the canDIshhh tales

Sharing is caring, so we can't keep it a secret any longer.  THIS is where we get out groceries!  Well, Anson Supermarket has been where we have been purchasing all of our kids' diapers!  From Kailee to Connor to Shobe!  Yes, yes, yes! A week into the lockdown, it just occurred to us that we can get our groceries from them - but then we thought, we didn't want to force them to do it - after all it's a different time now.  But when we asked and they said yes, it was like we won the lottery.  We sent out our list - a very VERY SPECIFIC list and voila after a day or two (we weren't in a rush) they told us to schedule a pick up.  Please remember that I am sharing this with you guys because I believe so much in the saying 'sharing is caring'.  Please be mindful of your language and respect those who will call or message you about your orders.  Also note that some items might NOT be available - so manage your expectations.   They're a ...

One of the things that gets ooohs and aaaahs in a chinese restaurant is the #WinterMelonSoup.   You may ask why?  Well because with this soup, restaurants use the winter melon itself as a huge bowl to serve the soup!  It's a sight to see as you'll be amazed how they were able to pull it off.  You'll see the whole winter melon, and then suddenly they're take out the top part and when you peek in, the soup is inside together with meat bits and other veggies!  My mom has tried it at home, and I remember her being nervous that the winter melon doesn't break apart, kunde sira ang presentation! So during this #EnhancedCommunityQuarantine, I chanced upon Theo's Farm that they have winter melon, so I ordered.  When I saw it - I knew I wouldn't be able to pull off the carving and serving the winter melon.  It actually made the preparation easier.  I had to ask my mom, and she told me to steam the winter melon to soften it.  Honestly, I don't t...

When I was little, I used to see my mom, guama and aunt cook in the kitchen.  I found it amazing, that they have this idea in their heads on what to cook for us.  I remember my guama had small bits of plastic that when opened contained shirmp and cooked pork fat.  I asked her what it was for, and she told me that it was to add 'flavor' to the dish whatever it was.  I don't remember seeing her look at any cook book or a paper with recipe.  She just whipped them all up! When I got older, I became interested in baking - baking because I was afraid of splattering oil.  So I stuck to baking for a while.  It was only when I got married that I had to dive in and cook.  When my Panget and I were newly married, we didn't have a helper during the weekend, so I had to step up.  There were times that we didn't have a helper at all (we borrowed my mom's helper to clean), so I had to do all the cooking.  It was there that I learned to whip s...

We've been on lockdown for a month now.  And what is it that I realized?  Quality ingredients are very important when it comes to cooking for my family's meals.  I realized that there were ingredients that i took for granted before this lockdown.  Since I'm cooking everyday, I have played favorites with certain brands. Introducing, my FAVORITE lockdown cooking ingredients! LEE KUM KEE PREMIUM SOY SAUCE This has got to be my FAVORITE kitchen staple.  The taste is very clean and stable.  I say clean because comparing it to our local soy sauce brands - this tastes really different!  It's not very salty and the taste is - really different!  I have decide to buy this in the liter packages because I use so much of it in my cooking.  A little goes a long way when marinading and when cooking.  I say the taste is stable, because the product doesn't need a quick shake to combine the flavors - you won't see ANY form of residue at the bo...

When the idea of an #EnhancedCommunityQuarantine was brought up, my Panget told me that we should stock up on food and some essentials.  I guess essentials mean different things to people because we were alarmed that people started buying a LOT of bathroom tissues!  But I guess priorities are aligned differently.  But who are we to judge, right? What I have learned with this #ECQ is to look for reliable suppliers.  Before the lockdown occurred, I was lucky to have found a seafood supplier - Malabon Fresh.  I just found them on #Instagram.  I tried them and was very happy with the service.  I guess it was meant to be because they are now my ONLY seafood supplier.  Fast forward to when the lockdown began, I was lucky enough to be included in a Veggie delivery group.  The prices were fair and I loved that you just need to message them your order and voila - it gets delivered the next day!  This particular group became a community and so m...

My #Instantpot has been hidden in the storage room for a while now.  But because of the current #EnhancedCommunityQuarantine - I decided to utilize the piece of machine.  My Panget got this IP for me two years ago, and you can count with your fingers how many time I've used it since then.  It's a great machine, but I make sure that it is, who uses it and no one else.  First off, it's 110volts since we got it from Amazon.  Instantpot is available locally via Focus Global, the same distributor for Kitchen Aid and Coleman products, you can find them on Instagram - InstantpotPH. Anyway, I'll get straight to the point - you'll see below my recipe for the Instantpot Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup.  I tweaked it a bit because not all ingredients were available in my pantry: Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup 1 kilo Beef (I used Brisket, I always use this!  I think with the IP, you can use any cut of beef) 3 slices of Ginger 8 cloves of Garlic (pounded) 5 1-in...

I am one who is not very sensitive on the length of hair because I just tie them in a ponytail.  You can count with your fingers the number of times I've had my hair down.  I simply don't like my hair on my face.  I wish I can pull off the pixie cut, unfortunately - my face is very round, so - well, it won't look as 'pretty' on me. Before the lockdown happened, my Panget and the kids had their hairs cut.  I remember when I used to sport the pixie cut, that I would go to the salon EVERY month to have my 'cut' maintained properly.  So I know that for those sporting shorter hair - well, they know the different two to three weeks make to their hair. But since we're all on #EnhancedCommunityQuarantine there are no salons nor barber shops that are open for service.  So what is the solution?  Do the haircut ourselves!  If you ask me, I wouldn't really dare because, IT'S EFFING HAIR!  Your hair is something personal to you, it's not some random t...

I am a woman. A wife, a mother, a daughter, a daughter in law and a friend. My role in this world has not stopped evolving as I age.  Honestly, I question it most of the time.  Does my role end at some point?  Honest truth?  It NEVER ends at all. This #EnhancedCommunityQuarantine has somehow shown me fangs, sharp fingernails and ungratefulness.  You see, I am EFFICIENT and quite RESPONSIBLE.  I finish tasks faster than most (if I'm not lazy or upset that is) and most of all, I am reliable. Being reliable and efficient has to be a great combo, right?  Well, it is really - but it stops when people take advantage of these qualities. I am told to do this, do that and many sort of other things that are sometimes out of my scope of responsibilities.  My one big weakness is that - I am unable to stop caring.  My conscience tells me to always care, to most of the time - shove my bad feelings down the drain and continue functioning for other...

I've had this Squid Bits from #SeaKingPH for quite a while now, but I haven't had the time to cook them up.  I kept thinking that I'd use it to make pasta, but that didn't pan out.  Since I had some red and green bell peppers, I thought - why not just follow the Sisig recipe printed at the back of the packaging. So I did! It's very easy to prep and cook. Here are the ingredients: 1 pack - 300g Seaking Squid Bits 1/3 cup Soy Sauce 1/4 teaspoon freshy ground black pepper 4 Tablespoons Butter 1/3 cup diced Red Onion 1 diced Green Bell pepper 1 diced Red Bell Pepper Salt and Peppet to taste Sili - in case you want your sisig to be spicy Calamansi for serving First, is to thaw the #SeaKingPH Squid bits pack, take it out and drain the water (You can set the water aside in case you'll want to use it to flavor other dishes), now in a bowl combine soy sauce and pepper.  Marinate for 10 minutes. Second is to melt the butter in a pan, saute onions an...

When the lockdown was imposed, most of us were confused.  I was confused.  It really was a half-assed plan to lockdown the capital.  But instead of using the word lockdown, they opted for a rather 'friendlier' word - I would have wished that they just written down a plan, studied it carefully and then announce it to the public.  But what happened was that - they just decided 'Hey! Let's do this and let's just play it by ear'  When the setting is friends getting together or organizing a trip - that is quite alright, but when it's a country, the Philippines you are handling - well, it's a different ballgame altogether. I have been silent for a while really, because I wanted to give this administration a chance.  But this administration has been falling short of every low expectation that I put out.  They have constantly gave out excuses instead of solutions.  The president of the country has been absent in the important instances the country has f...

My uncle passed away because of COVID-19. It's serious.   I never thought someone I personally know and a blood relative would be one of the casualties. Who would have thought? But it's reality, OUR reality. Everyday we hear of deaths, infections and it looks like it won't end soon. AND THEN WE SEE ON THE NEWS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT A SENATOR OF THE PHILIPPINES WAS FOUND COVID-19 POSITIVE!  And he went to Makati Medical Center to accompany his wife who is about the give birth. Now, wait a minute - he knew he was a PUI YET he ESCAPED his quarantine and has endagered the LIVES of so many people and their families. PERSONALLY, I am VERY VERY ANGRY. He was selfish.  I put myself in the shoes of his wife - then I realized, that I wouldn't want to compromise the safety of those around me.  Even if it's my first time to give birth - it's NOT A REASON to belittle all the rules and exempt yourself.  Yes, she needed support, she was afraid - b...

COVID-19 It's REAL and those that are at more risk are the SENIOR CITIZENS!! Please tell your senior parents and relatives to STAY HOME! The underlying conditions are DIABETES and HYPERTENSION. An uncle of mine passed so suddenly. He had diarrhea for 2 days. The doctor gave him meds. Then he had high fever. They gave him meds. He had a hard time breathing. Hospital #1 turned them away. Hospital #2 took him in. He died that night. He wasn't tested. There was not time to test. His death will not be included in the #Covid19 death statistic. He had a history of diabetes and hypertension. Deaths are under reported because some die before they even get tested. Uncle L.  Rest in PEACE.   You were the nicest uncle on your side of the family. You were quiet but nice and polite and good hearted.

Gloria Maris has been a staple for birthdays and celebrations with the family.  I remember when my Panget and I were still dating, his parents would always choose to have dinner in Gloria Maris when they didn't want to think of a new place to go.  We know that food will be good and that everyone will enjoy it. When they moved to it's current location in Greenhills, everyone expected it to be the same.  Well, the menu was upgraded, the price too - but the quality well, in my personal opinion it deteriorated.  Well, you see - when you upgrade the prices, people will expect the food to taste better right?  Well, that wasn't the case. We found ourselves going to Gloria Maris less and less.  So when news that a new owner was coming in - well everyone was all on the edge.  I'm sure everyone was curious on what would happen.  Would the name be changed?  Will the menu change?  Will there be changes or will it just be maintained.  Everyo...

Having faith is something I feel is needed more than religion.  Religion will teach us that there is a higher being, but it's really up to us to start that relationship. In school, we were taught prayers and good deeds in religion class.  When I was younger, I took the class for granted.  I didn't feel the need at that time to have a relationship with God.  As I grew older, I felt I needed it and started one. I respect all kinds of religion.  I will never put down another for mine.  I respect people's faith and even admire them for their relationship with God.  Most religions have flaws, but I think the bottom line is that - when we start and continue on a relationship with God, then it should be personal.  We need not declare to the world that we are going to Church, or the ministry that we do.  The Lord sees all our efforts. I firmly believe that our relationship with the Lord should be personal and private.  We ask for prayers b...

I studied in a sort of Chinese school for 13 years. So that "sort of' means, I SHOULD know how to speak basic Mandarin right? NOT QUITE!! I studied in a Chinese school where we only get less than an hour of Chinese class daily.  When you think about it, well - one hour a day, should be okay - but the problem is, at that time - it was pure memorization.  The books that we used, were those traditional books that I honestly have no idea what is written in them.  I see Chinese characters and they're just that - Chinese characters without meaning, nothing.  It was not practical if you ask me.  The words we were taught were not used in everyday conversation It was only during my 3rd or 4th year of high school that I realized how important knowing how to speak Chinese was.  It was during a trip to the Chinese border from Hong Kong that while I was going around the mall, I was having a hard time communicating with people who looked like me.  I wa...

When I was a lot younger, I used to have this idea in my head that I need to take revenge on certain things.  That when people do something to me, I need to retaliate.  I was following the saying, if they hit you, you hit back.  I couldn't for the life of me (at that time) understand the Bible phrase to 'give your other cheek'  I swear, I thought it was so very wrong. Then I experienced heartache.  I was feeling my lowest (I think) and then one day, I realized - that I needed to forgive that person and I needed to forgive myself.  It took a while, but then when I wished that person well and after that, everything was alright again.  The pain was minimal, I think I grew so much from that experience.  The lesson I learned then was to not think negatively of others, and instead wish them the best. Let's not think ill of others, instead wish them well.  That's what I do now.  Whenever I'm irritared or angered by circumstances, I take a b...

I love love love my Paymaya.  I love the #ScanToPay QR payment because of the cash back!  It's so convenient, safe and oh so easy!  I look forward to my purchases using Paymaya.  I have this habit of asking the cashiers if they have Paymaya.  I get giddy when they say they do because I know I'll get cash back when I use their #ScanToPay QR. Grabbing a quick bite or buying some last-minute needed items just got more convenient and rewarding as   Ministop   joins the growing list of PayMaya Preferred merchants, where customers can get added treats and perks whenever they pay using PayMaya QR. PayMaya QR is now currently available in more than 500 branches of   Ministop   all over the country, allowing for the ultimate convenience not just in buying goods but in having a quick and hassle-free payment experience as well. Additionally, shoppers can also get a P50 cashback once a  week  from February 19 until April ...

Would you believe that I never consumed oatmeal as a child?  Yep!  Oatmeal was never forced on us, I remember trying it and saying it doesn't have taste and that was it.  I only really ate oatmeal as an adult, a full blown adult.  And do you know the reason why?  It was because I was told that it was the healthier alternative and also because, well - my cholesterol level was slightly above the borderline. I would put honey as a flavoring or strawberries, when it was in season.  I remember eating it for a few days and then that was it.  My Panget on the other hand ate it regularly - it's his breakfast every Monday.  He said this was to counter all the food that he eats over the weekend.   I remember seeing ads of Aga Muhlach with his healthier look and 'abs' on TV.  He was saying that he Quaker Oats helped him get back into shape and at the same time lowered his cholesterol!  I remember thinking, this was a very good te...