Happy New Year Everyone!

May We All Enjoy the Year 2009 Instore for Us!

New Domain for this Blog!

Hello dear friends and fellow bloggers, I have switched my blogspot url to domain url; If you guys would please change it to www.mylittleone-jacob.com , thank you! I just did it now, so I am excited and hoping to have more friends visit and add this one to their links and in return will do the same, just let me know when you do so :-)!

Benefits of Using Peppermint

Peppermint is widely used as a food, flavoring, and disinfectant. As a medicine, peppermint is most well known for its effects on the stomach and intestines. Perhaps you've tried the various "tummy teas" available for stomach upset. Peppermint is a tasty way to relieve gas, nausea, and stomach pain due to an irritable bowel, intestinal cramps, or indigestion.

Peppermint is a carminative -- an agent that dispels gas and bloating in the digestive system -- and an antispasmodic capable of relieving stomach and intestinal cramps. Peppermint can be used for too much stomach acid (hyperacidity) and gastroenteritis (nausea and stomach upset that we sometimes call stomach flu), and it is safe for infants with colic.

When treating a baby with tummy cramps, you can give a teaspoon of peppermint tea if the baby will take it, or put a cloth soaked in warm peppermint tea on the infant's belly.

Peppermint also is used topically for the cooling and relaxing effect it has on the skin. Various muscle rubs and "ices" contain peppermint oil to reduce pain, burning, and inflammation. Like other volatile oils, peppermint oil is absorbed fairly well and can have a temporary pain-relieving effect on muscles and organs that are cramped and in spasm. As with all essential oils, dilute this oil before putting it directly on your skin.

Peppermint also allays itching temporarily. Rub a drop of diluted peppermint oil onto insect bites, eczema, and other itching lesions, including the rash of poison ivy. Peppermint can help relieve some headaches, and you can rub peppermint oil onto the temples or scalp for a comforting therapy.

Menthol, the essential oil in peppermint, is credited with the herb's analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, decongestant, and cooling effects. Menthol also helps subdue many disease-producing bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but because stronger herbal antimicrobials are available, peppermint usually is not the first choice of herbalists to treat serious infections.

Peppermint tea can be used as a mouthwash for babies with thrush (yeast in the mouth) or for pregnant women who wish to avoid stronger herbs and medications.

In the next section, you will learn how to prepare peppermint for herbal remedies and some of the potentially dangerous side effects.

Polvoron

Polvoron is powdered milk candy, made of flour, sugar butter and powdered milk. The flour is toasted, all the ingredients are mixed and shaped into round or oval-shaped molds. It is believe that making polvoron started during the American occupation to use up the huge amount of powdered milk brought in by the Americans. Polvoron over the years has become one of the most loved sweet Filipino delicacy.Today, in the Philippines, there are many home based small business that are making polvorn and selling it in the market, you will even find it in the supermarket shelves. Polvoron is now becoming a favourite "pasalubong" gifts to overseas friends and family. It is easy to make, even the kids could help, my son enjoys moulding the polvoron and then straight to his mouth.

Filipino National Dish, Adobo!

In the Philippines, Adobo is a style of cooking that uses vinegar, soy sauce and garlic. Adobo is popularly regarded as the Filipino national dish. It is prepared by marinating pieces of pork or chicken or a mixture of both in vinegar, crushed garlic, black peppercorns and soy sauce. The mixture is simply simmered until meat is tender and pan-fried to get the desirable crisped edges.

I love this dish and I am glad that my son and husband loves it, too!

Christmas Tradition in the Philippines!

Filipinos are very religious and family-oriented by nature. Nothing could ever measure to being with your family and love-ones on special occasions like birthdays, Christening, anniversaries, New Year, and ofcourse Christmas. Filipinos have high regards for Christmas, having known as the ones who celebrates this sacred day the longest and in the moss blissful way.Christmas preparation starts as early as September and the Christmas season does not only focus on just the eve and the Christmas day itself. Filipinos have this "simbang gabi" (Attending mass) that starts on the 16th of December and ends on the 24th, a day before Christmas. Filipinos ritually attends the mass for nine consecutive days. Then have their festive celebration of the tradional "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve).

For the Noche Buena, you would see variety of mouth-watering dishes, from desserts, to the main course and you'll get full even at the sight of these Filipino Christmas cuisine.

I Love Keeping Traditions

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Traditional indeed. I don't want to change a thing when it comes to Christmas traditions. I want to spend time with family and loved ones and non else. I give gifts, bake cookies, made nice dinner and have fun doing things we love to do as family. And that makes me happy!

Two of our favorite foods

When we went to Washington DC, on the way home we stopped by at an Oriental Store owned by a Filipino. We bought veggies, canned foods and cooked foods, too. I saw a frozen squid and bought it. I just cooked it the other day. Here is my version of Adobong Pusit :-)

Adobong Pusit and Boiled Bockchoy

The here is the Bockchoy, which I have boiled and then put a sauteed garlic with soy sauce and oyster sauce mixtures on top of it. My husband and in-laws love it!

Hotdog, anyone?

This is my son showing me his hotdog ready to be eaten. We bought it at the stall near the White House. I just think it is weird that they are allowed to put a stall there. For me it's not apprpriate place and doesn't match the beauty of everything in that area, considering that it is a historical place and attract tourists and travelers alike. Anyway, maybe it is because those are just rolling stall and they can move wherever and whenever they like to.

My Handbag...

What Your Handbag Says About You

You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You tend to be relaxed but alert. You keep your eye out for anything unusual. You tend to be on high alert. You are very aware of your surroundings. You are a low maintenance person. You can adapt to a variety of situations. You are open and comfortable with who you are. You don't hide anything. You are practical and down to earth. You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person. What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

Grilled Eggplant Panini

Grilled eggplant is one of life's simpler pleasures: creamy and rich. Look for medium-size, purple eggplants with firm skins and no mushy spots. This end-of-summer treat will be even tastier if you can find the vegetables at a local farmstand--or in your own backyard!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
8 1/2-inch slices eggplant, (about 1 small)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
8 slices whole-grain country bread
8 thin slices fresh mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup sliced jarred roasted red peppers
4 thin slices red onion

Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Combine mayonnaise and basil in a small bowl. Using 1 tablespoon oil, lightly brush both sides of eggplant and sprinkle each slice with garlic salt. With the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, brush one side of each slice of bread.
3. Grill the eggplant for 6 minutes, turn with a spatula, top with cheese, and continue grilling until the cheese is melted and the eggplant is tender, about 4 minutes more. Toast the bread on the grill, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
4. To assemble sandwiches: Spread basil mayonnaise on four slices of bread. Top with the cheesy eggplant, red peppers, onion and the remaining slices of bread. Cut in half and serve warm.

I have been meaning to make Panini sandwich for me and hubby, but I wanted one that is healthy. I have found this one and made it finally :-). Oh man, it is so good! If you are looking for a healthy altenative for Panini, this is the best! Try it and taste the difference.

Giant Christmas Tree

That was the Giant Christmas Tree outside the White House. People were adoring it. It would be nice if they turned the lights on since it was cloudy the day this pictures was taken.

Here was yours truly...
and then, our son, Jake...at last! he was kind of looking and smiling, too! Nice shot, Mommy :-)

Foods we crave...

I love this Longsilog which Filipinos eat for breakfast; a combination of Longganisa (sausage), Sinangag (fried rice) and pritong itlog (fried eggs). This is so yummy that you can even eat it anytime of the day.

This is empanada which I used to make when we were living in Texas; it takes a lot of work but I don't mind because it is hubby's favorite!


This is Bistek, a Filipino version of beefsteak, marinated in soysauce, calamansi, garlic and freh ground pepper and top with sauteed onions. It is so yummy that hubby would ask me to make some at least once a week.

This is Halo-halo, a refreshing dessert with shaved ice, sugar, milk, tapioca, sweetened banana, sweet potatoes, purple yum, pinipig, sweetened red beans and more. It is top with leche flan and ice cream of your choice.

Aren't you hungry yet? I do and I am actually drooling right now :-) Oh well, better make some dinner now!

To All My Friends Online...

...... and thank you all so much for visiting, leaving messages on my cbox, leaving comments and dropping up your EC's constantly even 'though I don't alaways do that, not because I am lazy or doesn't want to, but because of my busy schedules as a homemaker, mom and wifey. I will visit you as soon as my busy life permits me. I want you all to know that all you've done will never go unnoticed and they are greatly appreciated. Once again, thank you for being such....!

A Great Man Dies!

While I was reading at church website: www.lds.org, I saw a big headline about the passing away of another apostles of the church, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Oldest Apostle, Dies, Age 91. He was a leader (one of the 12 apostles) in the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. The LDS church has a general conference which is broadcasted to the world every April and October where leaders of the church share wonderful, uplifting spiritual messages. I loved Elder Wirthlin’s last conference talk “Come What May”, I think about this talk during those stressful days. Over the last few years it was obvious that Elder Wirthlin’s health was deteriorating so we knew he would pass on soon. I will miss the warmth and humour of his conference talks but I am happy for him to be reunited with his wife who passed away two years ago. Another apostle will be called in April 2009.

Dinner at Applebees

We kind of tired eating left overs from Thanksgiving Day, so we decided to go out and have dinner at Applebees. We really enjoyed the meals we ordered.

Spinach and Articoke Dip for Appetiser

House Sirloin for me

Ribs and Basket for hubby

Bacon Cheeseburger for my son

Sizzled Green Beans with Crispy Prosciutto and Pine Nuts

Inredients:

2 pounds green beans trimmed
2 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
2 ounces prosciutto thinly sliced, cut into ribbons
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1/4 teaspoon salt divided
Freshly ground pepperto taste
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Tip: To toast chopped nuts & seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add beans, return to a boil, and simmer until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
Drain.Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add prosciutto; cook, stirring, until crispy, 4 to 5 minutes.
Drain on a paper towel.
Wipe out the pan; heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat.
Add the beans, garlic, sage, 1/8 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are browned in places, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in pine nuts, lemon zest and the prosciutto.
Season with lemon juice, the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

I love green beans so much that I always look for more ways to cook it. This one is so simple recipe and yet very healthy. I am planning to cook some to bring to our Christmas Party this coming Saturday, 13th of December. I hope they will like it.

My New Blog is All about Foods

This new blog of mine is created especially to express my passion for foods. I am not an expert in cooking, but I can cook :-); the foods I am posting here are healthy and will satisfy your craving for Filipino foods and foods from around the world that I have tasted and have proven to be good. I also love to make up recipes and also find a wide variety of recipes from other sources. I especially love recipes that can help me save money! Come and feast with me!