My Mom-Friday

Sneak Peek of The Mind Museum

2012-03-01T15:58:00.000+08:00

Be fascinated as you tour and experience the first world-class science museum in the country. "With over 250 inter-active “minds-on” and hands-on exhibits, the museum will be a venue that will present science as entertaining, fun, and engaging." - www.themindmuseum.org

Meet Stan, the T. Rex

Last February 11, I was able to visit and preview the interactive exhibits at The Mind Museum. I was really excited because I've been waiting for this state-of-the art museum to open ever since I "lit a star" for my boy and my girl at the Universe Gallery. As a museum donor, we were also invited to the exhibit testing last year and a got a first look at what we can expect once the museum is completed. The anticipation has been building since then.

At the exhibit testing of the museum last May 2011

Warning: Picture overload for this post.

You might think my title is misleading, but it's true. This is still a sneak peak -- remember, there are over 250 exhibits at the museum's bi-level structure. There were many features still in the works during my visit, which include the outdoor Science-in-the-Park with botanical garden, Theater and Labs for special functions, seminars and workshops. They will also have a Jollibee Cafe and Museum Cafe for your dining convenience within the park.

The Mind Museum features 5 main Galleries:

The Story of the Universe: Its Beginning and Majesty
The Story of the Earth: Its Story Across the Breadth of Time
The Story of Life: The Exuberant Varieties of Life
The Story of the Atom: The Strange World of the Very Small
The Story of Technology: The Showcase of Human Ingenuity

I can only briefly describe the hands-on exhibits that caught my eye, so I apologize in advance if I can't describe each one further. You really have to go and experience them for yourselves to learn and appreciate all the fascinating, high-tech, and artistic installations, with the assistance of friendly and knowledgeable Mind Movers (museum guides). I just hope they improve their portable speakers so their voices can clearly be heard when explaining to groups.

Let's begin the 'walk-through':

Here's AEDI, the talking robot, welcoming all the guests by the Lobby.

At the Introductory Hall, multiple video screens simultaneously flash tidbits of information about the 10 most beautiful experiments, and other various topics you can explore in the museum.

The ATOM Gallery -- features elemental forces in our everyday lives.

Looking through the Sony 3D glasses

The Periodic Table - open the cabinets to learn about each of the 118 elements!

Frequencies - with strong vibrations, see the bouncing micro styro balls that mimic sound waves.

Literally a hair-raising experience from the electromagnetic ball.

The LIFE Gallery -- features our living planet.

Larger-than-life installations of the whale shark, the human hand, and the brain!

Step on the floor buttons to light up the different parts of the human brain.

Bernoulli's Principle illustrates how birds and planes can fly - tilt the basket and see the ball follow

A showcase of bio diversity and how few we humans are, compared with other life forms.

Press the center of life, the sun, and how everything is inter-connected.

'Umami' goodness -- that's the 5th taste!

Our DNA, up close and personal.

Evolution of man depicted in this life-size diorama.

The EARTH Gallery -- showcasing our planet's natural history.

A 40ft. X 12ft. fossil replica of the "tyrant lizard king", which became extinct 65 million years ago.

A wall display of fossils in transition though time.

See how fire and molten lava blows out of a volcano.

Turn the dial and view nature move in slow-mo.

Good bacteria or Bad bacterial? It's like zooming in to a microscope.

Nature's Webway over the escalators features audio-visual shows and more photos of nature.

Moving up, you'll find the Story of TECHNOLOGY.
It's the biggest gallery covering the whole second level, with exhibits showing popular inventions, how we live, how things work, and more!

Meet MIMO, he will follow around and take a video of everyone in sight.

Glasses, mirrors and illusions!

From Here to There... how transportation evolved through the years.

Beauty in Symmetry, from architecture to the human form.

Trying to squeeze myself in the figure... I guess I don't fit into that beautiful symmetry! :p

Gutenberg Press, the original printing press with movable parts.

How we communicate -- scroll different languages and braille.

An artistic installation of paper products.

Era of gadgets -- a giant replica of a Sony VAIO.

Play some arcade games.

Try your hand at this electronic harp with invisible (with motion sensor) strings!

A favorite of the kids during the exhibit testing, these Solar Bugs are powered by the "sun" (solar energy represented by halogen lights) to move.

Packing Square challenges you to fit all objects into the box.

(this was taken from our exhibit testing visit last year)

The UNIVERSE Gallery walks us through space, and beyond.

A closer look at mankind's adventure to space, with a detailed timeline on Space Quest.

The Mind Movers, navigating the museum grounds on their personal transporter, the Segway.

See the many faces of the moon at a press of a button.

Suit up for space travel!

Travel through the Tunnel Craft, the corridor from Earth to the Universe!

Space Shell lets you watch the stars and learn about the universe inside this 360-degree mini theater dome.

Our beautiful solar system all aglow!

You can't miss the Hall of Philippine Science.

Vignettes of Philippine science facts and trivia are continuously shown on the video gallery.

Learn more about the Whale Sharks from Donsol.

Our legacy to the world -- rice harvesting. See the inverted bowl on the lower left -- it features the variety of grains grown in the country, sealed around the "bowl" of rice.

Visiting hours are in blocks of 3 hours to fully maximize your experience at the park. I will definitely be going back with my whole family this summer.

The Mind Museum will open it's doors to the public on March 16, so get your tickets now!

The Mind Museum is open Tuesday to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Open for three-hour blocks of time:

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (unguided visit)

*Music will play 20 minutes before the end of your time, to signal for the next group's visit.

Ticket Prices:

Adult: P600

Private School Student (up to college): P450

Public School Student (up to college): P150

Teachers: P150

All Day Pass: P750

* Teachers and students, bring your IDs.

The museum will soon offer party packages and conduct special events especially for children, so watch out for future announcements of activities.

You surely won't miss The Mind Museum's futuristic yet organic design by notable architects from Lor Calma & Partners, located in the heart of the bustling Bonifacio Global City. It's an ideal extension of schools that bring lessons to life. The museum is a fantastic venue for family and friends to get together, to explore and discover the wonders of science. It's the Philippines' newest landmark that we can all be proud of!

Buy Tickets here: www.themindmuseum.org

The Mind Museum 

J.Y. Campos Park

3rd Avenue corner 28th Street

 Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Tel. (632) 909-MIND (6463)

inquiry@themindmuseum.org

maan.capinding@themindmuseum.org (for tour companies)

trixie.tacardon@themindmuseum.org (for school tours)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Techni-Ice Reusable Hot and Cold/Ice Pack

2012-02-27T23:02:00.002+08:00

Traditional ice pack, ice wrap, gel ice pack, hot and cold gel packs, we have them all. Having very active kids in the house, getting bumps and bruises of all sizes are inevitable, so ice packs remain the most used tool for first aid, aside from plaster strips!

When I received my samples of heavy duty reusable Techni-Ice dry ice packs, I began reading about the product and knew how I'm going to use it.

I'm really happy I got more than just ice packs:

Use for first aid - hot or cold compress
Keeps food warm, and drinks cool, during travel
Will help keep my frozen goods from thawing out in the freezer when blackouts strike

I am anticipating power outages this coming summer season in country. Remember, Techni-Ice is like dry ice, so having frozen Techni-Ice ready is perfect to help extend the freshness of my frozen meats and other items in the refrigerator when there's no electricity!

It's very convenient, safe, easy to use, durable and long-lasting. Made in Australia, each sheet has 24 cells that you can cut to size to fit your specific needs.

For this purpose, I cut out 2 cells. With the help of my girl, we hydrated it as instructed on the packaging (see above). It took about 5 minutes for the cells to swell. Then freeze.

This small handy piece is on stand-by especially for my girl 'coz not a week goes by that she doesn't get a bump on her head, or bruise on her legs -- and she knows it!

I have to say, I like everything about Techni-Ice.

I highly recommend that each household have a sheet, or two, since you can use it in many ways.

For breastfeeding moms, you can safely store and bring along bottled expressed breastmilk along with some cold packs of Techni-Ice to keep it chilled while traveling! Even food establishments can benefit from this innovative product. And it's so affordable at only PhP250 per sheet!

Check out other applications of Techni-Ice hot and cold packs.

Unfortunately, this is not yet available in retail. Order your Techni-Ice here:

Mom-Finds: SNUZA Mobile Baby Movement Monitor

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

Last Friday of the month: Mom-Finds and Raves / Baby Gadget

"A compact, mobile baby movement monitor which safely and conveniently monitors your baby's movements while sleeping; clip onto your baby's nappy, no cords, no wires, no sensor pads nor external power required." Amazing right?

I have quite number of friends giving birth to their 'dragon babies' this year so, after being introduced SNUZA last month, I knew this is something that expectant moms and new parents would greatly benefit from and must include in their baby checklist.

When my husband and I became new parents, we bought a few sets of baby monitors, video included. It just made us feel at ease hearing and seeing the baby when he's sleeping in a different room. But during the earlier months, I would wake up at night just to check the position and breathing of the baby since I've learned about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and how to reduce the risk. Yes, it's pricey, but I think a Snuza on my baby would have saved me lots of worries and allowed me more sleeping hours, and most importantly, peace of mind! =)

Now, Snuza is available here, thanks to the sister moms behind Momhattan Corporation.

"We’ve been through the whole routine of being sleep-deprived and worry-ridden as we care for our babies, especially during the critical 1st year of life. We’ve dscovered and are living proof of how much peace of mind Snuza can give. Fortunately, we have been awarded the exclusive distributorship for Snuza in the Philippines so we can help sleepless parents one at a time!" - Sheryl and Aileen of Momhattan Corp.

Conveniently clips on to baby's diaper

What makes SNUZA unique and amazing?

Snuza Halo (blue)

Detects even the slightest movement
Alerts you if baby’s movements are very weak or fall to less than 8 movements per minute
If no movement is detected for a period of 15 seconds, Halo will vibrate gently
If no further movement is detected for another 5 seconds, an alarm will sound to alert you
Has Movement-rate Indicator to warn about weak or infrequent movement
Small, contoured shape, fits onto baby’s diaper
Portable and easy-to-use

SNUZA GO! @ PhP 4,989 / SNUZA HALO @ PhP 6,189

Snuza Go! (orange)

Provides the same mobility and ease-of-use as Halo but does not incorporate the rousing vibration function
Alerts you if baby’s movements are very weak or fall to less than 8 movements per minute
If no movement at all is detected for a period of 20 seconds, an audible alarm will be emitted to alert you
The 20-second period can be reduced to 15 or 18 seconds if preferred

Super soft and sensitive tip detects movement and breathing from the baby

Snuza Mobile Baby Movement Monitors were developed by world-renowned bio-sensory electronic manufacturer, Biosentronics, in response to parental concern and anxiety over a newborn baby’s propensity towards sleep apnoea resulting in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The incidence of SIDS is approximately 1.2 babies in 1000 each year. It can occur any time between the ages of 2 weeks and 12 months. Snuza is made in Capetown, South Africa.

You can use Snuza in tandem with audio and video baby monitors, and can bring it anywhere with its convenient casing. The battery would last you up to 12 months from first use.
Just clip it on, switch on, and relax.

Compact plastic carry case for Snuza

Watch this short video on how to use Snuza:

Are you pregnant?
A new parent?
Do you know people who are?
Good news: You can WIN a SNUZA Go!.
SNUZA is having an introductory giveaway on Facebook until March 13, so hurry and join now! Share this news to your friends too!
Just click on the poster or go to Snuza Philippines Facebook Page for details.

For orders and inquiries:
Mobile: +63917-5560612
Tel.: (632) 586-2784
Email: support@momhattancorp.com
https://www.facebook.com/SnuzaPhilippines

Note: Un-watermarked photos courtesy of Snuza

If you're shopping for baby's arrival, see my baby checklist here.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Mom-Grocer: Roots Ginger Brew Sparkling drink

2012-02-22T22:58:00.000+08:00

I just have to share my favorite drink of the moment, and it's super refreshing!

Bought from Unimart @ PhP 18.95 per 330ml bottle (solo size only)

As usual, on one of my morning grocery trips a month ago, I chanced upon this new brand in Unimart and grabbed two bottles to try. The label says it's made from 100% brewed fresh ginger. It tastes a bit zesty and it's mild, smooth flavor is quite addicting.

Imagine sparkling lemonade with a hint of ginger essence, that's how I would describe the taste of this non-alcoholic, caffeine-free beverage.

ROOTS is made from: Carbonated water, sugar, brewed ginger, citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate.

Pour over ice, or drink super cold straight from the (plastic) bottle. Even my girl refuses to share a bottle with me! Fine with me 'coz I'd rather have her drink this over other carbonated drinks.

Would you try this ginger brew? :)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

CHICK-IN Chicken Inasal is a Winner

2012-02-21T00:17:00.001+08:00

Weeks after their second outlet opened, at the invitation of the owners, I was excited to bring my foodie blogger friends to Chick-In Chicken Inasal restaurant and have them try the house special chicken inasal (Bacolod-style char-grilled skewered chicken marinated in vinegar, salt, spices, and basted in annatto seed oil).

I have to disclose that I am friends with the owners of CHICK-IN, who successfully opened their first branch in Makati City last summer 2011. After my initial visit to their first restaurant, I can honestly say I liked their grilled chicken, way better than the popular food chain serving the same style of chicken. I happily recommended them to my family and friends. Even my kids enjoyed their chicken inasal meals and cleaned their plates!

My first visit with the kids at Chick-In Makati branch last May 2011

This time around, at their newly-opened Quezon City branch along Timog Avenue, I was able to try more dishes from the menu with all-time favorite Filipino fare. With a happy bunch of food lovers, and my kids tagging along, we heartily dug in to the line-up of food served to us.

More dining area on the second floor, with a private room for bigger group or small functions

First, we ordered our preferred chicken part for our "AM" meals (All the way Meals). While waiting, we were served with an array of short order dishes like:

Batchoy noodle soup -- good, but I was not crazy with this one...

Batchoy Special @ PhP 75

Sizzling bulalo (bone marrow) steak -- I like anything 'bulalo'... the beef dish was well done with good flavor...

@ PhP 199

Sizzling pork sisig (chopped pig's ears, cheeks, snout, skin) -- their version of the popular Pinoy appetizer has a good balance of chewy-crunchy-meaty goodness, well seasoned too...

@ PhP 99

"Yay, chicken!" My girl was ready to eat.
Our chicken inasal has arrived. The kids and I all got the "Paa" / thigh/leg part. The chicken was delicious, well-marinated, and grilled just right. I'm really glad the quality and taste remained consistent since my first try last year. Believe me, this chicken tastes so much better than it looks on the photo, you can take my word for it. :)

All set meals come with unlimited steamed rice and clear soup, and you have a sauce plate to mix your own soy-vinegar-chili dipping sauce -- @ PhP 99 per set.

Some of my friends had the "Pecho"/ breast/wing. I never really liked chicken breast so I was very much satisfied with my "Paa" even if this breast was more meaty.

One dish that perfectly complemented my inasal was the Tokwa't Baboy (fried soy bean curd and pork cubes in spiced vinegar sauce). It's all about the sauce, and this one has just the right level of sweetness to cut the acidity of the vinegar. This is a winner for me.

@ PhP 59

I was too busy with my chicken and the other dishes in front of me that I was not able to savor this Grilled Liempo (pork belly). The small piece that I got to taste was good, but not enough for me to give an opinion about this one... though this shot sure is drool-worthy.

@ PhP 89

First time I tried their Laing, I liked it immediately -- laing is made with taro leaves cooked in coconut milk and spices. I've eaten laing from many Filipino restaurants and theirs is one of the better ones I've tried. I don't know how to describe the taste, but this truly rich and exotic Pinoy dish always makes me eat more rice than I should, even if it's not spicy.

@ PhP 59

A unanimous hit that afternoon was this savory Smoked Chorizo (pork sausage) brought in from the island of Boracay. Sliced and skewered, the sausage was perfectly caramelized and tasted like cured meat, really tasty!

@ PhP 55

A meal will not be complete without a sweet ending, and Chick-In also has classic desserts like this rich chocolate cake, creamy leche flan, and turon with vanilla ice cream, among others. Take your pick.

This Turon was taken from the Makati branch

Also from our first visit to Makati, the girl enjoyed her leche flan, while the boy sipped on their refreshing iced tea

CHICK-IN is a quick-service restaurant that offers value for money meals and specialty dishes that family and friends will surely enjoy -- perfect Filipino comfort food anytime of the day!

Thank you May, Sarah, and Jenny... with fellow bloggers (from right) Richard, Michelle, and Rowena

CHICK-IN
Open from Mon - Sat: 11:00 am - 1:00 am
- 1012 Metropolian Avenue, Makati City
- 75 Timog Avenue, Quezon City - For deliveries, call (632) 921-0892
Find Chick-In on Facebook

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Fun Friday: Cupcake Baking with Kids

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

Third Friday of the month: Recreation / Kids / Fun activity

Getting kids involved in baking and cooking have always been fun, messy, and educational at the same time. When this cupcake baking kit was sent for us to try, I excitedly scheduled a 'bake date' with my girl who loves to whisk, and eat cakes.

"Bright Bakers Baking Kit gives you the joys of baking professional grade cupcakes, with recipes inspired by pastry chef and top cake-maker Penk Ching, in the convenience of your own kitchen. We make things simple while still preserving that one-of-a-kind baking experience....and to make things even better...no leftovers!"

SRP @ P350 per Kit

You may be wondering why this food feature is on today's Fun Friday. Well, this is actually not a recipe post, but rather a photo essay of our kitchen activity with the Bright Bakers Going Bananuts kit. My girl actually ruled over this one.

This is more like cupcake-baking for dummies! See how we did it:

Each kit contains the following packed ingredients and materials:

Ingredients good for 9 cupcakes
Pretty and reusable box to fit 9 cupcakes, convenient packaging and ready to give as gift
Icing Ingredients
Cupcake Liners
Cupcake baking handbook

Going Bananuts also include crushed walnuts and rainbow sprinkles.
We only provided the wet ingredients -- cooking oil, eggs, and mashed bananas, plus a pinch of salt. The booklet features clear illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions.

After preparing the baking implements and setting the oven to the required temperature, it's now time to mix!

Whisk, whisk, whisk away! This is her favorite part in any cooking/baking that involves mixing.
Egg, sugar, and bananas... I took the liberty of adding a few drops of vanilla extract for that extra flavor.

While she's mixing, I prepared my muffin pan with the cupcake liners.

By this time, we already incorporated all the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then I carefully poured into the cupcake liners. Bake and wait for 25 minutes.

Ding! Done.
Out came these freshly baked banana cupcakes!!! Smells sooo good...

Still warm, lined up, and boxed... she can't wait! One down, 8 more to devour.

Now she's excited to add sprinkles, but we were about to prep for dinner so we postponed frosting the following day. The girl can't wait and went ahead to eat the sprinkles, leaving only a few for topping.

I have a confession: I forgot to add the walnuts into the mixture!!! It would have been perfect.

The walnuts were not mentioned in the procedure so I completely missed it. So I decided to just use the nuts as topping. In the end, this mis-step was a blessing in disguise because the kids told me they don't like nuts in their cake.

Sprinkles, mix of powdered sugar and cream of tartar, walnuts

Frosting time: Beat egg white until stiff, then added powdered sugar and cream of tartar.

I used my hand-held mixer to achieve the consistency and fluffiness. My boy wanted to try the mixer and this is his first time... and as expected, I needed to clean up a few splatter here and there.

I simply put a dalop of frosting. Sweet, yes... but certainly delicious!!!

Bright Bakers come in three flavors:

Choco Blast - Moist Chocolate Cupcakes
Going Bananuts - Banana Walnut Cupcakes
Warm Cinnaple - Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes

I congratulate the creative students who came up with this novel idea of a gourmet cupcake kit. This is a wonderful starter set for those who want to try baking. With the easy-to-follow instructions and pre-measured ingredients, and even the little ones can confidently whip up a batch in no time!

We're so glad we got the banana flavor since they loved it so much -- even without the frosting! In my book, this is a winning project and a viable business.

Such fun! I think we'll do this more often. :)

Bright Bakers
Order through email: brightbakers@gmail.com
Or via Facebook: www.fb.com/brightbakers
Mobile: +63917-5017445 - Philippe Lorenzo

Check out my last attempt at oatmeal cookies, in Rediscovering Baking.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Yoga at Urban Ashram Manila: Flexibility Not Required

2012-02-15T11:58:00.001+08:00

Yoga: a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating... (Wikipedia). To quote Urban Ashram instructor, yogi Marc Macadaeg, "yoga is basically a way to quiet the many voices in your mind." I believe.

Urban Ashram's registered yoga instructors: Marc, JP, Martin, and Maricar (seated)

First, I just have to say: I am a yoga virgin.
I have never been to a yoga class (unless Wii Fit Yoga counts), and I'm certainly uneducated on the names, poses, and terminologies of yoga. I am clueless, so I won't pretend to know what this is all about, and what we actually did at the trial class. Still, I want to share this because I was very impressed with the center and the passion of their instructors with yoga.

All I know is, yoga is good for everyone, that it's all about inner peace, clearing the mind and body, and uplifting the soul. It's a way of life.

I've always been curious to try yoga and pilates since the late 90s but never had the opportunity to actually do it. My recent private session at Urban Ashram Manila proved to be refreshing, invigorating, and enlightening at the same time.

The reception and lounge; and hallway leading to the studios

I've heard about the center last year but never looked it up until I made a post on women's Christmas wish-list, and Urban Ashram was on one of friend's list! I was already impressed from their website. It was a welcome surprise when I got invited last month to try a yoga class there, and eventually went with my fellow blogger, Mrs. Martinez.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Yoga Alliance-registered instructor, Marc, at their swanky lounge and reception. Located near Ortigas center in Pasig City, this fast growing yoga center is still undergoing additional improvements at the time of our visit, so you can look forward to better features and amenities this summer.

Since both of us were not practicing yoga, and I have never attended a class before, we will be doing their their signature FNR, Flexibility Not Required class -- a basic course developed by Marc himself. It's not surprising that majority of their students take this beginners class as many are now discovering the benefits of yoga.

We used the fully-equipped Studio 1 for our FNR session

“There is a misperception that only flexible people can do yoga when in fact, they can build their flexibility through the regular practice of yoga,” says instructor Dr. Martin Ngo. “The flipside to that is, of course, strength. A well-balanced practice should make you both more flexible and stronger than ever before.”

Marc introduces some basic poses for the FNR class

What I like about Urban Ashram yoga center:

Over 200 sqm. space with 4 spacious studios - each can accommodate 20 students; may be combined for larger groups of up to 60
Environment-friendly and intelligently-designed "green" studios - with hardwood sprung floors, high ceilings, skylights and windows (soundproofing still in the works as of my date of visit)
Quality Manduka-brand yoga mats, complete accessories/props available to all - towels, blocks, straps, blankets
Fully-air-conditioned locker room / changing rooms with showers
Comfortable community lounge, with unique furnishings and lighting fixtures by Kenneth Cobonpue
Certified teachers and variety of classes on offer -- their signature FNR (Flexibility Not Required) class which we tried; Vinyasa Flow; Ashtanga; and Hatha
Offers classes day and night with a convenient and flexible schedule for students

Oh, and one more thing...NO MIRRORS in the studio. I personally appreciate this. As Marc explained, this is intentional as many students get too conscious and distracted during class. They want students to focus on themselves, learn to concentrate and find their center, while teachers will spot and help correct their form. If you think about it, this makes complete sense since yoga was originally practiced in India in open spaces under the sun -- without mirrors of course.

“Yoga is such a great gift that we wanted a facility that would allow city dwellers to find sanctuary, peace of mind, and a place to study yoga without having to trek too far,” says Urban Ashram Manila Director Maricar Holopainen.

~~Can anyone name this pose?~~ Found out this is called Parsvakonasana

And how about this one?

Our FNR class lasted 70 minutes from warm up to cool down. As each student progresses and gains confidence, Marc advised that one can attend a longer class of 90 minutes. They can also recommend a move up to the next level in another type of class.

Marc assists Mrs. M to a perfect form

Faculty Director and Instructor at Urban Ashram Manila Marc Macadaeg says, “We monitor our members’ progress and encourage them to explore the different types of yoga that is available before developing their own practices. What is important is that students find what is best for them.”

My turn to do the pretzel twist

Overall, I was impressed with Urban Ashram Manila's modern facility, the dedication and passion of the instructors who partnered together with a common vision and to have this dream center and 'share their yoga'.

If you're new to yoga, call them for a 15-day unlimited pass for only P1,000!
I posted more photos from our visit at Urban Ashram here on my Facebook album.

Thank you team Urban Ashram :) and also to Bheng and Berry (far right) for the invite!

The Urban Ashram is the first and only yoga studio in the Philippines that is a member of the Green Yoga Association, an international community of yoga studios and teachers who are committed to earth-friendly and responsible practices.

RashFree: More than a Diaper and Rash Cream

2012-02-13T22:28:00.004+08:00

Mild eczema, chafed skin, insect bites, and minor cuts -- my family is constantly afflicted by these common skin problems and we apply so many different kinds of balms and topical medications. I only have myself to blame for being too lazy to learn about and search for a 'do-all' product that we can conveniently use to make these irritating skin conditions go away.

I am thankful for my blog sponsor, Unilab, because I wouldn't have been educated about zinc oxide if not for their latest skin ointment -- RashFree.

According to MIMS Philippines, "Zinc oxide is a skin protectant. It acts as a physical barrier that soothes the skin and prevents it from coming into direct contact with external irritants. This protective effect prevents worsening of the condition and promotes the normal healing processes of the skin."

SRP @ PhP150 / 30g tube

Each gram of ointment contains 200mg zinc oxide.

RashFree is formulated for the prevention and treatment of diaper rash. It can also be used to promote healing of:

minor skin irritations
non-infected wounds
burns
abrasions, cuts
chafed skin
sunburn
insect bites

I know it's being sold mainly as a diaper rash cream, but I have no baby bum to apply it on anymore. Nevertheless, we still put it to good use. My daughter has chronic mild eczema. My boy is never free from mosquito bites. As for me, almost a month ago, I had this circular, reddish, scaly, itchy, dry patch of skin above my knee, the size of a 25 centavo coin. I ignored it for weeks and did not apply any topical medication until I can't stop scratching anymore. (Please excuse the icky shot below)

I applied RashFree thinly on that red patch every night over a week, and the relief was instant. Gradually, the redness subsided, the scaly skin smoothed out, and more importantly, my scratching stopped. What a big relief! (Again, please excuse my icky dry skin)

Suffice it to say, RashFree works! It's good to keep a tube in your first aid kit or medicine cabinet as a use-all skin ointment. Available at leading drugstores.

***
Announcement:
Unilab is holding RUN United 2012 this March, so if you are interested to join the race, just click on the poster to view. To register online, just click my Unilab RunUnited Ad on top of my sidebar to be redirected straight to the registration site.

Family Friday: Pets and Kids, part 2

2012-02-10T00:03:00.000+08:00

Second Friday of the month: Home / Kids / Pets

"I want to have a bird for my birthday."
"Did you know birds eat nuts?"
"I want a rainbow bird."

After reading an article about love birds and parakeets to my girl sometime late last year, my girl can't stop reminding us about her wish to have a new pet -- a pet bird for her birthday.

We tried to discourage the girl from getting another pet until such time that she can take care of the animals on her own. We already have a rabbit and a trio of fish and the kids seldom check on them. Caring for these pets add to the daily chores so we always explain that it's not that simple to have a pet. End of story.

Her birthday has passed and no mention of any birds. Then Chinese New Year came around, and if you've read about our recent Chinatown visit, you may have guessed what happened next -- we got birds!

Our walk through the bustling Ongpin street during the spring festival turned out to be "bird hunting" for the kids -- there were several peddlers of these brightly colored chicks and quails, and ducklings too! They got their picks and we went home with 5 new tweeting pets.

Friends, meet Max, the duckling. He/she enjoys wading in the puddle, and eats rice in water.

And here are the baby quail birds -- we call them by their color. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue. They all loved to be cupped. We took turns feeding them and made them cozy.

Sadly, they were all too young and fragile to fend for themselves. All five did not last a week! :(

The kids were not attached to the birds yet so they did not get too affected when the quail left one after the other. We simply told them they were too young and weak. We did regret buying these poor baby quails. Never again.

So here are our pets today:

Max survived and is chirping ever so loudly while taking his daily walk.

If you've been reading my blog since 2010, you would probably remember our little white bunny Skyler. We got this fur ball two summers ago with the brown one named Renee.

Well, she's not so little anymore... look at her now, bigger and heavier than a basketball! This shot was taken with the visitor from the girl's class "mascot".

And who can ever forget our fish shocker... the shark that ate the smaller shark.

This fella survived after eating it's partner up there. One year later, it grew twice it's original size, now stronger, and is swimming in a bigger tank.

I learned from a reader it may be an iridescent shark, and not a hammer head as it was identified by the pet shop. It looks like it because it's skin has turned silver now. The shark still cohabitates with the original pair of inconspicuous algae eaters.

To this day, it's mommy, daddy, and yaya (nanny) who end up caring for and feeding the pets. The boy and the girl only enjoys watching and playing with these friendly creatures whenever they feel like it. But I can't deny the fact that having these pets enhance the dynamics in our household and always make our days a little brighter.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Until the next pet... (maybe not!)

Do you have pets?

Meet our pets, past and present:
Our first family pet - Remembering Sushi
Bunnies and more - Pets and Kids, part 1
Shocking cannibal shark - Shark Tales

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Foodie Friday: Irene's Quezo de Bola Cheesecake

2012-02-03T00:14:00.001+08:00

First Friday of the month: Food / Dessert

Send me cake and I'll eat it. Send me a cheesecake and I'll take my sweet time to savor and indulge. Let's start the love month with something decadent!

I have a long-standing "love affair" with cheesecakes ever since my mother made one more than two decades ago. Her luscious blueberry cheesecake became my benchmark against others I've tried thereafter. Eventually, I learned to make one when I was in high school. After sharing the recipe here, it has since become my most popular blog post to date and even ranked #1 on Google search for "no bake blueberry cheesecake"! So yes, I am very particular about cheesecakes, and I will always love my own! *wink*

I've tried all sorts of cheesecake varieties, and just last Christmas, we received our very first box of quezo de bola cheesecake. No one at home was interested with the cake so I had the pleasure of consuming the whole 8" cake all by myself over a two-week period. And as my luck would have it, I received another one just weeks ago! What a treat for me!

For this foodie post, I'll tell you about the second Quezo de Bola Cheesecake I had, a 4.5" solo cake from Indulgence by Irene. (Quezo de Bola, or edam cheese, is a hard dark yellow cheese with a somewhat off-putting smell, and has a sharp flavor.)

Irene's Quezo de Bola Cheesecake has a very smooth, creamy consistency with bits of finely grated edam. Compared with the first one I tried, which was more dense and has a stronger edam cheese flavor, I liked her version much better. I prefer my cheesecakes to be lighter, softer, and smoother.

What I noticed from this cheesecake was that even though it was baked, it still maintained it's rich and velvety texture, and the crust still very moist yet firm. That's why I initially thought this was a no-bake cheesecake too. It also has the right level of sweetness, balanced with the mild saltiness from the cream cheese and without an overpowering flavor of the quezo de bola. I just found it a tad milky for my taste, so I had hubby try a small bite -- and he agreed with me on that. Still, I enjoyed this divine quezo de bola cheesecake, a real indulgence indeed. This did not last a day. Now, I think I found my birthday cake for this year! ;)

Indulge in this luscious Quezo de Bola Cheesecake from Irene, order now!
Call/Text: +63922-8303900; +63917-6225800
9-inch cake - PhP 900
4 1/2-inch cake - PhP 200
For pick-up in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Meet-up in Magallanes - weekday mornings and afternoons

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Reality Check: Then and Now

2012-01-30T17:59:00.000+08:00

Funny, sad, but true!
I got this from an email and was just so amused by these illustrations about how we evolved... look, read, and maybe laugh.
Here's the reality that is the 21st century.

Peace!

Sorry, I don't know who made these illustrations, or where they originated from. If any of you know the source, drop me a note so I can properly give credit.

Thanks for sharing Chris! (",)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again! (Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Mom-Finds: Multi-way HeadWare

2012-01-27T00:43:00.001+08:00

Last Friday of the month: Mom-finds / Raves, Accessory

Our home is still brimming with new and wonderful things we received over the holidays, with several more items being sent over until after the new year. Among the gifts were these cool, multi-purpose accessories that the kids and I have enjoyed using.

When the package arrived with three distinct designs, the boy and the girl quickly grabbed and "owned" one for themselves -- not knowing what it actually is, hahaha! The colors just caught their eye and so they couldn't wait for me to open it.

"HeadWare™ is a seamless elastic bandana with a multitude of uses." That's right -- it's a multi-purpose accessory that adults, and even kids, can easily use to spice up your daily attire or to complement your active lifestyle.

What I like about HeadWare:

Multi-way accessory
Stretch/elastic material - highly absorbent, cool and breathable
100% Polyester Microfiber - very light, soft and durable
Seamless, tubular shape
Fun, hip, attractive colors and prints
Very handy
Very affordable
Great for use by every member of the family

My HeadWare 'Yellow Swirl' @ PhP 290

As you can see here, us girls wore our HeadWare as a hairband/headband. I usually tie my hair in a ponytail after wearing my hairband, while the girl wears her hair down.

Hers is obviously the most brightly colored and printed HeadWare, while my boy loved his camo print which he first used as a face mask and pretended to be a ninja (sorry, no photo of that).

The girl in 'Forest is Full of Cuties' @ PhP 390

The boy in HeadWare 'Linear Green Camo' @ PhP 290

HeadWare can also be worn as neck scarf, wristband, dust mask, pirate cap, beanie, tube top and even a skirt.

This one is my own "creation"... as I was tying my hair in a low bun, I just thought I'd try and wrap the messy bun and here's how it looked after a few twists.

My covered bun. Neat and tight. Nice? :)

On other occasions...

...my HeadWare secured my hair and made me look put-together the whole time while we're walking around busy Chinatown last Chinese New Year. Here we are when we got home, and I think you'd agree I still look fairly "neat"...

... and just the other day, it kept my hair in place during my yoga trial session! (More on my first yoga experience on the blog soon.)

View the video on how to wear the versatile HeadWare - just click on the photo:

Choose from a variety of hip and colorful prints from their website. They even have selected designs in Junior size. Get one, or two, or more... for yourself and your whole family.

You'll surely love using it. Great as gifts too!

Got one? How'd you like to wear HeadWare?

Screen cap from the HeadWare website

Care: Hand or machine wash. Do not iron. Not recommended in dryer

Down in Chinatown on Chinese New Year 2012

2012-01-24T17:14:00.000+08:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai, hong bao na lai!
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!
Kong Hei Fat Choi!
Happy Chinese New Year!

Yesterday (January 23rd on the Roman calendar) was the first day of the lunar year of the Water (Black) Dragon. Chinese people all over world celebrate the Spring Festival with much exuberance. This most important annual event marks the end of winter, welcoming spring and a new year.

Here in the Philippines, the center of Chinese culture is in bustling Chinatown in downtown Binondo, Manila -- the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594! Expect this side of the city to usher in each lunar new year with a bang, attracting a throng of revelers painting the town red (literally, with folks in red clothes!) and joining in the parade. For the first time this year, the government has officially declared Chinese New Year as a special holiday.

Chinatown here we come!

"Mommy, is Chinatown out of town?"

"We're going to China?! Yehey!!!"

You can surmise from the comments of the boy and the girl that they've never heard nor have they ever been to Chinatown. For this new year, my family chose to brave through the human traffic and be where all the action is -- Ongpin Street!

Warning: Picture Overload

Seeing Chinatown like it was our first time:

Chestnuts and char-grilled corn

Colorful chicks!

Lucky charms, jewelry, and other decorative ornaments for sale line the streets of Chinatown

Character balloons

Visiting an uncle.... like most retailers in the area, their store on busy T. Alonzo st. was open even on a holiday

Dancing to the beat from the Dragon Dance parade

Goofing around while testing self-portrait function of the iPhone

Sa Lido restaurant's fresh catch

* I was impressed with the image quality of the 8-megapixel iPhone4s, so I''m happy to note that all photos above were taken with J's iPhone4s; while photos below were taken with my Canon500D

A landmark of the city of Manila

Can't decide what birds to get...

Chicks galore! More of these fur balls on a separate post.

Vivid stripes on baby quail birds

With her 2 pairs of quail birds and his lone duckling

Enter the Dragon!

Can't leave without buying dried meat delicacies at Shin Ton Yon

Fire eater from one of numerous street performers

View of centuries-old Binondo Church (Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz)

And here are some of the most recognizable buildings and establishments in the heart of Chinatown, just like I remember them in my younger years...

One of the oldest retail stores -- Anson Emporium

The famous President restaurant

Well-loved goodies from Salazar Bakery... oh yes, we braved our war through that crowd!

We had lunch at the original LIDO Restaurant... now given a face lift

Our morning to mid-afternoon, trek was a feast to the senses. It was a pleasure trip down memory lane especially for J and my in-laws as they reminisce while pointing out to the kids where they used to live, where they hang out with relatives, which stores and eateries they frequent, and the busy side streets they used to walk through in their younger years.

The fact that I can't recall the last time I was here only means it's been ages since I last went to Chinatown. This visit on this most festive day for the Chinese was extra memorable and fun since this was also the first time for the kids to actually go to Chinatown in Manila to experience the culture and be part of the revelry first hand.

We'll see you again soon, Chinatown!

Happy New Year!!!

Of course, the Chinese New Year celebration will not be complete without the sweet-sticky delicacy we all love -- tikoy! Try my lumpiang tikoy and Cheekoy here!
You might also like to check out our Visita Iglesia (church visits) around old Manila:
Images from our Visita Iglesia

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Fun Friday: Photography Tips for Better Pictures

2012-01-20T16:24:00.001+08:00

Third Friday of the month: Recreation / Hobby

What I'm going to share here is not from a formal workshop, nor is it a photography class. It was a very casual tutorial session among friends -- a group of moms who simply enjoy taking photos (lots!), either for business, for blogs and websites, or for personal files.

Practicing on food shots

Like many photo enthusiasts out there, my friends and I were all eager to learn how to take better pictures using our digital cameras -- point-and-shoot or dSLR, whatever we have, it doesn't matter. We're not planning to be pros so these basic tips and tricks are very helpful for us to maximize use of our cameras and photograph with confidence.

Our group was met by ace photographer Stanley Ong at Fun Ranch in Frontera Verde, Pasig City. He was very patient and accommodating in answering our (serious and silly) questions, and was generous with sharing his knowledge and expertise. He taught us some basic techniques that we can apply while taking photos of our kids, food, products and other stuff, whether indoors or outdoors, using DIY tools and available light.

What I learned from Stan Ong:

1. Composition and the Rule of Thirds

Framing - creates focus on the subject; the "frame" highlights the subject or sets the backdrop

Sample: Framing, with diffused backdrop

Rule of Thirds - imagine invisible lines on your frame, creating 3 parts horizontally and vertically, then position your points of interest on the intersections or along the lines. Most cameras have a grid to guide you. You can focus on centering, or get creative by off-centered subjects.

Stan illustrates the Rule of Thirds; Sample: off-centered shot from a pre-nuptial pictorial

"S" formation - creates movement and leads the eye towards the subject; or allows the eye to follow a path or trail of objects for a more interesting shot
Grouping of subjects - try to arrange the people, or balance objects, in different heights; as long as they don't look lined up like a firing squad

Sample: "S" formation

Sample: Family / Group shot, saturated colors for softer effect

2. Lighting

Use available natural light - if not outdoors, find the area in your house where light comes in, by the window or near a door
Light Tent and Reflectors - tent is great for diffusing or softening the light on the subject (it comes in different shapes and sizes); make your own light tent with tracing paper and boxes, or even cartolinas / illustration boards, and even mirrors. Reflectors help bounce or redirect light towards the subject, to highlight or diffuse.

My tea catching light by the window

Taking shots inside the tent softens harsh day light and produces balanced lighting on the product

4. Camera Settings

For semi-auto use of camera for non-pros like me, set on either:
Aperture priority or Shutter Speed priority. (I won't be able to thoroughly explain those terms for you so you're better off with Google, heehee)

Stan suggests: "You can use the shutter speed priority especially if you want to freeze action or capture motion. But personally, I use more aperture priority since I shoot a lot of portraiture and I want to control depth of field."

Sample: Freeze action - jump shot

Sample: Baby's portrait

Stan also recommended a 50mm lens for me since I take a lot to tight shots, food shots, and portraits of my kids. And I'm so glad I got one last month!

Here are recent photographs using my new 50mm, f/1.8 II lens here.

Cupcake shot and the boy, using the new lens, with shallow depth of field (sharp foreground, blurry background, using wide aperture = smaller F-stop number).

5. Special Effects

For added texture and effect on the subject, like this glass bottle, Stan suggested spraying on water to create that "cold, dewy, frosty" look on the bottle. You'll find this trick useful on food and product shots.

Here are my sample shots of plain bottle, and with water mist.

Aside from photography tricks, you can easily manipulate the photo with the help of editing softwares like Photoshop, Gimp, etc.

If you want to evoke a mood, or background looks cluttered, Stan suggests you render the image in black and white, or apply various color effects on your image.

Sample: Vintage effect, highlights the subject, theme or backdrop

Sepia look for this shot to downplay the clutter on the table

6. Basic Cleaning Tools

If you use your camera often, it's recommended that you have it professionally cleaned at least once a year. This will help maintain your unit and produce consistent quality images. There are also the lens pen, microfiber cloth and lens tissue paper that Stan uses to regularly clean camera crevices and lens. Available in photography shops.

Outtakes from our session, with Stan and the moms:

6 moms, 2 boys, and 1 photographer at Fun Ranch

I am a self-confessed "pathological picture-taker" and these tips shared to us by Stan really helped improve my mediocre skills in taking better photos.

Hope you learned a thing or two here as well. If you have some tips and tricks, do share it here, we can all learn something new!

Here are my attempts at taking better photos, and an appreciation for digital photography with my babies:
Tales of a Pathological Picture-taker
Double Take

All Sample shots courtesy of Stan Ong.
View more of his photographs from his gallery: Facebook- StanleyOngPhotography
Flicker - Stan Ong's Photostream
Stanley Ong Photography
Email: stanong@yahoo.com
Mobile: +63917-5330213
About the photographer:
Stanley Ong's interest in photography started in 2001 when he got his first film camera, a Canon EOS88.  He describes his photography as a reflection of his personality and a way for him to express how he views the world. In every photo he captures, he means to inspire and intends to make it meaningful to other people.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post. If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!

Pura Stainless Steel Bottles for Babies and Toddlers

2012-01-18T18:49:00.001+08:00

I still remember when I was a kid, I used to have my own insulated drinking bottle lined in stainless steel with a plastic body. And I had it for a very long time. When my children were babies, and until they were able to drink from a glass, I only had plastic bottles and tumblers for their milk and drinks. I really didn't think much about it until just a few years ago, with the BPA scare. And then I introduced them to stainless-lined bottles and bowls.

11oz. Sippy in Pink - SRP @ PhP 970.00, also available in 5oz. (@ PhP 860)

Good news is, there are more options for parents nowadays when it comes to children's feeding bottles. One practical choice is stainless steel, and the newest brand to hit the local shores is Pura, stainless steel feeding bottles, launched just last month. Thanks to this blog, I got to re-connect with an old acquaintance who happens to be the local distributor of Pura. My girl was wide-eyed when she received her bright pink bottle!

What I like about Pura:

100% BPA-free, lead-free, plastic-free feeding bottles
Eco-friendly, recyclable, high grade stainless steel material
Safe and durable; lightweight
Sleek, minimalist design
Easy to grip with babies'/kids' tiny hands
Comes with cap and nipple or sippy spout, made from medical-grade silicone material
Lid is compatible with nipples and spouts from leading baby bottle brands
Comes in different attractive colors

If you've been following my blog, you'd notice that I neither have a baby nor a toddler. My youngest just turned 5. That's her up there and we still found a way to use her new pink bottle:

Remove the sippy spout
Snap on an old bottle cap from Avent to seal the lid
Screw back the lid

And voila! It's now a water tumbler!

"Another reason Pura feeding bottles is a smart solution — it grows with your baby. Pura feeding bottles are interchangeable for nipples and sippy spouts. As your baby grows, you may switch the nipple (available in slow, medium and fast flow) to a sippy spout. This translates to long term savings." - Consumo, Inc.

Embossed measuring lines, visible inside and out

We were both excited to use it because her Pura bottle just looks and feels so cool! :)

However, since this is made from stainless steel, my immediate concerns were: bottle will easily dent and get scratches all over in the long haul; it has a faint smell and taste of steel if you drink directly from the rim of the bottle; it's more difficult to check and monitor the content since the bottle is not see-through, unlike with clear glass or plastic bottles.

Cute silicon sleeves : SRP @ Php 390 (5 oz.), @ PhP 540 (11 oz.)

Well, my first concern is addressed with these brightly colored silicon sleeves that you can mix and match with your bottle/s. Aside from protecting the body, the textured silicon sleeves also act as insulator and provide tactile stimulation with every grip from your babies and toddlers. With the smell, since we've only been using the bottle for less than 2 weeks, I believe it will gradually fade after each wash. Finally, it's pretty obvious this will never be a clear bottle. And yes, it's a bit pricey -- but as baby grows, with prices of imported plastic bottles + sippy cups + tumblers, Pura ends up as a better investment which will give you savings in the long run. The innovative features and benefits of using Pura far outweighs its downside. I would still recommend Pura for the environmentally conscious and practical parents.

Update:
I'm happy that Pura responded to my concern above.
Here's their reply:
To address the STAINLESS STEEL taste that you referred to in your review, perhaps this will serve as a good explanation to you and to your readers:
The bottle needs to be thoroughly cleaned with a bottle brush, soap and hot water before using it for the first time. This is in addition to sterilizing the bottle. The bottles are sandblasted and electropolished so that the inside is smooth for ease of cleaning with no voids for milk or bacteria to collect. This is the same process used to prepare stainless steel for surgical equipment, milk sterilization, or food storage.

Pura stainless steel feeding bottles are available at:

Numa Organic Baby Store - AEK Building, #40 E. Rodriguez Ave, Q.C.

Sesou Nature Source - Market! Market! - Fort Bonifacio and Alabang Town Center

Spoiled! Baby Store - Mezzanine level, Goldland Milenia Suites, Escriva Drive

For more information about Pura, contact:

Consumo, Inc.

Tel.: (632) 6354020 or 6354026

Mobile: +63922-8124693

2601 Jollibee Plaza Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

www.facebook.com/puraphil

Advocating Anti-Bullying in Schools

2012-01-13T12:35:00.003+08:00

Second Friday of the month: Schooling / Parenting

"Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It typically involves subtle methods of coercion such as intimidation. " - Wikipedia

(Taken from Reedley International School website; photo by Gerald Diocades)

Bullying is a form of abuse which can be physical, emotional, or verbal. We've all heard of horrible and tragic reports of bullying in the news, and from family members and friends. Or maybe some of you have experienced it first hand.

I was not really conscious about this subject until I had a school-aged kid. My boy attends lower school and aside from typical boys' squabbles, I'm relieved that he never reported any serious incidence of bullying. When my friends and I talk about our children, and compare how we were before, as students, we cannot recall any similar issues in our all-girls school.

Or maybe our generation was different then?

Or our schools have less students then?

Or we have a level of fear from our parents and teachers then?

I really don't have the answers.

Sadly, a number of my friends' children have been victims, or targets, of bullies in school. All of them shared the same sentiments and frustrations -- parents, schools and its administrators play a big part in the prevention and conflict resolution of these traumatic incidences. Some actually resulted in the following:

Physical injury on torso and head of victim
Fear from verbal threats of bullies
Stress-related anxieties of the kids
Social discrimination
Loss of interest in going to school, negatively affecting academic performance

What can parents do when their child is the bully or the target?

What can parents expect from schools when dealing with bullying?

How do schools address and manage conflicts and bullying incidences?

Students with (l-r) Joy Laureola, head of external affairs, and head life coach for middle school Vida Bautista

These are just some of the questions raised during an intimate parent chat with a group of blogger-moms last month, hosted by Reedley International School (RIS). Among the topics discussed, bullying elicited the most interest from us parents since this is a very current issue that plague many students.

During the open forum, we were joined by two middle school students who candidly shared their traumatic experiences as targets of bullies from their former schools. Both boys have suffered repetitive physical, verbal and emotional "abuse" from their bullies that led to their transfer to Reedley. It became much more real to me after hearing actual accounts straight from these young lads -- how they were hurt, how they felt helpless and alone, and hopeless at times.

Bullying, at home and in school, greatly contributes to child stress and hinders them from learning and from having healthy family and peer relationships. Many schools (and parents) do not address bullying since they believe it is a rite of passage that toughens a child. - RIS

After hearing these first-hand stories of abuse and transformation, it's heartwarming to see that these boys have regained their self-esteem and confidence with proper counseling and emotional support. The kind of environment at Reedley, and most especially the support group from the school's faculty and administrators, has helped them become more positive and motivated as students.

Reedley's presented their Bully-Proof Campaign:
"I am Bully-Proof At Heart, In Mind, and In Spirit"

Includes contract signing and pledge by students and teachers - to stress the school's zero-tolerance for bullying
Students will receive pins with "I am NOW bully proof" / "I am bully proof" printed on it
Activities that help strengthen awareness - essay writing and poster making contests, film showing, and video presentation with testimonials from students who were bullied in the past

Middle school principal Jo Anne Bilo, and Director of school development Emil Ong

Reedley strongly advocates anti-bullying and is proud to be aggressively promoting a bully-proof campus for a number of years now. According to Mr. Ong, they allow students to be pro-active and be involved, to report if they witness or experience any form of bullying, and at the same time, show kindness towards one another. Any untoward incidents are immediately investigated with all parties involved, while the life coach goes into consultation with students and parents, after conducting separate interviews, to resolve the conflicts as soon as possible. Appropriate penalties and suspensions will be meted out to guilty parties.

The school also believes in empowering students to manage healthy family and peer relationships and work effectively with less stress via:

Life Skills Curriculum
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and Happy Kids by Sean Covey
Study Skills
Conflict Resolution and Anti-Bullying Campaigns
Time Management

It's great to know that this much effort and attention is extended by Reedley in recognizing and addressing the seriousness of bullying in general. I hope other schools would give the same level of importance to prevent and stop bullying in their campuses.

Do you have stories of bullying? How were they resolved?

Learn more about the curriculum and other special programs from Reedley's website.

Alternatively, set a school visit and inquire with Ms. Joy Laureola:

Tel.:  (632) 571-5291

Mobile:  (+63917) 507-9306  (+63917) 507-9305

E-mail:  ris@reedleyschool.com

JOSOL Building, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.  Libis, Quezon City 

Connect with Reedley International School on Facebook.

What's New With You this New Year?

2012-01-10T16:24:00.000+08:00

I just had an hour or so of pampering (a.k.a. "me time") days ago and I felt recharged and inspired...it's my first treat for myself this year!

That said, it made me do a random post about what's new -- with me, with the family, at home, to usher in the new year.

I got a haircut before the end of the previous year... and gave my girl a trim too (she only wants mommy to cut her hair).

Normal prime camera lens -- ready for close-ups.

For my 2-year-old Canon 500D (Rebel T1i)

Fresh new set of natural soaps and towels as gifts... the best!

Coffee table and chairs for our small patio -- the closest we could get to the iconic (Harry) Bertoia steel chairs.

Freshly scrubbed feet and polished toe nails in a sparkly shade of old rose.

(Orly photo from their website; spa-pedi from Cozy Nail Lounge)

New favorite birthday cake (and cupcakes too) -- a slice of rainbow!

How about you, what's new with you this new year?

Foodie Friday: Rainbow (Birthday) Cupcakes

2012-01-06T08:27:00.002+08:00

First Friday of the month: Food Find / Dessert

First Foodie post for 2012 -- let's make it bright, sweet and colorful to usher is a bountiful year ahead!

My girl will turn 5 on Sunday and has been anticipating her school "party" with her classmates. She can't decide what theme or character she wants to use for her simple celebration since she wants too many things. But for the past couple of months, she's into anything rainbow -- rainbow dresses, rainbow-colored toys, playing with my rainbow scarf, picking rainbow candies, etc. etc.

It was supposed to be the villains from Super Mario Brothers cartoon since big brother had this theme for his own birthday last November. Well, I'm glad her moods changed in time for her own celebration so for her class treat today, we decided to go with "rainbow".

Luscious and colorful rainbow cupcakes shared with her teachers and classmates.

Rainbow frosting with sprinkles

White mallow icing with sprinkles

Excited to see her colorful cupcakes and ready to blow her candle...

After a hearty snack of home-cooked spaghetti bolognese and slices of Greenwich special pizza, it was time for the highlight of the day -- the yummy birthday cupcakes!
Her classmates were happy and surprised to see the rainbow cake as soon as they had a bite!

Light, fluffy, super fun and colorful butter cupcakes with mallow icing and rainbow sprinkles.

Scrumptious!

~~Watch out for~~ the big rainbow cake ~~we're having~~ on her actual birthday! ;)

Birthday lunch with her rainbow cake which we topped with The Chipettes toy figures

Rainbow cupcakes, by special order from Cats Del Rosario of Kraze Kitch Bakeshop
http://krazekitch.multiply.com/
https://www.facebook.com/krazekitchbakeshop

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Out with the Old, In with the New Firefly

2012-01-04T20:59:00.003+08:00

Brushing the teeth is a non-negotiable part of my kids' daily routine. Though there's still the occasional resistance from the boy and the girl, our kids' oral care challenges have been more manageable for the past year or so.

A few years back, they used to avoid any form of oral care. I know we've passed that difficult stage of forcing and dragging them to brush, and even to dentist visits... hallelujah! But even with these cute brushes, they still don't bother scrubbing properly. Well, at least they brush.
These are their old blinking toothbrushes.

First Firefly : bought this pink one for the girl; Spiderman Firefly from the US sent to my boy

Anyway, the bristles have been worn out already so it's the perfect time to toss out the old and bring out fresh ones, just in time for the new year! Good thing I have a stock of FIREFLY toothbrushes from a loot I received many months back.

Look at these cute toothbrushes! :)

Why we love FIREFLY Toothbrush:

Cute, attractive designs
Unique “blinking technology” thru the LED light from the handle
Soft bristles with rounded heads
Accurately flashes in 1-minute cycles with every press of the button or base

They know they had to keep brushing until the blinking stops : 1 minute for upper teeth and 1 minute for lower teeth, as recommended by dentists. To be honest, these toothbrushes made our oral care routine less stressful for everyone.

There's my favorite Hello Kitty Firefly on stand-by for the girl. :) The boy chose the Spiderman brush again. When I was younger, there were only soft and hard bristled brushes to choose from... they are just so lucky, these kids!

Do you have children? What's your oral care challenge?

Firefly Toothbrush is available at Watsons and Beauty by SM Department Stores, and Pediatric dental clinics.

Check out Firefly on Facebook.

2012 Official Philippine Holidays

2012-01-02T23:00:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

First post of the year and I'm already thinking of the next holiday. To all Philippine residents, I'm excited to share and remind you of the regular and special holidays for this year -- all 16 of them!

As declared by the office of the president, there will be six long weekends for this year 2012 -- the longest of which is 5 days straight during Holy Week until Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Bravery).
One down, 15 more to look forward to:

January 1 (Sunday) : New Year's Day
January 23 (Monday) : Chinese New Year
February 25 (Saturday) : EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Special holiday for all schools)
April 5 (Thursday) : Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Friday) : Good Friday
April 9 (Monday) : Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Tuesday) : Labor Day
June 12 (Tuesday) : Independence Day
August 21 (Tuesday) : Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Monday) : National Heroes Day
November 1 (Thursday) : All Saints Day
November 2 (Friday) : Additional special (non-working) day
November 30 (Friday) : Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Tuesday) : Christmas Day
December 30 (Sunday) : Rizal Day
December 31 (Monday) : Last Day of the Year

Next up is Chinese New Year!!!
As a Filipino-Chinese, I am happy that the government has finally recognized the auspicious celebration of Chinese New Year. This has been long overdue, in my opinion, considering a big part of the Philippine population is of Chinese decent, and the country has deep-rooted Chinese cultural influence. The first day of the Chinese lunar year of the water Dragon falls on 23rd of January -- now declared special non-working holiday. (Date will change every year depending on the lunar calendar). We plan to bring the kids to Chinatown for the first time this year, so that is something we're really excited about.

Mark your calendars!

Free printable calendar from www.dreamstime.com

Time to plan the next vacation folks! =)

Reference:
Proclamation No. 295

p.s.
Thanks to reader Kat, I was reminded of the Muslim special holidays which were not included in the 2012 official list.
I believe dates also vary every year for those special days which are based on the Islamic calendar. It was declared in previous years that the end of Ramadan (Eid ul-Fitr) and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) are regular holidays as well.
2012 : Ramadan falls sometime in August; Festival of Sacrifice falls sometime in October.

Year-End Round-up: Favorite Finds in 2011

2011-12-28T23:49:00.000+08:00

Last Friday of the month: Mom-Finds / Raves

It's the last Friday of the year, so I'll be sharing more than one Mom-Finds. We're counting down to 2012 and I thought it's fitting that, aside from great new finds, I post a year-end review of my favorites in 2011.

From food to fashion, these products and services became my personal favorites, earned raves from my family, and got featured on the blog. So here are my fave finds in no particular order:

Mom-Friday's Favorite Finds 2011

PRODUCTS
(Click on name or photo to read more about each one below)

MacBook Air - 13"
My first ever Apple, for my birthday -- this one is truly special. Need I say more?

Celeteque Anti-Aging Power Serum

My face just loves this velvety-smooth serum with anti-aging Lipopeptides in break-off capsules.

Re-named as Celeteque DermoScience

Sassy Hairsies Luxury Hairpieces
Undeniably gorgeous hair accessories for girls -- big, bold, and sparkly... perfect for my little miss.

Frances Sales' Leather Satchel

I've been using this well-made, locally hand-crafted shoulder bag almost everyday since I got it.

'Before Ever After' Book (and Baked Eggs)

This best-selling novel, by Filipina mom Samantha Sotto, made me read a book again after a decade, and even delighted me with her divine baked eggs and cheese recipe.

Green Sproutlets

It's hip to be 'green' with these luxuriously soft and hypoallergenic organic bamboo and cotton children's clothes -- great for your kids and kind to the environment.

Z-Pore Instant Pore Refiner

The amazing skin cream from GoodSkin Labs glides on smoothly and "hides" the pores on my face instantly -- and shine-free the whole day!

FOOD

Papa John's Pizza (Annapolis Branch)

Fresh, generous toppings, chewy-crunchy crust, served with pepperoncini pepper and garlic dipping sauce, their pizza is always a winner in my book.

Clara Ole Kung Pao Pasta Sauce

A staple in the pantry, this is my go-to spicy pasta sauce that's great with chicken or shrimps on spaghetti noodles.

Carmen's Best Artisanal Ice Cream - Malted Milk

This cold dairy concoction transformed my favorite childhood candies, Horlicks and Maltesers, into this rich and decadent ice cream.

Lipton Original Flavor Milk Tea

I'm an iced milk tea addict and this instant powdered drink satisfies my Taiwanese bubble milk tea cravings anytime of the day, sans tapioca balls.

SERVICES / ESTABLISHMENTS

Nuat Thai (Libis Branch)

Best value-for-money foot massage and full body aromatherapy massage I had this year -- I totally enjoyed my treatments here.

Photo from their Facebook page

El Kabayo Riding Stables (Subic)

A most memorable experience with the kids, this was our very first visit to a real stable, and first horse ride together as a family last summer.

Cozy Nail Lounge

They offer fantastic pampering packages like foot spa + pedicure combo that come with a premium selection of skin products and Orly nail laquer.

Jellies at Manila Ocean Park

Of all the attractions at the park, the kids were most fascinated with the jellies, and they want to go back to see these graceful creatures again and again!

New favorite Mom-Finds to cap off the year:

Skylanders Spyro's Adventure - Video Game

This is a surprise favorite for me since I was never into video games and gadgets. It's the only video game to date that I instantly got fascinated with after a friend told me about the concept and showed me their game set.

At the mall a day before Christmas, I told my video-game-addict husband about this fairly new game. We went to a store to check it out and he was completely sold on Skylanders! We bought the starter pack for Wii, and an additional set of characters on the spot. In a week's time, we have 16 figures, and counting. Here's why this game landed on my list of favorites (more info from Skylanders Facebook page):

Bring your Skylanders to life by placing them (toy figures) on the Portal of Power™
Interaction Figures with Brains™ – The Skylanders figures remember their in-game experiences and upgrades
Become a portal master and join the battle to save Skylands
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure is available on Nintendo Wii & 3DS, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC/Mac. *ESRB Rating: E10+ (Cartoon Violence)

Human Nature
Baby Care, Kids and Adult Shampoo and Body Wash
Natural and organic, proudly Philippine-made, these are 100% chemical-free personal care products.
This is the first appearance of Human Nature on this blog but they still made it to my favorites list simply because my whole family loves using their products ever since we first tried it many months back.

I don't have a baby anymore but we tried the samples of their latest Baby Care line and we really liked it too! I especially love the mild body wash and lotion that leaves their skin soft and supple, with a light powdery scent. Perfect for babies indeed. Now, they are using the new Kids Natural Shampoo & Body Wash in fresh, zesty Tangerine Tarsier scent I bought for them, while hubby and I continue to enjoy using their strengthening shampoo and conditioner.

Tarte Tatin Ballerina Flats
If I can wear heels every day, I would. But with my current lifestyle, it's just too impractical. Flat shoes are my daily footwear of choice. In leopard fabric, this super comfortable ballerina slippers with rubber soles are my current favorite and have been wearing them almost everyday since I bought it early this month.

Tarte Tatin is a local brand of contemporary girls' apparel and footwear available in Rustan's department stores. The brand now offers these lightweight, stylish flats that any woman, especially moms on-the-go, would love to wear anytime.

What are your favorites from the blog? =)

* * *

2011 has been a super year for My Mom-Friday!

THANK YOU all for joining me on all my Fridays and in-betweens, for leaving your thoughtful insights -- which thrills me each time I read a feedback, for joining and supporting my blog giveaways, for sharing my posts and links to your family and friends, and for simply liking my blog.
To all my dear friends that shower me with encouraging words, to my sponsors and supporters, I am truly grateful. Your generosity is very much appreciated!

Cheers and hope you keep My Mom-Friday on your reading list in 2012!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Images of Our Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T00:32:00.002+08:00

Hello dear readers, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Our celebration this year has been more austere, but meaningful nonetheless, spent with family. Food, presents, trimmings all around... we still have them. But it's been all about the children, about thanksgiving, and sharing.

Some images of our Christmas this year:

The thrill of the Christmas count down... in a box of chocolates

'Bows, Buttons and Tissue' Christmas wreath project by the girl posted on her bedroom door

We love chocolates... I have Reese's peanut butter-chocolate cups keeping me company

Christmas Eve First encounter : The Girl and The Lechon de Leche

After 6 years, we meet again... get ready to be skinned!

Hooked after my first taste... dense, decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake (Edam cheese)

Lovely gifts : soothing, aromatic comfort from a teddy bear;

a friend's lovely hand-made choker

Excitement of opening the gifts -- in two batches... Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning

A fantastic new video game the whole family enjoyed

Skylander Spyro's Adventure (photo from FB fan page)

Surprise from Santa on Christmas morning... wishes granted... these smiles are pure joy!

Looking back, I can't believe Christmas is over. Now, we're just a few days shy of welcoming 2012!

How was your Christmas?

Flashback:

Images of Christmas past

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post. If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Mom-Style: Dress Up for the Holidays

2011-12-22T01:32:00.000+08:00

Freestyle Friday: Fashion / Style

The reality is, I don't have anything special to wear for the holiday reunions and parties lined-up in the days leading to the new year. I never had. But wouldn't it be fun to get all glammed-up for the holidays? I guess I'd have to settle on playing (virtual) dress-up for now.

For my regular readers, you know the drill -- anything goes for Freestyle Friday. And what a way to end this year with 5 Fridays for December! I decided on doing a fashion post and came up with several outfit ideas with a touch of holiday sparkle that's fit for the yuletide festivities.

Events, Parties & Reunions

FUNKY, GLITZY GLAM

HOT, SEXY-IN-JEANS LOOK

FLOWY, BRIGHT, BOHO-GLAM

Entertaining at Home

CASUAL, HIP MOM-ON-THE-MOVE

SOFT, EASY ELEGANCE

CHIC BOLD STATEMENT

Are you ready to usher in the new year? =)
What are your favorite colors or style during the holidays?

Click on the photos to get the look.
Virtual styling via Miss-match.com.ph and Polyvore.com

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.

If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates: My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

Egg-Mayo Scramble

2011-12-19T23:49:00.000+08:00

Tired of your plain scrambled eggs? Here's one that's made extra savory, rich and fluffy!

You know I'm always on the look-out for quick and easy recipes -- proof of which is my Mom-Cook category in this blog. Ergo, when I saw this video by Lady's Choice and Chef Bruce Lim, I did not hesitate to try this super simple dish that anybody, even kids, can make!

The surprise ingredient to this classic scrambled egg is the addition of mayonnaise into the mix. In our kitchen cabinet, you will always find refill packs of Lady's Choice Sandwich spread (with the red label below), and a jar in our refrigerator. So I very much welcomed the addition of their Real Mayonnaise sent to us a while back, and happily tried their Scambulicious recipe with my girl. :)

We like our scrambled eggs more hearty and savory, that's why I always add fillings like the family-favorite Spam, mushrooms, asparagus, onions, or cheese, or a combination of these.

For this version, I tweaked the Chef's recipe and added Spam, chopped onions and button mushrooms. Great for a filling breakfast, but we made this dish for dinner. =)

EGG-MAYO SCRAMBLE with SPAM

4 eggs

3 tablespoons Lady's Choice mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Lady's Choice sandwich spread

2 slices Spam, diced

1 tablespoon chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped button mushrooms

salt and pepper

cooking oil

I put in too much mayo and forgot the 4th egg so I added it in while she's beating...

To prepare:
Beat eggs with mayonnaise. Make sure they are mixed well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Set aside.
* I replaced 1 tablespoon of plain mayo with sandwich spread since we like the extra tang of the relish in the sandwich spread. (Chef Bruce recommends 1:1 proportion for egg and mayo)
Heat pan.
Chop Spam, onions, mushrooms.

To cook:
Saute onions, Spam and mushrooms in about 1 tablespoon of oil until Spam and onions are cooked.
Pour over egg-mayo mixture and let it set a few seconds.
Push and toss around with frying spatula while scrambled eggs are forming.
Cook to your desired doneness.

Plate and serve immediately.
Good for 2 to 4.

I served this with ketchup. Even with too much mayo, it still turned out great! I had this with piping hot rice while hubby made a scrambled egg sandwich. :)

Watch the cooking video below featuring:
1. Chef Bruce Lim’s Twice Baked Potato with Scrambled Eggs and Bacon 
2. Angel Aquino cooking scrambled eggs with Lady’s Choice mayonnaise  
3. Lady’s Choice Scrambulicious testimonials

 http://www.youtube.com/user/MayoMakeover  

Videos and recipes courtesy of Lady's Choice Mayonnaise.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post. If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!