July 31, 2012

Family Day Sundays: Ginataan and Choco Pancake

July 22, 2012

After our routine mass schedule every Sunday, we went back home and spend the rest of the day staying at home. Mommy requested me to have her hair cellophane before we took our lunch. After the treatment, we took our lunch with ginataang sitaw at kalabasa. Mommy and Matt took their nap afterwards, while I managed to watch two episodes of Glee Season 3, which I downloaded before.
Ginataang Kalabasa at sitaw

When the two woke up, they requested me to get snack in our bedroom and have it there. I searched the kitchen and end up making Choco Pancakes (See it HERE) paired with hot chocolate.

Snack Time!
We are supposed to spend the rest of the afternoon outside but it was raining so we just played inside the house and watch TV.

Sundays are really short but we make it sure to spend it quality-wise!
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July 30, 2012

Kitchen Adventure: Choco Pancake

Choco Pancake
Searching the kitchen for possible snack, I resulted to make pancake with a "twist". Here's what I did:


Mix 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of sugar, ½ cup Bear Brand Choco, 1 medium-sized egg, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ cup water and 1 tbsp of metled butter or cooking oil. Mix continously until no more flour lumps.

Pour about 1/4 cup of the batter in a preheated pan and cook for about two minutes each side. Serve with a hot or cold drink of your choice.
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Family Day Sundays: Nueva Ecija

July 14, 2012

Since Mommy will have to pick-up the cloth diapers to be sold in her “mini” online shoppe, we scheduled it on Saturday night so that we can proceed to our home in Nueva Ecija to spend our weekend.

Early in morning, Papa asked Matt to go outside and make stroll to see the fishes at the lagoon in my Alma Mater (by the way, we are just few minutes away from my school) while Mommy and I got the chance to go market and buy vegetables. We really got fond of buying veggies because it is  really cheaper compared here in Bulacan. Given a chance to have a bigger vehicle and fridge, we will buy stocks for month consumption. LOL

Here are some of the veggies we bought together with their price comparison:
Veggies
Nueva Ecija
(PhP/kilo)
Bulacan
Price (PhP/kilo)
Tomato
10
40
Broccoli
40
60
Patola (Loofa)
10
10 per piece
Calamansi
20
40
Eggplant
24
40
String beans
7 per bundle (as much as 2 bundles compared to Bulacan Market)
10 per bundle
Ampalaya
20
40
Pineapple
30 per piece
70 per piece

Aside from veggies, I decided to have tinapa (smoked fish) since it was really a long time I haven’t had this.

At the market, we are luckily to see one of our high school friends selling his old stuffed toys. We asked how much “Pluto” is, but he just gave it to us for Matt. We are very thankful because Matt will be very happy to have it.
Matt with Pluto. Thanks Tito John Paul

When we got home, we went to my in-laws’ house for visit. We also went to Lupao to fetch Mommy’s sister and her daughter to visit their house too. On our way I was happy to see farmers planting palay.
Matt and Mommy with my in-laws

Farmers at work
Before lunch we decided to go back home, have lunch and prepare for our travel back in Bulacan. Aside from the veggies, the car’s compartment was really filled with stuffs given by Mama and Papa, including the coconuts and grater (POSTED HERE). I even got a chance to get grafted calamansi from my uncle which starts to bear flowers right now (I’ll make a separate post on that).

We took a short stop over at Mini-Stop San Rafael to take the restroom. Matt requested to have strawberry yogurt flavored sundae, which really tastes good.

We reached our home at around 6:30 pm. It was a really tiring (I drove almost the whole day) but fulfilling. It was really fun to have Family Day on Sunday, not only with the three of us but with Papa and Mama and my in-laws. 
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July 27, 2012

4th and 108th Celebrations

The most memorable celebration of our relationship as BF/GF is during our 5th year. I may consider it as really grand celebration. I was really excited when that day came. It was Sunday, 27th of July 2008. I woke up early and prepare myself: clothes, shoes, etc. We chose to celebrate it first by having a mass and then followed with lunch at a place we choose.  Four years after that very special day, our 5th anniversary as BF and GF, is also the start of our married life.

With those four years, many things happened in our life. Problems, difficulties and even trials that once almost break the knot that ties us. However, with the faith in God, we are still here and strongly bonded especially on the coming of our little angel.

HAPPY 4th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND 108th MONTHSARY MAHAL.

Remember these lines?

ILOVEYOUKITAMOMMYBATCHIE
MAHALNAMAHALKITAMOMMYPOPO
MWAH.MWAH.MWAH.

Just want to share some pics of our wedding 4 year ago.
The Bride
The Groom










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July 26, 2012

Choose the Best Formula Milk

We know that nothing compares to the nutrient content of breast milk. However, there are still mothers not capable of breast feeding. Being a father does not mean that you don’t have the opinion in selecting best milk for your babies. In choosing formula milk, you may consider the following:

Opt for cow’s milk-base formula
This is more recommended compared to soy-based formula which lacks lactose. Lactose is an important constituent or breastmilk that helps calcium absorption. Furthermore, soy-based formulas impair poor bone density conditions especially in premature babies.
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July 25, 2012

Captured Moments: A Very Touching Situation

Photo Source

I was really touch when I saw this picture shared by one of my friends in Facebook. I salute for the teachers that allows this very young girl to have her brother in school.

I cannot react for the single mothers having in this kind of situation because I really don't know the real reason for this.
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Thirty Things About Me

Congratulations Sanna for getting the most number of votes for the second time in our BC Blogger Meme.
To the readers, you may join BC Blogger Meme and Blog Hop by Signing up at BC Blogger.

(1) Born Piscean, just 2 days ahead of being an Aries, in the year of the Rooster. (2) Raised as Novo Ecijano with (3) an Ilocano descendant. (4) I was the only son of my parents and (5) the only brother to my only younger sister. (6) I am currently residing in our own home in Bulacan.

(7) I consider myself as a truly loyal student of my Alma Mater, CLSU, where I took my Kinder and finished all the way my college degree as BS Chemistry. (8) I am now a Chemist by profession but (9) worked as a QA Supervisor in one of the largest broiler integrator in the Philippines, BFFI.

(10) I am considered to be the best friend of and (11) married to my first and ex-GF, my wife. She was the one who inspired me to be a (12) part-time blogger. She also used to change many things in my life.

(13) I am a full-pledge and full-time father, and (14) a buddy to my son

(15) I love gardening, which makes a little bit (16) herbalist; and (17) fond of doing handicrafts (DIYs,, recycling, cross-stitching, etc.), but (18) very passionate on cooking. If budget permits, (19) I would love to take culinary course.

(20) I love to watch comedy-drama and life-touching films, especially Korean and Hindi. (21) I love music but (22) was not gifted to have a singing voice.LOL. (23) I love to dance too, especially the swing and chachacha. Hehehe. (24) I love to drive whether motorcycle or car wherever my hands and feet took me. (25) I am fond of reading humor books especially Bob Ong. Furthermore, (26) I love surprises, asked mommy and she will tell you what are the surprises I made for her.

There are times (27)  I am short-tempered and get easily irritated especially when someone disturbs me though (28)  I am not very vocal to my feelings because I am a (29) shy-type and silent-type of person which often mistakenly known me for being snobbish. (30) I have a positive attitude in life that even I experience problems; I still managed to smile and laugh.

I know thirty things are not enough to describe me and know me better.

Have a good day!
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Giveaway: Update - Kinect


Congratulations to the winner of Xbox Kinect Bundle Giveaway! Victoria O.
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Giveaway: Diamond Fire Anniversary

Bay Area Mommy

Bay Area Mommy is celebrating her 1st blog anniversary with a giveaway for a Kindle Fire (or $200 Amazon gift card) and 2 Diamond Candles.

Kindle Fire is open worldwide but the 2 Diamond Candles is restricted to the US only since they don't ship outside the US.

Giveaway will run from July 25, 12:01am EST to August 15, 11:59pm EST. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for prize shipment.
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July 23, 2012

It Will Be “GRATE”...

Are you still familiar this “kitchen tool”?. How many of us still know how to use this?

Two weeks ago, we went home to Nueva Ecija for two reasons. First, is to pick-up cloth diapers needed for Mommy’s Online Store. Second, to have a surprise visit at home, since the location for pick-up is just an hour travel to our home.
Papa asked me if I want to take home coconuts. I just said that I want but how am I going to grate it. He gave me their grater and told me that he will just do another one for them.

 
Yesterday, I got a chance to use the grater because we will be having ginataang gulay for lunch. When I started to grate the coconuts, Matt was really amazed and keeps his eyes on what I am doing. Someday, I will also teach him how to use this traditional way of grating coconuts.
Grating coconut manually is really tiring, it gives me an opportunity to do a “little” exercise. LOL.
Grated Coconut


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July 21, 2012

Father for the Better

I hope this bit of information can help fathers like me to develop and be the best father in the world. 

BE MORE VOCAL
Fathers have more impact than mother on kid’s language development when they reach the age of three. So better speak up. You may use new words so that they will learn more.

DON'T GIVE IN TO TANTRUMS
When kids starts to have tantrums don’t be rattled, instead, stay calm and attentive. Giving candies to calm them will not be a good idea. This will just encourage them think that they won over you by having tantrums and will be repeatedly done by your kids.
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Giveaway: Sizzling Summer Giveaway

Welcome to the Sizzling Summer Giveaway!

Giveaway is hosted by Jenn's Blah Blah Blog & Diva Fabulosa!
A HUGE thanks to our co-hosts: Bonkers 4 Coupons, Luv Saving Money, Sister's Saving Cents, Dishin With Rebelle, Trinkies, My Vegan Gluten Free Life, Tidbits From A Mom, and Keeping Your Cents and all of the bloggers that have come together to make this event possible!


What are to be Given Away?
Prize: Winner chooses prize valued at no more than $200 (shipping included) Choose from Kindle Fire, Paypal Cash or Amazon Gift Card
This giveaway will run from 7/21 12:01am (EST) - 8/20 11:59pm (EST).
Giveaway is open worldwide and participants must be 18 + years to enter.
Use the giveaway tool below to enter! Good Luck!

Javascript must be enabled to enter this giveaway. Learn how to activate Javascript by clicking here.
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Disclosure: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize and was not compensated in any way for the posting of this event. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email send out by Jenn's Blah Blah Blog or Diva Fabulosa. If there is no response another winner will be drawn.
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Immunization Guide

All parents wants our kids grow healthy. Nutritious foods, clean environment, proper hygiene is not enough. Another way to assure that they grow and stay fit is thru vaccination. This will help their immune system strong. However, the question is, among the many vaccines available now, which are the most important and really needed by kids?

As subscribed to Men’s Health Dad Newsletter, I came across this information that will help parents decide whether they will have their kids vaccinated. This is according to Dr. Robert Sears. He ranked the different vaccines with regards to the infection and severity of disease.

Important
Fairly Important
Not Critical
DTaP – diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
Rotavirus
PCV – Pneumococcal disease
Hib – Haemophilus influenza type b
Hepatitis B
MMR – Measles, mumps and rubella
Meningococcal Disease (MCV4)
IPV/OPV – Polio
HPV – Human papillomavirus (for girls)
Flu – Influenza
Varicella – Chicken pox
Hepatitis A

Based on the list, my son had already got almost all of the shots except for the PCV which is scheduled next month.

You may also visit Mommy's Post regarding our son's immunization.

Again, the health of our babies mainly relies on the hands of the parents.
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July 19, 2012

Free Blogger Event: $2500 Giveaway One Big Christmas & New Year Sign Up

Christmas in July?


(this is not the actual contest yet)
$2500 Giveaway One Big Christmas & New Year - World-Wide
Sponsored by Pregnancy Forum
What are the Prizes?




Grand Prize - $1000 Paypal Cash  - First 2 winners 
Third Prize - $500 
What to do?
1. Fill up the form HERE.
2. You will have to publish this giveaway sign up announcement on your blog.
3. put the $2500 One Big Christmas & New Year Giveaway button on your blog sidebar (grab it HERE) to claim your 2 FREE links or pay $5 without the announcement post and button.
4. You will publish the giveaway html code on your blog once the giveaway is ready to be live and promote it atleast 3 time daily.
5. Please put CHEMIST DAD as your referrer.
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Free Blogger Event: Halloween Giveaway Sign-up


(this is not yet the actual contest)
 This event is brought to you by Pregnancy Forum & Joys Of Life

When to sign?
Blogger Sign Ups - July 16 to September 28 (HTML code will be sent out on September 30)


What to do?
1. Complete the form HERE.
2. You will have to publish this giveaway sign up announcement on your blog (Get it  HERE).
3. Put the $500 Halloween Giveaway button on your blog sidebar to claim your 2 FREE links or pay $5 without the announcement post and button.
4. You will publish the giveaway html code on your blog once the giveaway is ready to be live and promote it atleast 3 time daily.
5. Please don't forget to put CHEMIST DAD as your referrer.
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July 18, 2012

Diaper Analysis

Just by looking on the poop of your babies or toddlers, you can already predict their health conditions. This might make your stomach turn but I know for parents, this will be very helpful.

RED: Loose with mucus might indicate and infection, allergy or other health problems. Furthermore, oral rehydration solution or fruit juices can also a reason for having red poo.

TAN: As long as the poop is soft, there is nothing to worry about. Having this color of poop means a healthy, formula-fed baby.

MUSTARD-COLORED/YELLOW: This means that a breast-fed baby is healthy and nothing to worry about.

BLUE/PURPLE: Food colorings might be the cause of this type of poop.

GREEN: This is common for new-born babies. Also, green poop can be coming from the bile produced by the liver.

BLACK: This can be a sign of gastrointestinal problems. However, you must also consider baby’s diet before going to their pedia. Black berries, dark chocolates and iron supplements can also contribute in blackening of their poop.

WHITE: If pale white stools were observed, you must immediately bring your kids to pedia. This might be a cause of abnormality in the liver wherein the flow of bile to the inestines might be blocked.

Source: MH DAD
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How to be a Better Boss


I am doing an outline for our upcoming Basic Supervisory Training presentation. 

Being a supervisor or boss in our company is good achievement that we can have in our working career. However, referring as good boss is much better, whether you are man or woman.

Communication is vital
You must be a good speaker but equally a good listener too. You should also speak to them your expectations, their duties and responsibilities. Employees will not succeed if they don’t know what to do. You must be completely aware of what you communicate with them either in written or verbal form. However, non-verbal language must be considered too. They can sense things from your body language. Furthermore, you must be also attentive on what your employees saying and not saying.

Motivate and Encourage
One way to create a good working environment is thru motivation and encouragement of employees. Try to look for their strengths and weaknesses. Highlight and utilize their strength while identify their weaknesses and correct them thru proper training. Show them that you believe in their skills and talents. Give them space to prove that they are worth it for your company.

Don't be a bully
Work well done does not equate with their fear on you but from their willingness to do well. Importantly, it does not mean that they respect you at all. Being intimidated reduces productivity and moral of your employees.

Be friendly and approachable
Regard them as your partners rather than subordinates but still, consider the thin line between you and your employees knowing that you are still their boss. Try to collaborate with them. Engaging into a small talk is a good practice. Good discussion can view you as believable, likable and trustworthy. Be open with everyone. Let them know that you can be approached anytime whenever problem arises.

Be unbiased
Don’t let them see that you are favouring someone. Favouritism makes the most damage to an organization. Be fair. Treat all your subordinates equally.

Practise what you preach
Do whatever you want your employee do. If you want them on time, be on time too. If you want them to be excited and exert efforts on their work, do the same.

Keep it fun
Let your people feel a fun at their work. You should have some recreational activities to lighten up the workloads. Organizing a party, team-building activities and sports fest can be a good example. 

Be kind and helpful
Show to your subordinates that you really care for them. Show them that you are always there when they need you. Whatever problems you are facing, always approach it with kindness. Sincere interest on your employee will give them impression that you respect them both on and off the job.

Being a better boss or supervisor is as easy as 1-2-3. It does not require too much training but a lot of sensitivity. Just keep on thinking that once in your life, you work as subordinates too.

Remember, being a good boss serves as an inspiration and provides guidance for hardworking employees rather than just telling them how to work.


Source: Yahoo
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July 17, 2012

Free Blogger Event: The Bounciest Giveaway Ever Sign-up

The BOUNCIEST GIVEAWAY EVER hosted by Mom Powered Media

Prize: BounceLand Castle Bounce N' Slide
The event dates: 8/13 - 8/27
Sign-Up Here - Bloggers Wanted
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Free Blogger Event: Extreme Paypal Cash Giveaway Sign-up

Pregnancy Forum
(This is not the contest yet)
Sponsored by:  Pregnancy Forum 

Sign-up is open from July 11 until September 11, 2012. 

What to do?
1. Sign-up HERE.
2. Publish this giveaway sign-up announcement on your blog and put the Giveaway Button on your blog sidebar to claim 2 FREE LINKS.
3. Publish the Giveaway HTML code on your blog once the giveaway is ready to be live and promote at least 3 times a day.

Please don't forget to mention CHEMIST DAD as the one referred you.
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July 16, 2012

Doctor Dad and Mom

For our kids health, we regularly bring them to their pedia for regular monitoring. However, as parents we should act as their own doctors too. Checking them regularly is a must. But how often? Here are some guidelines on checking and your kids.

HEAD Done once a month. 
This is to check if they are infected with head lice. You must also check for the common symptoms like itching around the ears, neck or top part of the head.

TEETH – Done once a week.
Visiting their dentist twice a year is not enough. Checking signs of swollen gums and teeth discoloration must be performed by the parents. Remember: Kids’ teeth should be pearly white.

BODY – Once a day (especially when your kid is always in the playground).
Your kids might get ticks living in our backyard and might caught Lyme disease. Removing the carrier can be the best prevention from the bacterial infection carried by ticks. Better check their whole body thoroughly from head to toes.

FEETEvery three weeks.
Toddler’s feet grew faster, checking if their shoes still fits them must be done regularly. Studies showed that aside from squeezing their little toes, small shoes can also a cause of ingrown toenails, calluses and blisters. Furthermore, stunted toe growth leading to deformities might be a result of wearing small shoes. For best fitting, assure that there are enough space between the longest toe and the top of the shoes, about the width of the thumb.

I hope this little bit of information may help.

Source: MH Dad
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July 15, 2012

Giveaway: $200 Amazon Blast


A brand new giveaway is now open for all our valued readers! Get a chance to win $200 Amazon Gift Card. Only one lucky winner will be chosen on August 15, 2012. (Insert additional verbiage.)
This giveaway is open worldwide. There are daily entries so keep on visiting this post to earn the bonuses for more chances of winning. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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July 14, 2012

Family Day Sundays: Fishballs and Avocado Shake

July 08, 2012

Mommy had a customer for meet up at SM Marilao at around 9:30am so we decided to attend the mass at the mall. This is our first time to attend mass conducted at the said mall.
Just checking Mom's wallet before we go

The mass

After the mass we took a stroll around the department store before heading to the hypermarket for grocery.
Matt: Daddy tubig.


Before the lunch strikes, we already finished doing the grocery and returned back home. We decided to take our lunch at home. I already instructed Tita Sally to cook for the fish balls I made (previous post) and decided to cook for the sauce when we got back.
Sweet and Sour fishballs
After taking our lunch, Matt and mommy decided to take a nap while I keep on surfing the net. When they woke-up, they asked me to prepare snacks so I decided to make avocado shake and ChizWiz sandwich.

Avocado Shake

We took our dinner earlier than usual with Stir-Fry Pork and Broccoli in Oyster Sauce (Check my recipe HERE).

This is the second time we spend most of our Family Day Sunday time at home and it is really fun to have Family Days on Sundays.
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July 12, 2012

Kitchen Adventures: Fish Balls in Sweet and Sour Sauce

It seems I got more of entries for my kitchen adventures this week. Here's another one.

Fish balls in Sweet and Sour Sauce
Can you believe that this dish, which is good for 5-6 persons, costs only less than 100 pesos? I'll include the price to prove it.

You will need:
Fish balls:
1/2 kilo Maya-maya fish - 20 pesos
1 ginger crushed - 2 pesos
1 piece medium-size carrots - 5 pesos
2 small kamote, boiled and mashed - 5 pesos
Green onions, chopped - 2 pesos
1 piece medium size egg - 5 pesos
1 cup flour - 5 pesos
Salt and pepper to taste - 1 peso
1 tbsp malunggay leaves (optional, free of charge)
Cooking oil for frying - 10 pesos

Sauce:
2 tbsp catsup - 2 pesos
2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 cup water - 1 peso
2 tbsp white sugar - 2 pesos

Total price: 60 pesos

Drop the fish in 2 cups of boiling water with ginger. Remove the fish when it already changes its color (from pinkish to white). Flake the meat and discard the bones. Add the remaining ingredients mix until thoroughly. Get about a tablespoon of the mixture and form into balls. Fry until golden brown. Place in paper towel to drain off excess oil.

For the sauce: In a saucepan, mix the catsup, sugar and corn-starch water mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. Put in low fire and stir continuously until the mixture becomes translucent.

Drop in the cooked fish balls and stir until it completely coated with sauce and simmer for another minute. Add julienned bell pepper, if deesired.

Notes:
Actually the one in the picture is just half of the total numbers of fish balls made.

You can replace the boiled camote with a cup of flour.
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