I received a parcel

Last Sunday, I got my prize in winning Mommy Yem's giveaway last November.



I'm not a kikay type, but I like putting mascara, blush on, lipstick, eyebrow enhancer when I'm at work to add a color to my lean, dry and pale face.

I dropped by on Yem's Milk for Oreo blog, she was holding her first ever giveaway that time and I did not hesitate to link up.

Yem and I met at Blogapalooza event last year. She was playing with my little one. She's so friendly and approachable. She was also the first blogger I chatted with on that first blogger event I went. That was very meaningful to me.

Together with the bundle was a short letter of apology. She apologized for not mailing the items right away, she got busy due to a career change. Last month I tweeted her, asking if she already sent them. Her response was honest and I appreciated it. I felt relieved to find that she hasn't yet, I just started out worried and thought that the delivery man wasn't able to find our address like what occurred to my Kingsue package before.

Anyhow, I've been trying them for almost a week now. I'm not for sure yet if I can write a review on those products, but one thing is sure... I will take a selfie photo when they're on my cheek. Hehe

Thank you so much Yem! Hope to see you again dear and to your blog - keep it going! Yours is one of those I often visit. God bless you and your family.

Read More »

IT’S FUN TO BE FIT WITH MOM AND ME!

Keeping fit and healthy starts in the home. Kids need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence and it is the parent’s responsibility to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. How can you do this, you ask? The answer is simple – engage in physical activities with them and make it a daily habit.

For kids, fitness means playing and being physically active. Once they enter nursery until they get to big school, exercise comes in the form of playing tag with friends, P.E. classes, and attending organized sports such as basketball or swimming. However, parents can no longer rely on physical education in schools to provide enough physical activity for kids. They need to play a more active role and make fitness a family routine.

This March, jumpstart the summer with Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit, a series of health and fitness activities that both moms and kids will enjoy.  

Yoga for all ages have become popular as this activity improves the three elements of fitness – endurance, strength, and flexibility. Moms and kids, and even dads too, can sweat it out in the mat with an interactive yoga class from Yoga+ on March 1 (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and White Space Mind and Body Wellness Studio on March 15 (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).  Poses that promote fun, laughter, and creativity will keep the kids engaged while moms challenge themselves in their own yoga practice.

While yoga entails focus and flexibility, aerobic dancing involves heart-pumping movements and is a great way to improve coordination and memory. Make your way to Slimmers World on March 8 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) in their Megamall branch and March 22 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) in Trafalgar Makati branch for a fun and easy dance work out. Moms will also enjoy a signature Body Fat Analysis and Figure Consultation, Nutritional Counseling, Diamond Peel and a Slimming Treatment. Dancing to upbeat tunes, prepare to sweat it out. You’ll surely find yourself doing the routine even until you get home.

Swimming is one of the best workouts you can give your body as it activates almost all of your muscle groups at the same time. Since you’re floating in water, there’s less pressure on your joints and bones, and it almost seems like you’re not really exercising. Rounding up the Mom and Me Fun To Be Fit series is a swimming class with Coach Herman Brinas as hosted by The Legend Villas on March 29 (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.). Paddle, kick, and soak the sun, it’s a fun fitness activity for a Saturday afternoon. 

Entrance Pass is only Php 350 good for mom/dad and one child per day. Participants get the chance to win in raffles and will receive a loot bag filled with treats.

Allow enough time for free play, regulate the use of gadgets, and keep a variety of games and sports equipment at home. You’ll be surprised how a jump rope can make a big difference. Show your kids that fitness is important by engaging in fitness activities with them. Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit gets you and your little one active together. Get in shape and create moments that you and the kids will remember for a lifetime!

Mom and Me: Fun to Be Fit happens every Saturday of March - March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. 

For details and event tickets, go to http://www.momandme.com.ph/. Like and Follow Mom and Me at https://twitter.com/mommyandmePH

This event is also supported by Citibank, Enercal Plus, Thor Productions, Malaya Living, Baby Magazine, Travelife Magazine, Circuit, Mom Center Philippines, and WhenInManila(dot)com.

Read More »

BRAVE's Women's Self-Defense Workshop this FEB 22 2014

What is BRAVE?

BRAVE is the first and only self-defense system specifically designed for working women. We understand the complexities of modern women's busy schedule that is why any program of BRAVE is optimized and can be completed in just a day. Martial arts and fighting background is not a prerequisite. In just a day, A woman will learn the principles, techniques, and methods on how to protect herself in times of violence.

A working woman is an independent woman. An independent woman must know how to protect herself.

If you are a woman who has ever had to walk down a dark street by yourself, had a tire blowout while traveling alone, or been surprised by an unexpected knock on your front door, then you know what it feels like to suddenly be aware of your vulnerability. This awareness sparks a need for protection, and who can you count on to always be there to protect you? You.

Violence against women is steadily increasing. Source: http://pcw.gov.ph/

Why Take Self-Defense Classes?

Women may not realize just how much they need to take self-defense courses to keep themselves safe. It is one of the most important things that she can do for herself though. Protecting yourself from violent crimes should be on the top of every woman's list of things to do today. Don't let yourself be caught in an attack without knowing how to defend yourself. Here's a number of reasons why enrolling in a self-defense class makes all the difference.

Statistics show that 90% of attackers will back down and search for a softer, easier target.

What Will I Learn in BRAVE?

Registering for a BRAVE Self-defense program would equip you with essential skills that will heighten your awareness in an assault and enable you to protect yourself and your loved ones in times of danger. Registering yourself for a self-defense immediately increases your safety by 90%, guaranteed!

Here are some of the things you will learn:

Effective striking

Releasing from various grabs (hair, hand, arms, neck, etc.)

Dealing effectively with distance

How to anticipate certain types of attacks giving you advantage

Disarming and stopping an armed assailant.

Effective counter attacking

Defending from any line of attack (front, back, and sides)

Immobilizing an attacker

Taking down an attacker

Self-awareness and reflexes

Combat training applicable to real-life situations  

Count me in! How Can I Join?

Simply  text us at 0927 659 97 18 / 0936 330 36 50

or message us on www.facebook.com/BRAVEph

Reserve a slot for P500 or pay in full (P2,500) through either of the options below:

BPI Bank Deposit / Fund Transfer

BPI S/A - 2596 - 2231 - 59

Scan, screenshot, or take a picture of it and send to bravephilippines@gmail.com or message it on www.facebook.com/BRAVEph together with the following information:

a) Full name

b) Contact number

c) Email

d) Date of payment

e) Amount of payment

f) Paypal

Confirmation of payment/reservation will be received on the date of the payment together with details of the workshop.

See you on Saturday! :)

You can RESERVE your slot in this exclusive training for only 500PHP and pay the remaining balance on Feb. 22, 2014 (Saturday) or you may opt to pay the amount in full.

Come as a pair and avail a special discount. Text them to avail this promo.

As their introductory offer to launch BRAVE.  They will be having an EXCLUSIVE self-defense class specializing for women this Feb. 22, 2014 conveniently located at Studio M Makati (rehearsal studio for the stars). Taught by a female instructor in an all-female class so it would be very comfortable for everyone.

What: Women's Self -defense and Real Life Combat Training

When: Saturday, February 22nd, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Where: Studio M Makati (rehearsal studio for the stars)

You have no excuse not to enroll for the next self defense course you can - as soon as possible. That's because you never know when the worst might happen, and you owe it to yourself to be prepare.

Read More »

A lazy Monday... I thought.

Since I am still on leave, Ace decided to not to go to work. We pretty much just stayed home. I felt like it's again another calling for my unprovoked-cooking-skills so, I cooked pork nilaga for our lunch. It really was very simple. Nonetheless, I still googled it (I don't want to miss an ingredient). Haha.

We did not do anything apart from cooking. I really thought that it will be a lazy Monday, wherein we would simply lie down and talk not until we needed to do our daily exercise late because both our backs ached. Phew.

And since Ayvan was too fuzzy because of his colds we have him played outside. That's when the father-and-son-bonding started. Teehee!

Oh well, I guess its not that lazy after all. When you have a kid around you can never be lazy. Ayayay.

Also just now, Ace knocked and asked me to come down because he prepared some sort of fruit salad for me. It's his secret recipe daw. Ok push, so I took a photo of it nalang. In all fairness ha, its yummy!

That's about it. That's how we spent our Monday together. *wink

Read More »

A productive day and bonding galore with Ayvan

Hello! How's your week going, huh? Again, as always, I hope you all doing great. If you ask me, well so far so good, I must say. I am on a long vacation from work, beginning today until Monday. I requested this for my birthday celebration sana but as much as I want, I can't celebrate it like big time due to priorities.

Meanwhile...

Today I've been fairly productive. I cleaned the house, set up our cabinet that was so messy because of the two boys and our very not so sipag Yaya - let's not get into that, it'll only shift my mood. So yeah, I made our breakfast as a part of my cooking practice, though it's just frying. Hehe.

While I was too busy cleaning, Ayvan was too behaved. He simply sits and play his toys. Whenever I say sit lang, he would sit and stay seated until he gets bored. And I notice, his hair is growing fast too.



And since he's behaving the whole time, I rewarded him a cake for merienda. Look at him on that photo. He was such a little cutie!



I have a short kwento pala of what happened the other day. I was browsing my fb and let Ayvan play his crayons. He scribbled enthusiastically on the paper that I gave him so, I focused on Facebooking.



And just as I'm about to stand up to pee, I saw the little man happily scribbling on our wall. Eeerr. Instead of stopping him I let him finished, washed his hands and set him to sleep.



It's not every day that I am witnessing his milestones. I just felt lucky to see another one that's why I did not interrupt him.

Pretty much those are the small things that make me grateful every day. I just love every bits of him and I can't seriously get enough. Haha pag anak mo nga naman.

Let me end this with a smile and a greeting.

Happy Valentine's Day folks, may you all enjoy!

Read More »

One Saturday with my son.

As another weekend comes, I finally had my solo moment again with my son as his Yaya is working on our laundry. I prepared bagoong rice and longganisa for breakfast and menudo for lunch. It tasted good naman daw according to them. Haha. I let Ayvan play on his puzzle mat and put all his toys together and viola! I cooked without him yelling in the background.

I remember when I was in my teenage years, inisip ko palagi na ang cute siguro ng magiging baby ko, but God has given me more than I could imagine.

I just adore everything about him. His tiny fingers, eyes, toes, noes, his hair, his lips, ears, teeth and legs. How he sleeps like a little man - mouth open and arms lifted upward. His weird way of sucking his two little fingers - I have never seen someone do it like he does. Haha.

And since I can't be with him that much during weekdays, from now on, I promise to make the most out of the day when weekends come again. Indeed, there are things in life that money can't buy and one of them is to see your son grows. If only I can stay home forever to watch over him I will, but for now I need to work for us.

By spending a day again with him, I realize that Yayas can not replace us. It's only us, mothers, know what is best for our kids and no one can ever replace the joy in their eyes whenever they see us.

Anyhow, here's a great poem that I found inspiring. I want to share it to all Moms out there. Hope this will inspire you to spend more time with your little ones.

So till then, folks.

Read More »

Saying Hello to February

I haven't officially welcomed February yet so, allow me to say Hello there month of romance!

Yes, it's this time of the year again where people are getting extra romantic. Where we see men and women walking with a bouquet of flowers at the mall or on the street. Where most couples would eat happily together at a fancy restaurant. Where the cinema part of the mall will be overrun with young ones who would watch some cheesy movies. And the traffic is denser than the usual. Haha. I know, I understand how Pinoy value St. Valentine's Day 'cause even Ace and I had our fair share of that.

And I definitely can not celebrate this month because it's my birthday month too. Yay! I get a lot of attention than usual during this month. Haha 'cause people surprisingly remember it and find it cute which makes me kilig.

And oh by the way, I was born on St. Valentine's Day too, so, ah huh, be good to me this month alright? Hehe

February has been good thus far. Ayvan is getting bigger and has chubbier cheeks. Ace is getting well with the responsibilities and all that stuff. And lately work is not that stressful so, yeah, I'm hoping that everything will continue as well as they are.

How's yours going guys? I also wish that yours are good.

Read More »

MedelaMoms Launches "Seeing Doubles" - A Support Group for Moms with Multiples

Whether you are a first-time mother or consider yourself a "veteran," MedelaMoms Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano have your best interests in mind, especially when it comes to making sure you are able to give your child the best nutrition, i.e. breastmilk.

Committed to being more than just the Philippines' authorized distributor of the most well-known and trusted brand of breastfeeding products, MedelaMoms is all about supporting mothers and babies in their breastfeeding journey. This is why they organize learning events related to breastfeeding and parenting, provide breastfeeding counseling if needed, and help coordinate breast milk donations whenever necessary, among other things. MedelaMoms wants to be one with you, moms out there, in breastfeeding.

Everyone knows that breastfeeding can be challenging and nursing multiples -- twins or more -- may be even more demanding. At the same time, nurturing and raising multiples has its own set of "rewards" and sense of fulfillment. MedelaMom Beng knows this firsthand, having her own set of double blessings.

It is with great pleasure then that MedelaMoms invites all couples expecting multiples to come to the Medela House on February 8, Saturday, 9 a.m., to the launch of the "Seeing Doubles" Multiples Support Group. Different mommies with twins will share their precious time to talk about their experiences carrying, giving birth to, breastfeeding, and raising multiples! This is the time for all parents with multiples to ask their questions and satisfy their curiosity, and maybe even find the answers to all their concerns and worries. The "multiples moms" who have been invited by MedelaMoms to speak are ready to help parents for the arrival of their own sets of multiples.

Alongside the launch of “Seeing Doubles,” SweetPea, a cocktail/formal nursing wear company will also be launching its line through a fashion show. Walnut Melbourne PH will be providing the shoewear of the children in the show. Celebrity Moms Amanda Jacob and Marilen Faustino-Montenegro and children will be dropping by, too, to share their own modern day mom breastfeeding experiences.

Amanda will also be conducting a book signing and a limited number of her book, Project Mom, co-authored with Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, will be on sale that day.

The event is free of charge but attendees are required to pre-register by texting or calling MedelaMoms at 0917-8110821 or sending an email to medelamoms@gmail.com.

Sign up now to experience the first support group for mommies of multiples in the country! Giveaways, special promos, a candy buffet, and other treats are in store for participating mommies.

 

Read More »

Easy Peasy Afritada

I don't really cook that much, I rarely have time. That's why I always want to do it during the weekends. I am still a newbie when it comes to cooking.

Now that we are living on our own, I want to experiment and try any dish. And as much as possible I want to start with the easiest.

Last Thursday, Ace and I went to the grocery store to replenish our food storage. And just as we're about to start, I saw Knorr Complete Afritada Recipe Mix. It has a cooking instruction at the back and it is easy, so, I picked it up and include to our loot.

This morning while preparing our breakfast, I remembered it and decide to prepare it for lunch. It was as easy as what the instructions are. The sauce is thick and I did not add any spices in it because it already tastes good.

Here are the basic ingredients:

1. 500 kg of Chicken

2. Carrots, cubed

3. Potatoes, cubed

4. Red Bell Pepper, cubed

5. Knorr Complete Afritada Mix

6. Onion and Garlic peeled and sliced

6. Cooking oil

Procedure:

1. Dissolve the knorr complete recipe afritada mix in 1 1/2 cups of water and set aside.

2. Sauté garlic and onions in hot oil

In a saucepan. Add the chicken and cover.

3. Pour the dissolved Knorr Complete Recipe Afritada Mix. Add the carrots and potatoes and cover. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is almost tender.

4. Add the red bell peppers. Simmer for an

Additional 2 minutes.

Serve while hot with rice.

How about you Moms? Do you have other easy recipe that you can share with me?

Read More »