Being a parent is a fulfilling endeavor, filled with many beautiful moments. However, it’s also a challenging responsibility that can give rise to feelings of frustration. Parenting has also become trickier to navigate in the modern world, with technology both proving to be a boon and bane when it comes to raising children.
However, there’s no reason for fear and pressure. Parenting is tough but it’s not impossible. Moreover, moms and dads aren’t alone in this endeavor. There’s a lot of help to be found, from fellow parents to health professionals and parenting experts. Also listed below are some tips that could hopefully give you more helpful insights:

Avoid “Helicopter Parenting”

As a parent, you don’t want any harm or danger to come to your kids. There’s certainly nothing wrong with this. The problem comes when you start overseeing every aspect of your children’s lives to the point of coddling them. This is what’s called helicopter parenting.
Do note that it’s perfectly fine to supervise your children, particularly when they’re still of a certain age. However, paying extremely close attention to their activities and doing everything for them can cause problems. After all, young children and even teenagers need to experience independence and learn from their mistakes in order to develop into well-rounded adults.
Examples of helicopter parenting can be seen often in school (e.g., parents answering learning modules on behalf of their children). Nevertheless, it can also manifest in other aspects of a child’s life such as in making friends.
The key is to strike a balance. For example, if your teenager is staying overnight at a friend’s place, you can  buy load online and remind them to keep in touch. However, don’t bug them hour after hour about what they’re doing. This way, you establish ground rules and at the same time show confidence that your child will follow them. It can be hard not to worry, but giving them a little leeway will be good for everyone.

Communicate

If you’re finding it hard to make your children do what you tell them to do, perhaps it’s time to evaluate how you communicate. The “because I said so” approach is counterproductive. Children need to know the “why” of things. Do you want them to put their toys back in their proper place? Tell them the importance of cleaning up and taking care of things. This will help them understand the basis of the things you’re asking them to do.
You should also take the time to listen to your child, giving their thoughts and opinions value. When they feel that they aren’t judged, they will be more open to sharing their ideas instead of repressing them. What’s more, kids who are involved in the decision-making process are more likely to hold up their end of an agreement.

Be Consistent With Discipline

Establishing house rules is important because it sets expectations and teaches your children how to respect authority and develop self-control. However, house rules would mean nothing if you don’t follow through with the consequences. Consistency is the key here; your children might test your patience but don’t give in. Setting limits early on and being consistent with implementation can teach your children how to be responsible for their actions.

Be Flexible

Being flexible might seem counterintuitive, since the previous point emphasized consistency. Still, there is such a thing as setting unrealistic expectations. What’s more, being consistent with discipline doesn’t mean you can’t change the way you approach it. Be open to possibilities and look at a situation from a different perspective. This is especially true as your child grows up and learns more from their teachers, classmates, friends, and environment.
Besides, allowing yourself to be a flexible parent shows your children that it’s okay to make mistakes and that you can change your mind. It shows that you can make better decisions by gathering new information.

Don’t Be Afraid to Show Affection

Younger children are generally more receptive to gestures of affection like hugs and kisses. As they grow older, they might be a little more reluctant (especially when they don’t want to be seen as “babies” anymore). Still, don’t be afraid to show your affection in other ways. Listen to their stories, encourage their interests, and spend quality time with them. Give them the freedom to make their own choices, but offer your guidance.
It’s also important to let your children know that your love is unconditional. Be encouraging, rather than fault-finding. Let them know that even though they make mistakes, you’re there to support and love them.

Last but certainly not least, modern parenting means recognizing your weaknesses. Be forgiving of yourself and understand that there really is no such thing as a perfect parent. Admit your mistakes, work on improving them, and admit when you need to take a break. Parenting takes a lot of work and you need to rest to be able to do it well.
Thanks for stopping by ladies, and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post 5 Parenting Tips for Filipinos in 2021 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Tummy aches are a common occurrence among children, and they are usually not a cause for concern. The pain mostly comes from constipation, gas, indigestion, or a stomach bug. Unless your child is suffering from severe pain or the discomfort is accompanied by high fever and excessive vomiting or diarrhea, their sakit sa tyan or stomach ache is most likely harmless and does not require a visit to your pediatrician.

Mild abdominal pain often goes away after resting for some time. Nonetheless, you may want to speed up the recovery process so that your little one can go back to playing and laughing. Here are several home remedies for bellyaches that you can try to help your child feel better:

Warm Compress

One of the safest and most soothing home remedies you can try to relieve your kid’s tummy ache is by applying a warm compress on the belly area. The heat will help relax the abdominal muscles and increase blood flow, thereby providing quick and calming relief.

You can use a heating pad or make a warm compress using uncooked rice and a clean, long sock. Just fill the foot part of the sock with rice, then tie the top to secure it. Place the sock in the microwave for 30 seconds or so to warm it up. Whether you use a heating pad or a homemade compress, make sure that your child can handle the heat to prevent paso or burns. 

Engage in Physical Activities

Constipation is a common cause of abdominal pain among children, especially if they do not get enough water and fiber in their diet or tend to resist the urge to go to the toilet. If your precious one is suffering from constipation, it is best to bring them outdoors so that they can play and keep moving instead of lying down.

Besides taking their mind off the pain, physical activities can help with the movement of food in the gastro intestinal tract. Just make sure that they do not engage in “tummy twirling” activities that could intensify their discomfort, such as tumbling or hanging on monkey bars.

Yogurt

If your toddler can already eat solid foods, you may want to let them snack on yogurt since it is known to help alleviate basic stomach pains. Yogurt, like other probiotic foods, is packed with good bacteria that support a healthy gut. Try mixing slices of bananas in the yogurt to make it tastier. Besides being rich in potassium, bananas are also easily digestible and known to relieve indigestion and bellyache.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is one of nature’s most effective remedies for an upset stomach and digestive cramping. This root vegetable hastens the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract and reduces gas and bloating. Although ginger is undoubtedly safe for children, its slightly spicy flavor may not sit well with your little one. To make it more palatable, you may want to add lemon and honey to the tea.

Preparing ginger tea or salabat is easy. You need about a teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger, a cup of water, two slices of lemon, and honey to taste. Just mix the first three ingredients in a pot and boil for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey to sweeten.

If your child is less than a year old, use brown sugar instead of honey. Take note that honey or any processed foods containing honey are not recommended for babies younger than 12 months to prevent infant botulism.

Tummy Rub

Perhaps the easiest and safest home remedy to relieve stomach pain among children is an abdominal massage. A good belly rub supports healthy digestion, reduces gastric upset, and soothes the organs connected to the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. You may not realize it, but your mere touch has healing powers.

When the skin of your hands touches the skin of your baby’s tummy, their body responds by increasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps alleviate pain and promote relaxation. Physical contact or touch also reduces cortisol or stress hormones.  As such, you should never discount the benefits of a gentle and loving massage.

To massage your child’s tummy, make a circular motion in a clockwise direction around the belly button area using your palms and fingers. Making repeated downward strokes from the chin to the lower part of the tummy may also help ease the discomfort.

While the home remedies discussed above have been proven safe and effective for most stomach aches, you should never let your guard down. If your child’s condition is not improving despite trying any of these methods, it is best to seek medical attention. You may also want to keep a diary of tummy aches with details of what they ate, the appearance of their stool, and the level of discomfort if your little one suffers from recurrent stomach pains. This information can significantly help your pediatrician in figuring out the issue and planning the best type of care.

Thank you for reading up mommies, hope your little one will feel better soon, and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post 5 Stomach Ache Home Remedies for Your Kids appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

There are a lot of surrogacy agencies out there. Which one to choose and why you should stick to the professional agency? Once you have made a decision that you need to deal with a surrogacy agency, the next stop is to find the best agency that is out there in the market. But how? Where to begin?

Finding the right surrogacy agency

There are so many of them, sometimes it is easier to find a needle in a haystack. As is often the case, we are getting online and type into a search line a simple combination that consists of just two words – “surrogacy agency” and voila, in the blink of an eye, there are hundreds, if not thousands links and references to surrogacy agencies from throughout the world that are in fierce competition with each other and that will likely take an oath on a Bible if necessary to prove that they are capable of providing a full range of services that actually even include a sincere promise of buying you diapers and strollers for your future kids.

It is not hard to guess that every person’s head will spin from such a wide variety of the so-called “competent and experienced” surrogacy agencies. But is it really true? Are there in fact so many professionals in the market nowadays, who are capable of providing you with diverse types of services related to medical issues, legal support, and setting up a personal meeting with a prospective surrogate mother that you and your significant other will most likely worship.

Screening process of surrogate mother

One of the main indicators that you are really dealing with a professional surrogate agency is that the agency’s employees will not limit themselves just to scheduling a single meeting with a potential surrogate mother. But rather they will initially check a potential candidate for criminal records, do everything necessary to ensure psychological compatibility with the intended parents, take required actions to make sure that the future surrogate mother will undergo a comprehensive medical examination with qualified medical specialists.

Surrogate motherhood implies that the surrogate mother and the intended parents will have to spend quite a lot of time together. The surrogacy journey automatically entails that all parties involved in the process will have to worry about the successful outcome of the program together, will have jointly to take care of the physical and emotional well-being of the unborn child and hopefully, will remain close friends forever bound by the mysterious miracle of the birth of a new life, and if they are lucky, then multiple lives.

Services that should be offered to surrogate and intended parents by the surrogacy agency

Since there is no such thing as state licensing surrogacy agencies procedure, it means that the surrogacy agency of your choice should be a “one stop agency” that is fully-equipped and staffed with competent personnel capable of providing a comprehensive range of services with no need for you to go somewhere else. It should include not only your personal case management, but also matching services and connecting you with professional lawyers for drafting and signing all legal instruments necessary for successful finalization of your surrogacy endeavor.

Couples that have plans of becoming commissioning parents often are very knowledgeable about practically all issues that surround surrogacy and expect the employees of the agency to meet their expectations by answering all types of questions that may arise along the way.

History of the surrogacy agency

Although surrogacy is still a pioneering and swiftly evolving industry, there are professional surrogacy agencies that have been around for several decades.

Consequently, they managed to gain more experience in the surrogacy field and perfectly know what works and what does not for commissioning parents and potential surrogates in terms of medical, legal and social services provided. The top-notch and first-rate surrogacy agencies have lengthy histories of providing successful matching services and case management with intention of providing the full scope of services related to family-building pace and should be enthusiastic to tell you thoroughly in plain terms about their company’s history and describe their achievements and plans for future development.

The agency should also be willing to share the stories with respect to the agency’s background of how many successful surrogacies they have racked up (as well as, what they mean by “successful”) and what steps they take to ensure their practices are still smooth, continual and seamless up to date.

Provision of legal support by the agency

It should be noted that it is not always the case when even a professional surrogacy agency is able to provide you with the multi-skilled and experienced surrogacy attorneys. If you have plans to use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as a family building option, then you will have to make sure that your agency can provide you at least with referrals to reliable lawyers for consultation. The ones that act in a strict compliance with the standards and rules of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAAA).

It is essential to consult an attorney who is experienced in legal aspects related to sperm, egg, embryo donation, ART, and surrogacy. The legal surrogacy process is somewhat complex and complicated.

Since many issues related to the surrogacy procedures are not clearly regulated by laws, it is of paramount importance to find out what kind of relationship your agency has with reputable and trustworthy attorneys? Is your agency capable of sufficiently coordinating all legal paperwork or your agency will leave it to the parties involved in the surrogacy process? You need to be confident that your surrogacy agency will guide you through every step of your journey and will not leave any things slide.

Surrogate agency fees

Apparently, this is one of the most important issues to address while selecting a surrogacy agency, how much the intended parents are ready to pay for the agency’s services to secure the favorable outcome of the surrogacy program. First and foremost, it has to be mentioned that the surrogate’s payment is covered by the legal agreement between the intended parents and the gestational carrier and, as a rule, surrogates do not have to worry about getting paid.

However, the intended parents will definitely incur additional expenses and they need to plan their budget. Ask the representative of your agency straight away about the overall amount of all envisaged costs. If the answer is straightforward and specific, if an employee of the agency was not hesitant, then you are dealing with experienced agency that knows what surrogacy is all about. If the answer is vague and ambiguous, if you did not get a clear answer about the costs at the spot, but instead was told that it would all depend on what would be happening during the course of the program, then you should probably reconsider your initial choice. Surrogacy agency services sometimes can be expensive, but keep in mind, the costs of a surrogacy program are directly lined up with the scope and level of services you are offered. Taking into account that frequently the involvement into a surrogacy program is an overwhelming event for both prospective parents and a surrogate, it should be ensured that the case management is taken care of professionally and is worth all the money spent for.

The extent of involvement into a surrogacy process

Topmost surrogacy agencies realize how vital your surrogacy objectives are to your anticipated venture. Whether you are a potential surrogate or an intended parent, you probably have an obvious clue of what your surrogate motherhood program should look like, and the veteran surrogacy agencies certainly take your desires and expectations into consideration and adjust their activities exclusively around them.

Before making a decision which surrogacy agency to select, you should find out to what extent you personally will be involved in the entire surrogacy process. Have you ever asked yourself whether you are capable of finding a surrogate mother by yourself without the assistance of a surrogacy agency? Will you be able to successfully solve all the problems that may arise during your surrogate journey? Will you be able to concisely communicate with reproductive infertility specialists and surrogacy attorneys? It is completely up to you, you are the one to make a decision.

But despite the fact whether your answer is the positive one or the negative one, in any case you will need to rely on someone who is capable of lending a helping hand.It is extremely important to make a right decision when it comes to choosing a surrogacy agency. It would not be an exaggeration to say that selecting a professional surrogacy agency is already half the battle. There are countless surrogacy agencies to choose from in the market. Nevertheless, the decisive choice will always be up to you and your family.

Prior to making any fateful commitment, you will have to be one hundred percent convinced and confident that your surrogacy agency will provide you with secure, legitimate and productive surrogacy voyage that will be something to remember for a lifetime and change your life for the better forever.IVF Group Surrogacy Services is perfectly aware whom the future relay will be handed to. It’s your children. The ones who will certainly fill the gap left by your rash decision to exit this world too soon. IVF Group Surrogacy Services is a renowned organization that has been in the field of bringing joy of parenthood to people for years. It has among its roster, high-class fertility specialists, who are the members of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) at ISO 9001:2015 Certified Medical Centers.

“Mother and Child” is the way to make sure that all your aspirations for eternal rhapsodic tranquility are attainable. Hold out your hand and touch the future! Contact IVF Group Surrogacy Services at +1(213) 277-5874 or visit its website at https://ivf-international.com/

Hope you have learned a lot in our post on choosing the right surrogacy agency for your family. Till Next time!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Finding a Right Surrogacy Agency appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How You Can Feel Confident Again as a Mother

Motherhood is a wonderful, magical experience. Despite the magic, motherhood is also one of the most challenging times in a woman’s life. Some mothers are naturally confident in their abilities. Most mothers need a little convincing that there is a supermom just waiting to be freed from the uncertainties that they experience everyday.

Feeling uncertain isn’t all bad though. It just means that you recognize the gift and responsibility you have in helping your little bundle of joy develop into the person that he or she would want to be in the future. Don’t worry if confidence doesn’t come naturally at first. Your baby already thinks you’re the greatest. This little guide will help remind you that you are too!

BE REALISTIC

People often say that your life will change dramatically once you have a child. Embrace the changes with open arms! According to Erica Komisar, author of Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in The First Three Years Matter, “If you accept the slow pace of being with a baby, focus on being in the moment together, and reduce your expectations of how much you can do everyday you will be a more content and more confident mom.”

A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM IS KEY

Filipinos are usually open to lending a helping hand and some tips. Don’t be afraid to ask your mother or mother-in-law for help. They’ve been through what you’re going through. Tap into their rich experience. Your partner is also there to share the responsibilities with you. All you have to do is ask.

If things get a little too overwhelming, decide if you need another person in your Mommy Dream Team. Don’t know where to start? Check out this article we wrote on Happy Pinay Mommy on hiring a yaya and househelp from local agencies.

BUT DON’T FALL INTO THE BLACKHOLE OF BAD ADVICE

It takes a village to raise a child… or a barangay! It’s good to have people around but you also have to be careful of the advice that you take. Keep in mind that YOU know YOUR BABY the best. Trust your intuition! It’s your own superpower.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Usually the first thing that goes out of the window when the baby comes in is the stylish woman that you used to see in the mirror. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself even just 15 minutes a day to help yourself feel better and more confident. You can start by dressing up a bit even when you’re just doing errands. Filipino fashion label BNY Jeans suggests going back to basics because being comfortable doesn’t mean being in your daster.

STOP TRYING TO BE PERFECT

Another source of worry for mothers is the need to be perfect. Don’t believe everything you see on social media. More often than not, those displays of #ParentingGoals don’t usually tell the whole story. There is no such a thing as a PERFECT mother so give yourself enough breathing space when things don’t go as planned. Letting go of the need to be perfect will make you happier and more confident.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video on how to choose the best denims for your built:

Baon Recap: Week 11 of baon for kids

The post How You Can Feel Confident Again as a Mother appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Skin Care techniques for busy moms

Maintaining a healthy diet

Sleep

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video on a good skin care regimen for busy moms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aTbPMdvCAo

Happypinaymommy raves: Lovin the Katinko Spray!

The post Interesting Skin Care Techniques You Probably Haven’t Heard Before appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

I should have met you sooner, katinko spray!

Bakit ngayon ka lang, dumating sa buhay ko

Not a collab post whatsoever, pero napakanta ang #titasofmanila in me when I discovered this Katinko spray! I know na merong air salonpas, but this one is a fraction of the price.

Katinko Ointment

Anyway, #nanayduties and #tandemfeeding SOMETIMES bring me back aches, neck pain etc probably because of sleeping position (imagine shobe who is almost 18 kilos, laying on top of me to nurse while little guy is nursing on the other side almost all night long), ang sakit talaga sa likod at leeg! I am convinced am getting old because ive been applying all sorts of pain relieving essential oil blends, trying out old school liniments (hello efficascent oil, borerding — tama ba spelling? and salonpas gel), to help ease the muscle pain. UNTIL I DISCOVERED THIS SPRAY!

Katinko pain relieving sports spray is so comforting!

I stalked the katinko page and discovered that this was released October, and i was thinking how come I only came across this over the weekend?? Ang sarap nya sa pain areas I swear! Spray it on your back or neck or shoulders (with eyes closed pag neck or shoulders ha) and minutes after you will feel that warm maanghang sensation that is just.so.comforting. You should try it!

(Related Post: Musings of a Work-At-Home Mom)

Dont get me wrong, I have faith in my oils but im getting old probably and maybe, this sports spray brings back childhood memories of my mom applying katinko ointment as a solution to any of my childhood pains and itches. Yes, para syang mommy ni Jo koy sa beeeeeks!

Modern haplas

One more thing — this spray suits me well because i am forgetful and sometimes I forget I have applied liniment or ointment on my shoulders and then i rub my eyes! Yikes! No more tears for me then because of this modern haplas!

Anyway, all im saying is if you are like me who experiences random back or shoulder aches,you should give this a try. You wont regret. Till next post.

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video on home exercises to relieve shoulder pain:

This week’s baon ideas for kids

The post Happypinaymommy raves: Lovin the Katinko Spray! appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here’s how to make moist puto cheese.

The ingredients in making moist puto cheese are easy to find, in fact most are in your pantry.

• 1 cup Rice Flour
• 1 Cup Fresh Milk
• 3 tsp Calumet or any Baking Powder
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• Food coloring of your choice (i used mc cormick liquid – red for my first batch which turned out pink, and yellow for my other batch)
• 1/3 small box of Cheddar Cheese, grated (almost 1 cup when grated)
• 1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• You will also need puto molders

1. Sift all the dry ingredients (rice flour, baking powder and sugar) into a mixing bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly.

It is easy to make, that you can make the mixture while waiting for the steaming water to boil.

I made two batches hence two different colors of my moist cheesy puto.

They may not look picture-perfect but these pieces of puto are so soft, moist and yummy!

Spent about P50.00 per batch of eight pieces of puto. You may spend more if you do not have some of the ingredients at home, but you get to use them again for another batch and realize savings.

The post How to make Moist Puto Cheese appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How to make easy pork siomai

How to Cook Easy Pork Siomai

How to cook easy pork siomai: The ingredients are easy to find!

• 500 grams ground pork
• 1 pack siomai wrapper
• 1/4 cup minced carrots, split into mixture ingredient and garnish
• 1/4 cup minced turnips
• 2 strips of spring onions finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1/2 cup cheese
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce (or more)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten

1. Mix all of the ingredients except for the beaten egg and the wrapper.

Just mix all the ingredients (except the wrapper of course), you can use your hands to thoroughly mix it up. Fry a bit so you can taste the seasoning level, and then adjust the seasoning accordingly.

My daughter wraps siomai much better than me!

Bring steamer into a boil, brush your steamer with oil, arrange the siomai pieces and steam for about 20 minutes.

Tadaaaaa. Siomai that you can have anytime at home!

One of the reasons why I wanted to make homemade siomai, is that I could have siomai ready anytime for merienda or quick meals.

You can make about 36 pieces of siomai for every half a kilo of ground pork

The post Easy Pork Siomai Recipe appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Work from home Philippines is possible, and interested moms should give it a try.

My youngest child loves playing with my keyboard and so I allow him to type away in it. I detach it from my laptop and let him press all those keys that he would like to explore. So whenever I see him trying to reach for it on my work from home office desk, I just unplug it from the laptop and hand it to him because it makes him really happy.

Take the stress out of working from home by reminding yourself why you chose to be home in the first place.

Saw him the other day though laying on the floor and somewhat hugging the keyboard. The sight made me sigh and silently whisper “tunay talagang wala aking magagawa nito kasi kinuha na nya pati keyboard” eveb if I was not planning to work during that soecific time.

Work From Home Philippines

The sight also reminded me of my super struggling monster mom days of trying to juggle mothering achie and my then youngest shobz. I was so heartbroken then to not be able to do my part time freelance writing or any housechores when they are up and about.
Fast forward to another baby later, well I still struggle sometimes but since I have learned to accept that they need me a lot, i do not dare to multi-task so much.

I have decided to accept that fact because it helped me decide to just retain clients I really enjoy working with, to write blogposts that are really helpful to fellow Filipina mothers. To not be pressured by anything because in reality, i decided to stay home because I want to take care of my kids and watch them grow every single day.

So from the time I decided to accept that I cant do much when my kids are still awake, I have become a calmer and more playful mom. If they want to nurse, we sit down. If they want me to read with them, we go read. If they want to play with the clothes Im folding, i just let them be because in reality, what can I do? They will not understand even if i threaten to get mad or turn into beastmode right?

So I just wait for their bedtime — which I decided to have earlier than most households — so I can get things done, have adult conversations with Capt Barbel and at the same time work on my website.

Do i still get stressed? Yes, but i am much calmer now, especially when the mister reminds me why I chose to stay and work from home in the first place.

Hope you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for regular doses of mommy musings, most Happy Pinay Mommies can relate to.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Meanwhile here’s a video on tips on working from home with kids:

How to Cook Easy Chicken Sisig

The post Taking the stress out of working from home appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are some Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00

Teachers play a huge role in our children’s development, and so there is no surprise why a lot of parents would like to thank them through a Christmas Gift. Christmas gift ideas for teachers can be a lot but the deciding part can be tricky.

But in this joyous but hectic season of giving, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the many choices available for every budget.

Gift Ideas for Teachers in the Philippines

I thought of rounding up some gift ideas for teachers, and I have segregated these gift suggestions based on their costs and where to purchase them, and come up with a two-part series on Gift for teachers this 2017.

Nothing wrong with being practical nowadays, because it is always better to spend and live within our means. After all, the old adage that says “it is the thought that counts” still applies, and the good news is, there are more and more gifts out there that are either useful, adorable, or yummy at unbelievably low cost. This particular blog post tackles gift suggestions for teachers under P200.00.

Teacher Gift Ideas under P200.00:

Head to Miniso or Mumuso where trinkets are both useable and cute! I remember during my time, there is this store that people frequent for cute but unusable gifts that end up as clutter, and you would not like to give out something like that right? In Miniso, you can find items that are both adorable and useful. Found toiletries like Foaming Hand Soaps for as low as P99.00. Body Mists are also available for P149.00. Lip Balms can also be bought for P99.00.

Miniso Anti Bacterial Handwash, and Regular Foaming Handsoap can Be bought upwards of P99.00 per bottle.

Lip Balms and Tubes Start at P99.00 at Miniso Branches.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• Part 2: Gift ideas for teachers under P350.00 (2017)
• Where to buy essential oils
• Where to buy Menstrual Cups
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• How to make Kid-Safe Hand Sanitizer using local ingredients
• DIY Party Planning Resources: where to buy DIY Party supplies, great birthday locations, souvenirs and giveaways
• Budget Ulam Ideas and Meal Plans
• PART 1: Lunch Baon Ideas for School Kids
• Baon Ideas for your Pre-Schooler
• How to get kids to sleep early

==========================================================

If toiletries of kikay stuff is not your cup of tea, then you may want to consider Miniso’s Reed Diffusers that come with various scents. Prices start at P99.00 and it could be perfect for Teacher’s cubicle back in the faculty room. There are also water bottles under P200.00 which are perfect even for Male Teachers. Journals and cute notebooks are also aplenty and prices start at P99.00 per piece.

Another Suggestion on Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00 are Scented Reed Diffusers available at Miniso for just P99.00 per set.

These journals are way too cute, and their price starts at P99.00!

Watsons also carries unbelievably low-priced gift items, like Buy 1 Take 1 Bodyscrubs at P159.00.  They also have these gift bundles wherein of you buy three, you would get each of the gift pack for as low as P149.00 each.

Watson’s carries a lot of unbelievably low-priced holiday gift packages! These ones are at P149.00 each or P399.00 if you buy three. There are gift packs for as low as P99.00 as well or P279.00 if you buy at least three pieces.

If you have an Echo Store branch near you, why don’t you pick up a Spa in A bottle for your child’s teacher? This one is just about less than P150.00 and ot smells heavenly – destresses you the minute you smell it after rubbing on your palms! One of the perfect Christmas gift ideas for teacher 2017.

Spa in a Can photo is lifted from Echo Store’s Facebook Page.

Throw Blankets are meantime less than P200.00 (169.75 apiece) at SM Department Store Sale Racks. If you will be patient and eager enough to find something adorable, then you will definitely be able to land your hands on those cutie plush blankies.

Throw Blankets can be bought at SM Department Store for P169.75 each. They are soft and comfy.

In SM Department Stores there are also some happy stuff to give out as gift teachers under 200 pesos. Ecobags that are perfect for folders, and envelopes can be bought for only P100.00. Cute statement frames that are perfect for teacher’s cube or her own bedroom can also be bought for P149.75.

Fun and Cute and it is just P149.00

Marks and Spencer’s also offer gift items under P200.00 although these are biscuits and chocolates that are still presentable, and definitely delicious. Please pardon the photo quality but the prices of the digestive cookies and the chocolates start at around 90++

The food section over at Marks and Spencers can be a good venue to find reasonably-priced edible gift items.

You may also want to check out Human Heart Nature’s offerings. They have various gift sets under P200.00. HHN Gift sets can be bought from their shops, resellers near you, or even in some select grocery stores.

This photo is taken from Human Heart Nature’s Facebook Page

So there you have it, hope you got an idea or two from this blog post for Christmas Gift Ideas for teachers worth P200.00. Hope I have been able to help! Till next post everyone. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on easy gift wrapping techniques:

Weekly Filipino Meal Plan December 4, 2017

The post Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are some of the things that you may have to consider when working from home full time. (Image from Pixabay)

For those of you who have been reading the blog for a while, you would know about my journey from being an 8-5 (or way beyond 5pm) corporate working mom to becoming a work-from-home mom (although very part time nowadays). This experience led me to advocate working from home, as a good way of sort of striking a balance (in my opinion there will never be a perfect solution for us ordinary moms) between being there for the husband and the children when they need you, and for helping with the family’s finances.

Today’s guest post is about things to consider before finally taking the work-from-home plunge. Whether you will be jumping from the corporate ladder, or transforming from being a full-time stay at home mom, the five things Powerpinoys Author Louren Jovito specified in the article below are indeed something to ponder on. Special emphasis ladies on the word full time, meaning this will entail work of about seven to eight hours five to six days per week.

So here goes:

5 Things Moms Need to Consider Before Getting a Fulltime Online Job

By Louren Jovito, Power Pinoys

Guest Post: What to consider before working from home on a full-time basis. (Image from PowerPinoy’s Photo Stock)

Working from home is now becoming a trend. More and more online job opportunities are being offered, and worked on because of the flexibility that this type of work provides. Most of the opportunities allow you to work at your own pace meaning waking up early is not needed, and you can work anywhere you want.

It is now possible for parents to work while being with their children. Moms with little kids in fact can now work and earn at the very comfort of their home.

If you’re also the kind of family who loves to travel, this work set-up will be perfect for you. For as long as you have a good source of reliable internet connection and a decent laptop, you can now work anywhere you want.

There are a lot of home based jobs you can apply for. Whether full time or part-time, it’s totally up to you. You just first need to know and assess what service you can offer. After that, build your online profile and market yourself in that field.

There are a lot of positive things online jobs can give to an individual: More time for family, no traffic, flexible schedule, and etc. However, despite all these good stuff, there are important things moms and dads still need to consider before getting a full time home based job.

1. Solitary life ahead

Many people find that home based jobs can be really lonely. Some people can handle the long hours or days of being alone while others cannot. There are type of people who really are in need of social interaction because that’s what makes them feel charged and energized.

You should at least be aware of your personality type. Introverts are used to being alone most of the time and this will sound easy for them. But for extroverts, this can be a decision-making factor to say no to home based works.

Check yourself if you will have hard time dealing regarding this matter. Because if that is the case, you need to find ways how to compensate for your need for social interaction.

2. You need to maintain self-discipline

If you’re working at home, you are your own supervisor. No one will constantly remind you what to do. You need to exert extra self-control not to do unnecessary things such as browsing social networks or other distracting things.

Learn how to declutter your mind. Remove unnecessary tabs on your browser when working. Have in front of you a piece of paper with your to-do list to prepare yourself for the next tasks.

Having a home based job is not as easy as office job where there are supervisors who remind their subordinates about the tasks to be done. It’s a lot harder to concentrate and focus on your job when you’re in a place where no one is watching.

Just observe good working habits until it becomes a routine. There should be no excuses.

3. There will be a lot of distractions

There will be a lot of distractions and interruptions when you’re at home. Be ready mommies, you’ll encounter a ton of problems with your kids especially if they’re still in their infant to toddler stage. You need to prepare for this.

Apart from the children (and the husband), other common distractions include clucking chicken, sounds of the vehicles passing by, barking dogs, blowing horns, and etc. It’s more fun in the Philippines!

One way to reduce distractions and interruptions is to have a dedicated room where you can work in silence. You can also request from your children and other household members to refrain from speaking to you or toying with your work computer while you are working.

4. You either work more or work less

With home based jobs, you either work more or work less. It depends on your mindset and how you really are into your job.

Typically, most people who work from home usually work less hours compared to those who work in the office. On the other hand, if you’re the type of mom who is a workaholic, you might end up working more than what’s required of you.

Here’s an advice. If you are a workaholic, please get a life. You are working to live and not living to work.

One good thing you can practice is to always have a well-defined working schedule. You can use time tracking and project management softwares to make sure that you are working just enough. When you’re done, it’s time for other life activities.

5. Process documents by yourself

If you’re serious about this, be ready. You’ll be the one responsible for all document processing such as SSS, Health Insurance, Pag-ibig, Philhealth, BIR, and etc.

With typical office job, the HR department will process these things for you. If you’re going to work from home, this can be a big headache especially during the start.

Once you get used in processing these documents, it can actually be very helpful. You’ll definitely learn a lot of things which you cannot simply learn if you’re working in an office based job. You’ll be able to find customized programs that exactly fit your needs.

That’s it! These are some of the major things you need to consider if you’re planning to work at home. Things are hard when you’re just starting out but don’t worry, you’ll eventually get hang of it. Everything soon will be worth the patience and effort.

I know somebody from BPO jumped from call center job to home based job. Today, he is earning six-digits every month! This is how lucrative home based jobs can be. If you know friends or relatives that are interested in these kind of opportunities, please share this with them!

About the author:
Louren is the founder and the publisher of PowerPinoys where he writes about business, finance, blogging, self-help, and other related topics. He is an e-commerce and real estate web developer turned full-time blogger.

****

So there you have it, I hope you got some ideas from the write-up that Louren shared.

To my dear readers, let me know if you would like to contribute an article, a poem, or even a song you composed, so that we can share it with our fellow parents – this goes whether you have or you do not have your own website. You may get in touch with me by dropping by my Facebook page. Hope you can also hit the like button while you are there so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Here’s a video on working from home full time:

Six ways to make learning more enjoyable for kids

The post GUEST POST: 5 Things Moms Need to Consider Before Getting a Fulltime Online Job appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Off topic: Just proud of my eldest who helped me with this image/graphics for our Filipino Weekly Meal Plan Recipes 2017 June 05

Hi Everyone, sharing with you our new, more comprehensive (and revitalized —hahaha) Filipino Weekly Meal Plan Recipes 2017 June 05 to June 11. Hopefully this could help those of you who may not have mapped out their Filipino Weekly Menu as of yet.

Starting this week I will be cascading a more comprehensive meal plan as I will be sharing with you as well, the meals I will be making for our baby, toddler, pre-schooler, as well as our grade-schooler.

Filipino Weekly Meal Plan Recipes 2017 June 05:

Sharing Our new and improved (hahahaha) Filipino Weekly Meal Plan Recipes 2017 June.

If you may notice, most of the packed lunch meal for grade schooler is the same thing that the family will be having for lunch. This is of course to save on prep time, as well as the electricity used for cooking the meals. This will also minimize left-overs and save on our food budget. Check out out baon recipe suggestions in this post.

The meal suggestions for the baby/toddler is meant for BLW babies hence most of the suggested meal items are just unseasoned versions of what the whole family is having. Of course just mind the portion slices depending on the age of your baby, and the weaning method of your baby. Make your own adjustments as well if you follow Tamang Kain principles – although most of the food in the weekly pinoy meal plan above adhere to that.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• Quick kid-friendly breakfast recipes
• Baon Ideas for your school child: sandwiches, preschool snacks, packed lunches
• How to get kids to sleep early
• Yummy Sandwich Recipes for Baon
• Happy Breakfasts for Kids
• Eight Recipes under P100.00 – 2016 Edition
• Kid-Friendly vegetable salads
• Meryendas you can prepare with your kids
• Local Party Resources: Where to buy DIY Party Supplies, Where to Buy Sweets for DIY Candy Buffet etc

=====================================================================

I have also taken into consideration the suggested school baon recipes that I have included in our back-to-school bundle of blogposts which you may find here.

Some of the recipes, as always, are part of our under P100.00 ulam recipes, in our yearly series.

If you are overwhelmed with the meal plan and would think that it would just leave you slaving in your kitchen the whole day, then you may want to batch cook what you can and just freeze what can be frozen. Here is previous blog post on freezer meals and weekly meal preparation. For instance, pancakes can be frozen in zip lock bags for reheating when needed. This will be very helpful during hurried crazy mornings, or as baon for your little school kids.

Some lunch baons for your gradeschoolers may also need preparation the night befor (like the thawing and breading of porkchop and the tortang talong), but that advanced preparations will leave you worriless the next day because you will just have to fry the above-mentioned pinoy ulam.

I also tend to cook pinoy food that is good for 2-3 meals so that I could save and freeze some for later use, or eat the same ulam at night when everything is going crazy in the household.

Anyway, till next week!

If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, or follow our Instagram account so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with more recipes for on-the-go breakfast recipes and ideas:

Breakfast Food Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car

The post Filipino Weekly Meal Plan Recipes 2017 June 05 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here’s a list of Breakfast Food Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car. (Photo Credits with Modifications)

In the run up to the opening of classes, I have thought of coming up with another article which is Breakfast Food Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car. This is again part of our series on baon and breakfast recipes and ideas for our school aged children.

I have recently posted about quick breakfasts that us moms can prepare during those mornings when everything has been crazy and alarm clocks have been over-snoozed. But what if there literally is no more time to have breakfast, and the morning was just enough to pack baons, brush teeth, wash the face and change into the school uniform?? First time parents may say YUCK to this, but those with more than one children who are iof school age definitely know what I am talking about.

But during hurried mornings, we can only balance punctuality in school and nutrition, hence the point of this article. I am thinking that the solution to this is to give children nutritious  breakfast items that they can eat in the car or aboard their respective school buses. Not too messy of course, and some can be pre-made in bulk the day before with the left overs frozen for future re-heating! So, without further ado, here are some breakfast meal recipes your children can eat en route to their school:

Breakfast Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car

1. Sandwiches – Of course good old sandwiches are the easiest food to munch in the car! Check out the easy and healthy sandwich recipes that I have posted in my past blog article here. Again, we have an almost unlimited choices of bread – usual bread loaves (or TASTY as dubbed in the 80s), pandesals, hamburger buns and even more sophisticated soft ones like focaccia, or ciabatta. Don’t forget the cheese!

2. Wraps – This is not too common in the Philippine setting but children can enjoy this. Fillings children will surely enjoy are those that have chicken, egg, ground beef or pork, and lots of cheese of course. Here are some recipes of breakfast wraps you may want to prepare for your child. This is ideal to make when we have left over chicken in the house, or even Adobo.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• Quick kid-friendly breakfast recipes
• Baon Ideas for your school child: sandwiches, preschool snacks, packed lunches
• How to get kids to sleep early
• Yummy Sandwich Recipes for Baon
• Happy Breakfasts for Kids
• Eight Recipes under P100.00 – 2016 Edition
• Kid-Friendly vegetable salads
• Meryendas you can prepare with your kids
• Requirements for a Catholic Confirmation
• Local Party Resources: Where to buy DIY Party Supplies, Where to Buy Sweets for DIY Candy Buffet etc

===============================================================

3. Breakfast smoothies – Of course this is one of the easiest to prepare, in fact you can make it the night before, and just pour it in your child’s insulated bottle (here’s a great deal for a spill proof insulated and non-toxic tumbler for your child). With a blender, Osterizer or Nutri-bullet, the easiest to prepare would be a Choco Banana Smoothie (banana, powdered milk chocolate like Hershey’s Cocoa, Swiss Miss, Goya, or Cocotime, plus a cup of almond, soy or cow’s milk and crushed ice), Plain avocado or Choco-Avocado Smoothie, Strawberry or Mango and yogurt smoothie, all of which are kid-approved and very appetizing.

4. Panwiches – If you have left over pancakes, you can just easily assemble a panwich for your child to eat in the car or school bus. Just slap on a hamburger patty, or even peanut butter and jelly (plus slices of fruit inside), cream cheese and jam, then you have a breakfast on the go for kids right there. You can also make some pancakes ahead of time, and freeze it for later use.

5. Store-bought nutritious pastries – I know most of us here may not have the time and equipment to bake from scratch, so buying FRESH (not prepacked) pastries like muffins, banana loaves, carrot and raisin bread, turn-overs, and pocket pies could be very helpful for super busy mornings. Stores where we usually buy fresh pastries include Purple Oven, TLJ, The French Baker (like TLJ they have big discounts during closing time), and Bread Talk. You may also want to check out the fresh pastries from Red Ribbon, Goldilocks, Fortune Bakeshop, and S & R. Again, the key here is get something that has to be consumed within a week because that means it does not have a lot of preservatives.

5. Siopao – Yes, these are yummy on-the-go breakfast item that even your husband will appreciate (that is if he loves Siopao too). The trick here is when you are in your favorite Chinese Restaurant, order at least two sets for takeaway, then freeze it when you get home. You can then steam it or reheat it during your crazy school day morning! Alternatively, you may also want to purchase those that are frozen, and are ready for steaming available in the grocery store nearest you.

6. Waffles – If you have a waffle maker at home then go ahead and make some for your child. You can opt for filled or plain ones, and what I am sure of is that your child will definitely enjoy! Like pancakes, waffles can be frozen for later use.

7. Breakfast Bars – You can make some from scratch, but it will not hurt if you buy something from the store, provided that it is not plain sugary and non-nutritious. Choose a high-fibre variety so you will not be guilty of just sending your child to school with it plus milk drink.

Make sure to pack for them extra water and drinks for their on-the-go breakfast as the water you may be packing for them might be for their snack time or lunch break. Here is the spill-proof water bottle I will be buying for my child.

It is also important to pack these breakfasts in appropriate packaging like reusable containers (this one is what I will buy for achiebell’s on the go brekky), or a brown bag, or a reusable sandwich or pastry bag made of linen cloth.

We all know that the metro is saddled with traffic problems, and that we have to balance our eagerness to make sure that our child does not arrive late in school, to our eagerness to ensure their stomachs have been filled with nutritious food for breakfast.

Breakfast is a very critical meal for the day. It ensures that our children will have enough energy, and mental alertness to absorb lessons for the day and participate in physical activities in school. Let us all make an effort to make sure they get their fill of a nutritious first meal. (If you are in no hurry, here are great breakfast ideas cooked from scratch)

Will be coming up with more posts like this (Breakfast Food Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car) to help all of us become more intentional with the food that we serve our children. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, or follow our Instagram account so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with more recipes for on-the-go breakfast recipes and ideas:

Quick Breakfasts for Pinoy School Kids

The post Breakfast Food Recipes Children Can Eat in the Car appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Amid the scary possible scenarios, the best thing to do is to be prepared. (Photo Credits)

“The Big One” or the high intensity earthquake that is supposed to hit Manila and nearby provinces continues to generate buzz over social media. And although, Phivolcs has already denied issuing any warning about an exact range of time when this earthquake could take place, it said that it is still best to be prepared.

For us moms with young children, a strong earthquake gets all the more scary because we do have little ones to think of. How can we ensure their safety, how do we ensure that they will have enough to eat, and that they will still have clothes on their backs until we get help?

In my opinion, the best thing that we can do to prepare our families for disaster are the following –

General tips on Disaster Preparedness for Young Families:

1. Have a family plan. even if it is just you and your husband and the kids, make sure that your husband will know where to find you guys and vice versa in case he is at work, or you are at work when an earthquake takes place and there would be a need to evacuate.
2. Set aside a budget for disaster preparedness. The disaster kits, go bags, extra provisions in the car and in the pantry, emergency cash, plus some gadgets definitely do not come cheap. Set aside a budget for family disaster preparedness so that these supplies will remain intact.
3. Practice. If you have school-aged children, it is best to make your children aware of what to do in case there is an earthquake especially if it happens while they are in school. Talk to their teacher and ask if they have emergency plans in place and if they have earthquake drills in school. Assure your school-aged child as well that you or someone from your family will come for her in case she gets stuck somewhere in school.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• What to pack in a Go Bag for Babies
• Emergency Go Bag Contents for Toddlers
• Where to buy Insulated Breast Milk Cooler Bags in the Philippines     
• Where to buy Ring Slings in the Philippines   
• Where to buy Tula Baby Carriers
• Filipino Preserved Food Recipes  
• Where to buy Tawa-Tawa for Dengue in the Philippines   
• Where to Buy Affordable Nebulizers in the Philippines

=====================================================================

3. Invest in tags. Some parents make their children wear bracelets with their mobile number for emergency. For evacuation and emergency purposes, I think it will be best to have children wear an info bracelet or a dog-tag like necklace that contains the child’s name, your name, your contact information, blood type, and allergies if any.
4. Harness technology. There are GPS watches for kids that can be very helpful during crisis situations (like this). Some do not even cost more than Php1500.00 and if you ask me, this will be totally worth it if you have a school aged child. There are also solar powered chargers in the market today that can be used as flash lights, and charging port for your electronic devices (check out this solar powerbank).
5. Pack your go bag. The main items in the go bag should be care of mom and dad, and the older kids should have some for themselves too (yes, even your preschooler). Light snacks, medicines, flashlights and other light items can be placed in their bag to maximize the family’s main bug out bag. (Here’s a link to my post on what a go bag should contain especially for families with babies and young children). Of course the go bag itself has to be durable and easy to carry (like this). Also, revisit its contents every six months for those that are about to expire. Make sure as well that you are can carry the weight of your bag. An over-packed bag may hinder your chances of safely surviving a disaster.
6. Stock your car with essentials too. This will be especially helpful if the big one occurs while you guys are on the road. Simple snacks, change of clothes, and other bug out / emergency items can be in a duffel bag in the trunk. Also, make sure your car has enough gas all the time, has a reserve tire, and all the necessary tools, plus extras like cables and portable air compressors for inflating your tires (like this).
7. Your house should have some stock food and water too. This will be very helpful in case you are just at home, you do not need to evacuate BUT all the food and supplies stores have already closed shop. Make sure you have stock food that will not need refrigeration that could last you up to a week. Same goes with toiletries. Order extra water containers if you need to.
8. Make sure you have cash too. In this cashless age, cash still remains king especially during emergencies. Have cash handy at your home in case you would need to evacuate.
9. Send a softcopy of all your valuable docs and files in a secure email. In case the documents that you have gets lost, then these soft copies will all come in handy. same goes with your photos, create a back up, store in an external drive (this one is shock proof) and bring it with you in your bug out bag — or store it in the cloud or any secure online storage.
10. Knowledge will always translate to power. Familiarize yourself with maps, where the fault line is, where the safe places are, and where you can evacuate safely. A compass could help to so orient yourself on how to use one. Follow the social media accounts of Phivolcs (here’s their FB Link), NDRRMC (Here’s the social media page link), your local DRRMC, PAGASA, Meralco (or your electricity provider), MMDA (if you are in NCR), The Red Cross (here’s their FB Link), as well as that of your local government and your trusted news agency.
11. Relearn how to function without technology or high tech gadgets. That non-smartphone bar phone whose batteries can last for two days, has a flashlight and FM radio can save you and your family. Get one if you have already disposed yours (here’s one that is also waterproof!). Get a candle because your flashlight will soon lose batteries. Have a transistor radio with you if possible as well. Do not forget to bring in fans or abaniko too, especially since your young ones will need it. Have a hardcopy of important phone numbers and addresses of emergency contacts, family, and friends. Have a transistor radio at hand (here’s one that is under P500.00).
12. Invest in a recommended baby or toddler carrier. Have this by your door or next to your emergency kit because this can literally be a lifesaver. Even if your toddler already knows how to walk, she may not be able to do it quickly. Ring slings are the most affordable and are very light and easy to pack, Soft Structured Carriers on the other hand are very helpful and reliable when it comes to emergency situations. Let baby wearing help you. Check out our section on babywearing to help you choose the right carrier for your family.
13. Keep medical needs in mind. If you have an asthmatic child, you may need to have a portable nebulizer. Also have enough medicines in the house and in the go bag especially for maintenance meds and allergies.
14. Be conscious of special needs within the family. If you are pregnant, know what to do as well to keep you and your unborn baby safe. Same goes if you live with elderly, or someone who is sick. Have enough of their supplies, and have a plan on how to evacuate them.
15. Don’t forget about your pets. Extra food, and leash are the important things they will need. Make sure they are with you when you evacuate.
16. Do not discount self-defense. Preppers cannot emphasize enough that it is very possible to meet someone willing to commit a crime in order to survive dire situations. Do not get caught flat-footed. Get at least a pepper spray for your family (get one here).
17. Physically prepare for it. Exercise. Make yourself healthy. Your kids will be relying on you to get to safety and the greater your endurance, the higher the possibility of surviving a major disaster.
18. Pray and rest your anxious heart. If and when you have prepped everything but when the actual disaster takes place and you can’t seem to carry your bug out bag, know in your mind that your family’s safety is the most important, and that we cannot bring any of these earthly possessions in the after-life.

Disaster preparedness should never be mistaken for paranaoia. Do not be affected with those that say you are over reacting to the news. Even if it is not an earthquake — fires, and urban flooding remain to be a threat that may require evacuation. At the same breath, hold off re-sharing alarmist social media posts from unverified sources. It will just be best to stay prepared all the time.

Yes, disaster kits as well as extra supplies, plus your time preparing these require time and money, but it will always be worth it. Choose to have peace of mind.

So there you have it, I will be updating this post as soon as I come across with more information on disaster preparedness for young families. Please drop by my facebook page for feedbacks, comments or suggestions.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video clip on making a family emergency plan:

Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 Pesos 2017 Edition

*This post contains affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting happypinaymommy.com*

The post Disaster Preparedness for Young Families amid “The Big One” appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Veggie Spring Rolls is yet another Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 pesos. (Photo Credits: CC With Modifications)

Our under P100 annual budget ulam series continues to be two of the most widely read posts here in our little blog. And since we are still in the first quarter of the year, I figured, why not come up with a 2017 edition this early? If you haven’t read the first two, click here for the 2015 edition, and here for the 2016 version.

Anyway, there are many recipes that I have recently learned about while browsing the internet and I would like to share them with you my fellow homemakers. A viand under P100 does not have to feel like “tinipid” because as you will be able to read later, it can be yummy and nutritious at the same time.

So here’s this year’s version of —

Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 Pesos:

1. Tokwa and Bokchoy – This is super affordable yet delicious and filling. You can actually substitute tokwa with tofu, and bokchoy with either kangkong, spinach or even pechay. Anyway for the procedure fry about four squares of tokwa evenly. Then slice into cubes. Saute onion and garlic, then the tokwa. Add in the diced bokchoy or pechay or kangkong. After which add some oyster sauce (eyeball it or add 1-2 tbsp). Then add in a cornstarch with water mixture. I dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water. Let it simmer. Check the taste and season as needed with soy sauce. Optional: Drizzle a bit of sesame oil.

2. Binagoongang Talong — Warning — this will make you eat a lot of rice! Anyway, talong and bagoong are too good to be cheap so you can still buy a bit of panggisang pork for sahog. I usually choose a slice of liempo and ask the butcher to slice it for sauteeing, instead of buying the readily sliced “pork saute” since the ready-made version is just so fatty. Here’s a link to this delicious ulam.

3. Tuna nuggets. This is a simple kiddie recipe i came across with in internet parenting forums. My kids absolutely love tuna but wouldnt it be nice if theyd eat it differently sometimes? Check out this super affordable recipe that makes use of a can of tuna, several individual packs of skyflakes, and then some seasonings and oil. Bonus is this can also be a great baon food for your grade schooler. Here’s a link to a video instructional guide.

4. Vegetarian Okoy – This recipe is not just under P100, it can even be included in your child’s Tamang Kain recipe (of course minus all of the seasonings). You can interchange the veggies actually, come just use togue, others kalabasa and carrots, some just plain malunggay and kalabasa. Experiment and enjoy. Check out the ingredients and cooking procedure here.

5. Baguio Beans with Giniling – This is super yummy especially when your greens are super fresh. Just saute onions, garlic, tomatoes and then about ¼ kilo of pork or beef giniling (whatever you have in your freezer actually). Add I the Baguio beans, and then a little bit of water. Season with a bit of soy sauce or oyster sauce depending on your preference. Simmer until the beans are cooked, and then serve.

6. Tinolang Tahong – Depending on the size of the mussels, it would sell for about P45-60.00 per kilo. The only other sahog you will need for this are onions, ginger, and possibly malunggay and dahon ng sili from the neighborhood (some add lemongrass though) J This recipe is perfect for moms who just gave birth or are breastfeeding (click here for more pinoy breastfeeding recipes). Here’s how to cook tinolang halaan.

7. Sisig na Puso ng Saging – Want a healthier and cheaper version of Sisig? Check this recipe out from Mely’s Kitchen. This will also be great for the coming holy week.

So there you have it, I will be updating this post as soon as I come across with healthier and more affordable budget ulam recipes for our families. Meantime, if you wish to scour great dessert recipes, you may want to check out Good Housekeeping’s Dessert Cook Book featuring Brownie Recipes — buy it here

Please drop by my facebook page for our albuim of P100 ulam recipes, and for your feedback, comments or recipe suggestions

Looking forward to hearing from you. A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video clip of more budget-friendly recipes:

GUEST POST: 2016 Christmas Gift Guide for Moms

The post Filipino Budget Ulam Ideas below 100 Pesos 2017 Edition appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here is a list of kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite. (Photo Credits)

While chunkiness and weight will never be the only factors to determine if a child is healthy, a “patpatin” but healthy Filipino child will usually have parents endlessly worrying about their child’s physique. Kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite seems to be a much sought after phenomenon among Filipino parents.

And this is the reason why most mommy huddles (in real life and online) always touch on appetite stimulants and ways to get their child eating well. I’m sure pediatricians are likewise bombarded by questions about what children’s vitamins, appetite stimulants and boosters they can give their child who seems disinterested in food and is just so thin and lanky.

Before buying though you may want to try natural ways to boost your child’s appetite and get him to be more interested in his meals. Offhand, this could be lowering or removing distractions while eating (no TV, gadgets or toys at the table), no snacking or heavy beverage an hour to an hour and a half before meals, eliminate junk food in the house, try to make their food more interesting to eat – find bento tools and accessories here if that will interest you both, and allow him to help out in the grocery shopping and cooking. Learn recipes as well of his favorite food so you can make healthy tweaks.

Well, for those of you who are wanting to try some over the counter vitamins or appetite stimulants (ASK YOUR PEDIA FIRST IF THESE ARE FINE), here is a list of —

Kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite:

1. Appeton Weight Gain-– is one of the most widely advertised appetite stimulant for children and adults. The manufacturer claims their brand is clinically proven to help children three to 12 years old to gain way healthily. It is available in major drugstores nationwide.

2. Propan with Buclizine — This requires prescription so ask your pedia about it. This appetite booster also comes with multivitamins. Not to be confused with Propan TLC, this appetite stimulant syrup comes in a white box packaging and is available in Watsons and Mercury Drug.

 (Post Continued Below)

===============================================

You may also want to read:

• 2016 No Entrance Fee Christmas Attractions around Metro Manila
• PART 1: Lunch Baon Ideas for School Kids
• Part 2: Lunch Ulam Baon Ideas for your Grade Schooler
• Baon Ideas for your Pre-Schooler
• How to get kids to sleep early
• Yummy Sandwich Recipes for Baon
• Happy Breakfasts for Kids
• Eight Recipes under P100.00 – 2016 Edition
• Kid-Friendly vegetable salads
• Where to buy Cheap yet good quality Bikes
• Meryendas you can prepare with your kids
• Requirements for a Catholic Confirmation
• Local Party Resources: Where to buy DIY Party Supplies, Where to Buy Sweets for DIY Candy Buffet, resturants with kiddie party packages, loot bag content ideas, event stylists and food cateres, etc

===============================================================

3. Appebon Kids – This one is advertised as a vitamins-slash-appetite stimulant for children. Some kids though comment that it could use some improvement taste-wise. Available in most drugstores.

Appebon kid is marketed as one of the country’s kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite. (Photo taken from Appebon’s Facebook Page)

4. Biobita — This is one appetite booster that is subject of online groupbuys. Like Propan it is quite pricey and is available in some pedia clinics and in mercury drugstores nationwide.

5. Heraclene – This appetite stimulant calls for a prescription. My eldest once took this as ordered by our pediatrician. It is in capsule form, and the pink powder inside is drizzled on drinks or food. It worked for her but this is somewhat pricey. It is available in major drugstores nationwide.

6. Propan TLC – This vitamin supplement claims that it has Lysine to help boost the appetite. There are a lot of positive feedbacks from moms online that this particularly affordable vitamins helped make their kids become magana. This is widely available in all drugstores nationwide.

Propan TLC is a children’s appetite booster that has received good feedbacks from Filipino moms.

7. Appetite Plus Syrup – This one is at around P280ish per bottle. It has multivitamins, lysine and Buclizine which help stimulate appetite. It also received some good feedback online.

8. Mosegor – Could be the priciest among the appetite stimulants mentioned above but a good number of moms swear by it. Ask your pediatrician if your child can take it.

9. Tiki-tiki — I can’t help but hear tiki-tiki’s jingle playing on my head whenever I read or see this vitamins. It may be the cheapest appetite booster in this list but hey this one worked on my eldest. It is available everywhere — health aisles of major groceries, and almost all drugstores nationwide.

So there you have it. Hope this post was able to help you in your quest to find the best Kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite of children in the Philippines. Again, IT IS BEST TO CONSULT YOUR PEDIA ABOUT THIS TYPE OF STUFF.

Hope you can drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button so you could receive weekly meal plans and happypinaymommy.com updates straight from your newsfeed.

Thanks and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with some natural ways to help boost your child’s appetite

2016 Free Christmas Attractions in Manila

The post Kiddie and toddler vitamins to help increase appetite appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Looking for Children’s Party Food Caterers in the Philippines? Here is a list. (Photo Credits)

If you are looking to outsource the food buffet for your child’s kiddie party then this post is for you. I collated a list of some of the Children’s Party Food Caterers in Manila that you may want to get in touch with as you plan out your child’s next party. So here is a list of —

Children’s Party Food Caterers in the Philippines:

1. The Creamery – The Creamery catering services is known for happy food and happy parties. They have already catered to a lot of children’s party, and both the parents and the kids agree that the food is yummy. Check out their website here. You may also reach them via their mobile: Call 687-4373, 687-3436, 0917-8800203.

The Creamery Catering Services has made a name for itself by being one of the most trusted catering services for kiddie parties. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

2. Verleo Catering Services – Verleo caters to all types of events. They may be a big player in wedding events, but they also do kiddie parties. Check out their website here. You may also get in touch with them through their mobile number: 0928 320 9969

(Post Continued Below)

===========================================================

You may also want to read:

• Under P500.00 Buffet Restaurants for Baptismal and Kiddie Parties
• List of Local Children’s Party and Event Stylists
• Birthday Party Loot Bag Content Ideas
• DIY Candy Buffet Checklist
• Where to buy Supplies for DIY Candy Buffets
• Nine Christening Baptismal Party Reception Venues
• Souvenir and Token Ideas for Ninongs and Ninangs
• Fastfood and Restaurants with kiddie birthday party packages
• Baptismal Party Souvenir Ideas
• Where to buy DIY Party Supplies
• Baptismal Requirements for Catholics
• Where to order Bento Party Meals for your kiddie parties
• Where to buy Christening Gowns and Outfits
• Where to order Smash Cakes

=======================================================

3. Queensland Catering – Who can go wrong with delicious and affordable food? Queensland Catering Services has wide array of food choices for any theme or preference. They are very easy to deal with as well! Here is a link to their homepage. You can also call them up via: +632 8267791/ 820-7223 / 8287340-41

Queensland Catering Services has been doing yummy, stylish and affordable parties for all occasions. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

4. Hizon’s Catering – Caters to all types of event, and they do an amazing job at kiddie parties. Here is a link to their FB page, and alternatively they can be contacted via Call 0923 471 6972.4.

5. Josiah’s Catering – May have been famous for its corporate events and weddings, but they also rock children’s parties. Check out their website here or get in touch with them by phone via (02) 435 1214.

6. Via Mare – If you have more than enough budget for party food and you want to simply serve the best, then why not get Via Mare as your caterer? Here is a link to their FB Page. You can also get in touch with them by calling 890-8090,890-8023.

7. The Plaza – Is yet another powerhouse catering service in the country. They have been in the industry for the past five decades and have catered numerous children’s parties. Check out their website here.

So, there you have it. I will be updating this list as soon as I come across more children’s party catering services in Manila. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on party theme decorating ideas:

Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines

The post Children’s Party Food Caterers in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Looking for Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines? Read on. (Photo Credits)

If you no longer have the strength to do a Do-It-Yourself Party for your little one, then why not hire an event or party stylist? Not only will you be free from all the stresses of preparing for the party, you too will likewise be able to enjoy the preparations as well as you child’s party itself.

If you are looking for a list of Children’s party stylists and event organizers in Manila then this post is definitely for you. Here is a list of —

Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines:

1. Party Magic – Who can go wrong with Party Magic? They have the expertise, great concept and ideas, plus outstanding execution that great and “magical” parties are made of. They offer several packages too, and can even help you with your Do-It-Yourself party project for your little one. Here is a link to their website.

Party Magic is one of the most prominent Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

2. Diannekhu Designs – Apart from Events Styling, the WAHM behind DianneKhu Designs also offer invitations and Print Designs. Her parties will definitely wow your little one, your guests, and your whole family. Check out her FB Page here.

One of Diannekhu Design’s Parties. (photo taken from their FB Page)

(Post Continued Below)

===========================================================

You may also want to read:

• Children’s Party Caterers in the Philippines
• Birthday Party Loot Bag Content Ideas
• DIY Candy Buffet Checklist
• Where to buy Supplies for DIY Candy Buffets
• Nine Christening Baptismal Party Reception Venues
• Souvenir and Token Ideas for Ninongs and Ninangs
• Fastfood and Restaurants with kiddie birthday party packages
• Baptismal Party Souvenir Ideas
• Where to buy DIY Party Supplies
• Baptismal Requirements for Catholics
• Where to order Bento Party Meals for your kiddie parties
• Where to buy Christening Gowns and Outfits
• Where to order Smash Cakes

===============================================================

3. Design Avenue – They offer event conceptualizing and styling, and have a lot of testimonials to back their great work. Check out their Facebook page here and check out the parties that they have styled. They definitely put Fun and Fab in any party.

Shopkin’s themed party care of Design Avenue. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

4. She Dreams In Ink – If you want a Pinterest-worthy party then check out this event stylist. They are virtually a one-stop shop because apart from styling, they also offer coordination, invitations, and dessert buffet styling. Here is a link to their FB page.

Another successful and fab party styled by She Dreams in Ink. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

5. Little Matters – Is yet another children’s party stylist that will make your child’s birthday party definitely an event to remember! Super nice executions can be noticed in the events that Little Matters has styled. Check out their FB Page here.

Kiddie Party Design and Event Styling by Little Matters. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

6. Party Station – This event stylist makes it their business to make all the parties they design fun and super enjoyable. No party is too small nor too big for Party Station to design. Check out their Facebook Page here.

One of Party Station’s Kiddie Event Execution. (Photo Taken from their FB Page)

7. Luxe Parties – Stylish parties are what this event styling company aims to execute. They however remain conscious about the fact that parties have to be affordable too! Check out their fabulous executions of children’s parties here on their Facebook page.

Luxe Parties for your little one. (Photo taken from Luxe Parties’ FB Page)

So, there you have it. I will be updating this list as soon as I come across more kiddie party and event stylists in the Philippines. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on party theme decorating ideas:

Birthday party loot bag content ideas

The post Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Looking for Birthday Party Loot bag Content Ideas in the Philippines? Read up. (Photo Credits)

I remember when I was a kid, one of the birthday party stuff I look forward to when attending a children’s party is the loot bag. Back then, giving a stuffed toy (which is now referred to as a plushie hahaha) is “pangmayaman” as the usual lootbag during those days were candies and small toys, or school supplies packed in a shiny sandwich bag held by a yarn.

My mom tried to be creative in one of my kiddie parties as she bought some cute baskets under the Quiapo bridge and filled it with happy goodies that will light up any child’s eyes. But that too became passe.

Fast forward X number of years later, the birthday party lootbag content ideas in the Philippines now has become more sophisticated, and fun for both the kiddie guests and their moms. If you are still on the lookout for a birthday party souvenir or what to fill your child’s party lootbags then this post is for you.

Well, lootbag contents in my opinion should somewhow match your party theme too. For instance, a friend had a pool party so their lootbag consisted of a pail shovel, and water squirters. A handy mannyu party on the other hand can give away pretend tool toys in a tool caddy. Anyway, before I go farther from my original point, here are some —

Birthday party loot bag content ideas for your child’s party in the Philippines:

1. Coloring and Activity Books. Why not fill your child’s loot bag with these stuff so that both the kids and the parents will be happy that for once, their child did not come home with tartar-inducing sweets! Fun and Smart Kids Shop has loot bag contents at Divisoria price levels (follow them at shopee so you could get nationwide free shipping too!) They have the usual nice pens, art materials, small coloring books, sticker books, and craft items. The item below which is a dot-to-dot style coloring book comes with free eight pieces of markers for only P100.00 Check out their Facebook page here.

Birthday Party Loot bag Content Ideas should never leave out educational activity books like this one from Fun and Smart Kids Shop. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

2. Egg Surprise Chocolate and Toys. Kids really drool over toy eggs that come with yummy chocolate and fun loot-type toys. You can buy kinder surprise toys at less than P50.00 in most supermarkets but these come only with generic toys. There are imported versions that can be bought online that are themed like the ones being sold by Clique Trading over at Shopee.ph, and as of posting a box of six pieces range from P380.00 to P450.00, sample themes include Disney Princesses and Hot Wheels. This shop also sells Egg Collectibles that do not come with chocolates, instead it only has toys inside like the My Little Pony, Lego, Adventure Time, Pokemon, Finding Dory and more. Think about the youtube Egg Surprise videos your preschooler loves to watch – they might just have it. They also sell Zaini Egg Surprise toys that also comes with different themes at a wholesale price of 199.00 per box of three, minimum order of 10 boxes. Here’s a link to their Shopee store.

Add an Egg Surprise toy to every kiddie loot bag that you will give out in your child’s birthday party in Manila. (Photo taken from Clique Trading’s Shopee Page)

(Post Continued Below)

===========================================================

You may also want to read:

• Under P500.00 Buffet Restaurants for Baptismal and Kiddie Parties
• Children’s Party Caterers in the Philippines
• DIY Candy Buffet Checklist
• Children’s Party Event Stylists in the Philippines
• Where to buy Supplies for DIY Candy Buffets
• Nine Christening Baptismal Party Reception Venues
• Souvenir and Token Ideas for Ninongs and Ninangs
• Fastfood and Restaurants with kiddie birthday party packages
• Baptismal Party Souvenir Ideas
• Where to buy DIY Party Supplies
• Baptismal Requirements for Catholics
• Where to order Bento Party Meals for your kiddie parties
• Where to buy Christening Gowns and Outfits
• Where to order Smash Cakes

=======================================================

3. Party Stamps – Who doesn’t love stamps? Children under the age of seven will surely appreciate these especially when it is their favorite character – or if your budget allows – it is personalized! Check out Party Stamps’ website here and see their roster of Self-Inking Stamps that go as low as P80.00 per 23 mm round stamp. Special Character Stamps are at P200.00 each. Designs can be chosen from their existing templates, or we can opt to send our own designs to them.

Party Stamps are a great addition to your lootbag content. Party Stamps can customize it according you party’s theme! (Photo taken from Party Stamps Facebook Page)

4. Arts and Crafts Supplies. Give something that the kids can use long after the party. Mom and Milly Educational Toys has arts supplies that can easily fit your lootbag. They have non-toxic finger paints complete with different shaped sponges; roll and paint sets that come with roller stamps, paints and brushes; and Alphabet Play Dough kits which are very educational and can be bought for only P150.00 per set as of posting. Here’s a link to their website.

Here’s a great addition to your loot bag — The Mom and Milly’s Paint and Play Set. (Photo Taken from their FB Page)

5. Sweets. Who can say no to a loot bag filled with candies? Joshua Gummies is an online shop that sells various sweets, gummies, candy buffet and loot bag needs at very affordable prices! They have local and imported chocolates and candies that they can ship so you do not need to head to a physical store and battle heavy traffic! Here’s a link to their website.

Joshua Gummies sells both local and imported candies, sweets and chocolates that will surely be a fun and yummy loot bag content! (Photo taken from their FB Page)

6. Wooden Crafts. Want to give out something that the children can use for years, then give them wooden handicrafts. Handicrafts Atbp. Has various wooden products that can be very useful for kids – just like their kiddie stools (which we earlier recommended as a baptismal souvenir), art and school supplies caddy, and even character clocks. Checkout their FB Page here.

Handicrafts Atbp can come up with mini caddies customized for your child’s party. (Photo taken from their FB Page)

7. Plush Toys – There are a lot of plush toys suppliers out there who can just give you great, fun designs at a very reasonable cost. Monsterella Plush Art is one of them and they have super cute plushies that will surely appreciated by your kiddie guests! Here is a link to their FB Page

Nice and Fluffy Giveaways! (Photo taken from Monsterella Plush Art’s FB Page)

8. Handmade Bags – The owner takes pride in handcrafting their products, and they are really cute and nice. Customizable too depending on your event’s theme! Check out Pop Junk Love’s Customizable Hand-Sewn Bags in their Facebook Page here.

Pop Junk Love can customize plush handmade bags for your party. (Photo taken nrom Pop Junk Love’s FB Page)

9. Custom Printed Pillow – So posh and fluffy is this giveaway, I am sure your guests will truly appreciate. Check out Fabrika MNL’s newest offering – custom printed pillow that could –as the name suggests – be customized according to your event’s theme! Check out their FB Page here for your inquiries.

Custom Printed Pillows can be useful and adorable at the same time! (Photo taken from Fabrika MNL’s FB Page)

10. Traditional Loot Bag Toys – Simple and fun toys like a bottle of bubbles, matchbox cars, glow in the dark figures and shapes, plush stickers, stationery and pencils, mini-puzzles, kaleidoscopes, and the like remain to be a hit even among kids nowadays. These can be purchased in any toy store, book store, and of course cheapest at Divisoria, and other DIY Party Supplies Mecca (if you haven’t read my post on where to buy DIY Party supplies then you may read it here ). Always remember it is the thought of making the kiddie guests happy even after the party is what will always count and never the cost of the giveaway or loot bag content. The Happy Meal and Kinder Bueno remain to be a hit all these years because of the simple toy that comes with every package!

You may also want to set up a throwback type of loot bag for your adult guests – this time it has Goya Gold Coins, Fibisco Chocolate Mallows, Bazooka Bubble Gum, White Rabbit (na edible yung wrapper ha!), Tootsie Roll, Swits Orange Candy, Mikmik Milk Powder, Text Cards, Pog, Jackstone, and Plastic Balloon!

So, there you have it. I will be updating this post as I come across more birthday party lootbag content and souvenir ideas in Manila, Philippines. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this DIY Lootbag Making Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwQBC8E7608

Homemade Filipino Breakfast Recipes for the home or business

The post Birthday party loot bag content ideas appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

You can make your breakfasts healthier and earn an income from the side, when you make your own Homemade Filipino Breakfast Recipes for the home or business. (Photo Credits)

There is one struggle I have about preparing breakfast, most of the choices available in the market are laden with preservatives, our culture also generally prefers this type of “cilog” breakfasts, and busy moms like us have a tendency to give in to these types of breakfasts because it is easy to cook – perfect for those weekday mornings!

But there is actually a solution to this. Make homemade breakfasts from scratch using ingredients that are free from harmful preservatives that will endanger the health of our whole family in the long run. Yes it may take more of our time, but we can compensate for this by making two to three batches at a time, since most of the recipes when frozen could last even more than 60 days in the freezer. And by making huge batches, cooking will be easier just like those easy to cook breakfasts in the grocery.

And once you have mastered the art of making homemade freezer breakfasts, then you might just be able to start a side business – again from the home.

So to start this trend of healthier breakfasts in your family here are –

Homemade Filipino Breakfast Recipes for the home or business that you can try making:

1. Chicken Tocino – This breakfast is healthier not just because it is homemade, but also because it makes use of chicken breasts instead of fatty pork parts. Check this recipe from Pinoy Cooking Recipes which makes use of ingredients that are already in the pantry!
2. Homemade Yakiniku Tapa – This is the Mister’s favorite. In Savemore or any SM Hypermart, they sell Beef Yakiniku Slices which I marinate in a tapa marinate mix that I blend from scratch. I got my idea of my tapa marinate mix from Kawaling Pinoy. Here is their marinade mix – again from affordable ingredients that are already in your pantry.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You May Also Want to Read:

• Snack Baon Ideas for your pre-schooler
• Lunch Baon Ideas for your gradeschooler
• Eight Ulam Recipes under P100.00
• No-Bake Filipino Sweets that you can sell
• Gelatin-Based Desserts that you can sell
• Puto Recipes for Business in the Philippines
• No bake Chocolate-Based Goodies for Business
• Preserved Food Products for Business in the Philippines
• Cheap and Quick to Prepare Desserts under P100.00
• Business Ideas for Stay at Home Moms in the Philippines

=======================================================

3. Skinless Longganisa – This is a childhood favorite, and I was surprised that it is easy and fun to make! I just follow this recipe from Panlasang Pinoy  which is not complicated at all! My family loves it, and you should give it a try.
4. Embutido – Ditch the canned meatloaf, and serve this yummy embutido recipe. This one is super easy, I was surprised it tasted great the first time I made it! The Pinoy Cook Book has this great recipe that is easy to make and oh so yummy! Just adjust seasoning preferences according to your taste as usual.

I am no cooking expert, but my tip for you is that when making a large or multiple batch of recipes, cook a small bit first so you will have an idea how it tastes. If it does not pass your standards then make your necessary tweaks until you are happy with the outcome.

So there you have it, I will be coming up with a couple more posts on Food items that you can serve to your family or sell to earn a side income in the Philippines. Always remember mommies that presentation may be key but at the end of the day, it is the taste and prep that will matter and will make your clients come back for more. Here is hoping that if you have the time, i wish you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on how to make embutido:

https://youtu.be/MjXDs0EM2y0

Happypinaymommy’s Filipino Weekly Menu Plan for Nov 21-28, 2016

The post Homemade Filipino Breakfast Recipes for the home or business appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.