Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Check your home before the vacation

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Guest post written by Blair Harthford

Every year thousands of people head out the door on their way to enjoy a long-awaited summer vacation. Among the many things that vacationers must remember to do, setting the home security alarm correctly should be at the top of the list.

There are several other things that must be done. If you have newspaper delivery, make sure to notify them that you will be away for whatever time, or have a trusted next-door neighbor pick up the paper every day. Newspapers strewn on the lawn or by the door is a sure sign that the property is empty.

Make sure that all windows and doors are locked. The lawn should be mowed just before you leave the property, as tall grass is another sign that the residence is not occupied. If you have pets, either leave them at a kennel or with friends and relatives that can care for them properly. Don’t leave any pet food outside the house, as it could invite rodents or other animals that might try to get in the house. Before our family went on vacation, we contacted a home security in New Yorkcompany to install an alarm system in our home.

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Posted in life as a wife |

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Yesterday, another episode of migraine kept me in bed and rendered me totally useless. All I did was order more medication for migraine and that was easy; I just picked up the phone, punched in a few numbers, and the meds are ready for pickup the next day! I didn’t even have to make a payment. That’s one of the benefits of being a military dependent (I could have saved a lot if I got married before I started popping those BCPs like some sort of acne vitamins).

Anyhoo, I read in a magazine that one way to keep yourself from slacking up is being proud of your accomplishments no matter how little. Flaunt them in your Facebook status, tweet them, or (like what I’m doing now) blog about them. Today, I’m determined to make up for all the housework I have missed and make time for some online tasks too. As I am sipping my coffee, I have already made take-away lunch for the hubby, washed the dishes, and loaded the washing machine. There’s still a lot more to be done. And if this kind of motivation works for me, at least today, you’ll be hearing more about my accomplishments tomorrow.  Chop chop, me!

Oh! And Happy Earth Day, everyone!

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Posted in life as a wife |

miss conception ;p

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

There are two major misconceptions about me:

(1) that I am not of legal age and

(2) that I am pregnant – talk about mis-conceptions, huh!

I was just referred to as “pretty mommy” on my other blog and I had mixed feeling about it. I felt good because someone thinks says I’m pretty (and I believed her) but I also felt bad because I know I look as heavy as a pregnant woman. I know exactly what to do to change this idea that people get, I’m just too lazy to exercise. Or I can just take the easy way out and get pregnant for real!

Meanwhile, on looking younger than I really am (yes, I think of myself that way when they ask me if I’m over 18), I don’t know for sure what gives them that idea. It may be that I’m short (I stand at 5 feet, barely), or I’m a little (maybe a lot) underprivileged  in the breast department, or maybe I wear too little makeup, or because I get my clothes from the Juniors department. Maybe I should just ask them next time before I blush from the flattery.

Anyways, with the help Redbook mag, I have found out what facial and body features make us look younger – or older – than we really are. Here is a summary of what I read:

What makes us look younger?

  • Lush eyelashes (minus 3 years) – apparently, full hair is associated with youth, that also applies to lashes. Redbook suggests using L’Oreal Lash Boosting Serum or Latisse if you want fuller, thicker, longer lashes. They are quite pricey for me so I’m now trying a cheaper alternative, Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator. I have yet to see results, I’ll update this post if it’s good.
  • Voluminous hair (minus 3 years) – I believe I have thick-enough hair
  • Thick eyebrows (minus 3 years) – I don’t have very thick eyebrows so I don’t shave or pluck them much, I sort of just leave them be, just getting rid of the strays. I’m using the Ardell product on my brows now too.
  • Plump cheeks (minus 4 years) – I sure have those because I’m chubby! Argh! Yo-yo dieting may cause sagging cheeks, while a little makeup can help achieve a fuller look.
  • Full lips (minus 3 years) – need I say more? That’s why the celebrities are getting injected on the lips so much, to get that Angelina-esque look.

What makes you look older?

  • Thick yellow fingernails (+ 5 years) – a good diet may give you better-looking nails. Meanwhile, mask it with some nail polish.
  • Chest freckles (+ 10 years) – notice how they never miss out on this when doing costume makeup for old peopel? It’s basically hyper-pigmentation so whitening products and sunscreen should prevent it.
  • Large pores (+3 years) – Guilty! I need some microdermabrasion. That’s expensive!
  • Receding gums (+10 years) – to avoid this, keep your mouth clean. If you have it, costly gum surgery and porcelain veneers are the only options. =(
  • Veiny hands (+7 years) – use a squeeze ball to grow some muscles in there and to hide the veins.

Stop it right now, if you’re doing the math on how much younger or older I look than I really am. I’m not disclosing my real age anyways. If you want to read the article on redbookmag.com, hit the link!

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Pinoy Taco Scoops

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Wanting to use the cabbage that has been left sitting on the fridge for weeks, I really meant to serve tacos one dinner. Yesterday, I asked my husband if he preferred them served on shells or on Tostitos Scoops; he chose the latter.

I make tacos Pinoy-style… And here’s how:

 

INGREDIENTS:

ground pork (or chicken or beef) – about 1 lb.

cooking oil – 1 1/2 tbsp.

garlic – 2 large cloves

onion – 1 medium

bell pepper – 1 medium

celery – 1 small stalk (optional)

carrots – 1 small

cheese – grated

cabbage – 1/2 head or less, shredded

Tostitos Scoops

salt & pepper to taste

banana sauce / banana  catsup

mayonnaise

 

PREPARATION AND COOKING:

Mince all the vegetables (except the cabbage). Carrots may be grated if crisp enough.

Heat cooking oil on a pan.

Saute garlic, onion and bell pepper.

Add in ground pork. TIP: If it’s placed on top of the sauteed veggies, they’ll absorb more flavor.

Season with salt & pepper. Lotsa pepper!

Stir occasionally as the pork cooks. Leave on low heat until almost dry.

As you wait for the pork to cook, you can make the dressing. Mix an ample amount of mayonnaise with banana sauce until it is a peach, pinkish color. Or you may sample the dressing for taste. It should be a nice sweet & sour blend.

Blanch shredded cabbage and drain.

 

PLATING:

Fill the Tostitos scoops with the pork & veggies.

Add some shredded cabbage. TIP: You may need to slightly press this in place.

Add the dressing over the cabbage so the cheese & carrots don’t fall off. More dressing may be added over these toppings.

This recipe makes about 36 scoops.

I love this because it has all sort of flavors. The Tostitos and cheese are salty; the cooked meat, spicy; the dressing and carrrots, semi-sweet. I gulped down a glass of grapefruit juice, which is bitter. ;p

Hubby said they were beautiful, and I put a lot of effort into plating them, so I’m posting pictures.

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Posted in food for two + one, recipes |

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

Here is my simple recipe for Sweet & Sour Sauce:

You will need:

cooking oil – (I use Canola-Olive blend) 1 to 2 tsp.

garlic – 2 medium-sized cloves, minced

onion – 1/4, large (or 1/2 small), cut into strips

tomato – 1/4 large (or 1/2 small), cut into small squares

red and/or green bell pepper – 1/4 large, cut into strips

carrots – 1/2 large (or 1 small), cut into strips

celery – 1/2 large stalk, cut into small pieces

banana sauce or banana catsup – about 3 tbsp.

water – 1 1/2 cups

flour – 2 tsp.

sugar – 3 tsp.

vinegar – 2 tbsp

ginger – (if sauce is going to be served with seafood) small, cut into small strips and preferably crushed

salt & pepper – to taste

Let’s start cooking!

First, heat the oil in saucepan. Use only low to medium-low heat.

Saute garlic, onion, tomato (and ginger).

Dissolve flour in some of the water.

When onions start to become semi-transparent or if its color fades, add in bell pepper, carrots & celery.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add water, water-flour mixture, vinegar, catsup and sugar. Then stir wel.

Turn up heat and let boil for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

TIPS:

Keep stove in low heat when sautéing, as garlic has a tendency to burn (and we don’t want that).

Cook vinegar well, just until it loses that “acidic” taste.

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Meatballs, Shanghai Rolls & Burger Patties

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

I served the Sweet & Sour Sauce with Meatballs tonight and the recipe is pretty simple too:

 

Ingredients are:

ground beef – 1 pound

onion – 1 small or half big

celery – 1 stalk

carrot – 1 small to medium-sized

salt & pepper to taste

Knorr Original seasoning – about 1/2 to 1 tsp

cooking oil

 

Making this is simple. Just cut the all the vegetables into very small pieces. Mix them with the beef in a bowl. Add salt, pepper and seasoning. Mix well. Roll into balls and cover with flour before frying.

TIP:

If carrot is crisp enough, it will be hard to cut it with a knife, use the cheese grater instead.

Make sure you shake off excess flour as they tend to burn when they settle at the bottom of the pan.

 

These are the same ingredients I use to make Shanghai Rolls and Burger Patties. This makes about 8 Meatballs or 25 Shanghai Rolls or 8 Burger Patties.

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