The Right Tutor For Your Child

Now that my eldest son is in grade school, somehow I also think if it would be best if I get a tutor for him. Nowadays, private tutoring is one of the best options. Getting somebody specializing on education doesn't mean that your child is failing and he needs help. Let's rid of that common perception.

There are several purposes why tutors were made available. My son's school for one is offering after class tutoring for children whose parents are having a hard time coping and mixing work with aiding their child on school matters such as homework. As for me, being a concerned parent, I look at tutoring as a good activity to have for my child. Like once or twice a week, spending my son's time with a private tutor is way better than seeing him waste time in front of the television. I'm not a perfect mom. I sometimes miss out on things every time I teach my son. Things tutors has full knowledge of and creative activities that only professionals are capable of.

Private tutoring is a good option. Your child gets to stay at home where you can still monitor him with the teacher and when it comes to schedule, with private tutoring, it's easier because you will only mind the time the tutor or teacher will begin and end the whole teaching process. But before hiring a tutor, it is best to have your child assessed so that the tutor's able to adjust according to the child's needs.

S&R Members Specials

You're always treated special in S&R, that's why I love to shop there. Here's another surprise from the store that offers world class service and products. The S&R Members Specials. The Members Specials will run from June 11- July10, 2012. It includes certain discounted products, buy1 take 1 items including fresh meats, big discount on men and women's clothing line. Discounts of freshly baked cakes and pastries such as: U.S Petite Brownie Bites, Lava Cakes and more.

You know what's so likable about S&R and us shopping there? Well, every time we're bound to do our regular grocery shopping, special offers like these graces us all the time. Aside from the regular things we get for the house, we end up having bonuses with the same budget we have.

One great find I had was this Better Homes handmade quilts. Finally, I'll get to own one... my mom would die for these handmade quilts. The last handmade quilt she had lasted for 2 decades. I will make a separate post about it.

Of course, a glimpse of our cart as we journey through more aisles of goodies. Fresh meat from Montana. An 8 bar- pack of Irish Spring, buy1 take 1 Colgate, some jelly filled with nata de coco. Canned goods, buy1 take 1 dish washing liquid. Selected wines & spirits are also on sale, Ritz Reversible Drying Mats and for every php1000 purchase of Hershey's products you get a free huggable Hershey's Teddy Bear or a cool Fondue Set. We're still months away from the real Members' Treat and we're already given tons of products to choose from.

After breezing through the whole warehouse, we're famished. I always order a big slice of their Combo Pizza (with everything on top), and a big bowl of my ultimate favorite...

S&R Chicken Caesar Salad

This week, I'm set to go back... I'm off to check if S&R still has the rose scented satin hangers. It's a wonderful material making our closets smell good and it keeps clothing made of delicate fabric in tip top shape.

Vaporizers For Your Wellness

When it comes to wellness, one of the things that I have in the house are vaporizers. 1 in the master bedroom, 1 in the living room and 1 in the computer area. Vaporizers eliminates foul odors, unwanted bacteria present in the air and with some essential oils, it can make a person sleep soundly. Wellness is a healthy balance of what makes up our whole well- being, our body, mind and soul.

Common vaporizers being sold nowadays comes with hybrid digital vaporizer with a remote control for selecting temperature, fan speed, and auto off from across a room.

Vaporizers works best for our Respiratory System. I for one, is very sensitive when it comes to dust or any harmful particles present in the air. I get terrible allergies that triggers sinusitis. I bought a vaporizer to get rid of dust particles in the air. A tropical country like the Philippines is prone to dust and humidity that stresses a person without even doing hard work. Vaporizers are good instruments that aids in keeping a clean and safe air for your home.

What's Your Happy Lemon?

After months, I'm finally able to make a post on Happy Lemon. The line was always long in HappyLemon. There wasn't any room to get pictures of the whole place, especially the drinks that we love. Most of the time, we buy our refreshments from Happy Lemon Megamall. Last weekend, my husband and I decided to get some cold drinks as we sit and talk about hot penny stocks . When it comes to just having time for a good conversation, places like Happy Lemon makes it more enjoyable.

I'm happy because there were tables available. We found a spot near the counter. It was unusual to have seats for a weekend though.

I love Happy Lemon because of their one of a kind drinks. Honestly, it should be excluded with the rest of the milk tea shops that sprouted everywhere. Happy Lemon is beyond milk teas. One of our favorites is their Yakult Green Tea and Lemon Yakult (0% sugar). You don't actually need sugar to enjoy both drinks. These are well-balanced drinks, healthy because they're made from fresh ingredients. And we all know the health purpose of Yakult. So mix them all together, you'll be treated to one of the healthiest drink in the market.

To indulge a little, I always go for some Cocoa Milk Tea with Puff Cream. I never say no to anything creamy. This particular drink is so thick and rich in flavor. I can actually taste and sip real cocoa. I can drink two in one visit. Another is Milk Tea with OREO Cookies & Cream. It's more for the kids, my son loves it so much.

So there's my chioce of drinks from Happy Lemon. There's more to try. For a change, on my next visit, I will probably try drinks that are aloe and yogurt based, still with Green Tea Yakult ;)

Pan-Fried Bulgogi

Servings: 3-4

Marinade: 

• 2 cups soy sauce 
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 
• 1 tbsp dry white wine 
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tbsp honey 
• 1/2 cup chopped onions or scallions 
• 1 tsp minced garlic 
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds

 Other Ingredients for Cooking: 

• 500g Beef Sirloin (cut into strips)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 2 stems onion leeks (chopped)
• White onion (chopped into strips).

How To:

• Marinate thin slices of beef overnight. 
• In a separate small pan, roast sesame seeds. 
• Set aside. In a sauce pan, heat olive oil. 
• When oil is hot, stir fry beef meat (don't include the marinade). 
• Stir for about a minute and simmer until meat is tender and juicy. 
• Add marinade little by little if necessary or if meat has gone dry. 
• Add roasted sesame seeds and chopped white onions and stir evenly. 
• Serve with chopped onion leeks on top.

Best eaten wrapped in lettuce or mustard leaves, rice and Kimchee.

Reunited with Misis Edz Crunchy Garlic

June 2009 I discovered Misis Edz Crunchy Garlic at the SM Hypermarket in Tiendesitas.
Related Posts:
Ampalaya and Misis Edz,
Homemade Shitake Shumai

2010 My last dose of Misis Edz because I couldn't find any of it in any supermarket.

2011 the hunt for Misis Edz continued. Until...

June 2012 I finally found the Misis again... 

Let's face it, roasted garlic can make a bad dish go yummylicious. Before I discovered Misis Edz, I was roasting garlic like hell. I mince garlic,  fry it in olive oil then I store it in a small container. Every time we eat, I also serve the roasted garlic that eventually turned into a side dish for most viands I cook. Especially when it comes to dishes like Pork barbecue, Turbo broiled Liempo and even Kaldereta. There came a point when I wished for somebody who can grace me with ready-to-serve  roasted minced garlic in the market. Dry or with oil, anything will do.

In 2009, as I was browsing thought bottles of crab paste, shrimp paste, I came across Misis Edz and bought 3 bottles of it. Though it's not cooked in olive oil like what I'd usually prepare garlic with, soybean oil has its own health benefits.

• Soybean Oil is cholesterol free. Soybean Oil is rich with certain essential  fatty acids that helps regulate blood pressure and that olive oil has a low percentage of.
• Soybean oil also contains natural antioxidants.
• Other Food Use of Soybean Oil 

After being reunited with Misis Edz Crunchy Garlic, cooking was brought to a different level. I know that eating is going to be more fun and tasteful. I even mix it with my Kimchee. Love it!

Misis Edz Crunchy Garlic find at SM Hypermarket Main Ave. Cubao.

Marble For My Kitchen

I grew up in my grandparents house where you will find marble flooring in most parts of the house including the kitchen. One advantage of marble tiles especially as flooring for the kitchen is the fact that it's easy to clean. With a flooring that's easy to manage and at the same time is elegant to look at, who wouldn't be inspired to spend time in the kitchen. My grandparents chose a simple marble design.

Cabot Marble Tile Carrara White C / 12"x12"x3/8" / Polished

Marble tiles come in different cuts, colors and designs. The most famous are cuts from Italy, Spain and Turkey. Veined with rivulets of subtle color on varied background of earthy tones, marble tiles from Kesir, Licante and Cabot can offer a subtle or a bold feature in the modern designer's vision, offering colors such as beige, brown, white and even red. 

As for my new kitchen, I want something attractive and eye-catching. I've always wanted my kitchen to be painted with bright colors, symbolizing richness and freshness.

Cabot Marble Tile Cafe Forest / 12"x12"x3/8" / Polished

Always choose marble products from build direct that have their products undergo product quality testing. Products that are constantly rechecked for quality to ensure that the best products offers below wholesale prices. Build Direct offers laminate flooring, hardwood floors, carpet, tile, decking & more at great prices.

I Cook Because It Lifts ME Up

It's very common for us to experience the downside, confusing, the heavy part in our lives. As a stay at home mom, the particular downfall in my life was becoming selfless. There was a time when I had too much of it, and it manifested by becoming unhealthy. It's different when you get married and there's just you and your husband. It's on a different level when we talk about building a good foundation for the family, nurturing each member and being able to maintain a positive atmosphere at home. 

For me, selflessness automatically came into my life. I was just too busy managing a home that it came to a point that I totally forgot about my health. Don't get me wrong being selfless isn't bad, it just so happen that I got overwhelmed by it. Whether we like it or not, our body will tell us "that hey, you've done so much, take a break!". That's when "Me Time" began for me. Spending time for oneself doesn't have to be expensive or grand and spent by yourself. My definition of "me time" is doing the things I love and having the things I love regardless of the over-all state of acquiring it.

My #1 uplifting solution is my kitchen. Even before I started with my online journal, the kitchen is considered as a place of zen. You will definitely find me in my kitchen whipping up something for the family.

Cooking makes me whole as a person.

I've recently came across a good article. It was entitled" The How of Happiness". One particular line caught my eye. "Be Happy Without Being Perfect".

 Cooking makes me happy and it doesn't have to be perfect.

Let's think out of the box and try to see and absorb what's on the other 3 sides and corners of the square. A neuro linguistic programming is also a way in order to bring our personal development as priority. It's a start for those who is suffering with very low self-esteem. Basically, all we need to do is to stay away from the complicated definition of happiness. Most of the time, we associate happiness with material things. But sometimes the simplest form that can give us happiness is just right in font of us waiting.

Bulgogi

For the record this was my first attempt to prepare Korean. It all started when my husband asked me if I can cook Korean BBQ because his friend at work prepared some for their picnic Wednesday and he said it was very good. My answer was: "I'll look into it" because honestly, I have no clue about the ingredients and the method of cooking used when it comes to Korean cuisine. As researched, Bulgogi or Korean Beef BBQ is marinated beef cooked using the traditional way of grilling.

Others: Dak Bulgogi for chicken and Dwaeji Bulgogi for pork.

 Ingredients---

Filling:

• Thin slices of sirloin
• Pieces of lettuce
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/4 mung sprouts
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• salt and pepper

Marinade:

• 2 cups soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tbsp dry white wine
• 1 tsp sugar 
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup chopped onions or scallions
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds

How To:

• Marinate thin slices of beef overnight.
• Grill over at Gridiron or any griller available.
• Cut beef into smaller pieces.
• In a pan heat cooking oil.
• Add chopped onions and stir for a few seconds.
• Add mung sprouts and stir until its half-cooked.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

Lettuce Wrap:

• Prepare washed lettuce
• Top 1 tsp cooked rice
• 1 tsp of cooked mung sprouts
• Top strips of beef
• Wrap lettuce, best eaten with some homemade Kimchee

Optional: boil extra marinade and use it as sauce for the lettuce wrap.

If necessary adjustments are to be made, suggestions, please feel free to leave me a message. I'm very open on improving this dish and discovering more about Korean cuisine.

Enjoy!

Pasta: Eggplant Pomodoro

Eggplant Pomodoro is a dish that can be served as main, side and as a pasta topping. I became familiar with Eggplant Pomodoro just recently with dinner at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Kenny Rogers' Eggplant Pomodoro is the latest addition to their line of side dishes. Perfect match for their classic roasted chicken.

Since it's a side dish for Kenny Rogers, the Eggplant Pomodoro was presented and served in a way the eggplant was mashed into fine pieces, mixed with tomatoes and topped with Parmesan cheese. It was so good. At home, I made my version of Eggplant Pomodoro and used it as a pasta topping. I love eggplant. Fried, grilled, stewed,  I prefer to soften the vegetable enough for its natural juices to come out.

It's something new both for the eye and the palate. The best thing I like about it--- it's healthy. It's a good example of an all-veggie dish. A vegetable dish that's enticing, rich and delicious. 

Ingredients: 

• 400g spaghetti (al dente)
• 5 eggplants (cut into strips)
• 2 cans (equivalent to 2 cups) of diced or crushed tomatoes
• 5 medium fresh red tomatoes (chopped)
• 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 cup sliced black olives
• 2 whole garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp of your preferred herb (basil, thyme, rosemary)
• 1 tsp chopped parsley
• salt and pepper

How To:

• In a sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil until light brown.
• Add chopped fresh tomatoes and stir for a few seconds.
• Add strips of eggplant and stir for a few seconds, cover and let it cook for about a minute or until eggplant is soft and juicy.
• Add black olives and stir for a few seconds.
• Add canned tomatoes and simmer for a few seconds.
• Add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and herbs.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• In a baking dish, set cooked pasta.
• Top Pomodoro sauce over pasta then bake for 10 minutes.
• Serve with Parmesan cheese and crackers.

Love it! Enjoy it! Happy-healthy eating!