Personal Power Maps and Creative Ideas

At about the same time I started to think about building an Internet website, I considered my personal strengths and resources. It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to make a list of all the things I have in my life, as well as the things I have learned and skills I can use. This could help me come up with new directions for my personal development. After I've started writing these things down, I decided to call it "Power Maps" as they outline my sources of power, and could also show me ways to turn my strengths into more powerful actions. In this brief article I will try to demonstrate how I do this, hoping you can do the same. I use my own Power Map as an example, so you also get a chance to know me better...
I began by writing down the major categories of things I do and am related to. Here is what I came up with:

• Family & Friends
• Places I know
• My Studies & Work
• Languages
• My Hobbies & Pastimes

Try to make your own list now. It doesn't have to be similar to the one I made or even have the same logic or structure. Just try to think of the major things that make up the person that you are.
Next, I added more details to each major category - ending up with many of the things I consider to be my sources of power and knowledge. This is what it looked like by now:

• Family & Friends
  
  • My wife
  • My children
  • My mother, sisters & brother
  • My friends
  
  
• Places I know
  
  • Israel
  • Europe
  • South America
    
    • Argentina
    • Chile
    • Peru
    • Bolivia
    • Brazil
    
    
  • South East Asia
    
    • India
    • Nepal
    • Thailand
    
    
  
  
• My Studies & Work
  
  • Human Resources
  • Management skills training
  • Thinking, Innovation & Creativity
  • Philosophy
  • Computers
    
    • Web programming
    • Database planning
    • Online & computer games
    
    
  • Myself as an employee
  
  
• Languages
  
  • Hebrew
  • English
  • Spanish
  
  
• My Hobbies and Pastimes
  
  • Capoeira
  • Diving
  • Board games
  
  

Seeing all that I have in my favor, I already started to feel stronger!
If you want to get the same feeling - take a few minutes to list many of your own sources of power.

Turning power maps into creative action

Now it was time to start thinking how I could turn all those resources into something I could make or contribute. In other words - come up with new and useful things I could do with all I have. What I came up with was consisted of things I did before and could do better or on a larger scale; things I haven't done before but believed I could do; and some other creative ideas that just came up.

In order to distinguish these action ideas from the resources I already listed, I use an undeline for the action items. I am sharing some of these with you:

• Family & Friends
  
  • My wife
    
    • Help your wife pursue her dream
  • My children
    
    • Write children's books
  • My mother, sisters & brother
  • My friends
  
  
• Places I know
  
  • Israel
    
    • Knowing what it's all about
  • Europe
  • South America
    
    • Argentina
    • Chile
    • Peru
    • Bolivia
    • Brazil
    
    
  • South East Asia
    
    • India
    • Nepal
    • Thailand
    
    
  
  
• My Studies & Work
  
  • Human Resources
  • Management skills training
    
    • Tools for planning
    • Small Business Handbook
  • Thinking, Innovation & Creativity
    
    • Improved Memory Techniques
    • Building a Personal Thinking Center
  • Philosophy
  • Computers
    
    • Web programming
    • Database planning
    • Online & computer games
      
      • Principles of development
      • Review best games on the web
    
    
  • Myself as an employee
  
  
• Languages
  
  • Hebrew
  • English
    
    • Translation tips
  • Spanish
    
    • Learning tips
  
  
• My Hobbies and Pastimes
  
  • Capoeira
  • Diving
  • Board games
    
    • Playing tips
    • Designing & Inventing
    
    
  
  

Now I had something I could work with. There were other things on the list - this is just to show you the general idea. I am sure that if you try to complete your own Power Map now - you'd have many action ideas.

Bringing it all together

With such a detailed Power Map, you can start looking for practical ways to harness all that power to interesting development possibilities. The strongest creative ideas would be those that combine as many strengths and action items as possible. Consider the creative ideas website I have built (see resource box below) - it combines my power at: English, Internet, Creativity, Management training, and more.

I truly hope this can help you become stronger, more creative, and ultimately happier. If you liked this article and the Power Map tool, you should check out the Resource Box Below for a constantly growing source of ideas and creativity tools.


http://readbud.com/Articles/Creativity/Personal-Power-Maps-and-Creative-Ideas

Time-Saving Tips By Amanda Hinnant

Keep an Everything Datebook

Buy a weekly calendar. Jot down all the traditional things―school events, birthdays, appointments. But use it to keep track of nontraditional things, too. Write down bills that come through the mail and mark their due dates six days ahead. Plan weekly dinner menus and write them on the calendar. Use it to also record the kids' long-term assignments. That helps prevent those evenings of racing around to do everything at the last second. 

Try a Double-Duty Dustbin

Empty your bathroom garbage can and use it as a bucket when you wash your bathroom and hardwood floors. Rinse it in the tub, then fill it with white vinegar and water. Both the floors and the garbage can are clean when you're done. 

Start a Recipe Chain Letter

Planning menus and getting the ingredients together for a quick meal after work can be time-consuming. That's where the recipe-exchange "chain letter" comes in. Have friends send you their favorite easy-to-make recipes, then you forward them on. In addition, keep a few cookbooks at the office and download recipes from the Internet to a folder on the computer. Photocopy or print out the ingredients list while at work and then buy groceries during lunch or on the way home. 

Squeeze Now, Use Later

If you have leftover lemons and limes from a cocktail party, squeeze them and freeze the juice in an ice-cube tray. Once they're frozen, store the cubes in zippered plastic bags and use them for recipes that call for fresh lemon or lime juice. (One cube equals about one tablespoon of juice.) 

Keep an Ongoing Shopping List

Whoever unwraps the last bar of soap from the four-pack or scrapes the last spoonful of mayo out of the jar should be responsible for writing it down on the shopping list. 

Time-Stamp Your Photos

When you get your photographs developed, label the envelopes before leaving the store. On the top of the envelope, jot down the date, subjects, or activity. It's easier than trying to remember the details later. Or take it one step further and throw out―right there in the store―any flattering, uninteresting, or unclear photographs. 

Get Ready for Morning the Night Before

Set out everything you can―dry breakfast ingredients, clothes, backpacks and bags, and lunches―before going to bed. It means fewer things to think about when you wake up and you're getting ready to leave the house. 

Create a Beauty Station

Hang a mirror by the door, along with a basket filled with last-minute primping tools. You won't have to run all over the house looking for brushes, barrettes, sunscreen, hand lotion, or various makeup essentials: It's all in the basket. 

Start a Day-by-Day Shelf System

To get out the door more quickly each day, dedicate baskets or shelves to specific days of the week. When you remove things from your bag at night, place each item on the appropriate shelf or in the correct basket. Designate a certain spot for everyday items―like your wallet, transit card, and cell phone.

Organize Your Hand-Me-Downs

Keep a "future bin" in the kids' closets for hand-me-downs you get from others and anything that's too big for them right now. Purge their closets once a season. Put removed items in one of three places: a younger sibling's "future bin", the charity bin, or the trash. Many charities, such as Goodwill, call quarterly to let you know they will have a truck in the area, so you don't have to load your car and make an extra trip. When they call, leave the bin out front for pickup, and they'll hang the receipt (for tax purposes) on your doorknob. This is also a good time to get rid of any toys that the kids have outgrown.

Designate a Space for "In Use" Cups

Create a special spot on the kitchen counter where everyone can put half-filled coffee mugs that need to be reheated, water glasses to be used again later, or sippy cups that can be refilled. At the end of the day, put everything that's still out into the dishwasher. It cuts down on kitchen clutter, and it also avoids shouts across the house of "Are you done with that coffee yet?" 

Presort the Family Laundry

Clean laundry is only half the battle―it still needs to be sorted and put away. Save those steps by keeping washer-and-dryer-safe mesh bags (27-by-36-inch mesh bag, $8, stacksandstacks.com) in each kid's room―one for lights, one for darks. Throw the bags directly into the washing machine and dryer, then hand them back to the kids. If they're old enough, they can do their own folding.

Minimize Trips to the Garbage Can

While preparing a meal, keep a big bowl on the counter. Put all your chopping, cutting, and peeling discards into it, then make one trip to the garbage instead of 10. 

Make a Quick Breakfast

Put all your fruit, milk, silken tofu, or yogurt in the blender pitcher and store the pitcher in the refrigerator overnight. (You can even prechop a banana. It will brown, but that will not affect the flavor of the shake.) In the morning, set it on the blender and press the button. 

Put the Kids to Work

Tired of hearing "What's for dinner?" and "That again?" Turn over the role of meal planner and cook to your family. Ask each person to choose a night that suits his or her schedule (some family members may need to make a few meals each week), fill in a dinner menu, and add the needed ingredients to the grocery list. Make the rules simple: a different menu every night, and only one pasta dish per week. Everyone's food issues (allergies, picky taste buds) must be addressed. Every menu must be healthy and include vegetables. Include a dish-duty sign-up, too. 

Prepare Sandwiches for Dinner

When in doubt, whip up a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich for dinner to save time. Make it with natural peanut butter, real fruit jam, and whole-grain bread. That way it's "real" food, unlike many of the additive-laden prepackaged meals so widely available now.

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/20-timesaving-tips-tricks-10000001547685/page8.html

PB & H Extreme

Serves 1, or makes 2 snack-size servings

 

 

• 2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
• 2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
• 1/2 banana, thinly sliced
• A drizzle of honey
• A sprinkle of cinnamon
• 2 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled

Preparation

Take one slice of the toast and spread the peanut butter on it. Arrange the banana slices on top of the peanut butter, drizzle honey over them, then sprinkle the slices with cinnamon.
Top with bacon crumbles and set the other slice of toast in place. Cut corner to corner to make four triangles and pack up for lunch or eat for breakfast!

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1035

Monkey French Toast

Serves 2 monkeys

• 1 small ripe banana, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus some for drizzling
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 4 slices whole grain bread
• 2 eggs, beaten
• A splash of milk
• 1 tablespoon butter

Mash the banana with a fork and combine with honey and peanut butter.

Make two sandwiches with bread and monkey spread. Dip sandwiches in eggs beaten with milk.

Cook on a griddle or skillet in warm butter until golden on each side and cooked through. Drizzle with a little extra honey and serve.
 rachaelray.com

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast Sticks

Serves 4

 

 his is just like your everyday PB & J, but cooked French toast style – you don't want to miss this one! It's a great snack, too!

 

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 8 slices white or whole wheat bread
• 3/4 cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky
• 3/4 cup jelly, flavor of your choice
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Preparation

Spread the peanut butter on four slices of bread and the jelly on the other four slices of bread to make four sammies.

Scramble the eggs, milk and vanilla in a bowl to make the French toast batter.

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, then add half of the butter. When the butter is almost melted, dunk two of the sammies into the batter and let the excess drip off. Place in the pan and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining two sammies if they do not all fit in the pan the first time.

Cut into sticks and serve with warm maple syrup.

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=696

 

Buko Pandan Sticks

Jun 6, '10 11:55 PM for everyone

Buko Pandan Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pack pandan flavored gelatin powder (prepared according to instruction in the box), chopped

2 buko, grated 

1 300g NESTLÉ Thick Cream

¼ cup condensed milk

Procedure:

1. Combine prepared gelatin and buko in a bowl. Set aside.

2. Whisk together NESTLÉ Thick Cream and condensed milk. Toss prepared gelatin and buko with the cream and milk mixture. 

3. When fully combined keep on a covered container in the chiller until ready to serve.

Royal Bibingka

Jun 6, '10 11:56 PM for everyone

Royal Bibingka

1     kilo rice, laon - soaked overnight

250     grams rice, cooked

1     can evaporated milk

6     pc Eggs

620     grams Sugar

 1/2 cup Butter

 1/4 cup baking powder

2     tsp Yeast

 1/2 cup potato starch

For garnish

 1/2 cup Butter

1     pc grated coconut

3     pc salted eggs

Kesong puti

Ham

1. Soak uncooked rice overnight. Soak just enough to cover.

2. Grind the rice together with the cooked rice. Bring to the palengke so they can grind for you.

3. Mix remaining ingredients and rest for 1 hour. Strain.

4. Cut 7 inch round banana leaves. 

5. When ready to cook, brush banana leaves with butter and place in the clay pot.

6. Make sure the charcoal is already hot.

7. Pour bibingka batter and add the toppings already. 

8. When fully cooked, brush with butter , top with coconut and serve.

Marshmallow

Jun 15, '10 4:04 AM for everyone

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 tsp orange flavor

A few drops of orange flavor

¾ cup hot water

3 tbsp unflavored powder gelatin

¾ cups cold water

Extra powder sugar and cornstarch (1:1) for dusting

PROCEDURE:

1. Mix gelatin in hot water, stir and let stand. Set aside

2. Add and combine sugar, cold water, corn syrup, flavoring and color.

3. Blend well and cook until reaches 240F

4. In a mixer, beat until thick, snowy white and heavy approximately 10 minutes.

5. Pour into a tray lined with glad bake. Cool overnight.

6. Cut into squares and dust with powder sugar and cornstarch.

Soft Caramel

Jun 15, '10 4:05 AM for everyone

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 can condensed milk

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons glucose

2/3 cup butter

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.  Lightly butter an 8 x 12 inch baking pan.

2.  Combine all the ingredients except for the salt in a heavy bottomed medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

3.  Continue to cook until thermometer reaches 245 F.

4.  Remove from the heat and stir in the salt.  Pour into the prepared pan and allow to cool completely to room temperature at least 2 hours.

5.  Remove the sheet of caramels from the pan.  Cut into the desired pieces using a sharp knife.

6.  Wrap individually  in cellophane or waxed paper.

Sylvannas

Jun 21, '10 11:08 AM for everyone

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup butter 

1/4 cup water

PROCEDURE:

1. In a small sauce pan, combine the  sugar and water. Use a candy thermometer to test the stage of the syrup. Boil it until the syrup is in 260 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Beat the egg yolk and pour the syrup and increase the speed. Place the bowl with the yolk mixture in a bowl of ice to control the rise of temperature.

3. After cooling the yolk mixture, gradually add the   butter.  Mix it very well then refrigerate.

INGREDIENTS:

Meringue:

4      eggwhites

2/3 cup PEOTRACO sugar

½ tsp cream of tartar  

 cashew, chopped (for topping)

cake crumbs (for coating)

PROCEDURE:

1. Mix egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar  .beat until stiff

2. Put the mixture in a piping bag with an opening of 1 inch.

3. Squeeze the bag making round shapes, with 1 inch interval.  Bake this at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Put  the cashew nuts on the top.

5. “Sandwich” the filling with 2 pieces of meringues. Cover the outside with icing (or the filling). Roll it over on a cake crumb. Then, put it on a freezer.

Kiddie Cookie Treat

Jun 21, '10 11:09 AM for everyone

Ingredients:

20 pieces graham crackers, or saltine crackers

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

1 cup mini m&m's

1 cup peanuts

1 cup candy sprinkles

1 cup pretzels

Directions:

1.  Place graham crackers side by side in a sheet pan.

2.  In a double boiler, gradually melt the chocolate until sooth and silky.

3.  Pour chocolate over the graham crackers and spread evenly using a spatula.

4.  Sprinkle with nuts, chocolates, candy sprinkles and allow to set in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

5.  Break crackers in smaller pieces and store in parchment paper in an airtight container.  Place in clear plastic bags and tie with a ribbon as giveaways.

Chocolate Apples

Jun 21, '10 11:10 AM for everyone

Ingredients:

6 pieces apple  , granny smith and fuji

6 pieces sticks

1 kilogram dark chocolate  , chopped

500 grams milk chocolate, chopped

500 grams white chocolate, chopped

Directions:

1.  Clean and dry apples.  Insert a stick into the stem end of each apple.

2.  In double boiler, gradually  melt the dark chocolate and  stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

3.  Dip the apples one at a time to coat the outside of the fruit with the dark chocolate. Place in a tray with greaseproof paper and allow to set completely.

4.  Melt the milk chocolate and dip the apples again, only dipping 2/3 the way. Place again in a tray and allow to set completely.

5.  Do the same with the white chocolate but dip the apples 1/3 the way.

Nuts, chocolate chips, candy sprinkles can be used to decorate the chocolate coated apples.

Sherbet w/ Coconut Milk and Pinipig

Jun 29, '10 9:13 PM for everyone

Ingredients:

1/2 cup macapuno ice cream

1/2 cup buko sherbet

1/4 cup sago, optional

2 tablespoons pinipig

2 tablespoons coconut milk

Directions:

1.  Place ice cream and buko sherbet in a food processor or blender.  Blend until smooth, about 5 seconds

2.  In a tall serving glass or bowl, scoop 1 T of sago.

3.  Top with 2-3 spoons of the buko sherbet mixture.

4.  Spoon some coconut milk.  

5.  Sprinkle some pinipig.

6.  Repeat procedure until glass is filled ending with coconut milk and pinipig.

Chocolate Overload

Jun 29, '10 9:14 PM for everyone

Ingredients:

2 Box chocolate pudding

store bought meringues 

cocoa powder

store bought cookies - chocolate but not oreo

caramel sauce ( store bought )

chocolate block for shavings

store bought brownies

Melty Kiss

Jul 6, '10 5:59 AM for everyone

400 grams bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup cream  

2 tablespoons brandy

1/2 cup cocoa powder

Directions:

1.  In a double boiler, melt chocolate until smooth and shiny.  Set aside.

2.  In a separate small saucepan, warm the milk.

3.  Gradually add the cream into the chocolate mixture.  Stir until well combined.  Add the brandy.

4.  Pour chocolate mixture in a 9x9 square inch pan lined with plastic film.

5.  Place mold in the refrigerator and allow to set ( at least 2 hours or better if overnight)

6.  Remove chocolate from the pan.  Slice into 1/2 x 1/2 inch or  1 x 1 inch squares.

7.  Dust with cocoa powder then serve.

Eat-pray-Love with Family

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@juliusbabao and I did our Eat,Pray,Love tday. EAT-Lzm bulalo. PRAY-at d Pink Sisters. LOVE- this picture expresses all the Love. Do ur eat,pray, love even for jst one day.
And this is our LOVE pic 

 

>>>>Love this picture of Family Babao

How to Celebrate a Baptismal Day By Melanie Rogers,

How to Celebrate a Baptismal Day

By Melanie Rogers, eHow Contributor

 

aptisms are religious events that signify an individual becoming a member of a Christian church. While the ceremony takes place in a church, a celebratory party with family and friends is usually held in someone's home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Party decorations
• Light food

1. 1
   Take many pictures of the baptism and the celebration that follows. It helps to ask a close friend to be responsible for taking pictures, so the participants can concentrate on the ceremony. After the event, create a small photo album with pictures from the day of the baptism. This is something that can be looked at through the years, and added to as more religious events are celebrated.
   
2. 2
   Decorations always add to the festivities. Since baptism is associated with the color white, white balloons, streamers and flowers make great decorations. Scallop shells symbolize baptism, and look wonderful scattered across a buffet table along with white confetti.
   
3. 3
   Traditional baptismal foods are often simple and light fare. Sweets are common and express the wish for a sweet life. Small finger sandwiches, fruit salad, and a white cake make for a simple, but lovely, meal to share with friends and family.
   
4. 4
   Gifts are not necessary, but guests often bring gifts to celebrate the occasion. Gifts can range from a bouquet of flowers, a spiritual book, or a monetary gift or gift certificate. Don't forget to send out thank you notes for any gifts received.

Read more: How to Celebrate a Baptismal Day | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4523723_celebrate-baptismal-day.html#ixzz13RGcJvn2

 

Baptism Day of moments to live by

Baptism Day

My niece was baptised this weekend. It wasn't long ago that my oldest was baptised and I remember how important that day was for us and how much we wanted her to feel the specialness of that event in her life.  I searched all over online to find little ways to make it just right. And, we came up with a few things that made the day extra special. For my nieces baptism we did some of the same things. So, since this is the second time this year I've had the chance to be a part of an important baptism day I wanted to share with you some of my favorite baptism day ideas.


For starters, I wanted a pretty dessert that was white.  I looked at all kinds of complicated recipes for candy, etc. and then decided that we would go for simple.  We filled three glass canisters with popcorn, mini powdered donuts, and white individually wrapped Lifesavers mints.
We also made a few trays of mini cupcakes (we used white cake mix and white cream cheese frosting)  The cupcakes were topped with white sparkle sugar or coconut flakes.  I thought it looked so pretty and the kids loved the buffet style dessert.  I think this would also be great for a blessing day.

Next, for my daughter's baptism  her grandma presented her with a several items that would remind her of the significance of her baptism day and the gift of the Holy Ghost. She has treasured those little items and takes them out to look at them often.  So, she wanted to present her cousin with some of the same special items.  Here is what she gave her on the morning of her baptism:

THE COMFORTER

We made a little no sew white fleece blanket and tied it around the edges.  I found some pretty ribbon and attached a note that said:

"The Holy Ghost can wrap you in warmth in give you comfort."

The blanket/comforter wouldn't fit into the little white bucket that we got but the rest of these items were inside the baptism container:

VOICE OF WARNING (whistle)

A whistle can signal that someone is in danger or needs help. Like this whistle, the Holy Ghost can warn you of dangerous paths or situations. Heeding the warnings of the Spirit can keep you safe and happy.

HEART

The heart is a reminder of how much Jesus loves you.

LIGHT

Let the Spirit light your path.

COMPASS

When you need direction in life the Holy Ghost can help you find your way.

At the last minute I thought of putting a little bottle of Nestle Pure Life bottled water with a little saying about being baptised and being washed clean in the water and then trying to live a Pure Life.  I included the bottle of water but didn't quite get the tag made.

I tried to get  a picture of the kids opening it together but my camera is not so stellar and the pictures didn't turn out.  But, they gathered around and read the tags and explained what they meant.  I hope that my niece will treasure it like my own little girl does.  Her day was just as special and perfect.  The baptism itself was what made the day so significant, of course, but the little extras made it even more memorable.

4 Super-Organized Women Spill Their Secrets By Nicole Sforza

The Kitchen Keeper

Robin Helman
 Art director and mother of two, Irvington, New York 

Artful Order in the Cupboards

Robin’s crisp, curated kitchen features a pullout cabinet with 33 alphabetized spices―from allspice to wasabi―in matching glass jars on tiny tiered shelves. Another cupboard has colorful grains and dried beans and reflects the same modernist design sense. Each container is labeled in lowercase letters, in the same typeface.

 Genesis of the system: “I love to cook, and when I lived in London, I got into spices,” says Robin. “Some were in jars, others in bags. They were begging for uniformity. Now my sister brings me spices from Italy, where she lives. I have extra jars on hand so I can just pop them into place.”

 Payoff: “Looking at these cohesive spots makes me happy. Plus, it’s more fun to cook when you know exactly where to find things.”

 Advice for newbies: “Buy uniform containers, use the same font size for all the labels―I set my label maker on small―and place the labels near the tops of the jars so they’re easy to see all at once.”

 Born labeling: “I was labeling things with my computer long before I had a label maker. Even my label maker has a label on it that says ROBIN.” 

3 Ways to Create Your Own System

Make spices and grains match. Oxo’s stackable containers (shown here; from $8 each, oxo.com) come in 11 sizes, so you can use them for grains, sugar, and cereal. Three-inch-high jars are the perfect size for spices; Oggi makes spice jars ($30 for a set of eight canisters, including four spice jars, macys.com) similar to those Robin uses.

 Hide spices in a deep drawer. Place spices cap-side up and label the tops. Keep favorites in the front row and arrange others alphabetically. To hold the spice jars in place, outfit the drawer with a cut-to-fit cork liner ($20, williams-sonoma.com).

 Display spices on a wall. The 14½-inch-long iron spice rack ($20, containerstore.com) holds about 20 jars and is only three inches deep, so it won’t eat up space. 

 http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/organization-secrets-00000000028133/page3.html

2 Ways to Create Your Own System

For digital images: Color-code your collection by storing discs in vibrant cases (slim jewel cases, $11.50 for 25, staples.com)―blue for parties, green for trips, and so on. Use empty cases positioned vertically and marked by the year as dividers; they’ll extend about a half inch above the others.

 For old-school snapshots: Mail photos to ScanCafe.com and get them back in digitized form. About 1,200 images (from 29 cents a photo) fit on a DVD; CDs hold far fewer. The company touches up images in a climate-controlled facility monitored 24/7 by armed guards. You can track your precious cargo online every step of the way, and the originals are returned when the process is complete. 

5 ways to have more money in your passbook

y Ivanna Aguiling
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DateFirst Posted 22:05:00 10/16/2010

Ditch the credit card; be on the lookout for cash-generating opportunities
IF I HAD saved up the hundreds I spent every day for an appetizing cup of caramel macchiato and a swirl of cinnamon, I would have P240,000 more in my savings.

College life can be quite expensive. Money has to be spent on books, photocopied materials taller than the average Filipina at 5 feet, fashion, cell phone upkeep, computers—the list goes on. Then there’s school stress, which only goads us to gorge on more junk and caffeine.

Recently, The Republican College invited staff of the Bank of the Philippine Islands to conduct a Financial Wellness Program for its college students.

“More than 90 percent of Filipinos at 65 are either broke or died broke,” states Michael C. Ela, author of “7 Common Sense Ways of Becoming a Millionaire When You Retire!.”

So what should one do?

Step 1: Save up—with a goal in mind.

For instance, I would like to have my own car when I start working. Without relying on parents, a down payment for a brand new car can go as low as P100,000. Computing this, it would require saving P125 for 20 days a month, 10 months a year, in 4 years. As soon as you start working, you’ll have your down payment ready for your dream wheels.

That means the macchiato, no matter how tempting the crème brulée might be, would have to be shelved for now.

Step 2: Save before you spend. Make affordable sacrifices. Leisure shopping would have to be put on hold. Home-cooked baon (meal) over fast-food chicken and spaghetti might be more efficient, too.

Aim setting aside 10 percent of your money for savings, as most financially successful people do. The allowance you get might not be enough, so an external source can be of help to augment the savings money.

Step 3: Be on the lookout for moneymaking opportunities. Back in college, with my supportive mom’s prodding, I earned extra by coaching ice-skating throughout the year. Some friends spent their break time doing English tutorials. Be resourceful and turn your skills into gold.

Step 4: Continuously learn about money management. Smarten up all the time. Beware of discounts and credit cards. If a 50-percent off dress is flirting with you, think: “needs versus wants.” Plastic money is not a free pass to the latest iPhone. Dodge that interest-earning swipe.

Step 5: Keep your savings in a safe place. Savings accounts can have a high maintaining balance. New platforms, such as the BPI Direct Savings Account with a P500 maintaining balance and a 1.375-percent interest rate, make handling money easier.

Jaymark Torres, 4th year student at the Republican College, said, “This seminar was very helpful. It’s important for us to start saving for the future, especially for emergency situations.”
 

Condensed Milk Chocolate Fudge with Walnuts

Kids won't be able to resist this dense and chocolate-y confection!

Ingredients:
454 grams dark chocolate
60 grams butter
396 gram can condensed milk
150 grams walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine condensed milk, butter, and chocolate.
2. Melt over a water bath.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Fold in walnuts.
5. Pour into a 20 x 20 cm pan lined with foil or plastic wrap.
6. Chill to let set.
7. Cut into small squares.


Recipe courtesy of the Culinary Institute of America and the California Milk Advisory Board

Fruit Crepes

Ingredients CREPE: 1 tbsp margarine melted 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup water 1 eggs beaten 1/4 tsp iodized rock salt FILLING: 1 can (439g) DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail, drained (reserve syrup) 1 tbsp sugar Directions 1 Beat all ingredients for crepe until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. 2 Brush non stick pan with oil, then heat over medium flame. Pour 1/4 cup crepe batter into pan. Tilt to cover bottom. Cook 2 minutes until top is set. Lift edge of crepe, then invert. Cook other side for 1 minute more. Repeat procedure with the remaining batter. Stack each piece in between layers of wax paper to prevent from sticking to each other. Set aside. 3 Simmer fiesta fruit cocktail syrup and sugar for 15 minutes. Set aside. Spoon about 1/4 cup of DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail across the center of each crepe and roll. Spoon fruit cocktail syrup on surface of crepe. http://www.weekenddesserts.com/recipesinside.php?id=9

Buko Rainbow Crepe

			Ingredients
FILLING: 1/2 cup sugar 3 egg yolks 1/3 cup cornstarch, dissolved in 1-1/2 cups evaporated milk 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup butter 1 buko meat shredded 1 can (850 grams)DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail with Peaches drained CREPE: 1 cup all purpose flour 3/4 cup evaporated milk 1 cup water 1/3 cup butter melted 3 egg yolks 1 tbsp sugar  Directions 1 Filling: Combine first 6 ingredients. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes or until mixture coats the spoon. Blend in buko and DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail with Peaches. Set aside. 2 Combine all ingredients for crepe and beat until smooth. Strain. Pour every 1/3 cup of batter in 8” non stick pan. Swirl around the pan to form circle. Cook for 3 minutes. Put 2 tablespoons of filling in the center. Fold sides of crepe to cover the filling. Remove from pan. Chill before serving. Top with cream if desired. Preparation: 15 minutes + 20 minutes cooking http://www.weekenddesserts.com/recipesinside.php?id=3 8 servings

YUMMY CUPCAKES

www.yummycupcakes.com

Vanilla Bean pastel cupcake decorated with a double buttercream drop flower, sprinkled with clear edible glitter. Perfect wedding favor for your guests.

 Chocolate Vanilla cupcake topped with a Happy Birthday chocolate piece

Cupcakes on a Stick™

Cupcakes in a Jar™

UPCAKE SIZES . . .

Mini CupcakesA dozen box of mini gourmet cupcakes in assorted flavor combinations is available in stores every day for $20 per box. 

If you would like these yummy mini cupcakes in special flavors or larger quantities, please order 24 hours in advance.  Mini cupcakes artypically $1.50 each.  
Classic Cupcakes
Our classic size gourmet cupcake is in store every day and are typically $3.00 each.  We offer 19 flavor combinations for you to choose from!  Check out our Daily Calendar for details on which flavor combinations will be served each day.

Jumbo CupcakesOur jumbo gourmet cupcake is baked by special order, 24 hours in advance and is typically $4.75. 

 

Video - Fried Suman with Mangoes and Chocolate Sauce

Video - Fried Suman with Mangoes and Chocolate Sauce

Beef Salpicao

INGREDIENTS:

1 kg beef tenderloin cut into 1” cubes
½ cup garlic minced
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
½ cup demi-glace
2 tbsps butter
2 tsps Smoked Paprika
6 Local chili strips
salt
pepper

PROCEDURE:

1) In a saute pan, heat olive oil in high heat and add garlic until golden brown (but not burned)
2) Take the garlic out of the pan and sear beef till slightly brown; (put salt and pepper to the beef before searing)
3) Add worcestershire sauce, paprika and demi-glace, simmer for 5 mins; add the garlic and the chili and finish with butter.

God wants you to know that...

that every relationship rests on three legs: accepting, supporting and challenging. That's really it, isn't it? You want your relationships to be grounded on accepting each other as you are. On supporting each other through the inevitable ups and downs. On challengi...ng each other to become more, to grow, to flourish. Which one of these is the more difficult one for you, and how are you going to practice it in the next 24 hours?

6 habits that keep couples happy

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann

How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.

Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive


Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.

Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.

Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!

Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.

Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.

Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a New York City-based writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Fitness.

by http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=9795&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=705664

Natural solutions to keep white sheets white

Of the many lessons gleaned from watching the Novogratz family in our home tour with the upcoming stars of Bravo series “9 by design”, one of the most interesting was that mom Cortney, despite juggling a rowdy clan of seven kids, swears by all-white bedding. Paradoxically, she says they’re the easiest to clean, simply by tossing them in the laundry with a bit of bleach. I too love an all-white bed though I rarely bleach my sheets, for fear of the chemicals weakening the fabric. I found a couple natural alternatives to bleach that work well though:


Lemon juice. It’s amazing how many things you can clean with lemon, white sheets among them. Add a quarter cup of lemon juice to your wash cycle with warm water—it really helps brighten your linens.

Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing. This stuff dates back to the 1800’s, which is kind of mind-blowing. It’s a non-toxic, biodegradable blue dye (all you need do is sprinkle a couple drops to your laundry load) that actually serves to make your whites look whiter.

* No matter which whitening method you prefer, resist the temptation to try them all at once, or risk getting some weird chemical reaction that ends up staining your bedding.

by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/natural-solutions-to-keep-white-sheets-white-1264817/;_ylt=AtQ_0x6HJYXaexmrc9BEa.f0gqU5

How to wash down pillows

I'm in spring cleaning mode, and one of the things I'm doing as part of the process is laundering my down pillows. It's an easy enough ritual, and should be embarked upon annually to keep them fresh (though washing them any more than that can actually shorten their lifespan). You can do it right at home with your own washing machine, but it's a little bit more labor intensive than taking care of a regular load of clothes. Check out step-by-step instructions after the jump.

1. Inspect the fabric for any tears or rips—the last thing you want is a bunch of loose feathers clogging up your machine.
2. Treat any spots with your usual stain remover.
3. To keep things balanced, wash pillows two at a time. Use the delicate setting, with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent.
4. Give them a second rinse in the machine to make sure they're spic-and-span.
5. Gently wring out any excess water.
6. Put them in the dryer with a couple clean tennis balls (some people recommend using clean tennis shoes instead, though personally I'm wary of sneakers touching my pillows, even "clean" ones), which help them get nice and fluffy, and set the dryer on low heat.
7. Check on the pillows periodically and fluff them up with your hands, using your fingers to break up any clusters of feathers. Be prepared to wait—they can take a couple hours to dry.

by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-to-wash-down-pillows-1240205/;_ylt=ApirTTAvHESPwgkX3sufyMH0gqU5

How often do you change your sheets?

This morning as I was stripping my bed to do a load of laundry I realized it had been a full two weeks since I’d last washed them—which had me wondering if there were adverse side effects to changing them at that rate. This also got me curious as to whether or not, relative to the rest of you out there, washing sheets every two weeks is considered slacking or standard.


According to examiner.com and ehow.com, the scientific consensus is it’s best to wash sheets weekly to ward of dust mites. Icky as it is to think about, we’re all shedding skin cells while in bed—which is apparently dust mites’ favorite snack food. Laundering bedding once every week, in hot water, helps avoid allergy issues.

Washing sheets every week is a fair amount of work though, especially once you start counting multiple beds/family members, so it’s no wonder a poll on AOL Health last year showed that only 40% of Americans are washing their bedding weekly, which makes me feel slightly better about my own every-other-week habit. What about you: how often do you change your sheets?

by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-often-do-you-change-your-sheets-1429466/;_ylt=ApgdQ34v9yOyrkfbCLQDe1z0gqU5?pg=2

6 habits that keep couples happy

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6 habits that keep couples happy

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Sanitize your linens—and fight off a cold

We’re just at the beginning of cold and flu season, and now’s the time to put a little extra thought and effort into minimizing sickness-inducing germs and bacteria from spreading among your family members and throughout your home. And one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to do this is by keeping your linens spic-and-span.


Though how often you wash your sheets is clearly a personal decision, there are scientific arguments for washing your bedding weekly to benefit your health. According to ehow.com and examiner.com, laundering sheets weekly (in hot, 130-or-more degree water) gets rid of the dead skin cells (fodder for bacteria) and allergy-inducing dust mites that accumulate after a few nights’ sleep. If you or someone in your family is prone to sweating—or if you’ve got Fido cozying up with your in bed—consider washing every couple days to rinse out dirt and pet dander. Don’t ignore your mattress pad either—it’s a good idea to wash it bi-weekly or at least monthly.

Pillows are another consideration. To ensure you’re not resting your head on a big pile of germs—you should be washing your pillows at least every six months. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing them, though generally you should be able to clean them in your home washing machine, and with down ones in particular, it’s a good idea to throw in a couple clean tennis balls while drying which helps keep feathers fluffy. Investing in zippered pillow protectors is also key: they act as a barrier between your pillow and its case (the latter of which should be washed at least weekly) to keep the former nice and sanitary.

Comforters and blankets need proper maintenance as well. Your comforter should we washed monthly (and your duvet weekly). Read the care instructions on the label, since chances are you’re going to need a front loading commercial size washer to accomplish this. Make sure it’s dried properly to avoid mold and fungus from growing. Blankets should also be washed or dry cleaned monthly.

Towels, as we previously discussed, also need TLC—with washcloths and hand towels, in particular (since they’re actually used to wipe off the dirt and oils off your skin), there’s a real risk of spreading staph infections and pinkeye. It's also a good idea because bathrooms are warm, humid breeding grounds for bacteria to begin with. Washing bath towels weekly, and smaller, more frequently used towels even more often that that, is the best way to tackle the germ problem.

Related: How often do you wash your towels?; How often do you change your sheets?; 5 tricks to keep towels soft and fluffy; How to wash down pillows

Sources: ehow.com; globalhealingcenter.org; tips.become.com; ehso.com; healthnewsdigest.com

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/sanitize-your-linens-and-fight-off-a-cold-2396276/

How often do you wash your towels?

I recently interviewed an interior designer on the subject of bathroom décor, and when talk turned to the number of towel sets one should have, her take is we should all have at least four sets per person in your household. Which to me seems really excessive. The argument for this number is that it’s good to have sufficient towels so that at any given time you could have one in the hamper, one in the wash, and one hanging on your towel bar (plus a spare for good measure)—which I suppose makes sense if you’re someone who washes your towel after every use. Which I, for one, do not.


This also got me thinking and researching whether or not, from a germs perspective, I ought to be washing my towels more than my usual 5-7 days. According to Discovery Health, bathrooms—which are generally warm and humid—make an excellent breeding ground for bacteria when coupled with the dirt, oils, and dead cells from your skin. Washcloths are especially risky territory, since they’re actually used to cleanse your face and body, making it easier to transfer staph infections, pinkeye, and even mold. So if you’re someone who uses a washcloth, or a hand towel for that matter, you should probably be throwing it in the laundry more frequently than you do your bath towels—at least every three or four days, if not more often. And you’ll probably want to stockpile more of these smaller size towels accordingly.

But in terms of bath towels, the verdict’s still out on whether or not 5-7 days is sufficient. No matter how long you wait to wash, though, you should always try to spread out wet towels on your towel bar as wide as possible, which makes it easier for air to circulate around them so they dry faster. Color-coding linens according to family member is helpful too, since sharing towels ups the chances for bacteria. And be careful not to let wet bath mats fester on the floor for very long either—if possible, hang those up to dry too.

So now it’s your turn: how often do you wash your towels?

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/how-often-do-you-wash-your-towels-2395986/;_ylt=ArKRw862mLxaELTrPczcYqb0gqU5

5 tricks to keep towels soft and fluffy

Being enveloped in a soft, plush bath towel after a hot shower is one of life’s little luxuries. The problem, though, is that even the softest, plushest among them tend to stiffen after multiple washings—which is actually a function of the chemical detergents most of us use, which coat fabrics and build up on towels in particular (they’re designed to absorb, after all), and over time, you wind up with that icky scratchy feeling. There are some tricks you can employ, however, to stave off hitting the rough patch. Here’s how, courtesy of howtodothings.com and ehow.com:


Add a bit of white vinegar to your rinse cycle, which strips away past detergent build-up. Vinegar also gets rid of any lingering odors clinging to the fabric.

Wash new towels in hot water with baking soda to remove any lingering residue from the manufacturer.

This is counterintuitive, but don’t use fabric softener.

Throw some clean tennis balls in the dryer—they help fluff as they’re bouncing around your dryer.

Fill the washer halfway with water, add half the amount of detergent you might normally use, and set the machine to agitate before dropping in your towels. This prevents the detergent from soaking into the towels before they’re washed.

by http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/5-tricks-to-keep-towels-soft-and-fluffy-1362287/;_ylt=AjPtC.4z2GRoP3EGuZ69din0gqU5?pg=2