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!

Are You Sick of Leaking at the Most Inopportune Times? Take Back Control of Your Bladder Starting Today

Urinary incontinence (UI), or bladder leakage, can be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles. A number of health circumstances can lead to such a problem, including but not limited to childbirth, diabetes, increased aging, hysterectomy procedures, menopause, and elevated BMI.

So, how do you take back control of your bladder and eliminate leakage altogether?

Start by saying no to surgery.

Surgery can’t always fix the problem 100%. Plus, you have the pre-operative care, the post-operative care, and the procedure itself. It’s a big hassle, it’s an extra expense, and it’s unnecessary. You don’t always need surgery to get rid of UI.

Then, make sure you say no to medication, too.

You should only be on meds if there’s absolutely no other way to solve the health issue; fortunately, bladder leakage symptoms can be improved using alternative routes. 

Besides, who wants to be on medication to control UI for the rest of their lives?

Next, you’ll want to find a way to treat UI before it gets worse.

If you don’t solve the problem, it will get worse. A little bit of leakage will grow and turn into a lot a bit of leakage.

If you’re saying no to surgery, and you’re saying no to medications, what are you left to do?

Pelvic floor exercises can do the trick if you know how to properly perform the exercise.

Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 women perform pelvic floor exercise exercises to lessen their leakage problem. What’s more, is that only 25% of those women know how to perform the exercise correctly, leaving countless others to fend for themselves, with little to no progress in the bladder treatment department.*

With surgery, medication, and unguided pelvic floor exercises dismissed is there another way to get rid of leakage symptoms?

Fun day at KidZania Manila For The Launch of PROMIL® FOUR's Talent Development Center

Last Friday, December 6, 2019, I together with my not-so-little-girls, Athena and Brianna was at KidZanila Manila for the official launch of PROMIL® FOUR’s Talent Development Center, to help moms discover and nurture their children’s gifts.

It's been a while since I last attended events due to our current set up, working at home, no helper. Good thing there were no classes that Friday because it was a day after their school field trip. Also, I would gladly attend and support events that I believe in, and this is one of them. 

That day and the day after, I flooded my Instagram stories with photos and videos of the fun Athena, Brianna and I had They were excited to try almost every "job" available at the establishment. Though tiring, it was a joy seeing them having fun. Also, through playing and portraying each job, I could clearly tell which one they enjoy the most. 

Best Beaches Near Fort Myers

 

Image Credit: Pexels

Fort Myers, Florida is one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the state. Situated on the Eastern side of the state, Fort Myers is often overlooked when it comes to popular Florida vacation spots in favor of more popular cities like Miami and Orlando. However, anyone who has ever visited Fort Myers can attest to how breathtakingly beautiful it is. One of Fort Myers’ best assets is the abundance of beaches near the city. Whether you’re thinking about purchasing a piece of Fort Myers real estate or are simply planning to visit, here are a few of the best beaches the area has to offer.

Crescent Beach Family Park

Kicking off our list is Crescent Beach Family Park. Crescent Beach Family Park spans 2.25 acres of waterfront property in Fort Myers Beach, surrounded by 400 feet of pure white sand. The park is also known for being one of the most family-friendly areas in Fort Myers, as the beach is equipped with picnic tables, volleyball courts, and public restrooms, perfect for family outings. If you’re looking for a great place to spend a day with the family, Crescent Beach Family Park is a must-visit.

Dog Beach

For dog lovers everywhere, it doesn’t get much better than Fort Myers’ Dog Beach. Dog Beach is one of the most pet-friendly places in Fort Myers, and on any given day, tons of furry friends can be seen splashing around in the waves and playing in the sand. Note that you don’t have to have a dog to visit the beach- many animal lovers prefer to simply sit back and watch the pups play! If you do decide to bring your dog, the beach is equipped with shower stations to wash your pet before leaving, as well as a public restroom for humans.

Lovers Key State Park

Just as the name suggests, Lovers Key State Park is one of the most romantic beaches in Fort Myers. Accessible only by boat, Lovers Key State Park offers a more secluded option for anyone looking to escape to the beach for the day. The beach offers plenty to do for visiting couples, from kayaking and canoeing to bicycling and more. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or simply looking for something new to do as a couple, you can’t go wrong with Lovers Key State Park.

Newton Park

Newton Park is one of the most historic beaches in Fort Myers, making it a must-visit for history buffs. The beach is named after Jim and Ellie Newton, a husband and wife who were associates of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Charles Lindbergh. The Newton’s former home, the Seven Seas cottage, is still functioning to this day and is even available for special events! For a beautiful beach getaway with a little historical background, Newtown Park is not one to be missed!

5 Bonding Activities You Can Do with Your Children

"The bond between mother and child is unique and lasting, starting from pregnancy and influencing life well into adulthood. A mom is often the child’s first friend, playmate, and teacher."

In this fast-paced world, a modern working mom’s time with her child is incredibly limited. Being a work at home mom to 3 kids, without a household help nor a baby sitter, I see to it that I set time every day to bond with my children—and take every chance to turn regular activities into quality time for us.

There are various fun and educational activities moms can do with their kids every day. The kids will not only enjoy these activities but will also develop valuable skills and habits needed for life.

Cooking

If there’s one thing kids love doing, it’s eating! Since they already love to munch on their food, teaching them how to cook will make them appreciate what goes into their meal. This activity can make kids realize their dreams of becoming a chef—or help establish healthier eating habits at least.

Arts & Crafts

A child’s imagination and creativity know no bounds, that’s why it’s important to do activities that will help develop their artistic skills. Doing arts and crafts projects with your child will expose them to a world full of visual imagery, which can be a new channel of communication between parent and child.

Gardening

Growing a garden is a surprisingly relaxing way to teach kids about the importance of nature and the environment. It also teaches them to be responsible, as plants are placed under their care.

This activity might be a challenge for those living in small spaces or condominiums like us but it is possible. You can grow succulents or plants that can be planted in small pots. 

Playing Sports

Kids need to have fun and be active, and sports enables them to experience both. Physical activities such as running and playing badminton will give kids the energy and strength they need as they grow. Playing sports with your kids will also teach them how to play fairly and win a game with a ‘teammate’.

As for us, we love swimming and biking. I am looking into other sports that I could involve the kids into. 

Bath Time

One of the most relaxing and intimate bonding moments between a mom and her child is bath time. Bath time with the kids can be used as another means of communication between mother and child, creating conversations that both of them will fondly treasure. 

An activity as simple as bathing your toddler can create a lasting bond between a mom and her child. My kids could take a bath on their own especially our eldest, Tristan who is now 10 years old. But, sometimes, I still get to bathe with my 2 girls, Athena and Brianna. Making the most out of it while I still can!

Bath time with the kids isn’t only a great bonding activity, as it’s also one way of showing your kids the importance of taking care of their body, keeping their skin clean and from acquiring unwanted skin diseases. Cetaphil Baby further strengthens this bond thanks to their line of products that gently touches your toddler’s skin.

The Cetaphil Baby products are made up of ingredients that keep your child’s skin moisturized while also soothing sensitive skin, making it an ideal bath time essential for kids.

STRIPES RUN 2019: Run for Reading!

This year, McDonald's once again invites families and friends to pledge their support for children's literacy at Stripes Run 2019. Now on its 10th year, McDonald’s Stripes Run 2019 run for reading will be help on December 1, 2019 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

For the past 10 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in the Philippines has been the beneficiary of McDonald's Stripes Run. Proceeds of the annual fun run go to the Ronald McDonald Read to Learn - a beginning reading program for Grade 1 and 2 public elementary school students. In partnership with DepEd, it aims to eradicate illiteracy among Filipino children. To date, the Ronald McDonald Read To Learn program has reached over 12 million students, trained over 28 thousand educators, and distributed more than 367 thousand books.

Registration is quick and easy, with three possible options to choose from:

1. Register and pay online at mcdostripesrun.com.ph.

2. Download the form on mcdostripesrun.com.ph and pay for the registration fee at select McDonald’s stores.

3. Register and pay at select McDonald’s stores (View list of stores at https://mcdostripesrun.com.ph/how-to-join)

At an affordable price, you get a race kit with a Stripes Run shirt, 1 pair of Stripes Socks, 1 Race Bib, 1 McDonald’s Longgadesal, and 1 Race Map. Exciting game booths and activities also await the entire family and barkada during the run!

Kids and adults alike are welcome to run for reading with the various running categories to choose from:

• Kiddie stripes (1K) – 8 years old and below
• Young stripes (3K) – 8-15 years old
• 3K stripes – 16 years old and up
• Family stripes (3K) – 2 kids (15 years old and below) and 2 adults (16 years old and up)
• 5K stripes – 16 years old and up 
• Squad stripes (5K) – 4 adults (16 years old and up)
• 10K stripes – 16 years old and up

Get your family and friends to run with you at Stripes Run 2019! Share your experience by using the hashtag #McDoStripesRun and tagging @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. For more information on Stripes Run 2019, visit mcdostripesrun.com.ph or follow McDonald's Philippines on Facebook.

How We Make Toothbrush Time a Hapee Time!

October went by so fast! It only seems like yesterday when I was dressing up the kids with their Halloween costumes DIYed by me, of course. This year, we celebrated Haloween here in the condo again, that's two times in a row already. Though this year, we didn't go trick or treating, the kids still got a lot of candies from the party! I haven't stored their pumpkin pails yet, as there are still candies in it! Yes, I allow my kids to eat candy, but only 1 to 2 pieces a day, there are days when they don't get any. 

And, just right in time after Halloween, we got this box of Hapee-ness filled with Hapee Kiddie toothpaste! With so many candies waiting to be eaten, this box is a perfect reminder for Tristan, Athena, and Brianna to brush their teeth.

Well, I don't have any trouble getting them to brush their teeth anyway.

Okay, I said, "don't" not "didn't." I've also experienced, forcing a crying toddler to get to brush their teeth at one point (multiply it by 3 lol). I've been there too, so I know the struggle. And I'm glad we got passed that stage. Right now, the only setback is when they forget to brush their teeth, so I have to remind them sometimes, and they'd do it without any drama. 

How We Make Toothbrush Time a Hapee Time!

How did we do it? Well, it took a reasonable amount of time, a handful of patience, and some good old' techniques to make it work. Let me share some that worked for us!

1. Ever heard of the phrase "brushing alone is not enough"? Took it literally, so we brush our teeth together! One way to get the kids to do what you want is to lead by example. This way, we also get to show them how it is done correctly. 

2. Brushing may be fun when we do it together, but we also have to teach them how to do it independently. Let them do it alone (still with your supervision, of course) even if they are not doing it right the first few times. Let them enjoy it, they will learn eventually. Now, both Tristan and Athena are teaching their little sister Brianna how to brush her teeth!

3. Teaching them the importance of brushing their teeth and the benefit they will get out of it. Let them know that a happy and healthy kid has a clean and strong set of teeth. Instead of scaring them and telling them, "your teeth will fall off if you don't brush" or "you won't have any of this if you don't brush your teeth." 

4. Play fun music or set a timer when brushing your teeth to make sure they brush their teeth for 2 minutes.

5. Let them choose their toothbrushes or buy the ones in their favorite color or characters! 

6. This may be the last, but I believe it is a vital one. Make sure to choose the right toothpaste for kids. Make it colorful and flavorful, because if kids say it's yucky, they won't do it. 

Aside from that, the right toothpaste for kids contains a safe level of fluoride, just like Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste.

Look at all the colorful packaging and flavorful variants you and your kids can choose from! 

Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste is available in fruity flavors; Apple Crunch, Juicy Grapes Orange Squeeze, Strawberry Bloom, and Tutti Frutti Twist. There are also other sweet treats that kids love- the Bubblegum Pop, and Cookies and Cream Ahoy.

Kids can have one flavor every day! Isn't that exciting?

#MakeBrushTimeHapeeTime and your kids will surely not look at tooth brushing as a dreaded task. 

If this won't make your kids look forward to brushing their teeth, then I don't know what else will! 

Find out more about Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste, you may visit their Facebook Page here.

Add color to your diet with Australian Navel Oranges + Facts

The main variety of orange is the Navel which is usually seedless, easy to peel, skin, very sweet juicy

flesh, and a small protrusion at one end that resembles a human navel (hence the name of this variety)

Australian Navel Oranges are available and in season from June to October each year. Hort Innovation’s Taste Australia campaign is bringing the highest quality Navel Oranges back from Australia’s southeast regions to the Philippines. It aims to cement existing trade relations and develop new partnerships between the two countries.

Only sourced from the highest quality crops, Australian oranges are at their prime and Taste Australia encourages consumers to make the most of the peak season and indulge in this colorful, sweet, juicy and nutritious fruit.

And just in time for Trick or Treat, we received a small box of Australian Navel Oranges. I added it on top of the candies the kids got from the Halloween party!

Health benefits

Australian oranges are famous for its high Vitamin C content and natural flu-fighting properties. They are also high in antioxidants, fibre, folate and potassium. Australian oranges have numerous health and nutritional benefits including:

● Nutrient density which is great for weight control

● Good source of folate which is perfect for pregnant women (may help prevent spina bifida) and the rest of the family (helps the immune system and heart)

● Great for blood pressure control with high potassium and low salt

● Rich in antioxidants which helps keep you fit and healthy throughout the year.

Application and recipes

Australian oranges are incredibly versatile, making them the perfect anytime snack or addition to sweet or savory dishes. Oranges are a great alternative to a quick fix sugary drink or a chocolate bar as they contain carbohydrates and B vitamins.

Must-try recipes can be found at http://www.oranges.com.au/recipes.

Selection and storage at home

1. Make sure to select fruit that has bright orange skin, is firm, and feels heavy for its size (avoid

dry, wrinkled or softer looking orangesas they do not ripen further after harvest.).

2. Oranges can be stored for up to two weeks at room temperature, and longer when refrigerated.

● Store oranges unwashed as moisture on the skin can lead to mould.

● Either peel or wash oranges in cool water before slicing. If cutting, use a clean cutting board to prevent cross-contamination.

● Do not freeze oranges or store them below 3°C.

You still have time to try this delectable fruit at in-store and sampling sessions taking place at participating retailers such as Rustan’s, Shopwise, Wellcome, S&R, Robinson’s, SM and other major supermarkets. Consumers can also find participating retailers, view trending recipes, learn helpful tips and tricks, or be involved in the latest conversations by following Taste Australia - Philippines on @TasteAustraliaPhilippines on Facebook and @TasteAustraliaPH on Instagram.

Henry and Sons introduces transparency platform for coffee

In the recently concluded World Food Expo Manila, Henry and Sons President and CEO Michael Harris Conlin launched croptomarket.com—a digital transparency platform that displays a detailed information of coffee from the farmers to the retail market.

During his presentation in the forum “A Taste of the Cordillera” recently, Conlin explains how customers can access the transparency report on every can of coffee purchased from Henry and Sons. By scanning the QR code on the can, the website will appear on the screen that shows information about the farmer where the coffee cherries were purchased, and the process of roasting and manufacturing of the coffee beans until it reaches its target consumers. It also reveals the breakdown of cost of the product—from crop to market.

In partnership with the Saddle Hartwell Lumbag Coffee Growers Association through the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence, Henry and Sons also introduced the Nano Lots coffee series featuring the backyard farmers from Itogon, Benguet namely Lolita, Cayamdas, Hilda, and Rita. These coffee cans are the pioneer products to utilize the platform.

The Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence is the advocacy arm of Henry and Sons geared to address the major issues in the coffee farming industry. Its connection to the farmers began when the foundation provided an aid to the residents of Itogon, Benguet after typhoon Ompong struck the town in 2018. Mining, which used to be the community’s main source of livelihood, greatly contributed to the landslide that left the town devastated. Learning this, the foundation started to work with the farmers to help their town transform into a fully sustainable coffee growing community.

Conlin, who is also a social entrepreneur, aims to demonstrate transparency, accountability and trust throughout the agricultural value chain and to positively impact the Philippine agricultural sector through the new platform. “Now, the consumers can truly see how their hard-earned money helps the entire value chain,” Conlin states.

The featured coffees will be available at Rustan’s Department Store, The Giving Café, and at Henry and Sons’ e-commerce website TheVault.ph.

A Whole Effort for the Whole Child: How REX is leading the Whole Child Initiative in the Philippines

Ensuring a young learner’s future success is not defined solely by where and who they grew up with. A child’s upbringing is not defined by their circumstances, but by the conscious choices that those who support them make. What does it take to foster a learning environment that supports young learners? It takes action, and a deep sense of responsibility rooted in community support.

In the Philippines, education is considered as a cornerstone of helping the national economy thrive in a fast-paced world thatdemands new perspectives to answer the challenges and recognize the opportunities that today's realities serve. We live in spaces with so many diverse aspects that each contribute to how we look at ourselves and decide what to do in life, with the world out there. This is why it is important to build our capacities from multiple perspectives: to shape our intellectual, social, physical, emotional, artistic, and creative potentials. What does this mean for our young learners?

Shaped by the rapid advances in global industry and technology, young learners today have more privilege in terms of access to vast troves of information, all available at the touch of a button or the tap of a screen. However, digital connectedness and well-being are not really adequate measures of whether a child is learning and is steadily becoming independent, able to expand their own imagination, and always hungry to learn by both doing and taking apart what they already learned to make something new. 

The 21st century is an age of connectedness and speed, a time when technology and industry are seamlessly bound to make the world a better place, and transform how we live. With this in mind, what we need is a whole new approach to the ways with which we go about with education, how we prepare them for success in life.

The Whole Child Initiative is a philosophy centered on holistic practices and methods that develops and prepares students by attending to a learner’s multifaceted needs: not just the academic aspect, but also, and more importantly, a learner’s psycho-social and emotional development. By considering the learner as an individual within a community, the Whole Child Initiative creates a bond between teachers, schools, parents, and the entire community, fostering awareness and openness to help shape and sustain learning environments into safe spaces for growth, learning, and the fulfillment of every child’s potential for success. 

Through its critical thinking and inquiry-based methodology, the Whole Child Initiative aims to provide a well-rounded education, geared especially toward young learners. It is through this core concept of a well-rounded education that the Whole Child Initiative strives to help young learners become successful in later life without unnecessarily straining or pressuring them to merely excel in academics, given how academic excellence in itself is not an adequate measure of a happy and fulfilling life.

As a holistic approach, the Whole Child Initiative is guided by human values that have a universal resonance: compassion and peace. The campaign for the Whole Child commits itself to uplift all learners and help transform how we experience education into something that they could cherish and look back with gratitude, one that they will keep and treasure for a lifetime.

For over 69 years, REX has continuously evolved as the leading learning solutions provider in the Philippines. REX envisions a bright future for every Filipino learner, a future where they may reach for their dreams and become whole and joyful persons ready to contribute to society, committed to helping build the nation forward.

At REX, everything is done to nurture and serve, for the child (“Para sa Bata”). From publishing superior learning materials, to providing ISO-certified printing services, to holding relevant professional development seminars for educators and school administrators, all these works are part of the vision of the Whole Child: a child who’s safe, healthy, challenged, supported, and engaged.

REX is the premiere Philippine partner of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the main international organization campaigning for the Whole Child Approach. The REX and ASCD’s partnership has helped introduce and widen the acceptance of holistic learning strategies for next-gen education in the Philippines, all aligned with the country’s current transition to fully implementing K-12 education policies, as well as the new General Education Curriculum (GEC).

To learn more about REX's leading efforts towards creating sustainable learning environments for the Whole Child, read about their work here: http://www.rexpublishing.com.ph/whole-child-initiative/

What's New with Brownies Unlimited?

Jaear and I may be the opposite in so many things, but we have one thing in common, we both love sweets! That's why when I got invited to the Brownies Unlimited event last August 10, I did not hesitate!

Did you know that Brownies Unlimited first opened as a corner counter in SM Makati in 1988 Yes! They've been selling delectable brownies for more than 30 years now while keeping the quality of the ingredients and processes, and keeping the prices affordable!

Growing up in the province, I first got introduced to Brownies Unlimited around the year 2009 when I was already in college and can travel by own to Baguio City. I've always loved their brownies, sylvanas and their munchies! And since I moved to Manila where I have easy access to the malls, Brownies Unlimited has been one of our choices for pasalubong. 

So what's new with Brownies Unlimited? 

Brownies Unlimited continues to grow with more branches and has opened its doors to franchising. And, last August 10, they opened their first flagship store located at the 2nd floor of SM Makati. I spent my Saturday morning literally in sweet paradise! 

I together with fellow mommy bloggers got to peek on their new products! There's Brownie Pizza that comes in S’mores and Cosmic flavors. Surprisingly, Brownies Unlimited has its own ice cream, the Scoopery which is made with real and natural ingredients! I literally just found out about it during the event. They have delightful flavors such as the tasty Toasted Marshmallow, delectable ice cream with toasted marshmallows on top, and the Molten Brownie, a freshly baked brownie topped with your favorite ice cream. 

I even got the chance to make my own brownie pizza during the event! I regret not bringing the kids with us, so we just took home some pasalubong for them and they loved it!

Finally, here's another thing to look forward to with Brownies Unlimited. They can make any event super special with their Dessert Table! They even offer a "Make Your Own Brownie Pizza station". 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pearl Paguio (@shesthemomblog) on Sep 8, 2018 at 9:10pm PDT

For Athena's 6th birthday last year, we bought Brownies Unlimited cupcakes which we were supposed to give to her classmates but she got sick so we just organized a small party at home.

Planning for a party?  Here's a list of their Dessert Table Packages:

I really had a great time at the event. And I made a short about the event which I also posted on Facebook and Instagram:


What are you waiting for? Let’s all grab a bite and make our cheat days worth it. Tag everyone
along and make sure not to miss out on this brownie lovers’ paradise!

For more exciting promos and updates, follow @BrowniesUnlimited on Facebook and Instagram.

Comfort and Quality Sleep With Mr. Big Pillows

I used to think that buying a pillow only depends on the texture and what it is made of until I learned about Mr. Big. Pillow. 

Mr. Big Pillow is a brand of pillows, toppers, and mattresses. Its founder - Mr. Chawakit Kaoien is a physical therapist thus, he designed ergonomic pillows, toppers, and mattresses that work in harmony with our body.

Last month, at the SM Home Fair, I learned that there is a perfect pillow for everyone and in choosing that perfect pillow we need to consider our body structure, height, weight, health condition, and sleep style. Because apparently, using the wrong pillow has its consequences.  

I am hugging a Body Scale 2 pillow here.

Mr. Big has Body Scale Pillows which may look like the normal rectangular pillow but they are not.

There are 5 body scale pillows for different body types. This kind of pillow fits well to the shape of the head and neck and firm enough for your head’s weight and shoulders width.

I am a combination of a back and side sleeper so the perfect body scale pillow for me is the Body Scale No. 2. 

The price of the Body Scale Pillow starts at Php 2,499.

An Orthocurve pillow,  a 20 x 50-inch body pillow where I can rest my arms, leg, torso, or hip on it to get support and feel more comfortable when I'm on my side and is also ideal for me.

Though I am a combination of back and side sleeper, I feel like I am more of a side sleeper. I also have scoliosis and according to them, I should sleep more on the side which doesn't have the curve. 

That's why Mr. Big's Posture Care Products also suit me! 

These are full-support Positioning Pillows that provide support right where you need. It supports you from head to leg, wraps you with correct spine alignment. It suits side sleepers like me who often lack support.

Nine Pillow

Jay Pillow 

I really like the Nine Pillow but as it turns out, the Jay Pillow is more suitable for me. It supports as much as Nine Pillow, only I'll get even more snuggle fit with Jay because I am less than 165 cm tall.

The price of both pillows is around Php 6,000 each. I need to save up for this!

Aside from the ergonomic comfort that Mr. Big Pillow provides, another thing that I love about it is that it is made with Elasta fiber. It is soft, hypoallergenic, washable and it doesn't clump, unlike other pillows we've tried. It is Brianna's new favorite pillow, look at that smile!

As I said before, sleep is a necessity, but with the many demands in this fast paced world, 24 hours seem not enough to do what we have to do. Thus, sleeping becomes a luxury. But even with a short amount of sleep, it is still possible to get a quality one if we choose the right pillow according to our body's need. You may think that Mr. Big is expensive but it is worth it. 

The rule of thumb is to replace your pillow every 1 to 2 years but with Mr. Big Pillow, you can actually use it longer than that. Here's a tip on how to keep your pillow last longer, throw in some pillow protector the next time you go shopping. Thank me later!

Want to know the right type of pillow for you? Visit this page to find  out!

Our Akemi PH Experience

In one of my previous posts, I talked about Home Improvement Hacks featuring Akemi PH. I also posted about the SM Home Fair which was held last June 28-30, at SMX Convention Center, MOA complex. Did you get the chance to visit it? I did! And, I visited the Akemi PH booth

As a mom, I really find it fun shopping for home essentials, and of course, that includes pretty, comfortable and quality bedding. But to be honest, I am quite naive when it comes to the technicality or nitty-gritty aspect, all I know is that, it should be aesthetically pleasing and something that will make me look forward to sleeping every night.

I also wanted an all white bedding, just like what you see in hotels because it looks really neat. But I guess, I have to hold off for a while, 3 kids could really be messy!

Good thing, Akemi PH has wide range of elegant bedding collection. It's so hard to choose! But apart from the elegant looking bedding, Akemi PH boasts of their technology which they call the Tencel technology.

Again, I am not good with the technicalities but hey, everyday is a great day to learn something new!

So, What is Tencel?

Tencel fibers are the ingredient of choice for mills, designers and brands focused on a better approach to comfort. Born from nature with a silky-soft texture, Tencel unveils a new standard of conscious fashion and interiors. As they say, a touch of Tencel is as good as it makes you feel! Fascinating, isn't it?

Our Akemi PH Experience

I took home this 3 set queen-sized bedding from the SM Home Fair. It's our first Akemi PH bed set and I can say that I love it! Indeed, it's soft and gentle to the touch that offers long lasting comfort which is suitable even to those who have sensitive skin. Although it is soft to the touch, you can really feel that it is high quality and durable. It's fabric is also breathable that it supports our body's natural thermal regulation. 

Another thing that I love about it is that it has moisture management feature that absorbs moisture efficiently, making it unfavorable for bacterial growth. Now, I'll feel less guilty if I don't get to change our bedding regularly. LOL!

Overall, I love our bedding and I highly recommend Akemi PH. There's nothing compared to the feeling of lying down on a your bed after a tiring day. A 3-piece set costs Php 3,600 but I can say that it is a wise investment. 

You can check Akemi PH on Facebook.