As that first ray of light tentatively broke through the
clouds and then, with much more certainty and resolution, hit the pavement, it
was as if you could hear a crowd cheering.
Had we been living in a gloomy gray world for so long? Had it been that long that we hadn’t seen the
sun? Had it been that long since all we
could hear was the incessant, merciless machine gun patter of the rain?
clouds and then, with much more certainty and resolution, hit the pavement, it
was as if you could hear a crowd cheering.
Had we been living in a gloomy gray world for so long? Had it been that long that we hadn’t seen the
sun? Had it been that long since all we
could hear was the incessant, merciless machine gun patter of the rain?
No, it was only days.
Only a few days really…but enough rain to swell our rivers and dams to
overflowing, flood our roads and highways, and wash away anything in its path.
Only a few days really…but enough rain to swell our rivers and dams to
overflowing, flood our roads and highways, and wash away anything in its path.
My family and I are fine.
We live in an apartment building in the city, on a street that doesn’t
usually flood. The only things we really
had to worry about were business meetings moved and cancelled. As I looked out my rain-splattered window at
the murky sky, I said a prayer of thanks for all the good things that we take
for granted in the hustle and bustle of regular life: a roof over our heads,
unlimited hot showers, food in our pantry, drinking water that we buy directly
from our building, a soft bed to lay on after a long day.
We live in an apartment building in the city, on a street that doesn’t
usually flood. The only things we really
had to worry about were business meetings moved and cancelled. As I looked out my rain-splattered window at
the murky sky, I said a prayer of thanks for all the good things that we take
for granted in the hustle and bustle of regular life: a roof over our heads,
unlimited hot showers, food in our pantry, drinking water that we buy directly
from our building, a soft bed to lay on after a long day.
Many others are not as lucky.
This massive rainfall has left many
without food and shelter. Even as the
sun shines now, many areas are still flooded and many people are still in dire
need of our help. So instead of the
usual links, I thought I’d share some ways to help instead.
without food and shelter. Even as the
sun shines now, many areas are still flooded and many people are still in dire
need of our help. So instead of the
usual links, I thought I’d share some ways to help instead.
** You can donate to the Philippine Red Cross.
** You can volunteer or donate with Gawad Kalinga.
** You can also drop of donations in kind at your nearest LBC branch and they will send it, for free, to the Philippine Red Cross. They are also accepting donations at these global branches.
** My father’s alma matter, De La Salle, has also organized
relief operations that need volunteers, as well as donations in cash or kind. You can contact these numbers for more
details: +639399369207 or +639158591594.
relief operations that need volunteers, as well as donations in cash or kind. You can contact these numbers for more
details: +639399369207 or +639158591594.
** Ateneo de Manila University also has relief operations
ongoing, if they are closer to you. You
can contact their Ateneo DReaM (Disaster Response and Management) Team at +6326977168
or +6324266001 local 5933.
ongoing, if they are closer to you. You
can contact their Ateneo DReaM (Disaster Response and Management) Team at +6326977168
or +6324266001 local 5933.
** If you are a cyclist, musician, artist, or simply want to
donate relief goods or volunteer to pack them you can check out Ride Rock Relief 2 which will be happening this Sunday, August 12. My favorite little general store will be
providing free coffee. The creamed honey
in the recipe below is from them.
donate relief goods or volunteer to pack them you can check out Ride Rock Relief 2 which will be happening this Sunday, August 12. My favorite little general store will be
providing free coffee. The creamed honey
in the recipe below is from them.
Steel Cut Oats with Vanilla Poached Pears and Creamed
Honey
Honey
- 1/2 cup steel cut oats
- 2 cups water
- 1 pear, peeled cored and quartered
- 3/4 cup water
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste
- Creamed honey to serve
– Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil in a sauce pan.
– Once it boils add the steel cut oats, give it a stir,
and then cover. Cook, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick, until
cooked to your liking. Some like it chewier than others. Add more water if it
starts looking too dry. If it looks to
wet, cook, stirring briskly, uncovered.
and then cover. Cook, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick, until
cooked to your liking. Some like it chewier than others. Add more water if it
starts looking too dry. If it looks to
wet, cook, stirring briskly, uncovered.
– While you are bringing your water for the oats to the
boil, start on your pears. Place the 3/4
cup water in a small skillet or pan that will hold all the pears in one layer. Turn on heat and add sugar and vanilla, stir
until sugar dissolves. Once sugar is
completely dissolved, add the pear quarters and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, checking every
once in a while to turn the quarters over, or until pears are cooked through
(and can be easily pierced with a fork).
Take off the heat and let the pears cool in their poaching liquid.
boil, start on your pears. Place the 3/4
cup water in a small skillet or pan that will hold all the pears in one layer. Turn on heat and add sugar and vanilla, stir
until sugar dissolves. Once sugar is
completely dissolved, add the pear quarters and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, checking every
once in a while to turn the quarters over, or until pears are cooked through
(and can be easily pierced with a fork).
Take off the heat and let the pears cool in their poaching liquid.
– When the oats
are cooked divide between two bowls. Top
each serving with two pears quarters, and a mini-dollop of creamed honey
(depending on how sweet you want it).
are cooked divide between two bowls. Top
each serving with two pears quarters, and a mini-dollop of creamed honey
(depending on how sweet you want it).
Oatmeal is my go-to breakfast for rainy days. It is warm, hearty, and comforting…and, lest
we forget, good for you too, health-wise.
I am a firm believer that a steaming bowl of oatmeal can cure many ills. Topped with some gently poached fruit and a
spoonful of pearlescent creamed honey, even better.
we forget, good for you too, health-wise.
I am a firm believer that a steaming bowl of oatmeal can cure many ills. Topped with some gently poached fruit and a
spoonful of pearlescent creamed honey, even better.
Although this recipe can only feed two, the links above
can help you feed (and clothe) many more. Here’s hoping
for sunnier days ahead!
can help you feed (and clothe) many more. Here’s hoping
for sunnier days ahead!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Deliciously healthy! That combination is absolutely heavenly.
Cheers,
Rosa
Eileen says
Glad to hear that you & yours are ok! And poached pears on oatmeal sounds like a wonderful idea, of course. 🙂
Paz says
I am glad you are all fine and able to post the recipe for this delicious-looking breakfast.
Tangled Noodle says
Happy to hear that all's well with you and your family! And thank you for posting the information on where to help out or make donations for flood relief. I'm hoping to do my part today!
This is a knockout breakfast – the best kind of way to start the day. Between steel cut oats with creamed honey and sunny skies, the gloom is dissipating! 😎
joey says
Thanks Rosa 🙂
Hi Eileen! Thank you! I love poached pears…also good on ricotta 🙂
Hi Paz! Thank you…we are well 🙂
Hi Tracey! Thanks and you are welcome! 🙂 Oatmeal always puts me right in the morning 🙂 The creamed honey is lovely…local from a backyard beekeeper, available at Ritual in the Collective 🙂
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
I've been seeing the news of flooding in the Philippines. Hope you weren't affected 🙂 This comforting breakfast is just perfect for stormy days like these…take care!
Midge says
As ironic as it sounds, I was actually a LOT happier when the rain was pouring down in sheets. When the weather turned warm again, I ended up with the flu!
Anyways, I think a lot of people were making porridge for breakfast during the heavy rains. (Cinnamon oatmeal with macadamia brittle, anyone?) And porridge was our "weapon" of choice for the relief feeding programs in my community.
joey says
Hi Jen! Thanks so much for your concern — we are fine and were not affected much…had lots of oatmeal 🙂
Hi Midge! Hope you are feeling better! Porridge is certainly and warming and filling meal 🙂
Philou - Un Cuisinier Chez Vous says
I'm sure it's delicious
Real Food Runner says
Yum!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/
AlanPatrick says
One of my favorite breakfasts :), since I'm eating for breakfast milk-rice (takes too much time to prepare), after saw your post I'm thinking about moving back to oatmeal!
joey says
Hi Philou! Simple but delicious nonetheless 🙂
Hi Real Food Runner! Thanks 🙂
Hi AlanPatrick! Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts too!
BettyAnn @Mango_Queen says
I happen to have steel oats and honey right now and you just inspired me with this lovely post. I'm so glad to hear you and your family are doing fine inspite of the floods. Bravo to you all and your generous hearts for helping put together relief goods. God bless! Thanks for the blog visit & your kind comments!
Quay Po Cooks says
It is good to know that you and your family are okay. This is such a healthy breakfast and look so tempting.
joey says
Hi Betty Ann! Thank you as well for all your warm wishes! Enjoy your oats! 🙂
Hi Quay! Thank you! I love oats for breakfast — healthy and delicious indeed! 🙂
Jesse DeLuca says
Oatmeal is a great way to use home preserved fruits such as dried strawberries, blueberries, peaches and apples. Your recipe looks scrumptious.