to cook and save

Have you noticed the inconsistency in the climate now? The effect of the deterioration of the environment is being felt in the changes in the weather. The campaigns for preservation of the environment are too many. Consciousness of the people towards the advert effects of some human activities to the environment is slowly being awakened. No wonder people are going back to the basics. Like in cooking, more and more people are using the old wood stoves in preparations of their daily meals. They are aware that cooking on wood stoves has less effect on the environment. Not to forget the savings that we could have because wood cost less rather than Liquefied Petroleum Gas that is common fuel for gas stoves. Aside from that wood stoves are safer than gas stoves; you would never have to worry that your tank would explode.


Written in association with wood stoves suppliers

Grannies Knows Best!

Our family’s queen of the kitchen is back. My granny has now fully recovered from her accident last May. The first place that she misses most is her kitchen. So the first thing she did was to cook. Kidding aside, my Granny cooks the tastiest meals that I have ever tasted in my entire life.
One thing peculiar about my Granny is that she still uses the old fashioned wood stoves in cooking. She would always say that meals cooked on wood stoves have very unique taste that makes the food more delicious. And she would always point out that it is more economical to use wood stove because the cost incurred when using wood is far lesser than the cost of using gas. Now that the prices of petroleum products are rising, we have to consider it. Well, grannies know best!

Written in association with Wood burning stoves suppliers

WW: Lamp post

more ww entries here

Pork Sisig and all

When my College friends and I met up for a dinner sometime last week, we can't help but talk about food recipes! Since cooking and eating is one of our common factor (aside from online gaming, which we are all so into nowadays, talk about video cards and gaming consoles!). So there, we decided to think of what recipes were included in the dishes that we ordered. So imagine how we talked about food and cooking while enjoying our yummy plates full of sizzling goodies! :D

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs pork ears (cleaned and hair removed or so to speak shaved)
• .5 lbs pork liver
• 2 hot chilis (minced)
• 2 Medium Red onions (minced)
• Garlic (crushed, as in super crushed)
• 5 tbsp soy sauce (up to you on how strong the flavor you want it)
• 5 tbsp vinegar (up to you on how strong the flavor you want it)
• Vegetable oil (you can use olive oil if you'd like)
• Sizzling plate (optional)
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 Egg

Cooking Preparation:

Rub the pork ear and liver with a pinch of salt and pepper
Grill the pork ear and the pork liver (in this case you wanna make sure the liver is reall cooked, but if you want it a little bit raw its up to you)
The pork ear should be cooked until crisp but not burnt
After cooking, mince everything all up and mix (pork ear and pork liver)
In a non stick pan, heat oil and saute garlic until golden brown
Add the onions wait for it turn transluscent
Add the mixed Pork ear and the Por liver
Cook until the meat starts to crisp a bit
Add the vinegar and the soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Remove from heat, add the minced hot chilis if you want it hot.
Add the egg after removing it from heat.

B Box arrived!

Last week, our balikbayan boxes from Boston arrived! yeepee! :D Here's my little girl still groggy from her last night's sleep but was too eager to be the one to open the boxes! lol. So what's inside the three huge boxes? Lots of stuff like Coach bags, kitchen items, clothes for the little one, yummy cookies for Aggie, books and coloring pads for the young ones, watches, wallets, entertainment showcases too! and yes, dog ramps! Most of the items were already sent out last Sunday, so happen that the bloggers meet up were schedule after the boxes arrived so we didn't have to worry on scheduling another meet up for the loots. The ones left will be send through courier and another meet on Friday :D

partee parteeeee!

Last Saturday, my daughter together with my mom attended a birthday party at Jolibee, it was her cousin's second birthday actually. We arrived just in time for the program, a little chit chats with some common friends before we got so engrossed with the cool party hosts - who actually loves my daughter because she was the littlest game contestant and she won! my mom and I were really proud of her! And when Jollibee appears, my little miss went crazy! she keeps on following the bee mascot and embracing it the whole time, while I talks about insurance quote to a friend whom I haven't seen for a while, she's into selling insurance now and convincing me to get one :D
Anyways, here is my daughter enjoying her chicken and spaghetti meal :D

wood stove rocks!

My family loves to cook, you can even say that even the men of our clan loves to do great cooking! That is why, whenever we have get together, family gatherings and parties - expect everyone to do their own share of specialty dish! Specially the elders who still prefers cooking their dishes on wood stoves. Actually, I used to think that using this type of oven is a crazy way because of the fact that a lot of work is needed for the cooking. Imagine, collecting wood to fire a wood oven! The hassle and all. But then everything went differently, when the time comes and I was able to distinguish the difference of a meal or a dish cooked in a wood oven and in a gas stove! Really different I must say, from the aroma to the whole taste arrive of the dish, wood oven cooked ones totally rocks!
So there, now that I learned why my grandmothers chooses to still cook the old fashion way, I guess I wouldn't have to wonder and asked them again about! And if given a chance, I would definitely get my own piece of this nice wood oven for my cooking! The fact that I can save a whole lot of money, I'd be able to help save the environment because of it being eco friendly.

Written in association with wood burning stove suppliers

WW: Banana Fudge Ala Mode Chenelin

more WW here

party planning already?

Am I? nah, i'm not, though I wish I am! But I don't think the husband will agree on that. Another big celebration party complete with all the works like Kids Party Birthday Invitations, loot bags, goodies, overflowing food and drinks, entertainment and what not are not on our priority list. But if given a chance and financial status is really ok, I'd really ask the husband for a party.

I remember how we started planning my daughter's first birthday almost two years ago, my haunt for the perfect kids party invitations were the easiest actually, my friend who does digital scrapbooking made it for me at a super affordable price. Just like what www.cardsshoppe.com does! Creating unique and exlusive designs making personalized children birthday invitations and all other announcements! So there, I had to check out their prices now so that if ever, I know how much to allocate for the invitations child birthday costs. We'll see, hoping for having one!

jewelry love!

Aside from cooking and online working, one of my weakness is window shopping and shopping (if moolah is available) for watches! It all started when my mom gave me a fancy designer watch after high school graduation, it was then when I started to collect watches and other fancy accessories aside from the real ones. Anyways, one of the site that my friends and I love to hang out is holstedjewelers where we can drool over those beautiful creations of holsted jewelers! Really perfect for adding in the collections and even as gifts to the special people in our lives.
Anyways, speaking of watch shopping, here is my latest loot which I received via USPS last week! This is what I'm currently using now! even my mom loves it! good thing because I also bought one for her which is schedule to arrive sometime next week, it'll be a surprise for her actually!

break ads

I was just flipping my tv channels when my favorite cooking show calls for a break, and happened to see an ad that features great Orlando vacations, talk about Disney Florida! when my daughter saw the ad, she just screams her heart out and jumps with so much glee! Oh how I wish we can bring her there, well who knows, life is full of surprises, maybe one day we'll just find ourselves enjoying a trip there together with the whole family. Actually my dad is based in Florida now, and he says a lot of great things about it and how he wish we all can enjoy the place with him... someday Pop, someday :D

new kitchen stuff

Thinking of buying some new kitchen appliances for the house, if things fall into the way I plan, hopefully a new fridge will be welcome. And my mom also suggested on buying wholesale housewares which is said to be the most practical way since you'll be buying in group, thus making you save more. Plus you can have some of the items for resell too! Actually, my high school bestfriend's business is just like that,they buy just about anything in bulk by auction process and they do retail selling. Sound's good eh?

Chicken Adobo

Another comfort food for the whole family. Chicken cooked in soy sauce, vinegar and dashing amount of pepper for a more satisfying taste everyone would surely love!

Will post the recipe once I update this, but will have to finish some school stuff first.

Butchi

A glutinous rice and flour done in balls filled with munggo filling. Super yummy! I remember when we were still young, my mom would always bring my sister and I a plastic full of butchi from the market. And it will serve as our morning snack. I can munch 5 or 6 pieces in one seating, now that explains my flubby self huh??

Stocks

My friends’ company stocks, which they have a part of since they profit share with the company (think something like what PLDT has with its customers, only our stock isnt worth just 92pesos), went down 5 points today. It was a bit disappointing since the stocks she got due to my promotion was just released to her! Though she doesnt have any plans of exercising my options at this moment with it going down and the dollar declining, I think it still be best for her to equip herself with tools to monitor historical option data in stock trading. For example, there is a tool which can be found online called PowerOptions that has a 14 day trial period and comes with an easy online user guide. I can download it, study it using the trial and make my decision if I need it! PowerOptions lets one organize, filter and analyze daily stock options. With that program, one can easily manage their stock goals and let them decide easily.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathing can transform your life.

If you feel stressed out and overwhelmed, breathe. It will calm you and release the tensions.

If you are worried about something coming up, or caught up in something that already happened, breathe. It will bring you back to the present.

If you are discouraged and have forgotten your purpose in life, breathe. It will remind you about how precious life is, and that each breath in this life is a gift you need to appreciate. Make the most of this gift.

If you have too many tasks to do, or are scattered during your workday, breathe. It will help bring you into focus, to concentrate on the most important task you need to be focusing on right now.

If you are spending time with someone you love, breathe. It will allow you to be present with that person, rather than thinking about work or other things you need to do.

If you are exercising, breathe. It will help you enjoy the exercise, and therefore stick with it for longer.

If you are moving too fast, breathe. It will remind you to slow down, and enjoy life more.

So breathe. And enjoy each moment of this life. They’re too fleeting and few to waste.

From ZenHabits.

Love Life, Not Stuff

Some ideas:

• Rediscover a passion for life. Get outside and feel nature, appreciate the beauty of the world around you. Get active, do some gardening or yardwork, play a sport, go for a walk, take a hike, go for a swim, ride a bike. Feel the life coursing through you. Breathe it in.
• Give experiences as gifts, not stuff. Instead of shopping for someone come birthdays or Christmas, think of an experience you can give them instead. A date with you, doing something fun, hanging out, cooking, playing, talking, exploring. A fun time at a park or beach. Something other than everyday. An experience is much more meaningful than an object.
• Connect with others. In real life. If you haven’t hung out with a friend recently, give him a call and go hang out. Get your kid away from the TV or video game player and take her outside to do something. Go on a date with your partner. Visit your mom or grandparents. And be present while you’re with them — really listen, really be there.
• Deal with your emotions. If you have a need to buy things, to shop when you are having emotional issues, be more aware of this. Then deal with the underlying emotions, rather than using shopping as a way to forget about them. If you’re depressed, or anxious, or lonely, deal with those. Find solutions, figure out what’s causing them. Good news: experiencing life, getting active, and connecting with others all help you deal with those emotional issues.
• Disconnect your attachment to stuff. Sometimes I find myself reluctant to give something up, even if I don’t really use it. And that’s when I ask myself, “Why?” What is holding me back from getting rid of this possession? Sometimes, the item has an emotional connection, but then I realize that it’s just an object, it’s not the emotion or the actual source of the emotion. Then I’ll take a picture of the item, upload it to my computer, and get rid of the object. I feel liberated, because I’ve broken an attachment to a physical object (but saved the memory). If you are attached to an object, figure out why — it’s not healthy in the long run.
• Realize that life, not stuff, is what matters. Objects are just objects — if you lose them, if they get stolen or destroyed … it’s not a big deal. They’re just objects — not your life. Your life is the series of moments that is steaming through your consciousness right now, and how you use those moments and what you fill them with is what truly matters, not what you fill your home with. At the end of this short journey, you’ll look back and remember your experiences, the people you loved and who loved you back, the things you did and didn’t do. Not the stuff you had.

 

 

From ZenHabits!

WW: sweets

more ww entries here

Chicken Tinola

Another Filipino dish I know everyone loves :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo chicken
• 6-8 cloves garlic (crushed)
• cooking oil
• ginger strips (around 20 1/4 inch thick by 1 inch long)
• 1 medium sized onion (chopped)
  
• patis
• 1 cup green papaya (or more,depends if you like it)
  
• handful of sili leaves
• water
• pepper (if you prefer)

Procedure:

• In a pan, saute ginger, followed by garlic (until brown), then add the onions in cooking oil.
• When the first three ingredients are done, add in the washed and cleaned chicken and stir fry for about 1o minutes (you Sangkutsa the chicken with the first three ingredients for a while to let the lansa out)
• Add in the patis, about 5 tbsp, after stirring a bit, you can now add the water until the chicken is fully covered (add more patis, until you reach the desired salty taste) let it simmer, after which you can now add the papaya, cover and again let it simmer in a medium heat.
  
• When the papaya is tender, add on now the sili leaves, let it boil for another 2 or 3 minutes, season with pepper if desired.
• Serve hot with rice :)
  

Pancit Canton

Please bear with the un-pretty shot of my pancit canton :) I completely forgot to take a decent photo before everyone dig in.
** I usually prepare pancit canton at dinner for the family, the vegetables were actually left overs from the Chopsuey we had for lunch. Practical, right?! Right.

For the recipe...

Ingredients:

• 1/4 kilo shrimps
• 1/4 kilo chicken meat
• 2 tbsp cornstarch dispersed in 1/4 cup water
  
• 5 cloves garlic crushed
  
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 pcs chicken liver (cooked and sliced)
• cooking oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
  
• 1 cup sitsaro
  
• 1 small carrot
• 1 cup pechay baguio
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 pack canton noodles
• salt,pepper,soy sauce
  

Procedure:

• In a wok or pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onions. Add in the chicken meat, liver and the shrimps. Stir fry for about 4 to 5 minutes (to let out the lansa). Season with salt, pepper.
• Pour in the chicken broth and soy sauce, let it boil for another 10 minutes before adding the vegetables but do not overcook.
  
• Thicken with cornstarch (dispersed in water).
• Add in the canton noodles and cook until ready.
• Serve hot with Calamansi**

**others prefer like my husband soy sauce with calamansi.
Enjoy!

dreaming of vacay

Whenever I hear about vacation, i always remember those memorable vacations that we have in our company-paid outing in different resorts, but the thing is, a lot of mishaps are occuring in our stay in those resorts, maybe because lack of coordination with their account execs and even lack of explanations from them with regards to their services that are offered to us. And that pisses all of us, imagine the fun you are having when suddenly a security or a employee-incharge will come up to you and gives you what's not and what's only allowed since our reort reservation is only limited to this and that. And that is really annoying.

I just hope when we are 'financially able' we can actually have a reservation with them and have a great fun vacation that I am dreaming of without all the hassles. we all want to experience a great family vacation right? A three day or seven days stay and aromantic cancun vacation at one of the finest hotels of karismahotels.com would definitely be on my wish list to experience!

Gelaflan ala Ayin

This sweet dessert recipe actually were given to me by my friend Ayin (my daughter's Godmother) The word GELEFLAN came from Gelatin and Leche flan which was combined for one great dessert! It was something I frequently desired when I was still pregnant. I can even eat this alone for the whole day! So when I made a batch for my niece's birthday, I decided to share the recipe with you...

Ingredients:

• 1 pack gelatin powder (I used Mr. Gulaman brand) cheaper than the famous brand :)
• 1 (big) can condensed milk
• 1 (big) can evaporated milk
• 2 eggs
• vanilla (optional)
• shredded cheese or pineapple tidbits (if desired for additional twists)
  

Procedure:

• Set up first the container to be use together with cheese or pineapple tidbits
• Mix the condensed and evaporated milk with the eggs and cook it in a medium heat until it boils
  
• Cook the gelatin powder according to packaging
• Gently combine the milk and the gelatin mixture in a large casserole in a low heat with continuous stirring.
  
• After 5 minutes of cooking, let it stand for a couple more minutes before pouring it to containers prepared earlier.
  

Now you got a creamy dessert everyone would surely love! :)

Dinaing na Bangus

Another family's favorite dish, dinaing na bangus (milkfish). Since we are living where sea wonders are abundant, making a dinaing is a usual sight in one's household. So let me share with you the procedure on how to make your own!

Ingredients:

• Bangus (milkfish) --cleaned and cut into lengthwise.
• 1 cup vinegar
• dash of pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 head garlic (crushed)

**If you can have your fish boned, then it is better.

Procedure:

• Arrange the fish in a container (skin side up). Add the vinegar, pepper, salt and crushed garlic.
• Let it sit to marinate for more than 24 hours, for the flavors to sink in the meat of the fish.
• Fry it in hot cooking oil until you reached the desired wellness, others prefer it a bit crunchy while some like it medium fried.
  
• Serve hot with rice and achara (if available)
  

fret on government

We all wish and hope that public hospitals is not geared with the right and proper medical equipment and supplies like catheter that could have at least save the lives of the sick. if only the Government allocates right budget to purchase this equipments, but we all know the budget goes straight to the pocket of those who are in charge. you see, there are numbers of medical group that sells home and health care supplies that are so affordable maybe specially if bought in bulk like Allegro Medical group, it is one of the largest and most technologically advanced independently owned online retailers of life enhancing products.

Pinakbet

A recipe that my sister and I hates when we were still young. I remember how we frown whenever we learned that my cooked another veggie dish. It was until right after High School when we found ourselves enjoying mom's Pinakbet. It's not your typical veggie / fish paste because when mom does the cooking, you wouldn't even think that there is actually a fish paste on it. So yummy! The last time my sister did some grocery shopping, she brought us this. Good for two to three persons Pinakbet pack. And yes, ask my mom how to do it in her own special way... Anyways, without further ado, here is my mom's Pinakbet recipe..

Ingredients:

• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 2 medium sized onion (chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 eggplant (sliced)
• 2-3 pcs okra (sliced)
• 6 strings sitaw (cut into slices)
• 1 small ampalaya (sliced)
• 1/4 aquash (sliced)
• fish paste
• pork optional
  
• pepper, salt, water, oil
  

Procedure:

• saute' garlic until slightly brown, onion and tomato
• add on the pork cubes and fish paste, simmer for 5 minutes
• add 1/2 cup water, salt and pepper, let it boil for another 3-5 minutes
  
• now put the veggies, squash followed by the rest of the other ingredients.
• allow to simmer for another 1-2 minutes so not to over cook the vegetables.
• serve hot with rice :)
  

Gelatin -- plain

This is for those who would love to eat gelatin but doesn't like it to have milk. Just plain gelatin with sugar.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack gelatin powder
• 1/4 kilo sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
  
• peaches or pineapples if desired

Directions:

• Cook the gelatin according to packaging (with 6 cups of water) in medium heat
  
• When it start to boil, add on the sugar and let it boil for another 5 minutes
• Add on the vanilla and turn off the heat
• Let the mixture cool down a bit before pouring it to readied containers with peaches or pineapple bits.
• Serve chilled.
  

Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)

I used to order Lumpiang Shanghai whenever I am new to a restaurant, together with the other viands we order, just to make sure that if I happen to dislike the other ordered food there will always be my comfort favorite dish.

Even the husband came to like this too, that is why I make sure to have a batch ready to be fry in our fridge.

The recipe is as follows...

Ingredients:

• 1/4 kilo ground pork
  
• 1 medium sized carrot
• 2 medium onions
• 3 stems kintsay (Chinese celery)

**note that the above ingredients are grind all together, when I buy the pork I ask the butcher to have my other ingredients be ground together with the pork. For consistency and less chopping**

• 2 medium eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pinch of pepper

for wrapping and cooking

• lumpia wrappers
• cooking oil for frying

Procedure:

• Combine all the ingredients for the filling.
  
• After it has been well mixed, wrap in lumpia wrapper in long thin shape.
  
• You can store it in plastic containers and put in your freezer.
• Deep fry in hot cooking oil until golden brown, drain in paper towel.
• You may also cut it in shorter length about 3 inches before serving
• Serve hot with sweet chili sauce (available in groceries, bottled)
  

mango shakes!

I know a lot of people who loves Mangoes, well being the National Fruit of the Philippines, I'm sure every Filipino loves the taste of this sweet fruit. Anyways, aside from eating it fresh the husband and I and now we learned that our daughter Olin loves fresh mango shake too!

Now you see what I mean?! :)

Aside from having it ordered as our drinks in our eat outs, mango shake also accompanies us when we are malling, we favored shakes from Fruitas stands. Because as we notice, they really uses the freshest fruit for every fruit shake ordered from them, right in front of the customer, plus the fact that it is indeed affordable. P55 for a large cup, not bad right?
So let me share with you a the recipe of our home made mango shake!

**good for 2 large glass servings**

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe large mangoes
• 1 cup sugar or sugar syrup
  
• crushed ice
• 1 1/2 cups water
  
• dash of lemon juice (if you like)

Procedure:

• Put on the 2 large mangoes (4 cheeks) into the blender together with sugar, 1 cup water and crushed ice
• Blend in the number 3 mode of the blender first then stir the mixture, add the remaining water for desired consistency, blend again in a less powerful mode until frothy.
• Dash with lemon juice to enhance the taste
• Pour in tall glass and serve immediately
  

School Thing!

Are you aware about this online university degree thing that the Capella University is offering? Well it seems that more and more are preferring this kind of education since it is in fact the most doable and less effort way earning a degree or diploma. No need to look for the nearest school institution to get yourselves enroll. Plus the fact that it is online, practically anyone who has a good internet connection and yes of course, money can study. With the time schedule that can be arrange without the hassle of it all. Basically, the only thing you would need to think about is the course that you would like to take and inquire at Capella University once you think that you are ready to study, be it your first time for College or your Master's degree, this famous institution is always waiting and will welcome you with warm embrace and will promise you an enjoyable stay at their online classes.

**This blog post is based on the information provided by blogitive. For more information please visit blogitive.com

WS: Taho

Who doesn't like eating TAHO?! whether it's hot or cold, bought from a kiosk like the one on the picture or from our favorite street vendor, it doesn't matter as long as we get our doze of this yummy treat! - for me, I was raised eating this thing for breakfast, when it's hot and has extra sugar syrup and tapioca balls!

Anyways, this is my latest try... Taho Station, located at The Loop, QC -- my friends and I tried it since it has been over sometime when we last had this. Though it doesn't exactly taste like the ones being sell on the streets, it is still a ok, but the sugar syrup I think makes the difference - their version is fluidy type but they offer special add ons like nata coco - which I love!

Their price? reasonable for P25! huge serving and clean.





I also heard that they are open for franchise... so if you're interested see more details here

According to Wikipedia : Tahô is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft/silken tofu, arnibalbrown sugar and vanilla syrup), and pearl sago (similar to pearl tapioca).^[2] This staple comfort food is a signature sweet and can be found all over the country. The Indonesian and MalaysianTahu ( equivalent of this dish is

eat better now!

Thanks Dez for sharing! Here are 20 ways to a healthy you!

1. Use the smallest plate that will accommodate your food. For most of us, the number-one nutrition concern is controlling calories, so nutrition experts emphasize portion control. A large plate begs to be filled edge to edge; smaller plates train your eyes to serve up smaller portions.
2. Forget “family style.” Another idea to keep portions in check while also discouraging a second helping is to serve from the stove instead of putting a serving bowl on the table.
3. Make double vegetables – and serve them first. Instead of making vegetables an afterthought, try making veggies the focus of your cooking creativity. Whatever vegetable dish you whip up, make extra for a return engagement later in the week, so you can serve two vegetables. Serve the veggies first, so they dominate the plate and there’s less room for the meat.
4. Think before you spread. Newer whole-grain breads are tasty, without the added calories and fat of butter or margarine. A tablespoon of butter, olive oil or margarine adds 90 calories; even “heart-healthy” spreads contain 70 calories that your waistline might be healthier without.
5. Go vegetarian one night a week. Nutrition experts suggest planning one meatless meal a week. Vegetarian meals can help you cut back on saturated fats and increase your intake of fiber.
6. Brew your own cold beverages. It means iced tea, of course. Nutritionists suggest avoiding high-calorie soft drinks and sweetened juices by keeping home-brewed iced tea in the fridge and serving with lemon. Iced tea has no calorie or artificial ingredients, and provides beneficial phytochemicals.
7. Sip your minerals. Another beverage strategy is keeping mineral water on hand and drinking it, with a wedge of lemon or lime, in lieu of caloric sodas. Besides cutting calories, mineral water contains small amounts of calcium and magnesium that add up with regular use. (But make sure your mineral water isn’t also high in sodium.)
8. Switch from whole milk to low-fat or skim. If you’re already drinking 2% milk, see if you can make the change to skim. While it’s important to get dairy in your diet, whole milk also contains saturated fat and excess calories that you definitely don’t need. Research from the Women’s Health Study showed that increased intake of low-fat dairy products reduced the risk of developing high blood pressure; those consuming high-fat dairy, however, saw no similar benefit.
9. Take your coffee “black.” This means skip the cream and sugar. Dosing your coffee rather than sipping it straight is a prime example of “drinking your calories.” In moderation, caffeine has been associated with a range of possible health benefits — but any such pluses are quickly outweighed by the minuses of added calories. It is estimated that only about 35 percent of people drink their coffee black, which means the rest of us are starting the day with extra calories (33 from two teaspoons of sugar and another 20 from a tablespoon of half-and-half) and saturated fat (one gram per tablespoon of half-and-half). Can’t stand it straight? Try gradually shifting to 2% and then skim milk instead of cream.
10. Don’t put a salt shaker on the table. Fine restaurants often omit the salt shaker, reasoning that the chef has seasoned the food just right back in the kitchen. If you follow their example, you can remove some of the temptation to increase your dietary sodium intake. Too much sodium — and almost all Filipinos get too much in their diet — is associated with a risk of high blood pressure. One recent study found that even people who don’t have hypertension can benefit from a diet low in salt such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, reducing their risk of heart disease and stroke.
11. Eat fish every Friday. Once a rule of the Catholic Church, eating fish instead of meat on Fridays (or whatever day of the week you chose) makes good nutritional sense regardless of your religion. Most experts advise eating fish — especially varieties like salmon, which is rich in omega-3s, twice a week, so designating one weekly “fish night” is a good start.
12. Cook in vegetable oil instead of butter. This simple switch can slash your intake of saturated fat, which contributes to unhealthy cholesterol levels and heart disease. Opt for monounsaturated fats like olive oil or polyunsaturated fat like canola and soybean oil, which have the added advantage of a higher “smoke point” than olive oil or butter.
13. Opt for nonstick pans. If you don’t need to coat the pan with oil to keep the food from sticking, you can use much less or leave the oil on the counter altogether. To minimize concerns about possible chemical emissions from nonstick cookware, choose heavier pans, keep temperatures under 500 degrees, and don’t preheat pans empty. For high-temperature cooking, good old cast-iron pans are virtually “nonstick” if properly seasoned.
14. Put your meat on a diet. Buying leaner cuts — along with trimming visible fat — avoids calories as well as saturated fat. The leanest beef cuts include round steaks and roasts, top loin, top sirloin, chuck shoulder, and arm roasts. The leanest pork cut choices include pork loin, tenderloin, and center loin.
15. Dress your salads lightly. A heavy hand with salad dressing, especially the creamy kind, can turn a “healthy” salad into an artery-clogging bowl of calories. Go light on the salad dressing, relying on more flavorful vinegars. Tossing the greens with the dressing in a salad bowl, rather than pouring dressing on top of greens on the plate, coats the greens more evenly while using less dressing.
16. Drain and rinse canned beans. One simple salt-fighting strategy is to drain and rinse canned beans before using. Processed foods are one of the biggest sources of sodium in our diet, so when you must open a can for convenience, get rid of as much of the added salt as you can. For instance, draining and then rinsing canned beans for 30 seconds under running tap water can reduce the sodium content by 43 percent.
17. Eat breakfast. Studies have consistently shown that people who eat a healthy breakfast are less likely to gain weight.
18. Put away the TV trays. Studies have associated higher levels of TV watching with a greater risk of obesity, and only part of that is due to couch potatoes’ lack of physical activity. It’s also partly because of mindless eating, not really paying attention to the food and savoring it. A good rule is to eat only in your kitchen or dining room.
19. Slow down. It can take 20 minutes for the food you eat to be digested enough for the glucose to enter the bloodstream and your body to start registering a sense of “fullness.” Practicing mindful eating — pausing to really taste and savor your food — can give your body time to give the “stop” signal.
20. Don’t expose yourself to excess. Sounds obvious. but it’s obviously not always adhered to. “All you can eat” buffets and other sumptuous spreads that offer a surfeit of choices encourage overconsumption of foods as well as beverages. It’s only natural to try “just a bite” of everything and all those bites add up. When eating out, skip the buffet and order from the menu.

Source: HERE

So cute!

Last week my mom and I went out to search for personalized baby gifts that we will give to my niece. Because this baby girl is so special to us, we wanted to give her the best gift ever! Well, not exactly grand and expensive you know, but has a personal touch which makes it more special. So what we got her? a simple yet classic girl's musical jewelry box! it has this very dainty ballerina who dances with the music when the box is opened. I know, classic it is! I used to have one when I was still young, but it got damaged when my sister started playing with it. I should have kept that! Oh well, guess it's still not too late to get one for myself eh? or for my daughter! hahahaha
Anyways, do you like to see more of those personalized baby stuffs online? check out babynest.com!

First Communion Party

My mom and I were invited to a First Communion party of her God daughter this coming weekend, a First Communion Invitations were handed to us this morning. Since my mom loves to cook and the girl is really special to us, plus, they were able to try her specialties before, they actually requested a dish from my mom! Thank goodness we were able to receive her Communion Invitation a week before the event thus giving us enough time to prepare.

Speaking of invitations, I was quite surprised to actually received communion cards or invitations communions since we were not used to a party after the said rite. But then again, time changes and so thus occasions, now, people are into considering this once in a lifetime event really special by throwing a party or a small get together for friends and families!

Now I'm thinking, what happened after my first communion? I can't remember a party or anything! Funny, but that is how it used specially when your parents doesn't have enough budget for a celebration!

WW: Blueberry Yogurt Shake

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