Kitchen Essentials: What Ever Kitchen Should Have

If you plan to use your kitchen well, you should have the right tools so you can do what you want with ease. You may have the best kitchen appliances in the world but without some basic items, you won’t be able to do a thing. Unfortunately, many beginning cooks don’t know what to do or what to get. This short article gives an overview of kitchen essentials you should have. All these items are available at discount stores or specialty shops.

First, forget the notion that your kitchen should have the same equipment that top chefs have. That’s possible only if you spend a lot of money. However, not everything you need has to be expensive. Basic cookware doesn’t cost a fortune but you can accomplish a lot with it.

Here’s what you need: 1-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4- to 6-quart Dutch Oven pot (also with lid), 6- to 8-inch skillet, and a 12-inch skillet with cover. You’ll also need at least one baking sheet, a muffin pan, 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan, 13 x 9 baking dish, 8 x 8 baking dish, two 8- or 9-inch round baking pans, roasting pan or roaster (with lid), pizza pan, and a casserole dish or two.

That should make up your basic cookware. Next we go to utensils. Obviously, you need these to cook and you should have a set of glass mixing bowls, measuring cups, one clear glass or plastic measuring cup, wooden or plastic spoons, rubber spatulas (use metal spatulas for barbecue), paring knife, serrated knife, chef's knife, carving knife, sharpening steel (to keep your knives sharp), meat mallet, long-handled spoon and fork, slotted spoon, tongs, kitchen scissors, and a corkscrew.

Other must-haves are a can opener (hand or electric), grater/shredder, bottle opener, strainer, small and large cutting board, sifter, rolling pin, meat thermometer, oven thermometer, wire cooling rack, kitchen timer, and a set of silverware. These are the things that will make your kitchen complete.

Jolly Fettucine A la Carbonara and Good Life Bam-I Canton Sotanghon Medley recipe

JOLLY FETTUCCINE A LA CARBONARA

Ingredients

500  grams   Al Dente Fettuccine, cooked

2      Tablespoon (30 grams) butter

150  grams bacon

1      piece (50 grams) white onion, chopped

1      can (400 grams) JOLLY Whole Mushrooms, sliced

1      cup  JOLLY COW FRESH MILK

1      can (298 grams) JOLLY Cream of Mushroom Soup

½     teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt, iodized

¼     teaspoon (1 gram)  black pepper, ground

¼     teaspoon (1.2 grams) ground nutmeg

3      Tablespoon (45 grams) grated parmesan cheese

                                   

Procedure

1.  Heat pan and sweat bacon, onions and Jolly Whole Mushrooms in butter until cooked.

2.  Pour in Jolly Cow Fresh Milk and Jolly Cream of Mushroom Soup. Stir well until there no more lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens.

4.   Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

5.   Toss in Al Dente Fettuccine pasta and top with parmesan cheese.

 

Yield: 5 - 6 servings

About Jolly:

Each Jolly product is packed with pure goodness that the whole family will surely enjoy!

Jolly is the number 1 mushroom brand in the country.  It is known for its consistent quality and a wide variety of mushroom cuts such as Whole Mushrooms, Pieces and Stems, Premium Sliced Mushrooms, and Shiitake Mushrooms. Another popular product under the Jolly brand is Jolly Cream of Mushroom. Sourced from the US and made from the finest ingredients, Jolly Cream of Mushroom is sure to add excitement to your pasta and other culinary dishes. You can also enjoy it simply as a soup.

Other Jolly products include Jolly Corn, Jolly Green Peas, Jolly Salted Black Beans, Jolly Asparagus Cut and Spears, Jolly Straw Mushrooms, Jolly Water Chestnut Peeled, Jolly Red Pimiento, Jolly Garbanzos, Jolly Tomato Paste, Jolly Lychees, Jolly Mandarin Oranges, Jolly Peach Halves, Jolly Grass Jelly, Jolly Maraschino Cherries, and Jolly Fruit Cocktail.

Like Jolly on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JollyFoods

GOOD LIFE BAM-I CANTON - SOTANGHON MEDLEY

Ingredients:

½  kilo pork, sliced

½  kilo chicken breast, boiled and shredded

5 pcs    chinese sausage, sliced

½ kilo   shrimp, shelled, deveined and heads removed

200 g   Good Life Egg Noodles, cooked

300 g   Good Life Vermicelli (sotanghon), soaked in water

2 1/2 cups       chicken stock

1 pc                 small cabbage, chopped

2 pcs                carrots, julienned

1 pc                 medium onion, diced

1/2 cup            shrimp juice (extract by pounding shrimp heads and squeezing it till you get the juice)

1/2 cup            soy sauce

1 tbsp garlic, minced

3 tbsp  Jolly Claro Palm Oil

salt and pepper to taste

green onions, chopped

Procedure:

1.      Cook Good Life Egg Noodles according to packaging instruction. Set Aside.

2.      Sauté garlic and onions then add the sliced pork and cook until meat is no longer pink. Add in the Chinese sausage and chicken.

3.      Add soy sauce, shrimp juice, salt, ground black pepper and chicken stock. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.

4.      Put the shrimps, cabbage, carrots, and cook for 2 more minutes.

5.      Add the soaked Good Life vermicelli, stir, then add cooked Good Life egg noodles and continue cooking for 3 minutes or, until the liquid is absorbed the noodles.

6.      Mix well. Remove from heat and serve on a platter or bilao lined with foil.  Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve with soy sauce and calamansi on the side.

Serves 10

About Good Life: "Enjoy Good Taste with Good Life"

Good Life Products bring out the authentic taste and flavor of your favorite Asian-inspired dishes. Take your pick from the Good Life Noodle selection. Good Life Premium First Class Vermicelli is made from premium potato starch, thus it is firm to the bite, shiny and crystal-like.  Good Life Egg Noodles is the better choice of Pancit Canton. It is made from wheat flour and eggs and is steam-dried, not fried that's why it is healthier! Plus, it yields more than the ordinary canton noodles. Lastly, Good Life Bihon is a staple for well-loved Filipino celebrations.

Other Good Life products include Bread Crumbs, Oyster Sauce and Sesame oil. Good Life is available in major supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.

Like Good Life on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Good-Life/299655003528099?ref=br_tf

Strife Goes Open Beta in Philippines

Asiasoft Corporation Public Company Limited(Asiasoft) announced that Strife has entered Beta in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, the game's launched and kicked off with special press event was August 29 2014 (yesterday) at Imperium e-Sports Bar in Metrowalk, Ortigas hosted by Philippine Publisher, Playweb Games. During this event  I was able to get a limited edition Moxie stuff toy as one their raffle price.

Strife is developed by S2 Games. It's a second generation free-to-play MOBA that features deep collaborative gameplay, accessible heroes and includes purchasable cosmetic upgrades. Refusing to be constrained by typical MOBA genre norms, S2 Games instead focused their knowledge and industry experience on collaborative, engaging, enjoyable team PvP game through enhanced game mechanics suitable for new and veteran MOBA players. Some of the key features included modified reward system to share in-game gold among team members, improved match making system for level playing fields and role-play attributes of crafting, in-game accompanying pets and item crafting.

"Our vision for Strife can be best explained by examining the globally beloved sport of Soccer, accessible for all and providing rewarding experience to players of all skill levels." said Marc DeForest, CEO and Co-Founder of S2 Games. "Together with Asiasoft, S2 Games is ready to provide a highly enjoyable MOBA to all gamers in Southeast Asia."

Strife now joins the prestigious roster of games under Playweb Games' Level Up brand. And as the official publisher of Strife here in Philippines, Playweb Games aims to introduce Strife to the local gaming scene and highlight what makes different from the number of MOBAs already in the market through off-line activities and events for players and media alike.

To learn more about Strife and to download game client, please visit: http://strife.playpark.com/

To join the games community follow Strife's Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/StrifeSEA.

Allphones brings back ‘Red Sale’

PRESS RELEASE

Run to the nearest outlet now because Allphones Philippines is bringing back the Red Sale.

The fastest growing mobile retailer in the country is having a nationwide sale, with up to 80 percent discount on your favorite smartphones starting on Aug. 17 until Aug. 31.

It’s your chance to get your dream phone for a cheaper price. Participating brands in the Red Sale are Nokia, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Blackberry, Alcaltel, Cloudfone, Sony, Myphone and ZTE.

Allphones, which originated from Australia, has 66 stores across the country in major malls in key cities including Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, SM North EDSA, Ayala Town Center Cebu and Festival Mall. Rest assured that customers are given a wide array of choices because stores carry at least nine different brands, allowing buyers to compare smartphone features of different models.

 “We are giving big discounts to reward our customers for their hard work. You can also say that it’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to Filipinos who accepted the brand warmly despite being a new player in the market,” says Allan Catli, Allphones brand manager.

A new yet booming player in the phone retailer market, Allphones is known for its superior customer service. Store personnel give the customer expert advice on what phone will meet his need.

Applying for a postpaid plan is made even easier at Allphones because of its hassle-free application process. You need not fill-out several forms since transaction is done by entering the needed information on an iPad, without leaving any documents.

For more information about the sale and the exclusive, amazingly high value-for-money deals it offers visit Allphones outlet near you. 

Sun-sational gadgets up for grabs at Sun’s Great Gadgets Weekend Sale

PRESS RELEASE

Amazing deals and big savings await customers at Sun Postpaid’s Great Gadgets Weekend Sale happening on August 21 to 25, 2014.

Prospective customers may enjoy over 60% off on gadget deals, price cuts and rebates on new Sun Postpaid subscriptions, and exciting freebies whenever they subscribe to special Sun Postpaid plans.

Want a new phone that offers value for money? Get the new Polaroid Pro405 for only P1,999 whenever you sign up for a Sun Plan 350 SIM-only subscription. The phone also comes with a free amplifier to enable new subscribers to enjoy music and other content offers with their new Sun Postpaid plan.

Or why not wear your mobile? For also P1,999, you can get the Polaroid PoGo Watch, which conveniently synchs with any Android device, and enables you to accept calls and text messages via a Bluetooth-powered wristwatch.

On the lookout for premium phone deals? Get the Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite for only P4,490, which you may enroll to 0% installment schemes via major credit cards. The Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite comes bundled with a Sun Postpaid Plan 350 SIM-only subscription.

New Sun Plan 350 SIM-only subscribers can also enjoy further discounts by receiving monthly rebates of P100 per month, for 12 months—effectively slashing their monthly service fee to P250 per month only. Apart from getting the Sun Plan 350 at a discount, Sun Cellular has also made it easier to avail this new subscription because all you need to present is a valid ID with a billing address to enjoy the unlimited connectivity possibilities from Sun Postpaid. Sun Plan 350 SIM-only includes unlimited Sun calls & texts and 250 texts to other networks.

Want a phone upgrade? The Alcatel Scribe Easy, Alcatel Idol Mini and Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo are now available at discounted Sun Plans. Offered originally with a Sun Plan 450, get the Alcatel Onetouch Scribe Easy for free at Sun Plan 399. The Alcatel Onetouch Idol Mini, originally offered at Sun Plan 600, is now free at Plan 450; while the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo, originally offered at Sun Plan 999, may be yours now at Plan 600+P100 amortization.

So mark your calendar.  Rush to nearest Sun Shop from August 21 to 25 for the most exciting gadget sale of the season. 

Sun Cellular’s Great Gadgets Weekend deals are valid until supplies last. For more information, log on to www.suncellular.com.ph. You can also check for updates by logging on to the Sun Cellular’s official social media sites: www.facebook.com/suncellularph or www.twitter.com/suncelldeals

Sun Cellular is the mobile brand of Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc., a member of the PLDT Group.

GERD treatment guidelines developed for Filipino physicians

PRESS RELEASE

The Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG) has completed the development of treatment guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, a bothersome condition whose prevalence in the country is increasing. Photo shows (from left): Ivy Santos, Product Manager, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc.; Genevive Mercurio, Franchise Manager, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc.; Norman Zara, President and General Manager, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc.; Dr. Peter Sy, President, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG); Dr. Jose Sollano, PSG Past President and Lead Convenor of the GERD Consensus Development Group of the PSG; Dr. Sherrie de Ocampo,  PSG Accreditation Board Member; Dr. Lexie Torres, Medical Director, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc.; and Dr. Rio Abrenica, Medical Affairs Manager, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc., 

Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG) has completed the development of treatment guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, a bothersome condition whose prevalence in the country is increasing.

“While the bothersome symptoms associated with GERD are common reasons for clinic visits among Filipino patients, there are currently no clinical practice guidelines for GERD treatment in the Philippines. As such, we developed the Philippine Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease,” said PSG President Dr. Peter P. Sy.

“In crafting these Consensus Guidelines, our goal was to address the need of Filipino primary care physicians and specialists for updated, evidence-based guidance in the management of GERD. Moreover, the government’s Universal Health Care program may soon require country-specific guidelines for GERD diagnosis and management,” said Dr. Jose D. Sollano, PSG Past President and Lead Convenor of the GERD Consensus Development Group of the PSG which developed the guidelines.

Faulty valve

After every meal, millions of tiny pumps in the stomach—proton pumps—produce the acid that helps digest food. At the bottom of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach) is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens between the esophagus and stomach to allow food and liquids to enter the stomach. If the valve doesn't close tightly, or if it opens too often, stomach acid can move up into the esophagus. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Most patients will not complain of symptoms. However in some patients, GER can cause troublesome symptoms like recurrent heartburn, sour taste in the mouth (acid regurgitation), chronic sore throat, hoarseness, sensation of a lump in the throat, and chest pain, among others.

“Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean a person has GERD. However, persistent GER that results in the annoying symptoms described above is considered GERD,” explained Dr. Joseph Bocobo, PSG Past President and Member of the GERD Consensus Development Group.

Diagnosis

The Consensus Guidelines define GERD as “a condition resulting from the recurrent backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus and adjacent structures causing troublesome symptoms and/or tissue injury.”

Local primary care physicians can diagnose GERD in the clinic if the typical symptoms of acid regurgitation and/or heartburn are present. In this setting, the Consensus Guidelines do not consider an upper endoscopy as absolutely necessary to establish a diagnosis of GERD. Upper endoscopy is a procedure that uses an endoscope (a small, flexible tube with a light source) to see the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

For patients who present with chest pain, even if suspected to be GERD-related, the Consensus Guidelines recommend appropriate cardiovascular risk assessment before starting treatment to ensure patient safety. This ensures that a heart attack is not misdiagnosed as GERD. Such a cardiovascular risk assessment should include, at a minimum, history and physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and Troponin I (a blood test that indicates a heart attack in people with chest pain). 

Treatment

Untreated, GERD can cause complications more serious than the bothersome symptoms mentioned previously. Erosive esophagitis develops when the esophagus is damaged by continued exposure to stomach acid. Barrett’s esophagus is a serious complication of longstanding GERD involving profound changes in the nature of the tissue normally lining the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus increases the risk for cancer of the esophagus.

GERD can be managed through lifestyle modification and drug therapy. Antireflux surgery may only be required in patients who continue to have severe symptoms, erosive esophagitis or disease complications despite adequate drug therapy.

Proton pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs, are the first-line treatment for GERD. PPIs reduce the production of acid in the stomach. Less stomach acid means less irritation of the esophagus if gastric reflux occurs thereby allowing the esophagus to heal.

According to the Consensus Guidelines, “Standard dose PPI once daily for 8 weeks, taken 30 minutes before breakfast is the cornerstone of GERD therapy.”

Even with patient compliance, inadequate symptom control especially at night may still occur due to the failure of PPIs to provide 24-hour acid control. Dexlansoprazole, a novel PPI with Dual Delayed Release (DDR) formulation, was recently made available by Takeda Pharmaceutical (Philippines) Inc. to address this gap. The once-a-day capsule provides 24-hour control of acid production for round-the-clock symptom relief and improved sleep. Unlike other PPIs that must be taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal for optimal efficacy, Dexlansoprazole can be taken anytime with or without food. This flexible dosing increases patient compliance and enhance treatment success.

When symptoms still relapse after the recommended standard GERD treatment, on-demand or intermittent PPI therapy is suggested for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) while continuous PPI treatment is recommended for moderate to severe erosive esophagitis. 

How a Meal Delivery Service Can Help You Lose Weight

If you want to lose weight or become healthy, you should follow a low calorie diet or a low fat diet. The trouble is you have no idea how to prepare one at home. Since eating out all the time is costly, it make sense to use a diet meal plan delivery service.

This service takes the guesswork out of eating since it tells you what and how much you should eat. Diet meal plan delivery programs prepare the recommended cups and servings of food you need to eat and give you precisely what’s required on your plate. With this service, you don’t have to worry about not following your diet plan or overeating.

 

Indeed, meal delivery programs are a good way of getting a head start on dieting. They provide low calorie foods that are made from wholesome and balanced ingredients. Portions are carefully controlled and many services provide additional support such as exercise and lifestyle tips. The best part is that the whole thing isn’t as expensive as you'd expect. 

On the downside, meal delivery programs can be victims of their own success. They do the hard work - the kind that most dieters should probably be doing on their own like resisting temptation and the triggers that lead to overeating. It's similar to learning how to stop smoking. There are plenty of aids that will slowly reduce the amount of nicotine in your system. But when the aids are gone and it's cold turkey time will you be able to cope without the help of these services? In short, can you continue with your diet plan on your own? If you’re up to the challenge, a meal delivery service can serve as a good introduction to good eating habits that you’ll hopefully continue after the service is over.

HEALTH FRONTIERS: Spina bifida

• Wednesday, 27 August 2014 00:00
• Written by  George Nava True II

Ano ang spina bifida occulta sa sacrum? Delikado ba ito? Ano ang dapat gawin? – name withhel


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Ang spina bifida ay isang uri ng birth defect na tinatawag na neural tube defect. Ang neural tube ang siyang nagi­ging utak at spinal cord ng sanggol. Nabubuo ito sa pagbubuntis pero sa ibang sanggol ay hindi nangyayari ito. Dahil ditto, nagkakaroon ng depekto ang spinal cord at mga spinal bones.
Pwede itong lumitaw sa anumang bahagi ng spine tulad ng sacrum. Ito ay malaking hugis tatsulok na buto sa ibabang bahagi ng spine.
Spina bifida occulta ang tawag sa mild form ng sakit. Kilala din ito sa pangalan na hidden spina bifida dahil kadalasan na walang sintomas ito at nakikita lamang kapag malaki na ang bata o matanda na.
 Minsan, ang mga sintomas nito ay nakikita sa balat ng bagong panganak na maaaring may abnormal na tumbok ng buhok, taba o birthmark sa bahagi na may diperensya.
Buti na lang at hindi delikado ito at kadalasan na hindi na kailangang gamutin tulad ng ibang uri ng spina bifida. Kahit may maliit na puwang o diperensya ang isa o ilang buto ng spine, walang naidudulot na problema ang spina bifida occulta.
Hindi alam ang tiyak na dahilan nito. Madalas makita ito sa babae, sa mataba, may diabetes, pwedeng manahin ito o dahil sa kakulangan ng folate o vitamin B9 na kailangan ng sanggol. Pwede rin itong manggaling sa mga gamot na iniinom habang buntis tulad ng valproic acid. Pinaniniwalaan na dala ito ng mataas na body temperature na dulot ng lagnat o paggamit ng sauna o hot tub habang buntis.
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May problema ka ba sa kalusugan? Nais mo bang maliwanagan sa sakit mo? Mag-email kay George Nava True II sa georgenavatrue@yahoo.com o mag-text sa 0935-972-0691. Sasagutin ni George ang problema mo dito. Si George ay National Press Club at Philippine Dental Association awardee at author ng 3 health books. Facebook account Health Frontiers Online.
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Benefits of Promotional Vehicles

Want your product to reach more people regardless of where they are? You can do that with a promotional vehicle. As its name implies, this is a car, truck or SUV decorated with adhesive vinyl graphics. The latter is applied to the car’s exterior and is a good way to promote your business, product or service.

 

These colorful adhesive graphics are also known as vehicle wraps and they help attract more customers. Since they make the vehicle more appealing to customers, they are considered an effective marketing tool that won’t strain your budget.  

 There are three kinds of vehicle wraps, namely, a full wrap (meaning the whole vehicle is covered), a decal wrap (wherein decals are applied to body panels) or a window wrap (where decals are applied to the side and rear windows). This type of advertising is often used by radio stations, beer companies, car dealers, pubs, clubs and restaurants among others.

 What are the benefits of promotional vehicles? Since a vehicle is mobile, you can take it anywhere to promote your product. Even if your vehicle is parked, it will still be noticed by other drivers and pedestrians. Unlike newspapers or TV ads, a promotional vehicle will always advertise your product until you remove it or sell the vehicle. There is no need to pay for expensive media space.

 A promotional vehicle also has more impact than other forms of advertising. Research shows that people remember more details that are seen on vehicles. As an added bonus, you extend the life of your car since the graphics protect the vehicle’s paint. Lastly, you can remove the graphics anytime; they won’t peel off the paint of your car or destroy your car’s finish. 

HEALTH FRONTIERS: Home remedies sa almoranas

• Tuesday, 26 August 2014 00:00
• Written by  George Nava True II

Ano ang gamot sa almoranas? -- Bong Sibog ng Trece Martires, Cavite

Depende ito sa laki. Kayang talunin ang maliit na almoranas sa pamamagitan ng home re­medies. Gumamit ng over-the-counter cream, ointment, o suppository na may witch hazel o hydrocortisone para pansa­mantalang mawala ang sakit at pangangati. Pero huwag lumampas sa isang linggo ang paggamit nito dahil nakaka-irita ang na­sabing produkto. Makakatulong din ang mga painkillers tulad ng ibuprofen, aspirin o paracetamol.

Magbabad sa sitz bath o maligamgam na tubig. Ilagay ito sa palanggana at umupo dito ng 10 hanggang 15 minuto dalawa o tatlong beses sa isang araw. Maligo araw-araw at linisin nang mabuti ang puwit. Huwag gumamit ng matapang na sabon o wipes na may pabango. Patuyuin nang mabuti ang pigi pagkatapos maligo.

Huwag gumamit ng tuyong tisyu pagkatapos magdumi. Mas maganda ang wet tissue basta wala itong pabango o alcohol. Pwedeng lagyan ng yelo o cold compress ang puwit para mabawasan ang pamamaga. Kapag hindi nawala ang pagdurugo o pananakit, pumunta sa doktor. Baka kailangang operahan na.

***

Mag-isang linggo nang may kasamang dugo ang dumi ko. Medyo masakit at makati ang puwit ko. -- Name withheld

***

Batay sa sintomas mo, maaaring may almoranas ka. Basahin ang itaas. Pumunta sa doktor para makatiyak.

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Ano ang gagawin para pumuti ang mukha? Madami na akong ginamit pero walang pa ring epekto. -- Name withheld

***

Epektibo ang mga produkto na may hydroquinone. Pwede itong bilhin kahit walang reseta. Sa mga over-the-counter hydroquinone products, ang mas epektibo ay ang 2% hydroquinone. Kung hindi uubra ito, bibigyan ka ng doktor ng produktong may 4% hydroquinone o mas mataas pa.

Sundin ang utos ng dermatologist sa paggamit nito at huwag ilagay sa mata, ilong o bibig. Maaaring makaranas ng mild burning, stinging, pamumula o pagtuyo ng balat. Kapag tumagal o lumalala ito, tigilan ang paggamit at sabihin sa doktor.

***

May problema ka ba sa kalusugan? Nais mo bang maliwanagan sa sakit mo? Mag-email kay George Nava True II sa georgenavatrue@yahoo.com o mag-text sa 0935-972-0691. Sasagutin ni George ang problema mo dito. Si George ay National Press Club at Philippine Dental Association awardee at author ng 3 health books.

Protecting your Leather Furniture

By: Cheryl L. True

Leather furniture is an investment that many view as a luxury. But if you don't care for your investment it can dry up and crack, leading to tears and splits. Fortunately, a lot of manufacturers can tell you how to care for leather furniture. Read on and learn how to do so. 

Since leather adjusts to body temperature, it’s very comfortable to sit on. It warms your body in the winter and feels cool in the summer. Other advantages of leather are it is stronger than fabric, lasts longer and is ideal for families with kids since it resists spills, children's climbing, and all rough activities. The easiest way to clean leather furniture is to use a water-based foam cleaner with a neutral ph. Avoid saddle soap which is too harsh or wipes with chemicals that can destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather. Don’t use anything with oils, waxes or silicones since these can destroy the finish of the leather. Clean any spills immediately to avoid staining the leather. Better still, protect your leather furniture with a leather protector to prevent spills from seeping into it and cause stains. It's much easier to prevent the stains rather than trying to clean it afterwards. Place leather furniture about two feet away from radiators and heat vents. This can dry and crack the leather. Avoid putting leather furniture in front of windows or in direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause the leather to fade and become patchy looking. Clean your furniture with the right leather cleaner. Regular household cleaners can lead to irreparable damage and staining. Get these leather cleaners at the store where you purchased your furniture for the best match. You can also go online if you want to try other brands. Read labels carefully. 

Creating an Outdoor Room

Creating an outdoor room can improve the usable space and increase the resale value of your home by as high as 30 percent. Whether you have an existing area like a deck, patio or screened porch or just beginning, there are numerous methods to make this functional room stylish.

It doesn’t matter whether you have a big backyard or a tiny patio. The most important aspect in designing your outdoor room is to implement your plan in steps. Don’t assume that it will happen all at once. Neither does it cost a lot of money.

For starters, imagine your ideal space. Take time to consider how you want to utilize your outdoor room. Whether it's for family use, entertaining guests or relaxing, make a list of items you want to have there.

Go outside and do some window shopping. This will tell you what’s available and what you can use in your outdoor room. Take notes and pictures of a wide variety of outdoor furniture and accessories for reference. This will help you decide how to decorate your new space.

An outdoor room can imply anything from an attached, screened-in porch or a gazebo. If it's an independent area like a gazebo, make a passageway with foliage to visually connect it to the house. Try to erase the fact that you're outside by using the same flooring material outside as inside. You can also use plants to frame the doorway to your outdoor room.

By placing decking, you can divide that area from the rest of the garden. Decide on the shape of the decking and where you will put it. Many decking areas are square or rectangular and are placed at the side or the end of the garden. When the decking is down, furnish the room.