You have the right to grow.

"You are under no obligation to be the same person 

as you were a year, a month, or even 15 minutes ago.

You have the right to grow. 

No apologies." 💗

Christmas day

We had a busy couple of days celebrating Christmas 

This year is so different, We spent our Christmas with most

of our Filipino friends, Humid weather, and A lot of Filipino food.

I loved it!

We opened our presents first thing in the morning,

I think little man enjoyed it the most.

..And of course sydney! our dog. 

 I'm so happy to get a lot of kitchen gadgets!

Yup get ready for more food recipes from me! :)

I'm in-love with this blanket that mother in-law sent me.

On our summer vacation there I always use her blanket so she knows how much i love blanket like this.

Later that day we went to see my friend that I met in Korea,

Where I also met my husband by the way.

We had a Filipino style BBQ

We really just want it to feel like we are home.

Minus our family from the Philippines.

I promised her that I will make her cookies.

So I made Chocolate Crinkle cookies.

It's the only  "Christmasy" cookies that I first thought of making.

They all loved it!!

( Recipe here )

I always miss Filipino food, 

These days I crave Asian food more than ever!

It was a great time!

The next day, We attended a Christmas party with the Filipino community in town.

It's such a blessing to know these people.

It was a tiring 3 days..

I'm ready to have a relaxing week..

How about you??

xo

Maja Blanca and Christmas eve dinner.

When i lived in the Philippines as a tradition we always have our Christmas Dinner on

Christmas eve.

..And on Christmas day it depends if there's more food that need to be cooked, But Christmas Day is Leftover food kind of day.

..And since this year we  spent Christmas day with friends I decided to make our dinner on Christmas eve.

I love it! 

This might be our new tradition every year.

I started cooking early and made my Favorite Ham!

This usually takes 3-4 hours to bake.

So worth it.

I also made our favorite side dishes Green bean casserole and my Mashed potatoes. 

Recipe here ( Cheesy mashed potatoes )

For dessert, I made a Filipino dessert. 

My husband is picky with Filipino dessert. 

..And that's okay, More for me! :)

Maja Blanca 

Ingredients: 

• 1 Can coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cup evaporated or fresh milk
• 1 Cup sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 Cup cornstarch dissolved in 3/4 cup milk
• 1 can Corn kernel, drained
• 1/ Cup toasted coconut flakes

Directions:

• Grease a 8x8 or 9x9 square pan with cooking spray. set aside.
• Combine coconut milk and condensed milk in a pot and bring to boil over medium-high heat while stirring occasionally.
• Add the corn kernel. Pour in the cornstarch mixture and stir constantly and quickly until the texture turn into paste-like consistency. Remove from heat and transfer to greased pan immediately. Gently tap the pan on the kitchen counter a couple of times to get rid of the trapped bubbles and even out surface with spatula or spoon.
• Let the maja Blanca Settle down and cool down.
• Roast coconut flakes in a pan over low fire until browned. Stir constantly to avoid burning them. Set aside.
• Sprinkle top with roasted coconut flakes.
• Store in the fridge. Serve cold.

It was a lot of mixing.

But oh so worth it!

Can't have any alcoholic beverages this year, But I made sure that hubby will still continue 

our tradition.

Sparkling wine was so good.

I still can't believe I can do this much cooking!

What do you usually make for Christmas Dinner?

xo 

Jen

Christmas eve.

Hello everyone!

How was your Christmas?

I finally got to sit down and decided to catch up on my posts.

It was an amazing Christmas.

I can say it's a little different than last year, But..

It was amazing to spend Christmas with great people.

Little man is more excited too this year. 

I just love seeing it through his eyes.

Every year, we usually make Gingerbread house or Chocolate house.

We made Christmas cookies this year for a change.

This is actually my first time making Christmas cookies!

Not the prettiest, But I had fun!

After Christmas eve dinner we gave little man his Christmas eve box 

He was so excited!

We put on his Christmas Pj's and watch Paw patrol Christmas episodes.

Great night!

xo

The present moment..

"The present moment, 

if you think about it,

is the only time there is. 

No matter what time it is,

it is always now."

Join us as we #lookforwardgiveback with Joriki yoga 

who makes awesome leggings while giving back.

Happy Monday!

It's officially 4 days til Christmas.

I hate how days are going faster and faster..

Holidays are almost over..

 I don't want it to end yet.

Woke up to a very cloudy morning.

I'm feeling bloated from all of the eating this weekend, 

But I'm so ready for a new week..

This morning I had this delicious breakfast. 

Quick, But it has everything you will ever need.

Bran flakes with almond milk, Top with strawberries and bananas.

This week is a big week, So many things going on.

Christmas...

Some stuff that I have to do and take care of.

Life is not always perfect, It won't always go the way you wanted it to be.

All you have to do sometimes is accept and just remember that everything happens for a reason..

It always is.. 

And whatever reason that is..

I'm ready to accept it..

Have a great week loves!

xo

Christmas Shopping and Carolina Ale House.

Hi Everyone, How is your weekend going?

This weekend we decided to do last minute Christmas shopping.

We are finally done, Well there's still some little things to get before Christmas.

But, we are done with some big shopping.

As we expected, Traffic and malls are packed.

But, we still do late Christmas shopping all the time.

We never learned our lesson.

It was a sunny but a little chilly day, 

I wish it would be like this on Christmas but it will be a warm day.

...and that's okay! 

I know this is weird, But I wanted to see how much walking we are going to do.

It's so funny seeing the pattern of walking we did!

But that was 4 miles!

My workout of the day, and I had fun!

It was hard getting the best parking spot.

So we took what we can get, A lot of walking but I love walking so It's fine with me.

After the 2 hours shopping we stopped by at Carolina Ale house for some lunch

The last time we were there was probably 2 years ago.

I'd say this restaurant is okay.

Not my first choice but Hubby liked it and it was his request.

After having a massive nacho, A little spicy but I couldn't stop eating it.

I had a Classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich and hubby had their special Four Pepper burger.

Like always, His meal is better than mine.

But it was a good meal.

And a fun, Fulfilling day.

Happy Sunday!! 

xo

My Favorite day..

"Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day." 💘👶