Never Dainty

1. Blow your nose often - It is important to clear your nose regularly when colds strike, rather than collect mucus back into your nose. To blow your nose CORRECTLY, press a finger over one of your nostrils and blow gently to clear the other. Hygiene is a must, so go wash your hands after blowing your nose.
2. Rest - In any other case, a good dose of R&R is important. How much more when your body is engaged in an all out immune battle? Show your support for your body and give it a rest.
3. Use a salve under your nose - A dab of metholated salve under your nose can clear your nasal passages and help irritated skin under your nose. In my case, I favor a menthol stick called "Five Cranes." God knows how many times this has saved me from other uncomfortable threats on my health, other than colds. ;)
4. Drink hot liquids - DO NOT be foolish as to drink boiling hot liquids! Now that would make things worse, don't you think? Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion and soothe the uncomfortable inflamed membranes lining your nose and throat.
5. Take a steamy shower - Moisturize your nasal passages and relax yourself by taking a steamy shower. This works for those whose bathrooms come equipped with hot and cold showers. Although I think this would still do if you could boil water and mix it with tap water you've run for your bath.
6. Gargle - Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary, but heavenly, relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times a day.
7. Sleep with an extra pillow under your head - This helps drain your nasal passages. If you find that the angle is uncomfortable or awkward, try placing the pillows under your mattress to create a smoother slope.
8. Apply hot or cold packs around your sinuses - Whichever temperature may relieve you of your discomfort. There are reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore which you can buy. Or you could make your own. To make your own packs, take a damp washcloth and put it in a microwave for 55 seconds (make sure to test the temperature if it suits you). Or take a small bag of frozen peas as a substitute for a cold pack. It is all up to you.

Labels: colds, cure, medicine, remedies, sickness

• 2 kilos potato
• 2 tetra packs Mayo
• 1 can pineapple chunks
• 1 chicken breast
• 2 apples (preferably Fuji apples)
• pepper
• sugar
• salt
• pickled relish
• mustard
• white onion (finely chopped)
• chicken cubes

• Wash the chicken breast and put to boil. When boiling, but garlic, onion, chicken cubes, salt, vetsin (optional), and a dash of pepper.
• Check if chicken breast is already soft or cooked.
• Take the chicken out of the soup to cool. DO NOT THROW AWAY CHICKEN STOCK/BROTH.
• Once chicken is cooled, shed chicken into small strips.

• Peel the potatoes
• Depending on the size of the potatoes, chop until 1/4 of the size of a small potato.
• Cook the potatoes in the chicken broth. [To test if potatoes are already cooked, push a toothpick into one. If it goes right in, then it is ready.]
• Use a colander when removing the potatoes from the broth.

• Mix the chicken strips and potatoes, pineapple chunks [drained], and chopped apples [same size as the potatoes].
• Season to taste using salt, pepper, mustard, pickle relish, mayo, etc.

Labels: cooking, homegrown, how to, potato, recipes, salad, tips, tricks

In this day and age, there is a need to refine the ancient art of street smarts. It is not because we have developed a sudden case of paranoia or some other psychotic trait. But merely a step towards precaution.

For the past few days, there has been an increase of instances where more and more people get robbed on their way to work. These robberies most likely happen to those who work in call centers and other jobs which require job shifts to start at such unholy hours. Since there is nothing that can be done to address the work schedules, it is a must to apply some precautions to help us from suffering the worst in robberies in these situations.

I have come up with some ideas that could make the most out of robberies and when travelling alone. Although these things may not suit you, but at least it would give you some ideas as to which best suits you.

1. Wear comfortable footwear. When commuting, it is always best to wear comfortable shoes. This comes in handy when somebody has snatched your bag or purse. If you think you can do it, you can pursue the culprit better if you can run better. And you can also run for help easier, too! And if you managed to have a firm grip on your bag, the weight of your work-shoes should provide the additional *umph!* if you choose to hit him/her with it.
2. Do not carry a lot of cash. When commuting, or simply going around town, I believe it is best to carry a small amount of cash. At least when somebody tries to grab your bag and gets away with it, you could always call people immediately and just cancel your cards.
3. Hide your cash in your person. After an incident early this week of somebody getting robbed close to my house, my husband suggested that I do not put my money inside my bag. That way, when somebody robs you and asks for your bag, you can hand it over and still have your money safe. I dont know about you, but I have resorted to putting my bills in a small pouch and tucked inside my bra - just when I travel to work at 6 a.m.
4. Leave your cards at home. Leaving your cards at home is a good thing, too. Not only does it help you save money from robbers, but it also helps you save money from your spending! Just bring enough money for your expenses and a little extra for emergencies. Nothing more, nothing less.
5. Have somebody accompany you. There have been many instances of robberies right after payday. Some people have availed of salary loans and when this happens, the credit company keeps the ATM card and they withdraw all your funds for you. When you have your salary in hand, go home directly. Either that, or run straight to the bank and deposit it. Do not go around down with your moolah. Some robbers dont exactly care if you're a millionaire or if you just have a couple of hundreds. If they want it, they want it.
6. Dress normal. Most of the time, anything that glitters catches a robber's attention. If you are not a bodyguard toting socialite, then perhaps you should try to be a fashionista without the UBER bling bling that yells "I'm bloody rich!!" because if you do, I bet you a hundred dollars that you will be eyed on and as quickly as you can say "Snap!" you're either at gun point, knife point, or simply dumbstruck that your earrings are gone without you noticing it.

These are only a couple of my ideas but I would be happy to hear any tricks up your sleeve. :)

Labels: how to, personal safety, street smarts, tips, tricks

I am in the process of reconnecting with my past healthy self. Sure, that old self had loaded herself with meats and chocolate, but somehow, that self had more energy than this one ever had. God knows I need the energy nowadays, so I have submitted myself to some long-put-off exercising and simple dieting.

Losing weight is not exactly the goal I had in mind. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I have accepted the truth about myself, and that my size is indeed my SIZE. Therefore, healthiness is the main goal, and should a few pounds come off, THAT would be an added bonus.

Among the numerous food that I love to devour, I have always had a thing for fruit. As I was growing up, I was never short on fruit. Over the current years, though, it came to a point where there would be months without fruit, and so I have decided to look into that area and choose a lifestyle that would suit me and the fruit. :D

After some research, I stumbled across a website called The Fruit Pages. The idea is simple and not so hard to follow. Plus, I believe I can improvise and set my own pace. The website provides the following as a starter:

1. Consume as much as you can of the 'right nutrition';
2. Avoid as much as you can of the 'wrong nutrition';
3. Exercise moderately; 
4. Be happy with every small change you've been able to make permanently; 
5. Don't make weight loss more complicated as it is.

See? Fairly easy and flexible. The website also provides some information on different kinds of fruit. Something I have found to be very helpful.

For the moment, I have been consuming watermelons, pineapples, and bananas as an everyday treat. The amount of OTHER food has been changed as well, and I have reduced the amount of meat that I consume. Day by day, I am trying to increase the amount of fruit and decrease all other "bad nutrition." Hey! This could work!

Do you have any other ideas of living a healthy life?

Labels: exercise, fruit diet, fruits, healthy living, improvement, nutrition

• blogs allow people to connect with people all over the world
• blogs allow friends of their authors to catch up with the lives which most often miss duty to their busy lifestyles
• blogs are stress relievers where some come to relax and save themselves from impending insanity
• blogs allows others to become people they wish they were
• blogs allow people to voice out their feelings to others

• blogs can sometimes hurt feelings
• blogs often mislead people
• blogs CAN be dishonest (but not all the time)

Labels: blogging, blogs, Brian Gorell, discussion, opinion