Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Bodyrock.tv's 30 Day Real Time Challenge

Lately, I was feeling lazy to do my usual routine.  So, I thought I needed a new goal and a new routine to get me back on track.  Then, I found Bodyrock.tv's 30 day REAL TIME challenge!  I'm a big fan of Bodyrock so I signed up, they're actually on their 23rd day while this is my first!  Hehehe..  
If you want to start your challenge, just click here for instructions and the videos.  These are intense total body workouts in real time!  It's like having a workout buddy! :D  Goodluck!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Women's Health Pop Up Studio 2013

I just registered for Women's Health Pop Up Studio at their 360 Fitness Club leg!  I would love to try all the workouts but you can only choose one fitness party.  They are having four fitness parties which will be held at FTX Fitness Exchange, I Go Beyond Yoga, 360 Fitness Club, and CrossFit MNL for FREE!!!  So excited!!!  I get to try the workouts they offer.
RULES:
1.  You need to be 16 years old and above to join #WHPopUpStudio.
2.  You may only join one (1) out of the four (4) fitness parties.
3.  After registering, expect a confirmation email within 24 hours (excluding non-working holidays).
4.  Participants will receive a limited edition #WHPopUpStudio singlet (free size) on the day of the fitness party.
Here's the link to Women's Health Philippines Facebook site.  Click here to register.
Photo: Girls, you're all invited to #WHPopUpStudio, the official fitness party series brought to you by Women's Health! Try the latest workouts with us at FTX - Fitness Exchange, 360 Fitness Club, I Go Beyond Yoga, and CrossFit MNL for FREE. Register by clicking on the WH Pop-Up Studio tab on our Facebook home page. There are only 160 slots (40 slots per fitness party), so do it now!

RULES:

1. Slots are on a "first come, first served" basis.
2. You have to be 16 years old and above to join. 
3. You may only join one (1) out of the four (4) fitness parties. 
4. A limited edition WH Pop-Up Studio singlet (free size) will be given to participants.
5. After registering, please expect a confirmation email within 24 hours (excluding non-working days).

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)

I got curious about the headstand, it looked awesome!  So, I searched a tutorial on YouTube since I can't/won't go to any yoga classes.   It looked really easy watching the instructors, but once you do it on your own, man, it was so hard!  There were lots of times that I fell hard, I’m okay though.  Anyway, after lots of practice, I was able to do it away from the wall! :))  There's also a good reason why I'm doing this, some of them are; to improve blood circulation and to strengthen deep core muscles and it’s awesome! =))
 (Instagram Photos)
If you're planning to do this on your own, please, be very careful.  I suggest you do it against the wall first and take the necessary precautions. Do not rush! 

Here's a tutorial from Ekhart Yoga.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Home Workout

It took me so long to do a follow up on my home workout.  Well, I promised myself not to blog about it yet if haven't got any decent improvements. Now, I think I have enough courage to post pictures and blog about it.  It is not easy to lose weight when you're 30+ and have 3 kids.  But I'm posting this for other moms out there who thinks it is all over for them.. Adding some me time to your daily routine is not BAD, it's like choosing not to watch a teleserye and workout instead..
7 months pregnant with my youngest
Year 2011, these was when I was doing Hip-Hop Abs (4-5 x a week) and badminton with some so, so diet.



Year 2012, thought of moving up a notch, mixed Hip-Hop Abs with some intense workouts, tried insanity but was too insane! Hehe! and some badminton.
Year 2013, I noticed I've been doing workouts harder, but it seems it doesn't show.  So, I did more intense workouts (5x a week) combined with a healthy diet.  No rice on weekdays, more veggies, more protein..

It wasn't easy, it took time, patience, hard work and discipline.  I do have those days that I feel too lazy to do my workouts and guess what, I still do it!! That's how dedicated (crazy?) I am! :))  Making myself realize how hard it is to get to where I am now, and I'm not planning on starting all over again!! :))

I'll be posting more pictures and some inspiration/motivation to get you started. :))

Cheddar Topped Shepherd's Pie

I saw this recipe on Martha Stewart's site, and it looked yummy!  My family loves potatoes and beef but we haven't tried any shepherd's pie, ever.  But beef and potatoes we love, so I gave it a try.  Although I made some adjustments from the original recipe called for.

Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium carrot, halved lengthwise
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 large onion
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup beef stock
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450.  Boil potatoes with salt in a saucepan and cover.  Cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a tip of a paring knife.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high.
Add carrots, celery, onion and thyme.  Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender about 8-10 mins.
Add flour and tomato paste, cook, stirring, 1 minute.
Add beef, cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes.
Add the beef stock bring to a boil and simmer, about 1 minute.  Set aside.
Drain potatoes, return to pan, cook over medium stirring until liquid evaporated and a thin film covers bottom of pan.
Remove pan from heat, add milk and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
Mash until smooth, season cheddar potato with salt and pepper
Pour beef filling into a 13 by 9 inch baking dish.  Drop dollops of topping over filling, spread to edges with a spatula.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake until topping is browned and filling is bubbling rapidly, about 20 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! :))

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Awesome Find: Sahara Stainless Bottles

Ever since the kids went to school, I've been searching and trying water bottles that are safe and can retain its cold for hours!  My kids love to drink water, but only if it’s cold (who doesn't?!).  I've heard about the brand "Tiger Sahara", but when I checked them out, they were too expensive for the kids to use for school..  And besides, I wasn't sure if they really are effective.
So, when I saw my friend’s kids were using the Tiger water bottles, I immediately asked her about it.  She said they've been using them for years and they're definitely worth the price!

We went back to Trinoma to look at the bottles and luckily, they were on sale!! Yey!!!  We bought a 1L bottle for the boy priced at P2,299.75 got it for P1,700 and for ate, we bought a 0.5L priced at P1,595 got it for P1,450.  They can be used for hot and cold beverages with different tops for each.  The bottles can retain its cold for 12 hours (with ice and cold water), as for hot beverages, I haven't tried it but the package says it can retain them until 6 hours.
1L stainless bottle 
0.5L bottle
For hot beverages (stopper unit)
Extra stickers for the pink bottle top
Now, my kids are enjoying their water even when they're at school.  They don't need to bring an extra tetra pack juice as baon everyday (reduced to 1-2x a week).  Awesome!!!

Chicken with Spinach and Cream Cheese Stuffing



I've been exploring veggies which are new to me to add on our menu.  Luckily, I saw spinach at the grocery and went for it.  I saw this recipe on Yummy.ph, since I love cream cheese, I gave the recipe a try.

You will need;
1/2 cup spinach leaves, chopped
1/2 cup cream cheese

For the breading;
flour
garlic salt
2 eggs, beaten
breadcrumbs
Italian seasoning

Pound chicken breast fillets in between sheets of cling wrap or any clean plastic bag until they flatten.
To make breading, mix 2 teaspoons of garlic salt for every 1 cup of flour in a shallow dish.  Season breadcrumbs with some Italian seasoning in another dish.  Set aside.
For the filling, saute spinach in olive oil until wilted, cool, mix with softened cream cheese put 2-3 tablespoons of mixture on each roll.
Dip filled chicken breasts in flour then egg and roll in breadcrumbs.
Deep fry until cooked through and drain on paper towels.


 Note:  Use low heat so you won't burn the breading and cook the chicken through.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Khloe's 1st Movie Experience

It's getting too expensive for us to go to the movies! Hehehe!
We watched Monsters University in 3D at Trinoma, this is my bunso's first time.  So, we thought, hey, let's watch it in 3D..  But it was not a good idea for my 2 year old because she doesn't want to wear the glasses!!!  Errrr!!!
Anyway, we all had fun!  Love the movie.  Despicable Me 2 is next! ♥

Spinach and Pineapple Smoothie

I just made a yummy combi of spinach and pineapple smoothie!!!!
Just mix some frozen pineapples, a handful of spinach leaves and some ice.
Yummy!!  without the awful after taste of spinach!  Success!!  I'm planning on adding more veggies and fruits in one smoothie..  Looking for more energy boosting smoothies.
We're taking one step at a time for a healthier lifestyle.

Benefits of spinach
SUPERPOWERS - neutralizes free radicals, molecules that may accelerate aging
SECRET WEAPONS - vitamins A, C & K, folate, minerals including calcium and magnesium, fiber, beta carotene
ENEMIES - cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis
 (from: Juicing Vegetables)

Benefits of pineapple
-Improves digestion
-Prevents cough and cold
-Packed with vitamins and minerals
-Contains bromelain, an enzyme which improves the immune system and heals minor muscle injuries







Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 tbsp butter 
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, raisins, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl as necessary. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Gradually add oat mixture; beat just until combined.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets. Bake until cookies are golden brown but still soft, 12 to 16 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.


(Should've taken a top view)
& voila!

Yum!! Enjoy!!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Ayala Triangle 2012

We finally visited the Ayala Triangle Lights and Sound Show which runs every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 9:00 PM 'til December 30. We went on a Sunday, so imagine the crowd!! Well, the crowd around the lights were manageable but the lines at the restaurants was unbelievable!! We were #62 at Kanin Club, we didn't even tried to buy at the other restos coz they don't have any seats available. We ended up at Mcdonalds across the street!
The show was amazing so it was worth it! The kids had so much fun with the lights and fog!







Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta

I've been cooking new recipes since we moved into our house, and I'm lovin' it!!  Haven't posted them yet because blogspot isn't working very well on my PC..  Sad..  Oh, anyway, I'm gonna try again..
I cooked Creamy Tuna Pesto Pasta for meryenda yesterday and the kids loved it, especially my "picky eater" Andi..  Happiness for a mother!♥
I haven't tried making my own pesto, so I bought easy to make/ready made pesto.

Ingredients:
500g Linguine Pasta (cook as directed)

1 pack McCormick Pesto Perfect Pasta Sauce mix
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup water

250 ml Nestle All-Purpose Cream
1 small can of mushrooms
2 cans century tuna flakes in brine (drained)
grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
Make the pesto, (for the McCormick Pesto) in a saucepan, combine Pesto sauce mix, water and oil.  Cook over medium heat until warmed.  Add the all-purpose cream, drained tuna and mushrooms.  Season with salt and pepper.  Toss in cooked pasta, transfer to a serving dish and top with grated Parmesan.
This is so easy to make and the kids loved it 'cause it has all their favorites on it!  I kinda' work around their favorite food so I know they'll pretty much like it.
my happy boy!
This boy is so easy to please when it comes to food, he'll eat almost anything!  Ang galing pa mambola just like his dad! :)

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Off Price Show 2012

Let's Gow!!!!!
Like their page, and answer their contact form to get a FREE ENTRANCE!!!! 
And you can also win 1K GC!

NDGM's Field Demonstration 2012

Been busy fixing the kids' costumes for their field demonstration at school.  Oh, no, I didn't made them! :)
Ate's costume
Kuya's costume
I'm not sure if I'm glad that Andi danced at the front or not, we had a hard time trying to take a good picture of her or even take a video..  We were too far from her..  But anyway, we're happy that she's happy and excited about their dance, soo proud of her!!
i love this picture!
 Look for Ate..  They danced to the song Papi of Jennifer Lopez.

happy ate!
Kuya's Dance (Katy Perry's Fireworks), didn't know where he's place was gonna be, so I was far from him again!
After their field demonstration, we headed straight to the rides and games!
wedges, very useful when I was watching the kids perform!
caterpillar!!
A break from school work was fun for them at first but they got tired..  They wanted their lessons back!  Hehe!