Maya : Week 44

During the winter, add the things that get transfered in daycare, the doctor told me that I should not be surprised the amount of times Maya has been sick. This will probably continue till after her second year. I can not remember when Maya was not sick this winter. A few days here and there. They say it will make her immune system stronger. At least there was no ear infection this time...[knock on wood]. Here is a picture of Pan and Mini Pan.

Kevin Federline (Rap Commercial)

Check out the Nationwide Superbowl commercial. Money well spent? It is kinda funny.

Monday Morning Meeting Doodle: 01-29-07

"Staying Awake"

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Doggie Picture : Doggies #7

"Doggies #7"

Weekend Dog Blogging: Check out all the great doggie pictures over at Sweetnicks.

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Maya : Week 43

Maya taught me a new game this weekend. Its called Peek-A-Poo. First I had to guess where the stinky poo smell was coming from. Then, this is were the fun begins, which hand had the hidden nugget of poo. Well, it was her left hand, under the pinky and palm. Then to end the game, she used the new found poo and tried to give herself a mud facial...a poopy mud facial...Good Times.

01/22 Dinner : Twice Cooked Pork

Pan decided to cook tonight. This is a very rare event. The few times she does cook, it is always good, so I was very excited. Her specialty is Japanese comfort food. Tonight however was more of a asian fusion.

Sliced pork belly...Mmmm...Pork Fat...[drool]...is sauteed with chopped cabbage and sliced green bell pepper, then cooked in a black bean, chili paste and garlic sauce. This was served with steamed Japanese short grain rice.

Monday Morning Meeting Doodle: 01-21-07

"Mind On My Baby"

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Doggie Picture : Choco #3

"Choco #3"

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01/20 Dinner : Crab Cakes

~Crab Cakes
~Sauted Spinach
~Sweet Potato Spears

Sweet Potato Spears
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Toss sweet potato spears with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to coat, bake for 20 minutes, turn potatoes and continue to bake for 10 minutes or until desired doneness.

Sauted Spinach
Heat oil and garlic over medium high heat. Saute spinach with a some fresh cracked pepper, 3-5 minutes.

Crab Cakes
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil with 2 tbsp of unsalted butter over med-high heat. Gently slide crab cakes into pan. Cook 1-2 min per side til golden brown.

Plate. I decided to top the crab cake with a bit of japanese mayonaise.

Maya : Week 42

Maya woke up to a 102 degree fever this weekend. Maya was sweaty and hot with a steady stream of snot running out her nose. After consulting our library of baby books we decided it was best to take her to Urgent Care. Pan gave her a dose of Baby Tylenol and Maya and I were out the door.

Six hours at Urgent Care, three anal temperature readings(two while sleeping), a catheter to draw a urine sample, a chest x-ray. Diagnosis...No ear infection, no bladder infection, no pneumonia. Just a cold. Alternate baby Tylenol and baby Motrin, every three hours. Sheesh. I want my six hours back.


On a lighter note. Ana came for a visit from SF. We got Cajun at Bud's (Crawfish is in season), we also went to Oceanaire for "Restaurant Week" (very disappointing) and lastly, to Flemings for Sunday only Prime Rib (two price increases in the past year). It was great to hang out. Maya enjoyed meeting Auntie Ana. Thanks for visiting Ana and thanks for finally finishing off your bottle of Absolut in the freezer! Congrats to our friend Margarita, she is expecting this summer.

Quick Fix : Frittata

Maya woke me up extra early this work day. So after feeding her and preping her bottles for daycare, I decided to make breakfast. Just using what I had on hand.


(*Estimated amounts*)

2 Eggs + plus equal amount of liquid egg whites (fat free)
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 cup frozen corn (thawed)
1/4 cup frozen cooked shrimp (thawed)
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
2 slices of Cheddar Cheese, cubed
1 Tbsp Taragon
1 clove garlic
1 pinch pepper flakes
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a non stick pan, heat oil, garlic and red pepper flakes over medium heat. Add onions and saute until translucent, 5-8 minutes. While Onion is cooking, Whisk together, Eggs, taragon, salt and pepper.

Add corn and shrimp and saute with the onions, 1 minute. Off heat, add egg mixture, tomatoes and cheese. Stir to mix. Bake in oven till cook through, 10-15 minutes.

I like to garnish with a bit of ketcup and japenese mayonaise. Sometimes I will use sriracha instead of ketcup or fresh herbs.

Monday Morning Meeting Doodle: 01-15-07

"Corporate Defensive Position"

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Doggie Picture: Striking a Pose

"Striking a Pose"

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01/10 Dinner : Bulgogi Don

When shopping at Trader Joe's the other weekend I came across Bool Kogi, Korean marinated boneless beef ribs. Always on the look out for a "Quick and Easy" weekday meal, and just to add something new to the mix, we decided to give it a try.

Normally Bulgogi is meant to be grilled. Trekking up to the roof of my building, where the communal gas grill is located, seemed neither "Quick" nor "Easy". So, inspired by the concept of the Gyu-don, Japanese beef bowl, over rice, I decided to slice up the Bulgogi and saute with thin sliced onions and broccoli florets over moderately high heat.

The Bulgogi was surpisingly flavorful. Not as good as Bulgogi from Zion, but for Trader Joe's, this is a keeper. Can't till it warms up so I can try this grilled. So much for my low fat, low carb diet.

Maya : Week 41

Jet-lag...over. New adventure begins. Monday...Maya crawls six inches to grab a toy. Pan and I cheering her on. Tuesday...Maya crawls six feet across the play area. Holy Poo Poo. Today...when I pick Maya up from Daycare, her care giver Yo informs me that Maya stood up by herself for the first time. At this rate Maya will be riding a freaking bike by the end of the month. Sheesh.

My buddy JoeyS always tells me he thinks that I am obsessed with Maya's poo. So for Christmas, he custom screen printed a one of a kind one-piece bodysuit (pictured above). Soft-serve, fuzz, flies and all...glorious!


Where the magic happens.

01/08 Dinner : Turkey Mignons

~Turkey Minons
~Roasted Asparagus
~Blanched Snow Peas
~Wheat Cous Cous
~Diakon Soy Dressing

Place asparagus on a cookie sheet. Add pepper and drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and toss. Place rack directly on top. Place the Turkey medallions wrapped with thick sliced bacon on the rack and broil, 15-18 minutes, turning once. The juice and grease will drip down into the asparagus while broiling, giving the aspargus a smokey/salty flavor.

I have been looking for other alternatives to rice (carbs). I found Cous Cous to be a quick and easy alternative. Bring 1/2 cup of water, dash of soy (optional), 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional), pinch of Thyme (optional) to a boil. Off heat, add 1/2 Cous Cous, mix well, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.

Once plated, pour a little of the Diakon Soy Dressing over the Turkey Mignons.

01/07 Dinner : Mahi Mahi

~Seasoned Mahi Mahi
~Sauted Spinach
~Polenta

Our goal this year in 2007, is to incorporate more fish and green leafy vegetables in our diet. Another goal is to simplify our day to day lives. Since becoming a parent, I have been stuggling to find enough time in the day to accomplish what I need to do. We spend our weekends trying to catch up from our week.

When it comes to food, instead of turning to fast food (FAT) or take out ($$$), I have been trying to find ways to make quick and easy meals, with ingredients that be found at your normal everyday grocery store. All ingredients from tonights meal can be found at Trader Joe's.

Mahi Mahi marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, parsely, hot pepper flake, salt and pepper (found in the frozen section), is broiled in a skillet along with slices of Polenta, about 8 minutes, (turned once after 5 minutes). While the Mahi Mahi and Polenta is cooking in the oven, heat Extra Virgin Olive Oil and garlic (2 cubes) at medium high. Once garlic starts to break down, add one bag of spinach, salt & pepper and saute. Plate. Spoon left over liquid, most oil drained, over the Mahi Mahi.

Maya : Week 40

We are trying to get back to our pre holiday routine. Maya is dealing with jet-lag from her Japan trip, which means we are dealing with her jet-lag as well. Lack of sleep has us both fighting the cold that seems to be going around our offices. House of sick 2007? I hope not, its to early in the new year.

New Year

A Happy New Year!

Pan and Maya are back from Japan. Maya's first trip overseas went well. JAL's friends and family assistance plan is well worth the money for anyone traveling with an infant to Japan. American Airlines service was a different story. The term "Suck Ass" comes to mind.

Speaking of "Suck Ass", JoeyS, Jessica and I went to a pre Christmas Dinner at Red Pearl Kitchen on K Street. Asian fusion. People rave about this place. This was my second visit and Red Pearl disappointed both times. Both flavors and service was lacking. I dont think I will be going there again.

Double Chin and Anna came down New Years Eve. We started the night with a fish taco appetizer at Tin Fish, then a few pints and pool at Dussini. Dinner was at the Strip Club on Fifth (Disappointing, Rachel Ray is full of sh!t), Double Chin and I capped off the night on the roof of my building smoking Romeo Y Julieta Robustos and a Chimay Red.

The next day Double Chin and I went to the Charger's game (vs Arizonia). Beer, nachos, peanuts followed by more beer. The Chargers proceeded to kick the crap outta the Cardnals (No surpise). All in all, a very fun weekend. Sorry no supporting pictures, Pan has the camera.

Thanks to Double Chin and Anna for visiting. Thanks to JoeyS and Jessica for the pre Christmas visits. By the way, I am giving free lessons in Tetris Attack to whoever is interested.