Learning to Cook and Other Things

My apologies to my blogger friends, and everyone who took the effort and take the time to pass by. Our laptop conked out just after Christmas. Only after my son re-installed the OS that things have started to become better. And that was yesterday. Some of the posts in my other blogs you may see, have been blogger scheduled according to the days they all happened but posted just about this morning. Another topic, I am saddened with google's "gift" for the new year. It was totally unexpected, and just when this laptop seems to be coming through, I find my page rank decimated totally: from 2 to N/A :-( Beat the crap out of me please. I truly will never understand. My first instinct was to stop blogging, but then again my partner says, why and what for? Who cares about PR? I do! (hurrrr, sob) Enough said. What I really and had been hoping to do since December 31, 2008 was to greet everyone : A Very Prosperous and Happy New Year!!! May all the impending gloom of 20

It's always been a simple but hearty Christmas dinner that we prepare. There's my partner's classic buko fruit salad, 'excelent' ham, queso de bola, and my pasta, (fettucinne, tagliattelli, spaghetti or fusilliere). More than the food, it is really that once a year get together that matters. Christmas won't be Christmas without all the children, the family, also the 'soon to be family' :-) and friends. I wish all of you have your own families to share the joy of Christ's love or whom ever you call HIM to be. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ! CHEERS!

Health issues or whatever, I will always enjoy preparing and delecting pasta. If budget allows, true Italian ingredients will be superb. Otherwise, whatever is available, can do. Just don't skip the extra virgin olive oil and the durum wheat for the pasta. If I were a pasta, blogthings says I am: You Are Pasta Primavera Compared to most people, you are very active and health conscious. You take care of yourself and try to live the best life possible. You are an open minded and experimental person. You are always looking for ways to improve yourself. Your tastes tend to be ultra modern. You know of trends before anyone else has spotted them. What Pasta Dish Are You? Yes, I am a health nut, who wouldn't be under my circumstances? Yes, I try to take care of myself. I can be open-minded at times. YES! I have a knack for predicting trends.

Myles, my step son's fiancee recently gifted us with Godiva chocolates. I take special mention because chocolates from Belgium are renowned for their premium quality taste. Not only is the taste exquisite but presentation as well is superb. Godivas come in beautiful gift baskets or gold ballotin, dark chocolate or milk chocolate boxes - indicating the types of chocolate flavor indulged in. See more of Godiva here .

Instead of: 1. Pride try Humility 2. Anger why not Forgiveness 3. Overindulgence consider Moderation 4. Dissatisfaction have Contentment 5. Deceit for a change practice Honesty 6. Worry have Faith 7. Conflict resolve to have Harmony 8. Irresponsibility try Diligence Life is short. Forgive. Expect Less. Give more.

Back in my old corporate days, my head aches especially during this time of the holiday season. The reason? I always wanted to make a difference as far as making my corporate clients happy. But you know what, the task undoubtedly, lightens when you give gifts of food such as cakes or pastries. And specifically specially, gourmet holiday cookies . It never fails. Today, as I face another year of handing out corporate holiday gifts for my business clients, the occasion will be much easier. Because I will give gifts that will surely delight, cheer and most of all prove healthy - coooookies. With coffee, milk or my favorite fruit juice drink, cookies provide a certain feeling of comfort or familiarity, yet sophisticated enough to be enjoyed and relished during breakfast, tea or children's parties. In fact, people all over the world have savored the freshness cookies bring ever since people learned how to bake. Oh, and did forget to mention, I myself would love to receive them as g

I have long realized that what ever I am doing right now to help complete my healing process is not enough. So, today I vow to never forget these two important things: 1. I must increase the production of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins in my body. Serotonin is a a chemical that the brain manufactures that leads to a calming effect. It creates a sense of satisfaction and well-being, something everyone would want to enjoy. Endorphins, on the other hand "decrease pain, reduce stress, cause mood stability and a sense of happiness and joy"; while dopamine "increase vitality, concentration and alertness". In order to increase my body's natural production of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, I MUST exercise, ideally for about 30 to 40 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. Weight bearing exercises and strength training are two of the most effective ways of physical activities that would be good for me. I should never forget that exercise will keep me "fit, t