Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Dexie, with her post Blueberry Twisted Cinnamon Bread, on her blog Feistycook (...simply delicious home-cooked meals, etc...)

Looking at Ms. Dexie's shot I am reminded of my mom's cinnamon roll and I wish I can make one myself. My mom normally doesn't use cinnamon much, but when it comes to making breads, she loves adding cinnamon!  It just brings back so many happy memories. Do click on the shot above to check out Ms. Dexie's step-by-step instructions on how she made this delicious treat!

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This week's post is something that we have daily (me, usually) and I just decided to dress it up a bit: Rice (served with Bitter Gourd Fritata in this meal).

Taking Pictures

I have always liked taking pictures. That's why when a friend living abroad offered to buy my first ever Canon camera (it was a point and shoot, but relatively bulky because of the amazing zoom capabilities, which was kind of unheard at that time - the canon powershot S1 IS), I hesitated. Not because it was bulky (she assured me that she'll use foambymail packing foam sheets),but because I wasn't sure which courier she'll use. My family and I were living in the province back then, and sad to say, courier services from abroad were very limited. Good thing she chose one that assured her they can deliver the camera straight to our doorstep!

I tell you, I was totally overjoyed when I received the package! So so happy.

Nowadays, even if I already have a dslr, I mostly use my phone to take pictures. lol. I am hooked into Hipstamatic. Yeah, toy-like camera results. :D

Mother's Organic #Giveaway (Spring Into Green) - ends 4/8,

Welcome to the Spring Into Green Mothers Organic Giveaway!

 Together with Eco-Crazy Mom and an amazing group of bloggers, join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the Mothers Organic store! We give you the chance to win a fantastic prize pack valued at $375.00!

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Kriska Marie, with her post Movie Stars Cafe, on Sweet Nothings.

Another perfect treat for people who are experiencing the summer heat (like us)! Do join Ms. Kriska Marie on this post where she and her loving half visited one of the Metro's movie-themed restaurants, and see whether they did have fun, (or not)! :P

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A light snack for this week's post: Just Tangy Red Radish (on Toast).

FREE Ebook: The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)

The Da Vinci Code: A Novel (Robert Langdon)

Yes, it's FREE! If you haven't read this book yet, then I suggest you do! Or if you just want to have a copy, then get it while it's still free! Amazon has been known to release some books for free for only a certain time and this could happen to this one!

Go, go, go! Get it!

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Mr. Nicholas V., with his post Tartufo, on his blog: Intelliblog.

The humidity right now is unbearable, so this cool treat would be perfect! Want to know how Nick did that? Then click the shot  above to find out! You'll love it!

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This week's food post for me is something I found out just recently: small eggplants! I know, there are different varieties out there, but I just fell in love with these small ones the moment I saw them. Am calling this simply Steamed Eggplants and Okra.

#Giveaway: Boba Carrier (ends 3/31, US only)

Welcome to the Boba Carrier Giveaway Part II!

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood, Four Littles Media, and My Four Littles.

Sponsored by: Boba Family

Co-Hosted by: Gator Mommy Reviews, Boys Oh Boys, The Crazy Coupon Mommy, Fun with Four, and MOMentarily Distracted.

Check out Everything Mommyhood's review of the Boba Carrier 3G HERE.

As a mom, I know that there are times when you need to use both hands to carry something, and at the same time make sure that your toddler is safe and near you. This carrier can help! Your toddler is safely snuggled, and you have both hands free! How awesome is that!!

Now for the giveaway: One lucky winner will win a Boba Carrier of their choice. This is available for US residents only, ages 18 and above. All winning entries WILL be verified

Giveaway ends 4/1/2013 at 12:00am Eastern. Now send in your entries in the rafflecopter widget below.  Lots of Luck!

Bloggers Needed: (FREE Event) Twitter Blast Coach Purse GIVEAWAY

Want to increase your twitter followers for free? If you're a blogger and have your own twitter account, then you qualify!

Visit Madame Deal's post and sign up here!

Please write Picture Clusters as the blog that referred you.
Many thanks!

Pampered Chef Dinner Set #Giveaway!! (ends 4/3, US only)

Welcome to the Pampered Chef Dinner Set Giveaway! 

This blog, Picture Clusters, has teamed up with Oh My Gosh Beck!, Finger Click Saver, This Mama Loves, My Vegan Gluten-Free Life and other fabulous blogs to give away this Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker Dinner Set valued at $155!

Make Rush-Hour Chicken Fajitas (or one of 19 other recipes) in under a half-hour! Discover how fun and easy it can be to put a great meal on the table instead of another bag of the same old takeout. Pampered Chef Dinner Set includes: Deep Covered Baker, Salad Chopper, Chef’s Tongs, two recipe card collections and Chipotle Rub.

Giveaway is open to the US only and ends April 3rd  at 11:59 PM EST. 

To enter, send in your entries via the rafflecopter widget below.

Lots of  luck!

FREE Ebook: Healthy and Fit: 25 Delicious and Healthy Juice Recipes

Healthy and Fit: 25 Delicious and Healthy Juice Recipes

My latest buy... :)

If you're interested, then you'd better grab it now! It is originally priced at $6.99. Grab it while it's still free (some of their free books have been known to revert back to it's original price after a few hours/days).

Today's Random Thought

I have a brother-in-law who is into printing. Actually, it was his father and uncle who started the printing business, and he wanted to continue it (after his father died). I know that he bought some really expensive equipment that would help, and I believe that he even looked up eoncode web to print solutions, since he heard that it can help him considerably with their current situation. The last time I went there was when we dropped something that they needed, and I haven't been back since.

I think it's time I drop them a visit again! :)

Vegan Fusion Cookbooks #Giveaway (ends 4/1, US and Cananda)

Welcome to the Vegan Fusion Cookbook Giveaway!

Together with My Gluten Free Life and other awesome bloggers, we are so happy to be able to bring you this fabulous
Vegan Cookbook Giveaway!

From My Gluten Free Life: A few years ago I had begun my Vegan journey and had visited my sister in Portland, Oregon. She took me to a fabulous restaurant called The Blossoming Lotus. The menu is quite large and we ordered quite a few things to share. I had never tasted such flavorful, fantastic vegan food before. I said to my sister, "I dream of making vegan food taste like this but don't know how". I purchased a cookbook there that was authored by the restaurant owner, Mark Reinfeld. That was the beginning of a fabulous journey into Vegan cooking that wows in taste and preparation! I took a 10 day intensive course from Mark and what a difference it has made in my cooking skills and in my health!

Mark Reinfeld graciously sent me three Vegan cookbooks to review, they are pictured in the giveaway graphic, and he is providing another set of the same 3 cookbooks to give away to one lucky reader! I can't say enough good things about his cookbooks! Many of the recipes are also gluten-free which is nice for me since diagnosed with gluten intolerance.

The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of Europe review of mine can be found here. Vegetarian Times December 2012 issue featured The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of Europe as one of the top Five Cookbooks of the year! Click here to see the recipe and assembly for the Apple Strudel Recipe from Taste of Europe that I made recently.

The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of the East is inspiring! If you love Indian, Thai or Asian foods you will find so many quick, tasty recipes in this book along with the Chef's tips and tricks for enhancing your skills.

The 30 Minute Vegan is a must for a beginning vegan cook. Mark gives so much additional information that will help you stock your vegan pantry and give you keys to success in the kitchen. This cookbook is a goldmine of fabulous quick meals.

Mark Reinfeld also began Vegan Fusion where they promote vegan lifestyle through their cookbooks, trainings, consulting services, retreats and their online courses. Vegan Fusion aspires to empower people to take their health back into their own hands. If you eat Vegan, they have a fabulous newsletter which I highly recommend that you sign up for.....it is FREE!

Now on to the Vegan Fusion Cookbooks Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive the following Cookbooks by Mark Reinfeld:

The 30 Minute Vegan

The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of the East

The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of Europe

This is open to residents of the US and Canada! This giveaway closes April 1, 2013 at 12:01 EST

Enter on the Rafflecopter Below
Lots of Luck!

#Giveaway: $100 Cash!! (ends 3/24, open Worldwide)

Welcome to the $100 Cash Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

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Read more...to Enter (and hopefully WIN!) $100 Cash.

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Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Chef Erwin, with his post "Batchoy" on his blog, lamonsakusina.

I just love Chef Erwin's healthy twist to our "Batchoy" dish! I know you want his recipe for this delicious treat, so why don't you go on ahead and click on the shot above! Well worth it, I tell ya! :)

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My food post for today: Cheesy Cauliflower-Bacon Toast!

It's Only Natural (Ebook)

It's Only Natural: 200 natural cleaning product recipes to have a green, healthy and allergy free home and garden:

With all the hazardous chemicals being used as cleaning agents these days, I find this ebook a "refreshing" change. lol. Yes, honestly I do. Sure, sometimes the harsh chemicals may seem to clean faster, but just imagine what it would do to our environment (and with our children's children living in it!)! I must admit, I use some of those chemicals sometimes, but I am trying to shift to organic cleaners these days.

Sometimes it doesn't clean as thoroughly, but hey...I don't mind. lol. As long as we won't get sick, then that's fine by me. It is difficult at times, but...

Slowly, but surely. :)

No Stage Fright, but...

The first time I ever stood on a stage I was nervous...and I was only about five or six years old back then. I don't think our school had one of those shure sm7b microphones, but I wasn't that keen on noticing the microphone. All I knew was that all eyes were on me, and I honestly didn't like it! lol. Until now I am still uncomfortable when placed in similar situations. I'd rather be in the background, or behind the scenes. :D

I didn't have stage fright back then. I remembered what I was supposed to say (it was a poem about Sticky Fingers..yeah, I can still remember the title. lol). But I was so relieved when I finished my piece!

The limelight? Let someone else take my place, please. :D

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Iska, with her post: Salted Egg Salad and Buttered Prawns with Salted Egg Sauce, on her blog ISKAndals.com

I just love how Ms. Iska thought of adding salted egg sauce to her buttered prawns! Very creative, I must say! Do click on the shot above to see the recipes - highly recommended! 

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Ham and Mushroom Spaghetti, my lunch last Wednesday.

Picture Taking is...

I take a lot of pictures. As in, a lot! Normally I don't have any specific idea about the kind of shots that I take because most of the time it's just spontaneous. I just make sure I have my camera with me all the time. My first camera was categorized as a point and shoot, so carrying it around was no problem. It was only when we upgraded to a dslr (digital single lens reflex) camera that I began having issues. Oh, nothing big; it's just that most of the time I prefer taking macro shots, but when we go out I like taking landscape shots, too. That means two lenses for the dslr... and meaning more space needed! Heavier, too. Eventually we got another dslr, and yes, bulkier bags. lol. But it can't be helped; we just love taking pictures!

Getting them printed is another concern, though. One of the moms I am acquainted with, and who is a professional photographer, suggested some labs that do reliable poster printing (among other services), which she patronizes. She currently has her own photo studio, which she manages and operates together with her husband. However, photo sessions with them have to be scheduled (no walk-ins) since they are both currently working for a television company, which takes up most of their time. It's great how they have managed to run their own studio and at the same time work for one of the biggest television companies in the country! Awesome! That's why I immediately looked online when she showed me her prints, and said, "So go ahead and have a look at the site. You'll love not only their poster printing and the variety of other services that they offer, but also the quality of the products!". I was happy to note that prices were competitive, site navigation was simple, and the reviews were positive. Will be ordering from them real soon!

Selling my prints would be a dream come true, but for now I am just as happy snapping away whenever I have the time. Taking pictures is therapeutic for me. :)

#Giveaway: Boba Carrier Double Giveaway! (ends 3/16, US only)

This Giveaway is Hosted by:

Four Littles Media, My Four Littles, and Everything Mommyhood

Sponsored by: Boba Family

My youngest might be old enough for a carrier, but I know that there is someone out there who needs this! It might not be you (or it could be YOU!), or it might be someone that you know... so do join!

Visit My Four Littles for their Boba Organic Carrier Review.

Cohosted by:

Gator Mommy Reviews, Boys Oh Boys, The Crazy Coupon Mommy,

Fun With Four, and MOMentarily Distracted

One winner will receive a baby carrier from Boba Carriers.

US Only. All entries will be verified before winner is notified.

Send in your entries via the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway ends March 16th at 12:00am.

Lots of Luck!

FREE Ebook: Snacks Under 100 Calories!

My latest download.
Trying to eat healthy. :)

Slim Down Snacks Under 100 Calories That Keep You Feeling Full

#Giveaway: Kindle Fire (ends 4/1, US only)

Hello There!
Welcome to the Four Littles Media Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Hosted by: My Four Littles and Four Littles Media

Cohosted by: 

Everything Mommyhood, Mommy's Craft Obsession, Pink Ninja Blog, A Medic's World,Stay a Stay at Home Mom, Monica's Rants, Raves, and Reviews, Shaping Up to Be a Mom,Writing As Art, An Ordinary Housewife, Me and My Handful, The Stuff of Success,This Mama Loves Her Bargains, Krazy Coupon Club, Coupons With Q, Boy Oh Boys, My Devotional Thoughts, and Simply Sherryl

Most of us LOVE to read, but sometimes you just can't bring along all the books that you'd love finish. The solution? A Kindle! I recently got my own Kindle and trust me, it's the best thing ever! I can bring with me ALL the books that I want to read without getting my back bent over; and the other best thing: Amazon has plenty of free books that you can download! So for book lovers (or those who know someone who loves books), this GIVEAWAY is for you!

Prize: Kindle Fire from Amazon.com

This giveaway is open to those ages 18 and up in the United States. The giveaway will end 12am EST on April 1, 2013. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email announcement. All entries will be verified. The only entry required is the first one, completing extra entries only increase your chances of winning. This giveaway is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Please email contactus@myfourlittles.com with any questions or concerns.