Pre-Valentine Dining at the Olive Garden Restaurant

I got refillable raspberry lemonade for my drink

Hubby had regular Iced Tea, also refillable

Fresh bread sticks

Olive Garden's signature salad

Our Appetizer: stuffed mushroom

Hubby and I both ordered this for our entree

Braised Beef & Toretelloni

my leftover and the Olive Garden's chocolate mint candies :)

For the nth time, we dined again at this favorite Italian Restaurant of my hubby. My beautiful teenagers also love to dine here but they're in the Philippines right now so it was only me and hubby who enjoyed the delectable foods. My son loves their Mixed Grill and my daughter loves their Seafood Fettuccini Alfredo.

Anyway, as usual, the foods and the service were excellent. I can't stop thinking about coming back again in our future trips to the "Biggest Little city in the World": Reno, Nevada.

Thanks for visiting!

 

5 Powerful Foods that Lower Blood Pressure

Got this article from a friend's Facebook status. I thought to blog it because it is very informative. Check it out!


1. Artichokes

The use of artichokes has been implicated in the lowering of cholesterol levels in the blood. Since hypercholesterolemia is one of the risk factors for high blood pressure, this information is actually good news.  Three clinical trials conducted separately by Dr. Barbara Wider supports this fact. In Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews’ October 2009 issue, where the result of the study was published, it was shown that patients who were diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and given Artichoke leaf extract exhibited a decrease in their blood cholesterol levels.

Artichokes taste amazing steamed (generally steam for about 1 hour) and then dip each piece into a mixture of olive oil, grass-fed butter, and garlic.  Delicious!

2.  Bananas

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine says that incorporating bananas in your day-to-day meals can actually cut stroke-related deaths by as much as 40 percent. A 1997 study at Johns Hopkins University recommended eating at least five bananas daily to achieve the desired effect, and that is to lower elevated blood pressure levels. However, a study conducted by Indian researchers at the Kasturba medical college revealed that people who eat two bananas a day, for one whole week, can lower their blood pressure levels by 10 percent.

Bananas are rich in potassium, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the heart.  It works with sodium to maintain balance of the body’s fluids, which is an important factor in the regulation of blood pressure.

3.  Beets

A research study conducted by scientists from Barts and The London School Medicine revealed that simply drinking one 500 ml glass of beetroot juice each day can produce astounding health benefits, especially to the heart.

Beetroot juice has been found to lower high blood pressure levels. Professors Amrita Ahluwalia and Ben Benjamin, from the William Harvey Research Institute and Peninsula Medical Center, respectively, led the research efforts, which revealed that the consumption of dietary nitrate that is found in beetroot has BP-lowering effects in as fast as 1 hour after ingestion, with the effect lasting for up to 24 hours. The result of the study was published in the March 2008 issue of Hypertension.

You can try beetroot juice, or also try baked beets sliced on salads or as a side dish to dinner.

4.  Cocoa

A study conducted by researchers from Germany’s University Hospital of Cologne revealed that cocoa can significantly lower high blood pressure levels. Study results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The beneficial heart effects of cocoa are attributed to its flavonoid content, specifically procyanids.

Because cocoa is most commonly found in chocolate, people falsely assume that eating a lot of chocolate could be good for the health. Keep in mind that cocoa in chocolates have undergone a lot of processing, and it has been mixed with loads of sugar, so this is not totally healthy. The best way to take advantage of the health benefits offered by cocoa is to choose raw cacao – it is good for the heart, the brain and the liver.  Raw cacao nibs go great in smoothies!  Also use organic cocoa powder in smoothies or homemade hot cocoa sweetened with stevia instead of sugar.

5.  Garlic

Researchers from South Australia’s University of Adelaide have conducted studies, which provide solid proof that the consumption of garlic can indeed help lower elevated blood pressure levels. Garlic supplements in powder form were given and results revealed that it produced a reduction in systolic blood pressure. Garlic has been known all over the world as a very important herb, especially with its heart-protecting capabilities. It helps lower blood cholesterol levels and prevents blood from forming clots (which could lead to heart attack and stroke).

Furthermore, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal has published the results of a laboratory test showing how garlic juice can lead to a decrease in blood pressure levels. Eating the equivalent of 2 cloves of garlic each day can significantly contribute to the health of the heart.

I like artichokes, banana and cocoa, and maybe garlic too :) I haven't tried beets yet. I am wondering what beets taste like.

I'm gonna forward this post to my friend Emy because she has been monitoring her blood pressure lately. Maybe it could help.

Have a good one!

Black Bear Diner: My Second Fave Dining Place

My second best dining place

Of course the number one restaurant for me is Olive Garden ;)

But no kidding, Black Bear Diner is the number two. I have been there  twice (Fernley Branch, Fernley, Nevada). My daughter recommended it because she had breakfast there with her Kuya Chad months ago while on the way to Winnemucca from Reno and she liked it there. My daughter is kinda picky so I thought the place must be really nice and the food must be very good.

I find its dining Menu unique because it looks like a newspaper at first glance.

We didn't wait for our food like forever. It was quick!

I had Chicken Fried Steak on our first time. It was very good!

I had Prime Rib on our second time. Yum!

The staff are nice and polite.

Everything is good at this place.

My daughter was right. The place is recommendable. I liked it. Hubby and my son liked it too.

We might try Black Bear Diner Reno branch pretty soon.

I can't wait!

Let's Make Puto Cheese!

My daughter Jen and I worked hard (lol!) just to come up with this Puto Recipe. When I was still in the Philippines, I had a good recipe but  I did not bring a copy with me when we moved here so we  tried some  recipes online. We did not find the "perfect" taste so we decided to modify the quantity of the ingredients. It took us more than five times before we got this perfect recipe.

Cooked Puto  (thanks to the owner of this photo)

Puto Cheese molds (thanks to owner of the photo)

 Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup fresh milk/evaporated milk

1/2 cup of white sugar (If you have sweet tooth, you may add a tablespoon or 2 of sugar)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 whole egg

3 tbsp melted butter preferably salted butter

cheese for toppings 

Procedure:

Sift the flour then add the other dry ingredients. Mix well. Add egg, butter and milk until become homogeneous. Put 3/4-full in the mold preferably with paper cups (to look it more delectable.) Steam for 10-12 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Top with cheese while it is hot. Serve.

If you like Puto Cheese, try this recipe.

Sayonara for awhile!

Coconut Macaroons

 

Coconut Macaroons (credit to the owner)

I don't have sweet tooth but everytime I crave for something sweet, I would go for coconut macaroons over chocolate bars. The main ingredient is self-explanatory :)  Most of the time, my daughter helps me in baking this sweet chewy treats, it's like our bonding moments together aside from watching movies. I remember when  I was still back home I used to order Coconut Macaroons from a former co-worker during special occasions and it always has been the first to be gone from the table. Last Christmas, I baked some and gave them to my friends as home-made presents.

Interested? Here's my very easy, less hassle and yummy Coconut Macaroons recipe:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup melted butter

1 can condensed milk (14 oz)

397 g sweetened shredded coconut (14 oz)

3 whole eggs

vanilla (optional)

Precedure:

Preheat your oven to 325F. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Put them in a non-stick cup mini muffin pan with paper cups, 3/4- full only. Bake for 12 minutes or until it turns brownish, or until the toothpick comes out clean.

                

 It's really very easy. 

Try it now guys! 

See you later, cheers!

Special Cassava Suman

My family and I went to Reno the other Thursday for a quick trip. I was surprised to see frozen banana leaves at a Filipino store and the first thing that cropped up on my mind was cassava suman :) I hurried to the other freezer for grated cassava and bingo! I got them! :D My late grandmother used to make a very special cassava suman or we call it in Jabonganon's dialect "lidgid nga balanghoy".

Ingredients:

2 packs thawed grated cassava

1 can (480ml) coconut milk

2/3 cup brown sugar (if you put bukayo or sweetened macapuno)

2 tbsp. condensed milk (optional) - mom likes to add this :D

vanilla syrup (optional)

1 pack frozen wilted banana leaves- be sure to wash them before using

Procedure:

1. Lightly squeeze the cassava to extract some liquid by using a clean cloth. Set aside the liquid to separate the starch from the water.

2.  In a medium bowl, mix the coconut milk and brown sugar together until the sugar is dissolved then stir in the grated cassava.

3. Discard the liquid to get the starch of the cassava and mix it evenly to the mixture. The starch somehow helps the suman kinda "glutinous".

4. Next, please refer to the photo above on how to make a "log" prior to steaming :D The brown in the center is a "bukayo" that adds more flavor  but I used sweetened macapuno in a jar since it is hard to find coconut meat here.

5. Steam for 30-45 minutes. Make sure that the cassava is cooked well before you eat them.

6. Enjoy!

I used my rice cooker with steamer in cooking and the suman came out so perfect! Yum!

Thank you for the photos Mr. Google!

Balut and the Drunk Man

I had an annoying guest at the hotel last night. When he saw my badge that I come from the Philippines, he started bugging me. The first thing he said was, "Oh, Balut!" It was my Monday and I just started my shift so I was kind of dandy. It was the first time to hear from anyone particularly from a white man mentioning about Balut because most of the time I hear "adobo, pancit or halo-halo." Besides, many foreigners  find Balut nasty and yucky to eat. I smiled at him while continue doing my initial routinely paperwork. I remember how crazy I was for Balut when I was still back home. Slurrp! I like "Penoy" or Pinoy" better though because there is no "feathered chick" inside but if I want something "soupy", I will choose Balut. Slurrp again.

The man, who was a bit tipsy that time, stood in front of me (I was sitting inside the hotel desk) and he started sharing his experience during his trip to the Philippines especially the first time he ate Balut. I didn't ask him where in the Philippines he had been. I enjoyed listening to him. He was telling the Cashier what the Balut looks like, explaining to her that it is a fertilized duck egg and that it is an aphrodisiac and very rich in protein. He was really ecstatic while talking about it. I was surprised when he shouted, "Baluuuut!" That really made me blurt out. He left and went to the bar while shouting "Baluuut!" Lol!

I was taking a reservation over the phone when the man came by again. Oh boy, he was already drunk  in the truest sense of the word and he was with equally drunk guy. He started talking about Balut again. I gave them a grim face and told them to leave the desk and to go to their respective rooms. He said, "We will, but not until you will tell it to this guy that what I just told him about Balut was true." I looked at the other guy and said, "Yes, it was true." The man smiled and shouted, "Baluuut!" while leaving the front desk. My reaction was, "Oh my goodness, lol!"

Now I am craving for Balut! Geez!

(Credit to the owner of the photo above.)

Cheers!

Bechay

Olive Garden Restaurant: Loving it!

My family and I love this wonderful food place. Hubby introduced it to us as his most favorite restaurant  and now, we all loving it.

Every time we go to Reno, we always plan to dine at this place. After shopping at the  Manila-Hongkong Store yesterday, we drove there for dinner. When the waiter named Bill introduced himself  to us, my son Jun told me that he was the same waiter who had waited on us 3 years ago. My reaction was, "Are you sure?"  He said he was 100% sure.

I remember I posted a blog entitled "Olive Garden Experience"  that time and I mentioned Bill's name on my post so I thought I would check it online right away as soon as we arrived in the hotel. But we agreed to just ask him instead. When he checked on us while we were eating, I asked him, "I have a personal question, how long have you been working here?"  He proudly answered, "I have been working here for 3 years." My son was right. While typing this post, I searched for my other posts and I found out that it was Bill who waited on us back then. Sounds like a loyal employee.Well, I bet the company is managing their employees pretty good. Nice.

Anyways, we had Stuffed Mushroom as our appetizer

Hubby and I had Parmesan Crusted Bistecca

 Jun had Mixed Grill

On the other hand, Jen had Seafood Alfredo

We had raspberry lemonade that quenched our thirst, it was 95 Degrees in Reno yesterday.

We didn't order for a dessert because we didn't have a place to put it. My favorite in the list is the Black Tie Mousse Cake. Oh, so mouth-watering!

I forgot to mention their unlimited refills of fresh green salad and fresh bread sticks!

My family and I left the place with full belly and with smile in our face. As usual, the food was EXCELLENT as well as the service. Thank you Bill!

Thumbs up to the management of Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Virginia St., Reno, Nevada.

See yah again!

Lovelots, Bechay

Special Ice Candy ala Bechay

I was invited to a graduation party by a Filipina friend and I thought I need to bring foods or drinks as my contribution. Since the party has to be held at a park and that the temperature was supposedly 80 degrees, I thought to bring something that is "frozen, cold or icy". I wanted something unique so I came up with this ice candy. I don't know if it spells "iced candy" or ice candy. Whatever :)

Anyways, I had avocado in the refrigerator so I made it as flavor. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, avocado is a vegetable here in US not a fruit so I doubted it  if Americans would try it. But I was sure  my kababayans would get crazy about it. I was right :) And not only my kababayans but also Hispanic and some white people. Hubby, who said he won't ever eat avocado with milk, tried it and liked it although at first he didn't know how to eat it. I remember there was an old American lady in the party who asked for more and there was nothing left anymore. She was really sad and I felt sorry for her.

It was a blast!

Are you interested with the recipe?

Here it is:

avocado, diced

1 can Nestle cream (big)

1 can condensed milk (big)

1 can evaporated milk (big)

6 cups water

white sugar

ice candy wrapper

funnel

Procedure:

Put the water in a big bowl

Pour in the carnation evap. Mix well.

Next, pour in the condensed milk

Then the avocado

Next, the Nestle cream

Put sugar to taste until you reach the desired sweetness

Make sure to mix all the ingredients very well to get the "ice creamish" texture.

Pour 2 inches or more in the ice candy wrapper using the funnel.

Freeze.
After 3 hours, you'll have the most creamy ice candy you have ever had :)
Sell or serve!

Note: Try other flavors like buko, mango, chocolate, halo-halo ingredients, boiled monggo ( red or green), cream style corn, fruit salad ingredients, jackfruit or langka, etc.

Have a happy day everyone!

Maja Blanca

I so love it.

It is very easy to prepare and it's my late dad's favorite dessert. Interested?

Here's how to make it.

Ingredients:

1 cup cornstarch

2 cups coconut milk

1 can condensed milk

1 evaporated milk

1 can sweetcorn cream style

sugar to taste

ground peanuts

Procedure:

1. Combine the evaporated milk and cornstarch then whisk until constarch is diluted.Then add coconut milk and condensed milk. Make sure that they are combined evenly.

2. Put a spoonful of the mixture and stir it in a small pan until it is done for tasting. If the taste is not too sweet for you, put sugar until you reach the desired sweetness before bringing it  to a boil.

3. Pour the combined ingredients in a pot and bring it to a boil while stirring it thoroughly and continously. Set the fire to low. Continue stirring.

4. While stirring, pour in the sweetcorn creamstyle.

5. Allow to cook while stirring until the mixture reaches your desired thickness.

6. Pour the mixture in a mold while it is hot, garnish with ground peanuts.

7. Allow to cool then refrigerate for at least an hour.

8. Serve.

My most missed fruit: Avocado

I didn't say that I miss this fruit because it is unavailable here in US, nope, there are avocados here but I miss the avocado that we have back home. Why? I have many reasons. The avocados here are very small, expensive and it's meat is not kind of "labo" or "sticky". And they are used for guacamole sauce, Mexican people love it. Americans eat them with salt and pepper or with cottage cheese,or with picadillo, which I find it very yucky.

When I told hubby to buy condensed milk for my avocado, he was kinda shocked. "What?! sweetened milk for avocado?" I guessed he thought it was yucky too, hehe! The more he was shocked when I told him that avocado shake is popular in the Philippines and it is very yummy. And avocados there are very affordable and the size is 3 or 4 times bigger compared to the size of avocados here.

He said, "Avocado shake? No way!" And I said, "Avocado with cottage cheese? No way!"

We both love avocados! It's also my late dad's favorite fruit.

Special Papaya Pickles or Acharang Papaya

Papaya is very cheap in the Philippines. When I was there, my best friend Lalay and I made pickled Papaya for business. It was indeed profitable. Now that I am here, I really miss it not for business but because I want to eat it. So, I bought all the ingredients from Manila Hongkong Store in Reno and made 3 jars.

Here's the Recipe.

Ingredients:

6 cups grated green papaya

1 cup string beans

1/2 cup ampalaya or bitter melon

1 cup grated carrots

1 cup julliened jicama or singkamas

1 cup radish

a small can of pineapple tidbits

1 cup fresh ginger, julliened

1 cup red and green bell pepper

1 cup white onion

1 tsp. white pepper corn (optional)

1 clove garlic

salt for papaya

Pickling Solution:

2 cups of vinegar

2 cups of sugar preferably brown sugar

1 tbsp. salt

Procedures:

1. Sprinkle salt on the grated papaya then squeeze. Discard the juice.

2. Boil the vinegar. When it is boiling, pour the sugar. When sugar is dissolved, put all the spices and vegetables except grated papaya. Wait 'til it boils.

3. Pour the boiled veggies and spices into the grated papaya. Make sure all the ingredients are mixed very well.

3. Put them in a jar and sterilize them to last longer.

Filipino Appetizer: Dried Fish!

As you can read in my first post, food has always been an issue in this household. Filipino foods. American foods. Mexican foods.Yes, you read it right, mexican foods, too. We cannot live without Hispanic people and so without Mexican foods, hehehe!

In our pantry, you can find Filipino stuffs such as rice (jasmine rice), dried fish (Nath gave it to me, she bought it from Glenda, a pinay from florida), dried squid, bihon, pancit canton, sinigang mix, adobo mix, (which we bought from an Asian market in Reno),etc.. Of course other than that, the American stuffs such as different kinds of cheeses, sauces, breads, pasta, canned goods, instant rice mixes, a bunch of butter, different kinds of meat, instant french fries, fries taters, hamburgers, steaks, bacon, ham, popcorn, CHOCOLATES, pizza pies.. too many to mention. Then Mexican stuffs such as, guacamole sauce (which is the main ingredient is avocado) mexican version of sweet and sour sauce, tomato sauce, cheeses, tortilla chips, corn tortilla and flour tortilla for quesadella, tostadas, tamales, fajitas, etc..

The first time hubby saw the dried fish, he almost puke. He cannot afford to see the dried fish with its head and eyes that still cling to its body and most of all, he cannot take the smell coming from it and he said, "OH NO!" and then he sighed... but smiled to me afterwards. I said, "well, Mahal, that's one of the consequences for having a Filipino wife, you must get used to it because I cannot live without eating it once a while".

When my stepson helped us in moving out from Round Mountain, he accidentally found them out from a shopping bag in the corner and when he opened it he said, "oh no, what the hell are these? yuuucccck!" And he almost throw them away. Everyone laughed at his reaction. Geezz! And his dad explained it to him and then he smiled so big ang said "Mom please tell me when are you gonna cook these stuff so that i would not show up here, I dont wanna die hehehe!..." Silly stepson.

When I fried the dried fish, I opened the glass windows of the part of the kitchen and dining area and i turned on the fan of the stove to keep away the smell. I think that the neighbors cannot smell it because every houses here are always closed. And seldom you will see people stay outside.

While cooking the stuff,  was observing Ricardo, he was uncomfortable, he doesnt know what he was going to do, but he made me feel that he was not bothered with the smell, pretending, hehehe. And when I served it to the dining table, he said "Oh mahal, its like a dead flat rabbit ran-over by a truck, hehehehe!" I dont care. I love it. My teeners love it. For us, dried fish is  delectable!

As expected, he did not eat it, did not even try to taste it, shocks! That's fine with me. I always respect him that way and he always respect me the same way. He had his big glass of milk and toasted bread with hotdog, anyway. And I dont care. I don't really care.

Afterwards, he called his son in his cp and started talking about the dried fish. I heard him saying "... while beth was cooking the dried fish, I thought i was gonna die... Oh GOD... I almost cannot stand the smell... " Hehehe! I already imagined his son's reaction. But it doesn't bother me at all.

Because I always love Filipino foods. Always has been. Always will be.

"French Toast"

I have always love Pinoy foods. I always want to eat them three times a day here in this foreign land.

So do my teeners.

Obviously, hubby always loves American foods. He always wants to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner too.

Sigh!

This has been my problem since my teeners and i got here!

We discussed it. I found out that he was feeling the same way while he was in the Philippines!

Poor poor Ricardo.

I guess we need to compromise!

So we agreed to eat American foods if he feels to.

And he did. This morning! We had French toast.

Gosh!

I honestly didn’t like it! I feel like I want to throw-up in front of him!

Gees, my teeners didn’t like it either!

Poor poor bechay, jen and jun.

Huhuhu!

We just pretended anyway.

There are just times that we have to give way for the people we love with no hard feelings.

I love Ricardo.

My teeners adored their Daddy.

We can’t afford to hurt him.

So, everybody is happy now!