Warm Up with Beef Bulalo!

Rainy days can be both a blessing and a curse. It can bring relief to the scorching heat, but it can also be a hindrance to our daily activities. But one thing is for sure, rainy days call for something warm and comforting to soothe our souls. And what better way to enjoy the weather than with a steaming bowl of bulalo?

Bulalo is a popular Filipino soup dish that is commonly enjoyed during rainy days. It is made from beef shanks, vegetables, and seasonings that come together to create a flavorful and hearty soup. So, let’s get our aprons on and prepare ourselves for some cooking.

Ingredients:

  • 1 kilo beef shank
  • 1 whole cabbage
  • 2 whole corn, cut into 3-4 pieces
  • 3 medium-sized potatoes
  • 1/4 baguio beans
  • 1 beef cube
  • Whole pepper
  • 1 big white onion
  • 1 head of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, boil the beef shank in one liter of water together with garlic, onion, and whole pepper. This will give the broth a rich and flavorful base.
  2. Continue boiling until the beef is tender. This may take around 1 to 2 hours depending on the tenderness of the meat.
  3. Once the beef is tender, add in the corn, potatoes, and beef cube. These ingredients will add more depth of flavor to the broth.
  4. Let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the potatoes and corn are almost cooked.
  5. Lastly, add in the baguio beans and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes.
  6. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.

And there you have it, a simple and delicious bulalo soup that will surely warm you up on a rainy day. Serve it piping hot with a side of steamed rice and you have the perfect comfort food meal.

But what makes bulalo such a well-loved dish? It’s not just the warm and comforting feeling it brings, but also the combination of flavors and textures in every spoonful. The tender beef shank, the sweetness of the corn and carrots, the creaminess of the potatoes, and the crunchiness of the baguio beans all come together to create a perfect balance of flavors.

Aside from its taste, bulalo also has numerous health benefits. The beef shank used in this dish is a great source of protein, iron, and other essential nutrients. It also contains gelatin which is known to improve joint health and digestion. The vegetables added in this dish also provide vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for our overall health.

With the typhoon season upon us again, it’s the perfect time to whip up a pot of bulalo and enjoy the weather from the comfort of our homes. It’s a simple and delicious dish that will surely warm your heart and soul.

A Mother’s Dilemma – Letting Go of My Helicopter Parenting Ways

Being a mother is one of the toughest and most rewarding jobs in the world. From the moment we hold our little bundles of joy in our arms, we are filled with love and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. We want to do everything in our power to protect and guide our children as they grow up. But what happens when our well-meaning efforts to be the best parent possible end up causing a rift in our relationship with our child?

This is a dilemma that I, as a mother, am currently facing. My 14-year-old son and I had a disagreement today over something trivial. He had come home from school, claiming there was no class. When I asked if he had confirmed it with his teacher, he raised his voice and accused me of being a helicopter mom and not trusting him. He didn’t let me speak and continued to argue loudly. After a heated conversation, I took some time to calm down, reflect and ponder over the situation.

As I sit here now, thinking about the events of today, my heart is heavy with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I am hurt that my son spoke to me disrespectfully and accused me of not trusting him. But on the other hand, I can’t help but wonder if I may have played a role in provoking him with my interrogating questions and hurtful words said out of anger.

You see, when I was pregnant with my son, I made the decision to work from home so I could take care of him. However, he was constantly getting sick and we made numerous trips to the ER. It turns out, he has allergies, a weak immune system, poor eyesight and is accident-prone. As a result, I have always been anxious and cautious when it comes to his well-being. We homeschooled him until grade 8 because of his health issues but he wanted to go back to regular school. Now, as a mother of a teenager, I am faced with a new chapter in our lives.

I have always been a helicopter mom – constantly hovering over my child, trying to protect him from any harm and making decisions for him. But now that he is growing up and becoming more independent, I am struggling to let go of my helicopter parenting ways. This disagreement with my son has made me realize that it’s time for him to learn how to fly on his own and for me to adjust to this new phase of his life as a teenager.

As a mother, it breaks my heart to see my son talk back to me in a disrespectful tone. It feels like a stab to my heart and I wish he didn’t feel the need to reason out in such a manner. But I also understand that as he grows up, he will have his own opinions and may not always agree with me. And that’s okay. It’s part of the process of him becoming his own person.

Reflecting on the situation, I now understand that my strict and overprotective parenting style may have contributed to my son’s outburst. I have always tried to assert my authority and protect my son as a helicopter mom. However, I realize now that I need to loosen the reins and give him more space to make his own decisions and learn from his mistakes.

But this realization is not easy for me. Letting go of my helicopter parenting ways is scary and overwhelming. I am afraid of failing in this new role of being a parent to a teenager. That’s why I am open to advice from other parents who have gone through it successfully. I am willing to read self-help books and seek guidance from experienced parents because I want to do what’s best for my son.

To all the parents who have successfully managed the tricky teenage years, I ask for your wisdom and guidance. How did you let go of your helicopter parenting ways? How did you adapt to your child’s growing independence? Any helpful comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

As for my son and I, we talked things through and apologized to each other. We both acknowledged our mistakes and promised to work on our communication and understanding. It may not be an easy road ahead, but I am determined to be the best mother that my son needs at this stage in his life.

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