Adventures of the Happy Tummy

The Turning a new leaf (or leaves) to motivate myself to eat healthful food other than the fact that I do not want to rely on OTC and prescription medicine to cure me (spent a few ten thousands already this past year for my respiratory problems)! Trying out this easy rice substitute. Plus, it's veggie-based so what better way to get fiber and nutrients?! Shopping list: 1 bunch of cauliflower 3 cloves garlic 1/2 carrot  1/2 tsp oil or butter salt and peppe r to taste slice of lemon for zest Steps: 1. Slice through the cauliflower, removing the leaves and the stubby and hard stems. Separate florettes to help your chopper. Pulse these in your food processor. I was too tired (due to meds) to look for my mom's food processor so I used our juicer for now.  Well, needless to say, it needed manual help since the blades are shorter and it took me more time to clear out the veggie from the chute eeep! 2. Chop carrots, garlic, both diced small. 3. Heat a shallow pan. Drizzle with cooking...

Dark yet formal, this rest in BGC demands class and sophistication. Good thing we were in our lady-like apparel... good place where you can dine and wine is a lady's choice for bonding through revelations. I couldn't get much take on the interiors as my phone wouldn't do justice to the intimate lighting. This is a place for dates and dinner before the night out... with the ladies! some sambas with humongous shrimps.. croquettes for starters, filling already.. paella negra.... you better take an all-smiles photo before you dig in! Flushing it all down classily with the mint julep Quite a steep price for drinks, though! But it's all good.

Visiting the Grand Dame of Barbie in Manila, Ms. Myrna Yao's collection.... is one to behold. Lazada Managers of Toys, Kids and Baby Category: from left: Lai Bernardino, Sr. Manager; Moi; David Morales, Regional Category Manager; Mariel Caraig, Category Director. A handful of the ones I really really like... The backdrop A few in a private room

 Entertaining Balikbayans ain't complete without visiting the venue where my parents had their 1st date (cheesy!!!)  Sago't Gulaman (3*) Jelly cubes + tapioca pearls + sweetened water and lotsa ice  Sotanghon Soup (4*) Vermicelli noodles in oily garlicky chicken broth... Half finished Boneless Chicken BBQ (4*) complete with Java rice, atsara (pickled vegetables), and lotsa Aristocrat BBQ sauce!

Surprisingly good food despite the queer name: IMC Kavino I didn't understand it at 1st and I thought it was the name of the building! Good thing I carried on with my driving from QC-Binondo-Fort-Makati and obliged my aunt to treat us for lunch (ehem)! Appetizers palang, masarap na!  (Starters were already delicious!) Pickled vegetables with sesame seeds refilled to your liking... Takoyaki - fried squid, fish peel, mayo, etc on cabbage leaves (4*) Crrrrrunch!!! Almond crusted fried soft tofu with sweet and spicy sauce... delish! (4*) Fragrant rice wrapped in lotus leaves... (3*) only because I am avoiding rice :) Fried Lapu-lapu topped with slivers of ripe and green mangoes, cucumber, carrots, bell peppers and sweet and sour sauce. (3*) Steamed sukiyaki-cut beef on bean sprouts + soysauce. It's a must to put the soysauce, not much flavor here. (2*) Mixed crunchy vegetable with lotus (2*) Black rice, red bean, corn kernels in coco milk... COLD! (5*) request for a big serving! So...

Tucked at the far end of Salcedo Street in  the quaint side of Legaspi Village is a new food joint loved by its neighbors and transients alike.  Our Balikbayan cousins see this daily as we drive them home to their condo along Benavidez and so it has definitley caught our attention. Here's lunch on their last day in town: Piquant appetizers + herbed cheese and sourdough bread... and my very filling Tomato soup... Mussels in white wine sauce... heavenly! Chorizo Pasta... White sauce Sourdough pizza... best seller! Napoli sourdough pizza... yum as well! Collage c/o Picstitch app... Watermelon Ginger shake is a must-try!