Cook and Brew.

Ever since we transferred here in Batasan, I rarely get to see my siblings these days.  My folks’ house is in Makati and it’s quite a long distance for a regular meet up.  So we just see each other twice a month on the average.  For my sister’s post birthday celebration last month, we met at nearby UP-Ayala Technohub and she treated us to a sumptuous Le Ching Tea House meals.  It was my first time to dine here and so I took my sister’s word and praises I ordered their bestseller the Pork Spareribs Rice.  My verdict, it was so good that I finished the huge serving in just a few minutes.  The meal was too big for me (a single serving of rice is equivalent to a regular 1 1/2 cup) but I truly enjoyed it.  I forgot the exact amount but it was just a little over one hundred.  Great price for a great food.

Le Ching Tea House

Le Ching SAN JUAN (pioneer branch) Greenhills Shopping Complex, Shoppesville Arcade Ortigas Ave. Greenhills
Le Ching QUEZON CITY Trinoma Mall, Level 2, EDSA corner North Avenue
Le Ching QUEZON CITY UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub, Commonwealth Ave., Diliman
Le Ching QUEZON CITY Del Monte corner Banaue Street, Quezon City

My friend complained of having a cystic acne now and she described how painful it is.  Cystic acne happens when the sebaceous glands in the skin prevents easy cellular shedding because of its sticky lining.  I got alarmed when she said that she was prescribed with an Isotretinoin (or Accutane) is a derivative of vitamin A that is taken orally which reduces abruptly sebum production in the sebaceous glands.  It is also thought to to decrease skin bacteria and help reduce inflammation in the skin follicles.  I got alarmed because I saw from the website of O’Hanlon, McCollum & Demerath attorneys that they are experts in filing and handling of Accutane Lawsuit.  I then learned that Accutane has serious side defects that can cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.  My friend now is double checking with her doctor because she absolutely doesn’t want to suffer from any of these serious illnesses even though product liability damages may be claimed.

I go by many nicknames but I’ve now grown accustomed to being called “Mai” nowadays.  It actually originated from the handle that my parents gave me which is “Maileen”.  However, when I entered college and my best buddies didn’t feel like mentioning “Maileen” every time because it’s “too long” for them, they christened me with a shorter nick “Mai”.  Incidentally, I am a big siomai fan and I swear, I can eat a whole bunch of this in just one sitting especially if it’s partnered with soy sauce and an oily, spicy garlic mix.  The one’s from Orient’s Best and Bernabest’s Siomai House the best.  Then this one (pictured above) from Le Cheng’s Restaurant comes in third.  My friend who lives near Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown where all Chinese products are sold like food, beauty and acne products, amulets, etc) said that I should try the authentic and big servings of Chinese siomai.  She swears that all other siomai brands that I’ve tasted will be going down the memory lane.

It’s no doubt that gold investment can be one of the most lucrative businesses in the world.  However, just like any other biz, it has risks, rules and reminders that one must take note of.

1.)  Choose and study well the dealer or gold provider very carefully.  Trust and good reputation go along together in this field.

2.) However form it may come whether it be in bullions, ingots, bars or a gold coin, it never devalues but in fact, can appreciate even more.

3.) Keep an eye on the actual metal.  Beware of counterfeits and avoid receiving certificates saying that you own a certain amount of gold.

4.) Take note all the time the fluctuations in the gold market as your decisions concerning the gold investment will depend on this.  The US Gold Bureau is a great resource of this important figures.

We rarely eat at Sbarro but whenever we do (usually at the SM North branch), this is what I order: Baked Ziti (just half) with garlic bread, drinks and a slice of blueberry cheesecake to complete this mouth watering meal.  I order just half because aside from the costly price of Baked Ziti these days, the “whole” order size plus the garlic bread are too heavy for my tummy.  In fact, this half order can satisfy me already that much.  This Sbarro meal for me is like my anti wrinkle eye cream because it certainly de-stresses me and take away all my baggage and worries in life even for just a few minutes while devouring this meal.