Choco Na Gatas!

My kids love fresh milk. I found a milk distributor in our area who delivers fresh milk straight to our doorstep (will post about them soon). However, because of the intense heat, and because A stayed over at my parents' place for most of the summer, I've had to cancel my orders for fresh milk until the rainy and cooler season comes. The milk spoils fast in this heat, even inside the refrigerator.

But RL, who nursed 'til he was 2, isn't really fond of powdered milk. He has lost so much weight since I weaned him, because he didn't exactly like the taste of local milk. I've had to mix choco powder to plain, full cream powdered milk just so he'd drink it.

And because he loves chocolate milk, this was a welcome treat for him!

Special thanks to Bear Brand and Nuffnang Philippines!

We've been buying Bear Brand Choco from the office coop for over a year now. RL loves this, so Momma is happy to oblige when he tells me he no longer has his "Choco na Gatas, Gatas na Choco" as they so aptly coined in their product commercial.

A few weeks ago, Nuffnang Philippines sent me Bear Brand Choco's latest promo pack. In it was an 800g pack of Bear Brand Choco and a FREE Ice Shaker - perfect for the heat!

RL literally forced me to make him a glass right away. We still had an open pack so I used that instead of this brand new one. It's so easy to make a glass of ice-cold Bear Brand Choco using their shaker! Here's how:

1) Fill the glass with 180ml of water.

2) Scoop in 3 tablespoons of Bear Brand Choco.

3) Add 2-3 pieces of ice.

Now here comes the fun part!

4) Cover and shake!

5) Shake, shake, shake!

6) Shake some more! (RL loves this part)

7) Open and Enjoy!

Mmmmmmm... 

RL loves his Bear Brand Choco Shake!

You can enjoy this ice-cold drink without the shaker! Any glass or reusable water bottle with lid will do. But you can still catch the promo packs at leading supermarkets nationwide. It retails for P206.00 at Shopwise.

Thank you, Bear Brand!

February Favorites!

Wow. Where did January and February go? Just like that, it's already the 20th and pretty soon, we'll be a quarter done with the year. Time sure flies!

My kids and I were sick for the first two weeks of February - so much so that as soon as we got cleared to leave the house, we've been trying to make the most of what's left of the month. Actually, we were just really itching to get out. LOL!

Here's what we've been loving this month so far...

THE NEW KITKAT CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER BAR

If you are crazy for peanut butter, then this chocolate bar's for you! The NEW Kitkat Chunky Peanut Butter bar is only available at 7-Eleven (so far). I can't wait 'til the big supers get it! It's mahalia at P41.00/bar!

EAT FRESH FAMOUS HONG KONG STREET FOOD

My church friends have been raving about this food joint for quite a while. And since we were stuck at home, I couldn't help but imagine all sorts of things I wanted to try when I got better. As soon as I got out, KY and I went to Eat Fresh (in San Juan) to get us some grub. My friend and A's pastor, L, recommends their Laksa (I'm no Laksa lover, though). Their Salt and Pepper Squid is a crowd favorite. I love their Beef Tendon Noodle Soup. Mmmm... time to head back to Eat Fresh, even if we just had it Friday for lunch (Maria Clara, QC Branch). Oh, and if you have been craving for Vita Lemon Tea, they have it there!

Find Eat Fresh Famous HK Street Food at the following locations:

- Maria Clara Street, Quezon City

- J. Abad Santos, Manila

- J. Abad Santos, San Juan

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES!

Yes, the US Breakfast Chain is finally in the Philippines! They opened their doors Friday night, and the kids and I were desperate. LOL! I have no words, except this - NOM! This visit brought back so many US memories. WE LOVE IHOP!

IHOP's first branch is at the W Global Center, 30th Street corner 9th Avenue, BGC (in between CPK and P.F. Chang's)

COLTON DIXON!

Excuse me for posting that fangirl pic again, but who can resist Colton Dixon? *swoons*  His NEW album, A MESSENGER, is finally out in the market. We co-distribute this baby in the Philippines with MCA Music. And yes, this album is a Christian album. Find it at House of Praise stores, Odyssey, Astroplus, and other music stores nationwide. Incidentally, if you get it from House of Praise (P450 SRP), you get a cool, Limited edition, A MESSENGER pin with the album.

FIX PIX WALL DECALS

Obsessed. Yes, such a strong word, but that is exactly how I feel about these decals. I have been looking for nice decals for our home, and found cheap, beautiful ones at a nearby Daiso store. Since then, I've probably been to about five stores to check on designs. So far, these are up on the wall. I'm thinking of doing the same to my boring office walls. A set goes for P200! Pretty cheap, but pretty, too, right?

POLO - THE MINT WITH A HOLE

I haven't seen this in the supers for quite some time now. So when the kids and I were in Taiwan for the Christmas holidays, this was a pleasant treat (the hotel had a huge supply at their breakfast/snack bar). When we saw that Shopwise had it again, we bought a whole box! LOL! Life IS a whole lot cooler with this mint candy. Hehe. And only P8.75 a roll! Thank you for bringing this back!

~~~

I actually want to post about another thing, but let me save it for next month when I can tell you where to get it here. But yes, it's on my fave list this month. Stay tuned? Oh, and of course there's also this addiction to CARROT FANTASY. But you knew that, didn't you?

Mom's Day Out!

Over a month ago, sometime end of June, I got an invite to join a handful of bloggers on a Day Out for Moms, courtesy of Nido Fortified. I hope you don't mind the late post as I had to leave for an out-of-the-country trip a few days after this happened, and as most of you already know, life (and death) got in the way. Yikes.

I was going through my backlog list and saw the words "Day Out - Priority" calling out to me in red, and knew I had to write this now, or never. So please excuse the late post. Pretty, please?

I was late. I had to escape from the office to make it to lunch. Wasn't really sure I wanted to go, as it was a Friday and the long commute from Quezon City to Burgos Circle in Taguig made me dread the drive. But I made it in one piece, the last mom to arrive - embarrassingly late (like this post!). Was surprised to see Ruth, as she didn't mention she'd be there, but then again, I hardly ever get to attend blogger events (oh the consequences of working full time!) and she probably didn't expect me there either.

Our afternoon of pampering started with friendly chika over lunch at Cafe Juanita. Last time I was at Cafe Juanita was for dinner with friends, when my dear friend B was in town for her wedding. It was a welcome change to have lunch there. The atmosphere was light, friendly chit chat about anything under the sun - kids and nutrition mostly, and the latest blogging chismax (oops).

Chitchat about anything under the sun, over a sumptuous lunch at Cafe Juanita. 

I had sat next to the group from Eon, and talked about their events and the brands they were handling. I also sat across Des (chicsassymom!) and Ruth, and beside Nestle experts - Dra. Juadiong and Ms. Alipao. Together, we had the loveliest lunch! Cafe Juanita never fails to please the appetite.

Unforgettable dishes at Cafe Juanita! 

After lunch, we transferred to nearby Manos Nail Lounge (yes, truly a pamper-mommy-day!), where we were given their signature Classic Mani and the Manos Spa Pedi. The Nail Lounge in itself is a lovely place, and is not your typical nail spa.

A beautiful, relaxing place to get pampered! Thank you, Manos Nail Lounge and Nido!

Manos Nail Lounge treats you like royalty as soon as you enter their doors. Each mom had an attendant to herself. I especially loved the light leg and arm massage, and noted that they asked about our preferences before they attempted anything (have had bad experience at other nail spas that cut away at cuticles without asking).

(Top left, clockwise) Ruth, moi and Des!

I think Ruth and I were too excited to catch up. In case you didn't know, Ruth Floresca was the first one to ever feature NappyCakes on broadsheet. She wrote a lovely piece about me and my little business when I was just starting out.

We were served a not-so-light snack of pasta and pizza, with Manos Iced Tea or Warm Ginger Tea.

Manos Nail Lounge knows how to pamper their clients!

Thanks to this great afternoon of pampering, Ruth and I were able to catch up on over 5 years worth of stories and news. Hehe. And I got to know more about Des and her love for all things Korean. The spa is the perfect venue for Spa-rties and the like! I can't wait to go back with my girls!

Guess which hand's mine! Beautifully-made up nails, courtesy of the lovely girls of Manos Nail Lounge! Super thanks!

Overall, it was an afternoon well-spent. Thank you, Nido Fortified for this welcome and awesome treat for busy moms like me!

I am actually happy that the folks at Nestle planned this and have taken time to reach out to real moms. I must admit that all that controversy surrounding the proposed changes to our milk code had me hesitant to attend this gathering at first. But in the end, I was glad I went and thankful to have touched base with the people (actual moms, too!) behind the Nido brand.

Stay updated! Like the Nido Fortified page on Facebook.

For more information on Manos Nail Lounge, visit their official website here.

Manos Nail Lounge 
Unit 2-I Crescent Park Residences
30th Street Cor. 2nd Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, 1201 Taguig

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