Beat The Holiday Shopping Rush

It will be December in 2 days and are you ready for the Christmas shopping? The economy is still volatile but it does not mean we have to spend a fortune to put little tokens under the tree for your love ones.

I intend to do my Christmas shopping soon. There are so many discounts in the malls right now and this is the right time to avail of the offers. Are you ready for the holiday rush?

Here are some tips to note to help you beat the holiday rush.

Make a list.
Allocate a a budget and strictly stick to it.
Do not buy over-the-top gifts unless there is a need to. Simple gifts and even less costly ones are better because it comes from the heart.
Check out flea markets for some unique finds, haggle!
Take the buy-one, take-one offer. It's really helpful because you hit two birds with one stone and some establishments allow you to pick the second product from a different category.
Shop in the morning to beat the traffic and hustle and bustle of the mall life.
Redeem your reward points if you have any loyalty cards and re-gift the free items you will claim.

I hope you're days before and during the holiday season will be stress-free and fun-filled. Time to put those gifts under the tree then!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

We did not celebrate Thanksgiving here in Dubai because it is not a recognized occasion. I didn't even manage to get a turkey to cook for the special day because my husband went to San Diego to meet his cousins. So, there is really no point in cooking for Thanksgiving. However, most people in other parts of the world celebrated the wonderful occasion with gusto and feast! And I am sure that the usual Thanksgiving leftovers are still in the ref waiting to be recycled, if I may say.

The usual suspect in Thanksgiving leftovers are the chunky and lean turkey meat. But don't throw them just yet nor feed them to hungry Fido because you can still use the lean meat to make gourmet sandwiches.

I got these recipes from the internet and would like to share them to you to make your leftovers into a tasty makeover! Bon appetit! Will you send some for me please? :)

Turkey Sandwich with Sweet Potato Hummus

Homemade sweet-potato spread is lower in fat than anything you'll buy in a package, plus it's full of beta-carotene, which has been linked to reduced cancer risk. And for bread with the most nutrients and hunger-quelling fiber, look for rye or pumpernickel with whole rye flour as the first ingredient.
Sandwich
4 slices rye bread (or pumpernickel)
1/4 cup sweet-potato hummus (recipe at right)
1 1/2 cups sliced cooked turkey (dark meat, without skin)
1/2 cup broccoli sprouts or other sprouts
Toast bread and spread two pieces with 2 tablespoons of hummus each. Add the turkey and sprouts. Top with remaining pieces of bread; slice in half.
Sweet-Potato Hummus
1 lb sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (or use 1 cup leftover mashed sweet potatoes)
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
Steam or boil sweet potato until very tender. Add sweet potato and remaining ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and process until creamy.
Makes two servings. Per serving: 430 cal, 12g fat (3g sat), 41g carbs, 530mg sodium, 7g fiber, 38g protein
10 Easy, Speedy Breakfasts

Turkey, Brie, And Cranberry Panini

A crusty ciabatta roll with oozing cheese, peppery arugula, and sweet-tart chutney (a great use for extra cranberries) is the very definition of comfort food. And you can stir spoonfuls of the extra chutney into yogurt, cottage cheese, or oatmeal for a sweet, antioxidant-laced breakfast or snack.
Panini
2 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half lengthwise
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup cranberry chutney (recipe at right)
2 oz Brie, sliced
1 1/2 cups sliced cooked turkey (white meat, without skin)
1 cup arugula
Heat a panini press or grill pan over medium heat. Brush ciabatta crust with olive oil. Spread chutney on each of the 4 roll halves, dividing it evenly among them. Layer Brie, turkey, and arugula between top and bottom halves of rolls.
Place sandwiches in the press and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. If using a grill pan, place a heavy object such as a cast-iron skillet on top of the sandwiches, with a layer of foil in between. Flip sandwiches, replace skillet, and cook 4 minutes more.
Cranberry Chutney
4 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup port or red wine
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup orange ju
ice 1 Tbsp orange zest
1 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, divided
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup dried blueberries
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients except 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture resembles chunky jam. Remove from heat and stir in remaining vinegar.
Makes two servings. Per serving: 470 cal, 17g fat (6g sat), 36g carbs, 470mg sodium, 3g fiber, 41g protein
Favorite Comfort Foods, Slimmed Down

French Dip Turkey Sandwich with Mushroom Au Jus

This slimmed-down version of the traditional French dip (which usually involves soaking up fatty beef drippings with a bleached roll) is made with satisfying whole grains and gets its flavor from caramelized onions and a light, herbed broth.

Sandwich
1 Tbsp butter
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp horseradish
2 whole-wheat Kaiser rolls, sliced in half
1 1/2 cups sliced cooked turkey (white and dark meat mixed, without skin)
1 cup baby spinach

Mushroom Au Jus
2 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
2 cups sliced crimini mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

In a medium saucepan, bring broth, wine, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pan, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spread horseradish on the insides of each roll. Pile turkey, caramelized onions, and spinach on bottom halves of rolls and top with remaining halves. Slice sandwiches on the diagonal and serve with mushroom broth for dipping.

Makes two servings. Per serving: 480 cal, 13 g fat (6 g sat), 46 g carbs, 450 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 37 g protein

(All recipes are from shine.yahoo.com)

Low Purine Diet

I will not advocate any form of diet as long as it has the doctor's approval. And I found myself committing to a low purine/low salt diet due to my health conditions. I have to lose weight to be able to bring the bad numbers down and increase my good cholesterol.

Low purine diet is usually given to people who are suffering from gout and high uric acid levels. Unfortunately, inspite of my still young age, I am predispositioned to have some sort of health conditions that are detrimental to one's health if left untreated and controlled. This is the reason why I agreed to follow the diet even if I am craving for something tastier.

The food allowed in this diet is mostly low-fat and low in purins. There are some vegetables that need to be eaten in moderation. The diet encourages eating small portion of white, lean meat like chicken and turkey. Water is to be taken at least more than 8 glasses per day and a regular exercise regimen is encouraged to aid in weight loss.

Thankful This Thanksgiving

Photo credit: www.squidoo.com/thanksgiving-cornucopia

There are so many things to be thankful for inspite of the tremendous challenges we are all facing in this bleak economic times. There are still great things which we can call as God's blessings that we should not take for granted.

As for me, I am grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table, the clothing to make me warm, the love and support of my family and friends, the love and loyalty of my dearest pooch, the job that provides for the financial needs, and the challenges which make me a stronger and better person.

I am very thankful for the gift of life. Every waking day I have is a testament that God still believes in humanity and that we are still His sons and daughters making a big and hopefully, a positive change to the world we live in.

I am very grateful for all of these and I will continue to be thankful for all the littlest blessings because that means I am still alive to appreciate all of them.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and be thankful.

Long Eyelashes

I am blessed to have long lashes that the need for eyelash growth products is the least of my concern. I am not an avid make-up user so prepping my long lashes is not my ardent task.

There are so many women who love longer eyelashes. Some women go the the extent of gluing fake lashes to make their natural lashes thicker and longer. I am just a bit worried about the glue used for that reason.

Having long lashes is quite appealing because it gives your eyes that extra drama. However, don't despair if you were born with short lashes. It is not your fault. You can always use curlers to make them appear longer or try some eyelash growth products.

Dubai Air Show 2011

It is such a welcome treat to watch the acrobatic stints of some fighter planes in the clear Dubai sky for free. It is Dubai Air Show this week and I don't even have to shell out a penny to watch it from the airport's grand stand. Why pay when I can get a free, unobstructed view of the show?

I am so fascinated with aircraft and the warplanes flying close to the ground and near my building is such a sight to behold. I have so much respect for the pilots flying the planes because it takes a lot of attention to detail, 100% alertness and acumen to precise movements to manouever and aircraft in high altitude and in great speed. Great job!

Sick, Sick, Sick

For 1 and 1/2 years, I have managed to steer clear of any bouts with cough, colds, sinusitis, fever, flu and other usual suspects in making my immune down. It is happening again. If someone sneezes near me and I will catch the flu. That's how frail my immune system has gotten these opast few days.

I am trying my very best to eat well, exercise regularly, meditate to relax my mind, and keep myself warm when necessary. However, I just get sick easily unlike other people. I was so good for the past 1 and 1/2 years without any use of sick leave because I was fine but now, a month away from the end of the year and I have used 6 days already. I can almost hear the honchos and their snide remarks. Getting sick where I work is a big no-no!

So, I am so sick of getting sick. I just hope I'll finish the year without anymore bouts with colds, cough, flu, sinusitis and whatever. I just want to be healthy like most people.

Dream Home Illumination

Light fixture is one my favorite things inside a home. I am very fascinated by how a single light can put a certain drama or flair to a plain wall, painting or area in the house. Lighting can also emphasize a decorative item you want to showcase in your house or turn a dull place to a lively one.

Ever since we got the plot of land from my mother-in-law few months ago, all I can think about is the type and design of the house my family and I will enjoy and live in. I have been scouring the internet for beautiful lighting fixture I will put in my dream house. I am zoning in one particular brand and style - the Minka Lavery Lighting. My type of house design will be a marriage of Mediterranean and Contemporary pieces so the Minka Lavery Chandeliers will add a beautiful touch to my high-vaulted living room ceiling and dining areas.

The touch of flair does not end in the receiving and dining areas of my dream house. The bathroom is also one of the places I want to accentuate with drama. I want the area to be naturally-lit by daytime and well-lit at night with Minka Lavery Bath Lighting. There will be a wall sconce near the vanity area and small ceiling pin lights to focus on the beautiful marble counter top of the bathroom sink.

There are more areas in the house that will benefit from the many collections of the Minka lighting pieces. I have not included the exterior lighting yet but given the beautiful choice of products in the Minka Lavery collections, I am sure that the outcome will be as beautiful as the lighting accents I will have at home.

Judgmental People

I am not a hater. I am usually unassuming but there are people who really get into my nerves by being judgmental, opinionated, control-freaks and jumping to conclusion.

They are everywhere in this place. Sometimes, I cannot help but feel a peeved and upset. I know I shouldn't be affected by these kinds of people but seeing them everyday makes a big difference, in a negative manner.

They said, people who are judgmental are usually losers who have their own insecurities. I am beginning to believe that. I see them everyday and how they treat people is a manifestation of their deviation.

The world will be a better place if these people can keep their opinions to themselves. There are things that is acceptable to say but to quickly pass on a judgment without knowing the real person or the real deal is outright bad.

How do they actually sleep at night aside from closing their eyes? Gosh, get a life judgmental people! We only live once so try to be happy and focus that judgmental energy to something kinder and positive. Humbags!

Good Eyesight

If you are one of the people who wear reading glasses, bi-focal, graded-lenses and other kinds of spectacles to improve the eyesight, then you know how it feels to be hindered sometimes especially when you are engaged in strenuous activities.

Although your eyesight will not go back to the way it used to be, there are still hope to some via laser technology where the eyesight can be improved. Although this is not for everyone. However, if your eyesight is still as good as that of an eagle, then it is best to keep it that way by practicing common sense by not reading on dim lights nor straining your eyes.

A proper meal rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E and other food rich in minerals and amino acids can help maintain good eyesight. Change your lifestyle if you are a smoker or a drinker or a slacker as they can contribute to eye problems later on.

Eat well and exercise as they help in improving ones eyesight.

Busy Holiday

I never thought my Eid holiday will be very busy. Although I anticipated some activities lined-up here and there, my holiday is being spent as I planned and then some.

I made a lot of Christmas cards for 2011 and 1 birthday card for my daughter's classmate. I have made 39 cards already for the past 3 days and I still have many ideas in my head. I just have to tone them down because I can't organize them in my thought. I think I'll just take a breather for the time being and will continue my card-making next weekend.

I did 1 round in the park in the afternoon yesterday. I cleaned the house and managed to wash some laundry. There are clothes to press and more cleaning to do. The list is not yet done.

I hope the holiday is longer. I just feel so happy and relaxed at home than going to work. If only... Anyway, I just have to pray harder that the days will pass peacefully at work so I don't have to feel frustrated.

2 more days before my official leave ends. I wish it's longer...

Another Trip To The Hospital Soon

I never liked the hospital atmosphere. I feel something sad and negative looming in the air whenever I am in a hospital. Even clinics scare me! I just cannot stand the smell, the sick people around me and the people in iguanamed scrubs walking past. I have to make another trip to the hospital soon for my check up. I just hope this time, the results will be okay even if I still have to lose a lot of weight. I just want to enjoy life without feeling pain here or there.