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!

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.