My Recipe: Vegetable Spaghetti Ala Vee

Spaghetti has been one of the staple foods in various kiddie parties. In our home, it is my husband's favourite pasta, which eventually became E's favorite as well. What is the difference of this one to other spaghetti? Well, I did not use any meat. Here's how:

Ingredients:

(For the Sauce)

1 kilo spaghetti sweet style sauce (this is loved by kids)
Tomato paste (the amount will actually depend on you. This helps the sauce to be a little thick and creamy)
5 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup butter
1 whole garlic minced
2 onions minced
1 large size of carrot cut into small cubes
1 large size red bell pepper cut into small cubes
1 tbsp dried basil leaves
1 270g mushrooms thinly cut
pepper
1 small can condensed milk

(For the pasta)

Spahetti or angel hair pasta (I used 450-500g)
3 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp rock salt

Procedure:

1. For the pasta, cook it according to its instructions located on its back label.
2. For the sauce:
    a. Saute' garlic (until brown) and onions (till caramelized) with olive oil and butter.
    b. Place the mushrooms and leave it for about 3 minutes.
    c. Place carrots and leave for 3 minutes.
    d. Place spaghetti sauce and stir. Let it simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes.
    e. Place red bell pepper, basil leaves and black pepper. Mix in tomato paste and condensed milk. Let it simmer again for about 10-15 minutes. Stir the sauce mixture once in a while for it to avoid sticking with the cooking pan.

Pour the sauce on the pasta. Serve warm. Top it with grated cheese.
HAPPY EATING!

Pre-Product Review: Hair Regrowth Through NOVUHAIR

For a woman like me, our hair serves as our "crowning glory." We are often more concerned of how does our hair look like than our skin (well at least for me since I find my skin to be more manageable than my hair). This also holds true to my husband who for about 2 years now has been having a problem with hair loss. Prior reviewing the gift of Novu Hair, we must first answer some questions about hair loss.

Hair Loss Facts

Types of Hair Loss

• Involutional Alopecia - a natural condition in which hair gradually thins when we come of age.
• Androgenic Alopecia - this can be possibly experience by both male and female. Men may begin experiencing this in their teens while for us women; we may being experiencing this in our 40s.
• Alopecia Areata - this is a patchy hair loss among young and adults that could even result to tap hair loss. On the other hand, about 90 percent of these cases return to normal hair condition after a few years.
• Alopecia Universalis - hair all over the body falls out (yes everything!).
• Trichotillomania - psychological order where one person pulls out his/her own hair and is mostly seen in children.
• Telogen Effluvium - temporary hair thinning over the scalp.

In addition to this, hair loss may be hereditary, genetics, severe stress, illness, result of over-all ageing process, hormonal changes (especially for women who just gave birth or are still pregnant) and nutritional changes.

Treatments For Hair Loss

There has been a lot effort scientifically in negating this natural human phenomenon. On the other hand, in the advent of science and technology also, natural remedies are already available and this is where NOVUHAIR enters.

NOVUHAIR Pre-Product Preview 
(My Husband's Testimony)

Novuhair Topical Shampoo and Topical Scalp Lotion

NOVUHAIR is a product that boasts of its natural herbs, essential oils and nutrients that naturally treat hair problems the safest and effective way.

My husband started using these two main NOVUHAIR products last May 5, 2014. As I have sighted above, he has been suffering for a kind of alopecia for I guess 6 months now aside from the fact that baldness is somehow hereditary in his father side. 

For a month now, 2 patches of hair loss are still present though we noticed thin brownish hair follicles that are already starting to grow. The product promises that a greater result can be seen after the first set of package is used. My husband is actually on his halfway using the product and currently we both are satisfied with result we are seeing.

On the other hand, it must be noted that CONSISTENCY in using the product is needed. Likewise, your job type is also a factor. My husband is now in his staff position and stress is actually inevitable. So at the end of the usage of the product, this also affects its effectiveness. Nevertheless, we firmly believed that we already found the product meant for my husband's hair loss treatment needs. 

HAPPY NOVUHAIR DAY everyone!!!

My Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Soup Ala Vee

This soup has been my kid's favorite. So here it is.

Ingredients:

450 grams elbow macaroni (for this purpose I used Fiesta brand)
270 grams evaporated milk (I prefer Alaska)
1/4 cup of butter
3 tbsp olive oil
5 cloves garlic minced
1 whole white onions minced
1 whole red bell pepper cut into small cubes
1 whole carrot cut into small cubes
chinese cabbage
parsley or dried basil leaves
onion leaves (optional)
left-over chicken/meat or fresh chicken innards
2 chicken cubes
1 tbsp salt
Black Pepper

Procedure:

1. Sautee garlic and onions with the butter and olive oil oil until golden brown.
2. For this purpose I used our leftover (grilled chicken) as ingredient as well. So mix in the meat.
3. Pour in water (it actually depends on you on how much water will you pour in, I often use a pitcher for the 450 grams elbow macaroni). The tendency with small amount of water is that the soup doesn't look like soup anymore. It actually looks like macaroni casserole already. Drop the chicken cubes as well. You may use pork cubes if you choose to use pork meat. Let it simmer.
4. Once it simmers, place the pasta then wait for it to be half-cooked.
5. When the pasta is now half cooked, place the carrots and the evaporated milk. Wait for it to simmer again.
6. Place the red bell pepper and the cabbage. Once it simmer, put the salt.
7. Once the pasta is almost well done, place the parsley or dried basil leaves, and black pepper.
8. After the soup is cooked, you may also put onion leaves.

This recipe is good for 8-10 people. I also spent about Php 200.00. This is more healthy for the kids than those instant noodles.

Giving Birth With Needles: Tribute to Mothers Who Gave Birth via Caesarian Section

I dedicate this post for the women who have undergone extra pain in giving birth and going under the needles in order to ensure their child's safety.

Photo Courtesy

Every woman's dream is to bear and have a child. But sometimes, we are so overwhelmed with the fact of the giving birth process itself. July 2011, my friend Moomy Musings and I became walking mates at the AFP Medical Center, preparing for the day we both will give birth to now brat mates Echo and Noa. Compared to Mommy G, I will assess that I was really more patient in walking (our friend and attending OB Cpt Adesita Binalay-Sagario ordered us maximize walking for us not to have a difficulty in giving birth). Mommy G gave birth via normal delivery last July 4, 2011. Four days after, I also gave birth...guess what...via CAESARIAN SECTION. 

Eight months later, I got pregnant with my little girl Alfa/Army and gave birth last January 2013...again via CAESARIAN SECTION. 

On The First

If i were to choose, I would prefer giving birth via normal delivery. But in Echo's case whose from cephalic became footling breech on the 38th week, this is quite impossible. Besides, I guess the procedure is secondary only to the safety of your child, don't you agree?

When Cpt Sagario conducted IE in the morning of July 8, 2011, she felt something different saying: Sis, we will have an ultrasound ok? I just have to check on something." And so I followed. Her team then saw that my little acrobat inside my tummy then turned around and from cephalic position, he became footling breech. They then decided to conduct C-section in the afternoon. 

At exactly 1930H (7 P.M.) that night, I heard Echo's first cry. 

Though the after operation was painful that I even caught fever, it was all worth it knowing that Echo was delivered safely.

The Girl

Maybe you will ask, second baby? Why so soon knowing that as OB suggests, a two to three year gap  is the best time to have a second child especially when the mother have undergone C-section. Well, a baby is a blessing whether it is by surprise. 

Unlike with Echo, my pregnancy with Army came more smooth-sailing. I was a happy feet going here and there. Come last quarter while our family was having a vacation in Davao, the dilemma came: Placenta Previa. (For further information you may review my post entitled "Placenta Previa: Alfa/Army's Early Arrival").

Endpoint: Pre-mature delivery via C-Section at the Pangasinan Medical Center.

Whatever type of child-giving birth delivery you will undergo, only one thing is common: the pain is immaterial for as long as your child and your health as a mother is ensured.

Likewise, be sure to always have a good professional relationship with your doctor. Always be informed. Have a happy pregnancy and childbirth experience mommies...

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAESARIAN AWARENESS MONTH!

NASOCLEAR: Kissing Allergic Rhinitis Goodbye

WHAT IS ALLERGIC RHINITIS?

Photo Source

Allergic rhinitis according to MedScape and Medline Plus is an inflammation of the nasal membranes that is characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea, or in any combination.  These symptoms usually occur when one person inflicted with allergic rhinitis breathe in dust, animal dundee, pollen or even eat food that he/she may be allergic too as well. Apparently, while allergic rhinitis itself is non-life threatening, morbidity from the condition is significant. It is important to note that for some instances it may be accompanied with severe asthma or anaphylaxis.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Nasoclear (0.65 percent Saline Solution Nasal Spray) is a clear, colourless solution, free from foreign matter, supplied in plastic bottle with plastic cap (nasal atomiser)  that contains 6.5 mg Sodium Chloride and 0.02 percent Benzalkonium chloride (as preservative) for each ml. Nasoclear helps ease and cure the above mentioned condition of nasal congestion; cold or flu symptom; nasal irritation due to pollen, dust mites, mild, and pollution; nasal allergies and, upper airway cough syndrome (postnasal drip).

It helps add moisture inside the nose to dissolve and soften thick or crusty mucus and provide relief for dry, crusted, irritated and inflamed nasal membranes.

Unlike other nasal spray, Nasoclear maybe used for infants and young children who cannot blow their noses. Moreover, it doesn't need any prescription and can be bought over-the-counter (OTC).

PERSONAL NOTE

Being born in the highlands of Baguio City, allergic rhinitis has been part of my growing up years. Even when I became a cadet, it has always been my  agony. I have tried the old ways of "pausok" and even the extreme thing: eating cat meat (ulk!). I have also tried about two (2) kinds of nasal spray (which I prefer not to expose what brand) but still a failure. Since then, I became reluctant in trying other nasal spray because it was already instilled in my mind that all nasal sprays are just the same.

Until I met Nasoclear. This product was so timely I was able to use it already! With the cold drinks and a lot of ice cream I had last Friday (04 April) since it was my dear friend's birthday, I did catch A.R. once again. So there goes my clogged nose again. As per given in its dosage administration, I applied 2-4 sprays. Unlike other nasal spray, I did not feel any pain nor uncomfortable feeling. Surprisingly, I was able to sleep soundly during that night.

For further details about Nasoclear, here is a video:

Product Review: HALO Sleepsack Wearable Blankets

The month of October has been well known as Breast Cancer Awareness month. For many years now, Breast Cancer has been alleviated, prevented and treated at early detection because of several Breast Cancer advocacies. Nonetheless, another advocacy for the month of October has not yet been that known in the country, which is the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.  

As a woman, I have never been aware to this kind of advocacy not until I became a mother. I heard and have read stories of babies sleeping and never waking up, which made me more wary when my firstborn E arrived. Thanks to my mommy friends from  the The Mommy Avenue who have been my online advisers and to Halo Philippines for advocating safe sleep for babies and extending such here in the Philippines.

What is SIDS?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained. Accordingly, it is the leading cause of death among infants ages 1-12 months. SIDS is a type of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, infection, ingestions, metabolic diseases, cardiac arrhythmia, traumas (accidental or non-accidental) or SIDS. In the Philippines alone, there were recorded 172,483 extrapolated incidents of SIDS, making us second in the Southeast Asia Region being next to Indonesia as per The Right Diagnosis have monitored.  

Possible Causes

According to studies of the Remedy's Health Communities, SIDS risk factors include:

• Stomach or side sleeping - SIDS occur more on babies who do sleep on their stomachs.  Likewise, because babies can roll over to their stomachs, babies put down on their sides also are at higher risk. Because of this, doctors place an important emphasis on back sleeping.
• Soft sleep surfaces and loose bedding - water bed, sofas, pillows, plush toys and blankets are at higher risk for SIDS and infant suffocation. Co-sleeping is a related risk factor.
• Excessive warmth  - babies who sleep with many layers of clothing and those who sleep in overheated rooms are also at higher risk for SIDS.
• Smoking during pregnancy and secondhand smoke - Infants whose mothers smoke during their pregnancy are three times more likely to experience SIDS. 
• Alcohol and drug use - Similar to smoking, these activities also make the baby susceptible to SIDS.
• Teenage Births - SIDS often occur in babies born to teenage mothers than in babies born to older women. 

Bags For Breast {Press Release}

The Big C

According to 2012 statistics, Breast Cancer has taken over lung cancer as the most prevalent form of cancer in the Philippines. Aside from ranking number 1 in the polls of having the most number of breast cancer patients in Asia, it was recorded that there are three out of 100 Filipina who suffer from this before reaching the age of 75 and that one out of 100, will die before reaching 75. 

The Letter

October was set as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This topic was already included in my pending post list. But with the letter I received from Chris Palmer, I decide to just post a small article for their advocacy. 

Advocacy: Bags for Breast!

Charitable promise by start up company "Cutey Bags" to donate 10% of first year profits to breast cancer charity.

A new line of luxury leather bags has launched with Love at the core of its brand. Brand "Cutey" has launched a designer line of bags made from the highest quality , ethically sourced Italian leather available.

Affected personally by illness in the family, Breast Cancer is something that founders Chris and Ashley can closely relate too. Therefore they have pledged to donate 10% of all year one profits to Breast Cancer UK to help support their efforts. They are simply going Bags for Breast!

CUTEY is a small UK based Artisan Company. Since launching on Valentine's Day 2013, Cutey has gone from strength to strength, booming in popularity amassing over 400,000 followers in Twitter and 15,000 fans in Facebook.

The methodology behind Cutey's bag is LOVE, CARING and PASSION. Inspired by the most important thing in your life: the ones you love. The Cutey brand represents romance, love and luxury. With all of it's bags named after the most romantic cities and capitals of the world including: Paris, Bruges, Rome, Tuscany, New York, Sta Lucia, Vienna, Venice and Florence.

The bags made from the highest quality ethically sourced Italian leather, are beautifully crafted featuring some Signature Cutey marks such as the Cutey heart shapes zip lock, interior design cutey heart pattern and the  Cutey signature locking device, giving the bag the luxury feel you deserve from a designer handbag.

Cutey offer a Free UK Delivery Service as well as worldwide dispatch, with next day dispatch on all items. The Cutey luxury leather bags are the perfect gift for a loved one or yourself and you don't need to feel as guilty in indulging knowing the profits are going to a great cause.

For full details to include price range, you may visit www.cutey.co.uk.

*Note: This article is free of charge.

Island Cove's Island Spa Experience

If you remember my post on "Five Ways to Pamper Myself," I included massage as one of my distressing vices. Some of my colleagues and I decided to call for a time out and hit the spa. We then proceeded to Island Cove Island Spa located in Cavite.

This was the first area that captured my attention. The gym of Island Cove.
I am not fond of gym but its ambiance is really entertaining.

Here is Island Spa's bulletin board with its running promos during the Holy Week

Up close with the promos

Entrance to the Main Spa

The polite staffs of Island Cove Island Spa

The receiving area of the Island Spa. If you will notice, there is a balloon on the
right as well as on the left area of the sofa set. It is because Island Spa celebrated
its 10th year anniversary last March.

To add up to the cozy and relaxing ambiance is the lanai area.

The main entrance to the massage, spa, and facial rooms.

Island Spa provides its costumers with a safe locker. On the right is the photo of the
entrance to the sauna room.

A couch is provided while waiting.

Foot Spa area. I just love their chair. You may even sleep while having a foot scrub/massage/spa.
Proven and tested. 

Just before I had my foot spa.

After I had my foot scrub and prior I had my foot spa, I underwent diamond peel.
It was really rejuvenating and refreshing.

Distant Breastfeeding? Yes I Can!

I am roughly 202 kilometers away from my kids. I have to travel about 4-5 hours before I get home. I just don't have the endurance and passion for driving (aside from I don't own a car) so I just usually load a bus and sleep all throughout the travel. But I do not get tired...because just that thought that after that long journey, those tiny little cute arms of my little Echo and Alfa will wrap around me gives me adrenaline rush.

That feeling doubles up when I see my fridge full with my expressed milk...What? Me, breastfeeding? Yes SMC readers and I tag it as "Distant Breastfeeding," for others, Exclusively Pumping.  I as a baby was breastfed for almost a year (according to my mother). Unfortunately for several reasons, I breastfed Echo only for three months. Now that Army is already here, I want her to enjoy what her older brother should also have enjoyed...and that is the opportunity to breastfeed for a longer period of time.

My Precious Milk Stash....

The Breastfeeding Support meeting conducted by La Leche League last March 9 was my main driving point. If earlier I knew that I can still produce milk through using a good pump, I should have done the same with Echo. Also, with the help and encouragement of my mommy group The Mommy Avenue (formerly Avenue for Mommies Online),  my dream of having a longer breastfeeding period with Alfa gradually becomes a reality.

How do I do this? Here's how:

1. Have the fortitude to breastfeed.
     If you think you can, then you will have milk. It's always in the mind.

2. Have a support system, may that be your husband, parents, caregiver, etc.

   For me, my husband, my parents and my mommy group are my support system. Maybe without them, I'll prefer getting a can of formula milk than to make an effort expressing mine.

3. Invest on a good breast pump.

    Salon Empress Atty Mary Pauline Danga-Obias who happens to be my friend and Echo's godmother was generous enough to lend her single electric breast pump. In my perception, an electric breast pump is more applicable for a working mommy like me.

Soldier Mom Attends La Leche League Breastfeeding Support

I just got back in Manila last March 7 and eventually did go back to work the following day. I was really feeling sad since I made a vow to nurse my youngest for a minimum of one year or until she herself tell me she doesn't want to latch anymore. Why? Because I think, it was one of my frustrations with Echo, breastfeeding him only for about three months. 

I just felt so lucky because last March 9, La Leche League International-Philippines conducted a Breastfeeding Support Meeting, very timely. 

Official Banner of La Leche League meeting with the Topic "Breastfeeding Support" last March 9, 2013.

It was my first time to attend a meeting initiated by La Leche League International but from the very moment I got pregnant with Echo, I did look for organizations catering support to breastfeeding mommies and infanticipating mommies who prefer to breastfeed their babies. I came at the venue (Mothercare Bonifacio High Street Branch, just beside the Active Fun) at about 1:00 P.M.

Miss Abigail L Vernida-Yabot - a certified Lactation Counselor,
La Leche League Leader and founder of the Breastfeeding Club.

The meeting started by introducing one's self. Miss Abbie became the moderator wherein all attendees were ask of some basic questions like were you breastfed when you were a child; how many kids do each participant has; do each pregnant mother present intend to go to work after giving birth; who compose our support system in breastfeeding; etc. Basically, one of the most critical in breastfeeding especially for a working mom is the work environment.

In the picture is a mommy with a 10 months old baby who intends to go back to
work next school year (she is a pre-school teacher). What she did? She talked with the
school principal and ask for leeway hours to pump while she is in school.

Likewise, another topic discussed was in connection with some caregivers who don't want to feed baby with mommy's expressed milk due to its peculiar scent. Admittedly, breastmilk do not really smell good. But still, it is the best for our babies. Maybe using a hospital mask would help. :)

Mother's Day 2012

     2010 was a very special year for me as the year opened its doors with a wedding blast last January 28, 2010. It was also the first year when my ex-boyfriend (now my husband) celebrated our birthdays as married couple. November 2010 turned out to be the one of the happiest days for us after learning that I was pregnant. This was subsequently followed by our garden wedding last December 2010. Alongside, it was also our first holidays as husband and wife.

   I think 2011 was even happier when our son Marco Quintin "Echo" Fernandez was born last July 2011. As my husband has said, having Echo with us made our lives complete and more meaningful. 2011 was my first birthday year to have Echo with me. This is the same for my husband.

Healthy Treats from HEALTHY OPTIONS

     Healthy Options is one of the leading stores when it comes to catering health products. As part of their marketing scheme and as a sense of gratitude to their consumers and clients, the Healthy Options introduced their “Healthy Me” online promo in Facebook. 

     Luckily, I was informed that I was one of the lucky winners. I won the Healthy Me “healthy Mind” category.

       Together with my close friend Mommy Glaiza Garcia Tominio, I opted to have a quick trip to Healthy Options main Office in Libis, Quezon City last January 24, 2012. I was able to claim my Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5000.00) worth of gift cards and a bag of goodies. Since I won the category under the healthy mind, I got products that enhances the human brain’s capacity to work. This includes: ACAI Amazon Berry, CADIA All Natural Whole Grain Cereal (suites me well since I am a cereal lover), TEECINO Mediterranean Herbal Coffee made of Vanilla Nut ( this is accented by golden roasted almonds, dates and figs…just right for a coffee-addict like me), ST DALFOUR Wild Blueberry fruit spread (I think I may also consume it bare..lol),  HEALTHY OPTIONS natural supplement “Brain Support Softgels” (for a workaholic like me, this will keep my brain working), CADIA solid white albacore and CADIA chunk light tongol Tuna (a good combination for my favorite crackers), NEWMAN’s OWN crème filled mint chocolate cookies (perfect match for the coffee!), Bob’s RED MILL whole almonds (which I may use for my blueberry cheesecake recipe), SAHALE Snacks Glazed Almond Nuts (the almond nuts are also coated with cranberries, honey and sea salt), OLIVE OIL potato chips (ooops, of course it contains zero grams transfat) and THE REPUBLIC OF TEA Get Smart herb tea for memory/focus.

     Since as a uniformed woman, I really don’t own my time, I also took advantage of  spending my gift cards during that quick trip. Glaiza and I went directly to Shangri-la branch of Healthy Options where I was able to purchase a lot of items of course. I also learned that with a minimum purchase of Two Thousand Pesos (Php 2000.00), I may already avail for a Healthy Options membership card (lifetime membership). 

     So what are you waiting for? Live healthy! Live healthy with Healthy Options! 

Note: I was supposed to post some pictures of the items I got for free and the items I purchased but I think I misplaced the photos!Anyway, hope you got some ideas on what to purchase in Healthy Options :)