Weight Loss Simulator

I tried this weight loss stimulator at http://api.modelmydiet.com/eywomen and see how it went. I plugged in my weight (I added a few pounds, just to be sure that I am not deluding myself). I also typed in my goal weight, which is 100 lbs (my weight in senior college, I can dream, can't I?).

I can't look at my college pictures anymore, I just get depressed.

Anyway, here's what I came up on my simulator:

For a 38-year old broad, I may not be such a super fattie after all.

Mom's Chocolate Icing

My mom says that she used to bake from scratch when I was young. Hmmmm, I have a different recollection of her version of "baking from scratch". My first memories of baking a cake, was when my mom opened a box of cake mix. But then again, I give her the benefit of the doubt since the toddler in question (me), was probably too young to remember the "baking from scratch" bit.

Anyway, I did remember though that she used to make icing from scratch. That, I am hundred percent certain. Because during my teen years, I decided to try making it on my own with disastrous results. I realized in hindsight what went wrong and made adjustments. Mostly, I just needed to be patient and not hurry too much when making this.

So now, twenty years later, I am doing my Mom's chocolate icing, from memory. Yes, memory. Because my Mom, bless her, does not write any of her recipes down. I didn't write mine either and decided to "eyeball" it, like the way my mom made it, with a few modern touches. We didn't have a non-stick pan nor a heat-proof spatula when I was young. I remember my mom used only regular steel wok, yes, the cheap ones from the palengke. The icing always turned out well, regardless of the crude equipment used.

Mom's Chocolate Icing

1 can of Evaporated milk
3/4 to 1 cup Dutch Process Cocoa
3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar (Mom used regular granulated sugar)
2-4 tablespoons of salted butter (I may have used more, hee hee)

1. In a glass bowl, mix the evaporated milk, cocoa and powdered sugar until everything is well dissolved. If you have any lumps, pass the whole thing in sieve, once or twice, until you get a smooth, lump-free mixture.

2. Pour the mixture in a non-stick skillet. Using low-medium heat, cook the mixture slowly. This is very important, keep it on LOW-MEDIUM heat and stir the icing constantly in a circular motion using a HEAT-PROOF spatula. Don't forget to scrape the bottom and the sides of the pan as you cook the icing. Do no leave the icing unattended!

3. After about five minutes, add a tablespoon or two of butter and continue mixing until the mixture is reduced and have a spreading consistency. Keep the heat on LOW-MEDIUM. Again, never leave your icing unattended!

4. Add the rest of the butter, mixing constantly, two minutes before you turn it off.

5. Let cool slightly before spreading on cakes or cupcakes.

It takes a bit of effort and is much more labor intensive but it's soooo worth it.

Posting via iPhone

I've been posting some blog entries via iPhone lately. I've downloaded the Blogger app so that I can blog on mobile.

I am unable to post pictures though because apparently my Picasa album is already at its capacity.

I didn't realize I had a Picasa album until I logged on using my gmail account! The people at Google are kinda sneaky at way.

Anyway, upon my research, it seems that I have to upgrade my Picasa storage to 20mb so that I can attach pictures to posts made using my iPhone. Posts with pictures using a laptop or desktop are ok even without "upgrading" my Picasa.

Hmmm, sneaky sneaky Google.

Fast Asleep

It's now 10:00 pm. The three punks are staying with us for the weekend. All three and Hubby are fast asleep and snoring the night away. Me, still wide awake.

After I've tucked every one to bed, read bedtime stories, assured them monsters are just a figment of their imagination, kissed them, professed my undying motherly love and rubbed their backs until they fell asleep, who's gonna put me to bed now?

I am so tempted to call a massage therapist right about now.

So Proud of My Babies

Jayjay and Ashley. I call them my babies. Because I can't have any of my own. So, I'm claiming them as my own.

They always spend weekends with us. when I got home last night. Ashley excitedly told me.

"Ninang! We have something for you."

I'm so proud of my Jayjay. He's got the Good Citizen Award for the month of August. He always gets this because he's really obedient and considerate of other students. He gave his medal to me. I felt like a real mommy.

Ashley also jumped two levels in Kumon. We enrolled her a couple of months ago. I was amazed by the improvement. She made this addition tree in school and gave it to me. Excitedly asking me if she answered them all correctly.

I love them so much. I'm so blessed to have them in my life.

Feeling Minty

I'm loving this necklace that I got from Forever21. It took me two visits to finally purchase it ('coz I'm stingy that way, he he he). I'm not much into accessories because I simply cannot put them together fashionably like most people.

The silver bangles, I've had for more than 15 years. Hubby gave them to me from a business trip in Pakistan. They have recently been unearthed from my jewelry box and I paired them with a mint bangle from Forever21 as well.

Honestly, I've worn the necklace like ten times already since I bought it weeks ago.

Anyway, just a random post.

Hubby's Birthday Grub

I've been sick for the past week. Such bad timing because Hubby celebrated his birthday and I wasn't able to cook nor bake anything nice. Fortunately though, my housekeeper is very reliable and can duplicate some of my recipes. I chose very simple and easy, family tested recipes to serve last Sunday. We had some steamed crabs, pancit molo, fried shrimps, baby back ribs. My housekeeper likes to decorate the food with "found objects" in the crisper.

I normally like to make salads and bake cakes personally but my body wasn't too keen on the idea.

Our two nieces, Jessica and Ashley, and I, did manage to bake some sugar cookies from a cookie dough that I had frozen a couple of weeks ago, so we did have some freshly baked goodies.

Belated happy birthday, Hubby! You are the love of my life. You make me happy.

Oatmeal

This morning:

Hubby: "Why are you wearing pants? Are you sick?!"

My thought balloon:

"Yes, I was vomiting last night, you were in the bathroom with me! I used up a whole roll of tissue blowing my nose this morning!"

What I said instead:

"Do I look frumpy?"

Hubby sensing my prickly mood, he said instead .....

Hubby: "What shoes are you wearing with that?"

I showed him.

"Nah, you don't look frumpy. Just so............"

I will wear really comfy oatmeal ensemble anytime I want to. Thank you very much.

Hello World

Well, hello world, dear readers, if I had any left. It's been an amazing, exciting and interesting few months since I have done some serious blogging.

I've been to some amazing places, restaurants and been practicing my mommy skills on my two adorable pamankins, Jayjay and Ashley, who have found a weekend home with Hubby and me. Our world revolves around those two punks during the weekends. I, personally, am loving it. Hubby, to my utter surprise, took the "daddy" role quite seriously and is enjoying himself immensely. We're always looking forward to spending time with those two. I feel like they came from my own womb, that's how much I love them. Instant weekend kids. Wow! Since we can't have any kids (I'm trying to be realistic here, since I'll be forty next year), I guess this is the next best thing, right? No late night feeding, no stretch marks, no changing of dirty diapers. I think I got a pretty good deal. One of 'em even looks like me! :-)

Anyway, change of topic, I'm addicted to Pinterest too, that's why I haven't blogged for quite some time. I spend whatever free time I have browsing through recipes (some I have made, the three layer brownies WERE the bomb!) and browsing through shoes, clothes and make-up. Yes, make-up. I started wearing  a little make-up recently. Now, I can't go out without my face being spackled with BB cream. Seriously, I can't face the world without it. I realized I probably scared small children with my raccoon eyes prior. Sheesh, those poor kids.

I kinda miss my kitchen too. I haven't baked as much as I used to. I have so many recipes archived in my "to bake" files and even more savory recipes on "to cook" files, for those future "fabulous parties" that we will host (I have so many ideas swimming in my head, that I want to try out).  I also have to re-train my housekeeper with new recipes to revamp our daily menu. Ok, seriously, I gotta get my culinary life back on track.

Good luck with that.