Fucoxanthin: an underrated weight loss supplement

How I've managed to understand the supplements that media does not even advertise? It was when I had reached my breaking point of disbelief on slimming pills such as L-carnitine, Garcinia Cambogia and even laxatives. It was at this point when I started to understand how the slimming industry has its own set of secrets--things it does not want us to know more about.  

What is Fucoxanthin?

If I were to explain this substance to a fifth-grader, I'd say, fucoxanthin is a pigment extracted from the brown seaweed. Just like orange juice from orange or pineapple juice from pineapple, fucoxanthin is like a juice from the brown seaweed that's been dried then powdered.  People have preferences and not all forms may be as potent as the other form, the powdered form is considerably good for weight loss. 

Just like anthocyanin, beta carotene and many others, fucoxanthin functions on a different level. Foods function differently to help the body in several ways; water quenches thirst, eggs provide vitamin D and carrots supply beta carotene for the eyes. In the case of fucoxanthin, tt aids in weight loss just like how L-carnitine works but the only plot twist is this: you don't need to workout so hard just to lose weight. 

What can go wrong with L-carnitine supplements?

This post only focuses on my experience with L-carnitine, and I don't aim to blur out people's experiences on the effectivity of l-carnitine. 

I've studied biochemistry and we were presented with the l-carnitine pathway. What is a pathway? So it's like your route when you're going to a party from work: you change clothes, commute, apply make-up and arrive at the party looking glamorous. Each step is accompanied with energy changes and material reformations. For l-carnitine to work its wonders, one must be efficient with working out and working out requires energy. Each time you workout, energy is released. Just like when one changes outfits, something is taken off while another replaces it. 

I admire people like trainers because they are always on the go. They are always needy for energy but on a different perspective, there are those who just sit on their desks for 8 hours a day. L-carnitine may be efficient but logically, there must be energy involved for it to work its wonders. The currency is evidently energy and energy becomes dull in an 8-hour shift, from monday to friday. 

How has fucoxanthin helped me lose weight?

Before reading this section, I'm hoping that you've done your fair share of googling. More than just the identity of fucoxanthin, we all know how studies show the indirect relationship between weight loss and the concentration of fucoxanthin. Just before I've decided to write something about fucoxanthin, I've also done the necessary evil of googling and pinterest-ing about fucoxanthin; if it's safe, how many mg should I drink, is it related to l-carnitine, etc. 

This is a work in progress and there are two types of fucoxanthin in the market: the legit and the fake ones. That's correct. There are fake products out there and we all have to guard our wallets and savings from those by checking comments and feedback from customers. 

• It gives me this metallic taste in my tongue making me feel a huge decline in my appetite for almost everything. 
• I have concerns on hyperacidity (but not that it's something genetic or hereditary) but with a metallic taste, I just kept on drinking water. If you want to ask me, I drink at least 5 liters of water a day. It's like 70% lukewarm water and 30% cold water. 
• Lower calorie intake led me to longer fasting periods just simply because I wasn't hungry at all. 
• There were those moments were I gorged on food but I ended up vomiting them all. I'm not certain on this but if this is part of the mechanism of fucoxanthin, then it definitely regulates what goes in. 

Daily dosage: 500 mg of fucoxanthin

Time: AM

Empty stomach: Yes

Brand: MAX SLIM

What is the importance of the time you drink it? Let me share with you my experience. I tried drinking it before sleeping and I ended up palpitating. It may act like a stimulant like how caffeine activates the central nervous system. However, I just palpitated until I drank voluminous amounts of lukewarm water.  So that's the story. 

I drink it on an empty stomach coupled to fasting periods because it works well. Most bodies are highly effective in absorbing nutrients when at a fasted state. Before I forget, less is actually more. 500 mg dosage on a daily basis worked wonders and having 1,000 mg seem to have reversed the process of losing weight. 

If you have questions, I'd love to answer them in here. Thank you 

What I think of the NO RICE DIET?

The asian family

Inherent to Asian culture, rice has always been a staple diet for centuries. Every meal seems to be non-existent without a cup of freshly cooked rice where one sees the steam on top of it. I personally have known this culture where my family cooks the rice beforehand above everything else. When I was in fourth grade, I woke up at 5 in the morning just to cook rice for my siblings (I'm the eldest of 4). I'm sure so much weight had been put on my shoulders especially if I failed to push the "cook" button in the rice cooker. They may say how fortunate I am to be in the 90s where rice cookers have been revamped from its predecessor. 

Now, how did I come up with this no rice diet? I've heard numerous stories from people. I'm already 30 years old and imagine the numerous tales that I've come across with on how they've always wanted to try the no rice diet but it just seems like a mission impossible? 

The difficulty of the no rice diet

Reaching for the stars. The human mind always tries to skip the process, and it makes me sad. We got so accustomed to the elevator to success where it takes seconds before we see the breathtaking view. However, it may seem lovely in movies, fictional as it is and in reality, this doesn't happen. We love to be on top of the world. I get that feeling to be honest. We do everything to skip the ads, do shortcuts and just live happily ever after. 

Do not worry. If there is anything that I am sharing with you, it's not the difficulty but what I did to overcome the mountain of work to achieve it. 

October 2017: 1 cup of rice every single day. 

November 2017: 1/2 cup of rice every day. 

December 2017. 1/4 cup of rice every day. 

As you can see, I didn't jump into shallow waters. I didn't take the elevator. I took baby steps until my body got accustomed to this so-called deprivation. I love to say it but its definitely a form of deprivation from something that's culturally inherent in me and my family and something that had been my best friend each meal.

Mistake of most people

People take huge leaps only to find out on how unsustainable it is in the long run. You may survive day 1 without rice. You may fully document it on social media but how long are you able to keep up with this regimen? If you are doing this, I suggest that you take baby steps and slowly get rid of the bad foods in your diet. Nothing is actually arduous if you don't let your body feel. Law of inertia. I remember those typical physics examples where a huge weight lies on a sheet of paper and the teacher removes this paper without the slightest movement (on the macro scale) from this pile of weights. 

The law of substitution works only if you substitute rice with a better and healthier meal. Replacing your rice meal with cookies or a dashing slice of luscious chocolate cake is abhorrent. I've tried that a couple of times as I've tried to tweak my brain that I won't get fat yet sugar inevitably beefed me up to my 90+ kgs weight. 

If you are just starting on this no rice regimen, here are just some of my tips: 

1. Staggered descent. 

What do I mean by this? slowly decreasing your rice intake on a daily basis. That table may have worked for me but you may tweak it or customize it. Above it all, you know your body more than anyone else. I am simply writing this from my experience. 

2. Best substitute

The best substitute for rice was protein, water and brewed coffee. In all honesty, it was hard at first. When the going gets rough, the rough gets going. If you don't train your body, your body will be your master and you'll drool at every food you'll see every time. 

3. Hydrate yourself

No matter how I try to put it, water's properties will always be good for the body. We are at this region of modernization where thousands of studies have proven how important water is. In my case, I always try to drink lukewarm water.  

Rice remains staple and fundamental in every asian family. However, I have chosen a non-linear view towards dieting and rice was one of the first things in my bucket list. My game plan worked and I'm sure you'll also reach it by not giving up.

Authorization letters and documents.

Hello readers, 

This is not a guide in making an authorization letter. I can make another post for you, but basically, this post gives you the best advice from someone whose life had been too focused in government paper works. 

This also works for students with English major courses wanting to know the basics and real-life qualifications of authorization letters. 

What does a valid ID indicate? 

• a clear face picture
• the person's clear First Name, Middle Initial and Last Name
• Agency (whether SSS, PAGIBIG or PHILHEALTH) 
• Clear signature

Here's a sample Valid ID (Which is no longer valid now since I have already graduated)

Front & Back

Why need an authorization? 

• When the original person is not geographically available
• When the person is busy, while you are free (make sure you are at least 18 years old).

This screenshot below is an authorization letter for my mother's Globe Bill. 

What things should you bring when you are authorized to do government transactions? Here's a checklist. 

• Photocopy of the person's Valid ID with three replicate signatures of the owner. You can read my previous post about PHILHEALTH and claiming your MDR right here. Getting MDRs for patients had been a walk in the park as long as you have the right documents. 
• Your own Valid ID (see earlier photo) and make sure your name is correctly spelled as most government IDs are prone to typographical errors.
• Authorization letter stating the purpose of the authorization, the name of the authorizing person and the authorized (who happens to be you). 
• Cedula (this is only needed when claiming for someone else's last pay check) 
• Affidavit duly authorizing you (this is again for claiming anything monetary by nature) and this should be duly notarized. 

These are all the things that are common for any authorization request involving you as the legal representative of somebody. 

Points to note: 

• This blog post doesn't cover major legal cases where affidavits duly notarized are involved. 
• This post focuses on major authorization for government papers such as PAGIBIG, SSS, PHILHEALTH and any other protocol requiring the presence of the involved person. 
• This is a general approach and is based on major government protocols that I was the authorized person or representative. 

Should you have major concerns, please write down your comments and questions. 

Feel free to share this post to a friend. 

Eldee. 

Room for rent in Cebu City

Room for Rent

Location: Middle Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City (6000)

Qualifications: 

• Students are highly welcome. 
• Professionals working around IT park or Escario should rent in this area. 
• No gender discrimination. 

Notes: 

• One month advance, one month deposit. 
• Contact this number 09173064283 for the prices per room. 
• Transients are also accepted. 
• Paypal or credit card payments are not yet available as for now. 
• You can request for an airconditioned room. 
• Rent already includes electricity. 
• Near JY Square Mall, Dolce, Mercedes Benz and IT Park. 

Amenities: 

Comfort Room

Stairs (to Room 2 and 3) and Living Room: 

The living room has a fresh space for studying and a terrace that's overviewing. The area is called Plaza housing and this can be conducive to those: 

• reviewing for the upcoming board exams
• students from far-flung places

Galleries: 

The view from the terrace. (This three-storey building has the top most floor with three rooms)

Room number 1

Room number 2

Room number 3

Thanks for reading and share this post to your friends. Inquire early to have the room reserved in advance. 

Thank you for the broken heart.

Hi there friends. 

I am now writing another crazy post about those lovely things I've learned in love. Yes. Those before and after a jigsaw relationship (it all hurts just the same). I ain't no stranger to that tingling sensation and I would want to let everybody know how thankful I am being way stronger than how I was before. 

Hence, thank you for breaking my heart and letting me realize how powerful I was to stand back on my knees. 

1. Don't expect too much. Live in the moment and let tomorrow handle its own worries. So much for worrying yourself to death, whatever is fated (or destined) will always find its way back to you. Enjoy every single second where God only knows how long he or she will be there to teach you a lesson. 



2. Be the right person for him or her and please stop finding the right person when you can't even be the right person. Sounds fair, right? 

If all you think about is yourself, to be happy and to smile all the time, then you are a certified selfish person. You are and you will be not until the time you hit your head at a boulder. That hard to make you realize that love is not all about self-gratification (try masturbating instead) but rather making your partner happy and contented with you. 

When you finally got that light bulb moment that LOVE IS PATIENT, then wait for the right person to come. Wait for the right moment to be fully mature of what you want. You can't forever run in circles, right? 

3. Trust that person. Never make yourself a cry-baby at the last page of your so-called relationship book. Trust him or her with all your heart; the same level of trust you give to our father in heaven. Trust and have faith. 

If you want to avoid a lifetime of regret, then trust this person. 

4. Spend the right time for yourself and for the other people in your life. Do not throw that energy ball of time for that person. He or she is only a parcel of your life. We may want to be as cheesy as we ought to be, but please. be realistic. I've learned this the hard way. Never, ever lose your bestfriends and so as your precious time with your family. 

That weird transition from one relationship to another, our crying pillows are our friends and perhaps even our dearest brother or sister. There's more to life than love and hence, don't make this your post-doctorate degree. 

5. Never tie a knot around his or her neck. The chicken with that awesome tight rope around his or her neck will easily fall prey to other predators. 

Be possessive at an installment basis. 

6. Support his or her hobbies. Whether it be witchcraft, or walking the dogs to the park or twerking, please. Isolation will make him or her alienated to his or her own world. You'll be the new ecosystem with a new equilibrium which will take another looooong time.
Respect the things he want. If he jogs, then let him be. If he reads a book or drinks a gallon of milk, then throw out all your love and support. 

7. Learn to walk away, sometimes. You deserve somebody better and brighter. I meant this big time and it won't hurt to know if this person is indeed WILLING TO FIGHT FOR YOU in the end. Willing to give up his pair of slippers to walk a mile chasing after you. 

Life is too short. Spend it with the right fit. 

8. Be healthy and live healthy. Okay, I get it. I get it. you are now entirely happy now that you've settled down. But fat is always fat. If you want to add more years to your self-esteem, then do some sit-ups or jog yourself to take the toxins away. 

9. Never cheat on him or her. If you plan out to go on a long long number of years with this person, then right from the start, let the ball roll at the right direction. 

If you love this person, then you are expected to be serious. :)

10. Actions speak louder than words. Don't be martyr and believe everything he says. use your head also but DO NOT OVERTHINK. 

Connecting the dots may had been that childhood hobby but right now, please connect the right dots and not the wrong circumstances which may lead to an overwhelming revolution. 

11. Do not overthink. Nobody is exempted in this post. Please stop overthinking and your neurons will have an early death. I've tried and tested this and it only brings forth unwanted imaginations and unnecessary connecting the dots. 

12. Mothers still know thy best. Our mothers have lived more years than us. They have a more naturalistic instinct when it comes to this gut feeling. 

My mom already warned me ahead of time. But as young as I was and as rushing I wanted to be, I went for the catch and it was a trap.

This is really true. Most of the time, our mothers feel an impending danger that our young hearts are too in-love to sense. (Love is blind)

13. Never ever put breaking up as an option. Don't tell me that you signed up for a contract just to terminate that contract EASILY? Don't be stupid. Fight for for him (or her). 

14. Never EVER account this and that. What do I mean by this? Well, money becomes an issue. The things that we did to him (or her) become an issue. I've done this a million times and I ended up saying more than I've planned. You will hurt that person, right? 

And this is now a word war. Unless you are both by profession accountants. 

15. Texting others while having a lovely dinner. Courtesy please. 

16. Love yourself. 

Thanks for reading. :) 

A guide for your post office items

Hi, if you've read my previous posting about getting a court clearance, then this post should be handy, too. 

Here's a checklist for you; if you ordered items through these online shops: 

1. Aliexpress.com
2. Amazon.com (in most cases, its vendors don't ship to the Philippines and you'll need another third party shipper)
3. Ebay.com
4. And other international shops. 

I am writing this just in case you feel your items are lost in space or if you get pieces of notification papers from PHILPOST. 

Note: If you ordered items through Lazada, ZALORA and other local shops, you'll have these delivered right to you. 

1. Go to the POST OFFICE if you get a paper from the PHILPOST. 

The lightweight items go directly to your address. 

Experience: My mom ordered a waterproof bluetooth speaker manufactured in Sweden and it arrived earlier than the promised 60 days delivery period. We got a notification paper but no mention of what items are to be claimed. 

2. Go to the PHILPOST location and bring with you Valid IDs and the piece of paper. 

Check this google map for more information. I will be making another blog post about the authorization documents needed, just in case.

This photo below shows the far-end view of the PHILPOST office near the Malacañang of the south (near the famous SRP). More or less, this office is boxed out in the Plaza Independencia (kamo nay bahala label on this dating spot). 

PS: Thank you google for another innovation for everybody. 

This photo below with some guidelines and flowcharts to guide everybody.

3. Go the far-end counter to line up. Make sure you already have a photocopy of your valid IDs at this phase.

Note: the in-charge will ask you to photocopy your ID so be a boy or girl scout. I have a photocopy below FYI. 

4. If it's your turn now, give the letter plus your photocopy of valid ID. You will be asked to write down your name in a series of logbooks and sheets of paper. 

Reminder: You will only photocopy ONCE regardless of the number of items to claim. Patience is a virtue and wait while the guy searches for the parcels. 

5. Pay the needed fees .

Duties: Php 112.00 ($2.50, £1.54)

Postal Stamp Fee: Php 56.00 ($1.24, £0.77)

Total fees: Php 168.00 ($3.73, £2.31) per item(depending on the weight of each item)

After paying these, you get these papers below. 

This is a simple guide to claiming your items. Feel free to share this post to people and don't forget to comment. 

Eldee

Relationship goals

I am writing this great list of goals that every other couple should reconsider.

Take care of dogs. 

1. Locate the karaoke spot in each town. By this would mean being crazily singing our hearts out and crying out those pressures and stressors. Singing is the best way to make us feel alive. I don't have 'that' kind of voice, but singing is one mutual hobby that me and my partner have in common. Monotony should already be in the background right at this time (whether you be at the first month or the fifteenth year!)

2. Take care of a Chow Chow and Siberian Husky. Believe it or not, one good gauge to know if the person you're marrying (ahem) is already mature is to have these selfish pets rampaging in your living room! You'll know the adverse effects whether you can live with him or not in your wildest dreams! 

3. Watch a John Mayer concert in the Philippines--TOGETHER. Why John Mayer? I also do not know. Please don't ask again. Thanks. 

4. Try a cliff dive jump shot. This is worth a shot and any trick with a jump will be worth that hashtag #relationshipgoals and no longer the #squadgoals. 

5. Have #couplefies in all the 44 municipalities of Cebu. And we mean this. Wherever you are, try taking good couple photos at all the places you've been to and make a good mosaic out of it. A good anniversary gift. lol

6. Create a simple youtube video saying "I love you and I need you". This is too cheesy but who says being cheesy is an exemption and an alibi? Now do it. I haven't done this honestly. 

7. Merge up a good business venture. Do this please if you think this person is already an inseparable part of you. If not yet, then think again and you'll be donating money to the drain. Perfect. 

8. Wear a couple shirt in a wonderful Valentine's evening. This would make both of you a laughing stock but, who cares anyway? There's now two of you in the world. 

9. Try that weird love padlock ritual in Korea. If this does not work, try cutting it with a saw just in case of emergency. Hello Stranger (a thai film) inspired me, actually. 

10.Climb one of the highest mountains and I am thinking of Mt. Fuji. At the top of it, you can propose. Lels. 

That's all for now. I will add more to this should I see more crazy tricks to either upload to your instagram accounts or spice up your pre-nuptial video. 

Thanks for reading.