Organic Detergent

I have to admit that laundry detergents are among the common household items that I buy on auto pilot.  Whenever Nards tells me we need detergent while we're at the supermarket, we'd head to the household cleaners aisle and get two to three refills.  I knew at that time that it was a major water pollutant that kills plants and fish, and that it contains harsh chemicals that cause cancer and reproductive disorders.

At a kiosk in Trinoma that sells organic and green items where I get my Messy Bessy stuff, I finally found locally made organic detergent.  They carried three brands, but I was told that Plantex Green was the best.  It comes in 1kg boxes at Php125 each.  I think it's a tad bit more expensive that the usual commercial brands, but it's a small price to pay for the sake of Mother Earth and good health.

So far, I like it!  It cleans clothes well, and they come out delicately fragrant.  It's economical too, because I use slightly less per load as I normally do with our previous brand.

It's now a staple on our grocery list.  I hope you can add it to yours.

Top Chef Masters

I am very picky about the reality shows I watch because I despise drama especially contrived drama that they air for the sake of ratings.  Although I do tolerate the drama if it's interesting enough.

I'm so happy that my sister introduced me to Top Chef Masters. This show gives me my reality TV fix sans the drama. It's basically your Top Chef, except the contenders are renowned and accomplished chefs.  There is still a cash price, but the amount is donated to the charity of their choice.  Here the tables are turned: these chefs are given the same challenges that they judged on Top Chef, and sometimes their dishes are evaluated by the contestants whom they assessed in the original show.  They feature celebrity judges that are so much fun to watch.  And the dishes!!  It puts the ones produced in the original show to shame.  (Never watch this on an empty stomach.)

I honestly don't know who to root for.  All the contenders are experts in the culinary world.  They have respect and mutual admiration for each other. 

I have to admit my favorite among all of them is Chef Hubert Keller. He's the most accomplished among the lot, and has the most cheerful disposition despite the frustrating challenges they receive.  Everyone is in awe of him and wants to work with him.

Top Chef Masters is currently on it's second season and airs on Bravo TV.  Locally, it airs on Wednesdays at 10PM on 2nd Avenue.

Online Strips

I am an avid fan of online comics.  For some reason, I feel that comic strips are not worth buying unless it's a graphic novel or it's Calvin and Hobbes.  Right now I am following two comics that are completely different from each other.


(Piled Higher and Deeper) PHD Comics
(updated 2-3 times a week)

Reminds me so much when I was studying for my Compre.

I stumbled upon this a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't stop reading simply because I could relate to it.  It reminded me of the days when I was taking my Masters degree in UP; of my jobs that were funded by government/international agencies; of the days my sister was still with a consultancy firm and was also teaching.

My sister kindly gave me a link about the creator of this strip. I am impressed with his resume.  Truly a brilliant mind with a great sense of humor. 


Freak Angels
(updated every Monday, US-time)

I can't remember how I came to know about this strip.  But with this first panel, I was hooked.  There is just something about it that made me read through.

The strip focuses on 12 people who share some kind of power.  It tells the story of how they help rebuild the world they actually destroyed.

Apart from it's unpredictable story, I love the artwork of this comic.  Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield make an amazing pair as seen in their work in Freak Angels.