This coming February 14 what are you planning to do alone or with someone? If you haven’t found out, here are some ideas you can start with or include in your plan.

1. Watch a movie in the cinema

Classic date night in the cinema for me never gets old. You spend time focusing on the same thing is intimate and builds connection. Make sure that whoever you are with agrees with the movie you will watch.

2. Dine in a restaurant

Another classic one. Try out a tasting menu. Or a fancy steak house. But again checkout your companion cos you don’t wanna bring your vegan or vegetarian data in an all-you-can-eat Samgyupsal restaurant.

3. Attend a concert

Do you have a band or orchestra you enjoy listening to? Then you might find where they are performing in two weeks and reserve your tickets. Be together until midnight with the type of music you both enjoy.

4. Walk around the park

A date does not necessarily about spending too much. Knowing the person you wanna take on this kind of activity is vital. You can spend your time roaming around checking out stuff in the park making sure you do not complain having painful legs at the end of the day.

5. Street food crawling

I love street food and if you take me to one I will consider that a sweet gesture on a date. It is cheap but I love these food. However, if your date is not a fan of this kind of food then consider other activities on this list.

6. Shopping

Nothing is wrong in retail therapy as long as it is still within your ‘wants’ budget. Window shopping may be therapeutic to others and may also be the root cause of your stress so communicate your intention when doing this kind of activity alone or with someone.

7. Play arcade games

Video games, basketball, or car racing. Name it and most big arcades have it. An hour won’t be enough and therefore you have more time to spend with that person enjoying different games and getting a price if you are lucky enough to hit a jackpot to get that big teddy!

8. See a theater play

It may be boring or worth each other’s time. The key is to ask your date to honestly tell you if he/she want to see a play cos you will need time before that play to book your tickets and you don’t wanna bore your date after that day of the play.

9. Cook food and do a picnic

Cooking our meals is cheap but can give someone the impression of you making an effort to cook especially if you cooked that person’s favorite food because you gave attention to what they say or do. Checkout the picnic area and bring food that is appropriate in the place.

10. Trekking

This one is kinda intense if you consider like trekking the highest mountains! LOL. But why not if both of you agreed go for it and then you can spend the night camping there if the place allows. Plan to bring the needed stuff before doing this one.

11. Do bar hopping

But, do not get too drunk especially if it is your first date. It may be a turn off to your date. Bar hopping gives the both of you varieties of bar ambiance. Sometimes some bars may have fun games or a live band and lucky you if you get to those bars!

12. Camping

Whether at the foot of the mountain, by the beach or lake, camping is something that will allow you to know your person better. This is spending the night with the resources available and enjoying the company you have while dealing on whatever challenge that may arise in the camp.

13. Try out all the rides in an amusement park

Age is just a number. Unleash your inner child by spending the day in an amusement park and trying out all the available rides. Your date may be scared of the rollercoaster but may want to try it with you and that gives you an idea of the trust that person has in you.

14. Spend the day in a museum

I like going to historical museum but my friend easily gets bored in there so talk to your date if they want to go there if they said yes you may need to reserve your tickets. This can create conversations that may arise while looking around the things that interest you both.

The key in all the above-mentioned activities would be to communicate the plans you have. Surprises are fun if you know very well who you gonna surprise. But, knowing that both of you enjoy the activities you are planning will result to a more successful Valentine’s date!

Valentine’s day is in two weeks time! Have you thought of any flowers to give your special someone? Here are some of the flowers you can give them and their scientific names:

1. Rose (Rosa sp.)

2. Tulip (Tulipa sp.)

3. Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)

4. Orchid (Order Orchidaceae)

5. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

6. Lily Stargazer (Lilium sp.)

7. Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

8. Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

9. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

10. Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

11. Daisy (Bellis perennis)

12. Iris (Iris sp.)

13. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)

14. Geranium (Pelargonium sp.)

You can also mix and match these flowers or get a mixture of this into a bouquet. Or, if you are on a budget, try out paper flowers with a personalized note in there. Surely, someone special in your hear will appreciate the flower you gave them as long as you make them feel loved.

Love season is just sitting around the corner. Have you ever thought where to bring your date, bf, gf, mom, dad, sibling or yourself (cos *insert Miley Cyrus’ Flowers* I can date myself)? Here are some places where you can bring that special someone:

1. Park

2. Beach

3. Mountain

4. Cinema

5. Restaurant

6. Cave

7. Amusement Park

8. February Fair

9. Concert

10. Light Show

11. Zoo

12. Arcade

13. Botanical Garden

14. Lake

Or, if you are both home buddies, you can set your date night at home with home-made food watching TV or playing video games!

Be patient.

Every year some of us make a list of New Year’s Resolutions.

Things we wanna change ourselves for the better.

You may or may not achieve those things this year.

Or maybe not even next year on your 2025 New Year’s Resolutions.

But, as long as you are making an effort towards that goal, it will happen.

You will become the person you could not stop imagining.

Consistency, commitment, and discipline.

Easy to know these words but harder to apply in real life.

We often developed these things we wanted to change in ourselves.

And, not overnight you will become a different person.

It will take time.

And knowing that you are doing it for your good, you will be good.

Be patient.

There will be times you will have to restart again.

Or unmotivated days when you could not find reasons behind your efforts.

Thinking that I was ok before so why do these changes?

Remember why you even started.

It’s not gonna be easy.

But, it will be worth it.

Be patient to the person you are becoming.

Especially, if you haven’t been that person before.

What do you need?

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained (you can also chop based on your desired size)

1/2 cup frozen spinach or sautéed in olive oil and drained fresh spinach

1/2 cup greek plain yogurt or sour cream

1/2 cup garlic or plain mayonnaise

8 ounces of cream cheese in room temperature

1/2 tbsp minced fresh garlic

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 cup powdered or grated parmesan for toppings (optional)

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg F.

2. You can mix everything all together in one go but I prefer mixing everything except the artichoke and spinach and mix them after. This allowed me to easily distribute the flavor evenly.

3. You can grease your baking dish before putting the mixture but I did not and it still worked.

4. Put the remaining powdered or grated cheese all over the top.

5. Bake for about 23 minutes in the preheated oven.

6. Serve with carrots, celery, crackers or bread.

The supermarket is full of vegetable of all kinds. However, there are a lot of vegetables I like that I do not see often in the market. These vegetables have distinct flavor that you may either get from your backyard for free or at your neighbors for free as well but make sure to ask for their permission. I list these veggies below.

Here are the Filipino name – English name – Scientific name of these vegetables:

1. Dahon ng ampalaya – Ampalaya leaves – Momordica charantia

2. Bunga ng malunggay – Malunggay fruit – Moringa oleifera

3. Bulaklak ng katuray – Katuray/vegetable hummingbird flowers – Sesbania grandiflora

4. Dahon ng sampalok – Young tamarind leaves – Tamarindus indica

5. Bulaklak ng kalabasa – Squash flowers – Cucurbita maxima

6. Alugbati – Malabar/Ceylon spinach – Basella alba

7. Kulitis – Edible amaranthus – Amaranthus viridis

8. Labong/ubod ng nyog – Coconut shoots – Cocos nucifera

9. Dahon ng kamoteng kahoy – Young cassava leaves – Manihot esculenta

10. Pako – Fiddlehead fern – Diplazium esculentum

11. Saluyot – Nalita jute – Corchorus olitorius

12. Himbabao – Birch flower – Broussonetia luzonica

13. Labong – Bamboo shoots – Bambusa vulgaris

14. Dahon ng camote – Sweet potato tops – Ipomoea batatas