The Tale of the Yellow Tape

I went to the grocery yesterday and after the machine printed out my bill, it printed a stub which said I have a prize to claim. . . I guess I am one "lucky" shopper then!  So I went to the booth to claim the "prize" and this is what I "won". . . . 

So I put it in one of the grocery bags and forgot about it.

This morning, Ate F (she has been with the family for almost 50 years!  She has become a member of the family) told me a funny story.  

F, our house angel (we are blessed to have good people working in our home) was clearing the groceries and saw the measuring tapes (Oooh, I forgot to tell you, I got 2!).  She asked Ate F why I had to buy them (she assumed I did since she found them in the grocery bag).  Then she answered her own question and said. . . . "ah, baka mag-diet na si Ate Ana" (Ate Ana might go on a diet already)

Hahaha!

But when I was about to have breakfast, she asked me if I want to eat rice!   

And I told her . . . Nah, I will just have toasted bread. . . .and corned beef!  Haha!

Have a nice day ahead! =)

What is big and green?

This has been sitting in my draft folder for a couple of weeks now.  I think it's a perfect time to post it after I blogged about my Little Big girl and her Big rabbit. . . here comes another biggie!

I've shared in a previous post about the different vegetables and fruits we have in our backyard. (Thanks to my Mom and Dad!).  Guess what we got this time. . . . BIIIIGGG avocados!

The tree has been around for a number of years but actually it bore fruit only this year . . . but it's okay.  It definitely made up for the lost time, haha!

I know. . . they're huuuggee!

To give you a clearer picture, I've put it beside a big bottle of peanut butter and the Little One's can of milk .

At home, Mom makes avocado shake or "ice cream".   Our version of homemade "ice cream"---mom scooping out the avocado meat, mashing it a little bit, mixing it with some evaporated milk and some ice!

While Zola's Dad simply dips it in powdered milk or condensed milk.

As for myself, since I'm not really fond of milk . . . I like my avocado. . .as a salad ingredient or in  guacamole. . . with my salsa and chips!  Haha! 

Though avocados have a high calorie content, they offer health benefits that would surely outweigh our obsession over calories, heehee.  I think avocado is one of the most essential and dynamic fruits we have. . . you might want to include them in your shopping list the next time you do your groceries =) 

Here are some of the health benefits of avocados which I got from www.healthdiaries.com:

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Avocadoes have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.

Oral Cancer Defense
Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.

Breast Cancer Protection
Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.

Eye Health
Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.

Lower Cholesterol
Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, 45 volunteers experienced an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for only one week.

Heart Health
One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.

Stroke Prevention
The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don't.

Better Nutrient Absorption

Research has found that certain nutrients are absorbed better when eaten with avocado.  IN one study, when participants at a salad containing avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes lycopene and beta carotene) than those who didn't include avocados.

Glutathione Source

Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant that researches say is important in preventing aging, cancer and heart disease.

Vitamine E Powerhouse

Avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health.

Highly Recommended: 3M's Filtrete Aircon Filter

When we were preparing the Little One's nursery (well, it's just really my room, with a crib in it! haha!), my brother suggested that I use 3M's Filtrete aircon filter for the room.  I have always been a fan of 3M products so anything made by 3M is a great product in my book.  

To give you an idea about this Filtrete, here is the product info found at the back of the box: 

Most built-in aircon filters can trap large particles.  But microparticles pass through easily, so they are re-circulated right back into your room.

FILTRETE is made of electrostatically-charged fibers that work like magnets to attract and trap microparticles. (Yup, this line did it for me!  Well, besides being a 3M fan, teeheee) 

 So you breathe fresher, cleaner air.  With FILTRETE, your air conditioner works like an air purifier too:

• Reduces the number of dust, mold, pollen and smoke particles 

• Electrostatically-charged fibers allow air to flow freely 

•  Allergolist recommended  

A filter lasts 1-2 months depending on the condition of your home.  I change filter every month (I guess you'll know why after seeing the pictures below)

I'll let the pictures do the talking  . . . (I hope the photos are clear enough for you to see the difference between the before and after picture)  

Filtrete filter (Before) - white fiber

and after one month . . . (nope, this is not a gray carpet, haha!)

Can you imagine all these microparticles like dust, bacteria or allergens (that can't be trapped by the aircon's regular filter) going inside the room and being inhaled by the Little One?!! Yaikkks!

Some more photos for you . . .

Used filter on the left, the aircon filter on the right 

If you have allergy, asthma or if you just want cleaner air at home, I highly recommend this 3M aircon filter.  

I am not connected with 3M . . .I'm just a mom who just wants a healthy environment for her Little One. =)

You can buy 3M Filtrete at ACE Hardware of SM.  They are available in 3 different packs.  I got the value pack which is good for 6-7 aircons and only costs Php 729.75.