Buy 2 and Get 1 Free Deal You Can't Resist

My prescription glasses need replacement already, but I have been swamped by too much work that I cannot seem to find the time to go over the optical shop and get one.

I am thinking that since I know my eye glasses prescription, why don’t I just order from Zenni Optical online and have it delivered at home?

Zenni Optical has a wide range of stylish and affordable eyeglasses.  Looking at the glasses displayed on their website, I am finding it hard to choose which one I like.  Maybe I just get three of what I like best since they are having this crazy promo – the buy two pairs, get one free pair eyeglasses promo.

Yes, you have read it right.  Purchase two pairs of eyeglasses and get the next pair free as long as those eyeglasses are priced either equal or lesser than the two purchases you have made. That’s a huge treat coming from Zenni Optical.

Zenni Optical eyeglasses are affordable: they have a  $6.95 prescription eyeglasses .  All their eyeglasses comes with FREE Anti-Scratch coating, FREE Thin and Light 1.57 Index Single Vision Lenses, FREE Full UV protection, FREE Protective Case, and FREE Microfiber Cleaning Cloth.  All those features and freebies are really great value for your money.

Ordering online is easy too! So why don't you head over at Zenni Optical and take advantage of their buy two pairs and get one free pair of eyeglasses promo now. Hurry this deal is for a limited run only!

Z.E.N Tea Tree Deodorant Roll-On

I have been using organic products for the last six months.  I have a line of organic products that I often use, but still I am on a lookout for new products to try.

I have read about Z.E.N Organic Product through Daphne Osena Paez’ blog.   I saw the different pictures of the products they have to offer in that blog, but what caught my attention was the deodorant spray. 

I have seen different brands of organic soaps, shampoos, lotions, but seldom do I see an organic brand that sells deodorant spray aside from All Organics, and now I’ve discovered about ZEN.

I was at Trinoma last Sunday, so I grabbed the chance to go to SESOU kiosk and asked if they have ZEN deodorant spray.  They don’t have a deodorant spray but they have the roll-on only.  I bought the deodorant roll-on at P200.00

It smells good and I stayed fresh and dry the whole dry when I tried it.  It’s something I can alternate with the All Organics’ deodorant spray that I often used.

The only problem I’ve got with it is that the ingredients of the deodorant are not disclosed except that it has Tea Tree in it.  I feel that it would be more reassuring for customers like me who use organic products to know what’s in it.  It would be disappointing that you bought what you thought to be organic and then realized that it contains harmful chemicals that you are veering away from. Anyway, I hope that they can add the ingredients to the packaging and this product will be perfect for me.

Tahong Chips

Tahong Chips

Have you tried tahong chips? Yes, chips made from green mussel?

I was at Geo Shop, a shop that sells organic products, two weeks ago, and I saw this Tahong Chips. I bought one just to try it.  And hopefully, if I liked it, I would be able to find a better alternative to the salty commercial chips I am addicted to.

Tahong Chips is made from flour, green mussel or tahong and some spices and salt.  The bag of chips came with vinegar. 

What's my verdict?  It taste bland even if you dip it in vinegar. I could not even taste a hint of the mussel. I feel as if I am eating a bag of salt less crackers. It also has a fishy after taste.  I hope they can do something to improve its taste. I was disappointed because I thought I have found a delicious healthy chips for myself

Mann Hann Restaurant

My aunt, who is based in Japan, celebrated her birthday last February 18.  Even if she’s abroad, she asked her daughter to invite and treat us (family members) to a Chinese feast at Mann Hann.

Mann Hann is my aunt’s favorite.  Every time she’s in the country she would eat at this restaurant every other day to satisfy her cravings.  She even requested her son to hand carry back to Japan some frozen taipao.

We ordered from the menu the food that my aunt is most fond of.

                                                               Hakaw P95.00

                                                           Siomai P95.00

                                                     Seafood Miki Bihon P265.00

                                                      Pancit Canton P245.00

                                  Chilled Taho P40.00   and Honey Lemon P100.00/Liter

                                                                 Taipao P100.00

I like the restaurant’s minimal look and I love the containers they used to hold the water and the iced tea.

The food taste good and the prices are not too expensive.

Traveling Sites

I love to travel; I know that I have said that in my previous posts. If I have the money I would love to be able to travel every weekend, but I don’t.  So what I do for now is just save up and plan my next trip with my loved ones.

The internet has been helpful in my traveling plans because through it I do my research about the place I want to visit. The traveling blogs of other people help me learn how to best get to the place, the scenic spots I must not miss, food I have to try and cautions I have to take to have the best experience of the area.

I have a list of must see places this year and all these places I get to know through the traveling sites I have visited.  I enjoy reading the traveling entries of people.  They make traveling so much fun.

In visiting traveling sites, I came across this new social traveling site called gogobot.com

Through gogobot, you can make friends with other people who love traveling and connect with friends who also enjoy traveling. You and your friend can also plan your next trip using gogobot.  This site is where you and other people can put pictures and reviews of beautiful places.  You can also ask for tips about the best accommodations in the areas , the weather at this time of the year, where to eat, even about the los angeles hotel reviews and so much more.

Traveling is fun! And I have been blessed to have been given an opportunity to travel once in a while.

Going Organic with Daila Soaps

My boyfriend and I went to Cubao Expo last February 14.  No, we didn’t go there for a date.  He had  a business transaction with a watch maker there and I accompanied him.

While he was busy doing his transactions, I went around the expo looking at the different shops.

I was so happy to have spotted Geo Shop.

Geo Shop is a quaint shop that sells organic food and beauty products.

I was so happy to have discovered it because I was running out of organic bath soap and shampoo bar.  As I entered the shop, I asked the storekeeper if they were selling Giga products.  She told me that they don’t carry that product line but instead recommended Daila soaps.  She told me that she has been recommending this soap and her customers have been satisfied by the product.

I have read about Daila soaps before on the internet, so she doesn’t have to convince me so much about buying the soap.  I bought the Daila Herbal Yerba Buena soap and Daila Gugo shampoo bar.  Both are sold at P50.00

Daila soaps are by far the cheapest organic soaps I have bought.

Herbal Yerba Buena Soap

The Daila Herbal Yerba Buena soap is one of their most popular products.  It is made from yerba buena, coconut oil and alkali.  Yerba Buena is a minty herb known to revitalize and moisturize the skin.  I love the subtle smell of this soap and it really moisturizes my skin very well.

Gugo Shampoo Bar

I am satisfied with Daila Gugo shampoo bar too.  My hair smells clean and fresh, very much like when I used the Giga shampoo bar that I am more accustomed to. The soap is made from gugo, aloe vera, coconut oil and Alkali.  Gugo bark and aloe vera are known to clean the scalp and promote hair growth.  This soap is best to use for those who have balding head or hair problem.

Would I stick with the Daila soaps? Definitely!  It’s the most economical because the soap size is much bigger compared with the other organic soaps I’ve tried, and it doesn’t dry up as easily as the others too.

My Birthday Treat at Trinoma

I had an advance birthday celebration at Trinoma last February 5.  This birthday party was a treat from my aunt, who happens to be my godmother too. 

We had dinner at Lamesa Grill in Trinoma. 

During special occasions we usually have the function room at Lamesa Grill reserved for us.

These are the yummy dishes we ate that night:

Kare Kare and Sinigang na Ulo ng Salmon

Laing with Adobo Flakes

Pinatayong Manok

Crispy Pata

Valentine's Day Sweets

These are what I got for Valentine’s Day

Heart-shaped Doughnuts from Dunkin Donuts and several Choco Mucho bars.

These all came from my friends at the office.

Traveling to Italy

I love traveling.  I enjoy going to different places and discovering its history and beauty.  I have been able to see beautiful places around the country, but I have not been to any place outside of the Philippines.

It is one of my wish to be able to fly to different countries around the world.  I would love to be able to visit Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, France, Spain, Italy and so much more.  If I have the resources I would love to visit all the countries in the world, well except for those who have internal conflicts going on inside their country.

On top of my list of place to visit is Italy.  There are many places in Italy I would love to go to.  I would love to see Rome for its fountains and rich history, Milan for its fashion, Venice to ride its gondolas and so much more.  I would love to have my fill of its delicious cuisine, specially its pizza. 

I know that with the vastness of Italy’s history, beauty and culture, it would be just to hard to choose which places to see and visit first, add to that which locations are a must to visit when in Italy.

So for first time traveler like me, I would love to be able to choose the right luxury Italy tours.  I would definitely get the service of  the best tour operators to ensure that I will have a fun, smooth and problem-free trip to Italy.  It would be a little bit expensive but at least I do not have to worry about booking for flights, looking for hotels to stay in or even making an itinerary on the place I want to visit because someone is going to do it for me.  All I have to do is pack my bag, take a lot of pictures and be surprised at the scenes I am going to see.

Well, I better get back to reality, I have been dreaming so much of Italy.  I need to save first to make this a reality.

Carica's Deep Clean Soap

I ran out of my Giga organic soap, but I was too lazy to go to their kiosk in SM Megamall or at Sesou.  So when I passed by the stall of Carica, I got myself their Deep Clean soap and a bottle of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

Well, I am not really sure if the soaps and other products of Carica are organic unlike those of Giga and Human Nature, which from what I have read online are certified organic.  I was not able to read a lot of reviews on Carica products, but judging on the product label, it seems organic because the ingredients of the Carica soap, are only few from plants and herbs, and it doesn’t contain any foreign sounding chemicals in it.

It has hibiscus, catmon, spirulina, coconut cream, papaya and volcanic mud.

The soap in circle shape, can really moisturize the skin very well, and can be a good substitute to the Giga soap I’m more accustomed to.  The only problem I have with it is the funny smell – and its unattractive look.  I hope they can do something to improve the smell or just eliminate the odor and the overall appearance of the soap because once you uncover it you don’t feel like rubbing it all over your skin.     

The soap retails at P66.00 

Goldilocks' Catedral Window

Goldilocks Cathedral

This is my boyfriend’s favorite.  He is not really fond of sweets so he enjoys this sweet-sour dessert at Goldilocks so much.

This is what he bought for his mama on her birthday (and a blouse too) and ate half of it during the birthday celebration. 

Since he liked this so much, this is what I gave him for Valentine’s Day.  He was so happy when I handed the Goldilocks box to him. 

I need to learn how to make this dessert for him. I’ll make many so that he can eat as much Cathedral window he likes.  I think it wouldn’t be that hard because it’s just made from gelatin, but then again I am not really an expert in the kitchen.  

Crisostomo in Eastwood

Our family had dinner last Christmas at Crisostomo in Eastwood.

Crisostomo is a restaurant that specializes in  Filipino cuisine.  Crisostomo, I assumed is named after the main character in Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” since the items on the menu  where after the characters in the novel.  It is one of the many restaurants by well-known chef, Florabel Co.

The restaurant looks really pretty with its old Spanish look especially the big chairs that they have.  Unfortunately, our family got seated outside because a lot of families where having their Christmas dinner there as well.  But despite the many customers, the waiters were very attentive to our needs.

I forgot to take the pictures of the food we ate that night, these are the only food pictures I had:

Adobo Buencamino ( Adobong Hito sa Gata) P325.00

Don Rafael ( Crispy Pata) P550.00

Aside from the dishes above, we also had Kare-Kare Kura P400.00, Don Felipe ( Pork Adobo Pusit) P330, and Sinang con Laing P195.00.

Everything I liked except for the Don Felipe, it is visually unappealing, the meat is not tender and I could not see the point of putting together Pork and Squid in Adobo.  Nevertheless, we had a fine dining experience at Crisostomo.

The food is quite expensive; a cup of plain rice is sold at P60.00. 

Fun At Sleepaway Camps In New York

In a few months, it is summer already, my favourite time of the year when I was still a student.   Summer signals the start of the long school break and that means going on long vacations, learning new things at summer classes, going to the beach and out of town trips and of course joining a summer camp.

I was chatting with my office mate this morning and she told me that her son is going on a summer camp sponsored by their church.  It was the first time that her son is joining one, and although she’s a little nervous with the prospect of her son being away from her for several days, she’s also very excited for him.  She knew that aside from learning new things at the camp, her son will be able to gain new experiences and friends at the camp.

She told me that this summer camp will not only be beneficial for her son but also for her as well.  Being a single mom with only her son to look after, the time at the camp would mean some free time to be able to do other things she missed because she needs to look after him.  As early as now, she is already looking for Summer Recreations to do while he is away.

Sending your kids to summer camps is really a great way to spend summer for the kids.  If you are looking for camps that specialize in a particular skill or craft that your child wants to develop or you want to know where the Sleepaway Camps in NewYork are located, then head over to tipsandtrips.com.  They offer a lot of information on the best summer program options for your kids.

Renewal of PRC License

I was on leave from work yesterday because I needed to renew my Professional Regulation Commission ID both for my medical technologist and teacher's licenses.

Doing transactions at PRC is always a pleasant experience.  The employees are very accommodating, and they work really fast.

I was at the PRC gate as early as 7:20 a.m., and at 7:30 a.m the gates of the PRC were opened to the public. The guards checked bags and told the people what window to line up to for their transactions. At exactly 8:00 a.m., the Customer Assistance Center was entertaining clients already, handling out application forms and telling people what the next step would be.

After filling up my form and having it checked by the PRC employee, I was told to pay the necessary fees at the Cashier.  After paying, I went back to the employee who initially assessed my form and then she handed a claiming stub with the date when I will come back to pick-up my license.  I was done in less than 20 minutes.

I proceeded to the 4th Floor of the PRC building for my teacher's license and the same procedure as the renewal of my medical technologist license was done.  I was able to finish renewing both licenses in less than 40 minutes.

So for those who are going to renew their license just bring 2 pieces of passport size, white background colored ID picture with name tag and a photocopy of your previous license.  You don't need to bring the old license as long as you have it photocopied.  The fee for the renewal is P400.00.

Now, if you want to avail of the fast application and you don't want to wait for more than a month for your license than you have to pay P900.00 for the renewal.  You don't need to bring an ID picture anymore because the PRC personnel will be the one to take your picture.  You just need to wait for two hours before it will be released.

I opted for the regular renewal unlike three years ago when I opt for the fast renewal because I don't want to spend two hours at the PRC on my birthday.

The fees by the way at the PRC remain unchanged even after three years.

I hope that the transactions at other government agencies will be as fast as the transactions at PRC.

After Office Treat With Dairy Queen

After a hard day at work, I always give myself a reward by giving myself a Dairy Queen's Blizzard.  It's a good thing that there's a Dairy Queen store I can pass by on my way home.  I give myself the smallest cup to indulge in so as not to gain so much weight.

image from fanpop.com

 
Their blizzard for the month are Double Dutch and Rocky Road! Yummy! I have tried the Double Dutch, so I'm looking forward to having the Rocky Road flavor next time.  They have 10 new flavors and I want to give each of it a try.

I always have a blizzard at Dairy Queen, but I haven't tried their ice cream cakes, moolattes, shakes and sundae.

Writing this post makes me crave for Dairy Queen right now.

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?

Don’t you just hate the sight of your stretch marks?

Yipes!  I have some on my back and thighs.  I had stretch marks because I used to be very fat in my younger years and when I have lost a lot of weight in high school I have developed stretch marks on the said parts.

Well, I have tried lotions and body creams that are said to be formulated with ingredients to remove or lessen the appearance of stretch marks to no effective results at all.

I am at the moment using sunflower oil on my back and thighs for a month now because according to an article I have read, it is good for stretch mark, but it is too early to tell now if it’s working.  I will give it another two months before I look for results.

But what is exactly a stretch mark?

Stretch marks or “striae” , develops during rapid weight loss or gain.   Stretch marks are associated with the high levels of steroid hormones in pregnant women and the growth spurt in teenagers, so it is common in women at that stage.  

It is easier to remove stretch marks at its earliest stage when it’s just in its pink or red stage.  Once the stretch marks become white in appearance it would be really hard to eliminate it.  

It is important to moisturize the areas prone to stretch marks like back, belly, arms and thigh when you are pregnant, a teenager or when you are dieting to avoid the stretch marks.

But if you have stretch marks already, you can remove it by looking for lotions and creams that are formulated to target stretch marks.  Did you know that there are foods you can eat that can remove stretch marks too?  There are surgeries also that can remove stretch marks.  

So if you are having stretch marks problem like I do, why not visit stretchmarks24.com?  It is one of the best websites to visit when you want information about stretch marks and how to remove it.   They have the latest information on treatments and products on stretch marks.  They are there to help you find the best stretch mark cream you need and so much more

Kiwifruit

My favorite fruit

I was lucky a few days ago because a vendor came over our office selling yummy kiwifruit for only P10.00.  I bought a kiwifruit and ate it for snacks. 

The scientific name of the fruit is Actinida deliciousa, which I think really suits the fruit because it is really delicious.  Did you know that the fruit is native to China, and is the national fruit of the country?  It also goes by the name Chinese gooseberry and melonette.

I’ve always associated and thought that the fruit came from New Zealand, maybe because the people in New Zealand are colloquially called kiwis.

Another fact I’ve learned about the fruit is that Italy is the main producer of kiwifruits, followed by New Zealand, Chile and France.  This fruit was only recently commercially planted in China because traditionally the fruit was gathered from the wild.

The outer covering of the fruit do not make it appealing but once you opened it and see the light green flesh you will be enticed to eat.

Not only is kiwifruit yummy, it’s really very nutritious too.  Kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C and potassium; it also has vitamin E and vitamin A.  The fruit also has significant amount of dietary fibers, so it is considered as a mild laxative.

This fruit is not usually served with desserts with milk and other dairy products because of the protein dissolving enzyme Actinidin that will act on and digest the protein of the said products.

So if you're running out of ideas for a healthy afternoon treat, why not have a kiwifruit for a snack?

Afternoon Snacks

It’s really hard to think of what to eat everyday for my afternoon snack here at the office.  The canteen at the office seems to be running out of ideas for merienda; it’s either turon, bananacue or pansit.  They don’t even serve sandwiches. :(

On days when I’m really craving for snacks, my friend here at the office and I would go to the nearby public school and look for things to munch on from the vendors around the school. 

There are many snacks to choose from but we all know how unhealthy these foods are:  candies of all kinds, chips, flavored popcorn, cotton candy, manggang hilaw with bagoong, fishballs and so many others.

Hungry, and left with no other choice, we ended up eating ice scramble and hotdogs. It may not be healthy but it was really yummy!  and enough to satisfy our grumblings stomachs.