Mommy Discovery: Smart Steps Anti Mosquito Patches

I hate mosquitoes.  I hate getting bitten by those insects.  Aside from it being itchy and irritating, I don't like the thought that those bugs can be carriers of Dengue. Smart Steps, one of my trusted Baby Brands has a new product that I have discovered during the last SM Grand Baby Fair.  Introducing the Smart Steps Anti-Mosquito Patch.

One pack contains 12 anti-mosquito patches with really cute designs.  My kids, especially my daughter is a huge fan of Phineas and Ferb.  We bought one for her to use at school but my son ended up using it at home as well. 

The patch is deet-free, safe for babies and is waterproof.  It has citronella, geranoil and eucalyptus oil that drives those pesky insects away.  It’s quite easy to use because just like any sticker, you just have to peel it off from the pack and stick it on to your kids clothes.  What I love most about it is that it comes with a resealable bag. 

The Mosquito patch is great for travelling because it is space saving.  You can just stuff it in your bag’s side pocket or even tuck it in a folder.  If your kids are big Disney fans, you can choose from the Mickey Mouse Designs, Phineas and Ferb, Winnie the Pooh and the Disney Princess. 

The Smart Steps Anti Mosquito patch will be available in the market soon so watch out for it.   For now, the mosquito patch will be sold at their booth in the upcoming MCNP Grand EB and Expo on March 24 at the 500 Shaw Zentrum Events Pavillion. 


Visit Smart Steps Facebook Fan page here.
Get to know more about MCNP (Modern Cloth Nappying Pinays) here.

HAMming Up the Holidays

There were a lot of things that we looked forward to during the last Holiday Season. One was our family’s week-long vacation to Bacolod because it will be our first time celebrating the New Year there and the other is sinking our teeth into the Premium Honey Glazed Ham from Frabelle that was delivered at our doorstep.

Noche Buena is never the same without Ham at our table. Call that the Quimpo family Tradition.  While the kids running around, playing around and laughing, my husband went to prepare and cook the ham. 

The Claim

Frabelle Foods Premium Honey Glazed Ham is made of whole muscle meat that came from the ham leg.  It does not separate when sliced or cooked.  It is naturally smoked using real wood chips then caramelized to perfection.   Topped with pure honey and sugar, the ham is blowtorched to produce that brownish glazed covering and the sweet succulent taste.

The Verdict

The ham was everything that it promised to be and more.  It was delicious and very tender.  One can taste the smokiness and the sweetness of the meat inside.  I had to remind myself that there are other family members who’d like to try this yummy treat. The kids and I ate it plain while my husband and my mother-in-law made a ham sandwich.  

Will I be buying this the next time? Most definitely! This would have been on our table during our Media Noche if it were available in Bacolod.  Now that I’m back in Manila, I’ll be hitting the grocery soon so I could buy one for my Parents and have it shipped.  This is one ham that will most likely be served on days that we feel like eating one. 

Thank you Frabelle Foods for making our Noche Buena complete. 

Mommy Discovery: The Headware

When my daughter, niece and I attended Mommy Mundo's Moms on the Floor Event last September, we were introduced to this interesting, fashionable and functional accessory known as the Headware.  The first time I saw it, I didn't quite know what it's for.  I left it with my daughter while I took pictures of the event, and the next thing I saw is her using it like she owned one before.

The Headware with cool designs.

Headware is made of soft, stretchable and breathable fabric that is tubular in shape.  It comes in different colors and designs that you can use in 20 different ways.  It can be worn as a scarf (my daughter's favorite), a bandana, a tube top and even a skirt.  My daughter even requested that I buy her another Headware of the same design so she could have a tube dress.  Quite a great idea, don't you think?

Trying it on for the first time - a bandana

Used as a scarf when she sang at the party.

Headware is not just for the active folks.  It is such a versatile piece of accessory that you can wear pretty much everywhere and in any situation.  If you need something to spice up your officewear, use it as a scarf.  If you're cleaning the house, use it as a headband or a scrunchie.  Or if you're at the beach, you can wear it like a bandana.  Think Survivor!

Great to own and to give as gifts this Christmas.  The Headware is available online at Zalora or see the list of stores here.

Visit their website at www.theheadware.com.ph or Like their Facebook page.

Mommy Treats Peppermint "Tyna" Brownies

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Mommy Treats.  In fact I consider it as one of my "Breast Friends" in my breastfeeding journey.   One of the treats that I often order (and highly recommend) is the Mommy Treats Lactation Brownie.

The Lactation Brownie comes in a Batch of 12 individually wrapped foils.  What makes it so special is that it is all natural.  It’s always freshly baked and it doesn’t contain any preservatives.  If you are a lactating mom, these brownies contains galactagogues which will help increase your milk supply.  While there is a slight bitter aftertaste on the Lactation cookies and muffin bites, it is almost negligible when you eat the brownies.  For almost a year, I have been ordering these goodies and it is always baked into perfection.  It is soft, moist, chewy – just the way I want my brownie to be.

Brownie crumbs are what's left after my son devoured the Brownie.
He was less than a year old then.

How effective are these? Let me put it this way.  I order a batch everytime there is a scheduled Monthly or Quarterly Business Reviews and I didn’t notice any dip in my milk supply regardless of the amount of stress at work.  My milk looked creamier too.  I noticed that when I compared my expressed milk.

Love the notes from Mommy Paola

Not just for the Nursing Moms

Because the Brownie is all natural, kids can eat it too.  I am not the only fan of Mommy Treat’s brownies.  In fact, my son and daughter couldn’t get enough of it.  Even my sister-in-law who’s not lactating is ordering a batch for her daughter who’s constipated.  I found out that Fenugreek, one of the key ingredients in the Brownie, contains high levels of soluble fiber.  This probably explains why eating the brownie help my nephew with her “problem.”

New Exciting Brownies

Now Mommy Paola has “tweaked” the Brownies this Christmas season and I am soooooo lucky to get to try the first batch.  If you love mint in your chocolate just like I do, then this Peppermint Brownie is for YOU!

Heavenly Brownie for my Morning Snack. Yum!

The Peppermint Brownie still comes in a Batch of 12.  The best part is when you unwrap the foil and you can immediately smell peppermint.  My husband can attest to the number of times I said “Hmm....” to every bite.  The mint is just right and the brownie, heavenly.  The good news is I get to eat the Brownies all by myself.  The bad news is, I couldn’t share this with my son.  He doesn’t like mint.  But other than that, it’s perfect.


And how cool is this - she named the brownie after ME!  It's just one of those days that I shared with her that it would be nice to put peppermint on those yummy brownies and she did! You bet.  I am one HAPPY MOMMA!

Like Mommy Treats on Facebook or visit their website to order a Batch.  Then come back.  Let me know what you think about the Brownies.

Mommy Treats Chocolate Lactation Spoon

I first knew about Mommy Treats exactly two years ago when I was struggling with my milk supply.  I’m not exactly a person who likes soup all the time so I ended up popping pills – malunggay pills.  Then I got introduced to this yummy treats with galactagogues (like fenugreek, brewers yeast and oat)  as ingredients and I got hooked ever since.

Now, another yummy treat was created and launched by yummy mommy Paola Loot, the beauty and brains behind Mommy Treats.  It is called the Chocolate Lactation Spoon.  The treat is a small block of chocolate that is stuck to a wooden spoon.  Just like the rest of the treats, it contains galactagogues that helps lactating moms in increasing their milk supply.  It comes in three variants – plain chocolate, chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint chocolate.  When I heard peppermint chocolate, I didn't waste any time.  I immediately placed my order.  

I didn't have to worry about how effective it is because I have ordered Lactation Brownies in the past.  Aside from it being yummy, it is very effective,  In my world where I have to attend several business reviews and having to work at night, I just made sure that I have my Mommy Treats with me so my milk supply will not dip.  My milk looks creamier too when I ate the Brownies.

They're here! Lactation Brownies and Chocolate spoons individually wrapped. And a letter from Paola.

Don't you just love the little hearts? I do! 

What I like about mommy treats is that it is wrapped based on the recommended daily serving.  Each chocolate spoon too is individually wrapped.  I also noticed that the peppermint chocolate have little hearts on top which is just lovely.  I unwrapped my first treat and started nibbling.  On my first bite, I can already taste the mint which is heavenly.  (Can you tell that I love mint on my chocolates?)  I kept telling myself that I should leave some to disolve in the water because this was meant to be drank not eaten but I couldn’t resist.  I ended up eating half and disolving half in hot water.  The chocolate drink was great but I enjoyed it better when I’m nibbling it. 

Get your treats now at Mommy Treats.  Visit their website or like them on Facebook.

Mommy Discovery: Drypers Head to Toe Wash

When you hear Drypers, what comes into your mind first is diapers.  My son is Drypers baby since birth.  We still use them now when we leave the house. He never had rashes on his bum and he's always had a good night sleep.  I was thrilled when I found out at the Drypers Shower Party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, that they too have Drypers accessories.

Wearing Drypers at 4 months.

I went home with a sample of the Head to Toe Wash, Baby Bath and Baby Shampoo.  I was too excited that I used the Head to Toe Wash the next day when I bathe my son.  I was curious too on how it will fare against the baby shampoo that we are currently using.

The Baby Wash has a mild scent that is not irritating to the nose.  It is also gentle enough for babies to use.  I especially like the fact that it too is gentle on your baby's eyes.

After his bath came the real test.  One active toddler plus a garage where he could run around and play equals one stinky toddler at the end of the day.  I was pleasantly surprised that I can still smell the scent of the shampoo before he and I went to sleep.  This is the first time that I actually didn't cringe. LOL :)

I headed to the nearest grocery store only to find out that the product is not yet available.  I am looking forward for it to be launched (hopefully soon) and for sure I will be one of the first moms to buy this.  But for now, you can get them by collecting 60 Drypers points and have them exchanged for Drypers Accessories.  Just visit the Drypers Community website and click on Drypers Gifts for Grabs at the lower left portion of the site.

Update!!!!
Drypers Head to Toe Wash is available in selected supermarkets like South Supermarket, Landmark and Ever Supermarket.  Get one now!





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What to Expect When Mommy is Having a Baby: A Book Review

One of the things that parents prepare and sometimes dread is the talk about the birds and the bees.  How much information should we give and are these information age appropriate?

My daughter was 5 when she said that she wanted a baby brother; 7 when me and my husband started trying for baby number 2 and 8 when I finally got pregnant.  My husband and I are already anticipating her questions when we stumble upon the book written by Heidi Murkoff.  What to Expect When Mommy is Having a Baby is every parent's best friend.  Heidi Murkoff is the co-author of the book What to Expect When You’re expecting.  The book answers questions from how babies are made to how babies get out of the womb.  To make it more fun, the author created a character named Angus who gives out bits of information along the way. The book is recommended for children ages 3-5 but we still find the book useful even if our daughter was 8 when we found this.

The first part of the of the book is the author's note to the parents -- congratulating them on the new baby and acknowledging the fact that explaining the pregnancy to a toddler could be quite a challenge.  The book not only answers some of the questions and at the same time the topics in the book could serve as a springboard for further discussions.  For some who might be reading this book to anyone younger, the author recommended that the parents should read the book first and decide which information is appropriate for their child/children. 

Each pages addresses a question that children may have.  The answers were straightforward and any child could understand.  There are also activities for the kids in relation to the question.  My daughter's favorite activity was to roll herself in a blanket because according to the book, that's how the baby feels like inside the uterus.  She's probably done that almost everytime we finish reading it.

The topics that were covered are:

• Where is the baby?
• How did the baby get in there?
• How can a baby fit inside mommy?
• What makes the baby grow? How can I help?
• How does the baby eat?
• Can the baby hear and see me?
• What does the baby do all day?
• Why doesn’t mommy feel well sometimes?
• Why does mommy go to the doctor so much?
• When will the baby come out? How does it get out?

We found the book at a perfect time.  We sat down as a family to read it and took time to answer additional questions.   The most difficult question that my daughter asked so far was, “Mama, where is the birth canal?  Can I see it?”  So you can imagine what our faces looked like she asked that.

What I love about the book is that it helped my daughter somewhat understand what any mommy is going through when she’s pregnant.  If I don’t feel well, she’ll just say “I know. You’re not sick. You’re just pregnant.”  Then she'll give me a kiss and run off to bug her father.  The book was instrumental in bringing us closer and getting her emotionally ready for her baby brother.  The time we spent together just talking and telling stories about the time when I was pregnant with her never fails to put a smile on her face.  And when her brother was born, she has nothing but love to offer to the new member of the family.






(This blog entry was posted in Smartparenting's online publication.)