Thursday, March 12, 2015

#BentoNews | AN AWESOME DAY FOR BENTO!

Not many of you know (well, because I never wrote about it - I've been planning to, but I haven't had time - until now, hehe) about my obsession with this daily vlog on Youtube.

I will reserve the details for another post, because I am writing this in the morning, right before work. 

I just wanted to share that my absolute, favorite daily vlogger - JUDY of itsJudysLife (well, one of her many vlogs) took notice of my nori art the other day!




Aside from the Nori Art, which showed Benji (Judy's husband) and the #CoffeeMonday shirt design, I had put a lot of thought into what went on my dinner plate. I didn't have stir-fry or gyudon, so I cooked up a small batch of Spicy Angus Beef Tapa from JAMfoods instead, served it with Kimchi (Benji's favorite side dish), Avocado slices (Judy's fave), half a soft boiled egg (something I learned from Benji's food channel - another one of his faves) and cherry tomatoes (both their favorite!).

I posted this on my bento Instagram account, and had KY retweet it on Twitter.


Day 227: It is... ‪#‎CoffeeMonday‬!!! Missing Coffee Mondays on the vlogs!
So tonight, I thought I'd cut up some nori for dinner to make this deco plate
in honor of the man who started my Monday (and everyday!) Coffee habit - @benjimanfood!
On the plate: Spicy Angus Beef Tapa from @jamfoods, kimchi, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a soft-boiled egg!
Nori art set on top of cheese and premium Jasponica rice from @donamariarice!
‪#‎omnomnom‬ ‪#‎nommy‬ ‪#‎soDood‬ @itsjudytime PS. Happy Birthday to Miya and Keira!!!


I posted it right after dinner, thinking they'd probably see it just in time for breakfast on Monday (they live in WA). Lo and behold, the following day (Tuesday here, Monday evening there), Judy replies to KY on Twitter!


You can be sure that KY freaked out. Hehehe.

Yes, my nori art made COMMENT OF THE DAY! How awesome is that??!


A clip from the actual vlog where Judy mentions KY and my Twitter and IG accounts. Yay!

Here is the actual vlog where she mentions my work. Skip to 17:12 if you don't want to watch the whole video. But hey, her kids are cuties so you may want to check them out.




Thanks, Judy! xx

Awesome, awesome day for Bento! 




| To check out more of my bento work (ie. Charabens, Apple Art, Nori Art), visit my Instagram page: @momma_makes_imbento.



Wednesday, March 11, 2015

#HoarderDiaries | BEST.SLEEP.EVER.

I think I have the most erratic schedule for a full-time working mom. Truthfully, if there is one thing I would do when I am granted a day off, it would be to sleep. My mom has been bugging me about my weight, and as much as I want to lose my unwanted pounds, it is pretty difficult given that I do not get the required number of snooze hours at night to burn all that fat. Not that I eat like a cow. I am very careful about what I eat, BUT... because of age and a slower (huhuhu) metabolic rate, I find it really difficult to lose weight.

Ok, I meant to talk about sleep, and not weight. But you do get what I mean, no?

Here is what my sleep schedule looks like:

My usual weekday sleep sched.

Now, you can junk this schedule altogether on days when I have Bento Catering.

I think the problem lies in falling asleep. I have insomnia, or at least I think I do. Even on days when I am really, really tired, I don't fall asleep early. I've tried everything - resorting to ASMR videos on youtube (Maria of GentleWhispering is the best!), buying new down pillows (since the ones in hotels seem so comfy), getting a head massage before bedtime, drinking hot milk, reading, playing Carrot Fantasy over and over again...

I do fall asleep somehow, but I usually wake up with a headache, or a kink in the neck. Sigh.

So anyway, two weeks ago, RL and I got invited to attend a Tempur event in the heart of BGC. The invite actually came with a tub of popcorn (sorry, the kids devoured the popcorn before I could take a photo), as it indicated that it was also going to be a movie night (with the kids!). A had homework so she decided to stay home.




I must admit that I wondered what it had to do with Tempur. I was floored upon reaching the tent where the event was held.


Our Tempur "theatre" | Photo from Creative Juice.

Yes, think lounge but not with sofas or lounge chairs! This one made use of Tempur beds! TEMPUR BEDS!

Now if you haven't tried lying down on a Tempur mattress, I suggest going to the nearest Tempur showroom and have a feel of what it's like to lie down on one. It is heaven!

RL enjoying our Tempur Cloud mattress and the Tempur Breeze Pillow.
The bed is so soft and fluffy - feels like you are cushioned literally by clouds!

They say, once you have tried sleeping on a Tempur mattress and pillow, you will realize that there is no comparison. The material they use for Tempur conforms to your exact body shape, thus reducing discomfort. That means, all your body does once it hits Tempur material is relax, relax, relax. I must admit, I was skeptical at first because I've tried different types of memory foam mattresses and pillows (my last purchase was a memory-foam gel-type-down-feather pillow that promised all sorts but failed at all points) to help with my sleep problem (or lack of sleep, that is). So when I tried lying down on the Tempur Cloud, I must say that I wanted to forget the movie and just sleep.


Forgive the candid photo. That's me lounging on the Tempur Cloud, right before the event started.
Photo from my "roomie" Thammie Sy.

IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP
Research Data says adults need at least
7-9 hours of quality sleep.
Did you know that our bodies need a minimum number of hours of quality sleep in order for it to heal itself? Our bodies work overtime as we fall into deep slumber. Now remember my sleep = weight loss story at the beginning of this post? The body was designed to metabolize food the most when it is asleep. Moreover, our bodies not only burn the most fat when we're asleep, it also repairs damaged cells during this time. When we don't get enough sleep, our bodies deteriorate.

As adults, we need at least 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep. By quality, that means, sleeping then driving then sleeping again don't count. I guess I have to find a way to sleep more.

THE TEMPUR DIFFERENCE
The difference between a regular mattress and that of the Tempur is that the Tempur contours to the unique shape of your body. It gives you the kind of personalized support you need while you sleep. Have you ever felt numbness and discomfort after a full night's sleep? The culprit is your mattress and/or pillow!!! Yes, that kink in my neck! Plus oftentimes, I wake up feeling extra tired. It must be the mattress - we've had it for the past 14 years! With Tempur, you are guaranteed a good night's sleep. It gives you full support while your body repairs itself during the night. Tempur sure knows what your body needs. After all, it has earned itself the number one ranking for "overall customer satisfaction" and "overall quality of sleep".

10 YEARS + TEMPUR BREEZE
This year, Tempur celebrates 10 years of providing Filipinos with better sleep solutions and comfort! To mark its 10th year, Tempur introduces Tempur Breeze! It is Tempur's latest technology that gives us a fresh, new way of sleeping. With its revolutionary Tempur Climate Material, Tempur Breeze optimizes the micro-climate around your body as you sleep. It allows ideal sleep temperature by "removing relative humidity around your body, coaxing you into a deeper, more relaxing slumber." That means, with the NEW Tempur Breeze, you can say bye to pawis and sticky snoozing. All Tempur mattress types have been made available with the new Breeze technology. You can get the regular Tempur ones or the Tempur Breeze ones, depending on your needs. In the Philippines, because of our humid climate, the Tempur Breeze is more than ideal!


These TEMPUR Matress Types are now also available with the NEW! Tempur BREEZE technology!

RL and I enjoying our Tempur Breeze Pillow and Cloud mattress for the night!
No sticky feeling even though we were technically outdoors and too close for comfort!

"Mommy, can we take this bed home?"

The story behind how Tempur reached our shores is what drew me to conclude that Tempur is a product that works. Over 10 years ago, Stephen Sy of Focus Global, Inc. decided to bring in Tempur to the Philippines because he experienced how it gave him a good night's sleep. Nothing like believing in your product because of firsthand experience!  


Tessa Prieto-Valdez, our host for the night, with (from L-R) Nesim Majkoub, Regional Director for Tempur,
Stephen and Loli Sy of Focus Global, Inc., exclusive Philippine distributor of the Tempur brand. 

Anyway, RL and I, together with other moms (and dads) and their kids, got to experience the Tempur Breeze difference that evening! We watched a special screening of "How To Train Your Dragon 2" while relaxing on top of different Tempur Breeze mattresses.


Cai and Y in foreground; others in the photo totally taking advantage of their Tempur beds!

Thammie and her girls, A and M, enjoying their King-sized Tempur Original!

Achi A and RL trying our the Tempur Cloud.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Soon enough, the night was over and we had to go home. It was a fun and memorable date night for me and RL - we even got to take home our very own Tempur Breeze pillow! Woohoo!

Hello, good night's sleep!

Two days after the event, RL tells me that he dreamt we had a Tempur Cloud bed. It was so soft in his dream, just like the one we had that evening. He loved it so much, he promises to "buy" himself one when he saves enough money. Haha!

Soon, my dear. SOON.

Let me tell you something, though. I have been having the BEST.SLEEP.EVER. since getting and using that Tempur Breeze pillow. No kidding. Ask the folks at the office. I have been coming late to work for two weeks now. Oops! Haha, seriously though, my head has been cradled like a baby by my Tempur Breeze pillow. It is literally the best.

Goodbye, headaches and kink in the neck!

I have discovered what it takes to have a good night's sleep.





GO CHECK OUT HOW IT FEELS LIKE TO LIE ON A TEMPUR MATTRESS TODAY! 

Visit their showrooms at the following locations:
SHANGRI-LA PLAZA MALL | Level 5, Main Wing; 631.1391
GREENBELT 5 | Lower Ground; 728.3015
BONIFACIO HIGH STREET | B5; 856.4700

DESIGN CENTER OF CEBU | P. Remedios cor. AS Fortuna, Mandaue, Cebu; 032.520.9888/ 239.7605


Saturday, March 7, 2015

#HoarderDiaries | ARE YOU READY FOR NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY 2015?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Yes, friends! It is happening again!

McDonald's is celebrating National Breakfast Day! Now on its third year, McDonald's is sharing the goodness of a McDonald's Breakfast by giving away FREE McMuffins to the first 1,000 customers per participating store.

Remember last year and how RL was first in line for those McMuffins? Well this year, National Breakfast Day is happening on Monday, March 9! Mark those calendars!!!




"Through the National Breakfast Day, we are once again giving Filipinos, along with breakfast lovers around the world, a delicious reason to wake up to better mornings and better days ahead. All these start with a good breakfast, which McDonald's serves to millions of customers daily," said Kenneth S. Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer.

This year, I am extra excited because according to McDonald's, we can avail of the FREE McMuffin even via Drive-Thru (PLEASE NOTE: limited to two McMuffins per vehicle). Yes! That means, I don't have to stand in line while waiting for 6am. I can just fall in line while seated comfortably in my car - after bringing A to school (we leave the house at 530am, and I am usually back by 6 - just in time for that FREE McMuffin).

In case you don't already know, the Egg McMuffin (the star of National Breakfast Day) is my fave breakfast sandwich ever (the limited-time-only Chicken McMuffin with Egg comes a close second, too bad it is no longer available). Last week, this hoarder got a special treat - my friend Cai and I got an exclusive peek into how the Egg McMuffin is made!

Showing off our hairnets (for Monet!) before the tour!

McDonald's prides itself with its commitment in ensuring they use only the highest quality ingredients. Their safety practices are top-notch! We took the tour with a McDonald's Quality Assurance Officer who made sure we weren't in the way of the breakfast crew, and that we learned how much care they take in preparing our fave fast food dish!

Here is how the iconic Egg McMuffin goes from the kitchen to the warmer, then eventually to your order tray and tummy (omnomnom!)...


DID YOU KNOW: The McMuffin story started in 1970, when a legendary McDonald's franchisee named Jim Delligatti, who was still fresh from his success in developing the Big Mac, began experimenting with simple breakfast items to bring more business during breakfast hours. 


Toasting the muffins. They have to be the right toast color each and every time. 

Perfectly-toasted and buttered English Muffins ready for assembly!

McDonald's ensures that McMuffins (and everything else they offer) are prepared fresh and made with quality ingredients. We were witness to how each ingredient is carefully inspected and cooked, making sure each sandwich you get is at par with McDonald's international standards. Your Egg McMuffin here should taste exactly the same as any Egg McMuffin around the world.


Fresh Grade A Eggs from Bounty Fresh ready for cooking!

Waiting for the eggs to cook...

All the ingredients are cooked by a person assigned to a station. Once cooked, the ingredient goes into a warmer where it is kept for a specific time period or until it goes into your sandwich or meal. Once an order is received, it is time to assemble the Egg McMuffin! Yes, each sandwich is made to order!

Please excuse the blurred photos. The person in charge of assembly is an expert and we couldn't ask him to slow down during peak breakfast hour. Hehe.


Hot Buttered and perfectly-toasted English Muffin and an American Cheese slice.

A perfectly-cooked egg goes on top of the cheese. Then we add the lightly-grilled Canadian Bacon!

Plop! How perfect does that look? Mmm...

All done!

Ready for customers!

DID YOU KNOW: The McMuffin as we know it today came in late 1971 on the vision of Herb Peterson who modified an Eggs Benedict sandwich. He combined a slice of cheese with a hot egg, producing the exact consistency he was aiming for. Peter also invented the "Egg Ring," a creative cooking utensil to form the eggs in the shape of an English Muffin. He complemented the egg and muffin with grilled Canadian bacon to create the now iconic sandwich that has made McDonald's a favorite breakfast destination.


Omnomnomnomnom! 

Know more about the Egg McMuffin, check out the video below!



Now, don't you just want to get your hands on an Egg McMuffin? Don't miss the opportunity to get it for FREE! Grab your Egg McMuffin from a McDonald's participating breakfast store on the 3rd National Breakfast Day!


NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY
MARCH 9, 2015
Starts at 6:00AM 
(until 1,000 McMuffins have been given away per store) 


| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH
| instagram.com/McDo_PH


Friday, March 6, 2015

#ContestAlert | WIN A PRINCESS MAKEOVER FROM DISNEY CHANNEL ASIA!

THIS MAGICAL MARCH, EXPERIENCE THE FAIRY TALE WITH 3 OF DISNEY'S CINDERELLA MOVIES ON DISNEY CHANNEL, AND WIN A PRINCESS MAKEOVER!

I love a good Disney contest - they always give out awesome prizes. And I know a lot of you have little girls who would love to win this makeover! I wonder if A would still be game to join this... it is fairly easy to join. All you have to do is watch the special airings of Cinderella, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, and Cinderella III: A Twist In Time over on Disney Channel, and you get the chance to win a makeover for your little princess!

Here's how to join!

1] You must be a Disney Channel Subscriber.
2] You must be between the ages of 6 to 17 in order to join this contest. Parents must give consent to kids below 13 in order for them to participate in this contest.
3] Watch the Cinderella movies on Disney Channel Asia from 7 – 27 March, 2015.
4] Spot the puzzle during Cinderella, Cinderella II and Cinderella III.
HINT: The contest question features the Fairy Godmother and will be aired during each commercial break.
5] Head on over to the Disney Channel Asia contest page, and submit as many correct answers throughout the week.
6] Three winners with the most correct answers will be selected each week!
7] Winners will be announced on the Disney Channel Asia contest page on the 17th, 24th and 31st of the month. They will also receive a notification call or email from Disney. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT YOUR CABLE SUBSCRIPTION NUMBER, so make sure you qualify first before joining.
8] Each winner will get a Princess Makeover and a Photoshoot! They also get to keep the princess outfit after the shoot.





Catch the Cinderella I, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time, Saturdays at 9am (Mal/Phil)) from 7-21 March. 
Encore telecast on the same day 8pm(Mal/Phil), and the following Friday 10am(Mal/Phil).

Live your dream to be a princess now*!

* For full FAQs and Terms of Conditions, visit this link.

| DISCLAIMER: This blogger is in no way connected to this contest or its organizers. This contest appears on this blog for announcement purposes only. The contest is the property of Disney Channel Asia / The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte LTD. The contest is open to all Disney Channel subscribers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, but is covered by its Terms and Conditions.


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