Cleaning 101: The Kitchen

The Refrigerator, defrosting

• Unplug. Dump lingering leftovers and spoiled food. Check on labels and expiry dates of bottled spreads like the peanut butter, jam, etc.
• Transfer the rest of the food into a cooler.
• Surround the base with a thick layer of old newspapers or a big rag. 
• To make the defrosting much quicker, unplug the refrigerator, 2 hours prior to cleaning it.
• Attend to the condenser coils at the back of the refrigerator.  These collect dusts and needs cleaning every couple of months.  Snap off the grate, then use a coil cleaning brush or your vacuum’s crevice tool.
• Once defrosted, sponge the walls with a solution of baking soda and water. Rinse with a microfiber fiber dipped in water.  
• Wipe the door seal and gasket. Then wipe the outer surfaces and handle.
• I place a small piece of charcoal to help absorb odors.

Plug and fill.

I do refrigerator defrosting weekly.

Counters and Cabinets

Counters and Cabinets are also cleaned weekly in our household.

• I just use a liquid all purpose cleaner, wipe the cupboard, shelves and counters. Let dry.
• Check on the expiration date of your canned goods every once in a while.

Stove and other kitchen appliances

We use a gas stove which is more economical than using an electric stove. Stoves should be cleaned immediately after cooking to prevent stubborn spots. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off stove top spills. Clean also the knobs.

• Microwave Oven

Let it cool first after using then wipe the inside with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel.

• The kitchen sink

Just like the stove, kitchen sinks should be well kept. Clean it daily.

• Dish warmer and dish keeper

In my case, I am using an electrical dish warmer, after the plates, fork and spoon and drinking glasses has been washed, I put it directly to the dish warmer, then let it on for 10 minutes until all the utensils are dried and warmed.  I monitor daily the small drain tub at the bottom, take out the accumulated water from the warmer. Clean the dish warmer every two weeks, take out all the utensils first, then wipe it with cloth using a baking soda solution.

For a typical dish keeper, which I also have one to keep my microwaveable containers and other kitchen utensils. Clean it weekly, washing it with soap and water then dry it with a clean microfiber cloth before you fill in.

• Potholders and kitchen apron

Potholders and kitchen apron should be washed weekly or as frequent as possible.  It is best if you keep an extra potholders and aprons.

Food Alert! Spoiled Food Causes Food Poisoning

Aside from being a potential heatstroke victim, food poisoning is rampant too when the weather is hot. Certain foods easily spoil in hot weather if not kept properly. 

Food poisoning comes from eating foods that contain salmonella, bacteria or toxins, which are poisonous substances. You may have had mild food poisoning with diarrhea and an upset stomach.  If the stomach ache persists followed with vomiting and frequent runs to the comfort room, it is advisable to seek medical help.

Proper cooking and food handling must be taken into consideration too.  The use of a serving spoon should always be practiced during meals.  Make sure to check on the left-over status first before you eat it.

How to know if the food is already spoiled?

• Milk is spoiled when it starts to look like yogurt.
• Eggs, when something starts pecking its way out of the shell, the egg is probably past its prime or shake it, if you felt something is shaking inside, it is already spoiled.
• Canned goods, check on its expiration date.
• Bread, there are splotches of green or black molds.
• Flour is spoiled when it wiggles
• Left-overs - if it smelled weird or off odor, it has bubbles on top.

Examples of viands that easily spoil are dishes cooked in coconut milk, dishes with tomatoes, like pancit palabok and other pasta dishes.

Buying food in nearby Carinderia (cooked-food store) is not a good option. I discourage my children buying viands from a nearby carinderia when I am sick and I cannot cook.  They will just open a canned good like tuna or corned beef instead for their meal.

Left-over food should not linger long on the the table. Put it in tightly closed containers and keep it in the refrigerator to prevent it from being spoiled.

Let us always keep our family safe!

Heat Illnesses

Due to increasing heat this summer season, we must be alert on Heat Illnesses our children may acquire. Our children’s immune system is weaker compared to an adult immune system, thus they are prone to easily acquire diseases.

There are three (3) Heat Illnesses that we must be aware of and the following are:

1.  Muscle Cramps

Children are susceptible to heat cramps, particularly when they don’t drink enough fluids.  All that vigorous running and playing cause their bodies to lose salts and body fluids, which causes momentary cramping in their legs, arms and abdominal muscles. 

Generally heat cramps don’t require special treatment.

Bring your child indoors or into the shade.

Loosen or remove your child’s clothing.

Gently massage the cramped muscle.

Encourage your child to eat and drink.

2.  Heat Exhaustion

A more severe form of heat illness.  Heat exhaustion occurs when your child’s body loses too much fluids.

Symptoms may include dehydration, hyper-ventilation, nausea, fatigue and weakness.

Immediately bring your child indoor or into the shade.

Remove your child’s clothing

Encourage your child to eat and drink

Give your child a bath in cool water.

Immediately consult your doctor, particularly if your child is too exhausted or ill to eat or drink.  He may require intravenous (IV) fluids.  Left untreated, heat exhaustion may escalate into heatstroke, which can be fatal.

3.  Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening  medical emergency that occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate its own temperature.  Body temperature can soar to 41 degrees Celsius and higher, leading to brain damage or even death if it isn’t quickly attended to.

Heatstroke is indicated by the following symptoms:

40.6 degrees Celsius or higher

Sluggishness, fatigue or unconsciousness

Flushed and dry skin with no sweating

Severe throbbing headache

Weakness, dizziness or confusion

Vomiting, difficulty in breathing

Rapid pulse

Disorientation, delirium

Possible seizure episode

Prompt emergency treatment is required to bring your child’s body temperature under control.

Immediately get your child indoors or into the shade

Undress your child and sponge or douse him with cool water

Seek immediate medical attention for your child.

A Trip to RS Aviary

Yahmir was very excited upon knowing that we will be on an Aviary Trip, sad to say that JM cannot come with us because of his job, we can no longer re-schedule the tour for it was also a business trip at the same time.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011, we left the house at 8:30 in the morning bound to Barangay Malino Angeles City, Pampanga.  We had a long journey.  Thankfully, our travel went on smoothly.

Yahmir brought along his PSP and Nintendo DS, in order not to get bored in the long travel.  Anyway, he doesn’t get bored, he kept on singing on the whole journey (lol).  We enjoyed viewing the green scenery while we passed by the NLEX (Northern Luzon Expressway). 

Finally, when we reached our destination, Yahmir’s spirit got much higher.  He is so amused, I saw him smiled beautifully when he heard the sounds of the birds.  He can’t wait to see them all

The place is very big, composed of the RS Aviary and on the other side is the commercial piggery.  It is simple yet beautifully landscaped.

The owner, Mr Robert So gave me lots of information about the birds.  He allowed me to take pictures of them, but definitely I do not use the camera flash for I know it will disturb the birds and might get them stressed out.  It’s a good thing that the daylight is bright so a flash is not needed.

I also take down notes, I do not want to miss any of his informative lectures.  Yahmir and my husband were also listening intently. The bird farm consists of breeding and hatchery sections. Well, to have an aviary is no joke, you really have to invest a large sum of money for the bird licence, and maintainance.  You also need to have patience and enthusiasm to keep this as a hobby.

This Myna bird caught Yahmir’s attention, it keeps on talking and mimicking what he hears and when you pass by his cage, he will greet you Hello! J

The talking Myna Bird

EC Plaza Celebrates 15th Year Anniversary!

Are you running an online store business? Aside from having your own webshop and the help of social media network, where else do you place your ads? Well, experience and never miss the opportunity to grow your sales and find the right buyers globally through ECPlaza.


ECPlaza is a Global B2B Trade Marketplace and Trade Solution Provider.  They have grown as the No. 1 Trade Leader providing online and offline trade-related services for small and medium enterprises.


www.ecplaza.net  offer Exclusive Service Features such as:

• You can get your own website where you can publish your company profile, products and Trade leads for FREE 
•  You will be able to receive and reach out to thousands of  buyers from all over the world
• You can use PC080 messenger for free to chat with your trade partners in real time and close deals faster and get the latest trade leads and information on new buyers with Trade Alerts daily or weekly.

Aside from the Free membership they offer, you can upgrade your membership to YES Premium Membership to gain more trade chances.


Take advantage of the YES Gold Premium Benefits or the Yes Silver Premium memberships to widen up your promotional services with your products.


You may visit also the following sites for more information:
ECPlaza Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ecplaza
ECPlaza Official Twitter: www.twitter.com/ecplaza
ECPlaza Official LinkedIn Company Page: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ecplaza-network-inc-
ECPlaza Official YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ecplazadotnet



As they celebrate their 15th Year Anniversary this year, ECPlaza expresses and imparts their deepest gratitude for using their service and they guarantee to serve you with better and updated services.


Join the Business-to-Business Trade Marketplace of EZPlaza.  A perfect marketplace to promote and sell your products worldwide.

The Philippines Holds First “Spring Cleaning Day”

Five cities in Metro Manila will demonstrate how the country can save lives, time, and money, as they join the first-ever “Philippine Spring Cleaning Day (PSCD).”

In its goal to push for cleaning and sanitation as one of the most effective ways to lower the country's disease burden, representatives from the Department of Health (DoH), UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), Reckitt Benckiser, Lysol, and several local government units are calling for better sanitation through the institution of the first Philippine Spring Cleaning Day.

On May 11, there will be a simultaneous cleanup across five cities, namely Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Manila, and Pasay.

Super Mom

One of the most important occasions I want to celebrate with my Mom is Mother’s Day. A day to honor the unconventional love and unparalleled sacrifices of motherhood. This is one of the best times to show and make her feel how very special she is to my heart.

For me, my Mom is incomparable, she’s an angel sent from up above. I followed her footsteps to become a Super Mom too, yet I know I cannot surpass her.
Here is a poem I composed for you Mom.

For a Super Mom!

Mom as always you’re wonderful,

You make things easy and cool.

You’re gentle yet so strong,

In many ways you care,

always make me feel I belong.

With a heart pure of love,

And with the faith you still impart,

Is the love that's in my heart.

In Love and Life, You’re always my guide,

Who never cease standing by my side.

There will never be another,

For you’re forever my Mother.

And so, I thank you from the heart,

for all you've done for me,

And I thank the Lord for giving me

the BEST mother there could be!

I love You Mommy, Happy Mother’s day!

I want to thank my two sons too for this creative and beautiful artwork. I love you JM and Yahmir!
Special thanks to my husband for the loving effort in preparing and cooking the meals yesterday. I love you Sweetheart!

Bench Fix Salon – For Your One Stop Beauty Needs

Aside from the good ambiance, I like the way how the Bench Fix Salon treat their clients.  They will make you feel comfortable once you get inside their salon. They have the best-trained hairstylists and ever-friendly staffs. 

A Salon for Men and Women which caters all your grooming and beauty needs.  I am always satisfied with their services, the reason why I am a regular customer of their beauty parlor.

On the way to our Aviary Trip last May 4, 2011, we passed by Marquee Mall, Angeles Pampanga to eat our brunch (breakfast and lunch), because Yahmir was already sulking because of hunger. (lol)  Upon looking for a good parking space, I saw a branch of Bench Fix Salon and asked my husband to park infront of it.  I was so curious to take a look inside because of its huge space.  It’s a good thing that the Mall had just opened and the Salon was not yet crowded with customers. 

Luckily, the franchise owner of the Bench Fix Salon Marquee Branch, is also the owner of the Aviary that we were about to visit. He happened to be an acquaintance of my husband, so Noi asked for his permission if we can take a look around and take some pictures too.  I am so much delighted that he granted it. 

The Salon’s atmosphere is very inviting, having a 120 sq.m. floor area, which is big for a regular salon. Customers can move easily with comfort.  Mr. Roman, the Officer-in-Charge merrily assisted us to explore the Salon.

Bench Fix Salon Marquee Mall Branch

 

taking a while to pose hihi

the cashier-counter

 

the grooming area for nails and toes

the hair-wash area

the side portion of the waiting area

Mr. Roman, the officer-in- charge

This branch is one of the best-looking Bench Fix Salon I had visited.  I wish we live near so I can have my beauty regiments in this branch.    If you happen to live near the area, i suggest try  take a look, visit and try their services.  Find for yourselves out why I love going to this Salon. 

Bench Fix Salon

Level 1, Marquee Mall, Angeles City

Tel. No. (045) 304-0889

Cooling Fan

As a blogger, I am using my notebook/laptop for long hours.  Thus, a need to use a cooling pad is a must. 

A cooling fan, a cooler pad or a chill mat, whatever they might call it, is an accessory for laptop computers that helps reduce its operating temperature. It prevents your laptop from overheating. It uses natural convection to enhance fan cooling, and ensures low power consumption via your laptop's USB port.

This is already my second cooling pad, the first one that I bought has two small fans, and sooner I realized that it does not guarantee proper cooling, for I observed that during the first three hours of continuous laptop usage, I can feel the increasing heat.  So, I looked for a bigger fan.  I saw and bought this cooling fan for Php 300 at CDR King. 

It is easy to clean too, I just use a small paint brush to take out the accumulated dusts in and around the fan.  So far I have been using it for 7 months already and I am very satisfied and happy for it functions the way I was expecting it.