Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is...

Ms. Tetcha, with her blog post: P.F. Chang's Opens at Bonifacio Global City, on her blog Delight My Appetite.

I love eating chocolates and that cake on that shot is totally calling out to me! Let's join Ms. Tetcha as she reviews some of the fares that she has sampled over at PF Chang's! Yummmmy !!!!

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This week's post is: Tilapia in Coconut Milk with Chayote. A mouthful, I think, but simple to make. I love chayote (we call it sayote around here) in coconut milk (and that's how we usually cook it back home), and I have also come to like tilapia with coconut milk, so why not cook them together in one dish! :D

#Giveaway: Coach Madison Handbag (ends 2/14, open WorldWide)

ANOTHER AWESOME GIVEAWAY FOR OUR AWESOME FANS!

Mom Powered Media, connecting companies to consumers the super mom way!

Coach Madison Floral Pink Top Handle Handbag

product details:
Graphic floral print fabric with metallic leather trim
Inside multifunction pocket
Zip-top closure, fabric lining
Handles with 7" drop
9 1/2" (L) x 7 1/2" (H) x 3 1/2" (W)

Big thank you to Mom Powered Media partners for organizing this Coachlicious fashion event.:
Mom to Bed by 8, Powered By Mom, Real Mom Reviews and Baby Costcutters

As well as our fantastic co-hosting blogs:
Capri's Coupons, Kelly's Thoughts On Things, Family, Love & Other Stuff, Coupon Queen of Texas, Life's Cheap Thrills, Swank Savings, Down South Savings and Secret Southern Couture.

One lucky winner will receive a Coach Madison Floral Pink Top Handle Handbag.

Giveaway ends February 14th, open worldwide, but must be ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Lots of luck!

#Giveaway: Red Hot #Blendtec (ends 2/12, US only)

Hello There! WELCOME TO
THE RED HOT BLENDTEC GIVEAWAY
Hosted by My Vegan Gluten-Free Life

Most of you have probably known me as an advocate for VitaMix, so why on earth would I be reviewing the Blendtec now? 

Let me share a story with you about how this BLENDTEC giveaway came about. When I was on vacation in New York City last November 2012, my girlfirend and I were surfing TV channels and happened upon one that was talking about Vitamix and Blendtec. It explained how Vitamix had copied another company's (Blendtec) mixing jar. That case was taken to court and the court agreed with Blendtec. Vitamix lost, and Blendtec from K-Tec, Inc. was awarded a multimillion dollar judgment. I almost had to pull my jaw up from the floor! My friend and I looked at each other, and I asked her, "How can I promote a company that stole another company's design"?

If you want the details, you can read more about this federal court ruling here. I will now be affiliating with Blendtec. 

Sponsored by Blendtec Blenders

Hosted by My Vegan Gluten-Free Life.

Thank you to the following Co-Hosts: Coupons with Q, Mom Blog Society, My Old Coke County Home, The Saturday Evening Pot, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, Kids Cooking Activities, To Cook With Love, Bay Area Mommy,

Blendtec is offering their Blendtec Designer Series blender with a Wildside Jar and a Twister Jar as a Prize for this Red Hot Blendtec Giveaway!

The winner can choose from a base that is Red, Black, White or Champagne and get a Wildside Jar and Twister Jar to use with the base unit. This Prize is valued over $500! Thank you Blendtec!

Review (by My Vegan Gluten-Free Life) and the Giveaway below...

#Giveaway: Shower in Style (ends 2/9, US only)

Another Awesome Giveaway Just for YOU!


Sponsored by Change your Bathroom.com, and hosted by S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews, one lucky person will win an 8" LED lit shower head (as seen in picture above)! Prize is valued at $120. Pimping your shower, yes we are!

Change Your Bathroom is at the cutting edge of today’s popular home design trend. Their years of experience will guarantee a seamless finish. Whether budget style, or texture is at the front of your mind, they have the right look for you.

The team is composed of Josh, the tile installer/electrician. who has worked in remodeling for 14 years and is proud to be a 2nd generation home builder. His passion lies in turning his concepts into reality. He has created several products including but not limited to the inflowAIR dust containment system and our very own hidden drain system for curb-less showers. He also loves to create beautiful spaces and for the past seven years has made bathrooms his specialty. From custom projects including hidden TVs to more traditional projects, Josh enjoys a challenge.

Michelle, who is in charge of customer service and design. Her passion for design developed around her extensive travel through Europe. She sets new standards in the design industry. Michelle incorporates the strength of ancient architecture and beauty of modern concepts to create a whole new world of design options. Working with the home owner every step of the way, she works to bridge the gap between the contractor and the client. Michelle custom designs each bathroom as a work of art to be enjoyed forever.

And finally, Jesse the plumber/tile installer. Jesse is trained as a skilled tradesman and has been in the construction industry for over 10 years. As a 3rd generation plumber and 2nd generation remodeler, Jesse understands all aspects of the trade from demolition to completion; he has an eye for detail and strives for perfection. Jesse has been with the team for 5 years and continues to keep every project running smoothly. He enjoys working closely with the home owner to make each project simple and seamless.

Please visit Change Your Bathroom at this address http://www.changeyourbathroom.com to get acquainted with the work they do and offer. 


This giveaway event will be running until February 9th and is open to US residents only. To enter, simply fill the rafflecopter form below. Lots of Luck!

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms Jenn, with her blog post Labong Meatballs, on her blog: Tara, Let's Eat!

I just know that I am going to love this Labong Meatballs even if I haven't tasted them yet. lol. It is kind of similar to the banana blossom burgers that my mom used to make...I haven't tried making them myself yet, but I just know that I will! Pretty soon! Do click on Ms. Jenn's shot above to see what I am talking about!

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Another easy peasy food post this week: Loaf Pizza. Actually, it was just an excuse to use the pizza sauce which had been sitting inside the refrigerator for ages! It was not expired yet, of course. lol. But Almost. :D

Ingredients

• Loaf (sliced, but if we had pandesal I would have used it)
• cheese (LOTS! we used Pizza Plus {by Perfect Italiano} - it had mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheese)
• onions, bellpeppers both diced
• pizza sauce

Procedure

• Have the ingredients ready, then assemble:
• bread -> pizza sauce -> onions and bellpepper -> loads of cheese
• Place inside oven toaster. Toast accordingly.
• Or you may opt to add another slice of bread on top of the assembly and grill (or place inside a panini maker). Whichever is available and works best for you.

We actually had this last night. Hubby did most of it. I only helped with getting the stuff from the refrigerator. lol. My son wanted just cheese on top of his bread, while hubby and I went for the one with the pizza sauce, diced onion and bellpeppers (with the cheese thrown in, of course). One light dinner for all of us. Since we had a very heavy lunch. :P

ps. you can add anything to this pizza, actually. Tuna, ground meat, processed meat, pineapples, salted fish, chicken, chocolate (why not?!) ... just about anything but the kitchen sink! lol.

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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Here is the previous linky widget for those who have difficulty using the newer widget above (thanks to Ms. BiTi for the feedback):

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Sun Light

Phone shot. I liked how the sun's early morning rays seemed to just about touch me. Not much edit, except for contrast and the watermark. :)

I Can't Sing

Do you love karaoke? Me? Well...to be honest, not much. It's a great way to unwind, for some, but I'd rather just be watching anyone who sings (and keep my opinions to myself, lol). I know, it's all just for fun and I see nothing wrong with that. In fact, every time one of them picks up one of those sennheiser microphones, I can't help but wait excitedly and see how the singer will start the song. I am no perfectionist (far from it!), but sometimes I feel that some people just can't sing, while some of them sound like angels!

All in all, a fun time! Just don't ask me to sing. I'm one of those that just can't sing a decent tune. Now you know why I'd rather stay in the shadows. :D

Too Much

I think I might have cooked too many eggs the last couple of weeks, or so. I have noticed that my youngest has this rashes...but they only seem to go worse when he sweats. I'd like to think that it's what we call as "bungang araw", or prickly heat. Ugh. I hope it's not the eggs..they are convenient, easy to cook, and tastes good!

Online Shopping

Lately I have learned to appreciate what online shopping really is all about ... and it is addicting! lol. It helps free up my time (no more going outside, wait for half an hour to an hour to get to the shop) and saves me money (no more fares!). Now that's a win-win situation, don't you think so? I mean, if I want to buy one of those michael kors watches as a gift for my sister, then I can go shopping whenever I have the time (which is usually after store hours)! I just have to make sure that I get it before the actual birthday date, though. But that's a very small inconvenience, compared to being stuck in traffic.

I just love online shopping. :D

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is...

Ms. Dominique, with her blog post: Dim Sum on a Friday, on her blog: Dominique's Desk

My family and I love eating dim sum whenever we get the chance! I just love the different varieties that are available! I think I should try making them...though it is a bit daunting for me. lol Let's see. In the meantime, do click on the picture above and see the other goodies that Ms. Dominique and her family had that day!

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The previous days (and nights) have been colder than usual (and we're loving it!), so I knew I just had to make this: Cheesy Macaroni Soup (with Squash Blossoms).

Ingredients:

• macaroni (around three handfuls)
• squash blossoms (around 7 blossoms, sliced thinly, with the stalks removed)
• cheese (i used what was available: pizza plus pack {mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan} and additional cheddar (block) and some more parmesan)
• salt, pepper, ground nutmeg (just a dash)
• diced bell pepper
• milk (one cup evaporated milk) - you can use cream if that's what you have
• tofu (prepared with tofu, salt and pepper, then fried), and spring onion - both optional

Procedure:

• Place water on pot, then once it's boiling dump in the macaroni. After about 5-8 minutes add in the sliced squash blossoms and diced bell pepper. Stir.
• Wait for around three minutes then add the milk, and cheese (as much as you want! lol). Let simmer for 4 minutes, then add salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg.
• Keep stirring every now and then, until you're satisfied with the taste and consistency.
• Once satisfied, remove from heat.
• Best served hot, with the sliced fried tofu, spring onion, and additional parmesan cheese on top.

I actually made this late one night, at home, while the family and I were watching a movie: Brave (2012 film picture by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures...or so that's what I read.). The hot soup and the awesome animation was a perfect combination! :P

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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Brown

I honestly miss taking pictures (and editing them), like this.
Darn smartphone! lol :D
...it's taking too much of my time.

LOL.

FREE Blogger Opp: Shower in Syle #Giveaway

Here is another chance to grow your blog's audience - for FREE!

S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews would love for you to join this Shower in Syle event!

Prize to be offered is an 8″ LED lit shower head, retailed at $120. This item is fantastic for anyone and everyone looking to give their bathroom a little revamping!

Event dates: 01/28/2013 – 02/06/2013

Please click over at S.O.S. Mom's post {HERE} to know more.

There is a blogger referral prize (Host page), so I would really appreciate it if you write MHARIA MAIYLAH as the person who referred you (should you decide to join - and I hope you would!).
Many thanks!

FREE Blogger Opp: Kindle Fire #Giveaway

Want to Increase your Readership for free?
Read on...

My Four Littles is excited to bring you a Kindle Fire Giveaway!
Event Dates: March 1-31, 2013
One FREE link with announcement. You can write your own announcement or use the text from HERE.
Co-host (host page and up to four links): $15 Host Pages: $10 Additional Links: $2 Daily Votes: $4
Referral Prize: Free Co-host.
Limited to the first 100 bloggers.
Please click here to sign up.
Please write PICTURE CLUSTERS as the blog that referred you.
Many thanks!

Food Friday

This week's Featured in Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Luna Miranda, with her post Pako/Fiddlefern Salad, on her blog: Miranda.

I really would love to taste this salad. We used to cook these ferns back home with coconut milk, and even if I didn't like it at first, it just grew up on me. I seldom find fresh ferns at the grocery store where I do my shopping, but I know that they'll be coming home with me when and if I find them! Do click on the shot and read some more about Ms. LM's healthy salad post!

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I haven't been cooking up anything worth blogging about for the past couple of days, simply because I think I still have the "holidays hang-over". We manage through deliveries or eating out. I know, not a good way to start the year (yikes!) but like everything else, I know this will pass. :D

But today I was excited to cook breakfast because of the special ham inside the refrigerator: Slers ham from Cagayan de Oro (Philippines). Hubby brought home one of their small-sized hams and of course we just had to have it for breakfast. Simply Ham and Eggs, that's my post for today.

Ingredients and Procedure:

• Cook eggs the way you want them (I had mine scrambled).
• Slice the ham and place in lightly greased hot pan. "Fry" slightly then transfer to a plate (or you may opt to heat it in the microwave or oven). Heat up the sauce that came with the ham. I decided not to put the sauce with the ham since my son wanted the ham without the sauce (kids...lol). It was fine without the sauce, though.
• Pair with rice, or with hot pandesal (bread) and cheese, together with your favorite morning drink.

I liked the taste, since it reminded me of the hams that my family and I used to have while I was growing up. And I also liked the fact that it was cooked together with the bone, with no extenders added (nothing visible, anyway). I think I overcooked the ham slices, though, since it came out dry. Or maybe I shouldn't have cooked it at all! lol. Theoretically it's already cooked anyway. Whichever. Their small-sized ham was/is way too big for us (family of four), so we still have more of it inside the refrigerator. Expect the ham to be included in future posts! :D

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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#Giveaway: Nesco 18 Qt Porcelain Cookwell Roaster (ends 05 Feb, open US only)

Here's something that I really hope one of my readers (from the US) would win:

Nesco 18 Qt Cookwell Roaster Giveaway

This Giveaway is Hosted by

Pink Ninja Media, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, and Happy Home and Family

Together with some Awesome Co-Hosts:

Reel Mama, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Simply Shawn & Jenn, Pink Ninja Blogger, Moms Vacation Spots, Green Grandma, Fitness Fashion and Freebies

One luck winner will receive a Nesco 18 Qt Porcelain Cookwell Roaster , 

with retail value of $79.99.

This fabulous 18Qt Roaster comes with porcelain coated removable Cookwell. One of the most versatile pieces of cookware you'll find. You can use it as your primary oven or as your second oven on the porch, take it to the cabin, or have it handy for a family get together. You can also roast up to a 22 pound turkey, pot roast, pork roast, ham, chicken, or anything else your heart desires.

Features:

• Circle of Heat construction - food is cooked from the side not the bottom. This helps product moist cooking results.
• Removable cookwell with porcelain coating
• Automatic Temperature Controls - hear settings from 200ºF-450ºF
• Chrome steel rack, handles, and easy insertion
• Recipe Guide
• Holds up to a 22 pound turkey
• 1425 Watt, 120 Volt

This giveaway will run from Jan. 10, at 12:01am EST until Feb 05 at 11:59pm EST. One lucky winner will receive a Nesco 18 Qt Porcelain Cookwell Roaster with an Ivory Body. Giveaway is open to US only, and must be 18 years or older to enter. To enter, use the Rafflcopter form below. Thanks, and Lots of LUCK, EVERYONE!

#Giveaway: $200 New Year Giveaway! (ends 20Jan, Open WW)

Happy 2013!!

Together with Diva Fabulosa and a team of super rock star bloggers, we are super excited to announce and bring you guys a super fabulous giveaway! With the holidays over, your expenses has probably doubled, so we decided to put together a prize that will help you this new year!

We’re giving away a
$200 Amazon gift card OR PayPal Cash (winners choice)
This is an amazing giveaway, and honestly I’m pretty jealous that I can’t win! :D

This giveaway is made possible with the following co hosts:

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog - What's Up? - The Stuff of Sucsess - Stuff I love - Canadian Giveaways - Monica's Rants, Raves and Reviews - Simply Sherryl - Techie She - Travel Pixy

Giveaway starts January 10, 2013 12:01 AM EST and ends on January 20, 2013 11:59 EST. This is open Worlwide, to anyone who is 18years old and above (and has a valid Paypal account, if necessary). Lots of Luck!

FREE Blogger Opp: Coachlicious Giveaway

Want to increase your readership? Read on...

Valentine's Day Coachlicious Event

Hosted by Mom Powered Media

Prize: Coach Madison Floral Handbag

Event dates: 1/31 - 2/14

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Please write Picture Clusters as the blog that referred you.
Many thanks!

Lovely (but cold) Holiday

A couple of weeks ago my family and I visited hubby's home at the province, and we were totally unprepared for the cold. Sure, we knew it would be cold out there, but not THAT cold. It was a nice change, though...even if I felt that my teeth was on the verge of chattering all on it's own! lol. I wish I got my kids (and hubby) some warmer stuffs to wear, though, like one of those gorgeous
men s down jackets being advertised online. But we were going to be there just for a couple of days; good thing nobody got a cold, or something.

It was a lovely holiday spent with hubby's side of the family. :)

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is...

Ms. Hazel, with her blog post Mango Daiquiri, on her blog: Bedight.

I am not very adventurous when it comes to drinks, but this looks like something I'd love to try! I will definitely keep this in mind...or maybe mix my own using Ms. Hazel's recipe! Want to try it, too? Check out her post (click on the shot)!

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Something 'hot' for my first 2013 Food Friday post: Cheesy Dynamite. It's not me who coined this dish's name. Had my first taste when hubby's friend sent some over for us to taste. As usual, I just had to do something different: instead of frying it, we baked ours. :)

Ingredients

• fresh chili peppers
• ground pork
• onion, garlic, pepper and salt, soy sauce, and a bit of vinegar
• cheese (we used cheddar)
• olive oil for drizzling

Procedure

• Mix ground pork, water, diced garlic and onion, salt, pepper, and a few drops of soy sauce and vinegar. Place on pot and cook until the liquid has decreased considerably. Adjust seasoning, then turn off heat. Set aside.
• Slice the chili lengthwise, then take out the seeds from the peppers (that's to lessen the spiciness). You may opt to wear plastic gloves to spare yourself from the 'heat'.
• Stuff with the cooked ground pork, then top it off with the cheese. Do the same thing for the remaining chili. Drizzle olive oil on top of the peppers.
• Place in a preheated oven (around 225 degrees celsius or 437 degrees fahrenheit) for around 20mins. or until the cheese melts and gets bubbly.
• Serve with rice or in our case: cheesy macaroni soup.

Honestly, it was hubby who did most of the cooking while I was in charge of the kids (we were playing, lol). Our 4year old didn't take one (he binged on the cheesey macaroni soup), while our eldest ate around four pieces (yes, he liked it). We thought of pairing it with rice, but the soup won. Yeah, we will be doing this again someday. Maybe use cream cheese instead of the pork... :)

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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Hipstamatic

Shot taken two nights ago, while eating out. I was experimenting with my phone's hipstamatic app and decided to check if the lens would really single out a face...and it did! :D

lens: TINTO1884
film: D-Type Plate
flash: none