the odor. 

Baking Soda to control cat litter smell

Another great find from the Pet Express is the Arm and Hammers Cat Litter Deodorizer. 

According to the product, it can reduce the cat litter odor in just nine days. 

Arms & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer Features

• The Arm & Hammer Baking Soda helps eliminate odour on contact.
• Moisture-activated scent refreshes litter every time your cat uses the litter box. 
• It helps prevent urine clamps from sticking to the litter box. 

Use it with any litter to add extra protection. 

How to use the Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer

1. In a clean litter box, pour the product.
2. Add litter sand of choice.
3. Sprinkle deodorizer on top and mix 
4. Between litter changes, repeat step 3 to extend the effect.

What I like about this product: 

• It is true to its claims. It minimized the smell of the litter box, and it releases the fragrance every time your cat uses its litter box. 
• The smell. It smells like a detergent, so it smells clean. 
• The effect can last for a week, no need to refill daily (unless you want). 

Some disadvantages: 

• Hard to find. Not all pet stores carry this product. 

Bonus Tip: How to train your cat to use the litter box

1. Bring the cat to the litter box.
2. Say a command for them to remember. I use “Poops and wiwi here.” 
3. Rake the sand to mimic the sound that they do when they cover their litter
4. Show them how to hide the litter.

More tips: Cleaning your litter box

1. Clean it as often as you can. Cats won’t use the litter box unless it is clean. 
2. Change the sand completely every time to finish a 10L pack of litter sand. 
3. If you are pregnant (like me), refrain from cleaning the box as the Toxoplasma gondii parasite is terrible for pregnant women. 
4. I recommend using gloves and a mask when cleaning the litter box.

Is the product worth trying? YES.

If you want to have a cat, I highly recommend adopting, especially as most of the animals lost their homes. If you cannot adopt, there are other means to help them. 

You may check out the following pages for information. 

1. CARA Welfare Philippines
2. PAWS Animals Rehabilitation Center
3. Mandaluyong Animal City Pound

I fell in love with cats, and they have a forever place in my heart. 

But what can we do? We cannot go out for months to get our goods, and we relied solely on eCommerce. 

I am guilty of my package pouches and bubble wraps. As much as possible, we reuse them, but they can also be clutter for our home. 

As a conscious effort, last 11.11 shopping sale, I scored more to transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. 

Here are some of the items that you can also get. 

Reusable cotton pads

Disposable cotton is no longer sustainable; the more demand we have, the more supply will need to lead to products’ unethical production. 

If you are using cotton for toners and other skincare routines, you might as well switch to a reusable one. They are made of cotton too but can be washed as use again and again. 

It is durable, absorbent, and gentle on the skin. It is made with cotton french terry and cotton flannel. 

Tip: Clean it with warm soapy water and air dry it. 

Washable Panty Liners

Since I have a menstrual cup and I am pregnant, I got these reusable panty liners. I am a heavy user of liners (40 liners per month), and it made me guilty that I just used it once. 

Single used panty liners are disgusting to reuse and not hygienic at all. With washable panty liners or menstrual pads, you are helping our planet. It is soft and gentle to the skin; it stops exposure to the chemical by-products and GMOs. 

Silicone Ear Cleaning Swab

Another cotton product that we throw after single-use is Q-tips/cotton buds. The plastic in it fills our landfills and takes years or forever to decompose. 

The product is made from soft silicone and delicate to use. The product can remove dirt effectively and can be easily cleaned. 

It comes in two kinds, the dotted one for the ears and the Q-Tip for makeup purposes. 

The packaging is light and portable, too, perfect for travel. 

Soap Saver Pouch Holder

I first learned about this from Snail Whip Soap, I liked the idea of making a lather out of the pouch, and the product will last longer. It was made of synthetic material, which I didn’t like, but I have reused that pouch about three times before letting it go. 

I have a love-hate relationship with bar soaps, especially if I have to share it (skin disease, lol). 

When I saw that this pouch is made of jute, I know that is eco-friendly. This pouch not only saves your soap but become an instant body scrub to remove dirt and dead skin cells thoroughly. 

Since I use organic soaps, it does its job of saving the soap until it dissolves. 

Ecomint Prebiotic Powder

The same issue with toothpaste its packaging contributes to our waste. With toothpaste tablets or powder, you get the best of both worlds. The packaging is eco-friendly at the same time; the product is organic. 

They contain no paraben, sulfate, and fluoride. The product is formulated with Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide that encourages the growth of good bacteria. It has zinc and calcium to protect you from tartar build-up. 

The transition from tube toothpaste is easy as it has a pleasant minty taste, and it still gives you the foam that you get from commercial toothpaste. 

To use: Scoop using a DRY toothbrush and brush as usual. 

I have to switch because one of my pregnancy aversions is toothpaste. I am glad I made a switch. 

Why choose eco-friendly products?

You help the environment with these small changes you make. If more people are mindful of their lifestyle, our waste will reduce drastically. 

Switching may be expensive now, but you can save money in the long run because you no longer buy those single-use products. 

It is satisfying knowing that you slowly create a change for the future generation. 

The products mentioned above are from BYO Store PH @czelistrendshop. I tend to buy in one store to save shipping costs. This entry is not a sponsored post. 

As mentioned in my post, “Ways I tried to get pregnant,” I took Usana supplements religiously. They have prenatal essentials, which are not available in the Philippines. I have to order it from a distributor friend from the US. 

My doctor prescribed folic acid, iron, vitamin C, prenatal, and calcium, but I didn’t bother to change since I took Usana. 

It is best to speak to your doctor and listen to your body when it comes to supplements. 

For the first trimester, I continued taking Usana prenatal vitamins, Magnecal-D, Biomega, Proflavanol C, and Coquinone Q-10. 

In my second trimester, I reduced my vitamins to prenatal vitamins, Proflavanol C, and Magnecal-D. When I ran out of supply, I took the prescribed supplements, and it worked out just fine. 

Supplements are essential, especially if you do not have a chance to eat all the nutrients you need. 

Maternity Milk 

My doctor told me that it is optional to take milk during pregnancy. I am lactose intolerant. Since commercial milk is lactose-free, it was all right. 

I first tried Anmum Materna, I chose the latte flavor, BUT chocolate is better. I drink the milk as my pre-breakfast and sometimes before going to bed. 

After a few boxes of Anmum, my brother gave me Enfamama, but unfortunately, I was not fond of it at all. It does not mix well with hot, cold, and lukewarm water. 

I even mixed it with a 3-in-1 coffee to accept the taste, but it didn’t work out. 

So far, I replaced my milk with smoothies from Go Salad and sometimes a banana plus Usana’s Nutrimeal. 

I also tried Vitasoy Double Chocolate, but please read the label as we do not want our sugar to spike up. 

If you can eat the most nutritious food, you can prepare and take your vitamins. 

As far as the vitamins and minerals are concerned, here are some of the vitamins that your supplements should have: 

• 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid
• 400 IU of vitamin D
• 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium
• 70 mg of vitamin C
• 3 mg of thiamine
• 2 mg of riboflavin
• 20 mg of niacin
• 6 mcg of vitamin B12
• 10 mg of vitamin E
• 15 mg of zinc
• 17 mg of iron
• 150 micrograms of iodine

Source: Webmd.com

Malunggay (Moringa) Capsules

Finally, I started taking malunggay capsules to prepare myself for breastfeeding. They said that you could start taking it as early as three months before your expected due date. 

Malunggay acts as a galactagogue, a natural substance known to increase milk production in mothers. 

You can either include it in your daily dish or take supplements. I started taking the one from V-Pharma, which I bought from Beauty MNL. 

For mommas out there, what supplements were you taking? 

Luckily my clients were using the enterprise versions which gave me the freehand to explore each function.

HubSpot’s free tools are amazing already. If you are scaling your business you can consider upgrading and get the onboarding support from them.

Here’s the platform walkthrough I did with Mommy Ginger.

Hubspot for Small Business

I covered social media posting, automation, creating list segmentation, and flywheel marketing.

I hope you learned a lot from this video.

We still controlled ourselves waiting for 11.11 and 12.12 respectively, and the things we bought are for future use plus some new clothes for myself.

Hubby is the one scoring the deals while I browse mine. LOL, We started taking hand down as well, which I believe a significant saving for us. 

Infrared Thermometer

Everyone has it, I supposed, and many establishments need it for checking people’s temperature. It is nice to have one. 

Simply because we know that babies could be uncomfortable, the typical underarm thermometer won’t work. Besides, mercury thermometers are fragile and hard to read most of the time. I do not want our pets to lick mercury and pieces of broken glass. 

It was cool to get it this early as we get to use them to get our temperature. Hubby needs it to log in for work, and I randomly check our pet’s temp too. 

I liked that it has other modes to check humans and their surroundings. In just two seconds, you have your temperature. 

Hospital bag checklists have this one too. I consider it an investment. 

Air Purifier

I got sick last January when Taal Volcano almost exploded. Ashfall reached Manila, and even if all our windows were closed, the AC let the sulfur inside our unit. 

And since I know, I am adopting pets sometime in June, and this cleaner was in our cart for months. 

We ordered the first one from China, and it didn’t arrive. The second one didn’t come as well. They said it got lost in transit, but we suspect something else. 

Luckily we saw a local supplier with the similar specs we are looking for in an air purifier. It was delivered just in time, and surprisingly the performance is acceptable for the price.

Maternity Clothes

Most of my clothes are already loose, but my go-to work clothes were plain shirts and square pants. The shirts were becoming cropped, so I decided to look for a cheap dress online. 

The first set I bought was a complete fail. Although the quality is excellent, the sizing is too small. The other dresses I purchased were fabulous, but I kept to six pieces only—something I could wear for checkups. 

The New Born Shopping List

I still do not know what I need to buy for myself and the baby, but I will update my third-trimester haul – nesting period to list my actual purchase.

For mommas out there, please comment on your shopping list. This new momma needs your help. 

I remember Love Lace from the Happy Feet Movie; he has this plastic packaging of a drink. Can you imagine that our waste reached Antarctica? 

Zero Waste Management doesn’t happen overnight.

Kudos to all citizens who already started their effort to reduce their waste. We can contribute to saving the environment through small steps at home. 

My journey began by switching some essential products at home to minimize waste and recycling and reusing 60% of the products we acquire. 

Zero Waste: Start with Toiletries

Toiletries by far are the most effortless kick-off for you to start your zero waste journey. I started using shampoo bars three years ago, but the challenge was that not everything is good quality and not always available in stores. 

The first one I tried made my hair fall worst, the second one promised 30 washes, and the third one is expensive, and its conditioner bar is hard to rinse. 

I would typically buy big bottles of shampoo, so I cannot find anything accessible whenever it is time to use shampoo bars again. 

Today, most organic brands already introduced their zero waste product lines making it more accessible to the market. 

Sibol Shampoo Bars & Conditioners

My latest favourite is the one from Sibol, the name caught my attention because it is in Filipino, and the meaning is new beginnings. I first saw this product from Kaycee, and when I browsed Beauty MNL, I saw it. I immediately buy it because the timing is perfect. 

So what’s with these shampoo and conditioner bars? 

They have two variants (1) Anti-hair fall and (2) Healthy Shine. I chose anti-hair fall, obviously because it is my current hair issue. Even commercial shampoos have not cured my hair fall. 

The shampoo bar is a blend of Korean Ginseng, Philippine Gugo, Rosemary, Lavender, and peppermint. Eco-friendly and can last up to 60-washes. 

I like the blend of essentials oils, and even if it has peppermint, it is not like the other menthol shampoo that will make you chill if you rinse it.

The suds were terrific. You can either lather it on your hands or use it on your hair directly. 

TIP: Store it vertically or cut into four cubes to extend its shelf life. Do not let it soak for too long. 

For the conditioner, they only have one variant called silky soft. It comes in a tin can so it is travel friendly and can outlast two bottles of conditioners.

The ingredients are a mix of virgin coconut oil, shea, cocoa butter, aloe vera, jojoba, and propolis-rich beeswax. It claims to nourish, soften, moisturize, and detangles hair after shampooing, activated by water, and intensely hydrating. 

TIP: Transfer the bar on to the lid. It’ll be more manageable than scooping it from the actual can as it is soft. 

Sibol hair products claim to use all-natural products, and they are also baby-safe, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, organic, paraben-free, pregnancy-safe, silicone-free, and sulfate-free. 

Both products are easy to rinse and does not feel greasy at all. You’ll surprise that it is an instant air freshener too, as your bathroom will be filled with the smell of both products. 

Should you also switch?

Looking for other ways to switch? Try Menstrual Cups.

Yes! If you could do something for our environment and still enjoy the benefits of having great hair, why not? Plus, it is locally made, #supportlocal

It’ll be an adjustment to the usual convenience of regular bottles, but it’s worth it. 

We still want a clean ocean, right? 

For this post, I am re-sharing my first webinar with Xcel Hub – a group in Facebook that provides free training for aspiring freelancers.

In this video I am sharing how I optimized my Linkedin Profile to score clients and full time remote contract jobs.

Linkedin is one of the best network to grow professionally. It provides tool for job seekers, recruiters, and sales people.

My current work has a B2B market so we use Linkedin all the time.

One thing I will encourage you to do is use Linkedin to boost your presence and credibility.

Connect with people who shares the same value as you.

I would like to thank all the viewers who gave a positive feedback about this webinar. I hope I have helped you edit your profile on Linkedin.

Thanks again, Xcel Hub.