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Category: Videos

  • A Day In Oakland Zoo: Experience Review

    A Day In Oakland Zoo: Experience Review

    Last week our family planned a day trip to Oakland zoo, an hour car drive away from home. Since many of our family members have not been to a zoo before and its Mia’s 4th month birthday, we thought it would be a perfect time of the year to go and discover real animals that we only read in books or watch in t.v. That was just our only thought why we decided to go to the nearest zoo in our county but what we have experienced was a total surprise for all of us and it was indeed more than what we expected.



    OAKLAND ZOO: THE BRIEF HISTORY

    It was known before as Knowland Zoo located in Southeastern Oakland, California. It’s  a 100 acre zoo and the home of natural and exotic animals kept well maintained in their natural habitats. Founded in 1922 by naturalist Henry A. Snow and was established as a non profit organization by Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society, what was known now as East Bay Zoological Society. The zoo has been operating under the organization as a non profit organization for the city of Oakland since 1982. In 25 years of existence, the zoo has been awarded a lot of times, being recognized for its animal management and endangered specie programs. Over the years, the zoo went through major improvements from animal care to visitor’s experience.

    There had been public support from the City of Oakland and East Bay Regional Parks District which contributed to the zoo’s operating budget. Others funds came from different community including private sectors, individuals, foundations, corporations, and memberships. Yearly public support from all these sources sustained the low cost of admission and keep the zoo affordable and attainable too all economic levels of the community.

    THE EXPERIENCE

    We want to give you a tour to the zoo from the entrance way, the rides and the zoo proper. We want to share our experience and be able to give you a first impression if you ever want to plan your visit one day. Let’s go and explore Oakland Zoo!

    [video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnz1qx1OKd4″ embed_style=”default”]

    FINAL INSIGHT

    I must say that Oakland zoo is a lovely place to visit, perfect for families and friends, a fun and a wonderful place to bond with the kids.

    We loved it especially when we have our baby with us to experience everything even the rides, it was really amazing. It was really memorable and its worth going for sure, we had a lot of fun and we enjoyed the animals as much as what we expected and the rides gave us a new unique experience too.

    Our baby is still very young to remember all the precious moments we had in this place but we will definitely come back when she’s a little bit bigger and when she can be able to recognize and enjoy the animals more.

    Are you looking for an educational adventure and a fun getaway in Oakland? This is definitely a place for you to explore!

     

  • CHEESECAKE (NO-BAKE) FAST & EASY RECIPE

    CHEESECAKE (NO-BAKE) FAST & EASY RECIPE

    MAKE YOUR OWN CHEESECAKE WITHOUT BAKING!

    Ingredients

    1 or 2 packs of Sugar Wafers (vanilla/strawberry or any flavor you desire)

    8 ounces Cream Cheese, at room temperature

    1/2 cup Sugar or less

    2 tbsp Sour Cream

    2 tsp fresh Lemon juice

    Banana Slices

     

    Preparation

    Crush wafers and set it aside. Then start making the filling by beating the cream cheese and sugar in a mixer for about 2-3 minutes or until smoothly combined. Add the sour cream and lemon juice until well blended, about a minute. Scrape down extra filling mixture from the side of the bowl. Prepare and line the cups in the pan  and spoon a layer of wafer crumbs into the bottom of each. Then add a spoonful  of filling into the cup and finally top each cheesecake with a banana slice, strawberry or any fruit desired. Refrigerate overnight or until set. Serve & Enjoy each bite!

     

    Serve: 12

     

     

     

  • How to make Delicious Banana Bread

    How to make Delicious Banana Bread

    Ingredients

    2 cups flour

    1 cup sugar

    ½ butter (one stick)

    2 eggs

    ½ cup sour cream

    ½ teaspoon baking powder

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    ½ teaspoon salt

    1 teaspoon vanilla

    4 large ripe bananas

    Preparation

    Preheat your oven to 350 F.

    In a large bowl pour in butter, egg and vanilla and beat at medium speed. Then add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Slowly add in flour . Mash bananas with a fork then add it to the mixture. Beat until well blended. With a spatula stir in the sour cream. Grease loaf pan with some butter and pour in mixture.

    Bake for an hour. Try inserting a tooth pick in the middle of the loaf, if it comes out clean the loaf is ready if not let it bake for a few more minutes. Once the banana bread is ready let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Homemade Oreo Vanilla Marshmallow Ice Cream

    Homemade Oreo Vanilla Marshmallow Ice Cream

    Homemade Ice Cream

    Craving for an ice cream? Why not make your own at home! It’s cheap, it saves your time, and most especially its fun to make it with the whole family! With just very few ingredients and very easy steps we have made a superb ice cream tasting the crunch of oreo cookies with the blend of cream and soft mallows! This Oreo Vanilla Marshmallow Ice Cream recipe would only require you 5 ingredients and does only need few easy preparations!

    Ingredients:

    2 tsp Vanilla

    2 cups Heavy Whip Cream

    14 oz Condensed Milk

    2-3 cups Crushed Oreos (desired amount)

    2 cups Marshmallows (desired amount)

    Preparation & Instructions:

     With an electrical mixer, beat the heavy whip cream for about 2-4 minutes or until soft stiff peaks formed. Add and stir in the condensed milk and the vanilla, mix or stir evenly into the whipped cream. When mixed, add 2 cups of crushed oreos and marshmallows and using a spatula mix to combine all into the mixture. Cover the container and freeze overnight or you can transfer it to a freezer safe ice cream container if desired. Once frozen, scoop into a glass or ice cream cups and it’s ready to be serve. Enjoy!

  • Mango Pineapple Smoothie

    Mango Pineapple Smoothie

    Ingredients

    1 Mango, peeled,seeded & diced

    1 large Banana, peeled & sliced

    1 cup Pineapple chunks (with 100% fruit juice)

    3/4 cup low fat Vanilla Yogurt

    1 cup Ice cubes

    1/2 cup Fresh Milk

    Sugar for tasting ( exclude if necessary)

    Strawberry for topping (or any fruit you desire)

    Preparation

    Combine all ingredients except strawberry in a blender container.

    Blend until mixture is smooth .

    Transfer by pouring mixture into glasses then top with sliced strawberry. (or any fruit you desire)

    Serve, enjoy and be refreshed!

    Preparation Time: 7 minutes

    Serving: 2-3 

  • Moist Chocolate Chip Muffin

    Moist Chocolate Chip Muffin

    Ingredients

    1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter (if you decide to go with salted you can go ahead and exclude the ¼ salt)
    1 cup of sugar
    2 cups chocolate chip
    2 whole eggs
    2 egg yolks
    1 ¼ cups milk
    1 ¼ cups sour cream
    2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    ¼ teaspoon salt
    2 ½ cups flour

    Preheat your oven to 375 F.

    Place melted butter in a large bowl then add sugar and mix well with a beater or mixer until ingredients are combined and smooth. Add 2 eggs, subsequently adding 2 yolks. Mix that together. From there you can start adding vanilla, baking powder, salt and pour in the milk. Beat until the butter thickens, next add in sour cream and beater at medium speed. Make sure it doesn’t come out too dry but if it does you can add a little bit of milk until butter looks just right. Pour in chocolate chips and with a wooden spoon or spatula carefully mix it in. For the next step you can either use an ice cream scooper to scoop in the mixture into the muffin baking cups or if you don’t have a scooper you can use two spoons. Scoop out a spoonful of butter with one spoon and with the other you can scrape it off the spoon into the muffing baking cups. By now your oven should be ready, place the muffins in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until they are golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes.

    You can always make them ahead of time and store them in a dry container. They won’t dry because the sour cream keeps them moist.

    These muffins are perfect with a fresh morning coffee or a cup of cold milk. Enjoy!

     

  • Pasta Bolognese Quick and Easy Recipe

    Pasta Bolognese Quick and Easy Recipe

    [video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3SRqN_6f_M” embed_style=”default”]

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    INGREDIENTS:

    • 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
    • 5 tbsp. Tomato Paste
    • 3 cups Whole Fresh Milk
    • 1 tsp. Oregano
    • 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
    • 2 tbsp. Heavy Cream
    • 2 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
    • Shredded Cheese for serving
    • 1 lb. Ground Beef
    • 1 lb. Penne Pasta
    • 1 medium Onion
    • 4 cloves Garlic
    • 7 baby Carrots

    SAUCE PREPARATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

    Start by chopping spices including garlic, onion and carrots into small finely chops then set aside. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat and saute chopped garlic, onion and carrots for about 3-4 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add the ground beef and cook, stir often until meat begins to brown. Pour in the tomato paste, stir and mix well then add whole fresh milk, oregano and salt. Stir, let it simmer in a reduce low heat and cook with often stirring until sauce becomes thick. Then add and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Add some salt if necessary for tasting. Remove from heat and set aside.

    PASTA PREPARATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

    Boil a pot of water with 1 and a half salt. Pour in the penne pasta, cook until ready and drain.

    PLATING

    Serve pasta into a plate, top with the sauce and desired amount of shredded cheese. Enjoy!

    NOTES: For more complex and artful taste you may add the taste of wine into your sauce about 1 and a half cup.

    Preparation & Cooking Time: 30 minutes

    Servings: Approx. 5