Pumpkin Mousse


Happy 1st day of October everyone. I though I would share this wonderful Pumpkin Mousse recipe from last year, which will be perfect for this time of the year. Hope you enjoy.

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Thanksgiving is around the corner and you, I for one like to make some very easy to make desserts for the big night for the family. Hence, I was very glad I found this sweat treat recipe to share with you. Hope you enjoy.

Makes 8 Servings.

Ingredients:

  • 15-oz. can of pumpkin
  • 3 cups heavy cream (divided)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 3 Tbsp. dark rum
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • Garnishes
  • Whipped cream
  • Roasted pecans
  • Nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Combine the pumpkin, 1 cup of the heavy cream, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and rum in a saucepan. Simmer mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
  2. Whip the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream and vanilla to soft peaks. Carefully fold cream into the pumpkin mixture.
  3. Spoon mixture into parfait glasses. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
  4. Garnish before serving.

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Boston in Day and a Half


Hi There! Happy Friday! Hope you are having a good day. Today, share my experience of my recent and very first trip to Boston. Though I have to say it was a very short business trip but I did enjoy it a lot. Hence, I will share with you can do during a one and a half day trip to Boston. This is by no means what you should do but this what my colleague and I need and had a great time in the process.

I went to Boston on September 8th and Boston had a record heat that day with temperature in the mid 90s. I took very early flight so that I can have the entire day to enjoy the city.

Hotel:

I stayed in the Colonnade Hotel. It’s located at 120 Huntington Avenue. Everything you need is just a few blocks away. It’s just a mile from the famous Fenway Park.  The staff was welcoming and helpful, especially, Norman the doorman, and the room was clean. The concierge staff was very helpful. One thing I have to say that I was little disappointed at was room service when I had a horrible headache I called for room service I was constantly transferred around, which was a little annoying since I needed to eat something before taking my medicine. Other than that, everyone was very nice an amazing.

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Trinity Episcopal Church:

Trinity Episcopal Church is beautiful church. It located at 06 Clarendon St. The construction of the church started on 1872. Being an Art History minor the architects of these old buildings really fascinates me. If you are in Boston and have time, you should go visit this place.

Boston Commons & Public Garden:

This is one of the most beautiful gardens I have visited. I have nature and it is so beautiful. The place is so scenic. I have willow trees and this garden is full of them. The swan boats were gliding quietly over the pond. There are always a beautiful variety of plants, flowers, trees and foliage. With majestic weeping willows, excellent people-watching, swans swimming by, I couldn’t do anything but smile. This garden is right adjacent to Boston commons, which is the starting point of the Freedom Trail, and the oldest park in the country.

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Whale Watching:

After a stroll through nature, why stop here? Take a cap to the New England Aquarium at 1 Central Wharf and take the Boston Harbor Cruise for 3 hour Whale watching experience. You are going have the time of your life. If the weather is nice you will see a lot of whales.

View from Boston Harbor Cruise

View from Boston Harbor Cruise

Shopping:

You are into shopping like I am there are great shopping places in Boston from my walk to the Public Garden I found H&M, Marshalls, Nordstorm Rack along Boylston St. On my way back to the hotel I stroll around on the

Copley Place, an upscale shopping center at 100 Huntington Ave. It stores shops, including Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, John Varvatos, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Victorinox Swiss Army, Porsche Design, Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Banana Republic, and Gap.

Prudential Center, I myself preferred the shops that prudential center located at 800 Boylston St, right across from the Colonnade Hotel. It houses for budget friendly stores such as Lacoste, Body Shop, Ann Taylor, Loft, Saks Fifth Avenue, Vera Bradley, and more. What I like most about this building is the Skywalk Observatory on the 50th Floor. You can have the most amazing view from the observatory. We had a business dinner there and we got to see the view of Fenway Park with a Red Sox game going on at the time. What a view!

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View of the Fenway Park From Skywalk Observatory
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View of the First Church of Christ from the Skywalk Observatory

Farmer’s Market, right close to the Copley Place, there was a farmer’s market where you could get fresh local items. I could not stop by more since I was on a tight schedule, but next time I to go to Boston for leisure I am sure to really stop by and enjoy for more.

Summary

My one and a half day trip to Boston was amazing. I cannot wait to go there with my family next time and enjoy more of it. My trip was short but I took few seconds just to stop and breath and see the Public Library from outside, say hello to the local people, just stop at the local farmer’s market for a just a second or buy a green tea lemonade from the Boylston St Starbucks and sit in front the fountain at 500 Boylston street before heading back to the chaos. Dear readers, wherever your travel, don’t forget to take your time to just take a deep breath and enjoy your surround and take in everything.

In front fountain at 500 Boylston St (Marshall Store)

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @allaboutme3181.

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Instagram: @allaboutme3181

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Thai Tom Kha Gai or Coconut Soup


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Hi There! Today, I will share with you the thai tom kha gai or coconut soup that I made the past weekend. I served it with corn tortilla for dinner and it came out really well. You can make it tofu to make it vegetarian instead of breast, which is what I have used here. I hope you like it has much I have enjoyed making it. Most of the items can be found in your local Asian grocery store.

Ingredients:

  1. 6 oz chicken breast sliced into bite size
  2. 2 kafir lime leaves  or lemon leaves cut in half
  3. 1 lemongrass stalk (need 5-6 slice)
  4. 1 1/2 cup coconut milk
  5. 3-4 fresh or sliced galangal (need 5-6 slice)
  6. 1 1/2 chicken stock
  7. 1/2 cup mushroom sliced
  8. 1/3 cup fish sauce
  9. 1/3 cup lemon or lime juice
  10. 3 1/2 tbsp sugar
  11. 1/2 cup cilantro
  12. 1-3 fresh thai chilies cut in half (depending on how spicy you want them)
  13. 1-2 tbsp chili oil
  14. 1 green onion thinly sliced

Instructions:

  1. Add the chicken stock in a pot.
  2. Add the lemongrass and lime/lemon leaves.
  3. Let it simmer for 5-6 minutes.
  4. Add cilantro.
  5. After the stock start boiling, add the chicken, fish sauce, and sugar.
  6. Let it boil for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked.
  7. Add the coconut milk.
  8. Add mushrooms.
  9. Put it in medium while it is boiling for 5-6 minutes.
  10. In the serving dish add lemon or lime juice, chili oil, green onion, and then fresh thai chilies.
  11. Add the soup on top.
  12. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Again, you can substitute chicken with tofu for vegetarian dish, or shrimp for seafood dish. Additionally, you can add more vegetables of your choices, such as carrots, and cabbages.

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @allaboutme3181.

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Instagram: @allaboutme3181

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Style in a Budget


Hi There! Hope you had a great weekend. Like me, you guys might be worried about the current economics condition of our country. I for one, don’t want to let that impact my sense of fashion. Hence, I spent some time online, looking at places like Forever 21 and H&M to do some homework to see how can I keep my sense of fashion in budget. This is what I have so far. Let me know, if you have creative ideas that you would like to share.

H&M Sleeveless turtleneck Top ($10)hmprod H&M Flared High Jeans ($50)hmprod (1) H&M Denim Jacket ($30)H&M Denim Jacket ($29.99)

The above outfit gives you the style you need at a reason and affordable price. I have mention in a previous blog, stripes, high-waisted pants, and flares are going to be a major major trends this fall, and you can show off great fashion trends with breaking your wallets.

Forever 21 Mock Neck Side Slit Top ($23)
Forever 21 Mock Neck Side Slit Top ($23)

Forever 21 High-Waisted Flare ($28)
Forever 21 High-Waisted Flare ($28)

The above outfit is not only fun and cost just little over $50. I for one find this style fun and affordable. I love it’s retro look of the side slit top. The high-waisted flare jeans are is hot right now and it cost less then $30.

top
Forever 21 Layered Crepe Mock Neck Top ($18)

skirt
Forever 21 Frayed Chevron-Patterned Skirt ($28)

The above outfit is not only fun and cost under $50. The top has a fun layered look contrasted by the frayed chevron-pattern of the skirt. The outfit is fun and is affordable at the same time.

H&M Off-the-shoulder Top ($10)
H&M Off-the-shoulder Top ($10)

H&M Pants ($35)
H&M Pants ($35)

The above outfit cost under $50. The top is stripped with fun with off-the-shoulder top and pairing with jogging style pants with patched pockets. You pair it with a nice heels and wallah, you a wonderful stylish outfit that will not break your wallet.

Forever 21 Striped-Trim Ribbed Dress ($25)
Forever 21 Striped-Trim Ribbed Dress ($25)

Last but not least is the striped-trim ribbed dress which cost only $25. You are dress it up with heels or down with sneakers. I had a great time finding these fashion trends under budget for you guys and I hope enjoy it. I would love hear about your budget fashion styles. As for me, due to my Muslim upbringing, I would wear a black T-shirt under the mock neck side-slide top, like the textured knit crop top ($5). I would pair my chevron patterned skirt with embroidered lace boxy top ($18). I would pair the jogging style pants with jersey top in natural white stripe ($10).  Finally I would add some color to my dress with organic cotton-blend legging in chestnut ($6). Hence, there is budget fashion for every style. I would love to hear about your budget fashion find.

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @allaboutme3181.

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Instagram: @allaboutme3181

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Avocado Pasta


Today, I will share a very easy to make and most unbelievably creamy avocado pasta that everyone will love and is healthy at the same time. And it’ll be on your dinner table in just 20 min! I adopted in from Damn Delicious. Happy Reading.

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
  • 2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained and rinsed

Instructions:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
  • To make the avocado sauce, combine avocados, basil, garlic and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, avocado sauce, cherry tomatoes and corn.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Enjoy

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2014 in review


Thank you for helping make this a good blog year for me. I couldn’t have done this with you the readers. I hope I can keep continue to bring interesting blogs to guys that you can continue to enjoy.

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 560 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 9 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites


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Today being Christmas Eve I wanted to share this special treat with you that I hope you will enjoy. The recipe yields 25 bite size treats.

Ingredients for Chocolate Crumb Crusts:

  • 1  Stick Butter (I used I believe It’s Not Butter for healthy substitution)
  • 1-1/2 cup (about 45 wafers, crushed) reduced fat vanilla wafer crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Splenda
  • 6 tablespoons Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa

Cheesecake Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter (I used I believe It’s Not Butter for healthy substitution)
  • 2 (8 oz) pkg fat free cream cheese, softened
  • 1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp Splenda
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup fat free half & half, divided

Topping Ingredients:

  • 25 fairly small, fresh strawberries (or more if cutting more squares)
  • 1 (16 oz) pkg fat free cool whip

Instructions for Crust:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with two large sheets of tinfoil (one going horizontally and one over the top of the other vertically. Make sure your sheets are long enough that you’ll have an overhang of foil over the edges of the pan. Also, be sure to mold it well to the pan).
  2. Brush foil with 1/2 Tbsp melted butter.
  3. In a mixing bowl, using a fork blend together crushed wafers and  melted butter until mixture is well combined and evenly moistened.
  4. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish (the bottom of a flat measuring cup or glass works well for pressing crust), set aside.

Instructions for Cheese Cake:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on medium-low speed, blend together cream cheese and splenda until mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds.
  2. Add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix until well blended. In a separate microwave safe bowl, heat white chocolate chips with 1/3 cup half & half on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Pour melted white chocolate mixture into cream cheese mixture and blend on low speed until combined. Tap bowl against counter top about 30 times to release some of the air bubbles then pour mixture over prepared crust in baking dish.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes then turn oven off and without opening oven door allow cheesecake to rest in warm oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours or refrigerate for 6 hours.
  4. Once cheesecake is fully chilled and set, remove from freezer or refrigerator and lift cheesecake out of pan using the foil overhang. Cut cheesecake into squares (I’d recommend cutting them just a bit larger the the width of your strawberries. Also it’s nice to keep some clean paper towels close by to clean your knife while cutting squares).

Instructions for Topping:

  1. To assemble: cut a flat top off of each strawberry and lay flat side down over top of cheesecake. Fill a pastry bag (or Ziploc bag and cut a small tip of corner) with fat free whipped cream and pipe around strawberry then finish with a small amount over the top of the “hat”. Serve immediately (for do ahead- you can make cheesecake the day before then assemble within an hour of serving the following day). Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.
  2. I processed the wafer in a food processor but if you don’t have one you can place them in a large Ziploc bag, seal bag and finely crush with a rolling pin .
  3. Recipe Source: cheesecake bites – I adopted the recipe from Cooking Classy, Santa hat inspired by – daisy’s world who adapted it from Erica’s Sweet Tooth.

Hope you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday with your loved ones. Please check out  and like my Facebook Page. Beside link to my blogs, I also share links from Vogue, Style, Elle, Health Magazine, Women’s Health, American Heart Association and much more. Happy Reading.

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