Healthy Diet

Here are 5 food stuff to keep in mind in maintaining a healthy diet and a leaner you:

1. Leafy greens - Medical experts call them one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like our local kangkong and kamote tops, are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of any dark greens a day could also prevent diabeter and high blood pressure.

2. Nuts - almond, walnuts and cashew are highly recommended because they're high in natural fiber which slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay.

3. Onions - scientific studies shows that regular intake of onions reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. The stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.

4. Whole grain - Flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdomenal region.

5. Yogurt - Improve digestion. Pick the one rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

Tuna Spaghetti in olive oil

Yesterday, before going home from work and as always, I called up my husband's office to ask him what he wanted for dinner. Or at least, suggested to him what I wanted for dinner.

What I had in mind was to have fried fish with fresh lumpia as veggie source. Though he liked the idea, he suggested that he'll cook a pasta dish since the basil leaves we bought the weekend before might go to waste if not yet used soon. I instantly agreed on the idea. My husband loves to cook pasta dishes. He not only cooks the pasta from regular commercial recipes instead he improves what he learns from these recipes and create his own dish.

What he did was the Tuna Spaghetti in Olive Oil. Quite a common pasta dish, but I must say, it was such a delicious meal! We had leftovers last night and I had the chance to bring enough to share with my office mates and to my delight, they loved it and even requested that I bring more servings next time. Even my brother who was a solid all meat spaghetti lover loved the dish!

With the praises I hear from friends and housemates, I definitely feel proud of my husband!

Maybe because part of his secret recipe is that it was cooked with his love for us, his family.

Thanks dear!

Belle de Jour Power Planner

Belle de Jour Power Planner was introduced to me by me friend who suggested it to be in my wish list during our barkada's 2008 Christmas exchange gift. Since then I loved having one, the next year, it was the only one in my wish list. Although for this year, I bought my 2010 BDJ Power Planner.

The Belle de Jour Power Planner helps women in balancing her career and personal life. It definitely guides me in my daily time management, my near future events and goals. The tips, be it on beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel and career, are useful and the the discount coupons are really worth some savings!

One speciality I appreciate with the Belle de Jour Power Planner is the advocacy of the people behind the Belle de Jour, making us truly a woman with substance.

Every year the planner improves - I hope for 2011, BDJ will cater IT girls who are also a wife and a mom :)

Cheers to all those behind Belle de Jour!

Badminton

I got to learn to play badminton because of my then-boyfriend-now-husband who was quite a good player and found the game "his kind of a game". I learned to like and love the game since then. We had a regular play schedule with office mates and friends. Badminton became my kind of sport just like my husband. I found it to be my stress-releasing activity. It was a good form of exercise as well, I do shed enough perspiration from a very tiring work in the office.

Until we got married, got pregnant and bore a child and now on the family way with our second child that I realized my last game was more than a year ago. Our son was barely 8 months then he's is turning 3 this March!

Some three weeks ago, my husband started playing badminton again with some of our friends. A couple friends who wanted to enroll in a gym to tone themselves actually gave my husband the idea to play again. He coax them to play badminton instead of going to the gym, which is could be more expensive. Though the couple are still in the decision stage of whether or not to enroll, they were convinced to play and are now joining my husband and some other friends in playing the sport. They're on their 3rd Saturday now.

Badminton is a good form of exercise. There are the 3 stages in an exercise, the warm up, the actual exercise and the cooling down. There are many health benefits in playing the sport. It is a good source of cardio-vascular exercise. It allows you to attain your optimal weight, with the right diet of course. It helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels thus preventing people from having heart attacks. It also helps in preventing osteoporosis regardless of age and sex of the player.

I envy my husband...since I'm on the family way, I cannot play the sport!!! But I do join them on Saturdays, watching them play and allow our son to play his own style of the sport even if he's just 2 years old.

Yesterday, after watching them play, my husband gave me a few hits even while I was sitting on the bench. I can't wait to play badminton again. I made it a vow that once the baby pops out and I'm fit to do some exercises, Badminton will again be my form of exercise.

slightly old school

Last Tuesday, I had my monthly check up with my OB. While waiting for my turn, a lady who was also waiting for the OB showed me her ultrasound result. She was too excited about the whole idea, telling us that she'll be having a girl. Understandably because her last pregnancy was thirteen years ago, ultrasound technology, I guess wasn't as available as it is nowadays.

After a few more conversations, she asked about my pregnancy, when I was expecting the baby? how old I am? if I already had an ultrasound? if this is my firstborn? and more. When she asked me what I was expecting, I told her that me and my husband decided not to know the sex of our coming child as we want it to be a surprise just like our firstborn. Hearing my reply, she seemed to be wondering why we decided that way, it showed in her face, even my husband, on our way home, commented about the lady's reaction to my answer. As if my reply was an absurd one...it was then our turn to wonder how come people react that way whenever we tell them that we want it to be a surprise...

Boy or girl, we love to play with the idea of guessing what our baby would be...even how he/she would look like. We do also love to hear people close to us guess what the baby would be. I even play with the idea of tallying their guesses...

It would not be any hassle on our part, in terms of baby's items, as we prepared white colored clothing and items for our firstborn. The same items can still be used by our coming child. We will just add items once it is very evident whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Come to think of it, during the time when my mother was bearing me, ultrasound wasn't available and yet I came out healthy and my body parts are complete, same with my siblings.

Not that I am not in favor of the technology but some people really depends on it too much. In fact, I do appreciate the existence of ultrasound. As early as 3 months, we'll get to know if the baby's healthy. Otherwise, the OB can do something to adjust the case. On the 5th month, yes we'll get to know the sex of the child. Aside from that, we'll get to see the baby's body part, the fingers and toes, the shape of the face and more. Ultrasound helps us prepare for the coming child. I just hope that those who depends too much on it won't blame the technology once they find out that the baby isn't what they really expected them to be.

Science is good but trusting in the One who gave the child to us and doing what is right during pregnancy, maintaining good healthful habits are the most important things I think pregnant women should do.

Slightly old school, isn't it?

Cake Lover

Cake or Ice Cream...I am a cake person than an ice cream person...though I love ice cream, too!

Lucky for me, there are a few cake shop near where we live so it's easy for me to just drop by any of it whichever my palate prefers.

Quite popular these days are Cakes from Estrel's, located at 54 Scout Tobias corner Scout Limbaga streets, Roces, Quezon City. Cakes from Estrel's bakes the oh so yummy caramel cake...the one the really melts in your mouth. Unlike other stores, you must order a day before as they produce a small quantity of their cakes, a few days more during peak season and for special occasion cakes. Thanks to a friend who introduced Estrel's cake to us some years ago making it my top pick in serving cakes during gatherings and special occasions.

Very near our place is Banapple at Katipunan Ave. I especially love it's banoffee pie - really my all time favorite - quite a healthy treat with some fresh slices of banana in every slice. There are a number of cakes and pastries in their menu which you really have try as well. At Banapple, cakes and pastries are available in slices and at reasonable prices making it more easy for you to dive in your cake craving for the day.

I've tried the also famous Mango Bravo served by Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant - a slice of which can drive you crazy, making you forget your recommended daily calorie intake. After a sumptuous meal from Conti's, a slice of Mango Bravo isn't bad, a healthy dessert one can share with a friend with a slice a bit bigger than the usual.

With a cup of coffee or tea, a sinful yet delightful treat...once in a while though.

:) Happy eating!

Year 2010

2009 is about to end, barely two days to go before we welcome the new year...2010! Based on the Chinese calendar, it'll be the year of the Tiger, which is known for its formal name of Geng Yin.

What are in store for us?

No one can really predict what can happen to us this coming 2010. Most of us are hoping that this coming year will be a better one for all of us. Not so much because of what the horoscope says but whatever happens lies on each one of us, our actions today will bring forth results tomorrow.

Whatever beliefs or faith we hold on to, as long as there's goodness in our deeds, a better future is in store for all of us.

For the coming year 2010, we hope that it'll bring forth peace, harmony, prosperity and love to all.

Thank you to the year 2009 and welcome 2010!