DIY Crochet Pouch For Charging Your Phone

It is not always that you have a small table near your electrical socket. And when you need to charge your phone, there seems to be nowhere to put it on but the floor. I have created this little pouch to make things easier. =)

so now...

Here's how to do it:

1. Create a circle by making a loop and then creating treble crochets around the loop. I made 6 layers for the bottom. To do this, I alternately adding 2 treble crochets in between two treble crochets in the previous layer.

2. When you finished your 6th layer, make 1 treble crochet in every space in between crochets in the previous layer. this will make it rounded on the edges and form the sides. Continue to do so until you reach your desired height.

3. After 4 layers, I added a pink colored yarn for a touch of femininity.

4. After 2 layers of the pink yarn, I used gray again for 3 layers and used pink again for another 2 layers.

5. I made 4 layers in gray then I made a single chain as base for the handle where it will hang from the charger (refer to above photo).

You can also use it for other purpose, just hang it somewhere and you can put in loose coins, accessories, pens, etc.

Smoothie Experiment No. 3

Isn't it obvious? I am officially obsessing on smoothies lately. I think it's partly because I now have a Shake 'n Take blender that I can carry around anywhere I go.  So I just go blending and shaking all things I like and sometimes adding in a little bit of something I don’t like. The taste blends away with the other fruits and veggies in it so I really don't taste it. Plus, some stuff with strong flavor like ginger and celery adds a nice spice to the smoothie. It is not overpowering if you add just a little. In contrary, it makes your drink taste fresh! J

Here is another one of my smoothie experiments.

Ingredients:

1 Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt, Strawberry

1 baby carrot

½ cucumber, peeled, but you may choose not to peel if you like

2 small bananas

1/2 cup cold water

(I would like to add a short stalk of celery but didn't have it this time)

I placed all these ingredients in the fridge the day before so they are nice and cold. I did not put any more ice cubes. I just cut them all up and put in the blender. And this is what it looks like.

You might be wondering why I always have bananas in my smoothies. Well, I like that they sweeten the smoothies without having to add sugar to it. It also makes the consistency nice and creamy. 

Here's what my blender looks like. I can't seem to take a photo of it that doesn't make it look so tall so I just took this from Google. ;)

Credits to Photo Owner

Smoothie Experiment No. 2

I have found that I feel full easily with smoothies containing basic ingredients. The more variety I put in, the more full I get even if I drink just the same amount. Maybe it is because my body recognizes that what I am taking in have enough nutrients in it so I don't crave for more.

Here is one of my favorite recipes  I can repeat everyday.

1 baby carrot

2 small bananas

1 small sugar beet root

1 strawberry yogurt

Just peel and cut all the veggies and banana up. Put them in the blender. Add some water and the yogurt.

Turn the blender on and watch it change colors! The beets have a very red color and it overpowers all the colors of the other ingredients.

I have a clean bottle of TAZO juice so I just transferred the shake in it and it looked quite nice. Have the same feel as the mason drinking jars without the cost. ;)

Going Back To My Better Habits

After all the lakwatsa and eating to death during the celebration of our 8th year anniversary, it is time to go back to the better habits I developed trying to be fit.

There is no special formula for this. Just like what the doctors would say, a 30-minute cardio workout three to four times in a week and healthy eating will do. It is just a matter of discipline and having a good knowledge of what healthy eating is really about.

FOOD INTAKE

If you aim to lose weight, it is very important to reduce your food intake but take note of what is the healthy dose. They said you should not go beyond the 1200 calories limit per day. Depriving yourself too much can result to cravings and before you know it you are eating more than you should. Also, your body needs the energy and nutrients that food supplies.  

It would be better if you eat more fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins. They are packed with vitamins and minerals but low on calories. Make a list of your favorite fruits and veggies and try to stock them on your fridge so whenever you are hungry, these are the food that you would go for first. Also, remember that there are fruits that are quite high in sugar so eat them in moderation and load on your favorite salad greens and crunchy root crops like beets and carrots. Needless to say, you should stay away from the sweets. Pastries are yummy but the sugar and saturated fats in them are the one that builds up into fat inside the body.

EXERCISE

I am quite big and chubby, so the best work out routines should include a lot of cardio. It is the fastest way to burn and shed fat. If you are slimmer but needs to tone up, you can do more core and strength training to develop muscles. It will support the skin which will make it look tighter.

Celebrating our 8th Year Together

Anniversary is the one day of the year when we remember the first time that we said yes to the question "will you be my girlfriend" or said "I love you too" for the first time.

It is always romantic to have a beautiful candle lit dinner and you get to take home a huge bouquet of flowers. However,  doing it every time,  every year can make it a bit boring (not that I'm complaining).

This year,  we're ditching the fancy dinner and expensive bouquet.  We'll just have a delicious and relaxing day instead.

First stop, japanese lunch at Kenji Tei.

We ♥ their spicy salmon maki! =)

Top: Spicy Salmon Maki ♥♡♥
Middle Left: Tofu Steak
Middle Right: Spicy Negi Ramen
Bottom Left: Chasu Ramen
Bottom Right: Crispy Chicken Teriyaki & Crunchy Ebi Mayo

We walked around a little, just talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company.

Next stop is the The Balinese Spa.

Hubby- to- be loves massages so he got one and a half hours of full body massage and another hour of back and foot massage.  For me, it's body scrub and full body massage package. I spent a little more time in the sauna which I really love.

I like that we can take a shower and sauna (not together) before the scrubs and massage services.

The following day is a continuation of the bonding/celebration. We went to eat out and shop a little bit for each other.

We had a late lunch at Bubba Gump.  We used to go there a few years back and this was a nice opportunity to reminisce.

We love the friendly servers, glasses of refreshing drinks with flashing lights (which we got to take home!), and the food! =)

This may not be a very romantic anniversary celebration for some. But I think what's most important is spending time together doing what you like to do, in our case we love to chat,  eat, and shop. And that makes it all worthwhile.

Kenji Tei Ramen House Alabang Town Center
G/F Alabang Town Center
Alabang, Muntinlupa(02) 511-8980

The Balinese Spa Level 2 Festival Mall Alabang Muntinlupa
(02) 659-2901

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Greenbelt 3 Makati City
2F Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, Makati City
(02) 757-5154

Crunch Time!

I have been trying out some fruit-veggie-protein combo during the past few days as part of my conquest to live a healthier lifestyle. I alternate smoothies and salads along with some healthy protein for lunch. For this week I have lettuce, carrots and egg as staples then I would add something to change it up day to day.

I came up with this salad that both tastes and looks good. I've listed the ingredients below.

Ingredients: 

1 egg

1 small carrot

1 bunch of romaine lettuce

1 tomato

1 beet root

And here is salad no. 2. I knew I lack fruits in the first one so this compensates for that. 

Ingredients:

1 salted egg

1 small carrot

1 bunch of romaine lettuce

1/2 green apple

a small piece of papaya

1/2 celery stalk

I love how easy it is to get simple but healthy food items in the supermarket at an affordable cost. Every ingredient you see here is bought in packs costing less than 100Php each! What's great is that each pack can be good for a whole week (2 weeks for the carrots and celery stalks) of exciting lunch salad that you will never get bored of. 

I also love how easy it is to play around with the flavors and textures. You will never guess apples and eggs can go well with each other. The sweet and citrus apple is a perfect contrast to the soft and creamy texture of a soft boiled egg. It's entirely up to you how bold or how subtle you want to go with the flavors in your salad.

For days when I do not have fruits in the salad, I make up for it by having fruity smoothies in the morning or afternoon. I usually have bananas, oranges, and apples in stock. Add some beets and yogurt and get a colorful and delicious smoothie. And when I am too lazy to get the blender, I just eat them fresh. Bananas dipped in low fat peanut butter are great to sustain energy and satisfy a sweet tooth too! =)

There isn't really a general rule when making salad that suits your taste.Just toss in everything you like and voila! Keep it balance by having fruits, veggies, and protein in it so you will get all the nutrients your body needs.