Decor Microsafe Container for Cooking Pasta

I used to stay in an apartment which does not allow me to cook using a stove.  I can use microwave oven though.  There were moments where i get tired of eating resto/fast food.  In one of my malling exercises at Rustan's Department Store, i discovered the decor container series.  It can be used to cook some food in the microwave oven and at the same time storage of just about anything as it comes with lids.  I first bought the container which doubles as rice cooker.  Cooking rice was a success.  So the next time i found myself in the same store, i bought the container for cooking pasta.  Yipee, i don't need to be washing bulky pots anymore.  So here is how i cook my pasta...

My Decor Microsafe Pasta Microwave Oven Cooker has a guide (see inside white tab) on how much pasta to cook and water needed.

It also comes with instruction manual and this handy reference which i stuck on my ref door for easy access.

I first measure the pasta

Then added cold water equivalent to the pasta servings.

Placed it inside the microwave oven without the lid.

My pasta is cooking.  Cooking time varies depending on your microwave oven and pasta cooking instructions. I would just take it out and check on it from time to time until it's done.

Done cooking....

Put the lid on...

And drain...handy ain't it?

After draining, i put butter so my pasta won't stick...

My cooked pasta...ready for the sauce...

I love my Decor Microsafe Cooker cum Storage...makes my life uncomplicated.

Spanish Sardines Pasta with Artichokes

I love artichokes.  So today i decided to make a pasta dish.  I don't like the usual creamy-creamy and colored sauce.  i want it to be a bit healthy so olive oil will be the base.  I'm far from being a cook so i just keep remembering what my friend ZA told me....if you know how to saute, then you can make a pasta dish. And that's what i did.

I made use of what's available in my cupboard...artichokes, mushrooms, spanish sardines and i used angel hair pasta.  A dash of salt and ground pepper.

I sauteed the onions (i use white onions) first and threw in the garlic after a few minutes

Then i added the mushroom followed by capsicum (yes, i found capsicum in my ref which i don't know where to use so i added it here for a pinch of color).  Then i added the artichokes and simmered for a few minutes...

The sardines were added last...i removed the bones.  I hate 'em touching my throat no matter how tender the bones are.

And here its is...doesn't look palatable but the taste was not bad.  I scrimped on salt so the taste would be balanced since the sardines were already flavored.

It was good eaten with a little help from my Caffeine Free coca-Cola (love it! i don't like anything with caffeine) and some parmesan cheese.

Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Coated Almond Bites at Healthy Options

While browsing at Healthy Options' varied selections of goodies, a store selling organic foods, cosmetics, etc., i saw this Greek Yogurt Coated Almond Bites by Rickland Orchards. I need to have my daily dose of plain yogurt but it is just too sour for my taste so it becomes once a month. This yogurt coated almond bites might be a good way for my taste bud to get acquainted with the yogurt.

I picked a pack (it's sold for Php 259.00 if my memory is correct. either that or Php 295.00) and thought that if it wasn't good, i can scrape the yogurt and eat the almonds by itself.

Never thought it was this good.  Not sour with only a slight tinge of it.  I finished the pack in 4 days. Am on now to my 2nd pack.

Looks like miniscule eggs

....really, it looks like an egg...with the almond looking like an egg yolk

My Coloring Book

So yesterday i went malling again....my usual weekend activity with friendship RMAB.  I've long been wanting to buy a coloring book for adults but at that time, i couldn't find any being sold here...province you see....stocks, fashion and everything else arrive late.  As in count months not days.

Sometime back, RMAB introduced me to this app called Colorfy, a coloring book which you can do on your phone or tablet. I did a few but i don't like the free designs.  The ones that are to my liking needs to be bought thru their in-app purchases. But i digress....

In that malling exercise, i chanced upon a stall selling coloring books.  They have a fashion coloring book which i fell in love at first sight.  I know that i'm going to buy it....i love fashion.  Not that i am fashionable but when you have two of what you like in one item (coloring book and fashion), that spells excitement. For  Php 225.00, it was a steal.

The cover looks like a true fashion book...

There are bags for me to color

Clothes and more bags 

 There is even a color guide...

Off we (friendship RMAB and I) went to the bookstore for the coloring pencils.  Whew, there were just too many choices....watercolor pencils, erasable coloring pencils, erasable crayons and the classic coloring pencils.  They have the 12, 24 and 36 colors but RMAB told me to get the ones with lots of colors.  So we opted for the Faber-Castell 36 classic color pencils @ Php389.75.

It has a color guide on the box for easy reference...

As i want to uncover my innate artistic skills (if ever there's any left), i started with my coloring activity the next day.  I started with the easy ones and work my way to more complicated designs.  

The easy ones for me are Hermes paper bags and boxes

It could have been just an easy drawing to color....but the coloring pencil made my life difficult.  I had to do multiple coatings (and i mean multiple...not just 3x).  Else, a lot of uncolored spaces will show.  Even with the multiple coats, i was not fully satisfied with the outcome.

Maybe it has something to do with the pencil?

The tip was sharp (may be due to first use?) that my color went outside the box trying to balance the shade. A kindergarten pupil could have done it better than me :-)

Was it the coloring pencil or was it me?  I'd like to think that it's the coloring pencil...as what RMAB told me, i have to think that it's the coloring pencil so that i will be inspired to do my art work and finish the coloring book,

So there....it's not me.

Note:  Pardon the poor quality of photos, i used my Iphone 4...won't upgrade due to sentimental reasons. For as long as it's doing its job, i am fine.

I love you honeybunchie.....to the moon and back!