Happy Mother's Day!

I was having a stress related illness this past weekend thus preventing me from going online never the less I still want to greet Mommies everywhere a belated Happy Mother's day! I hope you were treated like a Queen yesterday :) If not, they owe you one...

Pancit (Filipino Noodle Dish)

This is the absolute quintessential noodle dish found in almost every “Filipino Handaan” (feast/celebration). Growing up I was never a big fan of this dish, instead I would always ask for spaghetti but now that I'm older I found myself craving for dishes I had always neglected to appreciate back in the Philippines. I would have never thought that I would be cooking this dish in my tiny New York kitchen and loving every minute of it. I bet my friends are still in shock reading this entry and I have to say, yes I have indeed domesticated myself to some extent.

Apples!

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” a phrase my Dad use to tell me when I was a kid and come to think of it I never really understood why a simple apple can do that, until I finally did my research. So if your game let me share with you its nutritional benefits so you can consider incorporating an apple (a day) in your diet.

Beef Short Ribs with Beans

This dish came to be when I was too darn lazy to do any grocery shopping and all I had in hand were short ribs in the fridge and canned beans in the pantry. I warn you that it might be too sweet for some people but you can definitely play with it. I just made a few adjustments to lighten up the sweetness of the beans.

English Mastiff (German Shepherd Mix)

A coworker of mine recently adopted an English Mastiff German Shepherd Mix puppy and let me tell you that this is the biggest four month old puppy I have ever seen. She is gorgeous and so adorable. A little background about Mastiffs – they grow so fast and get quite big (the size of a pony) but behind their massive exterior lies a peaceful dog. They are not fighting dogs (thank god) but if they see danger they will use their size to protect their owners. I was reading about the English Mastiff breed and here are the pros and cons.

Monkeys in the City

More often than not this is how I’ve been feeling lately...Hanging in there. Whenever I am in a funk I feel so disengaged from everything imaginable, it is my ultimate low self esteem period which absolutely sucks. No amount of encouragement can motivate me, isn’t that just sad? I feel completely lethargic during these times and worst of all I just want to be completely utterly glued to my bedroom (pathetic I know). What scares me is that this funk I’m in right now has been hanging around for weeks now and that worries me since it can lead me to the dark side.

Recipe Book Collection (part I)

Just last week I had posted about building my make up collection so I thought why not share my recipe book collection as well. Mind you I do not follow recipes down to a tea I always adjust some ingredients to fit my palate. I like recipe books because they serve as guidelines for me to follow. Basically it teaches me the fundamentals of a specific dish but it’s still up to me to be creative, play with the ingredients, come up with a different version, or even better create a new dish in the process.

Spring Time

If you’ve ever driven along I-95 New Jersey turnpike around this time of year then you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say the trees are coming back to life yet again. On our way to Mt. Royal, New Jersey we hit quite a few traffic jams and this gave me time to absorb my surroundings (as they say) and I was particularly drawn to the beauty of these trees towering over us. It’s simply amazing how they looked all dried up (and dead) in the winter and now they are all sprouting their pretty little leaves. I love that we have the four seasons here in the east coast because it always gives us a new canvas to look at every three or four months of the year. Don’t be shocked! I do have my nature moments and it may get a little mellow-cheesy but it’s all good right? Enjoy the rest of the gorgeous weather weekend.

Mac Eye Shadow Haul

Alright, alright I may have gone a little overboard building my make up collection but I figured if I'm going to do this then I have to commit myself completely (wink, wink) so I went ahead and bought thirteen (yup, 13) Mac eye shadow, technically 20 but I'm still waiting for the others to come in the mail. The colors I picked are Black Tied, Carbon, Brule, Sumptuous Olive, Omega, Satin Taupe, Smut, Electra, Electric Eel, Fresh Water, Deep Truth, Moon’s Reflection, Contrast and Gesso. All gorgeous color and very pigmented so you don’t really need to use a lot. Yeah, yeah you can I say I was a bit carried away but in my defense (hmmm this is a tough one) fine! No defense except this made me very happy. Well I am off to try blending different colors, now if I can only figure out how to convince my boyfriend to be my eye model (hahaha, fat chance I know). Till next time…end your day with a smile.

Sephora Visit

The same day I went to Mac I also stopped by Sephora. They carry the face primer that I like which is the Smash Box Photo Finish and I also picked up Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil in bourbon (already have zero & lust). I have over 600 bonus points so I was able to score this Tarte insider collection for 500 points. It has mini goodies like face & eye primer, different types of mascara and lip gloss. This gal is a happy camper :)

Mac Cosmetics Haul

My First Make Up Acquisition.

Incomprehensible Anger

I am so livid right now I can’t even think straight! Why do we give people so much power when in fact all they do with it is bully us because that’s what they are…Bullies. They are certified users and abusers and in this insane unfair world of ours they don’t only seem to enjoy it but they in fact are thriving because of it. They get all the breaks, all the options, all the choices and all the money while we nice folks get squat! I cannot really put all the blame on them since I (myself) empower them. Is being good a curse because I am not so sure it’s working out for me. I believe we are all (somehow) governed by our (good/fair) values, virtues, and beliefs but for some reason other people have twisted interpretation of what is good and (definitely) what is fair. So what can we do to alleviate the anger and disgust? Do we just turn away and move on or do we face it head on, paying no attention to any consequences it may bring? This is so infuriating! My father (rest his soul) always told me to be the bigger person but as I get older it gets more and more difficult to practice that. I wish he was here to give me the wisdom I am so lacking at the moment. I am blanketed with anger and disgust and I don’t like it. I wish you were here Dad; your voice is always comforting. Anyways, great thing I have this blog so I can vent, vent, vent, and vent some more….sorry I digress. I hope you guys are having a far better day than yours truly (because mine completely blows!). Thanks for listening (it’s either this or have a heart attack)

Stew Leonard's Supermarket

Locally know as Stew’s this supermarket is my favorite place to do my grocery shopping. I wanted to share it with you guys because like you, I know the feeling of going to your regular supermarket and finding that some produce you need are old and wilted, not having enough option on the meat counter, having no one there to help you, so on and so forth. The first time I was introduced to stew’s I felt like a kid in a candy store (yep, its true) because for someone who loves to cook and use fresh ingredients this was such a find! It was even called the “Disneyland of Dairy Stores” by the NY times. They are known for their customer-service policy which is the Customer is always right followed by If the customer is wrong, re-read rule # 1 which is a big deal if you ask me. Enough talk, enjoy the picture tour :)

Pregnancy

A couple of weeks ago my brother and his wife informed the family that they are expecting and the family was more than elated to hear this. At first I had mixed emotions about it since their newly weds and I wanted for them to be established in their careers before starting a family, and also because I wanted them to be emotionally and financially prepared for it.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Gloss

This is my new addiction! This is by far the best lip gloss I have ever used. It makes my lips look naturally fuller and very voluptuous (how ridiculously awesome is that). I have used and tried different ones and I always found something I didn’t like about it…not this one. This product gives me a great shine, no sticky feeling (hate that) and it gives my lips a cooling sensation (love it). The infusion of vitamin A and E doesn’t hurt too. It does keep my lips softer, smoother and it even feels like its moisturizing my lips as well :) So if you happen to be looking for a new lip gloss you can try checking out this product.

My favorite is Destiny…

Chili Con Carne (with beans)

Rain! Rain! Every freaking day since Sunday it has been relentless and today is no different. My Monday didn’t start out too good so I wanted my Tuesday to be different so I figured I would do some blogs today to help me relax (actually I tried blogging yesterday but the server was acting up). So lets you and me catch up shall we :)

Cookie Craving

I was scanning thru some files in my computer and I happen to come across some pictures of Oatmeal Raisin Cookies that I had made a couple of weeks back. I was planning on sharing the recipe which I never got around to doing…yet. Anyways, I was craving for something chewy so I thought of them. Warm, chewy, with a hint of sweetness plus the raisins and nuts hmmm who wouldn’t want that. Needless to say I wish I had some!

Braised Lamb Shanks...my way

Finally! here is the recipe for this gloriously delicious dish (here you go Joanna). Here are the Ingredients:

Italian Jelly Cookies

This day has been totally dragging for me! I mean with the dreary weather coupled with issues at the office well it’s just a complete blah until I went to the store next door and saw one of my top 3 favorite cookies of all time – Italian Jelly Cookies woohoo! Already altered my crappy mood to somewhat better and I haven’t even tasted it yet. So I got it ($4.49 pricey) brought it back to the office and let me tell you it was awesome. It was buttery and sweet…Now all I need is green tea:)

Chicken Adobo

I made this dish last night since I was feeling lazy and I didn’t want to continuously hover over the hot stove. Adobo is actually the national dish of the Philippines and being Filipino it would be sacrilege if I didn’t know how to make it. You can use pork or chicken, I don’t think I have tried using other meats for this (oh well) I just used chicken because it cooks faster. There are many versions how to make this dish but I wanted mine to be really easy and simple so I copied my Aunt’s version :) here are the list of ingredients:

Clarisonic Plus

Late night TV has the immense power of persuasion, and this I experienced first hand last year. Late one night when I was flipping through channels I happened to stop at the QVC channel, suddenly I found myself being mesmerized about this product, and by the end of the segment I was hooked. I was literally salivating about the idea of trying one out to see if the hype is true, until I saw the price tag – a whopping $225. Don’t get me wrong I have known about Clarisonic since it first came out, but I am one of those women who don’t pay too much attention to new products unless I read a lot of reviews from women who have tried it. Reviews are a great way to see if you can be leaning toward trying the product, or it can affirm the fact (that you were already thinking) that the product will not work for you. With that said, I was now faced with the dilemma whether to buy or not. Luckily Christmas was on the horizon, needless to say I was dropping hints to family members what I wanted for Christmas (one way for it to be a guilt free purchase, I’m bad I know). I was more than ecstatic to find it under the Christmas tree and after opening the box the love story began…

Say Cheese!

Surely everyone has a favorite cheese and that definitely includes me. I am a sucker for trying different varieties. Especially creamy, buttery and nutty ones; which is why I make it a point to check out Stew Leonard’s cheese section on grocery day (one by Yonkers) or stop by Murray’s Cheese (the one located at Grand Central Station by the Seafood Market Place) once a week after work. Aside from the fact that they offer any cheese you can imagine and help you pick out the right cheese for your taste buds, they also ask if you would like to taste the cheese first before purchasing. No matter how many you want to try, all you have to do is ask. With all the varieties to choose from I do have a few Italian cheeses that are a staple in my kitchen. Each has its supporting role (and sometimes a starring role) in making everyday dishes extra special.

Beautiful Blooms

Spring is just around the corner and with it brings a bountiful array of beautiful blooms.

Braised Lamb Shank Dinner

Oh my God! I would have never thought in a million years that I would be eating, let alone cooking lamb at home, but I can say it is by far one of the best dishes I have ever tried to make. The picture does not even do it justice. I made this today for dinner and I can tell you it felt like it took forever to make. I am not the most patient person in the world but I had to keep it together in order to pull off this extraordinary endeavor (for me anyways). After 4 hours, yes people – 4 HOURS of patience and cooking I was able to discover the beauty of braising lamb shanks and can I tell you it was awesome. I also made fried cheesy polenta that completely compliments the dish.

Magazine Overload

Magazines! Magazines! I am up to my eyeballs with magazines. Recently I received a letter from Delta Air that my sky miles are about to expire, and they offered a solution for their use. They have this program where you can use your sky miles to pay for magazine subscriptions, sounds like a good compromise doesn’t it. At first I was elated about the idea since I do have subscriptions to several magazines and I though that I could use my sky miles to extend my subscriptions and subscribe to others that interest me, but alas, it is now becoming a nightmare.

Easy Beef Stew

This is by far the easiest beef stew I have ever made and since I am always on the look out for easy to make recipes well this fits the bill. When I saw this recipe I was a bit skeptical how it would come out because it was too simple and does not require a lot of flavorings. With slight apprehension I decided to try it.

Maxine...2nd chin

After having read about how chins live longer, healthier lives when they have a playmate I decided to get Ella a friend. Mind you she will not be happy sharing her place, but knowing Ella her bark is worse than her bite. My first attempt was bringing home one of Ella’s siblings for a couple of days to see if they would be good together unfortunately she ended up hurting Ella so I had to give her back. The breeder I dealt with was gracious enough to accept her back after I informed her about the incident that had occurred and that it would be best for both chins in the long run. Now back to the drawing board of finding a friend for Ella…

Sloppy Joe's...Part I

Last Saturday I was watching this cooking show and the host was making her version of Philly cheese steak which looked and sounded absolutely delicious so I got to thinking I am going to make the coming work week a sandwich fest but alas the sudden temperature change made my allergies flare up so it ended up not happening (yet). All is not lost since I remembered that I have a can of manwich in my pantry I figured I will just do a manwich night.

Happy Birthday Little Brother

It's March again and time for your Birthday. Another year older and wiser (I hope). Now make a wish and blow the candle. Goodluck on your coming endevours...

Ella...Intro to Chinchillas

My first chinchilla, chin for short. I got Ella when she was still a kit (baby) about 3 months old and boy she was a speedy little demon. She was a handful to begin with, and then add the fact that she is an exotic animal made it quite a challenge for me. I bought her this two storey cage along with all the basic necessities which after adding it all up made for some expensive housing but it was all worth it when your pet is as adorable (cunning) as Ella.

Frost

I find the beauty of nature quite fascinating and undoubtedly difficult to capture but there are those people who are gifted enough to have the ability not just to capture but convey the meaning of what nature bring to us. I unfortunately am not one of those gifted ones but I don’t let that stop me from trying.

Chocolate Indulgence

I remember it was a beautiful Saturday morning, the sun was up and temperature was in the 60’s so I figured why not take advantage of the nice weather. I invited my boyfriend for brunch in the city (Manhattan) expecting we were going to this Ukrainian restaurant that serves awesome comfort food but he had the hankering for some waffles so I had to do some quick thinking (since I am not a huge fan of waffles for brunch) and I asked him if we could walk around union square then decide where to eat, he hesitantly agreed.

Snow Day

I was playing with my blackberry phone when I happened to stumble upon a photo that my brother had sent to me when they had a bad storm in Delaware back in February. He took a picture of his car which I thought looked pretty cool (don’t ask me why, I just think it looks cute like a snail with its antennae sticking out). My family has been living in Delaware for over 10 years now, and this is by far the worst snow storm they have ever encountered. A state of emergency was declared which made sense, since my mom could not even get out of her driveway to go to work.

Homemade Granola

Now that I am getting older I find myself paying more attention to what I eat, I used to chew on energy bars whenever hunger hit me in between meals. Then one day I started reading the ingredients that go into each bar, and to my surprise its not all healthy eating as I thought. So began the crusade of making my own granola from scratch, where I can control the ingredients that go in my granola.

Corn Muffins

Piping hot and fresh out of the oven. I'm a huge fan of Ina Garten and I saw this recipe one of Barefoot Contessa's episodes on Food Network. It is ridiculously simple to make and if I can do it, so can you. This is a pretty sweet corn muffin which I love, but for those who like it not so sweet just put less sugar.

Winter Wonderland?

Don't you just love New York weather, especially in February when mother nature gives her last hoorah for the winter. The 3 day nor'easter is simply brutal. Don't be fooled by the picture since that was taken this morning and yes, that was only from thursday and we are ever so lucky to have friday and saturday of this menacing winter wonderland.