It takes a man and a woman...

Oh yes! The title means: the movie of Sarah G. and John Lloyd Cruz, but this is not a review of that movie. Perhaps it's about my man and me..

Both of us were busy in our lives. He's busy with his work and I'm busy being a mother and a wife. I'm so focused with him and most importantly with our child that sometimes I forget me. In few days now, Josh we'll be deployed again. He'll be far away from us again for a month. I'm not really anticipating on any plans he has for us before he leave since I'm preoccupied with Jabin's upcoming first birthday in June and the business I'm putting up with my sister.

Earlier this Black Saturday morning my husband left early and went to work while me, I just did my routine: clean the room, eat, prepare Jabin's meal, wash the bottles and the dishes, bake etc. Unaware of the time my husband was home already. Just about in time when I finished my Chocolate Revel Bar. He then surprisingly told me to change clothes because we're going out.

Surprised and tired with all the chores I didn't complain neither did I choose to stay and rest. I know I got to finish my Egg Pops (egg-shaped cake pops) for tomorrow for the kids and for everyone, but my priority is my husband. The last time we had a movie night alone was the Les Miserables movie last January. I know it was just 2 months ago but that was already long for us. Movie night when we were single until we get married was our bonding and alone time together. We both just couldn't afford to take another month before we have movie night again. Also, because he's a fan of Sarah G. (though he doesn't admit this.. ssshh! hehe) and we've seen both the past movies of this sequel 'It Takes a Man and a Woman' I got to watch this for him and for us.

The movie was about giving in and not giving up. It's about what you can offer to the other without any condition. The best line I've heard was the part when Miggy (John Lloyd) said his vows; some part that I remember was (correct me if I'm wrong) "I'm not gonna say any vows because today is not about a day of promises but a day of complete surrender..." Though the words sound so promising 'complete surrender' for me is more of what you can be than what you can do. It's giving in to the things you know you can't do. Just like in that movie Miggy gave in to Laida because he know and he can't be the best guy without her same as with Laida admitting she couldn't move on with the past because of loving Miggy too much that he was and has been part of her life. It does takes a man and a woman to work things out. Be in that complete surrender with the man or the woman you love just to be with them and showing how they mean to you; may it be your time, your strength, or even your ego. That is why I still chose to be with my man even if it means draining all my energy because of things needs to be done when we get home.

Photo credit to elysplanet.com

Character Cupcake: Draft of Oscar the Grouch Cupcake

I was so desperate to have Sesame Street Themed Cupcakes for my son's 1st birthday that's made of buttercream (for cheaper costs) so the characters' faces are not just simple toppers or flat fondant (costly na kasi kapag 3D fondant pa). I found lots of suppliers but I still needed to cut down my costs so I decided to bake cupcakes since I used to bake cookies and brownies before. I started exploring and trying out different cupcake recipes. My sister and I are trying to come up with a cupcake, that is not only moist and soft but delicious as well, and the perfect frosting to top it with. Fortunately, our mom has experience in baking cakes and making frostings for our birthday when we were young so she's helping us out right now, teaching us her techniques and sharing her experience.

The other day, I baked this moist chocolate cupcake and I was thinking of what frosting would match it. I thought of marshmallow frosting but my sister didn't like the idea until I decided to try and make vanilla buttercream. The first buttercream I made was too sweet, redid it and added unsweetened milk chocolate syrup that I previously made. My siblings and in-laws liked the chocolate frosting in my moist chocolate cupcake. Nabawasan naman ang sweetness but it's sill too sweet for me. Then I researched for a new recipe for vanilla buttercream; read some tips/ideas and explored variations and voila! I'm able to come up with my own tasty vanilla buttercream! Next was finding the best tip to frost (I'm such an amateur I know! Buti na lang andiyan si mother) until I found this weird tip which I couldn't fathomed what it is used for. I asked my mom about it and when she showed me how to use it I eventually thought of Oscar the Grouch; na-excite ako so I looked for the green food color and added banana flavor and made Oscar the Grouch frosting for moist chocolate cupcake. Coming up with this cupcake was unexpected, I didn't have anything to make his eyes, mouth and the scary eyebrow. I just utilized what I have around. I'll definitely make this again and the other Sesame Street characters for Jabin's 1st Birthday. Will make Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and more importantly, Elmo!

Cupcakes: Sophie's Mom

 

Got a pasalubong from my sister: Cupcakes from Sophie's Mom. I've been seeing this on Google search and on facebook and been wanting to try this since I was in search for the best cupcakes for my son's birthday. Then she had an appointment somewhere in Ortigas togethjer with my mom and they were able to drop by Megamall and bought these.

Cute box in baby blue and baby pink color.

Red Velvet Cupcake P60

What I like about their Red Velvet is the cream cheese frosting. The perfect frosting for red velvet cake. When it comes to red velvet cakes I look for the moistness, softness and smoothness (velvetiness?) of the cake. The cake itself is ok. I give it a score of 8 out of 10.

Green Tea Cupcake w/ White Choc-Green Tea Ganache P70

I love green tea.. from tea to frappe to donuts.. but I'm not really sure of this one. It just wouldn't get through my throat. I love the idea though, but it just didn't work for me.

Chocolate Cupcake

Rainbow Burst Cupcake P65

If you wanna try these cupcakes you can visit their store at these branches:

SM Megamall A, Ground Floor
  SM North Edsa, The Block
SM Southmall, Ground Level
8760 Santol St., San Antonio Village, Makati City

You can also check them out through Facebook and browse their menu HERE!

They also have cookies, truffles, mochi ice cream and breads.

Chewy Choco Mallow Cookie

I made a chewy chocolate cookie dough and added mallows on top. It's the chewiest cookie that I made. I was scared to try it at first because it might turn out too-sweet-you'll-going-to-have-sore-throat. Thankfully it went well: the chewiness and yumminess, I love it!

This what my brother had said (as the first critic) "tama lang hindi siya masyadong matamis" and ate more cookies. Then came in my 6 year old niece and said "It's good thing that Tita Lec is baking cookies again!" Aww... Isn't that sweeeet?! It really touched my heart. I love her so much!

Josh's Natal Day

It's my dearest Josh's Birthday! God has blessed him with another year to live. I don't know what are the things he's thankful for, the only thing I know for sure is that he is (always) grateful for having his family around - Jabin his son, his parents, his nephews, his sister (though she's in FL with her husband), my family, specially my parents, and me, of course.

Having a family is such a blessing. Lalo na if the family is loving, supportive, and thoughtful.

With Josh and I, we're blessed to have God as the center of our marriage and family. Through prayers and bible studies we are always reminded to be grateful for all the things we have.

So today, we celebrated Josh's birthday through the help of our family.

First, we had lunch with my family. Josh wanted seafood, though he is allergic to it. He wanted sweet sour fish, kilawin tanigue, and garlic buttered shrimp. So Josh and I went to AANI Weekend Market at Taguig and enjoyed buying fresh organic vegetables. T'was crazy too, seeing fish and shrimps jumping around; we were on the wet side of the market scouting for Lapu Lapu and shrimps. We weren't able to buy tanigue for kilawin though, because we were in a hurry to get home for Jabin. 

My mom prepared Escabeche (sweet sour fish) while I prepared Garlic Buttered Shrimp.

We also had some Pork BBQ that we bought from AANI as additional viand, as well as Vegetable Salad in Caesar/Thousand Island Dressing and Fresh Mangoes for appetizer and dessert.

 

And of course... Birthday cake for the celebrant!

Double Chocolate Cake that I bought from S&R

Baked some Red Velvet Cupcakes too, some of which we brought to his parents.

 

At his parents, we celebrated his birthday during merienda time and it already served as our dinner because it was a heavy snack. We ordered pizza from Shakey's, fried chicken from KFC with coleslaw and macaroni salad, pancit bihon cooked by his mom for long life (Filipino you know!) and lumpia.

First Day Sale at S&R

The first time I went to S&R Member's Treat  (Fort Bonifacio Branch) was a surprise or I would say it gave me culture shock. Had to stand in the the longest line ever and it took me hours to get in. But that didn't stop me to be in the member's treat for 2 years now. They have this huge sale twice a year around Feb. or March and around Oct. or Nov.

Earlier today, they have started again a 5-Day Member's treat. Woke up at 4 AM, left in 30 minutes and was able to fetch my sister-in-law around quarter to 5. Luckily enough we were on the first batch. Last time, I remember we arrived at 5AM but we had to wait longer because we were on the 2nd batch even if we were just under the parking ramp. This time we brought a folding chair and a snack. If you forgot to bring something to eat and drink during the waiting hours there's McDo nearby. They are open 24 hours. Below are the snapshots I had before S&R opened.

(S&R Operating hours: 8AM - 9PM)

5:30 AM

Getting ready!

We were done shopping around 10 AM. We finished our grocery before the line piled up on the cashier. I was third in line next to my sister-in-law.

After this, I bought pizzas from the food service for take home. Then bought Blue Bunny Mocha Almond Fudge to cool me up because of the hot weather outside as we wait for the driver to pick us up.

Mocha Almond Fudge

Jabin turned 9 months

My son turned 9 months yesterday. His Dad bought mocha cake for him. I made 9 chocolate coated mallows with sprinkles on top and some cake pops. The balloons, which I made 3 weeks ago - to sample a centerpiece to use on his birthday - coincidentally has 9 balloons; A perfect number of balloons to celebrate his 9 months of existence on Earth.

Happy 9 months Baby!  

Mocha Cake by Red Ribbon

Chocolate Coated Mallows

Choco Walnut Cake Pops

Avoca-nana Yoghurt

It's simply just avocado, banana, and yoghurt. Good for breakfast or afternoon snack for babies 6+ months.

Ingredients:
a slice of ripe avocado
1 small ripe banana
2 tbsp plain yoghurt
and a dash of cinnamon, optional

1. Mash banana and avocado with masher or a fork. This is for chunkier consistency, for babies 8 months up. You can also blend it for smooth consistency with immersion blender for young babies between 6-8 months.
2. Add yoghurt. Mix all together until well blended.
3. Add cinnamon for more flavoring, then serve.
5. Store the remaining food in the freezer with storage pods to use later.

Storage: 24 hours in the fridge; 4 weeks in the freezer
Makes: 1-2 servings

I made this recipe yesterday for Jabin's snack. In his plate he also had some happy puffs to go with it. He enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed making it in front of him.You can make this recipe in front of your baby and sing him a song, as this is an easy recipe to make.

Earlier today, as Jabin sit patiently in his high chair we played "if you're happy and you know it". While playing, I prepared the thawed avoca-nana yoghurt and added it with cereal and milk. We enjoyed our breakfast together. Enjoy yours too!

Pasta Amore

Pasta Amore

Sunday at my parents house, no one prepared lunch, even the helper forgot about it. I was busy preparing Jabin’s food for the week: vegetable stock and broccoli and carrot purée, then I realized it was past our lunchtime. So I made this recipe. I was thinking of something like chicken pesto with cheese for merienda, but I saw everyone was already hungry though no one was complaining about it but my stomach. Glad that I had already prepared all the ingredients I needed, except for black olives (didn’t have it around) and pesto sauce, I didn’t have time to make this so I used chopped fresh basil instead.

Ingredients:

• 250g Del Monte Tomato and cheese Pasta Sauce
• 250g Pasta Amore
• 2 chicken breast fillet
• 1 cup yellow or green sweet pepper
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• (Optional) fresh basil, chopped/pesto sauce
• (Optional) salt
• (Optional) pepper
• (optional) garlic powder
• (Optional) black olives
• (Optional) grated parmesan cheese

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
2. Meanwhile, season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper, if desired.
3. Cook chicken, sweet pepper and onion in oil in large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
4. Add pasta sauce; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add olives and fresh basil, if desired.
5. Toss with hot pasta. Serve with shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Broccoli and Carrot Puree

Broccoli and Carrot Puree

Broccoli is one of the first foods I’d like to introduce to my baby during his first 6 months. It’s rich in Vitamin C, good source of fiber, calcium and contains potassium, phosphorus, niacin, folic acid and a lot more. It’s really great for him, for his body, for his health. I also wanted him to be familiar with the taste as I have been on the process of teaching him to eat good veggies. However, I couldn’t introduce it to him at that age especially when he was formerly having gas pain, and broccoli is a gas-forming vegetable and I didn’t want him having trouble with that. It may also be a bit hard for a young infant to digest it, so I passed up on it.

Waited for him to turn 8 months or as soon as his digestion becomes mature. (The best time for broccoli to be introduced is around 8 to 10 months) He’s about to turn 9 months this week and I’m pretty sure he’s ready to get some of that broccoli love.

Since this is my baby’s first broccoli and he’s likely to develop allergies I again sticked with the 4-Day Wait Rule. I’ve decided to make broccoli and carrots puree than just broccoli alone. He has already tasted different foods in the past and I don’t want good food such as broccoli go to waste because of the risk that he may not like the taste. So I incorporate carrots as this is one of his faves, and the sweetness of it is a great combination to broccoli.

  

Broccoli and Carrot Puree

Ingredients:

• 1 stalk broccoli
• 1 large carrots

Procedure:

1. Wash broccoli and carrot in cold water for 2 minutes
2. Chop a cup of each and steam for 8-10 minutes or until very soft. Let it cool.
3. Transfer the vegetables to a glass measuring cup. Using an immersion blender, blend to a desired consistency and serve.
4. Store the remaining puree in the freezer storage pods to use later

Storage Time: 3 months in the freezer
Recipe Yields: 6-8 Servings

Cupcakes: Gigi Coffee and Cupcakes

I'm in love with Gigi's cupcakes.

Top-Bottom (L-R): Red Velvet, Peppermint, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate, Buttercream, Sea Salt

As soon as I got a bite with one of these cupcakes I knew this is the one. Every bit of it is so heavenly. The red velvet is the best! The best among all the red velvets I've had so far. Umm.. No! Not just the red velvet actually, but all their cupcakes are the best cupcakes among all the cupcakes I've had so far.

Buttercream

With the buttercream, I never expected it could be this goooood.

Gigi Coffee and Cupcakes Box

So if you haven't tried Gigi Cupcakes you better visit them now at Eastwood City near Epixtar and visit their facebook page here as well.

Enjoy!