Cherry Vanilla Pudding Cake

If you are Filipino and by any chance a Martial Law Baby (born in the early 70s in the Philippines) then you'd be so familiar with Nutribun. "Nutri" stands for "nutrition" while  "bun" is, obviously, a bread roll. Nutribun is the name given to a bread roll developed in the early 70's by USAID to feed students in public schools in the Philippines. Flour from the USA (and others say from Canada and Australia, too) were shipped to the Philippines to make these bread rolls. Each bun was supposed to contain at least 500 calories and enough nutrients for a day for a child who possibly wouldn't have had anything to eat except for the bread he or she got from school.

Tinolang Manok (Opo Squash and Ginger Chicken Soup)

Nowadays, we are trying to eat a little healthier than usual (with occasional sweet treats of course!) and so I have decided to look back on my heritage to try and make more Filipino style dishes that are both nutritionally more beneficial and flavorful, too. In the Tagalog Region, where my little island belong, a lot of our food are soup-based - with veggies and meat added in and lots of garlic, onion, tomatoes and ginger added for flavor!

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

My two tots love muffins so I often make a fruity one for them. I especially love making muffins using fresh and seasonal berries for they surely impart all the fruity goodness in these delicious snacks. The fresh raspberries provide a tangy contrast to sweet chocolate chips making this especially yummy. Of course, when the season turns colder and fresh berries are not readily available frozen raspberries can be substituted. Because they can be made anytime, these muffins are perfect as snacks to take to school. That way, I also know that when my little boy takes a bite of it, he'll be thinking of Mommy.  :-)

Quick and Easy Peach Galette

I love, love peaches! It may sound weird but I love them because I love Mangoes! I think, except for the difference in their peel, they are pretty similar in many ways. The flesh are both sweet and juicy and truly yummy. So, when I can't find my favorite mangoes I am equally happy when I can bring home some peaches instead.

Blueberry Green Smoothie

I love Green Smoothies! I have tried it only recently (just a few months ago) and now that I have been drinking it regularly, almost on a daily basis for my breakfast....I can never seem to get enough of it. When people ask me what the taste is like, I always say, it's really just like a regular smoothie - nope, there's no bitter taste of Kale or Spinach but just a sweet-tangy flavor of the fruits and berries with a hint of nuttiness from the Flax seeds and the Peanut Butter.