NO SHAME IN WALKING FOR EXERCISE : MY FITNESS JOURNEY

What if you just want an easy way to exercise? What if you just want to relax, slowdown and not do strenuous workouts? Do you think you can meet your fitness goals doing just that? Well, that depends on our goal and the choice is ours. 

I walked for my overall health and I did it consistently to this day

During my 30’s to 50’s, I did not neglect exercise. I joined aerobic classes in gyms, I even bought the VHS of Jane Fonda whose routine I followed at home. It worked! 

When I turned 55, my doctor knew that I had a clean bill of health but discouraged me from jogging to prevent foot injury. When I turned 60 and retired I went on a binge, thinking that retirement is freedom, with no constraints, do what you like, life is short, right? I was wrong! Look at me after my excessive indulgence! 

When my younger daughter came home for my 70th birthday celebration, she asked how it feels to be 70. I said that I feel the same like when I was 17; except that my ways have matured and goals changed. 

By then I was looking for my next big thing. She subtly suggested that I start small, like walking again. I was 165 lbs or more, I can’t be sure. Little did I know then that I started the biggest thing that I could ever do in my life! 

With the loving encouragement of my family I resumed walking; 5,000 steps was my initial goal. To boost my enthusiasm my son even bought me a fitbit and Jim urged me to get the best and the latest Nike available. My family is so Nike-ish

My older daughter bought me exercise Tee’s, all the colors available in my size at Uniqlo and even got more from M & S; while my younger daughter started buying me nike shoes every 6 months; and she still does to this day, if I may add.  

Walking energizes me, I never feel sluggish and I’m always in a good mood. They say that walking gives life longevity; good for the heart and boost mental strength. 

Walking with friends is fun ; I enjoy the laughter and banter! Exactly the socialization I need. I value the friendship and fellowship and I love the occasional breakfasts and birthday celebrations with them.

Walking regulates my blood glucose that my Endocrinologist is happy on my quarterly checkups. She congratulates me. 

Walking boosts my creativity, when I walk alone on Sundays and on days that my friends are otherwise preoccupied with their lives; new ideas come to me; more often about how I express my thoughts for my blog or new contents dawn on me. 

Mindful meditation has its pluses. It rejuvenates me; I set aside life’s concerns and challenges. I focus on the here-and-now, the trees, the plants and the flowers. I feel the windy days and breezy mornings. When dawn breaks I watch the breathtaking moment of sunrise that never fail to excite me. It gives hope for good things to come. 

I know that walking won’t remarkably reduce weight but I’ve proven that walking 10,000 steps consistently everyday paid off. I am 136 lbs now; still a bit on the heavy side but I feel fine. 

Today I “bask in the glory” of what I’ve become; lighter now so I don’t overwork my heart. Exercise indeed is the key to a long and joyful life! 

Walking it is for me! 

MEATBALLS WITH MASHED POTATOES

My sister invited me to join the Daily Diabetes Recipes group. I had reservations in joining groups on Facebook for that would reduce my traffic feed from friends. However, this recipe: Meatballs with Potatoes caught my interest. So I tried it. 

I did not exactly follow the meatball recipe as instructed since I have my own recipe that is more to my taste. Instead of potato slices, I mashed the potatoes. 

                 INGREDIENTS 

The meat balls

1/2 kilo lean minced pork 

1 white onion diced

1 tsp paprika 

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground pepper 

1 egg

2 tbsps soy sauce

1 tbsp cooking wine

4 pcs crackers ground to small pcs. 

Bechamel sauce 

5 tbsps butter 

4 tbsp all purpose flour

4 cups milk 

1 1/2 tsps salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Fill-in and topping

3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed

2 cups grated mozzarella and cheddar 

   PROCEDURE

MAKE THE MEATBALLS. 

Beat egg in a bowl, then add liquid ingredients first and mix

Add dry ingredients and put meat last. 

Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 2 hours for easier handling. 

In a muffin pan, spray a little oil on top of the paper lining 

Put the rolled meatball in each space and spray a little oil on the meatballs 

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 260 degrees

Remove foil cover and bake for 10 minutes more or until meatballs turn brown.

 

MAKE THE BECHAMEL SAUCE 

In a skillet, melt butter

Add flour when butter has melted and cook while whisking for 6 minutes 

In a separate container bring milk to a near boil

Add milk to the butter and flour slowly while stirring. 

Keep cooking and stirring for 10 minutes more until sauce is thick. 

Line the bottom of a baking dish with parchment paper 

Arrange the meatballs in the dish

Fill in between with mashed potatoes 

Pour bechamel sauce on top

Cover with two cups of grated mozzarella and cheddar 

Bake for ten minutes until cheeses melt

And this dish is ready to serve. 



Mmsogoodmm! 

CHICKEN ASADO

Whenever I make asado I usually use a whole chicken; not cut up in pieces like this. Unfortunately, I cut those since they were intended for another dish, so I made do. This is the recipe I learned from my mother in law. 

                INGREDIENTS 

1 whole chicken, in this case I had them cut up

3-4 tbsps canola oil

                   Marinade

1/3 cup soy sauce 

2 tbsps cooking wine

1 star anise

1 small cinnaamon bark

1 big bay leaf

1/4 tsp marjoram 

1/4 tsp thyme 

1/2 tsp ground pepper 

2-3 medium tomatoes chopped 

1 big onion chopped 

juice of 3 calamansi

2 tsps minced garlic

1 tsp salt

                PROCEDURE 

1. wash chicken with baking soda, rinse well and dry with paper towel
2. Mix in all the marinade ingredients and cover the chicken well. Allow to rest for a minimum of an hour but marinated overnight will give the best result.

1. In a skillet that can accommodate the chicken, on medium heat put in oil.
2. Drain chicken before frying. Set aside marinade

Fry chicken until golden

1. Put back the chicken into the marinade dish, and transfer oil in a separate container.

1. Transfer the chicken along with marinade in the skillet and simmer in medium heat until chicken is tender.



1. Pick up the chicken pieces to put in a serving dish and set aside
2. Strain the remaining liquid using a spoon to push down all the liquid

1. Put back strained liquid in the skillet, and allow to boil
2. In a separate container pour 1/2 cup water and add 2 tsps corn starch to thicken sauce.
3. When sauce is thick, pour that over the chicken in the serving dish
4. And this dish is done.

“BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD”

There’s this 3-book series: “Before The Coffee Gets Cold”, written in Japanese by Toshikazu Tawaguchi and later translated in English by Geoffrey Trousselot. 

It is about a cafe in Tokyo where customers ordered coffee, poured and served after which they reminisce, travel back in time and return before the coffee gets cold. 

The moral lesson in this series is to “cherish the people and the moments in our lives before they become part of the past”.

It is for this very reason that my sister and I chose “Before The Coffee Gets Cold” as our catch phrase; or you may call it slogan, mantra, battle cry; if you wish: 

My sister lived in the US for about 38 years and to me, she sparingly came home for visits. During those earlier years, long distance calls were expensive, no Skype or FaceTime yet. We limited our calls to birthdays and Christmases. 

Looking back, I’d say that we missed a lot being together and sharing life experiences during those crucial years. Those years were challenging, with no manuals to guide us so we groped;trying to make married life better and rearing our children the best we could while holding a career. 

At times like those, sometimes we just need a sister to talk to or just see each other over coffee. Who knows, we could have even enjoyed those years better by just comparing notes. 

I was so happy when she finally decided to retire here, leaving her 3 children and their families in the US whom she can visit as often as she wants. Her prime intention upon her return was to bond with family, especially with me and our older brother to compensate for lost time.

Therefore, “Before the coffee gets cold” is a reminder for us to make the most of this time now since we are not getting any younger.

My sister and I spend a day a month together; lunch out, some shopping and errands that we can do together. Since she lives close to our brother while I live on the other side of town; they see each other more often; but we meet on birthdays and party with the whole clan once or twice a year.

Compared to this cafe in Tokyo, over here popular cafes are places to be and be seen; a convenient place to work or to socialize, to catch up with friends or even a venue for dates “over a cup of coffee”, so to speak. 

I learned that Tawaguchi published the 4th book of the series: “Before We Say Goodbye”, but then we will temporarily set that aside and maybe when the time comes we can move on to that catch phrase. In the meantime, “Before The Coffee Gets Cold” will cut it. 

CIOPPINO, MY VERSION

I felt like eating cioppino today, it is one of the Italian dishes I love. I found shrimps and red snapper fillets in my freezer and clams I that are open because they were cooked the day before But it doesn't matter; I saved the juice to add to the soup. 

The beauty of this recipe is that you can add any seafood you want; so anytime you make cioppino, just cooked what is available. I thought I’d make it a one-dish meal so I added carrots, spinach and cabbage. And why not? 

I decided to cook the cioppino in my sukiyaki bowl, it is just the right size for a recipe for two. It could keep the cioppino warm while I serve it; no need to transfer into a serving dish. 

      INGREDIENTS 

3 tbsps butter

1 tbsp canola 

1/2 cup celery leaves, chopped 

1/2 cup chopped leeks

1 cup chopped onions

1 tbsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp dried thyme 

1/2 tsp mixed dried herbs

1 tsp dried basil

1 tall can tomatoes 

1/4 kilo shrimps, peeled and deveined 

1/4 kilo red snapper fillets 

1 cup white wine

2-3 cups water

salt and pepper to taste 

PROCEDURE 

-in my sukiyaki bowl, I put 3 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp canola

-once the butter melted, I added the garlic, onions, celery leaves and leaks until the onion softens. 

I added the wine, the dried herbs, tomatoes, 1 cup water, salt, pepper. I covered until it boiled. 

-I then put in the fish, shrimps and clams and I stirred to incorporate everything. I covered and allowed to boil for a minute. 

-I put in the steam veggies, salt and pepper to taste. 

I sprinkled the chopped celery leaves and leeks. 

And this dish is done! It is best eaten with crusty btread 

NOW IT CAN BE TOLD

Recently, Jim underwent a vitreous eye procedure. My children never failed to show their love and concern on situations like this. 

My son flew in for the day to be with us. When he came up to the waiting room I realized that most of the load was taken off my shoulder, I could even breathe easily and I was so happy to see him. But by then, Jim was already in the prep room. 

It is during crucial circumstances such as this when our family regroup and my son makes it a point to come home, much more so than on family celebrations, though he never missed family milestones. 

The procedure took longer than we expected.

“I need to go check out from Shangrila hotel soon, but I need to see my dad, at least talk to him briefly, please let us know as soon as I could see him ” , he told the receptionist. 

“Let’s take a selfie”, I said thinking that he may not see his Dad. “Why, do we need a proof that I was here?”, ! he jokingly replied. “Ok, let’s take a selfie by the Asian Eye poster then”, he said and I willingly got up and brought out my phone. 

While waiting, both of us feeling a bit apprehensive, we talked; and my mind was diverted; for a while I forgot what’s taking place in surgery. Though he was here last month to celebrate his birthday we didn’t get the chance to really talk. I was glad for the opportunity to catch up. 

I was happy to hear our grandson’s latest activities, that he is grade 5 class officer and the “reforms” he intends to make in their school environment. Hmmm, ain’t he all business? On Tuesdays during breakfast, he would announce: “oh, it’s Tuesday, I have a 2 o’clock”, he would say, meaning the class officers meeting.  

My younger daughter, who also lives abroad has been messaging me, asking details which made me feel that I wasn't alone on this. 

“Thoughts and prayers with you and Dad, take care” ; she messaged early that morning when I said that we were already at the clinic. Henceforth, I kept updating her because I know she is waiting for news. 

My older daughter who lives in town, came over the night before to wish Jim well and to boost his morale. Like her younger sister, she kept communicating as well. 

“Please tell manong Jim that I’m praying and thinking of him during the procedure”, my sister messaged me as well. 

Finally we were told that Jim was in the recovery room, still groggy but he would be awake soon.

I immediately messaged my two daughters; 

“Dad is now in recovery room”; meaning that the hard part is over. “Great news”, they both replied. 

Finally, my son was able to talk to his Dad, they held hands and he placed his other hand on his Dad’s shoulder while they talked briefly. Then he said he had to go, so we hugged and I sent him off with a thank you for coming home however briefly. And then he was gone! 

Left alone momentarily , I said my prayers of thanks that everything went well. Then I remembered that I had to go two floors down to accounting; so I gathered my things and got the bill settled. 

“On our way home, thanks a lot for your prayers and your well wishes for Jim”, I messaged my friends and my sister who were praying for us. 

I realized that in life no matter what curve balls is thrown to us, somehow it becomes more bearable with a loving family and the best of friends. Thank you , Lord for their presence in my life. 

And all’s well that ends well. 

My ILOKANO PINAKBET

Every so often, I feel like eating pinakbet. Though I am adventurous in food, especially when we eat out I always order a different dish every time we go back to the same restaurant. 

However, I realized that no matter how deliciously different dishes are, after a while we long for the food that we are accustomed to. Do you agree? 

Today I thought I’d cook pinakbet. Here is my recipe for two, left overs do not go to waste because a day or two-old pinakbet taste better if properly refrigerated; that is if you like to replay your dish. 

                   Ingredients 

8-inch long ampalaya cut into strips diagonally 

2 pcs medium eggplant cut as in photo

3 tbsp cooking oil

4-5 meduim tomatoes 

1 matchbox size ginger, sliced or crushed 

1 medium onion, sliced in half-moon

1 tbsp minced garlic 

6-7 pcs okra, both ends removed and cut in half 

1 native green pepper

1 tbsp salt

3 tbsps fish sauce

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme 

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp white sugar

4-5 pcs old chicharon that lost their crunch -optional ,

Or 1/4 kilo pork belly optional. 

            Procedure

1- Cut the ampalaya diagonally and dredge in 1 tsp salt, allow to sweat, press to remove juice and wash 3 times. 

Steam until cooked. Set aside.

2-in a pan big enough to hold the entire dish, sautee in oil onions, ginger and garlic. Cook for one minute 

3- add tomatoes, okra and eggplant and green pepper Mix to incorporate the sauce and until veggies wilt a bit. 

4- add fish sauce, ground pepper, thyme, salt and steamed ampalaya

Add 1 1/2 cups water and continue cooking. 

5- stir veggies until fully cooked. And the dish is done. 

Notes: 

-choose the palest ampalaya that you can find, they are not too bitter .

-the secret for a delicious pinakbet is in the generous amount of tomatoes. I even added the remaining 1/4 can of diced tomatoes. 

-Notice I did not put string beans and squash. Not in our family. I believe putting beans and squash is the Tagalog version

-It would be nice if we can get these native veggies like patani, baeg and bagbagkong to add to the dish. 

-Some use shrimp paste for saltiness, or even the brown anchovy sauce. That is a matter of choice.