A Memorable Wedding

One of the most memorable milestones in my life was when I got married. My fiance then was overseas while I planned all the details of a perfect wedding, from wedding invitations to list of menu in the reception. He flew in a week before the wedding while his family arrived just in time for the Despedida de Soltera. My brother and his family also took time off from their busy schedules and flew in to join us. It was a very exciting experience and my sentimental touch was written all over the event. Both our families and close friends were part of the nuptial celebration and also had participation during the reception. It was very intimate. I just enjoy putting together any event, and my wedding was the best one I've done, if I have to say so myself ;-).

Benefits of Vegan Diet to Women

I read of some people converting to vegetarian lifestyle for different reasons. For women who are going through menopausal stage, perhaps considering the vegan diet would be helpful. A diet full of phytoestrogens in soy foods, beans, and flaxseed helps reduce hot flashes and lowers the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. It has been shown also in a lot of studies that women who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a 54% lower risk of stroke than women who do not. And research also has shown that vegan diets with no animal products at all, including milk and eggs, help postmenopausal women lose weight and improve their sensitivity to insulin, which is important for preventing diabetes.

But vegetarians who eat no meat or dairy products need to be certain they get enough vitamin B12, calcium, and iron in their diets. Most breakfast cereals are fortified with adequate amounts of B12, and iron, and soy milk and many brands of orange juice are fortified with calcium. (Source - RD Food Cures)

My Ideal Cruise Vacation

One of the things that drew my hb and I to each other was our love for adventure. We love to spend at least three weeks every summer visiting new places; embracing new cultures and savoring new cuisine. It has always been our dream to go on Caribbean cruise and see the rain forests of Dominica; experience the crystal waters of St. Thomas; immerse in the seaside villages of Barbados; and enjoy the white beaches of Aruba.

A Caribbean cruise is my ideal family getaway as I learned that there are many fun activities in store for every member of the family to enjoy. It is always a challenge to travel with a little toddler and its good to know that there is a Camp Carnival on board where little kids can have their space and enjoy activities like board games; outdoor fun; reading and story time; finger painting; and many more. And another great thing is, they offer great babysitting services on certain hours every night as well, which means hb and I can have some romantic time to ourselves. Of course, we can splash together as a family at the Carnival WaterWorks or enjoy a family movie at the seaside theater.

This is one ideal Caribbean escapade that has always been in the works, and hopefully will push through before the summer is over.

Start Your Day With an Egg

Do you know that an egg has 1 ounce of high-quality protein and 14 essential nutrients such as zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E, and B12? So since eggs have high protein content, it makes sense that they keep you full. And best of all, it contains only 85 calories. Even if you have high cholesterol, experts say you can safely eat 3 or 4 egg yolks per week and all egg whites you want. Dozens of studies have found that it's saturated fat, not cholesterol, that has the greatest effect on blood cholesterol. (Source-RD Food Cures)

What Diet Pills to Consider

There are so many ads on print and tv about diet pills and it can get very confusing to choose the most effective one from the list of top diet pills. So what do you think are the factors to consider in choosing the right diet pills? I saw this website called TopRatedDietPills.com where their editors conducted thorough research of just about every diet pill on the market and came up with written in-depth reviews. On top of that they also asked the opinions and experiences of consumers and experts on particular product. So for anybody who is considering to lose weight using diet pills, here are the five important criteria to consider:

1. Effectiveness (weight loss power)
2. Safety
3. Value (weight loss/dollar spent)
4. Guarantee
5. Marketing Techniques (unrealistic claims)

Just visit TopRatedDietPills.com to see which products made it to the list.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad is a staple at any cookout. Every year I try different potato salad recipe that I find online. And this year, during our 4th of July celebration I tried this very easy and tasty recipe I saw at Food Kraft's website. It complimented my grilled back ribs and chicken bbq very well. It's also my first time to use celery seeds and I must admit it made this dish really refreshing.

POTATO SALAD

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups cubed potatoes, cooked
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/3 cup dill pickle relish

DIRECTIONS
1. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients, mix lightly
3. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

Yield - 8 servings

David's Cookies for All Seasons

If you are running out of ideas of what to give your friends or loved ones on special occasions, visit DavidCookies.com for a wide array of selections of cookies, brownies, cakes, tarts and a lot more. Who can resist oven fresh cookies with loads of heaping chunks of chocolates? Not me! David Liederman is the brains behind these delicious David's Cookies which are made only from the finest, all natural ingredients - pure vanilla, butter, Swiss chocolate and whole nuts.

These delicious David's Cookies became very popular and well-known not only throughout the northeast and across the country, but also became an international franchise with over 250 cookie shops around the world. In 1980's Fairfield Gourmet Foods Corp. purchased David's Cookies and rejuvenated its brands and introduced other high-quality cookies and frozen cookie dough. David's Cookies is now the leading provider of fresh baked cookies on the internet and was voted one of Good Housekeeping Magazine's 10 Best Mail-order Goodies for Giving (or Serving), in December 2007 for their mini-cheesecake selection.

David's decadent cookies are also perfect for corporate gift giving with their cookie gift basket selections; giant message cookies; and other gift ideas. Whatever occasions, holidays or milestones you are celebrating, David's Cookies are truly a brilliant idea to make the celebration complete and exciting. This summer months, enjoy the gift baskets of some of their unique summer collection like Summer Beach Bucket; Pink Summer Bucket; and Lady Bug Bucket at very affordable prices. Enjoy free shipping too on selected items.

The Importance of Water

I love drinking ice cold water to quench my thirst especially on hot summer months. I prefer water over soda, I only drink soda occasionally when I feel like it or when in a party. Here are some useful facts about water that is worth sharing about.

* * * * *

Water makes up 83% of the blood and acts as a transport system, delivering nutrients to the brain and eliminating toxins.

Your brain needs to be fully hydrated so that the circuitry works well and it functions at optimum levels. Water is essential for concentration and mental alertness.

Studies have shown that most people are permanently partially dehydrated. This means that their brain is working considerably below its capacity and potential.

A study by Trevor Brocklebank at Leeds University in the UK discovered that schoolchildren with the best results in class were those who drank up to eight glasses of water a day. (source: Bill Lucas, Power Up Your Mind, 2001)

Therefore, you should drink at least 2 litres of water every day.

Acne Treatment that Combat the Source

I have very oily skin and acne has been my face's greatest nemesis. I can't count anymore how many different kinds of acne treatment products I have tried in the past but nothing seems to work as effectively as I expected them to be. Often times, my face became worse than better. Even now that I'm already in my 40's I still get few irritations and breakouts here and there and it's not at all any fun. I came across yet another acne treatment product online which I heard really work wonder. It's good to try products that have been tried by friends and vouched to be effective. Also, the numerous success stories by people who have tried and were happy with the product just make it more appealing.

ZENMED Derma Cleanse acne treatment system help the oil in the skin balanced therefore getting it back to being healthy and clear again. This product has acne fighting ingredients that combat acne at its source, as well as natural healing ingredients that help sooth the skin. The ZENMED Derma Cleanse system differ from other acne treatment products in the sense that it treats acne from surface and internally. It cleans, heals and sustains healthy skin. In just three easy steps, the system arrests the cause rather than just concealing the symptoms. In my desperate quest to find a product that will really help me get rid of acne, this ZENMED Derma Cleanse system looks promising and is worth a try.

I Love Camcorders

I love making memories. For a doting mom like myself, cameras and camcorders are the greatest inventions ever because I can chronicle special events and milestones of my family especially that of my little son. I capture my son's antics every chance I get and he loves watching himself on videos and slideshows afterwards. When we visit my family in the Philippines in August, I will show them the tons of pictures and videos I took of my son. They've got a lot of catching up to do. I'm sure they would love to see the growing years of my son that they missed.

Food Friday - Happy Family

HAPPY FAMILY

This was one of the dishes we ordered at Lilac Blossom, a fine Chinese cuisine resto where we celebrated Father's Day. This dish is called Happy Family, a surf and turf dish of shrimps, scallops, beef, Chinese and roast pork with succulent vegetables in traditional brown sauce.

Drool over other dishes by visiting here: