Looking at the sky on Friday (33)

We're a month away from summer but already, the heat during the afternoons are unbearable. The mornings and nights are still cold though. This weird weather makes a lot of people sick. I had to fetch my son from school the other day because of flu. But he's feeling a lot better now that the fever is gone.

Click on the badge for more sky photos. Happy weekend.

The Best Time To Quit

Giving up smoking? I have read that the best time to do this is after your period. According to studies, withdrawal symptoms are worse in the latter part of the cycle and during your period. Women are more likely to succeed when they quit at the end of their period because they will experience less intense withdrawal symptoms. It is for the best if you decide to stub out the cigarettes and seek anti-smoking treatments (e.g. electronic cigarette) this time around.

This does not mean though that you will succeed only if you quit smoking at the end of your period. Any time is good to stop smoking. Here's the perk, within one year of stopping, about half the risk of heart disease is eliminated. And within 15 years, the heart disease risk for former smokers is about the same as those who have never smoked.

The Secret of Success

Admit it or not, selling insurance nowadays is like looking for a needle in the hay stock. With modern technology, more and more people are now purchasing insurance from the internet because it's a lot cheaper compared to purchasing an insurance through an agent. The internet provides us with with so many resources, so comparing quotes and getting the best deals is easier than ever. I've been there. I was a part-time agent back in the 90s so I understand what they are going through right now. But this doesn't mean you should give up on your job. If you try to be resourceful, you'll find sites that provide life insurance leads for agents like you. The leads will give you access to real prospects, with real interest in insurance, in real time, just seconds after they have completed a detailed online questionnaire. Act now and be on the edge. Stop wasting your time with bogus contact information, uninterested prospects. Get your leads now.

Now it's a safe home

My husband's parent's home was built back in the 60's. The time when asbestos was considered an integral part of every home. Back then, nobody knew that asbestos could be bad for the health. None of them has ever heard of mesothelioma (a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos), not until a relative in the US married a mesothelioma lawyer. And since the house is very old, they have decided to have it rebuilt. They have lived there for so many years and everyone was relieved when they found out that none of them have been exposed.

Hapiness Award from Rosie

My first for 2010! I received this special award from my dear friend Rosie over at All About Cakes. Please visit her blog if you haven't already. She makes great cakes and is an expert in cake decorating. I love her blog and I'm sure you will too.

So along with the award there are some rules. I have to link her blog to me and I have done that above.

Next I am to list 10 things that make me happy.

My family
Cooking/Baking
Reading books
Coffee
Bowling
Cross stitch and embroidery
Lokii (our shih-tzu)
Seeing my kids grow
Blogging
My blog friends

So now in turn I will send this off to some of the very creative blogs that I love.

Chris @ The Mommy Journey
Enchie @ From My Kitchen and Beyond
Jo @ Poetic Shutterbug
Rose Belle @ Three Wisdoms
Anya @ Kareltje en Ikke!!!
Marzie @ Wishing On A Falling Star
Stacie @ Super Mommy To The Rescue

Mellow Yellow Monday #41

How about some fruits?

Looking at the sky on Friday (32)

I took this while inside the car on our way to my MIL's so that explains the quality of the photo. I was in such a hurry to snap the airplane I wasn't sure if I did it right, haha.

Happy weekend and happy sky watching!

Life Insurance Rates

It's the first month of the year and I'm sure some of you are planning to invest on life insurance. There are many companies out there that offers full coverage and dividends, the only question is the price. Some companies offer the same benefits at a much higher rate. So do your homework before purchasing. Looking over life insurance rates is a good step. This will give you an idea on how much you should really be paying for. Of course staying healthy and getting an insurance while you're still young can save you a lot of money.

Brain Power Boost

Did you know that pairing vitamins C and E may lessen your Alzheimer's risk by as much as 64%? According to experts, just 500 milligrams of C and 400 IU of E appear to be enough. These antioxidants may act as shields to the brain's high fat content that make it vulnerable to free radicals. Some studies suggest that it is the E that does the job of reducing free radicals in the body, but then it's capacity is depleted. Vitamin C may recharge E. Talk to your doc about your risks for Alzheimer's and dementia and about taking both supplements.

Decorative Rugs For Less

Surely, there are so many ways to beautify your home interior. You can spend on classy wallpapers, pick out the most sophisticated and modern lighting, and hang the most expensive paintings. You can even let your imagination run wild and decorate it with whatever ornament you think would look nice in your home. But out of all the ways to decorate your home, one of the most useful additions is the discount rugs that have great versatility in styles and designs. These beautiful rugs can also be used to define space in your living room so it won't look dull and boring. Plus, rugs also give your flooring protection from scratches and it can complement your existing decors or to redecorate your rooms. Having a rug in your living room will enhance the coziness of your house and can be very inviting to your guests.

Mellow Yellow Monday #40

This is one of the best Filipino appetizers, unripe mango with shrimp paste. The salty shrimp paste compliments the sour mangoes. Happy MYM, all!

Relax and Sleep Tight

Does it take you longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep? I don't mean to scare you but I recently read that if it does, you better be on the lookout for diabetes and heart disease. Recent research found that women who have trouble dozing off have higher levels of insulin, inflammatory proteins (linked to heart disease), and fibrinogen (which plays a role in stroke). Early detection of risks can help ward off illness. It's also best to find ways to unwind before hitting the sack. Try to listen to music to relax, it can protect your health and help you feel well the next day.

I Got A Coupon!

While surfing the web earlier, I stumbled upon a website offering nordic track coupon code. This offer is irresistible! I've been wanting to purchase this equipment for so long because this trainer will greatly help me lose the unwanted pounds. I've been walking but can't do it religiously everyday because of unpredictable weather conditions. At least with one at home, I've no more excuse to put off exercising.

Hot or Cold?

Always confused whether to use hot or cold compress on your sore? Here's an easy way to remember which is best, heat relaxes muscles and ice relieves swelling. So if you get sore muscles from cleaning all day or overdoing a workout, use a heating pad or soak in a hot bath. For injuries, like a twisted ankle, put an ice bag on the injured area for 20 minutes every 3 to four hours.

Build More Muscles

Do you struggle hard to get that muscle when training? If you train as hard as you can, but never have that 'bit extra', then you better ask your doc to check on your testosterone level. It could be that you have low testosterone. He may recommend a testosterone booster to help you get amazing gains. They say high testosterone make that much of a difference.

Atopic Dermatitis

Do you have dry, cracked and inflamed skin that is red to brownish-gray in color? Then you might be suffering from eczema. It usually appears in patches and may occur in any part of the body's skin, (hands, feet, arms, behind the knees, ankles, wrists, face, neck, and upper chest). It becomes very itchy and scratching will only worsen it and may also result in areas of thickened skin. A doctor will immediately recommend eczema treatment so it will not spread all throughout your body. Although it may not get rid of it for good, the treatment will improve your quality of life significantly. Don't wait till it gets worse, see a doctor as soon as you spot the symptoms.

Phosphacore, is it safe?

Do you want to get rid of that tummy fat? That's the hardest one to eliminate when it comes to losing weight. I have been practicing on improving oxygen intake during workouts because it is said to double fat burn on your tummy, but the bulge is still there. Then I read about phosphacore. It claims to provide that tummy fat melting magic using rare African herbs. I need to check on this more, I want to make sure it's really safe before I start taking it.

No! He's Too Young!

My son who is now approaching puberty, is becoming more conscious of his looks. The moment he spots a blemish, he would automatically get my tea tree oil and apply it to the area. Yesterday, he was bugging me to buy him a blackhead extractor so he can get rid of those tiny dots on his face. He's even more vain than his sister! Hubs said, it's probably because of the girl in school that he had a crush on. I gasped and said "Oh no!"

Fat Burners For Women

These fat burners for women seem to be making waves lately. If it's really that effective as what other women who have tried it said, then I want to try it. I have been working out for months and the result is not so satisfying. I've been sweating it all out (to death!) but the flab seem to have been stuck there for a long, long time. My metabolism is so slow! An effective fat burner will help me for sure.

I need to get rid of flab, for good.

If there's anything I don't need right now, it's a diet that doesn't work. I'm tired of yoyo dieting, losing some and then gaining back more. My sister called last night and she told me she found the best weight loss diet pill. She has tried it and it worked for her. I'm not so sure about this but if it worked for her, then it might work for me too. I gotta check this one and see if I can afford it.

Surf To Keep Your Brain Younger

The tons of information we find on the internet can seem mind-numbing, but according to experts, the stimulation we get from wading through it exercises our brain, which may keep it more youthful. The simple task of surfing/searching the web which is similar to reading a book, stimulates areas of the brain responsible for language, memory, visual ability, and comprehension. You get more when you click through a website. The task triggers parts of the brain that handle decision-making and complex reasoning. And best of all, the more you do it, the greater the benefit. Research showed that experienced web surfers had twice as much brain activity as novices.

Mellow Yellow Monday #39

Chrysanthemum

Mellow Yellow Monday #43

Lemon tea anyone?

Yummy Walnuts

Are you banning nuts from your diet because of their high calorie content? Well, here's some great news for all nut lovers. While it's true that all nuts are an excellent source of healthy fats, which provide satiety and prevent sugar cravings, walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats shown to boost metabolism. So stop feeling guilty and enjoy a handful a day straight from the bag or add to both savory and sweet recipes.

Mellow Yellow Monday #38

Wanna have some?

No Brushing

We have the habit of immediately brushing our teeth after having a meal, but new studies suggest we wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This is because the acids in many foods soften tooth enamel, making it vulnerable to damage from brushing. When you wait, the acids will have cleared and the enamel will have re-hardened. You can't speed the process so don't think about short cuts. Rinsing your mouth won't make a difference either.

Saving Precious Memories

While the kids were scanning some of our family pictures and transferring them to our computer for their facebook accounts, I have noticed that some pictures have deteriorated. Oh no, if I want these memories to last a long time, something should be done about them. So I’ve decided to download the photos to a digital frame that would protect them from the ravages of time. At least now I don’t have to worry about keeping those precious memories alive.