Paper Flower for Gifts

 

When you run out of gift wrapping paper, save money and use your creativity to awe your friends and family. This is such a simple technique that uses only construction paper, hemp, and a medium-sized brown paper bag. Once you try this thoughtful idea, you'll always look forward to gift-giving all throughout the year.

 

Materials:

•   Brown paper bag (any size depending on gift)
•   2 colored constructions paper
•   1 inch circular object (i.e water bottle cap)
•   Hemp
•   Pencil, scissor, glue

How to Make it:

1. To make the flower petals, trace 8 circles using a water bottle cap and cut them out. Pinch the end of one circle together with glue. Repeat with one more circle. Place each one on top of the other for a double petal. Cut the end off of the third petal to fit on top of the second petal and glue it together.  Hold in place until glue sets.
2. For the other side of the flower, use one circle to make the base of the flower. Glue it over the first petal. Continue Step 1. 
3. Fold the last two circles in half and glue one over the other. Cut the ends off to make a pointed triangle shape and glue it to the center of the flower.
4. To make the leaf, trace 1 circle on a green construction paper using a water bottle cap. Fold in half and glue one side on the gift wrapping paper.

French Toast Bites

 This mini french toast version came out a little more yellow than I expected, but it had the same  scrumptious soft and sweet taste with a slight spice flavor. I added a generous dusting of powdered sugar and ate them warm, dipped in maple syrup. This breakfast treat can be enjoyed with fresh fruits, hash browns, bacon, and a cold glass of OJ. Did I make your mouth water yet?

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1/2  loaf of artisan-style bread
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg 

Directions: 

1. Slice and cut bread into one-inch cubes without the crusts. In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Add the bread cubs in the egg mixture to saturate.
2. Butter a pan before transferring the cubes of bread. Shake off excess liquid from the egg mixture, and add cubes on the pan over the medium-high heat and cook, turning as needed, until golden brown on both sides for about 5 minutes. 
3. Serve warm with powdered sugar and a side of maple syrup.

Running

My Reason to Stay Fit #2: Ending My Day With A Run Helps Me Clear My Head
 
Since yesterday, I picked up running again and can't seem to stop. Well, it's only been the second day, but I proceeded to run 4 miles around the park again. I want to improve my endurance by taking steps to increase my pace and distance each time. I thought this would be a good way to maximize my workout and burn more calories and build more muscles. Kudos to me for getting back to good old habits!

Thai-Style Miniature Eggrolls

When my mom first introduced me to her eggrolls, I always had to request it to be made for a school potluck or birthday party. Everyone yearned for her eggrolls and indeed she makes the best thai-style egg rolls out there. The sauce is a perfect sweet and savory complement to the eggrolls. I must say, as soon as she made miniature ones, it inspired me to start  making ethnic-inspired appetizers or desserts. Although, it's a much slower learning process, I soon hope to get there starting with my mom's recipes.

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 pound clear dried bean thread noodle (soak in room temperature water until soft, drain, and cut in half) 
• 1/2 pound ground pork 
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot 
• 1/2 cup shredded cabbage 
• 1/2 cup shredded jicama
• 1/4 cup diced white onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 package frozen egg roll wrappers/spring roll pastry (20-50 sheets per package)
• Mozola Oil for deep-frying 

How to Make: 

1. To make the filling, combine cooked ground pork (or ground chicken/shrimp), bean thread noodles, cabbage, carrot, onion, cilantro, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. 
2. To make the rolls, lay out one egg roll wrap with a corner pointed toward you. Place about a 1/4 cup of the filling on the wrap and fold corner up over the filling. Tuck the folded corner in the filling and roll until reaching center of the wrap. Fold left and right corners toward the center and continue to tuck and roll. Dab on a drop of egg yolk on the final corner to help seal the egg roll.
3. Pre-heat oil in a deep fryer or wok until sizzling hot. Carefully slide eggrolls in and leave for 3-5 minutes while constantly turning eggs rolls to cook the filling inside. Until the eggrolls are crisp and golden brown, use a frying spatula to drain oil then place the eggrolls on a paper towel over a plate to absorb the extra oil. 
4. Serve while it hot with Thai sweet chili sauce.

 

 

DIY Paper Latern

I once made this cute paper latern for my Hawaiian themed 18th birthday party. I couldn't believe how easy they were to make and appear so festive. These decorative paper laterns can be embellished to suit any occasion.

Here's What You'll Need:

• One 8.5" x 11" piece of paper (construction paper, bond paper, or even cardstock.)  
• Scissors 
• Tape or Stapler
• Ruler 
• Pencil 
• Hole puncher
• String or Ribbon 

 

How To Make It: 

1. Fold paper in half lengthwise. Cut slices about an inch in width and making sure to stop about 1″ from the edge. 
2. To assemble the latern, unfold the paper and  roll it into a tube shape. Match the long edges together on the lantern and use tape to hold it in place. 
3. Hole-punch on the top of each side of the latern. Loop a string through both holes and knot the ends together.
4. If you plan on having the lanterns on the ground or sitting on flat surface outdoors, it is recommended to wrap and glue your latern around a tall glass vase that holds the candle since the paper you're using can be a little flimsy. 

Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Labor Day concludes the end of summer and supermarkets were quickly being emptied of french fries, ground beef and hamburger buns. This recipe accomplished the feat making delicious mini bacon cheeseburger sliders and a side of baked french fries!

Serves 3

Ingredients

• 1 bag of  hamburger buns
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 stick of butter
• 1 pound ground beef
• a single clove of shallot
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Ketchup, mayonnaise or other condiments
• 2 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 head lettuce, torn to fit buns
• 1 package American cheese, 12 ounces, thinly sliced and cut to fit buns
• 2 strips of bacon

Directions

1. Use round shaped cookie cutter to make a total of 6 mini buns. Cut around the edges of the cookie cutter for a more precise circle. Thinly slice the excess of the inner, soft crumb of the bread.
   
2. For oven toasting, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the seseame seeds out on a baking sheet. Bake until the seeds brown and become fragrant. For stovetop toasting, use a wide frying pan. Brush butter over the surface of the hamburger bun; sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Bake for 2-4 minutes to warm buns. 
   
3. In bowl, mix ground beef, salt, pepper, and finely chopped shallot. Shape 1/4 ounce at a time into 1 1/2-inch patties. Broil or grill 1 minute per side.
   
4. Top each beef patty with a slice of cheese and cook on grill until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
5.  At serving time, place beef patty on buns, layer ketchup, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and bacon on each bottom half then serve.