Embutido for the first time!!

It's my first time to make embutido and I used ingredients we have home!! I didn't steam but baked it and it turned out just fine! 

So before I throw the ingredients I used and the instructions, did I like it? Or did my husband or son like it? 

For my husband it was soooo good. Ewan ko Lang Kung gutom siya or not! Pero his verdict: yummy! 

For my son: well, he mostly liked the cranberries!! And still ate a good amount. So I guess it was good!

For me: well it was fine but not the way I expected! I used ground Italian sausage Bec it's what we have. And I didn't put on vienna sausages and the boiled eggs! I used cranberries din instead of raisins. 

Anyway, ubos pa rin Yung tatlong balot! 

But I could probably make a better version next time! 

Ingredients: 

1 lb ground Italian sausage

1/2 small onion 

8 baby carrots 

2/3 cup sweet relish

1 green pepper

1 cup cranberries

3 tbsp tomato sauce 

1 egg

1/4 cup bread crumbs 

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: mix well all ingredients. Form a cylinder wrapped in a foil. Bake for one hour at 350F. 

What is an IRA and why open one??

We all work today and set aside money on the side para by the time we retire we have the money to support us. Maliban sa pension, ang 401k, 403b, TSP are retirement vehicle Kung saan nagcocontribute Tayo out from paycheck for retirement. We own a little piece of the company and thus, the money is invested. I won't go into details on the differences of the three pero Ang max contribution annually is $19500 currently.

So ano ang IRA? Ang IRA is actually an account Kung saan you can put money voluntarily, with a max contribution of $6000 a year. 

You may have heard Roth IRA vs IRA (or traditional IRA). Ang difference is timing of being taxed. Sa ROTH IRA, you are being taxed Everytime you contribute so that by the time you withdraw, Hindi ka na matataxan. Ang IRA or traditional IRA is getting taxed when you withdraw. 

Walang age limit Ang ROTH IRA pero may income restriction and vice versa sa traditional IRA. So while you are not on that income bracket or age restriction, go ahead and maximize your contribution

So what works best for you? Depende Yan sayo at sa mga plans mo for the future. But think of it this way, usually the higher income bracket ka, the higher you get taxed. So by the time you withdraw the money, saan bracket ka? So think about it and decide which suits you best.

Now, paano Ito makakatulong sa retirement if account Lang siya. Ito Ang kahalagan ng pag open ng IRA account- you can build wealth thru linking it to the stock market. There are different kinds of stocks pero I won't go into detail here. Pero investing the money through stocks is better than keeping cash Kasi ang cash nagdedepreciate ang value. Stocks on the other hand, appreciates over the long run. Just be careful Kung among klaseng stocks bibilhin mo.

Now, the earlier you open an account and invest, the more you will gain because of compounding interest. So yeah, that's the very reason you should open an IRA account - to make money work for you.

Now contributing to a 401k at the same time with an IRA might be hard pero you don't have to maximize it right away. Contributing on it is still better than keeping the cash. Now if sobra sobra ang natitira sayo monthly, then look for other way of where to put the money -- real estate or business!

So don't settle on contributing sa 401k/tsp/403b if may extra cash na natitira monthly. Contribute it to an IRA.

Guacamole!!

Ano pwede mong gawin from avocados? In our household , we use it to for quesadillas, tacos, and even make it for dessert. At syempre, sawsawan para sa tortilla chips! So here's my simple recipe to make the tasty guacamole!! There are different ways and versions to make it pero this one is the simplest I know! You can make it in less than 5 minutes! 

Ingredients:

One large avocado

1/2 white onion

1 tomato

2 tbsp lime juice 

2 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: top it with cilantro 

Instructions: mix all ingredients together. Place in the fridge for at least half an hour. Then ready to eat!! 

Igado!!

So what Filipino recipe can you can make without going to an Asian store? Well there's chicken or pork adobo or chicken or pork curry! Or Igado!

Ingredients: 

1 lb pork

1 lb beef liver

10 tbps soy sauce

8 tbsp vinegar 

2-3 Carrots 

1/2 white onion

1 tsp minced garlic 

1 can of green peas 

1 red bell pepper

Salt and pepper

1 cup of water 

Cooking oil 

Instructions 

1. Saute garlic and onion

2. Add pork and cook until light brown

3. Add water and let pork simmer for 15 minutes

4. Add soy sauce, salt and pepper and cook pork for another 15 min

5. Add beef liver and water and vinegar for another 15 minutes 

6. Throw vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes

7. Salt and pepper or soy sauce or vinegar or water to taste and let it summer for another 3-5 minutes 

Animal action game!

I finally made a compilation of animal actions today! It is very interactive and definitely encourages learning! I have 50 in the list so far and hoping to add more once I get more free time. You can make your own as well! 

How it works: 

Simply tell, "(action word) like a/an (animal)"

ex: Jump like a kangaroo

This kind of game is one of the ways to teach vocabulary, in a fun way! I love watching my son doing the corresponding action whenever we do this activity! Hopefully, one of these days, I will be able to convert them in flash cards!

This is perfect for toddlers! 

For full list, email me and I will send it to you for free! - angelicablogger@yahoo.com

Brownies!!

Allergic ang anak ko sa milk so I've been looking for a great recipe that calls for no milk--- brownies!! Allergic din siya sa egg whites but not so much compared sa milk. So this brownie is perfect for his sweet tooth! 

Yummy and so easy to make!! No need for baking powder! 

For the ingredients: 

1/2 cup melted country crock butter 

2 eggs

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp vanilla extract 

1/2 all purpose flour 

1 cup white sugar 

Optional: chocolate chips 

Instructions: mix well all ingredients then bake it at 350F for 25 minutes! 

Dahan dahan Lang sa pagbibigay since daming sugar nito!