Mixing My Own Yogurt Snack using Greek Style Yogurt by Kańela

I purchased yesterday some food products I saw on Facebook and made something delicious out of it. This local shop sells homemade Greek-style yogurt and pastries and since I ran out of yougurt for my smoothies and for snacking I decided to give them a try.

I got myself a large tub of 900grams yogurt (Php300/$6) and half a dozen of cinnamon rolls (Php285/ $5.75).

I made my own mix for my yogurt snack, red dragon fruit bits, peaches, dried cranberries, and chia seeds. 

I love the yogurt taste compared to the commercially produced brand which I normally buy, and also it is my way to support local products in the community during this pandemic. I guess this is the one thing that we can be thankful for that happened, supporting local businesses in your community. 

What is you favorite mix for your yogurt snack? 

Pork Belly Tofu with Black Beans and Asparagus

I made something easy and yummy for today's lunch. 

Cut up into bite-size pieces pork belly, skin removed, marinated in salt and ground black pepper. Dashed with cornstarch before frying in oil. Pre-fried firm tofu, cut into wedges then into cube size when fried. 

Also, in this dish, I used black beans or "Tausi"- fermented black beans with a taste of salty and savoury combined, it is very rich in flavor that is why it is commonly used in Asian dishes; fish, chicken, beef, or even vegetable dishes.  

To add some color and crunch I peeled some stalks of asparagus and tossed in the wok for a minute or two. 

I also drizzled some sesame oil to give that added nutty taste to it. Check out the recipe below and happy cooking!

Ingredients: 

1/2- kilo pork belly, cut into bite-size pieces
1- piece firm tofu
1- cup asparagus
2-tbsp oyster sauce
1-tbsp black beans
2-tbsp sesame oil
2-tbsp vegetable oil
1- red onion sliced thinly
6- wedges of garlic minced

Cooking instructions:

1. Heat the wok and pour the oil, fry the pork belly slices and let it cook until tender. 
2. Set aside, sautee garlic, and onion, mixed the fried pork.
3. Add the oyster sauce. Simmer in low fire for 2 minutes.
4. Add the pre-fried tofu, mix and cover. Simmer in low heat for 3 minutes.
5. Add the black beans, stir. 
6. Tossed in the asparagus, mix, and cover for two minutes. 
7. Turn off the heat and drizzle the sesame oil. 
8. Served with steamed rice.

This is simple and easy to prepare a dish that the whole family can enjoy. You can cut up some spring onions or cilantro for added flavor. 

I hope you can make and copy this dish and let me know how it went. :) 

5 Essentials Every Work-From-Home Office Needs

Whether you’re working from home by choice or by necessity, creating the right office environment is the key to doing your best at your job.

Many of your home-office needs will depend on the kind of work you’re doing and the space you have available to you, but there are a handful of things that every home office shouldn’t be without. Below are the 5 essentials you need to make your work-from-home office the ideal space to do your best work.

1. Designated space for working

Whatever kind of work you’re doing, it’s absolutely essential to do in a space you have designated specifically for working. Designating a space for work will allow you to shift your mental focus and get into work mode by “going to work” just as you would with an office outside the home.

You’ll also be able to relax better at the end of the workday by leaving it behind. What your designated space actually looks like will depend on your resources and living situation, but should go beyond a chair at the kitchen table or a spot at the coffee table.

The ideal designated workspace is a separate room closed off to the rest of the house that you use only for work. But if you can’t designate a whole room, try claiming a wall, corner, or partitioned section of a room to create an office space.

Consider the lighting, power, and ventilation requirements that you will need. Once you’ve claimed your designated space, you can create your ideal work environment by adding plants, stimulating décor and even good smelling incense or diffused essential oils.

2. Comfortable seating

Whatever your job, there’s a good chance that you are going to spend a lot of your workday sitting down. Your desk chair should be comfortable and supportive.

When choosing the right chair, shop for comfort first, not style and price. The ideal chair is supportive with good cushion, adjustable height, and helps you maintain proper posture. In addition to your desk chair, you may want to consider adding a recliner or armchair to your office as a place to read or take a break from your computer screen.

Stock photography (Licensed via Canva)

3. The right desk for the job

Your desk is the hub of your home office and choosing the right one can make all the difference. When choosing from the many different styles and sizes of desks, consider your individual needs.

Will you be working on a laptop, desktop, or with ink and paper? Will you be using multiple computer monitors? Are you drawing or drafting? Do you have a lot of tools that you will need at hand? This can help you determine whether you want a desk or drafting table, lots of drawers and storage, or multiple surface levels.

4. Office stationery

Just because you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the luxury of a well-stocked supply closet full of extra stationary. In fact, stocking up on bulk office supplies is cost effective and ensures that you’re not scrambling around looking for a spare paper clip. A basic list of office supply essentials includes

• Pens, pencils, and highlighters

• Sticky notes

• Legal pads or notebooks

• Printer paper

• Binders and folders

• Stapler and extra staples

• Scissors

• Paperclips

5. A good filing and organizational system

Whether you’re working with paper or electronic files, a good organizational system is key to your productivity. For paper files, a file cabinet or file boxes will be much more efficient and tidy than shoving them into desk drawers.

For electronic files, create a labeling system that allows you to locate them quickly and easily. Consider the other storage needs of your office. Would a bookshelf or cabinet help keep your space clean and organized?

These 5 essentials will get you well on your way to your perfect work-from-home office, but keep in mind that you can keep fine-tuning your space over time. If you aim for a balance between focus and comfort in your space, you will find that you are not only productive, but you can’t wait to go to work each day.