Spectacular Dead Sea

We arrived, checked-in and then floated.

the tourists

We payed, calculated the time, and planned.

capturing arrival moments

We escaped, enjoyed, and experienced.

 We learned, read, and had fun.

under the heat of the sun

using the hotels facilities

We laughed, cried and laugh out loud.

experienced mud-packing benefits

floated

We played, captured photos and smiled.

We spend, got tired yet happy.

We dined.

We viewed and sighted. We posted.
Please also check My Travel In Style

To learn more about me The blogger.

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Meatless Mondays the Filipino Style

Supporting the Meatless Monday campaign is another way of supporting healthy living for Filipinos.

Meatless Monday is now being adapted in the Philippines. This is also known as Luntiang Lunes. The government is encouraging everybody to eat healthy vegetables during Mondays and resume the regular meaty meals the next days. Monday because it is believed to be the start of the working week so you must be energized to start a happier healthy week.

I am starting my Meatless Mondays tomorrow and getting excited what to cook. I have decided to cook eggplant salad or ensaladang talong.

This is how to make this simple recipe. There are lots of variations of making it and this is how I'll making them tomorrow.

• Grill two medium sized eggplants. Peel and set aside. Chop onions and tomatoes (bite-size cubes). mix the three ingredients. Add a spoonful of white vinegar, salt and ground pepper to taste. Add ginisang bagoong (optional). then mix. Serve and enjoy.

I know this is usually used  as a side dish but I eat them as viand.

I am also imagining meatless mungbean soup or shall I call it luntiang monggo na may kamatis :)

• Soak mungbeans/monggo overnight or atleast three hours. Boil it until  cooked. Strain and set aside. Cut onions and mince garlic.Saute onions and garlic. Add cooked monggo.then mash atleast 2/3 of the monggo to create a thick soup texture. Add 1 1/2 cup of water . Add slices of tomatoes then let it simmer for ten minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. I also add chicken cubes or ginisa mix to flavor the soup. You can also add green leafy vegetables if you want such as pechay. Serve hot with steamed rice.

I think I am ready for Meatless Mondays. By that time, I might be encouraged to consider Meatless Wednesday too.

How about you? What will be your Meatless Monday Recipes?

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How to Treat Stomatitis (Singaw)

Stomatitis or singaw is commonly described as painful mouth ulcers that could be found on the gums, inner sheeks, tongue, lips or palate. This tiny little enemy in the mouth causes you losing appetite and and even talking.

There are different causes of stomatitis. It could be viral, bacterial, simply mouth irritation, or cold sores. Unlike the first three causes, cold sores (also known as fever blisters)  are contagious. This is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1.

Treatment of stomatitis should be depended on the root cause of the sore. Below are the different treatment for the common symptoms of stomatitis.

To ease the pain and inflammation, try applying the following strategies :

• avoid spicy foods, hot beverages, and citrus fruits and drinks
• suck on ice popsickles or gargle on cold water

To treat the possible infection, you may do the following:

• rinse mouth with 1 cup of cold water with a tablespoon of salt. Do its as often as you can. Salt acts as an antiseptic.
• using hydrogen peroxide is also one way of killing bacteria. with 1:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water, you already have an antibacterial mouthwash
• baking soda with water (1:1 ratio) is also one suggested treatment for mouth ulcers
• antiviral medications as recommended by physician. 

To relieve the pain,  you can you the following as per physician's advise :

• tylenol
• topical anesthetic agent such as lidocaine, or xylocaine
• topical corticosteroid preparations.

Boost your immune system with:

• Adequate fruits and vegetables
•  proper exersice and adequate rest and sleep

Stomatitis, or mouth ulcers should no longer than 2 weeks , even without treatment. If still persists, you better have an appointment with your physician about proper assessment and management.  Some patients with mouth ulcers needs deficiency test for vitamin B 12 or folate.

However, the most important thing to do is to perform frequent mouth care not only concerning your teeth but also to your gums, palate, and tongue. Soft bristled toothbrush is advisable to clean your teeth and slight sweeping on the gums and tongue. Proper mouth rinsing is also recommended. Also, you must avoid alcohol based mouthwashes..

Thanks for reading.

Please check also out  Yvonne Tuguinay to learn more about me and what I do. Thanks.
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SWA Pay Plan 1 and Pay Plan 2 Combined

To those people who are excited like me about what Supreme wealth Alliance can offer, here's the pay plan 1 and pay plan 2 combined. Enjoy watching this animated video...

Myths About The Nursing Profession

“I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it.”
Ray Bradbury (born 1920);Author

As a nurse, I am bothered  with the different rumors about the nursing profession. Parents and students are mislead to the following myths. They enroll themselves to nursing from a wrong idea.

 From the myths that I'll be mentioning below, you might be NOT be surprised at all. Probably, a lot of you would agree with. These myths are more applicable for Filipino nurses.

1. It is a guarantee that after passing the NLE, I'll immediately have a nursing career due to nursing shortages.  Passing the board exam does not necessarily mean that you are what the employer is looking for. Expertise/ knowledge about the nursing job is important. Interviews would always ask for experiences that would prove that you are ready to apply for the job. However, showing willingness to learn and respect for your superiors will always show humility and dedication which works for some employers. It is always best to continue education by attending masterals or even joining significant and updated seminars related to nursing skills.

2. Nursing career will make you rich. It is not the career which will make you rich but your attitude towards success. Some nursing jobs abroad offers high paying nursing positions but this means you have to have significant years experiences and knowledge towards the jobs. Not all nurses who work abroad are high-payed. Newly graduate nurses who have no paid experiences (even how long your volunteer experience will not be considered) have lesser salary compared to nurses with paid experiences. Remember that there is always a beginning for everything.

3. You must be a volunteer to become nurse. In the Philippines set-up, most newly graduate nurses are into volunteering works in government hospitals. But, not all of the hospitals who accept volunteers would make you a regular staff nurse. However, I am not saying that volunteering work is not encouraged. Some volunteers use this opportunity to learn the skills in a hospital set-up working with real patients and equipments.

4.  Nurse shortages guarantee more nursing job offers. Philippines have large numbers of Filipino nurses and increasing every year. It is true that a lot of the hospitals have low number of nurses but it does not necessarily mean that they are offering/ accepting nurse applicants. This is the reason why some nurses go abroad to continue their nursing career. While, some nurses practice a different job not related to nursing such as call center agents, medical representatives, and ESL teachers,etc.,

5. A nurse always practices in a hospital setting. The hospital is just one of the areas where a nurse can practice her profession. Nursing can be as exciting and flexible for you can work as a nurse in different places. Nurses can work as an Company Nurse/ Occupational Nurse, Clinic Nurse, Travel Nurse, Nurse Corp, and many more.

Nurses, let not these myths hinder you from reaching your dreams. Nursing Profession has a lot to offer. It is true that this is not an easy job. This job needs dedication just like other profession. Nursing needs nurses who truly care and who aims for the good of her patients.

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Life after Nursing Licensure Examination

It's been four years after I took the Nursing Licensure Exam. I began to ask myself where am I now?

Being a nurse in the Philippines is somewhat challenging. Aside from thousands of graduating nurses every year, competing with experience, intelligence and surviving the unending requirements from the agency are just some of the stressors of a newly graduate nurse.

 Do we really have to plan what to do next after the licensure exam? I didn't have much plans before. Ending in a stable job was my goal but I really have never known how to start this career.

It took me a year to volunteer in the different hospitals in our town, both public and private. I also worked as an on-call clinic nurse and a private duty nurse. I'm glad I worked with good and and highly skilled nurses. With them I was able to enjoy those unpaid services I've made. In return, learning by experiencing theories with the real patients was the real catch.

Thanks to the unending love and support from my mom. I was able to pay my lunch, pay my fare,  uniforms, and too many to mention (not to mention the registration fee for the volunteering).

Luckily, Jordan Hospital and Medical Center hired Filipino nurses and I was one of them who landed the job. Three years contract! But I still took it. The job is located in the Middle East but  I still said yes. I'll be away from my family but still accepted the job.

Till now, I never had a vacation in my country. I have to pay my plane tickets on my own if ever I want to, which would be equivalent to 4-5 months salary. Okay let's stop to that. No more complaining. Ten months more then I'll be home sweet home.

So here I am in my first paid job. I really never expected to be like this. Sabi nga, walang trabahong madali, ganito pala ang maghanap-buhay. Smile, another complaining.

 Anyway, I love nursing. For now, I'm too young to quit. I'm so energized  to lose hope. I'm hungry for new learning (sad to say, I did not attend the free ACLS lecture today). My skills are sayang if I will quit (naman!). My pledge (oath) as a professional nurse has to remain as a pledge at least 7 times I will renew my license.

Suzzane Gordon states “Nursing is a package of medical, technical, caring, nursing know-how — that nurses save lives, prevent suffering, and save money.”

save lives, prevent suffering, and save money

Save money! Oh, yes! Nurses must know a lot of remedies while the medication is not at hand, before a diagnosis and treatment of an ill should be made. Understanding what the environment can offer to decrease high body temperature. Instructing patients that handwashing should be a habit. Some fruits and vegetables which are high in vitamin C must be eaten. These are just examples of saving money for the patients or patients to-be.

Life after the NLE is to become a nurse. However, I'm not saying it's a must. A lot of Filipino professional nurses ended up as a rich call-center agent, excellent richer ELS teachers and some richest networking marketers. These were their choice but ended happy and contented. For the surviving nurses on the nursing field, just keep competing!

Be motivated! There is so much ahead of us. Breathe. Attend to your needs. Eat for atleast 20 minutes. Empty your bladder atleast 2 times your shift! Imagine a nursing job that pays you satisfaction.

Be educated! Don't stop learning. Attend seminars. Read books. Watch related videos about a skill. Ask your seniors about updates. Read new branded medications. Sacrifice atleast 10 minutes for research.

Be inspired! think about your family. Connect with them when you are away.Think of the places you want to travel. Read hirings  for nurses which is suitable for your needs. Connect with people who are humble and  generous of their time to teach you new things.

Learn to do new other things besides nursing the sick. Plan for small business. Save money for adventures. Earn for your future family. Invest. Think wide. Plan for an early retirement.

Build a positive attitude! Cleaning the poop is not the only thing we can offer. There's more. Let us smile and be fruit full of our work. Refrain from complaining even if you want to tell the patient,  "it's already end of my shift, let the next shift nurse help you about it(I've tried that and it didn't feel good at all)".

These are just some of the things we should focus on. Love our selves as we love our work. The patients gave us our job. Yes, I have to remind myself all of these things. let us motivate each other.

Attention nurses, take full advantage of whatever opportunity has to offer.

If you want to know what I do besides nursing, please check more About Me

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ARE YOU READY TO DONATE BLOOD?

Yesterdays blog was about the benefits of Blood Donation. Are you curious how is the actual donation? Before that, you must ask yourself first if you really are into it!

 Be prepared!

Ask the following questions to yourself. If your answer is yes then you are ready to donate :)

 1. Are you ready for a large bore needle? :) Don't worry. That pain/ sacrifice can make a difference! It can take you around 20 minutes to fill a blood bag. And it takes a lifetime to feel great about saving a life.

2. Are you willing to donate without monetary incentives? This is a voluntary work. Consent are being taken before the procedure.

3. Are you 18 year old and above? If no, consent must be taken from your parents to allow you to donate.

4. Are you happy of helping other people to make a difference?

5. Do you think you are fit enough to donate? No infectious blood related diseases?

If all of your answers are yes! then You might be the one the red cross is looking for!

Join us now!

Also check:  The Benefits of Donating Blood

If it happens that this article helped you in some way, please like my fan page below ;)

I have decided to blog more about health related topics to promote health education. As a nurse in an Arab country, I have a hard time imparting my knowledge about health related issues specifically on nursing care due to the language. Blogging is one way of supporting information dissemination so I decided to start writing about health issues. If you want to know more about me, please don't hesitate to check my ABOUT ME PAGE