Monthly Archives: June 2009

Asparagus Prosciutto Wrap

Posted by Toni on June 28, 2009 None comments

This is a very common entree recipe here in Australia but I want to share it with all moms out there and give you some ideas as well on how to give variety to its taste and serving ideas.

This is perfect for entree or appetizer

This is perfect for entree or appetizer

Ingredients:  Asparagus

- Prosciutto which can be replaced with sliced ham

- Feta cheese, or you can choose from a variety of your favorite cheese like camembhert or mozarella (which must be combined with other cheese like parmesan or cheddar for more taste and flavor)

- olive oil and ground black pepper

Here’s the simple steps to prepare it:

First, lay down prosciutto slices and put 3 pieces of asparagus on top;  Sprinkle with crumbed feta cheese;  Season with black pepper; Wrap around the asparagus with the prosciutto; Arrange several pieces of this wrap on a baking tray; Drizzle with olive oil;  Bake for 15 minutes at 175′ or until the prosciutto is golden brown.

It’s always nice to serve this fresh from the oven while it is still warm.  The juice on the baking tray which came from the asparagus, cheese and prosciutto can be drizzled on top before serving.  Bon apetit!

‘Big School’ Makes Me Nervous But Excited!

Posted by Toni on June 22, 2009 None comments

Today, I received a welcome letter from St. Mary’s School accepting my application for my daughter’s primary schooling which will start January next year.  Ivana is so excited but I doubt if she’s got an idea on how excited I am as well.

My excitement however is mixed up with a feeling of nervousness as I realized that my daughter will start ‘big school’ soon.  This is the beginning of a new chapter in her life; more exposure to the outside world.  I am starting to feel this heart of mine jumping out of my body.  I am sure parents understand how I am feeling but I can’t wait to see her in her uniform and am really looking forward to her first day in school.

I am starting to imagine how it would be like for me teaching her homework and do activities with her in school specially during the parent involvement activities there.  I just wish I can be a good teacher as I was to all those little kids I used to teach when I was in grade school until the time I started teaching college students.

My hubby is also very excited and he can’t wait to see Ivana in her school uniform.

YourOpinion.com.au Survey Site

Posted by Toni on June 22, 2009 None comments

I have been a member of YourOpinion for less than a year now and I have answered surveys from them which are really interesting.  After few surveys which they send me every two weeks or so, I have reached the minimum payout of $20AusD from my Paypal account.  I just requested my pay three days ago and I was surprised to have received it this morning.  Most paying sites take 1 week to a long 6 weeks before members receive their payment.

YourOpinion is an Australian survey site that allows consumers to voice out opinions and ideas on various products and services.  There are lots of stay-at-home moms that will surely love this site because their surveys are very relevant to moms like us as they deal with every day products we encounter in the market and purchase for our family.  I also love surveys that tackle services like banks or financial institutions, insurance companies and the like.

In YourOpinion, members are also given the chance to earn extra by referral system.  If you want to join this site, and you want to be my referral please message me and I will send you the invite straight away.  If you prefer to join without any referral invitation, go check the site and register for free membership.  This site though is only for Australian residents.

Baby Checklist For Soon-To-Be-Moms

Posted by Toni on June 19, 2009 1 comments

I have two friends who are expecting to give birth in August this year.  They are both first time moms.  Their hubbies are so excited for the coming of their first baby.

Looking back, when I was expecting Ivana, I was very organized with everything I needed.  From baby clothes, nappies and upto the bottles, sterilizers and the like.  I have two other sisters who were already moms at that time, and so I got lots of help in preparing for that most awaited day.

Here in LMC, I will provide a checklist, especially for first time moms.  I got this checklist from my favourite shop in Manila and it was very helpful to have this and get ready for everything.  This is a complete list, but you don’t necessarily need all of the things mentioned here.  It’s good to have an idea though on what to purchase and get ready with.

FOR SLEEPING:  BEFORE THE BABY ARRIVES: Crib bassinet, mattress cabinet, chest with drawers, changing table, mosquito net, lamp, fitted sheets, comforters, water proof sheets, lap pads, mattress coverings, crib blankets, bolster cases, clothes hamper, diaper stacker, hangers, thermometer, baby monitor, diaper pail, vaporizer/humidifier, crib bumpers, pillows, bolsters, pillow cases

AFTER THE BABY ARRIVES:  Pajama sets/frog suits, sleeveless shirts, short sleeved shirts, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, abdominal binders, mittens, bonnets/caps, gauze, diaper liners, disposable diapers, socks/booties, bibs, receiving blankets

FOR LEARNING:  Crib toys, crib mobile, musical toys, rattles, parenting/baby books, musical/educational CDs/DVDs/VCDs/VHS/Casette tapes

FOR CARING:  BATHING & GROOMING:  Bath tub, rubber mat, sponge, wash cloth, basin, bath thermometer, organizer tray, mild soap, liquid bath soap, baby shampoo, baby powder, baby oil, baby alcohol, baby lotion, baby cream, baby cologne, petroleum jelly, diaper ointment, diaper rash powder, mosquito repellant, baby wipes, cotton swab, cotton balls, finger toothbrush, nasal aspirator, nail cutter, soap case/powder case, bath toys/squeeze toys, baby hair brush, hooded bath towels

BOTTLE FEEDING:  4oz nursers, 8oz nursers, silicon nipples, milk containers, cups & rings, bottle brush, nipple brush, bottle warmer, sterilizing tong, sterilizer, sterilizer rack, bottle keeper/holder

BREASTFEEDING:  Breastpump, nursing pads, nipple cream, nipple shield, breastfeeding pillows

FOR PLAYING:  OUTDOOR ACCESSORIES & ASSORTED TOYS FOR PLAYTIME:  Carrier, Car seat, head support pad, car and go bag, stroller, nursery bag/bottle bag, changing pad, stroller pad, portable crib/play pen, portabed, insulated bottle keeper, high chair, soft bite spoon, plate warmer, baby bowl, training cups, food maker, stroller toys, activity/educational toys

The aforementioned items are needed from the time the baby was born and some are useful even until toddler years.  Keep this list and pass it to your friends who are pregnant or first time moms…they will surely be happy to be reminded.

I Never Thought LMC Can Be For Youth Too!

Posted by Toni on June 14, 2009 None comments

I felt so good upon reading my Triond friend’s message on my dashboard.  His username in Triond is Fresh Writing.  He is a young, talented bloke from Washington, United States.  Below is his message which I am very proud to share to all of you.

Hi Ms. Nakama-Sellaro!

I was going over various blogs, and was completely strucked by yours. I went onto your website Lovely Moms Cafe, and looked over your recipes. I immediately forwarded the website onto a cooking lover (like you :) , and we’ve been getting together and cooking every weekend that we have spare time!

Amazing recipes; I truly admire them-very tasty.

Thanks for writing all those recipes, and all those articles, and all your work in overall–absolutely brilliant.

I love your recipes!

-Fresh Writing

(Blog, Take a Stand – Youth Voice)

For Fresh Writing’s Triond articles you can go directly to his Triond Portfolio Page.

I wish to attract more young visitors here in our site.  Wouldn’t it be great for the young ones to read the site and learn from us moms?  For now I am happy that there are young ones out there who appreciate my recipes and they are learning how to cook on their own.  Have a nice day ahead!

Zucchini Flower Recipe

Posted by Toni on June 13, 2009 None comments

This is one of my favorite gourmet recipes.  I usually cook this for entree whenever I have friends coming over for dinner.

Stuffed zucchini flowers

Stuffed zucchini flowers

Ingredients for the stuffing: 5 pieces zucchini flowers, cream cheese (which can be replaced by ricotta or mascarpone cheese or any soft cheese), a couple of finely chopped preserved anchovy fillets, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  A spoon or two of breadcrumbs can also be added to the mixture to make all the ingredients stick all together.

For the batter:  1 egg white, 1 whole egg, 60 grams plain white flour, 5 tbsp cold water, pinch of salt

Preparation:  1- Mix together all the stuffing ingredients and blend the ingredients well until smooth. 2- Spoon into the flowers and close flower around the mixture.  3- Make the batter by beating everything together.  4- Dip each stuffed flowers in the batter and deep fry until golden brown.

Please note that in this recipe, we use the “female” zucchini flowers.  Female zucchini flowers have more room in the middle of the petals than the male ones, which make them more ideal for stuffing recipes like this.

Zucchini is a vegetable that is similar to what we call “upo” in the Philippines.  In countries, like the Philippines, zucchini flowers can be alternated in this recipe with other vegetable flowers.  I suggest doing this recipe with “squash (pumpkin) flowers”.  It is all about experimenting.  That’s what makes cooking very interesting.