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[2023 Edit: This post is 8 years old, but this post and review are still accurate when it comes to Rosacea and Heliocare. I updated the links below on where I now buy Heliocare. Link here.]

Much as I've wanted to soak under the sun and go to the beach...I can't! I have Rosacea, and my #1 enemy is the Sun. Rosacea makes my face red, with nasty bumps called papules and pustules daily. This has been my dilemma for the past months. I used to ignore it, but it has become quite irritating lately. 

I've tried many topical creams/gels, and I am now on Doxycyclin, but my face is still far from clearing up. I have good days, but I also have a lot of bad days. I am now undergoing Laser Genesis, hoping it will give me some relief since it's quite an investment (!!!). Plus - I am now on my 4th Derm for this "case." My teenage acne and breakouts were definitely easier to manage. 

For now, the best I can do about my Rosacea is to "fake it" and avoid further damage. One of the best creams my 3rd Dermatologist prescribed me was the Heliocare Ultra Gel with 90 SPF sunscreen. I was advised to get a higher than 70 SPF sunblock to avoid more redness and flare-ups. It's working for me so far, and I've been using it daily for two months.

Here are the things I love about Heliocare:

The lack of healthy and delicious food in the metro bothers me. The lunch box diet deliveries are okay but it lacks variety and "yum" on it. I love restaurants and eateries that offer fresh and organic options for our weary cholesterol-laden bodies. Among my favorites which provide healthy dishes are Corner Tree Cafe in Nicanor Garcia,  Faburrito at The Columns, and just recently, Sprout Fresh Convenience in Valero St. 

Sprout is a newly-opened "healthy convenience store" which offers fresh, healthy and non-processed food that are good alternates to our usual fastfood fare. They offer rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, chips, desserts, and healthy drinks in their store. It's your 7/11 grab-and-go store but in a a very good and healthy way. 

Sprout just opened last month and I was able to try it for 6x already! Aside from the rice bowls - what I love about it are the nutritional labels attached to each food. It clearly states the ingredients and the carbohydrates/fats/sugar/calories on the food it serves. This is very helpful for me since I can readily choose food that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. 

The interiors of the store is also very minimalist, inviting and refreshing. I just wish that they have more tables and chairs to accommodate quick lunches among friends and colleagues.

It's my first day on Paleo.

I need to cut down on food intake not because I want to lose weight (that's a super added bonus though) but because of my blood sugar levels. I was already hospitalized in 2013 because of uncontrolled blood sugar (aka Diabetes) and I don't want it to happen again. I immediately started my Vegan-turned-Pescetarian diet after that episode but I was able to sustain it for only 8 months. I blame those delicious Pork Buns of Tim Ho Wan for making me fall off the wagon. It went downhill after Witt and I had those yummy soft buns at SM Megamall last May.

I am not feeling good lately so I decided to subscribe to one of those calorie counting "lunchbox diets". I was supposed to order from Diet Diva, Fitness Gourmet, or Health Bistro until I discovered Paleo Manila.



I was browsing Instagram over the holidays when I chance upon Paleo Manila which serves Paleo meals. I first heard of the Paleo diet from some friends who are already on it. I got curious so I read and researched about it. Paleo is called the "Caveman Diet" inspired from the Paleolithic Era. The diet is consist of food that our ancestors hunt, fish or gather in the olden days. It's made up of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood, eggs, nuts & seeds. It doesn't allow grains so my favorite rice, pasta and bread dishes are definitely out of the question. The diet also eliminates dairy products, legumes and processed oils.