FAF - Pretty Weeds

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Have a fabulous weekend!

MYM/MOM - Liquorice

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Happy Mellow Yellow and Mandarin Orange Monday!

FAF - Purple Flowers

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Have a fabulous weekend!

Did You Know?

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Swiss chard is a rich source of betalains.  These phytochemicals act as powerful free-radical scavengers in the circulatory system to help cleanse blood, improve its flow and keep it well-oxygenated -- all key to optimizing both physical and mental energy.

Green Travel Tips: How to be a Responsible Tourist

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Green travel is increasingly becoming a favorite catch phrase in the tourist industry. Promoting the essence of responsible travel aims to protect the culture and environment of the places you visit. Thus, green travel tips are being given freely by travel websites, airlines and leaflets in airports.

The negative impacts of tourism are evident in the most visited tourist attractions everywhere. Thus, it has become essential that visitors minimize their individual impacts as much as possible on tourist attractions, especially those that are considered earth’s natural or cultural treasures. One sure way of being a responsible tourist is to choose our mode of transportation. If we are going on a short trip, we can opt to take the train instead of the plane. If you have to ride the plane, choose to pay a small fee that will go to organizations that are working to mitigate the damaging effects of air travel. Choose public transportation systems over car rentals or taxi cabs. 

During your expeditions, travel with a tour operator who is known to be environmentally responsible. Find a green hotel to stay in. Throw your garbage properly or take it with you when you leave if there are no properly marked garbage depositories in the place you are visiting. And always treat the locals with respect and be sensitive to their issues with dressing and behavior. And always read up on the area that you are visiting before you take your trip.

Sheets for NFL Fans

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When I think of bedding sets, I don’t just think of a bed cover, but, comfort and design as well also. I like something that is soft and smooth to the skin and I also look for fabrics that are wrinkle free and have no rough edges or corners.  The bedding sets have a lot to do with the way you sleep.  If you are sleeping on an uncomfortable bed and your sheets are rough; chances are, you will not get good quality sleep.  Tossing and turning at night can leave you feeling tired and dull in the morning and end up less productive. 

Anyway, going back to my story.  I like sheets that are smooth because they create a soothing and relaxing feeling.  Just the other day, I bought a few sets online.  I was also able to find nfl bedding sets for my boys.  Oh, they think the sheets are too cool!  Hubs is a great fan of Atlanta Falcons and the set I bought complete with valance and drapes really made his day.  I got the Buffalo Bills for my son.

There are varieties of designs to choose from and you can find all the teams there.  If you have fans of NFL at home; surely, they'd love the bedding sheets I found.

MYM/MOM - So neat!

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I visited an old friend last week.  This is how her living room looks.

Happy Mellow Yellow and Mandarin Orange Monday!

Leafy Greens Break Down Toxins

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Eating spinach, kale and other dark leafy greens are solid sources of magnesium and vitamin B6.  These nutrients help break down toxins that we get from plastic food containers and household cleaners.  Noshing on these greens will give you increased energy, help you lose weight, and reduce your risk of reproductive problems such as PMS and fibroids.

The Mahindra XUV500 is the Hip Car of Class 2012

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When Francis celebrated his graduation from college, the whole Class of 2012 was in attendance. Not only was Francis the most popular boy in their class, he was also the brainiest. To the girls, he was the jock and to the boys, he was the icon they all aspired to be. Thus, when his parents unveiled their gift to him for his graduation, it became the hip car of the class. The icon had it so it had to be the best.

 

When the Mahindra XUV500 was unveiled during the party, the new graduates took turns examining the new SUV. The loud, concerted gasp of impressive wonder as the vehicle was unveiled expressed the thoughts of the guests in attendance. Everyone found the car elegant and stylish. As they took turns examining the full Mahindra XUV500 details closely, it was evident that the general sentiment of the class of 2012 was that it was the best looking SUV of its class. When they examined the interiors, they were visibly aghast at the luxury and contemporary feel of the vehicle. The plush seats and the state-of-the-art dashboard impressed everyone. As Francis clicked on the different instruments on the dashboard, the gasps of wonder and surprise expressed the thoughts of each guest in attendance. By the end of the night, it was clear that the Mahindra XUV500 is the new “hip” car of the class of 2012.

FAF - Pink Hibiscus

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Photo was snapped during one of my afternoon walks.  Happy Friday, all!

He Wants a New Look

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Looking to add a little style to our garage, hubs decided to look for flooring garage options online. He's finally tired of the good old plain cement and thought it wise to make it a little attractive. Now he wants it covered. He had already looked into several options but he's leaning more on the flexible rubber tiles. I think it's practical because of it's no-slip feature. His garage will look great with those tiles, plus we are sure that no one will slip should there be oil leaks.

Clothes for Donation

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I am so glad hubs finally found time to deliver the boxes of old clothes for donation. While it was raining really hard for more than a week last week, I thought of packing the clothes that we were not using anymore -- Joey's pants and shirts; Mai's maternity clothes; hubs' shirts that are now too big for him; and some of my clothes as well. It turned out to be a great idea because there were many victims of flood. A lot of people were left homeless and they are now staying in evacuation centers. I was able to pack 3 medium-sized boxes of old clothes, I'm sure these will go a long way.

Did you know?

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Nearly 50% of people with hearing loss are deficient in vitamin B12.  Experts say, adding it back into your diet will help you regain some hearing by boosting energy production in hearing cells.  Where to get B12?  You cereal!  One serving of 100% fortified cereal gives you 2.4 mcg. of vitamin B12.

The Best Facility for Your loved One

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If someone you love and care for can't deal with his problems and has turned to dangerous drugs, what would you do?  Do you curse and blame him for becoming an addict?  Or do you try to understand what he is going through and help him?

Making him an outcast will not help.  It will only make matters worst and before you know it, it might already be too late for him.  Being addicted to drugs doesn't make him a criminal and drug addiction is not a disease.  It is treatable.  In fact, there are a lot of great institutions like tennessee drug rehab, that will help your loved one recover from his addiction.

These drug rehab centers offer the most modern approach to treat addiction and they usually provide the best environment to treat the patients.  Depending on the case, a patient can be admitted or he can have an out-patient care.  They say detox is one of the most effective treatments a drug dependent can get because they can easily get the effect of drugs out of their system, making it easier for the patient to recover.

Don't let your loved one suffer too much.  Get him help immediately.  Only an established rehabilitation center with highly professional staff and a good living environment can handle the job of applying the correct programs to your loved ones.

MYM/MOM - Lanterns

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click for a larger view

Saved by unsecured business lines of credit

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Ron is thankful that he was able to get back on his feet again.  A couple of years ago, when Ketsana aka Typhoon Ondoy attacked Manila, the great flood it brought destroyed everything he had.  His home and his car were greatly damaged and all the stocks in his grocery were destroyed.  He was practically left with nothing and the little savings he had in the bank was used for repairs.  A friend introduced him to unsecured business lines of credit.  That's where he borrowed money from to reopen his grocery store.  Now he has fully paid that loan and his business is doing great.  More tropical storms have passed after Ketsana but Ron is more prepared now.

FAF - Canna Lily

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Happy weekend everyone!

Environment Friendly Green Printing

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Several shops now offer to refill your spent ink cartridges. Some even offer rebates if you turn these cartridges over to them. Such green printing practices is a very good example of recycling. It is good to know that these companies are doing their share in lessening their environmental imprint. Instead of adding to the trash, their recycling practices not only make the printing cost cheaper, but makes buying cartridges easier on the pocket. Quality is not actually sacrificed as the ink and cartridge comes from the manufacturer. Ink used to be so expensive. Now, they do not cost an arm and a leg. Homes now have personal printers. Thanks to environmentally responsible companies, families can save a lot on printing.

Personal Word Of Mouth Marketing Bit Me

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I have been eating at the same bistro for several years now. How I came to know about its existence was from friends who have dined there. The good things I heard from my friends about the food there were all true. They were great. I was treated to a gastronomic experience you seldom go through your entire lifetime. The place's popularity obviously did not go the heads of the owners and staff. There was no air of arrogance and I was given excellent personal service. I never saw them advertise on the local paper or even distribute flyers. Everything was done through personal word of mouth marketing. Their satisfied customers did the marketing for them.

Easy Midland Texas Auto Loans

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Moving can be quite a daunting task. You have to find a good place, a job and transportation. Luckily, my friend already found a place and she had been hired by a company before she moved to Texas. The only thing she had to deal with was buying a car. The midland texas auto loans took care of that. They made buying a car easy for my friend. She simply walked in and gave the details they asked for. Before the day ended, she was already taking delivery of her new car. She thought that it would be several days and long commutes to work before she got her car. The dealer has a good and long business relationship the company. This made getting her new car even faster.

Employee Engagement, An Unusual Perk

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I've heard of maternity and paternity leaves and even assistance, but it is the first time that I came upon a company that has employee engagement. Some companies discourage interoffice relationships but it really is quite hard to avoid. To make things more reasonable and to make the employees feel that the company is one big family, this firm offers this perk. So far, they have held a number of these celebrations. A couple of them involved employees from different departments. Most are employees being engaged to other people outside the company. It's not only novel but really make an employee special. It helps keep morale high and work efficiency at a high level. 

Suffering from summer stress?

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Sniff lemon oil to sidestep it.  The scorching heat and UV rays can send anxiety-triggering cortisol through the roof.  But experts say simply inhaling the aroma of fresh lemon can dial down cortisol in minutes.  To do:  Enjoy a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon three times a day.  Take a few sniffs as you drink.

T Cells guard you against infection

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We all know that a strong immune system can fend off diseases so we all work hard to strengthen our immunity.  We eat healthy foods, exercise and get enough sleep to achieve a strong immune system.  These things not just strengthen our body; they make the t cells (a type of blood cell that can be found in the white blood cells) stronger.  These t cells or thymus cells are the ones responsible at guarding our body against inflammation and infection.  So when these cells are strong, they can easily attack and destroy infectious agents that cause us to get sick.

Colony Forming Assay, a hope for cancer patients

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When I first heard about stem cells, it's about the period that saves.  That was I think, back in 2008 when scientist have discovered about menstrual blood containing adult cells that apparently can help heal serious diseases.  Four years later and more breakthroughs in science came.  One of them, colony forming assay, is being developed to cure cancers in the future.  My husband's aunt succumbed to breast cancer a few years ago and now two of his cousins have been diagnosed and both are in stage 1.  We are praying that scientist will work fast so patients don't have to wait long for their cure.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells

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Ever heard of stem cell therapy?  These are usually human embryonic stem cells that are cultured and injected into the body to heal a patient.  Doctors and researchers are raving about this breakthrough in science because according to them, even the most serious diseases can be cured.  While I think this is great because it can cure a lot of diseases, some are questioning its effectiveness and safety.  Well I can't see why it won't be safe.  The cells will be taken from your own body; cultured and allowed to regenerate; and then given back to you to replace damaged cells.  I'd be reluctant if the cells were not mine.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Research

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You've probably heard of stem cells already.  And you probably already know that stem cell therapy can help patients who are suffering from serious illnesses like heart disease, cancers, and diabetes.  According to experts, it can also cure patients with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Dementia. 

Last time I heard, a new study is being made and this time it's for mesenchymal stem cells.  These are the cells from our bone marrow and muscle tissues.  So athletes watch out because once this process is refined, these stem cells can easily replace damaged tissues and you can heal much faster.  Hubs is happy to hear this news because that means he can play bowling again.

Stem Cell Culture, the way to look younger

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Stem cell therapy is getting more popular these days not just because it hopes to cure all diseases someday but because it is believed to turn back the clock.  Yup, celebrities and even politicians are claiming to reap the benefits of this therapy.  How is it done?  Apparently, stem cell culture is done so they can regenerate and produce new cells.  These new cells will be injected to the patient to replace the ones that's been damaged.  What I'm not sure of is, if stem cell therapy is already used in hospitals to treat patients.  But I am definitely sure that this treatment is already used in beauty clinics to make their clients achieve a youthful look.

They Can Change Your Life

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For whatever it is that's bothering you; talking it out is good, not just for your soul but your health as well.  Whenever I have problems or when something bothers me and it's hard for me to talk it out with the people I know, seeking advice from clairvoyants helps.  Although I don't personally know the clairvoyant, knowing that she is there and that she will listen to whatever it is I have to tell, makes it easier for me to relate.  And I'm never disappointed with the answers. 

It may sound silly to some because they think  psychics are merely fortune tellers and they only tell you what you want to hear.  Well, you only get silly answers when you ask silly questions, right?  But if you get to talk to a real psychic, then you'll understand that they are there not just to tell your fortune but give you advise.

I don't know with you but every time I did this, I always felt much better.  True, they help reduce the stress and lessen the weight of the things that bother me.  I feel lighter every time I had a conversation with one of them.  Knowing that someone understands you whether you are right or wrong is already a relief.  The insights and support they give you will help you do the right thing.

MYM & BM - Shhh, I'm reading.

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Happy MYM!

Affordable Wedding Decorations

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They say that getting married is expensive.  But did you know that you can still have the wedding of your dreams even if your budget is limited?  Tying the knot during the wedding months -- June, December and February -- can break your bank; but if you decide to choose a different date, you can save a lot of money.  You can get cheaper wedding packages during off wedding months.  And should you choose to avoid the wedding packages and do everything on your own; you can save more.  In fact, you can even bargain for the dress, wedding cake, flowers, and wedding decorations.  Freebies are usually offered during off wedding  months and hotels and restaurants, and even resorts are usually lenient.

So choose to be wed during the off wedding months; you may not be a June, December or February bride, but you can still get that dream wedding of yours without spending much.

Fight Allergies with Oranges

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One proven way to outsmart allergies is to nosh on oranges.  The fruit's vitamin C reduces the body's output of histamines (inflammatory compounds that trigger allergy symptoms) by 38%.  Here's a delicious way to enjoy the citrus fruit.

Citrus-Kissed Confetti Toss

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs. each granulated sugar, white wine vinegar and vegetable oil
•  1/2 tsp. dried mustard
• 1/4 tsp. celery salt
• 1 large orange, zested and juiced
• 5 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
• 1/4 cup diced green peppers
• 1/3 cup chopped sweet onions

In large bowl, whisk together first 5 ingredients, 1/4 cup orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon orange zest.  Season with black pepper, if desired.  Add cabbages, carrots, peppers and onions; toss gently to coat.  Chill until ready to serve.  You may add diced apples or pears if you like.

Bel's Birthday Party Surprise

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My cousin’s boyfriend of six years turned 30 last night and she spent three months planning a surprise party for him. My aunt, his mother and my cousin connived to make this special day a success and cousin Belinda eagerly anticipated the look on his face when he sees his family and friends gathered at their favorite restaurant. When he walked through the door of Bel’s chosen venue, we could tell that while he did feign surprise, he knew something was brewing inside. Bel quickly suppressed her disappointment, determined as she was not to ruin the special night but she wondered how he knew that we had prepared a celebration for him.

A quiet man, my cousin did not expect that he would stand up before dinner was served to thank everyone who came to celebrate the occasion with him. Then he began talking about a website http://www.whiteflash.com at which he described as the answer to his prayers. Bel was puzzled but she kept quiet, eager to hear what he had to say. He went on to describe how his mother pushed him to view site where engagement rings were sold. At their mention, she felt that she is being unceremoniously pulled from her chair and pushed next to where her love stood talking. He dropped down on one knee and presented her with a crimson box. Then he opened the box and she took her first glimpse of the most exquisite tiffany style solitaire ring set in a simple platinum band with seven smaller diamonds adorning each side.

Still on one knee, her love proposed as tears streamed down her face. She later told us that she vaguely remember that at that point, everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering. Waiters were busily pouring champagne in glasses that had somehow appeared in their guests’ hands. Bel was paralyzed. She could not think, move, nor speak. The room suddenly fell quiet, everyone waiting for her answer. As if from a distance, she heard her love repeat his question. Unable to speak, she nodded her answer and the room cheered and clapped. Her love held her in a tight embrace and then they kissed. The clapping and the cheering grew even louder. Then she heard her love ask her once again, “Are you sure?” And she loudly said, “I am.”

The clinking of a hundred champagne glasses brought them both out of our world into the real world. His uncle raised his glass and delivered a rather clumsy toast to the newly engaged couple. After gulping down the champagne in his glass, his Uncle Alex rather called on to the waiters to bring in the food post-haste as everyone was getting hungry. On cue, the waiters came in and started laying down the first course on to the tables.

Bel's love led her to their table where their parents sat around them. The two mothers started chattering excitedly but Bel could not hear them. She was still in shock from the unexpected proposal. She could not get her eyes of her engagement ring. She was dazzled by the myriad specks of light emanating from the huge solitaire diamond and she knew her love had spent a fortune to give her this special surprise on his 30th birthday. Bel planned to surprise him but he turned the tables on her and surprised her with his proposal. Bel knew in her heart that before she goes to bed much later, she would be browsing through the website which her soon-to-be-husband had gushed about before giving her the best surprise of her life.

Learning Should Be Fun

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While my daughter is already a graduate of a college course, some of my friends still ask me why I pulled her out from an exclusive private school for girls in the middle of her grade school years.  I, myself was a graduate of that prestigious school and that was one of the reasons why my husband and I decided to enroll her there when she started schooling.  Another reason is we believed that the high standards of that school will shape her into a productive person.

Everything was going well during her first few years.  She's got high grades and I can see that she was learning fast.  It was during her fourth grade that things began to change.  While her other grades were still good, her grade in Math and English dropped.  It's not that I expected her to have good grades all the time but it was her teacher that made me change my mind about that school.  During the quarterly parent-teacher meeting, she mentioned about all her students having a difficult time in both subjects.  I didn't like to criticize her but I felt that she was not a competitive teacher.  She knew her students were having problems but she didn't take actions.  She should have thought of other instructional strategies to encourage her students to learn more.  It was the same during the succeeding quarters of that year.  The following school year my husband and I have decided to transfer her to another school.  It wasn't a big school and not as prestigious as her former school but her grades improved again.

I guess learning is all about how it is given to students, not because of how popular the school is.

A DJ and a Business Man

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Who would have thought that Mar's business would last this long? Not that I didn't believe in him when he first decided that he's going to start a mobile (music and sound) business. Back then it was a hit; back when disco parties at home were popular. But now, I rarely see disco parties being held at home, or am I just too old for this?

Well anyway, I bumped at him yesterday at the music store. I was looking for a guitar pic and he was looking for dj stands. He told me that his mobile business is going strong and now he has bigger clients -- hotels and restaurants. Good for him! I'm glad to know that he is earning well from it and he's loving what he's doing.

Best Summer Holiday

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One of the best holidays my husband and I had was when we went to Baguio last summer. A good friend lent us her log cabin. She knew that hubs was celebrating his birthday that month and since no was using the log cabin that summer, she offered it. Of course, we grabbed it. 

The weekend of his birthday, we drove up to Baguio. The kids didn't come with us because Joey was on a retreat while Mai can't leave her twins. Luce's log cabin is gorgeous. Round hand-peeled logs were used and the interior is amazing. The antler lamps were eye-catching and the beds and other furniture were well crafted. We had a wonderful weekend at the log cabin and we are both very thankful to our friend. She said we can go back there any time we wish so we're planning to spend another weekend there this coming sem-break.

Lightning-Fast Recall

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Want to stay sharp?  Eat eggs!  The yolk of one egg provides 300 mcg of choline, making it a top source of this brain-boosting nutrient.  Choline is what makes the neurons flexible and heightens their ability to rapidly accept information.

Expanding Through The Net

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My friend owns a finance house. She extend loans to individuals and small scale entrepreneurs. As of late, she already has several offices in different cities. As the number of users of the internet grows, it opened a new market. Businesses have noticed this and are expanding online. There are networks that service these businesses through advertising. Blue Global Media is one such network. They are one of the top affiliate networks around.

Since my friend's business is about extending financial assistance in the form of loans, she is considering enlisting the help of an affiliate network to handle her online advertising. Her main clients are ordinary folks who usually takeout payday loans. To be a member of a Payday affiliate program would greatly her her expand her business online. She used to be an ordinary employee herself and she knows the trials a working mother goes through. She used to takeout loans like these to help her out. Maybe this is why she charges very reasonable rates which had helped her become a huge success. Programs like these not only help businesses but the average working person as well.