Home Design Ideas

In a few years time, my husband and I will finally have our own house. That's right my dear friends. I never thought that it is going to happen this soon. They say, while we're still young, grab all the chances to be able to make a good investments and for the family to be happy and comfortable. With the help of my mom, we have been going through several readings looking for the perfect model to match our dream house and most especially our dream home.I'm took in charge of the internet while my mom searched on various magazines and books. Home design ideas all put together. A comfortable and welcoming living room, cozy bedrooms, the perfect kitchen and even an entertainment room. We are also considering on keeping some of our old stuff, but the rest is going to be for the new designs, appliances and furniture. One part of the house I am very particular about is the masters bedroom.

Bedroom design ideas are everywhere nowadays. You don't even need a professional to help you with decorating.

Living room design ideas are one of my favorites.My husband is also very particular with this. He would often buy furniture and other stuff to make the whole atmosphere of the place feel right. He stays a lot in the living that's why.

Also it's because the living room is where we will be entertaining guests. And those guests will be one of the important people who really appreciates a great home.

Food Trip Friday--- Creamy Spicy Pasta and More Clubhouse Sandwiches

My husband went on leave last week. That made his Friday free. When the family is complete on a weekend, especially starting it on a Friday, I'm pretty inspired to prepare something extra special than our daily grub.

Creamy Spicy Pasta I used Del Monte's Gourmet Sauce

Del Monte's line of Gourmet sauces is a must in every kitchen pantry. Every spice and flavorful ingredient is to be tasted. I added tuna in hot and spicy, mushrooms and dried basil.

It was a perfect way to start our weekend. We talked  on a lot of things. We even had a good conversation about our 'ol civic then we talked on buying a motor bike. Dirt Bike Race is one cool hobby to get into. I remembered Mommy Seiko's daughter of Seikos Diary, she's one hell of a biker.

And lastly, I also prepared more of my clubhouse sandwich. My boys kept on asking for it. This is a really good snack for the family. Just gather the freshest ingredients you can use, pile them up together. This time, I used quarter slices of cucumber to top each sandwich. It's refreshing and healthy.

What's Your Food Trip this Friday?

Food Trip Friday

The Treehouse

An open bar- restaurant located at the heart of Quezon City Philippines. Serves Filipino and International cuisines.

The Treehouse Restaurant

29, Matalino St.

Quezon City

It was a lazy, sunny afternoon. All I plan to do was to deposit money in the bank, in an instant , the day became  a family trip to the wild life center and an afternoon of delicious snacks. The Treehouse. It was my first time to visit this restaurant. My husband: a frequent guest especially with his Dad (my late father-in-law). The whole ambiance of the place was very homey. Trees surrounded the whole restaurant. It wasn't humid or hot considering that it is an open resto.

Saba Con Hielo with Icecream php75

Pancit Guisado php180
My favorite. This platter is good for 3. 

BLT Sandwich php99
 Too bad, it looks appetizing, but there's something missing with the taste.

Calamares Fritos php185

Photos Taken: SEP990i

Free Website Builder

For your food blog, photo blog a personal blog, a website for your business. Anything you want to make a mark online are with this website builder . Looking for a free website ? Visit Wix and you will find all the essentials on building a website. Publish like a PRO, be on top of the search engine, get your own domain name, create stunning promotional materials: banners, newsletters, widgets and more to attract clients and visitors and no programming required. It's just simple and easy to understand. 

1. Start (by signing up)

2. Create (start building your website)

3. Save your final work

4. Publish (for everyone to see)

I've already started with my first website with Wix still in the process of developing the main page. It's crazy! With page 1 of my website I'm already in awe, there's so much option and choices with one click of the mouse.  I never thought that such website builder exist.  It is also equipped with guidelines in case you get lost exploring. The nice part, readers can still leave comments and messages to your website. Traffic still continues and you can customize everything. It's going to be a more formal website.

Eat This!

A Book On NOT Dieting. Who among you finds dieting such a hard thing to do? I'll be honest, I do. I always believe that whatever is served on the table, everything should be taken in moderation. But good food and delicious meals makes us disobey that rule. Which eventually results to having big bellies, unwanted fats and cellulites and having a sluggish body.

In reality, dieting was not made to be easy. It requires discipline and will power in order to achieve our goals. Well, I found a better alternative. As I was in line at the cashier when I saw this book. It just so happen that I was beside a stack of books and magazines related to kitchen and cooking. Good thing I was wearing my eyeglasses, it was hiding in- between the thick ones. The colorful title EAT THIS! was inviting me to buy it! buy it! This reading shows the fun side by not thinking of dieting. 365 reasons to stop dieting. Once you take a peek, you'll also find several humorous quotations.

EAT THIS! by Mary McHugh

 This book is going to be helpful and  inspiring to those who are very conscious with their body. Take a break, live a little and enjoy your favorite comfort food.

Dieting is Good. Too much of everything is bad.

•  Tap dancing is more fun than dieting burns more calories
• Your grandma always says: "Eat, eat- you're too thin". And she's old so she must be wise.
• Walking 15 minutes a day will help you lose 12 pounds a year; walking through the "sale" aisle at your favorite store counts double.
• Walk an hour a day and use up 280 calories= 2 hotdogs
• If you don't have enough carbohydrates in your diet, you can suffer from fatigue, lack of energy, short-term memory loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Linguine with clam sauce anyone?
• Your hair is falling out, your skin is flaking, and you have no energy. Eat! Eat!
• Chocolate gives you the same feeling you have when you're in love.

Food Trip Friday--- Clubhouse Sandwiches

Here's a glimpse of my first ever attempt on making a Clubhouse Sandwich. Had to go online just to make sure if I did it right and also for new age pdf search. I've been hunting for new applications that can read and write PDF files. As for the sandwich, yes, I was able to do it right and the most important, IT'S HEALTHY! My boys really liked it. Hearing from my husband (who is a big food critic) that my Clubhouse Sandwich is the best he ever tasted, inspired me to make more and added stuffing to go with it.

 Ingredients:

Toasted Loaf (Wheat) Bread

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Lettuce

Cheese

Ham

Egg

Stuffed Olives 

Homemade Chicken Spread

Just layer everything according to how you desire it, put them together with a toothpick, viola! Start Munching!!! A new set of Clubhouse Sandwiches will greet us again in the morning.

Food Trip Friday

Sunday Family Feast

It was an ordinary family day Sunday. My brother and I, together with our families visited our hometown in Rizal. It seems like we prepared for something big as if we're going to the beach. Our family loves to eat and to prepare food even if there's no occasion to celebrate. While eating and preparing our feast, we talk, make jokes on one another and even reminisce.

I think this is what life is all about. Our parents are happy we're all together. A new chapter begins in this stage when us children gives back the overwhelming love and support our mom and dad poured when we're still under their umbrella.

I prepared the Ensaladang Talong dish (salt free!) Well, that's why I added some salted eggs (red eggs). It's grilled eggplants peeled. Accompanied with chopped tomatoes, onions and red eggs. Best served with shrimp paste and chopped green mangoes.

Some prawns to to complete the line of seafood, we also grilled tuna.

Pork dishes Pork BBQ and Pork Liempo

Grilled food for dinner went well with the pouring rain. It feels so right just being able to share a feast with my loved ones. It's a good form of bonding, let's not wait for an occasion and just to be able to talk about life insurance. Eating together boosts the trust, the connection, the natural bond the family has. A good conversation will come along the way.

Dessert With My Little Boy

It's been 2 days since Franky and I wanted to stuff ourselves with sweet delights. Monday night  we were given a chance. I was invited by my parents to have dinner in one of the restaurants in Metrowalk Ortigas.  During dinner I explained things to my parents with regards to blogging.  It was nice for them to show concern on the things I love to do. I mean, I don't live with them anymore, and here they are showing me support. Had to explain everything including how seo works. We also attended a gathering as G1BO Teodoro's volunteers. Well, it was just a get together.

Then the real event happened---dessert with my little boy!

I took my son to have dessert in Iceberg's,  our favorite ice cream parlor. It was a great night out for the both of us. It's like a date. Moments like this one should be cherished, the little boy will become a big boy soon, so I'm really taking advantage of the time. Can you imagine ice cream at 9pm in the evening! Anything to make my little boy happy, he doesn't ask much anyway.

So what did we get for dessert?

Franky ordered his usual Oreo Cookies Sundae

For me, I got very curious had to taste their Strawberry Float. It was very good, it's like a Strawberry Fizz drink with ice cream.

If we're going to talk about real Float, this is it, the ultimate. Take a look at it. Yummy!

On our way home... SUGAR RUSH! Franky was laughing and laughing  while making funny faces. When we finally arrived, he went straight to bed and didn't even bother to brush his teeth, KNOCKOUT!

Something New For The Xtraordinarymom

There's nothing wrong with website hosting, as a matter of fact it is a great source for establishing blogs or websites per se. At the same time, you can still get all the essentials that makes up a reliable blog site or website. Namely, website traffic, features and widgets, advertising and a lot more. As for my site Sweet Nothings,  I decided to change my site's domain name because I want to take ownership of my own site 100%. I just thought of it last week. I'll be honest, right now I am on the verge of doing a major make-over for my Xtraordinarymom website and I want to start by getting my own domain name. The look and the links will follow. I want my site to serve it's real purpose- "an online diary".  It will surely make a big difference once I get my new domain name up and running hopefully next month.

As of the moment I am still studying the process, including the effects it will bring. I'm pretty sure it will give me all the goodness in the blogosphere than the bad. I also think that having a more personalized domain will serve more respect from other bloggers, website visitors, readers from various groups and advertisers.

Coffee Break At Starbucks

It's been a long time since I really spent time in Starbucks. After cutting myself on coffee, I only visit Starbucks to accompany my husband, buy a frapp for my son and some merchandise for me, especially their cds. Well, it's different now, looks like my system can't take it anymore... I'm back to drinking coffee. I  take it in moderation still, I limit myself to 2 cups daily.

Why is it always Starbucks? I've tried so many coffee houses, Starbucks has always been the perfect place. I remember that I often spend  time with my sister-in-law in Starbucks. She's one of my best friends. I miss her company... she's in America now. Once we're all settled in our spot, with some chocolate chip cookies and a slice of chocolate cake, with our favorite Frappuccino, the conversation will go on until we don't know when.

There's so much to like and to love about Starbucks. The ambiance alone is a  good reason to always come back and spend time with friends, families or simply some time for one's self.

And here are my latest loots from Starbucks. A canvas bag and my favorite  house blend coffee with a new coffee passport. I was looking for their cds and went to 2 Starbucks coffee houses, but not a single CD on the rack. I wonder why...

Creamy Beef Broccoli

• 1/2 kilo beef strips
• 2 medium heads broccoli (chopped to your desired shape and size)
• 1 small head cauliflower
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose crem1 cup cream of mushroom
• 1 can straw mushrooms (shitake or any mushroom of your choice is perfect)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Thickening agent:

• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water

• After tenderizing the meat. Slice into thin strips. Set aside the broth
• In a separate pan, saute garlic and onion in butter
• Add sliced meat and mushrooms. Stir for a few seconds.
• Add 1/2 -1 cup beef broth just enough to cover half of the ingredients.
• Simmer for a few seconds.
• Add broccoli and cauliflower. Stir and add broth if necessary.Simmer until cooked but don't over do it.
• Add All Purpose Cream and Cream of Mushroom
• Add thickening agent
• Salt and Pepper to taste.

Food Trip Friday

2010 FIFA World Cup McDonald's Contour Glasses

In celebration of the Fifa World Cup that comes every 4 years. South Africa will host this year's event. 

It is available in 6 different colors with 6 corresponding football moves. Just add php25 for every McDonald's Value Meal with any Coca-Cola products. Promo does not apply on php50 McSaver Meals.

I wasn't able to avail at least 1 last time McDonald's came out with Coca-Cola's Contour Glass. This time, I made sure not to let the day end without getting at least 2. Purple and Blue. Yehey! The rest, over the weekend.

Please take note that here in the Philippines it is offered for a very limited time only.

Suddenly I NEEDED Coffee

Cutting on caffeine was really not easy for me. Had to stop smoking when I got pregnant . Not only that, had to totally eliminate caffeine as part of my daily routine. But eventually,  I was able to cope and I was graced not to have a daily caffeine fix. Not until...

Lately...

It's one of the things I can't explain because I am still figuring out why I am craving for coffee. My system is looking not just for any form of caffeine, just COFFEE. For the past week,  yes, I have been taking in some already, but not everyday. Then over the weekend, with all the activities and trying to be awake for the long drive, had to take more than my usual. And as of yesterday, my body's been aching to have more of it.

toothpastefordinner.com

This afternoon when I really couldn't take it, I had to walk all the way to the nearest Shell Select just to buy coffee. I used to have coffee for brewing, freshly grinded coffee beans. But since I stopped drinking years back, there's none stored in my pantry, not even instant coffee. I wanted to drive to Starbucks and spend my coffee time there, but our car wasn't around, I settled for some iced coffee from Shell instead.

After all this, looks like that I'll be a frequent follower of Coffee houses and Café restaurants.

The Original--- Cassava Cake

Orient, is the most famous Buko Pie seller in Laguna. Aside from Buko Pie, they also whip up some Filipino delicacies, like the Cassava Cake. Last Sunday, I was able to try a different brand of Cassava Cake. Then, yesterday my Dad who traveled again to Laguna dropped by and gave me another box of Cassava and this time it's from The Original brand. I was able to taste the difference. It only proves that Orient's Cassava tops it all.

Cassava is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates.

Cassava must be cooked properly to detoxify it before it is eaten.

Source

Food Trip Friday

Camote Tops

Kamote Tops or Sweet Potato Tops is one of the healthiest local green vegetable that can be found anywhere here in the Philippines.

I bought 3 bunches today. Fresh from the market. 1 bunch I plan to add to my sinigang, another as vegetable salad and the next as a juice drink. Yup, as juice drink. Again as juice drink. When I was a kid my dad would always boil lots of Camote tops harvested from our yard. It was really good, a great substitute for instant fruit juices. Being one of the healthiest greens around, now I know why throughout my 31 years I didn't get sick and not a visit to the hospital. True, first time I laid on a hospital bed was when I gave birth. Same with my siblings, none of us got seriously sick. And with discipline we like to continue this lifestyle until we get old.

 Camote Salad

Steamed, blanched or boiled then drained. Seasoned with Calamondin juice and a little salt. Mixed with chopped red tomatoes and white onions.

Health Benefits of Camote Tops:

1. Sweet potato tops are excellent sources of antioxidative compounds,
mainly polyphenolics, which may protect the human body from oxidative
stress that is associated with many diseases including cancer and
cardiovascular diseases.

2. Sweet potato greens have the highest content of
total polyphenolics among other commercial vegetables studied.

3. Sweet potatoes contain protein, dietary fiber, lipid, and essential
minerals and nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium,
potassium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, aluminum and boron.

4. Sweet potatoes are also important sources of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin,
niacin and ascorbic acid." -source-