Friday, July 10, 2009

The Big Fat Duck Cookbook


Since school days I’ve been a wide reader girl and I’ve collected plenty of books along the way which I’ve given to my friends because I shifted priority in the kind of books I read. I love reading adventure, science fiction, romance and some subscription books like reader’s digest and more. Now I shifted my interest into inspirational books that will help me in sharing thoughts in my sites. I also collect health and recipe books because I discovered my love for cooking and baking. Since Mom is also a good cook I gained some tips from her to enhance my hobby and skills. Her books are now mine because she lovingly gave them to me as I’m the one who took after her flair for cooking.

Actually I started a food blog sometime last year to share my cooking adventures but due to a very busy schedule I didn’t pursue that blog. I was thinking of continuing it because that’s where I’ll put all the adventurous side of me when it comes to cooking. I cook with my heart and I don’t follow all the rules, I follow my taste and what I think will make my loved ones happy. I just hope I’ll be able to revive it as I’m inspired by what I read online on Heston Blumenthal's the big fat duck cookbook which highlights the story of the restaurant, the chef and how his passion for cooking made him rise above his colleagues. Oh how I love to see the book’s various recipes; I must have one of them so I can try it for myself.

Friday Fill-Ins # 132

Serendipity

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!


And...here we go!

1. The last thing I ate was green salad and fettuccini.

2. Sony Rechargeable Batteries for my Digicam is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it pours on me, I had many blessing this week.

4. Gen was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are always coming from my three kids and hubby.

6. I'm going to put up a little corner office in my house for extra comfort in doing my freelance writing.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to rest and sleep as many hours as I can, tomorrow my plans include cleaning the house, visit the kids' school and Sunday, I want to take some sky photos for my weekly meme on our way to our Sunday fellowship service.


For other Friday Fill-Ins please click here

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Thankful Thursday - God's Confirmation


It was indeed a very thankful Thursday for me as God showed his confirmation to my decision of leaving my work to prioritize my family. God has always been my guide in many decisions I've made in my life be it minor or major. My decision to retire from my working career has raised some questions among my colleagues and friends and they just can't believe that I'll be leaving my present job without transferring to a more lucrative source of income. Well it's all true I'm leaving my 16-year old job and I'm staying at home to take care of my family.

God has been really good on me that He prepared the way for this day. He let me learn some other ways to earn money two years ago so when the time comes for me to choose between resigning or staying I'll be able to choose what I really want. Of course I can't just turn my back on my income and stay at home doing nothing. I have to earn and help my hubby for our kids and God is so good He gave me the chance and opportunity to earn while staying at home. I feel so blessed.

Happy Thankful Thursday to all! God bless!

What are you thankful for?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Prevent Sickness from Entering Your Home

I was so happy staying in the house now; I wasn’t able to come to work due to some important matters to attend to. As I’m waiting for someone here in the house I just consumed my time doing all my due assignments online so that my day wouldn’t be empty. I’m glad that Josh is with me as I’m writing as my mind will never run out of ideas. Josh is always asking some questions about almost anything that he can think of and that inspires me to write as he has plenty of ideas to help me. He’s a very active boy and I pray everyday that sickness will not enter our house because it’s hard when someone is sick in the house.

When my kids are sick I feel sick too! Anyway I just make sure that they eat the right foods and take their vitamins regularly to avoid sickness. It’s hard to be sick and hospitalized because if your condition gets worse you’ll experience having dextrose attach to your arms and sometimes they will also add catheter to avoid spills on your bed. There are many things that I don’t like in a hospital so it’s better to prevent sickness to avoid that place.

:WW - Our Little Bon


This is Bon Isaac, the first grandson of my first cousin who grew up with us and has been like a big brother to us up to now. He's just four months old and just starting to move sidewards and crawls. Little Bon was the latest addition to our compound and every time his granny took him out of their house we always convinced them to stay in our house because we love havingbabies in our house.

Happy WW visit more entries -> here.

7 Days Prayer

I find this one cute because it describes a wife's everyday prayer to God about facing challenges and making herself good in God's eyes. She used her household tasks in symbolizing our life's trials, pressures and anxieties. Just sharing this one to help others see it the way we should be living our lives. Hope you'll like this friends:

Monday
Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday
Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday
Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday
Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday
Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday
Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday
The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Online Studies

I’ve been thinking of the things that I would do when I’m really out of my office work. Of course I’ll concentrate on my family, church, my freelance writing and my blogging which makes me happy. Aside from this I want to study further but when I thought of the time that it will cost me I started to decline that thought in my mind. Little did I know that there’s an online university degree available in the net I should have decided differently. Online studies have been in the field for sometime now but I never really had a serious consideration in the past because my schedule is full. This is just the right one for me as I want to study further without the pressures of going to a regular school. I just have to choose the programs that I prefer to study.

Spread The Love

This spread the love award was shared by my one and only sister Redge...... she's not only my sister but my blogging pal. Thanks sis for this and for having the patience of helping me design my new blogs as I'm too busy to do that. Glad I have you!

THE RULES:

1. Copy the badge and put it on your blog.
2. Link back the person who passed you this award.
3. Spread the love to at least 10 or more bloggers.

I’m now spreading my love to the following buddies in my blog roll..

Liza, Mira, JennyL, Tetcha and Cecile

Blessing Pours in the Morning

Lately I’ve been having problems with my eyes that after I’ve reached the house from my office it feels like it can’t take anymore pressures that’s why I sleep earlier now and just wake up early dawn to do my assignments. It feels great on that hour because I’m more relaxed and my eyes are well rested too. I’ve been doing this for two weeks now and it has done some good thing son me too as I get lots of opportunities at dawn. My granny is right blessings pours down in the early morning so when you get up late you’ll have nothing to catch :-)of course it’s just my granny’s stories but it came true yesterday!

Romantic Vacation for Two


For newly weds and vacationing couples there’s a lot of vacationing ideas that might interest them but sometimes the places that you go seems very crowded and not so romantic at all. It’s just a waste of money if you go on places like that because you’ll be spending your money and after that you’ll not be satisfied. I suggest that you open your minds to other options that might interest both parties.

First things first you must know what the two of you are most inclined to then balance your budget. Well even though you want a certain place and then it’s not affordable it wouldn’t be so much fun as you’ll go home without money on the pocket. Vacationing is good as long as you both enjoy it and you can afford it. For some romantic ideas if you really want a very nice one I suggest a romantic cancun vacation in Mexico where you can relax amidst the white-sand beach resort and enjoy a sumptuous dinner after that or just be content in visiting the secluded coves and other scenic areas. It would be a very memorable vacation and its worth all your money.

A Friend Also

Through all my difficult schedule and never ending tasks to do I keep reminding myself that it’s only a matter of time now before I can get some rest from doing multiple jobs. Everyday of my life the only rest that I have is my travel from my house to my office, I’m like a machine. I’m just happy that hubby supports me in all that I do extending his hands on whatever household tasks he could share doing with me even if his schedule is very hectic also. I know not every husband can do that for their wives and I’m very thankful that God has given him to me, not only a husband but a friend also who understands my situation always. It’s only a matter of days now and my time schedule will be lighter as I’m going to be a work-at-home Mom soon. I’m looking forward to it!

Nice Plan on a Good Morning!



I woke up very early today to do my writing assignment and as early as this time I'm planning my time schedule for the day. I must learn now how to use my time wisely or I'll run out of time for my due dates. I'm studying further how to do writing in a concise manner as I sometimes tend to write in lengthy posts.

Actually my ideas and thoughts just flows from my mind endlessly and I tend to write it all in one snap thus giving me lengthy posts which consumes my time more. It's good to doing this if I have the luxury of time but for this day I should discipline myself on a concise and quality write ups if I want to be able to finish it all.

It's a good morning and it's a good plan for me. Today is our weekly Wednesday bible study and I should be able to post everything before I leave the house for my BS.

Options Trading

Stock trading is a lucrative source of income but it’s not a stable one as stock increase and decrease. I don’t know a thing about this field but my colleagues taught me some basic information and tips on how this trading business is going on. Even if he familiarized me a little about it I think I should learn some more before even attempting to go into this business. As this area intrigues me I browsed a site online a site that offers stock options trading software that can help novice traders to have proper knowledge, control their stocks and gain profits from stock. It has a lot to offer and to someone as interested as my colleague I think this is the right one to enhance his knowledge and get the best returns on his stocks.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

10 On Tuesday: Things That Turn You Off About People




1. Rude mouth and attitude

2. Know-it-all but never work

3. Lazy people who always want someone to pick up their garbage or clear their mess.

4. Improper clothing like wearing bare clothes in an office environment

5. Person who always say negative about people, never seems to find good in anyone

6. Pretenders

7. Dishonest and people who construct false words against someone, opinions are open but only those true stories not false ones

8. People who always point their fingers on others when the going gets tough

9. Backstabbers

10. Pessimistic

For other 10 on Tuesday participants please click here.

Josh Review

Yesterday night after reaching home Josh was wide awake and waiting for me to do some reviewers for him. I wondered why he’s so excited now with his test. In the past two years of his studies he never found the need for review before his test and he’s proved that he can answer the test correctly. I just read to him and review him verbally during periodical tests. Though he’s proven that he can be the first in their class without sit-in tutorials by me I still want him to review what they’ve studied in school for whatever small areas that he’ll find hard. It’s also a bonding moment for kids and parents so I encourage Josh to do review with me. Now suddenly he changed his mind and was waiting for me to do some tutorial on him. I was happy about this.

Personalized Wedding Favors

I’ve always loved helping my friends with their wedding essentials because I know how hard it is to prepare everything all on your own. I know that others get their own wedding coordinator to reduce their stress on wedding preparations but for me I still want my personal touch on everything about my wedding. It’s a once in a lifetime event so you must personally savor the pressures, stress, excitement, happiness and every little thing connected with your wedding. Anyway after all those tasking scheduling and preparation everything will pay off on your wedding day.

I still remember all my church mates, cousins and close friends made themselves busy with helping us with flower arrangements, wedding program and hosting and those early preparations of making unique personalized wedding favors. It was my bestfriend JennyL who helped me with buying the raw materials and designing the wedding favors. It was a product of love and friendship and it’s as if they’re all concerned with my wedding day. It was a touching day for me knowing my friends and family love me so much.

More of the Wonders of Bananas!


glitter-graphics.com

There's just so much you have to know about this wonder fruit which is also the common fruit among Filipino household that sometimes I've been wondering why it's not been voted as the Philippine fruit :-) Almost 99% of Filipinos love this fruit which has many varieties such as Lakatan, Latundan, SeƱorita and some others. They also differ in colors. There's also the Saba variety which is the common snack here in the country which when cooked can give you different delicious recipes and forms like Turon, Banana-Q, Saba con Hielo, Saba Fritters, Maruya, Sweetened Saba in Sauce.

Here are additional uses of this wonder banana:

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: For The Ladies
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, bananas are really a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Wonder Banana!

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!



Bananas Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: For The Ladies
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert..

Constipation: For The Ladies
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: For The Ladies
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Seems like this wonderful fruit which is very common in every Filipinos' table has a lot to contribute in our health chart and so I'll be posting another for more!

Image by glitter-graphics.com

Discount Jewelry

Many people love jewelry, men and women, young and old, fashionable and conservative. Whatever the status is there’s always one to suit everyone’s needs. In the old generation it’s not only an adornment but a piece of treasure that god to pass on to children from generation to generation. Jewelry in those times was all in quality and value. It’s usually made of gold and been proven to appreciate value as time goes by. It’s also a form of investment to some who collects jewelries for profitable usage. Although people have different uses for this kind of dress ornament all have specific criteria in looking for their jewelries.

Nowadays plenty of jewelries are in the selling market and they differ in quality as there jewelries that are of value and some are for fashion usage only. This is the generation that uses jewelry as a fashion statement. As a matter-of-fact there are more stores now offering discount jewelry because their clients are usually students and employees. With discounted prices more people can afford to buy jewelries for their loved ones and for making it as a gift item. Btw you can shop online for this!

Monday, July 6, 2009

:Today's Flowers #47


It's a good and happy Monday morning and I want to start it with my entry this week for Today's Flowers. I have this very exotic (for me) lavender and white orchid to post. I've always considered lavender as an exotic color though my Mom wouldn't have lavender colored flowers in her garden, it's not her color because she identifies it as flowers for the dead. Anyway for me it's very elegant and beautiful and though I can't have it on our garden I can have it here in my blog :-). This picture was taken in Nabas, Aklan together with many of my flower entries here! The soil was very rich there that's why flowers blooms beautifully.

Want to see more beautiful flowers? Visit Today's Flower => here.

I'm A Conservative Chick


You Are a Conservative Chick



Like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Ann Coulter, you're conservative and proud of it.

You speak your mind, even if everyone else around you disagrees.

As you see it, you have to stand up for traditional values and what's right.

Are You a Liberal Lady or a Conservative Chick?

See? Even personality test claims I'm a conservative chick :-) I always want to do what I think and what I believe is right. Nice one, try this!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Healthy Meal Plans

As I’ve been busy with my hectic schedule now because of my work turnover and writing posts for my sites I tend to eat more. It has always been my habit that if I work late in the night I eat more just to stay awake. I know this is not good for me but I can’t do something about it, the only thing that I started doing this week is to have some fruity snacks in the night instead of sandwiches.

Well these snacks help to make me think and write more even if I’m tired so the replacement seems right. Actually it really is as fruits are a lot healthier than any other snack so I’ll think I’ll make it a good habit and will include this in my meal plan always. For the pounds that I’ve gained these past few weeks maybe I just have to think of a fast weight loss guide or plan to help me get rid of my excess pounds. I’m not that super serious in making myself thin, I just need to shed some pounds off my weight for healthy reasons. I can do more jobs when I’m not so fat and heavy and I can walk faster too.

It’s important to me to walk with ease as walking is the only exercise that I happen to maintain these days. It doesn’t require much time and I love walking especially on areas with fresh air and nice view.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Friday Fill Ins

Serendipity


1. When I heard my kid saying I love you Mom I felt good inside!

2. Love and faith are the best medicine.

3. It's late, but it's better late than never!

4. Upon waking up, before eating and before sleeping pray always.

5. My eyes have seen a lot of God's beautiful blessings on us.

6. I recommend people to have a personal relationship with God always....strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to turn off my computer, relax and watch a good home video with hubby.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

;WW : Mindoro Scenic View

This photo was taken on a boat leading near Mindoro, it was so beautiful to miss this scenic view that's why my brother hurriedly took a shot even if the rails was included in the photo. Our country has a lot of beautiful sceneries along many islands we just have to take care of God's beautiful blessings on us.

Happy WW visit more entries -> here.

Top Droppers for June 2009

Again I want to express my appreciation to these people who patiently and regularly dropped their entrecard to my site. For those people who didn't make it to top ten I would like to extend my thanks also.

Dropper # of drops
Whatever Comes To My Mind 31
Symphony of Love 31
Lainy's Musings 30
Our Journey to Forever 30
PJ's Prose 30
Jean sQuared 30
Isker's Blog 29
Denford Magora's Zimbabwe Blog 29
Momspective 28
vanillaseven.com 28


I'd like to thank my friend In-in, a blogger friend way back since I started blogging for making it to my top ten in all of my domain blogs here, My Crossroads and Beyond Horizons, thanks sis for your visits!

Also to Lainy dear for your continued top ten honor roll :-) for many months now!