5 Best Apps for your Exercise Regime

If you’re becoming bored with your current exercise regime or just want to track your achievements in a more convenient way, there’s an app that can help you. Today’s modern society allows us to have all of our exercise data in the palm of our hands, allowing us to maintain a consistent routine and achieve our desired results. To make your exercise routine just that little bit better, check out these great fitness apps.

Body Fitness

If you’re lacking motivation or just looking for some new exercises, the ‘Body Fitness’ app will be the perfect addition to your exercise routine. Syncing with your smart phone calendar, the app will track your exercise and keep you up to date with what should come next. More than 300 exercise variations are listed, meaning you’ll never be bored again, while a built in tracker allows you to record and view your weight loss or weight gain achievements. If you’re new to the world of exercise, you’ll also find that each exercise has a detailed description, as well as step by step pictures, showing you how to properly perform the exercise. Whether you’re a gym junkie or just beginning to exercise, this app has everything an exercise regime could need.

Target Weight

Many exercise regimes are created with the goal to either lose or gain weight. The ‘Target Weight’ app allows you to maintain a record of your weight achievements, while also calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI) and an outline of your overall health.

Cycling Plus

The ‘Cycling Plus’ app allows users to virtually subscribe to the number one cycling magazine in Britain. While Cycling Plus may be a British publication, all riders of various skill levels will gain insight and knowledge into the world of riding, along with its phenomenal health benefits. Riding both mountain and road bikes is one the best ways to lose weight, tone muscles and improve your overall health. If you’re looking for an addition to your exercise regime, you can’t go past cycling.

Everywhere Exercise

If you attend the gym religiously, but just aren’t seeing the results that you need, try adding exercise into aspects of your everyday life. The ‘Everywhere Exercise’ app provides helpful hints for exercises that can be done just about anywhere. Tone your tummy while you’re waiting for the bus or get catwalk ready arms while you’re sitting at your desk.

Everyday Health

While this app may not directly target just exercise, it is important to remember that your exercise regime should be teamed with a balanced and nutritious diet. As the name suggests, this app provides detailed information regarding everyday illnesses, along with nutrition information, a way to track your weight loss and information on treating exercise related injuries, such as ankle sprains. Taking care of your body is an important part of every exercise regime, along with variety and a consistent workout schedule. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, check out these great apps today.

Certified Biodynamic Winery

When searching for wines, we should look for a Certified Biodynamic Winery.  Attaining the standard to be a Certified Biodynamic Winery is difficult.  Biodynamic is the highest level of organic farming.  If you think that its simply eliminating synthetic chemicals, you'd be surprised that its only the beginning.  

Benziger Family Winery's Illustration of their Biodynamic system

Biodynamic farming requires an eco-system in the farm land itself for its sustainability.  Instead of bagged fertilizers, they let animals roam free so they can keep the vineyard healthy and balanced.  

A Sonoma biodynamic wine for example is a product of all these tedious process.  By relying solely in nature's ability and capacity, you can only expect the best from it.  It's as true and as natural as you can expect.

Bourne Legacy Movie Review

Being a resident since birth in Manila, Philippines, we couldn't let the Bourne Legacy Movie pass.  This is a sequel to the Bourne Trilogy series but with a new main cast.  Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross takes the limelight as Jason Bourne previously played by Matt Damon was merely mentioned in the movie.

Was it as good as the rest?  Definitely.  Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing did a great job! Of course, you can't expect it to be the same as Matt Damon because he has his own way.   I will be watching movies from Jeremy Renner more in the future.

The action scenes especially the one in Manila is consistent with the style of the Bourne Trilogy. The effects and sounds were excellent.  The setting of Manila is so realistically reproduced.  It showed the characteristics of the Filipino.  Well, except for one part.   There's a scene where a Filipina accuses Dr. Marta Shearing of being a thief.  In realty, if a Filipino will find a foreigner stranger in their home, they will welcome them with excitement and hospitality.

The movie is more focused on the revealing more about the government program rather than the action.  There isn't much going on except for the short chase with a few gun shots.  The ending makes you want to watch the next movie.

Watch Bourne Legacy!

UNIQLO: Donates 3 Million Yen to Philippine Monsoon Relief Flood Victims

Today (August 9, 2012), Uniqlo announced that it will donate 3 Million Yen (1.5 Million in Pesos) to aid flood victims of the Philippine Monsoon in Metro Manila and nearby areas that were inflicted with great damage.

Uniqlo's Chief Operating Office of Fast Retailing Philippines Inc., Katumi Kubota  states that "UNIQLO is saddened by the current natural occurrences in the Philippines, and we would like to express our deep sympathy to all Filipinos who were affected by this calamity. We stand together with our Filipino friends in providing a helping hand."

The donation will be made to the SM Foundation, the socio civic arm of the SM Group of companies, which is the parent company of SM Retail, Fast Retailing's joint venture partner in the Philippines.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under five brands: Comptoir des Cotonniers, g.u., Princesse tam.tam, Theory, and UNIQLO. FR is the world’s fourth largest apparel retail company, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer. With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, FR is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.

Going forward, Fast Retailing will continue to actively provide support to those in need, as part of the group's commitment to act as a global citizen in an ethical manner and with integrity.

Brave: Movie Review in 3D

Pixar's latest creation or should I say Disney's creation is soon to hit the movie theaters and surely enough after seeing its wonderful trailers you'll most likely be anticipating it.




"Brave" is about young Princess Merida who feels that her freedom/life is being taken away by her mother, sounds familiar?  This plot has been retold more than several times, a rebellious kid who tries to make their own path then finds themselves in a predicament in which they'll realize that their parents/elders aren't really trying to make their lives miserable but are just there to give them some guidance.

The movie's target audience will definitely get affected by the moral of the story especially since most teenagers nowadays feels like this.

The animation and graphic is pretty good although I didn't feel that 3D was necessary for the film.  The music is pretty good.

Oh and don't walk out on the post-credits.  It's just a good closing but nothing essential if you did.

Conclusion:
It was a good movie, even with a mediocre plot the feeling and emotional problem will forever be seen in lot of adolescent teens and hopefully they'll soon realize the answer before its too late.

Watch Brave Online!

My interpretation on what being BRAVE meant (by Stacy)
A few days ago when we watched this movie, we were both wondering why it was entitled BRAVE.  Today, I had a talk with my mother and I was reminded of my rebellious teenage years.  I finally understood it.  Being BRAVE isn't about being good with weapons and fighting skills... It's about realizing and accepting our mistakes and swallowing our pride before the damage becomes irreparable.  It takes a lot of BRAVERY to do that.  It is easier to break bonds that to fix it because its easy for pride to comes in the way.  Thus in the movie Merida was presented with an issue that we all struggle in our daily lives... "Mend the bond hurt by pride".

Nuat Thai Tomas Morato: Make Your Own Spa Experiece Promo Package

I've been so busy with school and all my free time is spent on our eat outs.  But, sometimes its good to pamper a bit.  So one weekend, our group decided to pay Nuat Thai Tomas Morato a visit.  We usually go out for some eats but that day was special it was eats then pamper. =D

Nuat Thai Tomas Morato is located at the corner of Scout Limbaga and Tomas Morato just beside Congo Grille.  It was also opposite Cerchio Grill & Lounge.  Although the signage is located at the lower level, the spa occupies two floors to cater to their clients demands.

 

Since the first floor was full of clients, we were only able to view the second floor.  It looked clean, elegant and cozy like a luxurious spa.  We were told that celebrities frequent there too.  As we glanced on their price list, we found out that they had a wide range of services for an affordable price.

The boys were easy to please.  They wanted an aromatherapy massage and that's it.  But for us ladies, we wanted to avail a lot more.  Studying all day has made my back ache so I wanted to enjoy a full body massage.  I also want a body scrub.  I intended to get some natural scrub by the beach last summer but Kurt and I couldn't fit it on our schedule.  My girl friends also want to avail of a variety of services.  We were all having a hard time deciding when they told us that they have a "Make Your Own Spa Experience" promo package.

We were all delighted because for 700 php or 1,150 php, we could already avail of three different services.  We've been to other spas before and for an ambiance offered especially the partitioning of the rooms, it usually costs a thousand for a body massage alone.

To aid our decision, they had this little bottles were we could sample the smell of their scrubs.  After a few minutes, we told them our options.

I chose the following package: (1,150 php - That's 150 php savings!)

• Asian Espresso Detox Body Ritual (600 php)
• 1 Hour Swedish Massage (350 php)
• Asian Espresso Detoxifying Foot Paraffin (350 php)

On the other hand, Berylle availed of a somewhat similar package: (1,150 php - That's 190 php savings!)

• Royal Contour Body Ritual (650 php) 
• 1 Hour Swedish Massage (350 php)
• Orly Manicure and Pedicure (340 php)

My friend Sumi availed a different package:  (700 php - That's 80 php savings!)

• Pomegrate Dead Sea Salt Foot Ritual (300 php)
• 1 Hour Thai Foot Massage (250 php)
• Kleancolor Manicure and Pedicure (230 pp)

After a few minutes, we were individually escorted to our own rooms where our pampering session awaits us.  We entered into the stoney steps passing by several partitioned rooms.  

 

Some of the rooms have the flat bed for Thai massages which requires a lot of stretching.  While the other rooms have Swedish beds for the Swedish massage and body scrubs.  They also have rooms with salon chairs and lazy boy chairs for their hand, foot and nail services. 

Kurt was taken to a room with a flat bed for his Aroma Therapy Massage.  On the other hand, Berylle and I were taken to a room with plastic covered Swedish bed for our Body Scrub.

Aroma Therapy Massage (550 php)
The  Aroma Therapy Massage is a 1 hour and 30 min massagewith a mix of both Swedish Massage and Shiatsu. At the very end , a warm aromatic bean bag back massage was performed that soothed both the body as well as the mind. 

Asian Espresso Detox Body Ritual Kit

Asian Espresso Detox Body Ritual
My therapist named Siaska was very courteous.  She asked me if the temperature of the wet towel was okay with me and I affirmed.  Then, she applied some pressure and asked if that was also good with me and I likewise agreed.  As she proceeded, I found myself relaxed in a half nap as I floated away with the calming instrumental music resting my body over the soft bedding.  She first applied the cleanser gently and then the body scrub which was brushed all over my body.   Then, my entire body was moisturized and coated with a mask.  I was then wrapped and rolled for 20 mins.  Now I know what a sushi feels like... It was kind of comforting. =p

After my detox, I was led to the shower area where I washed the white mask off my skin and prepared for my Swedish massage.

1 Hour Swedish Massage
The same therapist performed my Swedish Massage.  This time, I found myself asleep except for the part where I felt some bone crunching.  After our massage, I was asked if I wanted some juice or tea and I chose the latter.

Asian Espresso Detoxifying Foot Paraffin 
After getting dressed, I was led to a room where the lazy boy chairs were for my foot paraffin.  This was my first time to try it.  My foot theraphist Len gently massaged my foot and dipped some part of it into a wet liquid to ask if the temperature was okay.  As I gave her the go signal, she continue to dip it into the clear  substance which I soon found out was the paraffin wax as my foot turned white with its coating.

Now this scenario looked familiar to me... Ever watched "Wanted" where Angelina Jolie would dip her whole body in the wax wherever she was wounded?  I never understood the reason for it until I researched using Nuat Thai Tomas Morato's FREE wifi about it while detoxifying. =D  It turns out that the paraffin treatment can help ease tense muscle and tissues making them heal faster and become softer.  It has been used since ancient Roman times too.

My feet was then plastic wrapped and clothed into a foot mitten.  And, it was left like so for about 20 minutes.

When Len came back, she removed the plastic and the paraffin wax from my foot as if it was a sock.  It was removed in one piece without any residue.

I couldn't believe how soft my feet was.  It felt like baby skin. It was so smooth and silky.  My feet also felt relieved free from all the walking and shoe pains.

As soon as I was finished, I checked out how my friend Berylle was doing and I suddenly envied her for her manicure.  It was beautifully done.

Nuat Thai Tomas Morato
277 Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Limbaga Street, (Beside Congo Grille)
Quezon City, Philippines
(02) 413-1446
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