No-Bake Unsweetened Blueberry Cheesecake

In terms of U.S. fruit consumption, blueberries rank only second to strawberries in popularity of berries. Blueberries are not only popular, but also repeatedly ranked in the U.S. diet as having one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, spices and seasonings. Antioxidants are essential to optimizing health by helping to combat the free radicals that can damage cellular structures as well as DNA. We recommend enjoying raw blueberries — rather than relying upon blueberries incorporated into baked desserts — because, like other fruits, raw blueberries provide you with the best flavor and the greatest nutritional benefits.

Blueberries retain their maximum amount of nutrients and their maximum taste when they are enjoyed fresh and not prepared in a cooked recipe. That is because their nutrients - including vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes - undergo damage when exposed to temperatures (350°F/175°C and higher) used in baking.

 

References: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8

That is why, we will used blueberries in a no-bake procedure to enjoy it as a healthy dessert. First, we need to prepare all ingredients to be used in making our blueberry cheesecake.

Ingredients:

Crust:

1 pack / 200 grams	Graham  Cracker Crumbs
1 pack / 100 grams	Dari Crème Butter
1 tsp	Lemon Rind (optional)

Filling:

1 pack / 225 grams	Magnolia Cream Cheese
1 pack	Unflavored Gelatin, color white
1 can / 370 ml	Alpine Evaporated milk
1 can / 300 grams	Nestle All-purpose Cream
1 can / 595 grams	Duncan Hines Original Royal Blueberries

 

Procedure:

1. To make crust, mix crumbs with butter and lemon rind thoroughly.
2. Then, press it in a large pan. Then, chill in the refrigerator.
3. For the filling, dissolve unflavored gelatin in evaporated milk.
4. Mix with all-purpose cream in low heat.
5. Combine with cream cheese and stir and blend well while its hot.
6. Then, get and pour onto crumb-lined pan. Let it cool down for 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, put the blueberry can in the freezer.
8. Then, top the cream with blueberries in syrup.
9. Chill for 1 hour to 4 hours.
10. Serve and eat.

 

 

Isla Verde Batangas

Isla Verde, an island in the Philippines where you can see lush and full of green trees from afar and doesn't change in time. We went there from our place near laurel park, we ride a tricycle going to a place near BRH (Batangas Regional Hospital) and then ride a jeepney going to SM City Batangas. The jeepney dropped us in SM City Batangas, near another jeepney going to Tabangao aplaya. Then, from Tabangao aplaya, you can see several ferry boats. We ride the Island Cruiser ferryboat where they can give discount to students . Our ferry boat departed at around 9am in the morning. We reminded the ferry boat captain that we will be back in Batangas the next morning.  Luckily, we stayed in our helper's relative house and we give any amount we can give.

Here's the pricelist of the expense in going to Verde Island:

Description	Amount
Tricycle in Laurel Park	20 php
Jeepney to SM City Batangas	8 php per person
Jeepney to Tabangao aplaya	13 php per person
Island Cruiser ferry boat	100 php per person

*Note: Students are discounted.

They have 12 Barangays and named after known saints. Half of Isla Verde owns by Pastor, a famous family who lives in Batangas. Their mayor implement that houses should be installed by solar panels instead of electricity. They don't have public market and hospital. There's only barangay health center. They have mini grocery store, where you can buy food like rice. But for vegetables and fruits, they have in their own backyards like coconuts and bananas.

The most beautiful place to visit is Barangay San Agapito where you can find many resorts, one is the Verde Island resort. The island has a rocky shore but you can also find fine sands on resorts and selected seashores like in Sitio Cueva. 

The island is a passageway for many boats and ferries from Mindoro, Visayas and Mindanao. When we went there, high tides in early morning and low tides in the late afternoon.  The sunset is very exhilarating and have breathtaking view from the island. The Island Cruiser ferry boat passed by to get us back in Batangas around 5am the next morning. Then, going back vice versa.

Going to Davao

We went to Davao for about one week and stayed at Home Crest Residences, a typical 3-star hotel. It doesn't have refrigerator inside the room, but the room was cozy and have a cable tv. Below are the places we have visited in Davao.

Where to go in Davao:

1. SM City Davao

First, we went to SM City Davao and its just across near our hotel. It has annex and the main building. We ate at the food court and ordered paksiw tuna buntot and kinilaw malasugue tuna. Tuna is famous in Davao and we have heard its source from General Santos city, a place near Davao.

2. Crocodile Park

Next, we went  to Crocodile Park in Diversion Road, Ma-a Davao City. Entrance fee is 200 pesos and opens at 8am to 5pm (except Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and it includes tour in Crocodile Park, Tribu K' Mindanawan, and Butterfly House.

3. Riverwalk Resto Grill

We ate at Riverwalk Resto Grill which is behind the Crocodile Park. We ordered Kinilaw tuna and Sizzling Squid for our late lunch. They also offer crocodile and ostrich meat which is not available that time that's why we haven't tasted it.

4. Antonio's Bar and Grill

This restaurant is inside SM City main building located at the ground floor. We ordered crispy tuna buntot, sinigang na bangus and their own chicken adobo which they endorsed that time. Their food is delicious but a little bit pricey.

5. Jack's Ridge

This place is kinda far and located in a cool and high place. We ordered Kinilaw tuna and Bagaybay (Male tuna egg). The place and food were great and I would definitely recommend this place to be visited. Aside from the restaurant, they also have swimming pool and cottages for stay-in.

6. Precious Garden Restaurant in Samal Island

We went to Samal Island riding a roro bus, Island City Express. The roro bus will then ride a ferry in Samal Ferry Terminal (Sasa) going to Babak. We dropped near petron and ride  a tricycle goingto the Precious Garden Restaurant. The tricyle offer us a ride going to the restaurant. He also offered if we can go to see the batcave and visit the waterfall. We prefer to visit the batcave, because we don't have extra clothes if we get wet in the waterfalls. We simply went in Samal Island for Lunch. There are beach resorts in Samal Island like the Pearl farm beach resort, but we haven't prepared for a night out because I'm expecting my period. After eating and strolling in the restaurant, we went to Monfort Bat Cave which opens 8am to 5pm. They have 5 openings of the cave which even in daytime we can see the bats hanging upside down. Before sunset came to us, we went to Babak Ferry Terminal and ride (lantsa) a small ferry boat going back to Sasa Terminal. Then, we ride a jeepney going back to Ramon Magsaysay park.

Going to Island City Express bus terminal from SM City Davao, there are two options:

1. Go to SM City, ride a jeepney going to  Ramon Magsaysay Park. A street beside on the right side of the park, take a pedicab and ask to take you to Island City Express terminal.-- Or -

2. Go to SM City, ride a jeepney going to  Ramon Magsaysay Park. Stopover a street before the park, at F. Bangoy street, then walk thru that street and you will see the bus.

Here's the pricelist of the expense in going to Samal Island:

Description	Amount
SM City jeepney ride to R. Magsaysay park	8 php per person
Pedicab	10 php per person
Island City Express bus to Samal Island	35 php per person
Monfort Bat Cave	100 php per person
Small Ferry Boat	12 php per person
Sasa jepney ride to R. Magsaysay park	8 php per person

Monfort Bat Sanctuary

7. Luz Kinilaw and Inihaw Place

After we went to Samal Island, going back to Ramon Magsaysay Park. Then, we went to Luz Kinilaw and Inihaw place, known for their sinugba (grill)  tuna. We chose to buy the Bihod (Female Tuna Egg) and they grilled it. It taste great. 

8. Eden Nature Park

Going to Eden Nature Park costs us a lot from our place, we rode a taxi and charge us 500 php. Upon arriving at their day tour center, we were asked to pay for a day tour package before we roam around the park. It costs us 220 php for a snack package. There's also lunch package which costs about 500 php. We chose the snack package. The park is a very wide area that consists of the flower park, tinubdan park and lola's garden. They also have animals like birds and butterflies. There is also fishing village where you can get some tilapia. There's also zipline for skyride, skycycle and skyswing on the other side of the park. 

9. Bankerohan Fruitasan

This place is near the bankerohan river. Riding a jeepney, and dropping by the fruits stands before Magsaysay park. The fruits here are cheaper for durian, mangosteen and suha. Great for pasalubong (give aways). After we buy fruits, we ate in Penong's Chicken which is like Mang Inasal in Manila.

Expectant Mom on our 2nd Baby

It's a boy! After a 9-month journey of carrying our second baby, I'm still exhilarated to see the new member of our family. Before we go to the hospital, we packed the following: 

• Baby's things
• 1 piece of Baby's suit
• 1 piece of bonnet
• 4 pieces of diapers
• 10 pieces of baby bottles
• Formula milk (to follow)

• Mommy's things
• 1 going-out dress
• 4 pieces of panties
• 1 pack of maternity pads

• Daddy's things
• Phil health papers
• Extra clothes
• Pen
• Dishwashing paste
• Snacks

Although, my husband not telling me what 's the name of our baby, still I waited until I deliver the baby. I was awake the whole time of the delivery until I was sent to the recovery room. I heard my baby's first cry before they brought him to the nursery. Then, after 4 hours in the recovery room, I was sent to my hospital room.

My husband greeted me with excitement and he's with our eldest son. And yes, he filled-out the form for our baby's birth certificate and he showed me the name, and we're both happy. The nursery was still open, and they visited our baby and took a photo to show me because I'm still not fully recovered. Relatives visited me, and my sister also. We stayed at the hospital for about 3 days. Baby's pediatrician visited us and she said our baby is in full term and all looks good, his weight of about 3.6 kilos is okay, and given us the formula milk.

As soon as we settled the hospital bills, we were ready to go home. And going home with our baby on hand would be a new journey. The baby gives joy to us and we were very happy.

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

One sunny day, and we're going to stay for two days and a night at Holiday Inn & Suites Makati to have a simple merriment for our wedding anniversary. 

We took a cab from Sampaloc and cost us 180 php to go to Makati. We arrived at the hotel around 1:30pm and saw a big green bear outside the hotel. 

We received a warm welcome from the staff of the hotel at the ground floor. Then, we were ushered to go to the lobby area for us to check-in. At the reception area, we were invited to have an IHG reward card and able to check-in at 9th floor, that is, with a room of twin beds. I ask the helpdesk if they can assist us to transfer to a king size bed, but they weren't able to provide in the same floor because it is available in a different floor which is a smoking area. We decided not to transfer and choose the non-smoking area.  

We're hungry and able to go out the hotel to buy  some food, wherein this hotel is located beside Glorietta 2 mall. Luckily we were able to roam around the mall and buy some snacks for the three of us. Due to my situation as an expectant mom, we didn't walk much at the mall and ended to find a mini play and ride for children near the hotel mall entrance. That night, we also conveniently shop at Landmark for our needs and bought our dinner at the food court. 

We were able to sleep at a cozy night in the hotel room. They have unique pillows that are in two kinds, one is firm and one is soft. Their bathroom is nice, although they don't have bath tub. 

The next day, we ate at their restaurant located at the lobby level. The food were delicious, and what I like most in their main dishes from the breakfast buffet  is the Beef Picadillo. We ate what is sufficient for us. Mostly, pancake and cereals for our son. After eating, we visited the swimming pool at the rooftop and our son enjoyed it.