Cook and Brew.

Research and statistics show that the current generation of kids are getting more unfit. Instant foods, junk foods, sweets and candies, then they get lots of distractions not to exercise like fascination with TV watching, ps3, wii, xbox video games and computers. So aside from giving them a healthy diet, parents should also get their kids to exercise. The best way to do this is to exercise together as a family. The motivation and good example should come from the parents themselves. After all, this also makes a great family bonding activity.

Even though our country was massively devastated by a series of calamities recently, I believe that the whole nation will still celebrate the Christmas season with a gleeful and positive spirit. After all, we’ve always been known as a pliant kindred and we always try to stand up as a nation no matter how tough the obstacle is that comes our way.

Jollibee’s mission of spreading Christmas cheer to needy children through their Maaga Ang Pasko program has always been commendable. It is the longest yearly Christmas donation drive where kids are encouraged to donate toys and books to kids who are less fortunate. It doesn’t have to be brand new or those latest gadgets like PS3, Xbox or netbooks. In fact, they are encouraged to donate their old toys or their current ones which actually teach and instill in them the true spirit of giving.

Kudos to Jollibee for this admirable cause.

*Photo snagged from philstar.com

I’ve shared a recipe find yesterday regarding Creepy Halloween Drinks. For today’s recipe find share, to complete the Halloween party foods for your kids, you might want to try this Mummy Dog recipe I stumbled upon from scoochmaru. Check out her article for a more detailed instructions plus step by step images.  Her article is indeed very helpful and easy to follow.

Step 1: Hot dogs (veggie dogs or sausages), biscuit dough (fresh or store-bought) and mustard are all you need to turn out these ghoulish delights! One roll of biscuit dough will cover one eight-pack of dogs. Preheat your oven to 375o F (190o C).

Step 2: Roll out your biscuit dough (Pillsbury Crescent Rolls), and pinch together any seams. Cut into strips about 1″ wide. Wrap your dogs!

Step 3: Bake for 12 minutes at 375o F.

Step 4: Decorate. Use mustard (or cheese whiz) to add eyes.

Notes: Mummy Dogs are more commonly known as “Pigs in Blanket”.

Photo Credits: scoochmaru.

Calling all parents out there who are in the midst of their kid’s birthday party planning.  Participate in the Grand Food Tasting of Hizon’s Catering, one of the best and leading caterers in the country, on the scheduled date below. (Thanks to my friend, Mec, for sharing this).

Participation in the Grand Food Tasting is Free, but since seats are limited, attendees are required to register online to reserve a slot.

What: The Grand Food Tasting is a free food tasting event, open exclusively to parents planing a party for their kids.

When: Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time: 11AM – 6PM
Where: Light of Love Event Place, 1163 Santol st., Quezon City Philippines (Green Gate)

How to attend the grand food tasting?
To attend the Grand Food Tasting, Simply click on the appropriate link below.

If you wish to attend the Grand Food Tasting
(click here and fill up a registration form to reserve seats for the event)

If you cannot attend the food tasting due to it’s date or location but wish to attend our next food tasting event
(click here and pre-register to their next grand food tasting event)

If you wish to learn more about their catering services and how they can help you on your upcoming event.
(click here to fill up a contact form so their event consultant can get in touch with you as soon as possible )

What to Expect at the Children’s Party Grand Food Tasting

Activity Stations
Glitter Tatoo
Face Painting
Mascot Performances
Magician Booths
Baloon Twisting
Cupcake Designing

Food Stations
Hot Food Cart Stations
Hotdogs, Flavored French Fries, Fish Balls
Quesadilla Station (Our Tribute to Mexican cuisine, a variety quesadillas freshly made by our chef )

On Spot Pasta Station (Gourmet Pasta stations prepared on the spot by our chef )

Carving Station (8 hour Oven Roasted Beef Fillet seasoned with Rosemary and Garlic)

Dessert Buffet Station
Miniature Cakes Served in shot glasses
Chocolate Mousse, Vanilla Mouse, Black forest Mousse

Mango Pannacotta served in miniature teacups, Tiramisu, Cr่me Brulee

Classic Desserts in Margarita Glasses (Coffee Jelly, Buco Pandan, Nata Con Peaches )

Crepe Station (Crepes Made on the Spot by our chef)

Chocolate Fondue Fountain (5ft chocolate fondue fountain served with fresh fruit dippings )

Kid’s Buffet
Baked Spaghetti
Home Style BBQ
Mini Burgers
Chicken Lolipops
Mini Pizzas

Adult’s Buffet
Chicken BBQ in Hawaiian Sauce
Fish Fillet with Honey Mustard Sauce
Lengua Royale Champignon
Buttered Vegetables
Steamed Rice

All attendees who will book their Children’s Party (Minimum of 100 Adults) with Hizon’s Catering can get for free any two of these stations for their event.

Pasta Bar
Dessert buffet
On spot crepe
Chocolate fondue fountain
Carving Station
Quesadilla Station
So register now for the grand food tasting!

Filipinos are known for the custom of having close family ties. We naturally care for each family members that home for the elders centers and nursing homes are uncommon. For some married children, even if they have the means to live on their own, they would still prefer to live with either of the couple’s families or parents.

A family is one of the major factors or the basis of one’s happiness. It is also in this light that a kid’s values formation and development are immensely affected by his family’s circumstance or state. So it is imperative that a family must stand sturdy together at all times and remain joyous despite life’s troubles. It is said that families who spends more time together, especially during dinner, is an effective means to strengthen the bond of the family. According to research, dinner is the perfect time to connect with our family. The communication that occurs over meal time fortifies the parent-child relationships.

Every fourth Monday of September is Famealy Day as spearheaded by Lucky Me! with their advocacy of acknowledging the importance of family meals in strenghtening the family bond. So on September 28, 2009, be sure to be home early for dinner and eat together with your spouse and kids. Because as they put it, your children need more than just good food during mealtimes..they need you!

Planning to have a Chocolate Fountain in your party?  Check out the following Metro Manila Chocolate Fountain suppliers that may serve your party requirements:

101 Pinoy Parties
0922-5667820; 0928-6021569
one0one.pinoyparties@yahoo.com

Choco Fountain by Flowers & Events
1321 Quirino Ave Malate, Manila
404-2638; 243-6875; 0916-7046273; 0916-5548993
flowersandevents@yahoo.com

Chocolate Fountain by Perfect Moments
1445 Zulueta St., Paco, Manila
564-2130; 563-7193; 0917-5361015
eventsbyperfectmoments@yahoo.com

Dreams and Glimpses Party and Bridal Boutique
713 JP Rizal St., Concepcion, Marikina City
240-3148; 942-1787; 724-5508; 0917-8544440; 0915-7793777
dreamsnglimpses@yahoo.com

ILoveChocoFondue.com Chocolate Fountain Services
3rd Floor Femar Bldg., ML Quezon St., Antipolo City
692-2939; 0905-2729751
info@ilovechocofondue.com

Sweet Definitions
0908.7882255; 0915-3344544
info@sweetdefinitions.com

My Chocolate Heaven
Email : mychocolateheaven.info@gmail.com
Cell # for Northern Luzon-Baguio City: 0917-5060308
Cell # for Northern Luzon-Lingayen: 0928-0255969
Cell # for Northern Luzon-Dagupan City:0928-5219053
Cell # for Bulacan : 0917-8922276
Cell # for Metro Manila: 0917-8007215

Stand a chance to get free Nestle Chuckie Chocolate Drinks for your kids just by joining the Nestle’s Chuckie Survey Promo.

First qualified 300 entries of every month will receive 1 free Nestle Chuckie 1 Liter. Promo date is from 1st May 2009 to 31st Jul 2009.

A few weeks ago, I joined a blogging contest sponsored by Red Ribbon in line with their newest cake product, the Cookies and Cream Cake. My entry was about the birthday celebration of dear hubby where I sent pictures of him and my son enjoying the Red Ribbon cake. And that could have tickled the fancies of the judges and picked my entry to win the first prize. No not as grand and luxurious as Las Vegas Show Tickets (how I wish!) but Php 1500 worth of Red Ribbon Gift Certificates. Thank you Red Ribbon because we enjoyed a Smores Cake for our Father’s Day celebration.

This month, we will be attending two birthday parties and the first one happened today. Here’s Janna’s birthday cake by Sugarbox, the same cake supplier who did my son’s birthday cake last March.

This commercial has been a long time favorite of my baby since he was a few months younger. This is his first ever favorite commercial and this never cease to catch his attention whatever he’s doing. Well, as the message of this song conveys, I do hope that he’ll love to eat veggies more as he grows up.

Here’s the translation of the lyrics:
Title: Makulay ang Buhay (Life is Colorful).

Vegetables, you’ll search for them when not served
Sauteed vegetables made meaty by Mom
That’s why vegetables are my favorite

Life is colorful
Life is colorful with Meaty sauteed vegetable

By the aroma alone, you can already taste
With the taste, you’re a winner
Bitter gourd, stringbeans, sayote (chayote), squash
It’s happier if it’s sauteed with Meaty

Life is colorful
Life is colorful with Meaty sauteed vegetable

For every bite and chew there’s happiness
Full of nutrients, full of energy
It make us very very happy both in studying and playing
So come on kids and taste it

Life is colorful
Life is colorful with Meaty sauteed vegetable

Life is colorful
Life is colorful (it’s yummy) with Meaty sauteed vegetable