Save the Earth: Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle

Summer `09 seems to be one of the hottest in recent years. Apart from being assaulted by high humidity and excruciating heat, we are most like being floored by soaring electric bills!
And have your water utility bills been hitting the roof,too? Most likely we take showers twice a day and do our laundry more often as we shed sweat-drenched clothes a few times a day. But hey, we need to cool down lest we suffer from heat stroke, so what other means do we have to keep water consumption down to a comfortable level?
For one, have you been using more valuable fresh water to keep your lawns green? Well, read on for some simple ideas on how to reduce the amount of water we use on our plants and gardens.
* Water before the sun is fully up. This cuts down on evaporation.
* Use a low-pressure sprinkler and when in use, check he lawn to be sure it`s not getting soaked.
* Resist watering until such time that your lawn really needs it. This will tend to make the grass hardier.
* When you do, use just enough so it sinks into the grass bed. This encourages deeper root growth, where more moisture is usually available.
* Consider investing in rain barrels. Or use one or two old drums that may be lying around idle. You can accumulate gallons of fresh water that cab be directly used on your lawn and garden without any treatment.

Repair, Not Replace
This may seem like a no-brainer, but when you think about it, when was the last time you had something small repaired? If it is a major appliance, chances are we will call a repairman before we spend thousands of pesos to replace it. But what about a toaster oven or a microwave or a television set?
Our consumers-driven society makes it too easy to simply replace something when it goes on the blink. Think of what the little extra effort to find a reliable repairman will save in resources and material!
Fix one item this year. Doing so will save you from buying a new one. One exception may be when the appliance that has broken down has seen five or more years of service. This is because new washing machines, dryers, airconditioners, fridges and the like are more efficient now than in the past, and new ones can save massive amounts of energy. However, if you make a big purchase, donate your old item to a cause.

Remember The 3 R`s
Most people don`t realize how big of an impact petroleum has on our daily lives. Some of its products we can`t live without, but others are mere conveniences we have simply gotten used too, like plastic bags!
When it comes to living green, always remember to reduce, re-use and recycle. When you reduce plastics, you reduce global warming. Each year, in the U.S.A. alone, millions throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags-from grocery and trash bags to those ultra-convenient sandwich bags.
Unfortunately, plastics are made from petroleum, the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming.
In addition, sending plastics to the landfill also increases greenhouse gases. Reduce, re-use, and recycle your plastics for one of the best ways to combat global warming.

Meningitis: How did it changes our life....

Its the first week of April when I and my hubby decided to have a vacation at the province, since my father-in-law arrived from America(mom-in-law has a companion while we`re away), we also took our chance to visit my parents and siblings.
My mom was so surprized at the same time, so happy co`z for a year, we`ll be spending a week with them, including, they saw my little angel again. But i noticed my youngest brother. He`s not as active as before.It really bothers me so i ask my mother what`s wrong. She told me that they just went from a doctor and there`s nothing wrong with him except for a fever so its just go that way. That night we have an early dinner and still,i noticed my brother. He doesn`t have an appetite for eating considering that the meal given to him is his favorite. After we`re done, we went to the living room for a little chitchat and to watch our daughter dancing and making her grannies so delighted. They really love their granddaughter so much so they enjoy being with her every time we go there. But still, observing my brother, hes not participating to any of what we do. He`s just staring and i really wondered why. He`s used of playing with my daughter, teaching her how to draw and how to play his toys and it really bothers me more.
The next morning after we arrived, I woke up with my father`s voice crying for help and shouting that my brother`s dying. I jumped out of my bed and i saw my father so horrified. He was carrying my brother. The kid was shaking, his eyes where open but stuck only in one direction, his face`s color`s like an eggplant and blood`s coming out in his mouth. I was so shocked that i don`t even notice my husband was also standing next to me in disbelief. It`s good I manage to go back to myself and run for a spoon at the kitchen. I put the spoon on his mouth.I`m not sure in what I`m doing but it just came in my mind to do it. I had a classmate once in high school having epilepsy and every time he was attacked by it,I saw my teacher stuck a spoon on his mouth. I`m sure my brother`s not an epileptic but the attack seems the same. My mom`s not around that time seeking for a medicine for him and she arrived home so surprized and worried co`z my neighbors saw me running around the house looking for her and they tell her something`s going on at home. My mother`s face is so miserable and so worried hat she can`t decide what to do but cry. I immediately decided that we`ll bring him to the hospital. My husband went with them, he carried my brother to the hospital and he told me that my brother even peed his shorts, maybe because of the burden that he`s fighting. It was so painful for all of us to see my brother that way. He`s one of a kind. He`s not like the other kids around, bulling, playing anywhere, fighting, and spending their allowance in no means. My brother is intelligent, he`s quiet and respectful, many people in our place love him because of that. He also saves money(can you believe my mom can even borrow money from his savings?). He doesn`t ask for anything and understand situations knowing that he`s only 8 years old. Yes he`s only 8 but he`s already struggling for something, something that`s not simple and later we found out "fatal".
When they arrived to the hospital,it makes the situation worse co`z at first they can`t find out what`s wrong. My mother was so upset, how come the boy who`s unconscious can`t be sick so they have to do more tests, until they found out its a stage 3 Meningitis. He has a central nervous system infection and its not a joke. The hospital immediately request for by brother to transfer to a bigger hospital(that`s only a town hospital and lack of equipments) so that they can make a much better actions about it. Upon knowing that he was transferred, I with my husband and auntie(mom`s sister)rushed along to the hospital where he was confined. My mother was crying when we saw her, she was so hopeless co`z my brother was in a coma and she doesn`t know if he will be waking up or not anymore. I even had a fight with the guards because they won`t allow us to go inside and I was so desperate to see my brother. We went home without seeing him and upon delivering what his condition to my father, he was speechless specially when i explained what my brother`s going through.
Since my husband can`t stay long at the province(because of his work), we decided that he`ll return to Manila alone and let me and my daughter stay until my brother`s in good condition. For a week, my brother didn`t woke up, tube`s all over him and you can see his stomach so thin, so flat that it looks like there`s nothing in it. I saw my father for the first time crying in front of the image of God bargaining his life for the life of my brother. It was the most painful moment for all of us, asking for a miracle because it`s the only way my brother can survive.
A week past and for the first time, we got a good news. He was already conscious but can`t eat still and needed to undergo another test. The doctor needs to get a sample from his spinal to ensure how bad the infection was. I know how painful it is, its just good that my brother was strong enough and really fighting to survive. We found out that its a Bacterial Meningitis. He needs to undergo a year treatment for him to recover. We`re so greatful that he survived co`z they are ten on that case and only two survived, that includes him.
After three weeks, he was discharged from the hospital. We gave thanksgiving mass for the miracle that we received. I even told my brother not to be good always co`z good boys don`t stay long. Bad for me isn`t it but I mean it. I don`t want to loose any of my family. I am not yet ready. I still have so many plans for them. I want them to experience luxuries that they don`t have yet.
Now I realize, we should always give importance to anyone or anything. We can`t predict life and happenings that will come. Cherish every moment co`z we can`t say what will happen next. Now, it`s been a year since that tragedy happen and thanks to God, he`s doing fine now. If you want to say or do anything, do it now before its too late.....

Money Talks: What woman should know about managing her money

Sister, you may not realize, but financial stability really is possible in this world of uncertainties. However, it won`t come from dollars falling from the sky or by way of Prince Charming sweeping you off your feet.Financial stability can come from your own paycheck-but only if you manage your money properly.It`s important that we use the money that we have as wisely as is possible. We need to give attention to our finances on a regular basis. If we give attention to our finances, that will be a huge step toward getting financial stability and financial security.
Seek Information On Finances: The amount of information that can be obtained from reading books, attending workshops and consulting with professionals is endless. But you`ll likely have to reflect on your financial situation and to divulge a few details to get the best help available.
Avoid "Retail Therapy": Sisters and style go hand in hand. However, keeping your style in pace with your wallet is a different matter. At times, woman may go on a shopping binge for clothes, shoes, etc., to feel better about themselves. Although the feeling may be good at first, it doesn`t feel the same when the bill comes. Therefore, it is important to avoid this pitfall as a means to boost your spirit when the chips are down so that your finances aren`t altered. When we look at other motives behind some of the spending, we can analyze it and say,'Is it a right move to make? If the motives are emotionally based, you can see why it is important to address the issue, as opposed to spending the money trying to medicate ourselves over something that no matter how much money we spend, it`s never going to change the problem. It`s important to deal with the problem directly.
Maintain Financial Security: Emergencies are, inevitably, bound to happen to everyone. How well you`re prepared for financial calamities can mean the difference between a small setback and a complete disaster. All women should have a special account for emergency expenses so that they wont fall into the web of debt. Always have your own money, even you get married, you always have to be conscious of protecting yourself. Don`t let someone else mess up your credit and your funds.
Take Control Of Your Financial Future: The most important source for getting more money actually comes from using the money we have more wisely. It all starts with the individual. Managing money is not rocket science. Still, it requires dedication, patience, and discipline. Every money manged properly has the potential value of something even greater. It really doesn`t take a lot to get started, just be consistent.

Size Does Matter

And how you can make it go away:

You are the oiliest link!Goodbye! You`ll be surprized with how much weight you can loose just passing on fried food-the reason being, roughly 60 of the food we eat is fried. So drop the fat and you`re more than halfway there. Boil, broil, bake, grill, steam your food.....see? There are many other ways of making raw food edible.
Your Diet- Pork and Beef= A Healthier You OK, so your doctor might say that you still need pig and cow protein. But unfortunately, pork and beef are also the highest fat contributors in your diet. try chicken and seafood-very good alternative sources of protein. Egg white and tofu are also protein-rich. No frying! Another tip: Do the chicken for lunch and stick to seafood for dinner. Why? Because chicken is harder to digest. And since you`re not very active at night(or are you?Hmm...), you`re better of with the seafood, which is easier on your metabolism.
You are not what you eat. I say this because my next tip is to eat more fruit. And you might say that since I eat a lot of fruit, I`m a....See? Never mind.Fruits are the healthiest things on earth. And there`s no such thing as eating too much fruit since you easily wash it out. I highly recommend that fruits take the place of your sinful snacks. Instead of eating junk foods, why no try an apple?

Voila! Go shopping for a smaller pants, `cause that belly will soon be history!

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TIME TRAVEL



Preppy staple brand Lacoste celebrates its 75th anniversary with a limited edition timepiece.Slap the black number on your wrist and make it an accent piece of work and play.







An Eye For Style
Grab this pair by Louis Vuitton for an instant outfit pick-me-up. This black pair of sunglasses in enamel and metal puts a sophisticated on high street dress.












BLACK PEARL

A good place to go for sparkly pretty things is Roberto Coin, home to a fairly extensive range of jewelry that will make you lust for frosting.

Beauty is in the eye of the Coffee lover

Yup. You read it right. Antioxidants are the hottest news in beauty since, well, the invention of the compact. No one can deny that they are now part of countless beauty products and regiments(thank you nerds!. For those clueless to the world of antioxidants, here`s a refresher. Antioxidants are nature`s way of fighting free radicals. The latter are molecules that mess up the good cells. So, in terms of beauty, free radicals mess up your skin and antioxidants help protect your body from the effects of free radicals. Now, the good part: antioxidants are abundant in fruits, vegetables, and coffee.
Yes. Coffee. A hot cup of bliss when you`re curled up with your favorite book or when you`re gossiping with your girlfriends. Research shows that coffee has more antioxidants than green tea! Imagine what that could do for your body! Imagine how much you`ll save on make-up purchases! So go ahead and enjoy the hot cup of your coffee. There`s no better way to be beautiful than to do it from within!

Style her famous

Invest in your skin. More than buying great make up, you have to have a flawless canvas. Everything is simplified if you work on the skin because you`d need less.
You should pick quality over quantity in anything. I don`t believe in cramming your closet with stuff that you bought for a bargain, if it falls apart after two washings. When i say quality, it doesn`t have to be expensive because you can always get them during off-season. It should always be about quality so that you`re not throwing away money. If you have quality clothes, shoes or accessories, you can pass them off to your children.
Never wear fake. If you can`t afford the real thing, then go for a brand that you can afford. Don`t buy something fake just so you can say,"oh, i have this." It`s always in bad taste to buy fake.
Invest in good jewelry. Jewelry has charm. You can wear it forever whether you`re fat or thin, happy or sad. Jewelry is a no-brainer. Get jewelry that you really love. It doesn`t have to be grand; as long as you want it, you`re sure that you can wear it and keep it forever.
If you have items that were handed down to you, don`t change the setting. That`s part of the charm. I regretted having some of grandmother`s jewelry reset. I wish i didn`t. There is really something charming about old things.

true beauty

The idea that beauty is only a skin deep is superficial. True beauty emanates from deep within and reflect outward. It is seen and felt through a spark in the eyes, a natural smile, a lightness of being, a peaceful mind, a joyful spirit and a healthy glow that shines through our entire self.
You certainly don`t get real beauty from synthetic Botox injections, chemical peels or face lifts. Even if huge amounts are spent on these procedures along with beauty products, genuine beauty will remain concealed by continued exposure to stress, harmful toxins, poor diet and lifestyle habits, and negative emotions such as anger, fear, frustration, guilt, envy and hate.
On the physical level, this means constantly getting good exercise, eating the right food, doing regular detoxification and adopting a healthy natural lifestyle. It`s a choice that can make all the difference with the way our body, mind and even emotions function.
Spending 20 minutes outdoors in fresh air for a daily dose of vitamin D from the early morning or late afternoon sunshine gives us a healthy glow. Just as plant get their chlorophyll pigment from the sun and nature draws its life from the solar energy, we benefit from the sun`s gentle life-giving rays. However, beware of overexposure to harmfulrays that lead to premature aging of the skin.

Beauty in Different Colors

The Seductive Morena

There is an intrinsic exoticism that bursts forth from the coffee-colored Pinay. Dark, exciting, full of passion-she exudes sensuality without ever trying.There is so much depth to her features, and a little makeup goes a long way accentuate her raw beauty.
Smoke gets in her eyes with a copper shimmer, followed by some mocha cheek action and a bright and glossy pink kisses.


The Spunky Chinita

The very distinct look of Asia is mysterious and full of character. There is a silent strength that emanates from her presence. Her skin is picture-perfect, and her eyes pierce like daggers- what artistry to play around with shadows and one structure.
Go for earthy eye shadow tones jazzed up by a bit of golden glitz, and primp those cheekbones with the right shade of bronze-finishing the look of with a rosy matte shade of lip for subtle impact.






Charming Mestiza

To be flawless and ivory-a dream of many, innate in some. The spanish have gifted the country with the fairer of the bunch, unique in her own way. Her face is a canvas that can experiment with color, as she radiates in anything that she rouges on.
But why mess with great features? Go for neutral pinks and browns that bring out the best in those big sparkly eyes and great glowing skin.

Take some time for yourself and enjoy things you usually don`t get to do. Many of them take only 20 minutes:

* Read a book. You can never find the chance to finish that chapter.
so now`s the time for it.
* Surf the net for the latest news of the
day, and find out what`s happening out there. Beauty
and brain is always a perfect combination.
* Call or text an old friend you last saw maybe months ago!
* Brew yourself some good coffee or brew a chai tea from scratch.
* Mix a cocktail - a margarita or a cosmo! Or open a bottle of your favorite
wine and have a sip.
* Learn a new recipe or prepare a healthy snack, like a bowl fresh cut carrots,
cucumber, and tomatoes.
* Read a magazine and catch up on the latest fashion and beauty trends.
* Sort out your desk drawer or clothes cabinet, and de-clutter
* Listen to your favorite CD or download new music into your iPod
* Check your 100+ unopened emails, or clean out that junk/ spam folder.
* Complete the beauty break-do your own mani and pedi.

Mysterious beauty

Smokey eyes are all the rage nowadays, but it can be difficult to pull off.Here`a how to do it


Smokey eyes used to be for the wild girls who stayed out late and drank beer with the boys. Nowadays, they`re associated more with sophistication thanks to advertising and haute couture shows. It`s easy to mess up smokey eye, as black shadow can be tricky to use.Here`s how to get clean, perfectly smokey eyes.
Smokey eyes look clean when your skin is shine and blemish-free. To achieve velvet skin, remember to wash off any makeup before going to bed. The combination of your natural oils, the dirt of the previous day and your makeup can be deadly to our skin. Next, cleanse, tone and moisturize before applying oil-free foundation to your t-zone, under your eyes and on your lids to even out your skin tone. Dust with loose powder to set.
If you want the smoke factor to be really intense, apply a layer of charcoal or gunmetal grey creme shadow before powder. This will act as a binder and will help your eye shadow stick all day.