Frizz Free Hair

When you live in the tropics expect to have frizzy hair. I always wondered why is it when I travel to a colder climate, my hair behaves. But now I have finally found the solution to Frizz Free Happy Hair Day! I love, love the shampoo and conditioner. This is the only shampoo and conditioner that I will swear by. If you have thick hair like me, you should go and try it out.

I have tried other anti frizz shampoos like Sunsilk, FS Collection but only this one truly works. Sorry but it beats L'Oreal Shampoo any time of the day.

Kid stuff

Kicking my way in 2010

Late last year after a hiatus from my Pilates training, I rediscovered my love for kicking butt, literally. I signed up for my first class though I will still in the process of recovering from a long haul trip but it got me going.

Why Kickboxing? Aside from getting me to deal with some anger issues (LOL), it gives a great body workout and boost your confidence.

I saw some definition in my waist and found more definition and confidence to go sleeveless. You see I am blessed to get what we call in our family the Barrios arms. While my sister has those wonderful toned arms since birth, I on the other hand had fat magically moving towards one direction - arms. So I just work around it by always covering them up.

You hit two things at the same time so great for working moms like me - cardiovascular and strength training. And definitely your core is always contracting.

If you are familiar Tae Bo training videos, you will know that boxing and kickboxing exercises are made popular by it.

The movement in aerobic exercises share a lot of similarities with boxing training. In cardio boxing classes you will immediately realize that the clever variations of aerobic movements is evident in their sparring jabs, power punches, defenses, leg works and overall body positioning.

To step up towards a more demanding workout you will need to learn the proper techniques of the punch and kick combinations. With knowledge of the right techniques, you will build up your confidence and thus your strength will develop faster.

We use the heavy bag, and pads for working out. If I commit to an hour of working out, I know that I burn 350 to 500 calories. Isnt that great!

Another thing to take note is that your heart rate can achieve 75 to 85 percent of regular heart beat and this is in the zone of recommended range during training any exercise period.


Another benefit I see is self defense. The feeling you get from executing a proper punch and kick is priceless. It is my relaxation and my happy place.

Stress can be greatly reduced from your everyday life and you will feel a sense of relief. With stress minimized, you will be able to eliminate any feeling of anger that is within you.

And did I mention that it is one-on-one training? Ayus!

And you dont have to be dressed up in all the latest outfits to train. You spend so much in working out, then you have to buy outfits as well. Ayayay!

By Special Request- Cookie Monster Cake

For everyone who have been emailing me for a copy of the recipe... This is the recipe I personally use for my back to Greenhills memories cake. Enjoy.



Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa or Dutch Processed Cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
1 cup strong black coffee
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans
or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and
salt in large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla; beat
on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (batter will be thin). Pour batter
evenly into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for
rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10
minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost as
desired. Yields 10 to 12 servings.



fudge frosting

2 cups sugar
1 1/4 c cocoa powder
1/4 c all purpose flour
1 cup water
1 1/4 c condensed milk
2 cans evap milk
1/2 c butter

combine sugar, cocoa powder and flour in a sauce pan. in a mixing bowl combine all liquid ingredients then pour into a saucepan. whisk until well combined. place the saucepan on low heat and keep whisking until frosting is thick and of spreading consistency . blend in butter when ready, spread on cooled cake.


This is another frosting I do:

1 1/2 cups Evaporated Milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 cup butter

cook together in a double boiler or a heat diffuser using a wire whisk until creamy. cool for 5 minutes then add the butter.


For the caramel filling you will need to boil a can of condensed milk and cool before pouring.

Would love to hear your comments .

Outrageous Cookies by Mareng Stewart

Welcome to Mareng Stewart - The Hostess with the Mostess

I am a self taught cook and baker and have opened up my kitchen to orders for my cookies and panna cotta.

Our cookies are baked the same day that they are purchased providing a fresh, hand measured and gourmet product. No preservatives are used to ensure quality and home baked taste. Because our cookies are soft in texture, they arpackaged in a reusable, airtight container to ensure freshness.

For GIFT GIVING, we have available a RED TIN CAN that will easily fit 12 cookies for an additional PHP30.00. Other available option is a "Paul Smith" like tray for an additional PHP40.00. Please call or text at 0917-5181728. Pick up at Valle Verde

The Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookie - You cant just have one!

A Cookie A Day

Chunky Monkey
A Chocoholics dream - Double the Chocolate to make you go bananas

Choco-O's
A yummy surprise of oats and chocolate

Good Morning Cookies
The Goodness of Oats in the Morning

PB Choos
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

My Little Artist

Fetching Diego

Hand Picked

Self Portrait - The Funny Face

Doggy Feelings - Sad

The Attack of the Swallows

Chinese Lantern

Self Portrait
My personal favorite

Self Portrait - Transforming me to a Transformer

Self Portrait - The Bad Face

Germy Wormy Philippine Edition inspired by Edvard Munch
She painted this while I was reminding her to clean her hands.

Self Portrait - My Mad Faces
Sketches

This is her Part 3 from her The Prince and Princess Series
1 The Prince VS The Dragon
2 The Prince Marries The Princess
3 And They Lived Happily Ever After

Doggy Feelings - Happy

Doggy Feelings - Mad

Here are the latest paintings of my little one. She explored Boucheareau, Norman Rockwell, Mary Cassatt, Salvador Dali and of course Pablo Picasso. The little one became more self aware and painted herself and didn't forget to include her brother.

I will soon be running out of walls to hang her paintings.