Natural Body Healing

Healthy Filipino Food Lunches

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but that does not mean it is okay to scrimp on lunch. Whether you are in school or at work, you need that midday meal to keep up your energy for the rest of the day. If, like most students and yuppies, your idea of a regular lunch is soda and crackers, you are a long way from eating right.

So what makes a healthy lunch? If you want something that’s light but filling, Filipino food is your best bet. For one thing, it’s cheaper than buying fast food or ‘light’ snacks like coffee and cookies. It also lets you choose exactly what goes into your food. It doesn’t have to be rice-based or anything heavy; there are lots of easy Filipino recipes you can prepare at home. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Plan ahead

Planning is the key to preparing healthy lunches and to healthy eating in general. When you know what you’re having for the next few days, you won’t be tempted to pick up that extra soda or grab an ice cream for dessert. At the start of the week, list down your lunch choices and make a shopping list based on your picks. Buy more than you need so you can pack a little extra for mid-afternoon munching.

When planning your meals, consider the time you can spare each day for cooking. A half hour is all you need to fix a sandwich or toss up a quick salad. On really busy days, you can just buy frozen food and packed drinks. Alternatively, you can prepare and pack your lunches in advance on light days, so you can just pick them up when you’re in a hurry.

Have something fresh

Make fresh fruits and vegetables your lunch box staples. Remember, lunch has to be lighter than breakfast; otherwise you’ll feel drowsy all afternoon. Fresh produce fills you up fast but doesn’t slow down your body. Salads and veggie wraps are a great way to work vegetables into your meal. If you’re watching your weight, you can replace heavy Filipino desserts recipes with fresh fruit. A chilled apple or a couple of melon slices can satisfy your sweet tooth without piling on the calories.

Most groceries sell fruits and vegetables packed into serving-size portions. It’s very convenient, but you can save as much as 50% of the price if you buy them whole and prepare them yourself. It takes about 10 minutes to peel, slice, and pack a week’s worth of food.

Don’t follow your cravings

When shopping for lunch items, you tend to pick up the things you crave at that very moment. More often than not, you’ll either be tempted to eat it ahead of time, or your craving will have passed by the time you pack it. It’s best to stick to your old favorites, be it a simple tuna sandwich or classic Filipino food recipes. Pick up a few treats for variety, but don’t make them your entire meal. But to avoid the problem altogether, don’t shop with an empty stomach—when you’re hungry, your mind goes wild at the sight of food. The best times to shop are usually late morning, just after breakfast or your midmorning snack.

Watch your portions

Some containers may not look big, but they hold a considerable serving. Be careful not to overdo your portions, as many tend to do when pre-packing. Again, it’s best to pack when you’re full so your cravings don’t influence your serving sizes. Get containers that hold only the appropriate portions, or have a small portion bowl’ approximately the size of a regular serving, so you can measure your servings before packing them.

Pack light

A lot of Filipino cooking recipes come with heavy sauce or soup, which makes them hard to pack for lunch. If you’ve ever spilled lunch inside your bag, you’ll know how important it is to use the good, tightly sealed containers. Better yet, don’t pack heavy lunches to avoid the risk. You can keep sauces and condiments for dry food in your office, so you don’t risk spilling them on the way.

If you do pack saucy dishes, try packing the solid and liquid parts separately. Use a disposable container for pasta or vegetables, and a regular suction-sealed one for the sauce or dressing. Invest in containers with tight rubber seals. They’ll cost you more initially, but it’s well worth the trouble you save in the long run.

Author Bio: Carlo Villamayor is the owner and co-author of the Filipino food blog, Kusina.ph at http://www.kusina.ph A devoted cook, he makes it his personal mission to spread the joy of one of his Filipino food recipes at http://www.kusina.ph/meal-planning-tips/ with food lovers the world over. Bon appetit!

Tags: youth nutrition, kids recipes, kids nutrition, family cooking, filipino asian recipes, best filipino recipes, filipino food and dessert recipes

Do you want to discover how to make attraction work in your favor so opportunities, relationships and momentum comes easily to you. ..So you can stop struggling and get on the path to your success today?

Let’s first start by explaining what is attraction?

Attraction is really just the “new” term for sowing and reaping. When God formed the foundations of the earth he instilled some universal natural laws that we should understand. These laws work for ALL people.

For example “gravity” is one of them. I’m sure you would agree that everyone needs to pay attention to gravity…or face some pretty big accidents. Well attraction is no different, it’s just not so obvious. So what is it?

To best sum this up I would have to use the quote “what you think about you bring about”.

It doesn’t matter if it’s good thoughts or bad or if you want them or not. The truth is that your dominant thoughts are what you are attracting into your life this very minute. This is EXTREMELY important to understand!

You see this is relevant to everything in your life. It’s applies to your relationships, finances, health etc. You name and attraction affects it.

Since like attracts like, the universal law responds by sending you back “answers” similar to the vibrations you’re sending. The vibrations are created by your thoughts and more importantly your emotions.

This means whatever you’re emotionalizing comes back to you in increase. The stronger that your emotions are the more powerful the vibration (or signal) sent out is. This makes the attraction stronger.

Again that can be good or bad dependent on what your dominant thoughts and emotions are.

Let’s take a look at some Good Emotions…

Love, joy, happiness, peace, excitement, satisfaction, fulfillment, laughter, etc

And some Bad Emotions…

Hatred, anger, stress, frustration, dissatisfaction, turmoil, etc

KEY CONCEPT:

Your thoughts backed (or “charged”) with good emotions attract good opportunity into your life, and charged with bad emotions attract bad opportunity and situations.

Jesus said “whatever you ask for in prayer BELIEVE (charge with the emotion of faith) and you will receive.

If you don’t believe you’ll have a hard time getting your prayers answered. …without Faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. He will lead and guide you but it’s up to you to “walk in faith” and use the universal laws to your advantage.

Some people work the law of attraction in a positive way without even realizing it. While others without realizing it work it in a negative way.

Do you want to know how you are doing with the law of attraction? Simply look at your life’s results in all areas and that will tell you. If you’re not happy you need to change your dominant thoughts and emotions.

HOW? Here are two great strategies to assist you in this…

STRATEGY #1 -Create a vision board. A vision board is an amazing way to supercharge your vision and the law of attraction at the same time. It really helps you visualize and more importantly “emotionalize” your future.

The first step is to get a large cork board and a lot of tacks. Start putting up pictures of your dreams and goals on it. Find pictures that support your ideal future and tack them on your dream board. Your ideal house, business, marriage, car, charity etc.

STRATEGY #2 – Use affirmations. Make a list of affirmations that also support your future ambitions. These are statements like…

“I am financially free and living my dreams”
“Money flows quickly and easily to me”
“Great opportunity is all around me to seize”
“My marriage is awesome and rewarding”
“I am healthy and full of vitality”

Once you have created these two strategies you should review and “emotionalize” them daily. It may sound a little bit crazy, but I assure you it’s normal to success. The things that successful people do are CRAZY to ordinary people.

Just ask yourself…are you willing to get a little crazy to be prosperous, successful and living your dreams or are you content with ordinary and broke?

Ok, well we’ll see allright…

ACTION STEP => Go make your affirmation list right now and have your dream board up by tomorrow ready for you to start putting pictures on it.

Much of this was excerpted from www.FitnessForSuccess.com ™ if you want to learn more.

God Bless.

Author Bio: Phil owns multiple businesses and is a true entrepreneur at heart. He is an author, motivator, teacher, and minister of personal development, business & success. His company The W.C. Group will empower you find your purpose, develop yourself, explode your business and have the success you deserve. The W.C. Group has a FREE powerful e-zine called www.SuccessScoop.com

Tags: marriage, healthy fitness, laws of attraction, attraction law, laws of appeal, love, law of attraction

The Advantages of Steel Construction Homes

Steel homes are the choices of millions these days since they come loaded with advantages. Right from lowered costs to quality of material to engineering development and much more, it is the choice of the people. This is borne out by its many advantages listed below:

Advantages of steel homes

• Costs: The constantly rising prices of wood and the steady prices of steel have swung in favor of the latter. According to research, 90% of old growth forests have already been axed and the next round of forest wood would take about 20 years to grow and use. Steel, on the other hand, is in abundance, fully recyclable and at a steady price.
• Resistant to termites and borers: With steel, you can be rest assured that termites and borers won’t eat into the frames. So, now steep bills for termite damage or high maintenance.
• Steel doesn’t burn: Conventional timber might burn, but steel doesn’t, so you and your home are safe. Further, since it is non-combustible, it does not cause smoke, so your house won’t go up in flames.
• Lightweight but strong: Though lightweight, steel is basically a strong material. This means that it requires fewer studs to be used and makes it ideal for house framing uses. It is found to be the most durable, strongest and economical materials, and is therefore ideal for construction of homes.
• No twisting, shrinking or warping: Being inorganic, it is stable enough not to twist, shrink or warp. So, with steel, you won’t experience jammed doors, stuck windows, cracked cornices or leaking roofs due to the movement of the frame.
• Compatible with all materials: Steel is compatible with all kinds of interior flooring and wall material such as fiber, cement, timber cladding, plasterboard and particle board flooring.
• Electrically safe: All steel frames need to be earthed independently. And since steel is a very good conductor, it dissipates less power in the structure as it is directed towards the earth.
• Environmental safety: Steel frames are 100% recyclable. This has the advantage of being used repeatedly without steel losing its strength or inherent properties. They are usually prefabricated, thereby leading to low wastage.
• Good building material: Steel is light, easy to carry and erect. Besides, if you use prefabricated steel frames, it could result in less problems in bad weather. You’ll find that these frames do not shrink, warp or twist. And if you use pre-punched holes in steel wall frames, you have the advantage of installing electrical and plumbing services quickly and well.
• Remodeling easily possible: Since non-load bearing walls can be removed, relocated or altered without any problem, steel framing can be used for future remodeling.

And for the common man, the biggest advantage is that these frames can be erected by just two or three people in a day. Frames, appliances and cupboards and any such hanging objects can be erected quite easily using normal drills and fasteners found at any hardware store.

Author Bio: Simon James promotes Steel homes kit, Prefabricated Steel homes are afforable and quick to build.

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About Male Pull-over Shirts

As winter season comes, there is a rush towards buying warm pure pullovers to escape from the chilled icy season. Monte Carlo Collections is the solid choice for Mens Pullovers. It is one of the largest and famous suppliers of pullovers, sweaters and jackets. If you are color conscious, don not worry, come to Monte Carlo Collections showrooms and see largest color variety in Mens Pullovers. The cozy warmth of these pullovers protects you from cold and keeps you warm all season long. Not only these pullovers have warmth, they have style also. So, that you look good. View the complete collection of Monte Carlo Collections pullovers either by visiting their stores or you can shop online. Their website gives you full information of what they have to sell everyday. What is “in” and “out” of fashion today?

Beautiful colors in every pattern are available in pullovers. If you are fond of brightness, so many bright colored Mens Pullovers are there. If you are simple and like to wear sober silent colors, they are also there in every pattern. These embroided or printed pullovers look great over shirts. If you are very much busy with your other works and don’t have enough time to visit store, you can simply visit their online website to enhance your knowledge and choose your style of track suit. The catalog on website features every design available in every size and also tells us in which colors that particular pattern is available.

Monte Carlo is a leading provider of Mens Pullovers. Today, Monte Carlo Collections have their outlets all over the world and their biggest motivation power is their customers’ satisfaction level. Best quality best design at best price. This is what Monte Carlo Collections is all about. So, why to go for other brands outlets and confuse yourself? Just enjoy the outfits of Monte Carlo Collections and feel the difference.

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How to Make Your Kids Love Filipino Food

Feeding kids can be tricky: let them pick their food and they will choose junk, give them healthy food and they will not touch it. If you are a parent, you are probably familiar with the tantrums that come with every meal. But it does not have to be that way, especially if you know your Filipino food. Our dishes are naturally healthy and flavorful, so there’s sure to be something your kids will love.

If they’re really picky, you can always tweak the old Filipino food recipes to match their tastes. Sometimes all it needs is a little extra spice or a change in presentation. Still confused? Here are some things you can do to make your kids love Filipino cuisine, plus some recipes you can try.

Plan your meals together

Have your kids help you with your weekly meal plan. You can choose dinner one some days and let them decide the rest of the week. To help them make healthy choices, let them pick Filipino cooking recipes from a cookbook. The point is to make them feel involved. If they know they’re helping put the meals together, they’ll be more open to your ideas.

When planning your meals, make sure to keep the right balance between your choice and your child’s. Don’t plan for a meat dish the day after they choose pork chops or pot roast. Since the point is to give them control, try not to limit them with your own choices. Let them take their pick first, then add in your own picks to fit around them.

Suit their tastes

Take your cue from the junk foods your child likes. Does he always pick cookies and candies, or does he seem to like salty chips and crackers? If they have a sweet tooth (most kids do), sweeten up your old recipes or serve them sweet dishes such as tocino for breakfast or ginataan for afternoon snacks. If they like things a little spicy, add a couple of chilies to your soup or let them season to their own taste.

Some kids have constantly changing preferences, which might make it a little harder. If your kid likes sweets one day and barbecue the next, stock up on sauces and dips. That way, when they don’t like the food, they can always grab their favorite sauce and turn it into something they like. Here’s a quick dish that’s easy to customize to any child’s tastes.

Barbecue Meatloaf

Ingredients:

½ kg sausage, minced

½ kg ground beef

1 c bread crumbs

2 tsp curry powder

2 onions, chopped

1 egg

½ c milk

1 c water

salt, pepper and parsley

Sauce:

¼ c Worcestershire sauce

½ c tomato sauce

2 tbsp vinegar

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp coffee powder

½ c butter

1/c packed brown sugar

Procedure: in a bowl, combine the beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, curry powder, onions, salt, pepper, and parsley. Lightly beat the egg and add to the mixture. Add the water and milk and mix well. Grease a baking dish or loaf pan, then pour in the meat mixture. Bake on moderate heat for about 30 minutes or until the meat is just done. Meanwhile, mix all the sauce ingredients and boil together until thick.. Pour over the half-cooked loaf, leaving some for basting, and bake for another 45 minutes. Baste once in a while.

Be creative

Most of the time, presentation makes all the difference between foods that children love and foods that go uneaten. Make your food more appetizing by garnishing with their favorite foods, such as cheese slices or hot dog bits. You can even let them design the garnish themselves. Look for Filipino recipes that can accommodate colorful ingredients such as peas, bell peppers and corn kernels. You can even add a bit of food color if the recipe allows.

Fruits make great garnishes for Filipino desserts recipes. Just cut up one of their favorite fruits and layer it over ice cream, cakes, or pies. Better yet, serve a variety of fresh fruits for dessert—it’s healthier, and it doesn’t take much preparation time.

Make trade-offs

If your child is being particularly difficult, try giving them incentives in exchange for eating healthy foods. During meal planning, for example, you can let them pick dessert if they promise to eat their vegetables. Alternatively, you can keep a stack of their favorite desserts and give it to them when they eat right. Don’t overdo it, though—they may get used to getting treats and only eat healthy when there’s something in return.

Author Bio: Carlo Villamayor is the owner and co-author of the Filipino food blog, Kusina.ph. A devoted cook, he makes it his personal mission to spread the joy of Filipino recipes with food lovers the world over. Bon appetit!

Tags: filipino recipes, filipino food recipe, family cooking, kid cooking, kids cooking, child cooking, filipino dishes recipe, recipes

Necessity of Vehicle Shipping Company

Transporting vehicles from one place to another is considered to be the important requirement and more number of customer are availing the services provided throughout the world. When a vehicle is to be transmitted to another destination, adequate shipping services is required for the client. Different modes of shipping are available in the market and the client can choose the better carriage within their requirement. The pint of destination for carrying vehicle differs and generally, when a vehicle is carried in any modes of transport then such kind of transportation is referred as vehicle shipment.

The origin of car carriage services started from old ages itself and slowly it was developed a lot. During the past days, for transmission people used some kind of modes to carry on the requirement successfully. Today, trend has been totally changed and advancement of technology with regards to shipping has increased a lot. Large number of carriage companies is emerging nowadays considering the need and demand of transit. Most of the exotic car moving company offers the services in different types and they offer the transit in all types and sizes. More number of companies is offering the transit, but still the necessity of vehicle moving services is required in wide numbers.

All kinds of autos are transferred in this modes using special transmission. When an automobile is transmitted from one place to another, adequate care, precaution and safety measures are required for the carriage. Necessary auto carrying insurance also carried and they are fully insured, licensed and guaranteed performer of the contract is engaged. More number of clients requires licensed, insured and guaranteed obligator to carry on their vehicles more safely without causing any damage to the vehicle. The prices charged for transportation will be moderate and it differs as per the mode, weight of vehicle transmitted.

So, considering the necessity and importance of conveying huge number of companies are coming forward and performing their service in adequate manner. These kinds of services offer more benefits to the customer who are obtaining it and it is listed to be the important service throughout the world. International car moving services are also offered considering the demands throughout the world. The reason why most of the people consider the service is required because it is offered for more reasonable prices, pick-up and drop, door-to-door services, easy mode of payment and duration of time for delivery and even more.

Author Bio: Shijina is an expert SEO copywriter for Car shipping.
She written many articles like Car transport , auto shipping, car transport For more information visit
our site Auto shipping. Contact me at shijinaseo[at-symbol]gmail.com.

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Effects of Illegal Dumping of Hazardous Waste

All types of industries; whether big or small generate hazardous wastes. But there are some companies which try to get rid of their dangerous waste by simply dumping it illegally. All for saving money at the cost of the environment. It’s a threat to our rivers, lakes, air, land, oceans and ultimately to our health, environment and our future.

The practice of discarding chemicals, which are highly toxic in nature, into rivers is highly hazardous to the environment. It has a severe adverse impact on the quality of water. When disposed of improperly; it contaminates ground and surface water supplies. As a result, it contaminates drinking water which in turn affects public health as well as aquatic life. Quite often our beautiful rivers become the victim of poisonous waste being thrown into them. A large number of fishes have been killed because of the polluted water in rivers.

Such unfair actions not only pollute the environment but also pose serious health hazards. Breast cancer, prostate cancer and childhood brain disorders are increasing at an alarming rate and the increasing rates of contamination and pollution have only furthered these health problems. There is also a rise in certain maladies like autism and learning disabilities.

The places where waste is illegally dumped are often freely accessible to people–even children–who may be seriously injured when coming in contact with hazardous chemicals.

Many industries are blamed for cutting lives short by exposing innocent people to dangerous chemicals. Companies that take short cuts in controlling pollution threaten our environment. It is imperative that they should be made accountable for their behavior.

Improper disposal of hazardous waste have deadly effects on nearby plants, animals and people. It’s a critical issue that needs to be tackled on an immediate basis. Various companies are even fined for not disposing of their hazardous waste properly but that hasn’t really helped solve the problem. Some truant companies would rather pay the fine than use the services of industrial cleaning services provider to safely dispose off their hazardous wastes.

Unfortunately, the problem of illegal dumping is exceptionally large and extremely complex; that it would take tremendous effort, time and money to combat it.

It can be handled by making companies sensitive to the environment and encouraging them to use the services of companies which help in disposing of environmental hazardous waste and provide industrial cleaning services. The cost of disposal services might be a little expensive but it is highly important and essential to preserve the environment and prevent it from being contaminated. The greener the environment, the brighter our future is.
Author Bio: Rakesh is a freelance journalist who has been particularly keen on writing on environmental hazardous waste issues and industry provides hazardous waste disposal services. His thought-provoking articles have been published in various magazines and websites.
All types of industries; whether big or small generate hazardous wastes. But there are some companies which try to get rid of their dangerous waste by simply dumping it illegally. All for saving money at the cost of the environment

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Filipino Food Party Planning

So you are planning a little get-together for your friends, and you have got a mental list of foods to serve and people to invite. If you think planning a party is that simple, you are in for a surprise. For one thing, there is no such thing as a little get-together when you are in the Philippines. Filipinos love a good party, and they will go great lengths to have a feast every chance they get.

Unfortunately, we’re a bit less enthusiastic about putting the party together. How do you know which foods to serve, or how to go about making them? No worries—Filipino parties are really quite simple, even if they’re always bigger than expected. Filipino cuisine is very diverse, so you won’t run out of choices, and as long as there’s lots of food, your guests will be more than happy.

Unconvinced? Here are some useful Filipino food planning tips you can use for your next get-together.

Plan in courses

Ever been to a party where there was too much dessert but not enough of the main course? It’s a common mistake among party planners—they’ll make a quick list of foods they like and then run to the grocery store. Avoid this mistake by planning the entire meal by course. Do you want to serve appetizers or go straight to the main course? How many desserts do you need? If you have more than two main dishes, you don’t need a lot of appetizers. You can serve a variety of Filipino desserts recipes or prepare one large dessert, such as a pie or cake.

Mind the time

If your party is in midmorning or late afternoon, you don’t need a full-course meal because your guests will just have eaten. Instead of heavy Filipino food recipes, serve a range of different appetizers or finger foods. Not only is it more convenient, it also allows them to mingle while enjoying your meal. Be sure to add variety, as people can get tired of one dish fairly quickly.

People’s appetites change with the time of day, so plan accordingly as well. About 10 appetizers per person per hour is appropriate for lunch parties. People are generally hungriest during dinner hour, so if you’re holding the party then, have at least 14 munchies per person. If you’re hosting in the afternoon, you’ll need about half as much.

Don’t serve it all at once

There are few things worse than running out of food when you’re hosting a party. Of course, the safest way out is to overestimate—besides, you can always use the leftovers for next week’s meals. But what if you’re on a tight budget? The best alternative is to portion each course. For example, you can serve appetizers first, the main courses next, and dessert last. Don’t put out all of your food at once. When everyone has eaten, fill up your table with all the courses. That way, when they’re all full, they can simply go back to the table and pick their favorites.

Overbuy the drinks

You can get away with making just enough food, but it’s best to play safe when it comes to beverages. You never know how much your guests will want to drink. To save money without going cheap, prepare a nice punch or a few decent cocktails and stock up on cheaper drinks like beer, juice and soda. Get creative by mixing your own drinks—there are several low-cost Filipino recipes for party beverages. If you’re buying mixers, get them in smaller bottles so you don’t waste the unfinished bottles.

During the party, serve the fancy drinks first, then get out the canned or bottled drinks when everyone’s had their fill. That way, everyone can try the cocktails and freshen up with the drink of their choice later on. Keep the drinks in an ice box. Be sure to stock lots of ice—about one pound per person—for outdoor or morning parties.

Prepare take-home containers

When the party’s over, a lot of your guests will want to take home some of your leftovers. Don’t go scrambling around for spare containers, which most likely won’t be returned anyway. When shopping for the party, pick up a pack of food bags or disposable plates. Give them to your guests when they want to take home some food. It’s more convenient for both parties—you don’t risk losing your best plates, and they can stuff the food in their bags instead of carrying a large platter all the way home.

http://www.kusina.ph

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Foundations and the Mobile home Park Conversion Process

Many mobile home parks and manufactured home communities began as rental parks where space rent was dictated by location, size, date of purchase and cost of living increases. It has become increasingly popular for residents to desire a greater control over their living situation and costs associated with their residences, thus converting the park to resident ownership has become a rising trend.

Success of the mobile home park conversion process is largely attributed to talented legal advisors that understand the complexities of the conversion process and can liaison with residents, homeowner’s association board of directors, building officials and lenders. As the trends in lending continue to change, the underwriters have become more proactive in their demands on the structural components of a manufactured home’s understructure for two reasons: safety to protect their investment and a desire to have a security interest as real property.

In order to understand the lender’s desire for security interest, one needs to understand that manufactured homes are unique housing because they can either be registered as person property (chattel) i.e. a car or recreational vehicle or real property like a stick built home (realty). The manner of classification is determined strictly by the foundation beneath it. In order to be classified as real property, the mobile home foundation must be considered “permanent”. For homeowners in existing structures, the thought of retrofitting their foundation to something permanent sounds daunting and expensive. Fortunately, wise engineers and manufacturing companies have found numerous methods to meet both safety and lending requisites without resetting the home. There are a variety of systems that are available to the homeowner and borrower. Although there is still a cost associated and a permit burden, the cost is relatively moderate considering the value received. Having the home attached through the process of a foundation retrofit conjoins the land and home, making the two entities a unified piece of real property, ergo protecting the security interest of the lender.

Therefore in the conversion process some lenders often require a 433A document which has been signed by the local permitting jurisdiction (building department) showing that the home is on a foundation. In order for the building department to make such a sign-off, they must be presented with a set of plans generally with a Standard Plan Approval number which has been certified by a structural engineer. Once installed, they inspect the system, sign the 433A and then record the 433A. Some lenders still accept the 433C document which simply converts the land to real property but the house retains it’s personal property classification. However, this has become increasingly less common as lending requirements tighten. Also this area has been a source of confusion and error for some escrow and title companies. It is common to see that the land and home show different owners because escrow or title did not understand the unique titling issues associated with manufactured homes. Again, using specialists that deal with the peculiarities of manufactured homes is important so that clerical errors don’t turn into big lawsuits later on.

On The Level is uniquely qualified to work as a team member to assist in the conversion process, having the ability to champion the homeowner’s cost concerns yet understand the local jurisdictional building requirements as well as the lender requirements. While there are many retrofitters that are able to “install only”, the paper work and associated follow-through in the 433A or engineer’s certification process can often cause loans to be delayed or fall through altogether. On The Level is a turn-key company that navigates the paperwork from start to finish, working with all players in the park conversion process.

ON THE LEVEL General Contractors (B & C 47 521400) is a family-owned company specializing in the maintenance and retrofitting of mobilehome and manufactured home understructures 433A foundation contractors.

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Spices in Filipino Cuisine

It’s no secret that Filipino cuisine is one of the best in the world, but like any good food, it has to have its secrets. Few people have really mastered authentic Filipino food—not the washed-down fare you get in fast foods and diners, but real, home-made native dishes. Although most of us can whip up something when we need to, it can be hard to capture that distinct Filipino taste.

So what really goes into our food? How do you make your food taste truly Filipino? There’s really no single answer, because no one can define our food—we come from a hodgepodge of cultures, after all. But one thing that sets us apart from our Asian neighbors is our heavy use of spices. Whereas other cuisines prefer subtle hints of flavor, we like a big burst of it with every bite.

So that’s the first rule: be generous with the spice. If you want your dish to fit in with other Filipino recipes, get to know the spices that go into them. Here are some of the most common.

Ginger

Ginger is used in most of Asian cuisine, and Filipino food recipes are no exception. In the Philippines, it is most commonly used in soups and stews; dishes such as arroz caldo (rice porridge), and tinola (chicken stew) use garlic as their main spice. It goes particularly well with chicken and fish dishes, where it provides a nice contrast to the strong meat flavors. Ginger is used both for flavor and aroma, although the flesh of the root is not always eaten. Most people just crush the root and drop it into the dish, then take it out just before serving.

Chili

We’re not as wild about spicy food as the Thais, but we do like a bit of bite in our food. Virtually every Filipino dish can be spiced up with chili peppers, from rich meat viands to everyday soups and noodles. Sauces like patis (fish sauce) and soy sauce are often mixed with crushed chili and used as dips or marinades. Bicol, a region in southeastern Luzon, is known for using chili peppers in most of its dishes. Perhaps the most popular is Bicol express, made with meat, bagoong (sautéed shrimp paste), coconut milk, and chopped green chilies.

Garlic and Onions

These two almost always go together, especially in meat and vegetable dishes. You may be more familiar with Taiwanese and Australian garlic, which have larger cloves and are easier to work with. But if you want a stronger, spicier flavor, go for native garlic. Philippine garlic comes in smaller bulbs, with cloves less than half the size of other types. This makes them hard to handle, but it’s well worth the trouble.

Philippine onions are strong and pungent, making them a great source of flavor. Use native red onions for sautéing and pickling, but use the white ones for salads and sandwiches. If you’re making rice porridge, top it with chopped green onions for extra spice.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass has strong-smelling leaves and stalks commonly used in soups, teas and sauces. The leaf is slightly sweet with a hint of citrus, a perfect complement to gravy and other meat sauces. There are several ways to use lemongrass, but the most common method is cooking the fresh leaves (sometimes the entire stalk or bulb) with the food to release the flavor. If you’re using the stalk, take only the soft inner part and chop it up before dropping it in. You can also use dried and powdered lemongrass, especially if you’re in the city and fresh leaves are hard to find.

Pandan

Pandan is mostly an aromatic ingredient, most commonly used with plain white rice. Just add a couple of leaves to your rice as it boils, and it comes out with a strong, inviting aroma. Some regions even weave it onto rice pots for an even stronger scent. You can do the same with rice cakes, puddings, and other Filipino desserts recipes.

Bay Leaf

The strong, pungent taste of bay leaves makes them a perfect fit for Filipino cooking recipes. The leaf has a wide range of uses, from meat sauces and dips to main dishes like adobo, menudo and mechado. Dried bay leaves are traditionally used; fresh bay is seldom available in local markets. The leaf itself is not usually eaten; like ginger, you can take out the leaves once you’re ready to serve. However, most people just leave them in and set them aside when eating.

Author Bio: Carlo Villamayor is the owner and co-author of the Filipino food blog, Kusina.ph. A devoted cook, he makes it his personal mission to spread the joy of Filipino food recipes with food lovers the world over. Bon appetit!

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