I received my copy of the Working Mom Magazine March Issue early this month!  Started reading it and I liked this issue in an instant because the cover signals the official start of SUMMER, my favorite season! :)

I was supposed to write about this earlier, but I made sure that I finish reading the entire magazine.  I did, because there's so much to love about Working Mom's February issue!

Title pa lang, I could definitely say, it's targeting to moms like myself who is, the same as most of you, are busy juggling career and family life and striking a balance into the chaos it may bring.  Their cover on this issue is Ms. Angel Aquino, who shared about her beginnings of her career, her failed marriage, how she blossomed into the woman she is now and how she raised her daughters.  I tell you, her story is worth to be told because anybody could be inspired by her life story.

Sakto pa, because, this issue has a lot to do with the season of hearts!  They have feel-sexy tips to boost the mood for romance with your hubby like suggestions on bedroom wardrobe (hint: sexy sleepwear!), tools for the hair and skin to give it some TLC, and pages of divine desserts worth indulging in.  Also, what I enjoyed reading and got inspired with, were real stories of real couples sharing their unique wedding proposals, how they said yes.  Imagine from a live theater play proposal to a tricycle ride! :)
Their Family section is perfect for parents looking for tips and tricks with their children even of different stages.  I also found their Let's Talk section very helpful to busy moms like me.  They have 50+ tools and solutions to help you manage daily stresses and enjoy life more.
Working Mom Magazine February Issue is still available at your nearest magazine stands at Php 120.00.

Thank you ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. for sending me a copy of your Working Mom Magazine February Issue.

As a young family, we constantly dream for better things to happen, especially for the children.  We dream of being able to give the same (or even more}comforts to our own children just like what our parents were able to give us when we were younger.  One of those dreams that hubby and I want to fulfill someday is to be able to own a home we could exclusively call ours.

I've shared in my past post that we've been through some tours in several condos in the city to check out what they offer to young families like ours.  I'm sure most of you, like myself, dream of having her own kitchen to whip up delicious meals for the family on weekends, or maybe also dream of having her own dining and living area she could personally style.  I am actually having my own dilemma in the latter because as much as I want to redecorate the living room where we stay, it's not our house.

I will be sharing the condos I visited and inquired about around Mandaluyong-Makati area.  This will then serve as your reference should you need a review of condos in these areas.  I'll be showing pictures of the featured condos then will follow it with information and what I think about its: location and accessibility, types or units and their prices.

Pioneer Woodlands (Empire East)

Photo from MRT Boni Station

1 BR Model Unit

Toilet and Bath

2BR Model Unit

Location and Accessibility :
Pioneer Woodlands is located along EDSA corner Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City.  It has a direct access to MRT Boni Station.  Having said that, Pioneer Woodlands is very accessible to public transportation.  It has commercial establishments at the first two levels of Tower 1 facing EDSA.  If you are riding a PUJ going to let's say Manila or other parts of Mandaluyong, it's available upon crossing EDSA via the MRT station.  Robinsons Forum/Pioneer is just beside the condominium which makes it very convenient for the residents to do their grocery shopping, malling or bonding with kids.

Types of Units/Sizes:
There are three types of units that are available: Studio (22.5 sqm) 1BR (26 sqm) and 2BR (36 and 50 sqms).  All units upon turnover come with the following:

• Wood grain vinyl planks in living, dining, kitchen and bedroom areas
• Ceramic tiles in toilet and bath
• Custom built under-counter kitchen cabinets
• Provision for mechanical ventilation for kitchen and toilet
• Provision for air-conditioning unit opening for bedroom/s

Availability and Price:
Tower 1 will start its turnover in 2014, while Towers 2 & 3 will be ready for occupancy in 2017 and 2018 respectively.  Towers 4 to 6 is still under construction and turnovers are TBC.
Studio costs around Php 2.2M
1 BR costs around Php 2.6M
2BR (36 sqm) costs around Php 3.5M
2BR (50 sqm) costs around Php 4.9M

Look and Feel:
I felt that it lacked breathable space.  Something that a family with young children needs.  Although their seventh level amenities for swimming pools, garden and gym will be available, I think it's not enough.  But accessibility is a win for this condo.

SMDC Light Residences

1BR Unit (turned over by agent)

Swimming Pools at their amenity area (8/F)

Location and Accessibility:
SMDC Light Residences is located along EDSA cor. Madison Street, Mandaluyong City.  Just as any SMDC projects, it has commercial establishments found at the ground level of the condominiums, Savemore Supermarket being the flagship establishment.  It is right beside Pioneer Woodlands and is accessible via MRT and buses that pass by EDSA.  Victor Potenciano Hospital, EDSA Central public market and a church may be found within the vicinity.

Types of Units and Sizes:
Available units are Studio (20sqm), 1BR without balcony (23sqm) 1BR without balcony (27 sqm) and 2BR (52 sqm) respectively.

Availability and Prices:
Tower 1 which is facing EDSA has started its turn over this year.  The others are TBC.  Prices range from 1.9M for Studio to about 3.8M for 1BR to 5M for 2BR.

Look and Feel:
SMDC Light Residences' 40-storey towers, when looked from afar, actually scare me.  I used to see their Mezza Residences being built almost everyday back then.  Looking at how fast it was built gave me an impression that it was rushed.  But upon seeing the actual unit turned over, it looked okay, but just a typical closed condominium which lacked breathable space too.  Not for a family of four to five.  However, their amenities area found at the 8/F balances this, but with three towers surrounding it, I think it's not enough.

Flair Towers (DMCI)

LumiVentt Technology of DMCI (Light and Ventilation)

Grand Lobby/Lounge Area

Facing the pool area in between North and South Towers

Checking out the 2BR De Luxe

Location and Accessibility:
Flair Towers of DMCI is located at Reliance St. corner Pines Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.  It's near EDSA and strategically located not along the highway to remain its exclusivity feel for the residents.  It may be accessible through buses and also MRT, plus a tricycle ride coming from EDSA-Reliance Street.  It's few minutes away from malls, schools and hospitals.

Types of Units/Sizes/Price:
When I went there, the South Tower is already full and what was being offered for reservation is the North Tower which is currently still being constructed.  Full turnover of the South Tower will be on February 2014 while the North Tower's promise is to turn over its units to its owners on December 2014.

Look and Feel:
I love that DMCI uses only 30% of the whole land for their building structures and 70% dedicated to open spaces and amenities.  What's more is that DMCI is known to build resort-lthemed and modern urban designs in most of their developments.  Their Lumiventt Design Technology is what got me as well.  It's condo but a livable and breathable one.  Perfect for starting and young families like ours.  Their amenities are almost, if not already, complete.  I don't mind the exclusivity of its location, making it not very accessible to main roads because, I felt important when I was there.  Their amenities are complete and serves residents of all ages.  There are kiddie and adult pools, playgrounds and a basketball court, gym, sky garden and lounges, pavilions, game and music rooms, and an observatory at the roof deck of both towers.  Security is also guaranteed and that's an important factor for any buyers.  For me that is convenient and comfortable living.

This is Part 1 of 2 featuring the condominiums we visited in Mandaluyong City.  Why Mandaluyong you ask? It's right smack in the middle of the Metro Manila.  Hubby works in Ortigas and I in Makati, perfect venue for us.  It's near business districts, malls, churches, schools and supermarkets.  A strategic venue for the lifestyle that we already have right now.  Stay tuned for five more condos I will feature on the blog loves! :)

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If you are a working mom like myself, you know the frustration I sometimes feel when I don't get to prepare my family a good home-cooked meal.  When I say good, that means any of the following dishes: Menudo, Afritada, Tinola or Sinigang.  I am always in a hurry and the best that I can do for cooking our baon is to fry, because it's the easiest and quickest way to cook a meal.

Deep Fried Chicken

Deep Fried Lumpiang Shanghai

We do all know that fried foods could be very unhealthy for our bodies right?  I believe that too!  But I also know better now, that it actually depends on what type of cooking oil you use, also that everything should be in moderation.  Researches in the past show that it could cause obesity, heart attacks or diabetes.  But recently, a long-term study was made in Spain among 40,000 adults, and it showed that:

"...those who ate the most fried foods had no greater risk of heart disease or premature death. Another study, this one in obese women, even found a beneficial effect of fried foods on insulin levels.  The type of oil or fat is just one factor that can affect the healthfulness of a fried food." (Source: Time.com)

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Christmas is really  here loves!  What better to celebrate it than have a family reunion over lunch or dinner at home with good old home-cooked meal!  It's a tradition in our family that my brothers and their families, as well as ours, get together every Christmas at my parents house.  I can say we can actually be called "Family Practicality" because we have pot luck Christmas lunch.  Each brings a meal or two to share to everyone.  This way, we don't need to spend too much by dining outside or buying food from restaurants.  Besides, nothing beats tasting each family's specialty menu!

My wacky and crazy beautiful family - Christmas Time

Speaking of which, I have said in the past that I may be a busy working mom who doesn't have time to cook anymore, but again, that doesn't mean I don't know how to cook.  In fact, when I do find time to cook, you've got to write down your name before you eat my mean meal, because you might forget your name or your spouse's name because of my sumptuous meal!  Let me share with you the staple in any of our family celebration, my Filipino-Italian Spaghetti!

Wow it's a hybrid of the usual kid-loved-Filipino Style spaghetti but with a zesty twist because it's got an Italian taste too.  Today's your lucky day love because I'll be sharing my recipe.  This spaghetti is much loved among the family, I'm a little proud to say that.  Are you ready?  First, here's how my meaty and yummy spaghetti looks like:

Filipino-Italian Spaghetti Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg cooked Spaghetti Noodles (any brand)
• 1-2 tsp of MINOLA Coconut Oil
• 1 large sized onion, peeled and diced
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, peeled and diced
• 3 medium sized tomatoes, cut in halves
• 1 small can of button mushrooms
• 3/4 kg lean ground pork/beef
• 3-4 pieces regular hotdog, sliced diagonally
• 1.5 kg Italian Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 cup of broth
• 1/2 tsp of Sugar
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, heat MINOLA Coconut Oil.  Add onions, tomatoes then garlic and stir occasionally until onions caramelized in color.
2. Add the hotdogs and cook for a minute then ground pork and cook for 5-7 minutes while stirring occasionally to break into small pieces.
3. Add the Italian Spaghetti Sauce and bring to a boil while stirring occasionally.
4. Once boiled, lower down fire then let it simmer for a few more minutes until the meat is fully cooked.
5. Add mushrooms to the sauce.
6. Add water especially when the sauce thickens.  Add sugar.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Now here's their latest advisory for December which was released in major broadsheets too. Humanda na mga muthers, wag mashoshock:

• Use a power board - You know those extension cords with switches?  That's a power board.  Multiple appliances plugged on it may be turned off all at the same time with just one switch.

• Switch off lights when not in use - Whenever we don't have any use for the lights, we all turn them off to save energy.

• Utilize natural whenever possible. - During daytime, we open the windows and just let the sunshine in!
• Use Energy Efficient Lighting - We already changed our light bulbs to CFL bulbs from the instant I learned that we could save a lot on energy when CFL bulbs are used.  It's even brighter than incandescent bulbs.  To give you an idea of how much you could save, look at the illustrations below:

• Air Conditioning- Since I have kids, we turn on the aircon every night.  But we use a timer and a switcher, that when it turns off, the electric fan turns on making the room temperature still cooler than usual.  Also, do you know the new innovation in air conditioners?  Yes, the inverter air conditioners.  They are a bit pricey but more energy efficient. 

• Use solar screens or seal cracks or openings to prevent solar heat gain. - Make sure your windows are tightly closed and your room's door is closed to prevent cool air from getting out of the room.  This way the aircon will not work doubly hard in maintaining the coolness hence it saves energy.
• Washing Machines - Front load is more efficient than top load washing machine

• Refrigerators - purchase those with energy efficient models those with highest Energy Efficient Factor (EEF) are better and more efficient.

Available on iOS and Android Phones

Helps you find a Meralco branch or know where to pay bills.

My favorite, their Meralco Appliances Calculator

They include Bright Ideas on how we could save energy and get the most out of our home appliances

If you log-in, you could get your monthly bill online! :)