Positivity Note Series #1: Faith + Love + Hope = Must-Have Values

God gave us three values worth of nurturing for. Having these values gave me the sanity to live in these world. We need these to survive and be at peace in mind, heart and soul despite many troubles we encounter. These 3 values are:

               

1. FAITH 

                        Faith is believing on those that are not seen by your eyes yet felt by your heart. And I am happy because I had a chance to grow on faith of God's words and fruitful rewards. Having faith makes me a better person and leads me to strive for the righteous ways of living. I pray every night to God to make me a good person and lead my hands and feet not to astray. I am still working on this one. I hope that one day, I can find myself totally immersed in God's grace and love, guided by faith in Him.

2. LOVE

                    Love comes in many packages and it makes the world goes round. I believe on this. I am blessed with family who are a lot understanding and supportive. Every time I feel so overwhelm about the world, I had these "recharging" moments, just go home and be near with my family. Their love filled my heart and that is enough to be back to real place again. God really is so good when He let me find my other half and I can't be grateful enough. Friends I had were my treasures back in my elementary days, and high school days then after that, I also meet good people worth treasuring, in my undergraduate years, at work and now that I am at school again. 

3. HOPE

                Hope keeps me going even if there are tons of works to do and lots of failed plans show. I felt very sad at times and my energy drained. But because of hope I just keep trying and trying and pray that whatever I do become successful one day. Yes, I do fall hopeless about loving, because sometimes loving means hurting myself or the one I love but because of hope, I carry on. I hope that everything will become okay and every pain be forgotten. A sun set so it can rise again tommorow.

So, for a positive Monday, I keep remembering this 3 values I have: LOVE, FAITH and HOPE.

Smile,,smile,,smile and keep remembering that life would not be easy but God's grace and presence sorrounds us and He will never let us down. Yeah! Have a happy Monday :)

And happy as can be,, now back to my thesis revision :) 

Len ^_^

Mushroom + Spice + Everything Nice = Burp!

 Mushrooms are super delicious! Plus packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. That's why it is not really difficult to love this vegetable?!.. hmmm... it is a kind of fungi, actually. And because I love mushrooms, I bought a packed from Mushroom burger in Tagaytay which cost Php 75 per pack for around 500grams already.

Tenganng-daga (English: rat-ear)
Actually it is bigger that rat's ear! :D

All mushrooms, edible or not are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms (Arora, 1986). 

Different varieties of edible mushroom.
Picture came from here.

If mushrooms come with nutrition label, it will be something like this:

B vitamins, and minerals plus it has 0% fat! from: Mushroom Info /  website here.

When I got at the dorm, I kept them in the fridge and these variety kept really well. Compared to oyster mushrooms, these have lower moisture content and are darker in color (more phenolic compounds, i think, which are good antioxidants). Then, every time i got time to work on the kitchen, I experiment on them. (As a food scientist, i don't play with foods, it's like adding more value to the food :)

So here are the results :

"mushroom sisig rice topping"

"mushroom chips with parsley"

"dinengdeng : tomato, mushroom, bittermelon leaves and stringbeans"

"another version of dinengdeng : malunggay, stringbeans and mushrooms" 

"mushroom omelet"

"mushroom vegies" add sotanghon and it becomes pancit!

creamy sisig topped with egg and parsley garnish :)
Trying hard chef, I am.

Yes, they're so easy to cook! So fun to prepare and the outcome? Try it yourself. It depends on your creativity and of course, palate "choosiness" . I am an Ilokana (known for love of bagoong - fish paste) that's why I included dinengdeng there! Taste really good. Mushrooms are rich in glutamate, so no need to add MSG. It makes the dish savory, umami-rich. 

So now, it's your turn :) When was the last time you cook something new? 

Rice + Chicken Joy + Bread = Fun

Yesterday, i had a chance to visit the biggest bread manufacturing in the country.

Gardenia Bakeries Inc. produced 6,000 loaf breads a day

It was also worth spending time with former classmates I have not seen for a while.

Nice to see you, Camille :)

I am lucky to had joined the CLSU Food Science department in their educational trip for their students.

First, special thanks to FST teachers who let me joined the trip :)

 The educational tour includes:

1. UPLB Tour and IFST plant

Oblation pose

Tita Mafe showing the spray drier to the visitors

2. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Museum Tour

3. Jollibee Commisary in Canlubang

4. Gardenia Bakeries Inc. in Binan, Laguna

5. Enchanted Kingdom (I did not join the EK part because I have no enough money for entrance :D

Lastly, I have a picture for my beau who like me, loves the kind of Japanese culture. 

Taken at the IRRI museum, a typical Japanese dinner: Japanese rice, miso soup, pickled radish, boiled squash, sardines and hot tea. yum! so healthy!

I had free food, free toasties, free ride, new knowledge and of course, so much fun with friends!
Indeed, a worthwhile and educational trip!
I hope this helps those who wanted to organize trips for students, families or friends :D