Live Life to the Fullest – Epilogue of Meaningful Life Adventure

Our luck depends on how we aim and exhilarate hard work in getting what our purpose with life is. 

It is up to us to fulfill our destiny.

As the days for 2012 is fast approaching, the schedule of celebrating Chinese New Year entering  Water Dragon this 23rd opened its highlights last January 15 at the Block of SM North Edsa.

This was our family’s first time to witness different Chinese performances hosted by Chris Tiu relating the whole event and started it with story telling.

From the Wushu Demo of  Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation exhibiting different “kung-fu” weapons and the appearance of the Chinese emperor, Mr. Richard Yap of “My Binondo Girl”  complimented the commemoration of the much-awaited New Year occasion.

Dragon and Lion Dance performance with a carnival act of jumping from one seats to another standing were also an entertainment that our family did not missed to watch with loud drumbeats at the side.

A choir headed by Chinese Symphony Orchestra was also one of the highlights of the said event.  Overall, our family love the entire festivity which made us understand more the Chinese culture.

To complete my celebration of Chinese New Year 2012 with the Water Dragon, have also indulge to Chinese Street Food  Festival at the malls’ Sky Garden.

From Govby’s Food and Little Fella’s, we tried Hongkong Noodles with sauces to choose from, Siopao with Asado and Bola-Bola and the taste of Shabu-Shbu in a petite bowl.

Kudos to Red Basket where most of their authentic dumplings, marcons, lumpiang shanghai and siopao were also a hit taste for me. The staffs were very generous to gave all of those for a real Chinese taste and truly I have enjoyed their food.

Siomai House is eversince my favorite food cart even it is not Chinese New Year partnered with their gulaman. Their siomai is my comfort food in the areas of MRT stations and sort of my early dinner or late snack going late at home.

Like last year, I have checked if I will be lucky for the Water Dragon via internet.  My Rooster sign which is one of the three lucky animal zodiac symbols together with Monkey and Rat are compatible with Dragon.

This is great news indeed!  Unlike last year, my luck with the year of the Rabbit predictions (http://livelifefullest.com/2011/02/03/my-2011-chinese-astrology/) were not that good.

If I will assess and reflected on what had happened last year, living my life to the fullest gave me a level of different lever of success in terms of achieving it and challenges that made me more stronger one step at a time.

Again, even my predictions for last year and this year are just merely a forecast which can be more or less can become hopefully true,  still at the end of each day, our luck will solely depends on how we aim and exhillirate hard work in getting what our purpose with life is.  It is up to us to fulfill our destiny.

Our heartfelt thanks to SM North Edsa and Azrael of  http://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/ for the invitation.  Spending the culture and taste of Chinese New Year with family and friends are truly a remarkable experience indeed.

For those who missed out, the complete festivity will be happening until January 29, 2012.

To my fellow Chinese friends, Kung Hei Fat Choi and here’s to the best of year to come.

For more information:

Call: (02) 929-6241
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/smnedsa

“Teaching our children to be independent is the best thing we can leave as treasures they can uphold.”

Photos courtesy of: http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net

Got to see Junior Master Chef of ABS-CBN with my youngest daughter, Jam.  When I told her to do her assignments and study in the evening during weekends, she will always made a compromise to allowed her to watch first this kiddie cooking show.  So, that is the condition, LOL!  Actually, I even enjoyed watching it with her.

It is so seldom nowadays to have a show that is educational and informative yet teaches creativity to our children.  I started kids cooking activities way back with my second daughter which helped me in assisting the kitchen when she was 7 years old.  Simple activities like cooking rice and frying from hotdog, nuggets, hamburgers which is also I am doing those routines with my youngest daughter.  Eventually, from cooking varieties of dishes to baking which led Jeng to decide to college to get culinary courses.

For me, it is really very important to learn those skill at early age. Why?  Teaching our children to be independent is the best thing we can leave as treasures they can uphold.  Even me and their father were not around, they can be on their own.

Other benefits are boosting their self-esteem to be confdent just lighting the gas stove.  It is also a bonding moments for both of us.  From this point, they learn how to plan, be creative and be aware on what they are doing.

When I got an invite to witness an introduction of dishes which offered by Pancake House inspired thru Junior Master Chef Show set of menu, I did not have that second thought to turn down the invitation even the venue for me was far.

Love to see Junior Chefs personally, chat to them on how they got their passion to cook at an early age with sooo much gusto and share these experiences to my daughter. Truly, a remarkable meet-ups that made my daughter so envy with me.

These were the standout dishes which I personally tasted and definitely filled with healthy benefits when eaten.

• Cabbage Lumpia in Coconut Breading – crispy lumpia that is filled with cabbage with toasted breading.  Price is P 175.00.

• Fish Burger with Malunggay Sauce and Caramelized Ginger with Brown Rice Pilaf – love all the twist of healthy palate served in one dish.  If kids will taste the fish burger, one can never said it directly, its was a fish. Price is P 235.00.

• Rice in Ampalaya Silog – ampalaya filled with meat topped with melted cheese and served with garlic rice, sunny side-up egg.  To compliment the whole meal, serve with crispy dilis and pickled ampalaya.  Healthlicious, indeed! Price is P 235.00.

• Tofu Eggplant Salad -  deep fried tofu served with grilled eggplant and mustard green salad topped with toasted pinipi in a special honey sauce. A truly everyone’s veggie experience.  Price is P 175.00.

• Porksilog Steak – pan-grilled pork lin which is filled with garlic longanisa meat.  To complete the whole delish meal, great served with special fried rice, sunny side-up egg with mango chutney at the side. Price is P 260.00.

• BBQ Baby Back Ribs served with warm Bacon Potato Salad and Corn on the Cob -  fully loaded meal for the people on the go!  This is a bit pricey I think, P 400.00 if I am not mistaken. But the serving is really huge which is good to 2-3 people.

Love also all the presentations of the food that made it really very appetizing!

Here I am, a fan, supporter of these kids and were very happy to meet some of then at Pancake House.  From (L-R). Junior MasterChef kids – Caitlin Taluban, Kyle Ima, Jobim Balbuena and Miko Manzano.   Eman, Kyle, Caitlin, and Miko were happy to meet the chef of Pancake House, Chef Adrian Azurin.

Have got the chance also to listened to their preparation for the cooking finals – from experimenting new dishes, reading books, practice cooking and even those harnessing knife skills at home.

Catch Junior MasterChef that airs every Saturdays (after Wansapanataym) and Sundays (after Goin’ Bulilit) on ABS-CBN.  Do not forget also to dine-in now at Pancake House and enjoy those culinary masterpieces of the talented kiddie cooks.

For more updates and information:

Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Junior-Master-Chef-Pinoy-Edition/191369497554315
Pancake Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pancake-House/105291019502363?ref=ts&sk=wall

“Thank you Lord for the gift of life.   Always keep my loved ones to continue to grow in body, mind and spirit.  Let me remember you always by being strong, focus and disciplined.  Be with me Lord, bless me.”

Spending our family’s first day of the year by having a mass in Paranaque at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians which was also near to our next family reunion. I miss this church as I vividly remembered friends from Salesian Congregation and working way back to Don Bosco where we gathered for special occasions especially if nuns and priests will be ordained.

Visiting a church also is my way to do reflections – a personal gratitude to the Lord for all the blessings and offer my simple prayer.

“Thank you Lord for the gift of life.   Always keep my loved ones to continue to grow in body, mind and spirit.  Let me remember you always by being strong, focus and disciplined.  Be with me Lord, bless me.”

Four questions that lived me to value life more that I learned from Don Juan de Marco Movie:

• What is sacred?
• What is the spirit made?
• What is worth living for
• What worth dying for?

All answers are just the same – only Love.

And from from this day on and the rest of my life, Carpe Diem! This only means rejoice while you are alive, enjoy the day, take the most of what you have and  it is later than you think.

Amazing to know that simple quote like this has been around for thousands of years anecdotes by Horace of Ancient Roman poet 65 BC- 8 BC and still can take half a lifetime to really understand and now put to use.

So hurray in living life to the fullest!

“Christmas is about laughter, love, friends and family. Don’t get lost in the greed. Instead be thankful for all of the joy around you.” ~ Unknown

We spent our Christmas eve with our relatives – to my side and with hubby’s family.  We have to travel far but now it was different.  We made compromise that we will be meeting halfway just to be together.

Benefits of Family Reunions:

• Sharing food, gifts, stories, laughter but most especially ourselves rekindled family and personal relationships

• Families get together and got the opportunity to connect with one another

• Getting to know by encouraging everyone to exchange stories regardless  of age which promote enthusiasm especially if they have never heard it before.

I would like to share with you some of the unforgettable get-together and shared food pictures we had during our Christmas reunions.

Is it really part of our culture to come together during this Christmas holiday?

Hopefully, family gatherings will not only stop during Christmas celebration. Make an effort plan by setting the date and time, invite them, food to share or activities to do.  Successful family reunions give always a chance to be together to preserve those fond memories that will last and pass to generations thru generations those important values, tight bonds and  sense of belonging.

I would like to end my post with this quote:

“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what” ~ Unknown

 

“One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.”

Semester break is now really on as the family is taking the breeze of unwinding after a half school year’s hard work of activities both academic and non-academic.

My children which I still fondly called my kids spent always their trick or treat in a hotel, mall or any place in celebration with the Halloween.   Since Raf/Jeng were already in their teenage years and Jam was already big with her age, wearing a costume is a bit awkward.  But that will not stopped them to enjoy the event. They bought the famous “Angry Bird” and wear it when we decided to go to a mall.

We planned for an out-of-town gig but because me and hubby were bound to work related stuff, what we did was to share to the kids a luxury mall here in the metro called Resorts World Manila.

After walking and looking around, what more fun is to dropped by what kids love  to eat ever since – a burger and a fries from Stackers Burger Cafe located at the 4th floor level which is near New Port Cinema.

The kids love to try varieties of burger and compare the taste among the fast-food burger chain they were acquainted with. For them, the Australian beef patty of Stackers burger is worth a try!  Yes, it is succulent in taste and what more, price is very affordable.

The Stacker Classic burger they ordered contains lettuce, tomatoes, onions.  Their varieties of burger got these additional for fries and drink for P 65.00.

Kids requested me to order again more fries.  They love it!  Why?  They got this big cut of fries in a basket which is very crispy.  Price is only P 45.00.

\

Located at:

Stackers Burger Café, Newport Mall
4/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 659-8271

To compliment the whole meal was to grabbed a dessert.  We headed down to try another food stall – Crepes & Cream.

Have always seen the store in the metro but this is my first time to tried this trendy new concept of dessert – putting lot of filling in a crepe.  After reading their menu, I thought this a dessert store.  It can be also a quick meal.

Our first crepe dessert order is Chocolate Temptation.  To make it really chocolatey, the rolled crepe ingredients are choco ice cream, choco chips, whipped cream and choco sauce.  Price is P 95.00.

Another one is Mango Mania.  I thought this would only be a mango ice cream and a whipped cream.  The huge mango crepe includes fresh mango cubes topped with almond chips.  It was also mixed with mango sauce.  Price is P 105.00.

I have already seen how it was prepared once somebody is ordering. It is like like preparing a hot cake – a mixed batter heated in a griddle spread in circular manner and ingredients added one by one as it was folded.
]

Crepes & Creme Location:
3rd Flr., Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila

I know hamburgers, fries and sweets are not a healthy options for kids and we parents tend to be strict with them even they love to eat it.  Still:

• Let them eat what they like to eat.  Avoid depriving them but continue to remind them what is healthy and not.

• Have time to gathered by sharing ourselves.  One can never guaranteed if there would be tomorrow always.  Enjoy life while it last.

I just realize kids are sooo simple.  Happiness encompasses a small treat and for them this is really a big deal for them – giving them importance and at the same time just being together.

Resort World is a luxury mall that encompasses the style of living. Not as kids’ friendly because of the casino around. But the joy of eating, munching, watching movies and theater play attracted them which made their break a relief after the busy school activities.

For more pictures, visit my Flicker Account.

For more info about Resort World Manila, visit their website – http://www.rwmanila.com/

“Life is always a competition. One has to always accept, assess and never stop to improve all challenging endeavor that goes along the way. From there, learn what is lacking and never repeat the same mistakes again.”

Last Saturday, Oct. 30, family were very busy busy waking up early in the morning as the kids were so excited with their anticipated cheer competition.

Actually, there were last minute adjustments on the kids’ activity schedule that prevented me to attend a food event in the South which I will be the judge.   Definitely, I choose them more than anything else even there were regretful feeling.

With the preparation, they were more than stress than me. I let them do all as I watched them – from their costume, their hair style and most especially their moves.

This is my eldest daughter, Regina Jane or Jeng for short.  She is a beauty and love to pose a lot. Their warrior theme complimented the costume.  She is always a stand-out ever since when it comes to dancing.

My youngest daughter is Jane Roxanne which we fondly called her Jam. We noticed she got taller.  Haay, no matter what they say, she will always be my cute little baby.  She amazed us also with those dance moves that a lady can performed.

My children did not won in the cheering competition.  I have felt their failure when they started to complain and compare what had happened to the extent of being so expressive to voice out to us the unfair judgement  on the winning results. They felt they were cheated.  I know they were drained and understand they were tired to complained.

What we did was to treat them to dinner and while eating, these are some of our advices to them as we share our insights:

• One must be willing to let go.  There is still more life still waiting for tomorrow.

• There are always chances to improve and one has not to stop to achieve because everyday is an opportunity.

• Life is always a competition.  One has to always accept, assess and never stop to improve all challenging endeavor that goes along the way.  From there, learn what is lacking and never repeat the same mistakes again.

One of my key indicators which made me living life to its fullest is seeing my children happy to where they are now.  Me and hubby are satisfied to the joys they were giving to us – good scholastic grades in the academe, achievers with their extra-curricular activities, doing household chores but most of all being respectful to us.   Sometimes they become also independent and took actions if they think it is the right thing to do.

But despite of their free will to decide as they grow, we parents stand on their side no matter what – ready to assist and advise them.   Later on, they will become more stronger on what they are capable of.

Really my children gone a long, long way…I am just proud of their achievement.  They got a medal as they won on the sports they have join during the sportsfest competition.  For me, this is enough!

Even they did not won in the cheering competition, they will always be a winner.   Their effort eating their heart out performing and compete will always be a big deal if they survive the test of life.

What more I can say, I just love you guys and keep up the best shot, ever!

“Life’s own treasure are amazing simple moments yet precious pleasures to rekindle great relationships with the family”

Long ago, me and hubby love to watch new movies at the theater. There were times we have to limit going out because of the high ticket theater price and at the same time, eating in a fancy restaurant after watching the movie.  We have to think ways to save also and  what more, to be practical nowadays.

One way to do it was to watch movies at home at your own television, a DVD player and maybe hooked up in our  sound system  to make it more sound theatrical.  We also love to listen to music together and appreciate different genre.

But how can you rekindle relationships with these simple activities like watching or simply listening to the music together:

• Even you will be staring on the screen for two hours or just simply listening, you can have a topics to discuss and to open to
• Preparing all together your snacks like popcorn and pizza before watching is one way to keep in touch with the family members
• Strongest connection only happens if you alone with the family as you tight your bond with them, boosting also their confidence because kids know you will always be there for them

There were tons of titles to choose from.  One reliable retailer store with excellent quality our family can recommended and trusted where we buy original movie titles/audio CD is Astrovision.

Astrovision got this cool, latest, up-beat and hard-to-find collection titles varying from movies, music and to add it more, gadgets that would suit each lifestyle.

I just found this one at Astrovision – the Beatles collection all in one set and what more the ABBA music.

I am in 80′s generation.  Definitely I will go back to purchase Rick Astley/Toto and add this to our family collection of music. LOL! I still vividly remembered I have these in my cassette tapes.

For almost 20 years,  hubby made it a point to buy one movie title to add up to family collections. We got this library of original VHS and cassette tapes for almost a thousands.  We ended up selling all those titles in a lower price as the the hype of CD/VCD/DVD come along and when we decided to transferred our home.  It was a bit saddened but that is all about.

Until now, Astrovision live up to our expectations and has been our video store to run every time we love to purchase one.   Good thing, they have 54 branches nationwide and visible to every mall in the metro. Here is the facebook fan page link – http://www.facebook.com/Astroplus1.

I know originals are quite costly but these are some of our tips how to value your money more when getting movie titles and audio cd:

• Purchase movie titles that were blockbusters and timeless where you will not be tired to watch it over and over again.  Buy those in series like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Happy Potter, James Bond, etc.

• Be aware with the quarterly sale of the store where prices dropped off almost 70% on the original price

Again, take every moment of your time to schedule  quality time with the family.  Family bonding is essential in building trust, harmony and strong family ties.  You maybe surprise to know that every second keeping in touch and the moment you spent your precious moments  is a  life’s treasure. Living life to the fullest.

“Welcome the real love that may already be just there”

This is my official entry for Certified Foodies First Anniversary Giveaway.

I am kinda excited because this is my first time to try a contest like this one especially if I also love the blog that I am also reading like Certified Foodies and the persons behind it with Mhel and Khen. Seeing them both makes me missed also my younger brother abroad who was been my partner in crime in cooking.

I have also many to share in terms of food craving.  Our family, relatives, friends and colleagues gathered for one common purpose  – to impart good food with good company which is a good combination for a healthy relationship.  This is a sort of rejuvenating yet reminiscing good times together.

So here is my entry – a buffet experience in Shangrila Edsa and Makati taken this August 2011 – first and last week of the month.

It was very seldom when hubby will go to the metro. One thing for sure, he will just go here for seminar, conference, meetings or urgent matters for work reasons.  He will never wasting time traveling if it is not that important.

This is something to look for…After the dreaded rainy, sunny day out, jam-pack audiences and so much learning in the convention, both of us finally took a break and splurge ourselves with a dinner buffet. Its been a very long while when we have moments with me and hubby. It is about time to take those sweet chances, I may say…

Actually, we took advantage of this opportunity, documented it as we reach our more matured relationship, I may say.

Ever since, we love exploring places and if budget permitted it, we ate and savor all the goodness of being together with the food we love to share. Its funny that before we indulge with this moment, hubby will compute if it was really worth it and the most, we really compromised if we deserved an expensive dinner like this one.

There were times in our lives we regret something we crave for and saying to ourselves why not try it since we were already in the area. So we have learn our lessons.

We rather see how our hard earned money will definitely spent out especially if both of us are doing our ass of hard work every time, the most 24/7 we were doing projects we were engaged in.

This is the beauty of life after all.  We have to live it to the fullest and enjoy as long that we can while we are still young.

Now here is our buffet experience with the first one – Edsa Shanrila Heat.

A totally splendid gastronomic experience.  LOL, that is only I can say!  For the month of August, a celebration of flavors entails a team of 10 chefs from different parts of the world and the finest Filipino culinary talent which combined the best authentic Asian and Continental cuisine.

Expect an “eat around the world” as the choices of buffet food are endless.

Ruel, my hubby took a lot of pictures as this one is already a festive to his eyes.  There were also interactive cooking for each station that will be a gusto to our palette.

Price for the dinner buffet is P 1,500+++ or P 1,692.63 to be exact.

More pictures here – Heat of Shangrila Edsa:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150295654528534.354155.574253533&l=52b2964b74&type=1

For more info of Heat at Shangrila Edsa, here is the link:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/edsashangrila/dining/restaurant/heat

Since this is also a Mid-Autumn Festival for Mooncake at Shang-rila, personally, have tried the free food taste that they offered.

I crave for moonbake “ang sossy hopia”, LOL!  I tasted all the five flavorful varieities – White Lotus, Red Bean, Mixed Nuts, Green Tea and Chest Nut.  The verdict!   I still love the Red Bean because the combination of the red bean is just right for the sweetness.  Now I need a tea!

More pictures here with this link:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150295016968534.353952.574253533&l=7429fc116f&type=1

During our food sharing, this is also the time we talked everything under the sun.

Yes, we were always together at home. But everyday at home, sometimes at kiosk when everybody especially in the morning where all of us busy going to work/school preparing and the most, we arrived late at night were all of us will just like to sleep and rest at all.  We usually got a talked thru text messages or phone calls  if we have concerns to accommodate.

It is different still to have bonding moments once a week with one another especially your loved ones where you talked personally to each other, plan things out or anything that you can share, as in anything.

There were times I can say we have heated discussion but it is just ok. At least thru this personal communication between us, we control, clarify and understand some sort of arguments.  Again, as I put it with my other posts, even we have spent almost 20 years being together, we were not a perfect couple.

Another one we tried was Circles of Shang-rila Makati where hubby was having a seminar and asked me if I like to dropped by since I was just near the area.

Anyway, here I was, waiting for him at the hotel lobby, sitting at their sofa.  LOL! Feeling I was just in our living room here on how I seated.  That was I am comfortable with the place.  Hubby even caught me here and take pictures.

We were quite apprehended to tried this one because here again, hubby was computing the budget.  I told him this will be credited to my next billing statement using our mastercard.  Again since we were already here, we splurged and goofed out.

We availed the themed buffet which is Filipino fiesta and what more we noticed compared to Shang-rila Edsa was the interaction of the chefs while we were touring here, introducing each cuisines with us.  This is more customer-relationship bonding, I may say.  Mind you, young chefs were cute.

 

 

 

 

The price is more or less the same with Heat – P 1,500+++ or P 1,692.63 to be exact.

More pictures here – Circles of Shangrila Makati:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150314720628534.359871.574253533&l=57fc975ab4&type=1

For more info on Circles at Shangrila Makati, here is the link:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/makatishangrila/dining/restaurant/circleseventcafe

Some tips in enjoying buffet:

• We usually avoid carb foods like rice, pasta, sushi.  We got only few of it.
• We go for foods we do not eat everyday like lamb, steaks, ribs, fish like salmon and varieties of sea foods to taste
• While touring, we ate piece by piece on hand some of their desserts
• Savor the taste of each food, tasting it pieces by pieces, the most enjoyed it
• Definitely, go there with empty stomach, LOL, just to make worth of the price tag

For my beh, Ruel Umali:

Have enjoy the night, babe…Its a sort of breather as we were cropped up with soooo much to do – at home and at work. Now its time to face them…Thanks for those simple yet short but great moments …

Yes, it is really a breather. We just promised to ourselves to do this often.

I would also like to end this post by sharing share this thought I got from Ms. Aileen Santos of How to Find Your True Love facebook fan page:

Very often, it isn’t true that love is missing in our lives.
Most of the time we just fail to recognize it when it’s there,
because we expect it to come in a specific form,
or come from a specific person.

In order to truly find the love we need,
we must often let go of how we think love “should be,”
and be ready to Recognize;
Welcome the Real Love that may already be just there.

Yes, I just found my real love – my family especially spending my fullest life to my one and only hubby – Ruel Umali.

Peeeee…….Esssss……

LOL! I remembered it crystal clear we did not stop at that night talking with each other as we tried near resto, Buddy’s. We remembered those times when he was still my boyfriend then that we cannot end the night with each other. Now we reminisced those times.

Maybe that is the beauty of love anyway, loving always the same way as you missed each other.

Actually our purpose was to bought some food for the kids at home who were waiting for us. I cannot resisted myself to taste Pancit Lucban and their longganiza. Takaw ko talaga! This is best with their very own vinegar both soaked with it…Tsalap!

Utmost, we just tasted it and bought the remaining food at home.

I cannot find information about Buddy’s Pancit location at the internet.  We ate infront of Landmark which only just beside Makati Shangrila Makati.

 

Again,t this is my official entry for Certified Foodies First Anniversary Giveaway.

Hope you can also support Certified Foodies by  joining Certified Foodies’ First Anniversary Giveway where you can win gift certificates, food gift packs, cash prizes and even a food trip date with the Mhel and Ken.

To join, just click on the badge above.

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“Good food with good company are always a good combination to reminiscence good time especially if we took an extra mile to make it come true.”

Ever since, I am a Pescetarian in nature.  Maybe, mother and grandparents oriented us to eat nutritional food like vegetables and fruits more when we were young. My granny on the mother side already taught us to eat the right food maybe because to avoid what she were experiencing then – having a heart ailment and high blood pressure.

Pescetarianism is a practice of eating fish, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts and eggs. Nowadays, this lingo becomes popular in a diet term eating anything but excluding any meat in a meal.

When I got into a relationship, my ex-boyfriend (my hubby now) and I usually dine-out to   discover lot of meals.  Different cuisines to indulge are adventure for both of us – savoring portion by portion each dishes.  We explore on the taste and especially we looked also the culture behind the food.

In my previous post - http://livelifefullest.com/2011/07/06/cooking-marathon-by-master-chefs/, I mentioned that July for me is a cuisine hobby escapade.  If I can combine a return to learning and exhilarating the enjoyment out of it, then I am giving back those gastronomic swing of life gusto of flavors.  What I did was to grabbed an invite in a Thai cooking class to say maybe that I am kinda damned serious about it. LOL!

What I love with Thai food is going back to my old self – a Pescetarian. Tom Yam – shrimp with broth soup and lot of spices is a fave starter. Pat Thai, seafood salad and Thai tea are the famous dishes one cannot missed out.  Great that most of these dishes were demonstrated to us at Marriot Hotel’s The Hub.

Below is the salad seafood starter that we indulge to share. Love the colors of these salad and basically the taste is simply great!  Freshly done, as all the ingredients was almost half-cooked.

For the cooking part, what I will be sharing with you is a simple yet delectable meal prepared by their Thai Chef  Thanatorn Krobsuay – Green Curry with Shrimp.

This dish is very easy to prepare – started with the boil and ended with a boil also.  Was it that amazing!

Main Ingredient is the shrimp.  You can also substitute the shrimp to chicken breast meat which he also demonstrated.

Other ingredients which are two portions each are:

Cooking preparation:

1.   Pour coconut milk into the pot.
2.   When the coconut milk starts to boil, add the green curry paste and stir.
3.    Add 2 cups of water.
4.   When it boils, add the shrimp.  Let it simmer until the shrimp is cooked through.

5.   Add the rest of the coconut milk, sugar and salt and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
6.  Add fresh basil then serve.

Next one is the fish cake which I volunteered myself to assist the other chef while frying it one by one.  Extra-ordinary taste I may say as I display the rice cake dish as my intro picture.  Overall, thai cuisine is all about combination of herbs and spices then the main dish which like this – the fish meat.  The food taste can be – sweet, sour, salty, spicy and sometimes bitter but most of all healthy.

Hopefully, you can start sharing a thai meal in your kitchen as you perk up the taste buds of your loved ones. My son loved curry meal and definitely, it will be a hit in a family.

A unique twist yet simple cooking can be a memorable experience in sharing food where one can reminisce relationship especially if we make an extra-mile treating them so special.  Good food with good company always a perfect combination for a good time.

For the complete schedule and reservations, you can call the Marriott Cafe at 988-9999 or link up to their website- http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mnlap-manila-marriott-hotel/.

Do let us know your experience also.

“The greatest happiness rooted to our family relationship that links up the joy and respect in each other’s life.”

One of the favorite past time of Papa after hefty manning work in the auto repair shop is watching television.  Whether sports, movies, geographic stuff and even karaoke, he will definitely prepare lot of food stuff for sharing.  This is to the extent also of encouraging my mother to stop what she was doing or even calling his friends around – be together and exchanging stories.

If a television can be a way to enrich relationships with other people why not encourage myself to join a contest like Samsung Smart TV Giveaway for Daddy and give the gift I won just to make my Papa smile.

The winner will have a chance to win  Samsung D6600 Smart TV, 46-inch as a grand prize.  For two runner-ups, a Samsung D5500 Smart TV 40-inch.  That’s a total of Php 250,000 worth of prizes.

Contest found in social network like Facebook is very easy.  I just sign-up as this is EHEMM, my winning letter entry screen shot below with the facebook link – http://apps.facebook.com/deardadgallery/ilike.php?id=443.  Sorry to say, guys – I am already claiming that I am one of the winners. LOL!

Here are the step-by-step mechanics for those of you who are interested to join:

1.  Like the fan page - Samsung TV PH.

2.  Go to Dear Dad, I Want a Samsung Smart TV Contest and register by pressing ENTER button.

3.  Read the whole mechanics, click the check button then click again PROCEED button.

4.  You can select a letter or to make it more personal, create your own.

5.  What great thing about this interactive contest is being flexible by selecting stuff like this screen shot below – Dad’s favorite past time.

6.  Type your father’s name and write a personal message about how you can bond more with him through Samsung Smart TV.  Once done, type in your father’s email and click Send.

7.  You can post it on your wall, share to your friends and have a chance to win a Smart TV for you and your father.

Is it so easy?

One thing that my parents eager to explore is the internet where they can also talk to me and my brothers.  We are all have our own lives and keeping in touch would really be a great deal.  Samsung Smart TV have this capability to watch your favorite channels and at the same time tweet what’s going and even throw a facebook message.

Theater movies in 3D format is quite pricey considering the expenses from parking and traffic stress.  With Samsung Smart TV, scaling it from the comfort of your home putting a surround sound system around is truly an experience.

Consider an LCD styled TV, Samsung is more classy considering its edgy and slimmer innovation which will fit to any home.

An imaginative technology indeed!

I even tag my kiddos, nephews, nieces and even my students to join the contest as a tribute contest for their father.  How about you, join now and grab that winning opportunity. Who knows?