Food Finds (Courtesy of Kind Friends of Nom Nom Nom Mom)

In the past week, I've been the recipient of great kindness and along with it, great food finds from 3 Mom Friends. 

I came across the 1st of the yummy finds while volunteering in Katrina's Toddler class.  To go along with the week's theme of Halloween, the Toddlers' snack of the day while I was there were scrumptious mini Pumpkin Pancakes from Trader Joe's, and made with ease & love from fabulous friends & teachers, Ms. Debi & Ms. Nancy.  They were kind enough to extend the snack to me, since I so tirelessly (haha!) volunteered to help most of the brave Toddlers dip their bare feet in white paint to make cute ghost pictures for Halloween.   After successfully (for 1/2) and unsuccessfully (for the other 1/2) trying to convince each child how fun the feet dipping was, I was ready to partake in snacktime.  Once I knew that the snack of the day was something from Trader Joe's I had no doubt it would be delicious, as I've never gotten anything bad from this unique grocery store.  And true to form, the pancakes were so yummy with just the right amount of pumpkin essence and sweetness.  And even better, all the Toddlers, including my very own toddler were asking for more.  I also commend my Friends who entertain and teach these Toddlers the art of tasty and healthy eating, which during the childhood years, can be a challenging feat considering all the picky palates of this age group.  The next time you're shopping at Trader Joe's pick yourself up the pumpkin pancake mix while it's still in season, as it's sure to be a hit with your kids & adults alike. And thanks to SWSM Toddler I class & Ms. Debi & Ms. Nancy for sharing in the sweetness of the day.

The 2nd food find came to my window in the form of my friend, Ms. Sharon, aka Sugar Mama ~ custom cookie designer extraordinaire.  While I thought that maybe she was presenting me with her sweet treats, I was pleasantly surprised with the savory goodness about to enter my world.  While waiting for carpool activity to commence, Ms. Sharon got out of her car, came to mine, and presented me with a share of a new found favorite ~ Pita Pal Pearl Couscous!  Try saying that 3 times!  Better yet, try eating it 3 times & then some, and you won't be disappointed!  Ms. Sharon was so kind enough to think of me and share in this healthy container of delicousness...How blessed and lucky am I!  She obviously knew of my interst in the activity otherwise known as nom-nom-nom-ing.  I was so excited to receive this, since the main ingredient in this food was Pearl Couscous, aka Israeli Couscous, bigger in size to the fine couscous one might more typically be familiar with, and in my opinion more substantial and just cuter than the typical variety, but I digress.  Anyway, other ingredients include fresh parsley, red pepper, black olives, spices, sea salt, and the best ingredient listed on the container~a lot of love!  You can't go wrong.  I graciously thanked Ms. Sharon for her kindness in sharing, and I couldn't wait til lunchtime to try the new food find.  When lunch finally came around, I happened to be at my parents' house since I dropped the Girlies off from school with the intention of heading back to the office, but not before I was able to taste a new piece of loveliness that awaited me in that colorful container.  OMGoodness!  Pita Pal Pearl Couscous is deliciousness, and even better ~ healthy deliciousness, and even lots better~my parents liked it.  And when they learned it is available at Costco, their favorite place on Earth, I think they nearly left the lunch table to head on over to buy more containers of it along with any other random thing one can purchase while getting lost in the world known as Costco.  The next time you're at Costco, head to the refrigerated section and search for this fabulous healthy eating kind of find.  I'm so glad Ms. Sharon found it, and passed the find on to me, and in so doing I now give you the tools to find it too!  Enjoy!

I love that 2 items that I shared with you here were shared with me elsewhere.  I love that because of the kindness of my friends and their fine tastebuds, I too now have the opportunity to share in that kindness with you and share in the food finds of the day.  Here's to sharing that kindness with your family & friends who also enjoy the love of eating!

One last note, it's rather fitting that on this Halloween Eve, just before all the trick-or-treaters come to your doorstep, that this post shares in the new treats that happen to make their way into my basket, so to speak...Thanks, Friends!

My Loving Thoughts on Coffee

It’s evening time, and I really want a nice cup of coffee after what was kind of an annoying day!  But I shall resist the urge since I have no decaf Keurig cups available, and caffeine in my system after the 3:00pm hour doesn’t make for a good night’s sleep, which in turn results in a cranky Nom Nom Nom Mom.  So instead, I shall anxiously await my 1^st sips of hot coffee in the morning.  If I’m on schedule, then I can make a quick cup of my fave Keurig Green Mountain Coffee's Nantucket Blend sweetened with Coffee House Inspirations Dark Chocolate Cream & maybe 1 splenda, but if I’m running late, then perhaps I will hit the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts for a medium coffee~easy cream & 1 splenda, or maybe I should “splurge” and spend a bit more for a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte with 1 pump of Peppermint from Starbucks.  In any case, I look forward to my caffeine fix in the morning that jump starts my day, helps me get motivated to get up early (but not as early as Alex does--5:00am is uncalled for, even if the gym is calling his name before he metra’s it downtown for work), helps me prepare quick breakfasts for the family, helps in getting through the kids’ school carpools & activities, helps me sort through the piles of papers on my office desk, helps me figure out what continuing education classes I need to take to keep my SLP certification, and generally helps me get through the day on a happy note.  Coffee is my beloved friend. 

As I have described already, I will basically take coffee wherever it’s available, but I think I have developed a palate for well-made coffee, even if some places tend to over-roast their beans to cut costs yet make us consumers pay the price, ahem.  Anyhoo, whenever I can brew a pot of coffee, I will take the time to do so, maybe using a grocery-sold brand such as Hills Bros., which my Aunt Te has pronounced all my life as “Hills Bros” and not “Hills Brothers”-ha!  Usually you’re more likely to find me pressing a button on the Keurig to deliver my single cup of coffee of choice (and there are many varieties available).  But I can also trust in a good cup of regular coffee/specialty coffee (e.g., latte) from the trusted establishments otherwise known as Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks when I’m close to home, but if I’m in the City (of Chicago, that is) then I might search for a strong cup of Intelligentsia where specialty coffee drinks are all gussied up with a fancy frothy flower, pretty leaf design, or some other creamy artistic creation. I absolutely miss having Peet’s Coffee & Tea nearby, where I lovingly sipped on a white chocolate mocha made with skim milk, when I was up in Evanston during my years of academia or when I was the living in the city as a 20-something young professional~ha!  But Peet’s earthy coffee and flavor-filled brews are something that will hold a special place in my heart for helping me study well and live well during that period in my life.  If only Peet’s would make its way to the Southwest ‘burbs…When I visited my brother in California, my preferred coffee place was The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, perhaps because of their good coffee drinks but maybe more so because of the cute name that made it’s point regarding the origins of our beloved hot beverages.  I’m a sucker for a good name.  And even when I’ve traveled to visit family in the Philippines, it's been neat to see Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Seattle’s Best make names for themselves across the ocean.  Heck, even when I’m in a Thai restaurant, I can’t pass up a nice tall glass of Thai Iced Coffee~so exotically sweet and energizing all at once.  And essentially, coffee and it's related drinks-hot or cold-can be found worldwide in various forms that all bring the people that drink this elixir a sense of happiness.  So, everywhere I’ve turned, coffee has been there to greet me at breakfast, lunch, and as an after dinner accompaniment to dessert.  And although Alex basically starts gagging at the sight and smell of wonderfully brewed coffee, Elena & Katrina jump at the chance to help me prepare my cup with a bit of cream & splenda, or once in a while a spoonful of sugar to help the day be just as sweet.  Enjoy your cup in the morning!

PS:  If any coffee establishment reps have read this post, you’re welcome for the free advertising J

Peet's White Chocolate Mochas...Aren't their coffee cups the cutest?!

(picture courtesy of eileent.com)

10-Minute Meal (Watch out Rachael Ray!)

So Saturday morning comes along, and though I had every intention of sleeping in til at least 7:15 a.m., even after 2 little Girlies got up at 6:30 a.m. and started playing with their dolls, block towers, and tea sets--all of which were brought into our room by the way, just in case Mommy & Daddy wanted in on the play action--I eventually found the motivation to get up and face the day head on.  I don't know what it was, but perhaps some adrenaline rush came over me, and I headed downstairs to the kitchen and just started pulling things out of the fridge without thinking twice, and next thing you know, I had prepared a very simple though satisfying breakfast for my loves, and even better they ALL enjoyed what was set before them in all of 10 minutes flat!  I kinda surprised myself with how focused I was on getting food on the table for all to enjoy in such a short amount of time.  Ok, now, I hope you don't think I prepared some gourmet breakfast in that short amount of time, because I surely did not, but it was still yummy and served its purpose of breaking the fast from not being able to nom-nom-nom while otherwise engaged in the hours of restful sleep had the night before.  So what was the meal that brought smiles and full bellies to Alex, Elena, & Katrina, you may be wondering?  Bacon, scrambled eggs, buttered wheat toast with a smidge of strawberry jam (preserves are too chunky for my palate), and OJ/milk/coffee to wash it all down, and NO the coffee was not drunk by the other parties involved...only me.  So simple, so satisfying, and so quick!  I'm proud of myself.  How do you like your eggs?  Here's my quick & informal recipe for the scrambled eggs I grew up eating with my brothers, which I made for my family of 4:

6 eggs
a good pinch of sea salt
freshly cracked pepper
a pinch of garlic powder
a teaspoon or so of half & half

Mix all the ingredients, whipped with a fork, and splash into a skillet of equal parts butter & olive oil (I don't know, maybe a teaspoon each of such) and mix the eggs around until pastel yellow in color and ready looking to eat.  I know, my description of cooking is rather informal, but it does the trick.  My Girlies liked dipping their scrambles into ketchup, whereas I piled mine onto my light buttered wheat toast with strawberry jam, added a piece of bacon, and gave myself some fuel for the day followed by some sips of my cup of coffee made with the help of my trusty Keurig.  I'm not sure what Alex did with his helping, as it was gone before I knew it since he tends to scarf down food, especially when it's good~ha!

I love how this 10-minute meal gave me so much time to hang with my family and share in the activities of this morning.  I hope your 10-minute meals help you to do the same!

Chocolate ~ It does a body good…All in moderation, of course…And in dark chocolate whenever possible!

So for various reasons, some very clear and some quite vague, I’ve had lots on my mind lately.  Overall, I am extremely happy where life has taken me thus far…I’ve gone from being the “Baby” & only girl in my family of 4 older brothers + my crazy endearing parents, to being a St. Germaine Trojan, to BFF's with M & C, to McAuley Mighty Mac, to NU Wildcat, to ESD SLP, to A's wifey & E & K's Momma, to WW member, to SWSM Mom, and currently to helping AHHI in HR, with other abbreviated monikers in the mix and more experiences to be had that will afford me even more I hope...Looking back on things, looking at the here & now, and looking to the future, there has always been one thing I could rely on to bring me a sense of peace, something that has taken the stress away, given me a taste of the sweet life when too much has come at me too fast or all at once while in the roles I named above…CHOCOLATE!!  Chocolate really is a guilty pleasure!  I mean, in a world that is so obsessed with what we eat and how it affects us when it comes to how our skinny jeans will fit (or won’t), chocolate is an absolutely bittersweet thing...and of course I intended the pun! Ha!  But like I mentioned, even just a smidge of chocolate takes the edge off, clears my mind of all the challenges faced throughout the day, and brings a smile to my face.  Yes, perhaps it also adds to my girlish figure, but in moderation, I think it’s worth it to make my body, mind, and soul feel good again.  So when you’re having one of those days reach for your favorite piece of chocolate…and truly 1 piece is all you need.

Alex often reaches for anything chocolate+caramel, Elena tends to prefer anything minty chocolate or peanutty chocolate, while Katrina will go for anything chocolate so long as it's food!

My piece of choice these days tends to be of the dark chocolate variety, in order to get some well-documented health benefits from it.  Check it out for yourself by reading up on such benefits.  But then, reach for a piece to nom nom nom on the next time life comes at you way too fast.  Here’s what I reached for tonite:

...and life is good again!

Dinner, Anyone?!

So I have a wonderful set of parents-Lolo & Lola to my Girlies, and a “Te"- my “aunt”/yaya/nanny who helped raise me and is now helping to care for and entertain my Girlies.   Anyway, while Alex & I are busy at work, the Girlies spend their time after school at my parents’ house, where they play, argue, eat, run around, play, argue, eat, run around, nap if lucky, play, argue, etc., etc.  After the work is done, Alex & I head over to my parents to reunite with Elena & Katrina.  Golly, I live for the looks of sheer delight and adoration on their faces as we walk through the doors, they continue their running around but this time into our arms, and we hug and kiss and recount the events of the day with one another from each of our unique perspectives.  In the midst of all this, there is often a delicious aroma floating throughout the kitchen and into the dining nook, and after all the hugs, kisses, and stories are shared, we are beckoned to head over to the dinner table for something fabulous.  This usually occurs 3 times a week, often with insistence from Mom & Dad.  I know…I am rather blessed and lucky (also read: spoiled) to have such a support system, that dinner is ready and waiting so that I get to enjoy the company of my dear family.  And tonight’s dinner did not disappoint!  We had such yummy oven-BBQ ribs, stir-fried shrimp,  white rice of course (though for once I did not eat much of it to watch my girlish figure), dressed romaine lettuce spears, and sweet papaya to round things out.  And to top it off, my Mom exclaimed that she has lost 15 pounds since her last visit to the doctor, and considering my Mom , let me tell you, that is a HUGE accomplishment that I am so proud of, and I know she is too! The dinner tonight was rather simply made but full of love and even healthy along with being delish, so it was truly fabulous.   And watching the sight of Katrina enjoying a BBQ rib was priceless, and encouraging Elena to try a romaine lettuce spear was challenging, but it’s all about the experience and effort that she put into it.  I am thankful everyday that I get to eat dinner with my fun-loving family, whether I’ve made it, Alex has, the Girlies have, or Te has…In any scenario, it’s all good!

And just to get more eye-rolling from my audience, my cousin filled me in earlier today regarding what he was going to be making his family for dinner…2 racks of lamb…on a Monday night…for no significant reason, except for the love of family!  Awesome!

Champorado~The Breakfast of CHAMPions (get it?! ;)

Okay, while I'm on a roll and inspired, I might as well post again in less than 24 hours of my inaugural post...

So, this morning I had a yearning to go out for breakfast with my faves (aka: Alex, Elena & Katrina), but after lying in bed and contemplating the "to do" list for today, and seeing how busy the Girlies were with play and congested with colds, and how opposed to getting up early on Sunday Alex was, I decided that I didn't need to fulfull my want of going out for breakfast.  Instead, I remembered that my friend has more recently been hounding me for the recipe of "Chocolate Rice" as his non-Filipinoness refers to it as.  And as luck would have it, Alex also mentioned wanting Champorado for breakfast, and we had it in the house, so win win for all!  Champorado, as its known in Filipino circles, is basically a sweet bowl of deliciousness often eaten at a lovely morning breakfast.  It's the Filipino culture's version of chocolate porridge or even breakfast oatmeal that has its roots in the galleon trade made between Mexico & the Philippines back in the day (thanks, Wikipedia!), but I wonder if it also has some roots with the Spanish colonization of the Philippines long ago as well.  In any case, this is our version of deliciousness.  And actually, to make things more interesting and Filipino, it's often accompanied by its savory counterpart of salted fish!  Some of you may be yacking at the thought of pairing chocolate rice with salted fish, but it's to die for, I promise.  It's the Filipino palate of pairing sweet & savory, and it's a delectable combo.  Unfortunately, I didn't have salted fish (some versions aka "tuyo" or "danggit"), but I did have some instant champorado mix in the pantry.  I actually prefer the "homemade" version to the mix, but I didn't have the sweet sticky rice it usually calls for, and I'm not a snob that I would shy away from ready-made products, so instant champorado mix it was.  Okay, because my non-Filipino husband's palate for Filipino food is still developing (even after all these years together...), he always puts his stamp on such dishes, so instead of the traditional swirl of evaporated milk I would stream into a bowl of champorado, he opted to swirl a touch of Vanilla Silk Light soymilk & decorate it with whipped cream...blasphemous to some I'm sure, but whatever works I say...He'll eventually learn how to eat it the "right" way, since my Filipino family is always demonstrating to guests on how to eat this and that the "right" way!  Til then, happy eating...nom nom nom...

You can find instant champorado mix at any local Filipino food store.  You'll also be able to find sweet sticky rice there as well if you want to try your hand at making it homemade.  Email me @ madonna.sr77@gmail.com if you need help locating a Filipino food store in the Chicagoland area.

And here's a link to a homemade champorado recipe:

http://www.food.com/recipe/champorado-chocolate-rice-pudding-132659

Enjoy!

My 1st Tasty Creation as a Blogger...

Yikes!  Am I really doing this?  I admit to loving food, and sharing that love with my family...Heck, I so often update my Facebook statuses around the subject, so much so that friends have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone of "Friends only" viewing my Wall to a much bigger canvas for all to see... Some friends must think that I am some sort of expert in the kitchen.  Sure, I can follow a recipe, and have a few staple recipes that never let me down.  But in general, I am more so the one admiring the food that someone else has so lovingly cooked for me.  I have simply shared my deep appreciation for all the delicious things that have given me my girlish figure throughout my 30-something years.  P.S., I am not a size 2, and although it might be nice to be one, I am more realistic in realizing that my taste(s) in food won't quite allow for a petite version or half plate of myself.  It's all good!  So, as I was saying, I've taken the advice of friends and family and am trying my hand at this thing called Nom Nom Nom Mom, where I share with you my adventures in eating, while encouraging my Girlies to have a wordly & healthy palate, watching my husband stay fit through workouts, while I stay sane through indulging in delicious foods, and once in a while I shall also share tried and true recipes that haven't disappointed my family or my girlish figure. Hope you like what you see & read & eat courtesy of Nom Nom Nom Mom!

As one of the 1st images I shall entice you with to follow Nom Nom Nom Mom, here's something sweet in honor of Sweetest Day, Shmeetest Day.. I had  this for dessert at Spring Restaurant, Chicago, while celebrating the Sweet 7th Anniversary of marital bliss~gag!  But no gagging ensued with this sweet plate.  Sweet Shortbread Wafer S'mores!  O...M...Good Gracious!  So sweet, so lovely, and so simply thought out.  Enjoy!