Happy New Year! err more of Happy Chinese New Year hahaha!
I know I need a lot of catching up in this blog but I need to check on these discount coupons at Shari's Berries as I want to stock up on fruits and other organic stuff in our pantry. For the past 3 weeks, I have been very consistent with my New Year's resolution, fitness-wise. I have not missed a day without any visit to the gym or simple workout at home. However, when I weighed in this morning, I was so sad to discover than I haven't lost a lb! I guess I should be back to counting calories again, then I will be able to shed off these stubborn 10 lbs.

Before the year ended, I promised myself to be a better blogger, meaning more worthy-reading entries. I even have a blogging notebook which I kept/wrote down thoughts that would come out of my rustic blogging brains but then when I have the time to finally sit down and write an entry, I just get overwhelmed with all the thoughts in my blogging notebook. I guess I must have left my blogging mojo last year hee hee. And now that I feel like writing, I need to research on Halogen Free Solder Paste first! Oh boy, I hope next week I will be able to share all those meals I have feasted on over the holidays, hello 5 lbs!

Lastly...yes definitely the very last entry of the year and before I check on these Resort Clerk Jobs.

I am very happy to share with you that I cooked my very first ham last Christmas Eve Dinner/Noche Buena. I just marinated it with Brandy, Sprite, Pineapple Juice, Cinnamon Powder, Honey, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Pepper, Salt and Garlic. Voila, until now my boys can't get enough of my Ham hee hee. I can't wait for the next family gathering as this glazed ham will be a staple dish in our dining table.

Yes, I am on a holiday vacation but baking has kept me busy Yay!
I do not know how and when I got myself into accepting orders on a Christmas bake! While standing up for wee hours, I make sure that my favorite passion fruit tea is brewing in my airpot, it has become a great partner for all the baking I do. I am too tired to share recipes tonight or maybe before 2011 ends, but I promised to share the recipes of these goodies I have been baking next year! Let's all welcome 2012 with positivity and good vibes!

Before I check on these metal switchplates, let me share with you some photos from our trip to Red Ribbon.

For the longest time, I had been urging dear hubby to drive me to the nearest Red Ribbon bakeshop (read: 45 mins drive) but we always end up getting so tired or busy. Until one day, he surprised me with this secret trip. Secret, because I was asleep the whole time. The moment I woke up, this is what I saw:

Oh yes, I turned into one after my pregnancy. You see, I was diagnosed with borderline gestational diabetes when I got pregnant almost 7 years ago. My ob-gyne was so strict that even if I was just borderline, she strictly monitored my sugar level and gave me a strict diet. So I was really thin when I was pregnant. Would you believe that I am heavier now compared to my full-term pregnancy weight? LOL! Now, that is a trivia. In short, I did not take any kind of sweets, most especially chocolates during my pregnancy and the 1st thing that I requested as soon as I delivered my son was boxes and bars of chocolates to which my mom and bestfriend obliged. That's when my addiction to chocolate began. Anyhow, my mom forgot to buy me the Royce chocolates in Manila which I have been craving for such a long time now. So let me just drool over Royce's pictures in the net and share this with you before I check on swarovski crystal!

The Top Chocolate Manufactures in the World: and of course, Royce is part of it :)

1. Nestlé
http://www.nestle.com/
Founded in 1860 by Henri Nestlé, a pharmacist, Nestlé is a multinational packaged food company located in Vevey, Switzerland. Nestlé is globally renowned with its several product lines including milk, chocolate, confectionery, bottled water, coffee, creamer, food seasoning and pet foods. Today, Nestlé is considered one of the biggest chocolate companies with a wide range of chocolate products such as Aero, 100 Grand Bar, Kit Kat, Nestlé Crunch and Rolo.

2. Cadbury Schweppes
http://www.cadburyschweppes.com/EN
One of the world’s largest confectionery company, Cadbury Schweppes was founded in 1905 and has its headquarters in Berkeley Square, London, England. Apart from confectionery products, this British confectionery company has also produced a great deal of beverage productions which has made the company a strong regional presence in the beverage industry in the Americas and Australia. Cadbury Schweppes has produced many types of chocolate brands such as Boost, Brunch Bar, Crispy Crunch, Crunchie and many more.

3. Ferrero SpA
http://www.ferrero.it/
An Italian Chocolate manufacturer, Ferrero SpA, is a family business which produces chocolate and other confectionery products. Ferrero SpA was founded in 1946 by a confectioner Pietro Ferrero and is still owned by the Ferrero family. In each year, Ferrero SpA has produced many tons of chocolate which are used in manufacturing chocolate products such as Ferrero Rocher, Mon Chéri, Confetteria Raffaello and also produce the Kinder product series, including Kinder Surprise, Fiesta Ferrero, Kinder Chocolate bars and Kinder Chocolate.

4. Callebaut
http://www.callebaut.com/
The second-largest chocolate producer in the world, Callebaut is a Belgian chocolate manufacturer which produces a wide range of chocolate products for consumers and professional chocolatiers around the world. Founded in Wieze, Belgium in 1850 by Eugenius Callebaut, this company was first operated as a brewery. Later in 1996, Callebaut merged with rival chocolatier “Cacao Barry” to form a new company which is now called “Barry Callebaut”. Its primary products are baking chocolate and cocoa powder which is sold to consumers and professional bakers around the world.

5. Camille Bloch
http://www.camillebloch.ch/
One of the most prestigious chocolate manufacturers in Switzerland, Camille Bloch has been producing high quality Swiss chocolate for over 75 years. Camille Bloch is renowned for their Ragusa Chocolate which is filled with smooth praline cream and hazelnuts, available in a variety of sizes and package types. Additionally, Camille Bloch also offers four different Chocolate Mousse Bars, each of which features decadently smooth chocolate filled with one of four creamy mousse fillings. Camille Bloch’s products were distributed to luxurious chocolate stores all over the world.

6. Divine Chocolate
http://www.divinechocolate.com/home/default.aspx
Established in the UK in 1998, Divine Chocolate Limited is a manufacturer of Fairtrade chocolate products in the United Kingdom and the United States. The company is owned as a partnership between the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa, Twin Trading and Oikocredit. Divine Chocolate’s first product, Divine Milk Chocolate, was launched in October 1998 and followed by a long list of chocolate products such as Divine White Chocolate, Flavored Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and drinking chocolate.

7. The Favarger Company
http://www.favarger.com/en/
Founded in 1826 by a pastry-cook, Jacques Foulquier. The Favarger Company is a Swiss chocolate manufacturer which is located in Versoix, the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. The company is not only well-known for those who live in Geneva and the rest of Switzerland, but also available at many places throughout the world where good quality chocolate is offered. Its soft chocolate and exceptional taste are claimed to be made by the original recipe which has been passed down from generation to generation. The Favarger Company has its famous chocolate products such as Les AVELINES de Genève and Les NOUGALINES de Genève.

8. The Hershey Company
http://www.hersheys.com/
The largest chocolate company in America, The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton Snavely Hershey. Globally, the company is commonly called Hershey’s and is also considered one of the oldest chocolate companies in the United States. Milton Hershey began to plant cocoa trees in his hometown, Derry Church, Pennsylvania, in 1903 and the manufacturing of chocolate proved successful. Since then, the company has grown rapidly.

9. Royce’
http://rb.e-royce.com/archives/2007/03/royce_chocolates_and_confectio.html
One of the biggest chocolate manufacturers in Asia, Royce’ onfect Co., Ltd., is also known as E-Royce’, has produced and distributed chocolate products to many countries in Asia and other continents. Royce’ was first established in July 1983, with a total capital of ¥10.0 million and increased its capital to ¥30.5 million in September of 1985. From1990, Royce’ became a significant player in the Asian candy industry with many of its famous chocolate brands such as Dacquoise, Lurumaro Chocola, Nutty Bar Chocolate, Royce’ Chocolate Bars, Royce’ Pure Chocolate and much more.

10. World’s Finest Chocolate
http://www.worldsfinestchocolate.com/
Established in USA in 1949, World’s Finest Chocolate is probably most recognized for its beneficent activities which help to raise money for non-profit organizations. Its $1 Almond chocolate bar that is used for fund raising can be labeled with a group’s name and fund raising purposes. This family-owned business has its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and also has a sales office located in Campbellford, Ontario, Canada. World’s Finest Chocolate is well known for being one of only 9 companies in the United States that produces chocolate “from bean to bar”.

I have to edit this entry in a wee bit to include the recipe.

Hubby was the one who whipped this Hot Wings dish one dinner, which I may say (ahem ahem) was super yum-o! I do not remember what he put in here so I have to wait for him who is currently busy talking to his friend over the phone, I think they were discussing gifts for their loved ones (me included!) as I have overhead this line: "christmas gifts for her". In the meantime, I hope this photo is enough to make you come back and check the complete recipe :).

I am craving for anything Conti's right now!
Oh gosh, I used to live in a village which was tricycle away from this uberly-yummy pastry shop and restaurant. I am not only after their sinful desserts but also I miss their dinner meals!!! I was telling my friend, C last night that my home country serves the best food and houses the best restaurants :). I am still on a hunt for a perfect restaurant here that would satisfy my Pinoy palate. In the meantime, I need to research on silver bars.

There are just a lot to do online. You could spend all day infront of your computer, read about all the news happening around the world, do your work online, stay connected with friends or simply be entertained by casino online. I remember a friend telling me that he could be locked up in a room for as long as he has internet and laptop, he would be really fine, and of course some food supply. You see, this friend of mine loves to play the best poker games online. At that time, I did not even know that he is into casino games and the like. Anyway, he told me about a site where you could find list of safe and reliable casino sites. It is very important that when you try to play these kinds of games online, you only play at reliable sites who value your privacy and personal information especially since there is money involved.

After 4 years of having this convo with my friend, I still have not really tried playing any of the available online casinos no matter how much this friend of mine would want me to try out some of the USA online casinos they have been enjoying. Maybe, this type of online game is not my cup of tea or casino for that matter as when we were in Vegas last year, I never enjoyed nor won any of the slot machines that we tried. Just a word of advice from my friend, if you ever try to play these games online, Play safe and only on reliable online sites.

No matter what the causes are, no one wants to suffer from the feelings of nausea so often. Some people will depend on over-the-counter medicines that will help them ease the pain and deal with the sickening feeling. Though these medications are proven effective, they are not always available.

However, for most people, they prefer a different way of treating nausea. Many people are looking for ways to kill the pain without having to take medications as it may have side effects in the future. As much as possible, they want to have a natural healing power because safety is one of the things that they are considering as well.

Today, the very popular acupressure is widely used. In fact, it’s what other people do whenever they experience the worst feeling of nausea in public places. They initially don’t know what to do but remembering the right acupressure points will quickly help in effectively eliminating the pain, dizziness and queasiness without having to take their usual medications. Aside from the fact that you are going to save money, you will also assure yourself that the treatment you performed is safe because of the natural procedures performed. Likewise, this will be very convenient for you since you can be able to do it discretely at any place and any given time.

Learning the accurate points on your body might be difficult but everyone experiencing nausea should not worry anymore in studying the connections of your body. There is a newly invented solution that people will surely be amazed of and there is no doubt that it will be preferred by most.

An American Board Certified obstetrician and gynecologist developed an acupressure wristband, which is designed and patented to treat nausea that can be caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy treatments, dysmenorrhea or post-surgery anesthesia. This wristband uses an acupressure, which is proven to be very effective in treating nausea and vomiting. It is a safe, simple, guaranteed no side effects and very budget friendly way of killing the pain caused by nausea. There is a small bead located in the band itself that performs the pressure faster through the median nerve to the brain, disrupting the signals to your brain that triggers the feeling of nausea.

It is very easy and safe to use, as you just have to wear it accurately to your wrist and then the built in bead will do the work in disconnecting the signal that causes the person from the feeling of nausea. The band is 100% adjustable, which will perfectly fit on your wrist.

According to research, it is proven to be very useful and the design of the wristband is very comfortable for all users because you can adjust it depending on the size of your wrist. Even kids can wear it and the good thing about this is, it’s not like the other elastic bands that loosen up eventually, especially if you use it very often.

Knowing the fine distinction of the points in our body can be complicated especially for those who are not fully aware of it but still, once you were able to determine the important parts of your body that can push pressure, it will help you gain a deeper understanding on how your body parts connect with each other.

Acupressure wristband is just one of the many ways of preventing nausea but this is one of the safest and has FDA marketing clearance. If you opt not to use this wristband, you just have to make sure that every treatment you give your body is safe enough and as much as possible, get the prescription of your doctor first.

Remember that health is one of our top priorities so it’s better to be sure of all the actions performed before anything else is too late.

The first time I saw Brooke Burke on E!, I was so amazed by her unique beauty. When she became a mother, she vouched that she would never ever take the shortcut on losing weight by taking diet pills, going under the knife nor learn more weight loss supplements. She was always pushing herself to do extreme workout combined with healthy eating. Here are 4 tips this Dancing with the Stars co-host shared at Shape.com.

Tip 1: Avoid Fad Diets
Having tried just about every diet in the book, Brooke has finally learned what diet works for her body and that is the Mediterranean diet. Her entire family follows the diet, which includes lean grilled beef, chicken, fish, salads, vegetables, and olive oil.

I also eat five small meals a day,” she says. “And I never skip breakfast, even if it’s just a protein shake. I can honestly say that I’ve never been healthier or fitter in my life.”

Tip 2: Pencil in a Workout
There is no excuse for not making time to exercise. Pencil it into your daily agenda if you have to just like Brooke does. Ideally, she works out five days a week. She normally does a cardio workout at the gym first thing in the morning after taking her children to school. Her favorite cardio activities are running the treadmill at 3.5 miles per hour at a 15% incline and the Pilates class she does 3 times a week.

Tip 3: Exercises for Confidence
Exercise offers many benefits, but self confidence is the best one of all. Being beautiful like a model is one thing, but being comfortable about who you are and with your own health brings more confidence that is even more beautiful.

I never wanted to be on magazines like Vogue or Allure; I wanted to be on SHAPE,” says Brooke. “There’s something very special to me about being relatable to other women, being healthy, and representing confidence at any age.”

Tip 4: Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself Too
Many women struggle with trying to take care of everyone else around them and, as a result, they often put themselves on the back burner. However, it is just as important to find time to relax, de-stress, and do something that makes you happy. For Brooke, working out is often that time. However, it can also be something as simple as scheduling a day to do absolutely nothing but sleep in.

Too early for this? or too late :).

For this week's recipe, I am featuring a dish my son loves and can eat everyday. The cuts of the pork should be the trotters but at home, we try to veer away from pork skin. Thus, you cannot see any pork skin in the photo but I assure you that pork trotters with skin are just perfect for this dish. Oh how I miss meat during Lent that I got so excited to cook this over dinner.

Happy Cooking! I shall head on to this site and check some Spring Sferra linens.