My Birthday in 2013

This year, I did not plan anything in particular because my husband was away on a mission. I thought I skip the "celebration part" with respect to the people who are badly affected by the recent typhoon. For some reason, fate had a different plan for me. I may have decided not to celebrate my 35th year, but some people were very nice and thought of ways to make my birthday memorable for 2013.

I look at birthday celebrations as a good way to share my favorite things, especially food with the people close to my heart.

To begin, the week my husband was away, I was practically juggling everything on my own. I kinda lived the life of a single parent. My parents were the only people available to help me with some things. One afternoon, my mom paid me a visit and invited me for lunch. We went to a nearby restaurant called Banapple.

For lunch we had pasta. Dishes we haven't tried in Banapple: Penne Bolognese and Trio of Sausages Fettuccine. It's my mom's advance birthday treat. Times spent with my mom and dad are often spent with a good conversation about life, their experiences as parents and lessons they've learned, things I'm still learning.

Monday, I took my kids out for some ice cream and more pasta at the newly opened Iceberg's Katipunan Avenue. I enjoyed my tall mug of strawberry float and the company of my children. My husband surprised me with a cake when me and the kids got home from Iceberg's. It was a blessing that my husband arrived safely from his trip on my special day.

Then, gifts in huge boxes came in... This has got to be one of the most memorable moments in my life. The intention to sacrifice for those in need was attained. I wasn't expecting anything in return but when I thought I had nothing, blessings poured in. When I thought, I was alone, people I love surprised me.

Learning The Chops

Our snack this afternoon was some egg noodles...It's been raining a good bowl would be nice. When it comes to noodles, I prefer eating it with chopsticks and later on sip the soup from the bowl. My son of course, wanted to get hold of the chopsticks too, and made this his learning moment using them for eating. Getting there... I like it everytime my son takes effort in learning the things that we do.

Almost...
Alright!
Happy little boy! He had 2 bowls.

Nutrition and Learning

This part II of my Easy Guide To Kid's Snack entry. Now that I have shared some food healthy for our kids this schoolyear. I would like to share some guidelines on how to achieve this goal. We all know how hard it is for our children to love homecooked and prepared meals, when street food and junk are everywhere around them right?

I am very thankful that my son's school gave some tips for this matter.

What children eat can have implications on their physical and mental growth, as well as their future health. try saying to your child " You are what you eat". This is true for children. Many times they don't feel well or act right because they are not eating proper foods.

Follow these guidelines to help your child eat right and feel and act his/her best:

1. encourage your child to eat a variety of foods from the four food groups like fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese and milk products, breads and cereals. Meat. fish, poultry, eggs and beans.

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2. Never force your child to eat, but encourage to try all all food.

3. Offer your child nutritional snacks.

4. Avoid processed foods and serv food close to the natural state as possible.

5. Remember, all things should be in moderation. (watch salt and sugar)

6. Limit fried foodd and food high in cholesterol.

7. Make them drink plenty of water.

8. Don't reward children with sweets.

9. Involve children in the cooking and preparation of food, especially their snacks for school.

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*If you eat and sit with your child enjoying a healthy meal, your child will be positive about it too.

An Easy Guide To Kid's Snack

Being a first time parent sending her child to school, one of the things that still confuses me is the list of food to prepare for my child. At first, I thought that pre- packed fruit juices are fine. But early today, during the school orientation, I found out that it is not actually advisable for kids to have them.

The school gave us a list of preferred food and dishes for the child to bring to school and to be eaten at home.

Let me share some of them with you...

Vegetables:

Fresh lumpia

Boiled Potatoes

Baked Potato

Coleslaw

Buttered Mushrooms

Boiled Kamote

Cucumber and Carot Sticks

Meat:

Chicken Sopas

Tacos

Siomai

Beef Strips

Fish Fillet

Lumpiang Shanghai

Noodles/Pasta:

Spaghetti

Pancit

Lasagna

Baked Macaroni

Eggs(protein):

Egg soup

scramble eggs

leche flan

quail eggs

Dairy:

cheese sticks

Yogurt

Sandwiches/ Bread:

French Toast

Grilled Cheese

Pizza

Egg Sandwiches

Fruits:

Best if fresh or freshly squeezed

Beverages:

Milk/ Milk products

Water

Fruit Shakes

Fresh fruit Juices (calamansi/dalandan)

Wheat/ Grain/ Nuts:

Oatmeal

Soya Based products

Sopas

Cereals with Milk

Note: Best prepared and served using natural/ fresh ingredients without using any preservatives and too much salt.

What's Cookin? Who's Cookin?

One of the greatest gift a Mother will cherish her whole life is to watch her child bloom into her likeness. A passion I enjoy right now is being the queen of my own kitchen. And the lovely part, I now share it with my young Prince. This entry was madeSeptember 25, 2008 in my other blog site. I now want to share this new exciting experience in my very own food site.

Since he was 2, Franky has been part of my kitchen. It may not look and sound safe but, yes, I carry him around with me while I cook our grub of the day. That's one Mommyism risk I took and with God's help I was able to keep him safe while I do my work.

Now, when he sees me get the ingredients from the pantry, he forgets all about playing and concentrates on what I am doing around the kitchen. During his 4th birthday, he was with me standing on his thinking chair watching me cook his birthday treat. I just love it when he shows interest in what his mom is up to. Every little kid has his own curiosity stage. I'm proud that my son's curiosity started in my own place of zen, the kitchen. At a young age of 4, Franky knows how to work around already.

He knows where to put the dirty dishes, he washes his hands just as instructed before handling food and he helps me set the table.
And he was at it again this evening. This time I have to take pictures.
Still part of the whole curiosity thing--- playing
while sauteeing the garlic
Helping me with the chayote
Part of our small chef's on parade, are some lessons from big momma. Like teaching him the kind of vegetables we're using.

Now for the recipe: Very easy.

All you'll be needing are the following:

2 Hearts Full of Love

2 Heaping Cups of Kindness

2 Armfuls of Gentleness

2 Cups of Friendship

2 Cups of Joy

2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness

1 Lifetime of Togetherness

2 Minds Full of Tenderness

Methods: Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience.

Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.
Recipe for Love:
Author: unknown @ scrapbook.com