A New Healthy Rice: Rico Corn Rice

My family eats a lot of white rice. In my effort to introduce healthier alternatives, I sometimes mix red rice with white, if not all red. If we don't serve rice, we have noodles/pasta, potatoes, and corn as substitutes for our carbs during mealtimes.

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Do You Have a Connected Home?

Let me get straight to the point - do you have a connected home?

We now live in the digital age, whether we like it or not.  I have embraced technology (and all the gadgets that go with it) and how it allows my family to learn, to discover, and share experiences, whether over the phone, social networking online, or video chats.  J and the kids are even more tech-savvy than me!

It actually took me longer to accept and appreciate how technology connects us all.  In spite of my being an active blogger, if you ask me, I still prefer actual phone conversations if I'm unable to meet face to face with friends and family. We can't live without our trusty landline, and we've been with PLDT for decades! My mother-in-law happens to be the most heavy user of our telephone line at home, chatting with her friends and relatives everyday - yes, everyday. She celebrated her birthday the day after Christmas, so you can imagine how busy our phone was with birthday and holiday greetings, not to mention online video calls from my sis-in-law in the USA.

My daughter, talking to my mom and telling her wish list of toys!

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MindPrint: Discovering Your Innate Intelligence

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds / Products / Services

I like taking personality tests, whether from experts or from generic tests I find in magazines.  It's entertaining and amazing when tests prove or disprove what I know about myself or discovering something completely unexpected about my personality or skills. One recent test I took was with MindPrint. I first learned about MindPrint from my fellow SoMom, Jenny. Its unique biometric scan that reveals a person's innate intellect piqued my curiosity.  But of course, I was skeptical.

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Mom-Cook: Polvoron con Queso

I like eating cheese. My family does too. Aside from the usual pasta and pizza dishes, I try recipes where I can make it more tasty and flavorful with the use of a variety of cheeses available to me. If you've been following my Instagram, you may have seen my post where I received dozens of cheese packs from Perfect Italiano.  As soon as I got the package, my mind went crazy thinking about what I can cook them with!

I've been buying Perfect Italiano grated and block parmesan cheese for the longest time. I use it for most of the pasta dishes I cook at home.  The package also came with Mozzarella, and Pizza Plus, which is one of the most versatile mix of cheeses I've tried.  Pizza Plus combines grated mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan in one pack. I added it to some easy recipes which I will share on the blog by installment... you'll see they're not just good for pizza. =)

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Search is On for CORELLE’s Women of Health and Style

My mother is a great cook and serves her dishes with love. Laboring in the kitchen comes with an appreciation for beautiful and quality cooking and dining wares. Corelle is one of those trusty brands my family uses to this day, even Corningware and Pyrex - all brands by World Kitchen. I grew up using all those brands, eating from Corelle plates (Spring Blossom Green) and serving platters every single day.  That is why you can imagine how thrilled I am to have them as my new blog sponsor! Woot woot! =)  

The company takes pride in their role as partners of modern women and mothers in providing families healthy, safe and stylish dining, cooking and baking experiences. I can attest to that! In line with their thrust, I’m happy to announce that this summer, Corelle has launched something special for Pinay mommies in the metro as they open their search for CORELLE’s Women of Health and Style.

CORELLE is looking for:

• Beautiful modern Filipina moms (MFMs) who love to cook
• MFMs who embody and radiate health and style – the brands’ core features

How To Join:
1. Candidate must email the following to marketing@raffles.com.ph :

• Short description of herself with full name, age, city of residence

• Health and style mantra

• Original healthy recipe using the brands and reasons why she uses and loves the brands

• Attach a solo picture of herself and a picture of her family using at least one of the brands: Corelle, Corningware, Pyrex, Visions, Snapware.

2. Search is open to Modern Filipina Moms in Metro Manila only.
3. Candidate must be 25-35 years old, married, and user of the brand/s: Corelle, Corningware, Pyrex, Visions and Snapware.
4. Submission of entries is from March 21 to April 20, 2014.
5. Six (6) winners will be chosen by World Kitchen Asia Pacific and Raffles and Company, Inc.
6. Finalists will also be voted on via Facebook for a chance to win.
7. Formal awarding will be announced this May 2014.

PRIZES:

1. Kitchen make-over from Corelle, Corningware, Pyrex, Visions and Snapware

2. Special feature with their healthy recipes in the brand brochures, website, Facebook page and other social media sites

3. Winners will also enjoy more perks and prestige of being Corelle’s Women of Health and Style.

Mommies, JOIN NOW and be one of CORELLE’s first brand ambassadors! 

Invite your friends to join too, if you know they embody the modern Filipina mom. Let them inspire a healthy and stylish change, and celebrate women and their achievements as CORELLE’s Women of Health and Style.

For more details, call (02) 687-5467 or email marketing@raffles.com.ph.

Visit www.raffles.com.ph and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more updates!

Corelle, Corningware, Pyrex, Visions and Snapware are exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Raffles and Company, Inc. via authorized dealers, independent distributors and leading department stores nationwide. Visit the brand showroom at Kitchen World, 3F Eastwood Mall.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Friday: Who Gets 8 Hours of Sleep These Days?

Second Friday of the month:  Motherhood / Parenting / Health

When I was still single, that's my normal sleeping hours - sleep by 11, wake up by 7. With two hyperactive kids, this magic number became elusive, especially during school days. I know many of my friends can related to this as well.  It seems as we get older, sleep becomes a luxury!

Note:

Time is 10:30pm, Thursday, as I write this post, to be scheduled for Family Friday - tomorrow.

Brain function status = "low-batt". 

Please excuse any incoherent paragraphs below.

I have a few scheduled posts lined up for the coming days, but I have one specifically timed for Family Friday.  It's a very interesting feature about discovering our innate intellect via a sophisticated biometric scan.  More on that next week coz I'm now too sleepy to even finish writing and editing my story on that.  This gave me an impromptu topic to post now, and this will be short and sweet so I can hit the sack earlier tonight.

At one of their favorite hotel suites from Hotel H2O

So, who among you gets 8 hours of sleep?

Well, not me. Not regularly though. This is my typical evening:
After putting the kids to bed, around 9pm, I start blogging, or snacking, or chatting on FB, browsing my Instagram and checking other sites.  It relaxes me, and it's my time to socialize with other mom friends online. =)  It's quiet time for myself too.  But the major hurdle for us is the girl. (It's now 10:57 pm and she's still up.)  Yes, our feisty, precocious, talkative little girl.

The boy thrives on routine and can sleep on time. This girl, however, is the complete opposite and does not seem to recognize any of the time we've set.  It's so frustrating and is a major test of my patience, I tell you. Having to wait for her to fall asleep has been one of the hurdles on our bedtime routine ever since she was 4.

Since the end of September last year, the kids have been staying with us in our room, and it's been more challenging. I'm the last one to go to sleep every single night. She's also been having trouble sleeping these past few weeks, maybe because of the summer break and change in routine. Of course, I can't have some shut-eye myself until she falls asleep.

For the past 3 days, we've been sleeping at around 1:00 am. I need to get ideas on how to make her sleep earlier, or make major changes in bedtime rules. Any suggestions? Boy is fast asleep. My eyes are now tired, eye lids droopy. I'm going to bed now, and will wait for the girl to doze off.

It's 11:24 pm. Thursday. Good night.  Have a restful weekend!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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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!
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DIY Winter Melon Milk Tea

As the title of this post suggests, here's my own concoction of ice cold winter melon milk tea - my usual order from popular milk tea houses I frequent.  Sometimes, I order it plain with rock salt and cheese topping shared with my girl - it's her favorite too! Making this large serving at home gives me a lot of savings! =)

Winter melon (winter gourd / white gourd) is actually a vegetable, typically used in Chinese cuisine for soups.  You have to look up the process of making the winter melon juice, which is very popular in Taiwan. I have not seen a fresh winter melon yet, I just buy the juice. =) 

There are only two brands of ready-to-drink winter melon juice I've seen in the market - like this tetrapak Marigold Winter melon drink, and a most recent discovery, this canned Green Mate Winter Melon Drink (P40) I bought from Little Store in San Juan.  Green Mate is a bit less sweet than Marigold.

ICED WINTER MELON MILK TEA DRINK

1 sachet Owl Teh Tarik (instant milk tea)
1 can Green Mate Winter Melon Drink, chilled
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
Ice cubes
1/4 cup hot water

How to make:
In a tall glass or mug, dissolve milk tea powder (and sugar) in very hot water.
Add 4-6 ice cubes, and pour the chilled winter melon juice.
Stir, and enjoy!

You can use any brands you prefer.  But guaranteed, this iced winter melon milk tea is one of the most refreshing beverages you can make, just perfect for our hot summer days!

Check out related blog posts here:
What's Your Juice?
Singapore's Famous OWL Coffee and Tea

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 @mymomfriday on Twitter and Instagram
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!
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A Different Kind of Summer Program for Kids and Teens

Every summer, parents try to find creative ways to entertain kids, and provide activities that they will enjoy and learn from.  In my case, it's more on arts and music this year. Recently. I discovered these programs which I found unique and enriching for little and big kids, though I won't be able to enroll my kids anymore due to conflict in schedules.  These are not you typical classes so I hope you'll find them interesting and consider for your children this summer break.

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Foodie Friday: Korean-Style Beef Stew

I have been doing trial and error with many dishes that the family likes to eat - some success, some failures. Family members have different preferences, and unfortunately for me, I need to plan / prepare / cook at least two dishes every meal time.  On occasion, I try slow-cooked dishes like stews.  When I am able to buy good cuts of meat and get inspired by what I find in the grocery, I cook family favorites, like this beef stew which I learned from my mother (but hers is always better!).

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A Visit to the Art Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines

We don't often go to museums with the kids, but the few times that we do prove to be most memorable and a fun learning experience. Last Sunday, we went to Keys To Discovery - the successful fund raising event organized by Keys School Manila. It was an afternoon of art and cultural appreciation held at the National Museum of the Philippines which also included a creative musical show from My Masterpiece Movement, culminated with a mini concert by the talented musicians from the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band.

SPOLIARIUM - a massive and magnificent masterpiece by Juan Luna

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