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Momma 'N Manila

Growing through parenting

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Main Dishes Nourish

Quick Spinach and Zucchini Pasta

I love to cook. Truth be told, I like to cook more on cooler days than I do on hot summer days. Through the years I have figured out ways to use some shortcuts and still serve my kids nutritious meals without all the fuss.

Today is pretty hot-so my quick fix lunch involves left over sautéed zucchini from last night’s dinner, fresh spinach, chopped garlic, chopped onion, olive oil and a quality pasta.

Ingredients:

About 1 cup of olive oil

1 head of garlic, chopped

2 small onions chopped

1 kilo of spinach, stems discarded, leaves washed

1-2 zucchinis chopped

1 box (or 500g) of pasta

salt and pepper to taste

grated parmesan before serving

water for boiling pasta

With fresh quality ingredients, you can make a simple meal that is healthy in as much time as it takes for your pasta to cook.

After you chop your onions and garlic saute them in olive oil on a medium low fire. Onions take longer to cook than garlic so you saute them first. When the onions are crystalline you can add your roughly chopped garlic, being careful not to brown either of these. When garlic is browned it becomes bitter.

When cooking your onion and garlic be sure not to brown the garlic. It will alter the taste of your pasta.

Make sure by this time you have started boiling your water for your pasta. I always throw a handful of kosher salt into the pasta water AFTER it has already started boiling. When it’s a rolling boil, throw in your salt, and then the pasta.

I used leftover zucchini from last night’s dinner, but you can use fresh zucchini or any other veggie of your choice.

When the pasta is done you can drain it and mix it in the frying pan with your onion, garlic, zucchini and olive oil. Always salt and pepper each time you add a new ingredient into the mix and make sure you taste as you go. If you are not using a spaghetti pot, be sure to reserve about a cup of the salted water to add to your pasta before you serve it.

Having a big pasta pot makes life a lot easier when you cook a lot of pasta. This is my small pot-I can cook about a pound and half of pasta without any spillage. I have a bigger one for when we have guests-it fits up to three pounds. For our family of 6 one pound (500g) of pasta is good for one meal.

Blanch your spinach quickly. You only need to boil it for less than a minute. Add it to your pasta mixture in your frying pan and toss so that everything is well coated with the olive oil and garlic.

Transfer your pasta to your serving bowl, add one cup of the salted water that you boiled the pasta in and then toss. Sprinkle your pasta with parmesan cheese and keep extra parmesan so everyone can add cheese according to their own tastes. My kids LOVE cheese so they always add a little more.

My mom gave me this pasta bowl when I got married. So that means I’ve been eating pasta out of this bowl for more than 20 years.

You can use other variations of veggies in this dish like sugar snap peas, sweet peas, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower and even carrots.

For today, we enjoyed this quick meal and just had watermelon for dessert. It was quick, easy and good for the whole family, even Gelli loved it!

 

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Hi! Here is where I share my thoughts on yoga, cooking, crafting, raising a special child, exploring, eating, playing, and living in Manila.
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I started taking my coffee black, years ago when I I started taking my coffee black, years ago when I ran outta milk and had no choice. I quickly realized that I would much rather trade my calories in milk and sugar for the calories in my dessert. 

My nana used to take her coffee black. And sometimes she would have tea in the afternoon and dip her saltines in it while watching her “programs.” These programs were shows like The Young and The Restless, Falcon Crest, and Dallas. I would sit at her feet, or on the sofa next to her. And just being near her provided comfort.
#GratitudePost Thankful for my sisters. My sister #GratitudePost

Thankful for my sisters. My sisters have always supported me. The last seven years especially. Grateful for their generosity, their guidance, their prayers and their love for my children. 

Are you thankful for your sister? She doesn’t have to be one that your parents gave you. She can be your chosen sister too! Tag her and let her know.

Tagging mine:
@maria_ressa 
@nemomoffour 
@nic22ressa
Last month I spent a few days in Madrid with @best Last month I spent a few days in Madrid with @bestbuddies staff from all over the world. We had the chance to spend some meaningful time with our founder, @anthonykshriver, learn from the other countries who were present, and celebrate the relaunch of Best Buddies Spain with their Gala.

I came home inspired. Ready to jump into our employment program, and expand our friendship and leadership programs to create greater impact.

We are furthering inclusion in 47 countries all over the world. Curious about how you can bring our inclusive programs to your school or company? 

Send me a DM or a PM so we can start the discussion!

#BestBuddiesPh
#BestBuddies 
#Inclusion #InclusionMatters
Are you feeling the holiday spirit already? Righ Are you feeling the holiday spirit already? 

Right now, I’m thinking of my Thanksgiving menu and all of the many things I am grateful for…

Especially weekend getaways with @manila.gent.
Tis the season to be merry! Just last week, @mani Tis the season to be merry!

Just last week, @manila.gent and I visited @westinmanilahotel for their very FIRST Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season. 🎄

We enjoyed holiday themed drinks, festive music, and the sustainably decorated tree while celebrating “Green & Bright,” in the hotel lobby. 

As always the eats and treats are for the whole family to enjoy. Bring the kids, the grandparents, and even the fur babies to celebrate this Holiday Season because everyone is welcome! 

Here are the special offerings you can look for when you visit:

• Visit The Lobby Lounge for the 12 Christmas Cocktails or the Westin Holiday High Tea.

• Celebrate Thanksgiving Dinner with the buffet at Seasonal Tastes. Be prepared to be wowed with Turkey and the fixings.

• Check in and enjoy Christmas and New Years staycations complete with the Westin Pillars of wellbeing. The Holiday Getaway room package includes breakfast for two persons, an Afternoon High Tea, a festive giveaway, and a P1,000 food and beverage credit. (This is valid for stays until January 7, 2024.)

• Take advantage of Seasonal Tastes’ holiday menu for both Christmas and NYE that includes Seafood Paella, Beef Prime Rib Roast, Italian Style Roast Pork “Porchetta”, Slow Cooked Leg of Lamb, Slow Roasted Whole Turkey, Grilled Bratwurst and Veal sausages, and more.

Looking forward to celebrating with the family this holiday season. We all have so much to be grateful for. 🙏🏻
Self Care Sunday! Quick trip to @alpinalounge mea Self Care Sunday!

Quick trip to @alpinalounge means we are ready for the week! Visiting the lounge for my gel manicure and monthly massage is not just a treat, it’s part of what I look forward to when spending time with @gi.aventajado. 

I love that my manicure lasts more than a month, and that the care I receive from the technicians is with my preferences taken into consideration.

Waiting patiently as my lashes grow out and heal from the years of wearing falsies, so I can enjoy the lash extensions that I have missed!
I ❤️ NY. I ❤️ NY.
Mother Daughter Dates like this @alpinalounge. I Mother Daughter Dates like this @alpinalounge.

I didn’t know that when I turned 50 one of my besties would be half my age. What a blessing to have a daughter who likes spending time with me. 

Alpina has been our go to for nails, massage, and eyelash extensions for the two of us. Even @manila.gent and I go for massages once a month too!

#inmyhood #uptownbgc #alpinalounge #selfcare #nails #artsy #nailsnailsnails #momandme #momanddaughter #metime #golden #gold #nailart
This is us. Welcoming the new followers to my fe This is us. 

Welcoming the new followers to my feed. 

Thanks for joining me here!!

Sharing selectively. But always honestly. Just trying to figure out how to do my best, while raising our kids, running a foundation, and sharing about my foodie and parenting adventures. 

Parenting is hard. 
Marriage is harder. 
Self awareness at 50 is golden. 

And I’m thankful that Jesus has my back.

If He leads me to it.
He will see me through it. 

#ThankfulThursday
#TeamGellibean
#MommaNManila
Things we have in common: New York The appreciati Things we have in common:

New York
The appreciation of good food
And our birthday month

Thank you @treishavanns for including me in your very special birthday celebration at @modan.mnl. The company, conversation, and carefully executed courses were an experience to remember. ❤️😋🎂

Hoping that your birthday month is everything you hoped for! Celebrating you (still) and looking back on this delicious meal with the fondness of new friendship beginnings. 

Now, how to book for @manila.gent’s birthday? He will love it!
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