Avocado and Egg, Omega-3 packed meals for a healthy heart.

Have a heart healthy breakfast with the fruits in season. Avocado and Egg are a power couple for a healthy diet and I have found several recipes online such as :

http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Baked-Eggs-Avocado-Recipe-30787252

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-ferriss/eggocado_b_3328506.html

Eat your Eggs and Avocado and have a wonderful day!

Garlic Spanish Sardines pasta

Hi Y'all

I would like to share this super easy recipe that definitely beats out Lucky Me Pancit Canton for a meal.

This is for one person only or at least I do it for myself :)

2 fillets of Spanish Sardines in Olive oil

3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

2 Small Tomatoes/Kamatis whatever!

Your one person serving of spaghetti or lenguine - whatever is available.

Salt and Pepper to season or if you really want a flavor bomb then use Magi Magic Sarap.

1 tsp of oil

1 Raw Egg yolk

 1. Cook pasta as stated in the instructions, I guess for a one person meal it should be ready in less than 10 minutes.

2. In a hot pan, put 1 tsp of oil and sautee garlic and tomatoes.

3. Add flaked spanish sardines.

4. Once the pasta is Al Dente, drain and place on the sautee pan.

5. Mix it all together  and put it your favourite pasta bowl!

6. Add a raw egg yolk, the heat of the pasta would be able cook it enough but makes this dish really yummy!

ENJOY!

Precious tea time with The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Earl Grey fresh leaf tea.

I admit I am not much of a tea fanatic like my sister but with my first taste of Earl Grey Martini I just had to have that flavor everyday.

Thank goodness I found a box of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's version of Earl Grey tea for 2 boxes that have 18 pcs inside at 195 pesos only! The day before I saw a Twinnings box with 25 sachets inside for 243 pesos, my sister said it tastes better just by 1 notch.

It tastes really good with its bright citrus taste and aroma that is like sunshine on my taste buds! :)

Individual pack

 18 sachets

Oh and by the way doesn't this tea set look so pretty?

 Black tea or any tea actually has some content of caffeine, best to drink while studying!

Much Love,
<3

Fiber rich coffee mix!

Hey lovelies,

I would like to share my own experience about my love affair with coffee. Even when I was doing rounds in the hospital day and night for a few years, I never asked the aid of coffee to keep me going since I was on my feet and since our Clinical instructor would not permit us to sit down for the duration of our shift. I only started to drink that magical juice when I was working nights as a Billing analyst at a BPO company. They gave out free coffee and I really enjoyed that it kept me awake and up all throughout my shift. I did not know though that this stuff is really addicting and the withdrawals are hell. I experienced the coffee withdrawals during weekends when I blamed sleeping in for my headaches and crankiness in the afternoon, but lo and behold when I drank a cup all that pain magically dissipated and all are rainbows and unicorns again. Fast forward to a few years and it was not really going well, I decided to quit cold turkey and replace it with Yerba Mate which I blogged about a few back, I still miss the aroma and taste of coffee and I have curbed the addiction by keeping myself hydrated and making my coffee heaps healthier now with my own recipe!

4 Tbsp of Raw Oat meal

2 Tbsp of powdered milk or your own protein powder

1/2 Tbsp of washed sugar

1 tsp of Coffee

 Place all together in a blender with half a glass of icy cold water -- add some more if you like.

Then enjoy!

This is really a great way to make coffee as it has raw oatmeal that I osterize making it a bit of an oatie kind of drink but you can just gulp all that fiber up and makes for a healthy digestive system!

Always stay hydrated and keep those happy thoughts coming, there is nothing more important to keep healthy but the mind! -- and that is coming from somebody who had worked at an asylum.

Much love,
<3

My new Canon EOS 100D :)

Oh what a happy day this is when I get to have my first own DSLR. I do not mean to brag and I know a lot of people have their own DSLRs but I am just so happy that I am able to "upgrade" from my camera phone. :)

SM appliance center has a promo that gave discounts and free stuff!

Ok, so I got the Canon 110D that had the original price of 33,000 php but the discount they gave for those who will pay with credit cards gets a discount lowering the price to around 28k payable in installments 3,6 or 12 months. If you pay using cash, then the price would be around 26k. The Canon 100D is in their Rebel line and I guess Canons' lightest DSLR yet. 

I initially searched google "I have a DSLR, now what" and it gave me really good links to sites that offer good advice. It said to let go of the Auto feature as much as possible use Manual to take my photos, I still have A LOT of learning to do and I personally advise to got to Alison.com where you can take free online courses ( which I am currently taking ), and they include a Digital Photography class published by Harvard extension school!

Much love,
<3

March 1 2015 vlog: One Direction Make up?!?!?!

Oh yea lovelies, I just saw the darn-est thing at the SM Mall of Asia Department store - Beauty department.

TADA!

Sorry if you are a 1D fan, I am just not. I think Harry Styles is cute tho!
The smaller kits are for 670+  available is SM department stores and Watsons.

Much Love,

<3

First Impressions : Belo Intensive whitening : Body cream

Hi  lovelies!

I am going to write about a new product I saw in Watsons last night :)

Its the Belo Intensive whitening body cream that has Kojic acid + Tranexamic Acid with SPF 30!

"A luxurious moisture-rich body cream with the powerful combination of Kojic  Acid and Tranexamic Acid that intensively whitens skin, SPF 30 futher protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays."


Here are some pictures:

First Impression :

1. Sleek squeeze bottle.
2. Price is 199 php.
3. Smell is ok, its not strong but not as nice as the pink one but again smell is very subjective.
4. Not as moisturizing since it really does not say that it does but its NOT greasy!

I shall use this everyday at least 2x a day like on the directions, will concentrate more on my knees since they are dark. I don't use whitening creams, lotions or soaps so I will blog about it again after a few days to let you know!

Much Love,

<3

She works from her house, what??

Yes, I am one of those people who "work from home" and yes, I earn a lot and YES I love it!

I started this wonderful journey January 2014. A few months from the New Year were the holidays, (The Philippines is notorious for celebrating Christmas starting September). HOLIDAYS = Expenses. What the heck was I thinking dropping my job after the holidays when all the credit card bills are due?  Its because I needed my MIND more that MONEY. Don't get me  wrong, the people were awesome and the work was ok, the pay was err...not that ok, BUT I am no quitter, I always find the silver lining ( which I realize now one of my weaknesses) and stayed in that job for around 4 years. I was losing my mind because of the workload and the money was for paying bills etc. I am very minimalist so I really did not care for fancy stuff or expensive labels but something just was not right and I had to quit. The hardest part was the transition from working in an office to working from home, you see, I have a family that I am responsible for and I can't risk not having an income, but I realized that the best is yet to come with all the hard work I have been doing.

The "Transition"

I passed my resignation to my lovely boss H. and I told her my reasons, she understood perfectly. I loved my superiors from all my jobs (foreign and local), I am proud to say I had a good relationship with each and everyone of them, but a bump on the road made itself visible when the company's policy was to have me render 30 days then hold my last cut off until I 45 business days after my last day of work. I resigned in December, last day was January, and the pay for the work I rendered was released May after practically being harassed by the HR giving me every excuse on earth on why it cannot be released at this time.

The "WTF"

WTF was I thinking dropping this job during the Holidays? Again, I am a minimalist but I am not a penny pinch-er, I wear my clothes till they fall apart but I buy premium quality stuff that lasts a lifetime. When it comes to my family I have no holds barred especially eating out in gourmet restaurants, buffets etc. I had to charge stuff in my credit card and save my cash for emergencies after the New Year, when I said bye bye to my office job. I practically did not spend anything since I am too proud to ask from my husband for some money. If I wanted to drink soda, I'd just think to myself that it would make me fat. If I wanted a burrito delivered to my house, I just thought it would give me gas. I did not feed the ID and let my Ego, Super Ego talk to me and to actually listen. I learned that this is not going to be a cake-walk and I better work my butt off to get accepted to the gazilion work from home jobs I applied to.

The "My mom saved me again"

I love my mother, not just because she is my mother, not just because she agreed to let me buy a high end computer on her credit card, not just because she refused to give in to my childish demands so I can learn on my own. She actually thought it was absurd to let go of my job that I had for a long time for working at home. My mother is very traditional, she has that Japanese work ethic where she has stayed loyal to her company for being the HR big boss  for 20 years, works 6 days a week. She has moved up the ladder and I admire her for that. I admire her yes, but I don't have that Japanese work ethic influence nor want to work 6 days a week. She even told me to go back to work after 2 weeks after I had my son because that is what she did! I mean come on MOM, its a 2 month maternity leave. ANYWAY, being the stubborn eldest daughter she still supported me and that is why I love her more and what I take away from this chapter of my life.

The "Boom"

Yes! I barely enjoyed my 2 weeks off from the last day of office work worrying about the internet connection and started my first training as a VA. I did my research in the months I was rendering days from my previous job, to have the competitive edge I had to have the best equipment,

-- My 5 mbps wired DSL connection  ( This is the high end standard here in the Philippines, Fiber connection is not available in our subdivision.)

-- My Super high tech TOSHIBA Satellite machine :) too bad the pink one was taken, so I got the blue one.

-- My delightfully pink Logitech h150 Headset with Noise - cancelling mic.

I was trained with fellow work from home newbies, and I was a hit with the clients.

I felt so happy not driving around to work and get to spend my extra time with the family.

I am so happy working from home. :)

xoxo

<3

Deep Nude lips with Ever Bilena Lip liner in Cappuccino and Maybelline Watershine Pure in B23!

Hi lovelies!

One thing to keep me in "work" mode is wearing make up, working from home has its' temptations and one of them is to look sloppy and some just work in their pajamas. I have nothing against wearing comfortable clothes to work and I am guilty of doing it in the first few months of working from home, but I found it really uplifting when I get ready even when I would spend all 8 hours in front of my computer. Even more when there people who would come over at a surprise and the last thing I want them is to see me in my jammies without underwear, messy hair and whatever.

Beware though, having a full face of make up is great and all and you can actually practice your technique this way but when you are working from home you actually have the advantage of taking are of your skin and letting it breathe making it better and healthier than most of the population. So for today on my lips I am wearing a deep nude lip color with the help of Ever Bilena lip liner in Cappuccino and Maybelline watershine pure in B23.

Last week I picked up Ever Bilena Lip liner in Cappuccino for 100 php (around $2), I forgot how much the Maybelline was but its less than 200 php.

I would buy this again, it goes on real smooth but it does not crumble. It dries a bit matte to satiny, if you can see the picture where I had it on half of my lips, the coverage is awesome and it does not dry out or stretch my lips to reveal the fine lines. 

This has been my HG since forever but it does not last long, that is why I decided to put a liner underneath to make it last and oh my goodness they are a match made in heaven!

Ever Bilena Lip liner in Cappuccino

Pros:

1. Affordable

2. Last long

3. Does not smudge

4. Does not bleed and transfer to the outside of my lips.

5. Does not crumble when sharpened.

6. No chemical scent, no scent at all!

Cons:

Nothing really, but you need a sharpener in your kit as opposed to automatic liners. 

Maybelline Watershine Pure in B23

Pros:

1. Very creamy and glossy, has some coverage plus give me just right glossy lips.

2. No shimmer or glitter- which I like.

3. No chemical scent, no scent at all!

Con:

1. Does not last very long, that is why you should use with the lip liner or stain underneath.

'til next time!

Much Love,

<3

Yerba Mate : My Super energy elixir

Hi guys!

I wanted to share with you my experience with Yerba Mate. I came across this wonder tea from a good friend who was into Reiki and I guess, the most Vegan person I know. He ordered his stock from The Healthy Grocery but it did not include Yerba Mate, still all the healthy super food pictures he posted sparked my interest. Working the night shift for my US clients, I always had to be alert and awake. He recommended Mate since I had to curb my caffeine and sugar addiction.

My Stash

I got Raw Chlorella, Yerba Mate and Raw Maca X.

Ordering online was a breeze, I paid using Paypal and I got it in 2 days.

It came with a small guide too.

** sorry for the blurry text, it got auto enhanced by google+**

I am going to write most about Yerba Mate since its what I have used the most.

Taste

I first took half a teaspoon for a small mug of hot water, and it tasted BITTER ( I guess you can say it tastes refreshingly bitter? Since I did not mind drinking it alone with hot water). I then experimented on other mixtures with Yerba Mate, since it came in powder form, I did not need to steep tea leaves etc and can just mix it into my Honey-Lemon concentrate. My favorite way to drink it is cold, mixed with the Honey-Lemon concentrate. Its like my Lemonade Energy drink. 

Effect

Its written that Yerba Mate is very strong, and it is! The recommended first take is half a teaspoon in one cup. It gave me this feeling of euphoria and energy. For a night shift VA, its very hard to keep your self alert since biologically we are supposed to sleep at night, more difficult when you work from home and everybody is sleeping and its all quiet. Yerba Mate gave me this surge of energy that never slumped or crashed like coffee. I gradually increased my er.. dose of Yerba Mate since I wanted to drink it cold with with ice and all in my 700 ml bottle.

It gave me this good feeling (like sunshine or something) that you get when you go out and work, as in out in the sun. I have read a lot about taking too much Yerba Mate and it giving you a mild psychedelic trip (Am I a hippie or what!?) or some psychoactive boost, which I did quite a bit experienced when I put one and a half teaspoon on a teacup of hot water and drank it in one gulp. I think its like when you drink too much coffee but with out the pulsing and palpitation. There is a buzz definitely and my head was spinning! but none of that caffeine induced scary heart pounding.

For the after effects, I only drank one cup of the stuff when working or half of the bottle then if I had to do things after work, which is the morning for everybody else, then I take the rest. I never had problems sleeping, and since there was no nervousness and just the all good euphoric buzz it gave, my mood was really great and its perfect for those morning brunches with the family (midnight snack in my case haha) where you had to converse and play with the kids.

I recommend Yerba Mate to those who are addicted to coffee and sugar, it definitely took the edge off and helped me to get rid of my dependence on the stuff. I was not dependent on Yerba Mate, no headache or withdrawal symptoms. It would be a hard substitute if its the taste of coffee you like, since I know the aroma and smooth taste is has is delightfully addicting too. But I really like the euphoria and buzz Yerba Mate gave (but don't take too much!)

xoxo

<3

First Impression : Essence eyeliner pen - extra long lasting

Hello lovelies,

I just got the Essence eyeliner pen that is extra long lasting, there is another one that is water proof but it a little more expensive. Mine was for 209 php so that is around $4 at SM department store in SM aura. The sales lady said this Essence brand is German and has been around for some time, I only watched reviews for this product AFTER I bought it as it was a completely random shopping trip.

I found the size of the pen ok, not chubby and you can mistake it for a regular pencil.

The website also says that its Japanese ink.

As you can see, the pen can be used with different widths as the felt tip is thin enough for barely there applications and thick enough for dramatic eyes.

I wrote some on paper so you can see how the ink does not burst and how the color pay off is.

On my skin it dries up almost instantly and it does not smudge.

After a day of wearing this eyeliner on my eye and on my hand, I has stood the test of not smudging and what I like about it is the longer its on your skin the harder it is to rub off.

The color pay off is great, not as dark as gel liners but its really precise for the perfect cat eye and it does not smell of bad chemicals like some liquid liners I have tried.

Pros:

1. Slim pencil design.

2. Price is affordable.

3. Smudge proof.

4. The longer its on the skin the harder it it to rub off.

5. No scent and not sticky.

6. Dries almost immediately.

7. Stays put and does not flake!

Cons:

1. Not as dark as a gel liner but after a few lines its dark enough.






So that is all for my Essence eyeliner pen review, its great for girls who are starting out in make up and for the price, its a great find!

Much Love,
<3