Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Automotive And Auto repair Shop

Posted by Cecile at 9/28/2010 02:48:00 PM 2 comments
This morning before going to our dentist's appointment, hubby and I stopped by at a nearby automotive and repair shop to have oil change in our car. It only took half an hour to change the oil, cleaning and inspection. They guy told us that they did check engine light, air filter, timing brake fluid, brake pad as well as rotating the tires. As we were waiting for it to be done, A Ford F-150 was parked in the parking lot. I can't help think of my husband who's wishes is to get his own ford f-150 someday. Since we just bought a Toyota - Sienna van last year, he will need to wait till one of our car is ready for replacement, maybe a couple of years or more.

Anyway, since that place is also auto shop, it would be very convenient for us to have our cars be repaired there when something breaks or needs a replacement. We would probably get great discount since we would become one of their loyal customers. It would be nice if we live in California, particularly in San Diego for we can go to San Diego auto repair in case we need a reliable repair shop we can trust our vehicles with.

We Love Our New House

Posted by Cecile at 9/28/2010 12:59:00 PM 0 comments
When we bought a 62 year old house, my husband and I did thorough renovation in the interior of the house, thus spending a huge amount of money. We didn't realize it would cost us that much to fix it. Have we known it beforehand, we would have bought a newly built house then. The renovation includes: kitchen (floor, cabinets, paint, new appliances), new wood floor. new paints in bedrooms, bathrooms,hallways, and dining and living rooms. With all the hard work we put into it, we became emotionally attached to it making it hard for us to leave when it was time for us to move out.

When we were in the process of buying a new house, we got the chance to go to the showroom and pick whatever we want to put into it including the light fixtures, and the kitchen cabinets and of course the garden tub in the master bath. I chose to upgrade the shower head into a double shower head instead of the standard one they normally put in there. Then when it was time to decorate the house, I put a finishing touches like floral bath towels and a shower-stool for me since I am not tall enough to reach the shower head. So far, hubby and I like our new house and so as the community where we live. We are really close to church, school, shopping area, dentist, and friends.


Monday, September 27, 2010

Seasonal Allergy Attacks My Son

Posted by Cecile at 9/27/2010 10:01:00 PM 0 comments
The much awaited season of the year after summer has finally arrived. The weather started to cool off and we are very excited to go outside play, work in the garden, walk around the lake and parks, go camping, and enjoy the fall season where colorful leaves fall off the tree and on to the ground. Everyone loves fall except the allergy that comes from pollen. My son every year suffers from allergy and there's nothing we can do about it, but give him allergy medicine for kids. My son coughs a lot and is having difficulty sleeping, while I suffer from laryngitis :-(; I still have horse voice and it's been over a week now since I woke up without voice. My husband on the other hand is still doing fine; no signs of allergy yet. Thank goodness....my son's tonsil is not swollen yet from couching. I am crossing my fingers that it won't bother him again or else we have no choice but to remove it as his Pediatrician recommends :-).

Friday, September 17, 2010

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 10:35:00 PM 2 comments
There is no better place to spend a family vacation than in Outer banks North Carolina. Imagine yourself relaxing in one of SeaHawk vacation rentals with all the great amenities you want such as a view of the ocean, a lovely outdoor pool area with volleyball, two master suites, and lower level game room/sports bar. I am pretty sure you will love the special features they offer like the gameroom/sports bar with pool table, gas grill, private pool and hot tub and a high chair and playpen for you baby. I would like to someday go back here for I miss strolling on the beach with my family, swimming, and viewing the beautiful ocean. So, if you are looking for a place to stay while there, Carolina designs will help you. They represent only the finest beach homes for rent on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Our Outer Banks vacation rentals are located in Corolla, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and Southern Shores. So what are you waiting for? Find rental house you and your family will enjoy anytime of the year by visiting their site.

Fast Weight Loss Program

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 10:14:00 PM 0 comments
Everyone I know who wants or needs to loss weight are in search for a fast weight loss program, and that includes me and my husband. Hubby and I tried almost every thing possible to lose weight, but to no avail. And that makes me think...is there really fast way to shed those extra fats? If there is, where is it? How come we never heard of such thing before? I guessed this is one of the things that need some research. Good thing there is a way to find it and that is right in to my fingertips. Okay, I better start doing some research now or maybe tomorrow. It is getting late, I need to hit the hay pretty soon.

Caring for Oily Skin

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 10:10:00 PM 0 comments
You Know the Type: Your face tends to get shiny two hours after washing it. "The natural tendency is to over-scrub to get rid of the oil, but ironically that just makes it worse," says New York City dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, MD. "You actually need to wash gently." Follow with an alcohol toner and use blotting paper throughout the day. Also, avoid products that don't one of these phrases on the label: "oil free," "water based," or "noncomedogenic."

The Fab Factor: You can bring out your natural dewiness with a light dusting of matte powder foundation, says Hollywood makeup artist Kerry Herta. The good news? Despite its bad rep, "oily skin definitely ages more slowly than other types," notes West Palm Beach dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. "It's less susceptible to damage and you tend to have fewer wrinkles. So if you're having a tough go when you're young, know that it will work for you after age 50."

Moisturizing Night Cream

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 09:59:00 PM 0 comments
Before, I used to think that when you've got an oily skin, you don't have to use moisturizing night cream before going to bed. But I was wrong. I realized that my skin still looks dry. And so, I did some research online and found that I still need to use moisturizing cream both in the morning and at night. Knowing how expensive these skin care products are, I asked my friend who works at Neiman Marcus to get some free samples of lotions, lip balm and moisturizing night cream for me. The next day, she brought some for me free of charge, not to mention that they are the Clinique's and Khiels brand. I tell you, though these products are expensive, they really work well. Good thing Ate Delia works there otherwise I will end up buying store brand skin care products...which I don't mind since that's the only brand I can afford, lol!

Shopping at Costco

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 09:44:00 PM 0 comments
If you want to save some bucks when you shop, I suggest go to Costco for you will find their merchandise cheaper than those at retails stores. Hubby and I shop there once a month for some groceries and even clothes. The recliner we have purchased there two months ago where less expensive than the one we saw at the furniture store. Last week, we went there to get baby wipes, men's vitamin, a pair of blouse and Capri short for me, and some meat and veggies. We spent a total of $400, and with that, foods for our food storage are also included. Not bad for that amount of money; we have foods to be consumed when emergency or crisis arise. Anyway, what I am saying is that, buying in bulk saves you a lot!

Few Simple Things to Speed up Metabolism

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 09:31:00 PM 0 comments
I used to be skinny before I even get married. I wore small size of clothing. I was also a very active woman who doesn't sit and watch TV a lot as well as sit in front of computer for long hours. I was always busy running errands, walked a lot, too and of course was a busy woman who works at home. I started gaining weight one week before my wedding day. My ex-boyfriend, now my husband ate out a lot; not to mention that we both like to eat, cook, and try new foods. and restaurants. No wonder why on the day of my wedding, my wedding gown was a little bit tight. Since then, I have trouble losing weight. Anyway, I learned from the experts about the habits that slow metabolism, their answers to some questions I had was very surprising (at least to me) and felt guilty of a few no-no’s myself. I have developed few habits that slows my metabolism, thus making it hard for me to shed those fats I have accumulated for years.Thanks goodness, these habits are also totally fixable. Now, I need to seriously follow healthy balanced diet and keep myself moving, and pay more attention to the following tricks that would aide me with the weight loss process:


1. Scrimping on shut-eye

Catching sleep may help you stay slim, reveals research presented at the annual American Thoracic Society meeting in San Diego. In the study of more than 68,000 women, those who slept seven hours weighed 5.5 pounds less than women who slept five hours or less. Pulling frequent all-nighters may slow your metabolism, impairing your body’s ability to utilize food and nutrients as energy so they get stored as fat instead, scientists say.

2. Stressing out

When you’re on edge, you’re likely to sleep less and eat more, which can affect your thyroid, a gland that produces hormones which regulate metabolism, body temperature, heart rate and more. If your thyroid’s not producing enough of those hormones, it can slow your metabolism and other body functions, leading to weight gain, depression and fatigue. Take time for yourself daily to keep both your thyroid and metabolism humming at optimal levels.

3. Skipping breakfast

Missing a morning meal is the worst thing you can do. It slows metabolism and depletes your body of the fuel it needs to function optimally. Remember, what you eat matters as much as the fact that you eat something. Try to start each day with a breakfast that contains at least 5 grams of protein, which activates the production of norepinephrine, a neurochemical that increase heart rate and alertness. The nutrient also digests slowly, so blood sugar and energy levels stay stable. Try an omelet made with 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup chopped broccoli, 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1 oz lowfat shredded cheese; it delivers an impressive 22 g protein per serving.

4. Staying seated

Get out of that chair! Staying on your feet revs metabolism and doubles your calorie burn during workdays, a study in Diabetes reports. Sitting for a few hours switches off enzymes that capture fat in the bloodstream, but standing up and getting active reignites them. Surrender your seat when possible (e.g., during phone calls) to start reaping benefits.

5. Eating junk food

Junk food might stimulate a gene that encourages your body to store excess fat, causing you to gain weight over time, a study in The FASEB Journal reveals. (In the study, mice without the troublemaking gene had 45 percent lower body fat after eating a high-fat and high-sugar diet for 16 weeks compared to critters with the gene who ate the same diet.) Quell a sweet craving with berries or an orange: They’re high in vitamin C, a nutrient that can help you sizzle up to 30 percent more fat during exercise, suggests research from Arizona State University at Mesa.

6. Falling into a workout rut

Weight loss can stall along the way partly because you get smaller. As you shrink, there is less of you to provide energy for, so you actually start to need fewer calories. These plateaus can last weeks, so rather than get frustrated, try new work outs or ways to eat healthy to keep your metabolism going strong and your body burning even more calories than before.

7. Dodging the weight room

Although cardio sessions turn up the heat and burn big-time calories (which is why I run, bike or swim most mornings and still enjoy dessert!), lifting weights helps you build calorie-burning lean muscle, says Jeffrey Garber, M.D., author of The Harvard Medical School Guide to Overcoming Thyroid Problems (McGraw-Hill). And with more lean muscle, you extend the burn to when you’re just sitting at your desk or in the car. Add weight- bearing exercises like planks, lunges, squats and tricep dips to your workouts three times a week, and you’ll see toning results like you’ve never experienced before!

Source: Yahoo Health

Shopping for Weight Loss Supplements

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 09:24:00 PM 0 comments
I often shop online for clothes, shoes, DVD's, gifts, books, vitamins, iron supplements, but never tried buying weight loss supplements. I have been reading a lot of good news about this kind of supplements and how great and effective they are. And that made me think of trying some to see if it will really work for me and my husband. Since there are many weight loss supplements available in the market today, it would hard for me to find the best weight loss supplements he and I can use. I don't have any clue as to how to spot the best one, but search online. I am sure that would really help solve the problem. I don't want to spend money for the thing that doesn't work. Would you? That is why I need to be careful, right?

We Bonded Well

Posted by Cecile at 9/17/2010 09:11:00 PM 0 comments
When I gave birth to my son 6 years ago, I really wanted to breast feed him, but for some reason, I couldn't produce any milk. Hubby even bought a breast pump I can use thinking that it might help, but it didn't. My Obstetrician gave me some advice to increase breast milk production, but to no avail. After much work to produce milk for my baby, I finally gave up. We ended giving him formula milk. At first I was worried that I wouldn't be able to bond well with him, but I was wrong. We became very close and he grew up faster and healthier. Now, he is a smart, healthy little boy who hardly get sick at all. We are so blessed that so far he haven't been to the hospital since he was discharged a NICU 6 years ago. We gave credit to God who is our constant guide and protector.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Acne Treatment System

Posted by Cecile at 9/16/2010 12:35:00 PM 0 comments
In about 5 minutes, I need to get up to pick my son up at school. I feel lazy for it is very hot outside. I know it would only takes less than 5 minutes to get to school, but with the soaring heat it would feel like I was in the sun for half an hour...sigh. Oh well, I need sun anyway for it is good for my skin. I need Vitamin D! Seeing my son happy after school puts a smile on my face. It makes me happy for I miss him so much. Every time he gets out of the door, he would always say, how much he missed me. Anyway, blogging keeps me sane during those times when he is at school and hubby is asleep. I still have plenty of things to write about like the acne treatment system a process on how to get rid of acne effectively. Sometimes it confuses me when I see many products for acne; how are we gonna know if all of them are effective unless we try them all. The question is; are you willing to spend a lot of money just to make sure which once is right for you and of course the one that is safe and effective.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Great House, Great Price!

Posted by Cecile at 9/15/2010 10:15:00 PM 0 comments
Before we finally decided to buy a new house for the first time, we went looking for a house near my husband's work. The real estate agent who worked with us showed many houses, but only found one that we both liked so much to the point that we made an offer the very same day. The house was a two story one, newly renovated and everything were replaced including appliances, floors, sidings, and fence. We like the stair rods they put on the stair. Our offer didn't get accepted for the seller thought that our offer was very low. It turned out in the end that what we've offered was higher than the appraised price. Oh man, what was the seller was thinking when he said "our offer is too low?" Oh well, we didn't make another offer again as he requested after that. He kept the house to her/himself. He didn't know he actually made us a favor. Now we are living in a newly renovated house with all the things we like, not to mention the great community we belong. We love our new place/house, and got it for a lower price compared to the other one.

My Annual Medical Exams

Posted by Cecile at 9/15/2010 09:08:00 PM 0 comments
Yesterday was the longest day I have ever had. I woke up early, prepared my son for school, dropped him off and then headed to my annual medical exams at 7am. The traffic was heavy for no reason at all, and so we got to the hospital and registered (was 15 minutes late). As soon as I signed up forms and have my blood work done, we went to the 2nd floor where my mammogram, and bone density tests were. An hours later, I proceeded to my other test which was the stress test. I got there at 11am; I didn't realized it would take 6 hours for the test to be completely done. I was so pissed off. The an hour and a half procedure end up to six hours. What a day! I was starving and and very thirsty for I wasn't supposed to eat from midnight till the tests were finished. I get to eat my first meal of the day at 6 in the evening. How did it happen? I have been to a stress test before but didn't remember that it took longer as it was yesterday. I pity the 1 year old baby boy who was there before us and finished he test the same time I finished mine. What a mess in the department. They need to fix this problem or many patients will gonna complain. I am glad it is all over; thank goodness these tests happen only once a year.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

My Concerns on Working Outside Home

Posted by Cecile at 9/11/2010 08:01:00 PM 0 comments
Now that my son is attending school, I plan to keep myself busy by working outside home. My son goes to school in the morning and that schedule would be the best time for me to work. I just couldn't make up my mind which job to apply for. In the city where we live now, I noticed that there are plenty of jobs I qualified for. The only concern I have is that will they hire me to work in the morning and till 3pm? Some might not even like if I request for days off on weekends for I need to watch my son on those days since hubby works during weekends also....plus we don't want to work on Sunday for religious reason. We need to feed our soul on Sunday by going to church and attending Sunday school classes. I pray that at least one of those companies would let me not work on weekends. Sunday also is family time for us. If that would be the problem, then I'd better stay at home working on the computer part - time.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Eat These 7 Foods to Fight Stress

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 04:12:00 PM 0 comments
They said: you should eat when you’re stressed—it’s our bodies’ natural reaction to want to store calories to face whatever challenge is causing the stress in the first place. The key, however, is to eat what your body wants—the foods that actually counteract the effects of stress, and make you stronger (and leaner) when the tough times pass. So next time anxiety runs high, be sure to grab one of these seven stress-fighting foods.

Papaya
Half a medium papaya carries nearly 75 percent more vitamin C than an orange, and provides potent protection against stress. Researchers at the University of Alabama found 200 milligrams of vitamin C—about as much as you’ll find in one large papaya—twice a day nearly stopped the flow of stress hormones in rats.
Peppermint Tea
The mere scent of peppermint helps you focus and boosts performance, according to researchers. Another study discovered that peppermint tea makes drivers more alert and less anxious.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with stress-busting potential thanks to high levels of magnesium. Only about 30 percent of us meet our daily magnesium requirements, placing the rest of us at a higher risk for stress symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, tension, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness and high blood pressure.
Avocados
The healthy fats buried in the avocado’s flesh make it an ideal choice when you’re craving something rich and creamy. The reasons? Monounsaturated (healthy) fatty acids, and potassium--both of which help combat high blood pressure. Avocado fat is 66 percent monounsaturated.
Salmon
Not only does omega-3 fat protect against heart disease and cognitive decline, but according to a study from Diabetes & Metabolism, the wonder fat is also responsible for maintaining healthy levels of cortisol.
Almonds
The almond's first stress-buster is the aforementioned monounsaturated fats, but at risk of belaboring that point, let’s look at another almond-centered, mind-calming nutrient: vitamin E. In one study, Belgium researchers treated pigs with a variety of nutrients just before sticking them in a transportation simulator (basically a vibrating crate).
Oatmeal
A biochemical effect of stress is a depleted stock of serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel cool, calm, and in control. One reliable strategy for boosting serotonin back to healthy levels is to increase your intake of carbohydrates.


Safety and Security

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 04:03:00 PM 0 comments
When we talk about safety and security of our loved ones, we mean our/their temporal and physical well being. We make sure that we give them what they need. Having health insurance gives us assurance that when sickness or unavoidable accident happens, we are at peace knowing that our loved ones will receive the help they needed because there is a health insurance who can help them bear medical expenses as well as hospital and doctor bills. Another insurance that can be beneficial is the life insurance. Here we can even secure our loved ones finances in case something happened to us. They don't have to worry on the funeral expenses and stuffs related to that. The great thing about life insurance is that our kid's education can be secured, too. So even though we are gone, they are good to go. These are few of the things that can't be avoided; therefore, it is better to be prepared than sorry.

Stress

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 04:00:00 PM 0 comments

Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat.

It's almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to, because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it may harm your health, your relationships, and your enjoyment of life.

Stress can be a very difficult feeling to overcome, if not treated correctly. Stress is an overload of complicated information that a person tries to register and accept.

Here are some different life events that are identified as stressful. They are rated on the "Holmes-Raye" scale, which scores them according to the stress they cause (the higher the number, the greater the stress).

* Death of a spouse - 100 points

* Divorce - 73 points

* Marriage - 50 points

* Pregnancy - 40 points

* Buying a house - 31 points

* Christmas - 12 points

Symptoms of stress:

# Changes in body functions and physical health

# Changes in emotions and feelings

# Changes in behavior

# Changes in thoughts

Fashionable and Affordable Sunglasses

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 03:44:00 PM 0 comments
When I think about good health, it also means good eyesight. So, I not only watch my food intake, but also take care of my eyes. Being a diabetic person requires a lot of changes on the foods I eat. I can only eat small amount of foods rich in carbohydrates, and sugar. And when my blood sugar is really up, it can also affect my vision in the long run. So I limit my carbohydrates and sugar intake. Another thing I can take care of my eyes is to wear sunglasses and rest my eyes by limiting my time spend in front of computer.


Speaking of sunglasses, hubby and I have collected many sunglasses over years. Don't get me wrong but these sunglasses are inexpensive and therefore they break easily. I have been telling my husband that we need to stop buying cheap sunglasses for we are not rally saving money at all. I told him that we need to get each one a pair that will last a long time. Something expensive but durable. I think I know where to buy one. I saw this
julbo sunglasses (picture attached) online and fell in love with it. It looks fashionable, durable and affordable compare to other brand name sunglasses.

24 Hour Urine Collection

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 03:37:00 PM 0 comments
Once a year I am required to do an annual check up for kidney functions. Last month, I finally submitted a 24 hour urine collection, a lab work, sonogram and an x-ray. This month would be a mammogram, cardio, and a visit with my doctor. These are necessary to ensure that my transplanted kidneys are still working well. They want to make sure that I am not spilling a protein as well to check for the creatinine clearance.

This what wikipedia says about the 24 hours urine collection:

Renal function, in nephrology, is an indication of the state of the kidney and its role in renal physiology. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) describes the flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney. Creatinine clearance rate (CCr or CrCl) is the volume of blood plasma[1] Both GFR and CCr may be accurately calculated by comparative measurements of substances in the blood and urine, or estimated by formulas using just a blood test result (eGFR and eCCr). that is cleared of creatinine per unit time and is a useful measure for approximating the GFR. Creatinine clearance exceeds GFR due to creatinine secretion which can be blocked by cimetidine. Alternatively, over estimation by older serum creatinine methods resulted in an under-estimation of creatinine clearance which provided a less biased estimate of GFR.

The results of these tests are important in assessing the excretory function of the kidneys. For example, grading of chronic renal insufficiency and dosage of drugs that are primarily excreted via urine are based on GFR (or creatinine clearance).

It is commonly believed to be the amount of liquid filtered out of the blood that gets processed by the kidneys. Physiologically, these quantities (volumetric blood flow and mass removal) are only related loosely.

He Loves Music

Posted by Cecile at 9/06/2010 03:31:00 PM 0 comments
Back when I was still single, I used to listen to the music. I love the music of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Air Supply, Eagles, Beatles and the Carpenters. I remember myself singing a karaoke a lot with my friends. We would go to our other friend's house for some yummy foods and karaoke time. Oh how, I miss those days. Now, I hardly listen to music anymore. I don't even know the latest songs and artists. I am so out of the loop when it comes to music now. I would rather sing children songs with my son. I love church hymns, too. Hubby on the other hand is in to music; he even recorded many songs in his ipod. Lately, he has been spending a lot of time in front of his computer looking for new ipods. Yes, he wants to upgrade his old ipod to a new one. I don't know what's gotten into him. I even saw bills from iTunes when he gets some of his fave songs. Oh well, at least he is not addicted to something bad like smoking, or drinking. I think I know now what to give him for our coming anniversary.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Pets are Good for Our health

Posted by Cecile at 9/04/2010 02:29:00 AM 2 comments
I grew up with quite few pets in our home. We have rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I think I have had enough of them that for now I don't want any single pet at home. Maybe someday we will get one since my husband and son want a cat. Anyway, I heard that pets can help you feel better and even help improve your health. So here why I said so:

Pets are cute and cuddly, but what are their real benefits? Here are just a few of the ways pets can help you out:

~~ Pets improve your mood. Stroking, cuddling, and just being around a pet that gives unconditional love helps many people become happier. In fact, more than 65 percent of nursing homes have an animal program because they have been shown to lift spirits.

~~ Pets lower your blood pressure. A study was done comparing stockbrokers who suffered from hypertension. One group was put on a medication, and a second group was put on medication and given a dog or a cat. At the end of six months, the second group had significantly lower blood pressure.


~~ Pets promote exercise. Well, dogs do, anyway. A dog is a jogging partner that will never cancel on you. Studies have shown that dog owners go on more frequent and longer walks than non-dog-owners.

~~ Pets protect against allergies.This may come as a surprise to many people, but children raised in families with pets are far less likely to have allergies and as they get older.

Source: LDS Living Magazine
 

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