I like!

I like!
Lj T. Salceda


I have been meaning to write a review about some of my current fave products. DISCLAIMER: I am not paid to do this and results/your taste may vary, NO one is allowed to SUE me. Peace!

So here’s a list of some of the things that got my "thumbs up":



1. Mineral Powder – I am NOT a make-up person. I am only forced to use them when a.) I have a speaking/hosting/performing engagement/photo shoot or 2.) when I wake up 2 hours before my usual waking-up time which happens once in every 5 years. Lol! After I was given some product samples by one of our guests on Pinoy E, I was hesitant to use them since I still bear the marks of a few commercial products' effects on my sensitive skin (believe it or not!)


+ It’s cheaper than the commercial counter-part.
+ It’s so fine you only need a few amount to dab and apply on your face.
+ It smells good, actually it smells yummy!
+ If you buy it from people like Ruth, you’ll help working-students to finish their studies. (Ayos sa plugging.)
+ It hasn't caused any irritation or allergies on me, so it has my seal of approval.
+ It is the first and only mineral make-up in the Philippines from what I've heard.

- The brand/line is still new and limited. Unlike other cosmetic lines you can only order this from suppliers/sales rep of the company/brand. They are not yet available in some malls/stores. You can check their site for the list of suppliers and other deatils.



2. CARICA Herbal Clean For Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste – My brother recommended this to me and gave me my first tube. For years I have been using Hapee’s Sensitive Teeth/Gum toothpaste due to my periodontal condition. This is CARICA’S answer to the growing demand of specialized dental products.

+ It doesn’t taste like medicine or herbs. The first time my brother told me about this product my first question was, "Does it taste like herbs?" He said, no it tastes like regular tooth paste but mildly. He's right, it's not overpowering or bitter.
+ It’s the same price range as my previous brand.
+ It’s locally made. Patronize our own products! I know the owners/makers. In spite of our connection, I am not paid/forced/bribed to write this.

- It doesn’t produce much bubble. Lol! I just like bubbles even when I’m brushing my teeth.
- My tube lid doesn’t close well and I’ve had the contents spill inside my bag twice. (My bag smells like toothpaste now.)



3. Caramel Snack Bar(Pasalubong) – If you think Max’s teeny-weeny caramel bar (on the side of every meal) is muy delicioso and you are bitin consuming just one piece, then you will absolutely love this because you wouldn’t know the difference. They do taste the same! I tell yah!

I just bought my fifth pack earlier today containing 10 pieces from the canteen. Good thing we have supplies now, we ran out the last time. Thanks to Mommy Auring for introducing this snack bar to my palate.

+ Not too sweet for a pastry or dessert. Perfect for health conscious people.
+ The size is just enough for me- 2 or 3 bites and you're done. I usually consume 2 pcs/day. I just hope they won’t shrink it, once it becomes a “hit.”
+ Affordable at P10/pc.
+ Mommy Auring said she knows where it’s made, so less worry about hygiene/source/quality. According to her, it’s the same factory that supplies Max’s restos. How cool is that?!

- It’s not yet commercially available (which is also a good thing), only a few stores/canteens sell the bar for now.
- Because it’s super yummy, it makes me eat more!!! Ugh, my figure.


(picture c/o FoxTVAsia)


4. White Collar (TV Show) – Ok it’s not a product/thing, but I am hooked! I’ve always been a fan of “police/crime-busting shows,” so it’s already a plus factor that this show is about an FBI officer and con-man and their adventures/operations.

According to this site, White Collar is about the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer), a charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay.) When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his long-lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail, Neal suggests an alternate plan: He'll provide his criminal expertise to assist the Feds in catching other elusive criminals in exchange for his eventual freedom. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that can't be found on the right side of the law.”

If you like Catch Me If You Can, NCIS, Law and Order, CSI, Criminal Minds and other “police or detective movies/stories,” you will surely love this.

+ Very unlikely tandem of the show’s main characters, but it works! Even if you weren’t able to watch the previous episodes, you won’t get lost (it's only on its 2nd season) and you haven't missed much yet unless you want to know the background/history of the characters/story. Makes me wonder if Kate is really a protagonist or antagonist, hmmm...
+ Matt Bomer is a hunk! Tim De Kay is believable. They both kick-b***. (Can I say that here?)
+ I love the plots in every episode. It's funny. It has enough mystery to keep you waiting for the next episode. And its not too "gross" like CSI or too disturbing like Criminal Minds.

- I’m watching it on Channel 9 (Solar/RPN9), as expected they are late. I’m actually watching “old episodes.” In the US, they are already airing the 2nd season, so don't spoil it for me.
- It's another addition to the overly-populated crime-busting shows available on TV. I won't be surprised if they'll come up with a spin off one of these days.


Disclaimer:
Consume at your own expense. :)

Scrambled Egg with Veggies and Meat

SCRAMBLED EGG with VEGGIES and MEAT



When I was in the US, one of our staple breakfast food was egg. I've tried almost every available type of recipe/cooking method on the menu when I was there - sunny side up, omelette, scrambled, boiled on salads (except for poached).

One of the recipes that I really like was the scrambled eggs we had at this resto near Disneyland. I said to myself I can easily make this one!

Here is my humble attempt of copying their scrambled egg recipe:

Scrambled/Omelet Egg with Veggies and Luncheon meat

Ingredients:

5 pcs eggs
cooking oil (olive/regular)
1 medium onion
2-3 cloves garlic
spinach or green bell peppers
red tomatoes
¼ (can) cubed ham or luncheon meat or sausage (mushroom as alternative)
salt and pepper
quick-melt cheese or feta cheese (optional)


Procedure:

1. Wash veggies.
2. Chop/mince garlic and onions. Cube bell peppers and tomatoes. Remove spinach’s stem. (You can blanch or boil spinach first before adding.)
3. Add seasoning (salt and pepper)to the eggs before beating.
4. Heat the pan, put oil and fry luncheon meat. Set aside.
5. Using the same pan and oil, sauté onions, garlic and add tomatoes.
6. Add the luncheon meat and the veggies bell peppers/spinach.
7. Add egg (scramble).
8. For omelet: Remove the veggies/meat. Make an egg crepe first before putting the filling.
9. Add quick-melt cheese while still hot before serving.

Tip: Serve with rice, bread or potatoes.

Serves 4-5 people
Cost: P150-200

Blogging for a Week :)

Blogging Daily for A Week
Lj T. Salceda


My boyfriend challenged, er, encouraged me to write an article a day just a couple of weeks ago. “You have a gift,” John said. “I wish you’d do it everyday,” he added.

Does he know what he’s talking about?!! Lol! How could I refuse such a sweet, supportive and appreciative guy? I told him, ok hon, if I'll be able to finish the second draft of my book, I’ll give it a shot. (Just a little background: When I finally decided to become an official resident of the blogosphere, I only required myself to write at least an article a week. Many times I failed to do that. So this is really a leap.)

Anyhow, after finally submitting the second draft of my book last week and in honor of our first year as friends (John and I were introduced by a common friend- Jesus through the inter-net on the first week of August last year. That’s what I usually say when people ask us how we met…) here’s to a week of blogging!

The week that was – hectic, eventful and exhausting.

Monday - I was part of the DZAS team that covered PNoy’s first State of the Nation Address.
Highlight: PCEC head Bishop Ef Tendero treated us to a sumptuous dinner at a nice Korean resto after a long, hard day.







Tuesday – work day/staff meeting.
Highlight: Ate Maloi’s birthday, kaya may salo-salo!

Wednesday – lent a hand (and an ear) to 700 Club's Lahat Posible, Magtiwala Ka!
Highlight: being a blessing to others and getting to know celebs who are also bros & sis in the Lord!







Thursday – my TV night! Watched Modern Family, White Collar and NCIS.
Highlight: NCIS tonight was a C’mas episode! (pic c/o of this site)



Friday – attended a memorial service for our late Chinese host Ate Tessie Veloso.
Highlight: FLOWERS! FLOWERS! AND MORE FLOWERS!!!







Saturday – wrote the entire day.
Highlight: scramble c/o Ate May! (sayang di ko nakunan ng pic, naubos ko agad...)



Sunday – church, cleaned, walked for an hour, wrote some more.
Highlight: burning all the Mozzarella Garlic Pizza that I ate while watching the skies being lit by lighting!

From Luzviminda to Uncle Sam: Reflections on my US Trip (Part 2)

From Luzviminda to Uncle Sam: Reflections on my US Trip (Part 2)
Lj T. Salceda

My friends were right, 17 days were not enough to discover and enjoy all things bright, beautiful and stateside (as we say in Filipino) in the US. However I tried to maximize my time and made a list of some of the things I’ve realized and experienced during my first overseas trip. This is in no particular order:

1. Visited the FEBC office in La Mirada and re-acquainted with some of our foreign staff.





2. Rekindled the child in me with the rides in Disneyland and the fireworks in the evening- spectacular!





3. Took pictures of the various types of flowers and plants in SoCal. The giant roses and magnolia trees were adorable. My favorite spots are Balboa Park in San Diego, The Arboretum in Arcadia and my hosts’ neighborhood.






4. Strolled in Santa Monica park/beach and saw plenty of potential talents, cool tricks and pricey souvenirs. But what intrigued me most was the number of homeless people scattered everywhere even in the Beverly Hills area. I never expected a first-world country like the US to have so many of them.





5. SoCal is heavily influenced by Latin Americans, one proof is the name of their cities/streets, pero hindi siyempre pahuhuli ang Pinoy. Check this out!





6. Americans LOVE sports! They are festive and loud whether it’s the NBA finals or Superbowl or the World cup. Please don’t start talking about the Lakers with my man. Lol!



7. Their small bowl of teriyaki is equivalent to our big bowl. Drinks (especially sodas) are usually refillable or as we say in the Philippines bottomless. Almost everything is super-sized, from strawberries to flowers to fast food.





8. The weather there is almost perfect, not too hot and not too cold. But my skin is used to the humidity (or probably pollution) in Manila, as a result my lips were always parched and my skin was always breaking. Ouch!





9. Cost of living is high, so high you either need to have a stable job/s or a rich relative willing to support you for life! Car is a necessity and gas is expensive (triple the price in the Philippines), so are movies ($5 during the day, $7 at night), Filipino food/items are imported = meaning pricey (half of a small papaya for tinola costs $1). Thank God for Japanese restos where I satisfy my rice cravings!





10. One of the things I appreciate about the US is they allow the elderly to have jobs that in Philippines will only be given to younger people. If someone can still do a job well regardless of his age, why deny him the right to be productive?



11. America is pampered. Very pampered. They have Tivo, washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, the nicest schools and libraries, the latest gadgets, almost every type of products, services and accessibility to information. However, they pay high for these too, literally and figuratively.





12. I saw a squirrel, rabbit, hummingbird, eagle, possum, raven, horses and peacocks without going to the zoo.





13. An hour drive in the US is loooong and faaaaar. Unlike in Manila, an hour drive means spending 20 mins in traffic jam, 10 mins waiting for passengers and 30 mins traveling. I rarely doze off when I travel in the Philippines, but in the US I slept quite frequently on the road.





14. I saw Indians, Persians, Turks, Chinese, Africans, Mexicans, Europeans and other nationalities without going out of state. I’ve met some of the most generous, hospitable and godly people on this planet in the lives of my hosts, my boyfriend’s family, friends and even strangers.







15. Possessions, work, money, citizenship is not synonymous to JOY or SATISFACTION. I saw a lot of tired, disgruntled, hopeless, empty, sad Americans. They’ve got problems there too. Recession. Divorce. Homosexuality. Pornography. Addiction. Materialism. Name it, they’ve got a brand for it.





16. Good thing is, they’ve got Jesus there too! The churches are alive. Christians are on-fire. Christian bookstores are still on business. I saw a shirt that says “Let’s share the gospel while it’s not yet illegal.” Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters in the US.





17. Finally, you don’t need a fat bank account, connections or illegal activities to fulfill a dream, to reach a destination and accomplish a goal. All you need is to obey. I only had $300 in my wallet (I don’t own a credit card) when I went to the US and no, it wasn’t from my politician relative. But that’s another story that I have to write when the creative juices kicks in again.



For now, its mission accomplished. Until my next travel assignment, Lj here standing by.