She’s an easy to please kid, and when I first asked where her birthday will be held…she’s okay with the idea of spending it here at home with a candle to blow on her “brown”cake. But her dad was at fault for putting ideas on her cute li’l head. He asked if she wants it held at every kid’s favorite place to be, JOLLIBEE! What a rhetorical question! And so, every time you ask her now, she wants it in Jollibee, with Popo as her guest of honor, (That’s the mascot with French fries on his head! And for those who aren’t familiar with Jollibee, that’s the Philippines counter part of McDonald’s) plus her friends around the neighborhood. I would love for her to experience that but I don’t really find it wise to do at this time when everybody’s affected with the global crisis, at the same time remembering last years party at a certain venue we rented for a bigger area, decorated, and arranged to perfection…which was really so tiring. Unfortunately, Anya have a very keen memory of what was said, and I told that to her dad.
But then again, my Anya is the every-moms-wish kind of kid. I told her, what if we just celebrate it together with her dad, go some place she loves and do whatever she wants?! She nods and said okay, and when I suggested the mall and the Amusement Center, she started blabbering which rides she’s going to ride, and what games she’s going to play. When I repeated that we’re going to do it all with her dad, this is what she added, “ opo, pati sila papa at lahat tayo pamilya” (“yeah, and also with grandpa and our whole family” - that includes her grandma, closest uncle and closest aunt; everyone she holds dear to her heart). In fact she even included her Caregiver and playmate, Josi.
She’s so like me…”believes in putting family first!”
I’ve always loved this Christmas song, but the very first time I appreciated this song when I’m not so young anymore, I have this nagging question at the back of my mind every time I hear it, “Why only on Christmas day?”
And until today, I carry this attitude with me…I love gift giving. But it’s not just the gifts. If I can give my time, my knowledge, my love…my anything that I can, I would. And it makes my heart lighter each time. Just as it did yesterday when I was out in the street with friends, giving away God’s words in printed flyers, for the first time. It’s the first time I did this kind of active participation. And though it’s hot outside, though my legs are hurting from walking…I had a lot of fun. Not just for the friendship that made stronger with such activity; not just for the fun of meeting different people, nor seeing different places; but mostly because it’s the Message of God and that it’s the best gift one can give to another: the TRUTH. The way to LIFE!
If you ask me…EVERYTHING IN EXCESS IS NOT GOOD! In so saying, whatever you do, do so in moderation and with utmost care. If caffeine reacts with you in a manner that keeps you almost grasping for breath with palpitations or even just makes you uncomfortable, you can always get anti-oxidants from other sources. If you really love coffee, then have brewed but decaffeinated. If you never were really a drinker, why start now? Do you really have to take two eggs every day of your life? Take into consideration your total cholesterol consumption for the whole day! If you’re not taking any other having cholesterol (meat and dairy products) then go ahead and have your eggs provided that you cook it in vegetable oil.
Again…everything in moderation! You know yourself best but it will not harm you to consult people knowledgeable in that area.
…but then there’s nothing for you to worry about if you have God by your side all the time, if you trust in all His plans for you, and if you put Him in the center of your life.
I DO! If truth be told, in everything I do I almost always consult with Him first. Like before I do my postings, I ask for His guidance to what I am to write that can benefit others in whichever way. Or even before and after leaving the house I thank Him for the chance He’s giving me in this life; for me and my family’s constant safety; for the strength I am given; for the blessings… EVERYTHING! From small things to big things…I offer it all to Him.
Thus, I live my life in peace. I know that for every little movement I am allowed to take there is a purpose. Either it is a blessing, a trial or a reminder from the heavens.
Do you feel lost? Bare? Insignificant? Just as what you do when there is a place you cannot find, a puzzle you cannot solve, or a thought you cannot recall- YOU GO BACK TO WHERE YOU STARTED.
WITH GOD is where we started, our Creator. And living is because of Him, for Him. And so, you cannot find the answers if each and every time you have a raised question you center it upon yourself. What do I want to be? What is my goal in life? One can easily set their minds to these questions but they don't always end up as they planned it.
What is my purpose in life? This is one question many stops dead in their track. Some may guess, but most end up saying, "I don't really know". Then again, nobody better can tell an invention's purpose that its inventor. And it this instance, it is God who can answer us. And just like all inventors, He created a manual to guide us. The Bible. Everything is in there. His revelations how to live this life...all about life and our purpose in living.
I see a lot of people nowadays, that have little concern to those factors that might lead to a heart problem. Remember that it is better to be on PREVENTION THAN CURE! Because the moment you have it, there will be no turning back. You have to bear with all the medications, the adjustments you have to go through and, in connection, will be the cost this entails.
And so be thankful if:
1. You are female. Because the male species are genetically more at risk than female.
2. Your lineage does not have a history of a heart problem. I’m sure you will agree that this is one inheritance nobody wants to inherit.
3. You are not belonging to the at risk age of 40 and above.
If so, you must then:
1. Avoid smoking. Consult any cardiologist and that’s the very first thing they will ask you to
4. Minimize drinking to occasionally. NOT EVERYDAY IS AN OCCASION PLEASE! And be
5. Rest. The right amount of sleep is also necessary. Even the time of the day that one
Now, it is not as hard as you think, right? Whenever you feel that it is…just think as to how you will suffer if you have a heart disease. You will be taking pill after pill, there will be
total restrictions to scrumptious food instead of minimizing, too strenuous fun activities you will have to forego, the need to have more funds for the cost of medicines and possible hospitalizations, having to ensure more that you are prepared to meet your Maker anytime…well, we really have to be prepared all the time any way. The thing is…why suffer when you can prevent it with just some teeny bit of changes? Who agrees?Small but frequent feeding is the key. Your metabolism or the burning of energy will be like a machine that will continuously burn the calories. Three meals and two snacks that are low in fat and sugar will be best. Calories from carbohydrates is important since your body needs it for energy, but use complex carbohydrates. Complex are the ones that have to be broken still before it becomes sugar, like bread, cereals, oats and the like. Thus, simple sugars like sweets, ice creams, candies are not a good choice. Protein also are needed for muscle building, but choose the healthy ones, fish and chicken more than red meat (which is to be taken 1-2x a week). Fat can be used in minimal amount. Use good fat, those that does not come from animals and dairy products which are saturated fats. These saturated fats are the culprit to raising bad cholesterol and lowering good cholesterol. We don’t want to JUST lose weight, right? Our health must be the main reason for wanting to achieve desirable body weight next to the more vain ones=).
Further more, remember that we have to have the proper diet and exercise to achieve satisfactory results both benefitting health and appearance. And before all this, we should confer with our doctors for possible contraindications to our present health status. Seek their advice on consulting a dietitian and a fitness instructor who is more knowledgeable on this area.
Blood pressure’s rising with all the daily stress, heart problem a history in the family,…such and other factors visible to my parents makes me more watchful in their dietary intake. Being the one preparing meals mostly, I strive to provide them with healthy ones…BUT palatable as well.
We cannot just force someone to partake of something they are not used to. I am not the type to “demand” for a patient to accept what I want…I try to lead them to it.
And so, I also apply these knowledge to my love ones. One of those meals I served is this Chicken Steak. Thinking about it, it is a salty meal since one cannot make a steak without soy sauce, but you can lessen it and bring out other flavors that may replace the saltiness. Like in this instance, more of the Calamansi flavor and the tangy taste of onions than the salt.
TRY IT! You might love it as well=) Here’s what I did:
Ingredients:
4pcs. Chicken legs (about 900 grams)
1Tbsp + 2tsp. Soy sauce
¾ cup Water
1/8 cup Calamansi squeeze
2 Tbsp Cornstarch (dissolve in 2Tbsp of the 3/4c water)
2 pcs Onion rings
Dash Pepper to taste
Procedure:
Marinate chicken in Soy sauce, calamansi squeeze, pepper.
Cook onions a little to bring out flavor. Set aside.
Stir fry chicken setting aside marinate until half done.
Then add marinate and water. Let simmer.
Pour in the cornstarch diluents. Stir a little.
Top the cooked onions.
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