Thursday Tips-On Ovens

ruth , As a promise here are some tips on how to clean the oven & stoves.
The inside of ovens and stoves can become disgustingly dirty over time. The best method of cleaning of them is to keep on top of the spills that occur. Below are great tips for keeping ontop of the mess caused inside your oven or stove whilst cooking:

1. Aluminum foil is quickly to the rescue in this case. You can keep your oven cleaner by lining the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil. When it is dirty, remove the foil and put new down.

2. Keep your pans that you use for baking cleaner without the hassle of a sticky mess by lining the baking pan with foil, with the dull side up and then spray with cooking spray - this allows you to cook with out the big clean up mess!

3. When spills occur on our cooker immediately sprinkle the spill with salt. Wipe it up once things have cooled down. It will absorb the spill.

4.To dissolve baked on spills apply a paste of baking soda and water it will shift the mark with a bit of rubbing.

5. Place a small dish of ammonia on the upper rack of the oven and a pan of water on the bottom. Leave the oven warm over night. Air the oven in the morning and wipe away the grease with an all purpose cleaner and warm water.

6. Try to avoid spills in your oven by placing casseroles or pies which are the main offenders of spills on a baking sheet or silver foil when cooking.

6. If you have been busy cooking and now you have a bunch of grease in the bottom of your stove you can clean this out fast. Just sprinkle the bottom of your over with a bit if dishwasher powder. Just the area with a few paper towels and wipe out clean with a wet wash rag.

Five Details...

Been very busy at work lately but manage to blog anyway. Below are some details of what I think, what I've been doing lately and what are the things I mostly like. This might not be the completeness of my identity but atleast its part of that completeness.

Five details about you...
1. I love to surf the net
2. Sleeping is my favorite pass time
3. Im into dieting right now
4. and Dunno how to drive
5. There are two stuff toys that I love most, blinky and sleepy (both are dogs)

Five details about your appearance right now...
1. Im wearing a red blouse
2. I've tied my hair using a black band
3. Wearing a brown slip-on
4. Im wearing a denim pants
5. Cannot forgot my engagement & wedding

Five things you did yesterday...
1. woke up 3:45am to prepare Dj's early morning breakfast. (I always do this from monday to friday)
2. Went to rustan to buy Palm corned beef (my fave)
3. Watched a dvd (Freaky Friday)
4. Finish reading "The ALchemist" ("twas a great book)
5. Cooked sinigang for dinner

Five memorable things you did in the last year...
1. I got married
2. Learned how to cook rice
3. Learned how to cook sinigang & Kare-kare
4. have my first ever papsmear
5. Spent Christmas at my in-laws place

Five favorite groups/musical artists...
1. Gary V.
2. Evanesence
3. Usher
4. regine V.
5. Darlene Zcheck

Five favorite movies...
1. Finding Nemo
2. Harry Potter (All three)
3. My Best Friend's Wedding
4. Ghost
5. Freaky Friday

Five things that make you happy...
1. A good Book
2. If I learrn how to drive
3. A good movie
4. New Cd of my fave artist
5. Just sitting beside hubby watching a dvd with popcorn

Five things you cant live without...
1. Dj (ofcourse)
2. My family
3. My Cellphone
4. My wedding ring
5. And ofcourse "The Internet"

Five things you'll do when you complete this...
1. Text Hubby
2. Eat my sandwhich
3. Go to the cubicle next to me, to ask a work related question
4. drink coffee
5. Start working again

As greater it was...

If last weekend was a great weekend, My weekend was even more greater.

Saturday ,
Had tuyo, fried eggs and fried rice for breakfast. Did some little cleaning. Dj then decided, that we do some shopping. Oh well, we went to SM Manila and bought a t-shirt for me and 2 shirts for Dj(daya). Then, had lunch at "Bacolod Chicken". Yummy...I love grilled chicken. (Hmmm...Does anyone here knows how to make this kind of grilled chicken). After finishing our sumptuous lunch, we did our grocery. I love going to supermarkets. We bought, everything that we need. I had my very reliable list that I always do everytime we do our groceries. Went home late but manage to watch Harry potter 2. I've watched it more than 3 times already. I really love Daniel Radcliffe. Cant wait to have a copy of Harry Potter 3 & 4 to complete my collection.

Sunday
. Dj and I enjoyed our Sunday together, Listening to good music, watching TV, and some hugging and kissing. I wont trade anything else when Im with Him. :)

Have a great week everyone!!!

Thursday Tips...

The kitchen is my favorite area at our small house. Though its a small one, cleaning it takes time. So here are some simple tips that can make cleaning much easier and wont cost much, the materials that will be used are readily available at our home.

1.clean as You go
When preparing foods in the kitchen like peeling onions, pototoes, carrots, or other foods that you have to cut and peel, place a plastic shopping bag in the sink and put your peelings in it while you are chopping and peeling that way can just pull the bag out and pitch it easily without no time at all.
To save time and mess when preparing a meal, hook a spare plastic bag to the inside of a kitchen drawer. You can clear debris into it as you go, so the worktop remains uncluttered. At the end dispose of the rubbish in one trip to the bin.

2.Cut grease and odor on dishes
Oh I love washing dishes!!!

Problems with grease and odors in your kitchen? You can cut both grease problems and odors from grease in the kitchen by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water when you are washing the dishes. This leaves a nice fresh scent in your kitchen without an added expense of sprays and such

3.Cleaning the refrigerator
I never know what to clean the fridge or freezer with, I do not want to use chemicals as my food is going in there, well now I do this. Wash with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, it cleans and freshens without any worries

4.Disinfect wood cutting boards
Not contented with washing with dishwashing liquid then try this... Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards. Wipe with vinegar. Another idea is if your cutting board smells like the garlic you chopped up yesterday? Use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to clean and deodorize your cutting boards because it is a food safe cleaner! Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse clean! Now you are all set to chop those onions!

5.Remove fish or rotten food odor
Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter or other effected area for a few hours. The odour will disappear for good.

6.Remove food stains from your fingers
If you find after preparing foods your fingers are stained. Try the following tip to remove food color from your fingers: Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

7.Softer hands while washing dishes
Do you hate what washing the dishes does to your hands?

Soften your hands while you are doing the dishes by adding a tablespoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to your soapy water. This little addition to your dishwater will soften your hands while cutting through that grease from greasy dishes all at the same time! A great tip for softer hands after washing the dishes is to put a few drops of lemon on your hands after doing dishes. This really softens your hands and does wonders for your nails at the same time

Happy Cleaning!!!

Praise God...

Its a nice day though its raining. I can smell the sweet scent of the drizzle coming from the outside of our house. Im so blessed of having another day. Im so blessed knowing that my parents are still there. Lucky of knowing that my family are still with me. Blessed that I have Dj in my life. Blessed for I am a happy person though there are times that my sky is dark as if a downpour will happen. During those times, God's presence is always there, Im very thankful with everything that God has given me.

Let me share my favorite song, that everytime we sing it at our church, cant help to shed in tears. This song really touches the inner me.

POWER OF YOUR LOVE

LORD I COME TO YOU, LET MY HEART BE CHANGED, RENEWED;
FLOWING FROM THE GRACE, THAT I'VE FOUND, IN YOU.
LORD I'VE COME TO KNOW, THE WEAKNESSES I SEE IN ME,
WILL STRIPPED AWAY, BY THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE.
HOLD ME CLOSE, LET YOUR LOVE SURROUND ME
BRING ME NEAR, DRAW ME TO YOUR SIDE
AND AS I WAIT, RISE UP LIKE THE EAGLE
AND SOAR WITH YOU, YOUR SPIRIT LEADS ME ON
BY THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE

LORD UNVEIL MY EYES
LET ME SEE YOU FACE TO FACE
THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR LOVE
AS YOU LIVE,
LORD RENEW MY MIND
AS YOUR WILL UNFOLD IN MY LIFE
IN LIVING EVERY DAY
BY THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE

Good Morning everyone, have a wonderful day ahead!

A great weekend

Last Saturday, Dj and I was about to see a play at 7pm, but before that, we brought our car in an auto shop to do some fixing. After a few minutes of watching, I got bored with what the mechanic is doing, so I rush at the booktore across the street, leaving Dj at the auto shop. I really dont have anything in mind on what to buy. Im just looking for anything as in anything that I can buy. A paperclip, a scissor or a nice parchment paper perhaps. Then my feet brought me at the book section. I remeber toni's suggestion, a Paulo Coelho Bestseller, The Alchemist. But there are two questions that botheres me, will I or will not buy the book. I'm afraid that, I might not have enough time in reading it. Im afraid that, it will be in a shelf and let the dust be its companion. This is the reason why I stop buying good books before. I was really busy with work. I was busy with other things. I forgot that reading was my first love next to drawing. Reading was my companion during the times I was lonely at my room. Its not yet too late, isnt it? I can still start all over again, and buy good books, where I can learn things in life. Anyway, I decided to buy the book. Its a good book. Im not yet finish with it but, Im learning good thoughts from the writer.

Dj was so happy knowing that Im into reading and planning to buy some more books, He promised to buy a nice shelf once I have those good books I want. :D

Anyway, About the play. It was a nice play. The play was entitled "Unang Corinto" (1 Corinthian). A story about a church and the personal problems that each member encounters. The story entails that, wherever you are, whatever is your status in life, everybody commit mistakes, everybody has his own problem to face. People from all walks of life has his ups and down, the only One that people can depend on is Trusting God and asking forgiveness.

I had a very relaxing weekend. I got a nice book and seen a play. We had a nice dinner too. A sizzling blue marlin, prepared by Dj. Aint it sweet...

music and i

This morning in bed, I couldnt harldy move a muscle. I want to sleep all day but wait, I have a submission to make at work. Sheesh, its so nice to just lay down and have more time to sleep. Anyway, with all my might I hurriedly jump from bed and turned on the radio. Its playing one of my fave music, a RnB song. While listening, i notice, bit by bit, Im changing my mood and singing as well. There must be a magical spell in a song. A spell that turn my whole being into its proper place. Being a music lover that I am, I have tons of music collection at my parents place when I was single. I still want to buy cds to update my collections but dont have yet the time, and our place is small, dunno where will i store those cds I want to buy.  The only frustration that I have is, I cannot play any instrument. Good thing Dj knows how to play the guitar, with a music magazine and a guitar, all is set for us.

This remind me, I promise Dj to buy a guitar for his birthday (though its next year pa). I better start saving some money or else i might end up in a ukelele.

Happy Weekend Everyone

Im goin' home, leavin' the office and makin' dinner...

At Work

IM still at work. I decided to write something here before I go home. My feeling now is so high. I feel the annoyance with my boss. He is so rude. After doing everything to finish my deadline today, he don't appreciated me. Yeah I admit, Im late for my submittal but man, what do he thinks of me, superwoman. He instructed me to do this and that, while doodling on my paper. Shucks how can i understand his drawing if he don't write neatly and his mind changes, he has lots of ideas. That's why I always do revisions. For today, I had had 5 revision on the same project.I hate him only consolation is, IM being paid for it.

IM Home

Well after the tiring at work. IM finally home. My security place, a place where no one can boss around. In my home, IM the boss (secondly to dj ofcourse). I just finish making dinner. We have steaming rice and tokwa't (bean curd) baboy for our main dish. I just deep fry the pork and tokwa till brown. Cut into small cubes. Then chopped onions(more onions for a superb taste). Add calamansi juice (about 15 pieces for a quarter kilo of pork), soy sauce & chili powder. Just mix everything. Then its done. Hmmm..In a couple of while, dj will be arriving, so got to fix the table.

By the way, the tokwa't baboy is much tastier if spicy. :)

Its another week for me!

Sunday is almost ending. A few more minutes and it will be a brand new week . Hmm...It will be a tiring week again. Wish I can stop working and stay home and be a simple wife. But I cant. Living now a days is very expenensive. Everything is being paid, from electric bills to cellphone to credit cards to groceries. Oh my, what more if we have kids already.

Hubby commented earlier that, he wish we were rich, and have a huge businesss, so we dont have to make ourselves slaves from our boss'. I just smiled and told him that "labs sorry were not".

Oh well, got to have some shut eyes dont want to meet monday that early.

Spaghetti (with white sauce) anyone?

I got this recipe from my boss, way back in 1998.

Try using nestle cream, 7-up/sprite & banana ketchup instead of tomato sauce or the readily available spaghetti sauce. Just saute the onions and garlic, then add the cook ground beef. Add the ketchup, 7-up/sprite & cream. Let is simmer. Add the rest of the ingredients(bacon,ham,grated cheese.) Then add salt or/and sugar to taste. Voila, a tasty white spaghetti sauce. Just pour it on the spag, serve with grated cheese on top. Yummy!!!

Some of my ym friends have tried it already, they say its good. ........................ http://hubbyandwifey.blogspot.com http://jeannycdj.com http://google.com http://yahoo.com

After a year, what Am I now?

Just thinking...I've been married for a year and two months now. Let me give u my personal assessment on things that happen to me. Hmmm. I do know how to iron clothes (which I don't do when I was single). I now know how to cook steaming rice. I remember, when I and hubby were newlyweds, he was the one who cooks our rice. I usually, end up making our rice raw or mushy. Though we used a rice cooker, I still cant assess the amount of water to use but now, Im the expert on this part. Speaking of cooking, I now know how to prepare kaldereta, menudo, karekare (with mama sita's help ofcourse) and up to now Im still learning. Emotionally, cant say that Im matured, Im lucky that hubby knows how to handle cranky person like me (love u labs). Physically, sheesh, I gained weight with all the night eating we do, what do you expect, blame it on our fridge. My journey is just beginning, and don't know what's ahead, the only thing I knew is, Im not alone, Im with my man, who protects and support me in this journey :)

Tips & Trivia

Did some net surfing and here is what I found...

1.If you wash down calcium-rich food with phosphoric acid-rich soft drink, phosphorus will block calcium absorption. (Read: Cok* or P*psi...)

2. The King Green for the non-Filipino nutritionist is broccoli; the Filipino has marunggay.

3. Did you know that sili leaves contain more Vitamin B than gabi, potato and marunggay?

4.Blackstrap molasses has iron, calcium and other nutrients. All other sweeteners such as brown/white sugar, fruit sugar, honey, maple syrup and corn syrup essentially supply nothing but empty calories.

5.Do you really need those energy and nutrition bars? (Read: Ensur* or Balanc*.) Don't kid yourself. Better grab a piece of fresh fruit.

6.Avocado has the highest potassium content of all common domestic fruits. Packed with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, it is recognized as the world's most nutritious fruit.

7.Bananas may fortify brain cells and are high in potassium, but too much of that nutrient can give you kidney stones.

8.Consume natural foods high in vitamins A, B, C and E, with a dash of selenium and a pinch of zinc to supercharge your love machine. Specialists recommend squash, chicken, citrus fruits, egg yolks, whole grains and oysters.

9.When exercising or dealing with hot weather, eschew caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Most coffee, chocolate, tea and soda drinks promote polyuria (excessive fluid loss) and systemic dehydration.

10.One way to reduce your intake of artery-cloggers is by choosing, based on the desired taste, between monounsaturated oils (canola, olive, peanut) and polyunsaturated oils (the popular soybean, corn, safflower). Abstain from these fats: saturated (palm-kernel oil, meat & full-fat dairy foods, etc.) and trans (partially hydrogenated oil).

11.Refrigerate cooking oil and wheat germ to inhibit rancidity.

12.Consuming whole grains may lower risk of fatal heart attack. Select a product with a "whole" or "whole grain" ingredient like whole wheat, brown rice, or oats.

13. Prevent cataracts: Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors to avoid the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light and use close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses with UVA or UVB protection. Don't smoke.

14.Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 2 drinks daily for a man, more than 1 for a woman) can increase the risk of cataracts.

15.When cleaning using dangerous chemicals, shield your eyes from fumes and splash with eyewear.

16. Reduce visual and other discomforts during prolonged computer use. Help moisten and lubricate your eyes by blinking and/or yawning. Do not rest your hand on the mouse when not using it; relax hands in your lap when not entering data.

17.Invisible electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from a computer monitor (and many household appliances) may lead to miscarriage, cancer and compromised immune system, but not yet proven. Sit at least 2 feet away from the screen and 3 feet from adjacent computers. The strongest fields are from the sides and back of a terminal.

18.Don't shake an infant. Doing so or tossing him up in the air may damage his undeveloped brain.

19.Some birth control methods proven to be ineffective are withdrawal, rhythm, intercourse during menstruation, standing up immediately after sex and douching after sex. Praying won't even prevent pregnancy.

20.Store condom in a cool, dry place to maintain quality. Wallet not recommended.

I emphasized on the word on item no. 20, I know lots of men storing their rubber jackets 5n their wallets. So from this, you guys must learn :)

It's coming...

This morning while I was on my way to work, It reminded me that its the 6th of the month and Im counting the days already (175 days before christmas) Meaning, a few more months and it the holiday season once again. Oh boy, time really fly so fast :)

TGIF

Thank God its Friday, My fave day of the week, simply because its the end of work for the week. No more waking up at 3:30am (atleast for 2 days) to prepare hubby's breakfast. He goes to work at Cavite, so he must leave home at around 4:30am for the 5:00am service bus at Cubao pick-up station. No more waking up alone in bed (since hubby left much early). I miss waking up in the morning with him by my side :( Anyways, Tomorrow, will not be a relaxing day for us, we have tons of activities to do. Well, we have to bring the car to mang johnny to fix it, then find a technician that will fix our 21" tv that don't opened anymore since last night. Whats else, we will be visiting my MIL at paranaque. Hubby terribly misses his mom and 2 little cuddly and energetic nephews. Hubby loves kids, so we really prayed that God will give us our angel soon :) Ah...I almost forgot, after office I got to do the laundry tonight. being a wifey really is a very tough and tiring job but its the most enjoying for me. Well got to go back to work. Ta-tahhh

Laughter is the best medicine

Scientists have found that laughter is a form of internal jogging that exercises the body and stimulates the release of beneficial brain neurotransmitters and hormones. Positive outlook and laughter is actually good for our health! Adults laugh approximately 15 times per day, while children laugh about 400 times a day! When we grew up, somehow we lost a few hundred laughs a day. By learning to smile and laugh again, more easily and often, we could have a profound and positive effect on our health and well being. The new science of psychoneuroimmunology is the study of how our state of mind affects our health. More than ever, scientific evidence suggests that laughter really is one of the best medicines. Being unhappy or very sad can seriously damage your health. So don't worry, be happy! There is truth in the old saying: He who laughs ...lasts! Hmmmmm....thats why, I added up the "cartoon of the day" in my template. Feel free to click the icon and have fun reading it