Chocolate Cream Cheese Stuffed Monkey Bread

Had a little extra time this morning to bake!

I was so excited because baking feels like a therapy to me, just like yoga.

There's something about baking that makes me forget about everything.

Just me, in the zone getting creative. 

We've been eating so healthy these days and my craving for carbs and sweet are through

the roof! 

It's okay to have a little bit right?

I swear I didn't eat the whole thing! haha!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Stuffed Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 16 oz container biscuit dough
• 8 oz cream cheese
• Chocolate chips
• 1 Cup white sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 Cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Cut biscuits in half and cube the cream cheese. Flatten each biscuit and place one cube of cream cheese and a few chocolate chips in the center of each. Fold the biscuit dough around the cream cheese and chocolate and form into a ball.
• In a gallon plastic bag, combine 1 cup of white sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon. Add 6-8 dough balls to the bag, seal the bag and shake until well coated. Repeat for the remainder of the stuffed dough pieces.
• In a microwave safe bowl add 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter. Microwave on high for 70 seconds stopping halfway to stir. Remove from microwave and stir until it reaches a caramel consistency.
• To a greased Bundt pan sprinkle half of the walnuts, half of the dough pieces, and drizzle half the caramel glaze. Repeat with the remaining walnuts, dough and caramel glaze.

• Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and turn upside down onto a plate to cool for 10 minutes before lifting off the pan (this way  the warm glaze runs back through and fully coats all the bread)

• Lift off the pan and serve!

Enjoy!

This was so easy to make and so good!

I bet you will like it too!

Someone was so excited to have some!

Favorite Healthy eats!

Hi guys, how's your week going?

This week is going fast again even though feels like I'm not really busy.

I recently tried Panera bread. 

I'm so glad they opened one here! because it was really good. 

Their pastries are my favorite but had to try salad and this one was so good!

I had Iced matcha tea latte with it too. 

What's your favorite from panera bread?

I'm still so obsessed with sparkling waters.

These la croix ones was good too, they are not sugary like the Clear brands.

If you want something without sugar you will like this!

These dasani kind ones are the same too, Not sugary.

I can say that I like it better than la croix.

But, on days that I want something that sweet.

I still prefer the Ice sparkling brand.

So refreshing!!

So perfect right now, It's so hot!

Today's lunch was baked salmon with mixed steam veggies.

So simple but so tasty!

Have a good day!!

xo

If you want better, Go get better.

If you want better, Go get better. 

Protein Blueberry muffins

I love love muffins, I love it that I can eat it everyday!

But, we all know how much calories they have and how much carbs and sugar they have

So, I decided to make a healthy version of it. 

This Protein muffins are so good you can't even tell that it's healthy! 

Perfect when you are on the go and need something to eat. 

Let me know what you think!

Protein Blueberry muffins

Ingredients:

• Non stick cooking spray
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup plain oats, quick or regular
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup non fat greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Coat muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside
• In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a different bowl, combine yogurt, honey, eggs, butter and vanilla
• Fold the yogurt mixture into the dry mixture and stir to combine well.
• Gently fold in the blueberries (The mixture should be very thick but if its too thick, or too dry and crumbly, add some milk until mixes well)
• Spoon the mixture into the muffin tins and bake until the top is golden and it springs back when gently touched, about 20 minutes.

These muffins can be wrapped in plastic and store in the freezer.

Enjoy!

xo

Healthy eats!

Hello everyone! 

I finally had a chance to write something, It's definitely been a while.

Little man is almost two months old now.

I have been quite busy or I'm too tired to get online and do something.

But, I'm so glad that eventhough I'm pretty busy with kids and other stuff

our healthy eating has been on point!

I figure I should share this with all of you guys.

I'm not really trying to lose more weight, I just want to make sure 

that I'm eating good for breastfeeding.

But, just like what they said don't focus on getting skinny!

Just eat healthy and your body will just get rid of the unwanted weight by itself.

I got a little bit more to lose before I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

I don't really care, I've been tired but feeling I'm great and that's what matters!

I'm back on doing meal prepping again and I swear it's really helpful especially 

that I don't have much time to cook anymore. 

I started making the meals I have been making before.

Recipes here ( Sunday Meal prep )

I found some recipes I want to try and I will definitely share it with all of you.

This meal that I made last weekend was Baked chicken with roasted potatoes, asparagus and 

steam broccoli. 

It's really simple. 

I will post detailed recipe of it soon! 

2 Ingredient Pancake

Okay, So I tried this 2 ingredients pancakes that I've been seeing on Pinterest.

I'm not sure If I did something wrong.

It's basically made with bananas and eggs.

I added cinnamon and vanilla but, they are a too runny, maybe that's what it suppose to be

but, It was just really hard to cook. It was good though!

I need to try to add oats next time. 

I still recommend it though, Just make sure you cook it on low. 

Lactation Smoothie

I'm also been having Lactation smoothie once in a while now and I say it's pretty good

I always drink smoothie before and  I definitely love love it.

This one is made with frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, quick oats greek yogurt, and flax seed.

Going to try lactation cookies next time! 

More healthy eats I want to share with all of you guys.

I hope you all like it!

Happy weekend and stay cool! 

It's been crazy hot!

xoxo

-Jen

Journey

"Maybe the journey isn't so much about 
becoming anything.
Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that
isn't really you,
so you can be who you were meant 
to be in the first place."

Embotido (Filipino meatloaf)

Embotido 

Steamer has been my favorite thing to use in the kitchen these days.

There's just so many Food, especially Filipino food that I miss and I want to cook!

One of them is this one. 

It's a Filipino version of Meatloaf. 

It's just one of the best Meatloaf version I've ever had. 

Let me know what you guys think!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1/4 Cup garlic,minced
• 1/2 Cup onion, minced
• 1/4 Cup carrots,minced
• 1/2 Cup red bell pepper, minced
• 1/2 Cup green bell pepper, minced
• 1 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 2 Tbsp raisins
• 1 pc. chorizo, finely chopped
• 1/4 Cup grated cheese
• 2 Tbsp. liver spread
• 1 egg beaten 
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce 
• 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 Tbsp Filipino ketchup
• 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp Bread crumbs
• 2 slices whole wheat bread, flaked and soaked in 1/4 Cup evaporated milk.
• 2 Tsp salt 
• 1 Tsp pepper

For Filling:

         

        3 Eggs, hard boiled & quartered

        3 Beef franks, halved lengthwise

Procedure:

• In a bowl, season ground pork with salt and pper.
• Add the garlic, onion, carrots, bell peppers, pickle relish, raisins, chorizo, cheddar cheese, liver spread, soy sayce, oyster sauce and ketchup. mix well.
• Add the bread and milk mixture, bread crumbs, flour and the beaten egg, mix thoroughly.
• On a slightly greased sheet of aluminum foil, place a cup of meat mixture and flatten it, leacing about 3 inches of space on both ends of the foil.

• Put the sliced beef franks and sliced boiled eggs on the middle of the meat mixture.
• Roll the foil to foam a log locking the sausage and egg in the middle. Lock the foil by twisting both ends.

• Oven medium heat, cook in a steamer for 1 hour.
• Remove from the steamer and allow to cool down. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Unwrap and slice. Serve with hot rice and your choice of dip.

Enjoy, and have a great week!!!

xo

-Jen

Chocoflan

Hello everyone!

How is your weekend so far??

So my In-laws are visiting tomorrow.

I find it a good reason to bake something special!

I have been wanting to make this for a while now and I'm so glad I got to make it.

I was so worried that It won't turn out good. 

..And with how busy I am these days, I'm so glad to have time to bake today.

This was actually not that hard.

As long as you have all of the ingredients and you follow the instructions it will

turn out really good!

Chocoflan

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 10 Tbsp butter, room temperature
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 tsp Baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 Cup buttermilk
• butter or baking spray for greasing
• 1/2 cup or more caramel topping

For the Flan:

• 1 12 oz can of evaporated milk
• 1 12 oz can condensed milk
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

 

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Grease a 12-cup bundt pan with butter or baking spray. Pour 1/4 cup of caramel at the bottom of the pan. If the caramel is too thick, warm it up so it will settle evenly on the bottom of the pan.
• Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
• Beat the 1/3 of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk into the egg mixture. Repeat, ending with the last of the flour mixture. Blend well.
• Spoon the cake batter into the pan.  Carefully drag a fork on the top to even it out without disturbing the caramel at the bottom.
• Mix all of the ingredients of the flan together and blend in a blender or with a hand blender.
• Slowly pour the flan mixture into the cake batter.
• Cover with a foil.
• Sit the bundt pan on a roasting tin and add about an inch of the hot water.

• Bake for an hour and half or until ta cake tester comes out clean. The cake layer should rise to the top.
• Remove from water bath and cool to room temperature about 1 hour.
• Remove the pan and scrape any remaining caramel onto the cake. Arrange pecans on top and drizzle with more caramel.
• Slice and serve with caramel sauce.

Enjoy!!!

Grateful

I can't believe its been 2 weeks since my baby was born.
..and it has been a wonderful 2 weeks.
Busy, trying to figure out how to do this "mom of 2" thing.
So grateful that my hubby never left my side and helping me
with everything.

So many things I want to stay that I don't even know where to start.
But for now, I can say that I'm really happy, grateful.
So excited for our next journey.

xo

Banana Chocolate Coconut Bites

Hello everyone!

It's been a while since I updated.

Well,first of all. My Baby is here!!!

It's been a wonderful 2 weeks.

I'll share more about it on my next post.

Anyways, I am breastfeeding like with my first born.

And, I totally forgot how breastfeeding makes me constantly hungry!

I keep on eating whatever I see and that's not good!

I decided to start making healthy snacks so even when I'm hungry late at night

What I'm going to grab is healthy!

I decided to make these and It was so good!

No bake, Eat clean dessert/snack

Let me know what you guys think!

Banana Chocolate Coconut Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut flakes
1 banana
1 avocado
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp honey

Directions:
Mash banana and avocado with a fork until well blended. 
Add in cinnamon, cocoa, and honey.
Add in coconut shreds and stir until batter thickens.
Roll into little balls and roll in coconut shreds.
Store in the fridge and enjoy! 

Shrimp, Sweet potato and Kale Stir-Fry

I love love Stir-Fry!

Stir-Fry dishes are really common in the Philippines, or let say Asian Countries.

I don't make Stir-fry dishes often but when do, I make sure it's a healthy kind.

Like this one, Simple. Easy, and so good! 

Let me know what you guys think!

Shrimp, Sweet potato and Kale Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Shrimp
• 1 bunch kale, sliced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper.

Directions:

• Place sweet potatoes in skillet over medium heat. Add a few tbsp. of water to skillet and cook for 15 minutes. Strain any remaining water from pan.
• Add onions and garlic, cook for about 5-6 minutes.
• Add kale, lemon juice, red pepper flake, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Melt butter in pan. Add shrimp and worcestershire. Cook on each side until no gray remains.
• Serve shrimp over kale and sweet potato mixture.

Chaturanga

Chaturanga at 35 weeks.

Feels so good but so challenging at this point.

#pregnantnotpowerless

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Happy Sunday everyone!

I hope you are all having a good weekend.

Started my day with this amazing breakfast.

I finally got to try quinoa!

Quinoa is gluten free, high in protein, and also high in fiber!

Everything that is good for me, that's why I have been wanting to try it.

This bowl has eggs, Spinach, bacon, mushroom and bell peppers. 

I will definitely have to cook more with quinoa!

What do you guys think of quinoa?

xo

Jen

Fiesta Corn & Avocado salsa

Hello everyone!

It's been a while since I posted a recipe.

I've been busy these days and lazy too. haha!

Lately I like to make something easy and fresh and this salsa is just one of them.

Aside from craving for this Dip/salsa for a while, I love love this kind of dip because its so fresh. 

Hubby doesn't like onion and tomatoes but I'm glad he got to enjoy this too with me!

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 Cups fresh or canned corn kernels (I used canned)
• 1 and 1/2 Cups black beans
• 1/2 small red onion, diced
• 1 Cup diced tomato
• 1 avocado,chopped 
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp. salt
• pinch of ground pepper
• pink of cayenne pepper
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)

Directions:

• Add everything to a large bow. Stir. Taste and add more seasoning as needed.
• Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour or up to 1 day. (It taste better after an hour and a little cold )

Note: The lime juice and red onion keeps the avocado from turning brown.

        

Enjoy!

See you soon.

10 weeks vs 35 weeks.
I can't wait to meet you little boy. 

Little man's 4th Birthday

I know I've said this last year, 

But,  I can't believe it! 

My baby is 4! 

Little man's Birthday party this year is different ( Little man's 3rd Birthday )

We decided to have it at our house this year,

This might be his last year celebrating it here in North Carolina 

so we decided to make it special, fun with close friends. 

I think it turned out fun!

He had a blast. 

Our theme this year was not different like like last year.

He is still obsessed with cars, But this year he is more obsessed with

Hot wheels.

So we made it all Hot wheels themed.

Thanks to party city because they have everything there!

Of course, Fruit for Appetizer and some fresh stuff to add to Burgers.

Little man had a Bouncy castle outside, 

So everyone was outside most of the time.

Me and my friend had a quick halo halo!

Oh, how i missed this!

Taste like heaven!

I mean, who wouldn't want that on a hot day?

Little man's cake this year is from the same bakery like last year.

I loved how it turned out.

Little man loved it.

We grilled and had some Filipino dishes for side that I forgot to take  a picture.

Like always, It was a lot of food.

I like having lots of food that not having enough.

Pinata fun!

Kids loved it.

....And the bouncy castle.

Me and my friend's bump.

I'm so excited for them to meet!

It was a great party. 

My little man is getting so big!! ( Teary eyes) 

Hubby did so good getting everything ready for the party.

He is the best Father ever.

I hope you are all having a good week!

xo

Jen