Masquerade at Ace Water Spa

One of my fave no-brainer R&R spot in the metro is the Ace Water Spa located in Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City.

I first learned of the Hydrotherapy Massage they offer in one of the coupons of the Belle De Jour Planner. What is Ace Water Spa? According to their website:

"ACE Water Spa traces back its concept to word SPA- derived from the Latin Phrase “Salus per Aquam” or “Sanitus per Aquam” meaning Health through Water. Since then, Water has been a vital element in cleansing, relaxing and healing because its curative properties. In England, back in the 16th century, the Romans came up with an idea to undergo “medicinal bathing” to soothe and treat body illnesses by the roman soldiers, thus hydrotherapy was born."

This place have been my solace for two years now whenever I want to get away from the hustle bustle in the city and hear the rustling of waters. But alas, with popularity comes the crowd. I felt the increasing crowd have robbed me off my peace and quiet. Thus now, I only visit the place during weekdays so as to avoid the crowd. Don't get me wrong, the place is still fantastic and well maintained, but I just want my alone time!

Anyhoo, when I checked my mail last week, I found this.

click image to enlarge*

So if you want to experience a masquerade party, just head off to Ace Water Spa on August 20 & 21 (Friday & Saturday), 7pm onwards with (or without) your party masks and experience an 'unforgettable night of music and magic" **

**P795/head

Includes the following:

• Spa Ticket
• 4-course meal buffet
• goodie bag
• a chance to win in the raffle and a lot more

*Images are owned by respective owners. No copyright infringement intended. 

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Anti-Stress Foods

Feeling stressed? Does your day night job drains the life out of you?

Personally, whenever I feel stressed or emotional I tend to overeat (lucky me, it doesn't just show, yet). Methinks, this is common to men women as we turn towards food to comfort us in times of depression, sadness or what-have-yous.  It is not bad to forego our diet once in a while, however, stress-eating and calorie-bingeing is another story. It can take it's toll on our bodies - without relieving stress.

Fret not and learn a healthier alternative to common comfort foods such as ice cream, pizza, pasta, bag of junk chips and all those calorie-packed buddies that helps us cope.

Read on to a healthier and stress-free you.

APPLES 

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away—but did you know it can help with stress, too? Apples arerich in phosphorous and iron, which help boost cell regeneration that is negatively affected in times of stress. This means that if your skin breaks out when you’re stressed, eating an apple can help repair the damage by building new healthy skin tissue.


AVOCADOS

Some people shy away from avocados because they are high in fat—they’ve even been nicknamed the “butter pear”—but what most folks don’t realize is that this kind of fat is good for you. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, as well as potassium, which both help decrease blood pressure levels. Next time, slice some avocado into your salad—it’s delicious and nutritious!


BANANAS 

Bananas are a good source of potassium, which fights fatigue, insomnia, and low blood sugar, as well as carbohydrates, which produce the natural sedative serotonin. Carbohydrates are most commonly associated with fare like pasta and potatoes, but since these are both comfort foods which fall under the easily-abused-when-stressed category, it would probably be wiser to eat a banana instead.


DARK CHOCOLATE

We've told you before that dark chocolate lessens emotional stress, so yes, that chocolate craving that hits you whenever you’re stressed is actually a good thing (as long as you practice moderation). Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which helps tranquilize tension. It’s also rich in theo bromine, which is a natural mood elevator. However, theo bromine is also known to stimulate the brain, and will probably aggravate a person who is already stressed to begin with—so take care not to ingest too much chocolatey goodness.


DRIED APRICOTS

Why not exchange your stash of sweet treats for a pack of dried apricots? They’re good for you, are pretty tasty, and best of all, contain magnesium, which is a natural stress-reliever and muscle relaxant


GREEN VEGETABLES

Green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard contain potassium and B vitamins like folic acid which soothe the nerves and alleviate stress. Experiment with your meals by slipping verde veggies into soups, pastas, and even sandwiches—the possibilities are endless.


HERBS

Herbs like chamomile, passion flower, and dandelion are effective stress relievers because they relax your mind and the muscles in your body. Steep them into fragrant teas to savor the full calming experience. This article by TheTimesOfIndia.com shares that chamomile tea, in particular, has been found to relieve cramps, spasms, and digestive problems caused by nervousness.


NUTS

The next time you see a movie after a stress-packed workweek, munch on some mixed nuts—particularlypistachios, walnuts and almonds. Pistachios and walnuts bring down blood pressure, while almonds help boost the immune system.


ORANGES

Pack a bottle of OJ or a few orange wedges with your daily baon. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, whichboosts your immune system and reduces its susceptibility to virus. A German study inPsychopharmacology has also proven that Vitamin C helps reduce anxiety by bringing down blood pressure after a stressful situation, according to this MSN Health & Fitness article.


SALMON

Incorporate salmon into your workweek fare to help curb stress. According to this Delish.com article, aDiabetes & Metabolism study discovered that the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, and other fish prevent stress hormones from escalating.


SPINACH 

Make like Popeye and have some spinach! Like apricots, spinach is rich in magnesium—so much so, in fact, that one cup of the green stuff contains 40 percent of the magnesium you need in a day. Spinach alsohelps fight fatigue and migraines—two bothersome effects of stress.


SWEET POTATOES 

Substitute your craving for fries with some sweet potato slivers. Sweet potatoes will give you the same soothing sensation that you get from eating chips or candy bars—plus, they’re packed with fiber, beta-carotene, and other immunity-boosting vitamins. 


TURKEY 

If you’re sick of the same old chicken breast, give turkey a taste. Turkey is full of tryptophan, which is a“feel-good” amino acid. Tryptophan helps trigger serotonin, a chemical that produces a calming effect on the body, and melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep and relaxation. In other words, you’ll be stress-free and bed-ready in no time!


WHOLE GRAINS

Have a bowl of brown rice instead of white, or an oatmeal cookie in lieu of a chocolate chip one. Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat are chock full of B Vitamins and the chemicalserotonin, which calm the nerves and put your body in a state of relaxation.


YOGURT 

Everyone’s favorite (Mine too!) cold treat just got even sweeter! Yogurt is full of calcium, which helps regulate our nerves. Also, this creamy snack is a great acid neutralizer for those of you who are hyperacidic or have ulcers due to stress.


article source: femalenetwork.com

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Twilight Saga: Eclipse Fever

The Twilight Saga fans maybe divided into Team Edward and Team Jacob, but come June 30, 2010 they will unite and march to their neighborhood's theaters and watch as Eclipse, another Twilight saga will be released. Learn how a vampire (Edward) and a wolf, supposedly a shape-shifter (Jacob) will fight for and are willing to die for the human girl (Bella) they love.

Watch the Official and Final Theatrical Eclipse trailer below:

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Reignite Your Romance with Work

Nowadays, I think I’m running on autopilot and I think I’m running towards self-destruction! Is it really dead-end for my current situation? Is it just burnout or is my irregular working hours already activating my stress hormones and thus this unexplainable crappy feeling?!

I am spending so much time on the internet as it makes me forget everything (just what shopping does too!) and makes me enter a pseudo-world in cyberspace.

I stumbled upon this great article and as I was reading it, it gave me some spark of hope in this seemingly bleak world I’m currently trapped. I would like to share these tips on how to re-ignite your romance with your work – or consider courting another one. Hopefully this will help you feel better, as it does for me.

I will try following a few of these steps and mayhaps, I will determine what path I should take.

Read on the article after the jump.

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Reignite Your Romance with Work

If feelings about your career tend more toward disenchantment, the good news is that there are several steps you can take to change that, from improving your current situation to exploring other career options.  

·  Consider the 80/20 Ratio: Curt Rosengren, career columnist for US News & World Report, says, “If you love what you’re doing 80 percent of the time, you’re doing pretty well. The energy you get from the work you do probably far outweighs the drain of the things you don’t like.” Stay focused on the pleasure you derive 80 percent of the time.
 

·  Conduct a Research Project: What about your current situation doesn’t work for you? What does? How can you respond differently? If you feel unappreciated or ignored, find appropriate ways to become more visible. Make sure your opinion is known by seeking opportunities to speak up. Or if you’re stuck on autopilot, request more responsibility to further develop your skills. Exploration can energize your routine and help adjust your attitude. 
 

·  Complete a Self-Assessment to Discover Your Passion: Heather Hollick, founder of coaching firm Rizers in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, encourages people to find “their sweet spot” -- the intersection of what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at and what brings value in the marketplace. Identifying this overlap is crucial to loving your career. 
 

·  Is Your Boss the Problem?: Lastly, if you don't get along with your boss or coworkers, limit interactions with them as much as possible. Focus on your performance and results.  

             
 If these strategies still leave you restless, it may be time to begin looking for a new job.        

 Remember, “it’s your career -- you own it and live with it, so make sure you love it,” says Hollick.

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article source: www.excelle.monster.com

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