Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Cutting on Expenses

Being the one who do the budget, I need to make sure every money that is goes out from the bank or from my wallet needs to be accounted for. But lately, grocery expenses exceed more than half of what I budget, electric bills shoot up. Drastic measures must be done and here are my plans:
  1. Cut down on the groceries - stick to what is in the list
  2. Don't buy unecessary things
  3. Eat in smaller portion - this will help me in my diet too
  4. Avoid eaiting in between meals
  5. Cut down electric bills
It will be hard we don't have a choice.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

To Rubber or To Palm Oil?

My husband is planning on planting palm oil in our farm. In fact, he even attended a convention in Kidapawan, North Cotabato recently to know more on what the benefits of planting palm tree. He was having second thoughts because the soil is slopey (is there such a term for that?).

As an alternative, he thinks planting rubber might be better. What do you think? Palm tree will be productive in three years, while rubber will take six years.

Mushrooms

I've never seen a mushroom like in the photo above. Can those be eaten? hehe

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Yema Balls

We have a can of condensed milk that is about to expire. I forgot why I asked our helper to buy it. She saw it the other day while cleaning the cupboard. Guess what she and the other helper thought of making? Yema.

The other helper have a sweet tooth so she asked me if it's OK to make yema. I said they should make some before the milk expires. They bought cracker nuts to go with it (no plain nuts available so they thought that would do).

There's also a butter available here so no need to buy. So what is their yema recipe?

- 1 can of condensed milk
- butter
- peanuts

The procedure to make a yema is very easy. Just put about half a cup of butter, then put the milk then stir constantly for a couple of minutes. Place the nuts while stirring then continue stirring until the mixture becomes brown. Turn off the stove and cool it. After that, they used their hands in making the yema balls. Their hands were inside a plastic so the yema is clean. :)

I forgot to take picture of the finished product but they said it was yummy.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Blogum Blogger Template

Are you looking for a simple and clean blogger template? You might want to use this new template I've converted from Wordpress. Blogum template was designed by WPShower for Wordpress. Here's the template description:

Description: Simple, clean, white, light, two-columns, right-sidebar and grid-based theme designed in a modern and minimalist style with a great attention to detail

DEMO
DOWNLOAD (There's a Download File Now! at the middle of the download page)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In your Dashboard - Click LAYOUT
2. Click EDIT HTML
3. Click BROWSE
4. Select the location of the template you've downloaded and click UPLOAD

The Design->Page Elements will look like the one below. It's just like that because of the width of the content. Don't worry, when you view it, the layout is OK.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Weaver Blogger Template

I have a new blogger template that was adapted from Wordpress. It's the Weaver Blogger Template by WPWeaver.info. I received an email asking me if I can convert this template to blogger. Me, feeling like a pro (LOL) said yes. I took me a few days just to be able to finish it and I'm glad at the outcome. Here's the screenshot.



I'm going to use this template in my other blog and you can download it too. Just please leave the credits intact for the one who asked me to convert it.

Here's the WEAVER BLOGGER TEMPLATE DEMO
Download: WEAVER BLOGGER TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD (There's a Download File Now! at the middle of the download page)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In your Dashboard - Click LAYOUT
2. Click EDIT HTML
3. Click BROWSE
4. Select the location of the template you've downloaded and click UPLOAD

The Design->Page Elements will look like the one below. It's just like that because of the with of the right sidebar. Don't worry, when you view it, the layout is OK.




Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Orei Blogger Template


Whew! After not posting for a few months, here it is, my very first template! Well, it isn't my own design. Skinpress.com designed it originally for Wordpress, but I liked it so I decided to convert it for Blogger. I'm new in converting templates and I'm not actually a web designer. With a help of a friend, I was able to convert it. I'm glad of how this template turned out. I love it!

I just can't help but be proud of it. That's why I want to share it with you guys. Please please do download it and check it out. Thank You! If you do have questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment here.

Here's the OREI BLOGGER TEMPLATE DEMO
Download: OREI BLOGGER TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD (There's a Download File Now! at the middle of the download page)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In your Dashboar - Click LAYOUT
2. Click EDIT HTML
3. Click BROWSE
4. Select the location of the template you've downloaded and click UPLOAD

Please, please leave the footer links intact as requested by a friend who helped me convert.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Eggplant, Does It Have Health Benefits?

I like eating eggplants, may it be boiled, fried or grilled. But many say it has no health benefits and I believe that all along. But just recently, I got curious if it really doesn't have any health benefits. Besides, will there be a fruit without any nutritional value?

I've just read the eggplants are low in calories. That means, those who are on a diet can eat eggplants. It's also rich in fiber, helping in regulation of blood sugar and keeps cholesterol levels low. However, this fruit contains measurable amounts of oxalates.

What is oxalate? It's an organic acid harmful to those with kidney or gallbladder problems. Thus, this should be avoided with these problems.

I like eggplant with fried fish or fried pork, dipped in vinegar. Yummy!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Coffee Increases Risk of Aneurysms

New study shows that drinking coffee everyday increases risk of aneurysms. According to Times, coffee among other factors triggers stroke. With 250 patients surveyed, the researchers identified stroke triggers with coffee the highest contributor:

•    Coffee consumption (10.6%)

•    Vigorous physical exercise (7.9%)
•    Nose blowing (5.4%)
•    Sexual intercourse (4.3%)
•    Straining to defecate (3.6%)
•    Cola consumption (3.5%)
•    Being startled (2.7%)
•    Being angry (1.3%)
These triggers increase the risk for only about an hour after consumption or activity. But coffee is many people's breakfast drink right? So those people are at risk of stroke, including me. I really should cut back from drinking it.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

How to Get a Good Night Sleep

Having a good night sleep is a problem to many people. There are many factors that hinders this and some of those are stress and environment. There are ways though to sleep soundly and here are some I want to share:
  • Avoid caffeine especially in the afternoon. Sure, drinking frapuccino from Starbuckd is addicting, but if you can order decaffeinated, then better
  •  Eat meal at least three hours before going to bed
  • Have a warm bath
  • Drink a glass of milk
  • Make sure your sleeping environment is comfortable - dark room, comfy bed
  • Try to listen to slow music
Those are some of the ways I've tried to have a good night sleep.

    Friday, April 22, 2011

    List of fault lines in the Philippines

    I found this from my email sent by a friend and thought I will share. With all the earthquakes and tidal waves happening especially in Japan, it is important to know what places here in the Philippines are in danger too. Here it is:

    The United Nations is advising the Philippines to be ready for an upcoming big earthquake. A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 or higher on the Richter scale is sure to hit Metro Manila, they say, but the bigger question is when exactly this will happen.


    The Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) report published in 2004 predicts that an earthquake with a high magnitude will surely occur because of the Philippine Fault Zone (also called the Marikina Valley Fault System), but experts cannot predict when this disaster may happen.
    According to the report, the death toll may reach about 35,000, some 145,000 people may be injured while around 175,000 buildings will be damaged. Where exactly is the West Marikina Valley Fault Line?


    It lies northeast of Manila and traverses Marikina , Pasig going to Muntinlupa down to the south.


    Instead of being afraid and all panicky, we should make sure we are ready should an earthquake happen.


    And for those who are located at fault line or near the said fault line make sure to leave the place as soon as possible, it is much better to avoid as early as possible than to wait for the disaster to happen.
    Here are some earthquake safety tips to remember.


    What to do – Before the Earthquake :


    Arrange your home for safety: Store heavy objects on lower shelves and store breakable objects in cabinets with latched doors. Don't hang heavy mirrors or pictures above where people frequently sit or sleep.


    • Store flammable liquids away from potential ignition sources.
    •  Stock up on emergency supplies. These include: battery operated radio (and extra batteries), flashlights (and extra batteries), first aid kit, bottled water, two weeks food and medical supplies, blankets, cooking fuel, tools needed to turn off your gas, water and electric utilities.


    What to do – During the Earthquake :


    • If outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you.
    •  If driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridges and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs.
    •  If indoors, quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the room.


    What to do – After the Earthquake:


    • Check for injuries and attend to people who may need help.
    •  If the power is out, unplug appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on. 
    • If you smell or hear a gas leak, get everyone outside and open windows and doors. If you can do it safely, turn off the gas at the meter.
    •  If the building is badly damaged, evacuate immediately.
    The only powerful thing we can do is to pray it won't happen.


    Below is the List Of Major Fault Lines Of the Philippines:


    1. Marikina Valley Fault (Montalban-San Mateo- Marikina - Pasig -Taguig-Muntinlupa-S… Pedro-Binan-Carmona-Santa Rosa-Calamba-Tagaytay-Oriental Mindoro)


    2. Western Philippine Fault ( Luzon Sea-Mindoro Strait-Panay Gulf-Sulu Sea )


    3. Eastern Philippine Fault ( Philippine Sea )


    4. Southern of Mindanao Fault ( Moro Gulf-Celebes Sea )


    5. Central Philippine Fault (Entire Ilocos Norte-Aurora-Quezon-Masbate-Eastern Leyte-Southern Leyte-Agusan Del Norte-Agusan Del Sur-Davao del Norte)


    *The earthquake that destroyed Guinsaugon is the Central Philippine Fault


    *The 1990 earthquake that destroyed Central Luzon and Baguio is also the Central Philippine Fault.


    Of these, the MARIKINA VALLEY FAULT poses the greatest danger because it custs through all the modern and progressive portions of Manila such as Eastwood, Rockwell, Ortigas Center, Bonifacio Global City, Ayala Center, and Alabang. Also, the PhiVolcs people have warned that this fault line can move anytime because it is already 11 years late for its movement.

    Tuesday, April 19, 2011

    Water for Fatigue

    Have an over-fatigue? Try drinking a glass or two of water. Experts say water cures depression and fatigue. This is just one of the many benefits of drinking water.

    Monday, April 18, 2011

    Eat Apple to Lower Cholesterol

    I remember apple used to be expensive when I was young so my mom would buy some only during special occasions like Christmas and New Year. Thus, even if the saying says "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", we couldn't afford to eat everyday. But now, apple is as cheap as P5 in the market. It doesn't matter whether it's delicious, gala or washington type of apple. It's still an apple and tastes good anyway.

    At my age, being healthy is important because I am now prone to diseases including having a high cholesterol level. I am health conscious so I always read news and articles about being healthy and I've read that eating apple a day reduces LDL cholesterol level. Here's more about the article from a health blog:

    According to Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi and colleagues, apples are truly a "miracle fruit" that convey benefits beyond fiber content. Animal studies have shown that apple pectin and polyphenols in apple improve lipid metabolism and lower the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Arjmandi's most recent research is the first to evaluate the long-term cardioprotective effects of daily consumption of apple in postmenopausal women.

    This study randomly assigned 160 women ages 45-65 to one of two dietary intervention groups: one received dried apples daily (75g/day for 1 year) and the other group ate dried prunes every day for a year. Blood samples were taken at 3, 6 and 12-months. The results surprised Dr. Arjmandi, who stated that "incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by 6 months- they experienced a 23% decrease in LDL cholesterol," which is known as the "bad cholesterol." The daily apple consumption also led to a lowering of lipid hydroperoxide levels and C-reactive protein in those women.

    "I never expected apple consumption to reduce bad cholesterol to this extent while increasing HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol by about 4%," Arjmandi said. Yet another advantage is that the extra 240 calories per day consumed from the dried apple did not lead to weight gain in the women; in fact, they lost on average 3.3 lbs. "Reducing body weight is an added benefit to daily apple intake" he said. Part of the reason for the weight loss could be the fruit's pectin, which is known to have a satiety effect. The next step in confirming the results of this study is a multi-investigator nationwide study.

    Apple indeed is a miracle fruit, isn't it?

    Monday, March 7, 2011

    Most Effective Way to Lose Weight

    Is there really an effective way loose weight? There are different ways like South Beach Diet, yoga, zumba, oatmeal diet and more, but which is the most effective?

    Personally, I don't there is such a thing as the most effective way. Every person is different. What is effective for one may not work for another. It just depends on one's means and determination on how she/he can lose weight. What's important, in my opinion, is to live a healthy lifestyle. That is, eat right, sleep for at least eight hours a day, no vices, exercise and drink lots of water.

    Saturday, March 5, 2011

    My Web Space

    My attempt in posting my thoughts in life, specifically in having a healthy lifestyle. I'm not getting any younger so being healthy is important to me. I'll be posting health related articles which I find helpful. Join me in my space here in the web and hope you can find time to read my posts.