Mi Mancherai

Mi Mancherai is how you say "I miss you" in Italy. And I learned this because of the foreign film "Il Postino" - The Postman. I would have never known how beautiful this film was if not for my friend - Kenny. He is my one-of-a-kind friend I have who feeds me with stuff about foreign culture. 

I always had this fascination for Italy, so when Kenny tells me of this beautiful Italian film I told him I should see it for myself. But his introduction was not about the film, it was about the poem "Tonight I can write the saddest lines - Pablo Neruda". And that started it all, since then I already have a beautiful imagery of what the film would be like.

It had been probably about 3 years since Kenny first mentioned the film to me.  But my intense interest for this film has never left me. So when I found out it was available in the library I was so happy that I will be able to get the chance to watch it. 

The movie never failed my expectation. It was wonderfully funny but moving at the same time. But few months ago prior to watching the film, I was already enjoying the motion picture soundtrack of the movie. It contained poems of Pablo Neruda that were read by famous Hollywood personalities such as Andy Garcia, Glenn Close, Madonna and Julia Roberts to mention a few. 

The movie plot is not that complex, but it is heart-warming. And ever more I am very fascinated with the language of Italy and the country itself. Its definitely on my wish list on the places I want to visit in the future. This movie made me fall in love with Italy.

here's the song of the movie:

Mi Mancherai (Album Version) - Josh Groban (Featuring Joshua Bell)

LYRICS with TRANSLATION

Flat Tummy Aid

One the main part of my body that I dislike the most is my abs. A few months ago I found this video. And it  looks interesting, and I'm trying it. I'm hoping it will remove those hideous muffin top. 

Smile

I was nostalgic today of my preggy days when came across a Hil's Blog. As a first time mom, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of "first time everything", even until now. Pregnant with Thames, there was one of the many things I remember that never fails to put a smile on my face on a weekly basis..a newsletter from Pregnancy Weekly. Aside from the details on what you need to expect, they include a similar cartoon picture like the one I posted above. And thinking about it now, it helped my get through it all. 

In life whatever challenges you are faced with, I believe that any simple funny situation that can make you  smile or even laugh will work wonders for you as it did with mine. 

Lesson#2 : Don't forget to smile / laugh

You can see more cartoons here : http://www.everydaypeoplecartoons.com/index.php

Almost Everything

I'm an avid fan of the book Sneaky Chef because of my son who's a picky eater. But prior to the wonderful book discovery I was already a "Sneaky Chef" by heart, I guess any mom who has a son like mine would become one. I've experimented with carrots and broccoli in pancakes just so he could have a healthy breakfast. And then I moved to cupcakes/muffins since they became his favorite, I make it enticing as well by buying colorful liners.

Making these healthy breakfast/snack item also prevents me from throwing common fruit favorites when they're close to being over-ripe. Honestly, even for a fruit lover like me I still get tired of eating the same thing for a week and my hubby is not a fruit person at all. Since I have tried making these baked goodies they are always a hit with the boys. Now, no fruit goes to waste in my kitchen - almost.

I also discovered a good recipe from Sunny Anderson a couple of months back, you can even add your desired healthy ingredients. I'm not a big fan of blueberries ( I like to eat them fresh) in a baked recipe so I omitted it from the original list of ingredients. In the picture shown, I used strawberries, zucchini,carrots, bananas and walnuts. And I'm calling it my "almost-everything-in-it" muffins. Its moist,filling and I must say the healthiest I've made so far.

These muffins will still taste better even after days in your fridge. So for people on the go, you can just pop it in the microwave oven and viola! you can have something wholesome and enjoy it without getting your hands messy.I think muffins also are good when your watching your weight since you have portion control. Making these cupcakes/muffins is the most effective way to encourage my child eating his fruits and veggies even at breakfast without the fuss.

Here's also a collection of cupcakes/muffins I've made in the past:

The Late Dessert

Its probably ages since I last made Brazo de Mercedes. The recipe came from my home economics class in high school. My mom was ever so proud that I decided to make it for her birthday when I was yet in college.

Yesterday, I decided to make the dessert again. Thammee and I celebrated our 3rd year, I made his favorite crispy pata and he bought champagne for us to enjoy. But on the 23rd I did not make any dessert to go with our special homemade dinner because I was not very confident that I would be able to make it on time. And besides serving an 8lb. chunk of meat, I knew that there will be no more room for dessert. I told him that we will just have our sweet treat anytime this week.

I made instant pasta - (my definition of cooked pasta with bottled sauce) for dinner, and it can be done in less than 30mins. including the cooking time of the frozen garlic bread. I needed something challenging so I whipped up the Brazo. The recipe was sitting in my "UNTESTED" recipe folder for more than a year now, but its not the same old recipe from home economics class anymore.

The results did not exceed my expectations - presentation wise but the taste was really exquisite. Thammee's reviews agreed with mine. And now the recipe can finally move to my "tried and tested" folder.