Breakfast Reminder

French Toast and hotdog with Bacon-flavored mayonnaise dip 

I remember the days when I am young. There are few things to think, little expectations and things to worried. All I have to do is play with my friends in the morning, after classes and during weekends in the field, under the mango tree, backyard, neighbor's house and in the playground. I studied and enjoyed schooling without any pressure, help household chores with a smile and be loved by my family. But life changes as we grow older.

Life has been a struggle and full of challenges. I realized that Reality, life is not easy as it is. We need to stand on our own and prove that we have purpose in life. It's like typhoon with rain heavily pouring in your head, wind slapping your face, and submerged you in flood. I have been to worst situation like being empty-handed, been judged and humiliated. I been down for few years but I change myself for good. I adjusted more than what I did before. I studied and learned the tricks and trade of life specifically work, social life and cultural differences. 

If we are weak, how will we survive with the wilderness of reality. To face a new day, inspirations and reasons are important to begin it with strength and focus. Then I found out that Things change again. There are a lot of things to learn but everything seems like a piece of bread and coffee. I'll bite it in a snap and smile. If it's hard, dipping it with hot coffee will help soften it. 

I am not rich or popular as other does but at least I know where I stand now. I'm a better person and it's time that I return the favor to the people I love and who loved me.

Papanel's Budbod, Let us Support Filipino owned restaurant

I always find ways to enjoy my rest day since it helps me relax and to avoid too much stress. I am also a cheapskates somehow but not extreme. I make sure that everything I spend is worthy, with quality but not costly.

I always saw this restaurant on my way to work because it's near at Roval Bus terminal. Even outside, you'll see the beautiful wall painting and Filipino ambiance.

So a day after typhoon Maring came, since it's my rest day  and the sky is just cloudy but no rain and wind, I went to Papanel's Budbod to try the food.

 I'm the only customer because of the weather. It is cold so I need something warm and soupy. First, I tried Lomi. There are carrots, cabbage, noodles and egg in warm broth.

I want a rice meal so I decided to order shanghai rolls with rice served in a very Filipino style way. Traditionally, Filipino's use banana leaves and rattan plate in serving food for a native effect. 

These are simple dishes that you may order or buy in other restaurant, carinderia, food cart or street vendor. But considering the ambiance and effort in maintaining cleanliness at affordable price, I rather visit this place more often. To be honest, I did that because I step in again to the restaurant for the second time after a week to try other dishes. 

I tried chicken barbeque with atsara (pickled papaya and carrot) and free soup. It is served again in a rattan plate with banana leaves. As side dish, I ordered a plate of Pancit Canton. 

But I am saddened that there are only few people dining in the place. I hope that the restaurant's order delivery is good and earning well for them to recover the operation cost. I hope my fellow Filipino will support and promote this restaurant like what the wall painting shows above.

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The above blog is not sponsored and money spent for food came from my pocket.

Shawarma Guy: A Playful Taste of Middle East Food

We love something new and that makes us eager to look for something we haven't tried before. We went to Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a place that we haven't visited, though very popular to rich people. Marj and I haven't tried to visit a Arab or Turkish fastfood, so we looked for one and we never failed because we found Shawarma Guys.

The place is very youthful. Walls were painted with bright colors like orange. There were also words and drawings which you will find interesting. It's not a traditional Arab architecture for us because we are expecting some arches, curves and pillars. 

We tried 3 foods that me and Marj shared and enjoyed. We tried Sisig Shawarma. Instead of having Sisig in sizzling plate, it is served in pita bread. Marj who don't usually eat meat fats enjoyed taking them one by one. We love the every bite of this fatty shawarma with the two spicy sauce.

We also ordered hummus with pita which I realized that it is simple to make. It's made of sesame seed, chickpeas or garbanzos, olive oil and some spices.

The third dish was Seafood Biryani. It is fried rice with spices and seafood.  In the past, I only have tried few rice toppings so it is something new to me. This is different to the usual fried rice I ate in most common fastfood.

Marj was excited to taste Lassi. She want to try the Mango Lassi, however, it is not available that time. Instead she have the plain one. It is a little sour because of the yogurt flavor.
  

Overall we are satisfied with what we ate and we felt full and heavy stomach even though we only 3 dishes and 2 yogurt shake. We will be back for more for sure because we haven't tried all food and hopefully with more friends.

Coffee and oats? Why not!

Have you ever tried coffee in your cereals? Well I did and I didn't regret that because I love it. Most people didn't like the taste of oats (a species of cereal grain) even there's milk and I am one of them. But because I need to manage my diet, I make sure to skip rice for a week and replace it with fruits, vegetables and oats because of fiber content.

I used to combine milk and oats which I find a little bland taste. I already tried adding fruits like bananas and strawberries but of course, if you will have it regularly, your taste buds will ask for something new. In the long run, you can't have another teaspoon of the mixture.

So I tried adding a Nescafe Creamylatte because of the creaminess and the coffee taste is just right. It's not so strong but create a different level of coffee experience. As you pour the hot water, you'll smell the aroma of the coffee. I stirred and sealed it for few minutes until  the mixtures thickens because of the oats. You may or may not add milk or creamer. I suggest to add sugar-free milk or creamer to lessen the sugar content because if you use instant "milk+sugar" sachet with Nescafe Creamylatte, you may find it very sweet.