BLOGGING BREAK

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Baked Cream Dory

This is a recipe from our helper's former boss. Our helper, Ate Nida, tweaked it a little bit (to add more taste). It's really yummy and best of all, healthy! It's part of our monthly menu because all the ingredients are just in stock. Try it for yourself!

You need:

• 2 pieces cream dory fillet


• 2 tablespoons flour


• ¼ tablespoon unsalted butter


• 1 cup milk


• 1 can mushrooms


• rosemary


• bay leaf


• salt and pepper to taste

Here's what you will do:

1. Melt the butter in a non-stick pan. Once melted, add 1 tablespoon of flour then mix well. Follow with the remaining flour.


2. Once incorporated, slowly add the milk while mixing. You'll then have a basic white sauce. Ate Nida thins it out with a little bit of water.


3. Add the mushrooms, rosemary, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Mix well.
   
   [caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="creamy white sauce"][/caption]


4. Put the white sauce on top of the cream dory fillets.
   
   [caption id="attachment_386" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="ready for the oven!"][/caption]


5. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375°C.

[caption id="attachment_387" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pair with a simple salad and you're good to go!"][/caption]

A yummy and healthy treat! Can't wait for Z to try it!

Lessons on Out of Town Trips

As previously mentioned, we went to Subic for 3 days and 2 nights. Being the first time to be away from home for a long time, I surely learned a lot:

What to Pack

• Z had 3 pieces of luggage of his own: his carry on to be brought in the car and around town; a bag full of his clothes and cloth diapers; and a bag for his paraphernalia. It sounds a lot but I'd rather be on the safe side. For each day, I prepared 3 sets of clothes (top, shorts, socks) and 1 footed onesies for sleeping. To my surprise, everything was used!
  
  [caption id="attachment_379" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Z's neatly packed clothes"][/caption]


• In the paraphernalia bag were his feeding utensils (yep, he had solids a week before he turned 6 months!), cleaning materials and bath products. I think it would be best if I have small bottles to store the liquid stuff as it wouldn't be used in full.


• The carry on bag (okay, diaper bag!) should be complete of clothes, dry pads, diapers, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and nursing cover. I'm really thankful that we're breastfeeding as I do not have to lug around bottles, cans of formula, and a sterilizer. We also packed a few toys to keep Z entertained as needed in the next segment.

Car Ride

• Toys are a good way to entertain any tot in a long car ride. Do use quiet toys for the benefit of the designated driver.


• Plan to travel during off peak hours to ensure a smooth journey. But, knowing the traffic situation in the Philippines, it's a little hard to determine when there wouldn't be a build up. We planned on going back to Metro Manila on Sunday thinking that the expressway would be free since Monday was declared as a holiday. But no, we spent a good hour or two stuck in traffic. Poor little Z squirmed out of his car seat. I was being a bad mommy as I took him out but I can't stand him being fussy. Maybe that's why car seats are not popular in our country as opposed to countries which has a car seat law. Our traffic situation is not suitable for babies to stay in their car seats for too long.


• Stop overs are also essential for nappy changes, stretching of legs and to grab a snack. We pitted on the last gas station before the SCTEX, where there is no available gas station to stop. Though there were tents on the side of the road, I think for emergency purposes.

Going Around Town

• Because we were familiar with the area, it wasn't hard for us to determine where we would go. But for new places in the future, the internet would probably be my best friend in choosing the places to go to. Of course, it should be safe, smoke-free, clean and not too noisy. We didn't go to the zoo and water park in Subic because Z wouldn't appreciate it yet. Maybe in 2 years time...


• It's also a plus that my husband had relatives there that going to their houses take much time already :)

[caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mommy and Z ready to go!"][/caption]

What are some of your travel tips? I can't wait to travel out of the country to put to use these pieces of learning and learn some more!

Z loves: Next9 Cloth Diapers

Banana Cupcakes

Another facet of my being a SAHM is experimenting in the kitchen. Hence, the birth of another category in this blog, Foodventures. Expect homemade yummies, not-so-healthy cravings and viands straight from cookbooks and websites.

To start off this new category, I chose my homemade banana cupcakes. Starting Z's first monthly birthday, I've been making cupcakes from the box. Not so healthy and creative, eh? So, this month I tried making my own from scratch. Here's what I used:

• 2 cups flour


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 3 pieces mashed bananas


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1 cup coco sugar


• 1 cup brown sugar


• 1/2 cup butter


• 3 eggs


• dash of cinnamon


• dash of nutmeg


• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract


• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

The steps are fairly easy:

1. Sift flour. Add in the salt and baking soda. Mix well then set aside.


2. In another bowl, cream the butter and the two kinds of sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix thoroughly.


3. Add the dry ingredients. When everything is incorporated, fold in the bananas.


4. Put in the vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add in the chocolate chips and mix.


5. Be sure the oven is preheated in 375 degrees.


6. Pour in batter into muffin pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Do the toothpick test to know if the cupcakes are done.


7. When the toothpick comes out clean, take out of the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

[caption id="attachment_363" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="TA-DAH!"][/caption]

You may opt to put in walnuts for added crunch. Also, cream cheese frosting goes well with these.

I could further improve this recipe by adding crushed pineapples to add moist in the cake. But, overall, I think it was enjoyed by the people who tasted my first from-scratch baked goodie!

Birthday Giveaway!

It'll be my birthday in a few days and it's fitting to have a giveaway as a way of giving back. I've been blessed this past year and it's high time to pay it forward.

Fortunately, one of Z's godmothers, Ninang Tetel, is a budding online entrepreneur. She owns the very fab Fabulousa Closet on Facebook and is very generous in sponsoring my first ever giveaway! Check out what she's giving away to 1 lucky reader!

[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hot items up for grabs! Black Floral tube top fits small-medium frame, Smile neck piece, Red beaded bracelet. "][/caption]

Who wouldn't look scorching hot in this ensemble, right?! Perfect for summer and the imminent beach getaways!

This is open to anyone in the world! Just follow the steps to join:

1. Add Fabulousa Closet on Facebook.


2. Post this as your Facebook status with tags: "I'll be scorching hot this summer with pieces from @FabulousaCloset and mrsbry126.wordpress.com"


3. Share this post on your Facebook wall.


4. Follow @mrsbry126 on Twitter.


5. Tweet: "I'll be scorching hot this summer with @mrsbry126 's giveaway! Pls RT!"


6. Leave a comment on this post with the following:

• email address


• Facebook status link


• Facebook share link


• Tweet link

Contest is open from April 12 - 26. Winner will be generated by Random.org. Good luck to everyone!

Happy 6th month, Z!

My dear Zoren baby,

We just got home from your 6th month celebration at Mamita's house. Wowo and wowa were there and also your two ninongs. Yaya Lot celebrated her birthday as well! We had a lot of food, though you can't eat any of them yet! Mommy tried baking banana cupcakes but it didn't turn out to be successful. Don't worry, I'll try again next month!

This month is all about new beginnings and changes for you, little one! We've started with semi-solids already and you've taken a liking for it. You're starting to be more mobile these days, making nappy changes harder! Daddy and I are thinking about attending swimming classes with you as soon as your doctor gives us the go signal. Your Kindermusik will still be every Saturday. Are you excited for the new songs and activities? I sure am!

At the start of your 6th month, we think you're experiencing the pains of teething. Though I haven't felt anything, you've been drooling quite excessively and been really fussy. I must admit, I'm not ready yet. I don't have any idea how feeding you will go. I'm also scared of the side effects of cutting the first tooth. But we'll go through it together, baby boy.

I still can't believe you're half a year old already! It's thrilling getting to know you day by day. You never ceases to amaze is, and everyone who sees you. I love you with all of me my baby. Always and forever.