Dealing with Hormonal Imbalance

When we hear the word “hormone,” it usually carries a negative connotation. People typically associate hormones with menopausal women and the difficulties they may suffer.

Hormones are incredible chemical messengers in our body that affect our brain, heart, bones, muscles  and reproductive organs and are an essential part of the workings of every cell in the human body.  Hormones work best when balanced.

According to Dr. Mary Jane "MJ" Torres, owner and head doctor of The Zen Institute Medical Spa, hormonal changes can affect any one, male, female, young and old.  

"Most people associate it with menopausal women. But this is not true. You can be deficient even if you are as young as 30 years old.  And it’s not only women, even men can suffer from hormonal deficiency, "she said. 

She added that common problems among males like baldness, flabby muscles, slow recovery from strenuous physical activity or low sexual libido, can actually be caused by hormonal imbalance. Several factors can affect the body's ability to produce hormones. Unhealthy lifestyle associated with stress and poor diet can hamper the body's chemical balance. 

To replenish the hormones back to its normal state Dr. MJ recommends Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, also known as BHRT. 

Available at Zen Institute Medical Spa, bioidentical hormones are made from plant extracts yet possess the same chemical structure as human hormones.  "It is exactly the same as the hormones that our body  produces that is why it is called bioidentical" she explained. Taken in supplement form, the therapy is uniquely tailored depending on the patient's hormonal requirement. Several tests are administered including blood screening and saliva testing to determine the root cause of the problem.  

"We ask them to answer a self-test to determine if their hormonal level is below normal. Patients are also asked to indicate any form of discomfort like fatigue, sleeping problems, thinning hair, sagging cheeks or whatever is bothering them," she said. 

Dr. MJ emphasized that the test results are crucial to the success of the therapy. "All the treatments at Zen Medical Spa are evidence-based and backed up by science. Patients need to go through several tests before they begin their BHRT therapy," she said. 

"The sad part is that people just as accept it as part of aging, not knowing that it can be treated. If you get tired easily, that's a hormonal problem and it can be cured with BHRT. For males suffering from thinning hair, it can be addressed immediately so they don't have to worry about going bald. They do not have to live with the problem. There is a cure," she said. 

According Dr. MJ BHRT is also beneficial to those leading active lives, and require an extra amount of physical energy. "The therapy is tailor fit according to your body needs. It's for anyone who wants to feel young and vibrant at any age," she said. 

The Zen Institute is located at 69 Scout Rallos St., Tomas Morato, Quezon City (02-441-1712/02-412-2528); Ground Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St., Corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02-856-2027). For more information about The Zen Institute, visit www.thezeninstitute.com and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ZenMedicalSpa

Damaki Sushi: Puerto's First Take Away Resto of Asian's Best Food

So I was able to do a food photography for my friend, in exchange for MAKI!!

Well, they're just the first take out service offering different variety of Asian's best food, from Bibimbap, to Maki's and a lot more!

What's best is that they are very very affordable, or within your budget's reach! They also deliver for free, within the city proper.

Beyond the Box’s MacBook Air Lifestyle Bundles

Now is the perfect time to turn your dream into reality. Starting today, September 1st, the MacBook Air 11” & 13” 128GB variants will be available in super easy Zero24 installments and will be offered with three unique lifestyle bundles at no extra cost.

The Most Beautiful Laptop You Can Own

It’s not an overstatement. The MacBook Air is the most beautiful laptop you can own. 

From the outside, the aluminum unibody design looks modern and minimalist. The tapering edges also make the laptop genuinely attractive and impressive. Although it’s the same chassis design we’ve been seeing since 2010, there’s really nothing to complain about since it resonates with ’premiumness’ that you can only get from Apple. 

Measuring 17mm in diameter and weighing at 1.4kg, the MacBook Air is gorgeously thin and surprisingly light. It’s light enough that it’s barely noticeable in your bag and robust enough that you don’t feel like it’s going to break when you use it. 

Overall, this laptop sends an unequivocal message: the MacBook Air is an engineering feat – one that cannot be copied.

Lifestyle Bundles – TRVLR, EXCTV, SCHLR

To help you get the most out of your new MacBook Air lifestyle, Beyond the Box is including three unique lifestyle bundles that you could choose from without any extra cost. Choose between the TRVLR, EXCTV, and SCHLR bundle and take full advantage of the complimentary add-ons’ lifestyle boosts.

Free-spirited, always out and about. #iAMTRVLR

Bundle inclusions: MacBook Air + Coloud Pop, ACME Made Skinny Sleeve, and Nude Audio Speakers.  

There is no greater feeling than packing your bags and knowing you’re heading to another adventure. That is what the TRVLR Bundle is all about. This bundle is targeted at individuals who travel constantly whether it’s for leisure or work. If you’re a correspondent covering the latest stories, a carefree tourist, or just someone who is in a perpetual working holiday, this is the bundle to get.  

Driven to succeed, a paragon of excellence #iAMEXCTV

Bundle inclusions: MacBook Air + Soundfreaq Pocket Kick, ACME Made Sleeve

Nothing compares to the overwhelming sense of accomplishment executives get at the end of each day. The EXCTV Bundle is for high achievers who lead by example and don’t settle for second best – ideal for office professionals and entrepreneurs. 

Inquisitive, thirsty for knowledge #iAMSCHLR

Bundle inclusions: MacBook Air + Urbanears Plattan, Speck MacBook Air Case, JRC Keyboard Protector

The pursuit of knowledge never ends. The SCHLR Bundle seeks to cultivate inquiring minds, nurture curiosity, and aid academics in their quest to learn and educate. If you’re a student or an academic by profession, this bundle is the perfect option.

This is a now-or-never opportunity to own a MacBook Air and live your lifestyle to the fullest! Visit Beyond the Box to take advantage of this promo today.

Participating Beyond the Box Branches: Century City Mall | One Rockwell | Market! Market! | Forbestown | Resorts World Manila | Lucky Chinatown | Robinsons Ermita | Robinson Galleria | VMall | Wil Tower | Veranza | Ayala Fairview Terraces

Choosing A Musical Instrument For Your Child

Many parents want to encourage their children to learn to play a musical instrument, to encourage their musical development.

The first instrument is often a music keyboard. These are reasonably priced and stimulate an interest in music even in very young children. Ask your school music teacher for advice, because some of the very low cost keyboards are very limited. The higher priced keyboards play notes softer if they are hit less hard, more like a piano.

Your child may enjoy the sound of a particluar instrument. This can be a major motivational factor, so it is a good idea to go with the child's ideas, at least initially. Many children change the instrument they play in the first few years of their music education.

Many children may find it easier to play woodwind instruments like a clarinet than brass instruments like trumpets and trombones. Woodwind instruments do not require the lip vibrations that brass players need.

Most children's choice of instrument is a matter of chance. It depends on what instrument is favored by visiting music tutors.

There are more professional violinists than players of any other instrument. This is one reason parents often encourage their children to take up the violin. Buying a violin is a tricky business.

You can buy a violin for less than 70 dollars on the Internet. Should you buy it? Never.

A violin is not just a pair of shoes. Shoes are designed to be used and thrown away when they wears out. A well-made violin will last for hundreds of years. The 70 dollar violin above should just be thrown away. Buying one for your child is a waste of 70 dollars.

If your child is taking up the violin, or any instrument, it might be an idea to rent rather than buy, until you see how your child takes to the instrument. That is the point at which you should consider buying.


Buy the best instrument you can afford, usually here at musician's friend. Price is definitely linked with tonal quality. Listen to a range of violins, pianos or trumpets being played by the musician in the retailers. You will notice differences between the different instruments. Always buy a musical instrument you and your child like the sound from. Musical training will attune the child's ear to any deficiency in the instrument you buy, and this will detract from the pleasure he or she gains from playing it.

Double the surprise with Red Ribbon’s new Double Deck Dedication Cake

Cakes have been integral in every Filipino celebration, more particularly during birthdays. This time, Red Ribbon—one of the leading bakeshops in the country—is offering a double treat to your loved ones with its new Double Deck Dedication Cake.

This two-layer cake offers more layers of chocolate goodness to make your child’s party an even happier birthday. With its layers of bursting chocolatey flavor, your child’s guests will surely line up for more slices.

According to Zinnia Rivera, general manager of Red Ribbon, the new Double Deck Dedication Cake is a rich chocolate cake with fudgy chocolate icing topped with colorful sugar confetti, dots & stars. This can be personalized with one’s special message.

“Mothers always want the best for their children. They are constantly finding new ways to recreate how their child will cherish their special day,” Rivera said.

 “With the new two-layer Dedication Cake, mothers can now make their children’s party two times grander without going beyond their budget.”

Before, special two-layer cakes are only present during birthdays, debuts, weddings and graduation. Now, Red Ribbon makes it possible for families to make any day a bigger celebration while allowing more budget for other expenditures.

While saving on budget, you can also share the slices of the cake with 26 people because it has a base layer of 8x12 inches and a top layer of 6x8 inches. This cake is now available in all Red Ribbon stores nationwide.

“Now that there’s a double deck cake in place, there’s a bigger cake with a taste of premium for all the guests,” Rivera said. “Truly, Red Ribbon complements every Filipino table with its delightful treats, making every moment more worth-remembering.”

As the company explores new product offerings to make every day worth celebrating for, Red Ribbon now offers its gold standard for birthday cakes in the form of its new Double Deck Dedication Cake.

Rivera concluded, “Cakes are known staples for every Filipino table whenever there’s a celebration, may it be as grand as your son’s 7th birthday or as simple as your daughter’s achievement in class. Coupling the cake with a dedication as sweet as its taste is what makes the occasion more memorable.”

To know more about Red Ribbon and its many delights, visit the website at www.redribbonbakeshop.com.