RSS 4U

Visits to Granny were always a treat because of the creamy homemade ice cream. I know she always has on handy ready to be served. We all enjoyed and relished the taste of those different flavored treats we easily devoured minutes after she served them. Little did I know then that those homemade ice creams, we are all crazy about, were products of long and tedious process.

Ice creams are always part of our family celebrations and holidays so when I started my own family, I just go on and continued the tradition. When the kids were young, any grocer bought ice cream is enough for them but after they have acquired the taste for my mother’s or sisters’ homemade ice cream; they started demanding for ice cream like “those yummy ones granny make” and thus my trouble began.

My first few attempts at making homemade ice cream resulted to either too soft or too hard products. I know I followed every one of those detailed instructions and have made sure that all measured ingredients were exact and added or mixed as per instructions and yet, my homemade ice cream doesn’t even warrant a lick form my own kids.

I really did literally sat down and think really hard where things went wrong. And then I realized that ice cream making is not only about measuring and mixing but everything depends on proper timing. A homemade ice cream maker should know when to churn, when to chill and age and when to finally freeze the ice cream.
Knowing when is the right time to do all these little steps will ensure a soft, creamy, mouth watering homemade ice cream anytime, anywhere… just ask my kids. They make their own homemade ice cream from scratch.

Planning a short sojourn from all the nitty-gritty of a demanding job is another stressful activity for me. I used to spend a lot of time surfing the blue yonder searching for the best and most hip destination only to be disappointed with one thing or another. I have been doing this for so long that I got so tired and seemly five up and decided to let my nose and my heart lead the way…

I realized that having a stress free break from a hectic and sometimes nerve racking daily life simply depends on having the right attitude and the right state of mind before embarking on the journey. The destination is of very little consequence as long as the goal will be reached – to have a relaxing and revitalizing time where I can gain some energy boost. And this could happen anywhere, anytime, with anyone (and even if when I am alone).

I can only squeeze out a very short 4-day vacation for this year, yet I am sure that I can have the very best and enjoy these four days without any extra pressure or anxiety. For this short rest, I intend to stay in the city and visit all those familiar places I see everyday yet haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy. For my vacation, I am determined to savor and relish all the different sights, tastes, smells and feel this wonderful place I call home offers, which sadly, I have come to take for granted.
I will walk its streets as if it is my first time to visit; explore all the crags and crannies, all corners and bends. I will sit down and patiently listen to whatever message my home has to say (which I might have not heard during my busy days); familiarize myself once again with its distinct scent that used to tell me I am safe.

I know that for sure if I will be able to accomplish everything I have set to do, I can (re)discover things I have either forgotten or ignored because I was so busy planning my life. And once I do, I am confident that I will soon feel those comforting warmth telling me that I am home – that this is a haven I can call my own.

For most of us, when we talk about vacation we often refer a trip to far-off places where we can experience diverse locales, taste exotic food and appreciate different cultures. And together with this is the fact that a vacation such as this entails a big chunk off our recreational and entertainment budget. But with an ever teetering and shaky economic situation, most families are now having a hard time allotting a specific fund from their reduced financial resources for a family vacation.

The new trend for most families today is to look for activities or destinations within a half-day’s drive or less from their homes that all family members can enjoy. The options are limitless once you realized that having fun, relaxing and spending quality time with your loved ones don’t have to be expensive.

The target destination for family vacations will purely depend on the available funds for the family activity and the interests of each members of the family (or, the family can agree on a certain theme for their vacation).

A family with diverse interests and leisure pursuits can opt for an all-inclusive resort vacation where there is a variety of activities that will appeal to all kinds of people of different ages and interests, entertainment for everyone, good food and sometimes some extras like spa visits and room massages are being offered in just one place.
Other options include cultural and educational trips like visits to museums, zoos, archaeological sites and other places where families can relax as well as gain some knowledge. Theme Parks and Waterparks are other attractions families might enjoy visiting together.

For a fun filled family vacation that anyone can afford, the choices are unlimited. All it will take is proper planning which should start with getting each member’s ideas of what a fun filled vacation means. Then, pick out the right family vacation get-away.

Most people believe that creativity is an innate talent and that only the gifted posses it. That premise is definitely off beam.

The idea that the likes of Shakespeare, Michael Angelo, van Gogh, Einstein, Goethe, Mozart and the rest of the Masters are born with a special kind of brain which made them talented is a myth. A study in Exeter University showed that there are many factors which contribute to the ‘formation’ and development of a gifted person. These factors include: opportunities, encouragement, motivation, training and most of all, practice.

It was also revealed that not a lot of these ‘gifted’ persons show any promising signs of brilliance until someone (parents, in particular) encouraged them to try and be the best. Consider the fact that not one has really achieved the highest level of success in his field without dedicating and devoting countless of time in serious training.

Further studies show that creativity is an ability possessed by everyone. Every person has an equal potential for achieving the highest point of any endeavor. The only distinction which makes different people produce creative output is how they look at themselves and the training and preparation which they have undergone.

The key to your creativity is the nurturing and the development which you have set and allotted to it. And above anything else, what is essential is your faith in yourself and in your ability to be creative.

The popular advocate for health has always been focused on physical wellbeing often times neglecting the fact that our brain also needs to be fit and alert. Most people overlook the fact that working out is not just physical but also mental.

There are basically three simple exercises that you can give your brain to make it healthy and fit: 1. Memory Exercises, 2. Puzzle Solving, and 3. Discovering New Things.

When you challenge your mind to remember simple things, like memorizing simple items on a list, you get the stretch your brain muscles. With a dose of daily memory exercise, the short term memory will surely improve. Just remember to keep your list short (the brain can only hold seven items at one time) and try to have fun while doing it.

Puzzle solving like jigsaw, crossword or Sudoku puzzle is one enjoyable way to improve and boost memory. Doing any of these activities will help in brain training. The concentration and focus they require are mental gymnastics your brain surely needs in order to stay fit.

When you constantly prepare and guide yourself to learn new things — be it something working with your hands like crafting, something physical like playing tennis or purely cerebral like philosophy there is an increase in the association and therefore connection between the neurons and your brain. Thus, the learning process improves and enhances the brain power.

These exercises are simple and easy in fact, you might have done them from time to time, yet they are effective ways to stimulate your brain and charge your brain power to stay sharp so that it can go on and on.