My "Sort of Homemade Cooking" Series: Yang Chow Fried Rice

I've mentioned in an earlier post that I'm a fan of Asian Home Gourmet mix because they make cooking various Asian dishes at home easier!

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I had some more packets at the cupboard and thought of trying the Yang Chow Fried Rice since we have leftover rice and ham.  We have eggs, peas and carrots sitting at the fridge and some spring onion (from our garden!).

How easy was it to prepare?  I just sauteed some chopped onions, and just put everything in . . .the ham, egg, leftover rice, veggies and the magic mix (haha!)  And what do I get?

Tadahhhh. . . .

I know. . . I really have to work on my food photography. . . and styling! 

And since we already have fried rice, we might as well have Chinese fare for lunch . . .so we cooked Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (which DIDN'T come from a packet but was prepared from scratch. . .but NOT by me, haha!) to go with the rice.  It was definitely one of the nicest lunch we had at home.

Have a nice day ahead everyone. . .have a good meal and savor it!

Bon Appetit!  

Who loves ruffles?

I DO!  I love ruffles!

I think ruffles make any wardrobe prettier. . .sweet . . . romantic.  So when I saw this frilly top, I knew I just have to get it for The Little One!  (the beauty of having a baby girl?  you get to have a live Barbie you can dress up! LOL)  

But for the Little One? 

She likes to nibble on her bib,

She thinks the ruffles are her bib,

Therefore, she is nibbling on the ruffles.

She doesn't like wearing a bib,
She thinks the ruffles are her bib,

Therefore, she is trying to remove the ruffles.

*Sigh* . . .Oh well. . . it's okay  . . .. 

I still love ruffles!    

The (Bag) Doctor Is In

One of the nice things about being an SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) is you get to do spring cleaning (or decluttering? teehee) anytime you want.  I did some and found a brown suede bag given to me by Zola's Dad when we were still dating.  I took a mental note to bring it "somewhere" where it can be cleaned (as I don't have an idea where!).  One thing is for sure, the bag DEFINITELY needs some TLC! Haha!

As luck would have it, I saw a friend "like" a page in FB called "The Bag Doctor". . . and suddenly I remembered the suede bag which I set aside ummm. . . a few ages ago!  I went to the Doctor's page and was amazed at the kind of work (it's craftsmanship if i may so) she does. Her work is too good not to share with everyone!  I emailed the Bag Doctor and asked for her permission to use her photos for this blog and took this as a chance to get to know her a little bit more.  

The genius behind the "Bag Doctor" is LP, a very nice and pleasant mompreneur.  After working for several companies and as she was preparing for her wedding, she set her heart to become a hands-on mom.  So she went on to become an entrepreneur and has actually engaged in different businesses before she finally found her passion. . . she put up the Bag Doctor.  This WAHM (Work at Home Mom) is a bag lover herself.  She's so funny (and endearing) when she said, "I feel happy seeing them, smelling them (haha!) and touching them!"  There is passion indeed in her work because what she does is close to her heart (lucky girl!)

And when you have passion, you want to do everything the right way.  She and her husband went to Italy in 2010 to train with one of the biggest leather tanneries there.  The cleaning substance they use also come from Italy.  (Actually, in my "initial consultation" with the Bag Doctor, she already told me that the cleaning substance for suede will arrive in June.)

The Bag Doctor has a whole BAG of tricks!  True to her name, she has "revived" a lot of patients, was called on for "emergency" cases and has prescribed treatments =).

Here are some photos from her FB page. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Just in case you're wondering if they only work on Luxury bags, the answer is NO.  They clean and restore any brand and any kind of bag. =)  

To date they have three clinics around the Metro (Eastwood, West Ave. and White Plains).  You may also send an email to Bagrx@yahoo.com for inquiries.  For more information about the Bag Doctor, please visit their FB page.

So if you think your bags need a dose of TLC, don't worry. . . .the Bag Doctor is IN!

(Now, where did I put that suede bag of mine. . . haha!)

See you soon Doc!

Looking Fab!

Saw this today. . . .Amber Riley (aka Mercedes Jones in "Glee") is looking FAB!

Why I finally started Exercising?  I know I should have started a long time ago (but hey, as they say, "better late than never"!)

As Amber puts it . . .

"I've always been comfortable with my size.  I just decided it was time to get healthy." 

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Yes to loving yourself (whatever size you are) and Yes to getting healthy!

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Going Meatless for Lent

It's Ash Wednesday today.  For Catholics, this signifies the start of Lent.  During Lent, we offer personal sacrifices as we prepare ourselves to commemorate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One of the more common sacrifices that Catholics do is to fast and abstain from eating meat every Friday (the Lenten season ends on Easter Sunday).  Some of my friends have given up their dessert, coffee or eating rice as their sacrifice.   (I must say, for Filipinos, giving up rice is one herculean task!)

So in observance of the Lenten Season, I looked for some meatless (and simple!) recipes for our household and would like to share them with you.

All photos and recipes are from Panlasang Pinoy and Overseas Pinoy Cooking .  Please click on the recipe name for the details.

 Easy Clam Chowder

I guess we just have to remove the bacon toppings then, haha!

Seasoned Tofu

Tuna Sisig

Tuna Salpicao

I am sure God appreciates all the sacrifices we make.  But I know what will make Him happier is if we show Him that we truly understand and take by heart what it meant when His Beloved Son had to die on the Cross for us.

Have a blessed and meaningful Lenten Season! =)

Shoe Stories

I read that Dr. Martens opened a flagship store last December here in the Philippines.  Dr. Martens!!!  I didn't own a pair (I just felt I couldn't wear them with flair, haha!)  Seeing these shoes bring me back to my College days!   

My fondest memory of College was when I was a Freshman, my Dad was so worried that I might fall from my bed in the dormitory (I was at the top of a double-deck bed).  He worried so much that. . . he installed seat belts in my bed!  Yes, you read that right, seat belts!  When I wake up every morning, my room mates jokingly ask me how my flight was! Haha!  I was NEVER embarrassed by it at all. . . you never get embarrassed when your dad shows you how much he loves you.  It is a funny story that warms my heart at the same time.  (But just between us, I only used the seat belts once, haha!)

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As they say, a woman can never have too many pairs of shoes.  I'm not a shoe addict but somehow I always have a reason (or an excuse?) to buy a new pair. Heehee

Here are some of the shoes I grew up with or had over the years . . .

The Kung Fu Shoes. . .reminds me of my Elementary days.  I also didn't own a pair.  I guess my parents couldn't find a pair that would fit me.  But just looking at them, I think they are comfortable!

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I didn't have Kung-Fu shoes but I had Gregg Shoes (which were locally manufactured).  I love them but I hated them too.  I hated them when I was young because as much as I want a new pair every school year, I couldn't have one.  They are so sturdy!  I even dragged my feet when I walk, I threw them against the wall, I did anything (and everything!) just so they would look worn-out so I can convince my mom to buy me a new pair. . . They are just simply indestructible! Haha! 

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These are not Gregg Shoes but it's the closest image I can find 

Espadrilles . . .I had a pair exactly like the one pictured below when I was a Sophomore in high school.  I remember wearing them when our Team went to a beach for our Victory party celebration during our school's Intramurals.  

And if there were Havaianas during that time, I'm sure I wore flip flops to the beach and not Espadrilles! Haha!

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Tretorn shoes . . . I love these tennis shoes!  Mine were purple and I wore them during P.E. class in high school.  The first time I cleaned them, I used a big tube of Colgate (because that's what everybody said!)  But that was the first and last time I did!  Haha!  

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And now that I'm a mom, I only wear sandals or flats.  My favorite pair of sandals are from Aerosoles (if you are looking for comfort, go for Aerosoles).  I wear them almost everyday (I got them when I was pregnant) and are now semi-retired.

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I just bought a new pair of flats from Melissa (I call them plastic shoes from Brazil). . .I wish though that they are more. . .pocket-friendly.  I went for it anyway because they have my size!  Size has always been my problem when I shop for shoes here in Philippines.  (That's why I'm shoe-crazy when I'm in the US, shoe-shopping there is pure bliss for me!)  

But I'm just glad (and thankful!) Melissa carries my size . . . they're sooo comfy, I am definitely loving my new flats!

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These flats are just about to start their walking adventure, who knows what stories they would tell in the future =)


If you're looking for a wider collection of Melissa shoes, Geleia carries them.  You can find Geleia in Trinoma,  Mall of Asia and Alabang Town Center.  For more information, you can go to their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GeleiaPhilippines?sk=info

Two Peas in a Pod 3

We caught the reality show "Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)" last night and I've noticed that one housemate, Divine (a half-Filipino, half-Brit tatoo artist who hails from Cebu and is the first lesbian to be a part of PBB) sort of looks like . . . .Justin Bieber! LOL (Cue Justin's "Baby" song here. . .)

What do you think? =)

This is my third "Two Peas in a Pod" post.  I  think I'm going to make this a regular thing every month, haha!  I have a couple more lined up already, heehee. . . 


Will share some more in the coming days =) 


Enjoy your weekend!

Photo credit:

Divine's Photos 1 and 2
Justin Bieber's Photos 1 and 2

Why I can't go online sometimes . . .

Because the keyboard is just another toy for the Little One . . .

She wants it all to herself . . . 

To play with . . . 

See how the keyboard makes her happy

 

Sometimes, she thinks of "trying" it . . .  

And actually goes for it!!! (Naku, buti na lang, I was fast! Haayyy)

And when she gets fed up with it . . .you'd think this is my chance right?

Think again!  

Little One:  This keyboard is MINE!

Okay, that's it!  Time to look for a toy keyboard!  

(Though I think she would still prefer the real one! LOL)

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Bad Hair Day

I know it's time to get a haircut . . . when my mom asks me WHEN I'm getting one! Haha!  (She never does that!)

Now I'm thinking of getting a different do for a change (like a bob) . . .

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Or just get a trim and maintain my long, layered hair . . .

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Decisions . . . .decisions. . . .*Sigh*

Whatever it is. . . the most important thing is. . . the hair style should make my face look smaller, Hahaha!

8th Month!

The Little One is turning 8 months tomorrow!  It's true what they say . . . Children grow up fast.  Sometimes it scares me that she is growing up too fast that I won't be able to keep up.  

It only seems like yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital.  She was so tiny that I was afraid to carry her (and to give her a bath! Haha!)  Time flew so fast and as I look at her today, she still sleeps through the night (Thank God!), can hold her bottle, drinks from the cup (we skipped the sippy cup stage), sits upright, crawls a lot, tries hard to stand up, just learned to say "Mama" and she is just curious about everything.  Every sound she hears and everything she sees or touches is a source of wonder for her.  

Yes Little One, it's a big world out there and it's waiting for you.

All parents only wish the best for their children.  I would like to share with you a song by Rascal Flatts entitled "My Wish".  Just looking at the lyrics makes me emotional . . . the song just captured everything we wish for her.

To our dearest Little One, this song is for you. . . . 

 

Please click here to listen to the song.

My Wish by Rascal Flatts

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,


But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.


But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since it's Valentine's Day tomorrow, I would like to share with you my favorite line from the movie "He's Just Not That Into You" (love this movie!)

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Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope.

We all have our own stories to tell about finding love.  If you have found yours, be thankful and cherish it.  And if you're still looking for it, don't lose hope.  God's timing is always perfect.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  It is an occasion that is not only for lovers.  It is a celebration of all kinds of Love!  And it doesn't have to be celebrated once a year. . . it should be celebrated everyday.  Sometimes we take time and people for granted.  Let us make our loved ones feel that they matter to us everyday.   

Happy Valentine's Day and have a love-filled the day. . . . always!

Mmm. . .Ma-ma

Yessss. . . .the Little One (who is turning 8 months in a few days) said "Mama" today! *Woot*woot*

I mouthed the word "Mama" to her everyday and showed her how to pronounce it (in an exaggerated manner, as advised by my mommy friends C and D).  And today, I heard the sweetest music to my ears and I couldn't get enough of it!

She says "Mama" when she holds my cell phone (I hope she does because she knows she can always talk to me even if she is still babbling), or when she sees her bottle (I hope she does because she knows I try my best to be a nurturing mom) or when she holds her blankie (I hope she does because she can always feel the warmth of my hugs)       

And my next goal. . . for her to say "Dada" before ZD comes home in June!  

I have 4 more months to go . . . wish me luck!  

Thank you Little One for always making my day bright =)  I love you baby!    

"Kar-ee-oh-kee"

I was sorting the pictures in my digital camera when I saw this funny pix which I took when Zola's Dad (ZD) and I went to Cebu last 2009 to celebrate our First Wedding Anniversary.

We met up with ZD's good friend for dinner and to cap the night off, we (together with his lovely wife and adorable son) thought of getting some Karaoke fun (yes, Filipinos love to sing!).  As I was browsing the song book, song #3515 cracked me up, haha!

It would be interesting to know how the song title got to this . . ."Leaving" and "Libyan"?  Close enough? LOL 

Just a thought, I think it's important that all of us should have our signature songs for Karaoke.  A song which we know by heart, a song which we can actually finish singing!  Considering how much Filipinos love to sing and that Karaoke has become a part of Filipinos' way of entertaining and celebrating, it always pays to be ready with a song because it can just save you, haha!  (say Aye if you agree!)  

I have a friend who owns the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (and can give Taylor Dayne a run for her money)  while another friend's thing is any Rey Valera songs because she has such a low voice, haha!

And just in case you're wondering what mine is. . . 

A classic Madonna song!

How about you, what's your signature song? =)

Have a nice weekend ahead everyone!

Happy Anniversary!

Before I got together with Zola's Dad, I came from a long term relationship (with my so-called "first love").  And after crying my heart out (until I got pathetic! Haha!), I suddenly had fears of how my life is going to be after the break-up.  "What if I couldn't love another person with the same passion". . ."What if I can't move on and start over" . . ."What if I won't be happy ever again". . . or worse, "What if there's no one?!"

But all of these changed when Zola's Dad and I got together.  It wasn't love at first sight.  We were just friends who enjoyed each other's company.  And as we found ourselves smiling more, we realized we like each other more and took a chance with each other.  Our relationship wasn't perfect and there were times I almost gave up.  But the beauty of getting hurt is  after all the drama brought by a broken heart, you learn to accept that you can be a better person.  And being a better person meant being a better partner.      

The road to my "Happily Ever After" wasn't easy.  If getting my heart broken meant leading me to my Prince Charming, I am embracing all the pain, the tears, the sleepless nights I've been through.  

Zola's Dad and I may not be each others' first love but we are each others' last.

Dada, they say "good things come to those who wait". . . I'm glad I did.

Thank you very much for the love and care.  Thank you for showing me that I can be happy again and that I still have much to give.  

Thank you for being more than what I hoped and prayed for.

Happy Anniversary!

I love you . . .always and forever.

Our Wedding Day
February 8, 2009

Photo by Mimi and Karl

My Fashion Frustration

It's wearing SHORTS!  Well, actually it's wearing shorts OUTSIDE the house, Haha!

These are my pegs =)

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Cute noh?

I wish I can wear casual shorts when I go to the mall or to the supermarket.  Or dressy shorts when I want to go for some smart casual dressing. . . and as for "short shorts", well, I still have to think about wearing those, haha!

I do hope that day will come when I can muster the courage (and confidence!) to wear shorts when I go out of the house. . . so in the meantime, I'll just channel all my frustration by dressing up the Little One with shorts (short shorts included! LOL)

Have a nice week ahead!

P.S. If you're going out and you're planning to wear shorts. . . I'm jealous!  Haha!

"Breaking Dawn"

No, this is not about the Twilight Saga of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen but this is the part of day that has become a favorite of mine since I included exercise in my daily routine (I walk at the oval track in our city).  I wake up at 5AM, get ready and I reach the tracks around 5:30 am.  (Sometimes I start later . . . it all depends on the Little One, hehe)   

Skyline view from the tracks at dawn

After a few rounds of walking, I see the skyline changing and see the sun's rays slowly setting in, heralding the start of a brand new day.

Hello Sun!

Seeing this makes me thankful for the brand new day because it means I have another day to live, another day to be with my loved ones, another day to be hopeful, to make amends, to be a better person.  Another day to enjoy life because each day is different from the last one.

I would like to share with you an inspiring quote from Groucho Marx:

Each morning when I open my eyes, I say to myself:  I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

We don't have to look for Happiness anywhere else.  It is within our reach because Happiness is a choice we can make each day that we live.  

Be happy and be grateful for a brand new day!

Carpe diem!