Mommy Practicality

Thursday, October 26, 2017

#GumagandaAngArawMo With SUN's New LTE SIM

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Getting To Know Your US Potatoes

My love story with potatoes began when I was introduced to one of my favorite Filipino Dishes of all time, Nilagang Baka or Beef Nilaga or Boiled Beef. I remember staring at the yellow vegetables which stood out among other green leafy veggies, wondering what they taste like and when I tried them, I made them part of my diet.

Source:

Now being a mom myself, of three very active boys, I was able to successfully pass on this love for potatoes, even to my one-year old . Potatoes are one of his first foods because they’re so easy to prepare, mash, eat and they’re healthy.

Although I knew that potatoes were healthy, I didn't know that they are actually more nutritious than I thought they are. Potatoes boost our energy , help strengthen our immune system, boost memory because they are brain food, and are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. All of which help keep us away from common illnesses. Every mom would agree, that our kids' nutrition, is one of our top priorities.

I would also admit to one common wrong notion about other types of potatoes, those which aren't fresh from the wet market or vegetable stands, that they are less healthy and lose their full health benefits. What "other" potatoes am I talking about? The frozen fries or hashbrowns and the dehydrated ones you would find in supermarket frozen section. I was wrong all along. At least I know better now and I want to share with you my learnings momshies (popular term for “mom” in the Philippines)!

There are different potato types: Fresh potatoes, frozen potatoes, and dehydrated potatoes.

The first type, FRESH POTATOES, I'm very familiar with those. These are the potatoes which are carefully grown by farmers following strict guidelines se by US seed certification system to ensure that every potato product is high quality. But what I didn't know is that there are seven potato type categories: russet, red, white, yellow, blue/purple., fingerling, and petite.

The US FROZEN POTATOES come in different varieties and are easily available in leading supermarkets nationwide. Some of the cuts available are frozen half shells, wedges, slices, straight cuts, crinkle cuts, loop/curly or popularly known as twister fries, lattice/basket weave, tater tots, and hash browns. I recently bought some frozen US potatoes in the nearby community market because my kids love french fries and my personal choice, hashbrowns. I bought them because it's cheaper to prepare them at home than buy them from fast food chains. Plus cooking them at home means knowing what type of cooking oil I deep-fry them in. These frozen potatoes also use state-of-the-art technology to meet high industry standards and are instantly quick-frozen to lock in the flavor and nutrients of fresh potatoes. The US Frozen potatoes we see in supermarkets met and passed the stringent requirements of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lastly, DEHYDRATED POTATOES. I thought dehydrated potatoes didn’t have as much nutrients therefore,depriving our bodies of the nutrients we need, so I don't really purchase them. EEEK, wrong! When you buy U.S. high-quality dehydrated potatoes, you are getting real potatoes, just with the water removed. U.S. dehydrated potato products deliver all the flavor, nutrition and versatility of potatoes in a more convenient package – and are the perfect ingredient for everything from soups and salads to main dishes and desserts. Available US dehydrated potato products in the Philippines are the US standard potato flakes which are perfect for baking or creating mashed potatoes.

So now that we've learned a lot about US Potatoes and their health benefits, wouldn't it be nice to actually try them, bring them home from the supermarket (I tell you you’ll save so much more than buying fries or hashbrowns and even mashed potatoes from popular fast food chains!), cook them for the family. Cooking these yummy potatoes with the kids is actually a good family bonding idea too!

Use fresh potatoes for viands such as my childhood favorite Beef Nilaga Soup with sliced potatoes. Serve french fries as snacks and even baon for the kids. Have that yummy hashbrown in the morning together with ketchup or garlic mayo, and of course coffee or hot chocolate.

For me, the true benefits of having US Potatoes as part of your supermarket list are:

It's a nutritious food packed with vitamins and minerals.
It's more practical to cook your own frozen potatoes (fries or hashbrowns) at home than order from fast food.
Cooking an easy healthy potato recipe at home with the kids and even husband is a great family bonding activity.

Want to take home these healthy US potatoes? They are largely available just about everywhere! Here's a quick list:

FROZEN POTATOES:
Brands:

Carnation
Park Lane
Dane
Lamb Weston
Island Valley
Food Service Pack
Alexia
American Maple Leaf
Golden
Frenchies

Available in these supermarkets:

Cherry Foodarama
S&R
SM Supermarkets
Rustan’s
Robinson’s

DEHYDRATED POTATOES
Available in these supermarkets:

All about baking
The Baker’s Company
Best Value Factory Outlet
Gourdo’s
S&R

FRESH POTATOES
Available in these supermarkets:

Rustan’s
SM
Robinsons

So go grab a pack of US potatoes today for you and your kids on your next supermarket trip. For more information, recipes, and tips, like Potatoes USA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Our Staycation Experience at Greenhills Elan Hotel Modern

It's always great weekend when you get to relax and sleep on freshly laundered clean white sheets (which I dont ever have to worry about if it gets soiled.) Am I right tired moms? And to save me pa from the stress of long driving and packing too much, I got to vacay with my family within the heart of the city. Greenhillls Elan Hotel Modern became our home one weekend and I did nothing but just Eat.Sleep.Swim.Repeat.

Upon entrance to the hotel doors, you'll be greeted by a bright, spacious and elegant lobby where you will also find their friendly and warm front office staff who will greet you all smiles.

If you come from my generation, the Generation X, you will feel nostalgic when you get a chance to stay at Greenhills Elan Hotel Modern. The interior design of the hotel sends an 80s clean modern feel. Growing up during the 80s mean seeing classic and homey pieces. So personally, staying in this hotel became a home away from home.

We were booked in a 1-BR suite which sent us a familiar feeling of being very close to home. The suite was a clean mini-version of a family dwelling where you'll find a small dining area, living room, the bedroom of course, a bathroom with a bath tub (definitely a bonus for us especially the kids!), and a kitchenette. My husband and I were talking that it's a livable space for a family, bigger than most condominium.

Upon entry to the room, a fruit platter greeted us. How thoughtful of Greenhills Elan Hotel to be extending this welcome gesture to their guests.

Let me take you around our spacious room (which could really pass as a whole house actually!) This is a living area. I wasn't able to take a photo of the TV on the wall. Guests can actually lounge here, watch a movie or just rest or even sleep. I tell you there's plenty of space.

Here's another angle of the room coming from the door. What a huge room, agree? I never felt like I couldn't breathe because it was really spacious.

The room had one (1) King-sized bed which fits 2 adults, a young child and our baby. Baby still nurses from me so he's been co-sleeping with me since he was born. We requested for an extra bed set up in this same room for my teenager son.

You'll also find a huge desk perfect for doing some work (which I didn't bother doing) or for drawing or playing, which my 7 year old son happily did. :)

One of the things we love about hotel staycationing is feeling the softness of the clean white sheets where we press our tired bodies on. My baby soundly and comfortably slept through the night and even just before we swam the next day.

HOTEL SERVICE & AMENITIES

What I highly appreciate during our stay that weekend, aside from the breakfast buffet which came with the room, was the completeness of the toiletries and then some extra items which in some hotels, you wouldn't find or you'd have to request for (and sometimes for a fee.).

You wouldn't complain at all with the high-powered air-conditioning system. There's one in the room and another in the living room. Lighting is perfect for me, not too dark and not too bright as well.

Inside their huge bathroom, you'll find these:

Bath towels
Hand towels
Dental Kit
Bedroom Slippers
Sewing kit
Shampoo, Conditioner, Liquid Soap
Bath Tub
H&C Shower
Toilet Paper/Facial Tissue
Iron + Board
Safety Deposit Box
Bath Robes
Closet
Hair Dryer

The room also came with:

Two card keys plus a card key going to the pool area
Coffee and Tea Making facility
Two (2) Complimentary bottles of mineral water
Newspaper
Plate of fresh fruits

BREAKFAST BUFFET
Breakfast buffet opens as early as 6am and ends at 110am. We were up as early as 6am because the kids didn't want to waste any minute of our second day which they dedicated to swimming.

We are heavy breakfast eaters that's why in all of our hotel or resort stays we higly appreciate a complete.and not bitin breakfast buffet spreads that have a lot to choose from.

First buffet station we stopped by was their rice and viand spread which consisted of rice, scrambled egg, soup, and three meats. You may request for omelette or strips of crispy bacon.

If you're a cereal person, you may choose from these four cereal types together with your bowl of fresh milk.

There was also a generous spread of breads available for guests who opt these for their morning carbo-loading. Wheat and white loaf bread slices, pandesal, pan de coco, and a lot more were available that day. You may toast them on site too for a freshly warmed or crunched bread.

If you're the type who favors salads in the morning, you're definitely going to love this salad station which comes with a number of dressings to choose from.

This was my dear Wessie, helping himself with a bowl of his favorite corn flakes with milk.

Coffee, pineapple juice and water station is very accessible to guests.

And if you're already up for sweets or desserts., fruits and sponge cake slices are also available.

HOTEL FACILITIES:
We always consider staying in a hotel with swimming pools because it's the only activity which my children look forward to whenever we staycation or even go on an out of town trip. I would like to believe that they got the love for the water from me! I used to swim a lot in high school and growing up until I travel for work, I would always pack a swimsuit for the "just in case there'll be a pool" moments. So from my eldest to my baby boy, they all love to swim.

Greenhills Elan Hotel Modern's swimming pools are found on the Penthouse. There's a huge one for adults or older kids and a kiddie pool as well. There's also a jacuzzi but it wasn't working during our stay.

If you're a health and fitness enthusiast (which I aim to be one in the near future) the hotel also has a gym and spa which could be found also on the Penthouse. There are machines available for cardio exercises or weight lifting. Oh how I miss stepping on the treadmill and sweating it all out. Soon soon again I will.

What we also liked about during our stay was their WiFi! You know how kids during their rest times like to connect their gadgets to the internet right? Also parking spaces for the guests are available at the basement floors. The hotel is right in the heart of San Juan City and is accessible to many restaurants, bars and entertainment hubs, Spas and salons, and of course Greenhills Shopping Center.

Overall, two thumbs up go Greenhills Elan Modern for many reasons. Top for us would be great customer service thanks to the warm and highly courteous hotel staff. Next, location is accessible and not difficult to navigate. Third, cleanliness and completeness of hotel amenities are unquestionable. Fourth, rooms are spacious and well-maintained. Last but not the least, room rates and promos are value for money.

Thank you Greenhills Elan Hotel Modern for making our quick getaway a comfortable, relaxing, and memorable one.

ON GOING HOTEL PROMOTIONS

Speaking of promos, they have on-going room promos EXCLUSIVELY for Mommy Practicality's readers, perfect for quick family or barkada getaway which you would certainly like:

Use promo code FAMKADA to get a special room package for a group of four (4) from October 16 to December 30, 2017. Each room gets four (4) FREE Buffet Breakfasts plus use of pool, gym, jacuzzi, with complimentary daily newspaper and four (4) water bottles.

Also, you may use promo code GREENHILLSELAN to get 55% OFF their Best Available Rates online. The 55% discount is applicable to all their available room types during stay from October 16, 2017 to March 18, 2018.

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE NOW.

For more information and updates:

Like them on Facebook

Follow them on Instagram

www.greenhillselanhotelmodern.com

Sunday, October 08, 2017

A Disney Cars/Racing Themed Party and My DIY Projects

It's no secret that I'm a DIY enthusiast. Every chance I could get to DIY some personal party or event, I would. My first DIY event project was my very own Rustic-themed wedding. Since then I got hooked to doing DIYs in succeeding special occasions of my family.

The recent birthday party of my son was Disney Cars-themed. It was the same character which my eldest got hooked to since he was 2 years of age back in 2005, galing! We celebrated Wes' 7th birthday party at McDonald's Granada. The manager and crew allowed us to dress up the focal front table with this chosen theme. After all, it's our birthday boy's special request.

So, here's the latest DIY party project I did for my son's party. When I think of Cars or Racing, I think of the color red and black and white checkered flags. I played around those ideas and from those came the road and traffic signs I had fun doing.

Here were my DIY projects for my son's Disney Cars/Car Racing themed 7th birthday party:

DESSERT TABLE

As you may know now, I love assembling dessert tables for my children's parties. There's something about symmetry, leveling, balance, and sweets that make me giddy excited. I prepared cookies, marshmallows, cupcakes, stick-os, gummy candies, and the cake was the centerpiece of this DIY creation.

RACING BUNTINGS AND BACKDROP FRINGES

I printed the black and white checkered patterns on bond papers, cut them in triangles, hung them on a string and voila, racing buntings.

For the backdrop fringes, I used red and yellow crepe papers, cut them in strips and taped them on a string. Husband helped in setting the fringe backdrop up on the front wall set the theme.

WELCOME VIGNETTE

This area was set up to welcome guests and give them a brief feel of what theme to expect before the enter the party premises. I made the traffic light out of illustration board and art papers cut in circles. The orange paper road cones were made from cartolina. And of course the flags were from the many printed out black and white checkered papers attached to staws.

The red and yellow early warning devices for vehicles were from the trunk of our car. And lastly, instead of putting ONE WAY, I printed WES' PARTY to direct the guests to the party venue.

TABLE CENTERPIECES

The table centerpiece I used were also the DIY road cones and racing flags placed on top of the racing flag mats. We were supposed to add balloons but due to lack of ingress time, my friend supplier wasn't able to do so anymore. The centerpieces made quite a cute racing or road traffic feel and for that I believe we succeeded without removing or covering McDonald's own theme/presence.

Now sharing also with you other Cars-themed party elements which we implemented during our son's simple 7th birthday party at McDonald's Granada.

INVITATION
This invitation was made by my husband and the inspiration of course came from Pinterest. If you're a DIY enthusiast and want to get a lot of ideas on how to do a project or at least get pegs, Pinterest is the place to be.

MATCHING FAMILY OUTFITS
I got our matching shirts two days before the party from Landmark Makati. My question was: "How could these good quality shirts come in less than Php500 price tags each?" Well, only in Landmark, Makati Philippines baby! :)

2-LAYERED DISNEY CARS 3 FONDANT CAKE
My cake supplier has always been our dear friend Shae of Delishaes Cakes. I gave her the look or peg of the cake that Wes likes and she executes it perfectly. Her cake and cupcakes are always moist and just has the right kind of sweetness.

CARS 2D CUPCAKES
As a bonus, Shae gave Wes free 2D cupcakes as gifts but these are also available for sale or as part of a package. Just message her on Facebook. The guests enjoyed the yummy moist choco cupcakes.

CARS THEMED GAME PRIZES
Since it's a Cars-themed party, of course I have to go all out with Cars even with prizes or most of it. I added around 30 pcs of prizes to McDonald's prizes. It was such a fun party and almost all the kids came home with something. You also wouldn't believe that I got these items for only Php10 - P15 each.

SPECIAL PRIZES
Apart from the game prizes, I prepared something for the Best Dressed or Best in Costume and Early Birds too! I bought these special prizes from the department store and the kids were all eyes on the prizes!

CARS 3 NECK PILLOWS AS GIVEAWAYS
I had the neck pillows customized. I'm so happy about the quality of the print and the plumpness of the pillows too. The supplier was so easy to transact with and the items were also delivered to me. These were done by Cuztomate and each piece is lower than Php80 each.

RACING COSTUME
I already received more than a dozen of inquiries about where I got Wes' racing costume. I had it tailor-made from Len of Costume Manila. RTW Racing costumes are available in some department stores but I didn't like the quality of the cloth. I just had to add a few hundred pesos to get this quality and tailor-fit costume for the birthday boy. The costume also came with a cap which completed the whole racing outfit of Wes.

PHOTO BOOTH PICTURE LAYOUT
The package I got from my photographer came with photo booth services. The design was of course aligned to the whole Disney Cars theme. The photo paper was thick glossy and print is high quality. Each photo came with a board frame and was immediately posted on the supplier's Facebook page.

Our party was so much fun! These Disney Cars party elements made the party more alive and put together! Having a theme for your parties make it also look more organized and great on photos. It also sets the party mood for the kids especially for the birthday celebrator. But the most important of all is even without party themes, your birthday celebrator child is happy and that you show and make him feel all the love in the world. Birthdays are milestones of our children's lives and personally, whether with a party (at home or in a venue outside home) or a vacation. it's worth celebrating!