tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740Mon, 27 Feb 2017 03:50:40 +0000recipesReal Food Challengegluten-freesoupslivingdairy-freeguest postsaladFrench green lentilsTen in 10 Challengeavocadosmeatless challangechickendaifukuenzymesgreek yogurtlegumeslemonquinoatomatoesReal Food Challangeappetizeravocadobananasblack-eyed peasbreakfastcelerychicken stockchickpeascucumbergoji berriesgrainsgreen onionkimchiprawnssaladsside dishsmoothiessunflower seedssweet potatotravelveganwhole foodsSatsuma orangeankoapple mangoesarugulabasic tomato saucebasilbeefbeetsblack beansbonito flakesbreadbroccoli sproutscebu citycoconut macaroonsdark chocolatedessertseggplantfatgingerglutathioneguest bloggerhemp heartsherbshijikiholistic nutritionkesong putilentil stewmineralsmisomochimung bean sproutsnut milkpastapineapplepumpkinrawrecipesandwichsesame seedsshiitake mushroomssnackssoakingsoba noodlessproutingturmericumamiwakamewatermelon rindwheat-freezucchiniAdopt a BloggerBoracayCaffieneChrismtas Rainbow CakeChristmasChristmas Eve DinnerCoffeeDSLREaster SundayFilipinoFrench chocolate cakeHaiti reliefHappy New YearHong KongHotel ChocolatIndian milletInternational Party IncidentJesus ChristKorean panckesKulinarya Cooking ClubMary MohMocorranNapa CabbagePhilippinesRouxbeRouxbe Onling Cooking SchoolTwo SeasonsWaling-Waling Beach Hoteladzukiadzuki bean pureeadzuki beansalginatesalginic acidalmondsangelica sinensisantioxidantarsenicashitabaasparagusbaconbakedbanana treebanana walnut breadbasmati brown ricebeansbee pollenbeef adobobeveragebirthdaybitter herbsblack olivesblog awardsbooksbraisedbrazil nutbreafastbrown ricecalamansicancercanned tomatoescarabao mangoescarbohydratescashewcashewschayote leavescheesecakecherry preserveschicken brothchicken parmigainachicken thighs. braisedchili-lime oilchinese broccolichocolate ice creamchocolatescilantrococoacoconut candycoconut creamcoconut treecoconut-pineapple muffinconsistencycookingcooking schoolcoriandercreamculinaryculinary schoolcumincurry leavesdaaldark chocolate mochidashi stockdhalldigestive systemdilldiureticdragronfruitdressingdried apricotsdried mushroomsdysmenorrheaempanadasevoparated milkextra-virgin olive oilfamilyfatsfeaturefeta cheesefiberfishfish cakesflavorfood photographyfood stylingforbidden ricefragrant pearfrittersfruitsganachegarbanzoginsengglutamategluten freeglutinous riceglutinous rice flourgnocchignocchisgolden raisinsgorzonzolagreen beansgreen peashealing foodshealth benefitshealth blogger awardhealthy blogger awardshebal medicineholisticholistic cookinghomemade italian breadcrumbcimmune boostingimmune systemindian mangoesinterviewjicamakalamata oliveskangkongkare karekefirketsanakidneykombulactaselacto-fermentedlacto-ovo veganlance armstronglecithinlifestylelima beanslipaseliver toniclivestronglocal leafy green vegetableslong-grain brown ricelow-glycemic indexmacadamiamagnesiummain dishmalunggaymango salsamango treemangoesmeatless challengemediterraneanmilletmozzarella cheesemung beannatural nutritionnotesnutrientsnutritionoatsolivesorangespancakespapayapau d'arcopeanut butterphytic acidpickled mangopizzapoint and shoot camerapomelopotatopotatoesprobioticproteaseproteinpseudo-grainpsyllium huskred bean pastered bell pepperred cabbagered lentilsrisottoroasted astragalus rootroasted garlicroasted gingerrosemarysalmon saladsalted eggssaluyotsandwichessauceseafoodserendipitous notessoft-boiled eggspicesspinachsquidstewstocksugar snap peas dairy-freesultanassupplementssweet potato tops. alugbatitableataheebotartteatofutomato pastetropical fruit saladtrufflestyphoon ondoyurinaryusesvegetarianvirgin coconut oilvitaminswalnutwalnutswatermelonweddingwhite beanswhole grainswhole wheat pastry flouryellow mung beanyogurtyogurt cheesezamboanga cityhttp://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)Blogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-7371308922442820037Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:45:00 +00002017-01-10T14:45:45.523+08:00   I started 2017 quite slow most especially after coming back from Manila a few days ago. Last December was busy and I didn't really have the time to do some tidying and organizing so I left the house for Manila in a disaster state. When John, Nate and I returned on the night of January 3, I would the say same thing despite traveling to Manila and Cebu back and forth twice a year - can I http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2017/01/red-lentil-soup-with-lemon-and-kale.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-319729204878119353Fri, 27 May 2016 09:04:00 +00002016-05-27T17:26:11.408+08:00 It’s wedding season once again and many brides who are getting married this June or this year are really trying their best to look great, whether that’s getting in shape or eating well for glowing skin. There are so many ways you can stay healthy and nourished on your big day but let’s focus on snacks for now. The secret to healthy snacking is to plan ahead of time and making sure they are http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2016/05/wedding-day-shape-up-nourishing-snacks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-5944250484870526305Thu, 12 May 2016 03:06:00 +00002016-05-12T11:11:12.598+08:00 God's message to me on my birthday. Around 12:30am May 11. Psalm 66:12 Six months ago, I told myself that I would get back in shape and take a photo on my birthday with a toned body. It never happened. I got "pregnant" last January but later found out last March that I had a blighted ovum and had to undergo D & C last April. After D& C, I felt that I'm still having pregnancy symptoms http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2016/05/when-life-begins-at-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-5226835646300071068Wed, 04 May 2016 17:17:00 +00002016-05-05T01:28:01.188+08:00frittersgolden raisinsgreek yogurtspinachvegetarianzucchini A few days before I was confined at the hospital, I went grocery shopping so I can cook a few dishes ahead of time. So I thought I would make beef, pork and chicken to cover the days that I wasn’t around. I also had cut up vegetables and chicken stock prepared for soup and some fruits in the fridge drawer. All of these are mostly for Nate. But what I’ve failed to do is to prepare more vegetablehttp://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2016/05/zucchini-fritters-with-spinach-yogurt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-8346417773867829692Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:42:00 +00002016-04-23T23:22:27.687+08:00 I'm supposed to be five months pregnant by now. I learned last January 17 that I was positive. I didn't make a big announcement since I haven't had my ultrasound yet. I just want to wait until I am sure the baby is fine. At 11 weeks, on the first week of March, I had my first ultrasound. J and I found out that there's no sign of the baby. No sign of the fetus nor the yolk sac. I was still okay http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2016/04/when-baby-number-two-was-false-alarm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-7379367944018044020Fri, 26 Feb 2016 15:21:00 +00002016-02-26T23:43:52.201+08:00 I'm not much of a bread person until I made my own bread in a culinary school. We had an Italian chef instructor who speaks Canadian English and very good French and of course Italian. He speaks with gusto and enthusiasm about bread and everything else about food. When he speaks, everyone listens and with his good sense of humor, everything he said is very convincing and inspiring.  http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2016/02/mehl-zucker-your-friendly-neighborhood.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-3801092753197488005Sat, 19 Sep 2015 09:03:00 +00002015-09-19T17:16:49.774+08:00 Garden by the Bay There were a few things that had happened the past two months. First, I'm no longer doing the lunch catering business because the people at the company are rarely eating at the office. I was actually expecting that to happen even before they mentioned it. Second, I got sick, then the little one followed. I thought it was just a minor cough and cold for both of us but http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/09/eat-pray-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-64888650046012942Sun, 02 Aug 2015 15:45:00 +00002015-08-03T00:17:13.400+08:00 Quinoa  and Arugula Salad (with yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, edamame, dried cherries, capers and spicy almonds) tossed with red wine vinaigrette I’ve never written about how I was able to fit on my wedding dress while still working at the culinary school. But I’ve realized that it’s important for me to write about it. This is not only for the purpose of looking your best on your wedding http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-i-maintained-weight-and-physique-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-337951778002412733Sat, 04 Jul 2015 16:05:00 +00002015-07-05T23:48:59.859+08:00 Long before marriage entered my mind, there are three things that I desire to do with my child. This is my journey so far. BREASTFEEDING It happened for a few months with a lot of struggle, sleepless nights and a lot of crying. We also spent thousands of money just for breastfeeding. I even attended a breastfeeding talk twice. One was when I was only 3 months pregnant. Second was when http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/07/three-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-5746214571430749969Sat, 27 Jun 2015 16:49:00 +00002015-07-05T00:04:12.868+08:00 Last June 13, Saturday, we celebrated Nate's birthday. But his real birthday was on June 18 and we will celebrated it in Manila with my family. In planning for Nate's birthday, I only want a simple celebration of family and close friends and when I learned that we had many guests, I told John why do we need to have a lot of guests for Nate's birthday. I don't think I received an http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/06/nates-1st-birthday-and-child-dedication.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-8249027478397152703Sat, 25 Apr 2015 16:28:00 +00002015-04-26T21:56:00.675+08:00 A visit to God's Grace Farm was indeed a blessing and a privilege. Gigi Uy sent me a personal message last week if J could take pictures of the farm. J was hesitant since he only takes photos of students from schools and people from events. J was honest enough to say even before that he is not creative when it comes to taking other photos. But I told him to give it a try. Two days laterhttp://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-visit-to-gods-grace-farm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-4044197364960818150Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:22:00 +00002015-04-18T23:23:47.874+08:00 Working at home is like working at the restaurant. While Nate is taking a nap, I have about 1-1/2 to 2 hours to do things before he wakes up. Sometimes even less than 1-1/2 hours to prep, cook and clean without making that much noise. I still have some Thai eggplants and tomato medley from Gigi (God's Grace Farm) and I need to cook it on that day while they are still fresh. Using the http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/04/stir-fried-thai-eggplant-and-tomatoes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-324627992111499901Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:17:00 +00002015-04-16T23:24:31.516+08:00 Curry is the first thing I wanted to make when I received these generous amount of Thai eggplants from Gigi Uy. I might have the blender, the food processor and the mixer but I am missing one tool that is important in making Thai red or green curry, and that is the mortar and pestle. I could have use the food processor but it's not the same with a mortar and pestle. Aside from that, I don'thttp://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/04/thai-coconut-eggplants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-1552499367475359731Sat, 11 Apr 2015 03:19:00 +00002015-04-11T16:47:33.477+08:00 Red Amaranth, Red and Green Swiss Chard Who would have thought that Swiss Chard can grow here in the province of Cebu? Last 2011, I found one company in Manila that can ship here in Cebu City but the handling and delivery wasn't taken care of properly. So, the products that I ordered are not in good condition anymore. One of the produce that I ordered was Swiss Chard. And now,http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-gods-grace-farm-sprouts-in-cebu.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-3505467787795313302Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:06:00 +00002015-03-31T07:18:42.786+08:00 When I received these wonderful certified organic tomato medley last week from God's Grace Farm, the first thing that I wanted to make is a tomato tart but since it takes more time to make it, I opted for a tartine, which is a French word for an open-faced sandwich. J was busy that week taking individual, class and graduation pictures in two different schools. On top of that, he has to http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/03/tartine-of-grilled-tomato-medley-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-1582006893845154292Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:05:00 +00002015-03-19T00:07:33.020+08:00 I didn't realize he's 9 months already. What else can I say? He kept us busy and it's been a joy to see his milestones every single day. It surprises me and J on what he's going to do or say next. As a hands-on mom, I try to work as quickly as I can and be as efficient as I can so I could spend time with him. But it also amuses me that he enjoys playing by himself at his play pen while he http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/03/happy-nine-months.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-2817540965374472883Thu, 29 Jan 2015 03:41:00 +00002015-01-29T11:41:14.116+08:00 I love butternut squash. I really miss them. I was able to use it once in Manila but I've never seen it again. Living abroad has the perks of  having a variety of produce that I cannot find here. But I have to stop daydreaming and just use what we have locally. Whenever I roast pumpkin for the lunch delivery, there's always extra, sometimes way too much. It's either I save it for a grain http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/01/roasted-pumpkin-and-black-bean-soup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-6331910177441413268Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:10:00 +00002015-01-28T01:22:59.660+08:00 I am off doing the lunch delivery for the whole week but it also means that there are no revenues as well. I wanted to relax in the morning but I don't want to put off until tomorrow what can be done today. I am making more of Nate's food for the whole week. Like I've mentioned previously, it's easier to roast them than to steam. I can roast different vegetables at the same time taking them http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/01/appreciating-food-and-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-4103313316318257298Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:44:00 +00002015-01-23T23:56:03.320+08:00 Up-close and personal with mommy  When we came back to Cebu from Manila on the first week of January, the house was dirty and dusty. I have to change the bed sheets for Nate's crib and our bed. The following days, I started cleaning one room at a time. It was like moving to a new house again and cleaning everything for the first time. And the house gets dirty every day. And being away forhttp://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-clean-and-fresh-january.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-6611149236952336857Wed, 17 Dec 2014 11:38:00 +00002014-12-17T22:55:50.670+08:00 Nate would be six months tomorrow. How time flies. I can’t imagine how the days, weeks and months went by. It just passed by very quickly. Now that he’s six months, I want to days to go slower and slower. I want to relive the past 6 months again but there's no rewind, there's only forward. I don’t want him to grow up so fast but he is. He was just a tiny baby when he came out. But now, he’s http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/12/six-months-and-not-counting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-3304641112205919939Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:54:00 +00002014-09-23T00:05:45.444+08:00 I thought Nate would never come out - June 18, 2014 When I gave birth to Nathan, I received a lot of advice and words of experience from people who had gone through parenthood. As a new mom, although they mean well, I felt that it was a bit too much to receive advice on what to do and what not to do to my new born baby. Different thoughts and opinions were given here and there. And it was http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/09/three-months-of-motherhood.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-7637910967618110427Tue, 16 Sep 2014 05:59:00 +00002014-09-17T08:57:04.974+08:00 J and I are experiencing colds at the same time. We woke up yesterday morning not feeling well and we’re worried that Baby Nate might get sick also. I haven’t been eating so healthy ever since I gave birth. I don’t eat that much junk food but I felt that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s not easy cooking for one but it’s not also easy cooking for other people who are carnivores. http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/09/on-juicing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-3063179093797543321Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:41:00 +00002014-01-26T20:46:18.697+08:00 How many of you are eating breakfast? If so, what do you eat? I rarely eat breakfast when I was in elementary and high school or even in college. Even if I did, I never seemed to enjoy it. But when my family and I do eat out for breakfast, that's the time I savored the moment. I still remember during holidays, J would wake up early in the morning to pick me up so we could have a long, slow http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-quintessential-breakfast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-7829733720371587341Thu, 23 Jan 2014 06:47:00 +00002014-01-23T15:02:50.802+08:00 The sweet aroma of caramelized onions fills the entire kitchen as it cools down. I can still smell it with a hint of fresh thyme as I pass by the stove to get a jar of flour from the cupboard to make the pastry dough. In addition to the onions, there's this thick, fat slab of bacon that I can't resist to add. Although a tart can live without cheese, how can you resist a good Swiss cheese such http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/01/caramelized-onion-tart-with-emmenthal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223799369042314740.post-4175588573480573703Tue, 21 Jan 2014 04:51:00 +00002014-01-21T12:52:18.275+08:00 I'm starting to eat bread lately. I used to hate the sweet aroma and taste of a fluffy white bread. Actually, until now I still don't like it. But if you give me an artisan bread, breads that are made traditionally on the same day without the use of chemicals and preservatives, and the outside is crusty and the inside is chewy, then I would it eat. The closest one to our place is inside http://sense-serendipity.blogspot.com/2014/01/green-tomato-on-ciabatta.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Divina Pe)