Looking at the sky on Friday (36)

Here are some photos my son snapped during his last visit to Tagaytay. Happy sky watching!

Beat The Chills with Chocolate

Having a bite of dark chocolate each day can ward off winter chills. So you see, there is more to it than just improving your mood. Researchers discovered that the epitechin in cocoa help boost the body's production of nitric oxide. This warming chemical enhances blood flow throughout the body. So whenever you are feeling cold, go ahead and grab a bite of this yummy treat. :)

Practicing Their Swings

During weekends, hubs and my brother-in-law would drop by the driving range and practice their swings. It's their favorite bonding time. A friend from bowling owns a driving range just outside the village of my MIL's, that's where they usually go. They recently purchased some used golf balls, they don't like using new balls when they practice. Sometimes the kids would go with them but unfortunately, none of them are interested to try. They just love to watch. I'm still hopeful though, that my son would be interested in golf someday. Well, not just golf in particular but any other sports would do. I want him to get involved in sports. But of course, I'm not pressing the issue, I want him to like it on his own.

Mellow Yellow Monday #46

New York cheesecake from Cheesecake Etc.

Mellow Yellow Monday #51

These are my nephew's African Lovebirds. This pair has produced 5 chicks. When the chicks saw that I was aiming the camera, they all hid in the nest box. Look at the daddy bird on the 2nd photo, he's a natural!

Happy MYM everyone!

Searching for auto parts

My husband drives a Honda, it’s not of the latest model but he is proud that it still performs very well. His friends admire its impressive handling, despite its age. He maintains it well and makes sure that it gets regular tune-ups, change oil and the likes. On weekends, he never fails to clean the engine and tinker on some parts. He's favorite past time? Searching for auto parts. He wants to make sure he can readily get them in case something gets broken.

When something goes wrong or any of its car parts need replacement, hubs makes sure he gets them from the leading parts network. He would browse the internet for reputable web sites offering Autoparts123 promos so he can get them at a much lower price. And when his car is already in the repair shop, he would personally check the repair’s progress no matter how busy he is with other things. That’s how meticulous he can get when it comes to his “baby”. I am not complaining though. It is our only car and I'm glad that he really takes care of it.

Berry Good and Berry Beneficial

Recent research showed that berries and other red, blue and purple fruits are even more antioxidant-rich than experts had thought. These jewels offer body-wide benefits and are low in calories. Here's a run-down of the antioxidant-rich fruits you should include in your shopping list.

BLACKBERRIES. They are even more than superfoods like red wine, dark chocolate and red cabbage. This type of berries have the most antioxidants per serving.

STRAWBERRIES. A cup contains 144 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. That's 24 percent more than an 8 oz. glass of orange juice.

PLUMS. According to experts, some varieties of this fruit may have just as much antioxidants as a half cup of blueberries. Grab a plum for a snack and make sure you eat the skin. The bulk of disease-fighting phytonutrients are on the plum's skin.

BLUEBERRIES. A new study suggests the blue gems may help keep high blood pressure in check. Consuming blueberries daily for 6 weeks can help lower your blood pressure.

Looking at the sky on Friday (35)

Summer is so here! It's getting hotter and hotter everyday. Snapped this on our way to MIL's last week. Want to see more gorgeous sky photos? Click on the badge below. Happy weekend, all.

For Bloat and Cramps

During your monthly visits, bloating and cramps may prevent you from doing your daily chores. To stop these symptoms from hampering your day, simply add a couple of tablespoons of parsley to your, soups, sandwiches and salads and sandwiches. The herb has natural diuretic properties that prevent salt from being reabsorbed into bodily tissue and relieves water retention to quickly flatten your tummy. Parsley also contains apiol, an estrogen component which helps regulate uterine contractions to relieve cramps.

Toronto Hotel Deals

Need time to get away? Why not go to Canada this time and book at one of their finest Toronto hotels where you can experience first class accommodations and fabulous amenities at very affordable prices. If you book now, you can take advantage of their great offer, big discount offers! You and your family will surely enjoy a lot of exciting outdoor activities and the beautiful Toronto scenery without spending much. By the way, these cheap packages come with luxurious accommodations.

Mellow Yellow Monday #45

I am not very sure but I believe these are called Black-eyed Susan. Click on the MYM button to view more Yellow photos. Happy Mellow Yellow Monday!

Why Say It With Flowers?

It's Valentine's Day and what better way to say I Love You than with flowers. Every woman will swoon over lovely blooms. Whether you just picked it from your garden or it's a beautiful roses arrangement, you can never go wrong. My main man sure knows how to flatter me. When I opened my eyes this morning, these white beauties were on top of my bedside table with a message full of loving words that are of course, for my eyes only. It didn't end there, beside the flowers was a box of my favorite chocolate waiting for me.

Everyone knows that the tradition of sending flowers (roses especially) on this very special day is a timeless one. It's one of the best ways to express love and appreciation to someone. Lovely blooms definitely brighten one's day. The silky petals, and fragrant scent of roses are enough to overwhelm your lady love with joy.

You may also take this opportunity to send flowers and show your appreciation to friends and family who has done something kind. Your mom took care of your kids while you had dinner with your wife? Give her flowers. The simple act of giving flowers can turn a seemingly dull day into a colorful one.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Treasures

Valentine treasures are people who
have often crossed your mind,
family, friends and others, too,
who in your life have shined
the warmth of love or a spark of light
that makes you remember them;
no matter how long since you’ve actually met,
each one is a luminous gem,
who gleams and glows in your memory,
bringing special pleasures,
and that’s why this Valentine comes to you:
You’re one of those sparkling treasures!

By Joanna Fuchs

Die-Hard Ferrari Fans

Hubs is one great fan of F1. And now that my son is in his teens and likes watching races, that makes them two. Their favorite team? Ferrari, of course! They even dream of owning a Ferrari one day and they drool over the latest models, accessories, new Ferrari parts, caps, mugs, jerseys... anything ferrari. But it's nice that they both share the same interest. I love watching them enjoy their favorite bonding time.

My Irritable Aunt

My aunt's menopause kicked in about five years ago. Since then, she has grown increasingly short-tempered. On some days she wasn't just cranky, she's out of reason. Last time she was cranky, we teased her that if she remains like that, even the best wrinkle cream won't help smooth her creases. It must be working because my cousins noticed that she's trying her best to be less irritable and she's working hard to bring back her old jolly self.

Surprised

Yesterday, we attended the Family Day at my son's school. I was surprised to see that Vincent, my son's classmate, has grown tall. He was chubby and used the be the smallest boy in their class, actually he looked more like a grade school student than a high school. He is now a bit taller than Joey. Curious, I asked his mom what vitamins he gave Vincent. He grew significantly in just a few months. She said their GP gave him hgh. It must have worked well for him because he lost some of the body fat and has grown tall.

Are Energy Drinks Safe?

Energy drinks have become very popular not only among athletes but also to young adults. These power drinks claim to boost sports performance or make a person more alert... or both. As a mom, you may be wondering if these drinks are safe for your kids. Here's what I found out.

Most energy drinks contain stimulants such as caffeine, ginseng, ginko biloba, and guarana. Some even have as much as five cups of coffee or ten times as much as a can of cola. Many of these drinks also contain large amounts of sugar.

While it's true that stimulants may make a person feel great, consuming too much of these substances has several down sides. They can cause sleep problems, vomiting, nausea, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart palpitations and seizures. These stimulants can also alter a person's perception of fatigue or pain.

The next time you child asks for energy drinks, make sure to read the label carefully. Still, nothing beats water. You can think more clearly, exercise harder and remain healthier when you are well hydrated.

The Dreaded Dimples

Do you have that problem dimples on your arms, thighs, buttocks or lower tummy? I say problem because once it's there, it cannot be removed. But of course cellulites can be prevented and treated. I learned from http://www.cellulitetreatmentcream.org that regular exercise and consuming less of food that cause toxins to build up can prevent these dimples. There are also skin care products that helps in the lightening of cellulite affected areas. You can find them in the beauty aisles or order from the internet. But before you do, it may help to check the link I have mentioned above first, so you'll have an idea on what to purchase.

Worried About Age Spots?

Uneven skin tone can add ten years to your actual age. But times have changed and it is now easier to correct. If before, night creams took weeks or even months to get rid of age spots, redness, enlarged pores, and adult acne, age spots removal creams now work real quick. Some claim to see results in as little as seven days. But just because everyone uses a popular brand, it doesn't mean it will work for your skin too. Ask your dermatologist first before purchasing a cream. Your doc can give you advice on what skin product is suitable for you.

Foods That Burn Fat

In the past three months, I have already lost 15 pounds. It's not too much considering I have a long way to go, but I wasn't bothered at all because I did not really cut back on my food intake. What I did was exercise for thirty minutes a day. But I'm getting tired, not of the exercise but the slow weight loss. Maybe I should start dieting and concentrate on foods that burn fat. I heard that I can do this without really depriving myself of foods I love. I'm still doing some research on this but I'll let you know as soon as I'm done.

Ding Dong!

Can you believe it? The doorbell was busted and the husband replaced it with the one similar to school bells. You know, the loud ring that signals the start or the end of each class. It's so embarrassing because the whole neighborhood can hear it every time it rings! He said that was the only one available when he went to the nearby hardware yesterday. Dang! But he promised to replace it ASAP, so tomorrow I'm off to Handyman to get a better one.

Looking at the sky on Friday (34)

Happy sky watching!

Mellow Yellow Monday #44

Happy MYM eveyone!

What Makes Some Kids Fit?

It's their families. Recent studies have shown that kids whose parents encouraged them to exercise maintained healthier body weights. Parents are the best teachers and kids learn behavior from them. If you are eating junk foods and sits in front of the tv for a long time, your child won't want to take a walk. It will be more fun if you join them. When you do it together, your kids will see exercise as a game and not a chore.

Triple Treat

Nothing can be more practical and convenient than having three services bundled into one. Imagine dealing with just one provider for the most essential services you need in information and communication. The phone, the internet and the television are the most important components in obtaining information and connecting with the world. Verizon is one such company that provides all three in one package.

Verizon deals with communication with its phone service. This is the most basic way to keep in touch with other people. Although many now use the cellular phone, offices and households still use the conventional phone. After al, its features are catching up with its cellular counterpart. Features like wireless capability and voice mail now come with regular phone service.

Verizon bundles its broadband high speed internet with its phone service. As the yearning for information grows, the importance of being connected to the world wide web becomes imperative. More and more people are also using the net to connect with other people from different parts of the world. The speed of the net is vital not only in gathering information but ain corporate dealings as well. We all know that businesses now are also going online. The world has become smaller because of the net.

Verizon offers another service in its bid to simplify the needs of its customers. It has a television service as well. It gives its subscribers two options, satellite TV or fiber optic television. This gives its customers a wider choice of programming and reception quality.

Why get different providers for different services when you can get all three from just one? It would be wiser and practical to get all from just one.

Cholesterol - Memory Link

If you have high LDL (bad cholesterol), you may worry about having a heart attack or stroke. But that's not the only thing you should be worried about. Having high cholesterol means you could also be prone to memory problems, including Alzheimer's. According to experts, when cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, there is less room to carry blood to the brain. Having high LDL also causes inflammation, which can damage cells throughout the body. So aim to keep your LDL low (below 100), to avoid future heart and memory problems.

The Big Barbeque Fan

My brother is a big barbeque fan. So big he can't wait for summer to start grilling again. And since outdoor fireplaces are becoming so popular, he and SIL are considering putting up a stone fireplace in their backyard. They always have friends coming over on weekends and they enjoy spending time outdoors. Oh, I can just picture it, spending the evenings outside, chatting with friends, enjoying their barbeque, a little drink perhaps and the warm glow of fire. Perfect! That's what he misses about home so much, we can have a barbeque night here anytime.

Mellow Yellow Monday #42

These miniature Mandarin Oranges came from China and they are called Kiatkiat (meaning Money Tree). Happy MYM, all!