Mommy Diary

Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

Now that I’m pregnant I’m being extra careful by taking vitamin supplements. I’m taking three to be exact – multivitamins, iron supplements, and vitamin C. I also drink milk which I utterly dislike. I know vitamins are essential but I’m also mindful of the foods I’m eating. It’s a good thing we have a neighbor who helps us with the cooking now  so we can cook the things I like from my childhood days. Just for lunch today we had chopsuey. It’s been years since I had this because I was afraid if I cook it it will turn up wrong. So that’s one of the blessings that we’ve got since moving here. We have been eating good, nutritious food.

One of the perks of moving here is the food.  Being close to every store imaginable we can buy every food or ingredient we want.  If I was craving for something then I just need to go to the store to buy the ingredients and I can have it for our next meal.  The best part of moving was having a friendly neighbor teaching us how to cook.  It’s no secret that I suck at cooking big time.  So I have been asking our neighbor to help us cook different dishes.

Yesterday, we bought a kilo of meat and asked her to demonstrate how to cook adobo.   What she did was different from what we were doing.  She cooked it first with soy sauce and didn’t add a single drop of water.  She added vinegar only when it was about to be cooked.

My family loved it, of course!  We ate it for lunch and dinner and we still have some left overs for the next day.  Next week I’m going to try cooking it the way she taught me and see if I can successfully replicate it.  Next time when I’m confident enough with my cooking I will try freezer cooking.  Freezer cooking, also known as once a month cooking, is the latest craze today.  We know cooking takes so much time and doing it three times a day equals a lot of cooking time.  With the help of a freezer you can cook large servings of food that would last you and your family one month.  This will save you time so you can do more productive activities.  I haven’t tried it mainly because we don’t have a freezer but it’s one of my dreams to be able to do this one day.  Maybe when I’m already a good cook that is.

Pizza Hut’s buy-one-take-one is extended till July 19.  Go to your nearest Pizza Hut order a family sized pizza and then get another one for free.  There are three flavors to choose from.  This promo is exclusively for take out orders.

One of the difficult things about being pregnant is getting the right food to agree with my tummy.  For the past weeks just the thought of the usual foods I’m eating make me want to vomit.  Just this morning for breakfast I thought I was craving for spaghetti but when it was finally served and I was about to eat it I realized I didn’t want it after all.  I tried to finish it but I failed.  Good thing for lunch I know what food I want.  I have eaten calamares yesterday and I was very satisfied so I decided to stick with it and eat it for lunch again for the second day in a row.

Just a little background.  Calamares is from the word “calamaro” which is the Italian for squid.

How did we cook it?  It was really easy.  Just clean the squid thoroughly by removing the intestines, ink sac, and spine.  Cut it into rings.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and coat with flour.  Deep fry (but not more than two minutes or else it would be as tough as rubber) and voila, you have your very own home-made calamares.

For the dipping sauce I just use lots and lots of vinegar.  Yummy!

One of the things I’m craving for while pregnant is beef siomai. I’m looking for a beef siomai recipe that would suit my taste and I have come across one that I will try. I think the reason why I’m craving for this is because I’ve had enough with fried foods. This was the same case when I was pregnant with Z the mere smell of cooking oil makes my stomach somersault. So now have to cook this because I can’t run to the mall every time I crave for one. Mmmm, I’m already salivating as I’m writing my entry. I would be eating this while I’m browsing for life insurance quotes online or while I’m reading my fellow BC Bloggers’ blogs.

Here is the beef siomai recipe that I will follow:

Beef Siomai Recipe

Ingredients:

1 kilo beef (you can also try 1/2k pork and 1/2k beef)
1 onion, minced
spring onions, chopped
1 thumbsized ginger, pounded
2 t sesame oil
2 T soy sauce
1 t sugar
1 t of tabasco (optional)
siomai wrapper

Procedure:

Mix the ingredients in a bowl.  Make sure to mix it well.  Season with salt. Wrap in wonton wrapper and steam. Serve with soy sauce mixed with kalamansi.

This is the first time ever we bought this cake from Red Ribbon. I remember this was Pehpot’s cake for her birthday and I really liked it so I told hubby I wanted one too. I’m really not a fan of the sponge cakes that Goldilocks make.  I don’t like my cake light and airy, thank you!  I wasn’t able to enjoy it on my birthday though because for some reason it didn’t taste right.  The next day – after it spent a night inside the fridge – I found out it tastes so much better if it’s cold.

Aside from this one, Pehpot surprised me and bought me another cake also from Red Ribbon.  So I actually had two cakes that day.  I really had no idea she would bring me something even though she was asking me at YM hours before if I had already a birthday cake.  She told me she would be late because she would have to do their grocery.  I was like, “Huwat? You can do your grocery later, hellow?”  Good thing I didn’t get mad at her for prioritizing her groceries over my birthday because it turned out she was at the mall buying cake and flowers for me. hahaha   Yes, I was really clueless I had no idea she would bring something.  So thanks so much Phepot – err Pehpot – for the surprise.  Buti na lang nagdala ka kasi kasi palpak yung spaghetti.  So now you know why I’m always attending your parties – it’s because we can’t cook. Spaghetti na nga lang palpak pa! wahaha!

Oops, I forgot to thank Niko, Fedhz, and Jade for the gifts.  They are Pehpot‘s partner in crime.  Thanks, girls, for surprising me.  Wala talaga ako kaalam-alam. hihi

It was last Sunday again and as usual before going home hubby and Z passed by Toy Kingdom to ogle at toys. That is normally my cue to  do things I like looking at books at the nearby bookstores or do errands like looking for term life insurance quotes that we badly needed. On my way though I got sidetracked when this caught my eye:

I don’t know if this store has been standing here for a long. For some reason I didn’t notice it until last Sunday. Wondering what they are doing with the sugarcane? They put it inside this machine and squeeze it.

Then voila  – freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.

Nope, I didn’t try it but after reading the health benefits from their site I might try it next time I pass by.

Rich in carbohydrates

Less calories than refined sugar or syrup

Low glycemic index

Reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level

Provides energy and strength

High in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Contains antioxidants

Keeps body hydrated

Alleviates sore throat

Prevents cold and flu

Has wound healing properties

Stimulates the immune system

Has positive activity against breast and prostate cancer cells

Produces gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin levels

Good for digestion

Strengthens the eyes, brain, heart, stomach, liver and sex organs

Hastens recovery from jaundice

Keeps urinary flow clear and helps the kidney to function properly

Replaces protein loss from febrile episodes

Diabetics need not worry. Fresh, raw sugar cane juice does not only produce gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin levels, but it can also improve lipid levels among diabetics.

Weight – conscious, calorie counters need not feel guilty. Aside from having lesser calories than refined sugar and syrup, all – natural sugar cane juice extract contributes to weight management by controlling appetite and delaying hunger.

This was taken at SM Megamall but according to their multiply site they also have branches at SM Las Pinas, SM San Lazaro, and SM North Edsa.

We went to Jollibee right after Z’s school program. I wanted to try something new and was delighted to see this Jollibee Beef Mushroom. I can’t believe they’re selling it for on P39.00 so I quickly ordered it to see if it will pass my taste test.

The verdict – it passed with flying colors!  I was really surprised there were real beef in there. I thought it would mostly be mushrooms but no – for a measly P39.00 I got enough serving of beef fit for a merienda. The toasted garlic toppings complemented the beef and mushroom well. It’s really a good meal for the budget conscious.

P.S. You can get the Jollibee 39ers during the weekdays only.

I wanted to try some colon cleansing diet because I don’t feel healthy this past few weeks but a trip to Binan threw that idea out in the window. Just look at what my aunt gave me.

Oven fresh banana cake

My aunt has her own bakery and this banana cake came from there. I’m not biased because this is my aunt’s cake but this is surely the best banana cake I’ve ever tasted! It’s so moist and creamy and goes perfectly with the somewhat crunchy outer layer. When I first saw this I really thought it was burnt but no it’s not. It’s just perfect! How I wish I can have a slice every day. I’m currently eating the last slice and who knows when I will get my hands on another one again? The good news is in the meantime I can try my colon cleansing diet of fruits and veggies.

Last Sunday, we went to attend service as usual at CCF in St. Francis. Right after service, instead of eating at the usual places we went and tried Yellow Cab Pizza at St. Francis Ground Floor. The Yellow Cab there is just across Jollibee so while S ordered for pizza, I went to Jollibee to order Z’s staple meal – chicken, fries, and coke. Yes, without fail that’s what he eats every time we go out. hihi

Anyway, last time we went at my Dad’s shop they ordered Yellow Cab pizza for us. S and I both liked it so much that we decided to order the same thing – Yellow Cab’s New York’s Finest pizza and chicken alfredo. pasta Our order came in shortly and we dug into it like happily. Halfway eating, S stopped eating and said, “Are you sure this is what we ate at your dad’s? It’s not as delicious anymore.” I chuckled and told him, “I know. It’s because you’re the one paying this time!” hahaha  He sure laughed at that.

My bad, I wasn’t able to take any pictures that time. Before I end this post I would like to share what I read. It’s recommended that we eat only two slices of pizza per meal. Pizza is not exactly very healthy and has lots of oil which is bad for the skin. I know it’s so yummy but if you eat more you’ll be shopping for acne products next time.

I’ll tell you one secret though I myself eat more than two! hahaha I think I can finish three in one sitting and if I push myself I can eat four but five – I can definitely not eat!
How about you? What’s the maximum number of slices you can eat?