Oh what do you know, it's already 11:00am and it's the first time I sat for more than five minutes.  I haven't done this in a while (sit, face my laptop in peace, and write/blog - for as long as I can without interruption).  Welcome to my new normal.

It's back to school time and it's one of the most exciting part of the year for the kids because they will see their classmates and friends again, wear their crisp uniforms, bring their new bags and also share what's in their lunch boxes.

It also means, it's time for parents to brace themselves and create a baon plan for their kids that's nutritious, easy to prepare, and of course delicious as well!  When creating a baon plan, I think of the food pyramid or the Go, Grow, and Glow chart which they study in their Science subjects.  You may find this amusing, but yes, I am always reminded that they need Go food for energy (Fats and Carbohydrates), Grow food to help them grow tall and strong (Protein), and Glow food to keep their bodies well (Multivitamins and minerals).  It's easy for me to think of what to give them based on their need.

My growing and energetic boys need a lot of Grow foods because they are into sports.  My eldest is a basketball varsity player and he really needs protein-rich food to help him with his muscle development and keep him growing taller and taller.  He needs to because of the sport he's into.  When you think of protein, you think of milk, cheese, yogurt, seafood, and meats, to name a few.  Now, let me share with you a protein-rich baon idea which they will surely love!

GRILLED CHEESY SAUSAGE SANDWICH (Pinoy Style)
INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pcs monay or pan de sal
• 3 to 4 pcs vienna sausages
• 2 pcs tomatoes, sliced
• California Yanni Grilling Cheese (Jalapeno or Regular)

1. Slice the buns and sausages into halves.
2. Prepare sliced Yanni Grilling Cheese.
3. Pan-fry or grill the ingredients.
4. Put the grilled/pan-fried sausages, tomato slices and Grilling Cheese on top of the bun.  Enjoy!

Here are other Dairy Products with Real California Cheese or Milk Seal which you could consider grabbing on your next grocery trip (they all have THE seal mommies!)
You may purchase dairy products which has the Real California Milk or Cheese seal from these membership shopping outlets and groceries:

S&R Membership Shopping

• California Sunshine Milk (homogenized, reduced-fat, low-fat and chocolate milk)
• A wide selection of California Cheeses
• Yogurt

Landers Superstore

• Coolhaus pints and sammies
• A wide selection of California Cheeses

Robinsons Supermarket

• A wide selection of California Cheeses

SM Hypermarket

• A wide selection of California Cheeses

Merkado Supermarket

• Coolhaus pints and sammies

Unimart Supermarket

• Coolhaus pints and sammies

To know more about great dairy products, check out www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com or Facebook.com/RCMph/. You may also follow their stories by using these hashtags #LookForTheSeal and #RealCaliforniaMilkPhilippines.

It's June alright but still we can all feel the summery heat deep down our skins right?  It's still humid and the best way to beat the heat is to be in an air-conditioned room (but sayang electricity if it's open all day) or go to a mall (but mapapagastos ka rin with all the sales around) or bathe as much as you can in a day or eat and drink something cold.

One good idea is to buy halo-halo, banana con yelo or ice candy or mais con yelo from our seasonal neighbor entrepreneurs.  They, together with the residential sari-sari stores, pop-up tiangges belong to the huge population of Filipino microenterprises.
“Every summer, we see the Filipino entrepreneur spirit thrive to turn the summer heat into an opportunity. With the right mindset, tools, and ingredients, microentrepreneurs can grow their business and take it to another level,” says Marilou Acuña, Fly Ace Corporation Group Product Manager for Jolly.

I remember when I was younger, my mom and my cousins also had a pop-up halo-halo and mais con yelo stand right in front of our driveway facing the street.  I had good memories back then when they allowed me to experience being a tindera for a day or two or more!  We sold a number of glasses back then but looking back, I know that that small business could have been bigger if we did these 5 tips from Jolly Corn.

Location, location, location
We had a small stall in front of our house because of logistical convenience, but foot traffic wasn't that good.  We could have sold in front of schools near our place.  For sure potential income would have doubled or even tripled.

Leverage on influencers
Entrepreneurs should identify who the influencers are within the community. By inviting these key individuals to try the product, entrepreneurs encourage good word of mouth from credible persons within the neighborhood.

Microentrepreneurs can then support this good word of mouth through easy-to-do promotional activities such as community bulletin board, flyering, and social media.

Sell during community events, cater to groups
Microentrepreneurs can hold pop-up stalls during community events such as the annual basketball game and Santacruzan. Another opportunity is catering private groups, such as prayer meetings or the birthday of a neighbor. If all goes well, these events will provide a great platform for referrals and exposure for the business.

Avoid too much credit
Cash is the lifeblood of the business. Microentrepreneurs should avoid allowing too much credit since they still need cash to buy supplies and sustain operations. If offering credit cannot be avoided, microentrepreneurs should find the right balance and understand its limitation.

Find the right partner to perfect the product
Product quality is integral to the success of microenterprises. If the product is excellent, people will follow. Quality also includes the health benefits of the product. These days, even microentrepreneurs venture into the healthy food segment as more people become conscious of what they eat.

In the case of mais con yelo, Jolly Corn provides microentrepreneurs with cream corn packed with the same wholesome sweet goodness of freshly harvested corn.

What if I just want a Mais Con Yelo Now?
Now, if you don't plan to have a small business selling mais con yelo or halo halo or banana con yelo, then you can simply make it at home!
Sharing with you how to make MAIS CON YELO:
Ingredients:
1        425g             Jolly Cream Corn, partitioned
1        can               Jolly Cow Condensada, partitioned
6        cups             shaved ice, partitioned
1        cup               corn flakes, partitioned or waffle strips

Procedure:

1.    Scoop 3 tablespoons Jolly Cream Corn in a tall glass.
2.    Add 1 ½ cups shaved ice. Leave an empty space on top for the toppings, about half an inch.
3.    Top shaved ice with 3 tablespoons of Jolly Cream Corn, 2-3 tablespoons condensada, and corn flakes or waffle strips. Serve immediately.
Easy peasy right?

But again, since it's already June and it also rains sometimes, we can't have Mais Con Yelo right?  Well, that's what's so versatile about Jolly Sweet Corn!  It can be with Team Sunny or Team Rainy!  What comfort food could you think of during rainy season?  Hot soup or any hot food right?

Jolly Corn could also be your partner in bringing you this comfort food with this easy recipe:

CORN SOUP RECIPE:
Ingredients:
1        425g            Jolly Cream Corn
1        can              water
6        pc                egg
1        dash             salt and pepper
Procedure:
1.   In a pot, put together 1 can of Jolly Cream Corn and water.  Bring it to boil.
2.   Add egg when boiling and stir soup.
3.  Add dash of salt and pepper to season.  Serve hot in a bowl on a rainy day!

So whether it's summer or rainy season, Jolly Cream Corn is our partner in bringing us quality food ingredients which we could use at home.  For more recipes visit their website http://jolly.com.ph or follow them on Facebook: @JollyFoods

I was young when I first became a mom.  Twenty-three is still young in today's standards.  But I am thankful that motherhood came early in my life.  I wasn't prepared to be one, I guess, nothing really prepares anyone how to be a mom.  Motherhood also didn’t come with any instruction manual such as those I read and follow to the book when an appliance or a DIY furniture is purchased.  Once that cute tiny human being was out of my womb, I was changed.  Everything changed.  I became a mother.  Motherhood is a lifelong role which is added to my other roles such as a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a colleague or as a friend.
Fast forward to today, I am already a mom of three boys belonging to different stages.  A teenager, a young child, and an incoming toddler.  Having three children doesn’t make me an expert mom.  I still find myself clueless on what to do hence I still do fail at some motherhood areas.  I used to be pressured at what other moms would say, but not anymore.  I compared myself with other moms too and oftentimes, I feel bad about myself.  But, there’s no perfect mom, only real ones like you and me.  Each of my children is unique which makes me learn so many things from them as they grow and transition from one childhood stage to another.  All I can say is I love being a mom and all the lessons it taught me.  Let me share some to you.

1. To love unconditionally.  I never thought I could love another human being more than myself, three times over!  My boys are all so rough and had made mistakes, but of course I still am in love with them like how I first saw them when they were born.  No matter what happens, I will be there for them to love them with all my heart.  I am sure most, if not all, mothers feel this way too.

2. To make family my first priority.  Before becoming a mother, I admit to only thinking more about myself, what I need, want, and what would make me happy.  When I became a mother, my needs and wants are set aside or are now second to my children, and my children’s happiness became my happiness.  When I was working in a fast-paced environment as a marketing/campaigns specialist, the scenarios would be: travel vs. a highly-dependent mother or important meeting vs. sick child or work vs. family. It was a challenge at first because I believed I need to work harder to help provide for them and I need a good paying job for self-esteem.  But I trusted GOD more and I’ve always prioritized my children over other things, which led me to resign from my 10-year corporate job.  For them, all for them.

3. To be an intentional person.  It’s easy to snap and lose temper over something that irritated me or when things don’t go my way or as expected.  That was the old me.  Old me, yes, we always have that old persona we compare our now selves especially when we know we’ve changed a lot right?  So, since I became a mother, my words and actions are carefully thought of before executing them.  They go through a process of thoughts – Will this be good for my child?  Will this teach him good things?  Will this hurt him?  Will this please God?  Everything is now more intentionally said and done to ensure that I, together with my husband, bring them up well.

4. To be more prayerful.  We are not in control of everything.  I’ve learned to accept that since I accepted Jesus in my heart.  I also know that nothing happens by accident.  Our sovereign God has planned everything in our timelines so we may use all events to glorify Him. Those minor or major accidents, the past holdup incident my teenager had, the successes and failures in school, and every difference in my children’s personalities which sometimes triggers me to lose patience (we all have these moments).  So for everything else that we cannot control, I pray for.  God loves all mothers.  We are given our children to be our main ministry so we could serve Him by loving our children.  He wants us to talk to Him to seek guidance and protection for our family especially our children.  Being a mother taught me the power of prayers.  It’s applicable to our husbands too, naku, that would be another long post.

5. To manage budget, save, and invest. I used to have a regular job.  Having your own money makes you feel independent and financially capable.  Due to my past childhood experiences, I grew up to be an impulsive shopper who found joy in acquiring things. That old me talaga no? But since I became a mother, I thought carefully of every spending not to the point of being too stingy nor extreme frugal, but more of practicality.  I guess, hence my blog’s name/branding.  So I learned to manage my spending more, became more conscious on saving some for the rainy days, and lastly to learn how to grow my extra money through pre-needs, investments and protection such as VULs, and mutual funds, and memorial plans.

6. To be selective in everything they use. I used to not care much about content there are in the products I use for myself.  As long as I see celebrities use them, my old impulsive buyer self would purchase and use them, only to find out it’s not compatible to my skin.  Since I became a mother, I am more selective to what I use on my children.  From their diapers, to baby gears, to feeding bottles, and especially their bathing/hygiene products.  I currently use Baby Dove range for my little one. 


YES!  Baby Dove is already in the Philippines! I used to buy Baby Dove products from PX stores or imported sections of the supermarket. Now, it’s available almost everywhere. These are the line of products we use: Baby Dove Rich Moisture Hair to Toe Baby Wash, Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Bar. Baby Dove Rich Moisture Nourishing Baby Lotion, Baby Dove Rich Moisture Shampoo, and Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Care Wipes.  I’ve tried other products in the market which are gentle, safe, hypo-allergenic, and pediatrician/dermatologist-tested and approved, but not all met what we are looking for.  Product safety is Baby Dove's top priority and I love that about it becuase it's by Unilever.  Same as other personal care products of Unilever which are used by millions around the world Baby Dove is made with high standard ingredients, kaya kampante ako as a mom that Baby Dove is not only safe for my baby's use but also for our environment.

What I like about Baby Dove products
As a practical and selective mother, I like Baby Dove products because during bath time, my baby isn’t deprived of experiencing bubbles.  Some of the products I tried, wala nang bubbles, for me where’s the fun in that?  Iba pa rin ang bubble bath especially now that he’s almost two and is like a sponge absorbing new learnings through experiences.  A small amount of Baby Dove Hair-to-Toe Baby Wash is enough to cover baby’s full bath, so tipid siya.  It lathers easily, cleans well, and rinses quickly.  The Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Bar smells good and leaves baby’s soft and moisturized. Baby Dove Rich Moisture Shampoo is tear-free, so even if the suds stay on his hair longer, I am not worried.
Our experience with Baby Dove after bath naman is as pleasant.  Baby Dove Rich Moisture Shampoo keeps my baby’s hair softer than other baby products we use and it smells good longer. The Hair-to-Toe Baby Wash and Baby Bar leaves my baby’s skin soft and smooth.  Nakakagigil! I rarely use the Baby Dove Rich Moisture after bath, because his skin is already soft, so I use it at bed time for baby massage.  When we change diapers or clean up soiled hands and feet, we use the Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Care Wipes.  His bums are not only clean but instantly moisturized so less chances for irritation and rashes.  Best of all, ang pinakanagustuhan ko in all of the Baby Dove products – all are suitable for newborns!  We all know how sensitive newborns’ skin are right?  So meaning if Baby Dove is okay for newborn use, the ingredients are gentle and safe.

To know more about Baby Dove and where to purchase, visit HERE TODAY!

Now here’s one of the most important Motherhood lessons…
One of the most important lessons motherhood has taught me?  Motherhood has taught me humility.  I may be a mother of three boys of different stages, but I admit that I am not perfect and I still make mistakes and struggle every day at making motherhood work.  I will never see myself a better mother than any one.  There are days when I feel like I am enough and when that comes, I just pray and ask for strength.  And if you are also feeling down or guilty or see yourself as a failure at motherhood, don’t.  Because there are no perfect moms, only real ones.  Happy Mother’s Day! 😊

Since the day I became a mom, all I want is to raise children well by taking careful measures to ensure they grow up healthy, strong, smart, kind-hearted and have a personal relationship with God.  Fast forward to 14 years since I brought my first child into this world, I still have the same prayer in raising my children.

Being a working mom for more than a decade and now a more hands-on mom than ever, let me share that motherhood for me is beautiful but challenging.  One of the challenges is to continually look for healthy alternatives in this world of all instant!  You get what I mean?  With the existence of instant meals, canned goods, packed noodles, and even fast foods, finding a healthy breakfast or snack for them could be a struggle.

But if you're like me who likes researching and experimenting on foods that could both be healthy yet fun and delicious to eat to ensure kids will like them, then you'd agree when I say that there are many available in the market.  I've recently discovered a healthy and yummy recipe using yogurt.
And this isn't just any yogurt, it has the Real California Milk Seal!  Why is this seal so important to me?  It's because with this seal, I am assured that I am getting a top quality brand compared to the many dairy products that are available in stores right now.  It also means the product is certified as having been made with 100% Real California Milk from Real California Dairy families.  I feel that I cannot short change my children's nutrition so I look for this seal.
Sharing with you my Choco Pineapple Breakfast Yogurt Recipe:
Ingredients:

• One (1) cup of Blue Isle Greek Yogurt (Honey or Honey Blueberry)
• Pineapple slices (bite size)
• One (1) cup of chocolate corn flakes
• Dash of chocolate powder
• 1 - 2 tbsp of honey

Procedure:
Put the Blue Isle Greek Yogurt in a bowl
Add pineapple slices on one side
Add choco corn flakes on the other side
Top with chocolate powder
Drizzle the whole bowl with honey
Enjoy!
Nutritional Benefits of Yogurt:
What makes yogurt healthy for you and your kids?  It's a mixture of milk fermented by bacterial cultures that produce lactic acid.  It contains the same nutrients as milk but it still depends on the type and even brand of yogurt (kaya look for the seal!).  A cup has many essential nutrients like protein, calcium and phosphorous to help build and maintain strong bones and teeth.  It also has Zinc which boosts the immune system. Riboflavin and panthothenic acid also help the body with metabolism. Yogurt also has vitamin B12 to keep the nervous system healthy and blood functions normal.
For us adults, did you know that yogurt is recommended for weight loss and weight management? So for moms who like to go to #BalikAlindogProgram, yogurt is one of your healthy but yummy alternative.

The U.S. National Dairy Council reports that dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt are foundational foods in healthy eating patterns that contribute important shortfall nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Healthy eating patterns are associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases including cardio vascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Here's more, the potassium in yogurt also helps regulate the balance of water and other nutrients, lowering your chances of having high blood pressure.  A recent study in the American Journal of Hypertension found that eating two cups of yogurt a week lowered the risk associated with cardiovascular disease.

Yogurt is also a good option for the lactose intolerant to get the same health boosts of
milk. Its active cultures help the body digest lactose, which is a naturally occurring sugar in milk that not everyone can digest.

There are so many ways to enjoy yogurt than just having it plain and like my yogurt breakfast bowl, kids could enjoy it anytime as well.  Yogurt can also be a base of a veggie or even chips dip or as a substitute for oil and mayonnaise as well.

Other Dairy Product with Real California Milk of Cheese Seal (And where to purchase):
We all know how healthy drinking milk and other dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream are right? I cannot stress how this will really help us and especially our kids to have stronger bones and teeth and even help prevent common illnesses!  So the next time you buy any dairy products from the grocery, make sure that you look for the Real California Milk seal!  This assures you that you’re getting dairy products made exclusively from nutrient-rich, high quality 100% California milk. California is US' leading producer of milk, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk and whey protein concentrate and is the second largest producer of cheese and yogurt.  The Golden State is America’s leading milk producer with 1,300 dairy farms, 99% of which are family-owned. These California dairy farm families take precious care of their cows and their products.

Look for the seal momshies okay?  You may purchase dairy products which has the Real California Milk or Cheese seal from groceries like Unimart, Robinsons Supermarket, Merkado and SM Hypermarket plus membership shopping giants S & R and Landers.  They give you a wide range of dairy choices carrying the seal.

To know more about great dairy products, check out www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com or Facebook.com/RCMph/. You may also follow their stories by using these hashtags #LookForTheSeal and #RealCaliforniaMilkPhilippines.

*This post is sponsored by Real California Milk, but the recipe, photos and opinions are mine.

• One (1) Queen bed and one (1) single bed in room
• An LED TV powered by cable and also HMDI/USB ready for movies
• A desk with office supplies in its drawer (which was very useful for my second son)
• High speed wireless internet
• A living area with LED TV
• A small refrigerator stocked with beverages and snacks
• Mini-bar with more sweet treats for the kids
• Four (4) complimentary water bottles
• Coffee and tea making facility
• Complete toiletries (dental kit, liquid soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, roll of tissue)
• Towels
• Safe and laundry basket inside the closet

At the ground floor is where you'll find their function room the Lotus Ballroom, which could be divided to three smaller rooms.  This photo is without the divider and when I asked it can seat up to 300 pax.  This could be an option for your next big party or corporate event.  Food is good and usually, good food leaves good impressions on your event right?
OVERALL STAYCATION EXPERIENCE
If like me you're looking for a simple and relaxing stay with good food, then City Garden Suites is worth a try.  The hotel is more great for business travelers who want to stay near convention or exhibition centers and the airport or tourists or families who would want to experience Manila's richness in culture by visiting the Luneta Park, Intramuros, and taking a kalesa ride.

Too bad it was the Barangay elections on our Day 2 of stay so we weren't able to take advantage of their FREE Walking Tour to Intramuros which starts at 9:00 am ti 11:30am every day.  If you're also considering a full day of experiencing Old Manila as an educational tour or trip for yourself and your kids, consider staying at City Garden Suites because it's near historical places in Manila such as but not limited to: The National Museum, Intramuros, Luneta Park, Escolta, Binondo.  Do your thrift shopping as well in Divisoria, the Lucky China Mall, and many more then come home to City Garden Suites to rest your tired eyes, feet, and pockets!  Bring the kids to nearby kiddie attractions such as the Manila Ocean Park, Museo Pambata, CCP, and more!

Their staff is notably hospitable, pleasant, professional, and always smiling.  Nothing but good customer service which is the heart of any establishment.  Our room was clean and spacious, still I wish we were booked in a room with a bath tub! :)  But aargh, FOOD was great! We definitely had a memorable breakfast buffet experience. Parking is limited though and on a first come first served basis.  Room price is value for money!  Will we come back?  Yes we would!

FATHER'S DAY PROMO and MORE!
I experienced their Suite Treat For Moms promo, now they have another special promo for all the DADs out there!  Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show dad how much you care and City Garden Suites is taking it up a notch by celebrating it the whole month of June!!!

From June 1-30, 2018, the whole family may spend quality time with dad with the following inclusions for only Php 3,998.00:

• Instant room upgrade from Deluxe Room to a One Bedroom Suite
• Buffet breakfast for two (2) adults and two (2) children
• Relaxing one hour massage for dad
• Complimentary bottle of wine

For bookings, other promos, and reservations, you may visit https://bit.ly/2kzEItF or call (+632) 835-3831 or (+632) 536-1451.
For updates and more information, visit their website www.citygardensuites.com/.  You may also follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @citygardensuites.  You may also call 02-536-1451 for other inquiries.  City Garden Suites is located at 1158 A. Mabini St. Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines 1004.