GreenBucks

Here is a pancit buko recipe I posted in the food blog:

This is a better alternative to using dried noodles because the coconut strips are fresh and has more nutrients than dried noodles.

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Oats in a Jar:

Procedure:

1. Cook oats as per instructions.
2. Add milk instead of water.
3. Put in bottles/jars and refrigerate.
4. In the morning,add a spoon of yogurt, a little warm milk and the fruit of your choice.
5. Enjoy your Oats in a Jar breakfast.

So easy to make healthy meals right?

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There are many young (and old too) people who are into substance or alcohol abuse.

How many times have we seen the news reports of a rampage, a massacre, someone who ran amok or petty crimes turned violent happen because the ones doing the crimes are under the influence of substance abuse or alcohol? We cringe, we listen, we take precautions and at times, we feel secure inside our locked doors.

One thing though, unless these people do not receive the proper intervention (counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation centers like california rehabilitation center or in our case, government supported rehab centers), unless the government and private citizens do not step up with the campaign on curbing substance (and alcohol) abuse, no one is truly deemed safe.

Not only does substance/alcohol abuse happen in places where the urban poor lives (this is initially the impression), this happens even in posh villages and among the moneyed ones. I have met a few professionals and executives, students of exclusive and expensive schools in a rehab center where I had my clinical psychology practicum. If truth be told, the “patients” there were not poor in monetary terms. It was painful to see and hear them do and say things that baffles the mind.

Here are a few warning signs to look out for if you suspect someone is undergoing substance abuse:

• repeated neglect of responsibilities
• showing risky behavior that is not typically something you observe from said person
• change in behavior: depression, irritability, fatigue or extreme energy, anxiety
• sleep and appetite changes
• anger or rage and usually provoked by very petty things that should not be cause of such reaction

Get help when you suspect your love one is doing substance abuse.

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Dear self:

Holiday cheers does not just mean the fun holiday greetings we give to our family and friends. Holiday cheers mean a lot of eating, partying and other festive activities focused on more eating.

For people who are very much conscious of managing their weight, always asking themselves what is weight management that will best help them lose the pounds, the holiday season is one that is not really welcome. I know that for sure.

Here are a few tips I need to remember to avoid doing a binge during the holiday get-togethers:

• keep everything in moderation and that includes the food serving and for some, the booze
• eat first before going to a party so you don’t feel hungry and tempted to try all the delicious food on the table
• drink plenty of water
• learn to say “NO”

Not because New Year is coming means you have another chance to get that resolution another go. No need to do a resolution you are bound to do year after year.

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Ouch! That is what I always say everytime I get down from the bed every morning. That “Ouch!” is an understatement because it is more like “Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!”

I have heel spur. I haven’t been to a doctor since I first felt it several months back. I have read a lot of information and asked sporty friends for the best heel pain relief.

What I do is I wear this ankle strap because I can’t find any arch strap being sold in the many sports stores and drugstores I have been to. I also bought a “heel spur friendly” walking flip-flops from Skechers. At night I massage my foot with oil.

The pain is less now. I can only feel it when I walk for a long time without the ankle strap either because I forgot to wear it or I am wearing shoes that can’t fit if I wear the strap.

I still need that arch strap though.

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I featured some baked avocado fries in this blog.

Below was the photo I used for the blog entry:

My kids remembere the avocado pudding I made before and asked why I haven’t made that again. Why not? The avocado we got from the MIL was used to make “ice cream” meaning mashed avocado + evaporated milk + muscovado sugar, frozen in the freezer. I am the only one eating the stuff.

Avocado pudding is easy to make, just mash the avocado (or use a food processor) and mix in powdered cocoa then chill for a few hours. Ahhh… now I remember and I think I MUST get some new avocados later.

Some use this as base for cheesecake though I still have to try that.

Here are recipes to make for avocado + banana pudding.

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