Multi-Flavored Xiao Long Bao and New Favorites at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight

I can't say no to dimsum and a hot bowl of Chinese noodle soup.  There are days when I really crave for them, and just got to have my fix from wherever is convenient at that moment.  Lucky for me, I live in San Juan City where our neighborhood is now being called the little Chinatown where Asian stores and restaurants are aplenty.  Greenhills, in particular, boasts of highly rated dining places like the famous Singaporean franchise, Crystal Jade.

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Year-End Round-up: Favorite Finds in 2013

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds / Faves

Mom-Friday's Favorite Finds Year-End Round Up
From food to fashion, these products and services became personal favorites, earned raves from the family, and also got featured on the blog. 

It's the last Friday of 2013 and year three of my round-up of favorite Mom-Finds for the year.  As usual, it was difficult to do a shortlist especially with so many fantastic finds this year! So, here goes my list in no particular order, beginning with my latest find.

Mom-Friday's Favorite Finds 2013

PRODUCTS

Lock & Lock Speed Cook Grill Pan
My latest Mom-Finds for December:  Speed Cook pots and pans
You know I'm all for 15-minute (or less) meals and having the right kitchen tools will help me make that happen. Made with environment-friendly alumina-film coating, non-stick lightweight material, absorbs and spreads heat quickly and evenly.  Hence, Speed Cook promises to cut cooking time in half.  No oil needed too.  The rim of the pots and pans feature a spout for easy pouring, and has rubber covered handles.

It's usage and care is similar to any non-stick pans - you can't leave the pan empty over high heat, don't use any cooking utensils that may scratch surface, use soft sponge for cleaning.  

This grill pan, in particular, has been calling me as soon as I saw it displayed at the store.  Just a word of caution:  the handles can get too hot while cooking so you'd need pot holders to grip.  The base, when turned over, is slightly concave so the oils from your food will run down the grooves going to the sides of the pan where there's a well.  It's perfect for cooking bacon, Korean beef strips, sautéed shrimps, even thin cuts of streak and fillets!

SRP : PhP 1,699.75

I attended the new store opening and launch of Lock & Lock's new collections which include Speed Cook under Cookplus cookware.  I will feature more of their latest lines in another post. Lock & Lock, our favorite food keeper brand, has recently opened it's newest store at Level 6, East Wing of Shangri-la mall, with their holiday sale still ongoing until December 31! 

(Click on the brand/name to read more info and details about each item on the list below.)

CURE Natural Aqua Gel Exfoliant

If I can use it more than twice a week, I would.  Cure makes my dull skin look and feel cleaner, clearer, and healthier in between cleansing and moisturizing.  One of the best skin care products ever!

Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream and Lipid Balm

Not just for babies, Mustela's Stelatopia cream is heaven-sent.  My daughter and I occasionally suffer from atopic dermatitis / eczema and we are currently using the Lipid Balm which relieves us from our itchy, scaly spots.

Vapor Soove

This is our nighttime companion when attacked with coughs and colds.  The cool, soothing, minty vapor gives instant relief for our stuffy nose and headache.

Fairy Drops Platinum Mascara

After discovering how amazing this makes my lashes look, my eyes now feel naked without a coat or two of this lash-lengthening mascara! Doing this extra step to my basic make-up routine makes a big difference for my chinky eyes.

Elin Clothing

Basic, understated, comfortable women's clothing.  I love their casual tees and cool maxi dresses. I'm a happy customer and blog affiliate of Elin.

FOOD

Biscoff Spread (cookie butter)

My foodie list will not be complete without this sweet spread that swept the country by storm early this year - the cookie butter! Biscoff by Lotus is my top choice over other brands of cookie butter spreads.

Milkbox Hokkaido Cupcake

I've only posted about this latest foodie addiction to this cupcake on Instagram.  I have to buy at least 1 dozen each time since the boy and the girl are also hooked on these light, fluffy, creamy cupcakes.  I even displayed and served these cupcakes at my boy's 10th birthday recently.

SERVICES / ESTABLISHMENTS

Taste Central Online Shopping
Ever since I discovered Taste Central last summer, I've been regularly shopping for an assortment of goods - from food to toys, to home and women's items.  I really like the premium selection on offer.

The Fun Farm in Sta. Elena

Hands down the favorite outdoor recreation destination of the kids this year.  They can't get enough of the cute animals and various activities that await them at the farm.  No boring moment here! I also included Fun Farm in our list of places to visit this holiday break.

Do you have your favorite finds from the blog?

* * *

With the highs and lows as a blogger, I am counting all my blessings in 2013:
THANKFUL for the online community that has become my support group even offline; for the unwavering support and trust of readers and sponsors even beyond the blog; and for the encouragement of family and friends who continue to inspire me to share my journey and discoveries as a homemaker - from the mundane to the fascinating kinds. =)

2013 has been a roller coaster ride!

I plan to make My Mom-Friday bigger and better for you this 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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5 Family-Friendly Places We Visited in 2013

Third Friday of the month:  Recreation / Travel / Leisure

It's Christmas break! The kids are all excited and restless at the same time.  We don't have any travel plans during the holidays, but sometimes, we end up booking an overnight stay at a hotel within the metro or go to amusement parks.  It's been a wild year for us, with major adjustments at home and with the kids' school life.  But the fun side has been memorable, peppered with new experiences especially for the kids.  

For today's post, I'm sharing a few family-friendly places we were able to visit this year, and to give you ideas on where to bring the family this holiday break.

The Fun Farm at Sta. Elena, Cabuyao, Laguna

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Handcrafted Home Décor and Gifts at Chrysara NEST Manila

I am constantly on the look-out for interesting home accents and décor for my home.  Our house is still a work in progress even after our move five years ago.  We went for modern Asian-inspired accessories and furniture for the interior design.  We like items that are "kid-friendly", not too expensive, good quality, and could make nice conversation pieces. Hopefully, we can decorate and add more accessories around the house next year.  

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Family Friday: How to Build the Self-Esteem of Children

Second Friday of the month:  Kids / Parenting

"Self-esteem of a parent affects the self-esteem of the child." - Coach Pia Acevedo

In our previous #BetterMe session with the SoMoms, we discussed parenting as a team where we had to analyze our own parenting styles and assess how we have have matured as a parent.  One of the main indicators is learning to provide a healthy space for your child to develop into the best individual they can be (and not a shadow of what the parents need and want).  As a follow up to that topic, here are ways on how to boost our kids' self-esteem.   

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Kid-Style: SM Kids Fashion Holiday Collection 2013

I am an SM shopper.  I have been since I was a little kid, tagging along with my mom as we walk around downtown Manila every weekend where all the popular department stores (no malls then) were located.  During the holidays, I get to choose a new dress and a pair of shoes for Christmas.  Shoe Mart was one of our shopping destinations back then.  And now, as a mom, I shop with my kids at SM.  I always find well-made affordable apparel and footwear for myself and the whole family at SM.  This holiday season is no different as I shopped for stylish children's clothes from SM Kids Fashion Holiday Collection.

Sophisticated new window display at SM Makati

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Foodie Friday: Smoked Salmon on Toast (Hors d'oeuvre)

First Friday of the month: Mom-Cook / Recipe

I can't believe I'm writing my last Foodie Friday post for 2013!!!  I still have a few more food posts lined up for you, so I'll try to share them here before we end the year.  Since I still can't beat my number one blog post - the No-bake Blueberry Cheesecake, which I shared after Christmas of 2010, I've decided to keep it more simple this time.  Using cream cheese and smoked salmon, I think this simple hors d'oeuvre is festive enough and still a wonderful dish to serve at your holiday parties and other special occasions.

Backstory:

About 2 months ago, I bought a pack of this smoked salmon from the neighborhood grocery because the girl was curious how salmon tastes like.  We don't normally eat dishes with salmon so I never buy fresh salmon or frozen fillets, except on a occasions when I feel like cooking something "fancy", like this creamy salmon caviar pasta.  I did not complete the ingredients for her tasting dish, so this pack of smoked salmon stayed in the freezer until 4 weeks ago, when I bought a baguette.

I told the girl she can finally try this "colored fish" she was curious about with her favorite toasted baguette with cream cheese.  It was one of those nights when I was too lazy to cook an additional ulam, and decided I'd just eat this appetizer as my dinner.  J did too (since he's on a "diet")!

The verdict: she did not like it, hihihihi! But still, I was proud of my no-cook meal.  I immediately shared this on Instagram! =)

No need for the recipe list since there's no measurement here.  All you need are the following:

SMOKED SALMON ON TOAST

Pack of good quality smoked salmon
Slices of toasted baguette (any bread variety you fancy, as long as it's crusty and crunchy when toasted)
Cream cheese (any brand you like)
Capers (for garnish and added tang and flavor; optional 'coz others don't like this)
Lemon wedge

Toast your bread, spread cream cheese, lay down a slice of salmon, and top with capers.
Arrange and serve on a platter with lemon wedges.

Squeeze some lemon juice over the salmon and devour!  I paired my hors d'oeuvre (this was my dinner so I ate 6) with my favorite Beringer White Zinfandel.  Perfection!

Hope you try this easy-peasy fancy appetizer... not just during the holidays.  Instead of capers, why not garnish with caviar instead?
Feeling soshal lang! =)

Cheers!

Other recipes you might like to try:
My first salmon dish - Creamy Salmon and Caviar Pasta.
The girl's indulgence - Caviar and Cream Cheese on Toast

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
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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.)

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10 Energy-Saving Tips for Your Homes

Every summer and holiday seasons, we always expect our Meralco bills to go up.  I understand that our electrical consumption also increase during these times, thus the higher charges.  Apparently, there's more happening from the source that I am not aware of.  This December to January of the new year, an increase is inevitable, and the only thing we can do is find ways to save and be energy-efficient.

MOVE app button shows a graphic house you can click on, for Bright Ideas on energy efficiency 

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Conti's goes FLAT for a Wobble-Free Dining Experience

When dining out, do you find yourself constantly adjusting wobbly tables? I do.  Sometimes they're too light they keep moving, resulting from glasses and plates to shake.  It's more inconvenient especially with the kids around, where they tend to push and pull the tables, and it makes our dining experience less pleasurable.

 

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