Four Food Groups

Four Food Groups

We were taught in school, many, many years ago, that to remain healthy you needed to eat so many servings from the four basic food groups.

They were breads and grains, meats and beans, fruits and vegetables, and dairy.

In 1994, when my children were in school, they were taught, that to stay healthy, you needed to eat so many servings from the "Food Pyramid".

The government had changed the original four groups into six groups.

The foods on the bottom of the pyramid were the ones you were supposed to eat the most of, and the ones on the top should be consumed sparingly.

Not surprisingly, the breads and grains are at the base - which means we should eat more servings of them than any of the others.

I can go along with that - bread, pasta, rice - I love them all - but when dieting, they are the ones that have the most carbs. And watching how many and what kind of carbs you consume plays a big role in loosing weight.

Ok - on to the next level - it is split between the vegetables and the fruits.

They each get their own recommended servings with the veggies making up a bigger part of the intake.

The third layer is also divided between the meats, beans, and nuts and the milk, cheese, and yogurt group. They each get an equal part in the daily intake.

The very top of the pyramid contains the fats, oils, and sweets.

This is the new part that we didn't learn about back in school all those years ago.

They were never figured into the daily consumption, and they were used with a heavy hand.

Everything had butter in it and dessert was a part of every lunch and dinner.

And another thing, obesity across America was not a problem as it is today.

Heart disease and cancer are at all time highs also.

Making the right choices in our food consumption is not an easy thing. I think using the government guidelines is a step, but not necessarily the answer.

Using common sense and doing what works for each individual is the best step towards a more healthy lifestyle.

Scratch is Best

Scratch is Best






In my last post, I stressed the importance of trying to shop only along the perimeter of the grocery store.

One of the big drawbacks of this for most people is the time spent on preparing this unprocessed food.

We have become a fast paced society and preparing food from scratch is something that takes time.

But it is time that is well spent if you prepare enough food to last for a couple of meals.

Instead of the chicken nuggets, bake a whole chicken - there will be leftovers for sandwiches the next day. And for even more meals, just remember that a turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving. Leftovers from that go a lot farther than sandwiches.

Macaroni and cheese from scratch makes much more than the package, and it tastes so much better.

Salads are so easy to throw together these days too - most of the ingredients can be purchased already cut up. Of course, they are a bit more expensive than cutting them up yourself.

Fresh veggies usually require just a wash and cutting before they are cooked.

Other than an orange, I can't think of a fruit that really takes any time to prepare. Washing them under the water is usually all it takes.

Preparing foods with the idea of leftovers makes good sense in this economy also. It really spreads the dollar a bit farther.

With a bit of time spent on weekends or days off, it is easy to fit in a few extra minutes for preparing meals that save time and money during the busy, working days.

And if one needs assistance for cooking preparations, or uses for leftovers, there is a whole internet available to answer any question that comes along - usually within a couple of minutes!

Real Food Ingredients

Real Food Ingredients






I once read something years ago that has stuck with me and makes me think each time I look at something new in the supermarket.

I don't know who said it or who came up with the idea, but it made sense to me.

It's called the Rule of 1900.

This rule states that if a food ingredient didn't exist before the year 1900 as a food ingredient, then it doesn't belong being consumed by the human body.

This brings to mind all the artificial flavorings, colorings, and fillers that are in many of the processed foods today.

Also, the ones we do not think about - the partially hydrogenated fats, and the numerous artificial sweeteners that are on the market that are supposed to be a "good alternative" for us.

All this modern knowledge and all our high technologies, and we do not have the sense enough to consume real food.

Food is a precious commodity in many countries, and finding ways to increase the production and amounts is a necessary thing, but pushing "fake" food isn't doing any of us any good in the long run.

Take a minute to scan the food ingredients on the next package or box before you put it in your cart and try to keep the ones that only contain real food.

You'll feel better in the end!

We Need an Alternative to Refined Sugar

Here is a scary fact:

On average, Americans consume about 175 pounds of sugar a year - that is almost a half pound each day.

Find it hard to conjure up what a half pound looks like?

Well, it is about 46 teaspoons.

46 teaspoons each day.

I find this figure unbelievable and it is no wonder that diabetes is on the rise in this country.

And we are lead to believe that artificial sweeteners are the answer to this problem.

Well, since I am not an artificial human, eating artificial food is not an option.

In the past I have used fructose, which is about 70% sweeter than sugar, so you don't use as much.

It is still a refined sugar though.

I do know that if I eat very little sugar, the body quickly adapts to the intake amount.

Where you wouldn't notice a sweet taste in a certain food before, when you eat very little sugar, the tongue picks up it's taste in the food. When you actually add more, it becomes too sweet.

I think our bodies develop a tolerance - over time you need more of it to taste it.

There is no nutritional value to sugar at all. It hits a pleasure sensor in us, and naturally we want to consume more of it.

It's hard, but try cutting back on it. You will discover a whole new taste to food.

That romaine lettuce is a sweet treat, but you will not know it unless you go without all the added refined sugar in your diet.

Celery and carrots are also sweet.

Who would have guessed the alternative to refined sugar is none to little in the diet!

Health Benefits Of Ginger

Ginger is a flowering herb that thrives in Southeast Asia. There are more than 85 species of ginger. It is also grown in the West Indies, China, India, Japan, Africa, and southern Florida. The most common ginger is 2 to 3 feet tall with thick fleshly roots. Ginger is a herb without equal dealing with sea sickness, air sickness, and other kind of motion sickness. It has aromatic, diuretic, carminative, stimulant, and diaphoretic properties.

Ginger cleanses the system through perspiration. When taken hot, the ginger tea is good for suppressed menstruation and scanty urine. Ginger brings heat to the system and stimulates digestion. It raises the body temperature when taken in frequent doses.

Ginger reduces flatulent colic. When taken with laxative herbs, it makes their effects more milder. Ginger cleanses the colon, fights inflammation, reduces spasms and cramps. When taken at the onset of common cold, it eases the effects of its symptoms.

Ginger is also good for coughs, cramps, indigestion, headaches, spasms of the colon, nausea, sinus congestion, morning sickness, and stomach spasm. Ginger is a strong antioxidant, and a very effective germ killer for sores and wounds. Chewing the rootstock of ginger stimulates the flow of saliva, and soothes the sore throat. It is very effective in the treatment of coughs.

Ginger is good for bowel disorders, fever, hot flashes, arthritis,, muscle pains, indigestion, and vomiting. It protects the stomach and the liver. Ginger fomentation is used for the treatment of mumps.

Ginger tea is a better alternative for coffee. It has no addictive effects of caffein, and free from stimulating chemicals or substances. When taken regularly, it makes the skin healthy, clear, and shiny. Ginger is also used to relieve the hoarseness of voice, and to improve it.

The Advantages of A Vegetarian Diet

People spend lots of money to maintain their health. Millions are payed to hospital bills, doctor’s fees, laboratory fees, medicines, and to regular medical checkup. Almost all of man’s strivings and endeavors are for his health, happiness, and well being.

But money cannot buy health. Rich people are not exempt from diseases, and even the richests die of terminal cancers which their money has no power to reverse. It is for man’s good to finally come into realization of how futile and worthless wealth can be in a life bereft of good health, and therefore very mandatory that he strives to acquire good health.

Good nutrition is one among the eight secrets of good health. Food is the most basic need of man to live. But it is not only the eating and gulping of food you like - it must be nutritionally balanced to be trully beneficial for the body.

A nutritionally balanced diet must include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Rich sources of these nutrients are fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables.

Most people, especially the children prefer meat than vegetables. They believe that proteins can only be obtained from meats, fish, and other animal products. But this is not true. On the contrary, plants, seeds, grains and vegetables are more abundant sources of proteins. Proteins from meats are heavy proteins and are hard to digest. Plant-based proteins are light proteins and are easily digested and assimilated by the body.

Fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables have all the nutrients needed for excellent health. True, no plant or herbs can produce vitamin B12 - a very essential vitamin in the formation and production of the red blood cells. But the human body can produce its own vitamin B12 when it has enough supply of cobalt which is available in plants or herbs such as Nova Scotia dulse, and Norwegian kelp (types of seaweeds). Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is also partially found in food rich in vitamin B1 or thiamine such as nuts, seeds, beans, brown rice, whole-grain cereals, oats, and leafy vegetables.

Flesh meats of animals, on the other hand, are very harmful to health. Meats of diseased animals are carriers of communicable diseases which are easily transferred to human beings. Most animals today are feed with growth hormones, feed additives, and their meats are loaded with preservatives, food colors, and other toxic chemicals that are dangerous to the body. Healthy animals are butchered in dirty slaughter houses, and bacteria and other pathogens thrive on these meats, and are already putrefying and decayed before it reach the consumers. Eating of flesh meats had long been suspected as the cause of tumors and cancers. Only in this modern time have it been verified and corfirmed by medical doctors as true.

Think twice before eating meat. Where do people get these dreadful diseases: cancers, tumors, mad-cow disease, foot-and-mouth disease, bird’s flu, and the latest scare - the Ebola Reston virus?

What Foods Burn Fat?

Eating The Right Food Is Not An Impossible Feat!  

Good food is known to everybody but it just doesn't taste the
same as a bacon cheeseburger? There will come a time when you'll
have to take charge of your diet because of a medical condition &
find out what foods burn fat.

It has been proven time and time again that eating
properly is great for your metabolism.  Metabolism
is the way that your body burns fat and helps you
maintain a healthy body.

Perhaps to some degree this statement might end up
sounding like an advertisement but it is true that
food is a natural fat burner.

Lean Protein eaten 4 to 5 times a day burns fat!
It turns your stomach into a calorie burning furnace.

Nature Knows Best

Green vegetables are extremely beneficial, they are the types of
food that help awaken your metabolism and keep the fat burning
process going on all the time.

This is why you can understand why so many scientists and nutritionists
say that you should eat your greens, as they are the natural fat
burner catalyst you need.

Most of the vegetables are packed with nutrients and fiber, which
is good for keeping your body working to its greatest potential.
That's why foods like carrots & broccoli makes them so appealing.

What foods Burn Fat? Raw Vegetables: The Diet Of All Time!

Raw vegetables are packed with tons of nutrients that support
your skin, bones and organs. The fact that they are uncooked
allows 100 percent of their nutrition potential to remain intact.

Eat As Much As You Want!

The wonderful thing is that you do not have to be afraid of eating
too much as they will make you feel very full soon without putting
on the fat. There are also many other fruits that are part of the
natural fat burner family.

These are citrus foods, which although do not have direct assistance
with fat burning they do help your body to release the fat which is
a very good thing when it comes to weight loss.

Citrus Foods Release Fat

The more information you have about the types of natural
foods the better. You can also sometimes substitute your potatoes
for turnips, which have great fat burning assistance properties
that will probably help you in your with loss or maintenance regime.

Good Food Produces Less Fat, More Energy & A New You!

The more good food you put into your system the better it is for you,
as you will get better results by using the process provided by food
the natural fat burner.

It is always important to understand that you need energy... and fat is
stored as unused energy. In order to release these stores of fat you
need to be able to have the right tools.

The nice thing is that you will be living a lifestyle and not just a one
off diet fad. You'll gain more energy and nutritional benefits from using
natural fat burners that come from our Mother Earth.

Why Water In A Weight Loss Diet Is Essential!

Here’s a list of fat burning vegetables that will still give you the required protein, Carbohydrates & Fat quantities you need to maintain all your body’s requirements.
Plant oils have no cholesterol and flow easily at body temperature which allows faster metabolism & weight loss to increase. The following vegetables are all natural fat burners. Eat as much as you want of these Protein filled Veggies & Greens [the more the better!]

BROCCOLI

1 Cup = 46 calories, 4.6 g Protein, 8.6 g Carbs & 0.4 g Fat.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

1 Cup = 60 calories, 4 g Protein, 11.6 g Carbs, 0.4 g Fat.

CAULIFLOWER

1 Cup = 60 calories, 4.8 g Protein, 13.6 g Carbs, 0.8 g Fat

GREEN BEANS

6 oz. = 50 calories, 2 g Protein, 12 g Carbs, 0 g Fat.

KALE

2 Cups = 56 calories, 4 g Protein, 11.6 g Carbs, 0.8 g Fat.

MUSHROOMS

1 Cup [cooked] = 42 calories, 3.4 g Protein, 8 g Carbs, 0.8 g Fat.

PEAS

1/2 Cup = 57 calories, 4 g Protein, 10 g Carbs, 0 g Fat.

SPINACH

1 Cup [cooked] = 42 calories, 5.4 g Protein, 6.8 g Carbs, 0.4 g Fat.

ASPARAGUS

10 spears = 40 calories, 4 g of Protein, 6 g Carbs & 0 g Fat.

*The Power of these fat burning vegetables will allow you to eat as much as you want to feel full and get the nutrients you need without the fat. Plant foods are natural fat burners when mixed with steady cardiovascular & resistance training workouts.

Green Tea Nutrition Facts

My Take On Green Tea: A Favorite Hot Drink With No Additives…

I did some digging and came up with these green tea nutrition facts that you may be interested in. I love this drink and find it to be very soothing and a great natural late night beverage that helps to suppress hunger.

The story behind green tea and weight loss is simple; green tea contains caffeine [approximately 1/3 that of coffee], which helps weight loss by boosting your metabolism and suppressing your appetite.

The drink is even reported to burn 78 calories per

day, which equals out to over 28,000 calories per year. Studies show that the relation between green tea and weight loss are substantially linked together through the plant’s thermogenic properties.

Thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces heat by speeding up metabolism, burning calories and breaking down fat.

Green tea is the mature leaf, left unfermented. Green tea may be steamed or kiln roasted before packaging or brewing. It’s loaded with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols

Polyphenols protect cells from the ravages of oxidation, a chemical reaction that can lead to cancer and the hardened arteries that cause heart disease. Green tea nutrition facts you might have never heard of before.

In fact, researchers at the University of Kansas say that one antioxidant, a tongue-twister called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is 25 times more effective in laboratory tests than the much-touted vitamin E at helping cells resist the damage caused by oxidation and helping damaged cells repair themselves.

Green tea is easy to prepare, but some varieties are sensitive to the brewing conditions. In most cases, about 2 grams of tea leaves the amount in a tea bag is sufficient for a cup of tea.

It is simply brewed by pouring boiled water over the tea and letting it steep for about 1-3 minutes.

Green tea is common in many other fat burner products because it helps with improving metabolism and thermogenesis without increasing heart rate.

Green tea may help boost the metabolism and burn fat. For this reason it is included in many weight loss products. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant, just like vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Although many of these claims have not been scientifically proven the benefits of green tea have been documented through case studies.

I hope these green tea nutrition facts have enlightened your curiosity about this natural fat burner that you can drink throughout the day.

Fast Food Risks & How to Cope With The Cravings

Fast food risks are abundant when you look at the ingredients of most of the menu items. A Burger King Whopper has 790 calories with 52.77 grams of carbs (12.99 grams sugar) and 48.44 grams of fat (18.27 grams saturated fat).

This a huge meal by itself, but think of the french fries and chocolate shakes that go along with this meal. I sometimes wonder what marketing guru thought of the “Super Size” gimmick. For an extra chunk of change you get more for less. What you get is a backwards walk away from a healthy diet which is good old regular whole food Mom used to make.

“You are what you eat” think about that every time you put food in your mouth. Short term satisfaction equals long term gain (weight gain that is!).

I won’t lie,when I drive by a fast food joint and feeling hungry the smell of french fries just sends my hunger receptors through the roof. This is temporary since I just keep on driving thinking how lousy I’d feel afterwards..

The biggest fast food risks are mainly to do with your heart and arteries. The bad side of fast food is saturated fat which causes the build up of LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and triglycerides. These fats circulate in our bloodstream, high levels will cause artery blockage and major heart problems.
The fast food risks are obvious and fighting off cravings takes mental preparation.

Fat Loss Foods & Negative Calories

The concept of consuming deficit calories is an intriguing option when talking about fat loss foods.

There are no true negative calorie foods as everything has at least a few calories so the name “negative calorie” stems from something else.

Basically, a weight loss food which has so few calories that it takes the body more energy to digest it than what is consumed is considered negative calorie.

Primarily, fruits and vegetables fall under the category of negative calorie food that are very beneficial to lose weight. You may include blackberries, peaches, lemons, plums, cantaloupe, guava, raspberries, grapefruit and various other healthy fruits.

Some of the negative calorie vegetables are : spinach, tomatoes, peppers, celery, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage and lettuce.

Let’s Look At The Nutritional Information Of Grapefruit:

* An average sized grapefruit has 74 Calories.

* No fat or sodium.

* High in Vitamin C & Potassium.

* Contains 15 Grams of Pectin (a fiber linked with lowering cholesterol and fat)

* Potassium has many important jobs, including helping to regulate blood pressure, helping to keep the right balance of water in fat and muscle tissues, and helping to ensure the proper functioning of cells. Classic symptoms of potassium deficiency include fatigue, mood changes, irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness.

Grapefruit helps dissolve fat and cholesterol and is recommended for any diet food list.

Coming Up……More Fat Loss Foods & Details To Get Your Metabolism Cranked Up!

Here’s To Your Fat Loss Journey!

Fat Burning Foods-Avocado Benefits

Avocado Benefits Are Plentiful:

=============================

Avocados Nutrition
(medium size)

*115 Calories

*3 Grams of Protein

*9 Grams of Carbohydrates

*Fat in Avocado this size is 15 grams

(Avocado Cholesterol = “0″)

Approximately 75% of an avocado’s calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fats which lowers LDL (bad cholesterol). Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas.

They are rich in B Vitamins, as well as Vitamin E and Vitamin K. They have the highest fiber content of any fruit - including 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber.

Avocado Salad With Chicken

This Avocado salad is an all in one meal with lots of healthy Carbs, Protein and Fat.

*Tomatoes

*Romaine Lettuce

*1 Sliced Avocado

*Slivered Almonds

*Cubed Chicken Breast

*Add your favorite light salad dressing to add some zing to the flavor.

There are lots of free Avocado recipes on the Internet & This is one fruit you need to Include in your daily nutrition arsenal!

12 Power Foods To Fuel Your Body

I’ve been researching the researchers and here are 12 power foods that will give you body fuel for life. These whole foods can be easily transformed into regular meals that will feed your immune system, keep energy levels high and maintain body parts.

1. For Your Heart- Asparagus has the B vitamin folate homocysteine, an amino acid that is believed to decrease inflammation which can cause heart disease. 8 spears of asparagus will give you 20 % of your folate requirement.
2. Purple Grape Juice-has a powerful antioxidant that decreases heart damaging free radicals. I haven’t tried this mix of equal parts grape juice and seltzer but it’s recommended for cutting calories and guarding arteries.
3. For Muscles & Joints-Ricotta Cheese is loaded with body building amino acids and made with the whey left behind from the cheese making process. A great breakfast would consist of low fat ricotta cheese in scrambled eggs with salsa, and broccoli sprouts mixed in.
4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil-contains an anti-inflammatory that is supposed to work like Ibuprofen. This oil is great for a healthy salad dressing when mixed with balsamic vinegar.
5. For Your Bones-Canned Salmon has Omega 3s that help with bone density and adds calcium to your diet. Instead of ground beef make your next hamburger patty out of salmon with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of chopped onion & 1/2 tablespoon of cumin powder.
6. Believe it or not Chocolate consumed at one ounce per day maximum is high in magnesium which helps build bone mineral density. Yay!
7. For Your Skin-Tomatoes have carotenoid lycopene which absorbs into the skin limiting UV damage from the sun and fights against skin cancer and wrinkles.
8. Hemp Seeds helps your skin retain moisture from the omega 3 fatty acids it contains. You can make a pesto sauce with a tbsp each of lemon juice, pine nuts, shelled hemp seeds, chopped garlic clove, pinch of salt & 1/2 cup of fresh basil.
9. For Your Hair-Low Fat Cottage Cheese helps hair growth and strength (hair is mostly made up of protein). Cottage cheese has 14 grams of protein in 1/2 cup.
10. Pumpkin Seeds contain zinc which reduces hair shedding. Throw a tablespoon of seeds into your soup or cereal.
11. Brain Power food-Arctic Char (cold water fish) Is known for it’s high source of omega-3 fatty acids & improves brain function. It also stimulates feel good neurotransmitters and reduces inflammation.
12. Kale is another brain power food that decrease brain decline by 40%. 2 servings minimum a day of veggies maximizes brain health.

These 12 Power Foods are not only a healthy way to maintain your immune system and body parts but will also keep your energy levels high and of course burn the fat on a regular basis.

Here’s a great read called “Fat To Fit” that contains the whole package when it comes to fitness and weight loss.

Until next time be consistent and don’t forget “nothing happens overnight” your body will not change without your help.

Fish: A Very Good Protein Food You Need For Optimal Health

Research on the benefits of fish has been extensive for many years. The omega 3 fatty acids help with our brain function and prevent cardiovascular disease. While a fish oil supplement is a worthy replacement, no supplement can match eating a good protein food like fresh fish.

Fish has no carbohydrates and is low in fat and calories while being very high in protein. baked or broiled (never fried) fish is the paramount natural protein food for anyone wanting to lose weight and build muscle depending on what kind of direction you want to go in.

Fish is considered a good protein food that contain generous amounts of omega 3 fatty acids are higher in fat like sardines, mackerel, salmon and halibut. Lean fish like mahimahi, tuna and orange roughy have almost no omega 3s.

Canned Salmon Nutrition Information (average figures for all types)

Per 100 Grams

Calories: 160 - 190

Protein: 19 - 21 Grams

Fat: 7 - 10 Grams

Carbohydrates: 0 Grams

Try This Salmon Steak Recipe
2 10-ounce salmon steaks
1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin is better)
1/4 cup Chinese light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 cup lemon juice
Ground Clove

Prepare a sauce of the olive oil, soy sauce, dill weed, lemon juice and clove.

Mix well, and brush over the salmon steaks.

Place on a cookie sheet. Broil steaks on both sides until lightly browned and tender.

Do not overcook.

This will take very little time, so be careful.

Serves 8.

Out of all meats combined fresh fish is the best and should be consumed on a regular basis to get the natural protein in your body for optimal bodily function and recovery after a workout.

Until my next post Take Care and Don’t Quit!

Yummy polvoron

his is what I am munching right now. My favorite polvoron specifically cashew from Goldilocks. It was a pasalubong from Philippines. Thanks. Wish we have Goldilocks here pero Red Ribbon lang. Sometimes I see some at the Filipino store but it does not look good anymore. It's almost lunchtime but i guess this will be more than enough for lunch. I am not sharing it, 'ala namang pinoy at my job. They don't what I'm eating. I'm not in the mood to explain (bad!). No,not today. TGIF.Enjoy!

Elton John's Ice Cream Flavor

In honor of Elton John, Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream has created a new flavor just for him – “Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road”. This is in anticipation of Elton John’s first ever concert in Vermont on July 21. Vermont is the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. This limited Elton John flavor is made of “outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate chunks.” It will only be available of Ben & Jerry’s Vermont Scoop Shops from July 18-25 and of course at the concert which will be at Green Mountain State’s Champlain Valley Expo Center. Proceeds from the sale of the ice cream will go to Elton John’s AIDS Foundation.

photocredit: msnbc.com

Ang Cornedbeef

Back home, Purefoods is my favorite corned beef pero pag sa pilipinas mo binili may kamahalan. Tuwing may umuuwi sa philippines and they ask me what pasalubong i like i always say purefoods corned beef. I don't know for some reason we can not find any here, even on ebay (ganyan ko sya ka-miss). So we always settled for Palm corned beef which is ok too and malaman. Then one day, hubby saw in one of the Korean stores here Purefood pero may Martin sa taas..aha, sabi ko trying to mislead but we tried it. You know what, in fairness masarap sya, close to Palm too at mas cheaper. That's a tip for mommies out there. Last weekend, for the first time, we saw two (yes, just TWO!) cans of the original purefoods corned beef at the same store and i was really happy. Hinalungkat ko buong shelf baka meron pa pero talagang dalawa lang. So we ended up buying 2 martin purefoods and 2 original purefoods. Hope they will sell Purefoods regularly now. Iba talaga ang lasa ng Purefoods. Yummy. especially for breakfast.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff

Who would not want to go to New Orleans for free just by voting which is the best recipe? I just joined a contest brought to you by the Great American Seafood Cook off 2008 where you can participate in voting which of the top 5 finalists in your opinion is the best. They are asking for the people's choice this time. There is no gimmick, no purchase to join, it's free. Just cast your vote and if you are lucky that day and get picked, you will win a package trip to New Orleans which includes two Southwest Airline roundtrip tickets, hotel accommodations, dining experience and more. Probably they will let you taste the recipe you voted.

I voted for this recipe by Chef Tafari Campbell of Maryland called Pan Roasted Glazed Rockfish with Peas and Carrots. I like this recipe because it has the best three of my favorite seafood. I can do it with rockfish and shrimp or roackfish and crabs or maybe a combination of the three. And also, the preparation is so easy and I think I can do it myself. The only thing that I would revise if I do this myself is the thyme. I still have to get use to it's taste and if I don't have the shock top beer maybe i could experiment any beer i could get at my local supermarket.

This cook off is really great because it encourage chefs to utilize their own homegrown domestic ingredients creating a fresh, healthy, sustainable great american seafood. So to all bloggers who loves to cook or those who would like to visit New Orleans, here is your chance. Just go to GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com and cast your vote, pick the best recipe that you think is the number among the 5 finalists. That's all you have to do but do not forget to register you name. Good Luck and i hope one of us will be the lucky winner. Do not forget to share your great experience in New Orleans.

Dried Mangoes

Dried mango is one of my favorite food or sweets. The good ones are those coming from Cebu. When I was still in the Philippines I like it but I really don’t but it as much because I think it was quite expensive for me. I am just happy that Costco carries this dried mangoes – Philippine brand pa. For a big pack like this, I think it is reasonably priced too. Yummy. Yummy, yummy.

Dinner at Olive Garden

We just got home after a birthday dinner at Olive Garden. Not mine but K's birthday. Olive Garden is one of our favorite restaurants. I ordered Chicken Alfredo pizza while hubby had Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara. It was so good not to mention the never ending garden salad with the perfect dressing and the bread. I don't have my camera (broken!) so I can not share any pictures. We have a lot of leftovers we took home and a lot of breadsticks too! That is good for my coffee tomorrow.