The Department of Tourism (DOT) is launching a new brand campaign to attract visitors to the country with the line -  ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’

Focusing on the country’s core strength, the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer - and that is the Filipino people.

For example, the Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.’

“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” says the new Tourism Secretary, Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of the tagline.


As the international campaign is underway, the DOT is also developing a national initiative under the line ‘#1FORFUN’ to rally the nation.

 “The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves why we can tell travellers it’s more fun here than anywhere else,” says the Secretary, “It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun.”

The long-awaited idea was developed by advertising agency BBDO Guerrero, appointed in December after an exhaustive pitch overseen personally by Secretary Jimenez himself and approved by the President and members of the Cabinet.

Wherever you go in the Philippines, it's the Filipino that will make your holiday unforgetable> Just ask anyone who's been here


Find out for yourself why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
And make the most out of your next vacation.

This is just a preview of things to come.
Watch out for more fun. Soon.

Here are a few simple ways to enjoy the sweet treats of the holiday season without overindulging. 

Have an iced cupcake instead of a slice of frosted cake. Calories saved: 100 

Top angel food cake with fruit instead of 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. Calories saved: 100 

Instead of a cup of eggnog during the holidays, have hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick. Calories saved: 100 

Serve ice cream in a dish instead of a waffle cone. Calories saved: 50. 

Enjoy cake — just scrap off the icing. Calories saved: at least 100. 

Pie? Have a slice of apple lattice instead of a serving of apple crumb. Calories saved: 70. 

hold the ice cream on the pie; opt for a plain piece of fruit pie instead. Calories saved: 75-100. 

When baking, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened applesauce, use unsweetened instead. Calories saved: 50. 

Share your serving of chocolate cake and buttercream icing with someone special. Calories saved: 115. 

Source: rdasia.com

By Registered Dietitian Laura CaJacob 

While statistics on holiday weight gain are inconsistent, one thing is for sure: the holiday season makes normally healthy habits much more difficult. The mashed potatoes get passed one extra time around the table, and the chocolate peppermint brownies stare at you all day from your desk. More than anything, holiday eating is challenging because we are surrounded by a sea of indulgent dishes.

Just like Coach Josh says on p.164 in his book, Belly Fat Free, “You’re only setting yourself up for failure if you start an eating program that forbids you from ever eating your very favorite foods.” You don’t have to jump off the wagon over the holidays in order to enjoy your favorite foods. There are a variety of recipe substitutions that can keep you on track toward reaching your goals. Rather than skip your favorite dish entirely, why not lighten it up a little?

Before we get started, I must make a few notes as a lover of food, tradition and flavor:

• I know it can be a sin to alter an all-time favorite family recipe. Leave Aunt Jane’s famous candied yams alone, and try changing some dishes that aren’t the one thing you look forward to in December. Who knows – you may add a new recipe into the regular rotation!
• Don’t you dare try to eliminate every unhealthy ingredient in a recipe. The intention of modifying a recipe is not to create cardboard. As Coach Josh declares on p.174 of Belly Fat Free, “Remember—love the food you eat or you won’t stay on the program for long!”

Below is a list of five simple ways to adjust some holiday recipes without sacrificing flavor.

1. Substitute unsweetened applesauce for oil.

This works great in baking desserts to lower the fat content. The substitution ratio is 1:1, and the result is a moister, sweeter dish. This even works with boxed mixes.

Note: Do not try this with butter. Chocolate chip cookies turn into chocolate chip pancakes.

2. Increase vegetables.

There are so many dishes that could have more flavor, texture and color by adding some extra veggies. Try using more roasted root vegetables in a stuffing than bread. Throw leeks and mushrooms into a wild rice side dish. Generously add a variety of vegetables, and your belly will thank you.

3. Replace mild cheese with half the amount of strong cheese.

You flat out can’t eat as much blue cheese or parmesan as you can mozzarella or mild cheddar. By using less of stronger cheeses, you can drastically reduce fat and calories while actually increasing flavor. This works great for cheese plates, salads and melting cheese on vegetables.

4. Substitute pureed vegetables for cream.

Zucchini, squash and cauliflower are excellent choices for thickening soups without changing the flavor. Simply peel and roast the veggies then blend until you have a “creamy” puree. Add as a thickener until you get your desired consistency.

Note: Be mindful of the color vegetable you chose as this can really affect the soup’s appearance. We eat with our eyes first, and nobody wants to eat green cream of corn soup.

5. Reduce sugar by 25%.

There is usually so much sugar called for in most recipes that nobody will notice the 25% that goes missing.  If your recipe calls for 1 cup sugar and you use ¾ cup, you cut out 200 calories just like that. Consider this when using syrups, honey, or jams as well.

I challenge you to try some of these recipe modifications. I wouldn’t be surprised if you like the healthier version better than the original.

P.S. I never even considered tip #3 and #4… did you? 

Source: Belly Fat Free by Coach Josh

Android Christmas Funny Facts With Christmas Facts you'll find lots of interesting facts about Christmas! How much do you know about the history of Christmas? Do you now how “Rudolph” was created? Do you know where X-Mas comes from? Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second travelling 650 miles a second. And many more .. KW: sleeps, countdown, Christmas, holiday, winter, snow, holy night, minutes, seconds, hours, days, event, timer, calendar, xmas, christmas songs, christmas tree, christmas cards, christmas lyrics, christmas lights, christmas ideas, christmas gifts, gifts for christmas, christmas ornament, christmas decoration, christmas games, christmas parties, christmas pictures, christmas tree shop, christmas gift idea, christmas shop, christmas movies, christmas greetings,christmas poems dinner list cookies stockings artificial christmas trees christmas traditions christmas wishes jokes holidays stories lights backgrounds events what is christmas christmas party games christmas dress quotes, lovely quotes, quotes of love facebook youtube games craigslist myspace ebay yahoo mapquest radio AOL free music video Recent changes: + new facts added + new quotes and facts added + interface improvements + quotes section added + famous quotes + UI improvements + several bug fixes + several interface improvements + added new Funny Christmas facts + Xmas Quotes + Did you know that Santa Claus travels at 650 miles p

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Here are some tips to spread DIY epicurean cheer to your loved ones this festive season 

One of the biggest problems my wife and I face during the festive season is picking out Christmas gifts for friends and family members who seem to always already have every other fancy toy, sexy bag and en vogue accessory out there. The solution we’ve come to depend on over the years is creating food-related gifts that we know our friends will appreciate – and perhaps most importantly – not be able to pick up at any regular mall.

Five or six years back, we assembled some DIY molten chocolate cake kits, each of which contained the popular dessert recipe, metal moulds, chocolate and other dry ingredients, and distributed these as Christmas goodie packs to friends and family. Then three years ago, we compiled several of our favourite simple recipes into a small cookbook, which we self-printed using Lulu.com and gave to our close friends as gifts.

Other great foodie gifts that your loved ones will appreciate can range from simple things such as homemade jars of vanilla sugar or preserved lemons (both really easy to whip up), to more complex creations such as gingerbread houses with self-decorating kits, even homemade duck prosciutto (idea courtesy of a friend who recently generously bestowed it upon us).

The trick we’ve learnt to making these presents really special? Take time to package them beautifully. A pretty handwritten label or gorgeous box can really go a long way in transforming your homemade goodies into an artisanal creation.

Here are some of our top picks for the most wanted additions to the tech lover’s holiday gift wishlist 

It’s that time of year again. The invariable waiting and hoping for shiny new gadgets, and then perhaps the disappointment, when the big day comes and you open that promising looking gift-wrapped box to reveal, yet again, the dreaded pair of socks/mug/towel set. But hope springs eternal, and whether you’re dreaming up a list to hint to a loved one, or if you’re thinking of playing Tech Santa this year, these are the current most coveted items on any self-respecting tech lover’s wishlist: 

Nikon J1
This camera might just be the perfect gift for your trigger-happy loved ones. Part of the new Nikon 1 System, the Nikon J1 features a compact, portable design in a range of stylish colours. Even though Nikon has developed new imaging sensors and technology for fast and powerful autofocus, the J1 also allows the option of interchangeable lenses when greater flexibility and control are wanted. It can also capture HD video and photos simultaneously, for times when you simply must have both. 

Sony PlayStation Vita
Gamers have been drooling in anticipation since Sony’s new handheld game console was officially unveiled this past summer. The PS Vita packs a punch with its innovative user interface, featuring a beautiful front 5-inch multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen and, along with traditional controls, a multi-touch pad on the back, which offers a new immersive style of play that allows users to interact directly with games in 3D-like motion. Online connectivity is baked into the PS Vita through Wi-Fi and optional 3G, while social features allow gamers to connect with one another to play the latest next-generation game titles. 

Amazon Kindle Fire
Although they didn’t start the fire, so to speak, Amazon has released a 7-inch slate to enter the tablet wars. It offers a zippy dual-core processor, full-colour touchscreen and a fast, cloud-enhanced web browser called Amazon Silk. The key strength of the Kindle Fire though is perhaps Amazon itself, with a vast library of streaming movies, songs, apps, games, books, magazines and other digital content readily available at your fingertips. In fact, like the regular Kindle, the Fire comes synced with your Amazon account, so that anything you’ve previously bought and have in your collection would be instantly accessible. 

iPhone 4S
This list would be incomplete without the highly awaited Apple iPhone 4S, which was announced in early October. In design, it’s not much different from its predecessor. Instead, the main differences lie within the svelte handset: a faster processor, 8-megapixel HD-capable camera, and a voice-activated virtual assistant called Siri, which can understand naturally spoken questions to set up reminders, find information and assist with other tasks. With the new iPhone, Apple also launched the iOS 5, the latest significant update of its mobile operating system offering many new refinements, as well as the iCloud, which allows for content such as documents and music to be synced and accessed effortlessly across multiple Apple devices.

Source: rdasia 

The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting, and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust 

Ingredients

17 chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar

FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 teaspoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 bottle (1 ounce) red food coloring

FROSTING:
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract

Directions

Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.

In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, buttermilk, cocoa and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in food coloring. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.

Bake at 325° for 60-70 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost top of cheesecake. Refrigerate until serving. Yield: 16 servings.

Serves: 16 Prep: 30 min. Bake: 1 hour + chilling

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 463 calories, 29 g fat (17 g saturated fat), 131 mg cholesterol, 276 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Source: rdasia.com

Smart tactics for a thrifty and fun gift buying 

Holiday gift shopping: Do the words terrify you, or make your eyes light up with anticipation? Either way, we have advice to make holiday shopping easier, cheaper, less stressful, and more fun. But before you read our savvy hints and tips, take a minute to remember why you're shopping. Chances are, it's about the pleasure in giving those you love a gift that truly express your feelings for them. Remember that - it'll make all the hunting and haggling more than worth it.

Before the search for the "perfect" gift begins, there are a few things to consider. Mainly: Who? What? How much? And when?

1. Set a limit
Giving gifts should fill your heart, not empty your savings account. If setting a budget seems more bother than it's worth, at least determine an approximate figure ($25 to $75 for family, $15 to $25 for friends) for each person on your list.

2. Record gift ideas
Smart gift-givers know that gathering should happen 12 months of the year. So buy a notebook, attach a pen, and keep track of whom you need to buy gifts for, and ideas you get from window-shopping, catalog browsing, or just sudden inspirations that pop up in your mind. Then, when you do buy a gift for someone, mark it down as well.

3. Clip pictures or ads
Holiday season is catalog season, but most of us get catalogs year-round, too. Don't toss them in the recycling bin. Look for ideas. When you see something that seems right for someone, clip out the picture and description, note the person's name and catalog, and file it away for future use.

4. Think about whom you're buying for
In that same notebook, include information about each person, such as sizes, interestsm sports, and hobbies. Even add gift you've given in the past, so you don't accidentally duplicate.

5. Be an off-peak shopper
Unless you enjoy packed parking lots, messy stores, huge crowds, over-warm stores, and surly clerks, skip shopping on the six or so weekends that lead up to Christmas. Instead, shop weekday mornings or early afternoons. Not only will the crowds be smaller but the stores will be neatened up an restocked.

6. Dress comfortably
Serious holiday shopping is not the time for high fashion. Wear loose-fitting clothes, tie your hair back or at a minimum, wear comfortable shoes so you can navigate crowds and stand in long lines without discomfort. And to avoid energy lags and endless time in food courts, have a good meal before heading our to the stores.

7. Always, always use a shopping list
Random, unfocused shopping leads to impulse buying, overspending, and your forgetting gifts for one or more people. And that means having to go shopping again.

8. Shop year-round
No, this doesn't mean that you're constantly shopping. It means that you are always looking. Because you never know when you might see the absolute perfect gift (at a deal, no less) for someone. And just because you got a great gift for $20 on a discount in March, doesn't mean you need to spend more to bring it up to the originally budgeted cost. Gift giving is about the thought, not money.

9. Shop on vacation
If you go somewhere on vacation, watch out for things that might make someone else happy come Christmastime. Going to a new city or country can open up shopping opportunities that don't usually exist for you.

10. Stay current with the business news
By following the business news, you'll learn about who is discounting, what's hot and what's not, what products are in surplus or short supply, and who is offering unusual deals. Use all this information to help strategize when and where to shop for best prizes and selection.

11. Don't be afraid to haggle
It can pay to be bold. Ask a manager: "Is this item going on sale soon?" "Is this the best price you can offer?" or "Are there any discounts for loyal customers?" The worst they say is "no." But you may be surprised at how many stores consider your request.

12. Go with gift cards
Sure, they might not give you the warm fuzzies, but giving someone the opportunity to choose what they want is never a bad thing. If you want to be distinctive, offer a certificate to an out-of-the-ordinary place, such as a French bakery, high-end restaurant, or day spa. Make sure you read the "fine print" to 
Check out our MyShopToday gift card and let your friends choose from a wide range of products. Enjoy free delivery!

13. Search for sales
Sone online retailers have sales like those at brick-and-mortar stores, with lots of promotion around the event. But even if there is no announced sale, many retailer sites have a permanent discount "room" with nicely marked-down products. Search your favourite online stores for these secret savings.
Check out the Reader's Digest holiday special sale!

14. Compare prices
You found the perfect baseball mitt for your son on a national sporting-good chain's website. Don't order yet! Write down the name and model number, and do a search of the item on your favourite search engine with the added words "best price". You'll not only find other vendors that sell that item (at varying costs), you'll often run across reviews of the product and online retailer.

15. Factor in shipping
Each web site has its own shipping charges. And some do a good job of hiding it! Never make a purchase without understanding the full costs involved, A $49.95 item is a better bargain with free shipping than the same item marked down to $39.95 but with $14.95 for shipping.

16. Consider giving an event
Each of us has our passions; why not let your loved ones engage in theirs? Buy them tickets to the opera, theater, circus, football game, concert, or lecture that they most would enjoy seeing or hearing. Or if they love food, reserve a table for two (or the family) at the restaurant they always dreamed of trying, but never got to. A magical evening out is often more memorable than one more nectie or kitchen appliance, after all.

17. Consider giving a membership
What art-lover wouldn't be happy with a membership to the art museum? All kinds of memberships are available with wonderful benefits, be they free admissions, a monthly magazine, or access to online services not available to others.
Want to give your friend a Reader's Digest magazine subscription? Click here

18. Give of yourself
Sometimes, the best gift of all is you. Give a handwritten or printed coupon to be redeemed over the coming year, for home-cooked meals, a weekend away, a personal car wash, even a massage. Better yet, give a coupon book with a mix of offers, large and small. Sometimes, the best gift you can give costs no money at all. Check out these nice gift coupons and download them for free!

Ingredients

5 cups of flour 
2 table spoons of ground ginger
1 1/2 tea spoons of baking soda
1 tea spoon of ground cloves
1/2 tea spoon of salt
1 cup of granulated sugar 
1 cup of shortening
1 egg
1 cup of molasses 
2 table spoons of vinegar
Frosting
6 table spoons of butter 
1 tea spoon of vanilla
whipping cream