Year: 2012

Ensaladang Lato (Seaweed Salad)

Along with my craving for salty food I also miss some fresh salad’s from back home. Growing up in Davao we were spoiled with good quality seafood. You should see my Aunt’s house it’s garden path was once covered with oyster shells, oh yes we had a bountiful of grilled fish, seashells and seaweeds every weekend that we enjoy by the beach.   One of the seaweed that I enjoy eating and truly miss is called Lato. My sister sent me a photo of what they had for lunch paired with some grilled liempo.   I can just taste the sea with each pop of the seaweed’s tiny bulb. If only I can find some here in Dubai.   Ensaladang Lato -a bunch of Lato (about 250 to 300 grams) -2 tomatoes -3 small onions Carefully clean the lato with water. Cut tomatoes and onion in wedges. Arrange it on the plate. For the dressing our familly enjoy it with a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Or just eat it that …

Baby Bump Update: Week 24

  Information from BabyBump iphone app: Your baby’s respiratory system is rapidly growing, lungs are developing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. For now your baby still gets oxygen through your placenta.     Weight: At my doctors appointment last March 10, I gained 2 kilos after 4 months of trying to gain weight. Now I just have to maintain slowly gaining and eating healthy.   Physical: I still have a strong sense of smell that the slightest unpleasant odor gives me headache and makes me dizzy. The change of weather happening here in Dubai does not help since during this time I usually get migraines which makes me spend more time in the bed thus our house is a mess. Comparing this pregnancy to my first I think I’m on the smaller side now people asking me how long I am still can’t believe that I’m on week 24. The bump is much more obvious now and I am feeling our baby girl having a party inside. …

Sino Chai

November 2015 Update A good news! Our favorite restaurant has re-opened at Business Bay under the new name Taipei Dao Teahouse Restaurant & Café. Visit facebook page here. *** A sad update from Sino Chai After a glorious run of several years, Sino Chai will no longer be serving it’s customers after 31st January, 2014. We thank you all for being a part of this tremendous journey with us – all this would not have been possible without your amazing support and encouragement. *** Whenever we crave for a good dim sum, C and I always choose to eat at Sino Chai. It’s a plus that on weekends they have an eat-all-you-can dim sum. C opted to order Fried Rice with Sweet & Sour Chicken while V and I shared the dim sum. The server asked if we preferred any dim sum to be served to us and since we can’t decide I asked to try one of each dim sum available.   This Chives Pancake is one of V’s favorite. Crunchy but doesn’t feel oily.   Before I forget the eat …

Sex announcement (as in the baby’s gender, silly!)

When we had our scan at 15 weeks our sonographer asked us if we wanted to know the gender of the baby. C replied not really we’ll wait till we are in our 20 weeks. The lovely lady insists that we can find out at our current week. C was still not convinced.   Another scan at 18 weeks was done (baby scan is done every time we go for a monthly check-up) and once again our sonographer told us the baby’s gender. C still wanted to wait till we do our full detailed scan.   Finally the day of our full detailed scan (20 weeks) at Fetal Medical Center came, and before we left the house it has been settled that what we find out today will be final.   Doctor checked the baby’s head, hands, heart, tummy, feet and…   “Do you want to know the gender?” “Yes, Doctor”   Mom, are you sure?   YES. I’m going to have a baby sister.

Cloth Diaper

For the past week I’ve been reading about cloth diapers and boy was the information overwhelming. There’s like a secret language when you’re into cloth diapering. Here’s some of them that you would encounter: CD – cloth diaper MCD – modern cloth diaper AIO – All in One AI2 – All in Two or Hybrid Pocket Fitted   I have so far been eyeing the following diapers   *clicking the image will direct you the the brand’s site.   I’m still not sure whether the AIO or Pocket cloth diaper will work for us that’s why we have decided to try each kind available and work on our diaper stash when the baby arrives. As what other mom’s suggested online you will never know which one will work for you unless you’ve tried it yourself. I assumed that cloth diapers will be available in the UAE market but I was wrong and didn’t find one single store in the mall that have them. Luckily I found a lady who sells the Australian brand itti bitti and …

Baby Bump Update: 21 weeks and feeling better

We had our full detailed scan* at Fetal Medicine Center last Saturday. My OB required me to do the scan just to make sure that our baby’s growth is normal. Thank God that everything is normal and baby’s growth is inline with what is expected in 21 weeks.   Along with the scan we have already confirmed (for the 3rd time) the gender of the baby but that deserve’s another post with some cake 🙂 Our next check-up will be on March 10 hopefully I’ve gained some weight by then since I’ve been losing since the start of the pregnancy. I’m eating well now and often look for something to eat every 30 minutes.   *Detailed Fetal Scan – 1000 dhs

Cassava Cake

I have the pleasure of hosting Kulinarya Cooking Club’s February challenge with Marni of Kensington Kitchen. February is the love month of the year and what better way to celebrate February than to reminisce about once first love. We asked our fellow KCC to prepare a dish that would make one recall our first love. ohhh first love…Growing up I didn’t have any clear idea on what love really is. Back then love for me would be that cute stares across the table or that one nice gesture out of the blue. That happy feeling would last a day or two with numerous diary entries of what could happen tomorrow. Love is a fairy tale, I’m the princess waiting for my prince charming to rescue me from all the hardships and pain. I had my first heartbreak at 5 years old when I lost the one man in my life who gave me everything, my Papa. Since then I protected my heart but then some days I failed and met plenty of prince along the …