Tag Archives: food

Celebration Recap

Posted on by

0

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.

My youngest daughter is officially three and we had a birthday week-end celebration with friends and family.  We broke things down by celebrating her actual birthday on Friday, just us in the house.  I wanted to make a small (I like the Jiffy cake mix), funfetti cake

IMG_4362text

and it was the perfect time to try out these Bake-Even Cake Strips (Wilton) that I’ve seen online and found on sale at AC Moore craft store.

IMG_4364text

IMG_4363text

I didn’t realize I went overboard on the sprinkles until…

IMG_4373text  IMG_4374text

…the cake was done and I flipped it out of the baking pan.

As you can see the cake strip (around the pan) worked, but there were noticeable differences other than the cake dome that appears when you don’t use this strip.  The cake sticks to the side of the pan more and the bottom was moist when I took it out.  I like that it baked even, but I don’t know if I’m going to use the strip again.  We’ll see.

IMG_4383text

I melted a little bit of the Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Chocolate frosting (15 seconds in the microwave) in a glass bowl and this made things easy to spread on the cake.  I really don’t like when the cake crumbs combine with the frosting.  I threw a little bit more of sprinkles, yes more, on the frosting and then…

IMG_4384text  IMG_4388text

…the #3 candle.  My daughter loved her funfetti cake.

I chose the theme of the cartoon Bubble Guppies featured on Nickelodeon.  I decorated with free printables from nickjr.com and purchased a huge #3 balloon.  Balloons are always a huge hit.

IMG_4341text IMG_4517text IMG_4515text IMG_4381text

The banner, poster, and pin the tail game were cute, easy, and fun to put together.  Just go to nickjr.com and click on birthdays and you’ll see all of the themes and projects available for each.

The following day was Saturday and we invited friends and family with kids to join us at an indoor playground/arcade (funtopiausa.com).  We paid for the kids admission, tokens for them to play the arcade games, and food (pizza, popcorn, and drinks).  We stayed for about two hours and when it was time to go I gave each invited guest a goody box filled with candy, toys and stickers.

IMG_4310text      IMG_4312text     IMG_4313text      IMG_4315text

My aunt had given me these boxes about a year ago and I was so happy to finally have a reason to use them.  I glued the images of the Bubble Guppies, which I printed out at nickjr.com, and made the middle image with my daughter’s name.  I then took the glitter glue in blue and green and made swirl lines like waves on the boxes.  I then filled the boxes with candy (skittles, smarties, Tootsie rolls, lollipop, rose ring pop, candy bracelet, and sixlets) from orientaltrading.com along with little toys like a mushroom spinning top (not shown) and Easter Pop-Ups, which are a lot of fun for children and adults.

We ended the day with my husband’s homemade piñata, which he made with a balloon, scraps of paper, and modge podge.

IMG_4440text     IMG_4439text

My husband had fun making this and the kids had a lot more fun whacking the heck out of it.

IMG_4494text IMG_4503text

On our last day of celebration (Sunday), my family came over and we sang happy birthday once again with another cake (Oreo No Bake Dessert), chocolate lollipops (vanilla, dark mint, & peanut butter), and great, homemade food.  Thanks Mom and my aunt Aida!

I was pretty happy with this plan of action for celebrating my daughter’s birthday.  Many people get really stressed out planning birthdays and end up spending a lot of money.  I didn’t want the headaches or the empty wallet.  No offense to anyone who goes big, because of course, if I had space and extra money, I would be singing a different tune, but at this moment minimal is the way to go.  So one birthday down, one more to go.

Take good care all and thanks for visiting.

Until next time…

A glance at today’s school lunch from home

Posted on by

2

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  Many thanks to those who liked my happy faces lunch.  I do enjoy making them for my daughters.  I wanted to share how I make my oldest daughter’s lunch for school.  At first, I was very scared of what I would pack for her since I’ve never packed a lunch before and I wanted to send her off to school with food that was healthy and, of course, that she liked.  This is what I packed for her today:

IMG_4333text                IMG_4334text

I try to do as much as I can the night before.  When I’m making her Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches, I basically prep the bread by cutting the crust with a Good Bites cutter (yellow thingy above in the pic), then I seal it away in the sandwich container.  I do the same for the veggies.  I cut and place in the fridge.  In the morning I put the PB&J on the bread and a little bit of salad dressing on the veggies.  I also cut a piece of banana and put some peanut butter on it.  This is one of her faves.  I also include a snack like goldfish crackers with raisins.  As for her drink we do water one day and the next day I add a small juice box plus her water bottle so she drinks juice for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

IMG_4338text

The containers that I use held baby food once from Target’s brand Up & Up.  They’re pretty handy and stack up well in my daughter’s lunch bag.

I try to stick to serving sizes because that’s important and I do change up the menu days so my daughter doesn’t get bored with the food.  I’m always on the look out for new food ideas to include in her lunch bag, especially healthy ones, and I’m doing my best with food labels, which can be tricky.  I’m not going to say that I don’t let my daughter indulge in sweets (lollipops, ice cream sandwiches, cookies, etc.) because that would be a lie, but my husband and I try to keep her active by taking her to the park, Saturday mornings they train in Judo, and every week-day, as long as the weather is cooperating, I take her scooter with me when I’m picking her up from school so she can scoot home.  Every little bit helps and counts.

Take good care all.

Until next time…

Double the fun

Posted on by

2

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.

The other day I made my first double “happy faces” lunch.  Since my youngest, Sophia, is getting bigger, I decided to surprise her and her sister with this special lunch.  Unfortunately, Sophia, who’s a picky eater one day and a hungry little monster the next, decided that it was a “let me torture my mom by not wanting to eat anything day!”  At least, my oldest, Olivia, enjoyed her plate.

IMG_4307tect

Food used to make these happy faces:  strawberries, apples, bread w/ cream cheese, PBJ sandwiches, banana, raisins, and cheese sticks

Take good care all.

Until next time…

Keep calm and bake!

Posted on by

0

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  Yesterday was my mother’s 61st birthday and it was fun spending time with her.  My daughter’s couldn’t wait to get to grandma’s house and I wanted to spend as much time as I could so we got up, ate breakfast, got ready and went early to her house.  I wanted to bake her a cake, but my dad insisted on buying it so my lazy booty agreed.

With enough time today, I decided to make the cake that I had been envisioning and I loved the end result.  Also I wanted to kick myself for not making this for my mom.   At least, I can make it for my dad who’s celebrating his 61st at the end of this month.

IMG_4078text

I love Betty Crocker’s Super Moist White cake mix and Dolci frutta hard chocolate shell, which you can easily melt in the microwave and it’s delicious.  I also used strawberries and blueberries.

IMG_4070text

Once the cake was cool enough, I sliced up the strawberries, then melted the chocolate and poured some in the middle of the cake on top and placed the blueberries there.  I drizzled some chocolate using the tip of a spoon and there you have it.  Cake + chocolate + fruits = Yummy!

IMG_4075text

I also made cupcakes and put this together for my daughter.  She couldn’t believe it was all hers!

I’m definitely going to make this for my dad’s birthday no matter how little time I have.  No if’s, ands, or buts about it.

Take good care all.

Until next time…

Chicken Wrap

Posted on by

2

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.

My husband came up with this quick and easy chicken wrap.  We had for dinner, but of course you can eat it whenever you like it.

IMG_3832text

We used Tyson’s Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips, Mission Carb Balance Flour Tortillas, Light Sour Cream, peppers (red, green, and orange), and Mushrooms.

My husband grilled the mushrooms and peppers on the stove top while the strips baked in the oven.

IMG_3833text

Assemble your wrap (I only wanted peppers and sour cream)…

IMG_3835text

…and bon appétit.

Take good care all.

Until next time…

We’re under attack…

Posted on by

0

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  Yesterday, I woke up coughing my lungs out, nauseated, dizzy as heck, and last with a lovely fever.  With the help of meds, bed rest, and my wonderful husband stepping in and taking care of our daughters, today I woke up just fine.  Just like that, I felt ok.  It was as if yesterday morning never happen, like it was all a dream nightmare.  Needless to say, I’m very happy to be almost well because I hadn’t felt that crappy in a very long time and I wanted it to be over as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, I got a phone call at noon today from my daughter’s school informing me that my daughter had thrown up and wasn’t feeling well.  We’re seriously under attack.  Thirty minutes later, I was tucking my feverish daughter into her bed after washing her up and giving her medicine.  What a couple of sickly days!

IMG_20130117_120728text

Proof to my husband that my fever went down.

PART_1358561303981text

My favorite cough drops…thanks hubby!

IMG_20130118_145725text

My landlady/family friend brought a plate of food that she made for us sick people.

White rice, side salad, and chicken.  It was such a wonderful and yummy surprise.  Thanks Georgina!

PART_1358561325905text

After resting, Olivia got inspired by the photo of her mami and daddy on her wall and decided to draw it!

She’s such an artist!  Love her greatly and she’s doing a whole lot better.

So far my husband and my youngest are sick free and I REALLY hope it stays that way.  We’re on the mend and I wish everyone else who’s not feeling well, a speedy recovery and try to sleep as much as you can because it really does make it difference in how you feel one day from another.

Take good care.

Until next time…

Bean recipe

Posted on by

2

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  Today I would like to share with you how I cook my beans.  Yup, beans.  I decided to post this for 3 reasons:

1. My husband always compliments me on my beans and that means a lot because he’s a great chef.

2. My brother always goes back for seconds and according to my parents and I quote, “He doesn’t eat beans.” 🙂

3. Finally, a recipe for my best friend, Azizi, who has always asked what I put in my beans, but I’ve never jotted the ingredients down for her.  Sorry Z!  I hope this makes up for it.

Here’s my recipe and of course you can all tweak it to your liking.  I am American/Puerto Rican so I grew up learning how to cook Puerto Rican style.  I’ve learned from my mom and mother-in-law, both superb cooks.  During time, my ingredients have changed.  Most recently, I’ve added chopped dried onions flakes and I find that it makes it taste even more divine.  It’s become a staple within the spices.

Angie’s Beans:

IMG_3785text

You can use this recipe for any type of beans like red, white, pink, chick peas, etc. and of course use whatever brand you want.  I used to make my beans with potatoes, but now I add the Vienna sausages.

IMG_3786text

Mix together:

1 can of beans

1 can of tomato sauce

1 can of Vienna sausages

½ – ¾  can of water (I use the bean can to measure the water)

IMG_3791TEXT

Ingredients:

1 packet of Sazón

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon chopped onions (dried flakes)

¼ teaspoon Adobo

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

½ teaspoon cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon oregano

½ tablespoon ground flax-seed

2 tablespoons Sofrito

(Sofrito is a major Spanish cooking staple usually found in the frozen section in supermarkets and it’s a combination of vegetables and spices puree together)

IMG_3792text

Mix all ingredients into the pan with your beans and Vienna sausages.

IMG_3795text

Cover and cook over medium heat.  Lower the heat after the beans start boiling.

Cooking time is between 25 – 30 minutes.

IMG_3796text

Once they’re done, pour over rice or place them on the side and enjoy.  This is Sophia’s dinner plate, which includes apple slices, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, chicken, rice and beans.

I hope you like my recipe.  I am by no means a professional recipe writer so if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.  Thanks for taking time in viewing my blog!

Take good care all.

Until next time…

Mason jar + chocolates = great gift

Posted on by

0

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  I wanted to share a gift idea that I put together in order to give several of my closest aunts and cousins.

IMG_3734text

 I bought mason jars at the craft store (A.C. Moore) along with gold ribbon.  The candies I chose are Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares Limited Edition Peppermint Bark (delicious!) and Coconut Malted Milk Balls, which I ordered from www.ohnuts.com.  These are my absolute favorite and they were such a huge hit at my anniversary/renewal party that I decided to gift them again.

IMG_3736text

I made a paper label and tied the gold ribbon around the mason jar.

IMG_3738text

I put the coconut malted milk balls in a clear candy bag just in case they melted and placed 4 peppermint bark squares inside around the mason jar.  I like the way they came out and can’t wait to give them to my family members.  I hope you like this idea.

Take good care all.

Until next time…

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

Posted on by

0

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  Happy Thanksgiving and we hope you all are able to spend time with family and friends.  A special THANKS to those who are serving in the military and protecting our country.  You’re forever in our thoughts and may you have a safe return back to your families.

My husband who’s a great cook made our Thanksgiving lunch, which is also going to be dinner as well.  We sat around the table, held hands, and gave thanks.  Now there’s football on the television and our bellies are full.  Have a great holiday!

Our traditional Thanksgiving food! It was yummy!

Stay alert, stay alive.

Until next time…

DIY PIZZA BAGELS

Posted on by

2

Hello everybody!  I hope you guys are well.  About a month ago, my silly daughter came home from school a little bit annoyed with the fact that students that day were able to eat pizza because of the school lunch and she couldn’t because she had her lunch already from home.  My daughter loves pizza and she declared that she wanted pizza as a lunch option.  Well, she didn’t use those words exactly, but simply put SHE WANTED PIZZA.  My mission then was thinking of a way to pack “pizza” in her lunch box.  First thought I had was go online and search, but then I remembered those frozen pizza bagels you see on TV.  I didn’t want to go buy them though for three reasons: I wanted to make them myself, I wanted to save money, and I wanted to make them healthier.  This is what I came up with:

I used mini whole wheat bagels, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese.  I placed the bagels in my oven at 375 degrees for eight to ten minutes.  I cut them in half so I can easily fit them into a sandwich container, but I can only fit two bagels even though you see three.  Needless to say my daughter is very happy with these pizza bagels and that makes me happy as well.  I also include fruits, veggies, small dessert and water in her lunch bag.  I hope you guys like my take on this.  Enjoy!

Stay alert, stay alive.

Until next time…