I'm So Back!

The question is.. Am I ready to blog again? 

Yes I was away for quite some time, and my last blog post was dated May 29, 2014. Well, I really have to stop blogging since that day because I need to be ready because I will be giving birth soon.

Hopefully I will be able to post consistently every single day starting tomorrow and the next days to come. I'm a busy mom, a full time housewife, and while my baby is asleep, I do household chores and don't get enough nap time whenever possible. But nonetheless I will try my best to blog again every day. 

I'm happy to see that even if I wasn't able to blog for a long time, there were people visiting my blog every day. Thank you my dear blog readers and visitors for dropping by my blog even if it's not updated.
 

 

Salted Egg Nutrition Facts & Recipe

One of my favorite food to eat is salted egg with lots of tomatoes and onion chives or onion (in case there's no onion chives available). I learned this easy-to-do recipe from my hubby and we definitely love having it either for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

 

What I didn't know was that duck eggs were traditionally used in making the best and tastiest salted eggs, though chicken eggs can also be used as well.

Below is the Nutrition Facts you'll get from eating one serving of salted egg.

 

How is salted egg made?

 

Salted egg is simply made by soaking duck or chicken eggs in a water and salt solution for about three to five weeks.

 

If you want to give it a try for the first time, you can follow this procedure below.

 

 

Ingredients: 4 fresh duck or chicken eggs, 2 cups water, and 3/4 cups salt

 

Step 1: Get a container (preferably a jar) with a lid and place the four eggs inside.

 

Step 2: Put two cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the salt gradually and stir until it is completely dissolve. Remove from heat and let it cool.

 

Step 3: Pour in the cooled salt and water solution inside the container with the eggs making sure that the eggs are completely submerged in the water.

 

Step 4: Cover the container firmly and store it in a dark place for the next three weeks. If you want a more saltier taste, store it for about five weeks.

 

Step 5: After 3 or 5 weeks, take out the eggs  from the container and boil them for about 30 minutes. After boiling, let it cool for a few minutes before peeling its shell.

 

Find Out If You & Your Daughter Are BFFs?

I've found this cool quiz from Scholastic.com today. Me and my daughter took some time answering the following question to find out if we are real BFFs.

After answering each questions with all honesty, our score was 60.

Now it's your turn to take this quiz with your daughter/s. Goodluck!

Discover what you and your daughter have in common — and time travel back to when you were a kid — by taking our revealing quiz.

 

By Christina Vercelletto

 

Does your daughter ever ask, “What were you like when you were my age?” Well, here’s your chance to show her. Print out two copies of our quiz. Then fill out one (answering the way you would have at your daughter’s age) as she completes the other. At the end, compare notes and see how much you had in common — each answer you match on is worth 10 points. Have fun!

 

1. My best subject in school is _____________________________.

2. I live in

• A. Dresses

• B. Jeans

• C. My sports uniform
• D. Leggings and sweatshirts

3. My favorite color is ________________________.

4. If I could eat any food every day, it would be ______________________.

5. When I grow up, I want to be a _______________________________.

6. My biggest fear is

• A. Spiders
• B. Storms
• C. Getting lost
• D. Ghosts and monsters

7. The favorite type of pet is a:               

• A. Dog
• B. Cat
• C. Hamster/gerbil/guinea pig
• D. Fish

8. When it comes to socializing, I’m       

• A. Popular. I go to birthday parties all the time.
• B. Happiest spending time with one or two good friends.
• C. A little shy at first—it takes time for me to open up!
• D. A homebody. I prefer being with my family.

9. Check the one that sounds most like your school mornings.

• A. I bounce out of bed early, usually in a good mood.
• B. My mom has to drag me out of bed; I often have to run for the bus.

10. My favorite gym activity is:

• A. Volleyball
• B. Basketball
• C. Relay races
• D. None; gym isn’t my thing!           

      
SCORING

90 to 100: You two are super tight. And it’s no wonder: You have so much in common. Had you been kids at the same time, you would’ve been besties!

60 to 80: Trade friendship bracelets—with all you share, you surely could have been GFFs, maybe even BFFS!

40 to 50: Good buds! To get even closer, review the questions you differed on and use them as inspiration for new conversations. We bet you find even more common ground.

0 to 30: OK, so maybe your daughter and your inner kid don’t have that much in common. But hey, you’ve got the rest of your lives to find those “me, too!” moments. And just doing this quiz was a step towards strengthening your bond.
 
Source: Scholastic.com
 

Does A Black Cat Really Brings Bad Luck?

It's just a myth that black cats are bad luck since some people in the past associates it with witchcraft. For cat lovers, black cats are indeed beautiful creatures and like other pets they also deserve much love and attention especially from their owner.
 

 

We used to have a black cat before whom we named Otis. Many people thought of him as a bad luck but he's not. Though he is not as sweet and affectionate like our pet dog Mio today, we loved Otis so dearly. Unfortunately, one day he didn't come home and somebody just told us that his dead body was seen near the riverbank.

 

If you want a black cat as a pet, go ahead and find one soon. There are so many fascinating reasons why you should never think twice about adopting such a nice feline such as:

 

• Having a black cat as a pet is so stylish and elegant since they go with every little thing.
• When you carry your black cat while wearing your little black dress, their body including their fur won't show on.
• A black cat is practically invisible at night, what you'll only notice is his pair of glowing eyes.
• A black cat is among the best subject for photography.
• You'll actually look slimmer in the eyes of other people when you carry a black cat.

 

Homemade Honey Recipes For Your Skin & Hair

Pampering oneself once in a while is such a good relief especially for those busy working people. If you are among those who doesn't work at an office like a stay-at-home mother but still you feel like you're always stressed out doing household chores and looking after your children, then you also deserved to get some pampering to feel relaxed.

If you don't have enough time to go out to visit a spa and/or massage parlors to get some pampering, you can always get homemade pampering for yourself. There are actually lots of homemade pampering ideas you can do, it's up to you to choose which will not take up all your time.

Homemade pampering recipes can be easily made using ingredients you can find in your kitchen like honey. Legend says it all that honey which is a sweet food produced by bees through the nectar from flowers is what Cleopatra has used as her beauty arsenal. Honey definitely has lots of uses especially for one's skin since it is full packed with antioxidants and antibacterial. It is considered as an effective skin treatment.

 

 

 

Now here are some easy to make honey spa treatment recipes for your skin and hair which you can try at your home.

 

Facial Cleanser/Exfoliant

 

Mix ample amount of honey and jojoba or coconut oil and rub it into your face. Let it stand for some minutes then rinse with warm water.

 

Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with a squeeze of lemon and rub it into your face. Let is stand for 5 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Mix 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon for baking soda. Rub the mixture into your face and let it stand for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Skin Lotion

Mix a 1 spoonful of honey, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Apply it to your skin particularly on the dry areas and let it stand for 20 to 30 minutes before wiping with warm washcloth.

Bath Soak

Mix 1/4 cup of honey, 2 cups milk, a few drops of essential oil. Add the mixture to your hot bath.

Hair Shine-Boosting Rinse

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a quart of warm water. Use it to rinse your hair after shampooing.

Mix 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of honey and 5 cups of warm water. Use it to rinse your hair after shampooing.

 

Disney Princess Movie Facts

• Cinderella was supposed to be harsh nickname, but Disney made it her birth name.
• In the original story, the ball extends over several days in which Cinderella and Prince Charming fall in love.
• Cinderella is the only Disney princess with step-siblings as well as a step-mother.
• Cinderella is the only princess that was seen wearing "servants clothes" in her castle.
• Cinderella is the only princess that is considered to be of the "noble" class.
• Cinderella is among the two princesses who are orphans.
• The origin of the name "Cinderella" came from her ash-covered face from being near cinders of fire.
• Cinderella's dress transformation is Walt Disney's favorite Disney movie scene.

 

• Snow White is the shortest Disney princess.
• Snow White is referred to as "Snowball" or "Snowdrop" in other translations.
• In the original story, the bite of apple gets lodged in her throat, not eaten.
• Snow White was only seven in the original story.
• Snow White is the only princess seen praying.
• Snow White is among the two princesses who are orphans.
• Snow White is the only princess with black hair and brown eyes.
• In the movie Snow White, 25 songs were written but only 8 were used.
• Snow White did not have any animal friends in the original story.

• Stemming from about 1500 molds, Merida has over 100,000 strands of hair on her head.
• Merida is the first ever Pixar princess to be human.
• Merida is among the only three princesses that uses weapons.
• Merida is the only princess without an American accent.
• Brave is the only princess movie where the mother kills the villain.
• Merida is the only princess with male siblings. 

• The royalty roles between Rapunzel and Flynn were switched from the original story, where the female was a peasant and the male a prince.

• According to the producers, Tangled supposedly takes place around the year 1780.
• Rapunzel is among the only three princesses that uses weapons.
• Rapunzel only wears purple in the film as a symbol of her royalty.
• Rapunzel has the longest wedding veil of all the princesses.
• Animators created an entire program just for Rapunzel's hair.
• Tangled is the 50th Disney animated film.
• Rapunzel climbs her hair with aerial silk climbing techniques.
• Over 45,000 lanterns are used during the "I See The Light" sequence in Tangled.

• The Princess and the Frog was a combination of two tales, the Frog Prince and the Frog Princess.
• Tiana wears 11 different outfits over the course of the film - more than any princess.
• Tiana is the only princess to come in contact with cars.
• Tiana's princess costume was modeled after Brandy's Cinderella's dress.
• Tiana is the only princess who has her father die in war.
• Tiana is left handed because Aniki Nani Rose, who is also left handed requested it.
• Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, and Jennifer Hudson were all considered for the role of Tiana.

• Mulan was originally to be voiced by Tia Carrere, who then went on to play Nani in Lilo and Stitch.
• Mulan is the only princess who cuts her own hair.
• Mulan is among the only three princesses that uses weapons.
• Mulan is the only princess with martial arts training.
• Mulan is the only princess movie to display ethnic writing.
• Mulas is the first princess to be visibly wounded.
• In an early version of the film, Shang and Mulan were engaged. The betrothal necklaces were actually used in the second movie.
• Mulan was the first Disney film released on DVD.
• The writings on the stone in Reflection are the names of the Disney animators who worked on the film in ancient Chinese.

• Pocahontas, as a Disney princess, was supposedly born on December 10th.
• In real life, Pocahontas changes her name to Rebecca when she moves to England.
• Pocahontas is the only princess without a "happy ending".
• Pocahontas is the only princess with a love interest but never has a wedding.
• Irene Bedard was not only the voice actress, but the animation model for Pocahontas as well.

• Jasmine's name resembles a beautiful Persian flower, the "yas" or "yasmin".
• Jasmine is the only princess that doesn't sing a song about wanting. (Only sings half a love song.)
• Jasmine had ophidiophobia: fear of snakes.
• Jasmine is the only princess that is deuteragonist in her movie.
• In the original story, Jasmine's name was Badroulabadour.
• "The World At Your Feet" was written for the magic carpet ride, but was replaced by "A Whole New World."
• Jasmine was modeled after Jennifer Connelly.

• Before Paige O'Hara was cast, Disney considered Jodi Benson (Ariel) for the voice of Belle.
• The Disney movie took inspiration from the French film, La Belle et La Bete.
• In 1991, Belle was the last "white" Disney princess before Rapunzel in 2010.
• Belle is the only marketed brunette of the franchise.
• Belle is the only princess with hazel eyes.
• Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to win a Golden Globe Award for best picture.

• In the original story, Ariel only has five siblings.
• The Little Mermaid never had a name. Disney chose Ariel.
• Artists changed Ariel's eyes to make her look older in the second film.
• Ariel is the only princess to become Queen on screen.
• Ariel is the only sibling with a name of a Roman rather than Greek origin.
• Urusla's character was inspired by the drag queen "Divine".

•  While Aurora only falls asleep until Maleficent is defeated, she originally sleep for 100 years.
• Sleeping Beauty was the last Disney princess film created in Walt Disney's lifetime.
• Aurora is the only Disney princess with violet eyes.
• Princess Aurora's name is often lost, many often referring to her as "Sleeping Beauty."
• Aurora is the tallest Disney Princess.
• Sleeping Beauty was the last Disney feature to have animation cells inked by hand.
• Aurora is the only princess with the least amount of screen time, only appearing in the film for 18 minutes.

Source: Tumbler: Disney Princess Facts
 

Healthy Foods & Drinks That Can Make You Fat

I know a lot of people who have been very strict with their diet because they're dying to have that super fab, sexy, and thin body figure. Most of them anyway have problems when eating because they seem to gain more and more weight and beginning to become fat. Well, that's not my particular problem because no matter how much I eat every single day, it seems that I don't really get fat. Since my childhood days I've been very thin and it's actually fine with me. But not this time around, because I've been wanting to gain more weight and have a more fuller body figure so that people will not mistaken me for a teenager. In a few years time, I will be turning 30 years old and I want people to see me like an adult one and not like a young lady though it's an advantage.

Anyway, today I've made a research about foods and drinks that I can eat and drink that will help me become fat.

 

1. Avocado - considered as superfood with more than 20 vitamins and minerals, this fruit has a high-fat content (heart-healthy monounsatured fat), packed with 10 grams of fiber and has more than twice the potassium you can get from a banana.

 

2. Mixed Nuts - these are full packed with heart-healthy fats. One ounce serving of these nuts can offer you about 135 calories.

 

3. Protein Bars - healthy snacks on the go but remember to buy one with reduced sugar.

 

 

4. Granola and Trail Mix - another healthy snacks on the go are these whole-grain, fiber-rich mixes.

 

5. Chocolates - they actually contain compounds called polyphenols that can help lower one's blood pressure. Eating chocolates every single day can obviously make you fat, so make sure to eat in moderation so as to keep your heart healthy as well.

 

6. Dried Fruits - a small serving of dried fruits can give you so much nutrient and antioxidants which is really good for one's health.

 



 

7. Gluten Free Foods - these products are particularly high in calories and can help you gain enough weight.

 

8. Nutrition Waters - these are thirst quenchers are vitamin-enhanced drinks that contains more sugar than you expected.

 

9. Smoothies -these desserts can contain from 600 up to about 1,000 and more calories.

 

 

10. Tuna - a great choice of food that is packed with muscle-building protein and contains fewer than 200 calories.

 

11. Coffee Drinks - coffee with milk can give you load of calories than you know.

 

12. Flavored Greek Yogurt - though it has a tart taste, it can give you lots of calories than you need.

 

Source: MensFitness.com

  

14 Hours of No Electricity Power

The thought of having no electricity for hours is like being in hell. What's makes things worst is that it's the summer season here in the Philippines that's why its very hot. There are a lot of things I wasn't able to do today and I really hate it. How I wish me and my daughter just spend the whole afternoon at the mall yesterday. Well, I was able to sleep in the afternoon for some minutes but my back ached so much since I slept on the floor.

 

People at our place was expecting that the electricity will be back by 5pm but hours passed after 5 in the afternoon and still no electricity. Dinner was over and still no sign of electricity. And then somebody said by 11pm sure enough the electricity will be back already. Thankfully, before 11pm there was electricity already, we feel so much relief because finally we will be able to sleep comfortably at our beds.

 

Halo Around The Sun

 



What makes today super amazing is seeing Mr. Sun with a colorful ring - a halo as what people mostly refer to especially scientists. Based from the researched I've made, a halo around the sun means there are thin cirrus clouds that are drifting high above about 20,000 feet and that there's a nearby storm coming.

 

I was able to capture the beautiful sun with a colorful halo like a rainbow today at around 10:28 AM.

 

According to the old weather saying, if you see a ring around the sun it only means that sooner or later expect for the rain to come. This is true because high cirrus clouds formation basically comes before it rains. Such cirrus clouds then contains millions of tiny ice crystals all the while the halo around the sun is actually caused by refraction, reflection, splitting of light and/or the glints of light from the ice crystals.

   

Foods & Drinks You Should Never Feed Your Dog

If you love your dog and wants him/her to stay healthy and live longer, then you should take note of the foods you should not give them. As a responsible pet owner you should know at the first place what foods are toxic for your dogs in particular.

1. Chocolates



Any kind of chocolate is extremely toxic for your pet dog as it contains theobromine, a toxic agent which can often cause them to experience diarrhea and vomiting. If you treat your dog with chocolates, stop it now because too much consumption of it can lead to seizures and respiratory failure.

2. Grapes and Raisins



Never give your dogs grapes and raisins because it could specifically induce vomiting in pets, lead to kidney failure, and in a worst-case scenario can poison them and cause death.

3. Avocados

Avocado seeds and fruits contains persin, a fatty acid which dogs are particularly allergic of. If your dog had accidentally eaten avocado, it will cause them to vomit, experience diarrhea, and lead to a life threatening situation.

 

4. Macadamia Nuts 

Five to six pieces of macadamia nuts eaten by your dogs can easily put their lives in danger. Don't ever give your dogs this kind of nuts if you don't want them to be experience weakness, vomiting, and tremors.

 

5. Mushrooms

 







Avoid feeding your dogs with mushrooms because some species of this are toxic and can cause your pet to vomit, experience diarrhea, seizures, and excessive salivation that could lead to liver and neurological disorders.

6. Onions and Garlic



Onions and garlic can cause your dog to vomit, become weak and exhausted, and have anemia. They particularly contain disulfides and sulfoxides that can easily affect dog's red blood cells. 

7. Yeast Dough



Fermented yeast from the yeast dough is considered dangerous for your pet dog as it can cause abdominal pains, gas problems, and in a more severe case can destroy dog's intestines and red blood cells.

8. Candies, Sweets, and Gums



Candies, sweets, and gums contain xylitol which is toxic for your pet dogs. Xylitol can easily cause your dogs to  vomit, have hypoglycemia, and experience liver failure. It can also lower your dog's blood sugar in just 15 minutes after consumption.

9. Ice Cream



Ice cream and other products that contains milk, sugar, emulsifiers, and food colorings can be toxic for your dogs which can cause them to vomit, experience diarrhea, and can also trigger allergies.

10. Salty Snacks



Giving your dogs a large amount of salty snacks can cause them to vomit, experience diarrhea and tremors, and excessive thirst and urination.

11. Alcohol

Do not ever let your beloved dog drink alcoholic beverages as they can cause depression,  decrease in coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, coma, and death.

12. Coffee and Tea



Coffee and tea are composed of theobromine which makes it dangerous for the health of your pet dogs causing them to vomit, experience diarrhea, including epilepsy.

Source: Yahoo Shine
             FeedMyDog.org
 

Required Pre-Natal Exercises

Exercising your whole body every single day is essential for the good and proper circulation of your blood. Even if you know you are pregnant, enough exercise is also needed. If you will consult your doctor, he/she will surely tell you that is definitely safe for pregnant woman to exercise provided that the kind of exercises you perform are specifically designed for pregnant woman.

 

However, there are some things you need to take into consideration like avoiding strenuous sports. And before you engage in any exercise while you're pregnant, make sure to consult first your OB-Gyne for you and your baby's safety.

 

Now here are some of the required pre-natal exercised you can try at home.

 

Pelvic Tilt - this exercise helps to strengthen your abdominal muscles and to relieve back stress.

 

 

• Sitting - Sit on a chair or stool, making sure your feet can rest flat on the floor. Rock your pelvis forward. Then pull in your stomach and rock back on your hips. Repeat several times.

• Cat Stretches - Kneel on your hands and knees, with your back relaxed. Do not arch your back. Inhale and relax. As you exhale, pull your buttocks under and forward until you feel your back straighten at the waist and your abdomen tighten. Hold for a count of 5, then exhale and relax. Do this exercise 4-5 times.

Hips and Trunks - mobility can be increased by twisting and circling exercises that loosen the trunk area. You may also find these exercises a comforting movement in the first stage of labor.

 

• Hip Circling - With your feet apart and knees slightly bent, place hands on hips. Slowly circle your hips from the waist in one direction 5 to 10 times; then repeat the other way.

• Twisting -  Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your knees apart, lift your arms to chest level and twist your body to the right as far as you can, then to the left. Repeat several times.

Leg Stretches - the legs carry a lot of extra weight during pregnancy, so stretching and strengthening your leg muscles will be beneficial. The exercises will also improve the circulation in your legs, which could make you more comfortable later in pregnancy.

• Leg Strengthening - Stand with your back to a wall and your feet apart. Slowly bend your legs until you feel a pull on your thigh muscles but before you feel uncomfortable, hold for a count of 20 then return to standing. Repeat this five times.

• Wall Push-Away - Stand a couple of feet away from a wall, with your hands in front of your shoulders. Place hands on the wall, and lean forward. Bend your elbows as your body leans into the wall. Keep heels flat on the floor. Slowly push away from the wall, and straighten. Push away 20 times. Repeat this ten times.

Feet and Ankles - pregnancy hormones relax the wall of veins; this slows the flow of blood to the heart and can cause varicose veins, swollen ankles and legs. Do these exercises regularly during the day to stimulate the circulation in the legs and helps relieve the discomfort of swollen ankles. This is important for women who have to sit at a desk all day or stand for a long period.

• Up and down - Move one foot up and down from the ankle, without pointing the toes. Repeat with the other foot. Perform 10 to 20 times per foot, twice a day.

• Rotations - Make circling movements with each foot ten times one way and again the other way. Repeat twice a day. Keep the toes relaxed.



 

FYI: Neural Tube Defects

Let me share with you this portion "What every Mom needs to know" which I've read from my Anmum Mother's Book regarding Neural Tube Defects.

 

What is Neural Tube Defects?

 

 

Neural Tube Defects are birth defects of varying severity that result from disruptions in the development of the neural tube which is the early stage of the spinal cord and nervous system. The neural tube forms in very early in pregnancy right around the time you miss your first menstrual period. Failure of the neural tube to close properly can result in neural tube defects of varying severity, with some neural tube defects being mild and barely noticeable while others are 100% fatal.

 

How can Neural Tube Defects be prevented?

 

Several observational studies showed that 50% or more of NTDs can be prevented if women consume a folic acid-containing supplement before and during the early weeks of pregnancy in addition to the folate in their diet.

 

Anmum Materna specifically helps prevent Neural Tube Defetcs that is why it's important for every pregnant Mom to drink 2 glasses of Anmum milk so as to provide 100% of daily Folate requirement.

 

Source: Anmum