That's how I find my blog to be. I post recipes and stuff, sometimses of not so healthy food then I'd write about weight loss products, diet and belly dancing. I don't promise that I will post only healthy recipes in the future because admit it or not, the most sinful food are the mose delicious at times. So, for countering all those calories that will accumulate, I'd post about dieting as well.
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That's my boys' reaction when our doorbell rings. I think it came from the movie Meet the Robinsons and has been a favorite line since day one that they watched it. This reminds me of another film, Over the Hedge, where the raccoon (Bruce Willis) said "that is one of the many voices of food, " pertaining to doorbells. In a way this is true, the very few times that we expect our doorbell to ring is for food delivery (pizza or chinese/jap), when a friend will visit or when the post man has something for us, but most of the time though it will be food. Those unexpected ringing are either insurance, a neighbor above who dropped something on our balcony or the neighbor's kid who just wanted to ring it. ;)
They say (I mean ads when I say we), that there are products to help one metabolize food fast, products that help suppress one's urge to eat and that there are those best fat burners for women in the market too. Vainly speaking, or if it's just plain laziness, workouts and eating healthy is still the best option. It may not show easily as one expects but it's safer and a surefire way to burn those fat.
Read more...It's March, graduation month. I could still clearly remember 4 graduation rites I went to, along with other recognition ceremonies were mom and dad were so proud that I received a medal for being an honor student or for winning a school competition. At home, a table of food awaits us to celebrate with our family...ahhh how time flies, those were now memories...but really good ones. Back then graduation invitations were not a trend...a simple "hey come over to our house and let's have lunch" will do, the person invited will then ask, what's the ocassion? And upon hearing "it's my daughter's graduation" they'd bring along a gift for the graduate...Anyhoo, congratulations to all the graduates! May this be a stepping stone for a brighter future!
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A friend has been complaining about her eyes, she feels that at times she fails to read so many words because of blurring. She asked me to look for the nearest eye doctor in town but I ended up browsing about cheap glasses. There's a lot written about Zenni Optical eyeglasses, there were so much buzz about it that even the Examiner.com recommended it to readers in a recent article about contact lenses and prescription glasses. So I took the ride and looked at what it's all about.
Unfortunately or not, my eyes are perfectly ok, so if there are just designer frames for a cooler look, I'd definitely take one. Thanks to my mom, I ate enough carrots and other yellow and orange veggies for my Vitamin A supply. :)
I am looking forward to spring...true, sans the allergies of course, I'm waiting for the buds and all the glorious flowers to bloom. Every year, tulips and crocuses are the firsts to bud up at the side streets, competing well with my favorite flowers, sakura (cherry blossoms). The kids were also on the lookout...on our way home last Friday, my girl pointed the shoots of what seem to be tulips...let's see next week if they come out. The weather has been nice last week and we really thought it would stay at 5-7° but we were back in the negative.
So what has the crocus got to do with my Ruby Tuesday post? Well, this is related to the flower that produces the most expensive spice in the world, saffron.
Saffron are dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, used in cooking as a seasoning and colouring agent. It's aroma is often said to have the scent of both honey and grass, tastes hay-like and somewhat bitter. Saffron, although red, gives a luminous yellow-orange colouring to foods. Thus, the perfect spice for seafood Paella.
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There 's no fixed rule in cooking Paella, everyone has their own favourite recipe and different preferences. I don't have squid at this time nor a paellera...but I don't think that makes this dish less than perfect. I put in fish fillets to make up for the squid and the mussels were removed from their shells, got some chickpeas as well. Not the usual presentable Paella from a Spanish restaurant, just home made...
In a paellera or a large frying pan, heat some olive oil and add onions, green pepper and carrot and fry gently for about five minutes. Add the chopped tomato and squid, if you have (with the tentacles) and fry on a low heat for another ten minutes.
Add rice and stir well. Add water (or stock) clams and the saffron mixture and bring to a boil. Season with salt. Cover on low fire and cook for about ten minutes. Add the prawns and peas and give it a stir. Arrange the mussels and strips of red pepper artistically on top (in this case I didn't really do that lol), put the lid back on and leave for another ten minutes - checking that it has enough water. If you think it is getting too dry, add more water, but shake the handle of the pan rather than stir so as not to upset the pattern.
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Wherever country, state, town or street you are, I'm sure there's a shop that you hold close to your heart...not just for being literally close to your home but because they have cheap, useful and "cute" stuff. Coincidentally, they are either called Best Buy, The 99cents Store or The Thrift Shop. Of course, you'll find there stuff needed for the kitchen, bathroom like those little boxes, potpourri and more---what I call kulimpat (from klumpert). Online, there are many deals that you can find as long as you know where to look. There are many that offers discount and free shipping. I'm talking about netbooks, celphones, monitors and other electronic gadgets...one that interests hubby more than I.
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