soulintraining

Archive for September, 2010|Monthly archive page

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October workshops in Gratitude

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 30, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Thought I’d repost the workshops being held in Gratitdue Cafe in Fort Bonifacio this October. They’re mostly free of charge and you can enjoy a good meal before or after :-) Remember to book ahead as they fill up fast!

http://www.gratitudephils.com/

or http://www.gratitudephils.com/CALENDAR_OF_EVENTS.html


*INNER HEALING THROUGH SOUL CARDS–special one-on-one reading with Amy Cavosora, Oct. 4 and 18, 11 am-8 pm, first come, first served

FEE: P500


*LIFE COACHING - Coaching is for those who are ready to take a step forward in life, but need support and assistance.  Sessions take 45 minutes to 1 hour, and is done one on one; face to face. This is strictly by appointment.  If you need more information on Life Coaching or to set an appointment, get in touch with Kahlil at 09175318179 , James at 09188552637, Raju at 09163081626 or  Analei  at 0917-8055525.
Fee: Free



*PAGBUBUKAS (by Amy Cavosora) – A deep inner process of connecting with your Higher Self. This is strictly by appointment (and limited to up to 5 participants only). For those interested, please get in touch with Amy Cavosora.  Her mobile number is +639291819758.
Fee: Free-will donation

*THE PAGLALALIM/DEEPENING -for those who have already taken the Pagbubukas/Higher Self meditation. By appointment only, one-on-one or small group.  Call Amy Cavosora for more details/appointment.
Fee: Free-will donation


*VINYASA KRAMA YOGA- by James Asprer
Mondays- 6 to 7pm
Wednesdays and Fridays-2 to 3pm

Fee: P500/class



*MEDITATION- Thursdays, 6pm
We start on time so please come at least 15 minutes earlier.
Fee: Free

*MOVIE NIGHT- WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW.- Friday, October 8,6 to 8pm
Fee: Free
*REIKI LEVEL 1- Saturday, October 16, 1 to 7pm.  Limited to 6 participants.  Call Lia Bernardo at 09175555675 for inquiries and reservations.
Fee: Free
*AURA READING- Friday, October 22, 6 to 8 pm.  Call Analei at 09178055525 for reservations.
Fee: Free

For those who want to receive regular updates on our activities, please e-mail us at info@gratitudephils.com or register thru the Guestbook.

Thank you!!

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Angel Altars again

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 28, 2010 at 1:42 am

Warms my heart when I receive another pic of an angel altar! I’m glad the wishing angels are going around. Keep them coming guys!

Here’s the newest one I received:

A new angel altar!

There are even biscuits in case the wishing angels want to have a sweet snack. How imaginative and hospitable of her!

One year after Ondoy

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 26, 2010 at 7:06 am

Reposting this from the Philippine Star, many thanks to Liane Reyes for the article

Angel Brigade started right after Ondoy hit in Sept. 2009

Life after Ondoy-The Angel Brigade

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I heart cake

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 26, 2010 at 6:43 am

Quick post due to a very, very busy week. Last day of The Angel Brigade exhibit so I do pray that you all still drop  by the Rockwell Powerplant Mall to take a look at the photos and installation and of course, the fund-raising silent auction. While you’re at it, satisfy your sweet tooth by getting a marshmallow cake from Costa Brava (there are dessert stalls in the basement of the mall the whole day).

Sugar isn’t the best for the health-conscious in many ways but every once in a while gives a nice little kick of happiness. Someone commented to me that every time I had a sugary snack my aura would actually brighten up. :-)

Maybe yours will too, but don’t overdo it. This heart shaped marshmallow cake costs about 160 pesos, there’s a bigger size in a rectangular shape and you can also get the same soft, moist marshmallow plus loads of butter combination in cupcake and mini-cupcake form.

Do share this!

Marshmallow love from Costa Brava

Costa Brava claims they make their desserts with no preservatives and no artificial ingredients. Well, that’s what they say, not sure how marshmallow fits into that mix, but I still enjoyed this cake all the same. Thanks to my good friend Luis Espiritu for turning me on to this rather sinfully delightful sweetiepie!

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A natural fat-burner

In Philippine Star Column on September 24, 2010 at 12:35 am

A sweet way to help burn fat!

I’m into all kinds of eating — healthy eating, not healthy eating, happy eating, stress eating. Like I said, all kinds. I blame it on both sides of the family who taught me that there is no greater pleasure than just tucking in to a good meal. This was fine when I was in my teens and my metabolism would kick in if I just skipped one meal for the day (normally dinner) but — far, far away from my teen years — I have to sadly admit that my metabolism is in need of an overhaul. I have done detoxes, juice fasts, etc. which help tremendously but I cannot do them on a daily basis due to my work schedule. No, that’s just an excuse: I cannot do them on a more regular basis because I just don’t want to. The pleasures of eating all kinds of food at the moment still happily KO the need to have a complete lifestyle change.

So, in the meantime, I still plough through different restaurant menus and scour the market for dietary “aids” that will help me remain fit while entering those restaurant doors. Of course, I make natural a priority as much as possible. I have tried appetite suppressants in the past (with a doctor’s prescription, of course) and although I’ve found them effective in curbing my appetite, I have also found them to effectively amp up the inner sociopath. On said suppressants I experienced an irritability that was akin to PMS on uppers. I snarled at almost everyone — my colleagues, my family and kept wondering why I was getting a headache — which I hardly to ever get. I finally realized that the only thing “new” I was ingesting were the tiny pills to curb my eating. Never again. I’d rather be a little heavier than normal than close to clinically insane.

The best solution for me came in the form of Carnipure, a liquid fat burner comprised of L-Carnitine taken twice daily. On recommendation of my doctor, I was advised that I should take it with meals and only on days that I would experience activity — in other words, not on one of those lazy Sundays doing my TV series catch-up with a bowl of my junk food at my side all day. L-Carnitine is produced naturally in the body but in small quantities; when produced more, L-Carnitine enables the body to efficiently turn fat into energy. I also read that having more L-Carnitine can help one bring down stress levels and is great for athletes (or in my case, a “try-athlete”). I decided to give my bottle of Carnipure a road test. The liquid (10 ml twice a day) was sweet-tasting even though it was sugar free so it goes down easy; no discomfort there. I noticed though that after about 20 minutes you begin to perspire even if you’re sitting down. No wonder it was advised to take this when exercising. So over the weekend I first tried it, I joined a race. I took a gulp of this a couple of minutes before the race started, and — seriously — I breezed through that 5K, and it was the first race I had ever entered in my life. Yes, of course I had been training, but I felt that the Carnipure had given me energy. I have been taking it before I exercise ever since. So far, and it’s been months, I have felt no side effects and I do feel more energetic whenever I have a sip, so I do avoid taking in too late at night because I fear I won’t be able to sleep or will break into a sweat while sleeping!

I also did a little research on the Internet and studies claim that L-Carnitine supplements can be taken by vegetarians, the elderly and pregnant women just to optimize their health. I would still consult with a medical professional though if you are any of the above. Weight management is aided because L-Carnitine can reduce the sensation of hunger, so if you have a wedding to attend over the weekend (perhaps your own) and you want to make sure you fit into that special ensemble, then perhaps two weeks of this plus some exercise will help you, or hey, maybe even one week if you just need to shed a pound or two. If your concern is not just vanity but your overall health, your heart can benefit from increased levels of L-Carnitine which it gets from the bloodstream. With adequate amounts there have been reports of the reduction of heart disease, especially because of lessened fat deposits in the heart.

I am not saying that this is the only substitute and an all-around cure, but I started taking this to help manage my weight and so far, so good, although I know it’s no replacement for a really healthy and balanced diet and discipline on the field or in the gym. So far, though, it has been a great aid to me, and since I haven’t felt the urge to snap at a co-worker or growl at a family member since I’ve taken it, I feel I can eat, drink, and be merry for a little while longer.

For more information on Carnipure, contact The Skin and Laser Clinic at 403-3245

(Reposted for Soul Train Column in The Philippine Star 9.24.10)

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Heart2Heart

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 23, 2010 at 12:35 am

I love this website :-) Especially because they covered The Angel Brigade Anniversary. I used to think it was just for weddings but now I’ve realized it’s a great resource website for other things happening in the metropolis that are noteworthy. Thanks Heart2Heart!

Heart2Heart on The Angel Brigade

The Angel Brigade on Heart2Heart!

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Good causes

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 21, 2010 at 3:09 pm

I wanted to share with everyone some of the wonderful items that were donated by The Angel Brigade in order to raise funds for their volunteer projects, programs-including education and the building of a livelihood center. Would like to invite everyone to come bid on any or all of these items. They can be seen at the South Court (in front of Zara) part of the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell from Sept 20-16. Be an angel to someone else!

Painless thermage

This is a facial treatment that is one of the most coveted because it does an almost instant refirming of the skin. Celebrites have also used it on their body to great effect. The old version used to require one taking a sedative or a pain killer, this one does not. Plus one session is all you need and the effects have been known to last for about 3 years, talk about a good, no, a great investment. The cost is about 135-140k but starting bid is at 40k. You can do your research, I think it’s known universally as Thermage NXT-remember it’s the painless version of the well-known non-invasive Thermage treatment!

Custom made long gown

Fashion Design Council of the Philippines board member and award winning designer Tippi Ocampo bring her stylish genius to the forefront by offering to make a custom made gown for the timeless fashionista. The gown pictured is just an example of her work, of course she will tailor make it to your body and taste. Ocampo is a columnist for Metro Magazine and is a fixed figure in Manila’s stylish set. Check our her website as well to see what she can do for you and bid, bid, bid! www.tippiocampo.com

Beautiful items for your home

Old Asia is known for it’s fine home accessories and Cereo candles make delicious smelling and long lasting candles that will lit up any room in your house. This Old Asia Kwan Yin statue is symbolic of peace and divine love and a celebration of the female energy and is akin to a protective talisman in your residence or office.

Cereo candles are a delight to look at and do cast a mouthwater chocolate fragrance when lit. A great 2 for 1 deal that will add a tasteful touch to your surroundings!

Watch yourself

If you want a one of a kind gift for the lady in your life, even if it is you, then this elegant watch would be a great wrist buddy for sure. Charriol is known for its timeless timepieces that can be worn day or night. This can spark up a casual outfit or be a glittering accent to a more formal one.

Rare selenite cluster

I love crystals and selenite is definitely among my must-haves. This is an incredibly rare cluster of golden selenite-which brings about cleaning, healing and because of the golden color, abundance. Perfect for a bedroom, a large living space where a lot of people congregate (like your living room, den, or even entrance to your home) of your office. It acts like a filter for those who enter, cleans another crystals and can help one relax and let go of stress. Again, the golden color adds on to the already beneficial qualities of selenite by attracting prosperity and abundance. The Angel Brigade volunteer who donated this is a true collector so this is a very high quality item.

Professional photo portrait

Pat Dy is one of my favorite fashion and beauty photographers. You may have seen his work in magazines like Metro, Preview and Mega. He lends this same magazine aesthetic to his private portraits and wedding pictures. He is auctioning off 3 hours with him and his creative team to create a once in a lifetime solo pic or, a couple pic. Great for a prenuptial portrait or to commemorate a birthday or an anniversary. You can see more of his work on his website:

http://patdyphotography.com

Accessory Labs you!

Watermelon tourmaline earrings are set in 14k gold to provide some gem-loving to your face. These crystals are wonderful for love and for an overall feeling of prettiness and even offer protection from negativity. Having this combination of crystals and their components is another rare occurrence and is a great pair to wear on a daily basis or when you travel. I am a fan of Accessory Lab because one of its owners is also a crystal aficionado so when she puts together something it’s with healing in mind and with the end goal of giving a long-term effect of positivity on the wearer of her pieces.


Custom made sofa from Nest

I would highly recommend this custom made sofa from NEST. They can make it in black, but I believe if you really want it in another color they would be open to doing that as well. I have been to their store and they really do have some fine pieces and are very quality and quantity conscious so don’t be afraid that you are going to find this piece of work in a mass produced sense. I had several newly married friends eyeing this, I hope one of them gets it so I will have the chance to sit on it when I come to visit!

Beautiful skin with Cosmelan

Dermatologist to today’s beauties, Dra. Aivee Teo put up two services for auction. The first, the painless thermage and now this, the Cosmelan Depigmentation treatment. This is another treatment that can be done once, and you don’t have to do it over and over again like other whitening, illuminating, skin-evening treatments. I’ve tried this one myself and I can guarantee it’s painless and it’s very effective since I did have some uneveness in my skin since I’m always outdoors and forget to put sunblock. Best to try this, at least once in your life to remove past sun damage as well, and blemishes you may have gotten from acne, chicken pox or any other skin ailment before. You can also check out http://aiveeaguilarteo.com for more details on Thermage NXT and Cosmelan.

There are about 20 items in total up for grabs. These are just a few of them, I will post more tomorrow. I do encourage everyone to take a look at The Angel Brigade’s Gratitude Drive in Rockwell. You may not need any of these services or items right now but I’m sure you can think of someone to gift them with. Also, there are many people in need and ALL the proceeds of the auction go to The Malabon Project of Angel Brigade which is in partnership with Escuela Taller Intramuros and World Vision.

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Be an angel to someone else this week!

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 19, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Be an Angel to someone else!

If you’re in the mood to do some good this week, come to Powerplant Mall in Rockwell. The Angel Brigade is celebrating their 1st anniversary with a week long photo and installation exhibit that celebrates all the projects they have done since typhoon Ondoy in 2009. There will also be a silent auction with volunteers donating their services in order to raise funds for Angel Brigade’s ongoing projects. The current project has the Angel Brigade partnered up with Escuela Taller in setting up a livelihood center in Barangay Concepcion in Malabon. Feel free to repost this invitation and do encourage others to keep the spirit of volunteerism alive! See you at the South Court (near Zara) of Powerplant from September 20-26 and take a look at the auction pedestals that will be distributed around the mall. Anyone and everyone welcome to take a look at the exhibit and to bid on items from a Philippe Charriol watch, anti-aging treatments from Dra. Aivee Teo, a custom  made gown by Tippi Ocampo, a portrait by fashion photographer Pat Dy, running lessons from a professional coach, a beautiful three seater sofa from Nest and many other wonderful items.

For more information on The Angel Brigade look for them on Facebook!

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MADE to win!

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 18, 2010 at 3:26 am

I attended the Metrobank’s Foundation Excellence in Art and Design awards and exhibit last night. Suffice to say it was a stellar venue for up and coming artists (both young and old) in the fields of visual arts (painting, sculpture) and practical arts (interior design and architecture) I had the privilege of meeting all the winners this year and attend talks given by senior artist and design practitioners. The actual awarding and display of the winners’ works plus the semifinalists was held at Le Pavillon last night (September 17) and will remain there until the end of the month so I would strongly encourage you to see the works. Great news is that most of the semifinalists’ works are for sale! Since there is no gallery yet to represent the artists the works went pretty much for a song, and I’m happy to say that I hit the right “tune” and helped myself to two beautiful pieces. :-)

In the meantime, take a look at the works that garnered the winners a  place among Metrobank Foundation’s finest:

Ang Hindi Matapus-tapos na Ebolusyon, at ang Walang Katapusang Paghahanap na 'Di Matagpu-tagpuang Langit

This acrylic on canvas by Reynaldo Samson was his quirky take on “religion”. Translated into English it means “The Neverending Evolution and Ceaseless Search for an Elusive Heaven. I quite like it, sadly, all the winning works are not for sale to the public, they will now belong to the foundation, but hey, the winners all get cash prices like Mr. Samson who received 200k as grand prize winner. Not a bad exchange right?

This second image a watercolor by Lester Rodriguez took the grand prize in the Water Media on Paper Category.

The Hidden Agenda

Rodriguez’ work is symbolic of his stand against war and violence. His belief is that for peace to be attained, the production of guns should cease. He will certainly not be favored by rightists and the NRA…but at least he pocketed 200k to help him continue his cause through his art.

Among the visual arts, my favorite medium would have to be sculpture. Sadly, I don’t have a lot of space in my house to literally “house” a big, beautiful piece and I’ve been seeing a lot of work out there that’s spectacular but way over my budget. A person can only dream right? I liked both the works of the Grand Prize and Special Prize winners in the sculpture competition, let me know what you think.

Superhero Complex

I met the Grand Prize Winner, Mr Marc Cosico last night at the opening of the exhibit. He is an arts teacher and he shyly admitted that his students have been texting him their congratulations and saying how they are so proud of him. His work is made out of sealant, yes, like that you put on your roof to keep the rain from coming in. I hope he continues to teach! He explained that this is a depiction of the commercialization of time-honored traditions of the Filipino Culture.

The winner of the special prize is 18 year old Dennis Ticao who hails from Negros Occidental. I thought this showed some depth considering his age, but obviously it rises out of his admitted personal experience with poverty and the struggle to rise above it.

Riders of The Storm

I also thought that the winning work in Architecture was impressive. True green building. According to winner Architect Gelo Manosa, after he built the residence the owner’s electricity and water bills went down tremendously. He champions recycled water usage (dual flush system) and also using materials that will make full use of natural light and ventilation. The inspiration of the design came to him when he was experiencing respiratory problems due to the pollution and dust that surrounded his own residence. This “Private Residence” is in his mind, a representation of a human lung:

Private Residence entrance

Interiors

Great place for a siesta :-D

Apart from the above-posted winning works that I liked. I also saw two pieces from the semi-finalists that I hope will find a happy place in my home very soon :-)

"Panata" by Sariel Ancheta

I really love sculpture pieces and thankfully this is small enough to fit in my place as it’s only 15x7x22.  I liked the way it depicts “Christ” through a taho vendor. Well, that’s my interpretation and that’s what I’m sticking to! LOL. I met the sculptor last night but we didn’t talk about his work, more about his life and that he traveled all the way from Pangasinan just to attend the event.

The second was a painting that I thought was whimsical and playful and more importantly symbolic of manifesting what you truly want:

Thoughts Become Things by Robert C. Raymundo

I have to admit I did enjoy the MADE exhibit as it provided art idiots like myself a chance to see fresh talent and a chance to buy! I’m not saying that the soul in training needs to purchase art in order to feel more alive or happy, but when you see something that calls to you especially in a positive way and then life presents an opportunity to bring it home (plus you help the artist who created it financially) then I feel that’s pretty good karma all around ;-)

Congratulations to all the MADE winners and semi-finalists!

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Flower power can help you bloom inside and out

In Philippine Star Column on September 16, 2010 at 11:49 pm

Several years ago I was in the market for something that would give me regular sleep and just calm me during certain work-related anxieties. I was definitely not looking for prescription medicine and I certainly wasn’t about to go to a shrink for answers. Yoga at that time helped, of course, but it wasn’t as if I could just do a sun salutation series on the office floor or in between meetings, I needed something a little more convenient and safe. An aunt turned me on to her “hobby,” which was Bach Flower Essences or remedies.  She explained to me that this was a homeopathic solution that was beneficial for everyone  and then she pulled out about three boxes of small bottles. Each bottle was labeled with the name of a flower or plant, some of which I had never heard of, like Agrimony, which is supposed to help someone be more truthful about their worries and emotions.  These floral remedies were created by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936) who was born in the UK and practiced Western medicinefor over 20 years until his interest in immunology propelled him to find a more natural way to prevent disease. Bach believed that illness was the result of disharmony between body and mind — an external expression of one’s emotional negative state. He made up his mind to work on his own “cures,” leaving his lucrative London practice to work in Wales and the English countryside.  It was here that he could fully concentrate on finding a new system of healing using plants and flowers. During the spring and summer months he prepared new herbal remedies and in winter he treated patients for free.

Make your own liquid bouquet!

Unlike essential oils that are normally used for aromatherapy (massages, oil burners), Bach Flower remedies are turned into elixirs that you can actually drink. They are mixed with spring water or fresh water (there is a measurement) and you are recommended to take a couple of drops a day, depending on what your requirement is. Dr. Bach came up with 38 essences and later on divided a person’s ailments into seven types, namely fear, uncertainty, lack of interest in the present (perhaps a more formal way of saying ADD or spaced-out), loneliness, over-sensitive to influence and ideas (read: drama queen), despair or despondency, and over-care for the welfare of others (I think this is a nice way of saying mind your own business!). The process of getting your Bach Flower remedy is quite fun, especially since you’re not necessarily limited to one “essence”; you can actually mix and match and come up with your own liquid bouquet.  The first way, or more traditional way, is to choose according to your need from the seven that were indicated above. For example, if it’s loneliness then you can have a nice little mix of Water Violet, which will help you in your relationships with other people, plus a little Heather for those days when you are by yourself for long periods of time.  Bit of a control freak? Then stir up a concoction of  Beech (helps you to become less critical of others) and Vine (respect other people’s ideas and views). Of course, the elixir is more potent when just one is used, but if you are unsure of what it is exactly that ails you, a nice little mix is always helpful. A tip, if you’re not sure, then make an elixir for uncertainty out of Ceranto that claims to help you trust your own judgment in decision making.

The second way, which is what my aunt advised me to do as she laid all the bottles in front of me, was to choose intuitively, in other words, choose by “feeling” what was right for me. I selected two on the basis that they sounded like flowers I would like visually (or the smell of), like wild rose and honeysuckle. Ironically when I was made to read up on them (as my aunt prepared the mix) it did resonate with my experience at the time. Both flower essences were categorized under “insufficient interest in the present moment,” the wild rose was for taking responsibility of your own life, and the honey suckle for letting go of the past — in short, to keep me grounded in the present moment, in the now so to speak and to stop worrying. At that time I was at a crossroads in my career, and I was subconsciously looking for a way to deal with it rather as I was already functioning on a rather apathetic auto-pilot state. In the following weeks I obediently took the elixir every time I felt worried and anxious, especially when I returned home from work. The most immediate effect was that I slept better at night, and the long-term effect was I eventually made the decision to leave my job. Within a month, I was happily surprised by a job offer — one that was certainly nowhere near my expectations at the time. I’m not saying that Bach Flowers are a magic potion and cureall for everything, but in my case, the soothing of my state of mind certainly didn’t hurt, and my change in my overall state probably allowed more beneficial experiences to come in.

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For more information on how to have a Bach Flower Remedy Session in the Philippines contact Tina at 0928-5050202

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