To eat or not to eat

I called myself fickle-minded before. It was due to lack of a better adjective to properly describe me and my preferences on simple things like color, music, and TV shows. However, when it comes to food, I am one predictable laydeeeh! (: My mom calls me a picky eater and my aunt once had me cry (I was about 9 or 10 at that time) when she wanted me to eat something she cooked which I did not like. Here are the three main reasons why (I think) they say it is difficult to feed me:

1. I eat vegetables..but only selected ones. (: In fact, I love string beans and squash. I even count winged beans in coconut sauce as one of my favorite dishes. But you will never see me eat, not even take a bite of, okra, bitter melon, steamed leafy vegetables, and a lot of other produce.

Photo from vegetarian-nutrition.info

2. I am afraid to try different cuisines. My family loves telling the story of how I would not open my mouth when they tried feeding me Kamameshi House's Crab rice (I LOVE Japanese food now so this reason may change :D). But it takes more than a single prodding for me to try Indonesian or Vietnamese food.

Photo from yelp.com

3. I like my food simple and "bare". I pick out of the dish I am eating anything that I don't like. For example, I remove all the bell pepper on a pizza slice. With the crab rice shown above, I set aside the peas. I even remove the liver chunks from my mom's delish menudo. When ordering burgers, I request a special plain one, no onions, pickles, and mustard. 

Photo from aht.seriouseats.com 

Despite these reasons, I feel that I am a relatively healthy eater compared to others. I've sworn off sodas and other carbonated drinks way back in college. A few years after that, I refrained from eating chips and other "junk food." Three years ago, I stopped drinking coffee. Although there have been a few lapses (like when there's no water immediately available and when I was suuuuuuper sleepy at work and they were brewing the coffee right at the table next to mine), I felt a bit healthier than before. I am now trying to cut back  However, I know I should try to lessen my sugar intake since I think our family has a history of being diabetic. But don't chocolate, ice cream, and cakes just taste SOOOOO GOOOOD? Just look at some of my faves below. :D

Photo from noshwell.com

Photo from haagendazs.com

Photo from bucaio.blogspot.com

Almost Weekend Report

I promised to myself, when I restarted this blog, that I will try to post at least every other day. However, I have been under the weather for a couple of days now. I think it's due to the erratic weather we've been having. Colds and headache kept me from thinking about something to post, much less actually logging on to the computer and typing. 

I did manage to get out of bed to attend my high school friend's daughter's 1st birthday last Tuesday. I have confirmed my attendance and bought a gift weeks before. Plus, I haven't seen her in almost two years so despite a stuffy nose it was off to a Barney-themed party for me. I have forgotten how much I love being around kids. Their innocent eyes and heart-warming smiles never fail to make me appreciate life and the simple things around us. 

Photo from kidsbabydesign.com

Today, I was able to go to UP and help my cousin take her chances with the specific departments within the campus. You see, she passed the UPCAT but was qualified only for the Baguio campus. Since she lives just 10 to 15 minutes away from the Diliman campus, Baguio seems far, far away. We were told that some colleges may reconsider her case since she is an UPCAT passer. Much to our dismay and contrary to the pieces of advice we received from different people, the University seems to have been stricter with their admissions. After eating a quick, very late lunch at the Shopping Center, we went to the mall and looked for her graduation dress. We ended up buying "graduation shoes" instead. She picked something similar to the one below. (: 

Photo from sofab.com.ph

I told myself not to buy anything for the coming weeks since I just recently purchased this, this, and this. (This reminds me, I should make a post about my search for and purchases of best coupon offers.) But, I saw this dark brown nail polish I have been searching for at Etude House and I knew I must buy it. Luckily, it was sold at only P98.00/bottle. I  managed to buy one more for just P48.00. (: I can't seem to find pictures of the polishes in the internet and I'm too lazy to take photos of my newly-self-manicured nails, so for reference see picture below which made me want the dark chocolate shade. :D

Photo from hollywoodlife.com

Saturday Shopping

My online shopping (or most of the time, just browsing) has led me to some amazing stuff. Let me show you my recent purchase from Human ♥ Nature, Philippines's own brand of natural personal care and cosmetic products.

Their deliveries take just one to two working days and cost P50 only for Metro Manila. Orders are packed in specially designed boxes like the one in the picture above. What I love about it is that it's reusable and a bit sturdy, save for the "dents" probably caused by the handling during the shipping.

The products were covered by newspapers as cushion and were taped around their lids or caps to avoid spills. The facial scrub was even in a bubble wrap.

L-R: Aloe Fresh deodorant, Chamomile feminine wash, Mandarin/Lemongrass  moisturizing shampoo with  Creamfoam,  Strawberry facial scrub, and Sunflower Seed beauty oil

For just a total of P663.75, I was able to buy five of their best sellers. Their all-natural deodorant is a new product which contains organic oils and extracts for smoother and softer underarms. The pH-balanced feminine wash is also 100% natural to ensure safe and gentle care for our sensitive skin in you-know-where. (:

I bought the shampoo despite the several bottles of other well-known brands stocked in our bathroom closet because it contains avocado oil which is said to help in dealing with problems such as hair fall, thinning hair, and dandruff. I have constant occasional dandruff (yes, there is such a case :D) whenever I sleep late or feel immense stress. And after my trusty Nizoral has gone "supplier out of stock" these past months and the Reduff shampoo suggested by the drugstore person does not seem to work, I am very much willing to try this one.

Since college, my bathroom staple is St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I use it three times a week to exfoliate my skin, prevent blemishes, and get rid of the nasty blackheads on my nose. :P When I read that Human ♥ Nature's purifying facial scrub has real strawberry seeds and bamboo granules, there was no doubt in my mind that I need to try this one as well. It was right timing too since I am on my last two to three washes with the apricot scrub.

Lastly, the Sunflower Seed beauty oil seems to do everything from fighting wrinkles to adding hair shine. It also helps in lightening dark circles under the eye area and stretch marks. So it was definite must-buy.

After my make up stack has been depleted (which I hope is soon!), I will try their mineral make up products too. (:

First Friday

I have forgotten about this blog for the longest time. Several reasons for such abandonment come to mind, but I would not bore you with them. Suffice it to say that I am giving breath to this blog again. Note, however, that I did somehow manage to write on my Multiply account form time to time. So if you wish to see what I have been up to for the past five years (which is not that much to speak of) I have been absent in this platform, visit my other site. (:

Though, so as not to waste your time, just start joining me in my travel here. I may not be able to write every single day or talk about very important, interesting, and thought-provoking posts, but if you have time to spare do drop by.

Here's to looking forward to a brand new phase. (:

Photo from blog.kevineikenberry.com