DIY wreath for Christmas

It's two more day until December starts and then Christmas will be here. Now if you've been shopping then you would of notice that Christmas decorations have been since around Halloween. Funny, when I worked retail I always knew what season or holiday was coming because the shipments and window decor would start a month in advance.

That is probably why This time last year out tree would have been up before Black Friday and the kitchen cluttered with crafting projects. Yes I'm a mess when it comes to art... Sounds less caiodic doesn't it! Hehehe!

Well I've seen so many colorful wreaths and wanted to make one out of recycled materials. (Which is my favorite way to do all, resourceful, crafting projects. On top of that it's great for the environmentally friendly and not to mention easy on the pockets. (wink, wink!) :0)

Okay so I've seen so many paper roll projects online it inspired me to make a Christmas theme wreath. This do-it-yourself recycled wreath was is so simple and easy. All you'll need is a couple of materials and you've got a charming homemade wreath. Also great to do with the kids.

The materials you'll need are:
•a pair of siccors
•pencil for marking
•ruler for a straight line(s)
•several paper towel rolls
•a glue gun
•lots of glue sticks
•accrylic paint
•a small spong brush to paint with
•something to protect you surface like newspaper
Optional red tissue paper for a little tropical feel. Which kind of looks like one of those red flower plants used around this time. Can't think of the name right now.

1. Take your roll and flatten it evenly
2. Place you ruler down and measure every 2 inches on your roll and mark a line going vertical with your pencil.
3. Cut at the mark and then reserve
4. Next layout your work surface with newspaper or an old sheet. Trust me you will get paint all over the table.
5. Gather your rolls, open them up a bite, and paint them with a red crimson color or a close color to it. Be sure to get the insides of your rolls and re-touch any areas as needed.
6. Let it dry and then arrange them in a wreath form. I used a small or medium plate to form my circle.
7. Glue your pieces together and add any additional decorations or ribbons.

There you have a easy affordable recycled DIY Christmas wreath. Check out these other wreaths made with recycled materials. As always live, love, and keep learning.

Tuesday Roots with Papaya

Well, hope all was well with your Thanksgiving weekend. We spent some time at gazing at all the small miniature homes/village. O's dad thought it would be great way to spent the evening before thanksgiving day. We loved all the little people, lights, cars, boats, shops... The toy shops had little toys dancing with music. So, so cute!! Okay well enough about me let get to the subject at hand, papaya that is.

It's Tuesday Roots and today we will be looking at the juicy oh so yummy papaya. I remember eating papaya, while its still a little firm, with coconut because I was told it was good for your teeth. Although I liked the firmness and crunch of the papaya. To tell you the truth, I like eating papaya when it's ripe and sweet.

Memories of these sweet papaya trees grew wild around our house. Typically they would be falling of the trees like crazy which attracted lots of insects and small birds. Not to mention it's routine smell after a day or two.

Here are some wonderful health benefits of papaya. The papaya is an antioxidant powerhouse packed with immune boosting vitamin & phytonutrients. A great neutralizer to fight potentially harmful free radicals.

Did you know that it helps get rid of mucus from the body that helps to relieve coughs & colds. Which is great to know especially during this time of season. So if your feeling a little feverish your doctor would probably say something like, "take 2 of these and call me in the morning"... organic of course!!

Papaya contains beta-carotene, vitamins C and E. It's brightly-colored fruit helps to protect the skin and the lining of the intestine, lungs, nose, and throat. If that is not enough reason to eat a papaya then think of it's power to aid wounds and heal them. It protects your skin, helps circulation... So if your limited mobility then eat some papaya. Great brain food as well as helps hormones against pollution.

So for the winter cold and cough, instead of just your regular cough medicine, have a papaya. Make yourself or your family some recipes with papaya to kick winter cold in the you know where. But if you don't have that problem then use it in your beauty routine to heal, protect, and keep your skin looking radiant!

Okay until next time love much, learn more, and live life to the fullest health:)

Free thanksgiving printable.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I remember eating an early Thanksgiving dinner and watching football. You can say it's a tradition. But if you are going all out this year with decorations and a kids dinning table then here are a few great ideas that will be easy on the eyes & your pocket.

On my pinterest account I compiled a few decoration ideas, fun desserts, and simple crafts that will keep the little ones busy. Hope you can find something that you can incorporate to the dinning table. As alway live, love, & learn=)
Free printable here & here!

Tuesday Root has gone Bananas

Yes, today we are looking at the beautiful banana, which is one if my favorite fruit. Easily found all year long bananas are a great source of potassium. It's like a natural energy bar. So if your looking for an extra kick after a long morning or late afternoon, then grab a banana.
Here are a few more reasons to eat bananas:
• if your low in iron 
• helps with muscle cramps during workout
• helps with depression; happy mood
• gives you energy; great pick-me-up
• satisfies a sweet tooth; natural sweet fruit
• helps with stomach ulcers
• more here

Where can you buy a bundle of bananas for less then two dollars? I'll tell you where.

Okay, I stumbled on this on accident. I was shopping for some milk and looking for apples for O. I saw a bunch of bagged green bananas. But I could see that they were starting to take a yellowish color.

Now when you first see them, they don't have your typical bright yellow look. Like maybe your local grocery store may have. Someone who has seen these fruits growing up would know that bananas naturally ripen after a few days. Not to mention when it is sweeter when seating for a while. That is why when I buy bananas I get mine from Costco. Yes, Costco sells them in bundles for less then $2.00. I'm not sure about sam's club but I wouldn't be surprised if they are also priced the same.

Here are a few recipes to try out and are always delicious to eat or drink.

Banana smoothie
•3 or 4 banana more for a thicker texture.
•1 cup of coconut milk or skim milk
•1/2 cup of ice cube
(optional freeze your milk to replace ice)
•cleaned lime or lemon peels for flavoring
•half a juice of a lemon
•optional: 1 cap or teaspoon of vanilla extract

1. You could mash the banana with the fork or mix it in a blender. In your blender place 3 or 4 ripped and peeled bananas.
2. Next put in your ice cube or milk. (Remember to skip the next step if you decide to freeze your milk)
3. Then you add your milk and vanilla extract. Blend this until well mixed.
4. Pour out into a pitcher and then place 3 or 4 long stripes of lemon or lime.
Tip: use a potato peeler for an easy long citrus peel.
5. Add the peels and juice of a lemon.
Stir well and place into you refrigerator for about a half an hour. Let the citrus flavor marinate together. Before serving remove the peels and enjoy.

Round Banana pancakes or hush-puppies are my favorite. Dad makes the most fluffy and yummiest ones. Hope to see him sooner then later. Panipopo also has a great recipe on her blog. Be sure to check out all the other recipes there too. If your gluent sensitive, just replace with your favorite flour. Here are a few replacements for gluent free flour. brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, corn flour, mesquite flour, millet flour, oat flour, quinoa flour, sorghum flour or sweet potato flour.

One more banana recipe that is a two in one. (love multipurpose anything!!) It's a natural hair conditioner for longer stronger hair. And if you make a lot of it you can have health poi (mashed banana) drink.

Banana hair conditioner (or you can drink it!!)
• 2 mashed bananas (3 for longer hair)
• 1/2 or less of coconut milk
•Honey
Just blend and apply to clean hair. After 15 or 30 minutes your done. Wash and style you freshly conditioned hair as usual!


Okay well if your in the Bay stay dry from the rain. As always live, love, & keep learning.

Been busy cleaning

I wanted to post today's three "F" words (Family fun & food). But I was to busy with other mommy things. Although if I were living in New Zealand & Samoa today would be Saturday.
Which would make it two days late...humm!!! That didn't sound any better... Hahaha!!!
Good thing... It just my little blog:0)

Well, I've been busy cleaning & organizing... (been slacking @!... Jus saying!) We had the carpet cleaned, but it's such an old carpet that the Stanley Steamer guy said it was to loose & the hose would lift it off the ground.
It's clean & ready for traffic. But I'm not complaining, I wouldn't want to do it by hand. Which I have tried before.
Yeah right! I didn't do the whole house, it was only a spot that some syrup spilled on.
I like clean but get, Ahhhh... "Lazy" sometimes!! (Don't we all?)

Well the carpet is still wet. So now Me and O seating here watching Anastasia, the cartoon version of the Russian Princess, & eating fried-rice for dinner.

Oh and a gingerbread house from last years craft project. It's gotten a little beating through out the year. I couldn't find that picture with O standing with it and the tree in the background. It was very cute! The little gingerbread houses were grouped in three. (a trick from a designer name "Nate" ... One of my obsession.)

This year I'm thinking of working on a Nativity theme! Put back the CHRIST back into the Christmas! Oh and while we're at this subject... Please pray for the Nation of Jerusalem of the alert of rockets and possible war.
God keep them safe and protection on them in this time as well as everywhere.

What holiday craft have you made Or what craft would like to see again from your youth? Never tried the popcorn garland... Maybe O & I could try it out this year.

I remember when I was younger, our holidays were opening gifts we wrapped ourselves...which kind of took the excitement out of opening the present. Hehehe! I love my mom, she made sure it was what you wanted before the wrapping! Hehehe! What childhood memory sticks out as awkward? Tell me in a comment below.

Rainy night tonight...
As always live, love, & keep learning.

Book binding DIY gone wrong

So I tried a recycle cardboard book binding project. I first seen this on YouTube. There were a few tutorials to choose from but I found sealemon book binding tutorial to be easy to follow and very pleasant to watch.
My book thread was not pulled tight enough and so it came out to loose. On top of that I had to repossession the punctured wholes on the board covers. You can't really see it unless you were looking that close. So instead I decided to place a decorative tape over it. Now that I know where I went wrong I'm going to make a better... (crossing my fingers for the second try)

I thought I could try a dollhouse shape or something. Here is a glimpse of the dollhouse book that I hand made for niece V. What do you think, not bad for the first time making a dollhouse book... (it's meant for easy traveling & stores flat...)

I've been back and forth to the doctors all week so I'm trying to get everything back in "some kind of order!"

God is Good!! Live, love, & learn:0)

Tuesday Roots: Ylang Ylang oil

Tuesday Roots is about sharing the basic resources of my native pacific roots. I shared about coconut milk and coconut oil minus the infusion of ylang ylang oil. Today I thought we could touch more on the subject of the ylang flowers and it's many uses.

Now, I looked into the benefits of this flower, ylang ylang or "what i alwayed know it as" Moso'oi, And this is what I found out. It is the Canaga Odorata also better known as a perfume tree in which this beautiful exotic flower comes from. It has pink or yellowish-greenish blossoms that are found mainly in Aisa Pacific. Know for it's tropically sweet aroma, the ylang ylang is best picked early in the morning for the highest potent extraction. ("Early Bird gets the worm... Or in this case gets best grade!")

It is referred as the poor man's jasmine because of its similarities in smell. Dont let the amazing healing and calming properties fool you.  This essential oil is used in various beauty products and aromatherapy. It is said to have a calming effect and can reduces high blood pressure. Be aware... Be Aware this essential oil should always be used sparingly and with your doctor's consent. People with low blood pressure should avoid this flower or the use of it's oils. For more information click here. 

7 Uses of the ylang ylang oil

1. Lower blood pressure
2. Anti-depression 
3. Relieves stress, calming mood.
4. Used for headaches or migraine
5. Help with motion sickness. 
6. Good for oily skin and gets rid of acne
7. Said to stimulate growth and thicker shiner hair

Click here for a  lousiou Ylang Ylang body cream recipe. Or a Ylang Ylang bath bomb

Here is a traditional flower lei sewen with Ylang Ylang aka Moso'oi flower.

Family Fun Fridays 3

When living in Hawaii I've always seen bento boxes everywhere. From the gas station, to the airport shops or the food trucks (aka manapua truck) that would be parked down the street from my bus stop & school. I was guilty for getting their garlic fries every time I could.

At first glance of a bento box your curiosity of these mini colorful creations have you questioning what they may be. Some have little sushi slices of assorted fish, crab, chicken, or vegetables mix. Let's not forget all the little veggies cut into cute mini bite size art. Everything in it's little compartments to keep them neat and separated.

Now where do these little bento boxes originate from and how did it get it's name. Well I did a little research on the subject & this is what I found out.

Bento or obento is a Japanese cookery that is divide into it own little pockets or compartments. The bento has been long used by Japan to pack a lunch box or meal for workers or men at war. These little compartments are fill with foods like vegetables, fruit, pickled salads or cooked meat, of your choice. Very popular in Japan. Hawaiian bento box sometimes have the famous spam musubi, which I would replace with teriyaki chicken, pork, beef, or turkey. (thanksgiving leftover maybe!)

Okay so why not make a great sushi roll that everyone would love. My favorite one is the tuna sushi with cucumbers and crab sushi with carrots or cucumbers. Why not make a great after school snack or an appetizer while waiting for dinner. The best thing is that you know what is in it & can stored it in your refrigerator until your ready to eat them. Really let your imagination take you to that next level. Here are examples of fun bento boxes you can make with a few cookies cutters, molds, and a little love.

Check out this cute bento creation from susanyuan's blog. She has lots of ideas so try them out and get the kids to help out too. Until next time live, love and learn.

Tuesday Roots with coconut milk

Today is election day and may the best candidate Win!

Since the time has gone back, I've been waking up earlier then usually. (Then again is it suppose to be like that... Hehehe!) Okay Tuesday Roots I wanted to share more family recipes that incorporates coconut milk. In a post I talked about coconut oil and the health benefits. So i thought today we could look at the benefits of coconut milk. 

Coconut milk or pepe'e, in Samoan, is the liquid from the meat of a mature coconut. You will not believe it but this nut contains so many good benefit for your health it's astounding. It is known to be high in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, manganese, selenium, Iron, and zinc.

Just to give you a better idea, Phosphorus works with the B vitamins in assisting in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction. Symptoms of having a deficiency of manganese includes high blood pressure, heart ailments, muscular contraction, bone malformation, high cholesterol, poor eyesight, hearing problem, and loss of memory. So you can see how vital these minerals & vitamin are to good health.

12 benefits of Coconut Milk

1. Lowers blood sugar
2. High electrolytes 
3. Prevents anemia
4. decreases the risk of joint inflammation
5. Great for under weight body building
6. Soothes sore throats
7. Soothes stomach ulcers
8. Builds skin & blood vessels flexibility and elasticity 
9. Prevents goiter
10. Relieves constipation
11. Lowers blood pressure
12. Control weight

This recipe is a traditional gluent free breakfast or after dinner dessert. But I would eat it anytime of the day, that's just me!!

Koko laisa or Cocoa Rice

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup short rice
• 1/2 or more of sugar 
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Leaf of an orange
• Cocoa powder or koko 

Add water & cleaned rice to high heat. When the rice is cooked to your liking, be sure to stir it from sticking to your pot, then lower heat. Add remaining ingredients until combined. Take it off the heat and then remove leaf after 5-10 minutes. 

As alway live, love, and learn!!

Wednesday show and tell

So I woke up and was very disappointed of the fact that Prop 37 of labeling GMO foods, was not pass in yesterdays election. I am glad though in another way because if it wasn't for all the informative emails on Prop 37 I would still be horribly blinded by all toxic foods my family and I were eating. That is why it is my mission now to cook and eat real foods. No more short cuts... But more organic ingredients from a real kitchen with a real cook who cares.

Now on the other hand since it is Wednesday's show & tell I thought I would share a project I did using polymer clay and a paper clip. I came upon this idea from youtuber who used cold porcelain to make hers. It was very easy to form. The only thing is that it would break if you dropped it on a hard surface. Unless you make the pedals more thicker. Either then that I loved how this gardenia came out. Although I am far away from the pacific but those sweet smells of tropical flowers are ever embedded in my mind.

Last but not least congratulations to Obama for winning the Presidential election for a second term in office. So if it was a victorious win or defeat of yesterday's election. I'm sure we can all agree that our efforts for a better tomorrow is still before us. So join me if you can. please keep us all in pray as so I will every night.

God Bless this country and God Bless our President!!

Live, love, & learn!!

He who is able to move mountains

Well hope your enjoying your weekend. It's Sunday, the beginning of the week what a beautiful day it is. I just wanted to encourage anyone who maybe struggling with finances, illness or you maybe have a love one who is dealing with life's unexpected challenges. Don't feel down life is not alway going feel like its kicking you in the butt. For a while I was feeling down and voice out my disappoint. Just didn't feel like doing anything or much less have anyone see me this way.

But I thank God for blessing me & my family everyday. If you have kids then you understand when I say that children are a gift from God.

My O is the smile on my face & she lights up my day! I might be ready to give up but when she smiles I can't help but to smile back. It always seems to get me going in the morning. So don't underestimate love even if it comes in Lil packages of love, my O!

She has this book from, a very known author/cartoon show, called "The Berenstain Bears." I always liked it because it teaches about ethics, values, life lessons, and friendships. Well I remember in " The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done", one of her reading books, it had a scripture about how God made everyday and all its tasks of that day. "what ever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."-Ecclesiastes 9:10.

So we should do our best at what ever chores, work, or challenges we face. With love in our hearts give a smile to someone, they might need that reminder that it going to be alright. Or even better show someone with a kind act of love. I know that the election is coming up in two more days & then soon Thanksgiving. But we dont need fancy balloons or a big turkey to be hyped up for a day. Let today be a day to be thankful and make a change starting from me, starting from you.

Well, I have dinner on and I don't want to stretch this to long. As always LIVE life to the best, LOVE one another, and LEARN!! Happy one-hour-behind Sunday:0)

Family Food & Friday 2

The week may have been challenging as expected but thank God for Fridays.
Here is a great snack idea that is health and easy to make.

I was watching movies last night & eating popcorn. While seasoning the popcorn, with our everyday garlic powder & salt, I wanted something sweet to eat. ("okay you maybe wondering a about the garlic powder, but it's really good and good for you") well, I open the cabinet & I had an idea. Since I've been incorporating cinnamon into my diet, why not add some ground cinnamon and powder sugar on my popcorn. Let me tell you, it quickly started to open my nasal passage. On top of that it was surprisingly very delicious.

Now it was not my first time putting different seasonings on popcorn. I use to make specialty popcorn years back. I'll probably try to recreate some of my favorite ones like mochi crunch popcorn, a ranch flavored, & Cheddar flavored. Yummy, can't wait!!

Until then let's look at what a cinnamon is & some health benefits of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a dried spice from a bark of a tree. This tree is commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt. Cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds. Cinnamon helps in weight control as well as decreasing the risk for heart disease. In a teaspoon of ground cinnamon it is packed with vitamins C, K, and manganese.

There are four main varieties of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular.

Ceylon cinnamon is more expensive and has a sweet taste. The Ceylon cinnamon is usually referred as the true cinnamon. You can find this at a specialty store and is easily grounded in a coffee grinder. So if you want to add a little sweetness to your foods then the Ceylon cinnamon is the best to use.

Now the Cassia cinnamon is found & sold commonly in Northern America. Cassia is less expensive and darker in color. Unlike Ceylon cinnamon, it can't be easily ground into a powder using a coffee grinder.

So if your craving something sweet but healthy try adding ground cinnamon to your oatmeal, cereal, pancake, tea or to your salted or unsalted popcorn. As always live, love, and keep learning.