Veggie & Meat Fritters

My version of veggie and meat fritters made from left-over food.

More often than not, we have left over foods in our table.  Yesterday's lunch, we left a slice of tinolang manok and sardines (my nephew's favorite) on the table.  My nephew advised me not to give the leftover food to Angel and Doro because he still want to eat some more.  And so, before dinner I decided to make a recipe with my nephew as errand boy to buy the other ingredients and get some kangkong at the backyard garden. 

You will need:

left-over tinolang manok or pork (lean part only and sliced thinly)
left-over sardines to add flavor
pipino, sliced into small cubes
kangkong leaves, sliced diagonally
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, minced
salt
white pepper (kids don't want to see black pepper in their food)
2 eggs beaten
all-purpose flour
cooking oil for frying

Sauce:

Combine 4 tbsp of soy sauce and vinegar (you may chili for a spicy sauce) or use ketchup for kids.

What to do?

1.  Mix the beaten eggs with the all-purpose flour (result should be a mixture that is not too thick but enough as batter).

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the leftover foods, vegetables, garlic and onion.  Pour in the mixture you prepared in step 1 then mix them thouroughly.

3.  Season with salt and pepper.

4.  Heat the non-stick pan then pour the cooking oil.

5.  Deep fry 1/2 cup of or 2 tbsp of the mixture until golden brown.

6.  When done, place in paper towels to remove the excess oil.

7.  Serve while still hot with spicy sauce or ketchup for kids.

This recipe will just take at least 15 minutes to prepare.  Mixing veggie in the mixture is a good method for kids who doesn't want to eat vegetables and the color of the fritters when fried is inviting the kids to taste it.

-myworldisyourworld-

Craft 101 - Pen organizer

Cluttered desk because of pens or you have plenty of that so that when your kids need pens in school you will not be going to the bookstore just to buy some.  I have the solution for your problem because I myself experienced that I just place boxes of ballpens and pencils just anywhere.  For this project, I used recycled materials found in my room.

What you need?

an empty box with the flip-top portion cut
pair of scissors
craft scissor to design the label
permanent mark pen
scotch tape
used gift wrapper
paste

What to do?

1.  When the flip-top portion of the box is cut, wrap the box using the used gift wrapper.  You can make designs with the wrapper.

2.  Prepare the label by cutting a portion of the gift wrapper using a craft scissor just enough to accommodate the letters that you are going to write.

3.  When done, paste the label on the box depending on the style and which side you want it to be pasted.

4.  Place your pens inside the box and keep the box in your desk or at any place you want it to be kept as long as you can see it when you need the pens.

You can also make box organizers for other things such as medicines, first aid kit, toys and many more.  Just use your creative hands and minds and you will be surprised - you recycled some materials, you cleared up the cluttered desk and you organized your things.

Siesta

Raki and Angel during siesta.  Who would have thought this two will be buddies even during sleeping?  Honestly, I found happiness in them, after lunchtime during weekdays they are left alone in my quarters while I'm at the office for work and upon my arrival in the afternoon, they are at the door to meet me.

Don't want you to be alone...

29 June 2012, I was very busy for the seminar I facilitated.  My nephew who is in Prep at Siena Montessori School of Tarlac managed to go to the gate by his own to meet the school service despite of the heavy rainfall.  It was the very first time my tears fell slowly from my eyes seeing my nephew with backpack, raincoat on and umbrella singing "rain, rain, go away, little raki wants to go to school, rain, rain, go away".

After all - Great Monday

The best doctor's prescription... i love it...

For the past three days I was not feeling well.  When I am involved in activities that require mental and physical indulgence usually i experience the pains and stress a week after the scheduled activity kumbaga late kung maningil ang aking katawan.  Can you imagine? For three days I sang live in the combo, the venue was hot so my whole body was sweating then during breaks, I was not able to change my outfit at once because I still have some things to do at the seminar.

I woke up this morning with harsh voice, runny nose with joints and muscle pains.  Yesterday my boss told me to represent him at the conference because he will be attending a conference at higher headquarters.  My nephew who is living with me has to go to school in fact, we slept late last night because I reviewed him for a long quiz in Language but sleeping late last night and waking up early to prepare his things for school was worthy.  When he arrived home, I checked his handbook and saw that he got a perfect score during the quiz!  At work, although I am not feeling well, I still managed myself to attend the flag raising ceremony and subsequently the usual Monday conference.  I am already traumatized with my previous attendance in conferences because of seniors who are claiming issues at our office that should not be an agenda at the conference.  However, this morning, it seemed that everything was well organized from my presentation to answering the queries of the members of the conference group and so with my work here at the office.  

Despite of clogged nose hehehe, feeling sleepy because of the medicine I took after lunch, my Monday was great.  Thank you Lord for the wisdom.

Still - Hillsong

People

In our daily lives, we meet different kinds of people.  Tall, dark, handsome, beautiful, ugly, smart, intelligent, talented - almost all adjective can describe them.  When they come to our lives, they always have reasons.  They are there for us either to inspire, love, abuse, use, torture and many more. For whatever reasons, God sent them to us for a purpose.

In my thirty-three years of existence in this world, I met several people.  Some made me laugh, others made me cry that made me realize that life has to move on.  People come and go in our lives, let us treasure the memories worth remembering and let go of the people who have caused us pains and resentments.  We only have one bestfriend who will accepts us despite of our imperfections, lift us up when we are down and saves us from any harm and danger.  JESUS is our life and savior.

Review: GUC Ionizer Flask

GUC Ionizer Flask

This is not a paid advertisement about the product.  I just want to share my experience from using GUC Ionizer Flask.

 Three months ago, a good friend introduced to me this GUC Ionizer Flask and after simple explanation about the product, I bought one for myself to see and prove its effects.

On April 19, 2012, I used the flask when our group had a trek to Mount Pinatubo in Zambales.  It was a two-hour walk under the scorching heat of the sun and I used the water from the flask to hydrate myself.  My companions observed that I did not stop from walking, my steps were even getting faster and faster.  I also observed it and it was the first time I discovered its effectiveness.

On 19 May 2012, again our group climbed Mount Pulag in Benguet.  Normally, trekkers have to walk for three to four hours but I did it in 1 hour and 40 mins from the Ranger Station to the Camp Site.  While others were still walking under the heavy rains, I was already at the camp site supervising the fixing of the camp tents.  I observed that I did not feel tired despite of the long walk and also, I did not feel the coldness of the night.

From 29 to 30 June and 01 July 2012, I was with the Music Ministry to render musical entertainment for the Marriage Enrichment Seminar.  We had several sets of songs per day and everyone was already tired from singing and dancing except Ate Elena and me who are using this product.  While others were already having harsh voices because their vocal chords were already stressed, I still had the same voice from the first day and my secret was drinking the ionized and energized water from the flask.

Hopefully. in the days to come, I can share more experiences from using this product.

The Singing Soldiers & Wives

Music has become an integral part of my life since childhood because I come from a family who loves music.  My father was a combo player and my mother sings well.  My love for singing was born when I was in second year high school as a member of the school choir. I never thought that my talent would be recognized since I am now working.  Honestly, I just sing in church and you will seldom hear my voice in videoke because I am not at ease in singing other songs.  

When I was assigned in Tarlac sometime in 2007, by chance I was able to form a group purposely to sing during masses at the post chapel.  Our group was composed of soldiers and their wives who were members of the Couples for Christ hence, I did not find it difficult to teach them because they are also singing during meetings and other sessions.  In 2009, I was reassigned to Mindanao, the group was left and according to them, they rested on the time I was not with them until August of 2011 when I was recalled to Tarlac.  Our group was then reorganized with some additional members however, as time goes by, the others cannot withstand for reasons they only knew.  Nevertheless, the original members stayed strong.  Our service to God will not end, we continue praising the Lord with our talents in singing and through thick and thin, we will still remain.

Indeed I am grateful to my group members whom I consider as my foster parents, my older sisters and brothers who are always willing to help and offer their time and services just for free.  We all believe that the strong shall stand firm and will remain forever to serve and love the Lord.

To God be the Glory forever!

My PULAGracious Experience

Mount Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet at 2,952 meters above sea level is the highest mountain in Luzon and the second highest mountain in the Philippines.  It is a favorite destination of mountaineers in the country and even foreigners for its sacred ground, endangered flora and fauna species, freezing cold temperature and the beautiful view during sunrise. I am privileged to be a member of Team Armor who conquered Mount Pulag on 20 May 2012 in coordination with Travel Factor as part of the command’s summer outing activities.

At around 0600 of 20 May 2012, we left Good Taste Restaurant in Baguio City bound for DENR and arrived thereat at about 0900 for the registration and orientation.  The orientation included the do’s and don’ts at Mount Pulag and some reminders to be strictly followed considering that Mount Pulag is considered as a sacred mountain especially for the natives.  At 1030, the group proceeded to the Ranger Station.  It was a very long and winding road wherein if you failed to take Bonamine before the jum-off, you’ll feel nauseated.  The drivers are very skilled and noteworthy during the trip was the four inches clearance of the jeep tires from the ravine that brought me into silence for prayer while my male counterparts were screaming to stop the vehicle and just walk (armor soldiers always consider the safety of the vehicle in terrains which are not tankable).  After two hours of feeling dizzy, we arrived at the Ranger Station where we had our lunch. We hired porters to carry our backpacks.  Everyone was amazed to see female porters carrying our backpacks.  At about 1330, we started the trek to the camp site. I was with the group of CMS Cabonce, PFC Mendoza and PFC Martin.  After one hour and 40 minutes hike under the continues heavy rain pour, we arrived at the camp site where we established the tents for the overnight stay while waiting for the schedule to assault the summit.  How we wished the rain to stop so we can enjoy the ambiance of the site watching the stars and the moon however, the weather in Mount Pulad is so unpredictable.  Our overnight stay inside the tent was a 360 degrees twist from the luxuries we had in Camp O’Donnell.  The very cold temperature at 18 degrees Celsius inside and more or less 14 degrees Celsius outside made everyone uncomfortable.  Nevertheless, one nice compliment from Travel Factor was the very nice dinner of adobong baboy and corn soup. With the used tarpaulin of my nephew during his birthday, a sleeping bag folded into four, a malong with bonnet, socks and thermal jacket on, and while others were chilling, I was able to sleep well.  My previous assignment in Bukidnon helped me a lot in adjusting my body with the freezing cold temperature in Mount Pulag.

How about the call of nature?  Attending to our personal necessities was one of our problems as we are not allowed to have it just anywhere.  They have designated latrines however, with the very cold temperature outside no one dared to go to the latrine.  Anyway, leave it to us, the “Zip-Lock Ladies” where we really had a very close bonding session especially with Miss Joan and Maquee whom I knew just a day before the trek.

At about 0330, we woke up and prepared for the summit assault.  The rain has stopped at 0400 so our assault was delayed for an hour.  We started our trek at about 0500 and at about 0600, I conquered the Summit of Mount Pulag and that was after one hour and five minutes hike from the camp site together with the lead guide Ate Jen and PFC Mendoza while LTC IBON, MAJOR BANDILLA and Pfc Martin were ahead of us for a couple of minutes.  After 15 minutes, MAJOR FAMOSO followed by MAJOR LICAY, MAJOR VALDEZ and Major Igmen arrived at the summit.  CPT NAVARRO was also able to make it to the top after 30 minutes thus; ten (10) trekkers from the Team Armor conquered the summit while the others only reached Peak 3 and remained at the camp site.  We missed the mass celebrated by CPT BALISTOY at the Camp Site for we waited for the others at the top.  After an hour of enjoying the beautiful sceneries at the summit which was overlooking Sagada and Kabayan and some souvenir shots with fellow trekkers and GENERAL ALCANTARA, Commander of Northern Luzon Command, we headed back to the camp site for breakfast.  

After some photo ops at the camp site, we started the hike back to the Ranger Station at 0900 and had our boodlefight of rice, corned beef, century tuna and scrambled eggs for lunch.  Although the menu was for breakfast, the trekkers enjoyed the meal.  At 1300, we left the Ranger Station by foot bound to the Jeep Terminal that was more or less 500 meters away.  The driver and the jeep were already waiting for us and we took Bonamine again to prepare ourselves for the trip along the winding road.  At 1400, while onboard the jeep, we left the terminal bound to the DENR Station to log out and buy souvenir items.  We also had a side trip to the famous Ambuklao Dam of Benguet.  At 1630, we arrived at the AFP Transient Facility in Navy Base, Baguio City where we had our wash-up and prepared for entrucking  back to Headquarters Light Armor Division.

Although I am not a certified mountaineer, I have conquered mountains from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao such as Mount Mahagnao in Leyte, Mount Samat in Bataan for two times, Mount Musuan in Valencia, Bukidnon trice and Mount Pinatubo twice, my trekking experience in Mount Pulag, Kabayan, Benguet is the best experience worthy to be written in my blog.  Aside from being the highest mountain in Luzon and the second highest mountain in the entire Philippines, conquering Mount Pulag requires a lot of patience and preparation like the physical condition of the trekker and the equipment used for the duration of the trek. No words can explain the fulfilment I had for being called as Team Armor’s First Woman Conqueror of Mount Pulag.  Likewise, seeing the female and male natives working as porters and our overnight stay at the camp site made me feel blessed because of the quality of life I have.  Likewise, it was one way to thank God for His wonderful creations and take part in its preservation and conservation.

Kudos Team Armor for conquering Mount Pulag and thank you Mr Ron Gabadon, Expedition Leader of Travel Factor and his assistants Eds and Arjay for making our trek full of fun and adventure!  To our Commander, MGEN CARLOS E LUCES AFP, thank you so much Sir for the support.