Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Turning 4 Wednseday show and tell

This is the last Sunday before she turned 4. How time goes when your busy taking care of business. Can't really tell but you could probably see the scare from my surgery on my ankle. I sometimes wonder when will I be able to walk or run without all the pain. I mean I can barely walk without the swelling up later. That is why I am so glad that with all the stress of limited mobility I have hope and faith that Jesus is healing me inside and out.
It's funny I had a talk with my family and they have made it clear that I have not been myself since the injury. My O says that "mad mommy is not fun!" I almost cried but it was very eye opening because I've alway been passive aggressive. Which is something I'm still learning to improve from. So my goal for now is to do my best to be "fun mommy!" I wonder if anyone goes thru the same changes like I do. Well until then live well, love much, and learn to be Happy. ☺ 



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Discovery Museum and Tuesday Roots


Happy Tuesday Roots everyone I've been very occupied with birthday event and my foot theropy. Here are a few pictures we took at a birthday party in the Discovery Museum. It had lots of activities for the young kids from playing instruments, recycled crafts, and building materials, that reminded me of blocks and legos. Fun little hidden areas that are awesome short trail for walking and small little gardens. 

They even had this branches that was twisted together that form a small little "tree" house. I tried walking thru but my O got in and out so fast I kind of lost sight of her for a minute. 
I took some coconut oil to protect her and I from the sun rays but if you get a little flushed there are other indoor activities that will keep your little one busy. Which brings me to my next tip make sure to hydrate and have a sun hat on hand. 





Friday, April 12, 2013

Organic "Grill-cheese sandwich Day" with Family, food, and Fridays # 7


So today is Grill-cheese Sandwich Day! What better way to spend this Friday. Unless it's Saturday, if you live in NZ:) (I wonder if there is a pizza Day or ice cream Day? Hmmm! Hehehe!)

Well, besides that I've been trying out some organic spring mix which I got from Costco. Been using it in our grill-cheese beef sandwich & raw carrots. O & I like it better that way. Beef seasoned with taco seasoning is delicious. I mean I couldn't eat red meat, just doesn't settle w/me, but I made some with ground turkey. YUM! You need to try it! Don't forget to top it off with organic berry smoothie drink ;)

Okay, In or out of weather... just make the day a day to SMILE! Some pictures of our day out and O's recycled hair bow.
Blessed Friday everyone!

















Friday, March 22, 2013

Nachos with ground turkey Family, Food, & Fun

Ground turkey with potatoes, beans, and heart shape nacho chips. Who said cookie cutters where only for cookies! O got a Easy Bake kit from Ross a few weeks ago that came with small cookie cutter shapes, molds, stencils, and more fun stuff. The only thing about it is that it comes with cookie mixes that was a little questionable. Plus it didn't say if it was organic or not. Since I've been on this change for better quality foods I just wasn't comfortable letting her eat food that wasn't organic!

Instead we used the cookie cutter to make fun shape nachos. Don't you just adore heart shape! Well, I do and so does O. Not only are they cute but they taste waaayyyy better then the store bout ones.

Of course we got out to enjoy Spring. Hope your enjoying Spring this Friday. Until next time live, love, and keep learning:)







Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Wednesday Show and Tell

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope your enjoying the beginning of Spring. I've been get more fresh air and checking out all the beautiful colors of bloom, like in the tree in the picture below. O is pushing her stuff animal in the baby swing. I remember when I was pushing her in one not to long ago. Well, if you live in the Bay you still take caution because it's still chilly out. While we were out I stopped to pick up some sesame oil for a little dinner later. It came out pretty good. It's my first sesame chicken dish I've ever made. I don't know why I never tried it before because I am a fan of soy sauce. Well, here is my favorite new dish, for now! Okay off to make some mochi rice:) Very excited!!









Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Numi organic tea chamomile

Love love love this tea!!


Just want to rave about how much I Heart this tea. I got it at Walgreen... Yes Walgreen! Now I've had this tea at different cafés and specialty coffee shops. This one is the "Best" I ever had! I don't know if it makes any difference but I would like to think it does... Ingredients are from Egypt and the coast of Australia. Organic Chamomile flowers and lemon myrtle leaves. I mean that already sounds "super" luxurious and inviting. Right! And if you like drinking tea then you will love this Chamomile tea from Numi.

Here is their vision statement: Numi inspires well-being of mind, body and spirit through the simple art of tea. Our company is rooted in the principle of creating a healthful product that nurtures people and honors the planet. In all of our company initiatives, we strive to foster a healthy, thriving global community while bringing you the purest, best-tasting organic tea. 

Now it was very pricey, if that is a word. I mean maybe for you it may or may not matter much but  I paid about a little over seven dollars for it. So for me that is a lot of money. But the great thing about it is that part of its profits goes to family in need. So I didn't mind putting that amount to help others in need. Oh and did I tell you it's made with materials that are biodegradable and recycled.That is why I put three times love for this tea.

The smell of this organic chamomile tea has a potent intense fragrant. I mean it's such a beautiful smell and the taste is delightfully sweet with organic honey. It's package individually in this bright mustard yellow color, which is very refreshing. Great for packing inside your bag for a late afternoon break at work or school or in my case appointments. I thinks this is going to be my new addiction besides the Bakery Story. Don't judge me... I love everything cute and sweet. If you got an account add me YBsweets! 

Today is my day 8 :0)

Well your having a great week until next time and I'm having another cup of tea. Stay blessed everyone. Live, Love, and Learn!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Out of weather

Happy Thursday! Hope your have a better one then I am. I've been feeling a little ill all week. Is it crazy or is it just my luck, I get better now my little one starting to have a runny nose. Still not sure if it's her allergies acting up or because the change of weather. Loving the warm weather here right now! What ever it may be I'm going to be adding some needed vitamin C for our berry drink, to help my toddler.

Here is a recap of my, going on to two, miss in action week. Last week Big brother had a school basketball game. Thought it would be good to support him and since we haven't in months now. It was fun and O had a great time with her cousin. We also got to see the Chinese New Year parade.


Then of course, trying to make every trip count, we visited a new park. I don't remember the name of the park but the view is beautiful.


 As always stay happy, laugh till you cry, love unconditionally, and keep learning. Have a blessed week!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Berry Smoothies with my Ninja Blender

I enjoy eating ice cream but lately I've been trying to make more health desserts. With my Ninja Master Prep blender, it's always immediate and fast. This ninja blender is defiantly part of my favorite tools to use in the kitchen. Especially for those meatloaf dinners, sauce dips, ice cream or frozen fruit drinks. ("on top of that no one suspects any veggie in their food.") What's your favorite go to kitchen tool?

The ninja blender has been in my kitchen for over two years now and I have to say the blades are still very sharp as the first day I received it. So be very careful because the ninja blades are sharp! You get 2 blenders, a large and small size blender. Which is an awesome deal for less then $35.00 at Walgreen. Plus you get free shipping on all your sales, which is why I decided on buying my blender from Walgreen. 

There are so many varieties of homemade ice creams you can make with this ninja blender. You can make different fruits and flavoring for your ice cream. If your little one is feeling a little sick make a fruit pop that can sooth that soar throat. I've experimented with what ever was on hand I could make a mini ice cream book. I Scream for ice cream!! Here are a few recipes that you can make for those sweet tooth days. Don't forget to always use organic ingredients. 

Strawberry smoothie (organic for a healthier alternative)
1 cup apple juice
2 ripe bananas
1 tbsp flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds
1 small punnet of strawberries, destalked

Dairy-free ice cream
2 ripe bananas
1/2 cup cashew nuts, finely ground
1 tbsp maple syrup
1tsp soy lethicin granules
1 cup calcium fortified soy milk

Guava smoothie more guava recipe
1 banana, peeled
1/2 cup fresh apple juice
1 guava, peeled
1/2 cup (organic) yogurt


Berry Smoothie with the Ninja blender

Berry smoothie drink with a lemon slice

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Wenseday Show and Tell Heart Day

Well tomorrow is Valentine's Day or as my O would say, Happy I love you day. I'm not really big on V-day, meaning I don't take it to seriously. Why wait for a date to tell someone how much you care for them. It should be something you do everyday but I do admit it is nice seeing all the little festive decorations in the stores and the fun little cards that kids get from school. Especially all the pink and red heart shape candies.

Since it's Wenseday Show and Tell, I thought it would be great to use our new years party hat that O and I made. You know to play up the "Happy I love you day!" Plus it's in hot pink and what's more valentine like, then HOT pink. Besides, I love the color HOT pink. These hats were made with tissue paper and computer paper! How simple and should I say, cute!


Now if you are looking to make it more special why not try a simple breakfast with, our favorite fruit, STRAWBERRIES. When I was pregnant I would eat strawberries by the case. Some say that is why O has a birth mark shaped like a strawberry. I guess it is better then having a cinnamon roll shape birth mark, but I didn't eat to much of those. Hehehe! Which makes me wonder about all the other strange things that other pregnant women maybe craving for like pickles with peanut butter. Did you or someone you know go through that kind of creative faze?


What says I love you than a healthy meal with heart shape strawberry. My O loved them and kept asking for more, of course.  

happy i HEART you day!
As always live love and learn

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesday Roots with Taro

Taro is a root vegetable grown in southeast Asia, Africa, and Oceanic regions. This root can be grown on dry or wet land. It is commonly named for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae. The Araceae are of a monocotyledonous flowering plants .

It is most used for it’s root but the leaves are also full of nutrition as well. Now back home, meaning Samoa, taro is eaten as a starch. Exactly like potatoes or rice is eaten with meats. It is harvested at it’s mature state but, if it is wet and not properly prepared, then watch out because it will have a itchy sensation in your mouth. Speaking from experience, I was literally trying to scratch it off my tongue. Yes, yes it sounds funny, but after a while it goes away. Shhhhh don't tell anyone but to avoid it from happening again I either wait to see if someone else gets a reaction before I dive in. Or two, only eat taro prepare by a train professional, meaning family.  




In some cultures it is mashed and eaten in a thick paste like form or cooked together in curries. I haven’t tried the curry method yet, but would like to try it. When I was growing up the taro root was usually eaten on very special events, like weddings, graduations, fare well feasts, and etc.

It is very favored by Polynesians, meaning if it was on the table it was the first thing that you would run out of. The traditional preparation of this root is either the umu, an outside oven, or boiled in water. My favorite way to eat this is in warm coconut milk. Yummy! :)

Now the leaves of the taro is typically rapped with coconut milk then baked. The leaves are known to be a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. These vitamins are good for dry skin, frequent infections, impaired growth, mouth ulcers, night blindness, poor hair condition, allergies, and bleeding gums.  The taro is said to have three times more dietary fibers then a potatoes. It’s probably why the elders would feed infants with it, they knew the benefits and quality of the taro.

The taro is nutritious for it source of calcium, good for building healthy bones. Which maybe the reason for Polynesians having heavy bones. Now I was first told this by a friend in high school, after her visit with the doctor. She said that her weight seemed more than she expected. At first I was very reluctant to believe her, but as time went on and researching it for myself. I can see now the possibility of that taking effect if your eating taro at a young age.

Taro also contains vitamin E, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, and copper. These are all essential nutrients needed for a growing child’s health, not to mention beneficial for adults too.What do they do for the body? Vitamin E and manganese is an antioxidant which helps to protect skin, circulation, brain, and hormones against pollutions, which is great for infections. I wonder, if anyone has tried it in a beauty recipe. I look into it... Love do it yourself beauty regiments.

Just like calcium, magnesium helps the bone but more so the growth and development of bones. Then you have copper which is needed in tiny amounts to transport red blood cells around the body.

Lastly vitamin C with you may know as anti-allergenic, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, antihistamine, antioxidant, and antiviral. Which is great for improving the healing process of wounds needed for essential fatty acids for your metabolism.

As just like anything in life moderation is the most wise route to take. So be sure to cook it well before eating. I hope that helped you or inspired you expand your nutritional palette. Feel free to tell me the best way you’ve had taro. Or it you’ve never had it what method sounds more appealing to you.

Until next time have a great one…  Live, Love, and keep Learning.


Friday, February 8, 2013

Family, Food, and Fun # 6

I'm glad you stopped by. Today I thought I would share a quick and fun recipe that your family will enjoy. Mini meatloaf-ball with mash potatoes and carrots. What's great about this is that you can make them the night before and then cook it the next day or when your ready.

Now ours are made with ground turkey instead of you standard ground beef. Since O doesn't like sauces or gravy on her food we left it out. That doesn't mean you couldn't make your own for your mini meatloaf-ball.

I haven't try any kind of gravy so I wouldn't be able to tell you how it would come out. But I'm sure if you put it on at the end or in your oven when cooking it should come out okay.

Well, with a flat tire and mini meatloaf-balls our Friday has just begun. Below is a quick picture of O reading. God is in control and so I'll leave the stress for another day. Live, love, and keep learning!










Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Wednesday Show and Tell

We have one more day of this month and I thought I would show you a few things I've been up to. Now you may know that I made a beanie for my O. Since then I made a black beanie for myself. It like one of those slouchy beanies. I also made some small sweater bows from more left over recycled sweater beanies, of course. It was very easy to shape the bows with my favorite craft tool, the "hot glue gun!" I mean, it should be in every crafter's closet.

Okay, so you could use bobby pins to keep them in your hair or use a safety pin to attach it to a top, jacket, or your new beanie. If you want to add more embellishments you could use glitters, buttons, beads, or even spikes. (Hmmm... I'm going to try to get some spikes!) Okay got to go, someone is asking for milk. Again live, love, and learn :)











Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tuesday Roots with Guava

Today we will be looking at, one of my favorite fruit, the guava. It is said to originate from South America but when I was growing up I figured it always was part of the Pacific region. I loved picking them off the tree for an after school snack. It's sweet and fresh taste is the best way to eat them. Although if I waited to long or to late to pick them, a bird would get to it before I would. Now I wasn't the only one eating them, the early bird would get it before me. Hahaha... then I tried to pick them early and was very disappointed because it was still raw. So I did like anyone else would do, got up early or just learn to share it with nature. To tell you the truth I haven't succeeded at being a early bird. ;0)

Guava contains vitamin C and potassium. Why is this important to know. Well vitamin C is very helpful to strengthen your child's immune system. Guava can be eaten to help with children's chicken pox and fights disease-causing free radicals. Now the first symptom of chicken pox is usually a fever with an often headache. Little blisters will later begin to appear, starting on the chest and back, until it covers the whole body. During the phase each and every spot can be extremely itchy. If this happens to your child then be sure to have foods rich in beta-carotene, and vitamin C, which will heal the skin tissue . Food that are brightly colored, like broccoli, cantaloupe melon, green leafy vegetable, mango, and oranges, will help with your child's chicken pox. A tip for those hard to reach throat pains, you can juice the guava fruit then freeze it in a ice pop mold and serve to your child when needed. 

Now the guava also contains potassium which is great for a energy boost and strength boost. Other foods that contain potassium are avocado, raisin, spinach, banana, blackberry, molasses, and nuts, just to name a few. If your child has a ear infection or the cold supply them with a guava. What is an ear infection and how do I know if my child has it? An ear infection or earache is caused by a build up of fluid pushing against the ear drum. Babies show signs of this when they becomes distressed and pulls at the ear causing the skin to turns red. This is because the Eustachian tube, which links the ear with the nose and throat is more horizontal than it is in older children. If your child has chronic ear infections it can lead to permanent hearing damage. For this reason you should always seek out medical advice to prevent partial deafness in your child.

Did you know that this also helps to maintain your child's healthy skin, protects their vision, and help to maintain or support a healthy heart. The guava is anti carcinogenic which means it can prevent the production of cancer in living cells.

Well I hope that helped you... and as always Live, Love, and keep Learning.






Thursday, January 24, 2013

Tuesday Roots Breadfruit

Yesterday may have been a long weekend for some because first it was Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. Which was such a beautiful combination with the inauguration for President Obama and Vic President Biden's second term in office.

As I watched the ceremony for the President I was taken back to when they were first elected into office. How exciting it was to see a colored man take office and how important it was to witness, as well as the whole world watching, this change in United States of America's history. Although it was just as important to witness the second time being elected I was not as hyped up as before, but more of a relief or should I say feeling of expectancy.

Well how ever you voted, there is one thing that we should all take into account, that we want a better tomorrow. So with that being said I ask that we unite in prayer for these officials and the decisions be made with a fear of God.

Being raised in the pacific It was important for the family to pray and start every event in prayer. There is a saying in my culture, "Samoa for God and God for Samoa." To me it was that union with the creator and giving everyone, young or old, that same love and respect we desire for ourselves.

Okay, lets get into the topic of the day, breadfruit. Breadfruit is very much abundant where we lived. I mean they would fall so often you couldn't help stepping on or over some that splattered on the ground. My dad, uncles and aunts always told the story of my grandfather regularly instructing that all of the first fruits of the land, the most plumped, be gifted to the pastor or minister. I believe it was his offering for blessing and tithe to the church. Well which ever it was, we had a lot of it around our house.

Breadfruit is a defined as a species of flowering tree in the mulberry family, Moraceae, growing throughout Southeast Asia and most Pacific Ocean islands.

It contains vitamin C which is known to be anti-allergenic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and improves wound healing. It also contains potassium which is great to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure. As well rich in vitamin B, those in thiamin, pyridoxine, and niacin. All that are important for the growth and development of the metabolism.

This fruit when it is baked, which is one of my favorite ways of consumption, has a bread-like taste. Which is probably how it got it's name. Now another traditional was of eating the breadfruit is to cook it in boiling water. Then draining the water and then heating it in coconut milk and a bit if salt. It just brings me back to those Sunday mornings when the air would be filled with aromas of freshly baked "umu."
Umu is like an out side oven-like method of cooking numbers of starch food (breadfruit, green banana, taro, etc) or meat. A "Yummy" combinations of coconut milk made them irresistible. Oh my goodness... it just makes everything so darn good. One of my favorite dishes, the pilikaki, which is coconut milk baked with fish and onions. I've got to make some soon, stay tune that will be in another post. But if you want to know more about coconut milk I also have a post on the many benefits of coconut milk.

Well as always live, love, and keep learning.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Family fun and food # 5

Happy Friday everyone! Today is our Family, Fun, & Food post. I've made this dish many times for dinner and each time my Lil O easily eats up all her dinner & not just the skin of the meat. Hahaha... I use to do the same thing when i was younger. "She gets it from her mama."

Here is our dinner in a fun little bento box, O got it for Christmas. I found this bento box at my local China Town shop for less then two dollars. A great deal if you ask me.

We made soy baked chicken, mash potatoes, mix veggies, fresh carrots, which is how she likes them, and orange juice. If you want to precook your food the night before then just make sure to warm it up before serving. But you already know that. For more bento box ideas click Here.

After I made some popcorn with cinnamon and powder sugar, which is good for the winter flu. You should try it delicious and very nutritious for you. I've been wanting to try my hand on caramel popcorn but it calls for a candy thermometer, which I don't have. Wish there was a way to make it with out the need for the thermometer. :(

Here is my recipe for the baked soy chicken.
1 pound   3 pounds of chicken
• salt and pepper for seasoning
• 1 cup soy sauce
3/4 1 3/4 cups water
• teaspoon sugar
tablespoon teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• optional 3 tablespoon ketchup and pinch of cayenne pepper