tips and tricks 4 me: April 2008

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Better Bitter Salad

***Update: This is one of my favorite salad. It's made with slices of bittergourd, onions and tomatoes. Usually, I have the thinly sliced bittergourd soaked in brine solution. After few minutes, I strain and squeeze the solution out of it. A dash of pepper and salt is sprinkled into it. Then, an ample amount of vinegar and voila! I have my salad.

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

Forget About Evian

We visited my mother's brother's family today and my neices greeted me with the happy news that school's over. They can forget about books for awhile. Ha!

But yes, summer is officially here. In fact, just a couple of days ago, I was introduced to the ~~fury~~ charm of summer. I was walking a block or two to the Mall when I felt all hot and dry that I had to dop by a drugstore to buy Evian. I didn't anticipate the heat. My skin was already screaming at me and I just had to get Evian or I wilt there and then (I'm having a self-imposed break from using moisturizing cream for an indeterminate period). So Evian, I did get despite the all too loud protests of my wallet.

But had I been prepared, I could have prepared a homemade spritz perfect for a day like it and I could have saved some money in the process. But it's no use crying over spilled milk.

Anyhow, here's a simple Evian alternative:

Just put water in an empty spray bottle. Add few drops of toner of your choice and you're ready to forget about Evian.

Ain't We Glad With Modern Technology

It always sucks when our hard drive suddenly gives up on us and decides to have a rest. I know what a bummer that is because I have experienced it with my first office desktop years ago. Practically, all my files went with it.

But now with modern technology, it is already possible to recover data easily. And then there are Computer Forensics who can help us with this need.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Love Makes The World Go Round

There are thousands of blogs around the world. Maybe a million -or millions- already. Or boombazillions. And to have some people take some time off their precious 24H just to drop by even for just a sec is already a big thing to me. So today, I wanna take time to thank 13 people who owns the following blogs:

http://teczcape.blogspot.com/

http://sic-infit.blogspot.com/

http://www.three-peas.blogspot.com/

http://thepoormouth.blogspot.com/

http://slchome.blogspot.com/

http://napaboaniya.blogspot.com/

http://prettylifeonline.blogspot.com/

http://mayaswindow.blogspot.com/

http://happywonderer.wordpress.com/

http://agentlemansdomain.typepad.com/

http://byrningbunny.wordpress.com/

http://janparrish.blogspot.com/

http://wheretheroadtakesus.blogspot.com/

I do not know you personally (or do I?) but I appreciate the visits. Thanks for being a part of my online life. Happy blogging!

P.S. I actually want to put everyone in the list but I'm keeping up with the 13 theme. For those not included in the list, I thank you too for swinging by.

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^^0^^

This week's MIFS is up and running at StopTheRide. Check some good reads there.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Chopsuey

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Getting More From The Tube

No more toothpaste?

Cut empty toothpaste tube. You'll be surprised to see that the empty toothpaste tube is not really empty. When you look inside the edges and by the neck, you'll see ample amount of toothpaste you can use up to 5 brushings (sometimes even more).

We always do this at home. Actually, I'm always more than happy we're doing it because I can fairly equate some savings with this trick.

Friday, April 18, 2008

13 Bags

I honestly don't buy bags frequently. But I have accumulated a number over time -because there are family members who are so generous in giivng them as presents. And those that I did buy were always cheap (I'm such a cheapskate and I'm proud!) or not-so-cheap yet functional. And never flashy. Yes, shocking fact - nothing flashy or extravagant. Hehe.

1) My uber biggie beach bag (I can even put my son's inflatables there)

2) Go-to-the-mall bag

3) My all-time favorite brown bag

4) My mini-travelling bag

5) My doctor's bag (no, I'm not a doctor but for a reason, this makes me feel like I'm a doctor)

6) My furry pouch (where I hide some of my keys and remote control from my son..wicked mama!)

7) My makes-me-feel-hip-even-if-I'm-not pouch

8) My serviceable beltbag

9)My girly-girl native bag

10)My very old yet still alive shoulder bag (with adjustable strap)

11) My go-to-the-grocery bag

12) My favorite night bag (not that I go out at night always)

13) My uber colorful summer bag ( check WW post)

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Colors of Summer

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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

When Mascara Dries Up

What to do? What to do if your mascara dries up?

I'm always in this situation when I needed a mascara fix - not that I always use mascara. On the contrary, I rarely use a mascara that the one I have gets dried up because of unuse -and when I needed to put on some for a special ocassion, 99.9% of the time I find that it's all dried up.

What I do? Immerse the mascara container in a bowl filled with hot water. Leave it for few minutes. Word of caution: Be careful when your mascara is contained in a thin plastic tube. It pays to check it every few minutes. :-)

Monday, April 14, 2008

Cheap Dandruff Fix

Calamansi can do the trick. My sisters and I use it whenever we get these icky flaky things on our scalp.

But another inexpensive remedy is vinegar. Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup white vinegar and apply this mixture directly to the scalp. Use this before shampooing. Apply twice a week.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

13 Things About Papaya

In continuation of my WW post, I'm posting few things about the Pop-ah-ya. :-)

1) It is said that Christopher Columbus called it the "fruit of the angels."

2) An enzyme from papaya called papain helps digest proteins. Papain is extracted to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.

3) Harrison Ford was said to be treated for a ruptured disc incurred during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by having papain injected into his back.

4) Papain is also used as a topical application in the treatment of cuts, rashes, stings and burns. An ointment -papain ointment - can be made out by fermenting papaya flesh. However, fruit can be directly applied topically to other skin sores and the he ripe fruit treats ringworm.

5)Papaya is a excellent source of Vitamin C.

Nutritional Profile of Papaya (Vitamin C)
1.00 each = 304.00 grams = 118.56 calories
Nutrient : vitamin C
Amount:187.87 mg
DV(%) : 313.1
NutrientDensity: 47.5
World's Healthiest Foods Rating: Excellent

6) It is also a good source of folate - 28.9*; potassium =22.3* and fiber=21.9*

Note: *DV(%)

7) It is low in calories, fat-free and cholesterol-free.

8) Slices of young papaya fruit are used by mother for her tasty soups.

9) In my country, we make papaya pickles out of barely ripe fruits.

10) Green fruits treat high blood pressure and are used as an aphrodisiac.

11) The seeds are anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and analgesic, and they are used to treat stomachache and fungal infections. The leaves are used as a heart tonic, analgesic, and to treat stomachache. The roots are used as an analgesic.

12) Although it's not really a laxative, my parents always let us eat papaya whenever we suffer from constipation. Almost always, it works for us.

13) For entertainment, there's a dance called The Papaya Dance.

Other articles (sources) about papaya are here and here.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Pop-A-Ya

Papaya

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Re-using Teabags

Tea lover? Have you ever wondered what else can you do with a used teabag?

I'm really such a tea bug and I usually use mine twice - and few times, thrice. And trust me, I can accumulate a number of teabags in a day.

Here's what I do- and you can do, too.

Dip teabag into a little amount lukewarm water. Press on lips for 3 to 5 minutes. Tannic acid from black tea helps in moisturizing the lips, making it smooth and kissable. Smile!

Or:

After saturating teabag in the water, press on the skin - mine is my face and neck- for few minutes. 3 to 5 minutes is okay to me. Rinse. Tea's tannic acid absorbs oil that may result to blemishes. (Although I can best attribute the less-blemish, mine at least, to other things like genes.)

For other reading about tannic acid, check here.

And yes, I do either of two AFTER using a tea bag and definitely, not BEFORE.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Appetizing Anchovies

I actually consider them as appetizer-these dried and salted anchovies. Ironic as some don't find it appetizing. At all.

I know of friends who doesn't like anchovies - much less see them - but that's fine. There are other who, like me, loves eating them.

Because they are salty, and we all know too much salt consumption poses risk to health, I looked for a way to neutralize it.

Plain salted anchovies...

...are best added with garlic...

...and tomatoes.

Then add a little vinegar. And viola! All ready.

Optional: slices of cucumber or radish. Usually I add either of these two to even more neutralize the salt.