Valentines Treat

Love is in the air. Its the time of a year when couples take time off from the everyday routine for a warm dinner date or when the single ladies will give their big sweet "YES" to their eager suitors, or when the old family binds together. It's Valentines Day once again!

During this time, most of the people are considering to give gifts to their loveones that signify love. The majority of them are thinking to give out food like chocolates, cakes in all shapes and sizes or fancy dinner date with the whole thing in it.

But nowadays, many are reconsidering for the food we are eating and a place where we can celebrate without spending much money for this special day. So, in the time for this occassion, lets try to give the Valentines options for a healthy and practical way of living.

Rather than sweet treats in a costly resto, here are some recipes to be offer that is budget and good for our body treats:

MARMALADE CHICKEN
Orange marmalade and freshly grated orange zest make a deliciously tangy sauce for quick-cooking chicken tenders. Serve with brown rice.



RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
*1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
*1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
*1 tablespoon orange marmalade
*1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
*1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
*8 ounces chicken tenders
*1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
*1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
*1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
*1 large shallot, minced
*1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

1. Whisk broth, vinegar, marmalade, mustard and cornstarch in a medium bowl.
2. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
3. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and shallot to the pan and cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, about 30 seconds. Whisk the broth mixture and add it to the pan. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer; cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and thickened, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Add the chicken; return to a simmer. Cook, turning once, until the chicken is heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in orange zest.


SAUTEED SPINACH WITH PINE NUTS AND GOLDEN RAISINS



RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
*2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
*2 tablespoons golden raisins
*1 tablespoon pine nuts
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 10-ounce bag fresh spinach (see Ingredient note), tough stems removed
*2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
*1/8 teaspoon salt
*1 tablespoon shaved Parmesan cheese
*Freshly ground pepper to taste

1.Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2.Add raisins, pine nuts and garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3.Add spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar and salt. Serve immediately, sprinkled with Parmesan and pepper.


HEALTHY HEARTS



RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
*Watermelon slices
*Orange slices
*Bamboo kitchen skewers

1. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter on watermelon slices. Poke a bamboo kitchen skewer through each heart, then complete the arrow with an orange slice tip and tail.
** Make sure you cut the watermelon slices very thick.


Win your way to that special someone’s heart with a romantic meal at home.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYONE!!!

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a milestone

Every child is unique and each child develops at their own pace and their own way. Here are Alynna's learning steps during her first year of her life.




This is Alynna when she was 0 day old taken at the hospital.
She have birthmarks on the right knee. 51 cm in length and weighed 3.5 kgs.
She is a formula milk fed baby. Drinks 2 ounces of milk every 2-3 hours.

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1 month - 3 months
Focuses on and follows moving objects as well as human faces. Alynna can lift her head, lying down on the side position. She most likely to sleep on my chest or in her papa's chest. Taking a nap 2-3 times during the day.

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4 months - 6 months
She can distinguish strangers and parents. Whatever objects she hold, she placed in the mouth. She can lie her chest on her own. She uses the walker and high chair. Started to eat baby foods like cereal and a traditional "AM" with milk. Can consume 4-6 bottles of milk(6 ounces/bottle)in the night.

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7 months - 9 months
Alynna can distinguish between inanimate and animate objects. She can show her affections to the primary caregiver (parents/relatives she often see). She can sit without the help of the others. Alynna can stand when supported but she didnt learn how to crawl. She attentively watching on TV (Benjamin Bluemchen, Barney, Brainy Baby, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon) and listening to the music. She started to talk few words.

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10 months - 12 months
Alynna can imitates gestures and actions. She can point out certain objects and say their names, she enjoys looking at the picture books. She started to walk few steps away without assistance. Knows how to play herself and I can play "peek-a-boo" games with her. Understands object permanence, and responds to simple directions and questons with gestures, sounds and words.

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And now that she will be turning into 2 years old this coming July 29, I can say that she is totally grown up as a toddler.Now that she's a toddler, she will face for an even more challenging period in her life.Her physical development, language and her emotions are still developing for the future. And as mother, I am very proud that I successfully helped her through her first year and hoping for more years to be with her to support, guide and encourage her that she can reach her milestones quicker and better.

A start of a Motherhood...

It was a rainy day of July 29, 2006 when i gave birth to my angel Alynna. Around 3 A.M when I first felt the pain on my stomach but inspite of it, I continued to sleep not knowing that the pain I felt will be held to a so-called labor. (Who knows that this will be the start of my being a mother, because the last time I went for an Ultrasound, supposed to be my due date will be on the 2nd week of August, it will be still few days to go before my D-day).

After that time, I once again feel the pain but this time, the pain kept on striking very hard as if I'm having a dysmenorrheal, I went to CR to run pee , I was stunned when I saw some drops of blood, then I told to Peter what was going on me. He right away changed his clothes (as if he's the one to deliver the baby) and prepare himself going to the hospital. However, I was not sure if I'm going to give birth so since Peter is rushing me, then I finally prepared myself and told to my mother that I will be going to give birth and go to the hospital. Fortunately, I was with Peter and my mother on the way to the hospital, It was saturday morning and no heavy traffics had encountered that's why at around 6 A.M when we arrived at the hospital. I went to the labor room and waiting for the staffs what they gonna do to me. One guy came and did interview. He asked some questions about personal information, afterwards he brought a device (I remember it was a doppler device) to monitor and hear the heartbeat of the baby inside..He continued to use that while my stomach is getting more painful and another lady came.She said she have to measure my cervix, oh my god, I dont know what she's doing to me.. I asked if my OB is around already, but the lady said, she's on the way to the hospital. While we are waiting what to happen, Peter entered the room and sat beside of my bed, he hold my hand rigidly and he whispered me telling whatever happen he will be there for me and he loves me very much. Somehow, I feel relieved and secured. But as time passing by, my stomach is more and more painful until such time my OB finally arrived..She did IE again and found out anytime I could deliver the baby..She instructed Peter that he should go out of the labor room and they will bring me to the delivery room.

When I entered the delivery room everything are prepared and even I saw those nurses and doctors were there too..I felt mixed emotions like nervous, excited, tired or I was thinking if I can tolerate the pain and ashamed to widen my legs infront of the other people...Then when my OB told me to push, I remember what my mother told me that pushing is like you only go to.... (you know what i mean). I pushed twice then lastly the baby come out. Oh my god, thank you that i have gone through all the pain and here now i can see my first born baby, healthy and alive. She weighed 3.5 kgs and 51 cm in length. Her name is Alynna Marcie L. Stumpf, born in United Doctors Medical Center, Quezon City at around 9:07 A.M, July 29, 2006.