My Darling Sunshine

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my darling
sunshine

Everyday inspirations that make you wonder, think, and smile.
Think of it as the bright side of things, because life is so full of Passion, Lifestyle, and Creativity! Don't you think?

Sunday, March 27, 2011,12:41 AM

Beignet Galore

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If you didn't know, Beignets are French Doughnuts -- usually served with Café Au Lait.
Mmm Mmm good...

These mouth-watering (famous recipe) fillers are sold at a French Market Coffee stand called Café Du Monde in New Orleans. People rave about this Café and their infamous doughnuts. So I found this recipe that (they say) is close to the original recipe! From what I've made and tasted, they are AMAZINGLY good-alicious!

Beignet Recipe

Yield 12 Servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon yeast
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
7 1/2 cups flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. Pour 1/2 cup room temperature water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand for about 5 minutes to dissolve.

2. Combine the shortening, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture and then stir in the evaporated milk. Wait for the mixture to cool down until it is lukewarm. Then, add the yeast and water mixture and beaten eggs.

3. Slowly mix in the flour until the dough forms a ball. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

4. Working with a small portion (a little larger than a baseball) at a time, roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut the rolled out dough into strips 2 to 3-inches wide, then cut again in the opposite direction and at an angle, making diamond shapes.

5. Heat your oil for frying in a deep and wide, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat to 360 degree F (180 degrees C).

6. Slide dough slowly into the oil to avoid splattering and deep fry until they puff up and are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove onto a rack with paper towels underneath and allow to cool until you can handle them. Place in a clean paper bag with confectioners' sugar and shake gently until covered generously or, use a sifter to dust the beignets with powdered sugar.

*Note:

Wrap any remaining dough with plastic wrap and it will keep in the fridge up to a week.

Make sure to serve right away while they're hot. Don't forget the Café Au Lait! Relax on the front porch, backyard, at the dining table, or the kitchen bar... sip your coffee and enjoy these delightful doughnuts. :)

Labels: food, photography

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011,5:21 PM

Fast or Feast

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If you don't already know, we are now in the season of Lent.

In the Catholic tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer -- through prayer, fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity.

Lent, which comes from the "Teutonic" (Germanic) word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begin with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ.

"Becoming by grace what God is by nature."

Undecided whether to Fast or to Feast this Lenten season?

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from focusing on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

May our fasting and feasting during this season of Lent purify our hearts and minds that we may more worthily heed the voice of the One who beckons us, "Come and follow me." (taken from the Holy Family Bulletin / credits to Monica Obaldo).

Labels: personal

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011,5:21 PM

A Healthy Lifestyle / Week 3

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Seeing those ab muscle definitions popping up! :)
To be honest, I love looking at them first thing when I wake up in the morning, hahaha.

I've lost 3 pounds -- approximately 10-20% fat and gained muscle mass. Definitely more toned.
I love the way I feel everyday. Eating healthy really changes your lifestyle -- especially when you combine it with exercise. I have definitely boost my metabolism because I get hungry every 3 hours, and sometimes I treat myself ice cream or cake and not worry about getting fat because my metabolism is burning it for me. Of course, I don't eat it every day and only little amounts.

I'll tell you some secrets about how I do it... The things I limit and stay away from to stay fit and healthy. You have to keep in mind though, the number one thing you have to do if you want results is Exercise -- no doubt, but eating the right food kickstarts your weight-loss. Exercising at least 4-5 days a week speeds up the process. I do intense cardio workout 4-5 days and strength on nonconsecutive days twice a week with 4 nutritious meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner. NEVER skip a meal! Because 99% of the time, that causes weight gain. Drink a lot of water, since this will help flush out toxins. Eliminate juice, sodas, or any sweet beverages. Try to drink green tea instead or coffee without sugar -- Also, Unsweetened Almond, Rice, or Low-Fat Milk are really good for you. I include high protein food everyday at every meal when I can (eggs, fish, beef, pork, or chicken), combined with legumes, cheese, a variety of vegetables (choose: spinach, arugula, cucumbers, edamame, celery, bell peppers, zucchini), nuts, and flax seeds. I completely eliminated sugar and limiting only a pinch or less of sea salt per day -- too much salt can bloat you up. Try to substitute salt with something tart, like pepper, lemon or herbs for flavor. Don't forget the fruits! Remember, eat this moderately because they do contain carbohydrates and sugar. Sugar is sugar, so I suggest eating them before meals as a snack instead of after meals. Consume VERY little carb-type foods, such as: pasta, bread, rice. I substitute those with beans when I don't feel like eating grains. I actually have been replacing white grains with whole grains, but a friend of mine who has been reading the book, "Nourishing Traditions" told me that whole grains are actually bad for you. I also found an article about why you should go Grain-Free (click to read). It's really surprising that something you thought was good is actually bad for you. I've stored my kitchen with some whole grain foods -- I don't want them to go to waste. So, I'll just have to wait till I run out and stop buying them.

So, there you have it!
My advice: AKR
Always, Always read ingredients! Know what you're eating. Any kind of processed food are bad. Try to eat Organic. Do your Research!

Week 3 baby! Results results results!

Labels: health