Establish a routine to balance your life

It has been said many times that we should break the routine and be more spontaneous when dealing with life.  

I am not the most spontaneous person you will meet in this lifetime.  I guess this is part of me being introvert and timid and at the same time, I am a fan of having a routine.  This is not to to say though that I am void of any spontaneity in my life. No! No! No!  I strongly believe that my basic routine paves the way for me to understand what I still have and ergo, make room for unprogrammed or unplanned events or happenings.  

Having a routine is like a discipline, method that allows me to understand what are the essentials in my life. After knowing the essentials, the rest is subject to agility, flexibility and spontaneity. :) 

As an IT project management practitioner, the "routine" is tantamount to the backlog in an Agile Delivery, where I focus on my "musts" and then the rest are nice to have.  It is important to prioritize because in the order of priority comes the non-negotiables and what we can compromise.  

As a busy full time mom and working professional, the musts which comprise my routine are (in order of priority): 
1.  Everything about my son - spending time with him - cuddling him, reading him to sleep, tucking him to bed, playing with him, his happiness, his growth, his schooling, his medical appointments, his crowd and his social events. 
2.  My core and extended family, including friends this includes attending to our household, ensuring that we have our home supplies, food on our table, bills are paid and being in touch with my family and friends across the globe. Attending to my husband and my son and our home which includes grocery shopping, home maintenance, etc. 
3.  Mental,physical and emotional Health which includes all of my medical appointments, good food/diet, me time - yoga and meditation, walking, reading a book, cooking time, occasional shopping and spa/massage time. After all, if I do not have good health, how can I function 100% for my family and for my personal mission. It is important to be sane, to be happy and to be confident in one´s life.  I have previously said this and will repeat - Charity begins at home.  You cannot give what you do not have.  If I am mentally drained and physically exhausted, how can I give happiness and positivism to my love ones?  
4.  Work - work is a must.  I am grateful and indebted to my work.  But it is not my life. During the time that I am in my office, I am 100% dedicated to my work.  But I have a life after my work.  I rarely sacrifice my medical appointments to be in a meeting.  During Fridays, I rush out early to fix my son from school. 

As the above mentioned is my priority list, I build my weekdays and weekends based on those.  And from time to time, if there is a get together with friends and other circles, a new exhibit in a museum, a new restaurant to try, I certainly can make time for them knowing that my non negotiables have been met. 

This "routine" also applies in my financials.  I make sure that I pay my dues, spend for the essentials such as my son´s extra curricular activities, son´s school needs, groceries/food/medicine, home bills, and save some before I splurge on the nice to have such as bags, clothes, shoes or any other whims.  

It is okay to so no. It is healthy.  What is important in our life is to understand our essentials and strike a balance. 

Have a blessed Sunday to you all! 

*** photos are not mine.  downloaded from the internet.  credits to the owners. thank you.

Floral May

May is a spring month and is often characterized by prolonged daytime, better weather and of course, the blooming flowers. 

I have always been and continue to be a big fan of flowers.  During the peak of my anxiety, I regularly bought flowers as they add colors to my home sweet home and basically they add a positive vibe.  In as much as I would like to grow my own plants, flowers, I do not have the luxury of space.  I do not have a garden.  I do own though some plants and as mentioned, I regularly buy a supply of fresh flowers.  I have already included in my regular expense/budget the cost of the flowers.  The investment is worthwhile as the purchase of the flowers has been a bonding, quality moment with my family.  It is also a warm feeling everytime I would go to the florist and we would exchange some conversations.  

Here are some of my favorite flowers:  Daisies, Lily, Carnation, Peonies and Tulips.  

I will continue to buy flowers as long as I can afford them.  And many, many thanks to these lovely flowers for all the positivism and joy that they add up in my home sweet home. 

Have a blessed Sunday to all! 

The Amateur Cook in me.. Easy home made, healthy recipes.. Fit for a busy mom just like me. :)

Sometimes, with our busy schedule, we take the easy way out by buying take away, prepared meals.  It is not a bad option as long as we know the place where we buy our to go food and it is done rarely.  

For this post, I would like to share easy yet healthy recipes fit for a busy mom just like me.  These are recipes which you can whip and cook from 15 minutes to half an hour.  It requires little preparation and in most cases, use the ingredients available in our fridge.  They are also healthy, light and can be kept in out fridge for our next meal.  

I hope you will find this useful.  So, take the apron out and channel the inner Jamie Oliver/chef in us! Take care always! 

1.  Cauliflower Rice - This is a low carb meal and is a good alternative to rice.  We usually serve it with salmon or chicken on the side.  
Ingredients:  Medium sized cauliflower, green peas, carrots, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 eggs (beaten).  Optional: mushrooms and shrimps. 

Slice into portions the cauliflower.  Grate until they have small, coarse texture.  Preheat pan and saute garlic and onion.  Add the carrots.  Add the cauliflower and let them toast/roast for a good 15 minutes (medium heat fire). Continue stirring to avoid the cauliflower getting burnt. If you have shrimps and mushroom, add them to the mixture and continue cooking and stirring.  Put the cauliflower mixture in the side of the pan and make a hole in the middle.  Put the beaten egg and slowly incorporate the cauliflower rice. Mix well until all the ingredients are properly incorporated.  Season with salt and with pepper.  

2.  Ovencooked Potato Fries and Beef Fillet 

Ingredients:  2-3 medium sized potatoes, salt, olive oil, beef 

Slice the potatoes thinly or julienne type.  Season with salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Put in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes until crispy.  
Preheat a grill and put a drizzle of olive oil.  When the grill is hot, put the beef and sear it for 3 minutes each side.  Season with salt and pepper. 

Related links: 
Garlic noodles, turkey bread and pancakes
Vietnamese Spring Rolls