Viva La Boracay!

I have been lucky to have been able to avail my company sponsored vacation. It was short but I had a wonderful time (if only I didn't miss my kid so much).


So in the short 3-day vacation, here are the things I did:


1) Snorkeling

2) Island hopping

3) Swimming


4) Sunbathing

5) Barhopping

6) Boat riding

7) Shopping

8) Walking around the beach

9) Watching the sunset

10) Taking shots of everything around me

11) More swimming

12) Trying so much not to fret miss being online

13) I had a tattoo done on me (okay, it's just a henna tattoo)

Wordless Wednesday: Summer Getaway

Skin Talk

Women can be so vain. But so does men too. We try so hard to look pleasing. In a world that takes the physical appearances seriously, the issue of aging is a big concern –skin’s aging. If it is not, why then would manufacturing of anti-aging beauty products be a thriving business -with each manufacturing company claiming to produce the most effective and best beauty products there are.

But I have learned that the only trick there is, is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate the skin. And to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

One need not do anything extraordinary or buy something expensive to hydrate the skin - just drink water. Not juice* or chocolate drinks, just plain and simple WATER. About 6 to 8 glasses or more. The more, the better. It not only rehydrates the skin but it helps maintain blood circulation and aids our organs to do their job.

As for moiusturizing, so here are few moisturizer ingredients we should watch out for:

Shea Butter - with its rich texture and hydrating properties, it's a good choice for a moisturizer. It also penetrates the skin quickly.

Aloe Vera - it has a moisturizing component that helps regenerate and heal the skin

Avocado Oil - Rich in Vitamin E, it helps revive and mosturize the skin.

Vitamin E - Need I say more? :-)

Carrot/ Carrot Oil - I found a 100% moisturizer recently (from a trusted company that makes all natural products for babies and adults alike) and apart from its other moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E, etc., the cream is carrot-based. It's a bit expensive but I am willing to pay for it because I understand the benefits of carrots to the skin.


* Artificial sweeteners, MSG and caffeine found in juices or coffee/chocolate drinks trigger migraine.

Cheap Sunburn Remedy

It's summer already and beach bums are already hitting the beach. Soon enough, people complaining of sunburn is not uncommon.

Now do you know that milk is an effective alternative to remedy sunburn? Yes it is. Cheap and effective. Simply dip a cotton or an absorbent cloth on chilled milk and gently apply it on affected part.

So make sure leave some fresh milk in the refrigerator (just in case you need it for sunburn). Or you could store some fresh milk in the cooler that you're bringing to the beach. You'll never know when you need some - besides, it is a nutritious drink you can have even on the beach.

But as prevention, apply some sunscreen with a good SPF.

Bright, Bright World

Colors are actually the perfect eye catcher. For instance, in a huge crowd, a fellow with a bright pink hair will stand out more than those that are brown-haired.

So it goes without saying that bright colored clothings can also bring attention to the body. Hence, if you want to wear pieces of bright-colored clothings, make sure you wear them wisely and only on your most flattering body parts.

If you want to bring attention to your upper body, play with colorful blouses. But if you think your hip area is your asset, dress it up in gay colors.

Hik-kup!

Hiccups?

Maybe everybody knows that the old trick to "cure" someone with hiccups is to scare him off his wits. This has always been "the way" to do it in my family -and with my friends, too. Maybe because that seems the easiest to do.

But really there's another way. And that is to drink a glass of H2O slowly. Yes, simple as that. And you could also gulp a mouthful of water (without swallowing yet) and then plug your ears with your fingers. Then, swallow the water slowly.

Others suggest to keep a teaspoon of sugar -or make it a candy or easy melt chocolate - in your mouth and suck slowly.

I Collect Them

If I had to reveal something that not everyone knows about me, it would be that I love to collect international calling cards - among other stuffs. I have quite of a collection of these cards– and most coming from Japan and countries in the Middle East. And these have been part of my teenage years.

Though I haven’t been out of this country, these cards came from friends and loved ones who understood my fascination and were kind enough to send used cards to me. With the colorful designs and and picturesque sights on them, I feel my fascination is justified. I also think it's a fun way to learn since some of these cards include bits of information about a country.

Green World

I was checking some of my photo archives yesterday and found this one. This is my shot of the Papaya leaves. I played a little with this photo using Photoshop. But I didn't do anything major on this one.

Home Improvement Anyone?

Thinking of getting your house remodeled or renovated? Or enhancing your lawn? Or are considering of improving a part of your house, like our kitchen? For home improvement needs, you might want to check what American Home Craft is in store for you.

Learn more about home improvement thru them. You may also view their products, which includes cabinets, windows, vinyl siding, texture coat and doors, online. All of these are designed and engineered with only high quality materials and workmanship.

You can also contact them via a toll free number: 1-866-455-2735 and get you’re a free estimate of the the home improvement job you want.

Hurried Affair

Don't have much time to paint your face?

Focus on the eyes. A coat of mascara can pep up your look and give more life to your eyes. A single coat is just all you need.

If you still have time to spare, you may add a little eyeshadow to complement your attire.

On Health And Health Insurance

They say health is wealth. I so believe in that. I also believe that our health is more important than anything else in this life. We have to be healthy so we can take care of our loved one. We have to be healthy so we can work. And staying healthy is a cost-effective measure, too. That is why, I strive to live a healthy lifestyle everyday.

But staying fit can be costly, too. Fresh and organic food doesn’t come cheap unless you grow them on your own backyard. Then, food supplements and vitamins are additional expenses. But to me, I’d much rather spend much on this than pay on the consequences and be sorry later. Indeed, an ounce of prevention is better than a liter of cure.

Now as part of prevention and cost management, it also pays to invest in a health insurance. And before getting one, it’s good to check the quality of coverage, benefits and plans that would suit your needs. In terms of cost, there could be lots of companies that have good offer like the affordable California health insurance.

Lemon On Lips

What to do with the slices of lemon which you've already juiced out?

Aside from utilizing them as natural air freshener, you can gently rub it on your lips. This will help prevent lips from darkening.

And it will save you from buying lip lightening products - and save you some cash. :-)

A Story And Event Tips

When I was a child, I was told of fairy tales and of cowboy stories. Since then, I have been longing to see not only a king and a queen - in flesh and blood but a cowboy - in flesh and blood. I wonder what a real cowboy looks like. Stories have them all tanned, fierce and gallant. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.

I am in my thirties now but I still wonder and I still long to see one. It’s not so bad to dream afterall. I only see them in magazines and on the TV. Also, I see them on photos and lately, it’s one with my friend in it. With a cowboy in a rodeo. Wow!

Bareback Riding. Bull Riding. Tie Down Roping. Waaaa, I only see them on TV.

But this friend, lucky to be living in Las Vegas, was ranting and raving about it. It was her first time to watch one and she’s just glad her husband brought her to see the National Finals Rodeo last year. She really has no idea how big the event was until it was all done. Imagine! Just imagine to have been able to see something big as the NFR! She’s one lucky girl. Luckier to even acquire of WNFR Tickets, since tickets easily sell out because of its popularity. She’s just lucky.

Me, I could only dream to attend one. Sad, I know. But I guess I’ll just have be contented in attending concerts, theater plays and basketball games. I just hope my son, who is getting much cowboy stories (and who not only adores Buzz Lightyear but Cowboy Woody as well), will get his chance to see one real cowboy one day. Or attend a rodeo.

But whatever event one is attending, be it a concert, a championship game in basketball, a theater play, here are few tips I have for everyone.

- Always bring extras (money, water, little food). Most likely, costs of goods are jacked up so it pays to buy your comfort stuffs before the event or not in the event location.

- If allowed, bring a camera. It will be wonderful to see your photos, along with your story few years later.

- For memory’s sake, pick up a souvenir. Most of the times, souvenirs don’t come cheap but maybe you can haggle prices and get one for yourself.

And don't forget to enjoy the moment. Have fun.

13 Things About Honey

There are just so many things I love about honey. I am actually taking a tablespoon daily (that is, if I don't forget). So in this week's TT, I am ready to enumerate relevant (for me) stuff about it. I have also included some of its common uses based on my experience.

1. Honey is significantly sweeter than table sugar and has attractive chemical properties for baking. It has 76 percent sugar in it.


2. Natural honey retains its prana longer than most food and can be preserved indefinitely if it is pure.


3. Not only does it soothe sore throat but the skin too. It is a good moisturizer (plain honey applied on skin). It can help relieve cracked lips.


4. Coupled with fine salt or sugar or baking soda, honey can be used as a scrub. I use it all the time.


5. Helps me control diarrhea. I really am not so good at pill popping, so instead of taking some meds, I use honey as treatment.


6. It is a good source of antioxidants. The antioxidant compounds found in honey are chrysin, quercetin, kaempferol, galagin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase and pinocembrin.


7. Most micro-organisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity (0.6).


8. Honey has certain potassium salts that make it a phenomenal moisture absorber and a great killer of germs and bacteria.
   


9. From #8, It can be used to treat wounds because of its antibacterial and the anti-inflammatory components. "Honey stimulates the re-growth of tissue involved in healing" according to Dr. Peter Molan of the University of Waikato, New Zealand, "making healing faster and reducing scarring".


10. Because honey contains endospores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, it is strictly advised not to be given to infants as these endospores can transform into toxin-producing bacteria in the infant's immature intestinal tract (causing botulism)


11. Honey, if taken on an empty stomach with water and lemon, reduces obesity and weight.


12. If taken at night with hot milk, it cures constipation.


13. A glass of water with a teaspoon of honey also removes excessive fatigue.

Good honey reads: Wiki, Verb, MotherEarthNews; Life Positive; Billy Bee; and Food Reference.

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This May Be Worth Trying

Is your anti-aging product not working? Maybe it’s time to switch product. There’s a new product in the market which uses a compound called Ethocyn. This compound that is discovered and introduced by Dr Chantal Burnison may be worth a try as it could be one of the best skin care products available in the market.

Clinical trials proves that Ethocyn increases the elastin fiber content and quality of your skin if you are over 25-30 years of age. This applies to both men and women between the ages of 25-77 years of age. Elastin fibers are considered the youth fibers of our skin and loss of elastin fibers in the skin can cause the skin to sag and wrinkle.