Sunday Overload

After looking at the picture story below, let me see if you will agree with me.



As soon as I woke up, I thank the Lord for this great Sunday with my father and youngest sister Eunice in our house in Novaliches.  After  our light breakfast at home, we took an approximately 40 minute-drive to the CCF Training Center in Pasig for our Sunday praise and worship celebration.  We just felt so blessed and uplifted to have sung praise and worship songs to the Lord and to have heard a very powerful and touching message about doing what pleases God in everything. 



At about 15 minutes past the hour of eleven in the morning, the Sunday celebration ended and we headed off to the House of Wagyu at THE PODIUM for lunch.

Eunice took a comfy seat  at the home of the world's finest beef steaks and posed for a quick photo shoot.

Of course, I had mine, too!

Before we started the meal, we wore this bib to protect our clothes from getting spoiled . . .

Our meal started with this freshly-baked French bread with butter

Followed by this hot, thick and zesty zucchini soup

 

Finally, the best beef steak in town was served in a sizzling hot stone grill coupled with the instructions on how to enjoy it.  Ate must have memorized her lines very well and was able to mechanically deliver them into almost perfection.. . hehe



As if her first time to taste  this famous wagyu beef,  Eunice quickly unleashed her sugar-laden smile of excitement and  got READY TO ATTACK . . .



At this time, the war began.   Look how seriously she cut the steak piece by piece  and cooked  it  "WELL DONE"   in the stone grill  . . .

These stir-fried veggies in butter  perfectly matched the succulent stone-grilled beef steak

After we have finished the wagyu beef  steak, we thought we would still have the room in  our stomach for this superb Pasta Pomidoro.  Of course there was, but not big enough to contain the whole order. Takaw -mata !

And look how artistically Ate wrapped it for our take home...

Before we went out of the restaurant, this simple but brilliantly decorated /lighted Christmas tree caught our attention

and we posed by the Christmas tree for a souvenir photo at the House of Wagyu at THE PODIUM.



Thank you  House of Wagyu, for the great  beef steak experience.   God willing, I hope to visit you again...

After our hearty meal at the House of Wagyu, we tried to burn and ward off  some  calories by strolling around THE PODIUM.  We took some photos in some of the Christmas corners around the mall...

 





After that great tasting meal from the House of Wagyu and after an hour of walking around the mall,  we craved for something sweet and we ended up at the WILDFLOUR CAFE.

To satisfy her sweet tooth, Eunice ordered for a cup of hot hazelnut chocolate

For me,  Wildflour is equal to croinuts ( any flavor for that matter ) and nothing more, though they also serve various delicious meals and refreshing drinks,  too.  

 

For dinner,  Eunice and I opted for some Japanese food served at the Kimono Ken in SM North.

We ordered this Kani Salad and I was a bit disappointed with it.  I guess, this Kani Salad will taste  better and  more appetizing  had it been served with cold and succulent cucumber in strips

I love California maki... anytime, anywhere...

Yakisoba at the Kimono Ken... a   " MUST TRY "

Eunice's favorite . . . the GYOZA

Well, go ahead Eunice and I do understand .  This is her last day before she went on a STRICT DIET...



Are you ready to pray ? 


 

 

THANK YOU, LORD for all the material and spiritual blessings!   More importantly, thank you for giving us a very good appetite for both as well!

By the way, all  these food treats were not for free, according to my sister Eunice.  She gave this blow-out to me as a reward for engineering the Christmas village below ( halfway finished as of this writing ). 

Thank you for  the talent, Lord!   Thank you also for the opportunity!

It was indeed a Sunday overload.  Do you agree with me?




Dona Faustina Christmas Village, halfway through. . . .

Red Onion Cafe

If you're craving for a Taiwanese or Chinese cuisine, why not try the Red Onion Café in UP Town Center?

You'll have the perfect Taiwanese Beef Noodles called 39 Spices Beef Noodle which I consider a one-dish meal already.  It has a few slices of tender beef,  a pair of flat and round fresh noodles served al dente, fried red onions, chili oil mustard greens, some pieces of bok choy and broth. (Please see the anatomy of 39 Spices Beef Noodles )

Thinking that the noodles won't be enough, we ordered Yang Chow and Steamed Fish .  Since our order amounted to more than Php 600.00 already, we were automatically served a pork tonkatsu.

Yang Chow

Steamed Fish

Pork Tonkatsu for FREE

Great, isn't it?  Try it and you'll love it at Red Onion Cafe.  Masarap na, mura pa!

OCEAN SUITES in BOHOL

In may latest blog, I talked about eggs and shared with you my Egg No. 1 recipe.  I also remembered our two-day stay at the Ocean Suites in Bohol  where  we used to have two (2) eggs, among others,  in our breakfast plate for two consecutive  mornings.

More than missing the eggs during breakfast, however, I miss the place more!  While in Bohol a few months back, we stayed in one of the family rooms  at the Ocean Suites.  Our room features floor to ceiling glass windows that open fully to spacious balcony where one can  enjoy the spectacular view of the sea and savor the gentle ocean breeze.  It is also  provided with a large LCD TV with cable, aircon with 24 hours generators, free Wifi, mini bars, rain showers and bathtubs.



This is the serene  view that will greet you every clear  morning at the Ocean Suites in Bohol

 

The façade



The floor to ceiling glass windows that open fully to spacious balcony  allow  you to enjoy the spectacular views of the sea and savor the gentle ocean breeze



The glass walls of Ocean Suites will  enable  you to see the panoramic view of the sea even you're inside the  hotel



Enjoying the morning ocean breeze from the balcony of our room

What a feeling to  enjoy  the gorgeous view of the sea while taking our "double-egg" breakfast...

Joe's "double-egg" breakfast with beef tapa

 

My "double-egg" breakfast with longganisang Bohol

 

Ocean Suites is just approximately 10 minutes away from the airport/seaport, 5 minutes away from Panglao Island and approximately 10 minutes away from the City Center.  It is conveniently located beside the Blood compact Shrine, the site of the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos which is usually the first stop of the traditional Bohol Tour.



The Blood Compact Shrine, just beside the Oceans Suite



I was there at the Blood Compact Shrine, the site of the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos

This boutique hotel also offers a special place and the best coffee for a romantic date.  While you enjoy a delectable cuisine, you can enjoy taking the gorgeous view of the sea as well.

You can also soak up the sun while you lounge by the infinity pool that connects seamlessly to the sea.  They got a spacious pool deck for lounging and chilling while enjoying the glorious sunset.

                                            

The hotel offers a romantic place for a cup of tea or coffee with your special someone while watching the sea change its color depending on its mood or view the sun as it sets gloriously against the blue sky

Relax relax lang pag may time at this lovely round sofa bed...

There are souvenir shops just across the Ocean Suites.  In fairness, the prices are cool...

This morning, I missed the place more because as I looked out of the window,  the surroundings  was a bit gloomy due to heavy rain.

Absolutely the best view in Bohol, when will I ever see you again?

Egg No. 1

I love eggs as much as other people do! Actually, it  is a common food stuff in our breakfast tables not only among Filipinos perhaps,  but also in other parts of the world.

Our children, as early as in the pre-school level, are being taught of these  undying local rhymes about the nutritional value of eggs:

                Uminom ka ng gatas  upang ikaw ay lumakas.
                Kumain ka ng itlog at ikaw ay bibilog.

True enough, eggs are rich in protein that helps the children grow.  But for SENIORas/es like me, we have to make sure that we have our body cholesterol checked first before we indulge in the "one egg a day "  routine.  Honestly, when I became a golden girl, I limited myself to a once a week egg meal to control my cholesterol level because eggs are said to be high in cholesterol.  But that doesn't mean  we should stop eating eggs already.  We should learn to control, however, in eating this protein-rich stuff.   For more information about the nutritional value of eggs, you can go to 

www.eggs.ca/eggs101/view/22/egg-nutrition.

As SENIORas, you can  prepare some egg recipes for your APOs for their baon or snacks.  I am sure they will love you more if you do.  For young mothers out there, here's a way by which you can put some art in serving  egg meals to your kids  rather than serving it scrambled, sunny side-up , poached or boiled.

To make my once-a-week egg meal more exciting, I tried and tested some easy to prepare egg meals which I would like to share with you.  Here's my  EGG NO. 1.

NUTELLA EGG SANDWICH

Ingredients:

2 slices of tasty bread
1 small egg
1 teaspoon nutella spread

To  explain the procedure easier, I took some pictures to give you a clear idea on how to do it.



Get ready with your two slices of tasty bread and put one on top of the other.



Using a clean bottle cover, create a hole in the bread  big enough to contain the egg.



This is how your bread should look like after removing the middle portion of it  which we will call the "round bread"



Spread some nutella on the sides of the bread and put them together.  You can also use some jam or other  sweet spread/ if Nutella is not available.



Using a non-stick pan, toast  one side of the bread and



break the egg and pour the egg yolk and the egg white on the round space



Add salt  ( and pepper, optional ) to taste



Wait until the egg settles



 Toast and cook the egg on the other side



Heat and toast a bit the "round  bread "



After toasting and cooking the egg on both sides and toasting the "round bread", this is how  they  should look like .



Spread some NUTTELA on the "round bread"



Slice your nutella egg sandwich diagonally, creating two triangles and serve it with tea and some slices of fruits in season.  For your APO,  it may go well with milk or fruit juice.



Enjoy your breakfast or it can be your  fun snack!  Happy Eating guys!



Let me enjoy my breakfast, too!

For comments, suggestions and recommendations,  I would love to hear from you via my email www.fleridabael.yahoo.com. 

Cheers to a great day, friends!  Enjoy cooking and eating!  Wait for my EGG No. 2 soon!



SIMPLE JOYS of a SENIORa

I took the aircon bus in going to SM Southmall early this afternoon .   For the first time,  now a SENIORa, I only paid 10 pesos as the minimum fare for  the aircon bus.  Kaya lang, tiningnan ako ng conductor at pagkatapos, hiningan ako ng ID.  Medyo nairita ako at medyo natuwa rin.    Nairita ako dahil hinanapan pa ako ng ID.  Sa tingin ko, ayaw maniwalana ng conductor na SENIORa na ako kaya medyo natuwa rin ako... hehehe

Since it was dismissal time, most of the air con busses were full and as expected,  there were no seats available when I boarded in.  It wasn't a problem actually because it will only take about 10 mintues for me to reach my destination.   But I felt a bit flattered  when a young man offered his seat to me and said. " Nay... dito na po kayo."  And with my sweetest smile, I said , " Thank you."

Thank God!  Honestly, I never expect to meet gentlemen in busses nowadays.  Sabi kasi ng mga kalalakihan, hindi raw marunong magpasalamat ang mga kababaihan kaya halos ayaw na nilang magpaupo.   Kaya tuwang-tuwa ako  at may nag offer ng upuan sa akin.   At least, meron pa palang mga  gentlemen ngayon.  Most probably it's because I am now a SENIORa.  Smiling by myself,  natuwa na naman ako dahil , at least, hindi sinabi nung binatilyo na "Lola , dito na po kayo! "  hahaha

As usual, when I got inside the bank at the mall, todo haba ng pila.  I got my number and it was 71.  When I look at the transaction number indicator, it was only 43.  Grabe, almost half way pa lang.  So I took my notebook and planner to review my calendar for the day and  oh.... I saw my purchase booklet and it reminded me that I am  NOW  a SENIORa.    I immediately asked the guard for a new number ( for the SENIORas/es this time ) and gave it to the Teller assigned for the SENIORas/es .  Would you believe . . . it didn't take more than two  minutes for me to finalize my transaction with the bank simply because I am now a SENIORa!   Isn't that wonderful?


Thank you for these simple joys, oh Lord!  They brought smiles on my face and allow me to age . . . gracefully!

A Certified SENIORa

At last, I got my SENIORa Citizen ID yesterday, together with the purchase booklets for groceries and medicines.  By one o'clock in the afternoon, I became entitled to a free movie.   Before going to the movie house, I took my lunch and enjoyed the 20% discount from Adobo Connection.

My Sr. Citizen's ID card and my purchase booklets for groceries and medicines

Booklet for the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010

I was a bit hesitant to watch the movie because I was alone.  Nonoy had a very important appointment yesterday and he could not go with me although he's not  a senior yet and we have to pay for his movie entrance fee if ever he will decide to go with me.

My Movie Pass . . .

Dahil excited na ang SENIORa to avail the free movie benefit, I went to  the movie house after my adobo lunch.   Wow!  To my surprise,  I saw lots  of senior citizens waiting for their turn to enter the cinema.  Most of them were alone and I eventually met a new friend.  Super enjoy naman ako  sa  movie  entitled Guardians of the Galaxy although medyo pambata ang dating sa akin.  Anyway, libre lang naman kaya  OK na rin... hehe

Sinagad ko talaga  ang pagiging SENIORa ko  kahapon!  From the movie house, I went straight to the mall to buy some fruits and vegetables.  May 5% discounts din pala lahat ang mga fruits and vegetables pati poultry, meat and fish.  Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na puro discounted and pinamili ko.

Fulfilled na fulfilled talaga ako kahapon.  Libreng sine, discounted sa mga restaurants at pati sa supermarket may discount pa rin.   Pati ang pamasahe ko,  seven pesos na lang.  haha

Before I forget, naka avail din pala ako ng discount even without my Sr. Citizen's ID card.  I simply presented my passport and Café Shibuya at the UP Town Center gave me a 20% and VAT discounts for my fish and chips and Nutellla French Toasts.

Thank you, Lord ! Certified  SENIORa na talaga ako and I am enjoying it!

From A Bit of Artz to SENIORa Artz

Starting today, A Bit of Artz takes its back seat.  It gives way to SENIORa Artz ~ the thoughts, ideas , travels and day-to-day experiences of a woman on her journey to senior years.  From the youthful, vibrant fiery orange, it  changed its face into a cooler and mellowed tone of green.  From the free flowing maple leaves, it  transformed into tall, resilient bamboos which have withstood the tests and various storms in life.

The New Look and Title of our blog site ~ From A Bit of Artz to SENIORa Arts; from a fiery orange to a cooler green; from a free-flowing maple leaves to a taller and more resilient bamboos which has withstood the storms of life.

Before transformation, A Bit of Artz, now re-titled to SENIORa Artz looks like this...

To all my younger and junior  readers, don't worry and don't feel sad.  I am pretty sure that SENIORa Artz will still entertain and inform you as much as A Bit of Artz did.  Actually,  EVEN MORE.   As I go up the stairs toward the heavens, I expect a more exciting, thrilling and beautiful life to share with you ;  more enriched  and made colorful with the lessons and experiences of the past .  Isn't that worth your time?

To all my contemporaries ~ relatives,  friends, classmates, batch mates, church mates, neighbors  and walk-in online friends who have been faithfully reading all my blogs in A Bit of Artz  for several years now,  expect more fun , entertainment and stories where you can relate more in SENIORa Artz.  From time to time, I'll be giving updates about the benefits and privileges of a senior citizen.   Expect also a lot of blogs regarding health, beauty, fashion  and wellness both for juniors and seniors.  Of course, you can expect more photos . . . expect more fun!

MOST OF ALL,  you can EXPECT EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN ~ for EVERYONE

From,

SENIORa Artz