Bills, bills, bills!

(image from thedigeratilife.com)
My whole life is full of bills!

Then there's auto-credit that my card company is offering to place all my bills in 1 single bill. Yay, I won't have to wade through bills after bills anymore. But then that's not the issue. Technically, I still have the same number and amount of bills to pay.

Imagine this.

We don't use running hot and cold water in the house. We've long abandoned the water heater because, hey, who needs hot bathing water in the Philippines, really?

We stopped using the rice-cooker. Not because it uses too much energy but because helpers just love to bust them.

We only use airconditioning during the night, in one room, usually.

Almost all lights in the house are energy-efficient, save for the one in the stock room and the flourescent in the guest room.

We don't use the washing machine. Oh yes, because I have a helper who's idle most times of the day, so yeah, I let her wash by hands. It's more efficient anyway. :-P

And still I get a whooping P5K~ electricity bill. I think it's a joke.

So, I read the Green Living section of realsimple.com. They have a good article on cutting energy cost. Some, I've been practicing, some I need to enforce on the helpers. Let's see if next month's electricity bill will show any improvement.

Small space bar

We entertain a lot. Our house, because it's practically right smack at the city, becomes the unofficial gathering place for friends and family. And because we're living in a small townhouse, I need all practical storage solutions that doubles as something else.

In connection to entertaining, it's very important to have a bar where guests gather around and socialize. But because my dining area is small as it is, there's just no space to tuck a bar somewhere. I find this bar with wheels practical.

The bar showcases a built-in stemware rack and wine station. I could just easily roll the bar from the dining area to the living space where people usually spills over. After entertaining, I can push it out of the way under the kitchen island. Perfect!

Another practical solution that also caught my eye is this undercabinet wine glass rack.

The hanging wine glass rack had me swooning. What better way to display your crystals than this? Plus it doubles as a wine rack. And oh, be still my heart, it comes in polished chrome. Chrome just has this way of matching with any decor.

The house needs repairs!

The upstairs common bathroom has started to leak out. My BIL, who's an engineer suggested we re-tile and fix the sealing around the bathroom. Admittedly, I am a bit wary that the whole house will one day collapse because we haven't been keeping with the repairs faithfully. At least we already bought bathroom tiles, in rustic pink floral patterns (which now makes me doubt the choice), grout and trim. Installation will come next.

With a very short awning, the terrace is bound to collect rainfall, if not water from the AC. And because the terrace floor is built in such mediocre fashion, the water instead of flowing to the drain, flows to the living room downstairs.

I swear if I were a man, I'd be a carpenter, a mason, and acquire all the skills to fix the house. But sadly I'm not. So I am left to daydream away and live in constant fear that I can never afford!

While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and nag about the condition of our kitchen. Yes, the eternal problem of a leaking faucet remains. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why the plumbers we send to check the leak can't fix it. I told my husband that if ever they're going to rip the sink off inorder to really see what's keeping it leaked, I'd rather remodel the kitchen. I have been wanting to get rid of the plain, boring, white cabinet doors anyway.

And then there's cost to consider. Oh, well.

Welcome to our home

Hi, thanks for coming over. Welcome to my living room. Make yourself at home. I hope the furniture is warm and cozy enough.

What can I get you? I have freshly brewed iced tea and freshly-squeezed tropical fruit juices. It's humid, but no matter, I just plainly love our weather! Anyway, I guess we better help ourselves to an air-conditioned room. Come, follow me. I had a hard time looking for the perfect living room furniture. The market nowadays is cramped with contemporary, sleek, futuristic designs. I love the plain, old-fashioned comfort. This one imparts a sense of warmth and historic feel to the room. Don't you agree?

Oh, let me show you the rooms upstairs.

I know I only have a twin bed here, but I'm planning to change this one to a more spacious queen-sized. Me and the husband doesn't like extra luxurious bedroom furniture. The thing that really matters is that the mattress is extra comfortable. You might say that the room is too youthful. That is just what I was trying to achieve. I hate four-posters, but gosh, how I swoon over storage beds. Crazy? Nah, I love the freshness and the extra storage spaces.

This is the Princess' but she can only hold on to it long enough. She loves that the bed has an "attic" where the loft bed is located. I like how the cubbyholes are designed beautifully to blend in with the rest of the design. It keeps her toys, knick-knacks and whatnots neatly in order.


When she's older she may move into this room which I already prepared for her.

I can't imagine her liking to stay in this floral-bordered pastel-themed room forever, though. I bet after high school, she'd wanna move in here.

I may have to change the beddings to suit her, but that can wait. I like how the storage is neatly tucked in this loft bed. She can just hide the pull-out to use the workstation, pull a chair -- it's all so clutter-free. The bed maximizes the room for some other things I know she'd have a lot of come college.
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OK, enough dreaming! Back to reality, but before you do, check out furniturefromhome's Captain Bed. Or you can use their Advanced Search feature to refine your searches based on your preferred room, style, and color. I had so much fun visiting the rooms and dreaming my dream home! :-)

Broccoli and prawns stir-fry

It was all I could ever wished for. I think not a day has passed since I had the duo (grill pan and wok) that I haven't used them. I cannot believe why I waited this long to have a grill pan, it's totally crazy! And the wok? HA! I think I just told the husband that I am never going back to using any other wok, ever! See how gorgeous and spacious that is!

I thought stir-fries can never go any easier. Then I stir-fried using THE wok, and guess what, it was so so much easier, I'd like to stir-fry anything and give some to the neighbors :-) Of course, there's a lot that I can do with the wok (I think I may be trying paella soon) but for now, let me give you this awesome broccoli and prawns stir-fry dish.


Recipe

• olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, pressed and chopped finely
• thumb-sized ginger, grated (I used microplane zester)
• 1 red onions, sliced
• three medium heads broccoli cut into florets, washed and drained
• three prawns, shelled and cut in bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• salt

1. In a heated wok, pour 2 tbsp olive oil and saute the prawns. As soon as they turn pinkish, set these little guys aside.
2. In the same pan, heat another 2 tbsp olive oil and saute the aromatics: garlic, ginger, then onions. You'd want the oil to get all that infused flavor.
3. Mix in the broccoli florets and stir fast coating each floret with the flavorful oil. All these must be done in high heat.
4. Pour the chicken stock.
5. As soon as the florets change color, add in the reserved prawns. Give another minute to mix these little guys in, season with salt, then turn off heat.
6. Serve immediately onto a plate. Be careful not to let the stir-fry sit in the wok long after it's done because the heat in the wok will overcook the dish.

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Project: Renovate Porch

I think I should count me lucky. Even with the salary freeze, the company is giving us a little bonus -- something we didn't expect, which made us all the more happy. Guess they know how to counter the depressing effects of recession, huh!

Or maybe some higher being saw the situation I (yes, MY situation - my blog, mine!) am currently in. I need some serious house renovation, but is not willing to get the budget from the current household cashflow. I guess this is a sign that I really, really have to start doing it. Like, really.

I was thinking of starting with the porch. I've been wanting to build an awning to protect the area from heat and rain; but mainly to provide additional seating for the MahJong sessions we host for family and friends. Have I not mentioned before that MahJong is the family's official game? Which would make me an outsider for not learning it? (I'm on my way there, worry not... Or my daughter will save me from myself!)

Xofia learning the ropes early

If you're familiar with the MahJong game, the place must be well-lit. Maybe because I'm a woman, but when it comes to light fixtures, I am very particular. Lighting fixtures, for me, can very much make or break the room. Much thought must be invested on projects that involves home lighting. They have to be placed in the perfect location of the room where they can both serve functionally and aesthetically. Oh, I have such a picture in my mind where I can place a pair of charming, timeless sconce . And because tropical weather can be such a drain, I'd like to counter humidity with a casual ceiling fan.

Wait, how much was my budget again?

Is your home secured?

You watch the news, scan the channels for a good 15 minutes and tell me if you don't come out of it depressed (if you weren't already) and more worried. Crime rate is staggering. In UK, burglaries are up as recession takes its toll that the leaders plan an emergency summit to tackle the issue. With the rising cost of living, cities all over the world are experiencing an increase in, particularly, property crimes.

Of course one can always argue that crime statistics are better indicators of the prevalence of law enforcement and crime reporting, than actual crime prevalence. But then, think about it, what's there to report if there's no crime happening? The fact is that crime is happening all around us, even so with the recession, and we better come prepared.

I'm sure all of us have a trick or two on keeping our home and loved ones safe. I know somebody who lines up food cans along the inside of his doors and windows to startle would-be burglars. I personally believe outside home lighting is a good deterrent. This is counting on the good Samaritans in my neighborhood, hoping they'd report any suspicious activity. However, robbers also have tricks up their sleeves to outwit home owners.

With the layoffs and salary cuts, I expect to be working doubly hard, and rendering more overtimes in work. So is my husband. How do you think we'd feel leaving our house and the people who live there under the watch of the subdivision guard, who also happen to be watching 75 other houses, and manning the gate? Home security is never overrated. Before anything happens, God forbid, start securing your home, your loved ones, and your personal belongings. Personally, I find ADT Home Security Systems equipped to provide you peace of mind. Their video surveillance system allows you to watch your home from anywhere in the world. It's really something to personally see that everything's all right even if you aren't physically at home.

ADT provides a lot of other security services that are worth checking out. The safety of your family and your home is one less thing to worry about while you concentrate on a host of other things in these trying times. I suggest you start securing your home now before it's too late. Better to have a tiny bit of paranoia and acting on it, than sorry.

Made.In.China

Say again?

This was from the box that one of my french presses came with. Aside from the lead and melamine issues, I simply love Chinese products. They're cheap, functional, and they provide entertainment -- a value-add to customers if you, like me, enjoy cheap thrills.

In this lifetime, I've mourned over the demise of 3 french presses. For coffee drinkers like me, a coffee press is an important thing. Of course, there's drip coffee maker. But aside from consuming so much electricity, they separate the oil from the coffee making the drink less, uhm, full. Oil makes the flavor really really bold and aromatic. It also maximizes calorie content. Filtering coffee beans in the coffee-making process just strips off the fun of enjoying full, bold, calorie-filled drink. Coffee press brings all that back in. Ah, little joys.

Since I've lost every single press I've had, the husband and I thought of buying several at one time. It is his ardent belief that if you store several pieces of presses, the one you're currently using will not break. I am willingly subscribing to the belief, dutiful wife that I am! Currently, we have 3 french presses. All are proudly Made in China. Because they're cheap, they serve the purpose, and they make me look like a supportive wife without dishing out thousands of pesos for a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean press. Those from these two are just outrageously expensive.

Oh, if you're looking for a press, Metro Gaisano at Ayala Center has plenty. You're welcome to hoard.

Our house has termites!

Yesterday was Xofia’s last day of antibiotic. She has shown lots and lots of improvements, and she’s eating well. The only problem that remains is the colds. She still got it even when I was giving her Allerkid everyday. The doctor advised us to free the whole house with any allergen. Apparently, vacuuming the big furry teddy bear was not enough; and I’ve resolved to vacuum the couch every other day.

When I was cleaning the whole house, which I often find myself doing most of these days, I notice several instances of termite attack in different places of the house. The house is mostly concrete so you’d understand why this wasn’t much of our concern. However on places that wood is used, the termites seem to be working doubly hard. It’s amazing how they even managed to cling to the floor mouldings mostly on the rooms upstairs. And here I thought termites need soil to make their homes. Apparently, I’m one termite ignorant. Termites Guide provides all the information I need on anything about termites, termite control, spotting colonies, and even spotting those that mimic their path of destruction. If you have termite problem, you might find this site helpful.

Excuse me while I catch up on my termite research.

I have my family

With everybody's net worth dropping faster than ever, I can't help but get worried, as in REALLY worried.

• Is this the best time to buy a new couch? Maybe ours can still last another year before it breaks into two?
• Shall I stick with Gerber, which costs thrice than the Cerelac brand?
• Do we need to distribute our bank accounts to several banks? Not that we have plenty, but by default, the depositor is insured up to P250K only.
• Do I give up my monthly bonding time with my college friends? Yes, we agreed to pamper ourselves together, at least once a month.
• What about Xofia's diaper brand? Shall I switch to a cheaper one?
• Do we have to cut back on going out? What about Xofia's exposure to different kinds of people?
• My Friday dates with husband, does that have to go, too?

Sigh. Instead of thinking all those things, I think of happy thoughts and realize how lucky I am to:

• Still afford the mortgage with my family intact, with nobody needing to go abroad to work.
• Not have to pay for gas most of the time.
• Still afford my daughter's well-baby visits and vaccines.
• Have a loving husband who's a doting father and a good provider.
• Have the happiest, goofiest and sweetest daughter, and is the easiest to take care of.
  
• Have free internet courtesy of our friendly neighborhood wi-fi provider. Whoever you are, I'd like to thank you and let you know that you are such a good person for not blocking us from using your internet. Be assured that this translates to lots of good deed tickets in heaven (I think) and I promise not to harm your network, not that I know how to do that; and leave you in peace even if I can see your computer from the device list sometimes.
• Have a nanny who doesn't mind doing the extra work in the absence of another helper.
• Know how to cook such that we don't have to go to a fancy restaurant whenever we crave something delicious.
• Live in the heart of the city where everything is practically near and doesn't need a long drive, thus saving up on gas.
• Have friends who prefer house party and my cooking rather than eating out and paying extra for the food and ambiance.
• Still afford to pay the electricity bill without turning off the AC.
• Have the best in-laws who make it a point to bring us fresh produce from Ormoc every time they're in town.
• Have a sister who's always ready and willing to help out whenever we need something.

We may be needing to tighten our belts in these hard times, perhaps do a handful of things I enumerated above, but still, I am thankful. I have my family, and that is saying a lot.

Home security

We live in a gated community with a security guard 24/7. However, not so long ago, a neighbor was robbed even with the househelp around. The thieves were so skilled and relaxed that the helper did not, even for a second, doubt them. You'd think that with somebody manning your house all the time, your house is secured enough. What happened to our neighbor proved that notion wrong. Nowadays, you can never be too careful. You can never have more than enough information on how to keep your house safe and secured. If you're looking for a site with a wealth of home security information, I suggest you check out HomeSecurityInformation.com. The site hosts a plethora of information on basic home security, video surveillance, home automation, lighting and timers, burglar alarms, car security and a lot more.

Sometimes we go through our daily grind without so much thought unknowingly making our homes more inviting to robbers. The article How to Keep Your Home Secure Without Spending a Cent provides tips and guidelines on how to employ common sense to a more secured homes, dollar-free.

HomeSecurityInformation.com also provides information and guidelines on Homeowners Insurance. With the market as uncertain as it is today, the word insurance probably will make you cringe. But when it comes to our homes, I dare you, if you haven't yet, to explore the subject. HomeSecurityInformation.com details different kinds of insurance and if you'll need it or not. Generous with their knowledge, the site also gives out practical tips on how to find the best insurance, compare quotes, etc.

Afterall, our house is where our family lives, where we relax and wind down, where a lot of memories are shared through the years--you can never be too careful in guarding your own castle.

On buying inflatable mattresses

When my husband and I got this house, we were pretty much overwhelmed by the necessity to furnish it, albeit excited at the same time. Seeing that the house has very minimal bedroom spaces, we considered sofa beds and inflatable mattresses for the two smaller bedrooms. However, not really armed with enough knowledge to make a decision on which inflatable mattress to buy, the collapsible sofa beds won. Folded, they still take up so much space. In hindsight, we should've went with the air mattresses. As they say, hindsight is always 20/20.

Lucky for those who are considering to buy air mattresses but haven't done so yet, AirMattressInfo.com provides a comprehensive guide. I remember we used to have one in our old apartment, and it was so convenient to use. It was portable and lightweight, perfect for camping trips and for temporary bed space for guests.

The site doesn't only provide tips and guide on buying the mattress that suits your need, it also guides you through on repairs, flea control and maintenance among others. Before buying that air mattress you've been eyeing, be sure to check AirMattressInfo.com.

We survived the week!

Or at least most of it yet, without the househelp. Today's still Friday and I am optimistic.

When the help insisted on going home to her province even after we offered to bring her to our family dentist, I knew there's nothing more my cajole, bribery, pleading and whatnot can do to alleviate her toothache. So I let her be. Part of me is wondering if she's still coming back because I wasn't quite sure how to go about the daily home grind without the extra help to do the cleaning, laundry, and ingredients-prepping.

Since I don't have the luxury of a help to prep the ingredients an hour before I get home to cook, the members of the household made an agreement. The arrangement was for me to cook huge batches of food that will last a fortnight day, preferably stews and pastas that get better with age; and for them to eat whatever it is that I cook. For times that I needed to prep the ingredients for the meal that needs to be eaten right away, I should make nothing fancy, and nothing that lasts more than 30 minutes prep and cook time. Here's this week's menu which the household members are more than happy to have in their meals:

• Humba (or pork belly stewed in dark sauce)
• Traditional Meat Sauce Spaghetti
• Stir-fry foot-long beans
• Spicy fish tinola (or super-simple fish soup in lemon grass, tomato and chili)
  

Friday was eat-out day, and KFC it was.

I think this family can go through another week with the same menu. I'll be sure to vary the schedule, though.


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image from www.thisoldhouse.com/

Another one about househelps

The househelp is not yet back, and weirdly, I like it better without her.

Maybe because Xofia's nanny is still able to keep things tidy and orderly. I never liked how she works in the first place. I should know. At days that I am at home, she'd just lock herself up in her room most of the time, and I'd feel it wrong to disturb her for an errand. I am weird like that, that's why I prefer househelps who keep themselves visible so I don't have to come looking for them. It just doesn't feel right. I see her clean up the house, or at least attempt to. Contrary to popular belief, I am not that hard to please when it comes to cleanliness. I have long learned not to expect much from somebody other than myself. The thing is that even my husband who doesn't care stuff like these notices.

And surprisingly, Xofia's nanny, with even Xofia around, is still able to do the laundry. I'd like to think we'd be okay even without the extra help. It will definitely be good for my budget.

Looking for air purifiers?

We use air filters at home. Not because I am anal and have OCD streaks, but because we have a baby daughter that might probably benefit from it. I hated it though, when it’s time to change the filter. With all the soot and dust, it’s likely that I get to touch them, and in the process, transfer a considerable amount onto my shirt or pants. Clumsy me!

We once considered buying an air purifier but we hit a roadblock. With all those models available in the market, it’s not that easy to decide. We consumers have to consider all factors before investing on something that we might regret in the future. Thanks to the Internet, we consumers can always find something to help us out with deciding. Personally, I find AirCleanersGuide.com a very helpful site.

The site offers information on different kinds of home air purifier and their intended use. If you’re looking for an answer to long-lasting odor problem, they’ll list out the products that suit your need. Personally, I only want something that removes allergens and pollutants from the air. Here, I get to compare prices on models with that functionality, plus choose the one that answers my specific needs.

Butter pecan cookies

The kitchen has always been my refuge. In times that I get super inspired or depressingly low, the kitchen has never failed to give me something to keep the balance. Yeah, OK, I cook or bake mostly at times when I am at the extremes of an emotional pandemonium. It gives me something else to think and care about at the moment--away from whatever that's currently bothering me. And if time won't permit, I leaf through my old recipes and vividly remember the most treasured moments attached to those flavors. Here's one that never fails to trigger those pleasant memories just by looking at the photos and rereading the recipe. I hope this gives you the same warm memories as it did me.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped roasted pecans
• 2 sticks or 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 2/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  

Procedure:

1. Roast the pecan nuts for 1 minute-high in microwave oven. Roughy chop and set aside.
2. Cream the butter using electric mixer. Add sugar, and cream together.
3. Add flour, salt and nutmeg. Mix well. Add the lightly beaten eggs and mix well.
4. Fold in pecans.
5. Using your bare hands, make a ball of your cookie dough. Arrange in cookie sheets 2 inches apart, and flatten using a fork. Shape the edges if necessary.
6. Bake in a 175C preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
7. Serve warm, fresh from the oven.
   

This is by far, the best butter cookies I've had, and it's not commercially available anywhere. I thought pecan nuts would go well with nutmeg, and I was right. With those portions, you get the right amount of nutmeg aroma and the exquisite flavor of pecan. Just pure cookie heaven.


Take me to HOME COOKING tab

Chicken and asparagus pasta

This recipe is long overdue. I kept on forgetting to sit down and write the recipe from my notes consisting of: breast fillet slice, asparagus stir-fried, pine nuts, basil. I don't know about you, but that right there is my recipe note, and I can very well recreate my dish from there, at least for about a week. After that, I'd be just like you, wondering what lunatic can make recipe notes in gibberish.

I always liked chicken paired with asparagus. Asparagus, from my side of the world, doesn't come cheap, so it's more of a treat to myself whenever I grab a bundle from the supermarket. That particular day, I felt like splurging, and grabbed a bundle. I was left with nary an idea what to do with it but the thought of chicken breast fillet sitting in the ref brought comfort. A quick check in the pantry, and these are the ingredients I gathered:

• 500 grams pasta, cooked according to packet directions
• Olive oil
• EVOO for drizzling
• Half head of garlic, sliced
• A bundle of asparagus (about 4" in diameter), sliced
  
• 2 chicken breast fillet, sliced as desired
• Mushrooms, sliced (totally optional)
  
• A handful of fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta. Drain and set aside. Save 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prep the rest of the ingredients:

• Slice the asparagus in bite-size pieces. Discard the bottom hard part of the stalk.
• Peel and thinly slice the garlic.
• Slice chicken breast in bite-size pieces.
• Toast pine nuts in oil-free hard-bottomed pan until brown on sides.

3. In a pan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil and stir-fry asparagus until done. Drizzle with a dash of salt, and set aside.
4. In a bigger pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil.
5. Saute garlic until fragrant.
6. Add chicken breast and mushrooms and cook until done.
7. Add basil leaves and pour pasta water when wilted.
8. Bring to a light boil.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Still on stovetop, add pasta and toss well until well-coated.
11. Serve with toasted pine nuts and EVOO drizzle.

Pine nuts, as with everything else, in my side of the world, is priced like gold. I am lucky I have a sister who indulges me in every balikbayan boxes she sends. If you don't have pine, you can substitute with cashew or peanuts. Just use the toasted one or toast them yourself.

This pasta gave me the longed satisfaction of a chicken and asparagus combo with a touch of heavenly flavor of basil. I did not add cheese because pine nuts are creamy as they are.

Next recipe to be featured soon will be from my Perfect Chicken Roast notes: 400F 25 min tent breast down, 25 min tent breast up; 350F 10 min no tent breast down, 10 min no tent breast up.

If you can figure that out, go make it. If your chicken was anything far from perfect, you did not get it. ;-)


Take me to HOME COOKING tab

Great American Seafood Cook Off

It is of no secret that I love cooking. I love creating and inventing something yummy in the kitchen. It gives me a certain kind of kick. That’s why I envy the likes of Wolfgang Puck and wish to covet Nigella Lawson's beauty and talent. Imagine cooking for a living--and being famous of it. Ah, one can only dream!

I buy recipe books, and self-categorize them under pleasure-reads. I am not sure if other foodies do this, but I did not realize this until such time when I cannot seem to stop reading one particular recipe book that’s 2 inches thick. Call me crazy, but I get giddy at the prospect of recreating something in my humble kitchen. In addition to books and magazines that I hoard, I bookmark online tools and references. I am always on the lookout for anything cooking related.

One very recent find is the www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com. They have really interesting recipes one can easily recreate in any kitchen. The one that I particularly like is the recipe Mississippi Redfish Courtboullion with Seafood Dirty Rice by Chef John Currence of Mississippi. I am a working mom, and I like to cook meals that have everything on it – vegetables, seafood, some meat, and yes, rice! It is also necessary that the meal I’m making is delicious – I have a very hard to please customer *wink* Also, I use whatever’s fresh from the locale. Being an island girl, it’s not hard for me to gather fresh seafood ingredients for my meals. I can only get the freshest, juiciest, yummiest ingredients locally. That’s why this recipe sits right at home. If I were to recreate this in my kitchen, I’d be replacing some ingredients that are available to me locally. I can imagine making this with a grouper instead of a redfish. We have tasty tiger prawns which I can use in place of Gulf shrimps. Mmmm, possibilities!

This recipe is one of the 5 finalists of the cook off challenge. Visit www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com, choose from which of the 5 you like, cast your vote, and have a chance to win a trip to New Orleans prize package which includes hotel and accommodation to accompany that unique dining experience.

Excuse me while I scour the cupboard to check my ingredients…

Shop online without shipping worries

Time, that’s what I don’t have. Household chores that I personally attend to are pushed back into the bottom of my TTD list. Having no time to do almost anything else besides work, I am left with considering the services of some supermarkets where they deliver your groceries to your doorstep. Personally, I have to look after for myself. And what’s the best activity any girl wished to indulge herself in when stressed? SHOPPING! How nice could it be if I was choosing between a heeled pair of pumps or a patent flats instead of numbing my fingers with keyboard strokes? What about the joy of an indecision brought about by two almost identical big purses? Right, I don’t have time to do that or DO I? Good thing there are companies like Access USA! I can now shop without wasting time going from one store to the next. I can shop online any day of the week, in my own time without shipping worries. What joy!

Access USA is the leader in package and mail forwarding since 1997. If like me, you live overseas, shopping online is almost shunned and avoided because most suppliers do not ship overseas. Not anymore. Access USA provides an array of services tailor-fit for us from overseas. Imagine yourself shopping for anything online from different retailers or suppliers without worrying for shipping hassles. The company lets you use their Florida address as your shipping address. Additionally, since the Address Verification System doesn’t work outside the US, you can add Access USA’s Florida address as your second address in your credit cards. Brilliant, eh? And as if those are not enough, Access USA consolidates your packages saving you up to 70% of shipping costs. For more information about the rest of their services, visit MyUS.com website.

dNeero on eating healthier and Visual Talking

I don't exercise. I'm a lazy, lazy girl. I used to jog, but since I felt like I'm getting heavier, my knees thought they can't sustain the stress anymore as well. Plus exercise just takes a lot of time; precious time a working mom would rather spend with her husband and daughter. As such, I see to it that we eat healthy at home. Or at least if I can help it. I prepare our food, I cook our meals. I use the healthiest and freshest produce available. But then there's the ocassional canned goods and processed meat especially on mornings when it's just physically and mentally impossible for me to function. But hey, if all healthy food comes as easily prepared, why not?

Here's another dNeero convo about Visual Talking. I've already said how much fun I had trying out VT's service it made me wonder if people will be more likely to send VTs than SMS.