Birthday Dinner at Hong Kong Chef

Last Saturday, I had my birthday dinner at Hong Kong Chef, located along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City. I opted to hold my birthday treat here as my family already likes the food and Hubby Volts was craving for cuttlefish. :-)

We ordered Yang Chow Fried Rice (Mica's requirement), Soy Chicken, Beef with Brocolli (another staple), Two-way Fish (fresh, as in alive prior to cooking, fish served in two dishes - as steamed fish and as fish broth), Fried Cuttlefish and Spicy Schezhuan Prawns.

I particularly loved the cuttlefish and their version of Beef with Brocolli. The Two-Way Fish was way over-priced, though (Note to self: Don't let Daddy order this next time). But all in all, a satisfying meal enjoyed with the people dearest to me. (Although, I think I had way too much MSG; the back of my head was aching on the way home)

Sleep and Breastfeeding

I have often wondered why Gabe and I would both nod off to sleep a few minutes into the feeding. It turns out that breast milk contains a hormone - the delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) - that induce sleep in both moms and babies.

In their article on this subject, authors B.J. Pollard and C.J.D. Pomfrett says

DSIP is present in relatively high concentrations in human milk (10-30 ng mL-1).
Any mother who has breast-fed her babies will attest to the ability of a feed to
induce sleep.

So aside from giving moms an opportunity to bond with their little ones, breastfeeding also allows both moms and babies to catch some much-needed zzzzzs.

SKY Fun Club at Ark Avilon Zoo

Last Saturday, Mica and I headed off to Ark Avilon Zoo in Fronterra Verde to join the SKY Fun Club Activity and for some mom-daughter bonding time.

Mica and I had fun viewing the animal exhibits, particularly the feeding station where Mica was accosted by several cute little bunnies, attracted by the juicy carrot at the end of Mica's stick.

Regrettably, we did not stay long enough to see Colin, the monkey with the Crocs shoes.

Ice Cream Heaven - Chocolate Truffles of Selecta Gold Series

I'm a dessert addict. I love ice cream. I love chocolate. I love ice cream with chocolate. Make that ice cream with loads of chocolate and I'll be in my own version of heaven.

Therefore, it's really no wonder that I would be drawn to the Selecta Gold Series, particularly the Chocolate Truffles flavor.

What a decadent treat! Each spoonful had big pieces of chewy chocolatey truffles with generous swirls of chocolate syrup. Kudos to Rolando Laudico of Bistro Filipino and to the people of Selecta Ice Cream for creating this little piece of chocolate heaven.

Accessories for the Kikay in All of Us

A dear friend of mine, Gigi, recently launched her own line of jewelry and accessories. The great thing about this venture is that her customers are assured that the pieces they buy from her are one-of-a-kind. So if you're getting married and want a stunning crystal chain, or if you're having a party and would like to give your guests something special as a remembrance or just want the perfect accessory to glam up your day-to-day outfits, I suggest you visit the Buchichi Accessories Multiply site.

Happy accessories shopping!

Visita Iglesia 09

Yesterday was Maundy Thursday. Mom, Mica and I spent the afternoon on our family's annual practice of Visita Iglesia. I make it a point to spend this "bonding" time with my mom and my daughter, a tradition to be kept alive by the women in our family. As luck would have it, we were accompanied by my brother, Kuya Jay, who served as our driver, saving me the headache of searching for parking spaces and navigating the unusually empty thoroughfares. :-)

Visita Iglesia - the tradition of visiting seven churches and reciting the Stations of the Cross in each church - is an old Filipino tradition, most probably dating back to the Spanish colonial era. I find it a good excuse to spend time with my family while sightseeing along the way to the churches. This time, we went to churches near our home but those that we don't usually go to: The Sta. Lucia Eucharistic Adoration Chapel along Manggahan, the Holy Family Chapel in Eastood City, the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina, the Christ the King Church near Green Meadows, the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in Pasig and lastly, Pasig Church. That makes only six churches; for the past five years, we haven't completed all seven churches. I'm not so much into the penance aspect of the practice, as I enjoy the family time aspect of it more. The highlight of the day is always the halo-halo merienda we enjoy en route to the last church.

Spongebob and the Big Wave

I hope to bring Mica to the Spongebob and the Big Wave Party to be held at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, Taguig City on April 25 (Saturday) from 2pm to 6pm.

Also, Spongebob and the Big Wave special episode premieres on April 26 (Sunday) at 10am on Nickelodeon.

Spongebob Squarepants is Mica's favorite program on Nickelodeon.