Toy Stories and Family Time: Sylvanian Families

For Julia's 9th birthday last December 8, 2011, she requested for Sylvanian Families.

This is a collectible toy with flocked plastic figure created by Epoch in 1985. The characters are woodland creatures such as rabbits, mice, beavers, hedgehogs and bears with movable limbs and heads. The clothes are made of fabric and is removable. Sylvanian Families is good for stimulating imaginative role-play for children. Although the manufacturer recommends this for kids age 4+, I personally think this should be played by kids 7 and up. Aside from the fact that its pricey, its small parts can easily be lost or swallowed.

I'm a bit too old for toys now, but Sylvanian Families is one toy I don't regret buying

because my whole family get to play with it. John plays his part in real life by fixing the fixtures and furnitures of this toy.

EXPO KID 4

EXPO KID year 4 is set for March 10, Saturday at the Rockwell Tent. This year's EXPO KID will feature 4 activity areas for kids of all ages, namely, CAMP ADOBO (a kids camp that stirs up and entices your child'sawareness and appreciation for the Filipino culture and it's richcultural values), MY MASTERPIECE MOVEMENT (one of the most dynamic multi-artsschools in the country today), HAPI HOMESCHOOLER (the homeschool association of the philippine islands gives us a taste of a homeschoolers' life) and ENDERUN (will give a taste and sneak peek into their unique course offerings for moms and children this summer).

Entrance to Expo Kid year 4 is only 25 pesos per person. Kids below12 years old get in free of charge. Mommy Mundo passport holdersalso get free entrance upon presentation of your card. 100% of registration fees go to MomShare outreach projects.

All attendees will be treated to- yummy Lulubelle Frozen Yogurt samplers- family photo from Fantasy Kiosk- There will be Crystal Clear water stations situated around the venue for free drinking water. There is also a kids inflatable at the foyer area courtesy of FUNRANCH. For nursing moms, there will be a breastfeeding lounge.

You can also look forward to Mommy Mundo's trademark expo area,where you can shop and learn about the latest products and services.

Cologne for the Whole Family

Right now we can already feel the summer heat. Some perfumes do not go well with the hot temperature of our land. Good thing we have Gotitas de Oro cologne to keep us smelling fresh all day. I first saw this cologne from my nephews and nieces when they were babies. I immediately fell in love with its scent and have since use it for my children.

While Gotitas de Oro line (cologne, lotion and lotion) was originally made for babies, I must admit that I use them too. Gotitas de Oro cologne is an ideal cologne for the whole family.

Read more of Gotitas de Oro here

Your Thoughts on Your Shirt and more

It's truly amazing how modern technology can do wonders and make things faster. I remember years back when my brother would silk screen shirts that they needed for school. It took him weeks to finish the entire batch. My husband, on the other hand, paints shirts by hand. He used to do that for me when we were just sweethearts, and it takes him days to finish one.

With Adong Shirt, a client need not wait a century. Adong shirt is a product of Quad-C Imaging which specializes in t-shirt design, graphics design and layout, photo and video editing, printing services, stickers and labels and other souvenir items. For more information on t-shirt printing and other event giveaways, contact you can call/txt at 09175554220, Adong 0917-5554220 or 0935-8868763 or email at philipclosa@yahoo.com

Pizza for Lent

Ash Wednesday is the official start of the Lenten Season. During the mass, officiating priests would remind Catholics to stay away from eating meat. They also encourage people to do fasting. Kids 14 years old below, and folks 60 years old and above are exempted from fasting.

For those who can't give up pizza for the Lent, try Angel's Pizza's Alici.

Toppings include anchovies, black olives and tomatoes.

Best is that Angel's Pizza has a Buy 1 Take 1 promo from 10am to 1pm. Flavors for free pizza are Hawaiian, Pepperoni, and Bacon. This is valid for Dine-in, delivery and take-out.

For Delivery, dial 922-2222

Quality Beddings for Babies

When organizing a baby shower, I always ask the expectant mom what she'd prefer for a gift. The most requested are bolsters, pillows, blankets, and comforter.

Castle for Baby is a manufacturer of unique and quality beddings, baby linens, and accessories such as comforters, pillows, bolsters, diaper stacker, duvet and stroller & carrier pads.

All of Castle for Baby's items are exclusively available at SM Baby Company.

ERGObaby® Carrier

Last February 25, ERGObaby® Carrier held a fashion event at the Powerplant Mall.

Lexi Shultz and Paolo Abreira hosted the event.

ERGObaby® Carrier, an international babywearing brand widely used by Hollywood Celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Orlando Bloom, PINK among others.

Born in the relaxed environment of Hawaii, first designed by Karin Frost, the ERGObaby® Original Carrier was developed for her son, applying proper ergonomics to a pragmatic need: carry your child close. She sought feedback from fellow parents, studied kids’ reactions to being carried—and found a ready audience of likeminded moms and dads.

The ergonomic design of the ERGObaby® Carrier supports the baby’s spine and hips while they are carried. It can be worn on the front (tummy-to-tummy), on the back , and in the hip position. The ERGObaby®Infant insert adapts the carrier for newborns between 7lbs (3kgs) and 12lbs (5.5 kgs) pounds. The back position is only best used from approximately 6 months of age, as long as the baby has strong and consistent head and neck control, and can be carried safely with legs comfortably and securely straddling the wearer’s waist. All ERGObaby Carriers have a hood to support your sleeping baby’s head, protects from sun and wind, and allows for privacy while nursing.

ERGObaby® Carrier features : (A) COMFORTABLE- Ergonomically correct positioning for baby and parent (B) VERSATILE- The most versatile carrier in the market: can be worn on the front, back and hip. (C) PRACTICAL – One carrier accomodates newborn to 45lbs.

ERGObaby® products are available in selected SM Baby Company Stores nationwide- Rockwell, Podium, SM North Edsa Department Stores, SM North Edsa Annex, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Las Piñas Department Stores, SM Las Piñas Annex, SM Pampanga, SM Megamall, SM Davao, SM Cebu Department Stores and SM Cebu Annex.

ERGObaby® products are exclusively distributed by Richwell Phils. Inc. For more information about ERGObaby®, please call 990-5437 or visit official facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/ergobabyphilippines and website at www.ergobabycarriers.com.

(View more photos HERE)

Reliv and Soy Labs Launch Luna Rich

Reliv International, Inc. and Soy Labs LLC announced the creation of LunaRich™, an exclusive soy powder which contains more than five times soy peptide lunasin than the industry standard to effectively help control cholesterol production in the body. Reliv is adding LunaRich to its high-quality nutritional supplements and will be available in the Philippines on March 2012.

“This is a significant step forward for Reliv and for nutrition science,” said Dr. Carl Hastings, Reliv’s chief scientific officer. “As scientists learn more about the mechanisms that make soy a nutritional superfood, Reliv is proud to lead the way in making the fruits of these discoveries available to all.”

Reliv is a manufacturer and distributor of patented nutritional supplements in 15 countries worldwide. It is the first company selected by the Missouri Plant Science Center (MPSC) in the USA and its managing tenant Soy Labs for a new joint biotechnology research and development partnership. The team-up gives Reliv greater access to soy and plant biotechnology research as well as benefit from exclusive ingredient innovations.

LunaRich is a whole soy powder containing five to ten times more lunasin than the industry standard. Lunasin is a peptide found naturally in soy that scientists have identified as the key to many of soy’s documented health benefits. These include cholesterol management, heart health and weight loss, among others.

“A growing body of research shows that the lunasin peptide is one of the most important bioactive components of soy,” said Dr. Alfredo Galvez, the MPSC’s lead scientific advisor. “In creating LunaRich for Reliv, we have maximized lunasin levels in a soy powder.”

Dr. Galvez is a recipient of the 2010 PhilDev Award, given to outstanding Filipino-Americans in science and technology. He first discovered lunasin in 1996 during research at UC Berkley to improve the nutritional profile of soy protein. More than 40 peer-reviewed and published studies have documented lunasin’s health benefits. Research by 21 research institutions supported by 27 public and private funding sources has resulted in nine patents.

The amount of lunasin in soybeans varies significantly based on seed, soil and environment. The MPSC refines specially selected soybeans grown exclusively for Reliv to maximize levels of lunasin in LunaRich.

Reliv Philippines’ Managing Director Jolly Gomez says Filipinos should take advantage and benefit from this recent development in nutrition science. “Reliv Philippines has been providing good nutrition for more than 10 years now. With LunaRich as a new ingredient, Reliv’s products will be even better!”

(Above contents is a press release from Reliv)

View more photos HERE

A Joyful Occasion at Grace To Be Born

When my mom was still living, she'd always remind us (her daughters) that the worst a woman can do is undergo an abortion. Aside from that, having difficulty conceiving, I became a pro-life advocate. When I first visited Grace To Be Born in 2009, the shelter has since been close to my heart.

Last February 20, for Occasions of Joy's 2nd Blogversary, I decided that instead of throwing a party with my friends and relatives, I organized an outreach activity cum Baby Shower Party at Grace To Be Born to give one joyful occasion to all its residents. Quoting from the discourses of Sathya Sai Baba, "Share your joy, your wealth and your knowledge with others less fortunate. That is the surest means of winning Divine Grace."

Medical mission was done in the morning, with the help of my husband's friends,

Dr. Rodolfo Pascual Jr., OB Gyne

and Dr. Gilbert D' Asis, DMD.

Baby Shower followed in the afternoon

.

Residents, staff and volunteers had fun time at the photobooth of FUNLIPIX.

Games includes Dress-up Pooh game,

How well do you know,

Cupcake eating,

and baby bottle drinking.

Guests were given time to get to know the pregnant residents.

Photos of the pregnant women were purposely blurred to protect their identities.

Thank you Grace To Be Born for warmly welcoming us and allowing us to spend a day with you.

This outreach activity will not be made possible without the help of generous sponsors, namely Adong Shirt, Ainon Baby, Annesy Del Mundo, Baby Company, Baby Magazine, Bakersfresh, Cando-Florenda PR & Marketing Consultancy, Castle for Baby, Cherry Blossoms Cake, Darlyn Ty, Funlipix Photo Souvenir, Glecy Lopez, Mommy Matters, Myla & Sam Quional, Orient Merchants Inc., Pancake House, Shey Castillo, Soyami, The White Hat, Tot Couture and Water For Less.

Thank you to my friends in the Blogging community, namely, Bogs & Joy, Cza, Fedhz, Hon, Jeff & Mel, Jes, Jingke, Lace & Az, MarJonel, Olga and Tetcha for your support and sharing your blessings.

Thank you Alvin and Jannet for partnering with OJ's events.

Thank you Agnes, Ainie, Bedz, Dr. Bert, Dr. Dolf, Jing, Lyn, Nora and Robert

for spending your precious time.

And to John, thank you for always supporting my endeavors and patiently allowing me to be busy during the preparation and letting me rest and sleep longer after the event.

(View more photos here)

About Grace To Be Born:

Grace To Be Born is one of the many ministries of Mr. Bo Sanchez, located at #53 Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave., Bgy. Kapasigan, Pasig City. The place is a temporary shelter for pregnant women in distress, confused and have no resources to provide throughout the pregnancy.

To those who wish to help the center, you may donate in cash (for electricity and water bills) and in kind (Bonna milk for babies 0-12 months, diapers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, toiletries, and food). For more information, you may email reylindo.ortega@gmail.com or myrna.ortega@gmail.com.

If you know a pregnant woman who needs a place of refuge,

please call Light of Jesus at 725-9999.