Noah's Ark

An interesting email, that I thought would share with you....

I learned from Noah's ark:
1---Don't miss the boat
2---Remember that we are all in the same boat
3---Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark
4---Stay fit when you're 600 yrs old, someone may ask you to do something really big
5---Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done
6---Build your future on high ground
7---For safety's sake, travel in pairs
8---Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs
9---When you're stressed, float awhile
10--Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals
11--No matter the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting.......

On Mother's Day

Happy Mothers day to everyone!

This Sunday, don’t forget to greet our wonderful mother in the world.
Do something special by showing your love to your dear mother. Send her a card, call, send text messages or give them that simple hug. To them, such gesture is good enough and does matters a lot them.
So dear Mother, Happy Mothers Day
The Love, Care, Guidance and Affection…thank you
You have enriched my life. I don't think I can Thank You enough.
I Am So Grateful To You....

Some Lesson Learned

You have noticed on the changes on my site’s theme. I decided to give it a face-lift and do some major changes. This time for the better and I am going green (let us save the earth). I still couldn’t find of a better background so for the time being I will stay on this one. Hope you like it.

Years back when I was still working in HongKong I tried to go into business. After several pitfalls, piggery and mango spraying, the rest were successful, profits were earned and the money invested were recovered (sigh of relief).

Important lesson learned over these years are (for OFWs). There was survey from Inquirer that 76 percent of OFW fail to succeed in their business. Reasons to name a few were the money ended up borrowing by our relatives.

You must learn how to manage time, money, and people. I say have an ample amount of patience.

Any dealings regardless if it is your relatives, brother or sister, put it in black, i.e. put everything on paper/record. Have them notarized.

Never ever extend loan without collaterals. When giving out loan, don’t provide a thousand, give them tens of thousands - and secure for an appropriate collateral! Land, house and lot, farms, or an existing business are necessary. If they are your relatives, and you are an OFW, and you loaned them some money without any collaterals, sorry but think of it as a donation.

When you come home and you have tons of money - pretend that you don't have them. Let your money sleep for months in banks - until good and cheap opportunities present themselves.

When you go into business, always be creative, and watch your market, and your competitor constantly.

And once you learned, and have thought your money to do the working for you. I can guarantee that no matter how much you got - you will always be out of capital. Seek financing somewhere else.

Seek your people's knowledge - they, most of the time, know more about the business than you!

Be generous and give to charities.

Take care of your health, do a regular exercise. We are all getting old.

Last and most of all, don’t forget to look above and thank Him
for all our Blessings.

Healing that heart

It hurts to love. It’s sad but often true. You give your love to that person and in return you receive rejection. Someone you deeply trust betrays your love. Or, perhaps someone tells you he doesn’t love you anymore. Yes, love or the loss of it badly hurts. In fact, a broken heart can sometimes hurt so badly you never want to open your heart to love again.

But you must remember this, the greatest love of all is waiting for you to open your heart to Him. He loved you even before you were born. With his love, he will never let you down. He loves you like the way you are. And he has big dreams for you.

The love of your life is God, and there is only one thing standing between you and Him. Your sin.

All of us have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Yet God loves us and wants to offer a new life of hope. He wants to free us from sin, walk with us daily through good times and bad, and give us eternal life with Him.

To give us this ultimate gift of love, God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ. God proves his love and while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

We receive a gift by faith alone. And by Grace we are saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves, it is God’s gift. Not from works, so that no one can boast.
Faith is a decision of our heart, demonstrated by turning toward God and away from sin.

If we are choosing right now to believe Jesus died for our sins and through Him receive a new life filled with unconditional love, say a prayer, accepting Him and thanking Him for our new life.

Out of the blue?

I leave the house
I catch the bus and go to work the way I always do
The same routine most everyday except
I guess I see my olds much more often
Years has passed I thought by now I could make a new life of my own
But I’ve been taught so hard to break I think of you and I still ache
It may take longer to learn to live alone
It’s really bad when Friday comes I know the weekend lies ahead
The watch we make at the football games
And when it rains how we stay in bed
I have done so much to change the house
The attics that is full of memories I’ve known
And yet when I turned off the light
I will wait for you to say goodnight
Now I tried go on dating
But when I do I always find the further night is through
The same old thing behind that smiles
I am comparing him to you
And in the end its always you I feel
Even more when I get home
I thought that I was free of you but I was wrong
I never knew it take too long to learn to live alone

Make Your Own Cleanser

Because you just aren’t busy enough, perhaps you’d like to whip up your own batch of homemade, non toxic household cleaners!


Window Cleaner
Ingredients: vinegar, water, spray bottle
In a spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar and one liter of water. Spray on your windows and wipe dry.

Bathroom/ Kitchen Cleaner
Ingredients: borax powder, baking soda
Mix ¼ cup of borax powder with ¼ cup baking soda. Add just enough water to make a paste. Use this for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Alternatively, add less water for scouring.

Floor Cleaner
Ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, borax powder
Mix together baking soda and a bit of borax powder and add to your mop water. The borax will keep away many insects, except ants. The white vinegar can be used for rinsing to add a natural shine and keep away ants.

Disinfectant
Ingredients: tea tree oil, water
Add up to 50 drops of tea tree oil to a bucket of water. Stir well. Use this for wiping floors, counter, sinks, bathroom tiles, shower stalls and toilet seats.

Borax powder can be found in some drug stores, grocery stores or craft stores.
Tea tree oil can be found at local health food store.
Keep these away from children.

Peace for My Troubled Heart

Sunday morning I usually linger under the warm blanket because it's the only day I don't have to rush to get dressed for work or church. This particular Sunday I decided to go out side of my room for my devotional time. As I sat on the sofa, thoughts that had nothing to do with devotional began racing through my mind. I became overwhelmed in my search for answers to challenges that seemed to consume me, and I began to drown in my own cistern of despair, broken hearted and self-pity. Many times in our Christian walk Satan succeeds in taking our focus away from Jesus, depriving us of sweet communion we can have with our loving heavenly Father.

As I opened the devotional book, the page happened to open to the reading for April 10. I was about to turn to the current date when my eyes caught the heading, "For Women Who've Fallen and Can't Get Up." The text read, "You will be secure, because there is hope" (Job 11:18 NIV). I had been wrestling with the issues that had disturbed me for several days. How heavily the burdens weighed on me! As I read the devotional thought it seemed just for me. It spoke of feeling heavy laden and how a talk with God about my big and little concerns could make a difference. Those words were a source of encouragement.

I meditated for a few moments, then turned back to the current day's reading. Again Jesus spoke to my heart: "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." God was saying that He knew what I was going through and that He was there to strengthen me. As I was about to close the book, my eyes glanced across the page. Almost staring at me were the words: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt.11:28,29,NIV). What a blessing to have a friend and burden bearer such as Jesus, who loves and cares about me! I am grateful to God for the precious words He sent to cheer me up when I was in the valley of despair.

Today, if you are walking through the arid deserts of your life, don't give up; take courage, look up, and go forward confidently in the knowledge of God's supreme and abundant love. He is always there, waiting to carry your burdens if you will let Him.

Have a nice day and God bless...

The Deadliest Disease

Here is another helpful information passed on to me on one of the deadliest diseases of our time: CANCER

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. Whendoctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person'slifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental,food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells andalso destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow,gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver,kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections andcomplications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON:a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved. c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains,seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans.Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine.Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence,Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON

Where did the year go?
Time runs so fast... was November and now December again and we realized that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2006 is on its back!

A big "Thank You" to each and everyone of you, for the huge impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the support, love, care, friendship, and e-mails I received.....
without you, I'm sure that 2006 would have been extremely different.

To all my friends, bloggers out there, I wish you all a magical Festive Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.

May 2007 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures.
And those who need someone special, may you find that true love. To those who need money, may your finances overflow. To those who need caring, may you find a good heart. To those who need friends, may you meet lovely people. To those who need life, may you find God.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. God bless

Little girl's faith

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! "And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother." Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle." "I beg your pardon?"said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?" "We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.

"Listen, I have the money to for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs." The pharmacist's brother was well dressed man, He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need? "I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation, but my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.

"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago. "One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly and it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."

Well, what a coincidence, smiled the man. A dollar and eleven cents...the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."

That well dressed man was Doctor Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. That surgery, her Mom whispered...was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child.

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

The holiday season is a time when people are busy and can become careless, vulnerable to theft and other holiday related crimes. Shopping during the holiday season can present unique dangers. Taking a few preventive measures can help keep your holiday season joyous and safe.

• Dress casually and comfortably
• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member and park in well lit areas, even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• Do not buy items from strangers who might be trying to fence shoplifted items.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
• Secure all packages in the trunk of your car. Do not leave packages in open sight.
• Shop at well on-line sites and ship gifts directly to out of town family and friends. Many stores offer shipping services also.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
• Do not carry large purses or wallets.
• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
• Carry your identification card along with minimum necessary cash, checks and credit cards and expect to use.
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible
• Keep cash in your front pocket
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
  

The Snow

Snow this year came so early than I least expect. It poured out heavier each day, together with its cool, blowing of the wind. Its breeze flashed through my lonely face as I beheld the snow flakes fall. Looking through my room window, the snow spread quickly through the streets and covered the houses, trees, cars, fences and all other form of surface outdoor.

News forecast road accidents due to slippery streets, some schools were closed while some areas

experienced power failure. Sensing peril in traveling for work by myself too, I decided staying home would mean my comfort. Still looking through the window, I wondered should the snow stop the following day? But to my dismay, it even grew thicker and thicker.

As I felt so helpless over the condition of my environment, I thought of a solution to my situation. Geared with my snow wear and shovel on my hand, I bravely went out of my front yard and started digging and moving the snow out of the way. Though heavy as it may seem to me, I was decided to do it. Pretty soon some passers-by saw me and commented to what I did. "Oh! it's a hard work for you, they said with a smile". I nodded in response but what amazed me most was...when most of them cared to say, "Thank you!" fascinated my tiresome day and strengthened my feeble hands.

At times, anyone's smile can inspire, much more, simple words of gratitude may mean a whole lot of strength to a weak, vulnerable spirit.

It was all worth it...I got paid off a thousand times over.

Top Ten Anti-Cancer Food

Bobot sent me this e-mail and I want to share it with you enjoy reading ......

Modifying your diet to reduce fat intake and to increase fiber, antioxidants and other key nutrients can be done by simply making healthy selections at the grocery store.

Top ten anti-cancer food:
Strawberries family
Oranges
Tea
Carrots
Spinach
Tomatoes
Garlic
Whole meat
Cabbage
Beans

These foods carry protective phytochemicals, which are "plant chemicals" that may reduce heart disease and cancer risk. Learn more about you can eat for health. There is no question that we can make healthful food choices to reduce our chances of developing certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the breast, prostate and colon. Modifying your diet to reduce fat intake and to increase fiber, antioxidants and other key nutrients can be done by simply making healthy selections at the grocery store. Here are some healthful nutrition tips.

EAT LESS TOTAL AND SATURATED FAT
The average American diet still provides about 38 percent of the calories from fat sources, yet the recommendation of many health organizations is that we strive for closer to 25 percent or less. Check the Nutrition Facts labels on food products to select foods with only 3 grams of total fat or less. It seems that the saturated animal fats are especially cancer cell promoting. Reducing red meat intake may be helpful along with a greater focus on meatless meals, fish and nuts for protien. Include small amounts of protective monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils.

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Protective fiber, antioxidants Vitamin C and beta-carotene and hundreds of phytochemicals naturally found in fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer risk. Fiber binds to cancer-causing substances in the intestinal tract, removing them in waste products. The antioxidant vitamins neutralize damaging free radicals, substances produced by the chemical processes that go on in our bodies every day. Allicin in garlic, genistein in soybeans, and flavonoids in apples, are just a few of the cancer-protective plant substances (phytochemicals).

Living Well

Look good and feel great. Following are the secrets to improve your health, your attitude, and your appearance!

1) Take a multivitamin everyday.
2) Eat fish at least twice a week. The fatty acids will improve your hair and skin.
3) Switch to whole-grain bread with at least 2 grams of fiber per serving.
4) Walk at least 30 minutes daily.
5) Keep your skin moisturized; dry skin looks older than it really is.
6) Avoid fast-and prepackaged foods; the sodium content is hard on your body and skin. Cook at home to have more control of what’s going into your body.
7) Don’t starve yourself; your body needs nutrients to function well.
8) Resistance train. Women over 40 lose a half pound of muscles a year. This slows the metabolism, packs on fat, and makes everyday tasks more difficult.
9) Break your routine, and try new activities to keep your brain and body stimulated.
10) Don’t slouch. Your Mom was right because it makes you look older. Keep your shoulders back and your head up.
11) Spend time with family and friends who build you up and encourage you.
12) Limit time with those who sap your energy.
13) Keep a food and exercise log. (People typically underestimate food consumption by almost 600 calories a day and overestimate their level of capacity.)
14) Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours a night.
15) Stay hydrated, preferably with water or other calorie-free or low-calorie drinks.
16) Limit sun exposure and always wear sunscreen.
17) Learn to deal with stress. Exercise can help.
18) Exfoliate weekly to remove dead skin cells.
19) Get a regular massage to de-stress and improve circulation.
20) We saved the best tip for last; Spend time daily in God’s Word. A healthy relationship with Him is the best beauty treatment available because it works from inside out! And toss the guilt about the time and resources it takes to care for yourself. When you’re at your best-body, mind, and spirit-you can better serve and give to others.
Adapted from Homelife

Smell the happines in Oil!

These essential oils are known to elevate mood: rose, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lemon, ylang ylang.
Find one you really like and mix with a fragrance-free body lotion-or combine a few drops with olive oil, then add to bathwater or apply directly to pulse points.
To use as a skin or air refresher, mix drops with witch hazel and pour into an atomizer. (use oils sparingly: Undiluted essential oils can cause allergic reactions.)

Who is in Charge?

A young couple on their wedding night were in their honeymoon suite. As they were undressing for bed, the husband, a big burly man, tossed his trousers to his new bride.

He said, "Here, put these on."

His petite, young bride obeyed and tried to put the pants on. She put them on and the waist was twice the size of her body. "I can't wear your trousers." she said.

"That's right,'' said the husband, "and don't you ever forget it.

I'm the man who wears the pants in this family." His young bride took the pants off. Then, she continued undressing.

Suddenly, she flipped him her panties and said,"Try these on." Her big burly husband tried them on and found he could only get them on as far as his kneecaps. "Hell," he said. ''I can't get into your panties!"

She replied, "That's right... And that's the way it is going to stay!! Until your attitude changes."

My Stress Reliever Electric Bus

I am just too dependent with the eco-friendly electric bus. I probably ride this bus more often than any other typical commuters here within the suburb. I commute as often as three round trips daily to show up to my regular care giving job, one part time cleaning job, another part time care giving job, attend church activities, and more often if I opt for window shopping to get away from the rat race and relieve my stress.

A ride within the zone cost $2.25. If I come back in short time then there will be no additional charges. In short, round trip within the designated zone within the time stamped in the ticket is a one Ticket Pass. But that rarely happens since I stay in one place longer than the two hours most. To save more bucks for the ride, I decided to buy the monthly fare card which cost $69, saving as much as $20.

When will I end my dependency on the bus? Maybe when I get my drivers license, or when the suitable Mr. Driver starts giving me a ride, or when my desires are fully sustained. I felt like the electric bus that is tied up to a pair of cable. Attempting to get away from the path will cut away the bus from the cable shutting down its engine. I am just too occupied and couldn’t append my To Do List. But then I have to make ends meet first and for now it is still economical than having a car.

October is Senior Citizens Celebration

It is good to hear about the news, especially coming from my hometown, our way of giving importance to our senior citizens is now in full swing, and for this month of October is devoted to senior citizens celebrations.
There are now several day care centers for the elders, namely the Mobolo Health Center that has already took care of 900 clients since 2002.
The Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. a non-government organization based in the Mabolo parish multi-purpose building. It is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Golden Center holds a free clinic every Thursday and Friday morning for adult age over 60 and above, regardless of economic status. Other services are lay forums, lectures about aging, nutrition, and issues about the elderly. They also provide screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, screening for depression and nutrition, and for deafness with the help of Manila Hearing Aid.
Also this month, the Center is gearing up for its second annual convention. The two-day convention will deal on the Rights of Older Persons, Legal Aspects in the Care of the Elderly, Myths and Realties of Aging, Challenges in the Care of the Old and the Restless, Under the Government Umbrella, The Aging Lung, The Beauty and the Best, You’ll Never Be Walking in Pain Alone, When the Elders Fall, A Litany of Worries, Sexuality in the Sunset Years, Cataract, Let’s Get Physical and the Big “C”. I hope with these activities with their goal of putting up a new building will soon be a reality.
Let as all share in promoting health to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging. Let’s provide information and inspiration for adult age 60 and above. Let us improve their physical, mental, social, and financial fitness.

For our elders, lets establish the following:

1) Choose an exercise you like and stick to it. Do it with someone. Arrange to have a friend meet you. It is harder to say to exercise when you exercise with a friend.
2) Go site seeing. See new things and experience new cultures. Begin to plan a trip. Half the excitement is in the planning!
3) Watch game shows. Watch Game Kana Ba! It keeps your mind razor sharp.
4) Laugh loud, laugh often. A good sense of humor is essential.
5) Volunteer your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in or in something that interests you.
6) Be a beauty queen. An astonishing number of women said they enjoy competing in beauty pageants.
7) If you are a man, get married! Many married men attributed their longevity to the loving care and companionship of their wives.
8) Engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and weight bearing exercise every day.
9) Stay in close contact with friends. Write, text, call or chitchat with your neighbor.
10) Develop a hobby. It’s never too late to learn how to sing Karaoke.
11) Save at least 10% of your income and invest in savings plans that compound interest.
12) Seek inspiration, keep the faith. Believing in a higher power lightens stress.
13) Seek out variety and challenge in your daily life.

All Purpose No Chemicals Homemade Cleaner

For those of us who are so concerned of having too many chemicals around the house, why not try baking soda. I know vinegar and lemon are a good candidate, too yet mixing the three together with the right quantity will create a perfect cleaner. Another benefit of this soda for the budget conscious is it’s economical to use, and will remove any unpleasant odors.

Cleanliness and orderly on all corners of the place I serve has been part of my routine. Sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, you name it, etc. from carpet to ceiling, from seeing thru the tiny drainage to climbing up the roof gutter. Nothing is clean until all areas are thoroughly swept and dust free. I know there are hundreds more of uses that are known around (even my relative use it as a teeth whitening) I will just mention the ones that I have applied in my real day-to-day encounter. Here is how to prepare it:

Deodorizer-
Placing a box in the refrigerator or freezer will absorb that unwanted odor.
Put in your smelly garbage cans.
For carpet deodorizer, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1/4 of tbsp of essential oil fragrance for scent. Sprinkle on the rugs before bedtime and let it sit overnight. Vacuum the ff morning.
Sprinkle some on the mattress before making the bed, removes all odors

Air freshener
Mix equal parts of baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put it in a soap dish or in small sachet bags wherever you would like to freshen the air.

Scouring Powder-
Scrub those surfaces like any other commercial abrasive cleansers
Use it like it is
Or to be more liquid, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water.

Wash dishes making plates shine-
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of water to the dishwasher

Clean the Toilet the easy way-
Sprinkle 1/2 box of baking soda into the toilet tank once a month.
Let it stay overnight before flushing. Both tank and the bowl will be clean and refresh.

Grout
Put baking soda directly on the grout, do a small area at a time. Then add vinegar on top of the baking soda. Let it bubble, and then proceed to clean with an old toothbrush. Depending on how extent the grout’s stain is, you may have to do it twice.

Clogged or slow Drainage-
Mix one cup of baking soda to one cup of hot vinegar, wait for a few minutes then, flush the drain with one gallon of hot water. It is more eco friendly than Drano and the like. Please be careful in handling hot water, and wear gloves

Shine that porcelain Sink-
Sprinkle baking soda all over the sink, squirt some bleach on top of the baking soda, let sit and then wipe clean. The baking soda soaks up the bleach, keeping it from dripping away

Enhance your Laundry
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine along with your usual amount of liquid laundry soap. It will make whites whiter and colors brighter. Please note that it won’t work with powdered detergents

Coffee cleaner –
Drip it to your coffee pot. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda and one cup of warm water. Let it drip through the coffee maker. Make more runs with fresh water to rinse. It will keep your coffee maker clean and fresh.

Teapot cleaner –
To remove rust stains and mineral deposits, fill the teapot with water, 2 tbsp of baking soda and the juice of half a lemon. Boil gently for 15 minutes. Rinse and repeat if needed.

Shine that Silver-
In a heat resistant glass bowl, put that tarnished sterling. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and some aluminum foil into the bowl. Then, pour some hot water to it. It will bubble, and in a few minutes the aluminum foil will turn darker and the silver will turn shiny. Rinsed the piece, buffed it dry and never spent a penny on silver cleaner again

Pesticide nontoxic-
Sprinkle some baking soda along their trails, under sinks near pipe openings and along basement windows to repel ants, silver fish and roaches. Roaches will dehydrate and die after eating baking soda.

Remove crayon marks from walls by scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water.

A glass of milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?" You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this:
Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?