Tips for preparing nutritious snacks for your kids
An estimated 22 million students will attend today’s opening of classes in the public elementary and high schools nationwide.
I wonder how many moms are beating the “back to school blues” especially in preparing packed lunch or ‘baon’ for their kids every single day.
Most moms wouldn’t settle for less when it comes to preparing healthy meals for their children. I stumble these tips from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology, long ago. I refer to these tips every time I run out of ideas to perk up the meals I prepare for my own school-age kids.
* Think about you child’s ‘baon’ ahead. Healthy school lunches can be easy when you plan ahead. Plan your kids’ baon a week in advance and give them lots of healthy selections to choose from. This will teach them to develop the habit of making choices for themselves
* Packed lunches should have three or four food groups represented to fuel them through a lot of the school day’s activities, for example,
* Use a different sandwich filling each day (tuna, cheese, egg, or chicken). Preferably use whole grain breads and low fat mayonnaise or dressing. Add cut up vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, pipino (cucumber) for added fiber. Prepare sandwich fillings the day or night before to save time in the busy morning.
* Include milk and fruit juices for beverages. This will help assure your children of a nutritious drink and also save you needless expenses on carbonated beverages. If you include tetra pack fruit juice, keep it in the freezer then put directly in the lunch box - it will have thawed by lunchtime and will keep the rest of the food cool.
* Make sure your child is drinking safe, clean, and enough water.
* Be concerned with food safety when packing lunches. Use thermal/insulated lunch box to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. With a good thermal/insulated lunch box, there is no limit to the delicious, nutritious and safe packed lunches for your kids.
Monday
Fried Longganisa
Lettuce-Cucumber-Tomato Salad
Boiled Rice
Banana Fruit
Snack - Fried Banana/Camote
Tuesday
Chicken/Pork Adobo
Sauteed Abitsuelas
Boiled Rice
Fruit in Season
Snack - Egg Sandwich
Wednesday
Fish/Meat Omelette
Atsara
Boiled Rice
Orange Juice
Snack - Boiled Peanuts
Thursday
Beef Tapa
Fresh Tomatoes
Boiled Rice
Pineapple Juice
Snack -Chicken Sandwich
Friday
Fried Chicken/Breaded Pork chop
Buttered Vegetables
Boiled Rice
Fruit in Season
Snack - Fruit in Season
Photohunt # 5 : BOOKS
Khalil’s collections: The Magic Mirror; The Adventure of Tom Sawyer; Hardy Boys (1)The Ghost at Skeleton Rock, (2)Murder at the Mall; Jack Stalwart; Magic Tree House #10 & 27; Room For One More.
Naomi’s book picks: Nancy Drew (1) Dress Rehearsal, (2)The Secret of the Wooden Lady; Witch Graphic Novel; Roald Dahl’s Matilda; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; How I Survived Middle School; The Princess of Bamarre; Callie For President; Disney Fairies Silvermist and the Lady Bug Curse; Alice the Brave; Witch (100 Bewitching Ways to Survive at School); Witch (100 Bewitching Ways to Make Lots of Friends); Black Beauty; Ann M. Martin’s Main Street Welcome to Camden Falls, American Girl Meet Kaya (not in photo).
Visit tnchick.com for other Photohunt entries this week.
Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project
What are the measures of an emerging influential blog?
Being popular or has the potential to become popular is one. Second, the blog should be effective in providing an information to its readership. Third, the writer’s opinion is worthy of respect. Fourth, the blog somehow influences (in a positive manner) the way its readers think or act. I think these are enough criteria of an emerging influential blog.
Ms. Janet Toral has come up with part 3 of this writing project that identifies new and emerging blogs, which are making waves this year. She calls it Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project. These are blogs that started anytime from May 1, 2008 to the present.
I’m participating in the contest and here’s my list.
Earthlingorgeous is a personal mix of a blog that discusses about autism, motherhood and everything synonymous to women like fashion, shopping, dining, traveling, health, home and more. It’s a blog for every woman regardless of age, race and religion.
Shie’s Asylum is a personal online journal of Shie’s journey through life and what makes her life interesting. It’s a place where her sane and not so sane thoughts really matters.
Mommyjourney is a personal diary of a stay at home mom who wants to share her experiences to other moms. It is a venue for mommies all over to network and learn from each other. It speaks of day to day activities and realities of parenthood.
Tourism Philippines is advocating not just information but an unbiased travel guide to readers. It said there’s already way too much travel information, especially on the Internet. On Tourism Philippines, it provide people with travel guidance; information and opinions designed for decision assistance. It suggests which place is nice to go to, what to do during their stay, and how to spend their precious travel budget.
Barrio Siete is an alternative collective blog by a group of bloggers who talk the talk, and walk the walk of its target audience — the socio-economic group who do not use pretentious and intellectual language that can not be grasped by ordinary human beings. The blog uses the basic Tagalog sometimes Taglish language that can be easily understood by ordinary people.
Dare to Speak Out is a personal and commentary blog penned by Silver. It discusses her different take on a wide range of topics - from the trivial to the political.
Her and History contains telltale stories of a new MOM who will soon be an old mom in the coming years, a TEACHER who grows up wanting to be a doctor but ends up realizing that TEACHING was her calling, a CHILD of God who believes that ” a drop of God’s wisdom is greater than an ocean of human intelligence”, and a foreigner’s life in the Land of Smiles. Peek my WORLD and discover HER and His Stories.
Sa Labas ng Mandaluyong is a site maintained by Jan Geronimo, who used to be just a blog reader, but now a blogger extraordinaire . From a quirky personal blog with a name that sounds like a practical but lame joke to a more focused blog on blogging, writing and social media, is how he described his site.
Dear Bloggery is a personal journal of a researcher that blogs about everything under the sun. The author Snow discussed about personal experiences and opinions, current affairs, media and entertainment. Perhaps, Snow is born with a passion in blogging because she also blogs regularly about the latest buzz in the blogosphere through her Bloggery Buzz of the Week.
Goodtimesmanila is a lampoon site, a work of satire featuring bogus news about politics, show business, business and other current events in the Philippines and thereabouts.
I am thankful for Ms. Toral for coming up with this brilliant undertaking. And this writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, and Blog4Reviews.com.
For those who wish to join the contest, please read the following.
1. Any blogger in the world may join. Only one entry per blogger.
2. Blog or website owner profile and e-mail is accessible or visible online.
3. Write a blog post and pick your choice of ten (10) emerging influential blogs.
4. Any blog in the world can be picked.
5. You can update the same post entry up to August 2 (date may be extended). However, please inform us of any changes.
6. Old blogs who move to a new domain are disqualified
7. Blogs who remove their archives just to fit in the cut-off date are disqualified.
8. Include a link to this post to help spread the word and encourage others to participate.
9. To be included in the raffle, links to the following sponsors should also be in the entry. They are Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, and Business Summaries.
10. Post a comment and let us know about your entry. Only one entry per blogger. Cut-off date and time for submission of entries is on July 30. After the said date, submission of comments in this page shall be closed.
11. Only those that are blogs and created from May 2008 to the present shall be listed.
You can nominate your own top 10, too by visiting Ms. Toral’s site.
Mommy Moments: Khalil’s nth haircut
My son usually sports a semi-bald hairdo when he was younger. We keep it short because he is prone to prickly heat especially during summer. But since he’s already nine years old, he chooses his own hairstyle. His Dad usually accompanies him to the Barber Shop.
Other interesting Mommy Moments are found here.
Litratong Pinoy # 4: Alam Mo Ba?
Alam mo ba na bukod sa pagiging makasaysayan ng Corregidor Island sa Bataan, nababalot din ng hiwaga ang ilang bahagi ng pulong ito partikular na ang Malinta Tunnel. Marami ang nagsasabi na may mga kaluluwang patuloy na nanahan sa loob nito.
Kuha ang mga larawang ito sa nang kami ay maimbitahang mamasyal sa Corregidor noong May 2006.
Ang tunnel na ito ay hinukay upang maging proteksyon mula sa pag-atake ng mga sundalong Hapon. Ang Command communications at medical units ng mga Filipino at Amerikanong sundalo noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay matatagpuan din dito.
Pero ang orihinal na disenyo nito ay ginawa upang maging tahanan ng malaking bilang ng ammunition, pagkain at iba pang supplies. Nagsilbing ospital din ito na may 1,000 bed capacity.
Sa unang larawan, pansinin ang mga tila puting bilog sa may kisame ng tunnel. Orbs daw ang tawag sa mga ito na pinaniniwalaang kaluluwa ng mga tao na namayapa na at patuloy na naglalakbay.
Ang ikalawang larawan naman ay ang diorama ng mga pigura na singlaki ng tao. Binilugan ito ni Stargazer, isang psychic medium, nang isangguni ko sa kanya ang mga larawan.
Mga pigura daw ito ng dalawang lalaki. Ang isa ay parang sundalo na naka uniporme at naka-luhod patalikod sa camera. Ang isang pigura naman daw ay mukhang pasyente na nakaupo sa ibabang bahagi ng doubledeck. Natakot ba kayo?
Alam mo ba na maraming lahok ngayon sa Litratong Pinoy?
Katrina Halili’s opening statement at the Senate hearing of the Katrina-Hayden sex video:
“Artista po ako. Trabaho ko ang maghatid ng tuwa. Pantasya ng telebisyon at pelikula. Pero tulad ng iba may pribado ring buhay din ako gaya ng lahat. Sa pagkakataong ito. dangal ko at dangal ng pamilya ang pinag uusapan dito. Minahal ko si Hayden. bata ako kaya madaling nalagyan ng piring ang aking mga mata para isisping ako lang ang nagmamay ari ng puso niya. pero gaya ng lahat ng relasyong nagsimula sa kasinunagalingan wala itong pinatunguhan.
Wala akong malay na ang bawat yakap at halik ay scripted. Buong-buo kong binigay yung puso at ang kaluluwa ko sa isang lalaking gumagawa pala ng sariling pelikula. Ang tanga ko. Imbes na doktor, direktor pala. Inaamin ko ang pagkakamali ko. Ang pagkakamali ko ay minahal ko siya. At naniwala ako na minahal nya rin ako ng lubusan.
Ako raw ang prinsesa niya sa ikalawa niyang mundo. Bata po ako madali niya ako napaniwala. Ako ang biktima rito. Araw-araw biktima ako habang pinapanood ang nasabing video. Hangad ko po ang hustisya at hukuman kahit alam kong habang buhay ko nang dadalhin ang ginawa sa akin.
Patay na ako pero may video pa rin at may Internet. Dalawa lang kasong sinampa ko sa pambababoy na ginawa sa akin sa pagkatao ko. Gusto ko siyang matanggalan ng lisensiya bilang doktor. Wala siyang karapatan maging doktor. Gusto ko rin siyang makulong at pagdusahan niya ang ginawa niya sa akin.
Pero ano pong iginanti nila. Kasama ni Hayden ang kanyang ina. Sari-saring paninira ang binato nila sa akin at sa mga taong tumutulong sa akin. Inabuso na ako at binaboy ako pa ang may sala. Inabuso na nga ako sa sex video. Inaabuso pa rin ako sa sex video, inaabuso pa ako muli sa publiko.
And issue dito ay pang-aabuso sa kababaihan. Ang pambababoy sa akin at sa iba pang biktima ni Hayden. Sa kultura po natin habang buhay na latay sa pagkatao ko ang ginawa sa akin. May ina din po ako na nasasaktan. Araw-araw na nagdurusa. May anak o kapatid din po kayo na babae. Ayaw din nyo mangyari sa kanila ang sinapit ko.
Sana ipagpatuloy ng Senado at madaliin ang pagsusulong ng mga batas na may layuning itaguyod ang karapatan at proteksyon para sa aming kababaihan dahil iba na ang ginagamit na panggagahasa at pambababoy sa karapatan ng kababaihan. Sa Intenet, sa blogs, DVDs at iba pa.
Nabiktima ako. Isa ako sa maraming babaeng naloko at niloko ni Hayden Kho. Pero may hangganan ang katangahan. At sa araw na ito buong loob na humaharap sa inyo na puno ng respeto sa sarili. Ilalaban ko ang aking karapatan ng mabuhay ng marangal, ng walang takot at malayo sa karanasang inabot ko dahil sa sex video.
Sana po sa publiko itigil na po natin ang pagtangkilik sa mga sex videos at malalaswang panoorin. Kung walang tumatangkilik wala rin din pong gagawa ng mga sex video. Sana po ang pangalang Katrina Halili na lang ang huling sa mga sex videos. Sana po wala ng susunod pa. Salamat po.
Getting ready for school and what Eat Bulaga has taught me
Last week, we went to National Bookstore at SM Fairview to buy some school supplies. We have yet to complete the list so we are planning to go back next week.
We spent an ample amount for the items. I just thought to myself, if we can afford to buy the basic things that we need, what about those children who can’t even buy their own meal for the day?
We try to explain to our kids everything that we do for them in a manner that they can easily understand us.
We always tell them that not all children are lucky to go to school. Some children who are dying to study do not have the means to do so. While there are children whose parents are capable of sending them to good schools, are not showing interest in school. That’s the sad reality of life.
In their young minds, they already understand that we are doing our responsibility to equip them for the future, to make them competitive in the real world. We only encourage them to give it their best shot by studying their lessons well.
Our kids’ future still depends on what road they will choose to travel. We are only here to guide them.
As a mom, I feel for children whose parents could not support them. If only I could do something to alleviate their poverty.
A number of institutions, individuals and even game shows on TV help the less fortunate kids realize their dreams.
One example, is the longest running noontime show Eat Bulaga that awarded 30 poor but deserving kids a gift of a lifetime. The kids are valedictorians and salutatorians of public schools from different areas in the country. They were given free school supplies, shoes, cash, trophies and certificates that guarantee free expenses in High School for the next four years.
The students and their parents were overwhelmed with joy as they received the gifts from EB hosts and co-hosts.
I hope the EB project will serve as an inspiration to other people to do just the same act of kindness to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, especially children.
I love awards!
There’s no exciting way to go back to what you love doing (blogging) after a few days of rest when you receive an award from your friends.
(Wave) I’m thankful to fellow mom Gen of Her and History and to my friend Shie of Shie’s Asylum for the Interesting Blog Award. And another one, I love Your Blog, also from Shie.
From my site, I’ll be passing both awards to the following people/sites: Barrio Siete,
Earthlingorgeous, trust.loyalty.bliss, Sassy’s Mom Corner, reyna elena dot com, Life Addict, Inspirational Insights, Twinkie Calls, Tales from the Mom Side, Kizuna, Dare to Speak Out, Dear Bloggery.
I’m also sharing this to all my new found friends in the blogosphere. Please feel free to grab the badge. They are yours, too.
I’m down with intestinal flu (2nd day)
I can’t eat a regular meal because I’m nauseated and feel like throwing up. I am lying down the whole time. I’ve been frequenting the loo for three to four times a day. Had a slight fever. And still experiencing abdominal cramps. I really feel sick. I suspect I’m suffering from intestinal flu based on the symptoms that I mentioned.
What have I missed?
I can’t update my blog. I missed photohunt yesterday.
I think Gen of Her and History just gave me an Interesting Blog award. Sorry Gen, it may take a few days before I can grab it from your site.
Grace visited my blog and requested that I follow her. I can’t blog hop for now, hope you understand.
Lastly, I can’t even write my second entry for Barrio Siete. I hope Inang Reynz will understand. You know how excited I am to be part of your team. I’ll be writing a multo story (experience ni Father O)
For those who passed by my site, sorry folks can’t visit back for now. Miss your site Shie.
I suppose to write my initial Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009.
I wrote this just to let you know how sick I still feel today.
Signing off for now…hope to be back in a few days.
My post is up at Barrio Siete
http://barriosiete.com/pagka-panalo-ng-mga-kandidato-nakasalalay-sa-pr/
Mommy Moments: Bonding with Lola
My mother with her three grandchildren. Naomi, Mariel (my niece) and Khalil
This was taken during Naomi’s Recognition Day. My mother took care of my kids along with their yaya when I was still working. My eldest (Naomi) is my mom’s first grandchild, so she was kind of being pampered more by my mother. Then came along two more grandchildren, Mariel and Khalil, who were born eight days apart.
My mother lives with my sister, who now have four kids.
I can’t just leave my kids’ welfare to a Nanny, I’m just so grateful my Nanay was there to look after my children when I was away.
Litratong Pinoy #3: Lahat ay Payak
Young Indian Mango Plant
Indian Mango TreeItinatampok sa Linggong ito ng Litratong Pinoy ang temang `Lahat ay Payak’ kaya naman naisipan kong ilahok ang larawan ng puno ng Indian Mango. Ilang buwan pa lang ang edad ng mangga sa unang larawan. Matatagpuan ito sa tarangkahan ng aming bahay. Ang ikalawa naman ay namumunga na. Matatagpuan ang katawan ng matayog na puno sa loob ng aming kusina. Naitanim ito bago pa itayo ang aming bahay.
Nagsimula sa isang payak na halaman, ang puno ng mangga ay lumaki at nagdulot ng pakinabang sa amin. Bukod sa prutas nagbibigay din ang punong ito ng lilim sa katanghaliang tapat.
Maraming pang kalahok ang matatagpuan dito.
English Translation:
This week, Litratong Pinoy highlights the theme All Are Simple this is why I’m posting the pictures of Indian Mango tree. The small Indian Mango plant in the first photo is barely a few months old. It is found at our gate. The second tree is already bearing fruits. The trunk of the tall tree is located inside our kitchen. It was planted long before our house was built.
It started in a simple (or young) plant, the mango tree matures and becomes useful to us. It provides not only green mangoes but shades at high noon.
Other entries are found here.
Why can’t I be in so many places at one time?
To travel to many historical landmarks and awe-inspiring destination in my country is one dream I wish to accomplish before I get old. When I was assigned to cover the health beat, there were occasional official travels where reporters are allowed to join the health secretary. I happened to join then Secretary Hilario Ramiro with other scribes in Cagayan De Oro and North Cotabato. Unfortunately, I never got to enjoy the places as we were most of the time following the health chief wherever he goes for interview/photo opportunity.
It’s a good thing I found this site Tourism Paradise that provides updated travel information, advice and tips.
And just love this phrase found on their site that reads reliable travel info “about the good, the bad and the indifferent, the hidden places and the tourist traps, where to find value and how to avoid being ripped off.”
Too good to be true? Check out their site for further info.
What’s more interesting is that the site encourages travelers who loves to write and have strong writing skills to contribute or share their unforgettable experiences of their trip.
Meantime, I wish to clarify that I was not paid by any advertiser to write about the site and of the entry (Barrio Siete) prior to this one. I wrote about them because I believe in what the sites are promoting.
It feels great to be part of Barrio Siete
Heard of the latest place (blogsite) to be?
Reyna Elena of reynaelena dot com , a personal and humor blog, is at the helm of this new ‘tambayan’ called Barrio Siete.
So what’s cooking up at “Barrio Siete”? Quoting Reyna Elena, who also serves as the Barangay Kapitana (Barangay Captain) of the site.
“This is an alternative collective blog by a group of bloggers who talk the talk, and walk the walk of its target audience — the socio-economic group who do not use pretentious and intellectual language that can not be grasped by ordinary human beings. Sa blog na ito, gagamitin namin ang mga salitang ginagamit sa araw-araw, sa kalye, sa iskuwela, sa bahay at sa opisina.”
In short, Barrio Siete a typical site where we can be ourselves without compromising our own beliefs and prejudices.
Citing Kapitana’s description of “Barrio Siete,” he said “it is the typical barrio where we came from, or a phase in our lives where we have to struggle to achieve our goals in life.”
One brewing topic in Barrio Siete at the moment is about actress Katrina Halili and ex-beau Hayden Kho’s explicit video.
Kapitana took me in as one of the ‘possible’ writers. It’s an honor to be included in the line up of prolific writers. You may visit the site now.
Brouhaha over Hayden and Katrina’s steaming sex video
Filipina actress and reality talent search product Katrina Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho, a cosmetic surgeon in a product endorsement photo shoot. (I got the picture here)
Anger for Hayden Kho and pity for Katrina. This was my initial reaction when I saw the latest sex video for the first time last night through a cellphone.
If one is to look at it as plain sex video and you don’t know any of the actors in it, you would say it’s a clip from a porn movie as the ‘act’ is done artistically. But since everyone knows and talking about the video involving both actors, I can’t help but took pity on Katrina. She’s a woman and her rights (as a person) has been violated. Whether Katrina was aware or not when she it was filmed, my heart goes out to her.
Somebody has to pay for the bastard act (of filming and distributing the sex clip). In an interview Lolit Solis claimed that only four people knew or are keeping the copy of the video.
Such a pity. I support women’s group Gabriela and even Senator Bong Revilla in condemning Hayden (and other culprits) for this dastardly act.
This is my take on this issue. What’s yours?
