Blogalag

HAPPY HEART-HEALTHY 2012!

 

PROSPEROUS YEAR OF THE DRAGON, FRIENDS!

 

How's the start of 2012 treating you?  I hope it's treating you splendidly.

As for me, 2012 and I started on the right foot but I know that we're still getting to know each other.  However, I'm positive that we're going to be great friends very soon.

Before 2012 arrived, I have been hearing people talking about their new year's resolution and what they're planning to do to make it happen, moreso, stick with it until the year ends.  Some would like to kick their cigarette habit, others their impulsive spending and some their excessive drinking.  Whatever resolution you promised to work on this 2012, always keep in mind that it requires dedication and commitment so better be prepared to work hard on keeping it.  But if you're going to ask me, doing something good for yourself doesn't need a brand new year to kick in.  I'd say start when you want to start, regardless if it's in the middle or end of the year.  What matters is the fact that you're going to begin and intend to finish the task.  Agree?

Since we're on the subject of doing something good for oneself, I decided to continue making and keeping myself healthy for the rest of the year and for the years to come.  I may have fallen through the cracks a couple of times but I have always managed to get back on my feet one day at a time.  I've realized that health is indeed wealth.  So what are the things I'm going to continue doing so far?  Well for starters, not just eating breakfast but eating a healthy breakfast.  Do you know that I rarely eat fruits?  You read right.  I'm not sure where my aversion of fruits began but it really takes a lot of effort on my part to make myself eat fruits.  I made that known to my partner-in-crime but glad to know that it didn't stop him from slowly converting me to like fruits.  So recently, I've been introduced to fresh fruit juices to jumpstart my mornings.  My morning juice usually consists of carrots, celery, apple, pear, banana and yogurt.  Sometimes, we put ripe avocado and cantaloupe.  SImply put everything in the blender (don't forget to chop them first) and you'll have it in just a few minutes.  Amazingly, it tastes fantastic!  The moment you drink a tall glass of it, you instantly know that it's good for you.  I may not have been converted to eating fruits but at least, I like drinking them every single morning.

 

Aside from the fresh juice, oatmeal is also a breakfast staple in the household.  I like cooking them on the stove instead of putting it in the microwave.  You just need milk and a little bit of sugar to go with it.

THIS CHRISTMAS, INVITE THE GENERAL'S LECHON

 

Christmas and Lechon.  Two beautiful words that will instantly make you giddy with excitement.  The former will make your heart skip because it's another wonderful year to celebrate with family and friends.  While the latter will make your mouth salivate the moment you hear it.  That's why this Christmas, why don't you invite the General's Lechon to grace your dining table?

When I got the invite from Spanky to sample, not just one, but three gorgeous roasted suckling pigs, I did not even think twice about going.  You'd be crazy to turn down Philippines' national dish (in the most cholesterol-filled category).  Brainchild of husband-and-wife team, Bryan and Lynett Ong, General's Lechon was brought to Manila from Bryan's hometown of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.  I asked Bryan, "Why General?" and all he did was point to his wife.  Good husband.

When we entered the couple's kitchen, 3 medium-sized pig greeted us.  And their names were Original, Curry and Chili-Garlic.

PINOY BAKED ZITI IN THE CITY

 

Christmas is nearing and in my side of the world is the start of Simbang Gabi or Misa De Gallo.  If you've been an avid reader of this blog, you know that I always make it a point to attend Simbang Gabi.  It's the time to give thanks for the wonderful 2011, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we made, to wish for whatever our heart's utmost desire with the hopes of the Almighty granting it, to promise a new us in the coming brand new year and to make true those promises regardless of the year being new or not.

And when we say Christmas, we don't just associate it with gifts, we also associate it with feasts.  I'm not yet sure who's going to cook this Christmas (but I'm positive that it won't be me) but I thought of maybe bringing something to share at the table.  It's a toss between Baked Ziti or Lasagna.  And the thing is, I haven't tried cooking any of those 2 dishes.  So I said to myself, I've to give it a test run.

First dish for the first test run: Pinoy Baked Ziti.  Why "Pinoy"?  You'll find out later.

I gathered all my ingredients:

• lean ground beef
• fresh mushrooms
• tomato sauce
• dried penne pasta (couldn't find dried ziti)
• shredded parmesan and mozzarella (about 2 cups)
• garlic
• onions
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• a 13x9 pan (you can use any size but this is just my preference)

 

And that one ingredient that will make it Pinoy:

PATOK ANG GINATAANG MANOK!

 

Since I'm your newest domestic goddess, I was thinking of what to cook for dinner yesterday.  I looked at the ingredients in my pantry and saw a can of coconut milk.  I looked at my freezer and saw pieces of chicken legs and thighs.  I instantly looked for fresh ginger and peppers.  Suddenly, a light bulb flashed on top of my head. GINATAANG MANOK!

I've eaten my grandma's Ginataang Manok but haven't cooked one yet so I decided to make the dish.  I'm not really fond of fresh coconut and coconut juice but when it comes to gata or coconut milk, I love the flavor it brings in many Filipino dishes.  I got my ingredients ready and in a few minutes, I was ready to cook!

SAN FRANCISCO'S ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

 

I love auto shows.  I've always been fascinated with the sleekness, the fierceness, the sexiness and the overall look of automobiles.  And I'm not afraid of riding it ala The Fast and The Furious.  I also realized that I have this deep love of European vehicles.  Maybe it's the allure of elegance and luxury or maybe it's the design that exudes sexiness and power.

That's why when my uncle told me that we're visiting San Francisco's Annual International Auto Show, I got excited.  As far as I know, the said auto show is the largest show of any kind held in northern California.  It usually runs for 9-10 days and open to the public from 10am to 10pm.

As we walked towards Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, I saw about 4 Range Rovers going around this makeshift terrain that shows the vehicle's versatility, balance and power.