Author: livelifeandlove

Hi! I’m Mari. My blog is all about me, my experience, wildlife, photography, travel and adventure, culture, tradition and other people that will give you a better perspective of the time in which you live. In here, You’ll discover the things I love most and passionate about. I usually focus to more educational and informative topics expressing my own thoughts using my own words, ideas, and honest statements. Included here are my collection of facts and dreams with beautiful photographs to make it visible for your inspiration and browsing pleasure. I would like to share my stories with the world, with photographs that will serve as a support to see what I’m describing as you read it.This is to share reality and show the best and good things in life. To the photograph itself, can make your own thoughts and my feelings visible to share with you and my site serves to store my thoughts and ideas. Of course, I can tell a lot of things by looking at the photographs alone following my explanation to achieve my purpose eventhough, photographs can speaks for itself, the author can simply fill up the missing part of it. This is what I want to do in my life, to write, share my learning and stories to make you a part of it. When you come to know more about yourself, you’ll know what you can offer to the world. This is what I can offer to you! I feel great to share with you not only my interesting stories but also to inspire you viewing spectacular and timeless photos. Read my articles about the birds, with my conservation message,and my lifelong dedication and contribution to wildlife.Thank you readers for the positive feedback.I have learned a lot from you. Note: If there is any oversight may have been made is unintentional and will be corrected. If there is any resemblance to any actual place, events, locales or persons is entirely coincidential.

Fresh Fruits in a Cocktail Glass

By livelifeandlove on October 24, 2020

Serving whatever you have on hand is the most laid-back method to host guests. There’s no need to scramble to come up with a meal idea; just open the fridge and pull out whatever gives you the most energy. I’m sure they’d appreciate a plate of fresh, healthy fruits as they arrived, and any variety of fruit is always on hand and ready to be presented.

The good thing about serving fruits? It can be ready in a matter of minutes and is an excellent way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. The option for today is healthy and delicious. Serving fruits in cocktail glasses isn’t my normal procedure, but when time is of the essence due to a rush, I always go for it! Self-prepared fresh fruits have no equal, and they only take around 10 to 15 minutes to prepare, requiring no cooking on your part.

Fill your fridge and table with as many different kinds of fruit as possible. You can often tell which fruit flavor goes best with which by experimenting with different combinations. I have experimented with combining fruits of varying flavors and textures, as well as arranging fruit slices in a wide variety of containers, including bowls, plates, cups, boats, and cocktail glasses.

To ensure a clean cut, I used a paring knife because it is lighter and more manageable than a regular knife. The fruits should have a high concentration of sweetness and aroma for the best possible mix.

Note : When buying fruits ,make a good selection of family favorites. It must be firm, free of bruises and fresh.

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Stunning Mating Butterflies

By livelifeandlove on October 15, 2020

Seeing the monarch butterflies, my first morning guests, mating was a lovely surprise. You’ve probably never seen something like this before—a mass migration of insects.

Take a closer look of my macro subject, this is a rare shots you need to see at least once.

Attempting a few close-ups will make every flaw visible, as well as making the butterflies look much bigger than they actually are.

Okay, guys! Until my next post, take care! I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.

Take care and Goodnight

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

Home Cooking during Pandemic

By livelifeandlove on October 12, 2020

Note: This is the continuation of my blog, ”Home Cooking during Coronavirus Pandemic”

Home cooking during this season offers another marvelous opportunity to cook more and to eat more, it’s a day entirely dedicated to enjoying home-cooked meals. These days, planning a meal for the family is simple, but it can be difficult to accommodate everyone’s preferences. As a result, many households end up preparing more than one meal at the same time, which results in more time spent cooking.

The pandemic has made it more difficult for everyone to go out and shop, as there are now more factors to think about (such as the best days to go out shopping) and less readily available food. Due to a rise in the number of home cooks, both experienced chefs and those just starting out are finding themselves short on staple ingredients. Thank goodness there are plenty of grocery stores close by. Because I am alone in the kitchen, I have to work quickly when time is of the essence and I need to get dinner on the table as soon as possible. By planning meals in advance or the day before and taking advantage of a few shortcuts, I save not only time but money as well. The high price of food is beyond my means. I always choose the cheapest option.

Since the pandemic began, my life has taken a turn for the worse, and I often feel hopeless about the future. I’m sure I’m not the only one who shudders at the thought of what comes after a pandemic; in preparation for it, I’ve been extra careful ever since, and I even made some rules for the house to ensure that everyone stays healthy and safe. Like all mothers, I have to enforce strict rules at home.

No matter what the norm of the future turns out to be, the food we eat every day won’t change. Home-cooked meals are unparalleled. I feel closer to my family now that I have experienced a true taste of home. Agreed, it’s a pleasure to prepare a meal for a loved one.

Here are my tried and true family meals during the pandemic

At home, I served two different types of recipes, along with a soup or salad as an appetizer. In order to maintain a healthy diet, I focus on selecting foods that are high in the essential nutrients. In an effort to model healthy eating behaviors for my children, I prepare vegetables on a daily basis. Creating special versions of dishes we eat on a regular basis is one of the ways I try to brighten my family’s day and communicate my love and concern to them through the medium of food.

My before and after cooking pictures

Before

If I’m going to cook, I want the scent to permeate the entire house; believe me when I say that it almost always gets everyone in the family gathered around the table right away.

After

Here’s one I prepared earlier, it’s a Classic Morcon a dish that is well-liked by all. I usually make extra food so that I can save some for the next day or keep some on hand for a quick dinner the day after that. Also, I like to have something ready to go for lunch the day after that. Since it is a meal that has already been prepared, heating it up on the weekend will be relatively simple.

Before/After pictures of Mango Float

Mango Float, an icebox cake layered with fresh ripe mangoes, graham crumbs, condensed milk, and, of course, the Alaska Crema whipped cream, is a cold delights dessert. Making this sweet treat is a breeze.

Before/After Pictures

Cholesterol Free Pancake with fresh fruits for breakfast. My cholesterol-free pancake routine is getting boring, so I’m going to switch things up by adding fresh fruit. When we make our own breakfast, I can control what goes into my family’s food.

Before/After cooking pictures of Garlic Buttered Crabs

We prefer male crabs because their larger claws hold more white meat, but the female crab’s meat, especially the orange fat they call “aligue,” is tastier in my opinion.

Before/After pictures of Oysters omelette

My Oyster Omelette is a wonderful addition to the table, and because it is so simple to make, it is an excellent choice for a speedy meal on hectic days. I purchased these oysters at SM Supermarket, where they were contained in a transparent plastic brick and priced appropriately. When shopping for oysters at the grocery store, it is important to be aware of the different types available and determine which ones are best suited for cooking. Oysters purchased there are safe to consume, but when I go to the wet market, I always make sure to ask the vendors there where the oysters originate because this is a common question. I don’t buy oysters or any other shellfish that comes from Cavite waters because I just think they are dirty. The red tide poisoning that comes from Cavite oysters is extremely dangerous. Oysters can be obtained in an easy and risk-free manner by purchasing them from supermarkets; however, they need to be cooked on the same day that they are purchased.

Easy Beef Nachos our favorite snack.

My homemade Assorted Fruit Shakes and Smoothies

I love surprises! This is something a little special to serve.

Pineapple-Pear Shake

Kiwi-Strawberry Shake

There is nothing better than foods that have been cooked at home, especially when the kitchen is in charge. It takes a little bit of patience to achieve great results when using any of my cooking methods, whether they are modern or traditional. However, this is all worth it in order to make our house a better place….

I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. Maintain your safety and good health.

Take care and Goodnight fellas!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Mid-Autumn Festival / Mooncake Festival 2020

By livelifeandlove on October 1, 2020

My greetings to all Chinese worldwide

”Happy Mid-Autumn Festival”

It’s time again to celebrate the brightest full moon of the year, the ”Mooncake Festival also known as Mid-Autumn Festival” it falls on this day Thursday October 1, 2020. In Hongkong and Singapore it is also referred to as a celebration of harvest and ”Lantern festival” Every year on the 15th day of the 8th month of Lunar calendar Chinese countries such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and all countries throughout East and Southeast Asia celebrated this important event.

Today, fellow Chinese families will gather to celebrate the moon fest with good luck food, family reunion, moon gazing and it is already a tradition to go out in the evening to admire the brightest full moon of the year while partaking their favorite mooncake and it is usually accompanied by a tea. This is also a romantic time for lovers, they usually stay up late to view the dramatic full moon outdoors.

This year 2020 would be a different celebration because of travel restrictions and to practice social distancing, not to gather in groups but still celebration will go on as long as you ‘ll legally take safety measures.

Wishing you all good health and safety!

Mooncake is a sweet Chinese delicacy usually rounded in form contains a thin or thick pastry including the yolk of salted duck eggs to symbolize the moon. The sweet filling is made from red bean paste, mung bean paste, lotus paste to name a few..

Versions of Mooncakes

Mooncake with sesame

Other versions depends on the Chinese country you’re in.

Thanks for reading my latest blog!

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Rare Pink Atis or Sugar Apples

By livelifeandlove on September 28, 2020

Sugar Apple or Annona Squamosa, a tropical fruit in the Philippines with a pink or green heart-shaped fruit with pronounced green scales. Widely considered wild fruits thrive rapidly in any types of soil, grown from seed and can be planted in rough corners of the garden, it also looks attractive outdoors bearing many fruits at the same time and the tree never become tall enough with no disturbance to other plants. It is well adjusted even in a small spaces, the garden doesn’t need to be spacious to plant this kind of fruit.

I was so excited to discover the first fruit of an atis grown in our own backyard, it’s a pink Thailand variety, the fruit tree was abundant. Thailand varieties are much larger and far more luscious than the native ones.

My First harvest, pink in color with no bruises and black spots at all. The sweet taste is refreshing especially when it is cold but the most intriguing is to see the scaly- rough skin and the fruit itself contain numerous seeds. I’ve collected more than 15 seeds from one medium Atis alone.

Freshy-picked, you can see the internal parts, the creamy white in color of the flesh and the big stalk inside. From the picture itself, you can now imagine how many seeds inside it. To eat this kind of fruit, you need to be patient to remove the seeds however, it’s worth to taste the sweetness.

One thing good about picking fruits in your own backyard, well assured to be guaranteed fresh, clean and first hand to touch it. I’ve reduced and produced my expenses for fruits growing in our own backyard, it’s a big help and the excitement to get up early to pick the fruits is a blessing!

Atis tree continuously bearing fruits all year round, indeed, it is designed for our weekly consumption throughout the year, I just hope the tree will live longer.

When Picking Atis

Fruits can be left on trees until fully ripe or you can pick it after maturity, that is, if you know the indicator of maturity, you wait 2 days after picked up. If you have this kind, the only problem after maturity, birds and bats present a big problem in growing sugar apples and maybe necessary to cover the fruit before ripening time.

When buying Atis

Having bruises and black spots is not good, just represents how many people have touched it. Blackening of scales makes the fruit dirty and annoying to see, much as safer to buy a fresh one and the first hand.

Take care everyone, see you next posts…

Thanks for reading my blog!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Technology/ Learning Tips

For Snails, Fork or Toothpick? Helpful Tips

By livelifeandlove on September 24, 2020

In the restaurant, they serve some of my seafood favorites like; Black tiger prawns, crabs, lobsters, oysters, octopus. Beside the seafood platters, there’s a separate saucer for toothpicks to extract flesh of snails. If you noticed, toothpicks are often provided when snails are served especially in buffet restaurants. Informal way, they provide toothpick for snails and for formal is always with tongs accompanied by steel snail fork.

Now, in Buffet restaurants, what are those toothpicks for? If you hear the word toothpick, would immediately come to mind the definite purpose is normally used for picking the dirt of teeth and now we are using for food, that’s two different thing which is not good for two different purpose of one kind. Is it a yucky thing? It is already a common practice around. Oftentimes, following a good dinner when guests are dressed up and toothpicks are served first when snails are present for appetizers. However, after eating, usually you ask for the same kind.

It is already a common practice that you can see around. It’s probably the easiest way to keep table setting simple because of the number of guests involved that they can’t provide the proper fork intended for the purpose. Normally, in rural areas, they don’t use toothpick for snails either, they use their mouth to suck up pieces inside.

Ginataang Kuhol

I will now share with you my unforgettable but funny experience. I never forget the first time I tried snail in the province. At first serious sampling,I threw up! I’ve tried it again the 2nd time, this time is a more serious tasting. The good recipe was Ginataang Kuhol, the aroma you can smell inside the house and thought it was delicious. I carefully imitate what the olds are doing. Following it, I carefully picked one and goes directly to my mouth and sucked it. Glorious! I’m a damn sucker! I sucked everything including the flesh, watery part and sandy portion. The bad thing? I almost sucked the whole piece of shell. LOL! It was here that I learned to love the taste minus the shell.

My helpful tips calling for a change

For more successful and safe results, I suggest to use and select the best fork suited for seafood. It is improper and unpleasant to see toothpicks beside the food itself. Simple rules are easy to learn following basic rules in using appropriate fork. We have different kinds of fork for seafoods like; lobster fork, prawns fork, fish fork and cocktail fork for squid and octopus too.

Which fork works best for snails? Seafood is considered safe and special using appropriate fork which is easier intended for this purpose. If you don’t have the steel snail fork or silver one, there’s a decorative fork which is plastic but firm and disposable like toothpicks too, the price is just right especially the small ones just like the price of toothpicks in a box. Check photos above of Ginataang Kuhol with decorative snail fork that has a firm pointed tines.

Pollinator-Friendly Garden/Baguio Botanical Park

By livelifeandlove on September 23, 2020

For nature lovers and flower enthusiasts, one attraction you should never miss when visiting the city of Pines (Baguio city) is the Botanical Garden, it is a peaceful refuge to reconnect with nature, you’ll see here the most beautiful flowers that comes in range of colors from bright pink, red, orange, and yellow, name it, they all have it! Other flowers with lovely blossoms turning to wonder shades of blue, purple and deep red in the afternoon, it added interesting textures to the garden.

I never miss to visit this place when in the ‘’City of the Cool Sun’’ I’m putting more time to enjoy strolling around the stunning hidden paths of the outstandingly handsome foliage and perennials grown directly in the ground.

The buzzing of bees and the presence of other pollinators like honeybees and butterflies caught my attention, couldn’t help but snap few photos, taking snapshots is fun and rewarding undertaking while enjoying the cool weather. Let me show you some of the photos taken there but I tell you one thing, flowers be the most frequently photographed subject of nature but to include the honeybees pollinating the flowers makes it more interesting, that should be kept in mind too. Hope you’ll agree after viewing, Let’s get started!

Photos of Beautiful Flowers and the Honeybees

Baguio Botanical Garden is really a pollinator- friendly garden, you’ll see here the process of pollination, on how honeybees pollinate the flowers. Stunning Dahlias produced the larger flowers of all varieties.

Me with the honeybees working together they will pollinate the flowers, I do the shots. This is ‘lil fun Jo!

Focusing very close to the subject to get this result, macro shots!

I’m very careful in doing this, timing must be precise enough not to disturb bees.

Dahlia flowers- the best flowers for the honeybees, it provides pollen and sweet nectar which is the favorite of the honeybees however, you’ll see the Inula and everlasting flowers which are also a honeybee favorite as well.

How do bees pollinate flowers? Check my macro shots.

Honeybees feast on everlasting flowers too.

Honeybees pollinating Inula flowers.

Baguio Botanical Garden is really a restful shelter on hot summer days, a place of relaxation and tranquility.

Thanks for reading my blog!

See you next posts..

Magnificent Sunset Over Manila Bay

By livelifeandlove on September 19, 2020

To relieve stress, take few minutes out of your time to experience the romantic moments of sunset. Viewing these magnificent sunset photos is just like bringing you to a peaceful place to find the serenity from the comfort of your bed, you’ll explore the beauty of nature without even leaving home. It’s nice to view before bedtime, I’m 100% sure you’ll get a restful sleep afterwards.

While facing the global crisis, you’ll come to realize that sunset can do wonders, viewing can be quiet soothing and it will remind you how beautiful life is! Now, Let’s get started!

The Beautiful Manila Bay Sunset

I regularly checked all photos from file folders of my desktop, I had a magnificent array to choose from among most compelling images from different travels in and out of the country, my local road trips, beautiful landmarks, beach photos, food, people and other lovely landscapes. I feel like a time traveler, I just want to put my heart into my stories. I’m using 22 sunset photos all in all, it was photographed before the pandemic. Ok fellas! Happy viewing!

Photography Location: Manila Bay (Port of Manila) Roxas Boulevard, Manila Phils.

The beauty of nature that passes so quickly, when the sun touches the horizon in a matter of minutes, when the light reflected off the water, it adds a strong romantic mood of the image.

Me with the sunset, I’m doing a good habit to find something new to feature here, it represents a great turning point to cheer you up while facing coronavirus pandemic season. There are more surprises waiting for you here, you may also love the beauty of nature from the rocky coastline to reflective sea. I’m here to capture great moments at my favorite photography spot, Manila Bay Roxas Blvd.

The sunset over Manila bay, a very dramatic setting in the evening, the glowing radiance of red, yellow, orange, purple and blue reflections of the sun below the horizon.

The fishermen’s bestfriend, an extremely reliable dog with the background of the dramatic sunset.

Handsome dog with the sunset background is a beautiful piece to add here. It’s rare find to see them here.

The sad cat is another rare animal never before seen here. I’m lucky to have 3 species around while capturing the sunset.

The horse makes a lovely setting, horse-drawn carriage tour is common here, we call it,”Kalesa”

This guy made a living by selling balloons here, he had all the youthful colors that brings beauty to the background.

Around here, you’ll see the ship, yacht and Fishermen’s boat, it adds interesting element to the background.

Outrageously, a stunning view of the bayside sunset. The sun sets just beside the Hotel H2O, a fine dining is good while watching the sunset, it is really a spectacular spot for sunset dining.

Light from the water brings interesting foreground and background details.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Stay Safe Everyone and Take care!

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Quarantine Photography/Carpenter Bees

By livelifeandlove on September 16, 2020

What a little progress moving through difficult times, we don’t have the normal movement during this pandemic. Most of our movement are restricted and limited, I’m not at my normal activity anymore. All my everyday activities have changed throughout tough times, I can’t go out to shoot interesting subjects, I’m scared, I need to take necessary measures to protect my health, I just have to stay home until coronavirus pandemic is over but when? Life seems uncertain for now. I’m terribly missing my normal routine of pre-pandemic life.

Going through while staying hopeful to cheer me up, I’m doing a good habit to photograph what our garden offers, I think this would be an endless garden photography, it gave me the opportunity to feel the cool breeze, the morning dew and blooming flowers with insects encircling around. These photos of carpenter bees are entertainment to view and will surely cheer you up during coronavirus pandemic season. Carpenter bees are not social insects like the honeybees and bumble bees but they do not bite, they are not aggressive, the female does have but will only sting if handled directly. Go for it! I hope you’ll enjoy viewing my morning visitors.

Note: Macro Photography of Honeybees next post, don’t miss it! More selection of items from butterflies to bees, dragonflies and the blooming flowers.

25 Photos of Beautiful Carpenter Bees

From a different perspective during isolation, the garden would be my favorite photography spot for now, I need to grow and challenge my photography skills. For a blogger like me, this is one effective measure to kill boredom.

These photos serves as my quarantine collection of carpenter bees, it’s a reminder of my long quarantine activities. It’s not easy to snap these flying insects under extreme location exposing my skin under the bright sun in mid-afternoon shooting however, I’m lucky to have them in our own front and backyard garden.

I hope you’ll like it, these carpenter bees photos will surely provides smiles and happiness during difficult times.

Ok Fellas!

Keep Safe and Healthy

Thanks for reading my blog!

Hoping for a COVID-Free Christmas

By livelifeandlove on September 2, 2020

It’s now the 2^nd day of ‘’Ber Months’’ it is running from September-December, it reminds us of the coming of holiday season and countdown to Christmas. What to expect? Is it a spirit to get us even more? We’ll come to that later. At least we now experience a bit cooler weather, we hear Christmas songs on the radio, we usually see Christmas trees and delightful decorations in shopping malls and the fun preparation and excitement to decorate starts but what is Christmas in the year of COVID-19? It is hard to imagine that we will celebrate Christmas differently this year 2020.

Given the concern and restrictions about the Coronavirus pandemic, the reduction of air travelers, it is impossible to think restrictions would be lifted by Christmas. What Christmas Year 2020 would look like? I think, there’s no more holiday shopping, no lucky find in the department store, no more New Year Countdown. At the present time, people are scared to go out into crowds and closed spaces. It is also weird to think that Santa will also wear mask and face shield (personal protective equipment) Can you guess what’s inside Santa’s bag? Is it hand sanitizers, alcohol, liquid gel to destroy the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19? Will Santa have to social distance too? it might be a COVID Christmas and I’m super worried Santa’s ‘’Ho Ho Ho’’ would be Hu Hu Hu…

Expectations from people like me, as an optimist, I’m naturally delighted to what people believe in, it’s a COVID-free Christmas but when you look at your life, something different we look through, the greatest happiness this holiday season is for Santa to deliver vaccine in advance. I think that’s pretty special! Things might not be completely good until there is vaccine.

I’m reviewing my memory list, I’m a memory keeper, I have had a list of old notes from past years, the names of my close friends, colleagues and cousins to share simple pleasures with. I never forget wonderful friends no matter if its COVID or not…

It’s too early to think about Christmas, forget first the frosty decors and the festive tree trimmings, no more planning ahead, no more advance booking to travel, no more Christmas holidays abroad for the family. Other friends, they have to spend Christmas apart because of the coronavirus. Anyway, planning is underway to ensure a safe yuletide season to all. Our presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque said’’ it is still possible to enjoy holiday season in the Philippines. We’ll see, lets pray and hope for the best to come.

Goodnight everyone. Take care. Stay safe and healthy.

Thanks for reading my blog!

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