Learning to Cook and Other Things

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

No one is excused from today's financial worries. All over the world people are stressed about practically the same things: roof over the head, food on the table, money to pay the bills, savings for the children's education, hospital care insurance, funds for retirement, etc. Some lucky guys have these all and yet feel there is still something missing. I, for one have constantly complained and questioned, is this all what I got to show out of my life? Is this all there is to it? My children are well on their way to building their own lives, need I worry about them still at this point? Maybe, I should just start worrying about myself. How can I be happy? How do I achieve that certain degree of serenity? And peace? How do I live the remaining years of my life productively? How can I serve as a blessing to others? How good would all that be? But aside from my family what about others? Those who are out there, somewhere? At this very same moment, people are dying from dis

My friends have expressed concern about my weight. They noticed that I seem to be losing weight at a steady pace. I always tell them that it is because I am hypertensive. And not only that, I have been suffering from extreme stress since the start of the year. Last week my business partner suggested that I try malunggay. She told me that she knows someone who instead of getting chemotherapy opted to try the malunggay juice concotion. The guy, who used to have a fist sized malignant tumor is now almost completely healed. His tumor been reduced to just an inch size. This is anecdotal I know. But then again, I thought, what have I got to lose, if I try it too? Malunggay , said to be a miracle plant is an excellent anti-oxidant. It is good for those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cancer and so many other ailments. So, my partner got me a whole bunch of malunggay leaves four days ago. As instructed, I used my kitchen mortar and pestle, which was made of marble. Then I g

It is possible that 30,000 packages of green beans imported from China and sold in Japan maybe contaminated with large concentration of pesticides. Japanese investigative reports said that the beans contained more than 34,000 times the acceptable limits. News reports further revealed that the beans were imported by Nicherei Foods, a Tokyo based company from Yantai Belhai Foodstuff, said to be located in Shandong, China. See the full story here . Meanwhile, in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, frozen octopus balls imported from Shandong , China, may also contain melamine. According to the Health Bureau of Kaohsiung County, 1.1 parts per million of melamine was found in octopus balls. Almost 900 boxes of the food product were already sold in Taichung. See the complete story here . So, when and where are all these going? Or, perhaps this is just the beginning?

Unless I tell you... Yes, I have been tagged by my friend girl for all status . And I think my post title says it all. Here are seven things you would not normally know about me unless, you ask or I confirm. And because this is a food blog, I will relate these things to food or the kitchen: 1. I am an oc when it comes to my kitchen and dining room areas. All my kitchen and dining utensils are in places I have designated them to be and I hate it if anyone will attempt to disrupt that order. 2. I am a spendthrift when it comes to my dining ware. Actually, they will cost a fortune if bought today. 3. What I can not eat at home because it is bad for my health, I eat outside, alone. And I love the binging. 4. I love food ingredients that are made in Italy: olives, balsamic vinegar, cheese, olive oil, wine, pasta, anchovies, sauces, pesto, anything. I also love non-food Italian items like leather goods as in wallets, shoes, belts as well as bags. Anyway, who wouldn't right? 5. My fa

Time and again I have heard and read health and nutrition professionals speak and write about the health benefits provided by fresh fruits. No doubt about that. But, are some fruits better than others? "Fruits are the ripened ovaries or carpels that contain the seeds". That is the botanical definition of a fruit. Accordingly it can be classified as 'simple, aggregate or multiple'. Wow! I didn't realize that it's mere classification is not really that simple. Anyway, some examples of common simple fruits are legumes, nuts, carrots, radish, and beets. There are also those known as fleshy, simple fruits like, tomatoes, avocado, plums, cherries, peaches, apricot, olive, banana, cranberries, apple, and pears. Aggregate or fruits that develop from a flower are raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. On the other hand, examples of multiple fruits or those that come from a cluster of flowers are pineapple, edible fig, mulberry, osage-orange, and breadfru