Slacking a Bit

It has been a while since I posted something in my blog apart from the regular. I have been very busy with my daughter's final exams the past few weeks, preparing her for the big event. I have been running like crazy lately as well because of my quest to lose weight. Remember I posted about that few months ago? I am keen on having that goal finally ticked on my list!

Bear with me folks as I slack on my blogging duties to fulfill my motherly chores and health goals. I will be active again very shortly once the school is over and it's just around the corner :)

Hair is the Crowning Glory

Remembering Memorial Day

Of Earthly Things

Times are hard and the security of jobs and finances are even harder. I think most of us are affected by this global recession. Sometimes I regret my "seemingly" incurable obsession to shop for no reason. I kept telling myself then that I worked hard for that money I have spent and I deserve a little treat. That line is too cliché now because money does not flow as easy as it used to be. I begin to re-think my priorities and have come to a conclusion that money does not grow on trees nor it will come from the sky. I just have to spend according to my "needs" and not "wants" when most of the time, these wants are just frivolous things to satisfy my whims.

Who ever said "You are rich when you never need more than you have" is absolutely right.

Great Gifts for Him

My husband already received a gift from me for his birthday this month. My daughter and I picked it up amongst the many other choices in the mall. It took us nearly an hour just to decide what to give him and finally settled on an MP4 gadget.

It has been a tradition in our family to present "treats or goodies" whenever there is an occasion. Now that Father's Day is just around the corner, my daughter and I are in our pursuit to find unusual gifts for men. We want the gift to be not just special but also unique in a way that I know my husband will truly like and use.

I have just found the right place to search for the kind of items I have in mind for my husband who is a practical man and loves anything functional. With the limited time I have because of personal and professional commitments, I can only peruse the web for great ideas and do my online shopping. Men's Gifts is a one-stop-shop for birthday gifts and other wonderful items you may want to give to your precious better-half or male friends or to your male family members.

The site is teeming with so many gift ideas that I am having a ball! They offer various items from affordable gifts to the luxurious ones. There are gift baskets as well so you can just put all the items you want in one presentable gift basket with various themes.

I like the way the site offers multitude of choices with themes so I can weigh my choices better and what ever will suit the preference of the receiver. With Men's Gifts, I am not limited to just giving my husband a gift for his birthday because they cater to other occasions too like anniversaries, Father's Day, even that well deserved "promotion" gift or just about anything. The site also offers free engraving on orders on personalized gifts and free ground shipping on orders above $25. Not only that they give you these excellent offers, they also provide customer service assistance should you need some advice on what to give by calling their toll-free number.

After going through their numerous gift ideas, I have already narrowed my choice to at least 2 items which I am not telling. It's supposed to be a secret. Oh, just a hint, it is about travel... So, next time you need some great ideas and don't know where to start or what to look for, just check out www.mens-gifts.com and you will be surprised with the variety of great gift ideas you can find.

Health Nut - On Almonds

An ounce of almonds contains 160 calories, only a gram of saturated fat and no cholesterol. So instead of grabbing a bag of chips loaded with trans fats, sugar and salt, just munch on these healthy nuts.

Window and Door Safety

My best friend who now resides in Florida has had her share of ferocious typhoons passing Florida since she moved there. She used to live in a small apartment where the windows were not as safe as she would describe them. She has seen water seeping through the old windows and what was worse was the absence of Florida shutters to further protect them from any untoward incident when the inclement weather would not calm. Since they were renting out the place for some time already, they just decided to have their own home built according to their preference and one that would meet their high standard on quality and safety.

One company that caught their rigid screening was Ocean View Windows and Doors. This company has variety of products and services to offer. The products range from impact windows, custom glass etching, retraceable screens and remote controlled ones, interior doors, door and window casements, hurricane shutters florida, and store-front windows. Not only that they carry high quality products which all meet the strict building code of Florida, they also have services to offer for both residential and commercial properties. The list of their services offered is appealing to home-builders and those who are planning to have some home improvements or renovations without compromising safety and quality. This company values their clients and provides excellent customer service, installation, and sales and marketing with great professionalism.

My best friend and her husband are quite impressed with the portfolio of Ocean View Windows and Doors. You rarely get the chance to come across a company with high quality products to offer with par excellence service.

Happy Mother's Day 2009

All mother's deserve a pat on the back for the great things you have done. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms out there. Give yourselves a break... you deserve one.

Grab a new Myspace 2.0 Layout

Hard to Choose but Easy to Find Popular Baby Names

Like many expectant moms, I eagerly anticipated the day of my daughter’s arrival. Though I had always had an idea of baby names that I liked, I wanted my daughter’s name to be uniquely hers, to be insightful regarding her life or her birth or the thoughts and feelings surrounding her entrance into the world. I bought a couple of baby name books but it was difficult to know how to find baby girl names that I liked that had meanings I wanted for my daughter. In fact, my little girl was several days old before she actually had her name. I wish I’d have known about Baby Names World at Parentsconnect.com. Simple to use, this one tab alone offers a variety of ways to search for and locate the perfect name.

You can begin a search for all names with a specific definition by listing one or more key words and the search engine all but hands you back a list of names, with their exact meanings and origins. Or if you prefer, you can simply search all boy names or girl names, taking note of which ones you particularly like. In alphabetical order, this search is particularly handy for families that choose to name all their children using the same first letter. Another handy search option is origin. If you are a tenth generation Italian, for example, you may take great pride in wanting to choose a name that originated in Italy. Best of all, this site gives you the ability to find names that meet multiple criterion using the advanced feature.

Whatever method you utilize in narrowing your name choices, you definitely won’t find any book or website that is quicker or easier to use, nor one that provides you with the wealth of name choices along with the many options for finding that perfect name for your child. Whether you want to choose from the most popular baby names or you prefer something unique and different, it’s all conveniently located at Parentsconnect.com. Amazingly, that’s just one tab under the pregnancy stage. This website brings together a wealth of information, tips, advice and interactive message boards to cover every stage of child’s life, from baby to toddler, and preschooler through teens along with games, recipes and family fun tips for parents and grandparents alike.

Recommended Blood Glucose Numbers

What are the Right Numbers?

Depending on where you look, recommended blood glucose levels can vary. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) numbers differ from the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) guidelines. The ACE recommendations are more strict than the ADA's. How do you know which to follow? Ask your healthcare provider which goals are right for you. The table below compares the two sets of guidelines for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

How many times a day should you check your blood glucose levels?

Checking your blood glucose levels often through out the day will help you to figure out how to keep good control. First thing in the morning before breakfast, two hours after a meal and before bed are good times to test. Other recommended times include before, during and after an exercise session, especially if it is strenuous or if you are feeling like your blood sugar may be low or high.

What is the A1C?

It's a blood test that helps you and your doctor monitor your overall glucose control.

It gives an average of the amount of glucose in your blood over a few months' time. It is usually ordered 2 to 4 times a year. If you are newly diagnosed or having trouble maintaining good day-to-day control, it may be ordered more often.

Sources:

"Checking Your Blood Glucose." American Diabetes Association. ADA. 15 Dec 2006

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology, "The AACE System of Intensive Diabetes Self-Management - 2002 Update." The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Endocrine Practice Vol. 8. 2002.

For more information visit: Optimum Diabetics

Dancing Water Fountains

There is something about these dancing water fountains which leave me enthralled. I love the way the water moves with the rhythm of the music and the lights give a dramatic expression on what the water display is depicting. Its choreography is like a whimsical fantasy. I just don't get tired watching the beautiful dance in the form of water.

I haven't seen many dancing fountains in my life yet. Probably just 2, the famous dancing water fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas and recently, the one here in Dubai - at the Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar behind the world's tallest building - Burj Dubai.

Bellagio's famous dancing fountains are widely known but Dubai won't allow to be rated 2nd fiddle. So, whoever orchestrated the construction of this massive dancing water is a genius. The water shoots up really, really high compared to the one in Bellagio. The water forms various shapes depicting the Arab life like the famous Deira Clock Tower. It is fantastic although I must say that Bellagio's dancing fountains may have been the epitomy of what dancing fountains should be around the world. Well, this is my opinion. Like I said, I haven't seen much yet and I will make sure that I will see more.

Viva Las Vegas!

The long, arduous drive to Las Vegas, Nevada was too much for our tushies. Hahahaha. I feel bad for our cousin who drove from San Diego all the way to Vegas without getting any help from any of us. We could pitch in for him but ever gracious that he is, he took charge without bothering us. It was roughly 6 hours drive because we had to stop for food at Barstow.

The weather in Las Vegas was great. They said it gets very humid and hot there too during summer but we were lucky enough to enjoy our vacation with the cold weather of winter's past.

We passed by snow capped mountains which left us in awe. They were beautiful sights to behold! I have never seen anything like that before. Wow!

We arrived in Las Vegas around 3:00 p.m. and was just in time for our check in at Excalibur Hotel. The hotel was so huge with several towers for accommodation. We were billeted at Tower 1 and was not overlooking the main strip.

The hotel is located in the beginning of the strip and has connection to the Las Vegas Monorail. We drove around during the afternoon to enjoy the view during the day. At night, we set out on foot to watch the famous dancing fountains at Bellagio Hotel and to see the famous strip at night. The lights around us were truly captivating!

I played the slot just once on the last day of our stay there. Well, I did not win because if I had, I wouldn't be back here...hahaha. My darling won around $170 on the tables. Lucky him! Instant pocket money eh....

Hope you'll have fun watching the slides in the fabulous Las Vegas!

Happy Birthday to my Darling!

Hi Pa,

Just want to greet you a very Happy Birthday! I pray for good health, peace, prosperity and a lot of happiness to come your way.

Grab a Graphic from pYzam.com

Resveratrol and Weight Loss

Resveratrol Antioxidants and Weight Loss: A Good Pairing?The golden rule in weight loss is pretty simple: take in fewer calories than you expend in exercise. However, as any dieter will tell you, it’s far from easy. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss supplements, exercise programs and other diet aids—and still we can’t seem to win the battle of the bulge—even when we get desperate enough to try risky surgery or fad diets.Recently a new product has come to light that may help people trying to lose weight stay on the healthy end of the spectrum: Resveratrol Select, which is unlike many diet supplements in that it uses a combination of natural and herbal ingredients designed to help the body stay healthy while losing weight.How? By mimicking certain aspects of the Mediterranean diet.Studies have shown that part of America’s war with weight lies in the uniquely modern American combination of stressful lifestyle and fast-food consumption, and that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle seem to be more conducive to healthier weight levels and longevity. In fact, much as been made on the news in recent months of the purported “French Paradox,” (how the French eat a high-fat diet, enjoy rich desserts, drink wine and still have better cardiovascular health than the rest of us). One of the biggest differences between the American and French diet seems to be the wine consumption, and red wine (a staple on most Mediterranean tables) contains one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, resveratrol, which is a key ingredient in Resveratrol Select.In addition to wine, resveratrol is also found in grape skins, blueberries, cranberries and other plants, and recent animal and in vitro studies indicate that it can have a positive effect on helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, supporting insulin health and optimizing metabolic and immune pathways that protect cells and improve mitochondrial function. * And one capsule of Resveratrol Select includes as much resveratrol as 200 glasses of wine—without the added calories that alcohol can add to the waistline.But consuming resveratrol alone isn’t enough to help with weight loss—so the manufacturers of Resveratrol Select also added a different type of antioxidant, Green Tea Extract (EGCG), which could make a big difference. Over time, green tea consumption helps increase metabolism, burn fat and reduce fat storage due to its caffeine and L-theanin content, which can be pivotal in helping to maintain energy for exercise. *Resveratrol Select combines these two powerful antioxidants with yet another energy boosting ingredient, Chromium, a niacin-based mineral that plays an important role in how the body uses insulin to burn sugars, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.*Although relatively new to the market, Resveratrol Select seems to be making a big splash, and many people are taking advantage of the free trial offer to see how well the product works for them. The trial offer also includes two bonus tools to help with weight loss: an e-book with over 70 weight loss tips, and a weight loss visualization audio.Of course, consuming fewer calories while burning more is the most efficient form of weight loss, and it’s always a good idea to inform your doctor before taking a weight loss supplement, but this new combination herbal supplement is worth a look for those concerned about maintaining good health while losing weight. For more information on Resveratrol Select’s free trial offer and bonus materials, visit Resveratrol.

For more information visit: Resveratrol Select

Balboa Park and San Isidro

Here are more snaps taken in San Diego as we went around the San Diego Natural History Museum and the adjacent Balboa Park. But before that, we went shopping at the outlet mall in San Isidro which is near the Tijuana, Mexico border. I couldn't resist the calling of those "sale" signs posted on my favorite brands' shops. Wow, I don't mind living in this place!

We watched the Body Works exhibit which is very gross but educational at the same time. The exhibit features real cadavers explaining the human anatomy in full, graphic details. I do recommend this to those who are into science and anatomy. My daughter didn't even feel uneasy but rather, she found the whole exhibit informative.

Balboa Park is home to numerous museums, social events, performing arts venues, botanical gardens and the San Diego Zoo which is nearby. The park itself is free but the other attractions have their specific fees.

Enjoy the slides!

Twitting Celebrities

I don't know if that's for real or they just ask their PAs to tweet for them. Nevertheless, I love Twitter!

In a Flash

People talked so much about the Pacquiao -Hatton fight since Pacman (as Pacquiao is often referred to) defeated De La Joya last December 2008. The fight came yesterday and with suspense looming, we gasped in excitement and disbelief that the much-awaited fight ended in a flash. It was so quick I didn't get to warm my seat enough!

Pacman gave it to Hatton on the 2nd round and the latter dropped after getting the left hook from the little man of the Philippines.

Wow! I wouldn't get in the way of Pacman for sure!!! Congratulations Manny Pacquiao! You make us all proud!

(Photo from: Will Hart/HBO.com )

Spring with New Hope

Winter posed itself longer than usual this year. We did not experience heavy rains on March but this year was different. Spring has taken a back seat for a while and now it has sprung!

I welcome the entry of this wonderful season called Spring. Although here in the hot climate of the Middle East, we are not privileged enough to enjoy Spring season in its full scale. We don't see enough verdant greens and natural blossoms of beautiful spring plants. Most of the plants here are artificially cultivated because they won't survive the harsh summer months.

Spring brings new hope after a gloomy season. It beacons new life. With all the problems the world is facing right now, the "seeming" pandemic around us because of the H1N1 virus, the dissent of other countries, the oppression of the poor, the compromising of peace talks, the global recession and the increasing number of poverty, we could only pray and hope that Spring brings a bright future as it enters the changing of the season.

Health Nut - Walnuts

Walnuts are one of the super foods. Walnuts are rich in fibre and this fibre stimulates the production of bile which draws out unwanted cholesterol in the liver. Walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids which are vital in the making of the positive type of cholesterol. This positive cholesterol aids in breaking down the bad cholesterol in our system.

Three oz. of walnuts a day can lessen the bad cholesterol. However, people with normal cholesterol level can take only as much as a handful the day before they plan to have a rich meal. Reason for that is because the fibre helps prevent the saturated fat from turning into unwanted cholesterol.

Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego

Here are more snaps of the beautiful San Diego. This time it is in Cabrillo National Park Monument in San Diego, CA.

Just a little trivia, this monument is a tribute to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration on the coastline of California which is now known as the West Coast of the United States of America.

We went to the park's museums on Cabrillo's early voyage and discoveries. We also went to check out the small military radio room near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a quaint little, white cottage with a lighthouse beacon. It is located on the park's peak point, 422 feet above sea level. It is no longer in service due to the weather flaw - fog and low clouds which obscured the light.

There were small squirrels running around but I managed to capture one. I saw beautiful birds I haven't seen before. There was one particular bird which looked like a blue robin and I had to include "him" (I feel the bird is a "him" for some reason...) in the slide. We even saw a hawk snagging a small, helpless (and very cute too...) squirrel. I wanted to throw stone on the bird but I might end up in jail. We could not do anything but let "nature takes its course."

The vast ocean and the view of the San Diego Bay is simply breath-taking. It was windy and chilly but no weather could dampen our excitement! Enjoy the slide show and watch out for our Viva Las Vegas trip pics soon...