prayer time at home, together? how?

It is really hard to start or to decide a daily devotion of having a family prayer like doing it together because of the busy schedule and different priorities as well. But it is important to start a routine. How?

• Make your prayer short and simple.
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• Use some ready-made devotional prayer. Those are materials that you can buy or copy from the church or some religious group.
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• Find some resources that are prepared specifically for children.
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• Prayer can take place anywhere, anytime but it is important to establish one set place to use each time. This will develop a sense of routine for the children.
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• Choose a place that is free from distractions.
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• Do not choose a time that will disrupt the regular activities of your children because it could lead to resentment and later on will defeat the purpose of devotion time.
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• Family come together during mealtime. It is the ideal time to start a short prayer.
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• Another good time is in the evening of Wednesday where everyone can pray the holy rosary. This will create a prayerful atmosphere.
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Sometimes as a parent, we should find a way that a family could stay together. There is a beautiful quote ' A family that prays together, stays together'.

what is stomach flu?

M was hospitalized yesterday because he had a stomach pain. It was not just a normal stomach pain because M shouted and cried so loud and began to chill. It was diagnosed as stomach flu or the so called gastroenteritis. For your extra knowledge, it is a viral infection that attacks the stomach and small intestine. The stomach flu can be transmitted when we swallow one of the virus. The infected person can spread it through shaking hands or kissing, or food sharing, drinking, or using the utensils of the infected person. How come M had a tremendous pain? Because the virus travels to the stomach and intestine and cause inflammation of the lining. The signs and symptoms of the stomach flu are stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. It typically last for 3 to 4 days and there is no vaccines for it. If your kid has a fever then just give a normal medicine that will reduce it. Stomach flu can have serious side effects particularly in infants and children. Make sure to give special attention when you need it.

how to cure body odor?

It is the middle of September now and M(my youngest 6 yr. old son) has been visiting his new and first school for almost 2 weeks. During the first week, he told us that he had a delicious lunch and enjoy what he is doing in the school. Until one day having our dinner, we accidentally asked him about his classmate. (Picture courtesy of Flickr)

M : I don't like the kid sitting beside me. (so serious and sad)
Mom: Why?
Dad: Did he do something bad to you?
J: Tell it to me and he will get something....(acting like an action star ha ha ha).
M: Ahmmm...I don't like him to sit beside me because he smell so bad. (Ang baho nya waaaaaaa)

We all laughed and could not imagine how M seriously said his problem. If your kid has a body odor and trying to cure it then first find some reason how come some kids or people have it?

Perspiration is one of the cause of body odor. If the person has imbalances in metabolism then it will result in stronger odors. We have to be aware that the toxins around us can cause some body odor and you can find it in your home, food and air as well. Those toxins can be accumulated to our body and when the organ that has to dispose them could not function accurately then the liver and intestines maybe clogged up, causing body odor. When it is the problem, then there are some herbal medicines that could cure or eliminate the toxins in our body which is called detoxification.

If your body cannot metabolize foods such as eggs, fish, liver and legumes then avoid to eat too much of it. Do you know that garlic, onions, curry, spicy foods, coffee and alcohol are the primary cause of body odor? Do you know that fatty and oily foods can contribute also to the problem? Avoid them or do not eat too much of the said foods.

Next time I will discuss some tips on how to get rid of body odor. Kindly give some points also by leaving your comments. Thanks.

Intimacy with someone you love!

Are you searching for an intimacy with someone and this someone is not just a normal person but your spouse? Then do not be disappointed if you are not feeling it any more because it can be solved. How? (Picture courtesy of Flickr)

• Do not expect too much. Do not expect your spouse to be home on time or at certain time of dinner. Do not expect that she or he will say 'I LOVE YOU' every day, every month or every time that you expect it. Expecting too much will only cause discouragement and despair if the outcome is not according to your 'BIG EXPECTATIONS'.

• Deal with the disconnectedness that keeps far from your spouse. This is your responsibility. Not the other person but yourself. Have the first move. Swallow some ego behind the relationship. Being proud and thinking only yourself is not healthy for you to have intimacy. Do not forget to say 'SORRY' if you really mean it. It may not be as easy as you think but it can save intimacy.
  

• Do not define intimacy as what it looks and feels like. Trying to compare your relationship to others could only have disappointment. Always think that every person and relationship is unique - emotionally, intellectually or spiritually.
  

• Do not be motivated by what your spouse can do for you but rather have a desire to do what you can for him/her. Your role is to please first your spouse before anybody else.
  

• Avoid perfection. There is no such as perfect relationship or perfect spouse. It is better to have an attitude of acceptance, being ready to deal the weakness of other person.
  

• Be loyal and avoid cheating on your spouse. Do not use the relationship for your own benefit.

• Have a loving communication. Establish a regular patterns of communication with your spouse. Neglecting to ask even if it is a slight decision that has to be consulted may affect intimacy at home. Be open but not sarcastic.
  

Do not abandon the process. Faithfulness is the key. Stay and be connected to him/her. It will deepen your relationship and the reward is intimacy.

sauted corn with spinach, kids will love it!

Every kid hate more or less vegetables! Not always, if you are going to be creative and at the same time think of something that would be applicable to their taste bud. Kids eat a lot of fresh corn specially when it is boiled. I decided to make some experiment instead of boiling a fresh corn, I sauted it with some vegetables. They like it! How!

Ingredients :

• 2 pcs. fresh corn (scrape it from the husk, separate the corn)
  
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 pc. instant vegetable cube
• 1 pc. Zucchini (slice thinly in cubes)
  
• 250 gram fresh spinach
  
• 1 pc. onion (slice thinly)
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp. fish sauce
  

Procedure :

1. Pre-heat the oil for about 3 minutes. Quickly add the onions and garlic. Saute until brown.
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3. Add the scraped corn and instant vegetable cube. Saute for several minutes.
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5. Pour the water and let it boil for a couple of minutes.
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7. Add the spinach and Zucchini.
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9. Add the fish sauce. Do not over cooked the spinach and Zucchini.
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11. Serve while it is hot with some rice and fried fish.

Try it and kids will definitely love it!