2010 ~ Healthy Living

Monday 27 December 2010

Good for the Heart

..to reminisce, that is. I can't remember when was the last time I celebrate Christmas with my family in the Philippines. I miss it but my home is here now. I have told Mcj that one of these years, we have to free our schedule in Christmas so we can go back there.

For now, I'll just have to be content and happy that I have all my family alive, apart and together.

This song always makes me sad and happy at the same time for some in-explanable reason.

It has a tug in ones heart, makes you remember your loves ones, the happy times and buy gold coins or shall I say buying them for gifts. It's the time to be merry and happy most importantly as it's the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Recipe with Ham

We bought ham of about 7 kilos and of course, although there are many of us who eat it, it takes several days to finish it off. And by then, you'll be sick and tired of it. No wonder we only buy them once a year. Lol.

Anyway, I'm looking for recipes with ham as well as pendant lighting as our dining area is not well-lighted.

Cooking Time
14 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)
350g San Remo Vegeroni Bowtie Pasta
olive oil cooking spray
125g 97% fat-free bacon rashers, sliced into thin strips
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup frozen baby peas
3/4 cup low-fat feta cheese, crumbled

Method
Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, following packet directions, until tender.

Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Lightly spray with oil. Add bacon and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp. Add tomato, garlic and peas. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until tomato is soft.

Drain pasta and return to pan. Add tomato mixture, feta and salt and pepper. Toss over low heat until combined. Serve.

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Austrlian Christmas

This year, I'm planning to have an authentic Aussie Christmas when time is with me. so I looked up the internet for recipes (aside from looking up digital cameras for the gift that I want this year).

:: White Christmas ::

3 cups rice bubbles (Rice Krispies)
1 cup mixed fruit
1 cup dessicated coconut
1 cup dry powdered milk
3/4 cup of sifted icing sugar
225 grams copha
drop of vanilla essence

1.Put 3 cups of rice bubbles(krispies), 1 cup of mixed fruit,essence,
dessicated coconut, dry powdered milk and 3/4 sifted icing sugar in a bowl.
2. Melt 225 grams copha in saucepan. Add copha to dry ingredients in bowl
and mix well.
3. Press mixture firmly into a biscuit tray. Set in a refrigerator. Cut into squares.

Makes a nice little christmas gift if placed in cellophane and decorated with ribbons.

(For our overseas friends, I believe you can buy copha online at
aussieproducts.com or aussiecatalog.com.)

:: Marilyn's Rum Balls ::

9 Vita Brits or Weet Bix
½ cup coconut
1 cup chopped raisins
2 tabsp. Cocoa
1 tin condensed milk
3 tabsp. Bundaberg rum
extra coconut

Mix together well in a bowl.
Cover in the fridge for ½ hour. (That's what we do in Australia.)
(Yours could probably sit in the bowl in the snow.)
Shape into balls and roll in coconut.
Recipe contributed by Marilyn from Australia 19th December 2005. Thanks Marilyn!

soure: thekoala.com

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FAST-FOOD outlets are sending direct mail to children under the age of 12 as part of sophisticated online marketing campaigns to pre-teens that include special offers, free food vouchers and competitions.

Campaigns by fast-food outlets Hungry Jacks and Taco Bill Mexican Restaurants have been highlighted in a submission to a Senate inquiry on privacy laws made by a coalition of some of the country's peak health bodies.

The Obesity Policy Coalition, which includes the World Health Organisation, Diabetes Australia, VicHealth and Cancer Council of Victoria, has called on the Federal Government to amend the Privacy Act to outlaw direct mail advertising to children.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/junk-food-giants-offer-kids-free-super-size-meals-in-mailouts/story-e6frfkvr-1225965771552#ixzz17BMdwwar

I reckon even with all the flyers, it's all up to the parents to feed those type of food. Kids are intelligent. They ate what their stomach can accommodate, not more. Not like adults who accummulate Cubic Zirconia more than what their fingers can accommodate.

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Hot Dog

You Are a Chili Dog

You are wild and a little unpredictable. You have a zany side to you.

It would be an understatement to say you live on the edge. You pretty much ignore the edge!
You have a spicy approach to life, and it's only getting hotter. There is nothing dull about you.
You push yourself on a regular basis. You know what you are capable of, and you refuse to wimp out.

What Type of Hot Dog Are You?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

I don't even eat Chilli dog. Oh well.

We've just been invited to a bbq party this afternoon (not Baptism invitations though). Dinner will not be hotdog then.

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This is our lunch today that I bought from the markets. This is the usual food that I grab when we go there.

This is my semi-healthy dinner. Despite the veggies, this is still now healthy because of the sausage. It is gluten-free but very fatty. We indulge on fatty food on the weekends, so there's nothing to feel guilty about. I don't break-out from eating food such as these so readingolay regenerist reviews doesn't necessitate this.

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Back Pains

these days my biggest health problem is back pain. I feel like I'm haunching almost everyday. I'm not conscious that I'm doing it but when I remember to take a deep breath, that's when I noticed it.

There are many causes of back pain but mine is mainly because I'm facing the computer almost 8 hours in 5 days and sometimes for a few hours on weekends. As to relief, I'll follow this one from the plethora of options to help.

Regular exercise is extremely important to preventing back problems, and it can even help relieve back pain you already have. Exercise strengthens your back muscles, making them less resistant to injury and better equipped to heal themselves when they are strained or damaged. You can do exercises specifically designed to condition the back, but aerobic exercise is especially important. A regular aerobic workout not only tones muscles but also helps you maintain or achieve a healthy weight, and less weight means less strain on the spine. Walking, swimming, and other low-impact exercises are best.

I'm not really fussing about it - a few minutes massage helps - as I reckon, it's not as worse as seeking eczema treatment.

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Strawberry Lemonade

You Are Strawberry Lemonade

You are super sweet and super friendly. You are a natural optimist.

You always try to be the best person possible, and you tend to think of others first.
People feel like they can completely relax and be themselves around you. And it's totally true.
You tend to be a dreamer, and you believe that no dream is completely out of reach.

What Flavor Lemonade Are You?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

I wonder how to make this so I searched for the recipe (from food network) and here it is:
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
Ice
Mint sprigs, garnish
Whole strawberries, garnish
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

Sounds easy so I might make some when I have more time. This can never go wrong with phentermine.

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THE secret of supermodel Cindy Crawford's ageless allure may be out as British scientists have discovered that people with lots of moles are genetically protected from many of the ravages of time.
New research suggests they may not only develop fewer wrinkles in old age, but also have stronger bones and tauter muscles.

Moles or beauty spots - for which Crawford is famous - are formed by rapidly dividing cells that start producing dots of dark pigment on children as young as four, but which usually vanish from about the age of 40.

In some people, however, they continue to spread as they grow older, producing a smooth and wrinkle-free complexion that can make a woman look at least seven years younger than her real age.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/people-with-moles-less-prone-to-ageing/story-e6frfkyi-1225957960817#ixzz15y29xyQE

I'm thinking of freckles - don't they look almost the same with moles? If this is indeed the case, people who has more than 200 moles in their body would indulge in Branson Missouri vacation packages as many times during summer and not worry about getting aged by the sun. I'm really thinking now that because of this discovery, people will find a way to invent stuff that will emulate moles in the body. How lucrative a business would that be?

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Christmas Prep

Most people must already be ready for the Christmas Holidays. I am not. I haven't even thought what to have for lunch - which has been the customary event that we have for Christmas. I'm considering making glazed ham if it's not too ardous to do.

Ham basics
Whole legs of ham usually weigh between seven and 10 kilograms, which is enough to feed a small army (see Guide to ham weights). You can always freeze leftovers or go for half leg, shoulder or easy carve boneless leg hams, which weigh between three to six kilograms.

After removing the rind, (see How to remove rind and score the ham), wrap it in a damp tea towel and store in the fridge. Use it to cover leftover ham when storing. (The rind will stop the ham from drying out.)

For perfect presentation, choose a ham with at least a 1.5cm-thick layer of fat. Score the fat in a diamond pattern, about 1cm deep. Take care not to cut through to the meat - the fat shrinks during cooking, so a deep cut may expose the meat and spoil the appearance of the ham. If you're using a light glaze, stud the centre of each diamond shape with cloves (this will stop the fat lifting away from the ham).

You can freeze the ham and the ham bone to be used in soups, sandwiches and casseroles. Cut the meat from the bone and wrap separately in plastic wrap. Place in airtight containers. Label, date and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in fridge overnight.

Found this in taste.com.au... it seems easy enough but everything depends on my availability to prepare for it. I might just have ham and prepare for a side dish. Planning for the Christmas lunch menu is a long shot for me considering I haven't even thought of the christmas wreath which is easy to take care of - buying at the shops.

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Smoothies

Talking of breakfast, I thought of smoothies. I know they are easy to make but might take some time to prepare. I'll have really plan my day. I'm not dudging the best diet pills but just want to eat healthy and nutritious breakfast. Found these recipes from healthy-recipes-for-kids.

Banana Carrot Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 Banana (ripe is best - frozen if desired)
1 cup Apple Juice (or apple slices and water)
1-2 cups Baby Carrots (or chopped carrots)
1 cup Plain Non-Fat Yogurt (or any yogurt you like)
Steps:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
Enjoy.

Green Slime Smoothie
(Trust me, you or I might be turned off, but kids will LOVE the idea of eating slime!)

Ingredients:
1 Banana, cut in chunks
½ Apple, cored and chopped or sliced
1 cup White Grapes
1 cup Fat-Free Vanilla Yogurt (or Plain Yogurt and ¼ teaspoon vanilla)
1-2 cups fresh Spinach Leaves
Steps:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
Enjoy.

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Go Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 pears (cored and sliced or chopped - as ripe as possible)
2 cups fresh Spinach leaves
Steps:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
Enjoy.

Green Smoothie Tips:

ANY fruit smoothie recipe can be made "green" (into a fruit and vegetable smoothie.) Try adding a little spinach or other green, leafy vegetable to your favorite fruit smoothie recipe.
The trick is to start with the fruit and add the greens to taste.
Start teaching your kids early that "green is good." Read them "Green Eggs and Ham" if you have to and then dare them to try it!

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Breakfast Fix

I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but I'm not a big breakfast eater. I used to when I eat my mother's fried rice and dried fish but now that it's a choice of cereal, toast or fruit, I don't really find it appetising especially in really early mornings. I would prefer fruit but eating some is sometimes messy and mess is what you don't need if you're dressed for work.

I've been looking for a blender that I can use to maybe have blended carrot or something. I have yet to find a really good brand and plan my breakfast meal. I know kitchen tools such as these are really good christmas presents for moms. I'll have to hunt for a really reliable brand.

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My usual Sunday lunch would be this, white bread sandwich (my favourite brand - Helga) with bacon and egg and some green veggies. Coffee if I'm sleepy and juice or cola, depends on the mood. I'm not a health buff so I tend to eat anything that may take my fancy - can't be bothered to think of quick weight loss diets.

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Power Posture

That's what I need. These days I have noticed that I'm always hunching my shoulders - from stress. I feel like I can't relax. I need to have power posture or exercise it. People with power posture are those with good posture all the time, whether sitting or standing up.

I need to have some stretching like chest like these:

When Standing

Pull your shoulders back and push your chest out.
Position your head so that your earlobes are directly above the center of your shoulders.
Tuck your chin in slightly while keeping your head straight up.
Stand with your knees straight and pull your belly button toward your backbone.

Read more: How to Maintain Good Posture in the Upper Body | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7431882_maintain-good-posture-upper-body.html#ixzz15FnUs4sL

So after bending and tending in your garden (when not using hydroponic systems), do these exercises.

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Pinakbet

It's one of the food that I bought at the Festival today so I thought, I'll share some of the recipe.

1/4 kilo pork with fat, cut into small pieces

2 Amapalya (bitter melons) sliced to bite size pieces

2 eggplants, sliced to bite size pieces

5 pieces of okra, cut in two

1 head garlic, minced

2 onions, diced

5 tomatoes, sliced

1 tablespoon of ginger, crushed and sliced

4 tablespoons bagoong isda or bagoong alamang

3 tablespoons of oil

1 1/2 cup water

Salt and pepper to taste

Pakbet Cooking Instructions:

In a cooking pan, heat oil and fry the pork until brown, remove the pork from the pan and set aside.

On the same pan, saute garlic, onion, ginger and tomatoes.

In a casserole, boil water and add bagoong.

Add the pork in the casserole and mix in the sautéed garlic, onion, ginger and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add in all the vegetables and cook until the vegetables are done, careful not to overcook.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with plain rice.

I paid a really exorbitant price for a plate-full. I haven't tasted it so I can't say that it is worth it. I just hope it is lest, I'll really be disappointed (feeling like not getting into medical job listing).

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I Don't Even Like Red

Your Toes Should Be Red

You pretend to be an old fashioned girly girl, but you're secretly a naughty girl deep down.
Your ideal guy: Tall, strong, and handsome - with a devilish twinkle in his eye.
Stay away from: Nice, safe men. They won't really give you what you want!

What Color Should Your Toenails Be?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Yes, I don't like red. Plus, I don't colour my nails. But I wear girls shorts, so I'm still a girl. But yeah, I think my ideal man is that and I am married to one.

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Fry-up Night

Saturday is our fry-up night. Fried sausages, eggs and baked beans. I toss-up salad or some mixed veggies if I want change. But it's mainly anyone's choice whatever sides they'll have.

Tonight, I cooked the first batch of the sausages in our electric fying pan. It's a big rectangular pan and can accommodate at least a dozen sausages that's why I prefer it. Just when I was cooking the last side of the sausages, I noticed that the pan is not hot anymore. I tried to use the maximum heat and still the sausages were not zizzling. We bought it about 6 months or so - I wonder if security cameras have the same life span if they are bought from the shop where we got our frying pan. Thankfully, it's easy to shift cooking in our gas stove.

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Better Safe Than Sorry

I'm enjoying driving now compared to when I got my licence for the first few months but still I am not confident to drive at night especially when it is raining. My car has been really my best friend and one of my favourite things in it is the cruise control. It's always on the safe side when you mind your speed rather than the best radar detector to spot you. Mcj said, using cruise control is lazy driving but I reckon, it is safe especially for new drivers.

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BHG

I bought my first BHG mag today. We watched the show last night and there are many enticing treats and food creations, I promised myself to buy a copy.

I found this recipe of beef stroganof in their website. Mcj likes beef stroganof and I have never tried making it. We don't keep cognac at home, that's why.

Ingredients
700g chuck steak, cut into
3cm cubes
2 Tbsp plain flour
3 Tbsp butter
2 white onions, sliced
300g button mushrooms, sliced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
2 Tbsp cognac
1L chicken stock
300g sour cream
¼ bunch parsley, finely chopped
Cooked rice, to serve
Hungarian sweet paprika
Method
1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Toss the steak in flour to coat.

2 Put a large frying pan (or flame-proof casserole dish) over a high heat and add the butter. Cook steak for 2 minutes until browned, stirring occasionally.

3 Add onion, mushroom and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

4 Add cognac, chicken stock and sour cream, bring to the boil over a high heat, then transfer to a lidded ovenproof dish and put in the oven. Bake for 2 hours.

5 Fold in parsley and serve on a bed of rice sprinkled with Hungarian sweet paprika.

I haven't leafed a page off the magazine yet, but I reckon, I'll find articles for best weight loss supplement or related articles to shed off the pounds gain after the holidays.

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Fave Dessert

I didn't grow up getting accustomed to eating dessert after dinner. But lately becase we always have dinner early by 9PM, I'm already hungry (and I am not trying how to get rid of belly fat fast). I am not fond of biscuits or any sweets - I would prefer salty types but hey, it just doesn't seem appropriate to eat entree food after dinner.

So these days, I would be concocting something like this and eat it while watching telly. Or any stewed fruit with icecream topping sometimes.

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Carrot, lentil and ginger soup

Servings: 12
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Ingredients

1 kg brown onions
1 kg carrots
400g red lentils
200g ginger
100ml vegetable oil
1 litre vegetable stock
100ml lemon juice
1 tsp salt
sour cream to serve

Method

1.Put a soup pan on the stove on high. While it's heating up, chop the onions, carrot and ginger roughly.
2.When the pan feels hot, pour the oil in. When it rolls around the pot, it's ready to go - throw in what you've just chopped up. Stir it around for 5 minutes or until the onions start to brown.
3.Put in the vegetable stock, lentils and salt. Leave it to boil, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender.
4.Blend it with a food processor or hand mixer and add the lemon juice and salt.
5.Serve with a big dollop of sour cream.
VARIATIONS:
add some chillies and coconut cream instead of the sour cream
add a handful of chives and/or dill for serving

I got this recipe from yahoo.com.au lifestyle. It seems easy to prepare. I might try this out one day but I just dont like to use stock bought from the shops. It doesnt suit my taste buds and yet I don't know how to make veggie stock so I might stick to chicken stock that I know how to make. We're over the soup season (read: winter) but this will still be nice after a hard day at work and maybe sniffing that cigar smoke.

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Baked Chicken Teriyaki

With my weekly cookout, I am running out of ideas of recipes to cook for the whole family. I lean towards cooking the same menu week after week after week. I recently thought of baked chicken in pineapple slices but we’ve been having that once a week for almost a month now. I saw this baked chicken teriyaki recipe (not in slideshow but in one of the blogs that took me to allrecipe.com) and it sounds easy. Plus, all the ingredients I already have at home, it’s just a matter of making them.
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy
sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring
frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
3. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with
the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another
30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10
minutes during cooking.

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Check Your Posture

We are not really aware sometimes that our posture is slouch-y until we are already there. Being busy at work, facing the computer more than 5 days a week, give us little time to check our body posture. So here are some of the tips I found in yahoo lifestyle while searching for life insurance.

- Don't just work your chest (apparently often people do chest exercises while ignoring the back)

- Include some good back exercises, such as lat pull down and row, in your weights routine

- Be sure to stretch your chest (sure you stretch your legs after a workout, but be honest - do you really stretch your chest? This has made a real difference for me!)

- Keep your shoulders down, away from your ears, when performing exercises

- When standing, instead of thinking about jamming shoulders down, think about increasing the distance between chest and belly button

- There are numerous Swiss Ball exercises you can perform to help 'turn on' the smaller muscles of the back and help reverse rounded shoulders, more specifics from Elliott on those next week.

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Toffe Apple

I have yet to try.

You Are a Golden Delicious Apple

You have a glow to you, and you are naturally attractive. You know how to highlight your good points.
Beneath that shining exterior is a sensitive soul. You are more thin skinned that people realize.
You prefer others to be gentle with you. You need to be handled with care.
You may be fragile, but you're also tough deep down. You're firm enough to stand up for what you believe in.

What Kind of Apple Are You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

There are so many varieties of apple in the market and sometimes hard to decide which one to buy. I don't buy apple in price but by the taste and texture that I like. I've been buying the granny smith lately because they look quite nice. But my favourite has always been royal gala, nice texture and sweet.

Anyway, I eat fruit for cleansing as I don't have much time for herbal colon cleanse. I just grab an apple or two for work.

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My Current Favourite Soup

This soup is just so easy to prepare and make. I always use left-over bones or some chicken part from the baked or grilled chicken. It's always yummy. Just sautee the onion and garlic and add the chicken. Add water for the stock. I really dislike using stock from the shops. It's doesn't taste real at all. So, I just let the chicken boil and create a more good taste. Add the salt and pepper. Then the rice noodles. Presto, soup in less than 10 minutes. Quicker than buying a pair of mbt shoes.

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Gift Giving Season

October is Mcj and my birthday month. Then, there's Christmas. Well, I haven't really thought of Christmas yet but I know I have to come to terms with that.

I've been wanting to buy a new camera before we embark on a new escapade since my trusty old one broke down on us. I think, this one will do as it's quite affordable. I have to do some research on the review though. Mcj won't have any job of researching online flower shop, as this year I am opting for a more practical one.

But we bought Mcj this. And I am currently using it. How convenient present is that?

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Boost Your Energy

Some tips here from yahoo lifestyle:

1. DRINK WATER
Dehydration causes fatigue, so stay hydrated to stay bright-eyed. Caffeine can jump start your motor, but you don't want to over do it. Energy drinks and coffee can give you a temporary energy boost by firing up your fight-or-flight hormones, but when they wear off, you crash. Start your day with a glass of water, enjoy your daily cup of coffee, and then switch back to water.

2. GET SOME PROTEIN

If caffeine jump starts your motor, protein keeps things on an even keel by keeping your blood sugar levels consistent. Try some of these super fast protein-packed breakfasts.

3. USE YOUR NOSE

Citrus smells can perk you up, so drop slices of grapefruit, orange, or lemon in your water (bonus: you feel like you're at a super posh spa.) Suds up your hair and bod with citrus scents in the shower, or try the get-up-and-go smell of mint, which stimulates the area of the brain responsible for arousal and can make you more alert. Pop a peppermint as you walk out the door.

4. FIRE UP YOUR IPOD
Music can sharpen our mental focus and boost our mood. Put together a soundtrack to your life that you can listen to as you get ready in the morning, drive to the office, or dance to while you're folding the laundry.

5. GET MOVING

A study from the University of George found that when sleep-deprived people exercised, their perceived level of energy increased by 20 percent and their fatigue was reduced by 65 percent. Take out the dog for a quick walk, power through some crunches and push-ups during the commercial breaks, or pop in one of our favorite workout DVDs.

6. SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO CHEER YOU

There are some people in your life who make the good times great and the bad times bearable. And we're not just talking your friends and family. Co-workers, as well as the people we interact with casually, like the mail carrier, can help boost our energy. So smile at the barista's corny joke. It might just power you through to lunch.

7. GO FOR GOOD ENOUGH

Trying to be perfect is an energy black hole. Also, it's, well, impossible. So go for good enough rather than perfect. Give a solid effort, and then move on.

And why do I play music while blogging? To perk me up. I know I have to improve my diet as well. I can't be bothered to eat whem I am busy, a big problem for me. I'm always caught up with something that I forget to eat. Oh well, when this directory submissions opp is finished, I might need to eat something freshly cooked.

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Less Stress

...means, happiness.

In our harried and hurried living, stress has been our constant companion. If we don't watch out, it will eat up our while life, system, and relationship.

Here's some tips I've found to keep calm:

- Surround yourself with friends, family and loved ones, so you're not alone and have a good support network. You'll feel less isolated and depressed.

- Change things that you can change and learn to accept the things that you can't. None of us are perfect, so don't even begin to compare yourself unfavourably with your older sister or talented friend. Remember, your best is good enough.

- Instead of worrying what everyone else is thinking, concentrate on what you're thinking instead. You can control one, but no amount of stressing will change the other.

- When you're feeling down, phone your happiest friend. It's good to talk, even better to listen.

- Repair a troubled mind by writing down your worries. Expressing your feelings on paper will release their intensity, making room for more positive ones in your head.

- Adapt the Tibetan Buddhist practice of living in the present. Whatever you're doing, eating, walking, waiting, in whatever environment, rain, snow, sun, concentrate on that moment. The aim is mindfulness, so you can be at peace.

- Remember, life is ten per cent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you react to it. The choice is yours, sometimes things are less problematic than they seem.

If we can pull it off, life will be more than enjoyable. Health insurance in nc will just be want not a need.

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Want to Look Tall?

This I really need... found it here, not on this site - you can find diet pills here though.

1. Stretch your Pecs

Tight pectoral (chest) muscles pull your shoulders forward, so to combat that tightness get busy stretching. By opening up the chest, it can increase the range of motion through your shoulders and allow you to pull them back further. How do you that?

Stand in doorway and raise your left arm up to shoulder height, placing your hand on to the door. Slowly turn your body away from your hand until you feel a stretch through your chest and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on the right side. This is a great stretch and should be done as many times as you can throughout the day.

2. Strengthen your Back

So you've loosened up through the chest, now we gotta pull your shoulders back by firing up those muscles at the rear. If you go to a gym, then a seated row and lat pulldown machine are the ones for you. If not, try the Cobra, you can do this at home.

Lie on the floor, stomach down with your arms along the side of your body. Now pull your shoulders back slowly and think about squeezing through the middle part of your back to do it. Hold for 5 seconds each repetition and do 10 in a set. Once you can do these well, start to lift your chest up and off the floor as well, that's the cobra.

3. Over the Ball extension

This one's a doozy! It'll help stretch out through your abdominal muscles, and decompress up your vertebrae that have been all bunched up together due to the power of gravity.

Grab a Swiss Ball and take a seat on with your feet apart for balance. Slowly walk forward til you're lying over the ball and it's supporting your lower and upper back. Now, stretch over the ball. If you're real clever, try to get your hands on the floor. You'll look like the Arc De Triomphe if you're doing it well.

4. Every 30 mins, take a moment to stretch and unwind

This one will help get you into a routine that fights the tight. If you work at a desk and on a computer, then set up some system that reminds you every thirty minutes to stop, pull back from the desk and open up the chest, it could be a little shoulder roll or a stand up stretch. Heck, go nuts and if you have a Swiss ball nearby, then do the over the ball extension thing. Whatever it takes to get you going the other way from where you going before. Which was hunched

5. When you can stand

All this sitting ain't making us pretty, so the last tip is to get up whenever you can and stand on your feet. Gotta make a phone call, then stand up and stretch your hamstrings and chest. Seriously, get up! You gotta do it. Not only will it help pull everything back into place, but standing burns a lot more energy than sitting, so get up Australia to get skinny! Stand tall, don't slouch and enjoy the view from up high.

*****

Eating on the Go

I found this website celebrities-eating.com. See who are the celebs that eat on the go? Here are some.

Just proves that anybody does it. I mean, gone are the days where one has to sit down on a chair and eat. With everyone on the go, why not. Saves time (quite handy if you are handing out insurance quote).

*****

Home Cooked

I had a change to watch an episode of Home Cooked with Julie and I can say, it was refreshing. I was more interested in it. I seldom watch cooking shows and not really a fan reality cooking show. But I can, she hooked me. She cooked easy meals with little list of ingredients.

Here is one of the dish she demo'ed:

Fish and chips
Serves 4
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: about 30 minutes
1 kg pontiac or Sebago potatoes
vegetable oil, for deep frying
salt, to taste
1 1/3 cups plain flour
375 ml cold beer
2 tsp salt
8 x 100 g white fish fillets (such as flathead or whiting – ask your fishmonger for boneless fillets)
½ cup plain flour, extra
salt and white pepper
1 quantity tartare sauce
lemon cheeks, to serve

Read more...http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=700549&showcomments=true

I like buying take-aways. My MIL said, I'm the biggest fan. I choose a little bit healthier take aways, if I can say that.

I wish, one day I can find the time to really cook something that I can be proud of (that when we eat we will only need less best vitamins here). But for now, I'll just cook-up any and buy take aways when I have to.

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Veggie To Go

Wondering what's in Jen's dish? Me too but to be it looks like the Greek Salad but I doubt if she'll have it all on it's own. So another guess is some green leaves (obviously, it's a salad) and feta cheese. It's like the best weight loss pills for women that every one wants to know what she's having. Or is this to prove that she doesn't eat baby puree?

VEGGIE DELIGHT
Jennifer Aniston takes her salad to go during a lunch break Monday on the Georgia set of her upcoming film, Wanderlust.

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When the food we eat is simply not enough.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the modern lifestyle we don’t always have the time to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. This is where we need to be vigilant and take dietary supplements, especially for growing children, elderly or before and during pregnancy.

However we can’t always afford the time to stand in queues at chemists/pharmacies to get the right advice, let alone pay their high prices. This is where shopping online comes into its own. It allows you to shop and get quality advice from the comfort of your own home and at a time that is most convenient. It is even better when you can get all those benefits and save up to 80% by buying at wholesale prices.

You may wish to try Vitacost.com who offer excellent savings as well as other great ways to save on all sorts of purchases by using vitacost coupons.

*****

The World as I See It

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Beef Stew

We haven't had beef stew for the past three weeks so I have some beef taken out for dinner. I've done beef stew many times but I want to try something different. Found this recipe from aussiecooking.com.au. Nothing different from what I usually do aside from the gravy and stock.

Recipe for Tasty Beef Stew:
Approx cooking time 2 hrs
1 large casserole pot
1 kg gravy beef
4 potatoes peeled and cut into half
1 litre of beef stock
3 carrots peeled and cut into rings
1 cup of peas
1 diced onion
1/4 cauliflower cut into good size pieces
1 dessert spoon of oil
salt and pepper
1 cup of gravy mixed with water

Heat oil in pot add saute onion
Cut beef into chunks removing any fat
add beef cook until sealed
add stock, potatoes,carrots,cauli,salt and pepper and top up with water until fully covered.
bring to boil then simmer.
** note when potatoes are soft **
add peas and gravy
continue to simmer until gravy is thickened

** can serve with steam rice **

**my favourite is to wipe up gravy with bread and butter**

Read more: http://www.aussiecooking.com.au/cook/recipes/281/Tasty%20Beef%20Stew/#ixzz0yX56287A

Time to turn the Casablanca ceiling fans for some steaming stew for dinner tonight. It's getting warmer here.

*****

More Like It

You Are Bitter

You aren't bitter at the world, even though you have a strong personality.
Instead, you are sophisticated and cultured. You appreciate acquired tastes.
You are very powerful. You have the ability to change a room's energy.
While some may find you disagreeable, your points of view are intelligent and interesting.

What Taste Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Yes, I am it. Enough said.

Anyway, now that it's getting warmer here I'm thinking of snow sleds for the winter that I didn't get to see snow.

*****

Brake Unhealthy Habits

Bad habit 1: Not drinking enough water

Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger and our body doesn’t always show signals of thirst until we are dehydrated. We lose 1.5 litres of water a day through our skin, lungs and gut via the kidneys as urine, so if you don’t drink enough during the day you’ll get headaches, bad moods and poor skin as a result. You need 2.5 litres a day, so that’s a glass every hour. Drink water after you go to the toilet and have a coffee. Always keep a bottle of water on hand so there’s no excuse.

Bad habit 2: Skipping breakfast

Sometimes you don’t feel like it or just don’t have the time, but missing breaky can make it harder to concentrate and reduce productivity. Listen to your body. Don’t eat a huge breakfast if you’re not used to it, just have something light like a glass of milk, fruit juice or a banana. If you really don’t have time, take a packed breakfast and make sure you eat as soon as you get to work.

Bad habit 3: Mid-afternoon snack attack

The most common cause is carb overload during lunch or not eating enough protein. Snacking isn’t bad, it’s just the choice of food. When hunger strikes in the afternoon most of us opt for chips, biscuits, chocolate (yes that’s me) and cake which are high in fat, sugar and salt. Eat a nutritious and filling lunch instead. Have an extra half a sandwich or fruit and yoghurt after and opt for more protein which will give you energy. If you still want to snack, eat fat-free popcorn, dried and fresh fruit and raw nuts instead.

Bad habit 4: The late-night takeaway

After a hard day at work the prospect of cooking can be unappealing so takeaway is the easy option. But most of the time they are high in fat, salt and sugar and don’t contain any essential nutrients. Overcome it by eating something before you leave the office to take the edge off your appetite. Stock your fridge with foods that don’t perish quickly and store emergency foods like cans of soup and frozen veggies in the freezer.

These are not really my habits but I want to drink water as much as I can. My bad habit is when I'm so caught up with my work (not just selecting online iphone accessories), I forget to drink or eat until I am really hungry that my tummy is grumbling. It's really bad.

source: yahoo lifestyle

*****

Weekly Meal Planner

Now, that I have started to really cook for us, I thought having a meal planner would make things a little bit easier for me. For the past weeks, I've been cooking our weekly dinner on weekends. For the coming days this week, this will be our dinner (I have included today as well).

Sunday - pasta in venetian sauce from leftovers and meat pies (frozen from the shops)

Monday - rissoles with veggies

Tuesday - pizza (taking advantage of the promo in dominos)

Wednesday - braised steak with veggies

Thursday - mince and pasta

Friday - Baked chicken and veggies

Saturday - mince and rice

From this one weeke meal, I've only two meals to cook. I cooked the steak, rissoles and chicken already. I've also got our dinner for tonight ready (before I plunge on camera reviews).

Next thing to do is plan for the following week but first I have to check the meat we have in the freezer. This is easy like looking at the camera lense.

Oh, the home brand fish fingers are a hit to my family. It's cheap but still tastes nice (I just hope any cam is the same sans the taste).

*****

Pineapple Chicken

We tend to add variety on our meat consumption. But Mcj is not really fond of chicken - so I thought of cooking Pineapple Chicken for a change. I got the recipe from grouprecipes.com and I now have all the ingredients.

Ingredients
1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
1 can pineapple chunks, set aside the syrup
1 Tbsp oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium-sized onions, chopped
1/2 cup evaporated milk or coconut milk
patis (fish sauce), to taste

How to make it
Marinade the chicken with the pineapple syrup for a few minutes.
Pour the chicken with the marinade in a pot, cook until the marinade evaporates and the chicken is lightly brown. (You’re not exactly frying the chicken–you just want to seal in the juices.)
When done, set aside the chicken on one side of the pot.
Add the oil, saute garlic and onions then mix together with the lightly browned chicken and cook for about a minute.
Add the pineapple chunks then pour the evaporated milk. Cover and bring to a simmer. (If you are using coconut milk, do not cover, otherwise it will curdle).
By the time the chicken is done, the sauce would be rather thick and creamy, stir then season with patis.
Simmer again for 2 minutes then turn-off the heat.
Best serve with steamed rice.

I'm planning to cook it later today but will have to stay in the freezer for this weeks dinner. I tend to cook for the whole week on weekends as I can't be bothered to cook at night when I get home or the night before (even if I don't have to a update car insurance blog)

*****

Pelagonia

See more flowers at Flowers from Today

*****

Somewhat True

You Are Modern

You are optimistic and forward looking. You love living in this world.

You have are drawn to the darker elements of life. You like a bit of grit.

People excite you. You like to be up on what's going on with everyone you know and don't know!

You have a few key interests that are borderline obsessions. You can't stop thinking about them!

The Bookstore Test

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Now, on my personality. I like grit - yeah, I like suspense and thrill but not too nauseous. I like intrigue, I don't want to call it gossip because I long ago give up on that. Lol. Yeah, obsessions... when the mood strikes, even lying on massage tables can't lure me to stay away from it. I have to dig and be all over it.

*****

While genetics has a major part to play, smart kids are also shaped by their very first teacher – you! Carrie Cox looks at ways to give your child a wonderful head start.
Toddler + Preschooler
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It’s been estimated that a toddler’s brain is about twice as active as that of a university student, suggesting there’s a lot more going on inside that little noggin than a pressing desire to smear the walls with yoghurt. In fact, medical research has shown that unlike any other part of the human body, the brain has done most of its growing by the time a child is five years old.

By that time, most of the critical pathways and connections within the brain have already been laid down, and some have been discarded permanently. What remains is the foundation for a lifetime of future learning.

Young children’s minds are often described as ‘sponges’ due to their capacity to absorb so much of what is going on around them, but perhaps that is understating the matter. Maybe a ‘mop’ is a better description, because it is possible that young children can soak up a virtually limitless amount of information. But here’s the big question: is the size of your child’s ‘mop’ predetermined, or can early education increase its absorbency?

Nature versus nurture

Researchers have long sought to prove that intelligence is a purely genetic trait, but overwhelmingly the proof shows otherwise. While adults with high IQs are more likely to have children with high IQs, the reason is as much, or even more, to do with a child’s developmental environment as any hereditary hard-wiring.

“A stimulating environment can dramatically increase IQ,” argues Dr Jan Strydom, a professional educator who developed the Audiblox preschool program for children with learning challenges. “At birth, every person is dealt a hand of cards – his genetic make-up. But without having learned the game and without regular and rigorous practice, nobody will ever become a champion at any game.”

A recent study by North American researchers found that bright teenagers do have a different brain structure to their more average classmates but that this structure is largely shaped during the formative years. Apparently, there is a critical ‘use it or lose it’ phase of early brain development during which unwanted connections between neurones are pruned as the brain streamlines its operations. It is at this time that parents can make a vital, brain-boosting difference.

Read more...

I believe both nature and nurture play important role in the development of the child. There should be balance though. I'm not the first to admit that I do well with my kids when it comes to teaching but I try my best and so far, so good. In this day and age when both parents are working, it's easy to forget that our kids need our attention (pulse oximeters might be need to keep in track). Well, who says parenthood is not a job. It is and the hardest job of all.

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Budget Friendly

Well, in today's economy everyone is tighting their belt and purse. Everyone is on the lookout for budget friendly recipes (not because we want to buy the promotional tote bags but we need to conver the bills). I found this one which is really easy to do and the ingredients easy to find at the shops (source, yahoo lifestyle.

Chow mein mince
Ingredients
•2 teaspoons oil
•500g lean minced beef
•1 x 30g packet Continental®Chow Mein Mince Recipe Base
•1/4 cabbage, finely shredded
•2 carrots, sliced
•1/2 cup long grain rice
•1 3/4 cups (440mL) water
Method
1. Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan and brown mince.

2. Add Recipe Base, cabbage, carrots, rice and water; stir well.

3. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, or until mince is cooked and rice tender, stirring occasionally

Notes
Hint: Add extra vegetables such as sliced capsicum or mushrooms.

*****

Cooking Frenzy

I'm in a cooking frenzy this week. I am doing all our cooking. I have already the pasta sauce cooking for tomorrow. I'm planning to do another casserole - maybe a beef stew or goulash - this afternoon. Tonight, we're going to have lasagne. We might just have left-over for some days during the week. I'm taking everything in strides so I don't need riding boots for now.

I found this simple and quick recipe for beef goulash in yahoo lifestyle:

Ingredients
•canola spray or 2 tsp sunflower oil
•1 tbsp flour
•400g stewing steak (blade or gravy beef) trimmed of fat and cut into 2cm cubes
•1 pkt Maggi Cook in the Pot Beef Goulash Recipe Mix
•1/2 cup water
•2 tbsp tomato paste
•1/4 cup Uncle Tobys Oats
•1 onion, chopped
•1 carrot, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, diced
•2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
Method
1. Set the slow cooker to low.

2. Toss beef cubes in flour. Heat oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef.

3. Remove meat from pan and drain on kitchen paper.

4. Combine Maggi Cook in the Pot Beef Goulash Recipe Mix with water and tomato paste.

5. Add to the slow cooker bowl with remaining ingredients.

6. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

*****

How Do You Like Your Eggs

I'm like Maggie Carpenter that can't decide how I like my eggs but not for the same reason. It's just that I haven't explored all the ways of cooking eggs. Now, I just like scambled with tomatoes. Yet, I can say I like omelletes too but I haven't perfected the way of making it. I found an easy way to make it (no need for fancy equipment like spirometer to do it). Here it is:

Ingredients
•3 Eggs
•A little milk
•Ham and tomato
•Parsley
•Cheese
•Salt & Pepper
•Butter
Method
1. Combine the milk and the eggs together in a bowl and whisk it well.

2. Pour the mixture into a frying pan - make sure you have an adult to help you with this.

3. Now put all the other ingredients on one half of the mixture as the omelette cooks.

4. Fold over the omelette and let it cook!

source: yahoo lifestyle.

*****

Brain Food for Toddlers

OILY FISH

'Fish like salmon, tuna (fresh, not canned), sardines and mackerel are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids,' says nutiritonal scientist Bridget Aisbitt from the British Nutrition Foundation. 'But your child shouldn't have more than two portions a week.'

If your child isn't keen on fish, make a fishcake mixed with potato and coated in breadcrumbs. This can be roasted in the oven or fried.

AVOCADO

A real power-house food, full of that other essential fatty acid, omega-6, which is also key for brain development.

Simply mash and serve with breadsticks, or combine with other fruits like banana for a super-healthy energising snack. A great fast food - pop one in a bag inside your handbag for when you're out and about and mash it on the spot to eat with a hunk of bread.

BEANS OR MARMITE ON TOAST

In tests, toast was shown to boost children's cognitive skills, but when the tests got tougher, toast with high-protein beans worked best.

Marmite is packed with B vitamins, whose brain-boosting powers have been proven in countless studies.

Great at any time of day - breakfast, lunch, supper or an in-between snack.

WHOLEWHEAT CEREALS OR BREAD

These are full of vitamins B12 and B6.

From 6 months, it's OK to give your child wholewheat foods which contain wheatgerm, a source of choline.

But be aware of portion sizes, so your child doesn't get too full and not have room for other food groups.

YOGHURT

A big hit with little ones, yoghurt contains an important amino acid that helps to improve memory and keep your toddler alert and chirpy.

Yoghurt is a great lunchtime pud that will see him ready to face the challenges of the afternoon.

Fruit and raw veg dippers are also a great way to serve plain yoghurt - or try making your own fruity flavours by stirring mashed raspberries, sliced banana, strawberries or stewed apple into natural yoghurt. It's a great way to use up fruit that's slightly past its best too.

BERRIES

Research shows that strawberries and blueberries help improve concentration, short-term memory and coordination.

They are also delicious whole, on cereal or whizzed up into a smoothie, pus berries help contribute to their 5-a-day.

Pop a bowl of berries in front of your toddler while he's watching TV or doing a puzzle and odds are he'll eat them up without even noticing what he's doing.

source: babyexpert.com

We're not big on fish but I compensate that with other food as well. So my tot is just adorable with all his clever and smart antics - always a crowd drawer. Just thid night, we've noticed that he's grown quite a bit lately but we didn't notice because he's always covered because of the weather. He was displaying his muscles (which doesn't need apidexin) and he's just funny.

*****

Happy Soul

I believe that one of the manifestations of a happy soul is singing. I'm just inspired to search for songs that I like when I'm online and doing something. Isn't it enhilirating when you're doing something while humming? I reckon testosterone booster is of little importance when you're always happy - which affect your dispositions in life and health.
One of my favourite songs and singers by the way. Love them. I want to own some of their albums.

*****

Monday 27 December 2010

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Sunday 14 November 2010

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Sunday 26 September 2010

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