Friday, April 24, 2015

Bistek Tagalog with Broccoli

 
Filipino food are so good but can be so bad for you so I decided to kick it up a notch and make it a bit healthier. I grew up eating Bistek (Beef Steak) with a cup of warm white rice. My mom would sometimes add potato or green beans but this time, I added broccoli. Sharing with you how to make this simple and easy recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. beef sirloin (thinly cut)
  • 1 large sweet onions (cut in rings)
  • 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 head of broccoli (cut into bite sized pieces)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 pcs of calamansi/lemon (can add more as desired)
  • butter or oil
  • pepper
  • sugar
Procedure:
  • Marinade beef in soy sauce,calamansi/lemon and pepper for at least 30 minutes but not more than an hour.
  • In a pot, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for a minute. Set aside.
  • In a pan, heat butter or oil and saute onion rings. Set aside.
  • In the same pan, heat butter or oil and saute garlic.
  • Then fry the beef until cooked and tender.
  • Add the marinade and simmer for a few minutes.
  • Sprinkle a dash of sugar. Sugar helps balance the saltiness of the sauce.
  • Add the onions on top or mix it together.
  • Serve and enjoy!
Serving: 5-7 people



Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Happy Campers

I'm sharing with you our little adventure to Fort Yargo in Winder, GA for the Couples for Christ Family Ties Camp. It was our first time to camp out together and spend 2 nights in the middle of the woods. To be honest, we weren't planning to go because we lack camping equipment. However, God made it possible. We were invited by our household head couple to stay in their 2 bedroom tent and my uncle loaned us their airbed. We are so blessed to be surrounded by the generosity of family and friends. Our main goal for the weekend was to serve in the music ministry (grateful that Alan has a servant-heart too). Perhaps when our intentions are pure and pleasing to the Lord, He will find a way to make things work. :)

This nature-loving event was made possible with the help of the CFC GA Family Ministry to help strengthen families' bonds. Nowadays, because of our busy schedules, constant plugging in to our smartphones and social medias, kids' simultaneous activities, we miss to give ample time for our families. For two days, we had the chance to unplug, slow down and dedicate our time in bonding with our loved ones. 

Camping out in a tent can be quite a challenge especially for newbie campers like us and rainy weather. Whenever Alan and I travel, we choose to stay in decent hotels so we could have a good sleep and shower. However, this camp taught us how to be flexible. Perhaps we could do back packing next! ;P You cannot always get what you want especially on things that you don't have control of like the weather. It rained a lot on that weekend but being flexible means being able to emotionally adjust and take things positively. To help us adjust to the situation, we prepped our minds that we weren't there to rest and relax but we went because we committed ourselves to serve and sing in our music ministry. Serving the Lord could decrease focus on ourselves and increase our love for Him and other people. Serving our brothers and sisters in the community through the music ministry always gives me a sense of fulfillment especially when I see their faces light up, their eyes water in tears and their hearts moved by the spirit through our songs of praise and worship. 

Despite the rain, suppressed shower times, early morning call times, less sleep, jam packed activities, cluelessness in camping, our music ministry team won the "Happy Campers" award and "Best in Chant!" We really enjoyed our first solid time camping and we would do this again.    





































xoxo,
Joselle 






Thursday, April 9, 2015

Sister from another mother

The first friend God led me to in America is a woman with boundless energy, fun-loving spirit and young big heart. She is like a big sister to me and she always has been. My sister in Christ.

She laughs at my corniest jokes and I laugh at hers too. We laugh at the silliest things and she fills the room with nothing but good vibes. 

She weeps quickly on things that touches her tender heart. She is compassionate and empathetic to others. 

She presents herself humbly but fashionably.

She speaks eloquently but she is a good listener too. No matter how shallow the things we talk about, I appreciate that she crosses over and finds the patience to listen to me, even to the things she has already outgrown.

She has a generous heart, and money has never been an issue because blessings find their way back to her.

She is very strong willed and I admire her independence. 

She is one prayerful woman and a devotee to St. Therese. She was my mass buddy and I miss the times when we would go to church together on our lunch break.

She is blessed to have patiently waited for a prayerful husband as well and their lives happily revolve around Christ and serving Him. 

These are the classic traits that make so many people love her. No doubt, she has a big and genuine heart and I'm glad I have a place in it.

These and more are the things I have always admired about her and I hope to be like her too. 

Happy Birthday Ate Beng! Wherever God leads us, you will always have a place in my heart! :)

xoxo,
Joselle