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 I'm a frustrated chef and baker. There, I said it! I watch Cupcake Wars, Giada at Home, Barefoot Contessa, just to name a few... and I just enjoy watching them cook and bake!

 I even included enrolling in a cooking and baking class in my Life List... Thinking that, someday, I'm going to have an amazing kitchen, so I better have the skills :)

 So last Saturday, Kiel and I attended a baking class together. Yes! It was a Parent and Child workshop arranged by the celebrity mommy-slash-baker-slash-entrepreneur Bettinna Carlos.

 I have been her avid follower on Instagram, and we she announced that she was going to have a baking class, I immediately signed up! 

I wasn't going to miss the chance to learn how to bake, have some bonding time with my child, plus be able to meet Bettinna herself and her daughter, Gummy!

 And what made it even more exciting and impressive, was that mommy Bettinna and Gummy personally prepared everything, from the buying of ingredients and materials, making the hand-outs and certificates, and prepping the class kitchen and everything else!








Another thing I admire about Bettinna is her strong Faith, that's why she has all that energy and perseverance to prepare all this (“I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13”). She mentioned that she has been praying for this before she finally decided to teach and share her love of baking, which I'm glad she did :) Thank God!

 We woke up early Saturday morning because the class starts at 9AM. The little boy was excited to learn to bake too, so he woke up extra early for this.

 The Venue, CCF Center, is right beside Fun Ranch. The Entrance is at the back, near Avilon Zoo.

 When we got to the kitchen, we were given our handouts and hairnets. 

 Bettinna was very down-to-earth, that's how I describe her... Parang hindi artista yung kaharap ko, because I can tell that she is very passionate about what she teaches and she was very humble. We said a short prayer before the class started, and then she proceeded to sharing about why and how she planned this workshop, by the Lord's grace. 

 After that, she taught us the basics of baking, some terminology, which were all in her handouts by the way. Gummy helped of course, she even had her own visual aids, so that the kids present can understand too :) 



Mommy Bettinna then made a demonstration of the 4 goodies we were about to bake, and she was very hands on, walang kyeme kyeme. She was really a teacher to us that day.

 Needless to say, we enjoyed our day baking, plus we learned a lot! And we're very happy to bake such yummy goodies! Promise, masarap! I especially love the chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cupcakes, which Bettinna shared with us her "secret" recipes.

 All participants got certificates at the end of the day, and three mom and child pairs were awarded best baking buddies and got to take home a wooden tray from Kids Furniture Hub.

 That's 2 things crossed off my Life List (attend a baking class and bake cookies and cupcakes... plus banana bread and brownies pa!)

 Now, next step is to get a good oven... Bettinna suggested La Germania or Elba :)





If you want to learn to bake with your child too, Bettinna still has 3 upcoming classes!

 Learn to bake these yummy goodies:

  1. Moist Bananutty Bread
  2. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  3. Red Velvet Cuppycake
  4. Dark Fudgy Brownies

When: February 27, March12, and March 19
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm
Where: CCF Center, Frontera Verde, Pasig
Fee: 3000php (1parent and 1child) - includes hand-outs, ingredients, live-demo, hands-on work
What to Bring: Aprons, kitchen and hand towels, lots and LOTS of containers for take home goodies!

 To reserve a slot or for other inquiries, text or viber 0917.861.BITE(2483) 

 To learn more, just search for the hashtag #BakingwithGummyBites in IG

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 post signature
I think my kids inherited my love of sweets. They especially love ice cream and jelly ace!

 But then again, we all know how kids get hyper when they get too much of sweet things. Not only that, but they can also cause cavities, and we do not want that.

 But kids being kids, they all have the sweet tooth. The best thing that we can do for them is keep their sweet intakes in moderation and make sure they drink lots of water and brush their teeth. Other than that, we also make sure that they eat right and get the nutrients they need.

Now, what if i told you that there is a healthy alternative to your sugary candies? You can indulge your child to a yummy but healthy candy? Is that even possible?

 Well, luckily, our friends from Rebisco have introduced a new brand of jelly candies that are packed with vitamins and minerals for energy and immunity.

 We've been lucky enough to be invited to the Vita Cubes Fun Day at Fun Ranch earlier this month, with a group of other mommy bloggers, so we got to know more about the brand.

What are Vita Cubes?

 Vita Cubes are yummy, cube-shaped jelly candies that come in five (5) different fruit flavors – strawberry, apple, grape, orange and mango.

Are they candy vitamins?

 Not to be confused with chewable vitamins for kids, Vita Cubes is plainly just candy. But, unlike regular candy, they are packed with vitamins and minerals such as:

  • Lysine – Vita Cubes has 70% of the child RENI (Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake). This aids the body in proper growth and energy production. Helps also in calcium absorption.
  • Zinc – 70% of the child RENI. Helps in proper functioning of the immune and digestive system, energy metabolism and in increasing the rate for healing wounds.
  • Vitamin A – 40% of the child RENI. Increases the body immune system to fight infection and also plays a vital role in ensuring healthy eyes and bone development.
  • Vitamin B – 30-70% of the child RENI. Promotes growth, strength and stimulates memory in children in the formative years. It also helps boost oxygen circulation in the body, focusing on the brain to help with concentration and also assists in converting carbohydrates and fats into energy.
  • Vitamin C – 30% of the child RENI. Helps form and repair red blood cells, bones and tissues, which is vital for your child’s healing, boosting their immune system and fighting infections.
  • Vitamin E – 45% of child RENI. Boosts the immune system to fight germs and helps the body to work together to function regularly.


How much do they cost?

 Vita Cubes come in 2 pack sizes, one in 50g pack of different flavors, which costs 12 pesos SRP, and the other in Singles or individually wrapped jelly candy, which costs 1 peso per piece.

Where can I buy them?

 Vita Cubes is available at all Mercury Drug outlets, SM Supermarkets, Robinsons Supermarket, Waltermart, Landmark, Puregold, Mini Stop and local grocery stores.
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I don't usually write about restaurant reviews, just because it's not my thing - I am just not a food blogger, hehe.

 But recently, we've tried two restaurants, on separate occasions, and we loved everything about them: the food, the ambiance, the service. I just felt the need to write about them because 1) I want to document the special time I had with my family, and 2) because I highly recommend them.

 Why? Well, read on and find out :)

 WOODEN SPOON
Loyola Heights, Quezon City (across Ateneo)

My husband and I have been in Quezon City for quite a while, ever since college, and we would always notice Wooden Spoon along Katipunan but never tried it before.

 One typical Sunday night, after our usual grocery shopping, we decided to try it out (finally!) and I'm glad we did!

 Wooden Spoon is a Filipino Restaurant by renowned Chef Sandy Daza, who I remember fondly from his Del Monte Kitchenomics TV shows, and the restaurant is supposedly named after his signature wooden spoon which he uses in his cooking shows.

 So anyway, we were led to our seats upstairs a spiral staircase. The first floor had a few seats, and we were surprised to find a lot more seats at the second floor. 

 The ambiance was homey, rustic and I loved the details of carved out spoons on the benches. The dim lighting was relaxing, and I was drawn to the details on the ceiling which looked like egg cartons painted black, maybe for sound-proofing.


 My husband ordered for us, so forgive me if I don't remember the names of the food, I'm not a food blogger remember? hehe...

 We had Crispy Wings, Beef Sinigang sa Bayabas, Garlic Rice, and Wooden Spoon Iced Teas.

 For appetizer, the Crispy Wings was quite a small serving, but it was delicious enough that it made up for its serving size.

My husband loves sinigang so we had to try the Beef Sinigang sa Bayabas. The beef was tender and the soup tasted mildly sweet because of the bayabas. The kids loved it! And it goes well with our garlic rice. Our Iced teas were delicious too.


The price was just right. Food good for sharing costs about 100-350php on the average.

 NOTE: they only accept CASH, no credit cards.

 We would love to go back here and try their other specialties. Here's a menu on MunchPunch.



SANTIAGO Kain. Kape. Kwento.
Blue Ridge, Katipunan Extension, Quezon City


We're lucky enough that our vicinity has a lot of food establishments now. I remember back in college, that there were only a number of restaurants along Katipunan that were worth trying.

 We would always pass by Santiago along Blue Ridge, and we finally got to try it. We thought it was just a cafe, but it turns out that it was a restaurant too, so we had our dinner there one evening.

 The ambiance is really homey, it kind of felt like a Tagaytay resto because it was so cozy, and the smell of bread and coffee lingered in the air.


We ordered Pork Humba and Classic Filipino Spaghetti, which had large servings good enough for 2-4 persons, but it was more than enough for us, we even had some to take home.


What I love about the place is the shelves of books and magazines, and you can borrow some while you wait for your order. They even have books for kids, which kept the little ones preoccupied. 



They served complimentary whole wheat mamon with butter, served hot and fresh, which were delicious!

The price was also affordable, considering the large serving of food, ranging from 150-400php.

 I would love to come back here, I hear their coffee and desserts are the ones to try!



Cheers,
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Mother's Day is just around the corner! 

 Don't have a gift yet? Don't panic...moms are easy to please, trust me.

 Here's a list of some unique gift ideas for the woman in your life!

 Ok, ok, I might be biased with the items on this list because they are the ones I would like to receive on Mother's Day, hihi... But these are just awesome :)

Let's start with this deliciously, delightful Fruit Bouquet
Source (YouTube: Pins and Things)
You can pre-order from FruiQuet or Fruits in Blooms, or go ahead and try to make a simple one yourself. Moms dig DIY gifts :)

 How about a cupcake flower basket?
Photo source
Check out Pink Sweets and her yummy creations.

 Give her a well-deserved, relaxing day at the Salon or Spa
Photo source
That 1-2 hours of pampering and alone time is already a vacation for mom.

 Or you can give her a cute Spa-in-a-jar instead
Source: www.evermine.com
Source: www.thegunnysack.com
Be sentimental by giving her meaningful, charm jewelry
Photo source
A charm necklace with the kids' names is a piece mom will surely love to wear. See more from Istorya Creations

 Give her a break and prepare her a home-cooked meal
Photo Source
Get crafty and make a handmade card
Photo source
I used to love making cards for my parents when I was a kid. Handmade cards are always special because they are made with love. If not, a Store-Bought Greeting Card is okay too :)

 Or how about giving a HUG (grandma would love this!)
Source: www.pagingsupermom.com
If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a delicious box of chocolates
Source: www.livelaughrowe.com
Who doesn't love chocolates?

 Or this Chocolate bouquet looks good too...
Source: wikiHow

But like I said, moms are easy to please... Just tell her you love her then spoil her with hugs and kisses (moms love those, I know I do!)

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Hi there! I am happy to present Liquesantics' very first guest post! Please welcome Glaiza, as she shares these yummy treats to prepare for Valentine's Day. Photos are by Glaiza too.
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 What are your plans for this coming Valentine's Day? Why not spend it at home?

 Do you want to avoid the Valentine’s rush at the malls and restaurants? Are you saving up for something and want to spend less on this day but still want to make it special? Or you just want to showcase your cooking and baking skills to your husband, at home? 

 Did you just say yes to all those questions? Then this post is for you!

 I’ve been married for 9 months now and all I can say is life really changes after marriage. I grew up in a home where my mom does all the cooking. As a child, I just spent most of my time studying and attending school activities. As an adult, I just spent most of my time working and working and working. I didn’t really get the time to learn how to cook. But during special occasions, I would always be my mom’s assistant in the kitchen, slicing and dicing the ingredients or mixing them up. After being a workaholic for a few years, I decided I want to learn and do something aside from Finance and Control. I got interested in cooking and baking. I didn’t practice it right away but I started browsing books in bookstores and watching videos in YouTube.  And after our wedding, I officially entered the world of cooking and baking (which I categorized in my blog as Sugar and Spice).

 So in the few months of being a career woman turned domesticated wife (but still working from 9-6 only!), I have tried preparing food which I think can fit the Valentine’s theme or just make your date not an ordinary one. I am not an expert yet so I don’t have my own recipes at the moment but I know where to get the best recipes! 

 Here are a few ideas that you can try to prepare at home on the 14th of February.

 Let’s start with the Sweet Category. When I think of Valentine’s, I imagine hearts, chocolates, sweets, reds and pinks:

 1. Red Velvet Cupcake paired with Red Velvet Latte
Red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting, topped with a heart is the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day. And what’s the drink to pair with it? Red Velvet Latte with whipped cream, topped with red sanding sugar. Click the links to watch the Pop Sugar videos where they featured the Red Velvet Cupcakes of Georgetown Cupcakes and Red Velvet Latte Recipe inspired by Dunkin Donuts in their Get the Dish Segment. If you don’t have a baking oven, but have a microwave oven, you can also try the Red Velvet Mug Cake for Two, also from Pop Sugar Food.




2. Heart Pancakes paired with Hot Chocolate
This is very simple to prepare, all you need is your usual pancake mix and a heart-shaped cookie cutter set and you can serve your husband hearts for breakfast! Pair them with Hot Chocolate, I recommend using the Tsokolate Tablea just because it’s the best.


3. Strawberry Chocolate Cupcake
Strawberries and Chocolates – best combination ever! And you can do the same combination in a cupcake, with chocolate as the base cupcake and strawberry as frosting. You can put heart toppings or fresh strawberries on top of the frosting for decoration. Here are the recipes: Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake from the Brown Eyed Baker and the Simple Strawberry Buttercream Frosting from Rose Bakes.


Moving on to the Savory Category… 

 4. Garlic Butter Shrimp
This is a favorite of mine and very memorable because this is the first dish I cooked for my husband. It’s also easy to prepare, you only need four ingredients (aside from salt and pepper): Shrimp, Lemon Soda (Sprite), Butter, and Minced Garlic. Here’s the recipe from Panlasang Pinoy. And what’s cute is you can actually form a heart with two shrimps ☺


5. Creamy Chicken Alphabet Soup or Alphabet Carbonara 
I love the Alphabet Pasta because it can be used to create a short message to the husband. I used it in a creamy chicken soup instead of macaroni. You can do the same and just follow the Macaroni Soup recipe from Panlasang Pinoy. I also used this pasta in Carbonara and here’s the recipe from Nestle Club.


6. Japanese Dinner: Chicken Teriyaki, Salad, and Sushi
If you and your husband love Japanese food, why don’t you prepare a Japanese dinner? What I prepared before are the following: Chicken Teriyaki (Recipe Here), Vegetable Salad (you can make it really Japanese by adding crab sticks and avocado), and some sushi bought from the supermarket. Don’t forget the rice! And if you have some Japanese dinnerware, use them for the complete Japanese feel. 


7. Beefy Saturday
Does your husband love beef? There are actually a lot of beef dishes out there. I remember one Saturday; I cooked 3 balanced meals with beef as the star of each plate. You can try them, too.

 Breakfast: Corned Beef, Rice, Grilled Eggplant and Bananas

 Lunch: Meatballs with Gravy (Recipe here), Boiled Potatoes, Buttered Mixed Vegetables, and Apples

 Dinner: Beef Stroganoff with Fusilli Pasta (Recipe here), Cucumber and Green Grapes

Are you excited to go to the kitchen and try the ideas in the list? If you want to know where I usually get ideas and recipes for my everyday cooking and baking, check out my blog post: 7 Food YouTube Channels Worth Following. 

 Hope you’ll have happy kitchen adventures and a romantic date with your husbands! 


 Happy Valentine’s Day in advance!

 Glai
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 About the Author: Glaiza Villanueva-De Leon, also known as Glai, is a happy wife, Financial Analyst by Day, Homemaker and Blogger by Night and Weekends. She loves to learn, travel, plan events, cook, bake, eat, create and collect everything nice and writes about them in her blog: Oh My Glai! | Discoveries in and out of home.

 Lique and Glai met in their first Wednesday class in UP Diliman: a Chess class! Then they discovered that they were actually neighbors in Kalayaan Residence Hall (rooms 218 and 219). They call each other Kambal because they are “kalokalikes” and they also have a lot in common: both Batanguenas who married their high school sweethearts named Jejo and Jelo! How cool is that?!