Don’t Eat Your Heart Out: Understanding the ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’

Year 2020 has been a challenging year. We have been faced with an unprecedented pandemic which has taught us never to take our health for granted. But as we near its end and gear up for the holidays, there are still plenty of things to watch out for when it comes to our health.

“That is because while the holidays are a time for merriment and indulgence, it has also been linked to a high incidence of heart attacks, stroke, and rising blood pressure, leading to the phenomenon called "Holiday Heart Syndrome,” said Dr. Amal Makhloufi Benchouk, The Country Lead of Sanofi Philippines.

But what is it about the most joyous time of the year that causes this unfortunate spike in cardiovascular- related health concerns and how do we avoid it?

Six upgraded features to enjoy from TECNO Mobile’s new AI-powered, revolutionary TECNO Spark 6

Global premier mobile phone brand, TECNO Mobile recently released its latest innovation, TECNO Spark 6, a high-performing, multitasking, affordable smartphone for the masses. This feature-packed phone is designed for work and play, and comes with a budget-friendly price tag of P6,490 for the Spark 6 4GB RAM + 128GB.

TECNO Mobile launches new AI-powered, revolutionary TECNO Spark 6 Series - A smartphone for the masses

Recognizing the evolving need for high-performing, multi-tasking and affordable smartphones during these challenging times, global premier mobile phone brand TECNO Mobile has launched its latest innovation, the TECNO Spark 6 Series.

Meaningful Christmas Gifts Moms Will Love

Who's that one person who's always there for us,  whatever stage in life we’re at? 

Our MOTHERS! 

They’ve been our constants since Day 1. There’s no better time than the Christmas season to show our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all the moms and mother figures in our lives. 

From pampering her with little luxuries or buying her functional items, here are a few ideas for thoughtful Christmas presents moms will love. From December 7 to 13, Shopee is offering discounts up to 80% off!

Talong Espesyal Recipe

Growing up in La Union, you best bet vegetables are a staple in every meal. You heard about dinengdeng? It's an Ilokano vergetable dish like pinakbet except that the former has bagoong based soup. As a kid, I am not fond of eating it but I had to and eventually it grew on me. I ate all the vegetables in it except talong or eggplant and the ampalaya or bitter melon. However, growing up, I liked the former a lot. Talong is now one of my favorite vegetables together with okra. Haha! 

Shopee Launches 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, Celebrates 5 Years of Digital Acceleration in the Region

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up the year-end sales season and marks its fifth birthday by launching its annual 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Its recent 9.9, 10.10, and 11.11 shopping events set new records and signified the changing landscape and potential of e-commerce in the region. This 12.12, Shopee celebrates five years of digital acceleration in the region and highlights three key trends that have shaped and will continue to drive the growth of e-commerce: Social, Personalization, and Integration.

Save up to P2,000 with Sustagen Big Bundles on Shopee

A balanced diet is one of the requirements of a healthy lifestyle. However, in this fast-paced world we live in, it is somehow a challenge to maintain that balance. If you are an adult who juggles different responsibilities, you would understand. Also, as we age, our bodies change and may require special dietary requirements. Because of this, we should make a more conscious effort in managing our health.

Crispy Burger Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Buttered Mixed Veggies Recipe

I always get a compliment from my kids every time I cook something special or something new. That's why no matter how busy I get, I try my best to cook for them. Remember when I shared about stocking up on easy to cook food? They are a life saver especially during crunch time, but of course, I still make it as special as possible. 

Last time, I shared about how I whipped up something special out of the CDO Crispy Burger which is the Creamy Mushroom Burger Steak with Brocoli. Now I am sharing another recipe that I cooked tonight for dinner- Crispy Burger Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Buttered Mixed Veggies. The kids loved it and again I received an earful of compliments from them. It's like getting a 3 star Michelin rating, if I have my own resto. Haha! 

Pedigree SPREADS PAW-SITIVITY on Shopee! Treat your furbabies for a cause

We have a new addition to our growing family! If you've been following me on social media, you've seen me post about our new furbaby- Covid! Yes, she's a puppy, a girl Shih Tzu, and that's her name. Crazy, right? Haha. Actually, Covid is my sister-in-law's furbaby but she is always visiting us especially on weekends so we spend more time with Covid. 

As a kid, we've had lots of pets, from puppies to kittens and it's really fun. I also want my kids to experience having a pet, but we don't have that much space in the condo. So we were so thrilled when my sister in law got Covid. At first, they were just joking about naming her Covid since they got her during the lockdown until Covid got used to it so that's what they named her. Haha!

Creamy Mushroom Crispy Burger Steak with Broccoli

We're on our 3rd day of the kids' First Quarter exams, that's why I've been MIA on social media lately. Aside from this, I also have a lot of deadlines to meet. Ugh, so many things to do, so little time! Then here comes the struggle of thinking about what to cook. It has always been my struggle, let alone in times like these. I tried planning our weekly menu, it was okay but, most days hindi rin nasusunod. Hehe. So what I do is I stock up on easy to cook food like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and one of the kids favorite, especially Tristan- CDO Ulam Burger and the CDO Crispy Burger.

Introducing PENSHOPPE Core, now available exclusively on Shopee!

It's almost eight months since the start of the community quarantine. What are the items you've shopped since then, aside from the essentials? I found myself shopping for more inner wear than clothes. Staying at the comfort of our home requires not just comfy clothes but also comfy inner wear, agree? 

So if you are looking to shop online for comfy inner wear, you're in luck! Penshoppe, a global fashion retail brand known for its on-trend, quality pieces at an attractive value and worn by the world's biggest celebrities; Just launched the all-new Penshoppe Core Inner wear Collection exclusively on Shopee! This collection does not only give you comfort but #ConfidenceFromYourCORE!

Come Join Us at the Globe Halloween @ Home Virtual Event!

Halloween is one of the most awaited celebrations every year, especially for kids and kids at heart who has a penchant for spooky things and playing dress-up. Tristan, Athena, and Brianna are sad because they can't go out for trick or treat or attend Halloween parties. While this year’s celebration might be different than usual, it doesn't mean that Halloween is canceled. Don’t let anything stop you from wearing your favorite costume and enjoying all the candies that you can, even just at home! This is exactly what we're doing!

Lemon Square Cheesecake Dessert Ideas + Recipe

"Mommy, it's like we're eating the same thing."

These are the exact words, my daughter told me. Complaining? Well, more of telling the truth. Since the pandemic started, I've been stocking up on as much food as possible. This is especially true for their snacks, because they eat like there's no tomorrow. Haha! I try to minimize kase outside contact, whether going to the grocery or food delivery. And, it's been over two weeks since our last trip to the grocery. So it's no surprise when my daughter told me that. 

How to be a Certified Medical Aesthetician

Have you ever wondered how people working in skincare at spas or salons, providing IV Infusion & Nutrition Therapy (yes glutathione) and even tattoo artists got to start their career? It's not like they just decided to suddenly want to do those for a living and started right away. There are certain certifications that needs to be met. Those mentioned are considered part of the lucrative Medical Aesthetic industry which amazingly still thrives even during the pandemic.

Get up to 50% off on Crayola’s grand launch from October 26-November 1 on Shopee

Tristan, Athena, and Brianna love to draw a lot. We always have papers full of their drawings all over the house. Before the quarantine, I bought them new boxes of crayons each. And, they are all worn out already. They've been drawing and coloring a lot. They even made greeting cards for every birthday that passed. Oh, they also made "get well soon cards" for the Covid-19 patients last April. So it's time to buy new crayons for my little artists. 

Just in time, Crayola will be launching in Shopee! And they'll have a grand launch sale, wherein you can get up to 50% of on select Crayola products from October 26- November 1! I don't go out unless it's to buy food, so if you are like me who prefers to buy anything else online, then this a good news for us! 

Diana Stalder’s Promise of a Better You Emerges in the New Normal

Skin care is self care! So don't believe anyone who says that good skincare isn’t essential in these trying times. The new normal has been changing the way people do things—including the way one takes care of his/her skin. Now that everyone has more time for himself/herself, there surely is much room for continuing to come up with the better version of one’s self. 

Diana Stalder, one of the country’s top authorities on skincare and beauty, is continuously providing the best products and services in the market during the new normal. With the dermatological breakthrough products continuously manufactured by its contract manufacturer, Stalder Laboratories, Inc., you can be sure the health of your skin will not get left behind. 

There is no excuse from getting the Diana Stalder skincare you have been accustomed to as the flagship products of the brand remain up for purchase at the Gateway Center aside from its authorized resellers nationwide and online through its official Shopee store. Here are the in-demand Diana Stalder products and services that you can still conveniently avail even in the community quarantine. 

Diana Stalder Skincare Kits

Diana Stalder Hygiene Kit has the essential items that will keep you protected at all times. The Tea Tree Soap has natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties to protect you not just from the coronavirus but also from all other ailment- causing microorganisms. The Kiwi Lush Hand Sanitizer—the new liquid gold—is your handy protection against coronavirus, also bringing the refreshing and invigorating feel from the tropical fruit. The kit comes with a 30-mL-bottle of alcohol for added hygiene. 

Tristan Turns 11!

My other September baby just turned 11. Whaaattt??? I can't believe that two more years and my firstborn is officially turning into a teenager. Shucks. I know I've said this countless times, but really, where did the time go? 

Tristan's birthday was last September 15, Tuesday, and it was their second day of distance learning. So we were all busy (and stressed hence the late posting), but we managed to have a simple celebration. 

Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric

My parents are now senior citizens, and I've been living away from them for over seven years already. That's why I can't help but worry, especially since the pandemic broke out. As we all know, the elderly are more at risk. Also, my dad has been suffering from High Blood Pressure for a while now. 

We use to visit my parents every summer, but have to miss it this year, for everyone's safety. So since I can't physically be there, I always check on them from time to time through social media and video calls. Good thing my Kuya is also there. Though they don't live in the same household, he takes care of our parents' needs like buying their groceries, food, and other essentials. 

My parents are not growing any younger; that's why we are more mindful of their health. I want them to feel my love and care even from a distance and ensure that they are in good health. So to help boost their immunity, I told them to add Atienza Naturale Turmeric Capsule to their current vitamins. I discovered that Turmeric has lots of health benefits and is good for the elderly especially those who are suffering from common elderly diseases like High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, and others. But it is not just for the elderly, anyone can actually use it.

Chunky Chicken Caldereta Recipe in less than 20 minutes

Sunday is family day! No work, no online classes. It's been a stressful past 2 weeks since the kid's distance learning started. I haven't cooked a decent meal, we mostly order food or we cook instant food. So today, I cooked something special for lunch (brunch for me hehe).

I cooked Chunky Chicken Caldereta. It's my 2nd-time ko cook Caldereta, first one was beef. Oh wait, I think I cooked Beef Caldereta twice already. I am sure I took photos but I don't know where they are now so I haven't blogged about it yet. I'll probably cook again soon. So it's the first time I used Chicken meat for Caldereta and kung gaano katagal lutuin yung beef caldereta, with this, it only took me less than 20 minutes. Sharing with you my secret- I used Mama Sita’s Caldereta Mix. I don't have all the ingredients on hand so, Mama Sita's Mix was a lifesaver. 

Make Your Own Fluffy Pancakes from Scratch

Pancakes anyone? I don't know about you but we all love pancake in the house. Wether you top it with maple syrup, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and fruits, it's perfect for breakfast and snack time. 

With all the ready mix pancake that is available in every supermarket everyone can have instant pancake anytime. I remember cooking my first pancake that way, it's so easy just add water, cook and voila! No hassle right? But did you know that making your own pancakes from scratch isn't that hard at all? You might say why bother when you can do it the easy way, but hey it always feels good to learn! 

We have a huge pack of all purpose flour which we won from an online promo so I found ways how to make use of it. 

I remember my mom cooking pancakes from scratch when I was young so I called her up and asked for the recipe. Google was of course very helpful, I was able to check other recipes though it's pretty much the same hehe. 

So here's an easy recipe for a fluffy pancake from scratch!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 all purpose flour 

2 teaspoon baking powder 

A pinch of salt 

1 tablespoon white sugar 

1 1/4 cups milk 

1 egg

3 tablespoons melted butter/ oil 

A dash of vanilla extract (optional)

Procedure:

1. Mix together dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugar). 

2. Make a well in the center and pour in milk, egg, melted butter and vanilla extract

3. Mix until smooth.

4. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan, I use nonstick pan so no need for oil. 

5. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter in the pan and cook both sides.

6. Drizzle with desired syrups and topping. Serve and enjoy!

Easy peasy! It's been quite a while now since the last time I bought those pancake mixes because now I can make my own! You should give it a try and let me know how it turned out! 

Anyway For our snack earlier, i prepared the traditional Pinoy pancake which is just butter/margarine and a sprinkle of sugar on top. The kids and the husband loved it! 

Athena's Quarantine 8th Birthday Parties!

Happy 8th birthday Athena!

"Ber-months" is not just Christmas Season in our family, but also birthday season. And it starts with Athena, who shared the same birthday as Mama Mary- September 8. It only seems like yesterday when we were planning her 7th birthday party, and now she's 8!

If it weren't for the pandemic, she would have celebrated her birthday with her classmates in school, or it could be just a simple dinner at home with my in-laws or we eat out. We don't throw big birthday parties, and I'll probably write another blog post about it.

Since September 8 was a Tuesday, we celebrated twice. As you all know, we live with Jaear's parents but they go to work on weekdays, and my sister in law (with her friend who she lives with) who lives in their house in Manila, visited us over the weekend, so we just decided to celebrate. Or, did we just used Athena's birthday as an excuse to have a feast? LOL!

Panatang Sanofi for a Healthier Philippines

The global pharmaceutical company, Sanofi Philippines, recently launched their new campaign entitled Panatang Sanofi with the Pinay matriarchs at the heart of their advocacy. This is in line with its effort to build a healthier Philippines. Sanofi Philippines turned towards empowering mothers and spotlighting their critical role in managing their family’s health. 

“The mother is the cornerstone of the Filipino family. She is caring and selfless when it comes to attending to her family’s health,” said Amal Makhloufi Benchouk, Country Lead of Sanofi Philippines. “This is the kind of lifetime commitment we strive for in Sanofi as we build a healthier Philippines. There is no greater embodiment to our panata than our beloved mothers.” 

Get up to 25% off on Lactum products on Shopee 9.9 Sale!

In these challenging times, one could not debate the benefits of online shopping. Even before the pandemic, I have been shopping online a lot, I already lost count on how many orders I placed through Shopee. You could get almost everything on Shopee, from clothing, accessories, food, and other essentials. And they continue to partner with a lot of brands and products to continue to cater to all Filipinos. They also continuously provide great deals that excite a lot of people, including moms like me who love shopping for my kids' needs. 

Mommies, are your kids still drinking milk? My kids do! So here's good news for all mommies out there. Lactum is going to be on Sale this coming Shopee 9.9 Sale! Yes, Lactum has an Official Store on Shopee Philippines and you can get up to 25% off on Lactum products.

Lactum helps provide 100% nourishment with 3 balanced meals a day. Formulated with essential nutrients from the Food Pyramid and available in plain and chocolate flavors. 

#GrowStrong Weekend Challenge Unboxing + Giveaway

We always look forward to weekends, because weekends mean no work, more time for fun! And, our weekend was made even more exciting with Vitamilk #GrowStrong Weekend Challenge. If you've been following me on Instagram, you've probably seen my stories about it. The #GrowStrong Weekend Challenge Box has four weekly challenges, and we played the first challenge last Sunday, the Merienda Match! 

It's like a memory game but with a twist. The kids were so focused and determined to find a matching pair of cards. The Omega 3,6,9 found in Vitamilk #FillsGood talaga as it helped boost their brain and memory, which came in handy for this challenge. Can you guess who won the first round? 

Yes, nakailang rounds kame kase we enjoyed the game so much. You can watch the whole unboxing and Round 1 video below.

   

Do you want to experience the #GrowStrong Weekend Challenge and win the #GrowStrong Weekend Challenge Box plus 1-month supply of Vitamilk? 

Check out this post on Instagram:

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pearl Paguio (@shesthemomblog) on Sep 1, 2020 at 6:03am PDT

I will be uploading the rest of the challenge on Instagram. Please follow @shesthemomblog so you won't miss it! 

Say Yes to yourself!

I remember having this conversation with my kids, where we talked about life, and being true to oneself. My kids are still very young, but they are very curious and asks a lot of questions. So I make time to sit down with them and have a heart to heart talk about things that confuse them or any topic that interests them.

That conversation was because of Brianna being shy. She's shy, whenever there are other people around, she's shy at school and doesn't even talk to her classmates and teachers. She even missed a lot of opportunities at school because of that. But, I am glad that she is slowly getting out of her comfort zone. Just last school year, she joined the Spelling bee and won first place. Woohoo! This situation is not new to me. Growing up, I've always been shy as well. (Now you know where Brianna got it. Haha!) And, because of that, I've let a lot of opportunities and good things pass by.

I'm sure that a lot of people could relate to it. At some point in your life, you've said "no" to things, when in fact, what you wanted to say was, "yes." There are different reasons as to why this happens, probably insecurity, fear and lack self-confidence. It could also be because some people or situations are holding you back. I know a lot of people who care too much about others, thus setting aside their needs. 

Every time you give in to these things, you say "no" not just to opportunities or possible good things, but you are also saying "no" to life. There's no wonder why many people are not genuinely happy. 

Quarantine Date Night + Corned Beef Hash with Eggs Recipe

Recently, I've been posting a lot about missing date nights with my husband. And honestly, we also rarely spend time alone together, you know, without the kids around since the pandemic began. So yesterday, since it was our break from work, I put the kids to bed early so that Jaear and I could have a "husband and wife time."

ADP Pharma Launches NOVUHAIR ® 3-in-1 VIP PROMO KIT

In line with NOVUHAIR's 10th year of fervent commitment to consumer health awareness on hair loss prevention and maintenance, plus a decade of partnership with Mercury Drug Corporation, ADP Pharma Corporation has launched the NOVUHAIR ® 3-in-1 VIP PROMO KIT.

Check out the promo video: https://bit.ly/317yNSM

The NOVUHAIR ® 3-in-1 VIP PROMO KIT serves as a token of the company & appreciation and gratitude to the affirmative support of its loyal users and new trialists.

The continued consumer support, committed distributors and agency partners, dedicated brand ambassadors, passionate and hardworking marketing and sales teams spearheaded by Managing Director Mr. Bob Segovia, and the full support of ADP Pharma CEO Mr. Martin Pascual and executives.

NOVUHAIR ® has retained dominance in 2019 as the leading hair loss treatment in the Philippines. (Source: Passport Euromonitor International October 2019 Research)

Discover more: https://bit.ly/2DWvOnH

NOVUHAIR ® Officially Launches NOVU VIP CLUB

NOVUHAIR is celebrating its 10 years of success in the Philippines. To celebrate this milestone, they are further highlighting the brand’s advocacy campaign "Nothing to lose", as they introduce Go for the Perfect 10! with the launch of its "NOVU VIP CLUB."

The NOVU VIP CLUB is designed to guide, inspire, and at the same time to take the journey with the members through a holistic approach in managing hair loss, especially during this global health crisis.

Supported by a pool of VIP Coaches, the members are given the opportunity to engage directly with the experts and at the same time enjoy the exciting monthly perks.

The list of VIP Coaches includes some of the country’s high-caliber professionals from different fields of expertise: Fanny Serrano (Salon & Beauty VIP Coach), Hon. Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (Leadership VIP Coach), Jim and Toni Saret (Fitness & Nutrition VIP Coaches), Dr. Cecile Catapang (Aesthetic & Rejuvenation VIP Coach), Dr. Risa Caldoza-De Leon (Dermatology & Beauty Coach), Dr. Harris Acero (Wellness & Nutrition VIP Coach) and Alopecia Warrior Abby Asistio (Inspirational VIP Coach) to name a few.

Discover how to become an exclusive member: https://bit.ly/3iABYbv

NOVUHAIR ® Topical Scalp Lotion is a unique combination of 19 natural herbal extracts and essential oils that work in synergy to help remedy and prevent hair loss.

To know more about NOVUHAIR®, visit www.novuhair.com or follow the official Facebook page @NovuhairOfficial.

Want to try the NOVUHAIR ® 3-in-1 Pack (worth ₱5,280) for FREE?

Join here: https://bit.ly/33UAB3u

NOVUHAIR ® SUPPORTS HEALTHY BITES FOR THE HAIR

NOVUHAIR®, the country’s leading natural hair loss solution, supports the nation in highlighting the importance of healthy and balanced nutrition amidst the ongoing health crisis.

Sarah G's new and trusted partner for boosting her Immunity

Sarah G is known as the country’s Popstar Royalty with a very large and loyal fan base. But even if she is busy with her showbiz commitments, Sarah Geronimo-Gudicelli makes sure that she closely monitors her health and that she takes her Vitamin C every day. 

Now that Sarah has settled down and is ready to start her own family, she knows that she has to prioritize her and her family’s immunity in these unprecedented times. Sarah has found a new partner in strengthening her immunity as she is the new celebrity endorser of Fern C. 

“Inferness, Fern C is a big help for me because most of the time, I leave the house without eating breakfast,” Sarah related. “Fern C is sodium ascorbate, so I can take it even on an empty stomach without having to worry about getting the acidic side effect.”

Self Care: Olay BodyScience Body Wash Review

Self-care. I don't know how many times I've talked about it ever since the pandemic began. What I know is, it's one of the most important things we can do for ourselves now more than ever. We are still fighting a battle against coronavirus, more people are still getting infected, and every day we are faced with worry not just for ourselves or our family but for the whole nation. 

As I've mentioned in some of my posts, self-care could be in any form. It could be mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. In a nutshell, it's all about being kind to your self. 

Weekend Recap: First Weekend of July

We're on a new month already, but still under coronavirus pandemic. I only have gone out of the house once to buy food. And, I think, I am not doing it again. Lol. As for the kids, I know they already miss going out. So last weekend, I finally, let them out...of our balcony, that is.

Teaching kids self care and oral hygiene skills

As parents, it is our responsibility to take care of our children. Not only making sure their needs are met, but also being confident that they fend for themselves when the situation calls for it. That is why teaching our kids basic, and age-appropriate life skills is a must. And, self-care and hygiene skills are the topmost basic life skills we should be teaching our children. These are everyday habits and lifelong skills that will not only make them look nice but will help them become healthy overall. 

GO FOR THE PERFECT 10!

The Fit Filipino Movement (FitFil) led by Health & Fitness VIP Coaches Jim & Toni Saret and co-presented by NOVUHAIR ® , nature’s answer to hair loss, wish to invite you, your family and loved ones to join a 20-day Facebook Live FREE workout session designed for all beginners and active fitness buffs starting June 22, 2020 (Monday) at 4pm.

Everyone is invited to join for FREE & win exciting prizes!

Play Days 2020: Playtime for Parents and Children Amidst Coronavirus

Mommies and daddies, how are you and your kids, holding up? It's been over three months since the mandated community quarantine due to Coronavirus. And, with the school year being pushed back for a few more months, we have no choice but to stay home with our kids for their safety.

This pandemic has sure taught us a lot of things such as, slowing down and spending more quality time with our family. I hope that you get to bond with your kids at home through active play activities, and not just through watching TV or videos online but playing as in actively playing. 

Bonding through playtime among parents and kids can tend to be a rare concept nowadays, but still very much important. Playtime between parents and kids doesn’t have to end at fun. |It’s also a way to keep kids active, and healthy- physically and mentally.

Work From Home Guides

No work no pay, no public transportation, stress, and earning money but at the risk of catching coronavirus. These are the daily struggles being experienced by a lot of workers amidst the pandemic.

7-day Menu Challenge: Safeguard yourself against COVID-19

It is without a doubt that meal planning has lots of benefits. First, it's less stressful as you don't have to worry about what to cook each day. Second, instead of worrying, you get to save time and spend it on other equally important things. Third, you also get to save money as you only have to buy the ingredients you need, according to your menu, which means less to zero food wasting. Lastly, since you get to plan, you are more likely to choose healthier meals. 

Steamed Cream Dory Fillet in Soy Sauce Recipe

I've been a homemaker ever since Jaear and I got married, but until now, meal planning or thinking about what to prepare every meal is still something I haven't mastered. I tried planning our meal weekly, it was great as it helped me save time and from last minute worries. But, the problem is, I keep on listing the same food over and over again. I only know of a few ulam to cook! Haha.

NOVUHAIR® BOOSTS OPTIMISM VIA FREE WORKOUT

NOVUHAIR® , the leading natural hair loss treatment in the Philippines, partnered with The Fit Filipino (FITFIL) Movement lead by Jim & Toni Saret, the brand’s VIP Fitness Coaches, to a FREE 20-day Facebook Live workout aimed at improving your wellness quotient goals through a “Bulletproof Immune System Activity Booster”. This workout program is designed to help beginners and complement the workout of those with active exercise routines.

Mother's Day 2020: ECQ Edition

I woke up early today from a long night of sleep. It's one of those rare moments when I get to sleep at night and it feels good! To those who don't know yet, I work-from-home on night shifts from Monday to Saturday. And on Sundays, which is my only day off, I sometimes stay up all night as well. I guess my body clock got used to my work schedule already. 

How to Make Heart Shaped Hot dogs with eggs

I cooked heart-shaped hot dogs with eggs last Valentine's Day. I've been meaning to write about our #TeamBahay Valentine's Day Celebration but for countless valid and not valid reasons, it just didn't happen. 

Mother's Day Greeting to the Real VIP's From Yorme!

Just one more sleep and it's Mother’s Day!

As the old adage goes, “Behind every great man there’s a great woman.” Mayor Francisco Domagoso or simply YORME, shares his heartwarming Mother’s Day message to a great woman behind his great success and to all the Filipino MOMS – the Real VIPs!

Photobook spreads joy by giving away 1M Photo Books!

Photobook has collaborated with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia and is bringing the magic of Disney in our home through our favorite memories- photos! Photobook launches collection featuring Disney and Marvel designs to make personalization more fun for families.

In celebration of this partnership, they are giving away 1,000,000 “Kids Fun Books”, a new series of personalized photo books featuring Disney and Marvel-inspired photo templates in the Philippines. With the Enhanced Community Quarantine extended in the country until the end of April, this gives parents opportunities to reconnect and bond with their kids through personalizing their own photo books.

“The collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia allows our consumers the ease and convenience to create unique one-of-a-kind-product personalization capabilities that offer our customers the ability to create their own stories and unique designs with over 100 product customers, especially during such times,” said Mr. Leow Wee Jonn, Chief Executive Officer of Photobook Worldwide.

Through this collaboration, customers can now immerse themselves in the world of Disney with their name, photo, or quote personalized on their photo books and lifestyle products featuring their favorite Disney and Marvel characters. This series features all-time fan favorites Mickey and Friends, Tsum Tsum, Disney’s Frozen, and Marvel characters. The collection will be available on a wide range of Photobook’s products such as photo books, sticker labels, notebooks, luggage tags, T-shirts, tote bags, baby bibs, photo magnets, laptop sleeves, tumblers and more.

Last- Minute Easter Fun Activities for Kids + Printables

Easter Sunday is surely one of the holidays a lot of kids look forward to. Why not, it's the day that Christ has risen and is worthy of a celebration.

Tristan, Athena, and Brianna are definitely one of those kids. Ever since they found out that it's Holy Week, they were already looking forward to Easter. These past few years, we only celebrate Easter by going out to eat, and just treat the kids with play dates and toys. It's been a while since we had those Easter parties where there are egg hunting, egg painting, and other Easter fun activities.

This year, I planned it to be different. Early this year I was scouting for Easter events we could attend. I actually planned a lot of activities for the kids this summer. I wanted to enroll them in McDonald's Kiddie Crew and also Music School. But, because of the pandemic caused by CoVid-19, all plans were put on hold.

Yesterday, Athena kept on reminding me that it's about to be Easter and seems to be looking forward to some Easter fun! I honestly didn't have a backup plan. We haven't gone out to the grocery for more than a week now and so we don't have any candies and chocolates for today, we have eggs but I didn't want to use it for egg painting because it would be a waste of food. But we got ice cream and some popcorn so I just have to think of last-minute Easter activities to make our Easter exciting. It's what kept me busy most of the day. And, thanks to the wonders of the internet,  we now have something fun to do today!

So if you are looking for last-minute Easter Fun Activities you can enjoy with your kids at home, check this out!

Free Printable Templates at the end of the post. 

"Get Well Soon" Cards for Covid-19 Patients

Day... of Quarantine Life. I honestly, never counted. LOL.

Last Sunday, I helped Tristan, Athena, and Brianna make "Get well soon" cards for the CoVid-19 patients of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). 

I learned about this from Go Jackie Go's IG story and immediately told my kids about it. 

We know too well how hard it is to be sick, being in the hospital alone, with no family around to look after you, or even visit is even harder. And, that is precisely each CoVid-19 patients are going through. I explained this to my kids and I guess that made them more eager to make the cards. 

SM is now online: My ShopSM Experience!

Did you know that SM now has its online store? Yes, you read that right! You can now shop the largest department store chain in the Philippines, online anytime, anywhere through shopsm.com. This is good news for people like me who love to shop online, even more so for people living in areas without a mall and would travel to a nearby town or even the Metro just to have access to The SM Store. 

Living in the Metro, you can find SM Malls everywhere, there are 2 SM's in our city alone. That's why it's our go-to-mall, not to mention it offers a wide range of products to choose from, it's not the largest department store for no reason. But with 3 kids in tow, who could be whiny, and unruly sometimes, shopping could be daunting, and the last thing on my list. So online shopping is the way to go!

I found out about ShopSM a day before Christmas, but only got to try it when the New Year came as I was already finished Christmas shopping. I didn't buy anything for myself last Christmas, so I thought of treating myself at the start of the year. So yes, my first ever purchase for the year was from ShopSM, and the experience itself was a total treat!