Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Ordinary Weekends

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We do not have big things planned this weekend. And that's all right.
 
Our weekends start slowly on Friday with an early date with my husband.  That is usually followed by a movie date at home with the kids when they can sleep a little past their usual bedtime. Saturday and Sundays are filled with the kids' extra-curricular activities, church and visits to the mall.  We pretty much have a standard weekend routine. Nothing grand unless we are invited to an event or we're celebrating an occasion. But that's perfectly all right. We thrive on routine and celebrate the ordinary.  
 
You see, there will come a day when the kids will have their own families and spending time together means having to schedule an appointment. Those are the days when these lazy weekends will become a sacred memory. I would hate to look back and wish I that I had paid more attention to the ordinary days. Cherish the season and enjoy the moment.
 
I'd like to end this post by sharing an excerpt from Katrina Kenison's book "The Gift of an Ordinary Day".  
 
"The bookshelf in my own living room is full of photo albums, nearly twenty years worth of well-documented birthday cakes and holidays,  piano recitals and Little League games.  But the memories I find myself sifting through the past to find, the ones that I’d give anything now to relive, are the ones that no one ever thought to photograph, the ones that came and went as softly as a breeze on a summer afternoon.
 
It has taken a while, but I certainly do know it now–the most wonderful gift I had, the gift I’ve finally learned to cherish above all else, was the gift of all those perfectly ordinary days."
 
Here's to a beautiful ordinary weekend.  TGIF!
 
 

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What's On That Doorknob?

Are you a germaphobic? I have friends who are super wary of germs. They are probably the biggest contributors to the tissue and alcohol industries.  My husband may not agree but I do not think I fall into this category.  I mean, sure I can be OA to a certain degree and advocate hand washing all the time. But when my daughter's last cookie falls on dry floor, I would most likely be okay to let her continue eating it.

Last Monday, my husband and I had dinner with some friends who were telling us about the benefits of ultraviolet light (Yep, just an ordinary group of friends talking about the beauty of Science over dinner). They were telling us about a new product that kills viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, pathogens, and airborne allergens. I may be okay with a little dirt here and there but they had me at 'viruses'.  You know how these days you hear of people getting sick and doctors cannot figure out what's causing the illness? The diagnosis would almost always be 'It's viral'.  That made me think of how fast these viruses mutate into new microorganisms that medicine, in some ways, could not catch up anymore.  That thought can make easily make this non-germaphobic mom want to put my kids in a bubble.

They always say prevention is better than cure. Don't wait until a new virus mutates before you come up with a medical treatment. I say we nip the problem in the bud and kill those nasty viruses before they invade our homes! Enter UV Care.
 
UV Care specializes in harnessing the benefits of Ultraviolet (UV-C) to help protect people from harmful microbes found in our environment.

All products are guaranteed to use germicidal UV-C light without harmful ozone (O3) gas. UV-C is one of only few technologies that can kill 99.9% of invisible bacteria and viruses (including H1N1, E. Coli, MRSA) as well as mold, dust mites, fleas, bed bugs and their eggs.

UV Care products are 100% chemical-free, quick and easy to use on all hard surfaces, soft furnishings and bedding as well as difficult to clean items such as keyboards, telephones, crevices and other unreached areas. They won’t damage delicate fabrics but will eliminate odors, kill germs and leaves no harmful residue.
So they showed us how it works and did a swab test in our bedroom before the treatment. The results showed 2540 level of microorganisms. After we set up a Room Steriliser and left it for 30 minutes, the swab test went down to only 396.  It will continue to work even after the disinfecting process as the microorganisms continue to die. Should we test it again after 24 hours, the level would have gone down by 99.9%. 
 
It was very easy to operate and perfect for disinfecting large areas without a lot of manual work. I think it's ideal for homes, schools, hospitals and even movie theatres. My friend said that one theatre in Makati already got from them. Knowing this makes me want to watch movies from that theatre more often. 
My husband with owner and friend, Jun, ready to test the Room Sterilizer
Before and after swab test results
We set the Room Sterilizer for 30 minutes and left the room
 The Room Sterilizer in action 
 
 
While you cannot enter the room during the disinfecting process, the UV is very safe and does not emit harmful radiations. They are essentially the same UV that we get from the sun. They only encourage people not to enter the room while the UV light is on to avoid hurting our eyes. You know how staring at the sun for long periods of time will hurt your eyes? Same with the UV products. 
 
My friend told me about how she got really sick with cough and colds after her daughter was born. To avoid contaminating her baby and the whole family, they used the Room Sterilizer to disinfect their bedroom. And with that alone, no one from their family got infected.  Despite the close contact with her baby during breastfeeding, the virus was never passed on.

If you are not ready to invest in the Room Sterilizer, there are other options for you. They have three sizes of hand-held steriliser. These are also perfect to bring to vacations when staying in hotels. You may use it to clean hotel beds, bathrooms, and even coffee mugs. 
 
Ultra Germ Terminator
Deluxe Germ Terminator
Pocket Sterilizer
They also have other products such as the Toothbrush Sterilisers that disinfects your toothbrushes so you are assured of clean brushes before putting them in your mouths.
 
Finally, there is the Multi-purpose Sterlizers which is essentially a box that can be used to sterilize baby bottles, children's toys, kitchen utensils and basically anything you like. 
If you are interested to see a demo and learn more about the benefits of UV Care, you may reach out to them directly to schedule an appointment using the contact details i have listed below. 

See what the new says about UV Care here and be equipped with knowledge. Let's fight these viruses together and protect the future of our children. 

UV Care 
+63 977 822-8556
+(632) 904-0366
sales@uvcare.net 

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5 Tried and Tested Non-Petroleum Jelly Beauty Hacks

I have seen so many articles talking about the different uses of Petroleum Jelly. I love affordable all-in-one products. Petroleum Jelly definitely fits the bill. The thing is, my research on the different uses of petroleum jelly has also lead me to various articles talking about the dangers of using them. With findings ranging from clogged pores to cancer, I decided to play it safe and look for a better alternative.
 
I found two good alternatives to petroleum jelly. Alba Botanica's Un-petroleum Multi-purpose Jelly and Earth's Best Non-Petroleum Jelly.  Both of them use natural essential oils instead of the controversial petrol. Alba Botanica's un-petroleum is not yet available locally in the Philippines but you can find Earth's Best's non-petroleum jelly in Healthy Options.
Here are the five beauty hacks that I have personally found most helpful for me.
 
1.  Lip Balm

My husband has been diligently using petroleum jelly on his lips before going to bed ever since I have known him. Err, that did not sound quite right, did it?  But yeah, he gets really dry skin all year round and his lips are not exempted. I see the petroleum jelly on our bathroom counter and have been trying it the past months. I now understand his nightly passion for it.

But yes, we've now transitioned to the non-petroleum kind and it works equally well.

2.  Eye Cream

I have been using the non-petroleum jelly as my eye cream the past month. I pat it around my eyes every night before going to bed. They say it treats crows feet and prevents new ones from forming. I have yet to truly confirm its efficacy but it's cheap and it makes sense. So it's staying in my nightly routine until further notice.

3. Foot Moisturizer

Generously coat your entire feet with the non-petroleum jelly and put socks over them. Sleep with the socks on and I promise you will wake up with super soft feet!

4.  Eyelash Conditioner

They say it conditions, thickens and lengthen the lashes. Need I say more?

5. Make-up Remover

I do not regularly use eye make-up. And this is mainly because I hate removing them. I always end up with raccoon eyes that stays until the next day. This non-petroleum does the job. It removes make-up and conditions your eye area. Two-in-one!

If you're also iffy about using the commercial petroleum jelly, check out the two other safer alternatives. It's a handy product to keep in the house.
 

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My First Painting Project at Sip & Gogh

I am not an artist. I love to draw since I was a child but compared to my sister and some friends, it will be very embarrassing to claim that I am good at it. So when my sister told me about a painting studio that opened a couple of years ago, I was curious but not entirely excited.  I was probably more enticed by the thought of drinking wine while chatting with my seatmates. #FeelingSosyal
 
Then last month happened.  My office mates and I decided to give it a shot since the company was sponsoring.  We booked our session online and met one Tuesday afternoon in the Kapitolyo branch.
When booking online, make sure to check if your slot is for an Open Session, which means that you can choose your own project, OR if your session comes with a theme. Read the FAQ to learn more about what happens in a session.
 
Each package comes with a drink and some appetizers. Only guests 18 years old and above may order alcoholic beverages. Speaking of which, they accept guests as young as 5 years old! I am not so sure if  5-year old daughter will be able to successfully do a project on her own though.  It was seriously a bit challenging for me!  But the folks at Sip & Gogh seem pretty confident that she can do it.  I am still contemplating if it is worth trying for P1,000 per session.
People say that painting is therapeutic and relaxing. I can understand how that is true for people who know what they are doing. But for amateur folks like me, it was so stressful trying to figure out if I was doing it correctly. Not so say that I did not have fun, it was just not as relaxing as I thought it would be. I was stress-eating my cheese platter and finished it 1/4 into my project.
Overall I would say it's worth checking out. I might do it again but maybe do an open session this time. Let's see if it indeed gets sweeter the second time around.
 
Sip & Gogh Kapitolyo
2/F ACE Hotel and Suites, United St. cor Brixton St.
Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines
 
Landline Number: +632 632 0069
Mobile Number: +632 977 804 4384

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Track Your Kids with dokiWatch

There have been many horror stories going around Viber and our Social Media circles these days about children getting lost. From mall toilets to Disney theme parks, it has truly made me extra anxious about safety when we're out.  My husband, on the other hand, is a little bit more relaxed. He does not want me to get too uptight since the kids will not learn to be independent that way. But in this scary world, how can I truly relax and let go?
 
The other day I found a You Tube ad of dokiWatch. It's a smartwatch for kids ages 6 to 12 years old that has a GPS locator and can receive text and video calls from parents.  Furthermore, it has an SOS function which automatically sends an alert to the parents' smartphone and allows you to listen to a live audio of the surrounding environment of your child. 
I did more research and found that dokiWatch's founder and CEO, Caspier Chen, used to work for FitBit which is probably why the dokiWatch also has a fitness module and step counter.
 
As of today, June 2016, the watches have not yet been launched.  However, you may already pre-order form their website. They come in four playful colors for the kids.



 

Watch the two videos below to learn more about how the dokiWatch works. Is it a Yay or Nay for you? Too stalker-ish or a good tool for safety? Tell me what you think!
 

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Tribord Easybreath Snorkeling Mask

Here's what your kids need to experience full snorkeling fun: Tribord masks!

Unlike the traditional Snorkeling Mask and spout, this one is very easy for the kids to use since they can breathe through their nose while underwater. On top of that, the breathing tube has an automatic shut-off function so that water will not go inside in case you dip your head too low. Of course, needless to say, the mask will give you a better view of the sea with the 180 degrees visibility screen. 
I am very grateful my friend recommended that mask to me because it gave my 8-year old son the confidence and motivation to snorkel without worrying about the technicalities of breathing through your mouth. Given the compressed air inside the mask, it will also give your head a certain level of buoyancy. When my husband and I use the mask (yes, they have adult sizes too!), we don't even use life vests anymore. Although I don't recommend doing that when you're swimming with the kids as it can get tiring to keep on paddling to stay afloat.

The masks come in four sizes (XS, S/M, M/L, L/XL) and three colors.



Here's a guide on how to get the right size to fit your face.
There are imitation easybreath masks now and I have not tried them so I cannot say whether they're a good replacement or not. But from the reviews, I heard that the imitations fog easily. Not something you'd want to worry about once you or your kids are already in the water.
The Tribord masks cost P3,500 here in the Philipines. We got ours through a seller we met at OLX. You may also order online through Amazon.


 

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Kiwa Korean Grill Dining

Last week, I had the privilege of being invited to try Kiwa Korean Grill Dining in Solaire.  Kiwa claims to be the only Korean fine dining barbecue restaurant in South East Asia so it's definitely worth visiting.
 
The word "Kiwa" refers to a roof tile that is used in traditional Korean homes.  The owners wanted the restaurant to be a place for shelter, comfort and relaxation. And I must say, the beautiful interiors will certainly give you that relaxing vibe.  Kiwa is owned by Dr. David Shim, CEO of Solaire Korea and his associates.
Entrance to Kiwa
These Korean bears are probably as big as Dawn. They welcome guests at the foyer.


The hallway leading to the main dining area. Behind these walls are private dining rooms.

Kiwa has 8 private dining rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 8 to 48 persons.
This photo taken from my iPhone surely does not justify the beauty of the place. I promise you, it's amazing!

Our table with the beautiful bay view
Kiwa promises fresh ingredients. They only use the best available grade A+ Wagyu beef from Japan and those that are USDA.  They follow strict 5-star hotel sanitation regulations which is a great comfort when you're eating in a restaurant that serves raw food. The quality of the meals and the top-notch service easily justify the average cost per person starting from P800 for rice sets, P1,500 for lunch sets and P3,000 for the full course menu. I must say though that the servings are quite generous. I was already pretty full with the appetizers alone.
 
So now, I present to you some photos of our fabulous meal.
Haemui Pajeon
Platter of scallop sashimi, steamed shrimp, salmon sashimi, steamed octopus and marinated tomato

Tomato-Yangsangchu Salad
Seasoned seafood in a whole tomato salad
My favorite appetizer! The Pumpkin Salad. Mashed pumpkin with assorted nuts. I will surely be back for this.

Baebaek Kimchi 
Rolled white kimchi inside a whole pear. The server cuts the pear up in front of you as soon as they serve it. How beautiful is that?


Haemui Pajeon
Pancake mixed with seafood, spring onion and assorted vegetable with spicy soy sauce and sesame oil on the side

Japchae
And now the main course! They serve the pork first followed by the beef. I am not a meat person so it's worth mentioning that I had double servings of the beef! It melts in your mouth and I love how they marinated it very well. Wrapping it in various vegetable leaves, true to Korean barbecue style, makes the dish quite healthy (or maybe I'm just trying to convince myself!)
Seasoned Pork Belly

Yang Neyom Gal BI
Grilled marinated beef with Kiwa's special sauce
 

Another thing that sets Kiwa apart from the many Korean barbecue places in Manila is that it's smoke-free! You read that right - smoke-free! The grillers practically inhale all the smoke so they do not stick to your clothes. You can head back to the office without smelling like your lunch.

Check out this video I took while we were grilling the beef. Notice the smoke is going to the sides and does not go up.
Finally, the dessert! If you like red beans, you will love this. It's like Halo Halo but mostly red beans. I love love love it!

Kiwa is having their grand opening on January 28 and will be serving more items on the menu and will be adding lunch sets in the P500 to P700 range. It's a great place for dates (go during sunset!), business meetings, and with the family. The kids will enjoy watching the meat get cooked in front of them.

Thank you, Mish, for inviting us. It was wonderful dining experience. I will be back very soon.
kaye, cai, Jackie, neva, tin, me, michelle
 

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