Slow Food Nation

I keep on surfing the net in search of healthy tips and other informative health articles and Im pretty satisfied with the outcome. I've been learning a lot about the basic info and prevention of certain diseases and a lot of exercising and healthy tips.

And just this morning, I searched about food and I stumble upon Slow Food Nation through iContact Community. They have a lot of good stuffs for all of us and also for our Mother Earth. They just launched their new letter titled "The Food Chain" just this November.

Aside from health and food topics, iContact Community also features stories and posts from different categories such as IT, business and many more. To read more about iContact Community, just click here.

A stranger to my own land!

Got this tag from Recel,thanks Cel for tagging me this.

My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

The result is really very embarassing and I know beforehand that the result will be like this. I really confess that I'm a stranger to my own land. I'm not really into travelling when I was still in Pinas, especially during my college years. I was so straight that my route was only school - boarding house and vice versa. I only travel for field trips.

I just discover my love for travelling when I already started working here in Europe. One of the reason why I don't wanna go for trips before is because I just can't afford it.:( Thanks God and I can now afford a little bit. It's really a shame to accept that I have travelled more places here in Europe than in my own Pinas. But one of my goals really is to explore the beauty of Pinas in the future.

Sports wear shopping for Christmas

For sure you have gift list of all the gifts that you're going to buy this Christmas for your family and friends. And I just hope that you you already bought most of them since Christmas is just barely 25 days from now. Choosing a gift for someone can be a difficult task and let's just hope that they'll like what you'll give them,:). If you have health-conscious friends, then sports wear is an option for them.

You can have an online shopping at CouponChief.com and they have a lot of gift items for your family and friends. If you want to buy someone a sports wear, they try lids.com by using their Lids coupons and find different hats and sports gear at affordable prices.

As for me, I really want to give myself a new jogging/exercising outfit to motivate me more in exercising regulary. I don't know if you have the same feeling, but a nice jogging outfit really motivates me. Before, I had this loose jogging pants and I use during exercising. But just about 2 months ago, my friend gave me a stretchable cycling that really fits me well and I really love it and it motivates me to exercise more because I enjoyed looking at my bulky figure in it and excited that someday I'll look more nicer with the cycling and without the unnecessary bulges anymore, :). And I just found nice exercising outfits at Sports Authority and I can purchase their Sports Authority coupons to get the items with big discounts. Just check the links if you are also looking for some sports wear, be it a gift for others or for yourself.

Overcome those exercise barriers

I think it's not a coincidence that I stumble into this article, but it's God's way of saying to me that I can really exercise daily if I really want to. I've been asking from Him to give me the determination and courage to get fit. I know that He has already answered me, but I didn't do my best to make it work. Thanks high heavens for allowing me to read this article of overcoming exrcise barriers:

1.I have no time.
We have 1,440 minutes in each day. How is it that we can't devote 30 of those to exercise? You can make the time for exercise once you decide that it's a priority, just like going to work or picking up the kids from school. Cut out some television time or put a treadmill in front of the television.

2. I'm all done in.
Well, exercise actually gives you more energy. If you have long workdays, plan to do something during work or early in the morning, and notice how you soon have extra pep.

3. I'm in pain.
This is a tough one, but think where your pain is located. If you have knee pain, for instance, choose low-impact exercises like swimming or exercises in a chair. Talk with your doctor about your pain and ask if a referral to physical therapy might be a way to learn about safe exercises.

4. I can't afford it.
It doesn't take any money to go for a walk or jump rope or run some laps. Sure, you can join a gym or purchase exercise equipment for your home, but you don't have to.
It's too hot, too cold, too wet. I hope the weather where you live isn't stopping you every day of the week, but do have a back-up plan when you can't exercise outside. Try mall walking, exercise videos, or home exercise equipment.

I hate it.
Some people just don't want any part of exercising. Try doing something with a friend. Listen to some music or watch television while exercising, to take your mind off the fact that you are actually getting yourself moving. Once you start noticing the benefits, those 30 minutes of physical activity may even become a daily habit!

Source: Yahoo Health

The benefits of red wine

Woww this is a good news for all who love to drink red wine (and that includes me),hehehe.

Spanish researchers of the University of Barcelona found out that women drinking 2 glasses of red wine per day showed lower levels of certain inflammatory substances in their blood. The research also suggests that red wine drinkers have higher levels of "good" HDL cholesterol in their blood. The result of the research was reported and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition November 2007 issue). Andd the result of the research suggests that wine, particularly red wine, may protect the heart. Hmmm, sounds that the famous saying "Red wine is good for the heart" is really true.

According to the researchers, "The greater benefit of red wine may be related to its higher concentration of polyphenols, according to the researchers. Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation".

However, the studies that show wine drinkers to have better heart health do not prove that wine is the reason, according to one researcher, because wine lovers may, for example, have generally better diets, higher exercise levels or other heart-healthy habits. So they still have to make more research about it.

For the complete story, click, Red Wine is good for the heart.

Source: Yahoo News

Payday Loan for health check ups

Most of the time, we ran out of budget and one of the common reason for this is when a family member gets sick. Well, getting sick is always an unexpected case and when it happens to us, it really makes us worried and panicked especially when it's really a serious illness.

My family had already experienced this kind of situation before. My beloved father was confined in the hospital because he was always coughing. He stayed in the hospital for days, but nothing happens and my mother was not contented with the hospital's service. So, she decided to transfer Papa into another hospital, one with a good reputation, but yet expensive. The doctors found out immediately that Papa has water in his lungs and it's already reaching the 3rd lobe, so it was already very serious. Papa was operated the same day and thanks high heavens and he was already safe. But the other problem was the hospital bill. It was so big since the hospital was expensive. We were realy problematic and glad that Mama was able to get a loan, a very common thing for public school teacher in the Philippines.

If you also need extra cash for emergency health check ups, you can ask help from Payday Loan companies, which are already booming in the market today. Try checking out Payday Loan Rescue, a financial site that offers payday loans with very quick online approval. Just visit their site and try to check their requirements to avail of their Pay Day Loan service.

Trying to be healthy

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was spent here in my apartment in solitude. But I enjoyed it because I had sometime with myself and was able to realized a lot of things about life.

I went to the City on Saturday though to buy a gift for my "alaga" for her birthday party that was held today, from 4pm to 6:30pm. Glad and she liked my gift. And I also bought foods and things for my apartment and I really stopped myself from buying junk foods. I used to buy chips and white bread before, but yesterday, I only buy fruits(banana, apple,orange, mango), milk, juice, carrots, onions and tomatoes because I want to try to detoxify myself from all the fats and junk foods I ate. I want to start eating healthy and I hope that I can make it. Starting yesterday, I just ate fruits and I also ate tomatoe salad with onion for lunch today. But then, I ate cakes during the children's party,:(. I'll just burn those calories tomorrow coz I'm going to walk the eldest daughter to school and I'll also make some exercise.

Here's a photo of the fruits and tomatoes I bought yesterday. The carrots, milk and juuice are inside the ref.:)


Have a healthy week ahead everyone!

Gravy rescue

I just found some tips on how to rescue the gravy sauce that you're preparing when all the guests are already in the table waiting for you to serve the delicious sauce. Here's 6 gavy rescue tips from Yahoo Food:

1. If it seems greasy, use a fat separator to eliminate the problem. If you discover that your gravy is oily toward the end of its preparation, skim off as much fat as possible with a wide-bowled spoon.

2. If it's chalky or doughy tasting, make sure the flour has been cooked long enough: When flour is added to the pan drippings or butter, whisk constantly while the mixture cooks until it turns a deep golden brown and smells nutty. If the gravy tastes floury when you're almost finished, turn up the heat to maintain a rapid simmer for several minutes; thin it again with more stock or water if necessary.

3. If the gravy has lumps, strain it just before serving, using a fine sieve; discard any solids.

4. If the gravy is too thin, simmer it over medium-high heat, allowing the liquid to reduce. If it is still too thin, add a beurre manie: Make a paste of equal parts flour and softened unsalted butter, and add it a little at a time, whisking constantly, until the gravy thickens.

5. If it's too thick, gradually whisk a little stock or water into the gravy until it reaches the desired consistency.

6. If it lacks flavor, adjust the seasoning as necessary with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. If you use canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might lack depth of flavor. Homemade stock, even made with chicken rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy, so it's worth the effort.

Source: Yahoo Food

I feel good!!

Yesss!!I'm really feeling good right now after almost an hours of jogging and dancing here in my apartment. I've been doing this for the 2nd time this week and I'm really sweating a lot!I'm soo glad that I'm able to battle my laziness atlast. I've done some exercises before, but it was stopped due to busy schedule and laziness, but then, I was really pushed to do it again due to an alarming fact....the bil2x is growing bigger everyday and I just can't take it anymore..Scared to grow like a balloon without doing something, when I know that there's something that can still be done to avoid it..

Hopefully, another exercise session tomorrow.

Buffet do's and don'ts

I got interested with the article since most of the parties we are making here in Norway with my au pair friends are in Buffet setting. And most of the time, I end up pigging out with all the delicious foods without thinking if those foods are really good enough for my health.

Here are Buffet do's and don'ts from Shape:

Do...

- Nibble on lowfat crudit's like baby carrots dipped in salsa (8 calories, no fat per crudit).

- Enjoy healthful finger foods like grapes (10 grapes, 16 calories, no fat) or strawberries (36 calories, no fat).

- Choose healthy appetizers like 1/2 ounce smoked salmon on a multigrain cracker (4 small berries, 33 calories, .5 gram fat).

- Fill up on raw vegetables (1 cup of mushrooms, zucchini or red peppers has 1524 calories and no fat).

- Head for the turkey-carving station (3.5 ounces has136 calories and 1 gram fat).

- Scoop up some wild rice (1/2 cup has 83 calories and no fat).

- Have a whole-wheat roll without butter (69 calories, 1 gram fat).

- Savor refreshing sorbet (1/2 cup has 100 calories and 1.5 grams fat).

- Indulge in a sliver (1/8 of a 9-inch pie) of pumpkin pie (300 calories and 14 grams fat). Hold the whipped cream.

- Munch on ginger snaps (about 30 calories and less than 1 gram fat each).

- Unwind with a cup of hot herbal tea, a relaxing nightcap with no calories or fat.

Don't...

- Snack on fattening chips and dip (about 175 calories and 12 grams fat per 1 ounce of chips and 1 tablespoon of dip).

- Load up on greasy finger foods like buffalo wings (160 calories, 11 grams fat each).

- Top a Town House cracker with a chunk of Cheddar cheese (1 cracker, 18 calories and 1 gram fat; 1 ounce Cheddar, 100 calories and 9 grams fat).

- Get creamed on creamed spinach (1/2 cup has 169 calories and 13 grams fat).

- Head for the prime rib-carving station (3 ounces has 300 calories and 24 grams fat).

- Get stuffed on stuffing (1/2 cup has 179 calories and 9 grams fat).

- Wolf down two mini croissants (130 calories, 8 grams fat each).

- Go for Haagen-Dazs ice cream (1/2 cup has 250 calories and 20 grams fat).

- Indulge in a slice (1/5 of an 8-inch pie) of pecan pie (520 calories and 23 grams fat).

- Chow down on a pecan shortbread cookie (76 calories and 5 grams fat each).

- Nod off with a brandy Alexander (130 calories per 11/2-ounce jigger).

Source: www.shape.com

Shape up with shape.com

Due to my eagerness to get in shape and get rid of my "bilbil", net surfing for fitness sites has been a constant part of my everyday surfing. Lastnight, I surfed for fitness sites once more and I stumble into shape.com.

I'm glad I found the site because I read a lot of inspiring stories in it. My employer here in Norway buys Shape Magazine every now and then and it's through the mag that I heard about shape.com. Planned to browse the site before, but just forgot about it. I'm glad that I finally got the chance to browse it last night. I'm really inspired with all the stories that I read and I visited the site once more earlier.

Thanks Shape for the inspiration and for motivating me to exercise once again. And as a result, I did an hour exercise here in my apartment at around 8 pm. I was jogging-in-place and dancing with Gwen Stefani's and Nelly Furtado's music.

PPP postie atlast!

Yeheyyyyyyy!I'm really glad because after a long wait, this blog is already approved to blog for Payperpost(PPP)! Thanks a lot PPP, you made my day,:)

I submitted this blog for approval days after buying a domain name for it. Though I'm not sure about it's approval because I thought that a postie is only allowed to have 3 blogs for PPP, but I did try my luck anyway. And thanks high heavens and it's accepted. Buying a domain name could have been a waste if it was not accepted for PPP, because I mainly bought it for PPP. And now that this blog is finally PPP approved, I can now earn some extra bucks while blogging about health-related stuffs.

Hurrah and long live PPP!

My 26th Birthday

Hi everyone! I'm really sorry for my long absence here and thank you for visiting despite the absence of new posts. I had been very busy lately and my birthday party added to the pressure.:)Yesss, I just had my birthday party last Saturday, but I turned 26 on Sunday (November 11) and I just had the party one day in advance coz we can no longer make it on Sunday night because it's back to work on Monday, so we have to have some rest on Sunday.

blowing my birthday candles!
For the complete details of my birthday party, just click the link, Yellow Fanatic turns 26.

A new domain name and a wasted PR

Yeheyyyyyyy! I finally bought a new domain name for this blog last week. But I'm very sorry for the late announcement, I was really very busy. To my blogger friends who linked this blog, kindly change the URL into : http://www.strongandhealthyliving.info. Don't forget to include www because the page can't be viewed without it, same with my Tidbits and more blog.

But the downside to my new purchased domain name, is the wasted PR,huhuhuhu. About 2 weeks ago, the PR of this blog has raised from 0 to PR3 and I really can't believe it because I only activated this blog very recently and so it's just relatively new. My Around d World and Tidbits and more blogs have PR3 too, but then I've been maintaining them for more than 4 months and and been more active in blogging there compared here. So to make sure, I checked the PR at PRChecker and viola!! the PR for this blog is really PR3.

But the happiness didn't last for long because it turned back to PR0 the moment I installed my new domain name...huhuhhuh. I received a message from Ate Nita about the PR and told me that I should have bought a domain name when the blog was still relatively new to avoid the situation,huhuhuh. Another lesson learned! And to make sure, I checked the PR once again at PRChecker and it's confirmed, the PR3 for this blog had been wasted and turned into a non-sense PR0.huhuhhuh.

I'll really do my best to gain blog the PR ranking and I hope that it will be very soon! Thanks for the visit folks!