Chinese Breakfast

It's a very gloomy day right here and in about a few hours, rain showers would start to pour in. Anyway, I wouldn't let myself worry too much about the weather and went on with a Chinese breakfast instead. It is a sumptuous way to start a day eh?

Here's what Hubby and I had for breakfast today, courtesy of our favorite Chinese diner which is located very near on our 'house-to-be'.

beef wanton noodles

siomai

The kids love the beef wanton noodles so we also ordered one for take out. The noodles are just so right for a cold weather, not to mention the fact that it is oh so flavorful!

After breakfast, we proceeded to take a glimpse of our love abode-on-process which is quite impressive as far as construction in progress is concerned. We just fervently hope though that the weather would cooperate soon, as constant rain showers would definitely slow down the work.

My Birthday Celebration

I have previously mentioned that I turned 32 last Monday. I started that day hearing mass at the church with hubby and breakfast at a coffee shop right after. Then I went to office since I did not take a leave of absence (I planned to have my last special/privilege leave on my brother's wedding).

So I practically spent the major hours of my day at the office and a mini celebration was made during dinner at home. I had no guests then and it was an intimate family event ~~ well, my brother's girlfriend was there but since she's already considered a family, she's no longer a guest, lol! Here's what we had last Monday night . . .

Spaghetti and a bottle of champagne

The day after (Tuesday that is) is another day at the office and our office's volleyball team have decided to dine out and talk about updates of our lives. It was a very jolly occasion since all we did besides eating is laughing! The food was plenty that we left the place with full stomachs and satisfied palates.


Believe me, these food in the picture are tastier in actual!

French Fries and Coke Float

. . . . mmmm . . . .

This combo from McDonalds is just so hard to resist. For the past months already, I never failed to grab these two delicious items from the said store, twice a week on the average I guess. I can't think of any adjective to perfectly describe them but every time they pass through my palate, they are just so heavenly!

Well, the photo above is just one instance of my trip to the food chain. All I can say is this fascination I have about french fries and coke float have not yet subsided even a bit (which worries me a little about my diet, by the way). Nonetheless, life is short so grab everything you think are the best.

Gummy Candies

Gummy candies are just heavenly - - well, for me. I came to like these pieces of swee things way back five years ago, when an office mate of mine introduced it to me. We had a special audit assignment on a remote area then, and she brought along with her a pack of gummy candies.

Unfortunately, the pack's contents were short, to our utmost satisfaction and so I vowed to indulge myself with gummy candies when I get back to town, which I really did!

I admire these kinds of candies because they are creatively done, with different colors, shapes, sizes, designs and flavors. It's one thing the kids would really enjoy to consume, because they are like elastic toys waiting for some play mates. I also introduced gummy candies to my kids and they too loved them, especially the haribo gummi bears.

Haribo gummy candies have already been in existence for a very long time, so their products are already proven to be tasteful. That is why they have become popular with my kids. Too bad they are not readily available here in our place, so I still have to go online to purchase.

Wonder how those colorful sweet little things taste? Try them now!

Pork Chop and Soy Chicken

My diet was put to test last week when we went out and dined. There was no special occasion really, but hubby just thought it would be great to go out once in a while. The dinner was something the kids did enjoy, and with that, I was truly happy for them.

The dinner was not something grand though. We had the usual food on our plates, which we can afford outright. Since the kids love chicken, we never failed to order one - - hence, this:

Soy Chicken

Hubby ordered pork chop. I am not a pork enthusiast to begin with, but I liked what he ordered the instant I tasted it. It was so flavorful and fried just right. I enjoyed it without even dipping them with seasoning, the tastes was so rewarding to my palate, that I vowed to take a bite again next time. Aside from that, it was really affordable.

Pork Chop

Mmm . . .

Warning About Tilapia

photo from wikipedia

I know a lot of people love to eat Tilapia. It is even considered one of most highly consumed fish in the US. I received a forwarded email from a friend about a warning against tilapia, so I am sharing it here for everyone to know (well, to those who have no idea yet...).

Researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have concluded that farm-raised tilapia--the kind typically sold in supermarkets- -contains very low levels of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and very high levels of the potentially dangerous omega-6 fatty acids.

How dangerous is it? Eating tilapia could be far worse for your heart health than eating a hamburger, doughnuts or even pork bacon!

The double whammy of low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and high levels of omega-6 fatty acids could be potentially dangerous for some people with heart disease, arthritis, asthma and other allergic and auto-immune diseases that are particularly vulnerable to an "exaggerated inflammatory response." Inflammation is known to cause damage to blood vessels, the heart, lung and joint tissues, skin and the digestive tract.

"In the United States, tilapia has shown the biggest gains in popularity among seafood, and this trend is expected to continue as consumption is projected to increase from 1.5 million tons in 2003 to 2.5 million tons by 2010," write the Wake Forest researchers in an article published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

The team discovered that farm-raised tilapia, as well as farmed catfish, "have several fatty acid characteristics that would generally be considered by the scientific community as detrimental. " Tilapia has higher levels of potentially detrimental long-chain omega-6 fatty acids than 80-percent-lean hamburger, doughnuts and even pork bacon. "For individuals who are eating fish as a method to control inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, it is clear from these numbers that tilapia is not a good choice," the researchers write. "All other nutritional content aside, the inflammatory potential of hamburger and pork bacon is lower than the average serving of farmed tilapia."

The heart healthy benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in salmon and trout, have been well documented-- so much so that the American Heart Association recommends everyone eat at least two servings of fish a week. Just don't make one of those servings of tilapia since it could actually do your body more harm than good.

My father liked this fish, and it is fortunate for me that I have not taken his fancy.

Bitter Gourd

My father loves to plant. I guess that is why he made sure to have some extra lot for a yard and garden. I was taking a walk along the garden this morning and became pretty excited on what I saw.

You see, this is the first fruit from the bitter gourd/melon plant father has planted. I always love the vegetable, no matter how bitter the taste. I believe it has lots of nutrients that are very helpful for our bodies, Vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, phosphorous, iron and potassium.

Beef ampalaya has always been my favorite bitter gourd dish, and while I am making this post, I am dying to eat one! In the meantime, I have found a picture of this sumptuous and delicious dish - - thanks to Google!


Yum yum!

Sushi On Valentines

There is no stopping Valentines Day anymore. In just hours, January would be over and we would soon embrace February with open arms. February is a special month for me, since there are three special events that comes with it - - hubby's birthday, valentines, and our anniversary (not the wedding though, but as a couple BF/GF).

And since most of us are anticipating for the coming hearts day, we are now on a lookout for the best places to go and celebrate. Well, I wished for a sushi dinner this coming valentines, but I guess that would be difficult since our place is so poor of great diners and restaurants. I could just imagine how full I would be at my heart's content if I could be able to munch some of those sumptuous rolls, like the one above. That is a Hawaiian Roll with tuna at the top, which could be ordered at Yama Sushi on the Lake - - a famous catering in Mission Viejo.

Mmm . . . the food looks tempting enough and I hope hubby reads this post so that he could make one like that, haha! If only we are in CA, he wouldn't have to go through the preparations and we'll just go straight ahead to this wonderful restaurant which also offers food catering in Mission Viejo/Japanese food.

Do you love sushi? You can have the best valentines party ever and order now from the party catering in Mission Viejo, that is, if you are within their vicinity *wink*.

Lunch

I really was glad to have dropped by McDonald's this noon and so I had a blast with their McChicken sandwich with matching french fries and coke float. This food is my usual order every time I set my foot on the food chain.

Their french fries was so heavenly. Well, it's just potatoes but I really love their fries above all. No offense to the fries of the other food chains but McDo has just got the right taste! For me, that is. Pair it with tomato catsup or gravy, oohhhh. . . tastes yummy! I was alone during lunch but I had a great time.

And what great drink to pair with my McChicken meal? Nothing else but this Coke Float! Mmm. . . the cola and sundae settled in my taste buds just perfectly (never mind the colds, haha!). Had a great time dipping the fries in the sundae too!

Oh, I can't wait for my next visit. i hope it would be soon, but I never really know. One ting's for sure, I will bring the kids and hubby with me.

How Do You Eat Fruits?

So do you eat fruits? How do you eat them?

Just recently, I happen to read some postings on the bulletin board in our office. One article that caught my fancy during that time was about fruits and when to consume them. Usually, I eat fruits after meals, as a dessert.

Well, that was not right all along. Fruits do not stay long in the stomach due to its sugar content which can be digested easily, unlike the food we take during meal time like starch, fats and protein. So if we eat fruits after meals, they will be stuck inside the stomach because of the previously eaten food, and would eventually ferment thus causing discomfort on your stomach.

It is recommended that fruits be eaten on an empty stomach, so they will not be trapped inside as they are digested.

Well, this was indeed a great tip I learned about health and fitness.

Craving...

I am very hungry right now. I haven't eaten lunch, that's why. Well, I am thinking of dining outside later and here's what I am craving for at the moment...

Siomai is a rare commodity here in our place. Well, not really rare but the good-tasting siomai here is rare. Hope I could have one for dinner.

Yum..Yum..Yummiest Cakes

I am reading the yesterday's paper just now and look what I found - - the yummiest commercially baked cakes available in the country today! Being the pastry and cake lover that I am, I immediately browsed their great list and was awed by the sight of the pictures. My mouth became watery and suddenly I wished it is already lunch break (sigh!).

So, let me share to you my dilemma. If you are a cake devotee like me, then here they are and feast your eyes upon them (sorry for the poor color, just scanned it).

Chocolate Chessecake - Php1,015/whole; Php135/slice

Cashew Toffee - Php675 (nine-inch cake)


Mucha Leche - Php475/whole


NY Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake - Php1,400/whole; Php308/slice


Torta delos Reyes - Php690/whole; Php85/slice

Take your time and breath in between.

Carbonara + Chessecake

I took a day off from my usual diet and guess what I had this lunch? Well obviously, as what the title mentioned, I had a blast with my lunch break some few hours ago.

On my way back to the office (from the daughter's school), I was so tempted to stop by the greatest cake and pastry shop here in our place, Margie's. After some mind-boggling weighing in of the urge, I finally gave in and made a stop at the diner.

I ordered a spaghetti carbonara and a blueberry chessecake for lunch, with an ice-cold apple-flavored green tea. And as the saying that greeted every customer of the store goes,

Life is short, eat your dessert first.

I never thought twice about the saying and so I took a bite of the cheesecake first before the pasta (since it was also being served by the waitress first). I think it is a common knowledge and fact that cheesecakes are really yummy so I guess I need not elaborate further how I felt as I was consuming that slice of cake. The blueberry is really great and the cheesecake was so smooth. No wonder I have downed it in just a snap.

Next came the spaghetti carbonara and whoa...it was great! I put a lot of cheese into it and it surely made my noon all worthwhile. The picture on the right is really what you get - - it is definitely mouth-watering. And the garlic bread, oohhhh... if only I could order more of those but the guilt of over-eating hit me and so I laid myself back. All my efforts for dance exercise would be put to waste if I didn't behave myself.

Well, enough talking about my lunch. I'm off again for another party a few minutes from now. Hope I could discipline myself then. Have a great Tuesday!

My Afternoon Snack

Mmmm....there goes my first bite of my great afternoon snack for this day. I was alone in the office right now so I have the opportunity to indulge to one of my favorite snack, the sweetened banana (minatamis na saging).

I bought this at a cafeteria in front of my daughter's school, which costs Php7.00 per piece. It may be a bit costly but it is worthwhile for me because aside from being my fave, it really tastes good. Every bite is heavenly, especially this one which has some jack fruit with it. I seldom see this kind being sold outside, so every time I see one, I buy them on impulse. Now, my afternoon is such a blast with these two pieces of banana on my table ready for consumption.

But hey, I am not that selfish enough. I will share these with you too, so feel free to grab one. Enjoy!

Kalui Dinner

Since Palawan is surrounded by various bodies of water, it is a common thought that seafoods are abundant in the area. One thing that we looked forward of going to Palawan is the fresh produce from the sea, which are undeniably yummier and healthier than meat.

And so, on our last night at Puerto Princesa, we indulged ourselves with special seafoods at their most sought-after diner, called Kalui. Kalui is such a nice place, very tidy and peaceful. The structure was so natural, with all those wooden floors even at their toilets. And talking about the CR, they have spacious and clean rest rooms, and we couldn't resist taking pictures in there! Each guest is required to take off his or her footwear and should only proceed to the premises barefoot. I myself am amazed with the ambiance, such a cool scenery indeed, from the lights all the way down to the bottom. They also had a waiting area for the guests. By the way, never mind those feet found on the right. I guess they just blended well with the floor, being natural as they are(haha!).

However, due to the numerous guests they have each day, Kalui only accepts customers through booking or reservation. And on our last night, we have eaten our dinner at 8pm already, since we have decided to book around 5pm. But the wait is worth it, and we were able to explore more of the place while our eating spot is being readied.

We ordered for their special of the day and I should say it was a very sumptuous dinner. I had a blast with their Fish in Coco Cream and Sizzling Spicy Seafoods. But what surprised me that moment was their Crunchy Eggplant in Taco Sauce, which was way too yummy! I have never been a fan of eggplants until I tasted their special. It was such a very nice experience. Even their Coco-Banana Shake is a must.

Kalui surely is a paradise for seafood lovers, me included. Although I could not say that their prices are very affordable, but it's worth everything.

*credits to Sally (in dark pink) for the photos...thank you girl!