Cook and Brew.

The festive season of non-stop gluttoning, drinking and eating may be far from over. New Year’s eve meal or the so-called Media Noche is yet to happen where loads and tons of calories are to be taken in. But you don’t have to wait for that before you decide to burn the unforgivable Christmas dinner calories. Actually, the best time to work and trim down the gained holiday weight is now by checking out nordictrack for their After Christmas Sale happening this weekend where you can score cheaper and discounted top rated machines the Incline Trainer, AudioStrider 990 Pro and the Commercial 1500. If you’ve been wanting to take that “biggest loser” challenge, now is the perfect time to do so with all these nice deals at Nordictrack.

My son got invited to another birthday party next week. By the invitation itself, it’s pretty evident that the party will be cars. I got to talk to the mom and just like any excited parent she can’t wait for the party day. She’s most excited about the party knick knacks they’ve prepared especially the car-themed cake. She mentioned about the edible car topper with matching lambo doors effect. I was at lost upon because it’s my first time to encounter such term. It’s only now, upon browsing the site of carid.com that I’ve come to know that they are the automobile doors that we see in futuristic movies. They rotate vertically at a fixed hinge as contrary to conventional doors where they are pulled outwardly. Truly classy and futuristic but these are really now available in the market. Should you wish to see or buy a kit, check out the one stop shop for all automobile parts shop, the CarId.com.

I’ll share pictures of the birthday cake car topper from the party.

I can definitely sense and feel the Christmas air already. Our Christmas tree is up and it’s little by little filled with Christmas gifts for everyone. The gifts aren’t complete though because we haven’t finished gift-wrapping them. The little kids are all so excited..they keep on shaking and guessing what their gifts could be. I’m quite excited for them, too, and I can’t wait to see my nephews’ and nieces’ reaction when they see their little Smocked Dresses I bought from a local store. The styles are similar to the dresses at Little English but the ones I bought are incomparable to the designs of those in Little English. Theirs is more stylish and cute.

I would have ordered online from Little English but I found it too late. At any rate, I can order in the future perhaps in time for my son’s birthday on March. I have seen a cute set of corduroy pants and overalls that would look good on him.

While most of us are through setting up the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations in our homes some may still be in the midst of their preparations. So for those of you who are tired from scrubbing their kitchen floors, living room and garage flooring, quench your thirst with these cool and colorful holiday drink.

1 can pineapple chunks
2 medium bananas, sliced
1 cup mango cubes
1 cup strawberries
1 cup watermelon cubes
1 cup fresh dalandan juice
2 seedless oranges (peeled and cut into segments)
2 tablespoons honey
mint leaves (for garnishing)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix and toss lightly. Cool and serve.

Not only this is thirst-quenching but it also supplies the average daily requirement of fruit intake of our body.

While it may be too early to start planning for a picnic in one summer afternoon next year, compiling simple picnic recipes and shopping for a beach or picnic getup and gears won’t actually hurt. Take a look at these pair of Arnette Sunglasses from Zephy Sunglasses.

These Arnette Defy Sunglasses, made in matte black with Grey Polarized Lens are the perfect summer eyewear for the beach buff. This is manufactured with a polycarbonate material and equipped with metal hinges for easy open and close action. Its 100% UV protection and wide 63mm lens width is just the perfect eye protector from the extreme heat and rays of the sun. Hmmm..I don’t know about you but I can already imagine myself wearing those shades while I go sunbathing in the beach.

For sure, our loots when we get back from Baguio will contain loads and loads of carrots, sayote and cucumber. As La Trinidad is called the Salad Bowl of the Philippines, vegetables grown there are sold a lot cheaper. Among these vegetables, we stock cucumber the most to make our favorite, Cucumber Salad. Also, my sister use cucumber as a simple home remedy for her dark eye circles. Here’s a simple recipe that I learned from my stepmom.

Ingredients:
* 3 large cucumbers, peeled, thinly sliced
* 1 cup white vinegar
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients. Store covered in refrigerator.

You’ll love the contrasting sweet and sour taste.

Research and statistics show that the current generation of kids are getting more unfit. Instant foods, junk foods, sweets and candies, then they get lots of distractions not to exercise like fascination with TV watching, ps3, wii, xbox video games and computers. So aside from giving them a healthy diet, parents should also get their kids to exercise. The best way to do this is to exercise together as a family. The motivation and good example should come from the parents themselves. After all, this also makes a great family bonding activity.

We attended a friend’s wedding yesterday and apart from the very contagious “so in love” mood, the thing that lingers in my mind (and tummy) is the self-indulgent buffet. Well, to be honest, that’s pretty much what most people remember in weddings. That’s why when we got married, I was so specific and made sure that our guests will get served with bountiful and sumptuous lunch.

I don’t know if you’ve already heard about one of a kind wedding reception concept called a “Gourmet Inclusive”. The Karisma group of hotels in Riviera Maya, Mexico are not only known as the ultimate destination weddings but they’re well-sought too for their Gourmet Inclusive style in which the cuisine is served in sleek and sensual sit-down locales and fashion-forward bars. It is not only intended for weddings but actually, expect that all throughout your Cancun stay, you’ll get served with cooking that meets the standards of the best restaurants. With gourmet a la carte wining, a dining and full service concierge, a lovely wedding setting…Karisma does not only guarantee your dream wedding made to perfection but also, the ultimate dining experience to you and your guests.

Even though our country was massively devastated by a series of calamities recently, I believe that the whole nation will still celebrate the Christmas season with a gleeful and positive spirit. After all, we’ve always been known as a pliant kindred and we always try to stand up as a nation no matter how tough the obstacle is that comes our way.

Jollibee’s mission of spreading Christmas cheer to needy children through their Maaga Ang Pasko program has always been commendable. It is the longest yearly Christmas donation drive where kids are encouraged to donate toys and books to kids who are less fortunate. It doesn’t have to be brand new or those latest gadgets like PS3, Xbox or netbooks. In fact, they are encouraged to donate their old toys or their current ones which actually teach and instill in them the true spirit of giving.

Kudos to Jollibee for this admirable cause.

*Photo snagged from philstar.com