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Excited to try out the recipes in this cookbook!

This cookbook has over 105 plant-based recipes that, I hope, taste good. The Eggplant Bacon is sounding really good right now.

Try it out with me. Start by clicking here..

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I brought my son to try out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! He loved it!

I do feel that he was a little bit too small for it still. But i’m happy that he enjoyed it and made new friends.

Thank you, Coaches Nino and Anna!

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Loneliness.

Waiting for students to arrive.

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Just us ladies. Training with Cobrinha At Pato Studio Jiu Jitsu gym, Cebu

Photo credit: Mik

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Training with Cobrinha At Pato Studio Jiu Jitsu gym, Cebu

Photo credit: Pie

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Training with Cobrinha At Pato Studio Jiu Jitsu gym, Cebu

Photo credit: Pie

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Struggles of a Breastfeeding Athlete

When I was pregnant, I couldn’t train. I swore I would go back to training as soon as my baby was born.

When he was born, though, I woke up to the hectic reality of breastfeeding right away! I currently live in two-hour intervals. That’s the two hours between feedings.

Our training at the gym is also two hours per session, from 7:30-9:30pm. Basically, I miss 15 minutes of warm up to feed and 15 minutes of sparring to shower and head home to feed him again. And if he happens to feed at 6:30pm, I can’t train.

I could express and store milk for him to use while I am training. However, that would put me at a negative in my milk storage. Unlike when I’m at work where he can take a bottle at home while I pump milk at work, I cannot pump at training. So it’s not an option for us. I choose to commit to exclusive breastfeeding for a year over my amateur athletic career.

I enjoy breastfeeding but I have to be honest. I can’t wait for him to wean himself.

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Mirror images?

Are the haircut and beard part of the uniform? Lol

Referees (L to R) Joey Lepiten, Ali Sulit and Edjie Galeos at the Dumau Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament in Cebu City, Philippines last October 13-14, 2018.

Photo by Eve Ruiz

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Hubby is competing

My now husband started training in brazilian jiu jitsu because it was the only way he could see me when we were still dating. I was always in competiting so I was training 6 days a week.

This was two years ago. Now, he trains even when I'm not. He has also asked me about competing and about wanting to get his blue belt. He is still not as devoted as I am but he is getting there. His first competition will be in June. I am so excited!

Soon, we'll be drilling techniques in the morning, training at night, and dieting together. How wonderful would it be if our baby-to-be (I'm 5 months pregnant) will also train.

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1. Our women’s basic self defense workshop turned intro to jiu jitsu class this afternoon. More guys came to the workshop. We had to switch up the lesson plan right then and there. 2. Celebratory ramen.

Pinagtatrabaho ang buntis! Hehe #jiujitsugirls

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I am back in the gym. 20kilos heavier. But I am back. That’s what is important.

I took a long leave for a while. I got married, started my own law practice, accepted a promotion in another venture, and now I am pregnant! :)

A lot has changed but the best part is probably that my husband trains jiu jitsu with me. He started when we were still dating. And now he loves it!

After the baby comes out, we plan on training and competing together.

Let this be my before photo. Next year, I intend to be a smaller and lighter fighter. Wish me luck!

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Long Hiatus

Hello! I am back after a long break. I will be posting updates about my journey so far since last I was here. Stay tuned.

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Making do after a late night in the office. 5 rounds of 5 minutes spars with the boyfie.

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Five year old: “What’s on your knee?” Me: “It’s a knee brace.” Five year old: “Why?” Me: “I hurt it.” Five year old: “Where?” Me: “At practice, for judo.” Five year old: “Are you going to sit out at practice now?” Me: “I hope not.” Five year old: “Have you told your teacher it hurts?” Me: “It doesn’t hurt too bad. I’m going to be okay.” Five year old: *touches my face with her tiny hand* “It’s important to tell teachers when you don’t feel good.”

This 5 year old is smarter than me.

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Hehehe

It ain’t over til its over bruh

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My take--break ups can get awkward in the gym at first. However, things will (and did) go back to normal eventually. It has happened to me and another friend. And we, with our new boyfriends, and the exes all train together and we're fine. I remember the first time I went back home to train in my first gym/branch. I had no idea that my ex had a new girlfriend who was training with us as well. So I went over just to say hi. You could hear a pin drop as everyone else around us froze! And I could sense it. It's funny looking back at it now. I think the benefits of having a permanent training partner, a partner who understands your passion, who can help you with your progress (and your "carpool"-mate to and from the gym lol) far outweigh the risk.