DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more PATERNS read more RECIPES read more DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more TRAVEL TIPS read more Party Planner and DIY Projects 11 CREATIVE HOBBIES TO TRY IN 2021January 13, 2021Finding new creative hobbies is a great way to give yourself a sense of purpose, and feel more productive. Plus, you never know where your new creative pursuits may lead! START YOUR NEXT CREATIVE ADVENTURE Participating in creative hobbies has so many benefits for your health and well-being, and is a fun way to relax after work or school. Now is the perfect time to take up a new creative hobby. With so many tutorials online, picking up a new skill is easier than ever – all you need is the materials and some inspiration. Here are 11 creative hobbies to try. 1 HAND LETTERING Hand lettering is one of the biggest creative hobbies right now. Hand lettering is the process of creating decorative letters and fonts. One of the most appealing parts of lettering is that there is are near-endless ways to do it. You can use virtually any type of writing or drawing utensil, ranging from pens to markers to brushes and beyond. Hand lettering also allows you to develop your own unique style with just a little bit of practice. In particular, hand lettering can be used to create cards and signs, and it’s a popular technique for creating wedding invitations. Lettering can be intimidating at first, but this guide will help you get started. 2 FLOWER ARRANGING If you like plants, consider taking up flower arranging to express yourself through this unique medium. Many local flower shops offer classes for beginners, and there are many books and websites that offer tutorials. Floristry is something anyone can get into, and you can use the things you make to brighten up your home. You can even wear your floral arrangements by making them into crowns, corsages, and more. Additionally, floral arrangements also make great gifts, particularly if you are on a budget. 3 BULLET JOURNALING Bullet journaling is a technique that you can use to record the events of your day, stay organized, and plan for future goals. All you need to start bullet journaling is a blank notebook and a pen. The principle is simple: rather than buying a pre-bought planner, you create one yourself that only includes the things you need. There are three main things you’ll write down each day – the tasks you need to get done, notes about things you don’t want to forget, and noteworthy events that you want to remember. Bullet journaling is a quick way to express yourself and get your thoughts on paper. Bullet journaling is a fantastic and diverse hobby. You can create your bullet journal to be as simple or as complex as you’d like. If you want to be more even creative with your bullet journaling, you can experiment with using different colors and layouts, or you can keep it simple. This bullet journal guide can help you explore the many different ways you can make a bullet journal your go-to creative hobby in 2021. 4 WRITING You don’t need to be the next J.K Rowling to start writing. It can be as simple as just sitting down and writing in a journal every day, or even just brainstorming a short story you want to write. Maybe you’ve always had a dream of becoming a published author but never knew where to start, well, 2021 is the perfect time to start chasing that dream. Just don’t try jumping into writing a novel right away, take some time to build up, and get in the habit of writing every day. A great place to start is by starting a journal or doing morning pages every day. After you get in the habit, try taking a Skillshare course on how to write a book. 5 CROSS-STITCH Cross stitch has become very popular over the last few years on Pinterest and Instagram, and it’s a very soothing creative hobby that anyone can take up. Cross stitch is done by creating stitches in an X pattern on a grid, which creates very even stitches. In particular, there’s been a trend toward cross stitch designs with sassy sayings and charming nature themes. However, you can use cross stitch to make any design you want. There are thousands of cross stitch patterns online, but once you learn the basic technique, you can experiment with your own unique designs. 6 START A BLOG Starting a blog is one of those hobbies that actually makes it easier to keep doing all of the creative hobbies in your life. Plus, it has the potential to actually make you money and become your job. It did for me. Before starting a blog, I never watercolored or lettered on a daily basis. Now I do pretty much every day. Head here to learn how to start a blog. 7 PHOTOGRAPHY Photography is a great way to get your juices flowing, and no, that doesn’t mean you need to drop a couple thousand dollars on a professional-grade camera. You can even start with just your cell phone. Consistency is key when trying to pick up this creative hobby. I recommend grabbing my 100-day challenge printable from my resource library and trying to take a picture every day for 100 days. 8 WATERCOLORING Watercoloring is probably one of the more intimidating creative hobbies on this list, but trust me, it’s not that hard. Learning to watercolor is a freeing experience because you discover that you can’t fully control the water no matter how hard you try, and you have to let go of control. If you have a hectic life, then this is the perfect hobby for you. You can find the basic supplies you need to start here, and here are a few tips for getting started. 9 ORIGAMI Origami, the classic Japanese art of paper folding, is another hobby that is both creative and relaxing. Making beautiful plants, animals, and other nature-inspired folds is a great way to challenge yourself and is sure to put a smile on your face. There are thousands of different designs to learn, and practicing helps with hand-eye coordination. 10 MEDITATION Give meditation a try this new year, and you’ll be surprised by the benefits. Meditation isn’t what most people think of when they think of creative hobbies, but when you let your mind slow down a bit in this chaotic world, you’d be surprised by the benefits. Try morning meditation for a ton of benefits. 11 BAKING AND CAKE DECORATING Creating delectable treats is a creative hobby that comes with a truly sweet reward at the end. Not only is baking very satisfying, but it will also endear you to your friends and family, who will love your cakes, cookies, and other creations. Cake and cookie decorating can be complex, so it may be helpful to take a class to learn the basics. EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE These are just eleven of the many creative hobbies that have been trending recently. Taking up a creative hobby is the perfect way to kickstart productivity and feel more productive. Creativity will make you happier and is a very effective way to help relieve stress. ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? If you’re looking for inspiration to help you get ready for the new year, you can check out all of my new year bullet journal and productivity content in one convenient place! Alternatively, if you’re looking for a quick way to get ready for the new year, you should check out the Fox Den Resource Library. The library is packed with tons of free printables and lettering worksheets, including a January printable to help you tackle the new year.... Read more...Hawaiian Chicken Long RiceDecember 23, 2020Chicken Long Rice is a staple at most Hawaiian Luaus where it is served as a side dish. It’s a favorite island comfort food, something in between Chicken Noodle Soup and Chicken Stew, and usually eaten with steamed white rice. Chicken long rice uses clear bean thread noodles. Those are noodles made with mung bean starch and are thin and clear. They’re also called Chinese Vermicelli, Cellophane Noodles, or Glass Noodles. You can buy them at any Asian Market. The dish is pretty much the same as its Filipino counterpart called Sotanghon. Both originated in China and was brought over to the Hawaiian islands by Chinese and Filipino immigrants. Whatever its origins it’s one of my favorite go to comfort food. Best of all it’s super simple to make. It’s great on chilly or rainy days and wonderful when you have a slight cold. Try it out next time you’ve a yen for Chicken Soup! This article contains affiliate links Chicken Long Rice Ingredients: 5-6 Chicken thighs with bone and skin Water 1 Tbs. Oil 1 Tbs. Fresh grated ginger root 1 Tbs. minced garlic 1 Cup Chicken Stock 1 Tsp. Salt 2 Tbs. Soy Sauce 1 Package Bean Thread Noodles 1/4 Cup chopped green onions 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced (optional) 1/2 Tbs. Oil (optional) Directions: Heat oil in a stock pot. Saute garlic and chicken thighs until thighs start to turn yellow. Add enough water in the pot to cover the chicken with water. Add chicken stock, ginger, and salt. Simmer until chicken is very well cooked and falling off the bone. Remove chicken skin and bones. Discard skin and bone. Shred chicken meat into large pieces and return to pot. Add noodles, soy sauce, and 3/4 of the chopped green onions. Stir and cook until noodles are soft and transparent. *Optional – fry garlic slices in 1/2 tbs. oil until they turn brown. Drain on paper towels. Remove from heat and garnish with remaining with remaining green onion. Garnish with fried garlic. Hawaiian Chicken Long Rice Print Recipe CuisineAsian Hawaiian Chicken Long Rice Print Recipe CuisineAsian Ingredients 5-6 Chicken thighs with bone and skin Water 1 Tbs. Oil 1 Tbs. Fresh grated ginger root 1 Tbs. minced garlic 1 Cup Chicken Stock 1 Tsp. Salt 2 Tbs. soy sauce 1 Package Bean Thread Noodles 1/4 Cup chopped green onions 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced (optional) 1/2 Tbs. Oil (optional) Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Holiday Art Christmas Tree AssemblageDecember 21, 2020... Read more...Music and Twine BottlesDecember 21, 2020... Read more...Christmas BingoDecember 18, 2020What’s the Project?: This free printable Christmas Bingo game is fun to play for any Christmas party with the kids! Whether you need it for a class party at school or for a fun activity at home with the littles, this cute Bingo game is easy-just print then play! Everyone will love it! Christmas and the holiday season can be such a crazy time! Crazy fun but also crazy busy. So whether you are looking for a fun Christmas Bingo game because you need something quick and easy to print and play for a class party or a Christmas party you’re throwing for the kids, or just because you need to slow down and do something fun at home with your kids, this is the perfect game! All you need to do is print and play this cute free printable Christmas Bingo game! It’s fun and festive and the kids will seriously love it! This works great for a class party or any Christmas party you are throwing or just on a cold winter day to play at home with your kids. I like to take this Christmas Bingo with me to the class parties and play it with small groups. We’ve also played it at a family holiday party and the kids (of all ages) had fun. It’s so easy and simple but fun. The cute Christmas Bingo game board has Santa and stockings, penguins and snowflakes, presents, ornaments, lights, and more. So many fun things to do with the kids this holiday season and all you’ve got to do is print! You can’t beat that, right?! And here’s a fun emoji guessing game for Christmas! Free Printable Christmas Bingo Boards: It can’t be simpler than this. All you need to do is open this PDF and print it out: Print Here: Free Printable Christmas Bingo Game I actually had mine printed at a printing store just so that I could get a higher quality print. You could even laminate it if you want so that you can play it for years to come. It will print out 8 game boards and the cards to draw from to play Bingo. (Sorry-there are just 8. If you need more I recommend playing in small groups of 8 or less so that everyone gets a chance to play.) Here’s a sample of what a Christmas Bingo Board looks like: HOW TO PLAY CHRISTMAS BINGO: Print the cards and cut them all out. Then you just need some fun markers to mark off spots on the board when it gets called, like Christmas candy or marshmallows or crackers or something like that. Have one person call out as they draw the cards from the drawing pile and the players get to put a marker on that picture. Once someone has five in a row they shout out bingo and they win that round! How fun is that? Here are a few more Christmas games you might love if you are planning a family party! Have a great time playing this Christmas Bingo game with the kids!... Read more...SANTA BEARD CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CRAFTDecember 14, 2020... Read more...Christmas Mad Libs PrintableDecember 11, 2020... Read more...Tree Trimming Party & Decadent Brownies RecipeDecember 11, 2020Christmas is a time for family and friends, we all love to get together during the holiday season. If you’re looking for an excuse to throw a quick informal get together with friends and family how about a tree trimming party? These days you may want to limit your party to a few close friends or maybe just family, depending on your community’s rules and regulations. It shouldn’t take long to organize and should be relatively inexpensive to host. Best of all you get the tree trimmed while visiting with a small group of friends and family! Here are some ideas to get you plan your tree trimming party! Since it’s a very informal gathering you can call, text, or email invitations. However if you want to and you have enough time you can also send invitation cards. Just be sure you get a general idea of who will be attending. No matter how informal the event you will still need a fairly accurate guest count so that you have enough food and drink. To accommodate as many busy schedules you might consider setting a time period instead of a specific time. It’s also a good way to socially distance. For example you can let guests know that the tree trimming will be from 6pm-9pm in the evening and they are welcome to drop by at a specific time within that time frame; you’ll just need to decide on a time slot so that you don’t exceed the guest limit. Have the tree set up and the decorations ready to be hung before the first guest arrives. It’s not the time to haul stuff out of closets or the garage when the house is filled with guest. If possible have ornament hangers already on the ornaments, or at least easily available. Play some Christmas music during your party, it gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Encourage everyone to sing along. The easiest and really best way to serve food and beverage is on buffets, bars, or stations. Guests will be arriving at different times and they will be busy during the time that they are there. A buffet or stations will allow guests to serve themselves. Just be sure you have someone periodically check the food to see if anything needs refilling. If you are serving a meal, brunch, lunch, or dinner a DIY sandwich bar or pancake bar are the easiest and most economical choices. To keep everything sanitary you may want to pre-package sandwich fixings and condiments so that guest can grab what they need for their sandwiches. For instance place portions of deli meats and cheeses in clear plastic sandwich bags, use packets of condiments, and provide a basket or tray of single serve chips. For breakfast or brunch a pancake, waffle, or french toast station would be great. But these days you many want to do a cereal bar using single serve little boxes of cereal instead. You can also have a selection of single serve fruit cups and juices. If you aren’t serving a meal you can set-up a snack station, you can serve finger foods, tea cakes, and other snacks. All single served packages of course. Just put the bags of chips, popcorn, twinkies, and other snacks in pretty baskets and trays and you’ll have a festive table in no time! Whatever you decide to serve you will need a beverage bar and a sweet station. They don’t have to be fancy, but at Christmas time everyone expects sweet treats! You can pre-package individual treats in clear plastic bags, yes even cookies and brownies. They can double as favors! Guests can take them home or enjoy them while trimming the tree! This post contains affiliate links Speaking of brownies I thought I’d share my recipe for Decadent Brownies Ingredients: 1 Cup Butter 3 1/2 OZ. Guittard Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bars 3 Tbs. Valrhona Cocoa Powder 1 1/2 Cup Flour 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder 1 Tsp. Salt 4 Eggs 2 Cups Baker’s Sugar 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract 1 Cup Guittard Milk Chocolate Chips Directions: Pre-heat Oven to 350 degrees Place butter and baking chocolate in a double boiler to melt. Set aside and cool. Prepare 9×13 baking pan with butter or baking spray. Set aside until ready to use. Sift dry ingredients except the sugar together. Place eggs in stand mixer (you can use a portable mixer) and beat until creamy. Slowly add sugar while beating. Add vanilla and cooled butter mixture and mix well. Stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix. Spread in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the batter. Bake 30 – 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely then cut into bars. ... Read more...A Christmas Tree Decorating PartyDecember 11, 2020... Read more...Santa Handprint CraftDecember 7, 2020... Read more... Recipes, Parties, Crafts & Travel Healthy & Yummy Zucchini Stir FryJanuary 15, 2021In my effort to change our eating habits to something a bit healthier than meat and potatoes I make a meatless meal at least once a week. One of my favorites is this Zucchini Stir Fry. It’s amazing how filling and tasty a simple meal of healthy veggies can be. This week I made this dinner of zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes. It was delicious, my husband loved it. You can serve it with a piece of whole grain bread if you wish; the bread is great for dipping in the juices. You can also serve this dish as an appetizer or side dish. It’s so good! It goes great with barbecued and roasted meats. Ingredients: 1 large organic zucchini, cut into 2″- 3″ strips 1 cup fresh organic spinach 1/2 cup organic cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbls. organic coconut oil 1 tbls. minced garlic 1 tsp. cayenne red pepper Sea Salt to taste Directions: 1. Heat oil over medium heat 2. Add garlic, sauté until it turns golden, stir constantly 3. Add zucchini, cook until it starts to soften about 5-6 minutes, stir constantly 4. Add tomatoes, cook until juices start to come out, stir constantly 5. Add spinach, cook until leaves wilt and turn bright green, stir contantly 6. Add pepper and salt Serve while warm. Healthy & Yummy Veggie Stir Fry Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Healthy & Yummy Veggie Stir Fry Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Ingredients 1 large organic zucchini cut into 2"- 3" strips 1 cup spinach fresh organic 1/2 cup herry tomatoes organic halved 1 tbls. coconut oil organic 1 tbls. garlic minced 1 tsp. Cayenne Red Pepper sea salt to taste Servings: Servings Instructions Heat oil over medium heat Add garlic, sautee until it turns golden, stir constantly Add zucchini, cook until it starts to soften about 5-6 minutes, stir constantly Add tomatoes, cook until juices start to come out, stir constantly Add spinach, cook until leaves wilt and turn bright green, stir contantly Add pepper and salt Serve while warm. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Zucchini Pizza BoatsJanuary 13, 2021Anyone’s New Year’s resolution involve dieting? I know at our house it does. Yes, now that the holidays have been put away it’s time to get back to normal eating and perhaps back to a diet. To my husband that means eating low-carb and even Keto. Whenever he went on one of his strict no carb diets I always ended up making 2 different dinners, no or low carb for him and normal for the grandkids. Well not this year! I decided that low-carb or Keto friendly doesn’t mean that those not on diets can’t enjoy the same foods. Seriously! So I embarked on a journey to find dishes that would meet my husband’s needs and be tasty enough for the whole family! I’ll be sharing recipes as I go! My first keto friendly dish enjoyed by everyone in the house are these Zucchini Pizza Boats. They are absolutely delicious, even for those who don’t particularly care for zucchini. (That would be the grandson who refused to eat anything “green”! But he loves these Pizza Boats!) This is such as easy recipe to make and it is seriously yummy! It’s a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies! They’re a meal on their own, but feel free to serve them with Garlic Bread if you feel the need for carbs. I serve them with a nice crisp salad of mixed greens with Italian dressing. Very nutritious! The recipe calls for Marinara Sauce, you can use store bought, your favorite homemade sauce, or try some of my yummy homemade Marinara Sauce. Zucchini Pizza Boats Ingredients: 3 Large Zucchini 1 Tbs. Olive OIl 1 Lb. Ground Beef 1 Tbs. Garlic Powder 1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning 2 Cups Marinara Sauce 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese 1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Cooking spray Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside. Heat oil in frying pan. Place ground beef in pan and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Cook until meat is crumbly. Add marinara sauce and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10-15 minutes. Combine 3 cheeses and stir in half of cheese mixture into beef mixture. Set aside. Cut off zucchini stems and cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller scoop out insides of zucchini, save the insides for later uses. Place Zucchini boats on to baking pan. Spoon meat mixture into each boat making sure each boat is filled to the brim. Sprinkle remaining cheese over each boat. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to turn brown. Serve hot with salad or garlic bread. Zucchini Pizza Boats Print Recipe CourseBeef, Main Dish CuisineAmerican, Keto FRiendly KeywordBeef, Main Dish Zucchini Pizza Boats Print Recipe CourseBeef, Main Dish CuisineAmerican, Keto FRiendly KeywordBeef, Main Dish Ingredients 3 Large Zucchini 1 Lb. ground beef 1 Tbs. Garlic Powder 1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese 1 Cup Gated Cheddar Jack Cheese 1 Cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 2 Cups Marinara Sauce Cooking spray Servings: Instructions Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray and set aside. Heat oil in frying pan. Place ground beef in pan and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Cook until meat is crumbly. Add marinara sauce and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10-15 minutes. Combine 3 cheeses and stir in half of cheese mixture into beef mixture. Set aside. Cut off zucchini stems and cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller scoop out insides of zucchini, save the insides for later uses. Place Zucchini boats on to baking pan. Spoon meat mixture into each boat making sure each boat is filled to the brim. Sprinkle remaining cheese over each boat. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to turn brown. Serve hot with salad or garlic bread. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Pork AdoboJanuary 12, 2021This is a recipe post for Filipino Pork Adobo. It is a dish composed of pork slices cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. There are version wherein onions are also added. Adobo is a popular dish in the Philippines, along with Sinigang. Adobo, in general, can be cooked using different kinds of protein. Chicken is the commonly used ingredient. Have you tried cooking Filipino Chicken Adobo yet? Our tried and tested recipe should be able to help you. Filipino Pork Adobo vs. Mexican Adobo The word Adobo was derived from the Spanish word “adobar”. It means to marinate. This can be in the form of a liquid marinade or to rub using a combination of powdered ingredient. This version of Filipino Adobo suggests marinating the pork in soy sauce and crushed garlic. By preference, vinegar can also be added as a marinade ingredient. Mexican adobo, on the other hand, makes use of chillies, garlic, cinnamon, and oregano as marinade. Both dishes look and taste different. It will be unfair to compare which among the two dishes are best because each of us has our own preference when it comes to flavor. Filipino Pork Adobo Versions The Philippines is composed of composed of many islands. It was initially estimated to be around 7,107. At present, the count rose to 7,641. Each of these islands belong to a cluster, which are divided into regions. Almost every region in the Philippines have their own pork adobo version. Sometimes, there can be more than one version in a location. The Basic Pork Adobo version is what you see in the recipe below. There are also similar versions with additional ingredients. Pork and Chicken Adobo is perhaps one of the favorite when it comes to family picnics. This is a dish wherein pork and chicken slices are combined and cooked inadobo style. It can be done the same way as this recipe, with or without onions. This is our clans signature summer dish in the Philippines. I remember my tito’s and tita’s prepare a large portion every summer outing. We would go to Pansol in Laguna to rent a swimming pool for the clan and they would bring with them two large cauldrons (kaldero). One has the adobo in it, while the other is for the rice. Pork Adobo with Potato is another version that I tried. This is a saucier pork adobo version with cubes of potatoes in it. I’m not sure where this dish originated. It might have been initially created as a filler to feed more people. Nevertheless, I liked the taste. I think that it can be improved by pan-frying the potato first. Most of the flavors gets absorbed by the potato. It can be a carbohydrate overload when you eat the potato with rice. This is a good dish to have when before going to the gym or before starting a marathon. I cook Pork Adobo with Eggs all the time. This is my favorite. There are two ways to make it. Both ways require boiling the eggs beforehand. The first version is cooked by adding boiled eggs once the pork gets tender. The eggs absorb the soy sauce, thus becomes darker in color. Be cautious about the time when cooking this way. We don’t want to overcook the eggs. How can we tell if an egg is overcooked? It is simple. Egg yolk contain iron. When eggs are cooked longer than the usual, the iron turns greenish. This color formation happens between the yolk and egg white. We often refer to this as rings. Slice the boiled egg in half and try to examine the color of the outer yolk. When you see a dark ring around it, that means the egg is overcooked. The other version of the adobo with egg is easier and does not put the eggs at risk of overcooking (unless it was overcooked during the boiling process). Simply add boiled eggs on the serving plate before serving. The eggs also retains its white color. Pork Adobo with Tofu is a protein-rich adobo version. This is perfect for people who like their adobo mild in flavor. This version requires fried tofu. Always use extra firm tofu when making this. You can purchase raw tofu and fry it, or you can get packaged fried tofu from the supermarket. The tofu absorbs most of the sauce in the process which tones down the flavor a bit. This is a good dish to prepare when you are into body building or into a protein-rich diet. Make sure to use lean cuts of pork though. A favorite among our group of friends who like to drink beer is Spicy Pork Adobo. This is the perfect pulutan as far as I am concerned. The spicier it gets, the better it becomes. I tried making this dish using the former spiciest chili pepper in the world, Bhut Jolokia (It lost its crown to the Carolina Reaper, which is way spicier). The result was a very delicious and extremely spicy adobo. The spice lingers in the mouth for a while. Be forewarned. Adobong Baboy sa Gata is a classic. This is notorious for making people on limited-rice-diet crave for more rice. It is very rich, tasty, and delicious. Add a few pieces of Thai chili pepper, and you will not get enough of it. How to Cook Pork Adobo This version suggests marinating the pork to make it more flavorful. Pork belly and other fatty cuts of pork are ideal for this recipe. The first thing to do is marinate the pork belly in soy sauce and crushed garlic. It is best to marinate it overnight. If time is limited, one hour should be enough. Some like to add vinegar during the process. You may do so if preferred. Drain the marinade. Save it for later. The marinated pork needs to be browned. Heat a cooking pot. Add pork with garlic. You can also add a few tablespoons of cooking oil. Cook the pork until it turns brown. The pork needs to be cooked until tender. Do this by pouring the remaining marinade, if any. Also add water. Let the liquid boil. This is the part where I put the whole peppercorn and dried bay leaves. These ingredients complete my pork adobo. Boiling for 40 minutes should be enough to tenderize the pork. There are times when you have to cook longer. If you have not added the vinegar as part of the marinade, pour it into the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes. Salt is an optional ingredient for this recipe. Use it only if you think its needed. Pork Adobo Alterative and Additional Ingredients Pork – Use any cut of pork that you prefer. I suggest pork belly for best results. However, use leaner parts if you are trying to avoid fats. Pork tenderloin is a healthier choice. This is very tender and contains way less fat than pork belly. You can also use other proteins such as chicken and goat meat using this recipe. Onion – This recipe does not suggest the use of onion. I think that onions help improve the taste of adobo. Use red, yellow, or white onion for this recipe. Make sure to chop it into small pieces. Dried Bay Leaves – this is an ingredient that you can almost always find most of the time in the spice section of your local supermarket. Believe it or not, but this makes a huge difference when cooking adobo. Whole Peppercorn – this is a traditional ingredient. It will not matter if you use crushed peppercorn or ground black pepper. Sichuan peppercorns are also good alternatives. Sugar – adding a teaspoon of sugar will move your pork adobo on the sweeter side. I personally love the taste of adobo with a bit of sugar. Pork Adobo Recipe Basic Filipino Prok Adobo with Soy Sauce, Vinegar, and Garlic. This delicious dish is perfect when served over newly cooked white rice. CourseMain Course CuisineFilipino Prep Time10 minutes Cook Time1 hour Total Time1 hour 10 minutes Servings4 Calories1211kcal AuthorVanjo Merano Ingredients 2 lbs pork belly 2 tablespoons garlic minced or crushed 5 pieces dried bay leaves 4 tablespoons vinegar 1/2 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon peppercorn 2 cups water Salt to taste US Customary – Metric ADVERTISEMENT Instructions Combine the pork belly, soy sauce, and garlic then marinate for at least 1 hour Heat the pot and put-in the marinated pork belly then cook for a few minutes Pour remaining marinade including garlic. Add water, whole pepper corn, and dried bay leaves then bring to a boil. Simmer for 40 minutes to 1 hour Put-in the vinegar and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes Add salt to taste Serve hot. Share and enjoy! Watch How to Cook Pork Adobo Nutrition Serving: 4g | Calories: 1211kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 43g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 1700mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2.7mg Pork Adobo Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Pork CuisineAsian KeywordMain Dish, Pork Servings 4 people Servings 4 people Pork Adobo Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Pork CuisineAsian KeywordMain Dish, Pork Servings 4 people Servings 4 people Ingredients 2 lbs. pork belly 2 Tbs. garlic minced or crushed 5 Pcs. dried bay leaves 4 Tbs. vinegar 1/2 Cup soy sauce 1 Tbs. peppercorn 2 Cups Water salt to taste Servings: people Instructions Combine the pork belly, soy sauce, and garlic then marinate for at least 1 hour Heat the pot and put-in the marinated pork belly then cook for a few minutes Pour remaining marinade including garlic. Add water, whole pepper corn, and dried bay leaves then bring to a boil. Simmer for 40 minutes to 1 hour Put-in the vinegar and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes Add salt to taste Serve hot. Share and enjoy! Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Filipino Chicken BBQ on a StickJanuary 7, 2021Filipino Chicken BBQ on a Stick Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineAsian KeywordBarbecued, Chicken, Grilled, Main Dish Filipino Chicken BBQ on a Stick Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineAsian KeywordBarbecued, Chicken, Grilled, Main Dish Ingredients 3 lbs of chicken breast or chicken thigh fillets ( used in this recipe) 1 - 1 1/3 cups distilled white vinegar 1/2 cup tomato ketchup or banana ketchup, or both 1/3 - 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/3 to 1 cup ginger beer ,ginger ale or 7-UP, Sprite,orange juice,pineapple juice, or any other kind of sweet drink 2 - 3 teaspoons Garlic Powder Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Chicken Katsu DonburiJanuary 6, 2021Chicken Kastu is a Japanese version of battered and fried boneless chicken pieces. It can be eaten as a main dish or as part of a noodle or rice bowl where slices of the fried chicken is placed on top of noodles or rice. If you place it over rice it’s called Katsu Donburi which is a Chicken Katsu rice bowl with eggs. Katsu Don is one of my favorite Japanese comfort foods. It’s very similar to my favorite Tendon or Tempura Donburi. It’s pretty much made the same way, but instead of topping it off with Shrimp Tempura you top it off with sliced Chicken Katsu. So to make Katsu Don I make a couple of Chicken Katsu then use my recipe of Tendon. Easy peasy! First you make the fried chicken, I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs so it stays tender and juicy. I also find that thighs are tastier for this type of dish. But if you want to use boneless breasts you can, just pound it into a thin piece for easier cooking without burning the batter. I use Panko for breading, if you can’t find it at your grocery store you’ll definitely find it at an Asian Market. Or you can use plain breadcrumbs. Once you’ve got the chicken katsu done and set aside just follow the recipe for the Donburi Sauce and the Donburi itself. In short skip the tempura part of the recipe. So here’s what you need to make Katsu Don at home. Katsu Don Ingredients: 2 Pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs. 1/2 Cup Flour 1 Egg Beaten 1 Cup Panko bread crumbs. Or plain bread crumbs Oil for frying Donburi Sauce – click here for the recipe Donburi Egg mixture and bowl instructions – click here for the recipe Directions: Dry chicken thighs with a paper towel. Place flour, beaten egg, and panko in 3 separate bowls. Line bowls up in this order by your stove – egg, flour, panko – assembly line fashion. Panko should be bowl closest to stove. Heat oil in frying pan. Roll chicken thigh in flour to coat all sides. Dip in beaten egg. Roll in Panko to coat all sides. Shake off excess panko. Place in hot oil. Cook until both sides are golden brown. Drain on rack and set aside. Make Donburi Sauce and Donburi Bowl click here for those recipes. Slice fried chicken thighs into 1′ pieces and place the pieces in the bowl on top of rice and fried egg mixture. Garnish with green onions and seaweed flakes if desired. Katsu Don Print Recipe Japanese rice bowl with fried chicken katsu CuisineAsian KeywordChicken Servings 2 bowls Servings 2 bowls Katsu Don Print Recipe Japanese rice bowl with fried chicken katsu CuisineAsian KeywordChicken Servings 2 bowls Servings 2 bowls Ingredients 2 Pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs 1/2 Cup Dry Ingredients: all-purpose flour 1 Large Egg Beaten 1 Cup Panko or Plain Breadcumbs Oil for frying Donburi Sauce See Tendon recipe - link in article Donburi See Tendon recipe - link in article Servings: bowls Instructions Pat Chicken thighs dry with paper towel. Place flour, egg, and panko in 3 separate bowls. Line bowls up by the stove in this order: flour, egg, panko - panko bowl should be closest to stove. Heat oil. Roll chicken in flour to coat all sides. Dip in egg. Roll in panko to coat all sides. Fry in hot oil until both sides are golden brown. Drain on rack and set aside. Make Donburi Sauce. Make Donburi eggs and assemble in a bowl as the recipe instructs. Slice fried chicken katsu in 1' slices and place in bowl on top of egg mixture. Garnish with green onions and seaweed flakes if desires. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Chicken BarbecueJanuary 5, 2021Barbecued chicken is a variation of Pinoy Pork Barbecue simply because the marinade and procedure are almost the same. However, both has it’s distinct flavor that everyone loves. Others may call it grilled chicken as it is done indoors under a grill while barbecuing is done outdoors on a barbecue. Whatever it is the process is just the same cooking it hot in charcoal or electric grill as I do, since we don’t have any place from the building for charcoal grilling. Nonetheless, my electric grill if just fine for easy grilling of chicken as it has an easy adjustment if you want it cooked low and slow or hot and fast, but for chicken meat it needs both to achieve a fantastic result …well done from the inside and a bit crispy on the outside. Just like pork barbecue, chicken barbecue is fairly simple to make, but it does take a little bit of time to marinate. Please note that the longer you let it marinate the better the taste. If you wish to prepare this dish, marinate it in the evening so as on the next day the chicken is all ready for grilling. Chicken on the Grill Ingredients 6 pcs. chicken , cleaned 1/2 cup of Mama Sita’s barbecue marinade 1 whole garlic, peeled & smashed 1 medium size lemon, juiced 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1 tbsp. Maggi magic sarap 1 pinch MSG (optional) Instructions for Cooking Make the marinade by combining the garlic, mama sita’s marinade, juice of 1 lemon, msg., maggi magic sarap, and ground black pepper in a bowl. Stir to mix. Put the chicken leg quarters inside a large freezer bag, and then pour-in the marinade. Shake the bag gently to coat the chicken with marinade then remove the air inside the bag. Seal the bag then refrigerate overnight. Remove the chicken from the bag and transfer the remaining marinade to a bowl and put a little oil for basting. Put on the chicken into bamboo or metal skewers for easy turning. Heat-up your grill and start grilling the chicken under medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes per side or until the chicken is completely cooked. Do not forget to baste the chicken with the remaining marinade mixture. Note: Chicken takes a long time to cook. Grilling it in high heat will cause the outer part of the chicken to cook earlier leaving the inside raw. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with steamed rice. Share and enjoy! Note: Baste the chicken with the remaining marinade to further enhance the flavor while grilling. Basting the meat will also help to keep it moist through the entire cooking process. Chicken Barbecue Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineAsian KeywordChicken, Grilled, Main Dish Chicken Barbecue Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineAsian KeywordChicken, Grilled, Main Dish Ingredients 6 pcs. chicken cleaned 1/2 cup Mama Sita’s barbecue marinade 1 whole garlic peeled & smashed 1 medium Lemon juiced 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tbsp. Maggi magic sarap 1 pinch MSG (optional) Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Chilli-and-marmalade-glazed pork belly squaresDecember 31, 2020Chilli-and-marmalade-glazed pork belly squares Print Recipe CoursePork, Snacks KeywordPork, Snacks Servings Prep Time 25 Makes 1 1/2 Hour Servings Prep Time 25 Makes 1 1/2 Hour Chilli-and-marmalade-glazed pork belly squares Print Recipe CoursePork, Snacks KeywordPork, Snacks Servings Prep Time 25 Makes 1 1/2 Hour Servings Prep Time 25 Makes 1 1/2 Hour Ingredients 1.25 kg pork belly skinless and excess fat trimmed 150 g marmalade 1 tsp dried chilli flakes 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 orange juiced Servings: Makes Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Maqluba an Upside Down Arabic DishDecember 30, 2020Maqluba is a Levantine dish popular in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine. The name literally means “upside down” because the meat, vegetables, and rice are stacked in a handleless pot to cook, then flipped over and placed on a large tray for serving. These days Maqluba is described as a one pot dish, which I suppose it could be; assuming you don’t count the pot you stew the meat in, and the pan you fry the veggies in. Not to mention the bowl you soak the rice in, and if you’re adding vermicelli and pine nuts the pan you brown the pasta and nuts in. Maqluba is very similar to Paella which is also a one pot dish composed of meat or seafood, veggies, and rice. Considering that many parts of Spain was under Moorish rule for a total of about 800 years it would be fair to say that Paella is the Spanish version of Maqluba or vice versa. It is honestly the only Arabic dish I can claim to have mastered. After years of making Maqluba I’ve finally gotten it right every single time. It’s really not that difficult to make, it’s just tedious due to all the steps in the recipe and the time it takes to make it. If you count the time it takes to soak the rice this dish takes all day to make, at the very least about 3 hours. But it is truly worth the time and effort. Maqluba is typically made with stewed meat, either lamb, beef, or chicken; fried vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, or eggplant; and rice. All the ingredients are stacked in that order into a large deep pot preferably without handles. Of course you can omit the meat and make a vegetarian dish. There are “enhancements” you can add to make the dish fancier. Some folks like to mix vermicelli and even garbanzo beans in the rice before cooking, then sprinkle it with pine nuts before serving. And of course in our family I slip tomato wedges between the meat before cooking, and some of us like to top the cooked dish with corn kernels and plain yogurt. In short I suppose each family has it’s own version on how to cook and eat Maqluba. But one thing is certain, it’s delicious! Here’s how we make it at our house, but first here’s a quick tip. When making Maqluba use a deeper pot with no handles (a maqluba pot is the best, but hard to find in the US, you may find one at a middle eastern grocery store) and a lid, or a pot with removable handles or handles that aren’t too close to the pot lip. This will make flipping it over easier as handles can block the tray you flip it on to from laying flat on top of the pot. The pot has to be deep enough to layer the ingredients and still have enough space for the rice to expand as it cooks. Maqcluba Ingrdients: 4-5 Cups Long Grain Rice 1 Tbs. Turmeric Powder 1/8 Cup Olive Oil 8-10 pieces of meat (lamb, beef, or bone in chicken thighs) 1 Large Onion, cut in chunks 1 Tbs. Garlic, crushed 1 Tbs. + 1 Tsp. Ground Cumin 1 Tsp. + 1 Tsp. Ground Nutmeg 1 Tsp. Salt 1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper 1 Box Stock (beef or chicken depending on the meat you use) 1 Large Cauliflower, cut into chunks 1 Large Eggplant, cut into rounds 3 Potatoes, peeled and cut into rounds Oil for frying Cooking spray 2 Tomatoes cut in wedges 6 Cloves of Garlic, peeled Vermicelli (Optional) 1 Can Garbanzo Beans, drained (Optional) 1/2 Cup Pine Nuts (Optional) Butter (Optional) 1 Can Corn Kernels (Optional) 1 Cup Fresh Plain Greek Yogurt (Optional) Directions: Place rice in a big bowl and cover with water. Add Turmeric to water and stir until it is evenly distributed and water turns yellow. Set aside for at least 2 hours. Check periodically as the rice will absorb the water. If all the water is absorbed add more and stir. Heat olive oil in a stock pot. Saute onions in hot oil until it starts to turn translucent. Add crushed garlic and cook another minute, stir to keep from burning. Add meat, 1 Tbs. Cumin, 1 Tsp. Nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook until meat starts to brown. Add stock and then add water to completely cover the meat. Let simmer until meat is tender and fully cooked. About 2 hours. Set aside when done. Meanwhile place about 1″ oil in frying pan. Fry your veggies until cooked and drain on paper towels. Set aside. If using Vermicelli and/or Pine Nuts: Melt about 1 tbs. butter in a small frying pan. Add vermicelli and cook until it starts to turn brown, stir constantly to keep from burning. Remove from pan and set aside. Repeat this procedure with Pine Nuts. When ready to stack meat in the pot: Spray bottom and sides of pot with cooking spray. Drain rice then stir in vermicelli noodles and/or garbanzo beans if using. Starting with the meat, remove meat from pot it was cooked it, reserve the broth do not discard. Arrange meat at the bottom of the pot. Slip garlic cloves and tomato wedges between the meat. Sprinkle meat with 1 tsp. cumin and 1 tsp. nutmeg. Arrange veggies on top of meat. Pour rice mixture over the veggies and smooth out to make the top flat. Gently pour reserved broth over the rice. Fill until the broth just covers the rice, if you don’t have enough broth add water. Cover with lid and simmer over medium heat until rice is cooked. Check every 10 minutes or so to make sure the liquid has not all evaporated before the rice is cooked. If you need to add more liquid, either broth or water. This takes about 30 minutes. If the rice is cooked and you still have liquid remove lid and raise the heat for about 5 minutes so that the rest of the liquid evaporates. Be careful not to burn the bottom. Or you can carefully drain extra liquid before flipping. When rice is cooked and there is no more liquid remove pot from lid. Let rest about 5 minutes. Flip over onto a large tray. Garnish with cooked Pine Nuts on the meat if desired. Serve with bowls of corn kernels and plain yogurt. Maqluba an Upside Down Arabic Dish Print Recipe CourseBeef, Chicken, Lamb, Main Dish, Vegetarian CuisineMiddle Eastern Maqluba an Upside Down Arabic Dish Print Recipe CourseBeef, Chicken, Lamb, Main Dish, Vegetarian CuisineMiddle Eastern Ingredients 4-5 Cups Long Grain Rice 1 Tbs. turmeric powder 1/8 Cup olive oil 8-10 pieces meat (lamb, beef, or bone in chicken thighs) 1 Large onion cut in chunks 1 Tbs. garlic crushed 1 + 1 Tbs. Tsp ground cumin 1 + 1 Tsp ground nutmeg 1 Tsp. 1 1/2 Tbs. Sea Salt 1 Tsp. ground black pepper 1 Box Stock meat (beef or chicken depending on the meat you use) 1 Large Cauliflower cut into chunks 1 Large eggplant cut into rounds 3 pcs potatoes peeled and cut into rounds Oil for frying Cooking spray 2 tomatoes cut in wedges 6 Cloves of Garlic peeled Vermicelli (Optional) 1 Can Garbanzo Beans drained (Optional) 1/2 Cup Pine Nuts (Optional) Butter (Optional) 1 Can Corn Kernels (Optional) 1 Cup Fresh Plain Greek Yogurt (Optional) Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Smoked Salmon DipDecember 29, 2020Smoked Salmon Dip Print Recipe CourseAppetizers KeywordAppetizers, Salmon Smoked Salmon Dip Print Recipe CourseAppetizers KeywordAppetizers, Salmon Ingredients 8 ounces Cream Cheese at room temperature 1/2 cup Sour Cream 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish drained 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper 1/4 pound (4 ounces) smoked salmon, minced Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Tri-Colored MochiDecember 25, 2020A centuries old Japanese tradition is the eating of mochi on New Year. It usually starts around the new year when Japanese households and communities take part in a traditional Mochitsuki the pounding of sweet rice to make the flour. The flour is used to make mochi which can be a sweet or savory treat. In Hawaii mochi is definitely served on New Year specially by families of Japanese ancestry. I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited by friends whose families practice this tradition. I’ve had mochi as dumplings in a fish based soup, not exactly my favorite; fried and served with soy sauce; and sweet chewy squares, my favorite. Mochi is also always available in Hawaii. It’s found in many local grocery stores and some bakeries. But most of the time I make Mochi at home. One of my favorites is Chi Chi Dango, it’s a sweet square made with coconut milk and is usually pink in color. Another favorite is this Tri-Colored mochi, which is really just a layered Chi Chi Dango in 3 colors, green, pink, and white. I don’t make it often simply because it’s tedious baking 3 layers, the single color version is just as good. But Tri-Colored Mochi does look pretty when served at a party. By the way Mochi is made from glutinous rice flour and is naturally gluten free and since it uses coconut milk it’s also dairy free! It’s the perfect treat for any one with gluten, dairy, and nut allergies. You can buy both Mochi flour (one of the brand names is Mochiko), canned coconut milk, and Katakoriko at any Asian market. Tri-Colored Mochi Ingredients: 1 Box Mochiko flour (1 pound) 2 1/2 Cups Sugar 1 Tsp. Baking Powder 1 Can Coconut Milk 3/4 Cup Water 1 Tsp. Vanilla 2 – 3 drops each of red and green food color Katakoriku (potato starch) Directions: Pre-heat Oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan. Mix all ingredients except the Katakoriku in a bowl until smooth. Divide batter into 3 equal parts. (I pour them 1 measuring cups) Color one part pink with red food color, and one part green with green food color, leave third part white. Pour Green part into your pan and cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven. Uncover and cool for 15 minutes. Pour white batter over green layer and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes and remove from oven. Uncover and cool for 15 minutes. Pour pink batter over white layer and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven. Uncover and cool for at least 30 minutes. Cut into squares – I use a pizza wheel to cut even strips then cut those strips into small rectangles. Place Katakoriku on a plate and roll each piece of mochi in it. This will dust the mochi so that they don’t stick together. Store in airtight containers on the counter. It should last about 3 days, that is if you can keep from eating it sooner! Tri-Colored Mochi Print Recipe CuisineAsian, Dairy & Nut Free KeywordAppetizers Tri-Colored Mochi Print Recipe CuisineAsian, Dairy & Nut Free KeywordAppetizers Ingredients 1 Box Mochiko flour (1 pound) 2 1/2 Cups Sugar 1 Can coconut milk 3/4 cup Water 1 Tsp. vanilla 1 Tsp. baking powder 2 – 3 drops each of red and green food color Katakoriku (potato starch) Servings: Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more... Get Our Newsletter Success! First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Latest Posts Healthy & Yummy Zucchini Stir FryJanuary 15, 2021Corner / Main Course / Recipes / Sides / VegetarianIn my effort to change our eating habits to something a bit healthier than meat and potatoes I make a meatless meal at least once a week. One of my favorites is this Zucchini Stir Fry. It’s amazing how filling and tasty a simple meal of healthy veggies can be. This week I made this dinner of zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes. It was delicious, my husband loved it. You can serve it with a piece of whole grain bread if you wish; the bread is great for dipping in the juices. You can also serve this dish as an appetizer or side dish. It’s so good! It goes great with barbecued and roasted meats. Ingredients: 1 large organic zucchini, cut into 2″- 3″ strips 1 cup fresh organic spinach 1/2 cup organic cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbls. organic coconut oil 1 tbls. minced garlic 1 tsp. cayenne red pepper Sea Salt to taste Directions: 1. Heat oil over medium heat 2. Add garlic, sauté until it turns golden, stir constantly 3. Add zucchini, cook until it starts to soften about 5-6 minutes, stir constantly 4. Add tomatoes, cook until juices start to come out, stir constantly 5. Add spinach, cook until leaves wilt and turn bright green, stir contantly 6. Add pepper and salt Serve while warm. Healthy & Yummy Veggie Stir Fry Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Healthy & Yummy Veggie Stir Fry Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Servings Prep Time 4 Servings 15 Minutes Cook Time 15 Minutes Ingredients 1 large organic zucchini cut into 2"- 3" strips 1 cup spinach fresh organic 1/2 cup herry tomatoes organic halved 1 tbls. coconut oil organic 1 tbls. garlic minced 1 tsp. Cayenne Red Pepper sea salt to taste Servings: Servings Instructions Heat oil over medium heat Add garlic, sautee until it turns golden, stir constantly Add zucchini, cook until it starts to soften about 5-6 minutes, stir constantly Add tomatoes, cook until juices start to come out, stir constantly Add spinach, cook until leaves wilt and turn bright green, stir contantly Add pepper and salt Serve while warm. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Fresh Baked Cinnamon RollsJanuary 14, 2021CornerNothing beats waking up on a Sunday morning to the yummy smell of fresh baked Cinnamon Rolls! At our house it’s the surest way to get everyone down to the breakfast table. Seriously what’s not to love? We all love the soft warm goodness of fresh cinnamon rolls dripping with a yummy cream cheese frosting. Sure you can buy the frozen ready to bake rolls or even those tubes of refrigerated rolls, but they pale in comparison to homemade. Of course it does! If baking isn’t your thing, or if you’re afraid to try your had at yeast breads then this Cinnamon Roll recipe should work for you. It’s pretty simple and doesn’t take all day. Best of all your family will love them. I use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer to knead the dough, but you can always knead it by hand if you don’t have a mixer with a dough hook. This recipe uses ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen so no need to run out and buy supplies. Just gather up the ingredients and start baking. It takes about 2 hours to make, and that includes proof time! So if you’re an early riser you can easily get these on the table by 9 am on a Sunday morning! This post contains affiliate links. Here’s the recipe! Cinnamon Rolls Dough Ingredients: 1 Cup Milk 1/2 Cup + 1 Tbs. Sugar (divided) 1 Tbs. Dry Yeast 2 Large Eggs at room temperature 6 Tbs. Butter, melted 1 Tsp. Salt 1 Tsp. Cinnamon 4 – 4 1/2 Cups Flour Filling Ingredients: 1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed 6 Tbs. Butter, softened to room temperature 3 Tbs. Cinnamon Frosting Ingredients: 1 Package (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature 1/4 Cup Butter, softened to room temperature 2 Cups Powdered Sugar 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla 1/8 Tsp. Salt Make the dough: Warm milk in microwave for about a minute. Mix milk, 1 Tbs. Sugar, and yeast in the bowl of your stand mixer, or the bowl you will be using to make dough if kneading by hand. Let rise for 5 minutes. In the mean time combine 4 Cups flour, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl and set aside. Next add remaining sugar, butter, and eggs in the mixer bowl and combine. Use dough hook if using a stand mixer or combine with hands. Add flour mixture and turn mixer on low, slowly raise the speed to high. If kneading by hand just keep kneading. Knead dough until it’s smooth and tacky and forms into a ball. If it does not form into a ball add 1 Tbs. spoon of flour at a time (up to 1/2 cup of flour) until the dough forms into a ball. Knead another 3-5 minutes. Grease a large bowl and turn dough into the greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for an hour. Make the filling: While dough is rising make your filling by mixing the 3 filling ingredients together until they are well combined. Set aside until ready to use. Making the rolls: Once dough has risen punch it down to let the gas out. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface. Roll in to a 12×24 inch rectangle that’s about 1/4″ thick. Spread filling evenly on the dough. Roll dough into a log. Cut into 12 rolls and place in a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 350°. Bake rolls for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly before frosting. Make the frosting: Combine all frosting ingredients until smooth and creamy. Frost each roll. Place extra frosting in a small bowl and serve with the warm rolls. Enjoy! Fresh Baked Cinnamon Rolls Print Recipe Fresh Baked Cinnamon Rolls Print Recipe Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...11 CREATIVE HOBBIES TO TRY IN 2021January 13, 2021Corner / Desserts / DIY Crafts / DIY ProjectsFinding new creative hobbies is a great way to give yourself a sense of purpose, and feel more productive. Plus, you never know where your new creative pursuits may lead! START YOUR NEXT CREATIVE ADVENTURE Participating in creative hobbies has so many benefits for your health and well-being, and is a fun way to relax after work or school. Now is the perfect time to take up a new creative hobby. With so many tutorials online, picking up a new skill is easier than ever – all you need is the materials and some inspiration. Here are 11 creative hobbies to try. 1 HAND LETTERING Hand lettering is one of the biggest creative hobbies right now. Hand lettering is the process of creating decorative letters and fonts. One of the most appealing parts of lettering is that there is are near-endless ways to do it. You can use virtually any type of writing or drawing utensil, ranging from pens to markers to brushes and beyond. Hand lettering also allows you to develop your own unique style with just a little bit of practice. In particular, hand lettering can be used to create cards and signs, and it’s a popular technique for creating wedding invitations. Lettering can be intimidating at first, but this guide will help you get started. 2 FLOWER ARRANGING If you like plants, consider taking up flower arranging to express yourself through this unique medium. Many local flower shops offer classes for beginners, and there are many books and websites that offer tutorials. Floristry is something anyone can get into, and you can use the things you make to brighten up your home. You can even wear your floral arrangements by making them into crowns, corsages, and more. Additionally, floral arrangements also make great gifts, particularly if you are on a budget. 3 BULLET JOURNALING Bullet journaling is a technique that you can use to record the events of your day, stay organized, and plan for future goals. All you need to start bullet journaling is a blank notebook and a pen. The principle is simple: rather than buying a pre-bought planner, you create one yourself that only includes the things you need. There are three main things you’ll write down each day – the tasks you need to get done, notes about things you don’t want to forget, and noteworthy events that you want to remember. Bullet journaling is a quick way to express yourself and get your thoughts on paper. Bullet journaling is a fantastic and diverse hobby. You can create your bullet journal to be as simple or as complex as you’d like. If you want to be more even creative with your bullet journaling, you can experiment with using different colors and layouts, or you can keep it simple. This bullet journal guide can help you explore the many different ways you can make a bullet journal your go-to creative hobby in 2021. 4 WRITING You don’t need to be the next J.K Rowling to start writing. It can be as simple as just sitting down and writing in a journal every day, or even just brainstorming a short story you want to write. Maybe you’ve always had a dream of becoming a published author but never knew where to start, well, 2021 is the perfect time to start chasing that dream. Just don’t try jumping into writing a novel right away, take some time to build up, and get in the habit of writing every day. A great place to start is by starting a journal or doing morning pages every day. After you get in the habit, try taking a Skillshare course on how to write a book. 5 CROSS-STITCH Cross stitch has become very popular over the last few years on Pinterest and Instagram, and it’s a very soothing creative hobby that anyone can take up. Cross stitch is done by creating stitches in an X pattern on a grid, which creates very even stitches. In particular, there’s been a trend toward cross stitch designs with sassy sayings and charming nature themes. However, you can use cross stitch to make any design you want. There are thousands of cross stitch patterns online, but once you learn the basic technique, you can experiment with your own unique designs. 6 START A BLOG Starting a blog is one of those hobbies that actually makes it easier to keep doing all of the creative hobbies in your life. Plus, it has the potential to actually make you money and become your job. It did for me. Before starting a blog, I never watercolored or lettered on a daily basis. Now I do pretty much every day. Head here to learn how to start a blog. 7 PHOTOGRAPHY Photography is a great way to get your juices flowing, and no, that doesn’t mean you need to drop a couple thousand dollars on a professional-grade camera. You can even start with just your cell phone. Consistency is key when trying to pick up this creative hobby. I recommend grabbing my 100-day challenge printable from my resource library and trying to take a picture every day for 100 days. 8 WATERCOLORING Watercoloring is probably one of the more intimidating creative hobbies on this list, but trust me, it’s not that hard. Learning to watercolor is a freeing experience because you discover that you can’t fully control the water no matter how hard you try, and you have to let go of control. If you have a hectic life, then this is the perfect hobby for you. You can find the basic supplies you need to start here, and here are a few tips for getting started. 9 ORIGAMI Origami, the classic Japanese art of paper folding, is another hobby that is both creative and relaxing. Making beautiful plants, animals, and other nature-inspired folds is a great way to challenge yourself and is sure to put a smile on your face. There are thousands of different designs to learn, and practicing helps with hand-eye coordination. 10 MEDITATION Give meditation a try this new year, and you’ll be surprised by the benefits. Meditation isn’t what most people think of when they think of creative hobbies, but when you let your mind slow down a bit in this chaotic world, you’d be surprised by the benefits. Try morning meditation for a ton of benefits. 11 BAKING AND CAKE DECORATING Creating delectable treats is a creative hobby that comes with a truly sweet reward at the end. Not only is baking very satisfying, but it will also endear you to your friends and family, who will love your cakes, cookies, and other creations. Cake and cookie decorating can be complex, so it may be helpful to take a class to learn the basics. EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE These are just eleven of the many creative hobbies that have been trending recently. Taking up a creative hobby is the perfect way to kickstart productivity and feel more productive. Creativity will make you happier and is a very effective way to help relieve stress. ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? If you’re looking for inspiration to help you get ready for the new year, you can check out all of my new year bullet journal and productivity content in one convenient place! Alternatively, if you’re looking for a quick way to get ready for the new year, you should check out the Fox Den Resource Library. The library is packed with tons of free printables and lettering worksheets, including a January printable to help you tackle the new year.... Read more...Zucchini Pizza BoatsJanuary 13, 2021Beef / Main Course / RecipesAnyone’s New Year’s resolution involve dieting? I know at our house it does. Yes, now that the holidays have been put away it’s time to get back to normal eating and perhaps back to a diet. To my husband that means eating low-carb and even Keto. Whenever he went on one of his strict no carb diets I always ended up making 2 different dinners, no or low carb for him and normal for the grandkids. Well not this year! I decided that low-carb or Keto friendly doesn’t mean that those not on diets can’t enjoy the same foods. Seriously! So I embarked on a journey to find dishes that would meet my husband’s needs and be tasty enough for the whole family! I’ll be sharing recipes as I go! My first keto friendly dish enjoyed by everyone in the house are these Zucchini Pizza Boats. They are absolutely delicious, even for those who don’t particularly care for zucchini. (That would be the grandson who refused to eat anything “green”! But he loves these Pizza Boats!) This is such as easy recipe to make and it is seriously yummy! It’s a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies! They’re a meal on their own, but feel free to serve them with Garlic Bread if you feel the need for carbs. I serve them with a nice crisp salad of mixed greens with Italian dressing. Very nutritious! The recipe calls for Marinara Sauce, you can use store bought, your favorite homemade sauce, or try some of my yummy homemade Marinara Sauce. Zucchini Pizza Boats Ingredients: 3 Large Zucchini 1 Tbs. Olive OIl 1 Lb. Ground Beef 1 Tbs. Garlic Powder 1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning 2 Cups Marinara Sauce 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese 1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Cooking spray Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside. Heat oil in frying pan. Place ground beef in pan and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Cook until meat is crumbly. Add marinara sauce and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10-15 minutes. Combine 3 cheeses and stir in half of cheese mixture into beef mixture. Set aside. Cut off zucchini stems and cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller scoop out insides of zucchini, save the insides for later uses. Place Zucchini boats on to baking pan. Spoon meat mixture into each boat making sure each boat is filled to the brim. Sprinkle remaining cheese over each boat. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to turn brown. Serve hot with salad or garlic bread. Zucchini Pizza Boats Print Recipe CourseBeef, Main Dish CuisineAmerican, Keto FRiendly KeywordBeef, Main Dish Zucchini Pizza Boats Print Recipe CourseBeef, Main Dish CuisineAmerican, Keto FRiendly KeywordBeef, Main Dish Ingredients 3 Large Zucchini 1 Lb. ground beef 1 Tbs. Garlic Powder 1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese 1 Cup Gated Cheddar Jack Cheese 1 Cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 2 Cups Marinara Sauce Cooking spray Servings: Instructions Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray and set aside. Heat oil in frying pan. Place ground beef in pan and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Cook until meat is crumbly. Add marinara sauce and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10-15 minutes. Combine 3 cheeses and stir in half of cheese mixture into beef mixture. Set aside. Cut off zucchini stems and cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller scoop out insides of zucchini, save the insides for later uses. Place Zucchini boats on to baking pan. Spoon meat mixture into each boat making sure each boat is filled to the brim. Sprinkle remaining cheese over each boat. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to turn brown. Serve hot with salad or garlic bread. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Stars & Hearts Throw BlanketJanuary 11, 2021CornerI’ve been busy making throw blankets using appliqued granny squares lately. I love these little blankets and I love making them out of granny squares! The throw blankets are just the perfect size to snuggle up on the couch on chilly winter nights. And making them using granny squares are super simple. I love projects that use granny squares because I find that making granny squares are easy and portable; so much easier than carting around a big heavy blanket to work on! The appliques add that special touch to these blankets too! Today I’m sharing the Stars & Hearts Throw Blanket I made using 2 types of solid granny squares. I just think the solid background looks so much nicer than the traditional granny squares that have gaps in them. I used Navy and Denim blue, White, and Red yarn to make this throw blanket. I think it gives it that folksy patriotic look. I used a combination of free patterns to make this throw and joined them with a zipper stitch and just edged them with 3 rounds of single crochet stitches. The first Solid Granny Square Pattern I used was from Sarah Maker. Click here for the free pattern! This square has absolutely no gaps between stitches and at the corners. The second one I used was from Si Nanay Madel. Click here for the free pattern! This square has a 2 chain gap at each corner but no gaps anywhere else. I used the heart pattern from Golden Lucy Crafts. Click here for the free pattern! And for the stars I used the pattern from B Hooked Crochet. Click here for the free pattern! And here’s a video by Alpaca Direct to show you how to make a zipper join! You can make this throw any size you want by adjusting the number of squares you make. If you plan on making this throw please send me photos of your finished project!... Read more...Are You Prepared For These Age Connected Health Issues?January 10, 2021Health & Fitness / Parenting TipsWe’re not always prepared for the full impact of our body ageing. It’s fair to say that your body when you are 25 can be quite different compared to the state of your body when you are 50. Indeed, there are numerous health issues that you might not expect or see coming. Let’s explore some of these and make sure that you know how to handle them the right way Hearing Trouble First, you might find that you are experiencing trouble with your hearing. It’s one of the most common impacts of ageing. You could notice that you are not hearing as well or that you are hearing sounds that aren’t actually there. This is a key sign of tinnitus and it’s something that you should be aware of. While there is no cure for tinnitus – often caused by exposure to loud noises – there are treatment options and coping mechanisms. If you notice any changes to your hearing, it’s worth speaking to an audiologist. You can learn more about the role they play here and why it’s important you get checked out. Chronic Pain Once you reach the age of thirty you might notice that you are in more pain than usual. Aches can develop suddenly, last for a few days and then fade. If you go to the doctors, then they might simply say four words: Welcome to your thirties. The reality is that life can go a little downhill once you reach this age. You are more likely to develop muscle aches and issues like this that seem to have no real cause. Instead, it may be just your body aging. It’s also likely that some injuries you sustained when you are younger are finally catching up with you. Injuries can lie dormant for years before they start to cause you pain. That’s why you should always make sure that you are getting checked out if you are in an accident or have sustained an injury. You can never be completely certain of the full extent of the damage. If you are worried about chronic pain and the impact it is having on your life, try aqua therapy. This will allow the muscles to relax and ensure that you can get the relief that you desire. The C Word It’s important to realize that while cancer can impact anyone at any age, there are various forms of cancer that become more likely and more common as you age. This means that you have to be extra vigilant and watch out for the signs that something might be wrong. There are countless different forms of cancer but they all have one thing in common. If you catch them early then the prognosis improves dramatically. You have a far better chance of survival, remission and a longer life expectancy. The main point is to be hyper aware of any peculiar changes to your body. This might include lumps and bumps or skin issues. If they don’t go away in about two weeks, it’s worth booking an appointment with a doctor. While we don’t want to end up with paranoia, it’s also important that issues like this don’t slip underneath the surface Dementia Finally, it’s important to understand that there are countless different forms and types of dementia. It’s an umbrella term that includes a variety of conditions. One of the key misconceptions about dementia is that it only develops a lot later in life and this isn’t actually the case. The reality is that dementia can occur at any point after about 25. There are cases where people have started to show the signs of dementia as early as 30. It’s also important to be aware that there’s no cure for dementia and no quick fix. That said researchers do believe that there are ways to reduce the chances of it developing. This includes keeping the brain active. You should treat your brain like a muscle and regularly exercise it with different challenges, tasks and processes. This could be as simple as completing a daily crossword or using a brain training app on your phone. We hope this helps you understand some of the common health issues that can impact you as you age. If you are worried that some of these problems might be affecting you, it’s important that you don’t let them dwell under the surface or ignore them completely. Instead, you need to make sure that you are taking the right steps to preserve your health and ensure that you do have the best quality of life possible. ... Read more...When Your Aged Parents Need Help- What Should You Do?January 10, 2021Health & Fitness / Mother's Day / Parenting TipsWhen parents get to their 80s and 90s, some need help with everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning the house, and running errands. However, when they are sick, it becomes more involving. They may need someone to clean after them, feed, and make sure they are comfortable. If your parents are in this stage, even when they have lived a healthy life, they may start developing some issues like hearing loss, dementia, or challenged mobility. You may want to learn more about these conditions before taking any action. However, the fact remains, your parents need immediate help. What should you do? Find Out the Type of Care Your Parents Need If your parents are losing their eyesight, they may need someone to live with to ensure they stay safe and have ready assistance when moving around the house, such as to the bathroom, taking a walk, or even choosing what to wear. Understand that it’s not an easy time for your parents too, especially when they’ve been independent all their life. Discuss their health status with their doctor, talk to your parents, and then agree on the way forward. Together, you may decide to get someone to check on them every day or a live-in assistant. Alternatively, they may move in with you, get professional home care services, or move into a retirement home. Frequent Home Checks You may decide together with your family to be paying frequent visits to your parents, run their errands, clean the house, prepare meals, and make sure they are okay. You can have a routine where someone visits them every two days or every day, depending on how far you are. Your parents will be glad to be spending more time with you all, and it’s also reassuring when you know they have all they need, are taking their meds, and have someone who can run their errands. This arrangement works best when parents don’t have severe conditions, or one parent can take care of the other. Move-in with Them This option may be best if your parents need constant supervision and help. You need to discuss this option as a family and decide who will move in with them. Although moving in with them ensures they have a family member taking care of them, extra help may be needed if you work or have young children. It can be overwhelming taking care of your parents’ needs such as cleaning, cooking and feeding them, and going to work or attending to children. You may hire an assistant who takes care of your parents but ensure you are still within so that everything runs well. They Move in with You Your parents moving in with you may be an option if you have a room you can spare for them and a safe environment. Discuss this with your family, and agree and act on the necessary arrangements. You may have to move some of your family members to other rooms to create space for your parents. If you have a full-time job, you may have to cut back the working hours or get help from other family members if your parents need full-time supervision. Get Professional Homecare Services If your parents are battling conditions, are disabled, or too old, professional homecare may be ideal. A qualified nurse or assistant will be with them to not only monitor their health but to ensure they are comfortable, well taken care of, and make it to the doctor’s appointments. Even if you decide to move to your parents’ home or they move in with you, home care services ensure that a professional is taking care of them at all times. Take them to a Retirement Home Take your parents to a retirement home, although the last option offers you peace of mind because they will have 24hour care and medical professionals on standby to provide any assistance or intervene in case of an emergency. Your parents will be in a social setting where they can interact with other older people more freely. You can also visit and spend time with them whenever you want. A retirement home can be the best option when your parents can no longer take care of their daily needs, and you cannot live with them or have them move into your house. It may also end up being a cheaper option. Sometimes you may have to make a quick decision when your parents’ safety or health is at risk. You may opt to stay with them as you figure out a more sustainable and permanent solution.... Read more...Roasted Cauliflower SteaksJanuary 8, 2021CornerWe first tried Roasted Cauliflower Steaks as a side dish at La Hiki Kitchen one of the fine restaurants at the Four Seasons Hotel on Oahu. We loved it! At that time I had no idea how easy it was to make at home. Once I realized how simple it was to make I serve it all the time! We’ve always enjoyed cauliflower, but I usually fry it, add it in Macluba (an Arabic dish that literally means upside-down!), or make deep fried cauliflower fritters called Em Shaat. Of course we serve it riced and mashed as well. Cauliflower is really versatile! And adding these Roasted Cauliflower Steaks makes them even more so. You may be wondering what are Cauliflower Steaks? They’re thick slabs of cauliflower that’s cut from stem to top. To get them you use the middle portion of the cauliflower, the section that’s the tallest. You can get about 2-3 steaks per cauliflower head. To make cauliflower steaks I trim off the leaves from the stem of the head. Then I place it stem up on a cutting board and slice down from stem to the florets. I make the slices about 1″ thick and try to get as many slices as I can. I save the smaller pieces to use for something else later or you can roast them along side the steaks. Slicing the steaks is probably the hardest part. It gets way easier after that! So here’s the recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Steaks. You can adjust the spices to suit your tastes. BTW this dish is Vegan and Keto friendly! Roasted Cauliflower Steaks Ingredients: 1 Cauliflower, sliced into 1″ steaks 1/4 Cup Olive Oil 1 Tbs. Minced Garlic 1 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper (adjust to suit your taste or omit if you don’t like spicy foods) Salt & Pepper to taste 1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese 1 Tbs. Fresh Parsley, chopped Directions: Pre-heat Oven to 400 degrees Line sheet pan with parchment paper Slice Cauliflower into 1″ thick steaks Place on pan Mix garlic and crushed pepper in the olive oil Brush oil mixture onto both sides of cauliflower steaks Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese Bake for 15 minutes Gently flip each steak over and sprinkle with remaining cheese Return to oven and bake another 20-25 minutes or until it starts to brown on the top Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving. You can change up this recipe by changing the spices you put on the cauliflower steaks. Try mixing cumin, chili powder, or oregano in the oil! Roasted Cauliflower Steaks Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian CuisineKeto FRiendly, Vegan Roasted Cauliflower Steaks Print Recipe CourseMain Dish, Sides, Vegetarian CuisineKeto FRiendly, Vegan Ingredients 1 Head Cauliflower 1/4 Cup olive oil 1 Tbs. Fresh Garlic Minced 1 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated 1 Tsp. fresh parsley Chopped Servings: Instructions Pre-heat Oven to 400 degrees Line sheet pan with parchment paper Slice Cauliflower into 1" thick steaks. Place on pan Mix garlic and crushed pepper in the olive oil Brush oil mixture onto both sides of cauliflower steaks Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese Bake for 15 minutes Gently flip each steak over and sprinkle with remaining cheese Return to oven and bake another 20-25 minutes or until it starts to brown on the top Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more... Shop Fun.com for Back to School supplies!