theFrugalMom

Frugal Mom 2026: Smart Money-Saving Tips for Every Stay at Home Mom

2026-07-15T00:02:20.194-07:00

Being a stay at home mom is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it can also be one of the busiest. Many moms wear multiple hats every single day. Aside from taking care of their children, they also manage household chores, prepare meals, monitor the family budget, and, in many cases, work from home or run a small business to help support the family's finances. Also, let's face it, being a mother is tough but rewarding at the same time. There’s no manual or guide for first-time moms about caring for the family and managing the household so it’s really challenging.

In 2026, rising living costs continue to challenge many families, making it even more important for moms to become wise planners and practical decision-makers. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward finding practical solutions and these are what we’re going to unravel in this article. The good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune to provide a happy and healthy home. With proper budgeting, effective time management, and a positive mindset, you can successfully balance your responsibilities while still making time for yourself.

This guide shares practical and realistic tips to help every stay at home mom become a more confident and frugal parent without sacrificing the quality of family life.

The Challenges of a Busy Stay at Home Mom

Every family is different, but many mothers face similar daily struggles. Worst case scenario happens like a mom getting burnout especially when a mom isn’t equipped with healthy coping strategies to manage stress.

Time Management: Juggling Multiple Roles

One of the biggest challenges for a stay at home mom is managing time effectively. A typical day often starts before everyone else wakes up. Moms prepare breakfast, get the children ready for school, pack lunch or baon, clean the house, run errands, cook meals, and sometimes work from home to earn extra income.

Many moms today also manage online businesses, freelance jobs, or remote work while taking care of their children. Switching from one responsibility to another throughout the day can quickly become exhausting.

Without proper planning, simple tasks can pile up and create unnecessary stress. It may feel like there are never enough hours in a day to finish everything.

Creating a daily schedule, prioritizing important tasks, and accepting that not everything has to be perfect can make a huge difference. A simple to-do list or planner can help organize daily responsibilities and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

Self-Care Often Takes a Back Seat

Many mothers naturally prioritize everyone else's needs before their own. While caring for the family is important, neglecting personal well-being can eventually lead to burnout.

Self-care doesn't always mean going to a spa or taking an expensive vacation. It can be as simple as enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, reading a favorite book, taking a short walk, exercising at home, or watching a favorite movie after the kids go to bed.

When moms take care of themselves physically and emotionally, they become more patient, energetic, and emotionally available for their families.

Remember that self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary.

Budgeting Becomes More Challenging

Managing household expenses has become increasingly difficult due to rising food prices, transportation costs, utilities, and school expenses.

Many families now rely on careful budgeting to make ends meet.

A frugal mom understands the importance of spending wisely rather than spending less on everything. The goal isn't simply to cut costs but to maximize every peso spent.

Tracking monthly expenses helps identify unnecessary purchases and allows families to prioritize essential needs. For me the golden rule for effective money management is to buy only what’s necessary and this is possible by determining which of the things you spend money on are luxury or a necessity.

Meal planning, grocery lists, buying during sales, and avoiding impulse purchases are practical ways to stretch the family budget. In brief, “Do not buy something that you don’t need.”

Feeling Overwhelmed and Emotionally Drained

Balancing motherhood, household responsibilities, finances, and sometimes work can become emotionally exhausting.

Some moms experience anxiety because they constantly worry about bills, their children's future, and whether they're doing enough for their family.

Others may feel guilty for taking time to rest.

It's important to recognize that these emotions are completely normal.

Talking with your spouse, trusted friends, or family members can provide emotional support. Joining online communities for mothers can also remind you that you're not facing these challenges alone.

Taking small breaks throughout the day and celebrating small accomplishments can improve emotional well-being.

Tips and Solutions for Busy Moms

Fortunately, many daily challenges have practical solutions. Small habits often create the biggest improvements over time.

Managing Time More Effectively

Time is one of the most valuable resources for every stay at home mom.

Here are simple ways to manage it better:

Plan your week every Sunday.
Prepare school uniforms and bags the night before.
Cook meals in batches whenever possible.
Use digital calendars or reminder apps.
Assign age-appropriate chores to children.
Focus on completing the most important tasks first.

Instead of trying to multitask constantly, complete one task at a time whenever possible. This often improves both productivity and quality.

Smart Budgeting Tips

Creating a household budget doesn't have to be complicated.

Start by dividing expenses into categories:

Food
Utilities
Transportation
School expenses
Emergency savings
Personal spending

Track every expense, even small purchases.

Many moms are surprised to discover how much money is spent on unnecessary snacks, online shopping, or impulse buying.

A simple notebook or budgeting app works well for monitoring monthly expenses.

Saving even a small amount consistently can build a strong emergency fund over time.

Handling a Limited Budget

Having a limited income doesn't mean your family can't enjoy life.

Frugal living is about making smarter financial choices.

Some practical ideas include:

Cooking meals at home instead of eating out.
Buying groceries during promotions.
Choosing generic brands when quality is similar.
Repurposing leftovers into new meals.
Selling unused household items online.
Starting a small side hustle or online business.

Many successful moms today earn extra income through freelance work, online selling, tutoring, baking, or content creation while staying at home.

These additional income sources can significantly ease financial pressure.

Coping with Stress

Stress is unavoidable, but it can be managed.

Simple stress-relief activities include:

Deep breathing exercises. You can try a stress- and anxiety-relief nasal inhaler from Zenhaler/Zen.finds. Keep it in your pocket or beside you wherever you go—whether you're indoors or outdoors—and take a quick inhale whenever you need a moment to relax and de-stress.
Morning stretching.
Listening to relaxing music.
Journaling.
Prayer or meditation.
Spending quality time with loved ones.

Don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Accepting assistance from your spouse, older children, or friends (if relatives aren’t available) doesn't make you less capable—it helps maintain a healthier balance.

How to Stay Positive Despite the Challenges

Being a stay at home mom isn't always easy. There will be days when your to-do list feels endless, the house isn't as tidy as you'd like, and you're simply exhausted. During those moments, it's important to remember that no mom is perfect, and that's perfectly okay.

Instead of focusing on what didn't get done, celebrate the small victories each day. Maybe you prepared healthy meals, helped your child with homework, finished an important work task, or simply spent quality time with your family. Those moments matter.

Here are a few ways to maintain a positive mindset:

Practice gratitude by writing down three things you're thankful for each day.
Avoid comparing yourself with what you see on social media. Every family's journey is different.
Surround yourself with supportive family members and friends.
Set realistic expectations instead of trying to do everything perfectly.
Celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

A positive attitude doesn't mean ignoring life's challenges. It means choosing to focus on solutions rather than problems and believing that each day is another opportunity to grow.

How Do You Decide What to Pack for Your Child's School Baon?

Preparing your child's baon is another daily responsibility that requires planning. Besides staying within your budget, you also want to make sure your child enjoys nutritious meals that will keep them energized throughout the school day.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing school baon:

1. Nutrition Comes First

A balanced baon should include carbohydrates, protein, fruits or vegetables, and plenty of water. Nutritious meals help children stay focused and active in school.

Examples include:

Ham or chicken sandwiches
Boiled eggs
Rice with chicken and vegetables
Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, or grapes
Yogurt or yogurt drink
Homemade muffins
Cheese sticks

2. Consider Your Budget

Healthy food doesn't have to be expensive.

Buying ingredients in bulk, preparing meals at home, and planning a weekly menu can help reduce food costs while still providing nutritious lunches.

Instead of buying expensive processed snacks every day, homemade sandwiches, pasta, fried rice, or wraps are often more affordable and healthier.

3. Ask What Your Child Likes

Involving your child in meal planning can reduce food waste.

Ask them which fruits, vegetables, or sandwiches they enjoy. Giving them simple choices helps encourage healthy eating while ensuring they finish their meals.

4. Make Meals Fun

Children are often more excited to eat food that looks colorful and creative.

Simple ideas include:

Cutting sandwiches into fun shapes.
Adding colorful fruits.
Using reusable food picks.
Packing meals neatly in compartment lunch boxes.

Presentation can make even simple meals more appealing.

5. Prepare Ahead

Preparing ingredients the night before saves valuable time during busy mornings.

You can:

Wash and cut fruits.
Prepare sandwich fillings.
Portion snacks.
Fill water bottles.
Organize lunch containers.

A little preparation makes mornings less stressful and helps you stay on schedule.

Final Thoughts

Being a stay at home mom in 2026 comes with many responsibilities, but it also offers countless opportunities to create meaningful memories with your family. From managing the household and budgeting wisely to supporting your children's education and maintaining your own well-being, every role you play contributes to a happy and healthy home.

Living frugally doesn't mean sacrificing comfort or happiness. It means making thoughtful decisions, prioritizing what truly matters, and using your resources wisely. Small habits like meal planning, budgeting, preparing school baon in advance, and setting aside time for self-care can make a big difference in your daily life.

Remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family. A healthy, positive, and well-rested mom is better equipped to face everyday challenges with confidence and patience.

No matter how busy life becomes, give yourself grace. Progress is more important than perfection. Every meal you prepare, every lesson you teach your children, every peso you save, and every act of love you show your family is a meaningful investment in their future.

With smart planning, a positive outlook, and practical frugal mom tips, every stay at home mom can successfully balance family responsibilities while building a loving, financially secure, and joyful home in 2026.

Finding Gratitude, Growth, and Joy in the Busy Life of a Mom

2026-05-12T09:42:23.925-07:00

Finding Gratitude, Growth, and Joy in the Busy Life of a Mom

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog back in April, and honestly, so many things have happened since then. Life became busier than usual, and May arrived with a whirlwind of responsibilities, emotions, realizations, and meaningful moments. Between managing relationships, catching up with friends, handling freelance work and side hustles, taking care of my daughter, preparing for her school needs, and dealing with anxiety from time to time, life has truly been a roller coaster lately.

But despite all the chaos, I realized something important: even during overwhelming days, there are still countless reasons to be grateful.

Being a mom means constantly juggling responsibilities while trying to stay emotionally and mentally strong for your child. Some days feel productive and fulfilling, while others leave you exhausted and questioning if you’re doing enough. Yet somehow, we continue showing up every single day. That alone is already something to be proud of.

In this article, I want to share the random yet meaningful experiences that helped me survive the month of April and thrive throughout May. These are simple moments, realizations, and small victories that reminded me that life does not need to be perfect to be beautiful.

Learning to Appreciate the Gift of Life

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful for the gift of life. Every morning that I wake up and breathe fresh air is already a blessing. There were moments in the past months when stress and anxiety tried to consume me, but being alive gives me another opportunity to try again, improve myself, and spend time with the people I love most.

As we grow older, we begin to realize that health is one of the greatest blessings we can ever have. I am thankful for good health because without it, accomplishing daily responsibilities would be difficult. As a mother, my energy is constantly needed. I need strength not only for work but also for taking care of my daughter and managing our household.

I’m also grateful for my freelance work and affiliate marketing side hustle. These opportunities allow me to provide for my daughter while still having some flexibility with my time. Freelancing is not always easy because projects can sometimes be unpredictable, but I appreciate the freedom it gives me. Every project completed and every extra income earned feels rewarding because I know I’m doing it for my child’s future.

Of course, there are still days when everything feels overwhelming. There are errands piling up, deadlines waiting to be finished, chores that never seem to end, and worries that quietly linger in my mind. During those moments, I learned the importance of pausing and taking a breather.

One thing that genuinely helps me calm down is practicing breathing exercises using my Zen Sniffy Roll inhaler. Whenever anxiety starts creeping in, I inhale for four counts and exhale for another four counts. I repeat the process until I feel calmer and more grounded. It may seem like a small habit, but it truly helps me regain control over my emotions.

Sometimes, we get so busy trying to survive that we forget to breathe and appreciate the present moment. Slowing down even for a few minutes can make a huge difference.

The Everyday Worries of Moms

Being a mother means carrying endless worries in your heart. Even when we look calm on the outside, our minds are often filled with concerns about our children, finances, health, education, and the future.

One of the biggest things moms worry about is choosing the right school for their child. I found myself thinking deeply about this lately while preparing my daughter for school. As parents, we naturally want our children to grow up with good values and proper guidance. We want them to become kind, responsible, and emotionally healthy individuals someday.

Choosing a school is more than just academics. It’s about finding an environment where your child can safely grow, learn, and build confidence. As a mom, I constantly ask myself if I’m making the right decisions for her future.

Aside from school selection, there are also the usual back-to-school concerns. Buying school supplies may seem simple, but moms know how quickly expenses can add up. I worried about preparing everything my daughter needed, from writing pad papers to crayons, notebooks, and of course, the school bag she specifically wanted — an Elsa-themed Frozen bag.

It’s funny how children can become incredibly happy over simple things like a colorful backpack. Seeing her excitement reminded me that childhood joy often comes from the smallest things.

As moms, we may overthink and stress ourselves trying to provide everything perfectly, but our children mostly remember how loved and supported they felt.

Reconnecting With Friends and Making Time for Relationships

Another thing I appreciated this May was reconnecting with friends. Life gets busy, especially when you become a parent, and sometimes friendships unintentionally take a backseat. There are days when you become so focused on responsibilities that you forget to nurture the relationships that once brought you comfort and happiness.

Thankfully, I was able to make time for my valued friends this month. Catching up with them reminded me that friendship is important for emotional well-being. Talking, laughing, and sharing life updates with trusted people somehow lightens emotional burdens.

Good friendships become even more valuable during adulthood because genuine connections are hard to maintain when everyone is busy building their own lives. I realized that making time for friends is not a luxury; it’s a form of self-care too.

Relationships, whether friendships or family connections, require effort and intentionality. Even a simple conversation over coffee or a short bonding moment can positively impact your mental health.

Rewarding Myself After Stressful Days

If you’ve read my previous blogs, you probably already know that I believe in delayed gratification. I usually prioritize responsibilities first before spending on unnecessary things. However, I also learned that constantly depriving yourself can eventually lead to burnout.

That’s why I’ve been trying to reward myself occasionally after stressful days or productive weeks. Not extravagant rewards, but small things that bring comfort and happiness.

During the first Friday of May, which was Labor Day, my friend and I decided to have a facial treatment together. It wasn’t my first time getting one, so I already knew how uncomfortable the procedure could be — especially around the nose area. I even warned my friend beforehand because I didn’t want her to get surprised by the pain.

Honestly, facials can sting a lot. The pricking sensation feels uncomfortable, almost like getting a tattoo in certain areas. But somehow, I’ve learned to just face the discomfort head-on. Beauty treatments sometimes require patience and endurance, and yes, the famous saying “Tiis-ganda” definitely applies here. Pain now, beauty later!

That experience also reminded me how important it is to occasionally pause and take care of yourself. Moms often spend so much time taking care of others that we forget we also deserve rest and pampering.

Self-care doesn’t always have to be expensive. Sometimes, even small acts like skincare, journaling, resting, or enjoying your favorite coffee can help recharge your mind and body.

Being Intentional With Spending

One thing about me is that I rarely buy things for myself unless they’re truly necessary. I’ve always been careful with spending because I want to prioritize practical needs, especially as a mother.

Even when giving gifts to other people, I make sure the item will be meaningful and useful for them. I believe thoughtful gifts matter more than expensive ones. Understanding what a person truly needs or appreciates makes the gesture more special.

This month, I bought myself a mini correction tape for journaling. It may sound like a very simple purchase, but it actually made me happy. I started journaling again last year, and it has become one of my favorite ways to process thoughts and emotions.

Having correction tape somehow gives me confidence while writing because I know mistakes can easily be corrected. It became a small reminder that mistakes in life can also be fixed. We don’t always need to pressure ourselves into being perfect.

Journaling has helped me organize my thoughts, release stress, and reflect on personal growth. Some entries are messy, emotional, or imperfect, but they’re honest. And honestly, honesty with yourself is healing.

Remembering Loved Ones Through Prayer

Another meaningful thing I did recently was offering prayers and masses for my relatives and my late mother. Losing someone you love never fully stops hurting. Even when years pass, there are moments when memories suddenly return and hit deeply.

Praying for them gives me peace and comfort. It reminds me that love continues beyond physical presence. I may no longer see my mother, but I still carry her lessons, love, and memories with me every day.

Motherhood also made me appreciate my own mother even more. I now understand the sacrifices, worries, and unconditional love she gave me growing up.

Sometimes, grief quietly exists alongside gratitude. You learn to carry both at the same time.

Finally Taking My Daughter to the Beach

One of the biggest highlights of these past months was finally taking my six-year-old daughter to the beach.

To be honest, I initially felt overwhelmed about traveling alone with her. Traveling with children requires patience, planning, and energy. I worried about transportation, packing essentials, safety, and whether everything would go smoothly.

But despite my worries, we finally did it.

We went to Batangas, and seeing my daughter’s genuine happiness made every stressful preparation worth it. Her laughter, excitement, and pure joy while playing by the beach instantly melted away my exhaustion.

Children have a beautiful way of reminding us to appreciate simple moments. Watching her enjoy the ocean, feel the sand beneath her feet, and smile freely reminded me that experiences matter more than material things.

As adults, we often become too consumed with work, bills, and responsibilities that we forget how healing nature and simple happiness can be.

That beach trip became one of my favorite memories this year because it strengthened our bond and reminded me why I work so hard in the first place.

A Personal Milestone: Finishing My Book/s

Perhaps one of the most remarkable things I accomplished recently was finally finishing my book.

I started writing the draft about two years ago, but life distractions kept delaying my progress. Between motherhood, work responsibilities, emotional struggles, and everyday exhaustion, there were moments when I doubted if I would ever complete it.

But this year, 2026, I finally finished it — and honestly, it feels surreal.

Completing a book is not just about writing words on pages. It’s about persistence, discipline, vulnerability, and believing in your ideas even when progress feels slow.

There were many nights when I felt unmotivated, but I kept returning to the manuscript because deep inside, I knew I wanted to finish what I started.

Now, my book titled The Abyss is finally available on Amazon and Kindle. Seeing it published feels like a personal milestone I once thought was impossible.

This achievement reminded me that dreams can still happen even if they take longer than expected. Delayed progress is still progress.

Note: If you want this coloring book yourself, you can grab them here: https://santosphere082.gumroad.com/l/pwxggz

Apparently, I published this new coloring book for kids on Amazon and Payhip after being inspired by my daughter, who loves creating crafts and coloring her drawings with Faber-Castell color pens.

For anyone currently working on a dream, whether it’s writing, studying, starting a business, or healing emotionally, please don’t give up on yourself. Some journeys simply take more time, and that’s okay.

Conclusion: Embracing Imperfect but Meaningful Days

Looking back on the past two months, I realized that life doesn’t need to be perfect to feel meaningful.

There were stressful days, anxious moments, financial worries, and times when I felt emotionally exhausted balancing motherhood, work, and personal responsibilities. But despite everything, I still found reasons to smile, breathe, and keep moving forward.

From reconnecting with friends, practicing gratitude, rewarding myself with small acts of self-care, journaling again, traveling with my daughter, and finally publishing my book, these experiences reminded me that growth often happens quietly.

Life as a mom can be overwhelming, but it can also be deeply fulfilling. Sometimes, the most beautiful moments are hidden within ordinary days — a child’s laughter, a peaceful prayer, a completed task, or even a quiet moment of rest after a long day.

I’ve learned that healing and growth are not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, they look like surviving difficult days, continuing despite fear, and choosing gratitude even when life feels messy.

As I move forward into the coming months, I hope to continue growing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I want to create more meaningful memories with my daughter, nurture the relationships that matter to me, and continue pursuing my passions without forgetting to take care of myself too.

To every mom reading this: you are doing better than you think. Even on days when you feel tired or uncertain, your efforts matter. Your love matters. And every small step you take for yourself and your family is already something worth celebrating.

Here’s to more growth, healing, courage, and beautiful moments in the months ahead.

Busy Mom Hustle: How I Manage Freelancing, Affiliate Marketing & Self-Care

2026-04-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

Are you also a mom who aspires to work from home but doesn’t know how to start? Or maybe you think you need to spend a lot on expensive equipment just to begin. The truth is, you don’t need an expensive setup to start the grind. In fact, all you really need is a decent tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard—especially if buying a laptop or a customized personal computer feels too expensive for you.

As moms, we wear multiple hats and fulfill many roles. Moms in the 21st century are no longer limited to household chores alone. We need to find ways to start a side hustle nowadays because the struggle is real. Expenses are piling up, prices are rising, and of course, gasoline prices keep increasing—we’re all aware of that.

The salary from a 9-to-6 job is not enough to cover expenses, nor is the payout from monthly freelance work. There are pets to care for, daily emergencies, sudden doctor visits, dental issues—you name it. Life is not a walk in the park for most of us.

I want to share that you are never alone in this struggle—I feel you. Hopefully, by resonating with my experience, you’ll feel inspired to keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Being a mom can be challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding at the same time.

Juggling Roles as a Mom, Freelancer & Affiliate: What Makes Me Busy Nowadays

It’s fun to be busy. It can be tiring and make our backs ache, but finishing tasks from our daily to-do list feels like an achievement. Being so busy juggling freelance work, daily errands, grocery shopping, taking care of my five-year-old daughter, and creating videos for my affiliate account, I can hardly find time to watch movies or series on Netflix.

I can only watch one episode per week since my client recently gave me a new workload. I’m happier with the extra work, though. It’s really more fulfilling to stay busy than to do nothing at all. Anxiety creeps in whenever my client starts running out of writing tasks for me—lol.

Plus, I make sure to include a quick daily workout to keep my body moving and my blood circulating. Since I don’t leave the house or commute to work every day, I don’t always get enough physical activity. I spend hours writing—at least 4 to 5 hours a day—plus another 2 to 3 hours brainstorming and researching topics and keywords.

I also take care of my child and make sure we always have quality time together. Most of the time, we go out, and I include her in my 15- to 20-minute brisk walking routine by going to the grocery store and giving her simple treats like hotdogs, dumplings, or sometimes ice cream.

Before, I used to reward myself with coffee or a latte once a week, but now I’m cutting back to reduce the risk of palpitations. Instead, I brew green tea at home, which also helps lessen my cravings for food, especially salty snacks.

What equipment Do I Use for my Freelance Work and Affiliate Marketing?

Amazingly, I'm not using any laptop or computer with my work. During the pandemic I used to work using a laptop and I was just borrowing a DELL laptop from my partner. However, it was too old that using it makes me feel frustrated because it's too slowww. So, my partner gave me a tablet for a present last Christmas in 2023 and it was a Redmi Pad Pro.

For work I use the tablet paired with a bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth mouse with it, which is so fun to use because of its clickable keys. It allows me to work and type as fast as I can—that’s just how I like to work. I enjoy typing quickly while still ensuring the quality and grammar of my writing. It’s definitely worth the purchase. I use it for work, affiliate marketing, downtime, listening to music, workouts, and posting on TikTok or YouTube.

For my affiliate marketing side hustle, I use my Redmi Pad, my smartphone with my Powerbank (to make my phone last for hours), and a pink tripod to film my videos.

How Often Do I Take Break Times In Between Work?

Just like a person working onsite, even if I'm working from home, I already developed the habits of taking breaks in between work. Studies show taking breaks are important to increase a person's productivity.

With this, I always take a breather. My first break is around 10:30 AM to 11 AM and this is my early brunch where I could I eat up to 150 grams of white rice, protein, and more veggies. After that, I wouldn't eat rice anymore because that's too much carbs and I'm working on my calorie deficit. 3:00 PM is my next break where I eat snacks like mooncakes or 40 grams of chips or I would just drink my favorite habitual green tea from Lipton.

I haven’t mentioned that I also read my tarot daily for entertainment. It serves as my guide, or like a fortune cookie, every day. Yes, even during my break time, I read a lot.

My next break is at 6:00 PM, when I eat a protein-rich meal—no rice, just more water to stay hydrated. Around this time, I also feed and bathe my baby girl, and I make sure to feed my guppies as well. I usually log out of my freelance work around 6:30 PM, then work out from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. That’s also when my fasting starts—there goes my routine.

How Often Do I Reward Myself?

I truly believe in the power of delayed gratification. I don’t splurge on myself as much as I did when I was still single. Of course, adulting also means becoming more aware of the value of money—learning to be more frugal and wiser when it comes to saving. So, simply drinking my favorite tea already feels like a reward to me. Haha.

Being a mom has really taught me how to be more thrifty. However, when I shop for groceries, I make sure that my family and I get the nutrients we need, so I don’t hesitate to spend more on healthy food. I reward myself by choosing nutritious options like fruits and vegetables, oats, almond milk, plain yogurt, tea, honey, and chia seeds—foods that support a calorie deficit and a healthier lifestyle. We’re not the typical family who goes out and splurges every weekend, but we still make time to bond by talking, downloading, and watching our favorite movies at home, or catching something on Netflix at least once a week.

Thoughts

Life as a mom, freelancer, and affiliate marketer is definitely busy—and sometimes exhausting—but it’s also rewarding in so many little ways. From juggling work, errands, and quality time with my daughter, to finding small ways to reward myself with healthy food or a favorite tea, I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly—it’s about making progress, staying consistent, and enjoying the moments along the way. Being busy doesn’t have to feel stressful; it can be fun, fulfilling, and even motivating if you embrace it with a little planning, self-care, and a positive mindset.

Women’s Month in the Philippines: Meaning, History, and Self-Care Tips for Moms

2026-03-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

The Women’s Month or what we call Women's History is all about celebrating "womanhood" or the essence of being a woman. This includes celebration of women's victories or achievements and representing their struggles in the society throughout history.

(often called Women’s History Month) is a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions, achievements, and struggles of women throughout history and in modern society.

When is Women's month celebrated?

In many countries, including the Philippines and the United States, it is celebrated in March.
It also includes International Women’s Day, a key date that highlights women’s rights and gender equality worldwide.

Why is it important?

Women’s Month aims to:

Honor women’s contributions in fields like science, politics, arts, and community leadership
Raise awareness about gender equality and women’s rights
Highlight ongoing challenges such as discrimination and unequal opportunities
Empower future generations of women and girls

Do we celebrate Women's Month in the Philippines?

Yes we do celebrate Women's month in the Philippines, Women’s Month is officially recognized and organized by the Philippine Commission on Women. Activities often include:

Educational campaigns
Community events and forums
Advocacy programs promoting women’s rights and empowerment

Women’s Month is about celebrating women, learning their stories, and pushing for a more equal and inclusive world.

In history women were deprived of many rights including the right to vote, and with this, thanks to the notable women of our history, the patriots of suffrage: Rosa Sevilla de Alvero, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, and Pura Villanueva-Kalaw.

In our own ways, we can celebrate womanhood by doing even the smallest things for ourselves like buying something for our health, wellness, and beauty. You can do the following:

Buy yourself a gym membership or buy a workout equipment if you prefer to exercise at home.
Practice yoga and meditation.
Listen to your favorite music.

A simple gesture of buying yourself a brush or a comb is an act of self-care and it's considered celebrating yourself.

For me, here's how I celebrate the women's month:

How do I celebrate Women's month as a mom?

1. I bought myself a Thai herbal inhaler.

Since the weather is always changing, it can be very hot in the morning and quite cold in the evening, making us more prone to catching a cold or cough. Because of this, I bought a herbal inhaler from Thailand, which I found very effective in preventing colds and coughs. This is so affordable and I could attest that it really works for me and my bestie so it's one of my must-haves in my bag.

I first learned about this product last year when my best friend since kindergarten met up with me and gave me one. I have liked it ever since. The aroma is strong, but it’s very effective, especially if you’re prone to allergic rhinitis.

2. I always apply a lip balm.

My lips are prone to getting dry, maybe because of the weather, but I make it a point to always apply lip balm in the morning when I wake up, whether I go outdoors or not. I use the brand ChapStick. It’s a medicated lip balm, and it really works for me.

No more dry lips for us this 2026—let’s attract good luck and prosperity! This is a mantra for a better me and a better us: empowered women of 2026. We need to be reminded to always take care of ourselves. As we often take care of those around us, we sometimes forget about ourselves.

3. I bought a nail sticker.

One more way to celebrate Women’s Month is by buying yourself something that makes you feel beautiful. Because why not? You deserve it. Doing something for yourself doesn’t always have to be expensive, and lately, I came across one of my high school friend’s posts about these trending nail stickers—and they’re so lovely!

They’re not like fancy press-on nails that come off easily when you hold things. These are a great find. They’re easy to apply—just stick them on your nails, trim them, and shape them using your nail tools—and they’re very affordable!

Moreover, these nail stickers don’t come off easily. Just make sure not to wet your hands for two hours after applying them.

How can moms celebrate themselves in their own little way?

Don’t feel guilty about buying something for yourself once in a while. Being a woman—especially a mother—is a very demanding role, and you deserve to reward yourself for your small wins from time to time.

Small wins are still wins.

Go ahead—visit the salon and get that pedicure with a back massage. Learn a new skill or try new baking recipes. There are many ways to celebrate your life, one day at a time, so you won’t feel enervated or lose energy in the things you’re most passionate about.

How to Manage Your Finances As a Stay at Home Mom

To learn more about extra side hustles.

Conclusion

Being a woman deserves to be celebrated. We have struggled enough to achieve the growth we have today, and we are still learning more about life. You don’t have to be materialistic to practice self-care. The point is to remember that loving others begins with loving oneself. It’s not narcissistic—it’s reality. How can we care for others if we don’t know how to take care of ourselves? How can we recuperate if we don’t even recognize when we’re tired? We are human, and we get tired too. Justin Bieber was right when he said, “You should go and love yourself.” Take time to rest, reflect, and honor your journey, because every step forward, no matter how small, is proof of your strength, resilience, and worth as a woman.

Also remember what Selena Gomez said: “Who says you’re not perfect? Who says you’re not beautiful? Who says?”

Building Moments and Income on TikTok: My Journey as a Mom Content Creator and Affiliate

2026-03-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Before the day ends, I make it a point to always have bonding time with my daughter. Whether we go outside for a stroll, buy snacks, or stay indoors, I always find time to include my five-year-old girl in my activities.

Earlier, we went to the mall, and I realized I wanted to buy some nail art stickers so I could film videos that make it look like my nails are done. I also planned to do her nails with the stickers so we could have fun together and make her feel really happy. So, I bought the nail art and here's how her nails looked like:

So cute, right?

Next, I bought her some dumplings since she requested them, so we could snack while listening to a live singer playing songs on his guitar inside the mall.

TikTok has become more than just a social media platform for me—it’s a space where creativity, connection, and opportunity come together. As a content creator and affiliate seller, I’ve found a unique way to share products I genuinely enjoy while also creating meaningful moments with my daughter. What started as simple video posts has slowly turned into a routine that blends motherhood, creativity, and a growing online presence.

What I Like About TikTok

One of the things I love most about TikTok is how it allows me to turn everyday moments into engaging content. I don’t need a professional studio or expensive equipment—just a good idea, a helpful product, and a little creativity. But what truly makes my TikTok journey special is involving my daughter in the process.

Instead of seeing content creation as something that takes time away from family, I’ve turned it into a bonding activity. My daughter has become my little “cameraman,” and she absolutely loves it. She holds the phone, presses record, and sometimes even suggests how I should film. It makes her feel involved, important, and excited about what I do.

There are moments when I’m filming product reviews or demonstrations, and she carefully records my hands while I unbox items. It’s such a simple task, but for her, it feels like a big responsibility. And for me, it’s a heartwarming reminder that I can balance work and motherhood in a way that includes her instead of excluding her.

TikTok also gives me the freedom to be authentic. I don’t have to be perfect—I just have to be real. Whether I’m filming in our living room, at the dining table, or even in a cozy corner of our home, the platform embraces genuine content. This authenticity is what connects me with viewers and potential buyers. People don’t just want polished ads—they want relatable experiences, and TikTok makes that possible.

My New Finds on TikTok

As an affiliate seller, discovering products is one of the most exciting parts of my journey. I enjoy testing items, exploring their features, and sharing honest reviews with my audience. Recently, I came across a few products that I genuinely love—not just for their functionality, but also for how they fit into my daily life and content style.

Electric Coffee or Pepper Grinder

One of my recent favorite finds is the electric coffee grinder. What immediately caught my attention was its portability. It’s compact and easy to carry, which makes it perfect for small kitchens or even for travel. As someone who values convenience, this feature is a huge plus.

Another thing I appreciate is how fast and efficient it is. With just a press of a button, it grinds coffee beans or pepper evenly and quickly. There’s no need for manual effort, which saves time—especially on busy days when I’m juggling content creation and household responsibilities.

From a content creator’s perspective, it’s also visually satisfying to film. The grinding process looks smooth and modern, making it ideal for short, engaging TikTok clips. These kinds of products are perfect for demonstrating functionality in a few seconds, which is exactly what performs well on the platform.

Mini Correction Tapes

Another adorable find is the mini correction tapes. These may seem like simple items, but they have a unique charm that makes them stand out—especially for a content creator like me who loves aesthetic products.

What I love most about them is their cutesy design. The cream and pastel pink colors give off a soft, girly vibe that appeals to students, stationery lovers, and anyone who enjoys pretty desk accessories. They’re not just functional—they’re also visually pleasing.

These correction tapes are perfect for TikTok because they’re easy to feature in aesthetic desk setup videos, journaling clips, or school supply hauls. Their small size makes them convenient to carry, and they work smoothly without making a mess.

Even my daughter finds them exciting. She enjoys watching me use them and sometimes asks if she can try them too. It’s another small way that content creation overlaps with our bonding time.

Lazy Pad Phone Holder

The lazy pad phone holder is another product that has made a big difference in my daily routine. As a content creator, having a stable and flexible phone holder is essential, and this one checks all the boxes.

First, it’s universal, meaning it can hold different phone sizes securely. I don’t have to worry about compatibility, which makes it very convenient. It also helps create a clutter-free desk, which is important for both productivity and aesthetics.

One of its best features is hands-free operation. Whether I’m filming, watching tutorials, or even following recipes, I can position my phone at the perfect angle without holding it. This makes multitasking so much easier.

For TikTok content, it’s incredibly useful. I can set up my shots more efficiently, experiment with different angles, and film without needing assistance all the time. However, when my daughter wants to help, she still happily takes over as my cameraman.

Conclusion: My Hopes for the Future on TikTok

As I continue my journey on TikTok, I hope to grow not just as a content creator, but also as a person who inspires others—especially fellow moms. I want to show that it’s possible to balance family life and online opportunities in a meaningful way.

I dream of building a stable income through affiliate marketing while staying true to my authentic style. I don’t want to promote products just for the sake of selling—I want to share items that I genuinely find useful, and worth recommending.

More importantly, I hope to create more memories with my daughter through this journey. The videos we make today may seem simple, but they hold special moments that we can look back on in the future. She’s not just part of my content—she’s part of my story.

TikTok has opened doors for me that I never expected. It has given me a platform to express myself, connect with others, and build something meaningful from home. And as I move forward, I’m excited to see where this journey will take me—not just as a creator, but as a mom sharing her life one video at a time.

#TikTokAffiliatePH #MomContentCreator #TikTokFindsPH

My current Joys: Fishkeeping and Overnight Oats

2026-03-19T07:25:19.924-07:00

Maybe you're bored, or maybe you want to try something new—something that’s good for you. Don’t feel guilty. Go out and show yourself to the world! "You only live once," and "you will never pass this way again"—as the saying goes. So, you might as well do the things that make you happy.

Maybe it sounds a bit narcissistic? No, my friend. What I’ve learned in my 39 years of life is that life is short, time is precious, and you should make the most of what you still have.

For me, I pick 2 things as my top favorite hobbies in 2026 and these are: fishkeeping and preparing healthy overnight oats for my calorie deficit and weight loss.

Modesty aside, I’ve been caring for my family my whole life. I took care of my mom, who was sick for more than 15 years. I also looked after the welfare of my sisters, even though they were already adults and older than me. My mom passed away 11 years ago, and I started my own family six years ago.

A new chapter of my life unfolded and made me realize that I need to take better care of myself. I need to be healthy—holistically—so I can take care of my little child, my daughter.

With this, I started a new hobby: fishkeeping. I’m currently breeding guppies, and I find it both amusing and satisfying. Even my daughter is very fond of the guppies and the little baby fry that hatched just last month, in February.

Why I Picked Fishkeeping as my hobby in 2026?

Actually, I started this fishkeeping hobby last year (2025). My partner and I were walking outside the mall when several kids approached us, offering to sell their fish. I realized they were fish vendors. It wasn’t hard to notice the colorful fish they were selling—GloFish tetras, tiger barbs, and angelfish.

They offered the fish at a very cheap price, and when I saw the smile on my daughter’s face, I bought some GloFish tetras, tiger barbs, and angelfish for her. The fish lived for quite a while, but for some reason—likely due to overcrowding in the tank—the water quality became poor. In the end, they only lasted about 10 to 11 months.

Right now, I'm breeding guppies given to me by my friend, who is also a fishkeeper. She gave adult male and female guppies to me last January and one of them seemed to be pregnant.

1. The fishes swimming in the tank makes me feel calm

The swaying of the leaves caused by the current from the water flowing from the top filter, the sound of the water, and the different colors of the fishes soothes me, it's just therapeutic for me to watch them. I spend some time during my breaks (lunch, snacks. Dinner) just watching them and observing what happens inside the tank and each time I do I feel like I'm in a different universe.

2. Observing the tank and the living things inside it amazes me all the time

Observing the tank, with its entire ecosystem of fish and snails, makes me think about life in a metaphorical way and how to view it with a positive outlook. It’s like when you’re trying to build something in life—you start small, and eventually, you grow and join others who are reaping the fruits of their labor, simply enjoying what they have—just like the fish calmly feeding in the tank.

3. What I use to keep the water clean, clear, and free from nitrates

What I learned from my friend last year is the secret to keeping your fish pet alive is making sure the water is clean, there's no chlorine and free from chemicals and to achieve this, I learned that you need to apply an anti-chlorine in the water to get rid of chlorine. For m I used AMazon meds ever since as also recommended by my fishkeeper friend.

Building Better Habits in 2026: Preparing Overnight Oats for Appetite Control

Building better habits in 2026—in other words, changing your lifestyle for health and wellness—is a meaningful goal for taking care of yourself and your well-being. Similar to the point I made earlier, taking good care of yourself also means taking care of the people you love. Being well and healthy spares your loved ones from worrying about you.

It’s also like the saying, “You cannot love others if you don’t love yourself,” or “How can you love others if you don’t know how to love yourself?” So, doing something good for yourself—like preparing simple, healthy snacks to support your fitness and weight loss—is truly a better habit to build in 2026.

The Benefits of Eating Overnight Oats

Rich in fiber, protein, great for digestion, healthy fats like omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, and iron
Keeps your gut healthy
Helps lower bad cholesterol
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Reduces hunger and cravings
Helps control calorie intake
Regulates blood sugar
Beneficial for people managing or at risk of Diabetes
Provides antioxidants that helps fight cell damage
Reduces inflammation
Support overall health and aging
Help maintain strong bones and teeth

What We Get from Adding Chia Seeds in our Overnight Oats

Overall, this overnight oats snack is rich in nutrients like potassium from banana, calcium from almond milk and chia seeds, and magnesium and iron from the oats and chia seeds.

How to Make Overnight Oats with Fruits

Many of us tend to crave sweet or salty snacks. This is my solution for reducing cravings and even helping with weight loss.

You can enjoy this recipe for breakfast, lunch, snacks, or even dinner—it’s very easy to make. So, let’s get started!

First, add some oats—rolled oats are best. I personally use Australia Harvest. Measure about 56 grams using a food scale, and make sure it’s tared so the weight of your container isn’t included.

Next, I add almond milk. My favorite is Almond KOKA because I really like its rich almond flavor. If you can’t find almond milk, oat milk is also a great alternative. I’m sure you’re familiar with Oatside—it tastes really good too.

Then, add some plain Greek-style yogurt if possible. However, when I went grocery shopping, it wasn’t available, so I used a mixed berry flavor instead—which still tastes great!

After that, add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. Slice some banana, or you can also use apples or strawberries—whatever you have available.

Mix everything together, and you’re good to go! If you’d like a bit more sweetness, you can add about one tablespoon of honey.

Conclusion

Exploring my current joys—fishkeeping and making overnight oats—has taught me the value of mindfulness and nourishment in everyday life. Fishkeeping, with its calm observation of swimming fish and a balanced little ecosystem, feels almost like meditation. Watching them move gracefully in the tank helps me slow down, breathe, and focus on the present moment. Meanwhile, preparing and creating overnight oats is a simple yet rewarding act of self-care. The process of measuring, mixing, and adding fresh ingredients gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes me feel good physically and emotionally.

These hobbies are more than just pastimes—they nurture both the mind and the body. That’s why I encourage everyone to find a hobby they genuinely enjoy. Engaging in activities that bring joy is a powerful form of self-care. It helps you recharge, stay present, and prioritize your well-being. Taking the time to do something for yourself doesn’t mean being selfish—it means investing in your health, happiness, and the people you love.

So whether it’s caring for a tiny aquarium or crafting a healthy snack, starting a hobby you love is a small step toward a more mindful, balanced, and joyful life.

Don’t hesitate to spend a little when it comes to your health and wellness—especially if it helps you achieve your weight loss and wellness goals for 2026. Check out my videos for ideas on picking your hobbies!

Skin Care Reveal 2026

2026-03-18T11:06:38.116-07:00

When talking about taking care of your body, this includes your entire body, including your face.

Actually, I started to become conscious with skincare since I was 11 years old, yeah so early age because that's also the time when I started having breakouts. I was so vain and self-conscious back then that I even asked my mom to allow me to visit a dermatologist for treating my acne as a birthday gift. My mom at the time pitied me because I was so eager and I really felt at that time that treating my acne will certainly boost my self- confidence. Since I always try my best to get high grades, my mom gave in to my request. After derma sessions, I noticed my skin getting more brighter, radiant, and whiter. However, I also noticed that my skin is getting thinner and more sensitive to sunlight.

The dermatologist was so kind and understanding and she was really the go-to expert when it comes to this things. Her name was Dra. Tolosa and I even recommended her to my highschool friend who also had the same skin problems before.

What I liked about her is that she explained how acne forms in the skin and how the medication or treatment flushes out dirt and oil buildup. She drew a diagram of the skin and explained how dirt accumulates and gets trapped in the dermis, especially when we’re exposed to daily pollution like smoke and dust. Then, when we apply makeup and forget to remove it before sleeping, that’s when skin problems start.

So she explained to me the process of treatment in 4 steps:

1. Hydrating (Cleansing + Adding Moisture)

This step helps restore water to your skin after cleansing. Acne-prone skin can become dry, especially if you’re using treatments like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Hydration keeps the skin barrier healthy
Prevents overproduction of oil (your skin produces more oil when it’s dehydrated)
Helps reduce irritation and redness

Think of it as: giving your skin the water it needs to function properly.

2. Toning

Toners help rebalance your skin after washing your face and prepare it for the next steps.

Removes leftover dirt, oil, or cleanser residue
Helps tighten the appearance of pores
Can deliver active ingredients (like soothing or acne-fighting agents)

Tip: Choose alcohol-free toners to avoid dryness and irritation.

3. Moisturizing

Even acne-prone skin needs moisturizer—this is a common misconception.

Locks in hydration
Strengthens the skin barrier
Prevents dryness caused by acne treatments
Helps control oil production over time

Best choice: lightweight, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) moisturizers.

4. Protecting (Sunscreen)

This is one of the most important steps, especially if you’re treating acne.

Protects your skin from UV damage
Prevents dark spots (post-acne marks) from getting darker
Shields sensitive, treated skin from irritation

Use: broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day—even indoors if there’s sunlight exposure.

How it all works together

These steps support acne treatment by:

Keeping the skin clean and balanced
Preventing clogged pores
Reducing irritation from active treatments
Protecting healing skin from further damage

After a few more months of derma sessions, I stopped and let my skin heal naturally. After that I have tried various skin cleansers like the following:

1. Celeteque

I started using this when I was in high school, I find it a little bit pricey at the time because I was still in high school. Anyways, it was indeed value for money. This was a good maintenance after I stopped using the products.

Then, I also tried Mary Kay, which was also good on my sensitive skin. I seldom had any breakouts when I was using this. It's comes with a set and a bit pricey, but hey, there's value for money.

2. Mary Kay

Then I switched to Ponds. We know that there are a lot of Ponds facial cleansers tailored to different skin types. My skin is reacting good with the recent one from Ponds, the pink one, the Bright Miracle:

3. Pond's

Like I said, I am a Pond's girl now. However, recently my friend gave me a facial cleanser from Luxe. It's an organic facial wash infused with Aloe vera and vitamin C. I tried it recently and it smells good. Aside from that, it feels refreshing.

Now that I’ve reached my 30s, I rarely get breakouts. I’ve learned not to be overly self-conscious, and I’ve broken the habit of constantly checking my face in the mirror. In other words, I’m less vain now that I’m a mom and fully in adulthood.

I only use a few things on my face for skin care. And here's my skin care reveal:

My daily routine:

Morning:

That's Pond's Bright miracle for my cleanser and applying sunscreen from Luxe Organix 30 minutes before going outside. That's it.

Evening:

Sometimes I skip the cleanser in the evening if I were so busy during the day and I skip to just using a toner. The toner that I use is Gluta-C which is whitening and makes my face look radiant (especially after an egg mask). This was recommended to me by my girl room mate before who is a pharmacist, and thanks to her it was a treasure because it's perfect for many skin type which is very sensitive or acne-prone. It's alcohol free so it's keeps your skin hydrated and soothing and removes irritants or impurities, without the risk of getting dry.

In the end, taking care of your skin is not just about achieving a flawless or radiant look—it’s about understanding your skin, listening to its needs, and treating it with care and patience. Over the years, I’ve learned that more products don’t always mean better results. Sometimes, a simple and consistent routine is all your skin really needs.

As we grow older, our perspective on beauty also changes. For me, it’s no longer about being perfect or completely blemish-free, but about feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin. Skincare is not just a routine—it’s a form of self-care and self-respect. And at the end of the day, healthy skin is always more important than perfect skin.

Healthy Lifestyle Efforts for 2026

2026-03-13T01:21:00.000-07:00

Adulting is surreal, but it's interesting, really. Never have I imagined that I would be this much health-conscious compared to what I was during my childhood. I never even care what I eat or how much I eat--because I never thought I would ever gain weight. When I was in my teens, my weight was just ranging from 50 to 55 kg and that's it.

After I had my first baby, everything was different.

My metabolism slowed down. I began to gain weight; I had double chin, I started having excess fats no matter how much I exercise, body aches became frequent including occasional headaches.

Little did I know that my blood pressure started elevating during my pregnancy.

So, that's where it all started, having an elevated blood pressure. With this realization, I started exercising regularly again, 3 years after (2023). Why only in 2023? Oh because you know, tending to my little one when my daughter was a newborn, I barely slept. She's waking up every 2 hours! It's tiring; plus work, taking calls (working from home during the pandemic), and not to mention, the household chores.

Okay so I decided 2023 when she's 2 or 3 years old, I started working out. Mini stepper workout at home, brisk walking and jogging, etc. Also, I started becoming conscious of what I eat, I slowly became 90-95% vegan. This is when I thought of buying a food scale to monitor how much I eat for my calorie deficit.

My daily limit is 1500 calories so to achieve a calorie deficit here's what I do:

1. I only eat rice once a day, a maximum of 120 grams per day

2. I measure my calorie intake using the food scale above

3. I eat more veggies and fruits

4. I veer away from soda, pork, and junk food

5. I exercise 20 to30 minutes to 1 hour everyday as much as I can, I need to move everyday to keep blood circulating.

And the result, I slowly lose weight. From 74kg, I managed to lose 7 kilograms. I know what you're thinking. With all that effort just 7 kilograms? I haven’t told you that I have PCOS, which is why my hormones are getting in the way of my goal to lose weight. My doctor prescribed medication for it, and I think it has helped regulate things.

My period is regular, I'm slowly losing weight and I realized, if not for my cravings for salty food, I should say calorie deficit really works. So, for me, it's good to invest in this food scale because "Health is wealth" We can do a lot of great things when we're healthy and fit. Also, I'd like to share with you that by doing these fitness lifestyle, I also developed this habit of monitoring my blood pressure.

I have to be extra careful with this because my late mom and dad had the same health problems when they were still living. So, with diet, regular exercise, and calorie deficit efforts, I also invested in buying a reliable blood pressure sphygmomanometer.

Oh, this one's a treasure. It's not very expensive but the results are reliable. How did I know? I compared the blood pressure readings I have at home and the reading in the hospital every time I got to my yearly health checkup. Guys, make sure to have a regular check up at least once a year with your physician/doctor.

Also, you will notice that my blood pressure is not that high anymore. Yes, as you can see, it's now "normal." I got medicated to treat the high blood pressure, it's important as my doctor explained that I care about this because the veins, (mostly hereditary) are small to handle the blood pressure (if it gets high) and if this is not taken care of, it could lead to serious health problems: stroke, brain aneurysm at worst. So, a few bucks won't matter to ensure my safety and good health.

My tip: Don’t be scared to take medication when it’s prescribed by your doctor.

Trust your doctor because they know what's best. If you're worried about getting kidney or liver issues, I suggest you schedule a yearly lab test for the health of your kidneys and liver. Be honest with your doctor about this concern. They will give you a small dose to treat your elevated blood pressure, and if you need more, they will carefully increase the dosage if necessary. In this case, it’s really important to take your medication.

Alright, our health, is our wealth and so let's prioritize wellness. Bye for now and see you later.

Why I Love About Keeping a Journal or Planner

2026-03-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

Like I said in my earlier blogs, planning ahead is essential since being a mom entails various tasks that need to be crossed off during the day. With this, It's a must for me to buy and use a planner everyday. Sticky notes or Evernote tools are one thing, but writing it down is different--I don't know if it's psychological, but it works for me. The more you write it down, the more the tasks become real and then you have the urge to finish those tasks with urgency.

And so if you're wondering what is a mom like me thinking at this time, 3:16 PM? Okay, what I should finish today? Let me check, aside from updating this blog, I need to wash the dishes, bathe my daughter, clean the AC (even just the filter), Wash the babies clothes, create and edit video for my TikTok affiliate, and of course update the blog of my client. Oh! I almost forgot, I need to workout and dance hip-hop to lose some calories and bathe too! See, so many things to do. If I don't use this planner, I won't stay focused and organized, I might even forget doing things and completing errands too. This is what I love about keeping a planner/journal. Why don't you start journaling today? I will update this vlog later with a video from my TikTok. Just need to remind myself that I need to that so I won't forget. So, toodle, be right back. See you later!

Fitness Era of Us 30s and 40s!

2026-03-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Working out feels a little challenging especially for working moms like me. The need to juggle household chores, tasks at work, and of course, mother duties tend to be overwhelming at times.

That's why planning the day a head really helps a lot. I keep a journal yup. This allows me to organize my tasks within the day; cross off the tasks I have done and completed from my to-do-list and summarize the highlights of my day. With this, I get to plan my workout ahead of time. I created my own routine actually.

Monday = yoga morning and stepper workout

Tuesday = dumbbells workout and brisk walking

Wednesday - 1 hour Zumba

Thursday = yoga morning, brisk walking, and dumbbells workout

Friday = 1 hour Zumba and 30 minutes hip-hop dance

Saturday = 30 minutes dumbbells and kettlebell workout, 3 minutes planking

Sunday = 1 hour stepper workout

If you' wondering where I bought this mini stepper, I bought it from TikTok. (Check out from my yellow basket)

It's really a good find. Imagine, working out at the comfort of your own time, without being embarrassed with the jiggling flabs. Haha! Because gym time really takes most of my time 45 minutes to 1 hour of my time--that's why I bought this mini stepper so I can workout at home. From 74 kilograms, I'm now down to 69 kilograms. Actually, I reached 67 kilograms last month but for some reason (girl cravings), I craved salty foods every time I'm on my period, so there I think I loaded up on junk (which is not good) so there, I gained 2 kilograms.

But guys, you know what, this mini stepper as I was saying, was really a great find! It helped me regulate my blood pressure because it got elevated last 2020 when I had my baby. But now, my bp is normal. Regular exercise really works! Plus diet of course. I have become 85 to 90% vegan since 2023. I still eat pork but it was very rare like once a year or twice. If the pork was cooked very tender mixed with vegetables and pancit.

Also, I only eat rice once a day. I guess I'm on a OMAD diet. Because I eat small portions everyday. I just eat 45 grams of viand for protein (no pork) 120 grams of rice for brunch. Yes, my breakfast and lunch in one. I just drink water (room temperature) and sometimes, 230 ml of Ice ade watermelon or blueberry lemon drink twice a week. Also, I lessened my iced coffee to twice a month. For snacks, I just eat wheat bread (tasty will do Filipinos if there's no wheat bread) with cream cheese if I'm craving for salty in the evening. 40 grams of potato chips if craving are intense, but I don't eat chips everyday--this should be every other day. Eliminate chips if you can! But here's the thing, I don't eat after 10 PM latest! Much better if you can do the fasting earlier like 8pm to 9pm. But for me, I can do 9pm and 10pm latest for fasting. Because I go to bed as early as 9 pm and 10 PM is the latest. Sleep early and there goes your fasting!

Come on guys, believe me when I say exercising really works and it has benefits. Go and grab your mini stepper and exercise from home or anywhere, it's portable and easy to carry. It comes with a timer and a resistance band for arms workout even. Buy now!

My TikTok Affiliate Content Creation Journey

2026-03-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

I just had my new affiliate account in TikTok. It was new to me and my high school friend invited me to create an account so we can follow each other and share things and good finds online.

I was happy to have reached around 800 followers (and counting)...There's more to learn and I know about that and actually, I still haven't organized my setup for shooting/filming. Why? Because I'm waiting for my nails sticker order. I don't want to start posting stuff without that trending sticker nails on mine.

Actually, let's see how it goes. I know I need to watch more videos on how to improve my video editing and soon, I'll be joining the tribe once I get the hang of it. On my way to workout actually. I'm going to Zumba dance and hip-hop sesh later with my high school friend and her sister. Hopefully, the video I posted earlier will have more and more views and hopefully, they will buy my promotions. This is my latest video about my guppies and baby fry and I want to you guys to click on the yellow basket and buy the baby brine shrimp decapsulated for your guppies, Come on! Show some support. Thanks in advance! God bless us all!

Sunrise & Synchronicity: Why Tarot Reading in the Morning Shapes My Entire Day

2026-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

As a stay-at-home mom, I have developed a morning routine that may seem unusual for some but just normal to a superstitious mom like me. I'm an Asian mom of a 5-year old girl and I enjoy tarot card reading every morning to jumpstart my day.

Why I Like Tarot Reading in the Morning

Tarot reading in the morning serves as my guide when starting my day. It has become my ritual after saying a little prayer and doing yoga every morning. Not that I depend my life on fortune telling. It just makes me feel more in control of situations which are unprecedented and when the scenario comes into reality, I feel lesser anxious because I'm prepared emotionally with what I have to do.

Tarot cards are really like my guide for surviving the day or surviving the daily grand.

1. Why Tarot Reading Shapes My Entire Day

There is something sacred about the early hours of the day. Before notifications begin chiming, before conversations fill the air, before responsibilities line up demanding attention, there is silence. In that silence, I’ve found one of my most meaningful rituals: tarot reading in the morning.

For me, tarot isn’t about predicting dramatic events or uncovering hidden secrets. It’s about beginning the day with awareness. When I sit down with my deck at sunrise, I feel like I’m meeting myself before I meet the world. The cards become a mirror—reflecting my inner state, my concerns, my hopes, and sometimes the subtle truths I might otherwise ignore.

Morning tarot sets the tone. It feels intentional rather than reactive. Instead of rushing into the day already behind, I begin centered. That shift alone has transformed not just my mornings, but my overall relationship with time and decision-making.

2. Clarity Before Chaos: Why Tarot Works Best Before the World Wakes Up

The world is loud. Even when we don’t notice it, we are constantly absorbing information—news headlines, social media updates, work messages, and the emotional energy of others. By mid-morning, our thoughts are rarely just our own.

That’s why tarot works best for me before the world wakes up.

In the early morning, my mind is clear. My subconscious is still close to the surface. The cards seem easier to interpret because I’m not filtering them through stress or distraction. The symbolism feels direct, intuitive, and personal.

When I pull a card like The Hermit or The Sun, I’m not overanalyzing it. I’m asking simple questions:

What energy is present today?
Where should I focus?
What attitude will serve me best?

The clarity I gain before external noise begins gives me a kind of mental anchor. Even when the day becomes chaotic, I can return to the message of the morning card.

3. Morning Rituals & Tarot: Creating a Sacred Space at Sunrise

The ritual matters as much as the reading.

I don’t just grab a card while scrolling on my phone. I create a small, intentional moment. Sometimes that means lighting a candle. Other times it’s simply sitting by the window as the sky shifts from dark to gold.

This ritual signals to my brain and body: This is a pause. This is presence.

I shuffle slowly. I breathe deeply. I allow my thoughts to settle. In that space, tarot becomes less about answers and more about awareness.

Sunrise carries symbolic power across cultures—renewal, rebirth, possibility. Aligning tarot with that moment amplifies its meaning for me. It feels like I’m syncing my inner world with the natural rhythm of the day.

Even five quiet minutes can create a noticeable shift in how grounded I feel.

4. One Card, One Focus: How a Daily Draw Guides My Decisions

I keep it simple: one card per morning.

Pulling multiple cards can be insightful, but for daily guidance, one card is powerful enough. It gives me a theme—a focal point.

If I draw:

The Chariot, I focus on discipline and forward movement.
The Lovers, I consider alignment and values.
The Page of Cups, I remain open and curious.

The card becomes a lens through which I interpret my experiences. It doesn’t dictate my actions, but it informs my awareness.

Throughout the day, I might ask:
How does this situation relate to my card?
Am I embodying its lesson?
Is there something I’m overlooking?

Instead of feeling scattered, I move through the day with a quiet thread of intention woven into my choices.

5. From Anxiety to Alignment: How Tarot Grounds My Mornings

Mornings used to be anxious for me. My thoughts would immediately jump to everything I needed to do. Deadlines. Messages. Obligations. My body would feel tense before I even left my bed.

Tarot shifted that pattern.

By focusing on a symbolic image and a reflective question, my nervous system slows down. The act of shuffling is rhythmic. The act of interpreting is thoughtful rather than reactive.

Tarot grounds me because it redirects my energy inward instead of outward. Rather than asking, “What might go wrong today?” I ask, “What energy do I want to embody?”

This subtle reframe transforms anxiety into alignment. I feel less like I’m bracing for the day and more like I’m participating in it.

6. Journaling with Tarot: Turning Morning Insights into Action

Pulling a card is powerful. Writing about it deepens the impact.

After my daily draw, I spend a few minutes journaling. I write:

The card I pulled
Initial impressions
How it might apply to my current life situation
One practical action inspired by it

This step bridges intuition and implementation.

For example, if I pull Strength, I might reflect on emotional resilience. Then I ask: Where might I need patience today? The journal transforms an abstract concept into a concrete intention.

Over time, these entries create a record of growth. I can look back and see patterns—recurring themes, lessons learned, emotional shifts.

The combination of tarot and journaling makes the practice active rather than passive. It becomes less about waiting for insight and more about consciously integrating it.

7. Energy Is Fresh at Dawn: Why My Intuition Feels Stronger in the Morning

There’s a noticeable difference between morning intuition and evening intuition.

At night, my interpretations can feel clouded by the day’s events. Emotions accumulate. Fatigue dulls clarity.

In the morning, my intuition feels clean. Immediate. Honest.

Psychologically, this makes sense. My mind hasn’t yet been crowded by external input. Spiritually, it feels like standing at the edge of possibility.

When I draw a card at dawn, the message often resonates instantly. There’s less second-guessing. Less projection. More direct recognition.

It’s not that tarot is more magical in the morning. It’s that I am more receptive.

8. Spiritual Self-Care: Why Tarot Is My Favorite Morning Habit

Self-care is often marketed as indulgence—face masks, spa days, treats. While those are enjoyable, my most transformative self-care practice is far quieter.

Tarot in the morning is spiritual self-care because it prioritizes reflection over reaction.

It says:
My inner world matters.
My perspective matters.
My awareness matters.

Instead of starting the day by consuming information, I begin by connecting inward. That shift protects my energy.

This habit has become non-negotiable—not because I fear missing a prediction, but because I value the grounding it provides. Even on busy mornings, I try to pull at least one card. That small act keeps me connected to myself.

9. Setting Intentions vs. Predicting the Future: My Morning Tarot Philosophy

Many people assume tarot is about foretelling events. My morning practice is different.

I don’t ask:
What will happen today?

I ask:
How can I show up today?

This philosophy changes everything.

Tarot becomes less about fate and more about agency. The cards don’t control outcomes; they illuminate attitudes, patterns, and possibilities.

If I draw The Tower, I don’t panic about disaster. I consider where change might be necessary. If I draw The Star, I lean into hope and healing.

The future isn’t fixed. But intention is powerful.

By using tarot to set intentions rather than predict events, I approach each day with flexibility and awareness instead of fear.

Conclusion

Morning tarot reading has become more than a spiritual curiosity—it’s a grounding anchor in my daily life.

It offers clarity before chaos.
It transforms anxiety into alignment.
It strengthens intuition.
It encourages reflection.
It turns symbolism into action.

Most importantly, it reminds me that how I begin the day shapes how I experience it.

In a world that constantly pulls attention outward, sitting quietly with a deck of cards at sunrise is a radical act of presence. It is a commitment to listening before speaking, reflecting before reacting, and choosing intention over impulse.

Every morning, as the light slowly fills the room, I shuffle the cards and breathe deeply. In that simple ritual, I reconnect with myself—and that connection carries me through whatever the day brings.

Benefits of Selling and Using Preloved Clothes

2023-12-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

Selling and using preloved clothes promotes sustainability. In layman's terms, sustainability is the love for ecological balance. This is the pursuit of avoiding the depletion of natural resources. In today's modern world, selling thrift or second-hand clothes is becoming a trend for a lot of positive reasons: for extra or passive income, reduction of environmental strain, promoting circular fashion, decluttering, and also for fostering a community that expresses interest in preloved fashion.

Here are the reasons why you should stop hesitating to use preloved clothes and start using or selling them.

1. You gain extra passive income. Posting your preloved products like t-shirts and shoes online, it gives you the advantage of earning more while at home or anywhere you are, without needing to rent a physical store. Selling preloved clothes promotes minimalism and decluttering and at the same time, it's a win-win situation for you and the buyer as you help those in need to buy clothes for less the price. If you're the one who's going to wear the preloved clothes, you gain a new outfit that you need for your upcoming or important event; plus, there's no need to break the bank for its cheap price.

2. You don't want to put anything to waste.

Just like food, we are grateful for meeting our hierarchical needs: food, shelter, social, and clothes especially. You may want to get rid of your lightly used preloved clothes because you have used them already in your photo ops. But somebody, somewhere, might need those fashionable clothes you have, so might as well sell them instead of throwing them away. This is a responsible way to promote a resource-efficient lifestyle that encourages a circular economy or repurposing, reusing, and reselling. Hence, you contribute to reducing environmental impact and strain on natural resources (raw materials, energy, water, etc) by reducing the demand for new clothes or items--and that's sustainability.

3. It fosters responsible consumerism.

As a preloved seller, selling preloved clothes encourages responsible consumerism by offering ready-to-wear clothes with good quality. On the other hand, shoppers are encouraged to take action and that is to buy preloved quality items in good condition which supports sustainability.

4. It fosters a sense of community. Selling and using preloved clothes allows sellers and buyers to communicate via online platforms to find preloved items they are looking for. The inquiries and conversations are considered a shared commitment to sustainable living.

5. Using preloved clothing benefits you in a way that it renews your wardrobe collection without spending much. You can find a lot of good finds from a thrift shop and it looks way, way better than brand new clothes you see in department stores. Plus, you can find great items for a cheaper price with the same high quality compared to when you buy them from big stores like Forever 21, H&M, and the like.

6. From a seller's perspective, nothing's compared to the joy of sending out preloved clothes and sharing your fashion choices that make other people happy which also boosts your confidence for sharing your sense of fashion and style. It's like giving a gift to a family member or a friend. On the other hand, a buyer feels very happy and rewarded for being able to purchase a sought-after clothing/shoes/item for the lowest price possible. It's the feeling of finding a treasure and keeping it for good.

Go join the trend of sustainable living, resourcefulness, and minimalism. Be environment-friendly by this simple act of using or selling preloved clothes. Remember, "Fashion and self-expression need not be expensive."

How to Manage Your Finances As a Stay at Home Mom

2023-09-07T00:43:00.003-07:00

When you're a stay at home mom, the bills keep coming and it worries you a lot on how you can help paying the bills and increase family income for your steady cash flow. Delivering a baby must not stop you from earning for your family too because gone are the days when the guys as head of the family should only be the provider and bread winner of the family--it is a teamwork and you, as a mom, should also help your partner increase your income for your family's savings.

So, in this article, I will share my side hustles and strategies to manage finances and earn money even when I'm staying at home.

Here are some tips on how to earn money online even when you're at home:

5 Tips on How to Earn Online as a Stay-at-Home Mom

1. Sign up for an account in Upwork.

Start freelancing and remote work by signing up for an account in Upwork. Many companies and clients offer remote positions that allow you to work from the comfort of your home. Depending on your skills and interests, you can find jobs in areas such as writing, graphic design, web development, customer service, and more. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can help you connect with potential clients and employers.

Freelancing is an excellent way for stay-at-home moms to earn money online. Whether you have writing, graphic design, social media management, or any other skill, there's a market for it. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to create a profile and offer your services to clients worldwide.

My tip: Start small and gradually build your portfolio. Over time, you can increase your rates as you gain experience and reputation. Freelancing not only provides a flexible work schedule but also enables you to work from the comfort of your home.

2. Apply for a Full-time or Part Time Job.

If you want to earn extra income, you can apply for a full-time or part time job. Depending on your skills, and what you love doing, you can apply as an Accountant or Bookkeeper if you love numbers. There's a lot of job boards in need of these positions. You can try applying via Upwork, OnlineJobsPh (if you're from the Philippines like me). Most of my friends who also work from home tell me that they are working as an online tutor and it works for them because they can choose the time they can work and it's flexible.

Others prefer working as a Virtual Assistant. You can apply for this job in various platforms like: Athena, Yokly, Upwork,

For me, I love writing so I applied for a job as a Content Writer. I had projects with clients from Upwork and last year, I received an offer from LinkedIn employer to be their writer for Blue Pen Articles. I'm still with them and I'm earning enough to pay for our groceries and electricity. I'm not a finished product you know, actually, I'm still exploring these avenues online on how I could earn more. I'm learning with you. Like this blog for example, I created it years ago, but I seldom update it due to time constraints. I am still learning how to monetize my blog. So I started now because I should have started way back and years ago.

So, if you have a passion for writing, sharing your experiences, or offering advice, consider starting a blog or a YouTube channel. These platforms can be monetized through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. While building a following and generating income may take time, it can be a fulfilling way to share your expertise and connect with a like-minded audience.

My tip: Update your resume and your LinkedIn Profile, if you don't have one yet, create an account at LinkedIn right away and fill out with your information.

3. Open an online store.

Start selling your products online. After I quit my job as a Customer Service Representative, I opened my milk tea shop business because that was then my favorite drink and it was the trend even before the pandemic. I had a lot of customers starting form my family, my friends, and my neighbors. It was a hit but I can tell it was tiring because I cook the tapioca pearls and I prepare the drinks as per order. I wait for ice delivery and I also book for the shipping of the milk tea drinks. Then I had an offer to work remotely as a Copywriter, it was just project-based lasted for 3 months and I'm back to being a full-time mom again.

If you're thinking how was I able to manage being a full-time mom and work full time. It was really a struggle since I didn't have a baby sitter back then and my husband works during daytime from 6am to 3 pm too. My shift starts at 10 pm to 7 am. After three months, I took some rest and went back to accepting orders or writing gigs. It's a good thing because writing jobs are always there and you can work anytime you can, anytime you're able.

Last May 2023, I applied for a job as an Email Specialist. I applied at Indeed.com and noticed that the employers there are responsive and you will know and get feedback if you made it after a couple interview or not. I worked from 7am to 4pm and I hired part time baby sitters who cold take care of my 2-year old daughter from 7 m to 12 noon only. The work was good paying but it was more on Sales and it was too stressful for me since the team needs to call from time to time. So, I decided to discontinue working there and go back to my part-time writing gigs and went full-time with my online business.

This time, I'm selling vintage clothes and I'm happy. Orders keep on coming almost everyday and it's been just 2 weeks we're almost halfway to the amount we invested as a capital. Here's our Shopee online store and our Facebook pages: My Shopping Page/Trendsetter's Online Shop PH. You will notice that the price of our vintage T-shirts are so affordable but the designs are nice, cool, and suitable for any type of occasion: casual, street, formal, etc. Whatever style, you name it, we've got it for you!

4. Participate in Online Surveys

Participating in online surveys and market research can be a simple yet effective way to make money from home. Numerous companies are willing to pay for your opinions and feedback on products and services. Websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Vindale Research offer cash or gift card rewards in exchange for your time.

From my experience, one online survey app that really pays is the Yougov.com.

Yougov.com asks questions for the purpose of market research. Once you finished answering all of their questions, you will be rewarded with points every after survey completed. There are specific rewards for certain milestones and the goal at the moment is to be rewarded with P950 or $52 USD, once you've finished all of the surveys, which can't be completed in just one day.

Another app I recommend, especially for Filipino moms is the Brek app.

You have to download the Brekapp into your device and then you will receive a message invitation to make a minimum of (3) posts about your motherhood journey--whether you wish to share a story about your child's first day in school, what your child learned from school, tell about your experience as a mom, or promote a product which helped you with your duties as a mom: for example: a dishwashing liquid, a bath gel, lotion for the baby, etc. After 3 posts that has been approved by the admin, you will receive a P500 reward or $9 USD on the payment method you listed.

My takeaway: The brekapp was legit, and it really compensated me P500 after successfully approving my 3 posts--they transferred the payment through Gcash. So moms, try it now!

5. Budget and Save Your Money

Save your money for necessary things. Do not buy things that you don't really need. One of the most critical aspects of managing your finances as a stay-at-home mom is budgeting and saving. Create a detailed budget that accounts for all your household expenses, including groceries, bills, fare for trips, allowance for food, milk, diaper, toiletries.

For my family, what works for us is that we buy groceries weekly (instead of monthly). By doing this, we can limit the amount that we spend for the weekly budget. Say, 2,000 to 3,000 max per week only for the grocery then 600 for husband's fare going to work and 1,000 for food. We order cooked food because during the pandemic, we cook our meals but then we realized that cost of ingredients aren't getting cheaper. It's decided that we can save more if we just buy our homecooked meal from our trusted online caterer--very affordable, healthy, home-cooked, and delicious meals.

Conclusion

Being a stay-at-home mom is a rewarding, challenging, and demanding role. It often requires a great deal of time and effort, but it doesn't mean you can't contribute financially to your household. Thanks to the digital age, there are numerous opportunities for stay-at-home moms to save and earn money online.

From budgeting wisely and leveraging cashback programs to exploring freelance work and selling items online, these strategies can empower you to achieve your financial goals while still prioritizing your role as a caregiver. Remember, success in this endeavor often requires patience, persistence, and adaptability. By staying informed and continually seeking new opportunities, you can enjoy the benefits of saving and earning money online, all while maintaining a fulfilling and rewarding life as a stay-at-home mom.

How to Make Pastillas and DIY Milo Ice Cream on a Budget

2021-10-18T02:14:00.003-07:00

If you are looking into easy-to-prepare recipes, homemade pastillasand ice-cream snacks are some of the best, or if you are simply

looking for snack recipes you can sell from home and on a budget,

continue reading this article.

The preparation is so easy and you can do it any time of the day.

How to Make Pastillas Using Bear Brand Milk Powder and Alaska Condensed Milk

It is so easy to make these Homemade pastillas using just a Bear Brand milk powder and Alaska condensed milk. The milk powder and condensed milk don’t need to be that pricey.

For as low as 60 pesos budget, you can make your own homemade,

pastillas which you can even sell for your small, online food business.

Firstly, what you need to do is to prepare the materials needed:

- 1 mixing bowl

- 1 spatula

Second, here are the ingredients:

- 2 sachets of Bear brand Milk powder (33 grams)

- 1 can of Alaska condensada (condensed milk) (390 grams)

Steps on How To Prepare:

1. Pour the content of 2 sachets of Bear Brand milk powder into the mixing bowl.

2. Pour 1 can of Alaska condensada into the bowl with Bear Brand powdered milk.

3. Roll the lumps of mixture firmed until they form a ball.

4. Using your hands, form a ball with the mixture, and repeat the steps.

5. (Optional) The condensed milk is already sweet, it is optional if you

want to roll the pastille balls you have made into sugar.

For a detailed demonstration on how to prepare this fun snack,

you can click on my video on this link:

Voila! Enjoy your homemade pastillas with the family and pack those

instantly for your online customers.

Now, if you prefer eating cold snacks like ice cream and you are on

a tight budget, let us move to make your DIY chocolate ice cream.

This time, you are going to use Milo chocolate powder.

Milo powdered drink is very affordable. You can buy a sachet of Milo for as low as 10 pesos only.

How To Make DIY Milo Ice-cream

The instructions on how to prepare this DIY Milo ice cream are so easy. You don’t need fancy materials that seem pricey.

For the ingredients, the estimated budget is just 93 pesos!

You just need a clean container, a whisk/fork, an electric mixer (optional),

a spoon or spatula for mixing, and a mixing bowl, and you’re good to go.

So, here are the ingredients:

-1 can of Angel Kremdensada 2 in1 All Purpose Cream Sweetened Thick Creamer (410 mL)

-1 (Nestle) Milo Choco malt Powdered Drink (24 grams)

Steps on How To Prepare:

1. Pour contents of 410 mL Kremdensada into your mixing bowl.

2. Mix the kremdensada for 5 minutes.

3. Prepare 2 sachets of 24g Milo powder

4. Pour in the contents of 2 Milo sachets into the Kremdensada mixture

in your mixing bowl.

5. Mix the ingredients together using a whisk or a fork.

The next step is optional but if you have an electric mixer continue to

Step number 6.

6. Using the electric mixer, mix the ingredients for another 3 minutes

until mixture is smooth. Watch this video for demonstration.

7. Pour the mixture into a clean container and chill overnight by placing it in the fridge.

You can now serve, share, and enjoy your DIY Milo ice-cream!

Whether you are looking for a new hobby, or you are a mom like me who wants to make fun snacks during spare time, or maybe you’re an entrepreneur who wants to add a product for one’s online business/food business, hopefully this article helped you with simple, easy-to-prepare, home-made snack ideas and recipes for your household.

How To Prepare Food For My 6 Month Old Baby

2021-10-14T00:56:00.038-07:00

Being a first-time mom sometimes makes you feel overwhelming. You want to do it right and you fear making mistakes because you are raising a baby with life but there's no manual for all of this. In this article, I would like to share some tips on how I prepare my baby's food and read on for checking if your baby shows signs of readiness before you start weaning. I hope this will serve as a guide to prep you first-time moms out there. So, sit back and relax.

Most moms, they consider BLW or Baby Led Weaning as early as 6 months. Baby Led Weaning is an approach to the introduction of solid food. This means, veering away from spoonfeeding purees or mashed food and vegetables and babies could eat their food using their hands. In my case, I started a mix of BLW and feeding purees for my baby girl because she started as early as 4 months old.

If you are thinking about when is the right time to start weaning your baby, observe for signs of readiness.

Here are some developmental signs of readiness you can observe from your baby before you start weaning:

1. Baby has head control.

2. Baby could sit up straight

3. Baby is showing much interest in the food you eating and keeps on staring at it.

4. Baby reaches for toys and objects around and puts them in the mouth

5. Baby shows chewing movements with her mouth and salivates.

When my LO turned 4 months, she already showed the signs I mentioned above. At first, I was still hesitant to do exclusive baby-led weaning.

How I prepare my baby's solid food when my daughter turned 4 months old:

To start with, I have 2 round, 170 ML canisters I use as containers and keep inside the fridge. 1 container is where I place a pureed fruit or veggie and the other container will store the finger foods like sliced carrots. How: Slice the carrot in half and then lengthwise (1 -inch in size)/bitesize apples/cucumbers/oranges/mangoes/squash etc. Make a wedged carrot soft enough and thinly sliced to make it easier for your baby to chew.

You may want to watch videos and do a quick research about first aid on baby gagging or choking. (But don't panic, be confident that your baby will be able to get it just ensure that you are carefully watching your LO while eating). Babies are bound to melt their food in their mouths using their saliva, so don't worry.

1. I boil fruits and veggies in a saucepan with water for 5 to 10 minutes. If the veggies and fruits are soft enough as it goes with the fork, that's the time I switch off the pan and I set aside for cooling--room temperature.

2. After cooling, I place the fruits/veggies inside the blender. I puree the fruit vegetable or fruit and store it in the canister in the fridge. You can store fruit/veggies for an average of 2-3 days. I'm using a rechargeable blender I bought from Shoppee just for P150 pesos! Here's a video showing how I got excited receiving the blender from Shoppee.

3. The other batch of fruit/veggies I just boiled will be finger food (1-inch in size cut thinly), which will be placed in the other canister.

Since my LO was just 4 months at the time, I tried feeding her pureed carrots for the first time and she liked it.

Also, at the time, I also mash the potatoes using a spoon and serve them as it is. Again for the carrots, I cut them into bite-size pieces.

You may want to avoid feeding eggs for your baby to prevent allergic reactions, not before LO is 6 months old.

The basic rule is no sugar and salt before LO turns 12 months. This will save your baby from developing gestational diabetes or kidney illness at a very young age. For the drinking water, it is preferred to use distilled water when preparing her formula milk (if LO is not breastfed, like in my case).

I also give my LO oatmeal and bananas in the morning, every other day. She can't eat oatmeal without fruit in it, it should always be combined with something sweet.

When LO turned 9 months, I offered her broccoli and cauliflower. I just steam the cauliflower/broccoli in a saucepan with water for 7 minutes and she loves it!

At 4 months, I give her solid food 2 times a day. When she turned 6 months, the feeding time of solid food increased from 2 to 3 times a day. Now that she's 12 months old, I also offer snacks in between, and most f the time, her snack includes Nutripuffs, Marie biscuit, or Baby Mum Mum biscuit or cornflakes cereals. My LO has a very huge appetite.

At 10 months, I offered her pasta with tomatoes, and she consumed just everything.

Right now, she's eating almost about everything that we eat, except, it's still less, less, less, sugar and salt.

I will share a video when I first introduced her to the BLW approach: https://youtu.be/wOpYjV5ZTI4

I hope you find this helpful, especially for first-time moms out there. Let me know your insights and comment below.

The Journey to Motherhood

2021-10-12T21:50:00.002-07:00

This journey to motherhood surprises me every day. There's just something new to learn every single day and I just can't explain the happiness it brings me for watching her smile and explore the world around her.

By the way, my name is Gen, I'm a mother of a 12 month-old baby girl and her name is Gillian, and she just had her 1st birthday last September 25. I just documented and collected all of her photos from the day she came into our lives up to the present. I just wanted to capture every single milestone of her development and maybe I could also share my journey with my fellow first-timer moms out there.

This is Gillian when she was 4 months old--> https://youtu.be/0m4EvnEgaEk

I made a video when she started to lie on her tummy and played with her rattle. At 5 months, I already started giving her solid food like minced and boiled carrots and potatoes because she loves it, and she already showed readiness for eating. She can sit up straight at 5 months already and she is really showing interest in food aside from her formula milk. At 8 months, I gave her pasta and she loves it with or without boiled tomatoes.

When she turned 6 months, I officially followed Baby Led Weaning (BLW). I give her solid food exclusively, meaning no more purees or mashed vegetables. She loves apples, oranges, and bread too https://youtu.be/wOpYjV5ZTI4

I let her play so she could learn independence. I gave her what I call: "floor time" and she just plays with everything in her space. She has her little corner with a play gym rubber mat for her protection. She moves a lot and crawls from one side to another. Here is how she plays at 9 months: https://youtu.be/sDia5KqDEDg

At 9 months (or I think earlier), she could already stand up. She has a good appetite and loves eating. This month, her favorite is chicken (especially from Jollibee) :-)

Who’s Luna and who’s Celestina? Find out in Luna Mystika

2010-01-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

Luna and Celestina are twin sisters although the latter looks creepy and un-human because Celestina is born in a shadow form. Celestina is a total opposite of Luna: the latter being shy, unconfident, and polite. The attitude of Celestina is much more coarser, over-confident, and disrespectful with the people around her. However, I am not saying that Celestina is totally bad—every person in this world have different attitudes and behavior and it is explained by some biological factors. For Celestina, she overtly show mostly undesirable behavior because she never experienced having parents at all. She was deprived of nurturing by her parents and she did not even experience any attachment with a human being aside from Luna. This is because the twins’ parents never knew Celestina existed that’s why.

But here’s the catch: Celestina and Luna are just one person, how could that be possible when they're twins? Find out and see for yourself by watching the full episodes of Luna Mystika only at Mypinoy.TV (Http://MyPinoy.TV).

One is the human form and one is the shadow? Which is real? Are they both real? How could they both live this world, which is prejudicing, discriminative, and judgmental by nature? Could the two of them withstand life in this world? Are the two of them good? Or one of them is really evil? What if they fall in love? What would happen if the people around them in Barrio Mausok finds out of their secret? Could the twin sisters live by hiding in the shadows forever?
Watch the episodes of the mystery-filled, enticing, and intriguing series of Luna Mystika on Mypinoy.TV’s streaming: http://MyPinoy.TV.

The Three books of Encantadia: Watch all the complete episodes @myPinoy.tv!

2009-08-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Do you know where to access and watch your favorite Pinoy tv shows, movies, or fantaseryes?
What is the latest Pinoy fantaserye that you have watched so far?
If you’re going to ask me, I just recently watched the most popular Pinoy serye/fantaserye in the Philippines, ‘Encantadia’ in MyPinoy.tv's website (See http://mypinoy.tv) and I really appreciated the GMA network for such a creative masterpiece. Indeed, I congratulate the network for a job well done. No wonder Encantadia have reached its highest rating in year 2006 with a percentage of 39.3 in Metro Manila.

So, to share with you about the plot of the story, here’s a brief preview:

The story of Encantadia is all about the mythical four kingdoms of Adamya, Lireo, Sapiro, and Hathoria. Each gem of the four kingdoms is guarded by the four diwatas namely Amihan, Pirena, Alena, and Danaya. While because of evil (the root of all pride, vanity, hunger for power, greed, etc.), the four kingdoms of Encantadia are threatened to separate from its unison. The good forces of nature and the four gems guides the four Sang’gre sisters in their mission to struggle away from temptation and to prevent evil from entirely destroying and separating the 4 kingdoms in Encantadia.
What’s more exciting was that I discovered from MyPinoy.tv that Encantadia comes in three books! Book I is entitled, ‘Encantadia, Book II, Etheria (the 5th kingdom in Encantadia), and lastly, the finale: Book III entitled, ‘Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas.’ And of course! I have watched all the three books I mentioned because all the episodes are available and accessible at MyPinoy.tv!

Imagine? I was able to watch all the episodes in just two weeks! ☺ This is all because of MYPINOY.TV. If not for thatwebsite I would not be able to watch my favorite Pinoy fanataserye.
I watched Encantadia episodes for FREE within 24 hours (They feature a free trial!) but I just could not stop myself to watch up to the last episode so, what I did was to subscribe and as I preconceived it, I enjoyed my viewing with leisure. So guys, sisters, friends out there all over the country who were Pinoy couch potatoes and tv addict (☺), I want to share my satisfaction upon my subscription at Mypinoy.tv! Truly, I say, it will satisfy your desire for quality Philippine entertainment. ;-)

Visit MyPinoy.tv at http://www.Mypinoy.tv.com

The Psychological Benefits Of Using the Internet

2009-05-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Most people believe that using the internet has harmful effects and disadvantages. But in this article, you will learn that the opposite is true.
James E. Katz and Philip Aspden prove that the Internet is beneficial to the psychological health of its users.
Here are some proofs of the benefits that Internet provides:
1. Internet enhances social connectedness. It expands the users' social network; therefore, using the Internet increases ones' feeling of social support and (feelings of) belongingness.
2. Internet creates varieties of communities. Meaningful communities are established using the Internet and it fosters online communications where you can share group values, information, and activities.
3. Internet connects users with long lost friends. Users of the Internet can easily track their friends back from hometown, back in high school, college, in the neighborhood, or even friends from work.
4. Internet increases the possibility of establishing new relationships. Cyber dating is possible through online Internet access; therefore, It gives its users the pleasure of finding new friends, dating with new acquaintances, and increasing networks for making new activity partners.
5. Internet increases its users’ awareness. It gives you the news around the world, 24/7. It also provides you with all the information you need, whether in technology, trends, and events, or just anything under the sun!
6. Internet provides communication with family members. Using the Internet gives us the benefit of staying connected with our loved ones, especially with our family members abroad.
7. Internet fosters the ff. traits and values to its users: sociability, extroversion, and willingness to take risks. Internet decreases its user’s inhibitions which makes it advantageous to all.
These are just some of the psychological benefits that Internet provides. So, if somebody tells you, "Stop wasting your time staring at your computer, get a life!"... You may keep mum and give them a sardonic smile. And you can say: "You don't know what you're missing..."
Join the cyberspace and stay Online!