Reflection, Respect, Rest and Revival
As I reflect on the passing of my parents, the one constant that repeats itself is the love of GOD that shines through me. I am a selfish person, we all have to be selfish to some extent in order to better ourselves, the people around us and ultimately and hopefully better the world before we pass. By Gods Grace, His forgiveness for my sins and my belief that His Son died for our sins and rose from the dead is the foundation of my ability to honor my parents. I found a respect for both parents as I wrote the obituaries for them. Understanding where they came from, how they proceeded in life, and how they finished the race on earth helped me understand that GODS LOVE does conquer all. As we celebrate their lives and place them in a final resting place, I find peace knowing I did my best of my abilities to respect their final wishes. Because of the long waiting time from their passing, January 28th for Mama Fili and February 3rd for Lolo Ben, it was difficult anticipating the days ahead. I do feel a revival coming in my life as I know that life will start getting back to normal. It will never be the same without them, especially mom. She lived right next door in our granny flat and I miss saying, "good morning or I will be right back mom, do you need anything ?" I am determining the best two qualities my parents had and plan to carry on those traits to better the world, better my family and better myself. This will help me heal and be a better person before I leave this earth. Mom and Dad, I will see you again in heaven.
Honoring Our Grandparents
As many of you know our grandmother, Filipinas Domingo, and our grandfather, Benedicto Domingo are now watching over us in heaven. They were both immigrants from the Philippines who sacrificed so much for us to be able to have the life that we do and instill the work ethic in my father to pave a way for a better life for himself and our family. We will honor both of them on April 6th in our hometown. We appreciate all your positive thoughts, kind prayers and well wishes.
Spring in Full Swing
Slowly but surely the weather is getting nicer and we can enjoy the San Diego sun. Getting Vitamin D is crucial for our health and well-being. The only way we can get Vitamin D is through sun exposure or ingesting it through things such as supplements.
Here are some budget-friendly ideas to incorporate movement into your next sunny day.
- Go for a walk or bike ride along the beach.
- Grab some friends and play pickleball at an outdoor court.
- Head to the driving range and hit some golf balls.
- Walk to your favorite coffee shop or lunch spot and enjoy a meal outdoors.
- Take your dog to the dog beach in Del Mar.
Even if you sit in the sun and enjoy a good book, it will do wonders for your mental well-being.
March Madness
Big shout out to our local San Diego AZTECS for making it to the final four in the NCAA basketball tournament. All of us kids played sports in college and it is cool to watch a hometown team make history. The pure emotion that sports bring out in people is always fun to watch. San Diego State University will be playing on Saturday, April 1st @ 3 pm.
Green Eggs & Ham
St. Patty's inspired ways to incorporate more greens into your diet! Nope, I'm not talking about adding food coloring to everything, but more nutrients to your diet in subtle ways.
2. Add lettuce and sautéed veggies to your rice bowls. I love rice myself and have it almost every night. But rather than making rice my main bulk of the base of my bowl, I do half the rice and then fill my bowl with leafy greens and sautéed veggies to add volume and nutrients with fewer calories.
3. One snack a day should be veggie based. A great example could include some crackers, hummus, cheese, carrots, and celery. It does not mean to replace veggies for everything but adding them to your plate can increase the nutrients you are getting throughout your day.
4. The most convenient for many people include green drinks, powders, and juices. My rule of thumb on these is to save these for the rushed mornings or the days you don't get as many nutrient-dense foods in. Eating nutrients is always the first option, but these alternatives are great to have on hand when rushing to work, traveling, or eating on the go.
Workout of the Month
In the theme of March Madness, I have a basketball-inspired workout to get your heart rate up. All reps are performed body weight and agility inspired. Get after it and GO AZTECS!
Round 1
- Quick Feet x 30 sec
- Push Ups x 30 sec
- Burpees x 30 sec
Round 2
- Broad Jump x 30 sec
- Lateral Bounds x 30 sec
- Shuttle Shuffle x 30 sec
Round 3
- Floor Tap Jump Squat x 30 sec
- Mini Band Lateral Walk (3 ea side) x 30 sec
- Plank Walk out to Push Up x 30 sec
Complete each round a total of 3-5 times. Rest for 30 seconds between and rest for 90 seconds when switching to a new round.
Get your heart rate going and enjoy!
Restaurant Review - Coffee Edition
Now that I am commuting up to Orange County for nursing school, I have begun to branch out and try some new restaurants and coffee shops. One of the best coffee shops in Anaheim is Phin Smith. They specialize in Vietnamese coffee and the coffee and customer service went above and beyond all the amazing Yelp reviews. Most of their coffees are iced and that is their specialty, but they do offer some versions hot as well. If it is your first time, they allow you to try the coffee after they make it and you can make any adjustments you'd like. Super friendly and somewhat crowded, a great place to socialize, but maybe leave your work at home. If you are ever up north, this is worth the stop for a great cup of coffee.
12921 Main Street Garden Grove CA 92840
Open: 8am-4pm | Closed On All Major Holidays
Open: 8am-4pm | Closed On All Major Holidays
