On My Birthday, I Want to Thank You, Jesus

Dear Jesus,

It's been another year. I feel like I've grown up so much the past few years. So much has changed in my life, so many realizations, so many lessons learned, so many challenges faced, and so many miracles. Thank you for another full year of Your blessings. I can't help but feel excited for the coming years. Every year with You had been wonderful. Thank You, Jesus, for loving me so much, for relentlessly pursuing me, and for constantly romancing me.

I'm so excited, because even as I turn 33 today, I feel like my life has only just begun.

Last weekend, one of my best friends, Ava, treated me to a vacation in the amazing Shangri-la Boracacy resort. The weather was quite fickle, sometimes sunny, sometimes raining hard, and mostly cloudy. Yet despite the changing weather, I could really feel You with me as a constant companion. The whole time, Ava and I were talking about You, which, as You know, is really very different from what we used to talk about. We kept talking about how You're in control, of the weather, of the future, of our lives. We even talked about how we became friends, and how we're both seeking You now, of how it never rained on us once because we were always comfortably indoors when the rain would fall, and how the timing of events in our lives has been so amazing. Jesus, thank You for reminding me that You're in complete control.

Remember our moment, when I went to the beach by myself? I walked to the shore alone because I wanted to swim in the  waves which were HUGE! I couldn't even sit down on the beach without feeling like I was inside a washing machine. Yet even then, in that moment, I really felt Your assurance that You will be with me throughout. As I looked down, I saw two small fish swimming in the middle of one of the big waves. They were swimming as if they were in calm waters. They didn't look panicked. They didn't look like they were in a hurry. You reminded me, through these simple fish, that even in the biggest of waves, I can walk (or swim) in peace. I can be still because You are with me.

Safely away from the waves.

Thank you for that break. Thank you for truly re-creating me. Help me not forget our moments in the beach. You know how forgetful I can be. Help me remember my roses even in winter.

I also want to thank You for last night. My amazing kids surprised me with birthday cards that they made. Thank You for my beautiful kids. Thank You for giving me the privilege of raising them. Thank You for the joy of loving them. Thank You for even bringing people to my life who have helped me point them to You. They were so cute. They wrote very specific birthday wishes and prayed for me. I know that it was Your way of reminding me that they really listen, and that they really care. You really know me well. You know I love these handmade, handwritten, and handpicked gifts from loved ones. If I ever grumble again, please bring the memory of last night to mind right away. Help me highlight Your goodness.

Jesus, you know what I've been through. You know everything about me. It's quite embarrassing to know that You know everything about me. But yet, it's incredible to know that despite knowing my dark moments, each year, You have shown me more love.

When I was thinking of what I wanted to ask You for my birthday, (I guess I'm still a little girl that way), the one thing that kept entering my mind was the word: Freedom. I really want to be free. I want to be free from my past, from my fears, from negative emotions, and from my own sins. As I thought about it, I started getting discouraged, because in my limited knowledge I couldn't see it happening. Then I remembered what a friend told me, that You gave Your life for me on Your 33rd birthday, so that I can walk in salvation and grace. Just like this part in one of my favorite songs this season, "Lay Down My Life For You" by Sidewalk Prophets, said:

This is love

That had to bleed

To bring you mercy

To set you free

You are mine

I am yours

And I will wear your burdens

Just like this crown of thorns

I will take your place

I know there is no other way

I lay down my life for you

This is the moment 

When all will be made new

I know that you don't understand

But this is part of a greater plan

So I lay down my life for you.

Jesus, You laid down Your life for me because You want me to be free. And that is the most memorable birthday gift of all. Thank You for constantly reminding me that I am Yours. Thank You for the gift of forgiveness. Thank You that You make all things brand new. I am free already because You love me. True Freedom is being with the One who loves me most: You. So please continue to help me as I continue to lay my life down.

Thank You for my 3 most precious blessings: Lucas the Wise, Andres the Brave, and Natalia the Beautiful. Thank You for entrusting them to me. Thank You that because of them, my life is more meaningful and more purposeful. It's such an amazing blessing to wake up to the smiles of these 3 little angels.

Thank You for the unending love and support from my family. They are living reminders of Your love and Your goodness. Thank You especially for my parents. Thank You for my protective and hardworking father and thank You for my fun and thoughtful mom.

Thank You for all my wonderful friends. I've never appreciated good friends as I do today. Thank You for people to pray with and share life with. I'm so blessed to be walking this journey with them. Please bless my friends for never ceasing to encourage me, never failing to inspire me, and always pushing me to be the best version of myself. Father, please be kind to them for their kindness to me.

I also want to thank You for my work. Thank You for the talent that You've given me. Thank You for even bringing it out and not letting me settle. Thank You for the opportunity to live out my passion, to be able to make moments special for others. Thank You for using me to bring joy to other people's celebrations.

Thank You also for My Doolally. Please bless our work. Please be with us as we share our lives with other girls. Please use us to help other girls enjoy the love, the peace, and the security we enjoy in You.

                                                                               
Thank You Jesus for a full life. I now look forward to the future, because I know You are faithful. Thank You!


                                                                                  I Love You,

                                                                                      Michelle

How to Cook Egg: Let Me Count the Ways

Eggs are yummy, inexpensive, and incredibly versatile. This simple guide is for all you egg-lovers.  Click to enlarge image.  Watch out for more My Doolally infographics.

What Fills You Up?

Each day we need to make a conscious decision to make our lives meaningful. We need to fill our minds and hearts with things that add value and purpose to who we are. When we become complacent or irresponsible we either miss out on the opportunity to become a better version of ourselves or corrupt who we are.

I like to see our hearts and our minds as cups that need to be filled up. It is evident that we all have longings and when we fill it with temporary, fleeting things we ruin our appetite for something lovely and lasting. Longings take on different forms.

If we long to be in a romantic relationship. We settle for a one night stand or we allow ourselves to tolerate abuse. We may also allow our thoughts to live in a fantasy world of fictional characters through books, television shows or movies. As a result, we distort what love really is and set low standards or false expectations.

If we long for acceptance. We tend to foolishly please people by putting up a false front. We try to idolize people and carelessly spend our time, money and resources just to gain their approval. As a result, we doubt ourselves and people and let our insecurities grow within us.

If we long for fulfillment. We try to advance to the top no matter what it takes. Even at the cost of people around us. We neglect integrity, misuse loyalty and promote self-centeredness.

If we long for joy. We fill our lives with material possessions and new experiences we become dependent to.

I don't know how many times I've compromised just to appease my heart's longings. But living in regret for these mistakes won't do any good. I choose to use it to make me wiser.

How do we fill our hearts and minds with that which satisfies? We go back to the word of God.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 NIV)

Image from walkworthy.org

It starts with a simple prayer, maybe as soft as a whisper to ask the lover of our soul to overcome our hearts.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

It is also a matter of programming and reprogramming our minds by submitting it to God and obeying what He says.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

Always remember that you were made for noble purposes. Fill your inner being with that which truly satisfies, when you do, the enticement of things that offer shallow, fleeting pleasures will lose its power to steal, kill and destroy that which you are destined to be and have. When you are filled with the right things you will be able to fulfill the great purpose of your life. And this is what truly fills you to overflow.

I am in the wine business, and one thing you never do is drink good wine in plastic cups. There are special glasses for special purposes. We women are infinitely more special than wine. Why will ourselves with cheap thrills? Why allow people who don't value us to fill us with emotions, with flattery, and with ideas that are not only worthless to us, they are destructive? 

Instead we need to go to God every day and get our fill, knowing that as we are patient to wait on Him, we will find satisfaction in Him.

Lord, I pray that I will be satisfied in You. Create in me a new heart and fill me afresh with all that You are. Teach me to take captive every thought to make it obedient to You.

Image from Pinterest

Finding My Focus

When I got separated almost 3 years ago, I knew I had to find a source of income for me and my kids. Separations are difficult enough in themselves, but I knew that God would help me, and I was determined to persevere. While I have to admit that I was fighting many negative emotions, the pain of rejection, the fear of having to start over, my worries for my children, and even some bitterness, I thank God for really being so faithful and saving me at my low point. I also want to thank my family and friends for being an incredible blessing to me. By God's grace I am in a much better place, and I'm grateful for all your kindness.

Given my situation, a single mom of three kids, not having had a full-time job in years, and my financial limitations, I had to limit my options for work. I'm the type of person with sooo many interests,  from fashion (making clothes was always a hobby of mine), fitness (Pilates as a career was an option), and I even considered becoming a makeup artist. Back then I thought, "Why can't I do it all?"I was getting so many signs and opinions from so many different places and people. It actually got quite confusing. It's good to ask for advice and counsel, but don't just ask anyone. Many people will have opinions and that's not the same as good advice. I realized I had to choose one and focus.

As my clients at Coco Cakes know, I would choose baking and cake decorating, and I'm glad I did.

Let me take you through how I ended up choosing to pursue Coco Cakes.


What Do You Value?
No one had ever asked me this question before. In fact, when my friend asked us this question, my other friend and I were caught blindsided. What did I value? What did I hold important to me? After thinking through it, I realized, after God, it was really my kids. My kids are the most important to me. When choosing a career, we cannot just base it on some "cool factor" or the money to be made. There are things more important than career success and money. For me, more important are my kids. Baking is something I can do at home and not be away from my kids. This was a huge plus.


What Do You Love Doing and What Are You Good At?
Like I said earlier, I had so many interests, but when I thought about it more, and when I factored in the idea of working from home to be with my kids, I really loved the idea of baking. I've always loved to bake, and I really enjoy cake decorating too. So I took up a few short courses and researched on my own about the new techniques in baking. I had been baking for almost 10 years already but it was only when I made my daughter's first birthday cake that people start to take notice of my work. After that, I would bake for friends and family. Then before I knew it, I had orders left and right.

My daughter's first birthday cake

I realized that because I zeroed in on baking, I was able to focus my time, energy, and the little money I had left into building Coco Cakes. Everything became all about baking. When I would go to bookstores, I go straight to the baking section and look for the latest books. When I surfed the internet, I would go to my favorite baking sites. I was always trying to learn more about baking, checking for new techniques and other updates.

While I still enjoy my other interests, I realized that pursuing and focusing on one passion at a time became really beneficial for me and my kids. I'm blessed to be working on something I'm really passionate about plus it's something that I can share with my kids. Even my kids really enjoy baking now!

Clockwise from top left: Lucas is helping me decorate his sister's birthday cake;
Natalia is decorating the toppers for her birthday cupcakes;
Andres is making coconut macaroons by himself;
Andres and Natalia are my official bowl and utensil
lickers

My daughter, Natalia and I

Coco Cakes has been an incredible journey. It hasn't been easy at all, it has involved a lot of late nights, hard work, study, learning, mistakes, apologies, emails, deliveries, ingredients, and many amazing customers. Even now, I'm learning that growth has its own challenges. With more customers, come more emails, more designs, more baking, more decorating, and more of everything. But I'm glad that more challenges mean that more breakthroughs are waiting. What I'm most grateful for is, even as I have found my work focus, I've learned that my true focus should be on God and His love. When we do that the other things fall into place.

Pita Pizza

My nephew and nieces slept over our place last Friday and I thought of doing a fun and interactive cooking activity with them.  Since pizza is always a favorite dish, it was the perfect choice.

I really wanted to make our own dough but since they were coming from school and I had a lot of work that day, I thought of just buying ready made dough.  Most pizza doughs available are frozen, thick and too heavy so I decided to opt for fresh pita bread.  It was a great alternative since we love the texture and taste of pita bread.  Plus, it comes in whole wheat!

I listed down the ingredients that was in our favorite pizza selections and went to the supermarket to get them.  Among which were: mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, ricotta cheese, bell pepper, tomatoes, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, olives and asparagus.  I also got tomato sauce and bought some basil leaves to make our own pesto sauce.

To make the pesto sauce:

     2 cups of fresh basil leaves
     1/4 cup of walnut or pine nuts
     1 clove of garlic
     2/3 cup of olive oil
     1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
     salt and pepper to taste

   1. Combine basil leaves, nuts, garlic in a food processor and grind.

   2. Pour olive oil while the food processor is running until you have the desired texture.
   3. Add the parmesan cheese and mix.

   4.  Season with salt and pepper according to your preference

I then sliced and grated the ingredients and put them in separate bowls.  Everything was prepared for us to have our little pizza parlor!  We each made our own pizza by first brushing a little bit of olive oil on top of the pita bread and had free reign on what to put as toppings and how to put it!

To bake the pizza, pre-heat the oven first at 220 degrees C.  We put our self-made pizza on top of a pizza stone to make it crispy as it allows the heat to spread evenly.  We then popped it in the oven for 10 minutes and it's done!

The kids loved their own creations.  It was definitely a fun and yummy cooking experience!

Learning Can Be Easy

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and 

attended to with diligence.” ― Abigail Adams

We were all created with an innate desire and capability to learn.  Whether it is learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to ride a bike, learning the piano, learning accounting, learning how to bake, learning to run a business... There are so many opportunities that surround us that help build and develop our interests and skills.  Of course our society has established educational institutions to help us in doing so.  However, learning for me, can be an everyday thing.  It is a matter of being resourceful and maximizing what you have.

I can be very prideful and lazy.  I am guilty of having the tendency of thinking that I know enough or would rather allow my mind to be idle.  As I learned to live a life of value and purpose, I realized that I have so much to learn.  By being disciplined, prioritizing on the right things and having a teachable heart, I was able to draw out the potential to improve myself.

Learning can actually be fun and easy.  Discovering new things and sharpening the skills that we have contributes enormously to our well-being.  We learn in the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual aspects of our life.  Living in a very technological advanced and inter-connected era we have no excuse not to be resourceful.

Here are practical areas where we have access to information that benefits our learning:

Internet.  I am pretty sure most of us, if not all, have access to the internet.  For me, this is the most convenient way in gaining information.  Whenever I want to know something I simply do a search on the topic and almost instantly I'm faced with numerous results.  We must keep in mind though that we need to learn to filter all the information that appear.  Check the credibility of the author, the time it was written and compare with other sites on the topic.  Read reviews and comments if there are any.

I particularly like blogs, especially when it comes to looking for new recipes, projects for home, fashion tips and health and fitness concerns.  I like how blogs deliver information in a way where it is often very relatable and sometimes it offers a new perspective on something.  Blogs can inspire the learning process.

I bookmark and categorize a lot of sites that I find useful and go back to it often.

Books, e-books, magazines, newspapers.  I believe printed materials are still one of the most effective way of learning.  I love going to the bookstore.  Sometimes, when I have nothing to do, I spend my time there.  Just by browsing through books I gain new information and insights.  I have a collection of books that I read, re-read and use as references.

There is a book or magazine for practically every topic!  I learned a lot about painting, cooking, running a business, pugs through the books I've read.  Develop the habit of reading, it is one of the best investments you can make in your life.

“You cannot open a book without learning something.” ― Confucius

Videos.  I've gotten the hang of learning how to do a lot of things through videos.  Most of which, I encountered by searching the web.  Sites like YouTube and Videojug provide a huge collection of tutorials, seminars on specific topics, informative messages and more.  When I want to figure out how I should install a software or how I should apply make up or how to cook a certain dish I search video sites and refer to how it is done.  It is very straightforward.

Podcasts.  I like how podcasts enable me to learn on the go.  There is a huge selection of free podcasts that you can download and sync to your mobile device.  Many popular speakers or personalities podcasts you can subscribe to.  It's as if you have instant access to your favorite speaker!  I particularly love listening to my favorite pastors.  Everytime I drive to work, I make it a habit to listen to a podcast.  

People.  Meaningful conversations, shared experiences, common interests, different activities with people allow you to pick up a lot of learnings that will benefit you in life.  The nice thing about it is that it involves interaction which would help you grow as a person. 

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― 
Benjamin Franklin

Once you learn to be resourceful and disciplined, it won't be a surprise on how much you can learn.  With the right attitude the possibilities are really endless.  I encourage you to maximize the resources that are right in front of you.  

My daughter won't drink milk!

I breastfed my daughter for about a year and a half. If I didn't have to take a trip that time, I would've continued it till she was two. I had left pumped milk for her in the freezer that should have lasted her for those 10 days I was gone, but it didn't. They had to alternate with formula and fresh milk. She transitioned pretty well, or so I thought.

When I got back from my trip, I decided to wean her for good. My daughter wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea. She refused the bottle and also fresh milk. I tried all kinds of milk, from carabao's milk, to almond milk, soya milk, rice milk. Name it, I tried it. I was getting anxious thinking that she's not meeting the daily requirements of calcium per day. Instead of focusing on thoughts of my daughter having weak bones, or a slow brain (I'm such a worrywart when it comes to my kids. Am I the only one like this?), I looked for alternatives.

From "The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood" book by Dr. Sears, I learned that calcium can be found in even our most common foods.

Kids need calcium to build strong bones. Getting enough calcium in the early years lowers the risk of osteoporosis later in life. It's like putting nutritional money in the bank. Your investment goal is strong bones. Taking calcium supplements to build bone strength after bones are fully grown is not as effective as eating a calcium-rich diet during childhood when bones are growing. Calcium is also necessary for strong brains. It contributes to efficient neurotransmitter function. Its not how much calcium is in the food that matters. The amount of that calcium that gets into your child's body is important.

*taken from http://www.superkidsnutrition.com/nutrition_answers/nc_calcium-intolerant.php

from The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood by Dr. Sears

I read from Dr. Sears website about the importance of milk. (Read the whole article here.)

For children who are not lactose-intolerant or allergic to dairy products, milk is one-stop shopping for nutrition. It contains nearly all the basic nutrients that a growing child needs: fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals (except iron). While it is true that most of the nutrients in milk can be gotten easily from other sources, such as vegetables, legumes, and seafood, milk puts them all together in a convenient package. Realistically, children eat or drink dairy products in greater amounts and more consistently than other foods. While whole milk is not the only way to get calcium in a child's diet, it's the most practical way.

I looked for recipes that are rich in Calcium that I know my kids would enjoy. There are a lot that you can find online or books. A very effective way of making sure they have Calcium in their meals is adding pureed vegetables to their favorite foods.

Here's some tried and tested recipes that they really love. 

Tofu Nuggets (from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld)

Serves 4

1 cup whole-wheat or white breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon flaxseed meal

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 cup spinach puree*

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 (14-oz) package extra-firm tofu (preferably with calcium)

1/2 teaspoon salt

nonstick cooking spray

1 Tablespoon olive oil

*Spinach Puree
Steam spinach for 30 to 40 seconds, or cook in a skillet with 1 Tbsp. water for about 90 seconds, or just until wilted. Transfer to a food processor or blender and puree for about 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

1. In a bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, flaxseed meal, Parmesan, and paprika. Set aside.

2. In a shallow bowl, mix the spinach puree and egg with a fork, and set the bowl next to the breadcrumb mixture.

3. Slice the tofu 1/2-inch thick and cube it or cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Sprinkle both sides with salt. Dip the tofu pieces into the puree mixture, then roll them in the breadcrumbs until the tofu is completely coated and you can't see the puree.

4. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil.

5. Add the tofu nuggets in a single layer (be careful not to crowd the pan!) and cook until nicely browned on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook until the crumb coating is crisp and golden, 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Lunch Box Biscuits (from The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue by Missy Chase Lapine)

Makes 14 biscuits

2 cups Flour Blend*

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup White Puree**

1/4 cup buttermilk***

1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese plus extra 1/2 cup for tops of biscuits

*Flour Blend (3 cups)

1 cup all-purpose, unbleached white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup wheat germ, unsweetened

Combine the flours and wheat germ in a large bowl. This makes about 3 cups. This blend can be stored in a sealed, labeled plastic bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

**White Puree (about 2 cups)

2 cups cauliflower florets (about half a small head)

2 small to medium zucchini, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 to 2 tablespoons water, if necessary

In a stove, pour about 2 inches of water into a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Put a vegetable steamer basket into the pot, add the cauliflower, and steam for about 10 minutes, until very tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, place the raw peeled zucchini with the lemon juice in your food processor and pulse a few times. Next add the cooked cauliflower and 1 tablespoon of water to the food processor (work in batches if necessary) and puree on high until smooth. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. If necessary, use another tablespoon of water make a smooth puree, but the less water the better.

This recipe makes about 2 cups of puree; double it if you want to store more. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you can freeze 1/4 cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.

***Buttermilk (1 cup)

Mix together 1/4 cup fresh milk and 1/4 tablespoon vinegar and leave for about 10 minutes. Wait till the milk curdles.

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees; line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray with oil).

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the Flour Blend, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Using your fingertips, work the butter into the dry mixture evenly, forming little pea-sized clumps.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, White Puree, buttermilk, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just enough to moisten the dry ingredients.

4. Stir in the "mix-ins" of choice.

Optional "Mix-Ins"

Cheesier Biscuits: 1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheese

Ham & Cheese Biscuits: 1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheese and 2 cups diced, cooked ham (about 8 ounces)

Turkey & Cheese Biscuits: 1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheese and 2 cups diced, cooked turkey breast (about 8 ounces)

Bacon & Cheese Biscuits: 1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheese and 1 cup diced, cooked bacon

5. Drop 1/4-cup amounts of dough on prepared baking sheet. Top each biscuit with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese, and then spray the tops with oil.

6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.