Holy Thursday 2016

My husband was so busy last week and magholy week na wala pa plans so I asked him last Wednesday kung aalis ba kami ng Thursday or Friday. He visits Caleruega church every holy week since 2008 so it is an annual thing for our family, so far wala pa naman mintis. 

He texted his mom, the night before our trip and we left the house at 5AM. We picked up my in-laws (MIL and AIL) in Laguna and off we went to the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas Batangas. My mother-in-law wanted to visit this last year but my husband already planned that we will visit Cavite churches and the last stop is Caleruega.  

National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio 

This year we started in the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, it was our first time there and traffic was so bad. We reached the place at 9:30AM, which was a long trip from Cavite. I’ve been seeing this shrine on social media because I have friends who always visit this shrine. If you do want to travel to Batangas, you can also visit Padre Pio Church in Libis, Quezon City. 

The place was really crowded so it is really hard to take a good photo. Free parking at the shrine but the restroom has P10 fee. The place is not huge but the shrine can accommodate a big crowd. It is made of wood, bamboo, and stone. I’m not a Catholic so I asked my husband who is Padre Pio because I'm not familiar with this saint. 

Read: National Shrine of Padre Pio 2017
Watch the video here.

Gabriela at Nurture Wellness Village (Now Farmer's Table Tagaytay)

We left at 11:30AM and off we went to Tagaytay, we braved the traffic while looking for restaurant where we could eat our lunch. Nagkakalokohan na kami na fasting na yata kami at late na di pa kami nakakakain. Most of the restaurants were full so I suggested “Gabriela” of Nurture Wellness Village na lang kami and voila, 2 tables lang ang occupied. 

Read: Filipino Spa at Nurture Wellness Village
          Glamping at Nurture Wellness Village

We ordered Tagaytay Bilao Group Meal good for 4 to 5 persons P1500. The bilao meal includes pandan rice, salted egg, pinakbet, potcherong batangas, tawilis, batangas atchara, assorted fresh fruit slices, and one pitcher of Nurture Ice Tea. 

While waiting for our food, my husband and son were busy playing here. 

We did not stay long, eat and run lang ang peg because we’re expecting heavy traffic again on our way to Caleruega. 

Chapel on the Hill

We dropped by at Chapel on the Hill before going to Caleruega. You can see the view of Mt. Batulao here. 

Caleruega 

Expect a long line just to get inside but if you have seniors with you, there is an express lane for you. 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin

I baked banana chocolate muffin last Wednesday so we have baon for our Holy Thursday trip. This time, I baked from scratch but I used a different recipe because I don’t want to use mixer, tamad talaga maghugas. Hehehe!

I got the recipe from marthastewart.com 

2 cups all-purpose flour 
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 
1 teaspoon coarse salt 
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
3 extra-ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup) 
3/4 cup light brown sugar 
1 stick unsalted butter, melted 
1 large egg 
1/4 cup milk 
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with baking cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk together banana, sugar, egg, butter, and milk. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients then stir in chocolate chips. 

Divide batter evenly between prepared cups, adding a scant 1/4 cup to each. Bake until tops spring back when lightly touched, about 20 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. 

My son liked it, maybe because of the chocolate chips but I’m not satisfied with it because I can’t taste the banana or hindi matamis ang banana na nagamit ko. I still prefer my all time favorite recipe of banana cupcake, check it here. I will try this recipe again next time bago mabago lasa. :)

Betty Crocker: Super Moist Lemon Cake Mix

Ever since I’ve tried instant mixes, I became a fan of it because it made my life easier. I can bake something in several minutes without using a mixer, I don’t have to buy a lot of ingredients and I only need few kitchen tools. 

Summer vacation is here, so my son is at home and he always looks for food. “Mommy, I’m hungry,” “Mommy, I want cookie”, and many more. I’m not complaining kasi bihira naman yan magdemand. 

So last Monday, I tried this Betty Crocker Super Moist Lemon Cake Mix. I just add 3 eggs, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. Mix all ingredients and bake it for 15-17min at 350F. After several minutes, our lemon cupcakes were done. 

My son likes warm cupcakes. We were so happy because the cupcake is really moist and you can smell and taste the lemon. My son doesn’t like lemon cupcake or calamansi cupcake before but now he really enjoyed eating it.

I will buy this instant mix again because the taste is the same with my lemon brownies. Mas cheaper kasi ito kaysa bumili ko ng lemon and bake from scratch. But if you are not a fan of instant mixes, you can check the following recipe that I’ve tried before. 

Lemon Cupcake
Lemon Brownies
Lemon Crinkle Cookies 

Update: July 2020

It's been years since the last time I baked this, I stopped baking for a while because I don't have an oven. Last year, we finally replaced our old oven so I'm back to baking again. And because of the community quarantine, my husband bought a lot of instant mixes that I can bake at home. I baked this lemon loaf last month using the Betty Crocker Super Moist Lemon Cake Mix. 

Summer Food: DIY Halo-Halo

A few weeks ago, I ran out of ink in our printer and I need to print something. I have no choice but to go to the nearest computer shop. Not really near because it is a loooooong walk. On our way to the computer shop, my son was already complaining.

Ethan: Init, Mommy may sunburn na ko o. (while checking his shoulder)
Hmmm... Sunburn, 10 bahay pa lang naman ang nalalagpasan namin. Hehehe! #maypayongnaman

It was really hot, tiis lang talaga. On our way home I saw halo-halo kiosk and bought halo-halo for my son. P25 per cup and I was so disappointed kasi puro pinipig at gulaman lang, di ko na makita yung ibang ingredients na nilagay sa konti, but my son enjoyed it. 

Last Saturday, I saw this Florence Halo-Halo Mix P154.95 at the grocery. The bottle includes nata de coco, kaong, monggo, few beans, buko strip, langka and 1 slice of banana. As in literal na isang piraso lang. Lol. 

I told hubby na maghalo-halo kami so we bought 1 bag of crashed ice P40 before going home. I was happy because we can eat halo-halo na hindi tipid sa ingredients. Good thing that I still have leftover sweet saba. 

We had fun eating our DIY halo-halo, perfect for summer weather and the crashed ice lasted for 20 hours so sulit.

Update: April 2021

I wish I can say "The heat never bothered me anyway" pero sa totoo lang, nakakadrain siya ng energy. Summer is here and ito na naman yung panahon na wish ko buong bahay naman may aircon pero good luck naman sa electricity. hehehe! So we just find comfort in drinking or eating ice cream, fruit shake and other frozen dessert.

We seldom buy halo-halo kasi ayaw ko ng tipid sa ingredients and milk so mas gusto ko yung DIY Halo-Halo. Since we are restricted in our home, my husband is busy with work and I'm not allowed to go out again, I just ordered online. For the past few years, I tried Florence and CDO brand for our halo-halo and this is the first time I heard about Kayumanggi brand. Medyo mas mahal ng konti pero I got 15% voucher and free shipping voucher so sulit na. They have other ingredients pero ito lang binili ko kasi ito lang naman gusto ko sa halo-halo. 

Halo-Halo Ingredients

Monggo Beans

Nata De Coco

White Beans

Macapuno String

Ube Yam

Langka

It was hard to look for shaved iced so yung cube iced na lang binili ni hubby and nagblender pa kami para lang maging pino. I added my homemade sweet saba na lang para complete na. We've been eating halo-halo since Saturday and marami pa ingredients. 

Read: Kuya J's Halo-Halo

Cafe Via Mare Halo-Halo

Zubuchon Halo-Halo

Razon's Halo-Halo

Ben's Halo-Halo Ice Cream

Skidkart Circuit

We were in Solenad 3 last Saturday and we saw this Skidkart Circuit and I asked my son if he likes to try it. He said yes so after eating our lunch at Kuya J Restaurant we went back to the race track. 

The Skidkart Circuit is for kids and adults, prices depend on the time you choose. 

P100 - 3 min 
P180 - 6 min 
P300 - 10 min

My son had fun in driving and drifting. It was his first time so there are times that he can’t control the speed, he slides and he bumps. Click here for the video

It was 6 minutes of happiness. Next time, I will try it too. Hehehe! So if you live in Southern Luzon, visit Nuvali and try this activity. I just wish they have a bigger race track.

Kuya J Restaurant Nuvali

It took us a while to revisit S&R Nuvali after our not-so-good experience during their opening last November. So kahit mas mahal tolgate ng S&R Alabang, doon pa rin kami but last Saturday, we paid a visit. Before doing our grocery, we dropped by Solenad 3 to have our lunch. 

Just in time, Kuya J Restaurant is already open and it was their grand opening day. I told hubby, dun na tayo baka darating si Jericho Rosales. Hehehe! I have long time crush kay Jericho, as in contestant pa lang siya sa Eat Bulaga, crush ko na siya. 

But unfortunately, wala si Jericho so we just browsed the menu. There are so many choices but we just chose from their House Specialties. We ordered Kare-Kare Bagnet P399, Crispy Dinuguan P195, Plain Rice Platter P120, Ice Tea Pitcher P120 and Leche Flan P50. I was happy with their price, if you will compare it to other restaurants that serve Flipino foods, affordable ang Kuya J. No service charge. 

When the meals were served, I asked hubby parang ang konti ng serving, kasya ba sa tin? My husband said, kasya yan. True enough, it was enough for three people.

I was surprised to see the Crispy Dinuguan because I was expecting that it was like the crispy dinuguan of Kanin Club. I was wrong, so it is like Bagnet Dinuguan of La Finca Tagaytay. So ending puro fried pork pala lahat order namin in different sauces. hehehe!

My husband loves the Kare-Kare because you can really taste the peanut in the sauce. The sauce is thick and you know that it is made from scratch. I’m also satisfied with my Crispy Dinuguan. My son likes the bagnet of kare-kare, he likes crunchy food kasi. The Leche Flan is smooth and sweet, there is calamansi at the side, pang-alis umay siguro. 

Service is also good, ang daming staff everywhere, not sure kung dahil grand opening day lang. We now have a new favorite restaurant in Nuvali. We had a free picture from the photo booth after we ate. 

Update: March 2016

We went back again to Kuya J Restaurant after my son's Recognition program. We ordered Lechon Kawali P235, Adobong Pusit P270, Rice Platter P120, Pitcher of Iced Tea P120 and 2 Lechen Flan P50 each. 

We're happy with our food but not with the service, I don't know why it will take them so long just to serve the leche flan, I think 15 minutes of waiting and 3 follow-ups are too much, I'm sure luto na yan. 

We wanted to go home asap because my husband needs to pack his things for his Malaysia trip. My husband asked for the bill and canceled the leche flan order. We received the bill with leche flan charge, good thing dumating na rin leche flan so di na naman pinabago. 

Update: September 2016

We were in Solenad 3 last Saturday, and after our haircut we ate at Kuya J again. We ordered Bagnet, Pinakbet, Leche Flan and Tablea Coffee Flan. 

I thought the tablea coffee flan is like a leche flan with flavor but I was wrong, parang kakanin siya. hehehe! 

Update: December 2016

Before going to S&R, we went to Kuya J for our late lunch, we ordered Crispy Dinuguan P195, Sizzling Sisig P190, Rice P35/cup and Leche Flan P50. It was our first time ordering sisig and the taste is ok. We always like the leche flan of Kuya J but last December, parang iba na taste niya. Hindi na soft and creamy, iba na kaya ang supplier?

Read: Kuya J Southwoods Mall
Kuya J SM Sta Rosa Mall

Kuya J Restaurant 
Solenad 3, Nuvali, 
Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Road, 
Don Jose, Laguna

Book Review: How to Earn Unlimited Income Even While You Sleep

I’m pretty sure that all of us wanted to earn unlimited income while we sleep, but is there such a thing like that? Is it possible to earn while sleeping? It looks so impossible but the truth is, it is possible. Yes, you can earn income even while you sleep and that is called passive income. 

What is Passive Income? 

Passive income is a kind of income that you gain without working so hard, without making so much effort, and without giving out so much of your time. It allows you to be the boss of your finances, time, and life. 

It is very different from active income wherein you have to work 9 hours a day or more in order to receive salary, commissions, or bonuses. If you don’t work, you don’t have an income. 

Of course, you will not just sleep in order to earn a passive income because you have to work first. You need to invest time and effort to establish your business or product to gain profit in the long run. Working hard at first and collect income after. 

I’m a full-time mom so I don’t have an active income but I earn something through passive income. 

1. Guest Post Space 

I started this blog without thinking about income. I just really wanted to have my own space where I can share information then after few months, I received opportunities to earn. I consider that a passive income, it may not be a big moolah but at least I earn something to pay for my domain. :) 

2. Dividend Investing 

If you invested your money in the stock market, you will earn a dividend from the company that you have shares. The amount varies depending on company performance. 

3. Take Surveys 

I earn by taking surveys, the pay is not really that big because it is not easy to accumulate points but it is still an income. All it needs is a little time to finish the surveys. 

These three are examples of earning passive income, I know that it will not make me retire rich so I’m still searching and learning how to increase my passive income. I’m glad I’ve read the Passive Income ebook by Samantha Connor. Click the link below if you want to purchase it. 

Passive Income: The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Money Machine And Have Unlimited Income Even While You Sleep (Passive income, business ideas, make money, income stream Book 1) 

I’ve enjoyed reading the book because it gives me more ideas on how to increase my passive income. The ebook is so easy to understand and you can finish it in one sitting. So if you want to learn how to earn additional income, read this ebook. Passive Income ebook will inform you that there are so many ways to earn money even while you sleep.

Artist Madhouse: Arts for Wellness

My son is into arts, he likes to draw and paint so I was not surprised at all when he joined Art Club in school. At first, I was persuading him to join the Kab Scout so he will learn life skills but of course, he will be the one to decide his own club. 

Read: Painting at Sip & Gogh

Mommy Bloggers Philippines had an opportunity to have 2-hour primer session at Artist Madhouse last Sunday. I know that QC is far from where we live but because my son loves to draw and paint, I said yes to the invitation. 

About Artist Madhouse 

"Artist Madhouse is a place of expression without the fear of being judged, as they believe, is a liberating feeling that brings happiness and meaning to our lives. 

Jem Benzon and Carolyn Tongco are Expressive Art Meditation Facilitators from Artist Madhouse. Their experience as artists, volunteers, church workers and enthusiasts of Filipino culture developed their passion for using expressive art to help people. They graduated with honors with degree in Fine Arts from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila."

Jem and Carol were there to welcome and explain to us the Artist Madhouse workshops. They have two workshops, one for kids and one for adults. 

Expressive Art and Creative Play 

"Expressive Art and Creative Play is a holistic program that empowers your child to learn in an encouraging and supportive environment. Through the expressive arts, your child is encouraged to experiment creatively, leading to discovery of new knowledge. Play, being the language of children, fosters healthy interaction with others, enhancing your child’s social skills as well."

The theme is “Superhero in Me” and they started with superhero play. The team has a secret mission to solve, they need to work together and get the fruit. Kids were very happy because when they opened the fruit, there were so many candies. 

They were also given a blank robot puppet and art materials to create their own superhero and superhero in their lives. While kids were busy doing their own artwork, mommies transferred to a different room to experience Expressive Art Meditation. 

Expressive Art Meditation

Expressive Art Meditation has helped a lot of people find healing, confidence to face everyday challenges, and be empowered to solve their life problems. We were given illustration board and art materials. 

The session started with guided meditation where you free your mind and body from any disturbance. Then art making, you can do anything you want with the illustration board. Lastly, reflect and share your artwork or experiences. It was a short session but it was a nice experience because you were able to express your thoughts through artwork. 

So if you are facing challenges in your life, you are stressed with your work or are currently at the crossroad, you can try Expressive Art Meditation. It will give you time to reflect, reassess and express your thoughts. 

After our session, we went back to the kids' rooms where they had a puppet show. They make and tell their own story, it was really good seeing the kids sharing their own story, kahit di ko gaano gets ang story ng anak ko pero at least he was sharing his own story. Hehehe! 

If you are interested in joining their workshop, visit their website

Expressive Art Meditation is P1500 per session, it includes high-quality canvas, various art materials in your very own art kit, limited edition handmade designed journals and you can bring home your artwork.

Expressive Art and Creative Play includes all the materials for 6 sessions Child’s progress report at the end of the series, a photo documentation of your child during the workshop, a certificate at the end of the workshop and a meaningful and enjoyable experience for your child 

Who can join: Ages 7-9 years old 
Venue: Mulberry Kids Preschool in Pasig City. 
5,000.00 PHP per child for 6 sessions
1,000.00 PHP per child for one session

Shrimp Bucket

We went to Artist Madhouse last Sunday while my husband stayed in UP Town Center while waiting for us (my son and I). I called my husband to pick us up and we went back to UP Town Center because I have never been there.

It was time for lunch and we immediately went to Shrimp Bucket, if you remember my post before. My husband ate here and he liked the shrimp with salted egg. I tried to cook it at home and we all loved it, sabaw pa lang ulam na. I always served it if we have a get-together at home. Click here to see the recipe. 

We waited for several minutes because no available table yet inside, the staff already asked for our order while waiting. We ordered Shrimp P560 and chose Salty Eggsperience for the special sauce per pound. Other sauces are The Mardi Gras, Coco-SOL (South of Luzon), Frenchy Lemon Pepper, The Spaniard, and Coco-curry. My son ordered Plain Salted Chicken Wings P225 and extra rice at P40 each. 

The placemat is big white paper that covers the whole table, they serve the chicken wings first which is tender, juicy, and crunchy. 

The Shrimp Salty Eggsperience was served in a plastic bag, I tried it and it was good but I prefer my Salted Egg Shrimp. So hindi pala ko binobola ng asawa ko na mas masarap daw yung luto ko. Lol. Ok love your own. If ever I’ll go back, I will try the other specialty sauces.

Read: Salted Egg Shrimp Recipe

While eating, I asked my husband why other people have bib bakit kami wala, he checked the other diners and sabi niya baka by request. Ganun,? Dapat automatic na yun, I did not ask for bib anymore at patapos na rin kami kumain. 

After that, I saw J.Co Donuts and wala pila so I bought a dozen of doughnut. Our favorite is Alcapone and I added Chocomaltine, Coco Loco and Jacky Chunk. 

Vacation Starts Now

Just like that school year is already over, my son had his final exam last Saturday so I was really happy because no more homeworks, quizzes and exams. Finally, we can have a break from lessons. 

Last Monday, my son went to school for rechecking of final exams, then we had no classes last Tuesday and Wednesday for deliberation of grades. Yesterday, my son went home and he told me that he is Red Eagle Awardee. 

“Red Eagle Certificate” - an average of 93.50 to 94.49% and no final rating in any subject lower than 90.

I was surprised because I thought that they will announce the awardees today, napaaga ng announcement so it is already a school break for some of the kids but not for the awardees. 

I’ve read the note, 

“Dear Parents, 

Congratulations! 
Your child Ethan is one of our Red eagle awardees. 
Please see attached schedule for practices.” 

So we still have to go back to school but I’m not complaining because my son has an award and I know that it is not easy to get this award. Dugo’t pawis talaga just to maintain his grades in Filipino and Araling Panlipunan. So this summer vacation, we need to read more Filipino books to enhance his vocabulary. 

I have to declutter all his school stuff and plan for his summer activities but I chose to rest. Relax relax muna and enjoy the no lessons moment.

Read

List of Summer Activities that you can Join this Summer
List of Lenten Promo and Easter Activity

Our Go-To Restaurant

Our family loves to eat out, we love to visit new restaurants and taste new foods that we don’t usually eat at home. But I can never deny that we have our go-to restaurant that we often visit whether we are in a mall, we want delivery food or we don’t want to think anymore.

Yes, when we don’t want to think anymore because before we enter the restaurant, we already knew our order. No need to check the menu, order na agad to satisfy our hungry stomach. I’ll be sharing with you our go-to restaurant for the past three months. 

1. Jollibee and McDonalds - these two are our go-to restaurants not only for the past three months but all year round because they have so many branches everywhere. If we are traveling and we are hungry, we will just drive-thru. McDonalds is my usual tambayan in my son’s school, I’ll order a happy meal, eat the food and give the toy to my son. Oh di ba, may pasalubong pa sa uwian. 

2. Shakey’s - now that they have a branch near our place, we often visit this even for merienda. Our usual order is Bunch of Lunch or Deal one, but there are times we just choose from pizza, mojos, chicken, pasta, french toast or banana split. 

3. Kenny Rogers - if we are tired of fried chicken, we eat here. Our usual order is Solo A, ¼ roast chicken, 1 regular side dish, 1 rice and 1 corn muffin for P195. It is already a complete meal and we can choose our side dish. 

4. Mang Inasal - my husband loves this restaurant because of the unlimited rice. But my son and I always order a regular meal. I love their palabok and turon split. 

5. BonChon - most of the time we will order the BonChon group meal or Seafood Platter group meal but for the past three months, we always order the boxed meal at P155. I’ve almost tried all the boxed meal pero pare-pareho lang naman lasa ng breading. Hehehe! This is the new favorite of my son, Mommy, I want BonChon, repeat 100x. 

How about you, what is your go-to restaurant?

Run for Hungry Minds

I’m not really into sports and I’m so lazy to exercise so when my husband told me that he will join fun run, I said ok, magpicture na lang ko. Then he decided to include my son so I bought running shorts last week. Two days before the fun run, he said ‘’niregister na rin kita”. Waah! "The family that runs together stays together" lang ang peg. 

Most of the time I just stay in the house, ni walking-walking nga wala ko e, then tatakbo pa ko ng 5k run. He said, pwede naman half lang. Ok fine! As if I have a choice pa. I’ll just think that I can help someone because they pledge to donate PHP 150 to Food for Hungry Minds School for each participant who completes the loop (PHP 60 per km run). 

So we woke up early last Sunday and my husband was teasing me nung nilabas ko running shoes ko. It looks new pa kasi, syempre naman mga 3x ko pa lang yata nagamit. Hahaha! 

My husband got our race kit on the day of the event. Honestly, I’m not really prepared for this event so most of the time, nagwalk lang kami mag-ina. Hehehe! 

At first, my son was complaining, “Mommy, this is not funny!” (antok pa kasi). Hehehe! There is no fun in Fun Run ba? But after several minutes, he enjoyed walking and running. 

We did 2.5km and my husband finished the 5km run. 

My warm-up and cool down pa but still my body was in pain until Monday. Nagising ang natutulog kong muscles. lol Do you also join fun run?