Happy First Month, Tiki!

Today, my lovely baby niece turns one month old! Isn't she a cutie? She's the newest darling in the family as my parents do not have a granddaughter yet. Actually, Tiki's the first granddaughter in my brother-in-law's side of the family, too. That makes her so adorable to everyone including me. Argh! I want to have a baby girl so badly! Now na! As in! Hahaha!

Tiki is getting bigger every day that most relatives think she looks like a five-month old baby already. The new dad has been complaining of how heavier she has become in the past few weeks. At least, his muscles will get bigger from all the carrying he's been doing. It appears that carrying Tiki has the same body building effect as tonalin cla!

Today, I wish her good health. I also pray that she'll grow up to be as smart as her Kuya Rap and Kuya Clyde. Lastly, I wish that she'll give my sister more sleepless nights so that she can finally repay all our mom's sacrifices. (Serves her right for not giving me the Carbonara that she cooked today for their mini-celebration,LOL!)

Happy One Month Birthday, Tiki Girl! Wavyu!

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Our "Spoiled" Dogs

When I posted this photo in my Facebook wall, a lot of friends thought we've gone all the way in spoiling our dogs. The dogs have a small fan that we switch on during the hot afternoons. Is this considered spoiling? I don't think so. Like humans, dogs also suffer from the hot and humid weather we're having most of the time.

One time, the heat was too much that Bronson almost died. His eyes turned red and he was twisting his body. The vet told us that it was heat stroke. Fortunately, we were able to revive him just by showering him with water from the garden hose and letting him drink iced water. From then on, we give them iced water in the afternoon and have a small fan switched on for their use. We have one more dog, by the way. An Aspin we call Musmos who's a year older than Bronson.

Both of our dogs are short-haired. It's not because I dread buying pet grooming supplies for our pets but because I know I don't have much time grooming them. Besides, I think furrier dogs would need an airconditioned room during the hot days. Obviously, I could not afford that.

Our dogs do not eat dry dog food. Instead, I allot a weekly budget for them and buy fresh ground meat in the market. Then, the houseboy (who has become their nanny of sorts) cooks it and mixes it with rice. I am also too busy to that so when the houseboy went to the province for a vacation, I went to the nearby wholesale pet supply store to buy canned dog food and mix it with rice.

We care for our pets like how we care for our son. They are like our four-legged kids. If giving them more than just dog products is already considered spoiling, then, so be it. As long as we can afford what we give them, so be it. I know they love us as much as we love them.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

I'm a Human Nature Dealer

Finally, I signed up as a dealer of Human Nature products. After almost a year of using their products, I am ready to spread the advocacy of using organic and Filipino-made products to others. Initially, I just wanted to become a dealer so that I can enjoy at least 20% discount off my personal purchase. However, my sister and other girl friends began ordering from me which sort of convinced me that I can also earn from it.

Human Nature has the best hair loss products. I use the strengthening shampoo because I have fine hair. Hair loss has significantly decreased after I started using this product.

I paid 825 pesos for my registration which included Human Nature products worth more than a thousand pesos. I just submitted my scanned form through email and paid the amount through GCash. Then, I received my dealer kit the following day. It was just as easy and speedy as that.

Let me know if you also want to be a dealer of Human Nature products. Let us spread the good news about these products and Gandang Kalikasan, the company behind them, for being Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

UNICEF Signs Joint Communiqué with Religious Leaders to Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding

Responding to the clarion call for the world’s community of faiths to actively participate in the global challenge of improving the lives and welfare of children, the Religions for Peace, Philippines (RfPPhil), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue (CBCP-ECID) and UNICEF Philippines recently came together in a collective effort to celebrate the National Day of Prayer and Action for Children in Makati City.

They enjoin the government, private businesses, civil society, international partners, child-rights advocates, and all the different faiths to be part of this undertaking and work together towards promoting child survival and maternal health and take actions towards promoting, supporting and protecting the national breastfeeding policy as a means to improving child survival and nutritional status.

Present during the signing of the joint communiqué were (standing from left): Eileen Aquino; Ted Francisco, Communication and Advocacy Specialist UNICEF; Dr. Marisa Ricardo, Health Specialist, UNICEF; Dr. Pura Rayco-Solon, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF; Bong Baybado, CBCP Representative; (seated from left) Fr. Luke Moortgat of CBCP Episcopal Commission on Health Care; Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Country Representative; and Dr. Lilian Sison of Religions for Peace, Philippines.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Free Online Learning Games – Important Factors to Consider

Free online learning games can be found all over the World Wide Web, but not all of them will benefit your child’s learning. Some of them will not provide your kid with the necessary challenges they need to stimulate there creative thinking or the problem solving skills they require in order to improve cognitive development, which is necessary for learning many skills including reading.

What can you do to make sure that the free online learning games you find are worth while educational tools and not just mindless amusement for your child?

It is in your best interest to investigate the game. Find out who designed it and then learn what other parents, children and even teachers have to say about it. Moreover, discover what type of skills the game requires and promotes in a child, such as working memory, visualization, memorization, comprehension, repetition, attention, focus, verbal rehearsal, etc. Remember, a good educational game should have testimonials and even studies to back it up. Otherwise, there really is no proof of its effectiveness.

Also, find out if the game is age appropriate for your child. Remember, while you want to provide your kid with a challenge, if it’s too hard they will become frustrated and will not want to learn, but if it is too easy they won’t improve their skill. Hence, it’s best to stick with free online learning games that are designed with more than one difficulty level to encourage constant improvement.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Christmas Shopping Tips From A Non-Shopaholic

I honestly hate crowded shopping centers. Actually, I only go to a few shopping sales in a year and that's only during Christmas time. I hate the traffic and the long lines at the check-out counter, the fitting room, and even the ladies room! Gah!

Image from Thoursie uploaded in stock.xchng. Royalty free.

But now's inevitable. It's officially 30 days to go before Christmas and I haven't started on our Christmas list yet. Here are the things that I do to help me keep sane in this busy shopping season:

• I don't shop on weekends. Obviously, there are more people during the weekends so there'll be a lot more fussy people and tired sales people and cashiers. It stresses me a lot and I often fall into a hypoglycemic episode.
• I head to the shopping center early in the morning. It's more of like I'll be the one to open the shop, haha! And the salesladies thank me for being the buena mano (first) customer because I rarely make tawad.
• I keep a list and I check it twice. Having a list makes me finish my shopping task before the crowds come in. I also take note of the places where I need to go. For example, I write the names of the shops where I will buy men's clothing and apparel.
• I shop with my tummy full. I can be cranky, impatient, and impulsive when I'm hungry.
• I don't bring kids when I shop. Sometimes, I don't even bring my husband with me. It's better to shop with another woman in tow. Men and kids are impatient when it comes to shopping.

How about you? How do you survive this crazy shopping season?

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

My boy's unhealthy meal choices

Like most moms, I have my share of hardships when it comes to feeding my child. Rap is still a picky eater even at age 10. In a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most particular, my boy will get a perfect score. He’s afraid of trying new foods. Sadly, he being an only child makes me and my husband give in to his whims.


Rap doesn’t eat anything red and tomato-based. That means pizza, spaghetti, menudo, kaldereta, ketchup, and so on. No matter how many times I explain to him how he needs the lycopene from tomato, he still won’t have it. He doesn’t even like the smell of tomato sauce. How’s that for being fussy?

He’s not much of a veggie-eater too. The only time he will eat vegetables is when they’re fried. He will eat kangkong and spinach only when I cook them tempura-style. And how he loves fried meals! He can eat anything that’s fried everyday and it’s making me crazy. This is especially true during the time when he was still bringing home-cooked baon to school.

My boy is also a fan of instant noodles whether it be pancit canton or mami. I try to make it healthier by adding an egg. Of course, he can’t have eggs everyday unless I want him to have a heart attack by age 21, right? Plus, it’s a fact that instant noodles are loaded with preservatives. And just like any other kid, my boy loves junk food and soda. He now has an allowance and he saves money just so he can buy his favorite chichas. I’m just glad that junk food and soda are now prohibited in his school leaving him less places to buy junk food from.

I’m guilty of letting him have what he wants just to be sure that he eats his food. I tell you, he can starve himself just to avoid eating what he doesn’t want. He once skipped breakfast during an overnight Boy Scouts camping in school because the teachers served the hotdogs beside the eggs. By the way, my boy doesn’t eat hotdogs, too. He told me he’d rather starve than eat a “hotdog-marked fried egg.”

Such is my dilemma. I want Rap to have healthy food that will give him the daily recommended energy and nutrient intake (RENI) for kids his age but, at the same time, I don’t want to force him to eat what he doesn’t like. Obviously, my boy’s favorite foods are not healthy choices. I just wish that he’ll open himself up a little more to discovering new and more nutritious foods in time.

What are your kid’s favorite meals? Are they healthy choices? I would love to read about your story.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

MINT: Not your ordinary college

We live in a global nation. Suddenly, the world is getting smaller. And changes rush in like the speed of light. Thus, how do we face the new decade? How does learning adapt to the times?

However, Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology College (MINT) looks at it from a different angle: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Although the challenges of 21st century students are in a different dimension—ultra-diverse, globally-influenced, short-attention-span-confronted—they know what they want. MINT, furthermore, believes that one does not need to be a genius to get started. But to be educationally-equipped at a time when social networking is the new language and touch-screen technology isn’t sci-fi is obviously beyond theories and textbooks. That’s where MINT comes in. This new-school institution teaches actual professional work.



A week ago, I was invited to tour the campus together with other bloggers. I should say that I am quite impressed with MINT's fresh and preppy ambiance. The bright colored walls and furniture are so young and vibrant, just perfect for modern college student. It's not only the place that impressed me but the curriculum as well. MINT fills a gap in education. MINT provides a multi-method teaching philosophy that ensures students a smooth, seamless transition into the professional world. MINT also encourages students to play, get creative and explore new ideas in a tranquil environment with high-technology facilities. In fact, the college insists that noise is not prohibited in their library.

The 1,315-square-meter MINT campus is a canvas. Its white walls are used as exhibit spaces for both art students and budding artists. This modern campus was created to reflect our time. From the graphic-designed walls to sleek glass doors to iconic, irregularly shaped chairs and technology-infused classrooms, MINT’s contemporary point of view translates from its academic curriculum to campus facilities that scream ultramodern visual design and multimedia technology.

The five color-coded classrooms, namely Menthol, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemon Mint, and Indigo, do not have “blackboards.” Instead, each 35-capacity room is equipped with 42-inch LCD screens that professors and students can use for audio-visual presentations. A clever technology known as the “interactive whiteboard” is used for lectures and illustrations in each room. Glass boards are also installed to replace the chalkboard. Instructional facilities such as the Chatterbox (conference room), Space Odyssey (multi-purpose case room) and Groove (80-seater lecture/rehearsal rooms).

The 80-seater Mint Playhouse is a multi-faceted theater that can also act as a lecture hall and broadcast studio. It welcomes film fests, stage plays and symposiums for students, professors and guests, while its studio facilities are used by Film & Communications Management, Music Business Management and Applied Arts & New Media, Theater Arts & Communications students for recorded and live-streaming video projects. The Sonic Boom, on the other hand, is Mint’s state-of-the art music and sound recording studio where students develop and edit audio productions. Geek Central, on the other hand, is MINT’s grand computer laboratory where all examinations are conducted as the college practices usage of minimal-paper on campus.

What makes it all the more interesting is how MINT integrated three key tracks — arts, business, and technology — in its academic curriculum. Each undergraduate program exposes students to the most relevant disciplines in commerce, computer technology and the creative industry. MINT is serious in advocating environmental awareness through a unique ecological program included in each course.

The college, to be more precise, introduces 10 four-year Bachelor's degrees, accredited by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Under the Business Department, there are six courses: Entrepreneurial Management, Marketing, Finance & Commerce, Environmental Management & Sustainable Development, Film & Communications and Music Business Management.

The Experience Center is MINT’s very own library-cafe-and-digital-center. It is a multi-purpose learning center powered by the latest Apple technology from iMacs to Macbooks to iPods and iPads that gives access to digital books and audio-visual references. All computer units are powered by the Internet and MINT Intranet for students to access the World Wide Web and a wide range of journals. The Experience Center boasts of an extensive collection of textbooks, literature and coffee table books in the fields of the arts, business, technology, current affairs and media. Students are allowed to access the public library and other select private libraries, while external parties can access the Experience Center through guest permits.

As an international college, MINT provides the springboard for opportunities and connections both locally and internationally. The college intends to partner with CIBT for an international exchange program. We aim for students to have the opportunity to travel and continue their education and/or internships abroad. This allows students to share, interact and collaborate with local and global networks.

MINT's thrust is giving back to the community by providing full scholarships to 20 percent of its total student population each academic year. Students, who are deserving, but otherwise not able to afford this type of education, will have their chance at acquiring the same knowledge and treatment as those who can. This is a sincere social commitment.

For more information, you can visit Meridian International Business, Arts & Technology College located at 1030 Campus Ave, 2F Commerce and Industry Plaza Building, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines or visit www.mintcollege.com

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Learning Toys as Christmas Gifts

How many inaanaks (godchildren) do you have? I think I have over a dozen. I used to give all of them toys at Christmas but, when I became a mom, I realized that it's also good to give educational toys as gifts. Do I sound like a "kill joy" godmother to you?

As much as possible, I give learning toys as Christmas gifts to my godchildren. Learning toys do not need to be expensive. Some toys can be as simple as colored wooden blocks and puzzles. It's how they stimulate a kid's mind that matters. Arts and crafts sets and activity pads are also a wise choice especially for school-aged children.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you also prefer giving out learning toys to kids?

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Black Friday Madness!

It's gonna be a Black Friday this November 26! For those who aren't familiar with the Black Friday, it's the holiday shopping madness that happens the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US. So why am I so excited? Well, it's because it's the time of the year when I can choose what I want online and bully relatives in the US to buy them for me, haha!

No, seriously, I am searching for the best Black Friday deals and buy them online. I might just have them shipped over to a relative in California to lessen my shipping charges and have it included in the Balikbayan box she sends every Christmas.

How about you? Are you also shopping this Black Friday?


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

The New Project

I am so sorry for not updating my posts lately. My hormones aren't cooperating and this is the first in the week that I haven't woken up with a splitting headache. :( Anyways, that's just the little sacrifice I'm making for this new project of mine. I almost didn't want to share it with you because I fear that it will not be successful but, what the heck.

I'm taking Clomid right now. For the ladies who are not familiar with it yet, it's the hormonal pill given to women to induce ovulation. Yep, we're aiming for a new baby by next year and, by God's grace, I know this new baby project will be successful. At least, my doctors tells me so.

I'm still feeling nauseous and under the weather and it truly gets in the way of my daily routine. Aside from the physical sacrifices, it's also quite heavy on our budget. Hay naku, it's so hard and expensive to be able to conceive and yet other moms just abandon and even throw their babies away.

Wish me luck! I'll need all of your positive vibes!



Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Project: Big Switch

Are you thinking of changing your old TV set with an LCD TV? Why not trade it in for a Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV valued at Php 27,999 and get a free DVD player? Together with the BRAVIA, Sales & Service teams, the Sony Philippines’ CSR Committee is inviting you to be part of Project: BIG SWITCH, a 3-day trade-in event this November 19-21, 2010 for the benefit of the school education projects of the Knowledge Channel & Hands On Manila.

Trade-in the old. Upgrade to a new. Elevate Youth Education.

Just bring in your old (fully functional & cable ready) 21 to 34 inch cable-ready TVs and get a brand new 32-inch LCD TV (with a free DVD player). The Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV will be sold for as low as PhP 20,999 for cash payments and Php 23,999 for credit card payments (0% installment options available).

Click the poster above for more details. I hope that our 29" LG TV will be approved for the trade-in. My husband badly wants a bigger LCD TV for Christmas. That way, I can use the huge savings to buy the acne treatment products I'm planning to give away as a gift to a relative. I hope you won't miss this chance, too!

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Is Canola Oil Safe?

As soon as more brands of canola oil became commercially available in the country, I made the decision to refrain from using vegetable oil in cooking our meals and use canola oil instead. Canola oil was said to have countless benefits. For one, it contains monounsaturated fatty acids, as what's found in olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acids just like the one found in flax oil. "Canola" is derived from "Canola oil" since the rapeseeds where the oils are extracted from were originally grown in Canada.

A few months ago, I read from a plurk thread that canola oil may be bad for the health. According to Wikipedia, there had been legal issues specifically regarding genetically modified canola which was first introduced in Canada in 1995. About.com says that these are all rumors and hoaxes. In fact, in October 2006, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)has ruled canola oil as eligible to bear a health claim on its ability to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

I have read about olive and flax seed benefits. However, compared to olive oil and flax oil, canola oil is the cheaper alternative. Then again, our very own coconut and palm oils are the cheapest in the market. For the meantime, we are staying away from canola because I can't be sure whether the ones I buy in the market are genetically modified or not. I am now back to buying palm oil but we are avoiding fried foods as much as possible.

Are you using canola oil? What do you think about the canola oil controversy?

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Another Thing To Love About BPI

I rushed to the bank this morning to find that my branch of account has not only renovated it's office but has also improved it's queuing procedure. I did not need to fill up a deposit slip anymore as I was led to a machine where I typed in my deposit details. The machine has a touch sensitive screen that automatically forwards the deposit details to the tellers on duty. The machine then released a piece of paper showing my queue number and I just waited for my number to be called. Cool, huh?

This gives me one more thing to love about the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Aside from having no service charges for provincial deposits, I also love how the cheques I deposited are immediately reflected in my account.


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Everyday Sun Protection From Vaseline Healthy White

There was a time when sunblock for me meant something that should be applied on the skin only during summing outings. That was also the time when sunblock lotions were greasy that you wouldn't want to wear them at all. My hubby, for one, hates sunblock lotion for that matter. Now, I make it a point to wear sunblock not because I want to have fairer skin but because I am afraid of the effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

I have a facial moisturizer with SPF that I put on everyday whether I go out in the sun or just work in front of my computer. Even the computer screen emits harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. For my body, I use Vaseline Healthy White with SPF 24 and Triple Lightening™.   Amazingly, this product is light as your regular body lotion but works better than your usual sunblock. It smells good and is non-greasy which makes it the perfect partner of your favorite facial sunblock.

From now on, I'll keep my Cheap Hats in the closet for future dress-ups and my umbrella in my bag for use during rainy days. I can now have more fun in the sun with Vaseline Healthy White SPF 24 Triple Lightening™ lotion!


Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Baby Bath Time Bonding Tips

Win gift certificates from Big & Small Company! Read this post to find out how...

Bathing is part of a baby's daily activities. It doesn't only make them clean and healthy but it also helps them feel relaxed and happy the whole day. Then again, since bathing is routine, busy mommies tend to forget that it's one of the best times to bond with baby.

When Rap was still a small baby, I didn't have any troubles giving him a bath. He loved the water and he seldom cried during bath time. However, bathing became harder when he became a toddler. He would get bored easily and would run around the bathroom or splash water on me. His bath toys were my most reliable bath time helpers during this stage. Aside from giving him toys, there were also times that I gave him baths in an inflatable pool.

Aside from using bath toys and inflatable pools, how can you make bath time a lot more enjoyable and a little less ordinary for both you and your baby? The 24 Hour Mommy and Lactacyd Baby Bath's Mums and Tubs Club would love to hear about your own tips. Share your baby bathing tips and win 3,000 pesos worth of gift certificates from Big & Small Company for your child! Here's how:

STEP 1: Click this and be a fan of The 24 Hour Mommy Facebook fan page.

STEP 2: Click this and be a fan of the Mums and Tubs Club Facebook fan page.

STEP 3: Click the Facebook share button at the beginning of this post to share the link in your Facebook wall. Then, tag the Mums and Tubs Baby Care Club and The 24 Hour Mommy in your post and add this sentence:

“Win Big & Small Company GCs from Lactacyd's @Mums and Tubs Club and @The 24 Hour Mommy!”

STEP 4: Share your own tips in making baby's bath time more fun and enjoyable by commenting to this post. Please indicate the Facebook username you used in Step 3 so I can validate your entry.

Complete all 4 steps for your entry to be counted in our raffle draw. Only 1 entry per contestant is allowed.

Reminders:

• Your post's privacy setting should be set to EVERYONE for it to appear in our walls. If in case you are having problems in making your posts appear in the fan page wall, don't hesitate to place a comment to this post so I can help you.
• This contest is open to residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
• The winner is required to claim the GCs from me through a meet-up.
• The GCs are not convertible to cash.
• Contest will run from 12:00 am of November 1, 2010 to 11:59 pm of November 15, 2010. I will announce the winner by November 16, 2010.
• ONE WINNER will be chosen through an electronic raffle draw via Random.org.
• Judges' decision is final. No further correspondence or appeal will be entertained.

Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.