You know that funky gym-equipment smell (think back to your gym-going days...you know, pre- quarantine time)?
You almost want to turn back and head home but sayang yung outfit and yung travel going to the gym :)
Now that we are mostly indoors, we still try to keep up with our workout routine. There are times when I don't feel motivated at all. For me, a good motivator (aside from food haha) would be a ready and clean set of home work-out gear and equipment.
At home I'm following HIIT exercises and there are mostly floor exercises. Imagine all the sweat going to the mat. Yikes! At first I just clean it with soapy-watered rag but since we have a steam mop anyway, I tried it and it makes me feel secure that my mat really is clean. After all:
"Based on scientific data and experiments, steam is effective in killing and eliminating up to 99.99% of viruses1 from surfaces" (https://www.polti.co.uk/)
So alam na...when bacteria 🦠 in our skin mixes with sweat and transfers to our exercise mat, it's really a no-no 🙅🏻♀️🙅🏻♀️ to just leave it there to dry. We really have to clean our home equipments too. You don't want that funky gym-odor in your home workout equipment right?
My Workout Equipment Cleaning Routine:
1. After a homeworkout, I clean the mat with soapy-watered cloth.
2. Rinse the cloth with water and use the same now-clean cloth to rinse the soap out of your mat
3. If you have a steam mop, use the small attachment to steam mop the surface of your exercise or yoga mat. (We use POLTI PH Vaporetto Smart 40 Steam Mop. I got it from Lazada back in 2018) This is also the attachment we use for steaming our pillows and mattress. This model also has a bigger attachment to steam mop floors and carpets.
4. Air-dry it.
5. Don't just roll the length of the mat!
6. Fold the mat in half, making sure that the clean part is inside, then roll it from the fold.
7. If you have a garter / velcro / thick string, use it to tie the rolled mat.
That's it! :)
Let's keep healthy and keep viruses and bacteria away! :D 🏃🏻♀️
P.S. We're using BodyBoss.com HIIT exercises at home :)
When I was still working in the corporate world (feels like eons ago!), it'd be such a treat (for me, at least) to get out of the office building and check out good food in the area. Of course since our lunch break would only be an hour, we had to narrow down our choices to places that are just walking distance or just a few minutes of drive away.
Such a thoughtful package from Super Mama. You got me at Extra Sauce :D
One particular food I'd ask my friends to go back to again and again is a Middle Eastern food joint near UA&P. My friend G would recommend the Beef Kebab Koobideh. This is a grilled minced/ground meat kebab and she says to just get this one so I don't have to bother with possible hard or chewy meat. And since we've got just an hour to walk back and forth, wait for the elevators, order, eat and make chika-chika...then I'd definitely order the koobideh, just so I can eat in peace for all of 15-20 minutes :D
Fast forward to 2019. I've had the luck of joining a fun and thriving Filipino community of food vendors and foodies - "Let's Eat, Pare"! Since this was the month of reunions and despedidas, I was always on the look out for new and yummy party dishes to add to our standard fare at home. Usually my dad would head the "cooking department" and would readily dish out kaldereta or kare-kare dishes. But with just a month in the PH, perhaps he's too tired from all their comings and goings and they deserve to sit back and relax as well, right?
So it was really great to digitally run into a post by Super Mama and asked her immediately for their party tray menu and pricelist. I'm not an expert in Middle Eastern cuisine so I was initially looking for something 'koobideh' hahaha :) I was a bit surprised there wasn't any in the menu set she sent so I just choose the 'safest pick' - for me this would be the most familiar dish within my budget. And so, the Beef Kabsa it was!
What is Beef Kabsa?
According to Wikipedia: "It is a family of mixed rice dishes that originates from Yemen however is commonly regarded as a national dish in the Gulf. Made with rice and meat and is also popularly known as makbus. These dishes are usually made with long-grain rice (such as basmati), meat, vegetables, ad a mixture of spices. The spices used in kabsa are largely responsible for its taste; these are generally black pepper, cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, black lime, bay leaves and nutmeg. The spices, rice and meat may be augmented with almonds, pine nuts, peanuts, onions and sultanas. Can be garnished with hashu and served hot with daqqus, which is a home-made Arabic tomato sauce." (Source: Wikipedia)
But what is it really? To the uninitiated like myself, it's like magic - smells and tastes like it for sure! It starts gently and you can feel the flavor building on beautifully, without being too overbearing nor offensive - nothing of that kind! The meat was sooo tender and it's like the spices are dancing in their own enchanting medley.
And what about those with more discerning palates? Of course, I just had to ask my dad and uncles, most of them have worked or are currently working in KSA (Saudi). They simply said it tasted really authentic, just like how they had it back then.
Super Mama's Beef Kabsa is quite special. I'm glad I went out of my 'Koobideh comfort zone' (haha) and tried it out. It has that festive vibe that also has a comfort food feel to it - just perfect for our mini reunion. My uncles, brother and other guests loved it too! I've had guests ask where I ordered this -- and I say only from Super Mama.
And what about the sauces? Ohhhh...super yummy and really goes well with the Beef Kabsa platter. Yoghurt garlic sauce, Hot sauce and extra Kabsa sauce. Solve na talaga!! Well, if I knew in advance how yummy this Beef Kabsa would've been, I'd definitely go out and buy loads of yogurt to make yogurt milkshake.
If you're wondering how the food went, right off the bat I'll tell you that the food was amaaaazing! :)
The Creamery is a highly recommended food catering service in a mommy group that I'm a part of, as well as some blogs here in the interwebs so we decided to give it a try. To be honest, they've been really hyped for me by fellow moms that's why I told my husband that if we are going to have a party at all, it must be The Creamery or no party! Hahaha..LOL! Good thing they still had an available slot for our event date, despite planning it only a month in advance.
I'm glad that we were not disappointed. Food tasting pa lang, wow na wow na! Really, so much WOW! :)
The menu for that day's food tasting
Daddy A says the food was great primarily because of the menu chosen. I disagree a little. Kasi during the party itself, even the kids menu was great! I saw this first hand when a kid guest in our party wanted more servings of The Creamery Spaghetti. Ditto on the chicken tocino skewers :D ---> I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself here (huh? Teleport / Time Travel lang? Hahaha) but I promise to post a separate supplier review for The Creamery.
This food tasting feels like a feast already!
As mentioned, we basically planned this party for a month. I mean the "active planning" part. I was already coordinating with shortlisted suppliers as early as July 2017 (our party date is January 2018) and was canvassing rates and packages but I couldn't finalize or book them without Daddy A's go signal. And this is weird because he was the one who requested for a party in the first place hahaha :)
We coordinated with Miss MJ Jacob for their packages and I like what I saw. Although a little bit pricier compared to other caterers we've tried before, we decided to still discuss with them and have them devise a package that will be amenable to our budget.
Finally decided to meet with MJ late November. For me, despite the conveniences of e-mail and Facebook messenger, nothing beats face-to-face discussions, especially with a very important party supplier. So we were a bit late but Miss MJ still waited for us (sorry!) and happily discussed. We agreed to have a food tasting and even if this is usually scheduled a week in advance, she was able to find a slot for us the a couple of days afterwards.
On the day of the food tasting, I'm so happy we came ahead of schedule. Thank goodness because it really is so embarrassing to come late to a meeting, right?
Anyway, as I mentioned in the beginning, the food simply blew me away. *swoons* They prepared meals from the menu we have chosen and also let us sample some new offerings. A dish like - Kare-Kare pasta. Have you tasted something like that before? Nope? Yeah, me neither! It was really an old favorite (Kare-Kare) and yet totally new to us (offering it in pasta form). If you need to know, the "cheese" is replaced with bagoong. The flavor was really rich! At that moment I already decided (in my head, at least) to make sure to have it in our package :)
Kare-Kare Pasta
Pork Sisig Taco
Dessert
The nice thing about having this food tasting, aside from checking out the food and making sure the supplier is legit is that you get to see a glimpse of other important factors that would go on in your event. For example, the efficiency of the wait staff. Also important are the styling options from the caterer itself -- remember, there are some basic styling that are already included in the package, so you can maximize this while having your (if you're having a separate one) stylist focus the budget on other stuff.
Shabby Chic - Perfect for tea parties and intimate baby showers
Hmmmm, I wonder if they'll let me taste the Kids Menu
Here are some examples of their optional buffet styling, for an additional fee.
Rustic - I love how the galvanized elements still feel neat and clean for a buffet set-up
Filipiniana - This is a theme I've always wanted to have for a birthday. Some other time, perhaps :)
Here are some of the table linen that they have in stock. I took pictures and sent it to our stylist, Sugar and Sunbeams. From there, she coordinated directly with The Creamery on which linens to bring on our event day. Hassle-free for us!
I don't know how they call this 'formally' but I think I'll label it as "Contemporary Tropical Chic". I love the rose gold matched with black, the lush wall backdrop and of course the geometric elements that are in this layout.
Contemporary Tropical Chic
Contemporary Tropical Chic
Oooooohh...this one's perfect for a boho fete! I actually want to have a macrame for myself too, just have to figure out how to protect it from Manila's dust and pollution.
Boho
Now, this one's something that fellow foodies and oilers would probably appreciate too. Especially if they will be using real herbs for this.
For contrast, wouldn't it look absolutely fantastic with steak cooked on the spot? Yes please!
Now for the clincher - which menu to choose? Ultimately everything tasted like heaven and it's really a hard decision to make. So I leave that task to Daddy A. Were it me to decide, I'd probably even choose 2 menus to be combined! Hahaha. The height of being a PG foodie LOL! :D
Seriously, of course you have to consider your budget primarily, the type of event you will be hosting, and your guests as well.
I am soo happy with our final menu and over-all with their food quality and services during our party! Best of luck in your party planning too! :D
I know you'd probably want to see an unboxing video but I got so excited and just dove right into using it!
Oh well, I'm really really happy with this purchase - I LOVE it!!! :)
So far I've tried it on our mattress, floors (wooden, tiled) and car. In all instances, it did not let me down. And really, thank God for that because this is sooo easy to use. I am saying this as someone who came from households (my parents and parents-in-law) that use the Rainbow (water filter) vacuum.
What I appreciate most about it? Aside from all the tools / attachments that came in the box (crevice, mini motorized brush, torque head, soft roller, combination, soft brush), it is designed as a grab-and-go kind of vacuum. Meaning -- I'm able to vacuum immediately when I have the time, don't need to deal with heavy and very long cords, and just bring it back to the dock to charge. Dyson promises 60 minutes of vacuum time on low and personally that's just right for the kind of cleaning I am able to do. You know how it is with kids - it is nearly impossible to devote a whole day for cleaning. After a few hours somebody's bound to call for mommy. :D
I know that despite all the technological advances, this wouldn't be the best vacuum for everyone. But for our current lifestyle, home size and needs, this suits us perfectly! :)
During last month's check-up with Z's pedia, we were utterly surprised (myself teary-eyed) when the doctor said, **beep beep, magyayabang lang po ang mommy!** "Wow! So galing naman ni Z and she's so funny pa! She's much more developmentally advanced than a significant number of my baby patients!" Friends, pagbigyan na po ang proud mommy but I promise, that's really what the doctor said! [Well to be fair, we still have some catching up to do in terms of Z's ideal weight but that's another topic altogether]. Daddy A and I were all smiles until doc mentioned, "Dapat i-video niyo yung milestones.."
That's where I got the idea and I guess that was also the point when Daddy A's huge smile turned into a poker-face-I-heard-nothing look. Hahahaha... And so it got me thinking, "Oo nga, we have lots of photos but not much videos. Should we look into getting a camcorder now?"
The ever-prudent Daddy A said that the Fujifilm X20 mirrorless camera would do. After all, it was a huge expense investment from last year. My only beef was that, it took too long to track and focus for video...not good from a first-time mom's perspective. At times it could barely keep up with baby's dancing feet and the output became super blurred. And don't get me started about using the mobile phone for this task. Super low/no storage left for even a few pictures na siya talaga!
So I started researching from my favorite Amazon.com and whittled down my option to three, based on the specifications listed and also the verified customers' reviews. For a few weeks I went back and forth with the different reviews for Canon VIXIA HF R500, Sony HDRCX240/B & Samsung F90. Medyo hard din pala to research on camcorders because it's not as extensively reviewed as cameras like DSLR's, mirrorless, micro 3/4, etc. There's also the variation in naming conventions across international markets. Take for example Canon's offering which is named Vixia in North America which is called Legria in Asia. Ganern! :)
But the good thing, at least for us (excited and excitable) parents, is that it seems that there really is a camcorder/videocam segment devoted to us so we can document our children's milestones. Features would even include baby mode! If you need more "artistic", documentary feel shots some also have grainy chrome modes or time-lapse feature which is just so cool!
The following were also important considerations for me:
1. Budget - I would've been okay with my Flip Video (which was a freebie at an event, by the way) but it broke down already *sigh!*. Considering we just bought a camera last year, we wanted something that wasn't too expensive. Preferably something in the less than USD $300 region.
2. Features - Full HD is a must! Good optical zoom and image stabilization are also preferred knowing that we would be doing mostly hand-held shots. I also wanted something that can take good videos in low light and good battery life.
Did I want wi-fi? Not really, since I presumed the transfer rate would be ultra slow. How about internal memory? Well that's a plus if offered!
How about one with an optical viewfinder? We decided we were okay with the LCD screen (for our needs). Hot shoe for external microphone? Not really part of our list.
3. Baby Proof - As a rule in our home, everything should be baby-proof. And that should include our gadgets. We want to be free to explore as we make and capture memories, without having to ever worry about spills, bumps and the likes.
4. Warranty - If we were buying from abroad, we definitely wanted to have International Warranty so that we will still be covered here in the Philippines.
5. Ease of Use - I have no delusions of being a pro videographer. We just want something that's nice, easy to use and plug & play as much as possible. Should also work with Windows Movie Maker / iMovie or have its own bundled video editing software. A light, handy and solid form factor would be great as well!
We were lucky that my brother was in Hong Kong at the time and had the chance to shop for us. While I we were so bent on getting the Canon Vixia / Legria, the lack of international warranty became the deal breaker for us. Good thing, the salesperson at Fortress Hong Kong was able to recommend an alternative that would've fit our needs the best.
Introducing - the JVC HD EVERIO. If you would notice it's not even included in my original list of options but what drew me to this particular model (aside from being recommended by the Fortress staff and by my bro) is its Quad Proof feature - meaning, it's water-proof, dust-proof, shock-proof and freeze-proof. How amazing is that?? I was hesitant at first because the Canon had more reviewers (and I assume, more buyers) but I trusted my brother's opinion on this. So we gave the JVC Everio a try and so far so good..we love it!
Just to be clear, I'm not saying this is a perfect camcorder; it also has it share of drawbacks. Some due to its very nature of being a quadproof videocam. Like its internal microphone's performance for instance, which is a bit restricted because of the water-sealing feature. I also wasn't impressed with its performance in low-light conditions. If you want the nitty-gritty's, blogs like Reviewed.com and Videomaker.com provide complete and transparent technical reviews for us to appreciate so you can be guided on your buying decision making process. But again, over-all, we're happy because the JVC Everio is more than enough for our family's particular needs.
JVC HD Everio GZ-R50
Here's a sample video I've edited using the JVC Everio bundled software. If you wanna know how long it took to make, it's roughly the entire time of the recent Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.
I enjoyed dabbling with it and I hope I can do more and better work with the iMovie and Windows Movie Maker. Enjoy watching and stay tuned for more Mommy Meowmeow Vlogs coming your way! :) [Thought bubble: now how about that glider? Hehe *wink, wink* Daddy A!]
Ours also came with a JVC Everio bag and a Transcend 16G SDHC card courtesy of Fortress HK.
Thanks are in order to my Bro A and Ninang V for shopping and getting this for us in Hong Kong. Thank you so much also to my Dad R and Mommy M for deciding to give this a gift to their dear apo :)
**In the spirit of full disclosure, there are affiliate links on this post, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from Amazon. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands :)
The Tula baby carrier is the latest in our baby-wearing arsenal but I'm compelled to give a review of it first before the others. As if I haven't done 2 prior blog posts about it already (here and here)...can't you tell I'm so excited about this one? Hehe :)
Baby wearing mom and little one in a kiddie party contest...our team won! :)
The move to a Soft-Structured Carrier (SSC)
I've had 3 different carriers prior to our Tula. Of those, I was most satisfied with the Baby K'tan Breeze Baby Carrier. The baby wearing learning curve with the K'tan was short and definitely not steep, baby and I felt so comfy and it was the only place she'll sleep in whenever we were out. Yup, even in the craziest and noisiest of malls! In short, I love it! I also loved the fact that the K'tan was usable up to 35 lbs of baby's weight.
Wearing Z in the Baby K'tan Breeze
Well, what do you know? When Z hit the 15-lb. mark, oh boy did my back hurt! Sure I was able to wear her for more than an hour in it. But the moment I took it off, I was in so much pain. I researched a bit to see if I was wearing her wrong or whether IT IS JUST ME who's not as strong. What I found is that (1) I really don't have strong back muscles and (2) there really are mommas who transition from slings or hybrids to SSC's or soft-structured carriers once their baby gets heavier. I guess I would be one of them.
At first I didn't really want to have to buy ANOTHER carrier. After all, the mounting costs would soon probably be more expensive than the stroller we initially bought - to carry the baby. But I've seen the difference baby wearing makes and the obvious benefits. As far as our experience goes, even if we bring the stroller with us, I still end up wearing Z 95% of the time! But when we're shopping, the stroller is still great for carrying the bags! :p
Why the Tula
Like many Filipino moms, I've never even heard of the Tula until a few months ago! In my mind I was sooo bent on getting a hip seat carrier as it looked easy enough but I was still second guessing it so I researched more. From most online reviews I've read, it seems that the hip seat they were using were sponsored by the company so I thought there might be some bias with their review. I also checked baby wearing groups on Facebook and the only person who said she owned it was already selling. So the lack of non-sponsored reviews and my own uncertainty made me shy away from this product.
I also had my eyes set on getting an Ergo. It was, after all, highly available in almost all SM Baby Company stores and seemed to be the SSC standard. However, some moms who have used it have commented that it may be easily outgrown. Sometimes even before baby hits the 1 year mark! See Georgia of Documenting Delight's blog post about their Ergo to Tula experience here.
I think most baby-wearing-in-SSC-moms would love the Tula (don't you already?) specifically because it is FUTURE-PROOF. It has wider panels than most other carriers hence it can help support you and your baby well into toddler-hood, while maintaining the correct "M" leg and bum position. Aside from that, the back panel is also a bit taller than the others which should help you be more comfortable especially if you child is a 'leaner'. Should you find yourself between sizes (between Standard Baby and Toddler), there is also the Free to Grow extension panels. See The Portable Baby's comparison chart of different carriers to know the features of the different carriers.
And and and. Have you seen their prints? They really are just some of the best ones out there. Honestly, I avoid going back to their website...I might be tempted with a wrap conversion (WC) carrier...oh the pretty little wrappeys!!! Well if money was no object (I doubt, haha) and I'd qualify for the chance to buy a WC, I most definitely would..and happily I would add.
It is by far nowhere near affordable but it pays for itself in the future. And that is not just a sales ploy I used on my husband! Hah! Why do I say that? First is that I can use it for longer. The Tula Baby (Standard) Carrier can be used up to 45 lbs, with the free-to-grow extension, it is essentially converted into a Tula Toddler Carrier! But note that the true Toddler carrier will carry up to 50 lbs. Second, and this is what I found hard to do in my other carriers, is that I can breastfeed well in the Tula (see picture below)! Third is it is really ergonomic - no more back and shoulder pains for me or at least I haven't noticed any yet! I feel that baby's weight is really supported especially with the width and thickness of the padding. Fourth - I can actually do chores while baby wearing! And as most baby-wearing moms can attest, it amuses our kids no end. I was able to shop for groceries (alone!), cook bake and wash dishes (baby was worn on my back). I was able to exercise (walking only) and even attend our Sunday Mass with baby in the Tula! And dads, now you get to share in the baby wearing adventure!
I tell you mommies, it really is worth it! :)
Impressions
100% satisfied! I love (love, love, love) it!! :) I feel I have won the baby wearing jackpot with the Tula! The materials used and build quality are great. And based on their manufacturing process flow (quality vs quantity) wherein only 1 person attends to your carrier from start to finish, I feel the love and care that goes with its creation.
They are also a responsive company. If you're unsure with the size, just email your little one's height, age and weight to their customer service (help@babytula.com). Cassiopeia (hello!) has been so helpful to me when I was still deciding which size to buy. Wearing it - front carry (facing in) was a no-brainer. Basically if you can buckle up a seat belt then you're set! Just remember to adjust properly so it will be comfy for both of you. And make sure baby's legs and bum are in the proper "M" position, with her knees slightly higher than her tush. Back carry (facing in) is the one I find most comfortable to wear her for longer periods of time. However, this is a major learning curve for me! I dare not do it without a spotter! But again, Georgia of Documenting Delight has a great tutorial for doing the back carry on your own, of course without flipping baby to the back!
Heat - Personally, no significant difference between using the Saya, K'tan or my Ring Sling. As most baby wearing moms would say, as long as you add an extra layer of cloth and of course your baby, there will be additional heat generated. I find it does not disturb me at home, inside a well-ventilated Church and in an air-conditioned mall. As always, you can discern for yourself keeping in mind your environmental considerations. Would I take it for a hike? Probably in Baguio where it is cold. :)
Caveats - unlike other carriers, you cannot do an X strap for the front carry. Neither can you do a hip carry with the Tula Baby Carrier. I find the pocket useful only for a few coins, maybe? Doesn't have a panel pocket to tuck the hood into but if it matters, the hood is detachable so you can stash it somewhere else :)
Can you really do things / chores while wearing it? - Yes! When Z's yaya has to take the day off, I don't mind as long as I have the Tula! :) Again, it's more functional for me as I am able to do more / harder chores than simply picking up clothes or fixing our beddings. Talk about grocery shopping, cooking, baking, real cleaning (as opposed to? hehehe)
Does baby love it? - Absolutely! Maybe it's the carrier, maybe it's my silly antics with us horsing around but I can say enough that she loves being IN there! In fact, there are times when she would cry if we try to take her out. Talk about attachment..Yes she can sleep in there too! No less than in a jam-packed mall with sale-crazy people! :) She's comfy and happy = we're happy!
The Tula makes us happy!!!
Breastfeeding friendly
Yes yes and yes!!! Little Z got cranky and sleepy at a Jollibee party. Good thing I was ready with my nursing wear. After a few adjustments on the straps and repositioning Z, we were good to go! No need for a nursing cover as the hood already serves that function. No one was the wiser that a little one has gone on nursing. They just kept saying, "Awww. she's sleeping now.."
Some mommies suggest to wear a cardigan or a shawl over it to make sure no tiny bits are showing :)
Peso Power
If you have the available funds, I say go with the Tula! Luckily, the stars aligned for me and I was able to afford it.
Tula Baby Carrier - $ 149
Free to Grow Extension - $30
Shipping from USA to Philippines (thru Johnny Air Cargo/JAC) - $39 TOTAL: My hubby's eyes rolling! Hahahaha :D
Retail Availability
1. The good news is that for Philippine-based moms & dads, there is already a reseller. How I wish I have learned of this sooner. You can check out CEO Emporium for available sizes and styles. Since I already have my carrier, I just ordered the drool/suck pads from the owner, Ms. Candy.
2. You can order directly from their website (http://www.tulababycarriers.com/), indicate the Johnny Air US address (they have in New York and Los Angeles, California) and have it shipped by Johnny Air Cargo to you, door-to-door!
3. Or you can use my Amazon links below if you want to maximize your Amazon Prime membership! Just remember to check the correct size before ordering! :)
4. There is a baby wearing event tomorrow to celebrate Babywearing Week 2014. Check the details below and make sure to register...Tula will be there! :)
Wife to "my loving chinito" Arch. Andrew, homeschooling Mommy to our bright-eyed and beautiful Little Miss Z and also to our cutie ball of laughter Baby E. Prof to my students at the university and a Licensed Real Estate Broker too!
Food, fitness, travel, oiling, and a good read are my cheap thrills and absolute pick-me-uppers.
Happy to explore love and life - then in black and white, and now in technicolor!
mirrorless camera would do. After all, it was a huge 
and whittled down my option to three, based on the specifications listed and also the verified customers' reviews. For a few weeks I went back and forth with the different reviews for 
:
. The baby wearing learning curve with the K'tan was short and definitely not steep, baby and I felt so comfy and it was the only place she'll sleep in whenever we were out. Yup, even in the craziest and noisiest of malls! In short, I love it! I also loved the fact that the K'tan was usable up to 35 lbs of baby's weight.
