Kris Aquino Launches 'The Greatest Love' Album on ASAP

Yesterday I and hubby were just at the house, taking it easy, he was at the computer while i was watching my favorite TFC channel. Kris Aquino was one of the guest at ASAP program and she was launching "The Greatest Album" her tribute to her Mom former President Cory Aquino who is suffering from colon cancer. The proceed of this she said is for the charity of her Mom. I really admire her mother for her courage. I remember when she was campaining for her Presidency we were there supporting her. From campaign 'til she seats as President. For those who do not know Kris Aquino's Mom, she is the First Filipina President of the Philippines. I will post here a video clip for the readers. Enjoy watching....

HUMBA

The weather is cold, and the sky here in my place is gloomy. Seems it will rain. I know it is already fall- this weather is just like December in the Philippines. When it is cold you will feel lazy to go out and you will just love the comfort of your bedroom. I remember that i and other members of our family would stay at home and we gather at our small living room watching tv, singing in with our karaoke, playing scrabble, poker, chess, sungka and my mother would cook the food for us. Back home my father used to cook our favorite dish "HUMBA" this is a pork with lots of fats. I really love this dish especially if the meat is so tender, wow, i could eat much mixing the fats with hot rice, "uummm sarap". When i get out of the table huh, i could not walk anymore belly being full, then my brods and sis would tease me, you walk like a buddha he he he....NOW since i am not working yet i looked at my recipe book which i brought from my country, i'll try to cooking this dish for my Italian hubby. I just hope that he will appreciate our Filipino food although he eats our favorite rice noodles "pancit". While we know that Italians are more into pasta i'll let him taste it. wooosshhh, i'll just imagine he will like it too...I like their food too but i miss my native dish. I will share with you my recipe:
ingredients :
1 k. pork liempo with fats cut into big cubes
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 head garlic, crushed
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 tbsp. brown sugar or
5 pcs. bay leaf
1 tsp. black pepper, crushed
salt

procedure:
1. In a pot put a little banana leaves or if you don’t have pot just in a thick sauce pan put all ingredients add enough water to cover meat and bring to a boil.
2. Set heat to medium low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is tender.
3. Remove all scum that rises, add more water if necessary.
4. When pork skin turns to gelatine like texture. Add the peanuts.
5.Taste if saltiness and sweetness are even, set heat to low and continue to simmer until all the liquid has evaporated and pork start to have fat.
6. Now cook the pork on its own fat until brown on low heat . Add a little oil stir occasionally to avoid burning the bottom. If the meat is already tender take it off from fire. Serve hot….

Enjoy……

Leche Flan

Ingredients:
1 can (390g) evaporated milk
1 can (390g) condensed milk
10 egg yolks
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or lemon essence
For the caramel:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
Cooking Instructions:
In a saucepan, mix the sugar & water. Bring to a boil for a few minutes until the sugar caramelize.
Pour the caramelized sugar into aluminum moulds - you can use any shape: oval, round or square. Spread the caramel on the bottom of the moulds.
Mix well the evaporated milk, condensed milk, egg yolks and vanilla by hand or blender.
Gently pour the mixture on top of the caramel on the aluminum moulds. Fill the moulds to about 1 to 1 1/4 inch thick.
Cover moulds individually with aluminum foil.
Steam for about 20 minutes OR
Bake for about 45 minutes. Before baking the Leche Flan, place the moulds on a larger baking pan half filled with very hot water. Pre-heat oven to about 370 degrees before baking.
Let cool then refrigerate.
To serve: run a thin knife around the edges of the mould to loosen the Leche Flan. Place a platter on top of the mould and quickly turn upside down to position the golden brown caramel on top.
Cooking Tips:
You can tell when the Leche Flan is cooked by inserting a clean toothpick -if it comes out clean, it is cooked.

Christmas Countdown in the Philippines and how they celebrate the occassion

Christmas is the most awaited season in Philippines. It is the happiest time for the Filipinos. We had Christmas parties & family reunions. Exchanging gifts and food galor. Christmas Bonuses given by the employers. Isn’t that exciting!

As soon as September 1 hits the calendar, we call it the start of “ber months” meaning September to December. Philippines, is known to have the longest celebration of Christmas. Malls and department stores started dressing their place outside or even inside in the hall you will see Santas and tall Christmas trees with lights and other christmas decor. If you are at the mall you will never get sad looking those sights and you will sigh ah... Christmas is here again.
Inside the mall they have the booths full of items they sell, such as different Christmas decors , Christmas lights, Christmas trees of different sizes, wrappers, Christmas songs in cd’s and tape or even gifts items.
Homes are decorated too.Santa's dancing, deers and they put lights in it too. Some houses have Christmas lights in and out or sometimes in their trees in the gardens. In the evening when they light it up, wow.
And the church were adorned too with lights, lantern and they highlight the Holy family being the symbol of our catholic faith.
In the streets and radio stations will hear Christmas Carols being played.
People are making Christmas list and some has already started shopping for bargains in Tiangge’s, Divisoria and other Christmas Bazaars.

For Filipinos in the US, or in other parts of the world not only they send money the also start shopping and sending balikbayan boxes to families back in the Philippines. This has become a major part of our lifestyle. Those who have children, parents or siblings left in the Philippines send boxes regularly, either on a monthly or quarterly basis. But, at Christmas time, many FilAms double their usual padala, adding special gifts and holiday treats to the usual staple items. The top 15 items that Pinoys usually send back home are: 1) Spam, 2) Hereford Corned Beef, 3) Centrum Multi-vitamins, 4) Chocolates (top on everyone’s list: Hershey’s, Kisses, Ferrero Rocher, M&Ms, Nestle Crunch, Cadbury & Toblerone), 5. Bath soaps (Dove, Ivory, & Irish Spring are the preferred brands), 6. Shampoo & Conditioner (Pantene, followed by Head & Shoulders, Neutrogena, & Kirkland ), 7) Colgate toothpaste, 8) Coffee (Folgers,Taster’s Choice and Maxwell are favorite brands) and hot chocolate drinks (Swiss Miss and Nestle), 9) Quaker Oatmeal and Breakfast Cereals (Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes and Choco Puffs), 10. Cookies (Famous Amos, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy), and Chips (Pringles, Doritos and Nachos), 11) T shirts, 12.Towels, 13) Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret products, 14) Rubber Shoes (Nike is the preferred brand), and 15) Sugar Other items such colognes, pants, flip-flops, sandals,shoes, bags, wallets, and magazines. We make it sure that there is a gift for everyone in the family –sa lahat ng pamangkin, pinsan, katulong etc.,” “For us we feel better if we could share and it’s not really just the gift that our family treasure, it’s the thought that think that you remembered them and took the time to shop and send Christmas gifts to them. That’s what it really counts.” Balikbayan boxes are not just filled with goods, they’re filled with love, affection and devotion.


The weather has started to feel a little cooler. Days are becoming shorter and nights are getting longer. Sometimes you don’t want to get up from bed because of its cool weather.December 16, children will start singing Christmas carols in front houses, in the cars, or even in the streets when the jeepneys and buses stop. When they are finished singing, people will give them some coins and sometimes they receive bills from generous people.
Simbang gabi as we call it or evening mass (9 days novena in commemoration with Child Jesus birth) is held at the church from December 16 to 24. Outside the church or along the streets you will see people selling “Puto Bumbong & Bibingka".
And at midnight December 24 after the church it is the tradition of the Filipino family to gather in their living room open their gifts, saying Merry Christmas to each other, calling friends to greet Merry Christmas and hug each other then go to the table, together they would pray for thanksgiving and eat or share whatever food they prepare for the occasion. In the morning children are excited to visit their God parents, kiss the hands and greet Merry Christmas and get their gifts either money or in kind. There are stories that Philippines celebrate their Christmas merrily not like in other countries. Writing this, make me feel homesick, on the verge of tears as i miss happy memories when i was there; since this is my first Christmas away from my family in the Philippines. To the Filipino they really value the family being together on this season even though they suffer financial crisis for as long as they are intact and the members are around they are happy sharing what they have. For me being away from them i have to keep strong for i know this is my new life together with my husband i would just pray that i would be with my sons sooner.

Autumn or Fall

Summer is out and yesterday was the official start of the Fall Season here in United States.
It is the period between summer and winter season in which the transition of warm
weather to cold took place. According to the stories it is in this season, that tourists and locals travel to the United States just to witness the spectacular display of this nature’s beauty and
since this is my first time here i the US I would like to witness it myself.

Simple Message from the Priest Moments Corner

Sorry friends I was not able to post a blog for quite a long time . Got sick and have to rest for a while. And while I am laying on the couch I turn on the TV, while searching the channels I happen to open the TFC channel. And I happen to watch Father Jerry Orbos message at his moment portion. His message was this whoever you are and wherever you are if you are watching this channel my wish for you this Christmas is maraming pera(more money) Magandang pangangatawan( good health)and sana buhay ka pa(hope that you are still alive). It was a simple message but I was touch. You know why as he explained it ; you are working too hard that you sometimes neglect your health that you forgot the quality of life that you had. Yep, he is right sometimes when we work too hard we forget to eat and lack sleep that cause us to have poor health and what do we expect with our short life and because of this we regret in the end that we did not have time for ourself and before we know it, it’s too late, the damage had been done….. This is just a reminder for those people that we love and dear to us…..

My Memorable Weekend

I AM HERE


Wow….. Shopping , this is my favorite! Speaking of shopping last Sunday I and my hubby went to Kohls Department store located in Porchester, a place part of New York.. I’ve never been there since I came to US and as part of his weekends treat for me we visited the place to see what I could buy in there for myself.I was fascinated by the items they sell and alas I come to love this cute hat and scarf.


See me modeling it and let my hubby take the picture which he did.
HHHmmm,,, this is just a secret I modeled it to show my hubby so he would approved if I ask him to buy me one. And true enough he approved it he he he. . Not a good pose though, my husband seems in a hurry....
Then we went to the flea market where i buy this one
at a Filipino stall, the owner was a Filipina from Zambales. I forgot her name as it is just a quick introduction. At least i was able to practice my tagalog language he he he. When we feel hungry we stop by this place which was located in Mamaroneck, NY, place is good and look at me i am so thirsty that my eyes are big when my hubby take this shot, My God...after drinking i was relieved that i pose like this feeling cute(kuno). When i get hold of the camera i snap a shot of my husband there he was.... this is my way of thanking him for being a good host for me he he he.....What a good weekend for me...

For My Special Friend

Lindy Manatad is my good friend in my high school days. I must say we lose contact after we graduated from high school and she decided to pursue college in Manila. Alas, after 25 years i receive a text from her inviting me to attend the alumni meeting of which this year our batch was the host. After that meeting we always call or text and started going out again like those days that we used to, and that's before i left Philippines. Teacher Lindy as i always call her is a good, sweet and caring friend. I remember our high school days wherein we hang around at their house cooking ginatan and saba and eating along with bagoong alamang. Those were simple things that we do but we are contented and happy. For my teacher Lindy, keep up the good work teaching special children. I salute you for being patient with those kids.... Here is a simple but cute message for you. Hope you would like to read and appreciate what i post in my blog. Love and miss you my friend.

Remember 9/11

September 11, 2008. Seven years later, families continue to heal from the loss of their loved ones. Seven years later, this country continues to defend from those who wish to cause harm. Seven years later, a nation comes together to remember all who fell and all who continue to fight for its freedom.
In honor of the lives lost that on horrific day, we pause, remember and pray. Wherever you happen to be as you read this, take a moment to lift up in prayer all those are affected by these tragic events. Write your prayer on our Prayer Wall to respect the memories of those gone. Light a Candle in their honor.

Seven years later, let us all remember to never forget.

Light a Candle Prayer Wall



This e-mail forwarded to me. And i thank cotnev and jcarr for this. Gosh i almost forget the day.Anyways, i was indeed moved by this tragic events seven years ago when i hear it in the news. The live coverage in that day is still fresh in my mind. The screams and the cries. Even if i was not there when this happened my sympathy goes to the families that suffer and lost their loved ones. Losing love ones is not easy to cope up especially if its tragic like this. I know the pain but what can we do. Let's just try moving up and put them in our prayers, for we know someday we will be united with them in the midst of our Almighty. I just hope the lives that was lost will not be in vain and that we must remember that they die for a cause. My only wish is to have a better world to live free of hatred, envy and chaos. A world fill with love and harmony..

Quote from a Friend

As i was opening my e-mails today, i happen to read this religious message from a friend i meet at Philippine National Red Cross. Her name was Mae. We were both enrolled at the training center as a requisite for her going to Canada and me as a caregiver. In our 10 days of training we become close friends and after our graduation she immediately got her certificate as that time she is scheduled to fly to Canada for a job waiting for her. From then on i did not hear from her but before that we exchange our e-mail addresses and she promised that she will sent me an email once she get there and settle herself. Three years passed and no words from her until one day she invite me to her friendster and i add her. From then on she sends me e-mails and this is just one of her message in one of her emails, picture with quotes, she did not write anything but just this. I know she wants to convey that she is always there when i need a friend. Thank you Mai for for this wonderful quotes. I posted it here in my blog for you to see and read one day. I know God is good. My wish for you is; May the Lord always keep you is His care, bless you with wisdom and and more success for i know it is your dream. The only thing that i ask is; May you never forget where you come from and keep your feet always at the ground. I love you my friend.

MyNiceSpace.com
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A Date to Remember

Today, 9th day of the month is a very special day for me and my hubby. This marks on the day that we meet online. After chats, sending emails, cards and phone conversations we decided to meet in person. After the meeting we were able to establish love then he started working on my papers and when i got the visa, i flew to USA to be with my love. This is also the date that we decided to seal our love with a matrimony that would bind us as husband and wife. Since then, we decided to celebrate this monthly. Although everyday is a special day for us. But 9th day of the month is the special one for us. Now i am happy again to celebrate the occasion with him. When i open my email this is the what he sent me, a card with the dedication that touches me and make me teary-eyed(tissue please--He he he).

Sweetheart, Happy Fifth Month Wedding Anniversary. I am so very happy to have you in my life and thank God for bringing us together. For whatever amount of time He grants us together, I will do my best to be a Loving Husband to you.
Love, Hugs & Many Kisses.


I am happy with things like this and as i said in my profile that i am a person that is easy to please. I appreciate simple things no matter how small it is as long as there's effort on it. And this means a lot to me being remembered on occasions like this by the loved ones close to me. Material things is not a big deal to me. What i want is the memories that i will always remember and the happiness that money cannot buy. To my dear hubby my reply is this, Thank God for bringing you to me. No matter how many turns, twists and bumps that we face the road that we are passing , i would be happy to be part of this journey, because with you i could see the excitement, the care and the love that we have for each other.I love you. Happy Monthsary!

Info about Epilepsy

Epilepsy is described as any disorder marked by excessive discharge of neurons in the brain, which can lead to a seizure. A seizure may result in disturbances in motor activity, such as jerking movements, behaviorial changes, and loss of consciousness, awareness, or sensation. Not all seizures are diagnosed as epilepsy. An isolated seizure may be caused by a high fever or trauma to the head. The seizures seen in epilepsy are rarely associated with an outside stimulus. When a person experiences a seizure more than once, a thorough workup, including a brain scan and EEG, is done to determine the cause and to confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy. Correcting the cause of the seizure is often an effective treatment. For example, if a brain tumor is causing seizures, the tumor can be removed by surgery. Although there is no cure for epilepsy, drugs can keep seizures under control. There are more than 20 antiepileptic drugs (also known as anticonvulsants) on the market today. Each drug has a specific use and its own set of side effects. The challenge is to find the right drug or combination of drugs and the right dose that can control the seizures without producing side effects. With effective treatment, epileptic patients can lead normal, seizure-free lives.

Symptoms of epilepsy vary widely, depending on the type of seizure that occurs. Before some seizures, a patient may experience an aura, a feeling or sense that a seizure is about to occur. After a seizure, the patient may be in a deep sleep, have a headache, feel confused, or have muscle soreness.

Early Diagnosis Is Important

Epilepsy affects about 2.5 million people in the United States. Each year, 125,000 new cases are diagnosed. About one-third of these cases develop in children under age 18. A single seizure is not considered to be epilepsy; there are many reasons a seizure can occur in a normal brain. A seizure may be triggered by lack of oxygen, very low blood sugar, drugs, infection, very high fever, or trauma to the head. If a seizure recurs, a diagnosis of epilepsy is made and testing will be done to find a cause for the abnormal brain activity.

Testing: Tests for a cause of seizures include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain, an electroencephalograph (EEG), and blood tests. A complete patient history is taken to document the symptoms before, during and after the seizure, and to help determine a possible cause. When a cause for the seizures (such as a tumor) is found and there is a way to treat this condition, the epilepsy is termed symptomatic. If there is no known cause for the seizures, it is called idiopathic epilepsy.

Seizure Types: Symptoms of epilepsy vary widely, depending on the type of seizure that occurs. Before some seizures, a patient may experience an aura (a feeling or sensation) that a seizure is about to occur. Most patients have one type of seizure, but about one-third of patients with epilepsy have two or more types. After experiencing a seizure, the patient may go into a deep sleep, have a headache, feel confused, or have muscle soreness. Partial seizures occur in one part of the brain, and may result in a change in consciousness. Generalized seizures occur in many parts of the brain, often resulting in a loss of consciousness.

Types of Seizures: Generalized Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal) seizure is characterized by a sudden cry and stiffening of the body, muscle jerks, and irregular breathing that lasts a few minutes. A patient having an Absence (Petit Mal) seizure may have a blank stare, with eye blinking and mouth chewing movements; it lasts a few seconds. Simple Partial or Partial Sensory (Jacksonian) seizure begins with jerking in fingers and toes and may spread to the arms and entire body. There is no complete loss of consciousness. Complex Partial or Psychomotor (Temporal Lobe) seizure patients have a blank stare, begin chewing, and seem dazed or confused; this state lasts a few minutes. In Atonic seizures a patient drops to the ground and loses consciousness for about a minute. Myoclonic seizure patients have muscle jerks in all or part of the body. Infantile spasms are quick, sudden movements in a child under 3 years; arms and head lean forward. The spasms last a few seconds but are repeated many times a day.

Treatment: Hundreds of different epilepsy syndromes are often described by the part of the brain where they start (for example, frontal lobe epilepsy) and their symptoms (absence epilepsy, psychomotor epilepsy). Once the specific diagnosis is made, a treatment plan can help control future seizures. Medication controls seizures in about 80% of patients. It is important to begin treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made, since epilepsy is more difficult to treat once seizures have become established. In two-thirds of patients whose seizures are well controlled, epilepsy medications can be discontinued after 2 to 5 years. Seizure medication should never be stopped without a doctor's permission, since sudden withdrawal can result in life-threatening seizures.

If I had One Life to Live Over

If I Had My Life to Live Over (I Would Pick More Daisies) with L - Click here for funny video clips

by Erma Bombeck
The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck
after she found out she had a fatal disease.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.


Erma Bombeck is a writer.Some of her write-ups are inspirational and interesting. She made us face our everyday lives with humor. It seemed to me that she could make even the most dire situations seem better somehow by offering a smile for a small reprieve. Even the titles of her books crack me up,"A Marriage Made in Heaven, Too Old for an Affair." were the few books that i read authored by her. Those are old books but it captured my interest to read. Some of her lines was used by different speakers and used by some writers too or even used for punch lines in some engagement pieces. This one was made into song and the lyrics wrote by the author. Ms. Bombeck i salute your braveness, this is a tribute to you, may your soul rest in peace, and i know wherever you are, you are happy looking at us reading your contributions, your masterpiece and the talent that you unselfishly share with us. This song was sent to me by a friend. Actually it was form of a card that was sent thru an ecard site. Hearing this i was inspired to post at my blog. I search for the song and found it at meta cafe, embed it and post it here. This was an old song but i think the lyrics serves as an inspiration for those who read when they seem losing hope and seeking inner peace.

Whattt???? SAturday!!!!

Its Saturday, i am at the house as usual family day. I and hubby can't go out as we used to do on Sat because of the weather forecast TROPICAL STORM HANNA. At 11 am a new friend of mine, called up telling me that she already bought and brought my request from the Philippines and that she will also gave me a "pasalubong" a dried fish called danggit a Filipino favorite. Before the rain come, i go there walking as her house is just two blocks from my house. We had a short conversation as to how was their vacation. She said she and her family enjoyed it and i was happy for her. Her name is Delia, she came from Bogo, Cebu. I meet her in the church, it was the first mass that i attended since i arrive here in the US last March. She was married and was here for 17 years already. Her husband is Italian same race as my hubby and they have 2 kids. I was happy to meet her at least i had another friend at add to the tons friends i left in the Philippines. Being with her is another adventure, i said this because she knows how to drive and we can roam around whenever she is not busy although i had another friend too who shows me places whenever she is off at work.

At 5 pm as expected the rain comes but i am praying that it is just rain and not a storm as forecasted. It seems silent at our apartment. Everybody is busy inside their house maybe or they are watching tv too like us, he he he. I feel sleepy so I decided to watch the TFC channel while my hubby was busy on the computer. I was hooked up by the drama portion when someone called up and my hubby says hello then handed the phone to me GEEEEEE!!!! the man on the line was my officemate in the Philippines. We talk for the first time since he left Philippines, he was added to my friendster and it was in there that he learned that i was here just near him. This former officemate of mine as i fondly called him Gene, is now working in here and he is connected at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. We had a great conversation too. And before he said goodbye he told me that he and his wife would visit me soon. Hay!!! i was super happy to hear from him. HHHmmnn, even if the weather is not good at least my day was happy one having my loving husband around and friends who did not forget to call me even in their busy day....

Memory in a matter or Minutes

5 simple things you can do in less than 5 minutes to boost your brain power and become the most memory-able mom on the block.


1. Play the Phone. Has your cell phone got game? The games most commonly found on our phones, PDAs or pods are terrific for giving the brain a real workout, as they require focus as well as quick and flexible thinking. Studies have shown that targeted training in areas of speed and reasoning significantly improve performance on tests of memory and intellectual function. So take five minutes and play the phone! Do it on your daily commute, do it when you’re waiting at the doctor’s office, do it whenever. And if you can’t find a game on your phone, ask your kids – they will.


2. Breathe deep. Stressed to the max? Take 20 deep belly breaths. When we feel frazzled, we are less able to focus and concentrate. Stress also causes us to release hormones such as cortisol that may interfere with learning and retention. So take five and relax.


3. Take Notes. Take those 5 minutes and write down all those things you have to remember and are afraid you will forget. Writing things down gets you to pay attention to them, gives you an opportunity to rehearse them (“oh right – gotta send that email!”), and gives you a tool to make them easier to track. Getting organized in this way can also be a stress buster, since it reduces that niggling sensation that there’s something you’ve forgotten.


4. Jump some Jacks. Feeling fuzzy and out of focus? Do 5 minutes’ worth of jumping jacks or running in place. Kids playing Wii while you’re fixing dinner? Jump in for a five minute round. Aerobic exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Sure, the 5 minute workout won’t give you the full brain benefits of a regular exercise routine, but squeezing a workout in wherever you can is a winning plan. You’re likely to feel more alert and on top of your game as a result.


5. Get a hug. Why? Social and emotional connections matter to our memories. Research has shown that being socially engaged is associated with a reduced risk of dementia later in life. In addition, we know that being socially and emotionally connected may reduce our risk for emotional distress, such as depression. Besides, everyone deserves a hug!

Chicken Chow Mein

(In China, Chow Mein is made with soft noodles. For crispy
Chow Mein noodles, add more oil than the recipe calls for and
cook the noodles longer to dry them out. You can substitute
shrimp or pork for the chicken)


Ingredients:
1 pound chicken meat (or pork or shrimp)
1 cup celery
1 pound bok choy or broccoli
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 pound dry won ton noodles
1 pound bean sprouts or snow pea pods
1 medium onion, sliced
1 green onion, diced along the diagonal
1 carrot, sliced (optional)
1 red pepper, sliced (optional)

Seasonings for Chicken:
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 - 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
salt, pepper to taste
1 small piece (less than 1 teaspoon) of cornstarch

Gravy:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 cup water
Salt, accent (if desired) and pepper to taste

Directions:

Pre-preparation: Wash the bean sprouts to give them more time
to drain.

Preparation: Boil noodles in salted boiling water until they
are soft, but not sticky. (Break the noodles in half if desired
so they are easier to manage). Blanch the noodles in cold water
and drain.*

Cut the chicken into thin strips. Add seasoning ingredients to
chicken, adding cornstarch last. Marinate chicken in
seasonings for 10 - 15 minutes.

While chicken is marinating, prepare vegetables. Cut the
bok choy diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices, slice mushrooms.
If substituting broccoli for bok choy, peel the stalks until
no more strings come out, and slice thinly on the diagonal.

Heat the frying pan on high, add 2 tablespoons of oil and fry
the noodles in small portions until they are golden. Use
chopsticks to separate the noodles as they are frying. Remove
the noodles. Add more oil and add the meat and onion to the
pan. Stir-fry until the meat has no redness. Remove from wok
or pan.

Cook the rest of the vegetables separately, adding a bit of
salt if desired to taste. (With the bean sprouts and bok choy
add a bit of sugar as well if desired). If desired, add about
1/4 cup of water and cover pan while cooking bok choy, as it
doesn't contain much moisture.

Give the gravy a quick restir. Add all the ingredients back
into the wok, making a "well" in the middle if the wok for the
gravy. Mix well. Add green onions at this point if desired,
or save them for a garnish. Pour the mixture on top of the
noodles. Garnish the chow mein with sesame seeds. Serve hot.

*If using fresh noodles, still boil them in hot water as this
removes some of the starch and makes stir-frying easier.

Coffee Drinkers Might Live Longer

For women, especially, the brew could boost heart health, study finds

By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) - Good news for coffee lovers: Drinking up to six cups a day of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee daily won't shorten your life span, a new study shows.

In fact, coffee might even help the heart, especially for women, the researchers found.

"Our results suggest that long-term, regular coffee consumption does not increase the risk of death and probably has several beneficial effects on health," said lead researcher Dr. Esther Lopez-Garcia, assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Autonoma University in Madrid, Spain.

Her team published its findings in the June 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Lopez-Garcia stressed that the findings may only hold true only for healthy folk. "People with any disease or condition should ask their doctor about their risk, because caffeine still has an acute effect on short-term increase of blood pressure," she said.

In the study, the Spanish team looked at the relationships between coffee drinking and the risks of dying from heart disease, cancer, or any cause in almost 42,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and more than 84,000 women who had participated in the Nurses' Health Study. At the study start, all participants were free of heart disease and cancer.

The participants completed questionnaires every two to four years, including information about their coffee drinking, other dietary habits, smoking and health conditions. The research team looked at the frequency of death from any cause, death due to heart disease, and death due to cancer among people with different coffee-drinking habits, comparing them to those who didn't drink the brew. They also controlled for other risk factors, including diet, smoking and body size.

The researchers found that women who drank two or three cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 25 percent lower risk of death from heart disease during the follow-up (from 1980 to 2004) than non-drinkers. Women also had an 18 percent lower death risk from a cause other than cancer or heart disease compared with non-coffee drinkers.

For men, drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily was a "wash" -- not associated with either an increased or a decreased risk of death during the follow up, from 1986 to 2004.

The lower death rate was mainly due to a lower risk for heart disease deaths, the researchers found, while no link was discovered for coffee drinking and cancer deaths. The relationship did not seem to be directly related to caffeine, according to the researchers, since those who drank decaf also had a lower death rate than those who didn't drink either kind of coffee.

In the past, studies have come up with mixed results on the health effects of coffee, with some finding coffee increased the risk of death and others not.

More recently, research has found coffee drinking linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, and preventing the development of cardiovascular disease, Lopez-Garcia said.

The strength of her current study, she said, includes the large number of participants and long follow-up period.

While the study is interesting, it does have its shortcomings, said Dr. Peter Galier, an internal medicine specialist, former chief of staff at Santa Monica UCLA and Orthopedic Hospital and associate professor of medicine at the University of California Los Angeles' David Geffen School of Medicine.

Self-reporting is one shortcoming, he said, because people may have under- or over-reported their coffee consumption, for instance.

"I think what this study tells us is not so much that coffee is the answer to everything," he said. But, rather, that some compounds, such as the antioxidants found in coffee, may be healthy.

Galier's advice for consumers: "I would tell them to weigh the subjective risk of their coffee consumption," he said. For instance, "if they love coffee, but it makes them jittery, and they can't sleep, the need to adjust it," he said. "Look at your symptoms," he tells patients. "If decaf is no problem, I wouldn't put a limit on that."

The research was funded by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

source:Women's Health in the News

Palabok Noodles & Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo bihon noodles
1/2 kilo small crabs
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons of atchuete seeds or oil
2 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)
4 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolved in water
1 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate (MSG)
1 1/2 cups of water

Palabok Toppings

Tinapa flakes (smoked fish)
Cooked shrimps, shelled
Squid adobo, sliced into rings
Pork chicharon, grounded
Spring onions, chopped
Hard boiled eggs, shelled, sliced
Fried garlic, minced
Fresh calamansi (lemon), sliced


Instructions:

Extract fat and meat from clean crabs, set aside.

Pound crab and extract juice on 1 1/2 cups of water

On a pan, sauté garlic and onions until golden brown then add crab fat, crab meat, 1 1/2 cups of crab wash, patis and MSG. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add corn starch and continue to simmer while constantly stirring until thick.

Put miki noodles in a strainer and dip in boiling water for 5 minutes or until cooked.

Lay drained noodles on a platter and pour the palabok sauce. Garnish with toppings and serve.