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Until now, I don’t understand why our 2020 is like this, it seems that this year is full of challenges and difficulties. We experienced Taal Volcano Ashfall, and just recently, typhoon Ulysses battered different parts of Luzon. Last Thursday, we had no electricity and water for 16 hours. Even mobile data connections were down. 

I hate food waste because I feel that I’m also wasting hard-earned money every time our foods go to the trash bin. As much as possible I try my best to reduce our food waste by planning our meals every week, making a grocery list, cooking foods enough for our family, pantry inventory to see which foods are near expiration date and lastly, eat leftover foods. 

If you’ve been following my blog, you know for sure that I always have a pancake mix in our pantry. I used this mix to prepare different meals like leche flan puto, steamed puto, waffle, and of course pancake. I have tried different brands of pancake mix already and last week, I finally used my Toro Pannekaker. I bought this during our summer vacation in Norway. 

Last week, I was watching Holidate movie on Netflix while my two boys started watching Dr. John. My husband was not a fan of Korean Drama series and I think the last drama series that he watched was over a decade ago already “Jumong” (tagalized Korean drama). They were still watching when I slept so when I woke up, I asked them about Dr. John. My husband liked it so out of curiosity, I immediately watched the first two episodes. After I finished the 2 episodes, we started to watch together, and guess what, we finished this Korean Drama series within 48 hours.

It took me a long time to find a good Korean Drama Series after watching "It's Okay Not to Be Okay". I started a lot of series but I stopped after watching 1 or 2 episodes. I always see “Angel’s last Mission: Love” but I was hesitant to watch it because I’m not fond of ballet so in my mind, I will fall asleep if I will watch this series. 

We celebrated our wedding anniversary last February and my wedding anniversary gift wish list is “Cricut Maker”. My husband wanted to buy it before our anniversary but I told him to wait because I wanted to attend a workshop first so at least I have an idea how to use the Cricut Maker. I found out that Tees and Prints has a Saturday workshop but I did not register immediately because of the location. It is too far from where I live so I decided that I will just wait for my son’s summer vacation. 

Time passes quickly and I cannot imagine that my son is already 12 years old. Next year, I already have a teenager. Woah! In a span of several months, a lot has been changed. My son is now taller than me, though hindi naman mahirap iachieve iyon but I am happy na hindi siya nagmana ng height sa akin. Hehehe! His voice changed already, parang namimiss ko yung maliit at matining niyang boses. We enjoyed rewatching his videos nung bata pa siya nga kahit naiinis siya pag pinapanood namin, parang hiyang-hiya siya sa mga ginagawa niya dati.

It is not a secret here that I am a meat lover and I love lechon. It is one thing I look forward to if there are fiestas, weddings, reunions, or any other celebrations, kapag may nakita na ko na lechon sa buffet table, masaya na ko. If my husband has a business trip to Cebu, hindi na kelangan imemorize, he needs to buy lechon because that is the key to our house. Hahaha!

Read: Cebu’s Lechon 

Last month was my first time to visit Landers after 7 months, imagine February pa yung last visit ko so I was really shocked na may Christmas decors na sa Landers. How time flies and ganun katagal akong hindi naggrocery because of the community quarantine. So I really took time exploring the grocery, namiss ko ito. Good thing, there are few people lang in Landers which is surprising kasi weekend ako nagpunta. Usually, matao ang grocery kapag weekend pero wala din pila kahit sa cashier.


Anyway, while checking the freezers, I discovered frozen foods from Cebu’s Best Rico’s Lechon. The last time I ate this lechon was 4 years ago, my son and I ate here when we visited Cebu. Though I was a little bit disappointed during my first visit, I still bought 500 grams of regular lechon P472.75 and 500 grams of dinuguan P178.75. You can also buy spicy lechon, lechon pares, lechon binagoongan, lechon paksiw, sisig, and many more.

Read: Lunch at Cebu’s Best Rico’s Lechon

The lechon is carefully packed with reheating instructions and recommended recipes like lechon sinigang and lechon paksiw. Since this is 500grams, I reheat the lechon in the oven but for smaller portions, I also use oven toaster. For lechon, I prefer to use an oven toaster than a microwave oven because I want the skin to be crispy.


Reheating Instructions for Frozen Lechon 

1. Defrost the frozen lechon in the refrigerator overnight until soft.
2. Preheat oven to 400F. Once the desired temperature is reached, place the entire meat with skin facing up inside the oven. Reheat for 10-15 minutes. Flip the meat from time to time to prevent the softer one from burning.
3. Reheating in the microwave: Separate meat and skin, microwave meat for 2 minutes, place the skin on top of the meat, and microwave for additional 20 seconds.

* Best consumed once opened. Do not refreeze once thawed.

The lechon skin curled-up and muntinkan pa masunog yung isa, though hindi lahat naging crispy pero okay na rin. Well, the taste reminded me of our first experience in Cebu, the meat was dry, hindi kasi siya belly part e. But anyway, it still satisfied my lechon cravings, at least now I have two choices if I want to eat Cebu’s Lechon. We have Zubuchon and Rico’s Lechon in Metro Manila.

For dinuguan, I just reheat this on the stove, medyo masabaw siya, maliit yung slices of meat and lasa talaga yung ginger. You can also use microwave to reheat it.

Reheating Instructions for Frozen Dinuguan

1. Defrost the frozen dinuguan in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Heat a pan on high heat, place the thawed product.
3. Let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.

If ever makapagLanders ako, I will still buy these frozen foods because if I have no time to cook, at least I have an easy to prepare meals.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, more of us are thinking about our health. What we eat, how much we exercise and our lifestyle choices have all come into question since we’ve had our mortality highlighted due to the spread of the virus.

Despite COVID-19 being a new threat to our health, for many, the threat of developing cancer is still a considerable concern. There are many different types of cancer, with the most common being prostate, breast, skin, and of course lung cancer. Thanks to advances in technology and the constant evolution of medical understanding around cancers, we no longer have to consider cancer as a death sentence. With new treatments being used all the time and cancers being caught much earlier, more people are surviving than ever before.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer, and sadly many people still aren’t aware of the signs or even what can trigger this devastating disease to develop – click the link to learn more and to find a lung cancer lawyer.

So, with this in mind here we’ll explore why people might develop lung cancer and discuss the most common causes.

Workplace Risks

If you work in an industrial type role, or you’re dealing with harsh substances then you’re more likely to be exposed to the chemicals that can trigger lung cancers.

If you work with fuel engines and you spend most of your time exposed to exhaust fumes (like drivers or a mechanic might) then you could be at a higher risk. Working with substances such as silica – often used in glassmaking and bricklaying – can also increase your risk. And anyone who is working with asbestos – even in old buildings – can increase their chances of developing lung cancers.

Smoking

Of course, we all know that smoking can cause lung cancer and it's hardly surprising. Around 7 out of 10 lung cancer diagnoses are smoking-related. The chemicals found in tobacco smoke such as ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide (yes, cyanide) increase your risk of triggering lung cancer development. Even if you're just passively smoking, you're still increasing your risk and harming your health. If you haven’t already, quit!

Air Pollution

We're all familiar with how pollutants in the air are damaging our environment. But did you also know that air pollution can be incredibly damaging to your health? Of course, the risks associated with air pollution and lung cancer are quite minimal, but it's not unheard of and should be taken seriously.

Your Family History

Some cancers, including lung cancer, can be hereditary, which means if your family has a history of lunch cancer, then you could be at risk. If you have a close relative that has battled the disease then you should take additional steps to preserve your health. Recognizing the early signs of lung cancer will also help you.

- A continuous cough that won’t go away
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness and fatigue
- Coughing up blood
- Reoccurring infections like pneumonia and bronchitis.

Final thoughts…

If you’re worried about lung cancer, reach out to your doctor for more advice.

Are you on vacation or new to Tasmania, Australia's island state, and hoping to find a luxurious accommodation for your stay? Not to worry, this article is filled with all the information you need to guide you in your search for luxury accommodation in that area.

Located south of Australia’s mainland, Tasmania is one of the best travel destinations for tourists. There are numerous exciting destinations to visit in Tasmania, including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, and the Port Arthur historical site, etc.

However, once you’re done with sightseeing and visiting, where do you go back to relax? With many lodging options, it might prove a difficult task finding one that is suitable for you.

Below are a few professional tips and suggestions on how to find luxury accommodation suitable for you in Tasmania.



1. Look for an Accommodation That Provides Value for Money

Of course, you wouldn’t be seeking to find an elegant suite without preparing a few bucks for it. You must find a lodge that provides value for money.

Therefore, your accommodation should have the right facilities, including a luxurious suite, an exclusive spa and gym facilities, a top-notch restaurant, guest lounge and bar, and many relaxation spots where you can meditate and get inspired. You can check here for more on the right fittings for a relaxing stay in a luxury hotel.

It is also right that you check out the services of their facilities. The best lodges offer free or discounted services for their customers to get a memorable time within their stay.

2. Get a Feel of the Resort Through Its Website and Contents

This is one of the essential things to do when trying to find accommodation that suits you. Merely by looking at the website, its contents, and the feedback, you can sense how the resort treats its customers.

Find out if there is any negative energy that might get in the way of making your stay a memorable one. Things like noises, cramped rooms, bugs, bad reception, an uncomfortable and agitated environment would make for an uncomfortable stay in your resort.

Feedback from past clients would provide you useful information about the resort's services and how well they treat their customers.

Learn to tell the wrong feedback from the right one. There are many reviews from users that turn out to be untrue, while some are very accurate. For example, a user who leaves a review about individual experience and a particular service is likely to be positive and good to work with.

3. Ask People in Tasmania to Recommend a Luxury Accommodation for Your Comfort

Since you are visiting Tasmania and hoping to find a lodge that can provide you with elegance and comfort, the best idea is to seek the locals' opinions in that region. Asking for a recommendation from people in Tasmania is one of the best, if not the best, to find luxury accommodation in that area.

The people there will be able to provide you with several reputable resorts in that region, and then all that's required is to visit some of them to find the ones that suit your taste.

Keep in mind that Tasmania offers a wide range of luxury accommodations, and a lot of them can provide you with memorable experiences. So, in order to find a special one for your stay, you have to dig a little deeper to find a resort that can deliver a sophisticated and intimate style coupled with an inspirational experience.

The best lodges on the east coast of Tasmania are situated in a serene environment of breathtaking beauty. You can start by checking for the luxury accommodation Freycinet Peninsula as you can find many relaxing spots in that part of town. Finding a resort around pristine waters, the hazards mountains, and natural environments of extraordinary beauty will help relax and improve your mental health.

4. Take a Proper Glance at the Prices of Different Resorts in Tasmania

It is a great idea to look at the various price options with care, to avoid being swayed by a particular hotel. Most people have the opinion that highly-priced resorts are the ones with more luxury. This is a wrong theory. Moreover, prices can be increased due to additional services that are uncalled for.

To get the best prices for your accommodation, you have to check a couple of resorts in the area to find ones with better price variations. Try to put a call through to the hotels to get quotes from them to see the ones that offer excellent services at a reasonable price.

5. Find a Resort That Can Give You a Variety of Experience

When opting for luxury accommodation, it’s best to find one that offers a wide range of activities. In Tasmania, a few lodges provide a world of adventure and relaxation such as deserted islands, wild bushlands, secluded beaches, and many that you can explore.

If you stay with your family in the resort, make sure to find one that can provide activities that suit all ages and interests. The best lodges offer services that all ages and interests can partake in, such as quad biking, gourmet picnics, and many more.

It isn’t easy to find a resort that can offer you a blend of romance and adventure and innovation and exploration. A proper luxurious resort can provide any activities to ensure that their customers are left satisfied. You can check here https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/tasmania-aus-tas-tas.htm for a list of things to do when in Tasmania.

Take Away

With the many options of accommodations in Tasmania, it might not be easy to find one that you can stay in. But follow the tips and guidelines listed above, and you will be alright.

The distance it takes for you to get to a tourist location, the space it takes to get to the airport, and the distance between your hotel and a shopping mall, are some of the things that you need to consider when choosing your accommodation as well. Have a nice day and good luck in your search!

Almost two weeks ago, I received an email from Globe that they are giving me 400 points. At first, I did not mind it but when I learned that the 400 points will expire on October 1, 2020, napacheck ako bigla. I browsed the different options where we can use our Globe Rewards, so we can use it for Zalora, Lazada, McDonald, Jollibee, Krispy Kreme, Shoor, GCash Insurance, and raffles.

If you still remember, I blogged about “How to Donate your Globe Rewards Points” last March wherein we donated our expiring points. So for the past several years, we used our points for free movies, shopping, donations, and this time, we used it to redeem Digital Vouchers. Since March, hindi pa kami nakakapagfastfood meals, parang bigla ko namiss ang Jollibee and McDonald.


I have 443 points while my husband has 1145 points, we have a total of 1588 points to spend on food. Yehey! We can redeem in Krispy Kreme, McDonald, and Jollibee but the Krispy Kreme branch is too far so hindi ko na sinama sa list ko. Here are the options for food.

Jollibee

78 points - 1 pc Chickenjoy
52 points - 1 Spaghetti
12 points - 1 Vanila Twirl

McDonald 

75 points - McCrispy Fillet with Rice Small Meal
66 points - Cheeseburger
31 points - Hot Fudge

Last March, there is a limit of 3 per day so I was surprised that now they increase the limit to 5 per day. Since my husband will be claiming the food, I tried to SEND A GIFT but I cannot use my FREE 400 Points pala sa GIFT so I just redeemed na lang and pinadala ko na lang phone ko kay hubby pag nagclaim siya ng food.

Inubos ko na points namin para hindi masayang. Last year, we were not able to use our FREE points, hindi ko kasi alam na may expiration date. Nagulat na lang ako na nawala na yung points as app, so lesson learned, read the fine prints. Hehehe! Anyway, we were able to claim some of our meals na. I’m so happy with our free meals, libre na hindi pa ko napagod sa pagluto.

First free meals at Jollibee, my husband was able to claim 3 chickenjoy, 3 spaghetti, and 3 vanilla twirl.



Second free meals at McDonald, since we are a family of three, we need to claim 9 foods but unfortunately, sa McDonald, they only allow 3 transactions per day so 3 for my husband and 3 for my account. We only claimed 3 McCrispy Fillet, 2 Sundae, and 1 Cheeseburger.


Last weekend, when my husband was out for errands, he claimed 3 cheeseburgers for our merienda. We still have chickenjoy, McCrispy Fillet, and sundae digital vouchers. The code is valid until December 15, 2020 (McDonald) and March 1, 2021 (Jollibee). Redeeming a digital voucher is easy because you can do this on Globe Rewards App. Choose your rewards, click redeem and confirm, then you will receive a text message from 4438 and 8080.

Here in my country, June is the usual start of the school year but because of the COVID19 pandemic, the opening of classes has been moved to August and now October but some of the private schools started as early as July. We’re supposed to start in October too but my son’s school changed their mind. So I was preoccupied last week because of the change of schedule, we had a dry-run and yesterday was my son’s first day of Online Distance Learning.

It was funny because for the longest time I wanted to try homeschooling especially when my son was still at lower level, ayaw ko kasi siya nabubully and ayaw ko din siya naiiwan ng school service. But my husband and son do not want my idea, only child na nga so kelangan daw ng social interaction sa classmates. Now, it is my chance to try homeschooling because of the community quarantine but in the end, we decided to stay at the present school.


I like Online Distance Learning because I don’t need to wake up early since my son does not need to travel to school. I save money because I don’t have to pay for school service. Lastly, I have peace of mind because my son is just at home. What I don't like is, nakauniform pa rin sila, Waah, effort pa sa pagplantsa and my son is complaining kasi mainit, so kelangan nakaaircon din katulad ng classroom nila.

Since this is the first time that we tried Online Distance Learning, we are still adjusting to this new normal. My son is still adapting to the change and there are still hiccups like he failed to submit on time because he was not aware of the due date. Normally, he will do his assignment at the end of the day but he has no idea that he could no longer submit the activity after the class period. This morning, they waited for more than an hour because their teacher could not connect, so wasted time on that moment.

I don’t know what will happen for this school year but we will just take one day at a time. My back to school preparation is not yet over because we don’t have the hardcopy of ebooks and our school supplies are not yet complete. I went to the bookstore last weekend and nakadalawang bookstore na ko pero kulang pa rin nabili ko. It was my first time visiting the mall since March 10. I will share my story in the next post.

Let me end this post with some “Back to School” quotes. By the way, I designed this First Day of School Banner for my son and you can download my FREE BACK TO SCHOOL BANNER HERE. (Grade 1 to 12 Level only) (Update 2021-2022 School Year)


“I’ve always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings” - Jenny Han  

“This is a new year, a new beginning and things will change” 

 “Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom” - Oprah Winfrey

All over the world, Orlando, Florida is known for its dining, entertainment, and activities that tourists and vacationers enjoy. The options are limitless and fit all range of tastes and styles.

However, before you get to the next plane to Florida, make sure you know these things about Orlando, Florida.

Photo by Brian Erickson of Unsplash

Orlando has a subtropical climate. The rainy season often occurs from May to October. If you visit during the summer, you can expect afternoon rains.

The average temperature is 72F. However, the mild, dry winters can quickly give way to wet and cold weather.

So, when you visit Orlando, it’s best to prepare for a wide range of scenarios. Pay attention to weather updates and warnings for wind, lightning, and rain.

Golf Courses for Pro Golfers 

If you love playing golf or simply watching the pros go at it, Orlando offers nearly 200 golf courses and academies.

These golf courses host world-famous tournaments like the Arnold Palmer International. What’s better is that the city claims more pro golfers as residents than anywhere in the world.

Various Transportation Options 

When in Orlando, you have access to a wide range of transportation options.

Around the metro area, hotels and resorts provide complimentary shuttles to popular venues and other locations around the city.

Public transport options include bus lines and the SunRail train network. Or you can try StressFreeCarRental.com to find great deals on rental cars.

A City of the World 

Orlando is an international city; a cultural melting pot where various cultures and histories intersect.

So don’t be shocked when you hear different languages and see various currencies being passed around.

Of course, the US dollar is the primary tender and English is the common language. If you have these two, you’ll be fine.

Dominant Ecotourism 

Orlando is blessed with natural landscapes, such as lakes, cypress swamps, marshlands, and pinewoods.

If you love the natural world and you’re an environment enthusiast, Orlando offers many opportunities to go on nature trips.

Major Theme Parks 

Orlando is the “Theme Park Capital of the World” for great reasons.

Tourists and vacationers can enjoy the Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando -- all in the same city.

What’s more, all these attractions are very close to each other, just around 20 miles southwest of the downtown area. So you can go theme park-hopping all you want.

Two Major Airports 

Orlando sports not one but two major airports, which are the:

● Orlando International Airport (MCO)
● Sanford Orlando International Airport (SFB)

MCO is located southeast of the city center, while the SFB is to the north.

Further, Orlando also serves as a major Florida crossroad you can reach in several ways. These include Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike.

Water Parks All Year 

Orlando is also home to world-class water parks that are open all year. If there are no extreme cold or weather conditions, you can expect them to remain open forever.

Get Ready for Orlando, Florida 

Keeping these things in mind will help you prepare for a wonderful Orlando visit. Plan and prepare your trip so you can have a fun, memorable adventure once you set foot in Orlando.

I’m a meat lover so diet is not really for me. Steak is one of my favorite food so if I’m having a craving for it, I really visit any restaurant that serves steak. Eating steak in a restaurant is so steep so I consider it a treat for myself. Here are some of the restaurants where I tried and tasted steak. Pepper Lunch is my go-to restaurant since they have a lot of branches.

Read: Where to Eat Steak in the Philippines

Since it is expensive to eat steak in the restaurant, it is much better to cook this at home. Even though cooking steak at home is a hit or miss, it is always part of my menu. Sometimes I cook this in the oven but most of the time I just pan-grill it in the stove or electric grill.

One of the secrets of cooking steak is to buy quality meat, yes, it is true. I tried beef from the wet market, hindi ko type kahit sabi nila sirloin daw yun. Hehehe! I usually buy my steak cut at the grocery especially the steak at Landers from New Zealand. I recently discovered the Saikoro Steak so it is now part of my favorites but I can only order this online.


I love cooking steak because I can prepare this in less than 30 minutes and you only need a few ingredients. Just season with salt and pepper, sometimes I add garlic powder. I used to like a “well done” steak but now I learned to appreciate the "medium well" steak.

If I have extra time, I will cook gravy sauce but God knows how many times I’ve tried to make a gravy sauce from scratch but sometimes I failed so I seldom prepare the sauce. There are instances when everything went perfect and my son loves my gravy, he even wants to drink it because he thought it’s a soup. There were also times where I just buy some ready-made or instant mix gravy sauce.

Pan-Seared Steak Recipe 

Steak Cut Meat
Butter
Salt, Pepper, and Garlic powder

1. Heat your pan to medium heat.
2. Season both sides of your meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Add butter.
4. Place the steak in the pan and cook it 3-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your meat and your preferred doneness
5. Remove and set aside for 5 minutes
6. Slice and serve your steak

Read: Oven Baked Steak + Potatoes 
Oven-Baked Steak + Gravy Sauce 
Steak Bites 

"Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak"

Photo by Justus Menke of Unsplash