Mommy Tips to Save Time in the Kitchen

Mother's are often expected to be a superwoman, juggling roles as a mom, a wife, a cook, a housekeeper, and a caregiver for the elders, and many others. By learning ways to become more efficient in performing household chores, moms can also have time to take care of themselves, and enjoy more precious moments with their loved ones. 

Below are some tips for moms to save time in the kitchen:

Be organized. “A place for everything, and everything in its place” is an incredibly useful advice to stick to. By keeping things organized in the kitchen – from the kitchenware and cutlery, to the condiments and cleaning tools, mothers will not waste time looking for the things they need.

Scout for ready-made cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit the kitchen and serve as storage for various items. If you have the budget, you can hire a custom-maker of cabinets and a kitchen organizer, so that slots and nooks can be created to address the family’s unique makeup – for example, families with small children who want sharp objects in hard-to- reach places, or those who want to maximize a small space. This way, the arrangement of objects will be intuitive, and there will be less temptation to mess it up. Other members of the family must also be taught to respect the order of things, as their contribution to keeping the house tidy.

Prepare (and use) ingredients and cookware smartly. Related to the first tip, an organized mom prepares all the ingredients and cookware before she starts cooking. This way, she does not run to the pantry and to the fridge each time she needs something. Then, she uses time-saving kitchen tools, including food processor for faster slicing, or blender to puree ingredients that can serve as instant
sauce or soup thickener. Ingredients like garlic or onions should be prepared in batches, and stored for future use. The order of the cooking should be smart, too: dishes that only require light sauteeing should come before those that will have strong flavors, so that the same pan or cauldron can be used even without washing. Furthermore, cookware should be washed immediately after (or soaked in water) so that it is easier and faster to remove the dirt.

Plan a weekly menu. Having a weekly menu can excite the whole family. Even better, it lets the mom plan the cooking wisely. Planning to have vegetables as a siding for fish? The veggies can be placed in a steamer on top of the rice. Meat, which usually takes a long time to soften, can be used as a main dish, but some can be set aside to spice up the dishes for the next day.

A weekly menu can especially help moms who prepare packed lunch and snacks for the family. If they are particularly pressed for time, they can place the cooked dishes in microwaveable containers, and just reheat them on the day these will be eaten.

Use efficient fuel that’s safe for the family. For your cooking needs, choose an LPG brand that bears the mark of safety and quality. When fuel is manufactured according to the highest standards, it becomes every smart mother’s trusted partner for efficient cooking.

Go with a good brand like Solane, which is backed by its manufacturer’s guarantee of superior product quality, safety, and exact weight. To order today, call Solane’s Hatid Bahay hotline number 887-5555 or visit www.solane.com.ph.

Disclaimer: Photos are not mine. Photos are all from Google

You Can Be Anything Day with Barbie

I'm pretty sure everyone knows who Barbie is, right? It's every little girl's must have toys, then and now. 

Last year the makers of Barbie launched Barbie Career dolls in the market stepping up its game by not only promoting the brand as an aspiring and premium asset girls can have during their childhood years, but also as their lifetime partner and compatriot while they try to reach their ultimate life goals.

Barbie continues to uplift the young generation today with its latest campaign,“You Can Be Anything” that aims to inspire young girls in believing that they are capable of achieving their dreams and that with Barbie,they can be anything.

In line with Barbie’s latest campaign, Richprime Global Inc., in partnership with Toy Kingdom and The SM Store springs up with the You Can Be Anything Day, a fun filled whole day event that lets girl dreamers explore different inspiring careers. Experience to be a Newscaster, a Pastry Chef, an Artist, a ramp model and many more. Exclusive Barbie activities, amazing prizes and surprise celebrity guests await families and kids on this very exciting day.

Event attendees will be entitled for a Pink Passport that will serve as their pass for the following activities: 

• Get yourself dolled up as a true Fashionista with hair styling and face paint in Barbie’s very own Pink Salon.

• Be creative and show the Barbie Stylista that you are! Enjoy themed-costumes to play dress-up and a chance to walk the runway after your fashion makeover at Barbie’s Fashion Closet.

• Our Barbie Pastry Chefs just opened the bakeshop for some sweet treats! Just follow the steps on the wall at Barbie’s Doll’icious Bakeshop to enjoy your own Barbie Cupcake or cookies.
• Get ready to hit the spotlight as a B- TV News Anchor and deliver the daily news by doing your very own video as a newscaster from the Barbie’s B- TV Station. 
• Show off your artistic side and make everyone jealous with your artworks, at B- Artistic booth.

To join this event, just follow these easy steps 

1. Buy P 1000 worth of any Barbie merchandise from participating The SM Store and Toy Kingdom Outlets from April 29 to May 29.
2. Present your single or accumulated receipt at the registration area of the event on May 29 at SM Mall of Asia Atrium.
3. Get your Barbie Pink Passport from Richprime representatives to enjoy pinktastic weekend with Barbie!

Turn your dreams in to reality and make the runway your new playground this May 29 at SM Mall of Asia Atrium. See you there!

To know more about "You Can Be Anything Day" visit or follow Barbie on their Social Media Platforms, Facebook (BarbiePHOfficial) and Instagram (@BarbiePHOfficial). Barbie is exclusively distributed by Richprime Global Inc.here in the Philippines. Visit their website at www.richprime.net to learn more about our products.

Catching the Butterflies: International Thyroid Awareness Week

In celebration of the 2016 International Thyroid Awareness Week, a week-long event with the theme  “Catching Butterflies: Spotting the Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders in Children.” will be culminated on May 28, 2016 at Fisher Mall Event Center. 

The International Thyroid Awareness Week's (ITAW’s) objective is to help mothers and pregnant women spot the signs and symptoms early so they can be cured treated and children can then live normal and healthy lives afterwards.

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped organ in the neck, and produces thyroid hormone. Not a lot of people know how important the thyroid is when it comes to growth and development. If something is

wrong with the thyroid, it can result to hormonal imbalances that if undiagnosed and left untreated, can have a harmful effect on brain development, growth, puberty and well-being. 

Thyroid disorders affect millions of Filipinos, yet very few are aware of them. One in 11 Filipino adults has goiter, and around one in 12 Filipino adults suffers from some form of thyroid disease. It is estimated that eight out of every 1000 children worldwide are affected by thyroid disease.

Awareness should never be overlooked because it could save someone’s life and help so many other people in the process. The (ITAW) is the perfect opportunity to learn more about how the thyroid gland and the thyroid disorders that affect one’s metabolism. 

The “Catching Butterflies: Spotting the Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders in Children”  event will have two colorful mascots representing the two different thyroid disorders.

HYPO, the green-blue, slow and sluggish butterfly represents hypothyroidism; and HYPER, the pink, thin and overly active butterfly represents hyperthyroidism. Apart from being very colorful, the two mascots show how thyroid disease can affect children’s minds, bodies and metabolism.

The use of the HYPO and HYPER mascots makes it easier for both children and parents to understand the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It also gets rid of the fear of disorders since it is much easier to grasp thanks to the mascots’ descriptions. 

Apart from having a lecture, there will also be a screening and a checkup for those with the symptoms of thyroid disorder, as well as consultation and compliance in treatment.

The “Catching Butterflies” event will cover more than just health awareness; there are tons of events that will make it enjoyable. Going with the theme of pretty butterflies to represent the thyroid gland, there will be exciting prizes, butterfly clay art, caricature, cookies, dance numbers, mascots, and so much more.

Practical Fitness Hacks for Moms by Jeunesse Anion

While receiving gifts and arranging something special on Mother’s Day is lovely, there’s nothing like a fit and fabulous body as a mission to ensure you’re able to wear the many hats you juggle everyday. Whether you’re a new mom or firmly decided about being more active and healthy for yourself and your family, here are some practical tips that you can take heart to get you motivated and whip back into shape—right in the comfort of your own home especially when you’re on a period.

According to Dr. Ian, a dedicated multi-sport, endurance and CrossFit athlete, you can do exercises that will loosen up the cramps and dysmenorrhea. “Make sure to go slowly and choose workouts that you can sustain and safe for you. Mind your changing time every after four hours to prevent leaks and to keep yourself odor and bacteria-free. With Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin, you’re armed with triple dose of comfort and protection since it’s liniment-free, uses non-toxic glue, thin but highly absorbent to keep your form on point. Apart from these, if you’re a mom who just gave birth, rest assured that the materials and process in developing Jeunesse Anion are totally safe and secure for you."

So here are few things to do and be your best: 

1. Don’t procrastinate.

Working out is hard and finding the motivation is harder. No matter how “blah” you feel, just put on your workout clothes and consider it as your sleep wear so you don’t have an excuse to work out as soon as you wake up. Guaranteed, after you look the part, you’ll feel the need and will have a greater excitement about it.

2. The internet is your best friend.

YouTube offers easy to follow to the most intense home exercises that will encourage movement and consistency without breaking the bank. Remember when navigating for a tutorial, choose to do workouts with equipment you already have at home such as dumbbells, jumping rope and a mat.

3. Free fitness apps are a-plenty.

From tracking down how many calories you consume and how many calories you burn to making sure you have a workout schedule to follow, fitness apps are great to have because it’s all there, right in the palm of your hands. What’s even better is they’re fee! Check out RunKeeper, Daily Yoga, StrongLifts 5x5, Nike + Training Club, Sworkit Lite Personal Workout, 7-Minute Workout, and Zombies Run!

4. Incorporate your family into your workout.

No dumbbells, no problem. Toddlers and babies make great substitutes for “weights” turning your workouts into a full-blown family affair and a great way to introduce fitness and a chance to have fun with exercise. When working out with your teens and husband, consider planking, squats, push-ups, crunches, side leg raises, burpees, mountain climber, and butterfly kicks as your basic exercise variations to regularly confuse your muscles and gain strength. Triathlete Ian Banzon, MD also suggests to do variety of exercises every two weeks.

5. Mind your diet.

Bear in mind that getting fit is not just about working out, 70% depends on a good diet. Philippine and US registered dietitian-nutritionist Cheshire Que, RND, RN, RDN, food and fluid are essential elements for the success of your workout. “An hour or two before exercise, eat a light snack that has a combination of carbohydrates for energy and some protein for muscle growth and repair. After the session, no need to eat with guilt as refueling within 15 minutesafter exercise is essential to replace fluid loss. However, it’s not an excuse to binge and aim to consume what’s only in your total caloric allowance for the day. Otherwise, you’ll gain weight and your exercise will be futile”, she adds.

There’s nothing like the month of moms that will ignite our commitment to wellness. As primary nurturers of the family, don’t miss on goals and activities that will add value to your calling. Because for us, a healthy and whole light of our homes mean a happy and vibrant family!

Wellgold International Inc. distributes Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and Liners and currently available at Watsons, selected Mercury Drug and South Star Drug outlets, SM department store’s health and beauty section, Robinson’s Supermarket, Shopwise, Rustan’s, Waltermart, Landmark Department store, UP Town Center’s Merkado Department Store, PCX stores, selected Metro Gaisano outlets, selected LCC Malls in Bicol, plus other stores nationwide. You can also purchase online with free delivery via www.lazada.com.ph. For more information, log on to www.jeunesseanion.com and follow Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Jeunesse Anion. For inquiries, email: wellgoldinternational@gmail.com or call (02) 4701294.

Powerpuff Girls Mama Jamma’s Day Out: A Cartoon Network's Tribute to Supermoms

Being a mom has always made feel like a super hero! I have the power to make the pain of the boo-boo go away just by kissing it, I get to juggle many things at the same time, survive sleepless nights and so on. Where do I get my superpowers from? Of course, my kids! Their laughter, their innocence, their love is what empowers me. 

“So once again, the day is saved. Thanks to The Powerpuff Girls!” The citizens of Townsville are always grateful to the superhero trio for saving the world before bedtime. In reality, our days are saved mostly by superheroes who have been with us since day one – our mothers – and more often than not, we forget to thank them for all the great things they have done.

I always celebrate the day I became a mother and last May 8, 2016, Cartoon Network treated over 5,000 moms and their kids to The Powerpuff Girls Mama Jamma’s Day Out at the Activity Center in Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.

We got the chance to meet and greet the Power Puff Girls. The kids were very happy and that makes me the happiest too! Brianna can't get her eyes off Bubbles, she was stunned by her as her favorite color is yellow! Athena was a bit scared with mascots but still gladly posed with them, cute! Look at Tristan's smile, he was claiming that Blossom's touched her. Haha!

We also enjoyed the Mayor of Townsville’s Photobooth, where we posed like we’re flying over the city of Townsville; 

There was a Chemistea Lab, where kids concocted their own delicious beverages; and Bento Baon, where moms and kids bonded over learning how to prepare super-cute, crafty and yummy lunchboxes perfect for school.

In addition, kids also took part in Poaky Oaks Art Classes where they learned to make their own Pillow Puff pillows, design their own picture frames, inflate their own balloons and have their face and body painted. To make this Mother’s Day more memorable, kids were also encouraged to create their own Powerpledge Accessories and exercise their creativity as they make their little promises to their moms. Nothing says “I love you, mom” more than a well-kept promise.

The Powerpuff Girls Mama Jamma’s Day Out was hosted by Karel Marquez, with performances by the Pop Girls and special appearance from celebrity mom Camille Prats and her son. 

For more information, visit the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1127863173911696. 

Catch Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup every weekday at 5:45pm as part of Laughternoons only on the number one kids’ channel, Cartoon Network! Cartoon Network is available on SKYCable Channel 43, SKYCable HD Channel 178, Cignal Channel 35, Cignal HD Channel 110, Destiny Cable (Digital) Channel 43, Destiny Cable (Analog) Channel 51 and Cable Link Channel 26, Dream Satellite Channel 15.