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Friday, May 30, 2008

David Cook in Post A.I.

David Cook's Time of My Life tops the Most Downloaded I tunes these days in America. He also got other 14 songs in the Top 200.

Songs of David Cook included in the Top 200 are Dream Big, I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing, Innocent, I'm Alive,Little Sparrow and my personal favorite Always Be My Baby.

Just can't get enough of David Cook, so I am posting David Cook's latest performance in New York with his smash hit Time of My Life.

No need to take it further, watch David Cook's video below.

P.S. please turn off the volume of the song in my David Cook Journey's slide before playing the video. Thanks and Enjoy the show.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Work Out and Stay Sharp


Surfing the web maybe your favorite past time or hobby or perhaps addiction. But we still need Exercise to keep us healthy and mentally fit.

Exercise not only keeps your body trim, it can also keep your brain young. Starting in your 40's, mental functioning naturally drops off, making it harder to remember phone numbers for example or to multi task.

But aerobic exercise for three hours a week can slow the decline, tudy shows which used MRIs to train brain function.

There were payoffs for adult too : Those who worked out three days a week for 15 to 30 minutes were less likely to develop Alzheimer's.

So start working out now.

Friday, May 23, 2008

David Cook's Journey




Look at how David Cook changed through the days from his audition to the Top 24 to the Top12 up to his winning moment.

This is for all the fans out there and David Cook himself. Enjoy !!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

David Cook is my American Idol


I am sorry to disappoint all the David Archuleta Fans reading this, but I think David Cook will win this year's American Idol.

We all know that the judges was all praises for David Archuleta last night and Simon said that it was even a knockout by David Archuleta.

You wanna know why I choose David Cook over David Archuleta, its because based on his performance Cook was even better than Archuleta. David Cook was brave,daring and willing to take the risk while David Archuleta stays in his comfort zone. He sang Imagine once again which he just sang while he was still in the Top 24.
David Cook displays the brilliance of a true performer while David Archuleta's performance bored me singing almost the same type of songs.

No matter what the result is, David Cook is my American Idol. He has stolen my heart.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

DVD : David Cook vs David Archuleta in American Idol Finale


Two David left on idol and who’s going to win the title? That’s for us to find out this week's episode. I think both of them are winners already.


The finale will decide for itself. Both are good in their respective genre and have their own market of fans.

Well personally I am voting for Cook. He should win but I think Archuleta will win because he’s young and he’s got this irresistible charm that attracts all the teens and including mothers.

David A may join 'High School Musical' while David C can follow the lead of Daughtry in adult contemporary rock.

How about you ? Who's your choice ?

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Try cooking Tuna Sisig


If you've got high blood or hypertension but still you want to eat sisig, there is an alternative.Instead of putting pork, put tuna instead. Dont know the Recipe, read below to know what are needed and how to prepare it.

The Ingredients are :

* 2 tablespoon cooking oil
* 1 cup tuna, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
* 2 tablespoon barbecue marinade (soysauce, catsup, lemonjuice)
* Juice from 6 pcs. of calamansi
* 1 piece white onion, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Labuyo Red hot Pepper sauce or any hotsauce


How to Prepare this, its so easy follow these steps :

1. Marinate tuna in Barbecue Marinade for 5-15 minutes.

2. Pan-fry the tuna for 3-5 minutes on each side.

3. Remove from pan and cut into bite size pieces.

4. Place cut up tuna in hot sizzling plate.

5. Pour calamansi juice and chopped onions over the tuna.

6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Serve with Labuyo Red Hot Pepper Sauce or any hot sauce to add spice.


To feel the real taste of Pork Sisig,add mayonnaise and one raw egg while it's still hot then mix it, Voila you are done. Enjoy you're yummylicious Tuna Sisig.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Try doing this Cake



Prep Time:
10 min
Total Time:
1 hr 30 min
Makes:
18 servings, one slice each
1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, divided
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
4 eggs
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1 tub (8 oz.) frozen COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
2 Tbsp. PLANTERS Sliced Almonds

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round baking pans. Chop 2 of the chocolate squares; set aside. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 min. Stir in chopped chocolate. Spoon into prepared pans.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 min. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

PLACE frozen whipped topping and remaining 6 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth, stirring after 1 min. Let stand 15 min. to thicken. Place one cake layer on serving plate; top with one-fourth of the chocolate mixture and second cake layer. Spread top and side with remaining chocolate mixture. Garnish with almonds. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Secrets for Butter Cakes

Use butter, margarine or solid shortening. Don't substitute oil, even if the recipe calls for the shortening to be melted.

Use solid shortening to prepare the pan. Grease the bottom and sides of the pan with solid vegetable shortening (butter, margarine and oil don't coat as evenly). Use a paper towel or pastry brush to spread the shortening. Then dust the greased pan with flour, shaking it until the bottom and sides are well coated. (If you're baking a chocolate cake, you can use cocoa instead of flour.) Tap out the excess flour. For nonstick pans, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Instead of greasing and flouring pans, you also may use pan inserts made of parchment paper. The inserts are available at many cooking specialty stores. Use paper or foil baking cups to line cupcake pans.

Make a hollow. After filling the pans with batter, make a slight hollow in the center of the batter with the back of a spoon or spatula. This will give the cake a nicely rounded, rather than humped, top.

Cool cake in the pan. Cool cake on a wire rack for 5 to 20 minutes before removing it from the pan. To remove a cake, carefully run a knife along the edge to loosen it from the pan. Place another wire rack on top of the pan. With the pan sandwiched between the two racks, turn it over. Carefully lift the pan from the cake. So that the top of the cake will be facing up, once again sandwich the cake between two racks and turn it over. Remove the top rack.

If the cake sticks to the pan, return it to the oven and heat for 1 minute. Remove it from the pan.

Cut the cake with a thin, sharp knife. Use a sawing, back-and-forth motion. If the frosting sticks, dip the knife in hot water and wipe it with a damp towel after cutting each slice. An electric knife also works well for cutting most layer cakes.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Secrets for Foam Cakes

Do not grease or flour the tube pan. During baking, the batter must be able to cling to the sides of the pan and the center tube in order to rise properly.

Beat eggs at room temperature. For the highest volume, bring egg whites to room temperature before beating them. Be sure that no egg yolk remains in the whites, and that the bowl, beaters and rubber scraper are clean and free from any oil or shortening. Even a little bit of grease will prevent the whites from beating properly.

Break bubbles in the batter. So that the cake will have an even texture, cut through the batter with a knife before baking to break large air bubbles and to seal the batter against the sides of the pan and center tube.

Bake on the bottom rack. In some ovens, cakes in the tube pans bake better on the bottom rack, preventing the top from getting too brown. You may need to remove the top oven rack to leave adequate room for the pan or for the cake to expand.

Cool cake in the pan. To prevent this delicate type of cake from collapsing after baking, turn the tube or Bundt® pan upside down on a wire rack, heat proof funnel or the neck of a bottle so the cake doesn't touch the counter.

Remove it carefully from the pan. To remove the cake, use a thin-bladed knife and, with a sawing motion, run it between the cake and the pan. Place the serving plate on top of the pan and turn it upside down. Rap one side of the pan with the flat side of the knife blade, and carefully lift the pan from the cake.

Cut it with a serrated knife. Use a smooth, gentle sawing motion. Or, use an electric knife.

Freeze leftover egg whites. If you have leftover egg whites, lightly beat them, place in a freezer container and freeze. Thaw them in the refrigerator and use them like fresh egg whites in foam cakes, meringues and cooked frostings. One egg white equals 2 tablespoons.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

All About Cakes

Starting today I will share to you some of my quick and easy collections of recipes for cakes. I really loved this kind of food that’s why I would like to share some tips and advice and even sharing to you some of my secrets in baking. So to all reader’s out there try to do these recipes and you will never go wrong and for sure your love ones will surely be surprised and will surely loved it too.
So for today let me share to you first the basics about cakes.
Kinds of Cakes

There are two main types of cakes—butter and foam cakes. Butter cakes are those made with solid shortenings and foam cakes are those made with a large number of eggs or egg whites.

Butter

Even though these cakes also may be made with solid shortening or margarine, most people still call them butter cakes. They're moist, light, tender and fine-textured.

Foam

Foam cakes contain a large number of eggs or egg whites. Their light, fluffy texture comes from the air beaten into the eggs and from steam that forms in the batter during baking. The three types of foam cakes are angel food, chiffon and sponge. Angel food cakes contain no shortening or oil and use only egg whites. Chiffon cakes contain oil and use egg yolks and whites. Sponge cakes contain no shortening or oil and use egg yolks and whites.

So there you go next time I will share to some secret to successful cakes. So stick around.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

David Archuleta's Homecoming



Now only three are left, David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado.

With the homecoming week, David Archuleta seems to have more fans than the rest of the two.

Check out his homecoming in this video. I believe that it will be a face off with the two Davids.

You can see all the girls screaming, this is such a phenomenon. Can't wait for the performance night.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

David Archuleta performing A Thousand Miles



I'm gonna share this video of David Archuleta, whom I believe will be in the finals of the American Idol if not win it,performing A Thousand Miles.

We all know that A Thousand Miles made Vanessa Carlston a huge star, who by the way is in th country.

But wait till you see David sings it and play the piano while he sings it.

You'll be amazed at this boy's talent, not only was his voice good but also the way he plays piano. No wonder he never have been in the bottom in terms of voting.

I believed that the two David will meet in the Finals. Also see the video
when he was still a kid.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Latest Virus Affecting China

Have you heard about the latest epidemic in China? Yes there’s another virus spreading in that country, and it was called Enterovirus 71.

What is Enterovirus 71? Maybe some of us are still not aware of this virus, including me; I just heard it from my friends talking about it. But I didn’t fully understand what kind of virus it is, so as a mother I got curious and I don’t want to be left behind with this kind of news especially if it’s concerning virus that attacks children.

I have read that Enterovirus causes a severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease with symptoms including fever, mouth sores and rashes with blisters. It is easily spread by sneezing or coughing. The viruses mainly strike children ages 10 and younger. Some cases can lead to fatal swelling of the brain. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, but most children affected by mild forms of the disease typically recover quickly without problems.

However, EV-71 can result in a more serious form of the illness that can lead to paralysis, brain swelling or death. Many of the severe cases in China did not exhibit typical symptoms, and the children eventually died from respiratory problems, which kept Chinese experts puzzled about the cause of the outbreak

Infections also continue to rise in Singapore, which has reported more than 9,000 cases this year. A major enterovirus outbreak hit Taiwan in 1998, infecting up to 300,000 children with hand, foot and mouth disease and killing at least 55, according to WHO.

WHO issued a warning last week predicting that the outbreak will likely continue in China for the next few months because the virus tends to thrive in hot weather. It advised disinfection and frequent hand washing to prevent its spread, along with closing schools and daycare centers in hard-hit areas.

I just hope this virus won’t reach us here in the Philippines and hope that it wont be like a world plague. Maybe the best thing to do is to be always be clean to our surroundings and also to ourselves, and most of all let us all pray for this to GOD that this VIRUS be stopped or exterminated..

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

What to Know when choosing Designer's Handbag

All about designer hand bag

Women love to buy designer handbags. Every time they go shopping, they make sure that they purchase at least one handbag. This is so essential in woman’s wardrobe. It is one of their accessories that complete their image.

There are several brands of handbags in the market now a day, like Louis Vuitton, Prada, D&G, Channel, Fendi, Gucci and Versace. These brands will cost us depending on a certain style and designs as much as $50,000.00 or much more higher for some. It’s okay to invest in these types of designer’s handbag as long as we know how to check its authenticity. And since I personally love to collect handbags, I made some research about it.

Here are some tips on buying a genuine designer’s bag:

  • · It’s best to buy on licensed retail stores.

· To ensure that you know the definite characteristics of the designer handbag that you want to avail. Check on the particular design and style that you want. Make sure to verify from the catalogue of the designer if such design do exists. , There are some fake handbags which are proliferating that looks like the real ones. It is handcrafted in such a way that with a first glance, you will really believe that it is an authentic bag.

· Another thing to consider is the distinguishing mark of the designer label. Example of this is that for Channel handbags, the logo is a double C which is placed back-to-back with each other. You should be cautious with the tags, care cards as well as the warranties that go with the handbags. There are original bags which only uses embossed tags while the replicas where printed. Be wary on such things.

· You should also check on the workmanship and the materials used for the bag. Designer bags are very 'clean' and efficiently made. There are no double stitches and there is consistent spacing in between each stitch. There is also a particular color of thread used by the designers. The zipper that is use to zip the bag usually has the name of the designer embossed in it. It is likewise made from good quality of zipper and is not easily damaged. It is likewise durable and can last longer than the bag itself. The leather of the bag feels leather when you touch it. It is not very smooth or shiny at all. The straps are not made from scraps or any extra materials. It has the same quality as the original leather of the bag itself.

· You should also be able to check the serial number of the bag. Designer handbags have its serial number. There are no the same serial numbers because the handbag manufacturer usually has the original list with them.

· These handbags are very expensive. There is a definite price range for each style and design. If a designer handbag is given to you at a very low price, you should be careful. This is a give away that the handbag is not authentic. There is no such thing as bargain designer handbags. Each handbag is valuable and there are a lot of individuals who would want to have one.

So there you go, I hope these tips will make us to be better and wiser consumers. Do not let your hard earned money go anywhere else. Save and purchase from reliable stores only.

Till next time enjoy shopping!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Robert Downey Jr's Biggest Comeback



I hope Robert Downey, Jr. finally becomes the star he should have been.

I can say that IRON MAN was the biggest comeback for Robert Downey Jr. I’ve seen the movie yesterday, and what can I say? It is so impressive.

Seeing him in the big screen again was kind of unusual for me because it’s been along time since he did a major role movie. And it was also surprising to see him in an action movie, knowing that he usually does a romantic love story such as Chances Are ( 1989), Heart and Souls, (1992), Only You (1994) and who would forget that he played the role as Larry Paul as love interest of Calista Flockhart in Ally McBeal TV series in year 2000. But was fired from the show in April of 2001 because of a relapse and then spent another year in a rehab center.

I first noticed him when I was growing up and loved to watch some of his films such as Heart and Souls and Only You. Until one time while watching him, I noticed the very smile he had on his face and it made me want to see him more He’s got this charisma that’s so hard to resist. In films like Less than Zero, Chances Are and even Soapdish, he proved to be an actor that was fearless. He didn’t mind looking idiotic and that gave him a certain grace. Despite whatever problems he had in his private life, he continued to do more movies and show some great performances.

For literally twenty years, people have been predicting that Robert Downey, Jr. would be a huge star. After all, this is a man who has turned in more than a handful of brilliant performances for two decades. Now that he’s in the movie IRON MAN, I just hope the film is worthy enough to have him as its star.

After that, he's got Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder, He will also make a small appearance as Iron Man's Tony Stark in the upcoming film The Incredible Hulk as a part of Marvel Studios' attempt to depict the same Marvel Universe on film and He'll end the year in The Soloist. It seems as if he's got his life back together and now he's out to prove that this is the year of the Downey.

Preventing Future Stones

After you have had kidney stones, you are more likely to have them again. You can help prevent them by drinking enough water to keep your urine clear, about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. You may have to eat less of certain foods. Your doctor may also give you medicine that helps prevent stones from forming.

Preventing future stones

After you have had a kidney stone, you are more likely to have one again. Almost half of all people who have a stone will have more stones within 5 years unless they take preventive measures. You may be able to prevent getting more kidney stones by drinking more fluids and making changes in your diet. If you have risk factors for having more stones, such as a family history of stones, your doctor may suggest medicines that help prevent stones from forming.

So there you guys, I made research on this in the internet to help me fully understand this kind of ailment and I also want share this information to you all and I hope this will help those readers who experiencing the same symptoms as mine. So until next time and please pray for me guys! Thank you and enjoy reading.

Treatment of Kidney Stones

If your doctor thinks the stone can pass on its own, and you feel you can deal with the pain, he or she may suggest home treatment, including:

  • Drinking more fluids. You need to drink enough water to keep your urine clear, about 8 to 10 glasses a day. Try to drink 2 glasses of water every 2 hours while you are awake. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and are on fluid restrictions, talk with your doctor before increasing your fluid intake.
  • Not drinking grapefruit juice. Drinking grapefruit juice may increase your risk for developing kidney stones.
  • Using pain medicine. Nonprescription medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), may relieve your pain. Your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medicine if needed.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help your body pass the stone. Calcium channel blockers and alpha-blockers have been shown to help kidney stones pass more quickly with very few side effects. Ask your doctor if one of these medicines can help you.

If your pain is too severe, if the stones are blocking the urinary tract, or if you also have an infection, your doctor will probably suggest medical or surgical treatment. Your options are:

  • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). ESWL uses shock waves that pass easily through the body but are strong enough to break up a kidney stone. This is the most commonly used medical treatment for kidney stones. See a picture of ESWL.
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy. The surgeon puts a narrow telescope into the kidney through a cut in your back. He or she then removes the stone (lithotomy) or breaks it up and removes it (lithotripsy). This procedure may be used if ESWL does not work or if you have a very large stone.

  • Ureteroscopy.The surgeon passes a very thin telescope tube (ureteroscope) up the urinary tract to the stone's location, where he or she uses instruments to remove the stone or break it up for easier removal. Occasionally, you may need a small hollow tube (ureteral stent) placed in the ureter for a short time to keep it open and drain urine and any stone pieces. Ureteroscopy is often used for stones that have moved from the kidney to the ureter. See a picture of ureteroscopy
  • Open surgery. The surgeon makes a cut in the side or the belly to reach the kidneys and remove the stone. This treatment is rarely used.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Kidney Stone 101 continuation

What are the symptoms?

Kidney stones form in the kidney and if they stay in the kidney, they do not typically cause pain. When they travel out of the body through the tubes of the urinary tract (including the ureters, which connect the kidney to the bladder, or the urethra, which leads outside the body), their movement may cause:

  • No symptoms, if the stone is small enough.
  • Sudden, severe pain that gets worse in waves. Stones may cause intense pain in the back, side, abdomen, groin, or genitals. People who have had a kidney stone often describe the pain as "the worst pain I've ever had."
  • Feeling sick to the stomach (nausea) and vomiting.
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria), which can occur either with stones that stay in the kidney or with those that travel through the ureters.
  • Frequent and painful urination, which may occur when the stone is in the ureter or after the stone has left the bladder and is in the urethra. Painful urination may occur when a urinary tract infection is also present.

How are kidney stones diagnosed?

You may first find out that you have kidney stones when you see your doctor or go to an emergency room with pain in your belly or side. Your doctor will ask you questions about your pain and lifestyle. He or she will examine you and may do imaging tests such as X-rays to look at your kidneys and urinary tract.

You may need more tests if you have more than one stone or have a family history of stones. To find out the cause of your kidney stones, your doctor may order a blood test and ask you to collect your urine for 24 hours. This can help your doctor find out if you are likely to have more stones in the future.

Kidney stones may not cause any pain. If this is the case, you may learn you have them when your doctor finds them during a test for another disease.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Kidney Stone 101

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together to form small "pebbles." They can be as small as grains of sand or as large as golf balls. They may stay in your kidneys or travel out of your body through the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the system that makes urine and carries it out of your body. It is made up of the kidneys, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (the ureters), the bladder, and the tube that leads from the bladder out of the body (the urethra).

When a stone travels through a ureter, it may cause no pain. Or it may cause great pain and other symptoms

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones form when a change occurs in the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other things found in urine. The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough water. (That’s me ) Try to drink enough water to keep your urine clear (about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day). Some people are more likely to get kidney stones because of a medical condition or family history.

Kidney stones may also be an inherited disease. If other people in your family have had them, you may have them too. (My dad had this too).