4-28-12

My mom asked me to arrange the flowers she bought from the market. While I was sorting through them, I found this orchid with a pinkish tint. It was the only one who had a beautiful color among the white bunch. I love how simple and beautiful this orchid looks :)

Last Sunday's snack

Gosh I've been so busy lately (or maybe that's just my excuse for not posting) these days. Anyway, my brother made this snack for the whole family last Sunday. Around here we call it pancit palabok. The white noodle part is rice noodles and the sauce is just some ready-to-mix stuff that my mom bought from the grocery. It's really one of my favorite snacks but having no limits to eating this makes me sick D:

Finally! I was able to restock on body essentials from my favorite organic beauty and wellness line Human <3 Nature!Special thanks to my brother who gave me the cash to go shopping. Me and my brother, shall we say, are really vain when it comes to skin care. We are very meticulous with what we use and I keep convincing my family that going organic is the way to go.

I absolutely love Human <3 Nature because you can be assured that their products are 100% harmful chemical free. But what's more admirable about their company is that they have a foundation of values that are PrO- POOR, PRO- PHILIPPINES and PRO- ENVIRONMENT. (for example, 100% of the profits from every lipstick sold will fund the development of a processing facility for passion fruit seed oil that will give greater income and sustainable livelihood to the farming community).

(from left to right: Facial Scrub with Strawberry Seeds, feminine wash, Hydrating Mineral Lipstick, strengthening shampoo, strengthening conditioner, day moisturizer, deodorant Aloe Fresh, Sunflower Oil, balancing toner.)

 With all the hype I'm raving about my haul, the lipstick kind of disappointed me(I got mine in First Kiss). It didn't match my skin tone and it looks kind of pale one me. But it leaves me lips sooo soft and smooth after I wipe it off. I don't usually throw away the box because the packaging is adorable :)

The sunflower oil is considered their "miracle product" because it can solve almost every skin problem you have. It can lighten dark underarms, eye bags, scars and softens feet soles and elbows. You can also put it on your hair so you dont have to harshly comb it out to detangle it. Oh, it can also work as a make up remover.

The products are really gentle on my skin (specially for the feminine wash. My pet peeves in body care are harsh liquid soaps for that special spot). My hair fall was getting worse. I have tried that shampoo and in just a few days, my hair fall indeed lessened. 

I can't wait to try the other products (specially the strawberry facial scrub). When I first learned about the harmful chemicals that some products contain and read Human <3 Nature's safer alternatives, I immediately threw out my old makeup.

When it comes to products that touches my body, I only choose to use what is safe and organic. Thankfully, I found Human <3 Nature that provides all of these at a very affordable price :)

Day 15

My brother went out to the mall to try out his new Panasonic Lumix G3 camera. He went to the petshop to capture some snapshots of the most adorable chow chow puppy ever! XD

My favorite photo. It looks like its saying "human release me from this cage" XD

awwwwww ishn't it the cutest? :)

the 365 photo project was supposed to be photos that I myself took, but being home- bound, nothing really interesting happens to me D: so I'm gonna let this slide XD

Day 14

*sigh* another day at home. You can't imagine how unbearably bored I must have been that I would decide to take a picture of bananas. Today was the weekly market haul and I didn't expect that my mom would buy so many bananas XD. Bananas are one of my favorite fruits. I didn't like its taste before, but I discovered that it can make you feel full (that really helps me to maintain my weight)Well, I should just make this post more useful by presenting a list of health benefits you can get from bananas :)

1. Bananas regulate the bowel system:
 Are you suffering from constipation? The best solution to constipation is eating a banana a day. This is one of the major health benefits of bananas. Bananas are rich in fiber that helps in regulating the bowel functions.


2. Bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases and blood pressure:
 You might be surprised to hear this health benefit of bananas; yes, bananas reduce the risk of heart diseases as well as lowers blood pressure levels. How? Bananas are rich in potassium, which is very vital for the muscle contraction and proper functioning of the heart and nervous system. Do you know how much of potassium is required a day? It is just 4g and you get this by eating a banana. Isn’t this health benefit of banana amazing?


3. Bananas reduce depression: 
Tryptophan acids are present in bananas and these help in reducing depression and thereby improve your mood. Studies show that bananas are also helpful in reducing stress levels. In this age of stress, this health benefit of banana is truly great.


4. Eat bananas for healthy bones: 
What do you require for healthy bones? One requires calcium for healthy bones, am I right? Probiotic bacteria help in absorbing calcium and increasing the digestive ability. This helpful bacterium is present in bananas. Green bananas are especially helpful in absorbing calcium.


5. Reduce menstrual pains with bananas:
 Do you get menstrual pains? Majority of the women folk take pills to reduce menstrual pains. Rather taking these pain killers eat a banana. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 that helps in regulating blood glucose levels. This helps in balancing your overall mood and hence reduces menstrual pains. I found this health benefit of banana very useful. How about you?


6. Bananas help ulcer patients: 
Another major health benefit of bananas is their capability of fighting intestinal disorders. Eating a raw banana reduces irritation in the stomach and reduces the effect of over acidity.


7. Bananas and anemia:
 Bananas are not only rich in potassium but also rich in iron; therefore, eating a banana increases iron and thereby high hemoglobin. When hemoglobin content is increased, naturally anemic conditions decreases. Forgot those pills for anemia and take a banana. Wow…yet another amazing health benefit of banana.


8. Quit smoking by eating bananas: 
Another amazing health benefit of banana is that it helps people who wish to quit smoking. Smokers have a high level of nicotine; minerals in banana like potassium and magnesium and vitamins B6 and B12 help in reducing nicotine. Smokers, take a note of this and quit smoking by taking bananas.


9. Bananas increase brain power:
 A survey was conducted very recently among 200 students at a school in Middlesex. They were given bananas along with their normal diet for their breakfast, break and lunch. Research proved that potassium in bananas helped to increase their mental alertness and boost brain power. Remember this health benefit of banana and make your child eat a banana everyday to score high in studies.


10. Reduce itching of mosquito bites with bananas: 
What do you normally do when there is an itching or swelling due to mosquito bites? We go in for creams that reduce itching and swelling. Rather using these creams, use banana peels. Rub the itching or swelling area with the inside of banana peels and see for yourself how soon you get relief from mosquito bite itching or swelling.

Well, that should be enough reason for you to go and start munching on a banana :)

(I got this list from http://food-nutrition.knoji.com)

Day 13

Just a test shot I took of my puppy while I was trying to figure out my camera's settings. She looks like she's smiling :) While I kept changing the settings she would play for a while and when I called her back, she would return to her spot and take her pose..hahaha..soo cute :)

Day 12

Just stayed at home most of the day. A photo of an afternoon snack I had (the only remotely interesting thing that happened to me, so sad). Just a simple mix of Caffe D'Vita Mocha Cappucino, some bread and cookies my mom usually bakes. This is the part of summer where it really sucks...I don't get to go out too much (plus summer can make you really broke). But I guess I should enjoy it as much as I can and make my time productive because when school comes, it will be all hectic and crazy and stressful again.

Day 11

I just stayed at home the whole day and because I got bored, I started flipping through pages of the Audrey Hepburn book I bought. This particular picture (right) of her caught my attention because she utterly looked beautiful and her smile looked so sweet. She looks really relaxed and it's pictures like this that I like the most. 

Day 10

We went to the beach yesterday. We've been planning about this getaway for a long time. There were some problems before we left for the beach but we were able to settle it and didn't let it spoil the whole day. I hate myself for forgetting to bring my sd card (AARRGGHH!!!>:l and I had to rely on the camera's internal memory. We didn't get to take pictures of the beach. *sigh* I should really check the memory card slot before leaving :C

Day 9: simple diy

Just a simple bracelet I made. I saw some wires that looked bendable. Then I looked for some old clothes that had descent fabric design. and tadaa! :) But the stitches are kinda messy because I just did them by hand

Day 8: a very special day

Today was my love's birthday. It's the first time we get to spend it together. We've been together for 10 months and I hope it will go on until we are old and wrinkly :) (kinda cheesy, i know xD)

Before meeting him for lunch I was frantically deciding what to wear because we will have dinner later with his family.

The happy birthday card was made of cardboard and the paper from our sky lantern that got wet..hahaha..I didn't want to just throw it away, so I found a way to recycle the paper by twining it.

He couldn't wait to blow out his candles. But actually the cake didn't have candles and he just did this for the pictures. haha :)

This cake was absolutely scrumptious :) It had mango toppings that had a contrasting taste with the butter frosting.

A photo of his family. It was also his parents' wedding anniversary.

Before we went to the restaurant, I came with their family to attend mass. Indeed today was a very special today because I got to spend time with his family and there were a lot of reasons to celebrate. I am really happy and thankful for this day and I just hope more of these opportunities will come along in my life.

day 7: book sale haul

I went to the Booksale store at the mall and I was determined to hunt down DIY and craft books. And I'm absolutely happy with the books I bough t :)

I love this book because it has recipes for sumptuous drinks and dainty craft tutorials :)

I was soo happy I found a Audrey Hepburn book. I was searching for another craft book when I lifted a stack and found this! My lucky day :)

I left the book store infinitely happy and satisfied. But I think I got a bit too excited and ended up impulsively buying all of them. I can't wait to start on the projects and I'll post them soon :) 

Day 5

This violet gunky thingy is actually rice cake covered in ube (yam) jam. (sorry for the unappetizing arrangement XD) It actually tastes good and sweet, like warm ube ice cream or ube halaya (yam jam, a local delicacy)

Day 4

I absolutely love the smell of oranges. It's one of my most favorite scents in the whole world. But what's better than it's refreshing scent is its sweet taste :)

Day 3

A photo of a message he sent me saying he's tired of me being so sensitive and easily hurt. We had a misunderstanding yesterday and I think I pushed his patience too far. But I think this particular quarrel helped me understand that I have to control myself and my emotions.

Day 3

It's day 1 of editing my brother's prenup video. It ended up kind of bad because we had a misunderstanding. I was giving out suggestions for the video but he wouldn't listen to any of it. I gave up and let him do the editing while i quietly just sat beside him.

Day 2

We accomplished an item from our bucket list. I really wanted to jog through the Shrine Hills early morning and feel the cool breeze with the person I love the most :). I'm happy he was so willing to do it. <3

Day 1

While I was using my mac I heard a loud snore. I thought it was coming from my dad but the source of the noise was coming from under the sofa. I peeked under it and found it was my chubby dog Chum- chum snoring!hahaha..he is soo cute. He just woke up in this photo I took of him and he was still stretching and yawning.

365 photo project

My classmate is currently doing the 365 photo project and I think I'll start doing it too. Doing this project will really help boost my picture- taking skills and it would be really nice to have a journal of the things that happened to me in a year.

Here are some tips by Taylor Mcknight who started his own 365 photo project last 2004. I checked his project site here and his photos are really amazing.

TIPS ON HOW TO DO IT

Here are six tips on how to create your own Project 365:

1. Bring Your Camera Everywhere
   Yes, everywhere. Get in the habit. Grocery stores, restaurants, parties, work, and school. Going to a movie theatre? Snap a pic of the flick with your phone–there are photo-ops everywhere. If you have one of those tiny tiny cameras, you have no excuse not to have it in your pocket all the time. And if you don’t? Camera phones are a great substitute.
   
2. Make Posting Easy
   You can install blog software like Movable Type or WordPress on your own site and create an entry for each photo, but for true ease of use, try a photo sharing site. Flickr will let you post a week’s worth of photos in 2 minutes flat, and fotolog and Photoblog.com are geared toward a photo-a-day workflow. Making it fast and easy means you’re much more likely to do it.
   
3. Vary Your Themes
   Try to capture the day’s events in a single photo. Perform photographic experiments. Take a photo of someone new you meet, something you ate for the first time, or something you just learned how to do. Take a photo of something that made you smile. And don’t forget to take a photo of yourself at least once a month so you can remember how you’ve changed, too.
   
4. Tell a Story
   Use your blog entry, or your photo description, to explain what’s going on in each day’s photograph. How good did that dinner taste? What made you want to take a photo of that stranger? It’ll help you remember down the road, and it gives friends following along a better appreciation of why you took the photo you did. You don’t need to write a lot, just enough to add some color.
   
5. Don’t Stop, No Matter What
   This is perhaps the most important tip of all. You will get tired of taking a photo every single day. Some days, you will consider giving up. Don’t. The end result is worth the effort. Remind yourself why you wanted to do it in first place.
   There will be times you’ll think there’s nothing interesting left to take a photo of, and times you’ll think you didn’t do anything exciting enough to take a photo of. There’s always a great photo to be made.
   Get out of the house and take a walk. Or stay inside and look around. Take a photo of something important to you. Take a photo of the inside of your house so you can see how your taste has changed over the years. Take a photo of anything, just don’t stop.
   N.b. It helps if you’ve told your friends about the project and asked them to follow along. Their encouragement will keep you going!
   
6. Post early, post often
   Plan on going through and posting your photos at least once a week so you don’t get backlogged and feel overwhelmed. Ideally, post every day or two. Again, spend the time up front to make sure it’s quick and easy to post. It’ll make all the difference.