February 27, 2012

Valentine's Day

Simple menu for our Valentine's Day Dinner

I was not able to post this entry because of being busy and stressed this past weeks...better late than never...

As on my previous entry, we had already dined at one of pizza house as Valentine's family treat . But to celebrate the Valentine's Day, I cooked something to enjoy. I made fried chicken and potatoes, my own version of chao fan (a special fried rice). I also tried one of the recipes I saw in a cooking show, they called it "Sta. Maria Vegetable Salad". This is to honor the town of Sta. Maria, Bulacan where they bought the ingredients in its public market and they held the tapping for that episode as their feature town.
The salad is quite interesting but doing it is as easy as one-two-three! Furthermore, the main ingredients could be found in any public market or supermarket...RADISH (Thinly-sliced, add salt to make it watery and washed afterwards. This is to remove the stingy taste of radish. Toss sliced tomatoes and drizzle with the vinegar-oil-salt-and-pepper mixture as its dressing). Tastes like green mangoes dipped in vinegar. This is what I have for dinner since I am on my weight-loss diet (hehehe).
Unfortunately, our son is sick that time so we have to took a lot of care on him which is a really more important than celebrating any other special days.
  
Fried Potato and Chicken

Chao Fan

"Sta. Maria" Salad
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February 15, 2012

The Biggest Loser (Bounty Fresh Food, Inc. Edition)




Our campany, Bounty Fresh Food, Inc. (Contract Growing Department) is hosting an activity inspired by the TV show, The Biggest Loser. This is open to all interested employee of the company. This activity aims to promote healthy lifestyle and encourage physical fitness. Official weigh-in was conducted last February 03, 2012  Participants must form a 5-member group. Luckily, I was one of the participant in our department. This will be my motivation in losing weight. I'll keep posting updates regarding my weights.
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February 13, 2012

Early Valentine Treat

Last Sunday, after finishing the mass, we went to SM Marilao to search for some items that we are planning to purchase in the next months and pay for our water bill. We reached the mall at lunch time already so we decided to take our lunch first before proceeding to what we intended to do.


Searching for different fast food stall, which was all full at that time, we decided to have pizza for our lunch. We headed to Pizza Hut. At first, I was hesitant to proceed for two reasons: first, dining in such place is slightly costly, and second, I was on my weight-loss diet (Sunday is my cheat day. Hehehe). My wife told me that it will only once in a while and since Valentine’s Day is already near, this will be our treat not only for us but for our son as well.

Looking at the menu, we saw that they have “Big Feast Orders” for 4, 8 and 12 persons. Looking at the contents of the “Big Feast Order” for 4 persons for only PhP699 (+ local tax and service charge) it will be more than enough for the three of us, from appetizer, pasta, veggies, pizza and drinks.
With the food, ambiance as well as the friendly crews make me think of going back and treat my family on my birthday and other ocassions.


Big Feast for 4 consists of:
1 Family Supreme Line Pan Pizza - a combination of crunchy outside and soft, fluffy inside, with double layers of imported mozzarella cheese served with favorite toppings. We choose their Regular Supreme Toppings: beef, pepperoni, seasoned pork, bell pepper, mushrooms and onions.

2 Regular Spaghetti Bolognese with Meatballs - an all time favorite and one of their chef-quality Italian pasta or “Pasta Perfetto”. The pasta is cooked al dente with savory sweet Bolognese sauce and Italian Meatballs, served with garlic bread.

1 Hut Patatas - an American potatoes seasoned with Pizza Hut’s unique flavors served with dip. This is their new appetizer.

1 Family Caesar Salad - a combination of crisp Romaine lettuce, bacon bits, parmesan cheese, and crouton tossed in their own recipe of Caesar dressing.

1 Pitcher of Pepsi (or any softdrink of your choice)

Supreme Pan Pizza
Spaghetti Bolognese with Meatballs

Hut Patatas
Caesar Salad
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February 12, 2012

Project: Cross-Stitch

I was in third year high school (1996) when I learned and started cross-stitching. I started with a very small design composed of 7 colors (still displayed in our home in Nueva Ecija). After finishing the first “project” , I moved to larger designs like 2nd Angel of Peace,  Earth Angel, White Tiger, Mother and Child, Monalisa, Adonis, Day’s End, Baby Lion and Baby Panda (the last two were supposed to be my sister’s school project).

I also accepted cross-stitching jobs (materials were provided by ‘customers’)  during summer and Christmas breaks. I made Rose of Sharon and 2 sets of Ballerina Pairs.

Our wedding souvenirs were customized “Wedding Bells” placed in picture frames (we bought the frames in Divisoria). I just look for a possible design. My wife creates the patterns using Hobbyware where you can choose how many colors you want to use. Here are some of the finished product designs created using Hobbyware. 
Wedding Bells-I: Our Giveaway for Primary Sponsors
Wedding Bells-II: Our Giveaway for Secondary Sponsors & Guests
  
White Lily

The Sunset

Tatched House

The Wedding

I also tried to customize one design named “Jesus Christ”. Instead of using metallic gold thread, I replaced it with plastic beads.
Jesus Christ
Most people think that this hobby is for women only. Nowadays, there are lot of men engaged in this hobby too. I remember that husband of one of my co-workers helped her in finishing their project entitled “United in Marriage”.
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February 10, 2012

Project: Home Gardening

There are times that prices of vegetables shoot during its off-season. Tomatoes and bell peppers are just some of those which peaks at PhP 50.00 and PhP150.00 per kilo. Why suffer for those high-priced, off-seasoned vegetable where you can grow and harvest your own.
The problem is, where to plant? Like me that does not have enough area for gardening. Try recycling! Use empty cans, worn tires, empty softdrinks bottle and other options. See my previous post on recycling.
It grows well. I feel very happy to see after about two months, the bell peppers are already flowering while some were already bearing fruits. On the other hand, my tomatoes are also doing well but doesn't have any flowers until its 4th month.
Aside from the two veggies, I also have dragon fruits and grafted chico planted on a plastic pails, sweet tamarind planted on a KFC buckets, and some ornamental plants.
Now, I already started to harvest some of bell peppers while tomatoes are starting to bear fruits.
Bell Peppers: on its flowering stage
First two bell pepper fruits
After few weeks, some bell peppers are ready for harvest
My home-grown tomatoes
Tomato flowers
First harvest of peppers


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February 5, 2012

Daddy...

I've been writting entries on different topics but I haven't write about being father...

So here it goes...
As written on ABOUT ME: "Being FATHER is easy enough, but being one can be very rough.” A hundred percent correct!  It is easy for you to be called ‘father’ (just have kid/s) but being such can be a tough task. You must know all the responsibility of being father in all aspect.
Being father you must not rely on your wife or baby sitter in taking care of your baby. You need to learn how to change diaper, prepare milk, prepare water for your baby’s bath, learn the laundry, learn to sing lullabies, know how to carry your delicate and sensitive baby, change your sleeping schedule (you need to wake-up in the middle of the night to change diaper, prepare milk and do some lullaby), and a lot of things as time goes. These are simple, yet very important tasks of being a father.
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February 4, 2012

Kitchen Adventures: Hearty Burger, A Healthy Burger!

Hearty Burger

I decided to include in the list of our weekly menu the "adobong puso ng saging" (banana bud adobo). But last Friday, to make a more interesting dish out of banana bud, aside from adodo and using it in sinigang and kare-kare, I will turned it into my own version of burger/patty. 
My son loves to eat this healthy burger
You need to prepared the following:
Banana bud - 1 medium sized, chopped/minced
Egg - 1 piece
All purpose flour – 1 cup
Onion – 2 tbsp, minced
Celery – 3 tbsp, minced
Salt – 1 tsp
Pepper – 1 tsp, ground
Oil for frying

Procedure:
Squeeze out the banana bud extract with small amount of salt to remove the bitter taste. Wash thoroughly with water to remove excess salt. Let it drain. Combine the other ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Heat the pan. Add oil. From the banana bud batter into balls and place it in the pan. Press it using spoon to make a burger patties. Cook both sides until golden brown. Serve with garlic-mayo dip (mayonaise added with minced garlic or garlic powder), fresh cucumber and bell pepper.
Tip/s: 
1. If you are not using a non-stick pan, let the pan heat up first before adding oil. This will prevent your burger from being stuck in the pan.
2. There are two types/variety of banana bud. I prefer the light green and long one.
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February 1, 2012

Project: Recycling Empty Milk Cans

My son is taking formula milk in replace of breastmilk (my wife returned to work 2 months after giving birth). Empty milk cans get accumulated and stored in our backyard. We are sellling some of them for PhP10.00/kilo which is very low. From then, I kept on storing those can which can be used for other purposes.

When the price of bell peppers got high (as high as PhP120/kilo), I told my wife that I will save the seeds and plant them. But the problem is, where am I going to plant those seeds? We don't have any available lot in our house, not even a small plant box. I resorted to the empty milk cans. I just have to paint it using "red oxide primer" before using for a little presentation.

I also saw the empty styro container (the one used to cushion the bottled chemicals) in the laboratory where I work, bring it home, and use it as plant pot.

Recycling this small items can be a big help in saving the environment.

Tomatoes in Styro Containers

Bell Peppers on Empty Milk Cans

Bell Peppers on Empty Milk Cans
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