Finding my "Zen"

I had a throbbing headache awhile ago. . . I guess because of the stress from all the things I have to do (there are a lot!  And I'll share with you why in the next few days) plus the intense heat we are having right now! (Yesterday, the temperature we read was at 39 degrees Celsius!)

To relieve my headache, I usually rub menthol sticks on my temple or take my favorite pain killer.  I really try not to be too dependent on pain killers but sometimes (most of the times, haha!), I just go and reach for one!  But I'm so happy that I finally found something that would help me stay away from them! (Woohoo!)  

I am loving Zenutrients' All is Well Balm.  As described in their website, this balm is a blend of Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and Peppermint.  It soothes away headaches, dizziness, coughs and colds.

Sells for Php 225 (50 g)

And I got a good tip from the girl at the Zenutrients kiosk!  She told me that I should put and rub the balm at the nape (and not at the temple!)  Once I rubbed the balm and massaged my nape, I felt the menthol slowly creeping in and after a few minutes. . . .I felt so much better (that I was able to write this post!  Haha!)   I'm really glad this particular balm works for me!  It's definitely going to be a part of my everyday bag! =)

Products work differently on each of us.  Should you try it, I hope it work well on you too. =)

By the way, another Zenutrients product that I love is their Underarm Deo Tea Tree Roll-on and  my sister love their Coconut Smooth and Shine Shampoo (which I have yet to try).

To know more about Zenutrients, their products and stores, please visit their website.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow because it's going to be the first time I'm celebrating it with Hubby! =)

To celebrate Mother's Day, I want to share with you videos (which you might have seen already since both of them went viral) which made me cry as they both describe Motherhood the way I see and feel about it.

One thing that Motherhood taught me is to strengthen my belief about being selfless and loving unconditionally. 

Just like this beautiful woman, Ms. Paddy, she gave up her dream of becoming a dancer (she started dancing when she was just two years old! to get married and take care of the family.

But after everything she had to do and went through, I am so happy (for her) that she chased her dream and did something about it.  

Yes, Motherhood isn't easy. . .it is definitely a tough job to do!

I love this video because it's heartwarming to see grown ups who suddenly remembered how great their Moms are =)  

And there's another side of Motherhood. . . there are just times that even when your love for your kids is overflowing and that they are your pride and source of joy. . . sometimes. . .sometimes. . .you just want to say . . .

Image from antoniarolls.blogspot.com

Haha!

Motherhood entails a lot of hard work.  It can be tiring and stressful.  I thought I was a patient person. . .until I became a Mom. (Haha!)  But in spite of all the "drama", the rewards are truly immeasurable!  

I am in a place where I want to be, happy and contented. =)

Happy Mother's Day!

At Home in Hizon's

There are two things that come to my mind when I hear about Hizon's Bakeshop located along J. Bocobo St. in Ermita, Manila (besides having good ensaymada).  First, it is a favorite hangout of Dolphy (a Filipino actor-comedian who passed away a couple of years ago) and second, it serves good porkchop, haha!  (I remember having it when I was a kid. . . and that was definitely a long time ago!)   

One day, while we were around the area, we thought of getting some lunch there (by the way, the coffee shop inside Hizon's is called Za's).  While we were going through the menu, I saw this on top of the table:

It's his favorite place alright. . .

While I am a fan of Dolphy, we got the other restaurant favorites because--- a) Turkey wasn't served that day and b) I don't eat Ox Tongue.

While waiting for our food, they served complimentary bread (very soft rolls!) and butter.

These definitely went well with the Chow Mein (aka Pancit Canton)

This is our new personal favorite.  The pancit canton was nothing fancy,  it was something that looked like it came out of someone else's home kitchen (which is why I like it!).   It was so flavorful (really yummy!) and they didn't scrimp on the ingredients.  This noodle dish just made our meal  . . . homey.

We got their Roast Beef too.  I've had better Roast beef from them before.  I hope they will be consistent with the tenderness of the meat.

And for the Man of the House (yep, Hubby is back home!), I got him the Grilled Pork Chop! 

There were two pieces of thick-cut pork chop that came with an apple sauce which hubby didn't touch at all (only because he likes his pork chop plain and simple. . . though I told him to try the chops with gravy, haha!)  The chops were more tender than the roast beef.  If I were at home, I'll be having this with rice and dip it in vinegar with garlic and pepper, haha! 

While Hubby was finishing his meal, I went to the bakeshop to buy some baked goodies.

Hizon's is known for their Ensaymada (with Quezon de Bola or Cheddar Cheese).  They also sell Dinner Rolls, Raisin Bread, Mamon, Taizan, Polvoron (to name a few). 

They are also famous for their Mocha cake (which has a caramel filling).

Hubby likes Macaroons so I got him a pack.  I am not fond of Macaroons but I liked these.  Hubby of course likes his Mom's Macaroons better (always!  Haha!)  I think nothing would come close to how she made them.  So I am taking that as a challenge!  (Not that I am competing with his Mom!)  I want to learn how to make Macaroons because I want him to relive those days when he was growing up, when his Mom was still around to bake them =) (How I wish I've had the chance to meet her so she could have taught me how to!)      

It was another Happy Tummy time for us!

For more details about HIzon's Bakeshop, please visit their FB page.

Hizon's Bakeshop and Za's Coffee Shop is located at 1197 J. Bocobo cor Arquiza Sts, Ermita, Manila. 

Inspiring Quote

I saw this quote while I was on the road . . .

Photo Source

There was a new girl who joined our class (I think when we were in third or fourth Grade) who was shy and anxious because she didn't know anyone in class (most of us in class have been classmates since the first grade).  But we proved to be actually nice (hahaha!) that we developed our friendship until we graduated in High School.

The next time we saw each other was when we were already married (with our own kids) and when we were reminiscing about those days when were still in our pigtails, she told me about one classmate of ours who she will never forget (and she is till grateful about it) for her act of kindness. . . .all because this classmate talked to her when she was a newcomer in class!   And just like that, she felt better and felt that she belonged.  (So to that classmate of ours, thank you for representing the whole class, haha!)

An act of kindness doesn't have to be grand because even a small one goes a long way (as long as 30 years!).

Have a nice day ahead!

Glad about Gavino's

I've seen a friend's Instagram post about Gavino's Donuts and got curious about these flower-shaped Japanese doughnuts.  (What is a Japanese doughnut??)    Truth be told, I haven't seen any branch of Gavino's. . . not until we saw their booth in SM Clark yesterday!  

I wanted to try the doughnuts but changed my mind when I saw these yummy looking sweet treats called Mochi Balls.  But before I bought them, I had to make sure that they are doughnuts and NOT the sticky, chewy Mochi balls (made of glutinous rice) that we know, haha!  (Fact: I don't like eating food which has that kind of consistency, so yes, don't eat tikoy too)   

There is a good number of variety for the balls (like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Black Forest, there's even a Red Velvet!)  but I got these . . . 

Top Row (Left to Right) - Cream, Hazelnut, Venetian
Bottom Row (Left to Right) - Choco Lava, Almondo and Choco Lava (again! I just had to buy 2 of those, haha!) 

After the first bite, the first thing you would notice is the chewiness of the dough and I think this is what sets it apart from the other doughnut treats in the market.  I read in some blogs that in making these doughnuts, an ingredient which is used in making Mochis is also used in making the dough of the doughnuts.  That's what makes these treats chewy like mochi!  (chewy like Mochi, chewy like Mochi, chewy like Mochi. . .this can be a good tongue twister, haha!)    

Almondo - recommended by their staff - has a Bavarian cream which is not too sweet

For the Hazelnut ball, I wish it had a more intense Hazelnut taste (okay, I was hoping it would be like Nutella, haha!)  And my most favorite among the bunch. . . CHOCO  LAVAAA!!! Enough said, I'll let the photo below speak for itself! =)

After trying Gavino's Mochi Balls, all I can say is, I should have bought a box of their doughnuts too, haha! 

To know more about Gavino's Japanese Doughnuts (and their branches), please visit their website and FB page. =)

Happy Weekend! =)