My Weekend Journal

The global economy is in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit). However, with a bit of flexibility and creativity, we could find ways and means to float above the current economic crisis. We could start by making some changes and adjustments in our lifestyles while making sure that we are still able to meet all the family needs. Here are some tips to protect our family from recession. 1. Pay yourself first. Put money aside for savings first before dividing the rest for the bills and other expenses. Make it a habit to save, even if you can only afford to put aside a small amount at a time. 2. Review your budget. Check your finances and spending habits, then take out all the things that you really do not need. Learn to minimize spending for recreation-related activities. 3. Shop wisely. It is wise to compare prices at different stores and look for bargains. Check out where you can buy things at the lowest prices. 4. Avoid going into debt. Try to pay in cash and track where your money go...

It's Friday once again and we are all looking forward for our free snacks today. We don't know yet what will it be. It is always a big surprise on Fridays. While wondering and trying to guess our free Friday snacks, here is one of my favorite Filipino snacks. This is one of my easy healthy snacks collections and if you're looking for some snacks for kids, I'm quite sure kids and other diners will love this. Nestle made some twists on its presentation that could equal any restaurant menu. You cannot find this menu in a steakhouse so try it yourself. :) Crispy Maruya Special Ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp baking powder pinch of salt 1/4 cup sesame seeds 2 pieces eggs 1/2 cup NESTLE Fresh Milk 6 pieces ripe saba bananas fanned 1 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup langka preserve 6 scoops NESTLÉ Ice Cream Procedure: 1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 2. Beat eggs and add NESTLE Fresh Milk and sesame seeds. ...

Gift Giving has nothing to do with how much money you spend. What you need to remember when buying or making a gift is that you are not just giving your loved ones a box containing a present but a box containing your thoughts and your feelings about them. Here are some thoughtful Christmas gift ideas and Christmas gift sets for you. Have fun choosing and enjoy making them for your loved ones! 1. Christmas Gift Baskets or Goody Baskets. You can fill the basket with items or goodies about their special interest. 2. Paperback books, cookbooks or magazines. 3. Beauty Kit. Perfect for teens and the girls in the family. 4. Framed Collage. Gather pictures of the person you are making the collage for. Then cut and organize them to make an attractive display. 5. Homemade Ornaments. A childs' foot or hand imprint creatively decorated make excellent gifts for grandparents or relatives. 6. Family or Children Portraits. This is a perfect gift for grandparents or distant relatives ...

Our skin is the first thing that other people may notice about us. An important component of the skin is the pigment called melanin. It gives us our color and helps protect us from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Taking care of our skin is not merely a matter of vanity, but an important health routine too. There are many skin care products available today - for whitening the complexion, for getting a youthful glow, and for eradicating skin imperfections. However, nothing beats the basic skin care, and healthy skin simply needs care and consideration. Here are simple tips for getting a fantastic skin: 1. Keep it clean. Make sure that you cleanse your skin gently and thoroughly, and that goes not just for your face, but the skin all over your body. Use soap with mild formulation for your facial wash, hand scrubbing and bathing . 2. Be gentle. Even though a hot bath sounds like a relaxing idea, you have to make sure that your water is not too hot. This robs skin of its natural oi...

One of the cool aspects of blogging is its broad application potential. Blogs are taking over the internet and information exchange. They can be about anything or anyone with topics ranging from personal reflection to political views. Most newbie bloggers make blogs about their personal life and their family. Personal blogs have become popular. A personal blog is a great way to jot down the things that happen in our life. It is also a good outlet to share our own perspective. When having a personal blog, the first thing we have to keep in mind is safety. A personal blog may seem safe enough since it is nothing more than words on a web page. However, we have to keep a few personal things for ourselves like addresses, phone numbers, and even email addresses. Once we put something up on our blog, it becomes essentially public and we never know who is watching. Always keep safety in mind first, and we are well on our way to a fun and successful blogging experience. Personal blogs have ...

World Challenge 2010 is a competition organized by BBC World News Limited ("BBC World News") aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. This is the sixth year of The World Challenge Competition and the 12 finalists again raise the bar for sustainable enterprises that are putting something back into their communities. They are all boosting livelihoods and improving living standards without wrecking the environment. Showcasing finalists from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, this series promises to deliver inspiration while challenging viewers to select just one as their favorite to win the coveted award. I am knocking on your hearts, asking for your support for the entry from the Philippines. Please vote for THE ONLY WAY IS UP . Please vote before the November 12th deadline and make the country proud!!! Filipinos are urged to unite and vote for the country’s lone entry amo...