Did you go on tutoring sessions when you were a kid? I did. My mom was too busy with her business commitments to be reviewing each of our every assignments and projects. So in order to enhance our Study Skills, we were on tutoring sessions at least 3 times a week. If you are looking for tutorial services for your kids, Club Z is the world's largest one-on-one tutoring program. Tutoring is said to improve grades, raise test scores, learn productive study skills, build academic self-confidence, and reach your kids full potential. Check out the site for more.

Lila oh Lila! Napakaganda mong kulay...

Pasensya na po at nahuli ang aking lahok :)

Karamihan ng nakakakilala sa akin alam na ang paborito kong kulay ay ang Lila. Ito nga ang aming motiff sa kasal. Narito ang larawan ng aming wedding cake na gawa ng aking ina. Di ba napakaganda ng Lila dito kahit accent lang siya ng fondant cake.

Violet, what a beautiful color. (My apologies for the late entry).

People who know me, know that purple or violet is my favorite color. In fact, it was our wedding motiff. And here is a photo of our wedding cake which was made by my mom. Isn't violet such a beautiful color here even if it was only an accent in this fondant cake?

I think my system has been kinda cleaned up with the no-meat fasting I have been doing this month. Although, I crave for meat every single time in my sleep, I am proud that I surpass this 30 day challenge, well not yet really as I still have until friday to complete the fasting. I remember a friend telling me that her mother-in-law once suspected that she has cancer and was too scared to consult the doctor for diagnosis. She did her own cleansing by eating only fruits and vegetables and very limited seafoods for one year. I guess that's her way of doing her own Colon Cleanse.

For the past months, hubby was teasing me to get a colon clean-up medication because of the many junk foods I have accumulated in my diet. I have found one at Dr.Natura.com, Inc. This is the global leader in cleansing and detoxification. They are also one of the Most Popular Colon Cleansing and Body Detox Resources in the World. I do not really know how the thing works but if you are interested, you might want to check out information at their website: drnatura.com.

As for me, I guess all I need is to cut back (yet again!) on my junk food intake. This remains to be a challenge for myself.

This week's Lasang Pinoy entry is all about steamed food.
These are recycled photos from my previous Lasang Pinoy entries. Obviously, I love steamed food and here are my most favorite.

SIOPAO!

STEAMED RICE
STEAMED BROCCOLI (i don't want it any other way of cooking except steamed!)
STEAMED MIXED VEGGIES, I'd rather season it myself.
Happy LaPis y'all! thanks for peeping!

All things 3-0!
30 food items you would like served on a birthday party!

1. LECHON!!!
2. SISIG!!!
3. STEAK!!! (now can you hear me screaming MEAT all over my system?!?)
4. Chocolate Fondue with all the works!
5. Brazo De Mercedes.
6. Of course, there should be rice.
7. SODA!
8. HARD DRINKS!
9. BEER.
10. Salmon. yum yum!
11. Puttanesca.
12. Spaghetti for the kids.
13. Seafoods in olive oil pasta.
14. Cheesecake, a buffet of CHEESECAKE!
15. Spareribs. (barbeque)
16. LECHON KAWALI (ok, you all are gonna have a heart attack on my birthday hee)
17. PAPA JOHN's SPECIALTY PIZZAS
18. All flavors of Edy's ice cream.
19. Overflowing fries and chips!!!
20. Okay then, steamed veggies and salad hee.
21. Sushi, sashimi and maki buffet.
22. Siopao!!!
23. Fish Kinilaw!
24. Kare-Kare.
25. Just so to create some class, I want Foie Gras!
26. Grilled squid!
27. Enchiladang eggplant and green mangoes.
28. Red Lobsters from Red Lobster lol!
29. KFC Hot and Crispy.
30. and yea, Burger King meals for the kiddos.
    

OH GOODNESS! THIS MEME MADE ME VERY VERY HUNGRY at 12 midnight!

I have been continously hearing that these days we should be very careful with what investments we put our money in to. Also, have you heard of the Mercury Retrograde? There are dates there that one is not advisable to sign or close any investment dealings. I have a couple of people in my circle who has been victims of Investment Frauds and scams and it can be very devastating you know. All your hard-earned money put to waste and even if you try to settle it with the court, it can take a lot of time and even stressed you out to your pits. An Uncle told me that it is extremely important to consult with a lawyer before you sign a contract or investment deals as they are the best people who could advise you with the legalities and details of every contract. If you are in this process and have not talk to any legal person or lawyer, you can check out stockbrokerfraud.com. The site will lead you to a person who is nationally known and has extensive experience in the litigation of securities related matters. Mr. Guiliano has been featured in numerous publications including Smart Money Magazine, Cranes Business Daily, and the Wall Street Journal.

The moment I saw this from my reader, I just had to snag it from DONYA!.

I do not know of anyone who is not trying to live a healthier life, it's just that some unhealthy and junk food are quite hard to resist. Anyhow, if you are on this quest, as I do, read this list. I would be posting healthiest snacks for kids next week. I will still do some researching.

1. Bran muffin
* 420 calories
* 20 g fat

Eat this instead:
Ham, egg and cheese on an English muffin
* 300 calories
* 12 g fat

Bran muffins are comprised of two things your body doesn't want in the morning: sugar and refined flour. Both will work to spike your blood sugar, which signals your body to start storing fat and sets you up for a mid-morning crash. And with only trace amounts of fiber, there's nothing healthy about this misunderstood muffin. The breakfast sandwich, on the other hand, is asurprisingly great way to start your day. Besides having fewer calories, fat, and carbs, it also offers about 20 grams of protein, which we really need in the morning to jumpstart our metabolism.

2. Chicken Caesar salad
(dinner-size portion)
* 900 calories
* 60 g fat

Eat this
instead: Grilled chicken on mixed greens
* 400 calories
* 20 g fat

Caesar salads suffer the consequences of two natural disasters: a flood of fatty dressing and a blizzard of Parmesan cheese and croutons. Even a Caesar side salad before a meal can cost you up to 500 calories. Skip the emperor treatment in favor of a simple grilled chicken breast tossed in a bed of mixed greens tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette. The vinaigrette is a vast improvement
over the treacherous Caesar dressing, and the absence of a Parmesan sea means that you'll save nearly entire meal's worth of calories by making this simple swap.

3. Tuna melt
* 900 calories
* 50 g fat

Eat
this instead: Roast beef or ham sandwich
* 500 calories
* 15 g fat

Plain tuna out of the can is healthy; tuna doused in mayo, shrouded in melted cheese, and slicked with another layer of dressing is not. Both ham and roast beef are packed with protein and are super-satisfying and surprisingly lean, which means you can eat the same size sandwich and save 400 calories and 35 grams of fat.

4. Chicken wrap
* 700 calories
* 35 g fat

Eat this instead: Grilled chicken sandwich
* 375 calories
* 15 g fat

The wrap itself is the real offender here, dense with fast-burning carbs and containing up to 400 calories. It's a tortilla shell pumped with a bunch of modified starch and fat. Plus the huge surface area means more room to slather dressing and pack in more cheese and meat than your typical
sandwich. Definitely not a health food. A grilled chicken sandwich on a bun offers a great balance of fat, carbs, and protein, plus having a bun instead of a huge tortilla provides some much-need portion control. Bonus: Nix the mayo in favor of barbecue sauce or salsa (which is the ultimate fat-free, low-cal condiment).

5. Turkey burger
* 850 calories
* 50 g fat

Eat this instead: 7 oz sirloin steak
* 350 calories
* 20 g fat

People hear turkey and automatically think lean and healthy, but depending on the type of ground turkey and toppings used, one of these poultry patties can be every bit as fatty and caloric as a beef burger. Sirloin, on the other hand, is one of the leanest cuts of meat available, which makes for an incredibly satisfying, protein-enriched meal that will keep you feeling fuller,
longer. Who wouldn't want to make this swap?

6. Fruit smoothies
* 600 calories
* 120 g sugars

Drink this instead: 100
percent fruit smoothie
* 350 calories
* 75 g sugars

Many fruit smoothies contain added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, which means they're more milkshake than smoothie. The key here really is in the name: A 100 percent fruit smoothie made with plain yogurt instead of ice cream or sherbet will contain nearly half the calories and significantly less sugar, plus it will provide all of the vitamin and antioxidant capacity that a smoothie is supposed to have.

7. Granola bar
* 200 calories
* 15 g sugars

Eat this instead: 1 oz cheddar cheese with Triscuits
* 150 calories
* 5 g sugars

Ever wonder what keeps a granola bar together? The makers of one of America's favorite (and most misunderstood) snacks use mostly high-fructose corn syrup as their glue, which in turn quickly raises blood sugar and cancels out any of the potential benefits you might otherwise
get from the oats. By switching over to good old-fashioned cheese and crackers, you swap out sugar and calories for protein and fiber. Talk about a great deal!

8. Pasta salad
* 300 calories
* 20 g fat

Eat this
instead: Egg salad
* 200 calories
* 14 g fat

When the main ingredient for a snack or a side is pasta, you're asking for trouble. That's because pasta is made from highly-refined flour, which means quick-burning carbs and a huge spike in blood sugar. Not only does it save you a hundred calories, but the egg salad replaces those troublesome carbs with healthy protein, which helps fill your belly faster and keeps your metabolic fires effectively stoked.

9. Yogurt with fruit on the bottom
* 190 calories
* 30 g
sugars

Eat this instead: Plain yogurt with fresh fruit mixed in
* 110 calories
* 15 g sugars

You wouldn't start your morning with a can of Coke, would you? Then you should pass on these troublesome yogurt cups since they contain as much sugar as a soft drink. Almost all of what comes directly from the "fruit" is high-fructose corn syrup. Yogurt and fruit can be a great way to start your day, but do it yourself by mixing a cup of nonfat plain yogurt with a half cup of mixed berries.

10. Bagel with cream cheese
* 700 calories
* 40 g fat
* 13g saturated

Eat this
instead: Cheese omelet
* 425 calories
* 18 g fat
* 6 g saturated

Bagels are bogus. The bread is bad enough, containing 300 calories and 60 grams of carbohydrates, but tack on the liberal cream cheese schmear (by our survey of popular breakfast chains, up to 4 ounces for a single bagel!) and your "harmless" breakfast snack just got worse than a Whopper. The omelet swap will save you nearly 300 calories, plus provide a surge of metabolism-driving protein. And a recent study from the University of Connecticut found that eggs can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

11. Pasta primavera
* 800
calories
* 40 grams of fat (12 g saturated)

Eat this instead: 2
slices veggie pizza
* 400 calories
* 20 g fat
* 6 g saturated

Yes, there may be a few vegetables in this popular pasta dish, but there is also a ton of butter, cream, and quick-burning carbs from the mountain of noodles. If you want to stick to pasta, look for red sauce-based dishes like pasta pomodoro or penne arrabiatta (chili-spiked marinara). But ultimately, even a few slices of cheese or vegetable pizza turn out to be a relatively smart
choice when the craving for Italian food strikes. Unlike the nearly bottomless pits of pasta most restaurants serve up, pizza comes in a naturally portion-controlled form: two slices and you're done. Just be sure to opt for regular or thin crust; both pan and deep dish pizza have nearly twice the calories.

12. Dried fruit
* 175 calories
* 45 g sugars

Eat this instead: Fresh fruit, like an apple or a peach
* 70 calories
* 15 g sugars

Okay, so dried fruit won't totally derail a day of good eating (unless you put down an entire bag of banana chips), but it's far from being a harmless snack. First, because the dehydrating process sucks most of the volume from the fruit, you can eat cups of the stuff, and 600 calories later, still not feel any fuller. More troubling, though, is the fact that companies like Sun-Maid and Ocean Spray almost invariably add a ton of sugar to the fruit, making Craisins closer to candy than Mother Nature's original intention. In this case, the choice is clear: Stick to the real stuff.
You'll get more fiber and less sugar, a time-tested formula for superior snacking.

13. Fish sandwich
* 600 calories
* 30 g fat
* 11 g saturated

Eat this instead: Chicken sandwich
* 300 calories
* 13 g fat
* 4 g saturated

Fish is healthy. Fish battered, fried, robed in cheese, and bathed in tartar sauce is decidedly not. The lesson? It's not about the star ingredient, but the supporting cast—in this case a cadre of fat-bearing miscreants. We've seen too many chicken- and fish-based dishes ruined by overly assertive (and caloric) accoutrements. To that end, make sure your next chicken sandwich is grilled (avoid any menu item with the word "crispy," the restaurant industry's euphemism of choice for fried food), dressed with fresh produce, and topped with a low-cal sauce like barbecue, or even ketchup and mustard.

14. Stick margarine (1 Tbsp)
* 100 calories
* 11 g fat
* 2.5 g saturated
* 2.5 g trans fat

Eat this instead: Whipped butter (1 Tbsp)
* 50 calories
* 6 g fat
* 1.5 g saturated

In their haste to remove saturated fat from butter, stick margarine makers created a monster—a soft, spreadable sludge loaded with trans fats, a dangerous lipid with more concerning links to heart disease than saturated fat. Stick with the real stuff, but pick up whipped butter from brands
like Land O' Lakes instead; by whipping air into the butter, manufacturers decrease the caloric density of a tablespoon of butter, plus it makes for easier spreading.

I AM… a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a blogger, a student. That pretty sums up what I do right now.

I WANT… a break, a big one!

I HAVE… a long to do list!

I WISH… good health all the time.

I HATE… uncertainties.

I FEAR… losing my loved ones

I SEARCH… for answers

I WONDER… one thing in my life.

I REGRET… loading myself with tons of junk food!

I LOVE… eating and cooking hee hee!

I ALWAYS… blog.

I AM NOT… on my best weight!

I DANCE… to any tune at home.

I SING… all the time.

I CRY… if i want to.

I WRITE… random things.

I WON… the lotto!!! Wishful thinking!

I AM CONFUSED… with some technical stuff.

I NEED… to diet!

I SHOULD… start living a healthier lifestyle.

THE LAST THOUGHT I GO TO SLEEP WITH IS… related to whatever books I read to my son.

If you had the choice without minding time and money, would you still consider furthering your education until you get a doctorate degree?

Honestly, I could not believe that I am pursuing this master's degree. I used to tell my peers back home that they would not see me taking master's degree or another bachelor's degree because I have proven to earn a decent amount of money with only 1 Bachelor's degree. But I guess, this is one of the moments that I should have not said NEVER. Never say never, as I quote. Anyhow, if you are interested on furthering your degree but could not see an opportune university that could accomodate your hectic schedule, check out the online university degree list of Capella Education. Think about it especially if you plan to further your career plan as well :).

1. Do you like garlic in food?
>>>A lot :). We always have a stock of Goya bottled minced garlic.

2. Do you have any favorite food brands you always look for?
>>>Not really. But when it comes to my ice cream, chocolates and junk foods, I patronize the same brands hee :)

3. What food or foods seem to give your gas the worst?
>>>Sweet Potato!

4. Would you like for menu items at restaurants to list calorie counts?
>>>Yes, although I know restos would hid a portion of this calorie count fact :).

5. If you were lost in the woods of your area, what plants would you know to use as food?
>>>Gosh, that is hard because I need to blanche them before I could eat them lol!

Are you the type of person who purchases without consulting anyone or reading reviews about your planned purchase? Well, if you are going to buy something say an investment, a house probably, do not hesitate and ask around. After all, hard-earned money will be spent here and you do not want them to put to waste. If you are looking at buying any of the Schumacher custom houses around the country, read this Schumacher Homes Press before deciding to get one. They say right now is the best time for house shopping so if you have plans and could afford one, grab this very rare chance.

Four more days to go and I have completed my one month no meat fasting and I am dying to have a meat dish on February 1 hahah! Okay, I may have failed myself from being a vegan but at least I tried and I made it. However, I realized I could not live without meat (pork,beef and chicken). Also, my meals can get very expensive because it's more on seafoods and fruits. Lastly, I think I did not lose hence, I gained more weight! I have to satisfy myself and because meat can satisfy my palate, I have no choice but to look for other satisfaction through junk and sweets!

So, meat, I welcome you back into my system in February :)
and while I have deprived myself with no meat for the whole of January, I will make sure to limit my meat intake :)

I have mentioned many times here that hubby is truly one person who is overly passionate (not to mention addicted) to coffee. Even his sisters are coffeeholics as well. I remember back home, when we used to hold family gatherings, after the mail meals they would all request for coffee and would drink it after lunch or dinner. I, on the other hand do not enjoy a single cup of coffee but this was before when I have all the luxury of sleeping as long as I want. Lately, my minimum coffee intake ranges from 2-3 cups, I swear this thing keeps me up and about. Anyways, I promise myself to cut down on my coffee intake as I can be very heavy on the cream and sugar, and that is not a good thing. So I try to alternate it with tea. However, tea can be very boring as for me they all taste the same. Anyways, I am for tea over coffee as it helps in cleansing my system and also in losing weight. I have heard of this Wu-Yi Tea a couple of times from friends and so far I am quite convinced to get myself a box of wuyi tea. Apparently, this diet tea is all organic and the mere fact that it is considered a weight loss tea, the more it becomes popular to tea drinkers and health buff.

We still have sweet treats left-overs from the holiday season. And yes I cannot help but to get a piece or 2 after every meal. I can't imagine life without these sweet treats, do you?

Happy Lapis y'all!

To all my regular Lapis Visitors, thank you for continously commenting on my entries, I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart :) I assure you, I visit your entries but I am too busy to comment, I will one of these days. Pretty hectic both on the home and school front. Have a good week y'all!

1.)Do you consider yourself healthy?
>>>Not really. I have been slacking off on my workout routine. Food intake-wise, I think I am.

2.)Do you exercise?
>>>I try to find time.

3.)Are you careful in what you eat?
>>>Sort of. Everything in moderation.

4.) Have you started a diet recently?
>>>I am on a no meant fasting this monthy, next month I'll start with my no-rice diet.

5.)Do you know your BMI (Body Mass Indicator)?
>>>I just did, glad to fall on the healthy weight category but I am so close at falling into the overweight lol!

6.)Do you know your what your calorie intake should be a day?
>>>I just did.

JOIN US!

I have been frequenting our bath tub lately. I need relaxation and alone moments, ever since school began last week. I love spa treatments but availing one here is impossible because it can get really pricey. The closest I could get is by improvising our own bathroom with a spa-like atmosphere :). Hubby has been buying scented oils and candles which I make use whenever I needed that spa-like treatment. dipping on the tub is one of the best form of relaxations form me and have you heard about hot tub chemicals from hottubs2buy.co.uk? Well, they said it is effective and worth it. I'll research more on this and will let you know if we tried it.

They say most people can make huge money out of Mortgage Leads, even a relative of mine who is in real estate told me about this. If you are interested, check out myvoicedialing.com, this site provides voice broadcast and robo calls which targets Mortgage Leads, Loan Mod Leads and Loan Modification Leads.

I realized that I really need to push myself into working out or moving more. I become so accustom to sitting down and lying in the bed most of the day, even when I am working. The result of all these kind of lifestyle is me being unfit to do rigid activities say malling more than 2 hours or even cleaning the house. Also, I feel sluggish lately.

How I miss my very active life back in college. Hubby and I would both sport our North Face jackets and Rock Climbing Shoes as we would trek mountains. Yes I do mountain climbing before as hubby is a mountaineer. He would even purchase Arcteryx at mountaingear.com from time to time. Well, it's never too late, I can still start being active again through working out or even dancing in the morning.

Few more days and I am done with my no-meat fasting. And yes I gained weight while at it. I may not try to be back doing this again because I admit, I cannot leave without meat in my system. Well, I did but I don't really feel good. I might just cut-down on meat intake and will stuff myself with fish and veggies but that would not make me a vegan.

So yes, I fail to be one. But at least I tried and who knows I might try this again :)

1. Do you snack? On what times? What do you snack on?
>>>Whenever I feel like snacking and that's a really bad thing :(

2. Healthy or Junk foods?
>>>Never healthy and if they were heavy, I tell you they are fattening lol!

3. I tend to snack on sugar-loaded drinks – do you? If so what?
>>>Nope. I can survive with water alone.

4. Do you take coffee in the afternoon?
>>>Sometimes to keep me up.

5. What do you munch on all the time?
>>>Chips and chocolates!

I am glad that establishments, most especially the malls are making their best effort to make their place a fun and convenient place for the handicapped. They have now handicapped toilet, parking for handicapped and some malls even have spare weelchairs so as to accommodate old people and be able to enjoy the mall without having to be too tired at all. Speaking of handicapped toilet, you'd be surprised to know that AllegroMedical.com covers this item as part of their products. The store is amazing as they have a wide collection of medical-related stuff. Check out their site for more information.

Ano tawag sa kulay niya pag hindi pa siya luto?

Ohlala! My favorite Orange-colored dish! This photo was taken during our last dinner at Red Lobster resto. Good thing as I brought some extra video card and was able to capture my little boy holding a live lobster! He had fun, can you see :) Can't wait to be back here :). Happy Litratong Pinoy!

#1. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever made with bread?
Dip it in a coffee or any beverage including coke!

#2. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever done with mac and cheese or pasta?
Used canola oil instead of olive oil, yay! It was an accidental mistake though lol!

#3. Is there a food you eat other then it is intended?
None.

#4. What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever seen?
Exotic dishes that include frog's legs!

One last food meme of the day and I'm off to research on this Lexington personal injury lawyer :).

I saw this meme from Green Style Mom blog. The rules are pretty easy.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions. LINK TO THE BLOG WHERE YOU SAW THIS MEME.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment HERE linking to your results.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile(X)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&Jsandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beerfloat
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (X)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu Nah
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut.
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs (X)
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette.
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse (X)
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake (X)

I've crossed out only a few because most of the items in the list I do not know hee hee :)

1. What would you say is your idea of fine dining?
>>>course by course meal. gourmet with heavy and detailed food preparation. bill is skyrocketing you would only eat less hence no worries of taking Fenterdren after a fine dining meal. romantic. candles. violinist on the side :). Only you and your man dine :).

2. How often do you go out to eat at a restaurant?
>>>At least once a week. Friday nights are spent trying out restos.

3. What side do you think goes great with ham?
>>>wine and cheese. I don't really understand why people love eating ham with pineapple hee.

4. What do you prefer, hot foods or cold?
>>>Depends but I'm into hot meals.

5. Does packaging alter the taste?
>>>I think they do :). Food shouls always be kept fresh so packaging is important.

I noticed that one of the most used tables in a small-spaced house, apartment and condominium are dining tables. Based from personal experience, our dining table is the most used table. That is also where you would see me and my son hanging around most of the day. After we have breakfast or lunch, I would end up journalling some to do tasks of the day, working on my laptop and writing off my school assignments. My son on the other hand, ends up working on his arts, doodling, writing, building his lego or blocks in the table beside me. Then, I do most of our ABC, counting and coloring done together in this table. If you would come and visit us, you would see pentelpen marks which of course, to my husband dismay. You see, hubby can be very careful about our furniture. I clearly remember his never-ending search for our current dining table. With the small dining area that we have, he would constantly ask me if I prefer square dining tables or if round dining tables will be more apt for our dining space. In the end we ended up having a rectangle, small 6 seater dining table similar to the photo above. He can be very picky in terms of Furniture and generally, home decorations. I would often find him lurking at Lombok site. They have quite a wide collection of elegant and unique furniture. In fact, the photo above is swiped from their site. There are other dining tables featured in the site that caught my eye. But, for now we will have to settle with what we have. But definitely, if we move places, state or even country (who knows?!), we would consider Lombok because of their one of a kind furniture designs and collection.

In a few hours, the country will have it's 1st African-American President. I am pretty excited and is a bit obsessed with President-Elect Obama's winning, I do not know why. Probably, because his presidency is quite monumental and very historical. To suffice this big inauguration event, I was looking for a related food entry. So I ended up blogging about the White House Chef, A Filipina whom we all are proud of. When I googled her name, I was surprised to find out that some found it offensive that Former President Bush joked about the Filipina Chef, did you get offended with the mere mention of how proud he is of her Filipina Chef? I didn't. Anyhow, there were also talks that she was supposed to be replaced because Bush and Obama's tastes in food differ. Bush does not eat greeny and wet food while Obama is into veggies. With her credentials, I am sure she can whip almost anything delectable that would be appetizing enough to any one, regardless of stature, race and society class. No wonder, the Obamas kept her. You can read more about this HERE.

...And speaking of achievements, one of the best ways to reach those goals is by furthering your education. You might want to check out this university online and start registering your course now.

Just as I was writing My Diet Files update previously, I thought of checking out these effective diet pills from lab88.com. And realize it would be very easy for me to jump into these sites and purchase diet pills for my flabby flabs. A friend once told me that I could easily lose all those stubborn 10-15 pounds in 2 weeks just by taking these pills but not matter how good she were at persuading me, I do not have the guts to take them. Oh well, I just have to be very patient and determined, in no time I would reach my weight goal. But, if you are impatient enough to do the natural way, diet pills can be an option but do not forget to consult your physician before taking one.

Heck!
What happened with my 1st entry, it got deleted. Boohoo Blogspot!

Anyways, moving on. I'd re-blog what I remember typing previously.

I said earlier that I dread going to the weighing scale, lately. Since I started my no-meat fasting, every time I weigh in, I am disappointed. I am feel lighter but the weighing scale says otherwise. My fasting will be done by end of the month and Gawd I miss MEAT, pork especially. I think I would not be able to be a 100% vegan, (or is there EVEN such a thing as 50% vegan), because most of the time I end up stuffing myself with tortilla chips and salsa! Let's see what will happen.

I am quite early this week, finally! The main reason for this is that I have a lot of things lined up this weekend and next week. School started last Monday only but here I am swamped with homeworks and paper all due next week! Not to mention the fact that I am also swamped with blogging tasks. And would you believe an Aunt also asked me to research on cattle supplies geez :) Well, before I get overwhelmed again and missed out on LP this Sunday, here's my early entry :).

Hubby who is the coffeeholic can take up to 8-10 cups of coffee a day, no exaggeration :). I have to remind him though that he could take only up to 5 a day. 8-10 is just too much! Anyhow, I mastered a few of his coffeemaking tricks, in fact he said I make the best cappucino, see o with Oreo cookie pa!

Last part.

* Know this workout number. Monitor your heart rate to make sure you’re getting the most out of your walk or jog.
>>>When I was regularly doing my morning treadmill routine, I was so keen on these numbers.

* Sneak in strength training. It’s key to warding off the weight creep as you age.
>>>Hmmm, better hit off the gym soon.

* Sport some shades. Make sure that they have UVA and UVB protection. Excessive sunlight exposure over time can up your risk of cataracts.
>>>I do.

* Take a fish oil capsule. It’s a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
>>>My dad don't miss a fish oil capsule a day, I might start mine too.

* Buy a new pillow. It’ll make all the difference in how you sleep. A pillow that’s indented in the center or conforms to your head shape is best for reducing neck pain.
>>>But, I just can't get rid off our old pillows because I'm after the smell :).

Source: HERE

Part 4 of 5 :). One more post and I completed the article :)

1. Have it delivered. Not having time to cook doesn’t have to stand between you and having a healthy meal. You can have good food delivered.
>>>But food deliveries tend to be fattening, agree or disagree?

2. Get organized. At doctor’s visits, request a copy of all lab works, consultations, and the physician’s report and keep them in a file.
>>>This is in my and hubby's list of goals for the year. To frequent Doctor's visits.

3. Strike a pose. Research shows that yoga can make you less stressed and better able to concentrate. One study found that students saw the benefits after just four classes.
>>>I still laugh at Yoga sessions hee hee.

Source: HERE

When we were planning for our wedding, hubby and my mom knew that I considered destination weddings or out-of-town weddings. In fact, I have inquired about Boracay and Tagaytay then. However, both of them strongly disagreed with the idea that since our wedding falls on the Holiday Season, it can get really expensive. Looking back, I did not regret to not having an out-of-town wedding and proceeded with the traditional big and well-attended wedding :). But, I am still in awe everytime I see destination weddings such as those held at Mexican Riviera Maya, isn't it just romantic and picturesque?

part 3 of 5.

* Switch one soda. Exchange one soda (diet or regular) that you drink every day for water. In one study, dieters who replaced almost all sweetened drinks with H2O lost an average of five pounds more than those who didn’t. Even limiting diet drinks can help, says Heather Bauer, RD, founder of Nu-Trin nutrition counseling center in New York City.
>>>I can live without soda, so this one is an easy trick for me :)

* Eat and run. Before you reach for that candy bar, think about how far you need to run to burn those calories.
>>>Agree.

* Chew slowly. In a recent study, when the subjects were told to eat quickly, they ate 646 calories in nine minutes, but when they were encouraged to pause between bites and chew each mouthful 15 to 20 times, they took in just 579 calories in 29 minutes.
>>>I eat superfast, ALL THE TIME. yay!

* Sleep. Replacing one hour of “inactive” awake time with sleep can slash your calorie intake by about six percent, due to hormonal changes and simply by giving you fewer chances to eat, says recent research.
>>>I love sleeping and is very good at this hahha!

* Turn in a little hungry. Nighttime snacks can add up to 300 extra calories daily, says Julie Upton, RD. On a scale of one to 10, one being faint due to hunger and 10 being stuffed, go to bed at about six.
>>>That is why the after 6 diet is very effective.

* Be a flextarian. Going meatless for at least two meals a week can help reduce the amount of saturated fat and calories you consume, says Bauer.
>>>So more of a vegetarian, I can now say I pass being a flextarian!

* Change your dressing. A salad is certainly virtuous — until you pour on the dressing. In fact, people can often get more fat and calories from dressings than any other food, says Bauer. Try the new salad dressing spritzers, which add flavor for just 10 calories.
>>>I love those spritzers!

* Leave a few bites behind. This equals about 100 calories, which is all you need to cut down from your daily diet to avoid gaining the one to two pounds most adults put on every year, says Jim Hill, PhD, co-founder of America on the Move.
>>>I don't exactly get this?!

* Go the extra mile. This will help you ward off weight gain. That’s just 2,000 steps (or about a walk around the block).
>>>No time for exercise :(

* Jump rope. This will up the calorie burn of your walking workout. Start by doing 20 jumps every five to 10 minutes.
>>>Jumping jacks can count right?

* Sit in front of the TV … on a stability ball. “It gets you to hold in your abdominal muscles, so you’re building strength and helping posture,” says Katie Duggan, MPH, manager of the Prevention Research Center at St. Louis University’s School of Public Health.

* Exercise while you e-mail. Sit upright and inhale deeply. As you exhale slowly, draw your lower abdominals in toward your spine. Hold them tight (while you take a few easy breaths) for as long as it takes you to write an e-mail.

Source: HERE

Part 2 of 5. Let's proceed, some items were a shock to me, at least now I know :).

* Nibble before dinner. Eating a small amount of healthy fat 20 minutes before you eat — such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and others — can trick you into thinking you’re full faster. This works because good fats stimulate the production of a hormone that sends the signal to your brain that you’ve eaten enough.
>>>This is quite easy for a natural nibbler and muncher like me, I just have to watch the volume as I tend to over munch sometimes.

* Have a pizza night. Pizza is often dismissed as unhealthy, but if you use whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese, and pile on veggies (skip the pepperoni and ground beef), it’s one of the most nutritionally sound meals around.
>>>YUM!

* Juice it up. Goodbye to its reputation as a sugar and calorie bomb. New research has found that drinking fruit and vegetable juices can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 76 percent and help lower cholesterol. Just make sure you go for 100-percent juice (read the labels carefully).
>>>They say the easiest way to eat veggies which your palate do not like is to osterize them and drink the veggie juice in less than 5 minutes :)

* Put pasta on the menu. Choose multigrain varieties, says Jennifer Vimborg, RD, a Chicago-based nutritionist. “They’re loaded with fiber to help you get the recommended 25 grams per day.”
>>>I love pasta!

* Drink a fruity cocktail. Research shows that alcohol can increase the level of antioxidants in certain fruits, including strawberries.
>>>This is a known fact!

* Express yourself. When people wrote affectionately about their close friends and family in three 20-minute sessions, their cholesterol levels dropped an average of 11 points.
>>>This is new to me :)

* Go shopping. Buying an inexpensive thing that you really like can give your mood a lift, plus you can burn up to 160 extra calories walking around the mall.
>>>If only time and money were not something to be thought of, I would shop every single day :)

* Clean house. Increasing light physical activity can lower blood glucose levels and may reduce the risk of diabetes, according to research published in the journal Diabetes Care.
>>>I love cleaning, no further explanation.

6 Non-Negotiables

* Know your “Big Seven.” Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, and blood sugar. They’re the most crucial indicators of good health and disease risk, says Dr. Katz. If any fall outside the healthy range, work with your doctor to get them under control.

* Take your family health history. Many diseases have a hereditary component, and your doctor may want to watch you more closely for conditions that run in your family.

* Measure your waist monthly. In women, if it’s over 35 inches, and in men, over 40 inches, you’re at a higher risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes, regardless of your weight.

* Set an annual mammogram. Along with a yearly clinical breast exam and a periodic breast self-exam, a mammogram starting at age 40 is the best way to catch breast cancer in its early, most treatable stage.

* Ask for an HPV test along with your PAP. It screens for the human papillomavirus, which is directly linked to cervical cancer.

* Do a full-body mole check. Do this on yourself monthly and get one yearly at the dermatologist. If you notice any that are new, changed or bleeding, see a dermatologist ASAP.

Source: HERE

Do you usually read reviews on restaurants before you decide to dine on them? I don't. But, I am really such an easy person to persuade to eat to this and that kind of restaurant only because you say so. Yes, I am like that, I can be very gullible you know haha. Also, my mom said I could not pass for a restaurant reviewer or food critique as I end up loving all food in my plate and table in short, everything is sumptous and delicious on my palate. But, one thing is for sure, when I travel, I make sure to check on restaurants review sites to make sure we choose the best restaurants, after all we will only be there for a few days, might as well be careful with our choices. Say for instance the Westword who gives reviews on Denver Restaurants. So, if you ever happen to visit Denver, check out their site first to read on their Denver Restaurants reviews.

This is part 1 of 5 posts which I snagged from Dez. The list is so good not to repost it. Let's proceed and I also wrote some of my personal insights.


1. Eat breakfast. Study after study shows that people who eat a morning meal are more energized, focused, and weigh less.
>>>I am guilty of this. Sometimes, I just take brunch because I can get so busy in the morning.

2. Bone up. Try a calcium supplement daily. Some good choices are those combined with vitamin D so you can have an extra dose of this important vitamin.
>>>This is very important for women to know.

3. Get your three-a-day of whole grain. They can cut your risk of heart disease and diabetes by more than 35 percent. Good sources include oatmeal and brown rice.
>>>Which reminds me to buy brown rice. And yes, I could not eat oatmeal, I just can't :(.

4. Milk it. It’s a great source of calcium as well as vitamin D, which recent studies show may help you live longer. It’s also linked to lower risk of some cancers.
>>Good thing as I love milk :)

5. Hydrate. Drink enough to avoid dehydration. Water is just fine.
>>>I love H20 but I think I don't drink enough. I better start measuring it today.

6. Do a shot of sunscreen. You need a full shot of glass to cover your entire body, and one teaspoon for your face to fully protect against skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
>>>FYI.

7. Lunch on salad. It’s an easy way to get at least two servings of vegetables in one shot, says Molly Morgan, RD. Be sure to toss in the brightly colored ones, which are highest in disease-fighting antioxidants. Try tomatoes, red and green peppers, and broccoli.
>>>I love greens but too lazy to prepare one.

8. Floss. Gum disease increases your risk of various conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
>>>Okay, guilty again.

Source: HERE

Hubby just reminded me to start sorting some of our clothes and to begin keeping some winter clothes we would not wear in the last few weeks of Winter. I know that for some areas, Winter has just began as it is getting colder and colder each day but from where I am located, I doubt if it will get any colder. You see, having 4 seasons can also be very taxing as you need to load and unload clothes (even shoes) in your closets every change of season. I remembered a friend who was ranting that this year, she would invest on Spring business uniforms so as not to waste time and money shopping tons of malls just by looking new Spring clothes. If I was not mistaken, she plans to get her Spring office wear at iDbyLaundau.com. They have all sorts of office and work uniforms from corporate attires, hotel uniforms and even casual uniform polo shirt. Currently, they have newer and wider collection of Spring uniforms. If I was still part of the working pact, I would choose that elegant grey turtle top and black pants.

You might all be wondering when I will post this week's recipe of the week. I have been quite delinquent in posting this series since last month and it's sad because most of my visitors (usually the unique visitors) stay too long and are more interested on these entries rather than my other entries. Anyways, the reason being is that I am overwhelmed with the recipes I have at hand. Ever since, I subscribed for the Food Network magazine, I am overwhelmed with the recipes I have been seeing in this particular magazine. However, I want to give it a try before posting it here so I hope you could bear with me and will post one this week. Promise.

Just a grateful viewpoint that I shared with hubby over breakfast today.

If I am still working, my Employee Performance Evaluation is due around this time of the year. And I tell you how critical (not to mention, nervous) I can be with my own performance evaluation. Because that would mean, better performance appraisal report equals higher salary anniversary raise. Lucky for me though, as all of my previous bosses were so generous enough to give me an almost-perfect and outstanding performance appraisal reports. I wonder though if the use any EPE software such as the one I saw at inquisite.com. Oh well, I am just glad that I am worry-free from all these, now that I am the boss of my own home :).

Lately, I adore looking at baby girl's stuff, clothes, toys, accessories, shoes, baby stuff, name it and I am being entertained by these things. My friend C has been teasing me that this could be a sign that I might conceive a baby girl this year, well, I hope not because we are not ready to have one. But I would love to have 1 more bundle of joy in the next few years and I hope that joy would be a girl. Speaking of girl's clothese and accessories, I was surprised to see Kids Clothing Roca Wear has a wide collection. I did not realize that Rocawear has kids collection because my perception on this brand is more on the streetwear for adults. Rocawear quickly staked its claim in hip-hop history becoming the destination brand for street savvy consumers. Rocawear maintains a focus of providing clever innovation in fabrication, application and design to its customer. It has been the brand's attention to detail that has pushed Rocawear’s appeal beyond its core urban customer.

Asul Asul Asul, Keso Keso Keso, kapag pinagsama, magiging Blue Cheese! Ang korni ko hahah! Paborito namin mag-asawa ang keso. Mahilig din kami sumubok ng iba't-ibang uri ng keso. Sa kasalukuyan, ang Blue Cheese ang aming pinakapaborito sa lahat ng aming natikman. Kayo mahilig din ba kayo sa keso?

I know I have talked about (many times in this blog) how hubby wants to own his home someday, his own dream home. He can be quite picky in terms of location, kind of home and design. I have so much trust that in due time, maybe in 5 years we will have one. Apparently, we have already started a home fund or home savings where we set aside money every month that will solely be devoted to funding the investments (or construction) of our dream home. Sometimes when our son is asleep and hubby and I feel to daydream, we would scan over home construction and decorating links and websites. We note down every tip and ideas we gain from all these surfing and bookmarked sites. I told him that I would not meddle in any of his home decoration and interior/exterior designs choices because it is he who has the taste when it comes to this. But, I would only be very concern with our kitchen sinks. I want similar kitchen sinks I saw at sinksusa.com. If you are currently building a home, their site is a must visit. We will definitely visit the site when our dream house starts its construction.

When we moved to our own place almost 6 months ago, the townhome that we rented only had the basic appliances such as dishwasher, fridge, microwave, washer and ceiling fans. Obviously, we had to buy our own beds, living and dining sets including some basic furnitures. Hubby had to go out of his way of looking at reliable suppliers with highly-affordable rates. We were shocked at the prices of bed frames and bed mattresses. Probably, from the all the things we bought for our townhome, our bedroom furnitures took the larger chunk of our budget. During the course of this furniture hunt, my friend M told me aout rent to own appliances and furnitures. Since they have been moving quite a lot every year, they where more keen on renting appliances and furnitures rather than investing on them. So what is rent to own? There is quite a big list of rent to own companies available online where you could check rent to own appliances and furnitures. They say the rent-to-own industry is one of the most sought-after companies these days. Well, in all practicality, with the kind of economy we have, getting rent to own furnitures and appliances is one of the best options for those relocating or moving.

I have mentioned before that the most challenging part on my quest on being a vegan is the fact that I have to prepare MEAT dishes for my boys. From the preparation, down to the cooking and tasting (tasting only the sauce or soup!). It is such a big sacrifice and your self-control is tested to its pits! Hayayay!

I have made as much veggie dishes variety as I could and so far this was my lunch yesterday, cheesy veggies.

While the boys were having this easy Chicken Teriyaki I whipped.

I tell you, it was so hard that I ended up leisurely surfing on Patek Philippe watches and feed my eyes so I could not hear my tummy growls!

#1. Do you prefer to eat Chinese food in the restaurant or to have it delivered?
>>>Eat in the resto because they always come with a smorgasbord deal aka eat-all-you-can buffet. And my favorite Chinese resto do not deliver.

#2. Do you prefer wonton or egg drop soup?
>>>Wonton!

#3. What flavor fried rice is your favorite?
>>>Yang Chow rice. I can eat it all by itself.

#4. Describe your favorite item on the Chinese food menu.
>>>Anything sweet&sour, hot&sour, with oyster sauce, fish dishes...

What happens to the Vegan Convert?

I was surprised to find out last night that I gained a heft 3 pounds!!! Why is that so? I do not know. Oh this no meat fasting isn't about losing nor dieting anyways. I am more focused on eliminating some food that I thought I could not survive. I would probably blame the part of not-being-able-to-satisfy-my-palate after every meal so I end up eating and binging on tostitos with salsa and some chocolates. Also, my friend J, has been bugging me to stuff myself with protein aka fish because I am starting to be forgetful hahah! Would you believe that I do not clearly remember that I spoke with 2 friends over the phone the other night? Moreso, remembering what we talked about! And then, last night as I was brushing my teeth, I noticed one of my gums was bleeding!!! Could it be because I lack protein? My dentist used to tell me that I am of her patients who has the strongest and healthiest gums. Well, I guess I have to ask hubby to buy me some seafoods or maybe, tofu or veggie-meat in the Asian supermarket. Still, diet pills are out of my mind even after this fasting. Even when I re-start my weight loss challenge. But those diet pills at lab88.com are so tempting you could easily purchase one anytime, still I will not take on the easy path :).

What is so hard about this quest on being a vegan is the fact that I am the one in-charge whipping dishes at home. Every single task in cooking, read: slicing the meat, cooking the meat, sometimes tasting it, can be very very tempting to just give in and bite off those tempting meat dishes! I tell you, it is really hard!!! Plus the fact that you never feel satisfied after every meal. So what I do, I stuff myself with eggs! Hardboiled, sunny-side-up, scrambled. But say for instance this one, I have to carefully remove those sausages yay!

I can do this, I can, I can and I will...

I spent most of my morning today, planning out how I could handle 2 subjects this winter quarter class, managing all of my blogs, and still being able to deliver my responsibilities in the homefront. Not to mention of course, 'ME' moments where I could read on my favorite books, surf my favorite online sites and take care of one's own health. I owe it to myself to be very watchful of my food intake and generally, to be love myself more this time. I was surprised to find out that I have indeed a lot of wasted time networking or simply chatting. All I need was to concentrate on the most important to dos on a daily basis and if there was enought time, I can leisurely surf and chat with friends. But, the crucial part is to start the day right by waking up early. I am so lazy to push myself in bed every morning. A friend recommended this green coffee bean from these green coffee bean suppliers. This kind of coffee bean is found to be great to start a day and in fact may also help in reducing weight because of its antioxidant factors. Interested? I am! Check out these green coffee suppliers at intelligentsiacoffee.com.

We had a pasta night last Friday and where else but Olive Garden :). On that night, the famous Pasta resto was full because of the ring dance and so we had to wait for around 30-45 minutes, yes we waited that long :). It was worth it because of the yumminess of their menu and my son found his own way of entertaining himself through this: LOL!

And since I am a trying-hard Vegan hee hee, I had Minestrone for my soup and cheese pizza for appetizer. I almost ate the chicken fingers! I forgot about my no-meat fasting this month.
And for pasta, I had eggplant parmigiana! I had to order the same pasta for hubby because he was busy talking to someone about a certain Super Cissus, do you know what that is?

We are definitely going to be back here, I just hope we would not have to wait that long anymore.

Since I am on a no meat-fasting this month, I never feel satisfied or full after every meal. The need to satisfy one's palate is a must for me to enjoy my day harharhar! And so this is my current addiction, tostitos cups paired with tequila lime salsa! heaven!

However, I finished 1 bottle in 2 days alone and so I have to settle with the usual salsa and top with cheese.

I guess I'm gaining more fats because of this hahah! So much for being a vegan lol!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Our dinner at Olive Garden last night turned out a little funny, will blog about it in a little while. But, it was a good venue for hubby and me to catch up with each other, we're both very busy you know. Also, we did some serious talking on investments as we are focused to saving more and spending less this year. He want to study more on options trading and in fact saw a site that could help him and provide stocks information, if and when he makes serious decisions on his stocks options. PowerOptions provides the essential data you need to invest with stock options. For more information visit them at poweropt.com.

Left-overs!
I love recycling food, I don't ever want to throw away left-overs not unless they're stale. And what's the best way to recycle left-overs, especially fried ones is by making a mixed rice/yang-chow or fried rice, how ever you want to call it :).
And my favorite, binagoongang pork left-over turned into binagoongang rice :).

Kung sikat sa ibang bata si Barney o si Elmo, mas sikat naman sa anak ko si Jollibee! Kaya di namin siya binigo. Sa ikalawang kaarawan niya, isang malaking sorpresa ang pagbisita ni Jollibee! Ginanap ang kaarawan niya sa aming tahanan :).

Kung ang anak ko ay miss na si Jollibee ako takam na takam na sa Chicken Joy at YumBurger!