Mommy Milkshare: Milk Drive Event to Benefit Fabella Milk Bank

Breastfeeding is best for babies. The World Health Organization states why it is so on their website, and also emphasizes that breastfeeding benefits the mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies.  

The reality though is that some mothers have the misconception that if they can't produce milk after giving birth, then they wont have milk at all thus they resort to formula feeding. This was  me with my two previous pregnancies, though I was able to breastfeed our eldest for a couple of months but eventually mixed fed. With our second baby, I never got the chance to breastfeed her at all. However, with our youngest, I was already equipped with right information thus I chose to breastfeed her for more than 2 years. It was not easy, there were a lot of struggles but we eventually survived it thanks to the breastfeeding support group I joined on Facebook, and of course support from the people around me especially my husband. I believe that breastfeeding should be given an importance in our country, we need to disseminate correct information to all expectant mothers in every community to encourage more women to choose breastfeeding. 

On the other hand, there are mommies who might not be able to breastfeed their children immediately after birth for legitimate medical reasons. There are also babies whose mothers may have passed away yet still need to be nourished with breast milk. 

In cases like these, milk donations or milksharing are usually the solution. It should be noted, though, that donor milk should be screened as much as possible, to ensure that it is safe and clean for the babies who will receive it. 

Are you a breastfeeding mom, or a mom who believes in the importance of breastfeeding? Then you will probably also consider milksharing or donating one’s breastmilk to be a noble endeavor. Here in the Philippines, human milk banks are actually always in need of breastmilk donations, so it is good to be aware of efforts to collect human milk – like the upcoming “Mommy Milkshare” event organized by The Parenting Emporium and Honeysuckle Philippines (which is actually on its second run; the first run was held in September last year.) 

Scheduled for August 13, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Parenting Emporium (No. 29, 1st Street, New Manila, QC), breastfeeding mothers are invited to donate their excess breastmilk for the benefit of Fabella Human Milk Bank.Donors can choose to bring frozen breastmilk (must be expressed between June to August 2016)or express milk onsite. 

In gratitude to the generous milk donors, VPharma’s Mega Malunggay, Mommy Treats, and Honeysuckle – brands that support milksharing – willbe giving discounts on select items. Mommy Milkshare participants will also receive loot bags as a “bonus” for their kindness, which is why they are also asked to register for the event via 0917-8110821. 

So, if you are a breastfeeding mom who wants to share her “milky blessings,” head on over to The Parenting Emporium this Saturday! Your efforts and kindness will help many babies who are supported by Fabella Human Milk Bank.

Note: If you want to donate breastmilk but can’t come to Mommy Milkshare, you may contact Nurse Katrina of The Parenting Emporium at 7253723 or 7386272, and ask how to donate to the TPE Milksharing Hub.

Pest Off! Rat Glue Board and Cereal Bait: Product Review + Giveaway

"You pesky little critter I thought you were cute now you're just a little pain in our boot. 

You pesky little critters turning things upside down, you're messing up our friendly little town."

So this song from Sheriff Callie is the first thing that I thought of when I hear the word rat. (This is what happens when kids take over the television. LOL!) Though personally I don't find rats really cute. They look scary especially the big ones, they nibble on foods, nip on clothes and other stuff and they are filthy. What's even more scary is that they carry health threatening diseases, such as leptospirosis which is prevalent during rainy seasons. And boy am I glad that we don't have to deal with this pesky little critters here in the condo, well none that I know of. However, it's the opposite in Jaear's family house in Manila. That's why when I was given a box full of Pest Off! Rat Control products I knew it would be in good use. 

Pest Off! is a brand owned by Global Winds Corporation, a duly registered company with the Food and Drug Administration as a Household /Urban Hazardous Substance Distributor/Importer/Wholesaler. Pest Off! carries a wide variety of extensive insect and rat control products that has every family's well-being in mind.

Pest Off! sent me their 2 Rat control product line; the Ready to Use Cereal Bait and the Glue Boards.

Pest Off! Ready-to-Use Cereal Bait contains 2nd generation anticoagulant compound, Brodifacoum. Anticoagulants prevent blood clotting that leads to internal haemorrhaging and eventually to death of the rodent.

What I liked about the Pest Off! Ready-to-Use Cereal Bait

• Effective- Since it contains 2nd generation anticoagulant, it effectively and efficiently eliminates rats and mice in just a single feeding. 
• Affordable- It's affordable compared to other brands. Other brands also contain 1st generation anticoagulants Warfarin & Coumatetralyl which requires multiple doses so Pest Off! lasts longer.

Con:  

• Cereal baits are poisonous and by far the least humane way to deal with rats. It sure is effective but it doesn't take effect instantly, rats still get the chance to run and hide so you still have to hunt for the dead stinking rat. 

Pest Off! Glue Boards on the other hand are the ultimate and modern rat and mice catching traps. It contains super adhesive and non-toxic glue that catches pesky rodents.

Considering that rats vary from house hold to house hold, Pest Off! provides consumers with 8 varieties of Pest-Off Glue Boards fit for the consumer's problems and needs.

 2 pcs. per set of unscented Cardboard Glue Board (Php142.75) and  Word Board Glue Board (Php148.75)

2pcs. Pest-Off Rat Catcher Plastic Board with Peanut and Cheese Attractant Scent (Php157.25)

4 pcs. Pest-Off Rat Catcher Plastic Board in unscented (Php90.25), Peanut and Cheese Attractant Scent (Php96.25)

Pest-Off! Glue Boards' super adhesive glue practically looks like "water in a shallow container". Because according to studies, rat's main important consumption is water; they need ½ to 1 ounce of water as it cannot survive long without it. So this design somehow lures the rats and mice to drink they eventually get trapped and die.

We are currently here in Manila for the wake of Jaear's grandmother who just died last Friday (a very sad event) so we got to test all the glue boards as well.

What I liked about the Glue Boards: 

• Convenient- It's easy to use, just place them on the usual travel routes of mice and rats. Disposal is also hassle free, just place the board together with the rat and place in a tightly tied plastic bag.
• Effective- As long as it's placed on the usual routes, rats will get trapped on the super adhesive glue. Rats can be seen dead right on their tracks therefore, no need to look for stinking and rotting rats all over the house.
• Safe- The adhesive glue is non toxic so it's safe for everyone. In case a body part gets in contact with the adhesive, simply wipe away with baby oil or mineral oil and then wash with water and soap. 
• Affordable- Compared to other brands, Pest Off! is more affordable with more varieties to choose from.

I actually couldn't think of anything that I'd like to change about the glue boards, I like everything about it and I highly recommend it to everyone. 

Just in time for the rainy season wherein flooding is highly anticipated, together with it comes a dreaded disease, leptospirosis and over 70 other health threatening diseases and serious infections. So it's really important to clean our house and get rid of those pesky critters. And to help you with that, I am giving away 2 Pest Off! Rat Control product line worth Php1,000 each to 2 lucky readers!

Winning is easy peasy, just enter and earn raffle entries through the rafflecopter widget below: 

P.S. I'll verify each entries at the end of the giveaway period so please make sure to follow mandatory steps to qualify. Thank you for your usual support!

Good luck everyone!

Kenwood Launched in the Philippines

I love to cook, but no I'm not an expert not even close. Good thing I have Google to save my butt in the kitchen. I mostly rely on Google for recipes and almost any questions I have related to cooking. Lol! But I've always dreamed of having a spacious kitchen complete with all the high quality kitchen appliances there is. I believe that having complete kitchen appliances will further motivate me to be the best cook I can be.

Who wouldn't be right? That's why I was eager to attend the launching of a famous and iconic British brand here in the Philippines. I was excited to see the range of products that they offer.

The event was held last July 21, 2016 at the Residence of the British Ambassador to the Philippines, Honorable Asif Ahmad in North Forbes Park. 

Kenwood has revolutionized home cooking and pioneered kitchen automation since 1947. It was founded by Kenneth Wood and  in 2,000 Kenwood joined De'Longhi Group which opened up a new era of expansion. Today, Kenwood is present in over 40 countries and produces over 200 different models. For over 60 years their most important mission is to delight customers and make their experience in the kitchen both easier and more rewarding. 

The event launched Kenwood's award-winning products which are driven by quality, innovation and design. Top Culinary Schools in Metro Manila; Enderun, CCA, ISCAHM and Southville Foreign University also participated by showcasing Filipino local food with a British twist that they prepared using Kenwood appliances. 

I personally liked the Kare-Kare Tortellini and the Filipino-British meat pie

with arroz ala cubana filling. 

 This British Flag themed cupcake pull parts are pretty, you don't wanna ruin it.

It was also thrilling to be able to witness the British Ambassador, Honorable Asif Ahmad do a live cooking demo, of course with the use of Kenwood appliance. 

For the event, Kenwood also collaborated with Mini Cooper to put on a show to everyone who attended. I can't believe what I witnessed in front my very eye, a Kenwood Mixer pulling/towing the Mini Copper with 4 people in it! Just wow! It only goes to show how sturdy Kenwood products are. 

Watch the video here:

It's no surprise that Kenwood won over 38-member jury of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2015 beating 4,928 entries from 56 countries. Throughout the world and across different industries, Red Dot is seen as the award for high design quality. The international Red Dot jury bestows the sought-after seal of quality only to those products that stand out clearly from comparable entries thanks to their excellent design.

With my blogger friends Lhyzie and Eihdra.

The night was filled with sumptuous food, unlimited drinks and ended with a raffle. I won a Demo and Tasting GC to Enderun Colleges and my blogger friend Eihdra won a Kenwood Food processor, so lucky! How I wish to have my own Kenwood appliances in my kitchen too! 

Looking to the future, Kenwood’s aim is to carry on serving the needs of people's changing lifestyles — setting the standard for affordable, high quality innovation for millions of customers all over the world. And, I'm glad that Kenwood products are now available in the Philippines, so if you have passion for cooking like I do, then you should check out Kenwood product and share with me your experience!