Chopped off my layers

Another random day and oh boy did boredom struck me good today. I decided to cut my layers and give me a little trim. My hairstylist of 4 years was beginning to get a little expensive for my common layer trim and since my bangs were a success last night, I decided to go with that confidence. Please don't ask how I chopped it, I have no idea. I had a shear scissor, mirror, a sink, hair iron and voila, a trimmed hair. What do you think? Have you ever chopped your hairs off at home before? Care to share?

Crooked bangin hair

I have been wanting to chop off my bangs like the Fitch twins from the UK show Skins. I tried explaining to my stylist about the bangs but he could not seem to understand it; maybe because he's Korean? I don't know what the reason is but it made me want the hair style even more. At 10 PM tonight, I went to my bathroom and started chopping away. I don't even know how to cut hairs to begin with but I did it anyway. 

Please don't ask me to explain how I did it because I did not follow any steps, no videos. It's probably the most bold thing I have ever done to myself this year. I'm only trying this out and will probably go shorter like the Fitch twins have it. One step at a time, please. 

It's already 12:30 AM and I'm too excited to not show you the finished product right away. Serve it while it's fresh out of the over, right? I'm planning to attack my hair tomorrow; thank goodness I grew it out so I have a few to play around with. 

Did something bold this year? Care to share with me? I'd like to know. Let's inspire one another. 

White squash "Upo" recipe

My father-in-law has a garden full of it and they grow really fast which means we have endless source of it. Great! We need to find ways to cook it but surprisingly, we never get tired of it and my parents loves it because it's sweet. I cooked it the most simplest way I knew how. Give it a try when it's in season.

Ingredients:

3-4 Tomatoes

2 teaspoon fish sauce

salt and pepper for taste

1 medium size upo, cut into thin strips

1 garlic clove

1/2 pound pork

Directions:

• Heat pan to medium. 
• Saute garlic and pork together. Once pork is brown in color add in tomatoes and fish sauce.
• Cook together for 7 minutes.
• Add upo, salt and pepper.
• Cover, stir occasionally. 
• Done when all upo is soft.
• Serve with hot rice.

This was our Memorial day dinner. 

Happy Memorial Day

We didn't do much today because we woke up late plus Walter had to work and I pretty much blog the whole day. I'm a bit upset that I didn't have the chance to go to the Lantern Floating Ceremony at Magic Island, Ala Moana this evening and put out a lantern for my late Inang. I'm hoping to make it next year and I can show you guys what it looks like and how crowded it gets every year.

On the bright side, I got a chance to wash one load of laundry, bake some not so round chewy brownie cookies, and cooked white squash "upo" with pork for dinner. Today was a good day; well spent with you my fellow bloggers. I did some postings on here and a few on Twitter. Which by the way, don't forget to follow US and sub/follow for our Blogspot. Hope you all had a good Memorial Day everyone.

ALOHA :)

Simplify my life, extra please

Most of us are on the go nowadays and to add stress from home is another story. Don't you wish that when you come home, a meal for the entire family is prepared, the dog is fed, laundries are folded and put away? All you need to do is pretty much shower, change, eat, relax, and sleep? Unfortunately not everyone is gonna have this without people depending on YOU! I learned to multi-task times 1000. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing things 50 mph haha. I'll break it down for you; how one person can do everything in record time.

Cooking/Kitchen:

• Feed the pets before preparing dinner. By the time you're reading to start cooking everything, the dogs will be done. 
• Pre cut all your ingredients early in the day and place in fridge. When you are ready to cook, all you need to do is throw everything in. 
• If you work the next day, you can also precut everything the night before. 
•  Marinate anything that needs to be the night before. 
• Mix any sauces you need to use for any meals. 
• Cook early or after you get home from work. 
• Cook rice before anything else. 
• While the main ingredient is cooking which most of it takes at least 5 minutes or so, wash dishes you've already used. Let is drip excess water, wipe, and put away. (This will lessen the dishes that needs to be wash AFTER dinner. Full tummy plus loads of dishes don't feel so good.)
• Serve meal course in small serving bowls and wash dishes that was used and put away. 
• Once done using the stove, let it cool and just before dinner, clean right away to avoid stains, ants coming for a visit and you don't have to worry after dinner. 
• Enjoy your meal, now you're only left with the bowls, plates, utensils etc. to wash. Smaller dishes right and those big pots and pans out of the way. 
• Have everyone throw any plate scraps in the trash and put their dishes straight in the sink to help you out. 
• Wash all dishes when done and let it dry on rack.
• Just before bed, wipe and put away dishes. 

***Key thing is to prepare everything ahead of time to cut your cooking time in half. Wash bigger dishes while waiting on the dish to cook to save you time after dinner.***

Cleaning:

• Try to wake up early in the morning on your day off and do as much as possible. 
• Wash laundry before anything else. That will usually take 20-30 minutes. 
• With that time you can sweep the floors and mop it. 
• If you hang clothes, while your floor is drying up go ahead and hang those clothes. If using dryer, put the laundry in and you can start the new load. 
• If floors are still wet, you have spare time to rake outside, water your plants, clean that rabbit cage.
• Once floors are completely dry, you can bathe your dog (if inside dog) and dry him up. After you use the bathroom for his bath, you can go ahead and sweep and mop your bathroom. Let it dry.
• Hang second load of clothes and so on and so forth.
• Once dry, clean toilet, wipe down sink, clean shower area. 
• Fix bed once you wake up. Put everything away to wherever they belong to lessen any mess. 

It was a boring day

My mom was running here and there with her chores and was so busy. Which means I was super bored. I didn't get much belly rubs; a few head scratch here and there because she always knew when I needed a little touch for the itch. She was out for groceries and came home and gave me TWO strips of beggin strips, and boy was I a happy camper. Thanks mom, with this you let me know you don't forget about my afternoon treats. I love you. I think my mom cooked some pork with white squash (upo), I can smell it and do I see brownie cookies fresh baked on the counter. YUMMY! She loves you guys too and I know she will show you her messy BUT delicious cooking. YAY. Okay, Mom said it's my dinner time now. WOOF WOOF!

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant

My friend and I couldn't make it to one of our bestfriend's gap and gown ceremony due to our schedules so we tried to make it up to her by doing a dinner reservation at Shokudo Japanese Restaurant in town. Thank goodness she eats sushi and thank goodness for my other bestfriend, they served plain rice, sodas, and fried chicken katsu. I pretty much will eat anything these two eat, except eggplant, chocolate, and way too much sweets. We ordered 7 different meals and they were all good; so good that I think my mind is still full and can't think of the names. I know we had some fried noodles, sushi pizza, rainbow sushi, chicken katsu, mixed tempura, honey toast, and tortilla chicken for appetizer. I would recommend trying their tortilla chicken, it is very delish and some of their green tea shake. I think I had 2 of these babies and I was over the top stuffed.

A great night spent with these two but then again, it's always a happy random kind of day when I'm with them. You can't go wrong with a simple get together with friends and be sure to go with them on an empty stomach. Great food and company brings happiness to everyone. Congratulation again, Ping-pong. I love you :)

We would like a proper intro

The blog is coming so well together and I wanted to brag to Walter about it and he pouted and asked that we share a blog together. I mean, why not, the dog has one, right?!

We're two couples trying to make ends meet and getting our life together. We try to make our tiny place as comfortable as possible and stick with a strict budget. It's hard but we'll manage. He's a UTI graduate while I'm still figuring out what I really want to study. We work, pay bills, eat, and be lazy together. That's how things roll in this household.

We're cuckoo and we're fine with that. We're strange but that's what makes the relationship work. We just celebrated our 4 years anniversary together and damn, has it been long (just kidding) but when things are running smooth, you don't notice the time passing by.

No kids at the moment but we do have our 2 years old pomeranian, Patron and that's our son. I say he counts as a child; he needs financial and emotional needs so therefore he is a household child. I think I'm secretly too selfish at the moment to be a mother but I admit, I do wish to have one.

For now, our energy, love, and money all goes to each other, Patron, hobbies, and our tiny place. Sounds good to me.

Waipahu's Poke Stop

I haven't eaten this in so long and it's not my go-to place either. It's a bit pricey but this meal makes it super worth it. This is called their "Tempura roll" with toss salad and their homemade sauce. Very fresh and tasty. It's simply made, crunchy on the outside but soft and sweet inside. If you put it in simple form, it's a fresh ahi fish called "poke" rolled with rice and wrapped with nori and top with some fish eggs. I like to call it, Hawaii's local sushi!

Family Jewels be gone

May 25th on Wednesday, my mom decided to wake me up super early for an hour drive to Hawaii Kai. Boy was I excited when she took out my leash and put it on me, I knew I was going for a walk or something - maybe shopping :) Then she give me to some lady and she disappeared for a super long time. She did come back around 8:00 PM, that was super late. I missed her so much and I could tell she missed me, too because she hugged me! She told me that I no longer have my family jewels. What does that even mean? Then I felt a few pain and I was feeling super sleepy. I LOST ME JEWELS! Now I know. It's okay mom, I forgive you. She said she's only trying to look out for me and keep me healthy. Plus, she read somewhere that getting me fix will help with my "marking" problem and it will benefit me in the long run. Getting fix means I will not have the risk of getting cancer. So thank you mom. I know you just wanted me to live longer with you; not selfish at all because I want to live long with you, too.

Thank goodness mom bought me antibiotics and some pain meds because I was running a fever that night. But my mom stayed up and woke up everytime I cried. Mama Pat was so nice, she gave me a really huge bed to be put on the floor so I can sleep while mom cranked up the AC for me. But daddy took too long to come to bed so I took over his space on their bed and laid next to my mom. Basically, he ended up sleeping on the floor with the bed -- for the past 4 nights. He said it's okay because he loves me and I should get better.

I'm not complaining though, mommy hand feed me because this white funnel like thing is blocking me from everything. We even went to the tracks where my daddy play with his electric toy car with his friends while mommy and I stay in the car. We eat and listen to music and just relax under the shades. To my advantage, I get to have my own food. Mmmmm I love me some BIG pork hash and my very own char siu manapua and cold cold water. Thank you MOMMY!

To all furry mommies out there, please get your furry babies fix. They will be healthier. Furry babies, don't be sad. You can do it, plus you will be extra spoiled, TRUST ME :)

I'm Patron & I'm a pomeranian!

Patron R. Tangonan
Bday: December 19, 2008
Breed: Pomeranian fox terrier mix
It's a BOY
Fun fact: I was adopted on 2009 Valentine's Day. I picked my mom with my charming eyes and tail wags. I secretly like pink!

Woof Woof = Hi everyone! My mom thought it'd be a great idea to make me my very own blog. But honestly, I think she's just obsessed with me hehe. Keep up with me and my tail wagging days. Grab your "kids" and have them get to know me. I promise I'm a very good boy and I always listen to my mommy & daddy *smirk face*. I get along with everyone and I love treats. Do you happen to have any beggin strips lying around you somewhere? I'm turning 3 years old this year and these past years were the best. Tons of treats, belly rub, and so much toys. I would write more "about me" but I promise to blog often to let you know my day. Oooh I am so excited *wag tail*.

Foot theraphy

Exfoliating and moisturizing goes for the feet too, ladies. Don't forget to care for these babies who take you wherever you need to go. I just finished mines and thought I'd share my care routine with you. I try my best to get to them once a week or on Sundays but sometimes I'm running wild and so busy and tired etc. As I write this blog, I'm touching them over and over; I can't get over the fact that it is so soft even though I've experienced it before, haha.

Items used:
Sally Hansen Salon Ultra Smoothing Foot scrub ***
Sally Hansen Saloon Mineral Foot Soak
Sally Hansen Salon Intensive Callus remover ***
A foot paddle
Lotion




















Steps:

• Fill a foot basin (or in my case, a bucket) with warm water about a gallon. Put a capful of the Sally Hansen Saloon Mineral Foot Soak in. Place feet inside and relax for 10-15 minutes. Let is soak and this time you can read a magazine, tweak on your phone, or just lay back and relaaaaaaxxx.
• After soaking, take a teaspoon of Sally Hansen Salon Ultra Smoothing Scrub and run in circular motion to both feet for 1-2 minutes each. Don't forget between the toes and up to the ankle. I love this because it turns into a great lather. Using Sally Hansen foot paddle, scrub each foot for a minute. Rinse off. 
• Put a thin layer of Sally Hansen Salon Intensive Callus Remover to both feet. Cover entire bottom of feet and let it sit for a minute - NO LONGER THAN A MINUTE! Wash hands right away. 
• Using foot paddle to scrub and rinse off with warm, soapy water. Pat feet dry and apply lotion. 

It wasn't so bad, right? Easy and you can do this at home. No line waiting at the salon or spending tons PLUS the tip. Try to do this once a week to keep your feet soft and ash-less free. 

***Tip: You can use the Sally Hansen Salon Ultra Smoothing Foot Scrub every day in the shower along with your foot paddle. Sally Hansen Salon Intensive Callus Remover can be used 1-2 times a week only.***

LAZY SUNDAY

I love lazy whenever haha, but on Sundays I don't like to be too lazy.

Cleaning:
I change the bath towel once a week. It's good to buy 7 sets of towels. Changing it once a week will benefit you with beauty wise.

Beauty:
Changing towel once a week helps avoid acne and stick smell. If you over use your towel for more than a week, smell and germs are trap and when you wipe your face, you're recycling them back to your face.
Once a week, I like some time to myself and that's where my little at home spa comes in.

Exfoliate & Moisturize

Two of the most important ingredient to healthy skin. Ladies, please let's not leave the house without these two; let's NOT go on a day without these two actually. Having too much one or the other without the whole ying yang thing, you will be left with a super oily-acne prone skin or a super flakey-always-white-ash face. We don't want neither of the two so PLEASE I beg of you to always do both TWICE a day.

My mother always encouraged me to scrub with a loofah when shower and never forget to apply lotion before putting any clothing on. She was not a pageant mom, just a freak about nurturing your youth as much as possible meaning less beauty products = slower process of producing wrinkles and old age.

Face Routine:
Morning

• Wet face with cold water to wake me up. Using silicone face scrubber, apply one pump of Biore and scrub gently. Don't scrub like you're waxing a car because you will damage your skin.  This scrubber is perfect for the face because it's not too rough and germs can't really stick since they will just be washed off and it's great for getting the nose area and rid of white/blackheads. 
• Wash off face with cold water. Pat dry.
• Moist up a cotton ball with Biore cleanser, again, be gentle. Don't forget to wipe over your neck area, too. Let is air dry.
• Apply Olay sunblock as a moisturizer. If you're going to be exposed out in the sun for a long period of time, I recommend looking for a sunblock meant for facial since this Olay is only SPF 15. Don't forget to apply on your neck as well.

Night

• Repeat last 3 instruction as above except use warm water to wet face and COLD water to wash off (this help close and minimize your pores.)
• Apply Olay Complete Night fortifying night cream all over face and neck. This helps tighten your skin as well and this new one smells really good :)

***Try not to play or pick on your face especially when you haven't wash your hands. Avoid touching with fingertips, if needed, use the back of your palm. Use face mask 2-3 times a week for extra tightening skin solution. Plus it's great to let people know NOT to bother you***

Body Routine:

In the shower (Applies to morning and night routine)

• Wet body with warm water. 
• I love Olay body soap with or without microbeads. The key is to always use a loofah to scrub. Gently please.
• Wash off with cool water.

Out the shower (two variety)

• Before wiping body dry, apply your lotion or baby oil for a shiny looking skin.
• Or- pat dry and apply lotion. I love Olay and Jergens.
• Always apply lotion feet as well! You don't want no ashy and cracking feet.

Bettering my blog page

For some reason, I notice my blog is pretty fruity, don't you think? I'm not just talking about the background but ALL the colors, lol. I spend a total of 2.5 hours trying to figure out the tabs, cursor, and colors. As of now, I'm kind of content but I'm sure I'm going to start tweaking on it sooner or later. Anyway, so yeah I just wanted to update and blab about how fruity this blog is now and how I finally figured out the tab thing on the top so my blog is no longer "Messy Posts". How tacky was that right? How weird. I will start adding my other links on here soon ex. youtube, twitter etc. OOHHH by the way, check out my "SHOP" tab. Give your eyes a break and shop something nice for yourself :)

UPDATE

1. My little furry baby, Patron is having surgery today meaning he is getting rid of his "family jewels". With that said, he and I won't have to worry about the risk of cancer and he will be extra healthy and less hyperactive (hopefully) and NO more marking (I HOPE SO) hehe.

2. Our master's bedroom is coming well together. I had to change it a bit and improvise because of money, bills, and my Patron's needs. "Baby's health" ALWAYS comes first!

3. I'm beginning to be in the "what sort of career should I aim for" phase again. I can't decide. Now my mother is more happy that I did not go straight to college because I would have probably waste money trying to go for a psychology major because it's not much a passion now, lol. I'm thinking interior design? What do you think?

4. I don't really know where to focus my energy, AHHHH!

Secret Chef: Happy 4th year anniversary my dear

It was the greatest day ever. It has been awhile seen we put a lot of effort for our anniversary since we are always so busy and paying bills. Walter and I woke up early in the morning for an hour drive to the other side of the island, hit up some refreshments, broke my sandals, and ended the night with an awesome dinner with my favorite dishes in the world.

8:30 AM
Left for the other side of the island and we arrived 20 minutes early the famous Romy's! But it was okay, it was better than waiting in a long line plus a 20 minutes wait for our food and the crowded benches! Perfect because we were the second people in line and while waiting for them to set up, the smell of the garlic being fried to crisp were filling up the air; SUPER DELICIOUS for our nostril! Then they were open and the feast begins. I was a bit disappointed that the 1 lb. steamed prawns weren't available so I decided to buy 1 more extra plate for me and 1 for my boyfriend which makes a total of 3 plates for the two of us.

These were MY two plates, I told you I was going to have me TWO! With or without my 1 lb. steamed prawns.

They add the loads of garlic and I love it. Somewhat burnt but that is how they do it :) It has 6 juicy pieces and when I was down to my last 3 pieces, they were fat and oh so delish.

Look how big they are. This is one of their popular dish #1 on the menu Butter & Garlic prawns; or you can order some shrimp.

Up close and personal with the baby prawns. I had about 4 prawns that had eggs. It don't have much taste to it, but for some reason, to me it is very yummy! It comes with a chilli soy sauce for dipping and you can add a lemon wedge but you don't really need it. This was the BEST brunch ever, farthest drive for it but super worth it.

11:30 AM
Driving back home with our tummy super full and satisfied, we just had to stop over for some shave ice. Since it's almost lunch time and the sun is beginning to get a little hot, Matsumoto's Shave Ice was super long so we decided to go to the neighbor, Aoki's Shave ice. I got us some large Blue Hawaii syrup with sweet beans loaded underneath. It was so delicious, it's very simple; Ice + Syrup + beans = Satisfied! With that being said, we headed back home for an hour power nap.... well, Walter did anyway; I was too excited and decided to get ready for the rest of the day.

4:00 PM
Such a huge time gap but hey, I am a female and I take long to get ready. We headed to town for a little shopping gift. Headed to Victoria's Secret and while in line, I noticed my sandal strap totally snapped and was in the middle of falling apart and a few more steps and my $10 sandals will make me shoeless and walking bare feet in Ala Moana. Thank goodness, we parked close by and had a pair of my home slippers inside. Things happen for a reason, right? That's when I got treated to buy ONE sandal to wear for dinner. I was having a mid-life crisis and was having panic attack with my broken shoes, we just had to stop by the food court and let me cool off. Ordered a large pina colada smoothie and it helped me calm down for a second. It was perfect, cool, sweet, and tangy.

After having this cool drink, we walked on over to Slipper House. They have tons of ladies sandals, shoes, boots, and slippers and super cheap prices. I found me the best sandal that matches my outfit that night plus 2 more pairs of footwear; I was a very happy camper. But I had to find me another item to bring home and walked on over to Forever 21 and got a super duper cute floral print dress. I'm sure it will show up on this blog sooner or later.

7:45 PM
Walter drove me to the surprise dinner he's been so excited about for days when I seen the location, it was not the prettiest nor the most classiest area. It's located on a main road area with some barber shops next door and business buildings. Saw the sign "Sasabune Sushi, Trust Me!" I was already excited because I seen the word SUSHI. Walked into a very "cliche" and ordinary Japanese place, nothing out of the ordinary. This place was kind of strict on their food policy, if they chef says don't use shoyu or "soy sauce" or wasabi with your sushi then don't. Forgive me but I don't remember the names of the entrees but all I know is that they were very delicious and I seriously did not want any shoyu on ANY of them.

This is not a recent picture, it was back in 2007 when we started dating. Oh how I miss that tiny body haha. But overall, the dinner was fantastic. Never judge the location and appearance of the place because the meal was totally to die for! In small portion but very fulfilling and the place was surprisingly super uber clean which was a big bonus. We had about 3 servers but they were very nice and talked to you like a friend, except when they served you the food, they were very serious about the food, they tell you which piece you may add a LITTLE shoyu and they explain what is in the meal, what it is, and how it is prepared. They also serve you their homemade wasabi which is superb and it is more deadly than half a teaspoon of a store bought wasabi. They also serve you about a tablespoon worth of their homemade pickled ginger and when you first get it, you will think it is not even enough for one person but trust me like how I trust them, you won't even NEED them as much! The fishes melt in your mouth but then again, they ALL did!!! It's pricey for our budget but it was once in a blue moon and Walter knew how much I LOVE sushi and he knew I'd appreciate a great sushi meal. We chose the Chef serve rather than ordering our own and it was very awesome.

We had 13 different meal and you can stop whenever you want but we decided to taste every single one of the 13 different meal they had to offer. You can also decide to order more of them after the 13 course which I did with the fresh oysters and the sashimi. I got my wish but Walter was not so lucky with his fish egg, haha. If you are ever here, it is a most def to try if you're not really on a budget. They are open til 2 am, I believe so go on and try. I am not sure if they have any other locations but if you are ever in Oahu, go here here here!!

Secret Chef: Thai Village

This place was totally awesome. Close by my home, and it's cornered and seem so cozy inside. Very clean and staffs are very friendly. Food taste very authentic and they even play some music for you hehe. I enjoyed it, I would say that much!

This is the total feast, 4 course meal, jasmine rice, and some thai ice tea on the side.
Left to right: Fries calamari, seafood pad tai, chicken yellow curry.

Chicken yellow curry, this was totally delish. I could eat this for days. I know the sauce is fattening but you won't even think twice. If you're like me, you will just dive in and worry later.

Seafood pad tai noodles, I think I always have to order this when I go to ANY thai restaurants only because I like to compare. So far, Thai Village did not disappointment me with their classic pad tai.

Who can turn these babies down! Fresh summer roll with peanut butter sauce. It is so good and fresh that it makes you think that you are eating SUPER healthy. WRONG! The sauce is fattening if you add tons on just ONE! Try to limit yourself, you'll be fine.

Everyone know this drink and the color totally screams "THAI" so vibrant and deep! Check out my recent post on my Thai dinner that I made at home. I added a recipe for a homemade thai ice tea.

Secret Chef: Lemony baked salmon

This was super easy and the only reason why I made it? Because I was at Sam's and a whole fillet of frozen salmon was only $10 and it was enough to feed 4 people. But the main reason was.... I had so many lemons at home. I love the colors of it and how it looks so nice as a center piece inside a clear glass vase so I bought me a whole sack from Sam's so that week I cooked the loads of things that called for lemon in the recipe hehe. But for those who love lemon as much as I do, you would know that seafood goes really well with lemon! Anyway, enough talking and explaining why I was so loaded with lemons.

Recipes:
Whole fillet fresh or frozen salmon
1 tsp. salt (I love hawaiian sea salt, it has a wonderful taste to it)
1 tsp. black pepper
1 whole lemon, cut into thin circles

Directions:

Rub salmon with salt and pepper

Place lemon slices to cover salmon.

Place foil in a baking pan. Put salmon on top and drizzle extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Set oven to 400 degrees, bake for 11 minutes or until cooked thru.

Serve with toss salad or some hot rice. Delish!!! Enjoy

Secret Chef: Bale Sandwich shop

This is my go-to place when I'm in the mood for... Okay I lied, I crave this always. You say Bale and I will always say YES YES YES PLEASE! You can't go wrong with this place, it's so fresh and delicious. These are pretty much my usual when I order from them. Lemongrass chicken sandwich, Bubble thai ice tea, and I always have to have soup on the side and today, I chose Panda Express' egg flower soup, and I have some spring rolls from Bale as well. If you have time, go and try this place out and it is a must to try this sandwich. I always go to Waipahu's Don Quiote's Bale located inside at the food court. The staff knows it's us when we make phone orders because well, we always order the same thing. Their portion is very generous and eating half the sandwich, my soup, and half my drink makes me really full and makes me super satisfied. For that, THANK YOU BALE! hehe.

Secret Chef: Hawaii style Garlic shrimp

I can never get tired of making this meal. Very easy, simple, and cheap. I love having the loads of lemons and garlic at home. It goes well with pretty much with my any of my favorite dishes. You don't have to add lemon to this recipe since I was out of them and it totally slipped my mind to even add it. It's Hawaii and everyone love their garlic shrimps, sweet, spicy, or lemony. There is no limit to how much butter and garlic you put, it's pretty much up to you.

Recipes:
1 head garlic, chopped
1 stick of butter
Pinch of salt and pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pound shrimp, with or without head, peeled or with peels on

Direction:

Heat pan on medium. Add butter and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes.

Wash shrimps and add to pan.

When all shrimp turns orange then you're good to go.

Serve over hot rice or angle hair pasta. Season with some pepper flakes.

These are great for any type of day. Delicious! Enjoy everyone.

Secret Chef: Clams in hot basil

I felt like having a Thai theme dinner last night and it was a total success if I may say so myself. Now I sound like I'm bragging but I am pretty proud that I cooked Thai meal again, it's been awhile. This is a spicy meal so you can substitute hot chilli peppers for red bell peppers if that works better for you.

Recipes:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bunch of fresh Thai basil
(Don't chop, pick out the leaves)
2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon nam prig pow
2 lbs Manila clams
(I used the frozen ones, saves time because it has been cleaned. You can get fresh one also, which will probably be better)
2 gloves garlic
3 teaspoons fish sauce
2 chilli peppers, crushed
(you can sub. red bell pepper for less spice)

Directions:

Slice chilli pepper lengthwise into thin strips.

Chop garlic and rinse out your clams and scrub if needed.

Heat wok or frying pan on high. Add vegetable oil, chilli pepper, and garlic.

Add clams right away and stir.

Clam juice will come out and when all clams are open, add in fish sauce, sugar, and nam prig pow. Mix together for a minute.

Add basil and stir in for 30 seconds and serve. Remove from heat. Serve with hot white rice.

Bonus recipe: Thai ice tea
1 tablespoon condense milk
2 tablespoon sugar
1 lipton tea bag

Prepare tea as directed on the box.

Put sugar and condense milk in glass. Pour hot tea in half way.

Mix all together and add other half cold water.

Mix all together and enjoy.

You can also add ice for a chill and hot cold taste.

Beauty Bang: Makeup brush cleaner

Tired of wasting $20 almost every month in M.A.C. store for your brush cleaner? I know I am. I love their cleaner but for a bottle that size and price, it's enough to break my bank since I love my makeup when I go out. If you use your brushes daily, then you probably have more cleaning to do that I do. I clean my brushes every 2 days and using store bought cleaner was killing my wallet.
I found a cheaper way to do it and it does a way better job.

Dish soap with bacterial removing power such as dawn.
Disinfects your brushes of germs, dirt, and oil.

Extra virgin olive oil.
It helps to moisturize your brushes and to keep the softness of the bristle.

Direction:
1. Mix both liquids in a bowl, one you don't mind using for makeup to be in. The amount of liquid depends how many brushes you are washing.
2.Dip brushes in liquid and sweep back and forth gently on palm. See all the makeup being removed. Do the same motion while running under warm water. Repeat step if necessary.

Viola, that's it! Every day item in the home and you save so much money! For storage, I use Brush Guard, place my brushes upside down in the hollow plastic container and let dry. This method will prevent water from soaking to the base of your brushes thus ruining it. Brush Guard will always help to keep your brushes' keep its shape so it's spanking new every time :) Enjoy. Let me know how it works for you!

How to clean: Dental checkup for those dirty grout

People think it is the hardest thing to clean and that it cost so much money to get someone to come and clean it. It's not as hard as you think it is. Simple.

Sweep the area and mop as usual.

Fill a bucket with water and a sponge or old rag to wipe with.

Old toothbrush.

All purpose cleaner or dilute clorox with water. Place in a bottle with a spray nozzle.

Use gloves, it can damage your fingers and prune them up in no time.

Directions:

Spray directly onto the grout. Let it soak for about a minute for those tough cookies.

Brush, brush , brush until clean.

With wet towel or sponge, wipe and rinse rug.

Repeat process and check out your end result.

Stand up and give yourself a pat on the back for a good workout and a cheap, clean new floors.

Even tiles need a dental check up, don't you think so.

How to clean: Keeping your bathroom in check

To me, the bathroom is the 2nd most important part of the house that has to be clean ALWAYS. Some people clean it only when it gets dirty but I like mines once a week to make sure no dirt or germs OR MOLDS grow and grow; then you're left with stains that are hard to clean.

Toilet

Using clorox wipes, wipe outer and the toilet rims and yes that includes the inside rim as well.
*Don't forget to disinfect the flush handle as well.

I like to use scrubbing bubble flushable fresh brush and once a month I like to use the Max disposable scrub.

When it is needed I place a clorox bleach toilet tablet so that the scent is always fresh and keeps the toilet from getting so... unpleasant.

Sink

Use clorox wipes to disinfect faucet. Disinfect the counter as well and scrub off any toothpaste mess etc.

I don't use much windex for the last 5 years. Take a few old newspaper and soak with water. Squeeze out excess water and wipe your mirrors. This will not only clean your mirrors well with no streak but cheap as well and putting that $1.00 Sunday newspaper to use.
*Let it air dry and be amaze with no streaks!

Shower
I actually use the dishwasher brush, the one you can place soap inside and press a button to release soap underneath. It just didn't work out with my dishes so it came to the rescue in the shower.

Put dishwashing soap of your choice, I like the Dawn brand.

Spray down entire shower and scrub. Get rid of those dirty grout and the scrub on the brush really helps do that.
*For extra soap, brush down the soap bar handle, those stuck soap really helps are to more bubbles in the shower.

Wash down.

Remove any hair in the drains well. Not only is it nasty to look at but clogs shower and you can end in a puddle after every shower.

Floors

Sweep every corners.

Mopping with water and a mix of water helps make the bathroom so much more fresh.

Tip: To avoid ants or roaches getting in your bathroom, never throw away food or drinks in your trash. Throw away trash every week and disinfect trash. Wash it down with soap and let it air dry.

How to clean: Furniture cleaner

Plain water and mild detergent liquid protects sealed wood furniture from common stains. Mix water and a little of mild liquid detergent in a spray bottle. Store until needed. To clean: spray furniture and wipe with a damp cloth and wipe dry with a clean and lint-free cloth.

How to clean: My Kitchen routine

I am known as the super anal girlfriend who's always nagging about dishes being left behind. It's true, sometimes I take it as a compliment, other time as an insult. Either way, I know I'm only looking after the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen when I wake up in the morning. Most of my annoying anal routine happens at night.

Wash ALL dishes. No one goes to sleep without all of them being done.

Always remove leftovers from the sink strainers because that can attract ants and roaches.

Wipe down the sink DRY when all duties are done because water attracts roaches since they can live off water for awhile.

Always throw the trash every night and changed with a new one for the next day.

Wipe all dishes and put away nicely back into the cabinets. No germs will stick themselves to the clean dishes left hanging around and avoid rusty utensils.

Unplug and place leftover rice from the rice cooker in the fridge once cool. Sometimes leaving rice in the cooker for a long period of time makes the rice mushy, dry, and burnt. Rice will even be perfect for fried rice in the morning.

Wash dogs' bowls and water dispenser. Prepare fresh water for the next day. Wipe down their meal station to avoid attracting insects.

Wipe down kitchen table. I cut down on clorox wipes because 1) they are expensive and 2) wasting TONS! Instead I dilute Mr. Clean with water and use an eco friendly sponge. Spray every night after each meal and wipe down. Getting rid of crumbs and germs left behind.

Believe it or not, I even stuck a very colorful reminder behind my cupboard with ALL of these "rules". I am not a cleaning Nazi but my mother raised me well with germ free and "save-every-penny" kind of life and that stuck to me. Lately, I have been skipping the gym to clean and decorate. You can say I am very devoted.

Go on and clean your kitchen. You know you want to :)

How to clean: All-purpose cleaner

Soapy ammonia can be used for many cleaning purposes. It can be used for a lot of kitchen and bathroom cleaner and great, too because it saves you money. Dilute according to the instruction on the container. This can replace a lot of your bottles in the closet and less mess to deal with.

How to clean: Fresh airflow

If you have mesh nets like mines and those old fashion jalousie windows then you know it's hard cleaning them. Keep the dusts away and from collecting and turning into thick dirt.

Clean them once a month.

Using an old rug and water.

Wipe all the jalousie one glass at a time, don't forget underneath as well.
*Make sure you wipe in one direction or else you will only be spreading streaks of dirt.

If you have mesh net, take them all down. Hose it down and let air dry.

Wipe and clean any dust that might have collected anywhere on your window area.

Wash curtains once a month for a fresh smell; esp. when the wind blows on them.

How to clean: 10 ways to save our planet

1. Remove shoes
Dirt trapped in footwear can carry pathogens that cause disease. Reducing dirt also lowers the amount of chemical and vacuum cleanup. Doubling the saving duty.

2. Trap fridge cool
Test the seal on your fridge by placing a dollar bill and closing the door. If it falls off easily, then you are loosing cool air and wasting valuable electricity.

3. Test your toilet
Pour a few food coloring into your toilet tank and wait 2 hours. If any seeps to your bowl, your toilet flapper is leaking. Replacing it can save you thousand of gallons a month.

4. Check your lint trap
Clean your dryer vent every so often, in addition to your lint filter before each load. Getting rid of the highly flammable fluffy stuff will boost your dryer's energy efficiency.

5. Don't dismiss your dishwasher
Washing a full load in your dishwasher is much more efficient use of water and electricity than doing the same amount by hand - even more so if the dishwasher is Energy Star certified. Better yet, for less dirty loads, put dishes without rinsing, use short cycle and turn off the heated dryer for full efficiency.

6. Use dryer ball
Add reusable, non-toxic dryer balls to your clothes dryer with each load to eliminate the need for softener sheets. You'll cut your drying time by 25%. You can purchase one at Walmart or check your local Ross stores, I've seen some laying around there.

7. Junk Mail
The average American receives 41 pounds of junk mail every year. With a junk-mal opt kit, Tonic Mailstopper can help you remove your name from a mailing lists such as magazines and catalogs and monitor the lists to make sure you stay off. They'll also plant 10 trees for each kit they sell. Check out mailstopper.tonic.com or check out catalogchouce.org and they will empty your mailbox for free.

8.Paper over plastic
When possible pass on plastic and go for paper. 48% of paper can be recovered to make new things while only 25% of plastic can be recovered. If not, use reusable dishes.

9. Freecycle
Instead of throwing away unwanted items, donate them instead to someone who needs them. It saves money for one person and clear someone else's home. Try posting on Craigslist, do a garage sale, donate to Goodwill, Savers, or Big Brothers Big Sisters.

10. Overload
Electronic devices use more electricity when not in use and plugged in than when they are in use. Unplug your cellphone once fully loaded and other devices that don't necessarily needs to be plugged every time. After each computer use, put computer to "SLEEP" mode.

How to clean: Save your home & the planet

I'm a green freak and I try to do green deeds one step at a time. I noticed that I saved a few bucks with being a little green and I'd like to let others know about it.

1. Place potted plants throughout your home to improve indoor air quality. I love the green leaves plants because they look so fresh.

2. Install a faucet and/or shower aerator which mixes air with your water, helping you use half as much water as before.

3. Cut your shower time by 5 minutes.

4. Use organic linens, towels, curtains and upholstery fabric (even with clothes, too).

5. Set up a recycling system for your home; cans, plastic, and bottles.

6. Accessorize your home with reclaimed furnitures (which I love doing and my bedroom decor is devoted to it.) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

7.Use all natural, non-toxic cleaning products. Vinegar works wonder as well. But please don't be like my other half who tried so hard to help by using apple cider, it was not so pleasant haha.

8. Plant an organic garden even if it was just an herb garden. Planting your own vegetables and fruits will benefit your body, your wallet, and a very beautiful addition to your garden.

9. Control garden pest naturally with canola oil and dish soap. Sprinkle some near insects point of entry.

10. Insulate your water heater and exposed pipes to guard against wasteful heat loss.

How to clean: Cleaner pet area

Whether your furry child is outside train or indoor train, it is important to keep their environment very clean. Happy clean pet is a happy owner. Simple ways to have a cleaner and fresh air with your pet.

Indoor pet
-If your pet is pad train, change pads every night. Dispose feces, wipe down any trace of dog urine and other mess on your floors. SPray with odor and stain remover and let it air dry (doing this prior to other chemicals will help lift up all the odor and other things that will stain your floor. Wait til it drys.) Wash down with dish soap and warm water and wipe it dry. Place fresh and new pad (this will also help save you time in the morning.)
-Have a separate sponge for washing your pets' bowls and do this every meal. Always have fresh water available 24/7.
-Clean vomits, urine, feces, and hairs left around right away to avoid diseases spreading.
-Clean and disinfect kennels (if it's fabric made, spray with organic spray safe for pets and children. Let it air dry outside the home to avoid smell circulating.
-Wash pet towels and bedding linens used in their kennels once a week.
-Any toys soiled with urine or feces, DISPOSE right away.
-During bedtime, if your little pooch is kennel train to NOT defecate in there, have him sleep in the kennel for the night so you know you will wake up in the morning and not see poop and smell of urine. YUCK.

Outdoor pet
-Pick up feces right away and dispose in a trash bag and into the dumpster (doing so will help you avoid STEPPING ON IT, your pet eating it, and IN a trash bag and INTO the dumpster will help with maggots forming and flying out before the garbage pick up truck comes along.)
-Hose down some water where the feces have been to get rid of smell to stop attracting flies and millions of them at that.
-Treat your yard with an organic spray to rid or prevent fleas and even on the dog kennels and beddings. Organic yard sprays will not kill your grass and plants, good for the environment, and safe around children and pets.

If you have an indoor dog that is trained to potty outside, then you have double the duty. Many like doggy doors but I don't only because once they go out, they bring in germs from their paws. If your furry child steps out, use a damp paper towel and wipe their paws, in between, and their nose. It's a bit of a hassle if you are not home all day but you could try an alternative. Your dog being outside while you're away in a shaded area with a kennel, food, and water. Once home, clean him up before coming in.

Outdoor/Indoor rabbits
I have one holland lop that I just adore and unfortunately I don't like the thought of hay and hard pebble son my floor so he was moved outside.
-Change litter beddings every 2 days to have a more fresh atmosphere. Wash litter with dish soap once a week and wipe. Spray with organic spray once a week and let air dry in the sun. I use old paper us a first layer to recycle, 3 inches thick of bedding, and 1 inch thick of hay.
-Wash food bowl once a week.
-Change water every day and refill to the top, ALWAYS have unlimited access to water and TIMOTHY hay.
-Throw away all hays and poops that he kicks off his litter and on the ground. Piled up poop and urine will attract flies and this will bother your rabbit and you as well.
-It's a bonus tip if you place a carpet like rug in their cage, it makes it easy to pick up and clean their droppings.

How to clean: Floors daily with pet

I have 2 indoor pomeranian mix dogs and they both inherited more so on the pomeranian side which means MORE hairs flying freely. I don't like hairs here and there, I don't like stinky urine smell, or poop sighting in the morning. I finally found a simple way to keep my floors clean even when I wake up in the morning; no more surprises.

I adore my "children" and love it when they snuggle with me in bed but since redecorating and my their hairs are beginning to go wild, I purchased a flexible dog cage almost like for camping. I let them sleep in there or you can comfy up a simple dog kennel.

Before bed, I let them do their business on their pad, clean the pad and wipe down the pad area with clorox wipes. Let dry and place 2 new pads for morning time.

During their breakfast meal, I ALWAYS supervise them since they are trained for inside; if you're do business outside then lucky you! Let them do their business in the morning before going for a walk. So pretty much I feed mines early in the morning and rest about 30 minutes before their walk. By the time they come back home, I wipe their paws with a towel and warm water, let dry and back in the house they go. They are tired and less hyper which means they won't be messing up and dragging their pee pad.

Afternoon time, I usually sweep and mop the house and in the kennel they go. Keep them out of the way and also away from my mop.

I'm a clean freak and sweep every other day. I sweep every room in the house even when there's not much dust going on anymore. I mix 1 cup of clorox bleach and the rest is water about 1 - 1.5 gallon of water. I mop every room in the house (don't forget to sweep first or you will just be spreading them around the house) once with the mixture and again with just water to pick up some of the bleach scent and to avoid ugly streaks. This solution I use works for my tile floors and my wood laminate bedroom. The smell piles up so I usually mop once or twice a week to avoid it getting so nasty and really yucky.

Give your floors to dry about 30 minutes to make sure that when the dogs are out, they won't have wet paws and you know what they do; lick lick lick!!!

How to clean: Acetate

Acetate is a material used in inexpensive satin and lining of clothing and draperies which usually needs dry cleaning. We all know dry cleaning cost money, then there's gas driving their and back, the wait, etc. It totally adds up and if you're like me, I like to wash many of my fabrics once a week so that would surely cost me a lot. Few tricks to clean it at home and save you money and time.

If the garment labels says you can wash it, launder it in cold water with mild suds. No wring or twisting and mixing colored items.

Once clean, do not put in dryer, instead air dry and carefully spread it out on a terry-cloth bath towel on a horizontal surface or simply on a clothesline,

Press garment on the wrong side while it's still damp with a cool iron. If pressing the right side, be sure to use pressing cloth.

NEVER use nail polish remover or any products that contain acetone to remove any stains. Acetone will dissolve acetate = RUINED!

Secret Chef: Peeling Pilipino tuday aya manang

Sorry for the title but yes, read it with the best filipino accent you can think of. I love these snacks and "pupus". In Hawaii, pupus means something to snack on like when you're BBQ, drinking, or just hanging out. One day, I felt the super strong urge and crave for "balut" which is a fertilize duck or chicken egg with an almost-develop embryo. The orange goodies are called "empanada" and this is what I like to call the filipino way. Although I wasn't too please with this one I bought down the road from my house, it still hit the spot in my tummy that day. The empanada consist of shredded papaya, egg, and filipino vinegar sausage called "longganisa".

Most people find the balut not very appealing or appetizing for that matter and believe me, I was one of those people. But the juice inside is very sweet and it was the only thing I could tolerate, then I sucked it up and moved on from the juice to the yellow soft yoke of the egg, and from there THE CHICKEN! No, you won't choke on the beak and no it is not crunchy. With a duck, I am not sure since I HATE to eat duck in any way or form. But I have heard that you can hear a little crunch. Tons of salt will help with the few slime in it which is there 30% of the time.

I'm attaching the REAL empanada made in the Philippines. I literally ate it every night when I visited about a year ago and I fell in love!

I call it "the generic empanada" and the juicy balut!

The REAL filipino empanada, the best being found in my hometown in the Philippines.

The tasty inside with some banana ketchup on top. It can also be eaten with vinegar or chilli vinegar.

Here's my little niece enjoying it with her starved aunty lol

BONUS: FISH BALLS!!! My cousin posing. I literally begged and got emotional over these babies.

Secret Chef: Mother's day Cake pops

If you checked out my Pet blog, you have seen these babies on there.

I actually learned from this video I found on youtube and tweaked on the recipe a little
with whatever ingredients I had at home.


Recipes: (these were my twist)
Nutella
Chocolate cake mix
Lollipop stick
2 Hersey's chocolate bar
Milk
Sprinkles

Direction:
Refer to video :)

They were super tasty and if you have more time, chill in the freezer until ready to eat. It will taste like ice cream cake, PROMISE!