Reflect to Refresh

Since I retired, I find myself spending more time keeping a close eye on my spiritual growth.  Like most Catholics, my watchfulness peaks during Lent.  And why not? Mass homilies during the Lenten season focus on the need to pray, to change, to repent, to forgive, to listen, to follow. 

And I love that I am reminded again and again. Unlike some of my friends who can quote bible verses by heart, I stumble to remember the exact words or instructions.  

Forward March!

I made it!!! 2013 and I am still alive and kicking—Praise God!

Looking back at 2012, I remember sadly friends and relatives who had to bid their final farewell. I shake my head with regret at major times when I should have been nicer, more generous, more willing to give a helping hand and more grateful for all that I already had instead of focusing on what I didn’t have. I sigh at the thought of lost opportunities. I laugh now at the times when slight ailments would, in my mind, escalate to something fatal. Although that’s all in the past now, I shall bring it up front from time to time to strengthen my resolve to be better, stronger in the New Year.


Here’s wishing us all a year of no regrets or at least less of the “could have, should have and would have” moments.

xoxoxoxox

What better way to start my resolve than by getting involved with a Three Kings’ Celebration for the underprivileged scholars of my Parish. For a moment, the committee was feeling the pinch for funds to support the event. There was only enough for the food--- no drinks, no prizes for the games and contests. But our anxieties were quickly put to rest. Time and time again, I must remind myself that good intentions always attract the needed support. In a short time, donations came in to take care of our concerns.

To further help with my goals for 2013, I will keep in mind the opening prayer given by a fellow mentor at the program for the Three Kings’ Celebration . Paraphrasing it in English, she said:  “Let us pray that we become wise like the Three Kings. In living our lives, let us remember to:

• Make Jesus the light of our life

• Continue trusting in Jesus most specially during the darkest hours of our life

• Follow the words of Jesus

• Pray with openness and deep reverence

• Give only the best of ourselves to Jesus who is present in each of our fellowmen

xoxoxoxox

Part of my resolution is to be more discerning in what I put into my mouth. I have to be more conscious that anything I eat will either end up on my thighs, my belly or worse, clogging my arteries. For starters, I have found two fish recipes that turned out to be delicious and best of all, easy to prepare.


Staying healthy will be a piece of cake---- radish cake that is. Must have humor for 2013!! (Your thought bubble: Just stick to the recipe and skip the joke)

Steamed Creamy Dory with Light Soy Sauce

500 grams creamy dory fillets, sliced in serving pieces ( you may use other white fish)
salt and pepper to season the fish
1 thumb-size ginger, peeled and sliced into strips


Season fillets with salt and pepper and toss in the ginger strips. Arrange fish and ginger in your already steaming steamer and steam for about 10 minutes. Over-steaming is not good for this dish. Set aside.


For the light soy dressing:
2 T light soy sauce (Kikoman)
2 T of water (or more if you still find it salty)
1 tsp grated ginger
2 t brown sugar
a dribble or two of sesame oil to taste

Put everything in a pot and bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Garnishments:
Toasted garlic
Chopped green onions or leeks

Assemble:
Arrange your steamed fish on a serving dish. Pour the light soy sauce and garnish with toasted garlic and chopped green onions.

Tilapia Fillet with Capers
250 grams of tilapia Fillets
3 T calamansi juice or lemon juice
Garlic powder
Salt
3 T melted butter or olive oil
1-2 T capers (less if your not a fan)
1/2 t oregano (dry) or 1 t if fresh
A dash of paprika


Season the fillets with salt, garlic powder, the calamansi juice and the melted butter or olive oil. Arrange in a baking dish and sprinkle with the capers, oregano and paprika.

Bake in a 425 degree oven until you can easily flake the fish—about 10 minutes. Or you can microwave it on high for 3-5 minutes.

Fish be with you!! (I couldn’t help it)



Health is Wealth

When I was a teenager, I felt invincible and had no thoughts of doctors (except in a romantic sense, I guess). Laboratory tests, let alone pricking needles, were not my idea of fun. Besides, my parents had to pin me down before any vaccination could be administered. I was a regular scare-di-cat!

I was 21 years old when I had my first taste of the horror/relief/joy of a medical examination. I had just been hired. Horrors because an elderly male doctor did my very first breast examination while his nurse/receptionist stood as "sponsor". Relief, because in those golden days, a Pap smear was not part of the package. Joy, as the remark "fit for employment" signaled my entry into the working class.

I did not have to face the same mix of emotions until I transferred to another job. But as the doctor was a lady, the examination was not traumatic. There was no need for doctor visitations until I got married and got pregnant. By then, I could consider myself a veteran of the touch and feel and poke and prick -- marriage opens you up for all kinds of examination (so to speak).

The years went by and as God willed it, I stayed relatively healthy. Frequent visits to doctors were mainly for my growing kids. When I visited my doctor, this was not top in my to-do list, and I went only when I thought it was convenient.

In my blooming 30's, I got my taste of what an executive check-up was all about. At the prodding of a friend, both of us took advantage of the company's benefit. Besides, being a first timer, I looked at it as an adventure as well as a cheap chance to have a legitimate reason to be away from work for 2 whole days. After a whirlwind of examination and poking in "new places where the sun don't shine", I was declared healthy beyond reasonable doubt!!!

Regular check-ups every two years became a habit with me. Being and staying healthy moved up in my to-do priority list. I guess when you hit that certain age, you start to feel subtle changes in your appearance-- a more toothy smile brought about by receding gum lines, a fuller hip, strained eyes after a long day's work. Getting a passing mark after a medical exam became the goal.

Thankfully, 50 is the new 30— and I merrily deny the inevitable and still think of myself as sparkling wine! For did not someone say that aging is all in the mind. But there is no denying what I see piling up on my hips, sprouting in my hair, blurring my eyes and causing the aches in my joints. Yes, all these have made me realize even more the importance of good health. For in order to stay a spring chicken (at least in my mind) and continue to enjoy what life has to offer, I have to toe the health line-- diet, exercise, positive attitude and regular check-ups.

+ / + / + /+ / + / + /+ / + / + /+ / + / + /+ / + / +

In my recent visit to my doctor, she exclaimed that my cholesterol level was quite impressive. I explained that it must be the oatmeal I have everyday for breakfast. She remarked in return, “I should go back to eating oatmeal again.”

With so many oatmeal preparations in the supermarket these days, it should be easy to find one that suits ones taste. There's traditional rolled oats, said to be even more healthier but needs some time to cook, or the just-add-water variety. I prefer the middle-of-the-road oatmeal variety: Quick Cooking. To make breakfast interesting, I add powdered milk, a sliced banana and a tablespoon of chopped walnuts. And like the life we choose to live, oatmeal options can be limitless.

Good Morning Sunshine!

I used to be a night person. Like an owl, my energy level peaks the later the hour. I remember how productive I was when the clock stuck five. Reports and charts seemed faster to do later in the day. And when I got home from work, I'ld check on the kids' homework and still have the energy to bake up a batch of cookies to take to the office the next day. Then there were all those "midnight madness" shopping expeditions at the malls with friends. And let's not forget the "I could have danced all night" chapter of my life. Like Dracula, I would rather sleep in late than wake up with the roosters. It was torture having to get ready for work in the mornings.

It's funny how ten years ago,while on a night out with friends, I would be disappointed when one of the more "senior" member in the party would start yawning. And it was only 10 o'clock!!

Now I can say that I still have the samba moves that could heat up a dance floor and the skill to whip up something interesting in the kitchen. But all, I find, are better done way, way before the clock strikes the Cinderella hour.

Where I used to love the burst of energy and excitement that the evening brought, I now find myself drawn to the freshness of the morning light. Sleep is eagerly sought in anticipation of what the morning will bring. What new wonder will greet me? What new thought, what new idea? The mornings signal so much possibilities up ahead in the day.

Where before I gave thanks for surviving another day, I now give thanks for being given another day.

x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x-----x

Need an energy boost to start your day? Try my sunshine packed breakfast drink that will surely see you glow and go.

Have ready:
1 cup chopped fruit (may consist of a ripe banana or strawberries or mangoes or papaya or melon or a mix of these fruits to make 1 cup)
2 heaping tablespoon of raw oatmeal ( quick cooking, instant or rolled)
1/2 to 2/3 cup water
some sugar or honey (optional)




Procedure:



Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend away until smooth.

Find a relaxing spot to leisurely enjoy the resulting drink.



Pointers:
*You may use cold water and add some ice cubes.
*If using bananas only, I find that two will do.
*When combining fruits, choose the ones that are known to combine well-- bananas usually pair off well with strawberries or mangoes.
*You could also add some cinnamon to add some interest to it.
*Remember that the drink tends to firm up because of the oatmeal. So it is best to drink this as soon as it's ready. Otherwise, just add water if the drink thickens too quickly for you.

Healthy Option From My Garden

Did I plant the seed of inspiration to start your own home garden?

Well, I do hope so because depending on what you planted, in a short time, you could be cooking up the following dish with produce from your garden! Meanwhile, you can start practicing by getting the ingredients for the following recipe from your local supermarket or wet market.

The recipe is for a vegetable stew-- so very Visayan. Although I think there is a Tagalog version of this but I can't seem to remember the name. Something about a thousand vegetables.

This dish is also very personal. The reason is that the vegetables used in the stew depends on the preference of the cook. So you may or may not add alugbati, okra, squash, string beans, or even gabi (yam). But the dish must have at all times Malunggay leaves-- no buts about it. To add flavour, you should have green onions, ginger and/or tanglad (lemon grass).

This vegetable stew pairs very well with fried fish. And if times are hard, a small dish of ginamos (fermented fish) or bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp) would do nicely.


Utan Binisaya



Basic Ingredients:
Leaves from 4 stalks of kamonggay (malunggay)
2 stalks of green onions (sibuyas dahonan;murang sibuyas), sliced into 2 inch length
1 stalk of tangad (lemon grass), tied in a bundle
1 thumb-size luy-a (ginger), quartered
salt to taste

Optional:
1 small tawong (talong), sliced into cubes
3 pieces string beans (batong; sitaw), sliced into 2 inch length
1 small sikqua (patola), peeled and sliced into cubes
Leaves from 1 bunch of alugbate
1/2 c cubed calbasa (squash)
1/2 c cubed gabi (yam)
2-3 pcs okra, sliced
1 sili espada (jalapeno)
Procedure:
Boil 3-4 cups of water. When the water is boiling, drop in the ginger and the tanglad. These are the ingredients that will flavor and add a lovely scent to your stew. Then add the vegetables in 3-5 minute intervals. Start with vegetables that take a while to cook (eggplant, string beans, squash, okra) and end with the malunggay. If you want some heat to the stew, add one sili espada. Season with some salt. The malunggay cooks quickly so you can kill the fire and just cover the pot for a few minutes. Be proud to serve such a healthy, nutritiously economical dish.