Thursday, May 31, 2012

Pancit Luglug


I really don't know what distinguishes Pancit Luglug from Pancit Palabok.  They taste the same, right?  Although somebody told me Pancit Luglug has shrimp sauce and bisque, another told me the sauce has crab fat (aligue)---can anybody confirm this?

It's probably the size of the noodles---palabok has thinner rice noodles (bihon) while luglug has thicker, spaghetti-like noodles.  What do you think?

A classic Pinoy merienda, this is Max's Pancit Luglug snack serving---it has an irresistible lechon kawali toppings and chitcharon bits.  Delicious!



Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Distance/Watery World-Wednesday

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started. ~ Henry Ward Beecher




Monday, May 28, 2012

Outrigger Canoe/Blue Monday


I wonder if this canoe dreams of becoming a ship someday.:p
An outrigger canoe, locally known as banca, by the shores of Subic Bay.


More blues @ Blue Monday

Friday, May 25, 2012

Gold/SWF

Love is what we are born with.  Fear is what we learn.  The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts.  Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth.  To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.  Meaning does not lie in things.  Meaning lies in us.  ~ Marianne Williamson
Cauayan, Negros Occidental


Linking to Sky-watch Friday


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Taco Salad

I was back at Agave-High Street recently and got this chilled Taco Salad for dinner.  It has crisp greens topped with with pico de gallo, black beans, corn, Mexican cheese, olives, sour cream and grilled chicken.  Served in crispy tortilla bowl  with sweet honey vinaigrette dressing.

Join foodies @ Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Calamianes: At day's end/Water World Wednesday

Going back to Busuanga Island after a day of island hopping and snorkeling.  We were tired but happy, and looking forward to another exciting day. 

Linking to Kim's  Water World - Wednesday

Monday, May 21, 2012

Blue bike/Blue Monday


A blue reflection on a bike by the fountain at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Linking to Blue Monday


Friday, May 18, 2012

Fiery/SWF

At the end of the day, we all need to remember to keep going.  But just making it another day doesn't get us where we truly want to be.  We must stay focused on what we aspire for, continue to dream but act on our passions.

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!" "

~ Jack Kerouac
Join sky-watchers from around the planet @ Sky-Watch Friday


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rodeo Beef


After a long day spent with doctors (nothing serious, just the annual physical exam that took the whole day),  I deserved a slow-paced dinner.  This Rodeo Beef at Texas Roadhouse Grill was tasty and filling, the beef was tender.  It's marinated beef strips sauteed with oregano cream reduction sauce topped with onion rings.  Served with Texas rice and buttered veggies.  I took my time to enjoy this meal, and lingered much longer over coffee and dessert. 

 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Journey/Watery World-Wednesday


Like you, they are headed to the same place and no matter what they may appear like to you, they have taken the perfect form for their journey.  How strong our relationships would be if we could see and respect that we are all perfectly imperfect for our journey.

Linking to Kim's Watery World-Wednesday
 and NF Waters

Monday, May 14, 2012

Roofs/Blue Monday


Blue roofs among the greens. 
One of the island resorts we passed by in Calamianes.

Linking to Blue Monday

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Photo-Hunt/Scoop and Children

What could be more perfect than a scoop or two of chocolate ice cream on a lazy summer afternoon?  

This is my contribution to Sandi's Saturday Photo-Hunt.

I was also at Cassie's 1st birthday party last Saturday, and the clubhouse was filled with children.  I love this girl eating her cotton candy with gusto---she's one of the children who partied with Cassie, my first apo (grandchild), my godson's firstborn.


Face-painting, cotton candy and balloons excited the young guests.  A clown entertained them with games and magic.  The party was filled with children's laughter, moms and dads were busy taking pictures.


Posted for Gattina's Saturday Photo-Hunting
Join us!


Friday, May 11, 2012

Dusty pink dream/SWF


In a Wonderland they lie, 
Dreaming as the days go by, 
Dreaming as the summers die:  
Ever drifting down the stream---
Lingering in the golden gleam---
Life, what is it but a dream?
~ Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Remembering my father on his 71st birthday.  Happy birthday, Tatay!

Sky-watchers from around the world meet @ Sky-Watch Friday

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Hot dishes @ Icebergs

Sizzling Korean Beef

Icebergs is one of our favorite summer haunts.  Their ice cream-based desserts and parfaits, halo-halo and fruit smoothies cool us off when the heat seems unbearable.  But hey, they also serve hot dishes like these Korean Beef served on a hot plate and Chicken Cordon Bleu.  

U and I purposely went to Icebergs around midnight to eat halo-halo but ended up ordering rice meals!  After these, we didn't have room for dessert.:p

Chicken Cordon Bleu


Join foodies @ Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Contentment/Water World-Wednesday & NF Waters


Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase. ~ John Balguy

A pearl farm near Dynamite Point in the Calamianes

Get your eyes wet over at Watery World - Wednesday

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Going Bananas

 
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but apples are imported and can be expensive.  How about bananas?  It's a domestic product, available in the market all-year-round and much cheaper than apples.   I grew up in a place surrounded by banana trees [it's not a tree, though, but an herb] and coconut trees, among others; and my grandmother had concocted more banana dishes than you can imagine!  All parts of a banana tree are edible and extremely useful---leaves, flowers, heart, fruit, trunk, bark.  Admittedly, I took bananas for granted until I was an adult, living in the city and have to buy bananas by the kilo.

The humble banana, I discovered, is a wonder fruit.  Bananas consist mainly of sugar and fiber, which make them an ideal source of energy. No wonder it's a staple in the diets of athletes.  And as a trying-hard jogger, I eat a banana before a run, or when I skipped a meal. My mother has high blood pressure and high cholesterol level, and aside from prescribed meds, the cardiologist recommends a diet with Saba banana daily for its rich potassium content that can reduce the incidence of a stroke. 

Here are the health benefits of bananas:
  1. Anemia - bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function.  Regular consumption of bananas and oranges in children from ages 0 to 2 may reduce the risk of childhood leukemia (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2004).
  2. Heartburn - bananas have a natural antacid effect on the body.  Studies show that bananas can protect our stomachs against aspirin-induced gastritis.  And if you've been out partying and drinking alcohol, the best way in preventing a hangover is lots of water and a banana or two before going to bed.
  3. Morning sickness -  snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.  And if you didn't follow #2, have a banana shake when you woke up with a hangover.
  4. Ulcers - this is the only fruit that can be eaten without distress. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.
  5. Blood pressure - bananas are extremely high in potassium, and very low in sodium---a perfect combination in preventing high blood pressure.  The US FDA has even allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
  6. Healthy kidney - research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health.  Bananas and many root vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants phenolic compounds, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.
  7. Healthy bones - bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon.  This probiotic bacteria protects us from unhealthy bacterial infections and increases our body's ability to absorb calcium.  
  8. Eyesight protection - research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of bananas a day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
  9. Constipation and Diarrhea -  due to banana's fiber content, it helps restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium). Bananas also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.
  10.  Stress relief and Depression - banana's high potassium content helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted---eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without taking drugs.  Bananas also contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that converts into serotonin, leading to improved mood.  So when you're sad or stressed, feel better by eating a banana instead of going shopping, smoking or comfort-eating.
  11. Nerves - bananas are high in Vitamin B that have been shown to improve nerve function.
  12. Smoking - bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
  13. Mosquito bites - many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling.
And when you're bored with ripe bananas, try banana chips.   I chipped a canine tooth a few weeks ago while munching on these banana chips [but it was serendipity---a visit to the dentist has been long overdue, anyway], so be careful.  I love munching on banana chips while watching TV---excellent jaw exercise.:p

How about some Banana Turon for an afternoon snack?  I added some brown sugar and slivers of ripe langka or jackfruit to slices of ripe saba before wrapping [and deep-frying].  Banana Turon ala mode (with vanilla ice cream) is perfect on this sizzling afternoon.

However you eat bananas, enjoy!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Window shopping/Blue Monday


A perfect match to my worn-out pair of jeans.
Window-shopping at Atelier Avatar in Greenbelt 5.

Linking to Sally's Blue Monday

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Photo Hunt/Zap and Advertising


Cine Corregidor in Corregidor Island zapped by Japanese bombardments during World War II.   Corregidor is one of the most important historic and tourist sites in the Philippines.

 An inflated advertising balloon at an event in the Mall of Asia.  Too much of this liquor can zap the brain cells and one's common sense.
 
Posting for two Photo-Hunts today---ZAP  for Sandy's Saturday Photo-Hunt and ADVERTISING for Gattina's Photo-Hunt.  Join us!