Tips on Dining Out with Kids + Claw Daddy's + Rufo's

At Claw Daddy' Crabhouse and American Grill

Introducing your children to the world of restaurant dining can be an exciting and rewarding experience for the family, or it can be an absolute nightmare.  From servers and staff that give less than stellar service the moment they see a child at the table to the glares of fellow kid-free diners, it isn’t always easy to enjoy a family meal out on the town. 

Yes, it's not always raining sunshine when kids are with you specially on the not so friendly atmosphere.   That gives me a thought.  Maybe I could also rate restaurants according to their friendliness especially to diners with kids and babies.

Here are some factors you might want to consider when figuring out where to bring the whole family or your kids out to dine.

K to 12, Officially a Law

Like many parents and educators, I have been a witness on  how scrupulous it is to pass a bill for it to become a law.  I'm not a politician nor a lawyer so I wouldn't dare go beyond explaining the long procedure by which the lawmakers in the Philippine Legislature abide by.   All I know is that a series of reports, conferences and debates have to be made, and that it is important to know that it should be beneficial to all the citizens.  I have been a witness indeed to a far more important bill  or law wherein my children's future are at stake.   And I'm pleased to announce that finally President Benigno Aquino III has signed the Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 commonly known as K to 12.

Super Tuyo: My New Kitchen Hero

This post will give a whole new light to eating the very familiar yet applauded less, Tuyo.  Tuyo in the Filipino's dictionary is any fish heavily salted and dried under the sun, which in turn preserve the fish then stored.   Also, it is the most widely eaten viand during stormy seasons.  Unlike daing (another kind of dried fish) tuyo are smaller variants of fish such as herring, and Salinas being preferred by many.  

Chef Laudico Guevarra's Fiesta-feel Buffet

I've been spending a couple of quiet moments, thinking how I could celebrate Mother's Day without my mama or lola here with us.  Sweating, diffused and uninspired due to some mishandled issues with some projects where I am busy with.  Though there are some things which should be cheering me up, like having my new Samsung fridge (10 in,two door, inverter model), getting nice complements from my readers and having more time with kids at home, there is still that emptiness I just couldn't pin point.  Is this a longing for my mom's or sister's company or just the recollection of my most indelible experience at my lola's old house in Bohol?

Countries with Tough Visa Application

The memory of our first visit to Milan was a bit traumatic.  Let me correct that, its not actually the trip that was traumatic but the process on how to get there.  No one told me getting one would be like finding a needle in a haystack, worst when you're getting for the whole family.   We were supposed to be in Italy for my sister's wedding.   Guess what, it took us more than a month to get a permission to enter Europe, meaning we need to have Schengen Visas, worse we didn't make it to her wedding and Christmas.

That was nine years ago, when we don't have any other options.

Now things have managed to change for good, that includes applying for documents you need for traveling, studying or migrating abroad.  More so, getting a visa can be a breeze, although in some cases it would still depend on your country of origin. However, there are some countries where getting a visa is complicated no matter the color of your passport.

Delicious Summer Treats That's Right on the Budget

Two months can drag on when trying to keep the kids entertained all summer.  Aside from increased electricity bills, longer shopping list (with more visits to the grocery store), moms need to think of what to give kids for snacks.  

I'm sure by now you have exhausted all efforts on deciding what to make or buy  for every three meals for the day, how about those in-betweens, it can get pretty nasty- from junk foods to tons of sweets readily available in the community stores.  Well, here's a treat for all of us, starting this summer right until the school opens again.

Merry Month of May at the Century Park Hotel

Wouldn't you like to have new memorable moments this May!  How about rediscovering what Century Hotel offers that's sure to make every day special.

May is sounding off the coming of Mother's Day celebration so why not spoil the family matriarch and experience memorable bonding moments while savoring our special treats on her special day.

Show her that she matters by surprising her and the whole family with a lunch or dinner buffet at the Café in the Park for P 1,475+ for adults and half the price for children 7 to 12 years old and free for children 6 years old and below. Add merriment to this experience and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine or a bucket of beer or soft drinks for every 10 diners in the mother’s day buffet.

Naci Comfort Food's Refreshing New Look

The best news came to my yahoo mail one day.  It was a news from Ms. Nadine Nocom herself, the owner of Naci Comfort Food letting me know that Naci moved from Greenhills to The Fort.  My oh my, what glee!

Well it was sad when I knew of the Naci Greenhills branch closing down.   I've actually visited the place only a couple of times and every time I remember the name, what initially comes to mind is comfort food (chocolates, richly blended rice dishes, home-spun dishes reinvented) and everything good about food.

I guess they perfected the essence of being laid-back, luxuriate with exquisite food and beverages- simply comfort.

See my old post about Naci Comfort Food at the link below.

Comfort of Dining at Naci Comfort Food

7-ELECTION: Every Gulp Counts

It's only eight more days before we see ourselves declaring freedom once more and giving our country more chances of developing political and social wise.

Summer heat can most of the time be synonymous with election days (which happens every three years).  Good thing 7-11, the largest convenient store in the country, had launched a program giving customers a way to quench their thirst away and represent the team candidates for this year's (2013) election.   I don't really know how this can be accurate- in a way to know how any one would probably vote for a certain election candidate or party.  But it's a good enough barometer to know who or what party majority of the people might be vouching for.
You can also make your vote count ahead of the election day by simply buying an 16oz Gulp® beverage of any choice from Coca Cola, Del Monte and Pepsi.

Yep, easy as 1, 2, 3...

There are only 3 paper cup varieties.  The choice of cup serves as your vote, But for it to be valid, the bar code on your cup should be scanned for the system to tally the vote.
The designs are colored according to the Teams as such:

Team PNoy : YELLOW

Team Una: ORANGE
All In-One-Cup/Independent: WHITE
 (Ang Kapatiran, Bangon Muna, Democratic, Makabayan and Social Justice)

After choosing your cup, Yey, time to get your favorite drink...no dear, your drink is not designated to any parties, just the cups, get it?

Heads up, the beauty of this  informal 7-Election polls is that, though partial, is transparent since all 7-Eleven stores will be able to track the sale of the 7-Election Gulp® cups.   A lowdown of  the Gulp® cups and online polls are posted in leader boards at all stores weekly.

Regular updates will be open to the public in the website, social media and via strategic LED billboards placements in key transit areas in Metro Manila. The final tally will be released on May 7, 2013.

Hurry!  The promo and voting per se (buying of Gulp®) is only until May 6, 2013.

So Gulp your support now!

Sunshine on my Lemongrass Lemonade

Liven up your humid day with glasses of lemonade with a punch and a sunny feel.   Aside from getting a good dose of health benefits from lemongrass and lemon juice, you also divert your family from getting too much Nestea Iced Tea or sodas.  This refreshing concoction of lemongrass tea, lemon juice and oranges is so easy to make.

 Let me first give you a bit of info about cymbopogon, another name for lemongrass.

In a study that was conducted it has shown that every 100g of edible lemon grass, when boiled can contain up to 24.205 micrograms of beta-carotene the powerful anti-oxidant that scientist believe can help prevent cancer. In another study it has shown that lemon grass oil has the potential as topical eye medication against keratomycosis, an inflammation of cornea often associated with burning or blurring of vision. Researchers note that lemongrass oil’s antioxidant qualities and ability to inhibit the enzyme that promotes the growth of cancer cells are promising.

Aside form making hearty soups and viand with stalks of these, it has a whole lot of uses.

The health benefit however are the ones listed below.

 Health Benefits of Lemon Grass:

• It contains an antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

• It helps to detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract.

• Helps boost the immune system

• Helps reduce uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats

• It helps alleviates indigestion and gastroenteritis.

• Helps improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples

• It helps tone the muscle and tissues

• Helps in menstrual troubles

• Helps reduce blood pressure and improve blood circulation

• Helps reduce cellulite

• Act as sedative for the central nervous system.

• May help prevent colon cancer

• Helps in reducing fevers

• Help in flatulence and colic

• Relieves arthritic pain and rheumatism

Source: http://wakeuphils.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/health-benefits-of-lemon-grass/

To make a liter of Lemongrass Lemonade follow this recipe.

Lemongrass Lemonade

1 bunch or half a cup of fresh lemongrass
2 cups of water
juice from 2 lemons
4 TBSP honey
2 oranges, any type, sliced in cubes

Procedure:
1. Boil 2 cups of water with the lemongrass.  Once boiled, remove the lemongrass. Set aside to cool.
2. Mix the honey with the lemongrass water and pour over a pitcher half filled with ice cubes.
3.  Pour the lemon juice to the pitcher and then the oranges.
4. Enjoy your beverage!