Home » Archives for March 2015
Posted by
yanti on Monday, March 30, 2015
Spring has only just started, and in Ohio, that could still mean snow in the forecast. But after a long winter, some times we just want to get away! A tropical vacation sounds perfect until you see how much it costs. But lucky for us, we have a little tropical getaway spot right in Columbus and it only costs $13!
Franklin Park Conservatory opened in 1895 as part of the city beautiful movement. It was inspired by World's Fair designs and includes 88 acres of public park with gardens, a lake, paths, and of course the beautiful greenhouse! Step inside and you'll forget it still feels like winter outside... in fact, you might want to check your coat at the door because you'll be down right hot!
Every time we visit the conservatory the orchids are always in full swing and are incorporated into every room. There's the mountainous region, desert, tropical, palm house, and a rotating exhibit, currently Blooms & Butterflies (one of my favorites!).
We seriously thought about having our wedding in the Palm House when we looked for a venue. The room was under renovation though and it worked out for the best because I imagine it gets pretty toasty in June in a greenhouse with tuxes. :)
Although one of the smaller rooms, the desert is always fascinating to me. How such large plants can survive on such little water... and can also produce things like aloe and agave nectar... amazing!
As someone with their own butterfly garden, I could have stayed for hours in the Blooms and Butterflies exhibit! (I also never wanted to leave after being in the warm humidity again.) We stayed long enough to hear about some of the species they collect for the exhibit and saw the twice-daily release of more butterflies (recently escaped from cocoon status). I think butterflies are just so interesting in general... changing from a mere bug crawling slowly on the ground to a beautiful butterfly that can fly many miles.
Besides an escape from Ohio weather, Franklin Park hosts several events including Asian Festival, fundraisers (like Hat Day), kids activities, plant sales, and field to table events. Definitely a fun place to visit and forget how cold it is outside!
More about → Franklin Park Conservatory - a tropical getaway in our backyard
Posted by
yanti on Sunday, March 29, 2015
A simple appetizer yet nutritious. Bell pepper is an excellent source of carotenoids and a good source of vitamins E and C. You will surely love this crunchy and colorful appetizer which is low in calories (31Kcal per 100 grams). Try this.
Ingredients for 4 servings:1 regular size green bell pepper1 regular size red bell pepper1 regular size yellow bell pepperany salad dressing of your choice
Procedure:1. Slice all the bell peppers into rings then combine well.2. Serve to your desired presentation or plating. Perfect with fried or grilled fish or meat
More about → Bell Pepper Appetizer
Posted by
yanti
I recently received a reader request for a post on how to beat procrastination. As soon as I read it, I thought "you and me both, sister!". Even my Kindergarteners are prone to procrastination every time they hear the phrase "clean up time"!
Why We Procrastinate and How to Stop
So, how can we beat it? First of all, it is important for us to realize that our procrastination usually comes straight out of fear. Fear of failing, or of being below standard, in some cases, even fear of finishing.
What have I been procrastinating about lately? Um, that would be job searching. It is truly the most discouraging, am I right?
I mean, I like positive results right away! Don�t you? And job searching means a LOT of hoping and a lot trying and a lot of waiting. BORRR-IIING.
So, instead of job searching every day, I settle for pinning a bunch of articles on how to job search every day (I like to think that at least I'm helping others who may not have been able to find these articles through their own Google searching). Basically the same thing, right? I love how Pinterest makes me feel productive while actually doing nothing.
8 Anti-Procrastination Strategies
But with teacher hiring season just around the corner for me (and Finals Week just around the corner for you) we can�t afford to sit around pinning articles on how to interview and how to study.
It�s time to actually get out there and do it!1: JUST GET STARTED
The good news is, research shows that starting is usually the hardest part! So just do that! Jump straight in on that project that looks so daunting!
Once you get past that initial fear of how big and impossible-looking it seems, you�ll gain a clearer perspective! Who knows? Maybe you'll even get into the flow of working and you'll enjoy it! 2: SET A SMALL GOAL
Maybe I can send 1 email to a potential school today. Maybe you could read 5 pages in that textbook you hate. When we look at it as just a teeny, harmless little task, it�s a lot less intimidating to take a step in the right direction!
3: GIVE YOURSELF A STOPPING POINT
Set aside an amount of time for your studying time. Like, 15-20 minutes. That seems like a manageable time to set your phone aside and delve into that Landforms textbook (no matter how boring a chapter on the Humus layer of soil may be).
4: WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED
Cross out that task on your to-do list! Then write it in your planner: read pages 245-255 (sent resume to...). Aside from leaving a trail of productivity in yourplanner, this helps you for a couple of other reasons, too! It shows you how you used your time and that you actually DID get something accomplished! It also creates an immediate jumping off point for the next time you sit down to study!
(which will be tomorrow, riiiiight?)
5: PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF
Tomorrow, try to come back to the same place at the same time (if possible). Call it your study space and your study time. This way, there is no confusion about what you should be doing!
4 Rules for Effective Studying
Aim for studying this way for the next 4 weeks! Try to turn it into a habit! Do you know how much studying you can accomplish through a month of 20-minute sessions? 10 hours!
And That sounds WAY better than wasting an entire Saturday cramming, no? :)
What finals (or other life events) are you procrastinating right now? How can you use this baby-step method to overcome them? Do you have any productivity tips or tricks to add?!
Posted by
yanti
Hope everyone had a great weekend! Can't believe April starts in a few days and it looks like it will be quite the busy month. I always love Spring when we all come out of hibernation mode and all we want to do is get outside and do something. I mean, it was still below freezing all day today, but we were out and about at Franklin Park Conservatory and it was "warm enough" for some Jeni's. Earlier in the week, it was still above freezing when I got home from work... so of course that meant it was great weather to take Snoop for a walk!
Spring also brings strawberries... I love when they are so red that the juice stains your fingers a bit. That level of ripeness, you hope the bowl never ends! Also... El Vaquero opening in Pickerington is going to be a bad idea for us since we have already been there a couple times and I think they have only been open a month now. Oops! We love Mexican food too much! I'm still making enchiladas and tacos at home every week on top of these incremental trips to El Vaq.
Blooms and butterflies started at Franklin Park Conservatory which is always a fun trip. They are having their orchid weekend next weekend, so definitely something to check out!
Alright, on to this week's meal plan...
cauliflower tacoscreamy shrimp bowties with garlic breadsloppy joesveggie calzoneschicken and veggie fried rice
What are you planning to make this week?
More about → Weekly Menu
Posted by
yanti on Thursday, March 26, 2015
Cinnamon sugar! I love it! I was seriously in heaven at all of the bakeries in Switzerland... streusel everywhere! Okay... I was pretty much in heaven at every European bakery we stopped in while on vacation, but streusel is something I can make at home (I still plan on making those Italian Nutella tarts someday).
These muffins are somewhere between a muffin, a cupcake, and a doughnut. They are a little too sweet (and maybe a little too much butter) to be considered an ordinary breakfast muffin. This is definitely a treat. Pair it with some fresh fruit for breakfast, add it to your brunch buffet lineup, or as a sweet snack to satisfy that annoying sweet tooth. Since I love cinnamon, there is cinnamon throughout... even in the muffin!
You know, cinnamon has several health benefits including many antioxidants and having anti-inflammatory properties, so it can keep you healthy. Too bad sugar and butter aren't health foods too!Read more �
Posted by
yanti on Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Fresh lumpia or lumpiang sariwa is a very good and affordable dish that you can serve for the whole family. This one is a recipe from Nanay Pining, she's making this when I arrived that's why I was able to take pictures and told her that I will post it for my blog. This is really delicious. She served some for me after she made it.Here is how to make fresh lumpia.Ingredients for the filling:1/2 kilo shrimps1/4 kilo ground beef or pork1/2 kilo carrots 1/2 kilo potatoes ( french cut and fried)1/2 kilo cabbage1/4 kilo green beans3 cloves garlic (minced)1 onion (minced)salt and pepper to tasteProcedure for the filling:1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the ground meat and saute until the pinkish color is gone then add the shrimps and simmer for a minute.2. Add the carrots and green beans then simmer until tender.3. Add all the ingredients and simmer until cooked.
Ingredients for the wrapper:4 tablespoons flour1 cup cornstarch1 tablespoon salt1 teaspoon sugar2 cups water2 whole eggs
Procedure:1. Mix all the dry ingredients then add the egg and water then mix throughly.2. Cook in a non-stick pan for a perfect result.
Ingredients for the Sauce1 cup flour1/2 cup sugar4 tablespoons soy sauce5 cups water5 cloves garlic ( minced)1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Procedure:1. Mix all the ingredients then bring to a boil over medium heat until thickens.2. Remove from heat, then add the minced garlic and mix well.3. This is now ready to be used :-).
To assemble:1. Place the wrapper properly then put the lettuce and add the filling.
2. Wrap well and place in a plate. pour with a sauce and minced garlic and peanut then serve.
Contributed by: Nanay Pining
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| Nanay Pining |
More about → Fresh Lumpia
Posted by
yanti on Sunday, March 22, 2015
Happy first weekend of Spring! Hope you were able to enjoy the sunshine this weekend. We definitely were out and about... so tired of being inside!!
101 Beer Kitchen opened their second location in Gahanna last week. There is always a long wait at the Dublin location, and the Gahanna location appears like it could be the same way. Of course there is good reason for the wait! A long beer list, seasonal menu, and tasty appetizers. We had the fried cheese curds, I had the mahi mahi tacos, and he had the shrimp po' boy... all very good!
We also spent some time in the Short North this weekend since the weather was quite nice and we needed to get outside. Our first stop was Forno for some lunch. Of course, as the name suggests ('oven' in Italian), is known for the giant pizza oven... so we needed to try the pizza. But the appetizer we got (because he was starving) was a baked ricotta and peaches spread with bread... almost had a dessert-like sweetness.
We finally went to Laughlin's Bakery after hearing about their croissants amazing likeness to the ones you expect in Paris. I was totally ready to be taken back, if only through my taste buds... and we got the last two almond croissants available for the day! So if you want what you want, it's best to go early for the largest selection of delicious French pastries.
Then some wandering around high street enjoying the local shops and treats.
This week's meal plan...shrimp fajita tacosstir frycatfish po' boycreamy dijon chicken and asparaguscauliflower tacos
More about → Weekly Menu
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